In a meeting with the representatives from 11 trade unions, the finance minister Arun Jaitley yesterday assured that the government did not want to privatize the Railways or Coal India.
“Government has no intention to privatize either Railways or Coal India. The focus of the government is to create more jobs and employment opportunities, besides safeguarding the existing jobs,” Jaitley said adding, “The focus of the government is also to give a better environment for ease of living for the common man.”
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) secretary DL Sachdev told reporters that the unions have demanded immediate stop to the process of disinvestment in profit-making public sector units.
The unions also asked for more Budgetary support for revival of sick state-run units which have potentials.
“In particular, we opposed the ordinance on the coal sector, insurance sector and Land Acquisition Act. We demand all such ordinances should be withdrawn forthwith,” Sachdev said.
A joint statement by the 11 unions said, “Concrete steps must be taken to recover huge accumulated unpaid arrears which has already crossed Rs. 5 lakh crore on direct and corporate tax accounts alone.”
(Input from IANS & PTI)
Tags: Arun Jaitley
