Divestment of NALCO, Neyvelli Lignite not violating CMP: Soni

Kolkata, July 4 (UNI) Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Ambika Soni said here today that disinvestment of NALCO in Orissa and Neyvelli Lignite Corporation in Tamil Nnadu are being done according to the Common Minimum Programme.

'' Divestment of these companies are not violating the Common Minimum Programme,'' she said.

She said before deciding on divestment of these two companies, the Congress Working Committee had met recently and discussed its impact on the common people.

According to the CMP the Navratna companies cannot be divested and NALCO and Neyvelli are not Navratna companies, she pointed out.

However, she said Union Finance minister P Chidambaram had categorically said divestment of these companies are not violating the CMP.

Asked about her reaction to the Left Front's decision to start nationwide agitation against privatision of public sector companies, Ms Soni said disinvestment is being done as laid in the CMP.

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