Govt on a 'selling spree' of profit-making PSUs: CPI(M)

Tapan Kumar Sen said that privatisation of state-run BSNL and MTNL will lead to 'resistance' all over the country

Accusing the government of being on "a selling spree" of PSUs, CPI(M) leader Tapan Kumar Sen, warned on Monday that privatisation of state-run BSNL and MTNL will lead to "resistance" all over the country.

Raising the issue in Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, Sen said there are reports that the government was planning the privatisation and stragetic sale of profit-making and strategic public sector units "which is not in interest of the nation".

"It appears that the government is on a selling spree and they have given the responsibility to their appointed NITI Aayog to prepare a list of PSUs to be sold out and has also set the programme," he alleged.

Specifically referring to reports about strategic sale of MTNL and BSNL, Sen said the government was "targetting" the national telecom carriers for outright privatisation, particularly at a time when BSNL has brought itself back to operational profits.

BSNL earned an operational profit of Rs 471 crore in 2014-15 and the company is expected to earn operational profit of Rs 2400 crore in 2015-16, he said.

Sen said when a PSU is on a "turnaround" path, the government, according to media reports, is planning to sell it.

He asked the goverment to review plans regarding disinvestment and warned that of "resistance all over the country" if BSNL is privatised.

Veer Singh (BSP) raised the issue of sale of adulterated milk across the country, saying 68% of the milk sold was substandard. He called upon the government to forumulate a policy to increase production of milk.

Anand Sharma (Congress) said due to a circular issued by the government, the job quota for disabled persons has not been filled up and demanded its withdrawal.

After withdrawing the circular, a bill relating to rights of the disabled people should be passed, he said, adding that the bill was pending in the Rajya Sabha since 2010.

"Prime Minister talk about disabled people, weak people ...Why have you not taken up that particular bill," Sharma asked. He said the bill regarding the rights of disabled persons should be taken up in the House on priority.

Vishambhar Prasad Nishad (SP) raised the issue of high cost of cancer treatment and demanded setting up of institutes like Mumbai-based Tata Memorial Hospital in every state capital for cancer treatment.