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PM hauls up media over divestment coverage

Accusing sections of media of distorting facts over the divestment issue, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee regretted that an atmosphere was being created as if the entire privatisation process has come to a halt due to differences within the government.

In an apparent reference to the opposition to strategic sale of public sector oil companies from some Cabinet ministers, he said: "Differences are bound to be there when knowledgeable people discuss policies. An impression is being created that the divestment policy is wrong and that there are divisions within the government."

Significantly, the prime minister's remarks came at a function in New Delhi hours after hardliners in the Cabinet against strategic sale (of PSUs) -- George Fernandes, Murli Manohar Joshi and Ram Naik -- met in the Capital.

Vajpayee also took exception to what he called a campaign by the media to create an impression that the country's vital assets were being sold through the divestment process.

Making it clear that the media has the right to report what it thought is right, the PM said, "Such a campaign is not in the country's interest. It is incorrect to say that the country is being sold. "

Vajpayee said he was not opposed to the privatisation policy being followed for the last two-and-a-half years and he was also not against taking corrective measures once the policy is reviewed.

Referring to loss-making public sector units, Vajpayee said these firms have not been making profit for years and that steps had to be taken to privatise them. He cited the example of efficient running of Modern Bakeries after divestment.

Vajpayee said it was also important to ensure that workers if retrenched due to privatisation are provided jobs.

On the debate on divestment, Vajpayee said no policy could be described as good for all time as it has to be dictated by present conditions and needs.

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