Trade unions in Neyveli are gearing up to hold protests against the Central governement’s decision to sell five per cent stake in the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC).
When the matter of disinvesting NLC shares came up a few weeks ago, political leaders including Chief Minister Jayalalithaa opposed it and also wrote to PM Manmohan Singh. DMK president Karunanidhi also opposed the Centre in this matter.
All trade unions jointly opposed the move. As opposition to the decision began mounting, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) deferred the decision a few days ago. However, again, the CCEA has cleared the five per cent stake sale in NLC now.
It may be recalled that when the Central Government came up with the NLC disinvestment plan in 2002 and 2006, trade unions and the political parties strongly opposed it. Subsequently, the disinvestment process was stopped. This time too, all trade unions in Neyveli are expected to join hands to protest against the Central Government.
Rajavanniyan, general secretary of LPF, said, “In 2002 and in 2006, all trade unions entered into a strike against the disinvestment decision. We succeeded as Centre withdrew the disinvestment plan during that time. Now, again it has taken up the disinvestment plan. All trade unions, officers associations and all NLC employees will oppose the move.”
Rama Udhayakumar, secretary of Anna Thozhil Sangam, said, “We are arranging for a meeting of all trade unions on Sunday in Neyveli, where we will discuss the issue.”