Hinting that the Congress government will oppose the entry of private sector companies in Bastar, Chhattisgarh Industries Minister Kawasi Lakhma told assembly on Friday that they would oppose disinvestment of PSUs and privatisation of mineral deposits to protect interest of poor tribal people of the area.
Taking part in the debate on demands for grants of his department, the minister said Congress government was not against industrialisation and development of Bastar but they would oppose the disinvestment of PSUs such as the Nagarnar Steel Plant and privatisation of iron ore deposit in Bailadila.
“We will not allow privatisation of Bastar as it will have negative effect on the interest of poor tribals of the area”, he said.
Ascertaining that the interest of Bastar people would be ensured, the minister said that development of the area would be done as per aspirations of people residing there.
During discussion, the minister said it was contribution of Congress that a PSU like the Nagarnar Plant was established in Bastar. It was astonishing that the union government was now trying to disinvest it and entire Bastar oppose this move, he said. “Similarly, mining in Bailadila was initiated during the regime of Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the government of India had now assigned one of the iron ore mines to a subsidiary of the Adani group. We are going to oppose this move vehemently and will not let Adani group do mining there,” he added.