From Jal Khambata
NEW DELHI: Disinvestment Commission chairman G V Ramakrishna has
put a bombshell in the Prime Minister's mail box, accusing the
government of a deliberate dilly-dallying policy to throttle the
public sector undertakings.
Though he steadfastly refused to divulge contents of a 3-page
confidential letter he has dashed off to Atal Bihari Vajpayee
two days ago, he is understood to have threatened to resign and
expose the government's wrong-doings that are badly damaging the
PSU's interests.
A 1951 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, Ramakrishna
may reveal all in the Press next Thursday or any day thereafter
unless the Government cries halt to its secret anti-PSU crusade.
He had been having a running battle with his minister but his
IAS friends privy to his missive to the Prime Minister say they
never expected it will come to a head in this way.
PRIVATE SHARES' BOOM: GVR, as he is known in the official
circles, is understood to have expressed anguish at the
government withdrawing the Commission's powers to implement the
disinvestment decisions as a deliberate design to help the
private sector at the cost of the PSUs' interests.
"Why the share prices of PSUs have not shot up? Why only private
sector shares are booming? What is the secret behind this
phenomena," asks Ramakrishna pointing out that he cannot remain
a moot spectator of this racket any longer.
He asks why the Government was sitting tight over the
Commission's recommendations for disinvestment of shares of five
PSUs. He says the Government is doing everything that goes
against the spirit of its National Agenda promise of good
governance.
CAN'T FUNCTION: Ramakrishna has reportedly stressed in his
letter that he was being prevented from carrying out the
responsibilities bestowed upon him as head of the Disinvestment
Commission and hence he would better like to relinquish the job.
The Disinvestment Commission was set up in August 1996 initially
for a period of three years as an advisory body to advise the
government on disinvestment of the PSUs and also carry out the
actual disinvestment besides performing any other activities
relating to PSUs as assigned by the government. Why should the
government spend Rs 1.50 crores a year on the Commission when it
cannot be allowed to function, asks its angry chairman.
He wants to quit the government job to breath free air and speak
out the truth. He, however, refuses to spill the beans just now.
When contacted to confirm his resignation, Ramakrishna refused
to say anything in the Press. "Not now," he said pointing out
that he had given one week's time to the government to make up
its mind and as such it would be inappropriate on his part to
speak at this juncture. His deadline is March 11. If he does not
hear anything concrete from the government by that date, he
promised to speak out. END.
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