Congress member Margaret Alva yesterday called for a re-examination of the policy of privatisation and entry of foreign companies while discussing the Presidents address to Parliament. She sought a level playing field for the public sector. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Alva said foreign companies have been busy buying up Indian firms. They have not created additional industrial capacity, generate new jobs or build infrastructure.
Foreign companies were keen on investing in the consumer goods sector. They are out to turn the Indian society into a consumerist society, where national savings will be chanalised to non-productive areas.
Alva, who was a minister in the Narsimha Rao government, said that efforts should be directed to re-examining the policy of liberalisation without trying to pass on blame on the erstwhile government. She also questioned the recent statement of Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda about allowing foreign companies to set up nuclear power plants in the country. She said this was surprising because the government had earlier refused to share information about nuclear power plants with Parliament on the plea that it was sensitive information. She asked why the government was dragging its feet on the Lok Pal bill, on the bill for reservation for women in elected bodies and creation of a judicial commission for appointment of judges, even after holding discussions with parties.
Why dont you come up with the bills and let Parliament decide whether to accept or reject them? This is your opportunity to do all that you accused the Congress of not doing in the past, she told the treasury benches.
