Vadodara: The Samata Party president and Union Defence Minister George Fernandes on December 10 said there was no difference in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition on the issue of disinvestement in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).

Talking to reporters, the Minister said he was opposed to disinvestment in the two public sector units (PSUs) and favoured review a couple of months back. "But it was a unanimous cabinet decision this time," he said.

Fernandes said money raised through disinvestment should be spent on infrastructure projects like construction of roads and national highways and stressed the need for creation of asset management fund for its proper utilisation.

He justified deployment of armed forces on the Western sector including Kutch, for checking smuggling of arms, weapons and narcotics from the neighbouring country. In addition, Coast Guard has also been deployed to keep constant vigil.

He reiterated that there was no pressure from outside to pull back Indian troops deployed at the border.

PTI