Govt should investigate UNI stake sale scam: Brinda Karat

New Delhi, Oct 4 (UNI) CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat today asked the government to order an inquiry into the ''big scam'' relating to the sale of UNI shares to Zee Telefilms Chairman Subash Chandra.

''The government should inquire into the major scam to bring out the truth and take action against those who violated the law to change the character'' of the news agency, Ms Karat said while addressing UNI employees on the lawns of its headquarters here.

Pointing out that UNI was registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, the Left leader said this enabled the agency to disseminate impartial news, particularly to small and medium newspapers across the country, in English, Hindu and Urdu.

As such, no single media group should be allowed to have a controlling stake in UNI, she said and asserted that the present takeover bid was being done to usurp the agency's prime property at 9 Rafi Marg which had a market value running into hundreds of crores of rupees.

This was a classic example of private companies being allowed to acquire public property at throwaway prices, she said.

Ms Karat said her party and its Left allies were totally against the takeover of UNI by a single media group and would fight shoulder-to-shoulder with UNI employees to preserve the independent character of the agency as it was vital for a vibrant democracy and a free press.

UNI employees yesterday staged a four-hour-long sit-in outside the UNI Board of Directors office here protesting the presence of Mr Subhash Chandra, who, they said, was an ''unauthorised person'' as his takeover has been challenged in Delhi High Court and his being co-opted on the Board was yet to be ratified by the Annual General Meeting.

A five-member delegation of UNI employees, meanwhile, called on CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan and submitted a meorandum seeking a CBI inquiry into the UNI deal.

The government should intervene and ensure the unseating of Mr Subhash Chandra and three of his associates as co-opted Directors of the UNI Board, the delegation said.

UNI TEAM AT HS1505