The Nalco disinvestment issues on Tuesday rocked the State Assembly with ruling BJD members demanding adoption of a censure motion unanimously against the Union Government for its move for disinvestment of 12.5 per cent of the stakes in the Central PSU.
A wordy duel took place in the House between the Treasury and Opposition Benches as Congress members accused Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of having initiated the process of privatisation of the Nalco with a disinvestment of 87.15 per cent stake during his stint as Union Steel and Mines Minister in the NDA regime.
During the Zero Hour, Government Deputy Chief Whip Sanjay Dasburma referred to the move for sale of 6 per cent share from the Odisha-based Navratna company at present, alleged that there is a conspiracy to disinvest further 12.15 per cent stake as per the decision of the Central Cabinet on September 14, 2012.
Dasburma said Nalco was set up for socioeconomic development of the people.
With the disinvestment, the growth of the company would be affected and Odisha would be deprived of the service of Nalco, which has been making profit since its inception and has paid a total Rs 4,197 crore as dividend, of which Rs 3,659.62 crore has been given to the Central Government. Besides contributing to the peripheral development, the company has also generated employment, he said.
The Central Government has already sold 6 per cent out of the proposed 12.15 per cent share for Rs 620 crore on March 15, he pointed out and urged the members cutting across the party lines to pass a unanimous resolution opposing the move.
Dasburma was supported by a number of his party colleagues.
On the other hand, the Congress members tried to justify the decision of the Union Government, stating that it would not affect the status of the Nalco which would continue as a Government-controlled unit with a munch higher share. Congress member Chakradhar Paika said that if the State Government is so concerned with the disinvestment decision, it should purchase all the stakes.
Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan alleged that it was Naveen Patnaik who was the main architect behind the Nalco privatisation move during his tenure as Steel and Mines Minister in the NDA rule at the Centre. Patnaik had initiated sale of a majority share of 87.15 per cent.
leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh dared the State Government to bring a motion to discuss the issues of Central neglect and Nalco disinvestment and central assistance during the UPA and NDA regimes.
As the Congress members accused Naveen Patnaik of having initiated the Nalco disinvestment process, the BJD members created noisy scenes and did not allow the Congress members to speak, resulting in pandemonium in the House for some time.