At a time when the Centre is looking to divest stakes in firms including Salem Steel Plant, State Industries Minister M.C. Sampath on Thursday said the Tamil Nadu government will not allow the privatisation of any public sector unit in the State.
“The Chief Minister (Jayalalithaa) will not allow the Salem Steel Plant to fall into private hands,” he said, replying to a volley of questions posed by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLA Saba Rajendran during the debate on the demand for grants for the industries department.
Mr. Sampath recalled how Tamil Nadu acquired a 3.56 per cent stake in Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) when the Centre attempted to divest the Navaratna company’s shares.
Answering a question from Mr. Rajendran on whether the State government would acquire stakes every time an effort is made to divest shares of public sector units, the Minister said that the government would evaluate the situation and take necessary action.
While the two were debating, Handloom Minister O.S. Manian intervened and quipped, “I thank the DMK member for subtly pointing out that we (AIADMK) will remain in power forever.”
