India: Decades-old political party appeals Prime Minister to repeal the decision of NALCO’s privatisation

The oldest communist party of the country, Communist Party of India’s (CPI) general secretary D Raja has delivered a written statement to Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi appealing him to repeal the Govt. of India’s decision towards privatisation of state-owned integrated aluminium company NALCO.

D Raja’s letter quoted, “There is widespread resentment among the workers to the move. We request you to roll back your government's move to privatise the National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO). We vehemently oppose the disastrous plan of your government to implement 100% strategic disinvestment in the National Aluminium Company Ltd by way of privatisation.”

“NALCO, established in 1981, is a Navaratna company under the Ministry of Mines and has been the topmost Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE), producing and exporting high-quality alumina and aluminium for the last 40 years”, Raja added.

"I want to draw your attention to the fact that there is widespread resentment among the people and workers in particular to the anti-worker and anti-people move.”

Raja’s statement also narrated, “It is also a fact that NALCO, since its inception, has been making profits and continues to have a consistent track record in production, productivity, technology up-gradation. NALCO is the highest foreign exchange earner CPSE in the country. It has been giving a sizable share of dividends to national and state exchequers as well as to the shareholders.”

The general secretary concluded his writing to the Prime Minister by saying, “In the light of these, I request you to reconsider the move in the best interests of the country, workers and people. Hope you will take positive steps in this regard.”