Baalu says DMK opposed privatisation

New Delhi, July 8 (UNI) Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu today said the DMK did not take a U-turn on the question of the aborted move to disinvest 10 per cent stake in Tamil Nadu-based Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC).

In a statement issued here tonight in response to reports in a section of the media, Mr Baalu said the three DMK ministers were not present when the decision to divest 10 per cent of shares of NLC and NALCO was taken on June 22 by the Union Cabinet.

He said when the decision was made public, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi reacted against the disinvestment since it was a violation of the Common Minimum Programme.

The minister said there was no question of taking any U-turn and the DMK was consistently opposing privatisation, particularly of profit making public sector undertakings He said his party was not opposing the privatistion for the first time. ''The party forced the earlier NDA government to give up the privatisation of Salem Steel Plant,'' Mr Baalu added.

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