Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K.S. Alagiri has alleged that privatisation of Salem Steel Plant would lead to monopoly in stainless steel market in the country.
Participating in a one-day hunger strike against the privatisation of the plant in front of the District Collectorate here. Mr. Alagiri said, “in India, at present, 60% stainless steel market is owned by private players and the remaining 40% is catered by Salem Steel Plant. Privatisation of SSP would lead to monopoly in stainless steel market and it would lead to an increase in price of stainless steel products.” He added that SSP is the reason why stainless steel products are available for reasonable prices and privatisation of the plant would lead to increase in prices.
Mr. Alagiri said that they aren’t against development of private companies but they are against handing over public sector undertakings to private players. “We are not against privatisation or development of private industries. But PSUs shouldn’t be handed over to private players. They should be run by government”, he said. He added that villagers came forward to give land for the plant since it was a PSU. He added that the protests would continue against the privatisation of the plant.
Mr. Alagiri alleged that 8-lane expressway is being laid for the benefit of one single person to facilitate smooth transport of mineral resources taken from various parts of the State.
“Generally roads are laid for the benefit of the public, but, the expressway is laid for the benefit of one single person hence we are opposing it.”
Talking to presspersons, Mr. Alagiri said, “DMK would surely win in the Vellore elections. People aren’t ready to accept AIADMK and understanding this, they haven’t invited BJP for campaign in Vellore.” Mr. Alagiri alleged that the Election Commission has failed in the State. Talking about Karnataka, Mr. Alagiri said that the Yedurappa government wouldn’t last for five years.
