BJD, BJP adopting "double standards" in NALCO disinvestment: Ramesh

Bhubaneswar, July 1 (UNI) Union Commerce Minister Jairam Ramesh today accused the ruling BJD-BJP in Orissa of playing a ''double standard game'' in the NALCO disinvestment case.

Mr Ramesh told newsmen here that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had approved 13 per cent disinvestment during his tenure as a Union Mines Minister in the NDA government.

''The NDA government, during its second tenure, had planned to privatise 60 per cent equity of NALCO,'' he said.

''However, it was the Orissa Congress which had been all along opposing any disinvestment in NALCO for the last eight years,'' he said.

When asked that was the Congress was also adopting a ''double standard game'' in case of NALCO with the central leadership supporting the offloading of the equity while the Orissa Congress opposing the move, the Union Minister said this could be treated as a ''different point of view and not double standards.'' He said Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had drawn the attention of the Prime Minister while the Congress leaders from the state had apprised the Prime Minister, the Union Finance Minister and the Congress President on the sentiments of the people on disinvestment of NALCO.

Mr Ramesh said since the issue involved the sentiments of the people of Orissa and occupied a special position, the matter would be reviewed, adding that he did not think that the Centre would take a very rigid stand on NALCO disinvestment.

To a question whether he would support the disinvestment in NALCO, the Union Minister said he was not involved in the process but he would certainly apprise his senior colleagues about the sentiments of the people of Orissa.

Disinvestment, he said should be selectively carried out and there should be some political consensus on the issue.

He said had earlier suggested to the Centre that let the government identify 20 or 30 PSUs which would not be privatised without the approval of the Parliament.

''Let there be a legislation in the Parliament which would make privatisation of PSUs totally dependent on the approval of the Parliament,'' he said.

UNI DP TJP VD BD1718