Centre giving importance to public sector: Antony

Kochi, Feb 4: Defence Minister A K Antony today said the Centre was providing assistance to revive the public sector in tandem with encouraging the private sector for the economic development of the nation.

Addressing a gathering after the inauguration of ''Employees' and Pensioners' Congress'' (EPS), Mr Antony said the Centre was providing all possible assistance for the revivalof the loss-making public sector undertakings in the country.

New public sector undertaking were not set up as the Centre has the duty to revitalise the existing establishments in the public sector, he said and added ''to sustain the economic growth it was also important to give due impetus to the private sector''.

The Defence Minister said the private sector had a pivotal role to play as the country was on the path of fast economic development after the wave of globalisation and liberalisation.

''The private sector has proved their mettle by successfully competing with foreign companies,'' he noted.

Citing the example of Tata Steel taking over Corus group, he said the private companies has made a significant presence in the global business map and added that India would emerge as a super power along with China in this century.

Referring to the newly-constituted EPS, Mr Antony said the organisation should be able to address the problems of the employees and pensioners in the central, state, public sector, insurance, banking and cooperative institutions.

KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala, charged the Left Democratic Front Government in Kerala with working against the interests of employees in various sectors.

He said the Congress would launch agitation against the government's indifferent attitude towards the employees in the state.

Mr Chennithala said the EPS would be a public platform for the employees in various sector to air their views.

UNI