Title: Disinvestment of profit making Public Sector Undertakings.
MR. SPEAKER: Now, we will take up Special Mentions.
SHRI SUNIL KHAN (DURGAPUR): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I draw the attention of this House to a very serious question being asked by the people of India in the last few years. This happened during the tenure of the NDA Government. Unfortunately, my friends on the other side are not present today. They took those public sector undertakings as rhetoric and sold them at throw away prices to the private entrepreneurs. Most importantly, though the CAG has already received the comments of the Ministry of Disinvestment on their Preliminary Inspection Report in respect of Modern Food, Balco, Hindustan Teleprinters, that have not yet been placed on the Table of the House as yet. Similarly, the CAG has started the scrutiny of the transaction in the case of Paradeep Phosphates Limited, ITC hotels, Hotel Corporation of India, VSNL, Jessop, IBP Limited. But the country is yet to know its findings.
MR. SPEAKER: What is your point?
SHRI SUNIL KHAN: I may be excused to call this past action as blatant attack on the CAG to create political pressure. I do not know whether the CAG is still under political pressure. I request the Government, through this House, to further inquire as to how the valuable assets of those undertakings were frittered away by the private entrepreneurs. I demand that a Commission of Inquiry be constituted to inquire into the details of the strategic sale of these units. An assurance was given by the private entrepreneurs that the employees will remain in the units. But they have thrown away the employees.
MR. SPEAKER: Not much time is left.
SHRI SUNIL KHAN: They have already closed four units of Modern Food. What will happen to those employees? The Minister should come out with a statement. The hon. Finance Minister is present here.