Anti-reformers stock up on gas

Party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy said it was regrettable that the Government did not agree with the Opposition’s logic that the two companies could be privatised only through an act of Parliament.

CPI (M) leader Somnath Chatterjee was more strident. He suggested that Parliament look into the disinvestment issue afresh. ‘‘The time has come to stop disinvestment of national assets by reckless methods,’’ he said. CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta even demanded the resignation of Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie. Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh said, ‘‘It is a virtual endorsement of the report of the standing committee on petroleum headed by UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.’’ He said Mulayam had stated that BPCL and HPCL should be disinvested only with the sanction of Parliament.

BJP President M Venkaiah Naidu merely said the highest court’s decision has to be respected.

While Shourie felt disappointed over the development, it was difficult to figure out the exact feelings of Petroleum Minister Ram Naik, who had, along with the RSS, initially opposed the privatisation of oil companies tooth and nail.

According to an agency report, Naik termed the SC decision ‘‘historic.’’ When asked if his stand had been vindicated, Naik said, ‘‘It was a Cabinet decision which I accepted.’’ To a query whether the government would go to Parliament on the issue, Naik said it would be decided by the cabinet.

The Congress may find it expedient to occupy a high moral ground by distancing itself from the disinvestment process at the Centre but its own track-record in the states tells a different story.

For example, its government headed by Amarinder Singh in Punjab listed Punjab Tractors Limited (PTL) for disinvestment. And right now, Punjab Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), which owns tourist resorts and restaurants all across the state and some land in Goa and Shimla, is up for privatisation.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi is cast more in the role of Shourie than Jaipal Reddy. After the bifurcation of Madhya Pradesh, Jogi created only six PSUs, in comparison to 38 in the composite MP. Consequently, transport is totally privatised in the state.

The Housing and Urban Development Authority of Chhattisgarh, formed to take over the assests and liabilities of MP Housing Development Corporation was wound up in July, though it was a profit-making PSU.