Friday, June 23 2006 11:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhubaneswar: Opposing the cabinet clearance for 10 per cent disinvestment in public sector NALCO, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the Centre to give a 'second thought' on the decision.

"The proposal may be given a second thought and any funds requirment for expansion or otherwise of NALCO may be allowed to be met from its internal resources," Patnaik said in a letter sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday (June 22, 2006).

Expressing concern over the recent cabinet decision regarding disinvestment in NALCO, he said, "The company is the only major central public sector unit with its headquarter in Orissa."

"NALCO has an excellent performance record judged by any efficient parameter. The performance in terms of export is excellent. As a result, it can generate sufficient revenue to meet its industrial need including proposal for expansion," Patnaik said.

He said that NALCO has been a symbol of Orissa's pride and there has been widespread discontentment after the news of Disinvestment came out in a section of media.

The Left parties have too opposed the decision threatening to take the fight to different fora.

While the CPI (M) decided to raise the issue in Parliament, CPI and its affliated trade union AITUC here today took out a rally in protest against the decision.

Several employees' associations of NALCO have launched their agitations in Angul and Damnjodi facilities demanding withdrawal of the disinvestment proposal.