Won’t allow SSP to go into private hands: Tamil Nadu

While the Opposition members also voiced their support, the ruling party recalled a precedent, in which the AIADMK government offered relief in the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) case after the Centre’s proposed disinvestment plan. 

MC Sampath, Minister for Industries, during the debate on the budget, stressed the point to a question on this issue raised by KR Ramsamy, state Congress legislature party leader. “It is a fact that speculation is rife over the privatisation of Salem Steel Plant due to loss of revenue. However, the government has continuously been in touch with the Centre regarding this and we will never allow the plant to be privatised,” the minister replied. 

“Everyone knows what happened when the Congress at the Centre tried to disinvest shares in NLC in 2013,” the minister said. “The AIADMK government bought 3.56 per cent stake from the public-sector units (PSUs from five states) in the NLC, when the UPA government tried to divest its equity to the state based private company,” the minister noted. 

The Congress MLA also asked the government to set up an IT park on the premises of steel plant, for which Sampath replied that they would consider the suggestion after conducting a study. 

Meanwhile, Deputy Leader of Opposition, Durai Murugan said, “The DMK will join hands with the ruling party to stop the Centre from privatising the plant. Further, I appeal to the AIADMK MLAs to resign, if the Centre was persistent on this issue.” 

This led to a commotion among the AIADMK MLAs and Sampath said that they would not resign, but would stage a peaceful protest.