UPA Govt committed to empowering PSUs: Sonia

Salem, Sep 5 (UNI) Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today said the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre was committed to empowering Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in the country.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the modernisation and expansion of Salem Steel Plant here, she said the government was against indiscriminate privatisation of the PSUs.

Ms Gandhi said the employees of the steel plant became upset and agitated a few years ago when there was a move to privatise the plant.

However, after the UPA came to power in 2004, it had abandoned the policy of indiscriminate privatisation ''adopted'' by the previous government, she added.

Ms Gandhi claimed that the UPA Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had revived a number of companies in the four and half years.

She said the role of PSUs did not end with making profits.

They should venture into Corporate Social Resposibility (CSR).

When PSUs make profit in a sustained manner, they should also take up CSR by providing healthcare, education and sanitation facilities to the local people and impart vocational training courses for them.

MORE UNI WS SLD HT1940