Fernandes non-committal on Shourie outburst

BANGALORE: Defence Minister George Fernandes on Sunday declined to comment on the government''s disinvestment programme and Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie venting his anger on opponents of the sell-off process.
"I won''t react to it," Fernandes, who himself had reservations over disinvestment, told reporters when his reaction was sought on Shourie coming down heavily on those critical of the programme.
Asked specifically if he was declining to comment on Shourie''s statement or disinvestment programme, he said: "Either of them."
Queried if the government was also considering the Czech-US offering of advanced jet trainer, L-159, in addition to British Aerospace''s Hawk, Fernandes said he could not answer the question on AJT, as the matter was before a Cabinet committee.