Unions threaten strike over NITI proposal to sell Air India

New Delhi, June 15: Opposing NITI Aayog’s proposal to privatise Air India and shut down 28 PSUs, central trade unions, including the RSS-backed BMS, have threatened to go on strike and sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in the matter.

One of the bodies has even accused the government of “moving on expected lines to sell the country ”.“B MS NIT IA ayog proposal to close sick PSUs... BMS demands that the government call a meeting of all stakeholders to discuss the revival plan of sick PSUs before proceeding to decide on the proposal of NITI Aayog. Otherwise, we will be compelled to come onto the streets to oppose the move ,” B MS general secretary Virjesh Upadhyay said in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement follows NITI Aayog submitting its proposal to the Prime Minister’s Office on strategic sale, pr iv at is at ion of PSUs and closure of lossmaking units.

The NITI panel, headed by its vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya with CEO Amitabh Kant and other members on board, has prepared a detailed blueprint on PSU reforms. The Aayog has already submitted two lists of PS Us for strategic sale and closure or sale of sick units.

Although the panels’ recommendation has not been made public, some media reports suggest that it has pitched for reducing the government’ s stake to 49% or below in PS Us at one go under the strategic sale option.

“The AITUC Secretariat has taken serious note and condemned the proposal for strategic sale of Air India, Chennai Petroleum, Madras Fertilizer and FACT by NITI Aayog ,” All India Trade Union Congress secretary D L Sachdev said in a statement.

“AITUC has also condemned Aayog’s proposal to wind up 28 PS Us and long-term lease of ITDC hotels. AITUC appeals to the PM not to accept the proposals as submitted by NITI Aayog on strategic sale and winding up the so-called loss-making PSUs and stresses on revival of these units.”