'Seek employees' consent for changes in PSUs'

Kolkata, Nov 23: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee ruled out divestment of any unit her under ministry and asked the government to seek employees' consent for changes in state-run companies.

Speaking in an interview to a TV channel, she said, "I think a uniform system should be laid down for divestment of public sector units (PSUs). The government should first call the employees' unions of those units and talk to them about the modalities."

She further said, "The unions and the government should come to an agreement. And then the shares should be offered to the employees."

Banerjee said there should be no divestment of PSUs which are of strategic importance.

Banerjee said her party Trinamool Congress was opposed to large scale divestment. "But I have a balanced view. If there is no disinvestment, from where will the government get the money for its social projects like the 100 days' work scheme?"

"The consent of the individual ministers are taken before carrying out divestment of any units under his department. So even if the government wants to divest shares of any railways unit, I will say no when my consent is sought," she added.

OneIndia News