Calling for a national debate on disinvestment, the economic wing of the RSS, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has opposed the government's plan to sell its stake in select public sector units. Passing a resolution against the divestment drive, SJM has called for the Niti Aayog report that proposed a strategic stake sale to be junked. It has also called for a fresh assessment of the value, assets, and liabilities of all state-run companies.

The SJM is also demanding a white paper on the deal where Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) bought a controlling stake in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL).

Speaking out against the proposed sale of Air India, the SJM has said that the national carrier is needed for the country's strategic interests. It has also opposed any plan to sell BSNL. Ashwani Mahajan of Swadeshi Jagran Manch discussed this and more.

“Swadeshi Jagram Manch is not against disinvestment,” he said.

“Our resolution clearly says that we agree with this and we are of this view that the government has no business to be in business. This is the position right from the very beginning. Our school of thought clearly believes in private entrepreneurship. We are disagreeing with the present proposal is because this disinvestment should not be strategic disinvestment,” he added.

“The government is going for strategic disinvestment searching for companies who can buy these companies. This report of Niti Aayog has not been drawn with the due diligence,” Mahajan noted.

“We are suggesting – the government has taken a very wise step earlier of disinvesting in various public sector units through equity route – that you follow the equity route and that will fetch you more money,” he further mentioned.

First Published:Dec 2, 2019 11:13 PM IST