Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday firmly rejected allegations that the Kerala government was moving towards privatisation of public sector undertakings (PSUs) or the state's mineral sands sector, asserting that the Budget contains no such proposal.
Replying to the three-day Budget debate in the Assembly, Satheesan said the government's policy was to strengthen public sector institutions through reforms and improved efficiency rather than privatisation.
"We are not going to privatise a single public sector enterprise. There is no such proposal in the Budget," the chief minister said.
He dismissed claims circulating in sections of the media and on social media, saying they had no basis in the Budget document. According to him, the government's objective is to make PSUs financially viable and self-sustaining.
Highlighting the government's support to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Satheesan said thousands of crores of rupees had been provided to the transport corporation and reforms would continue to improve its long-term sustainability.
The chief minister also announced plans to modernise the Civil Supplies Corporation by strengthening procurement and supply chain systems to enhance profitability and reduce dependence on government assistance.
Addressing concerns over Kerala's mineral sands resources, Satheesan reiterated that the government had no plans to privatise the sector.
He explained that references made in the Budget were linked to the proposed Southern Kerala Economic Corridor, which seeks to attract investment and promote strategic and maritime industries, and did not involve the privatisation of mineral resources.
Reaffirming the government's position on critical minerals, Satheesan said there had been no change in policy. He stated that the proposed Critical Mineral Corridor would be developed through a consortium comprising Union and state public sector enterprises, including Coal India Limited, Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML), Keltron, Travancore Titanium Products Limited and the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).
"There is no private investment in the consortium, nor is there any mining activity involved. The emphasis is on value addition to existing resources," he said.
The chief minister maintained that reports suggesting a policy reversal or complete privatisation of mineral sands were inaccurate and reiterated that the government's stand on the issue remained unchanged.
(With agency inputs from PTI)
