Patkar criticises Centre's economic policy

GUWAHATI: Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Medha Patkar on Saturday strongly criticised the country''s economic policy of globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation and said it would deprive the people of their resources.
Speaking at the Guwahati Press Club, Patkar expressed apprehension that both democracy and sovereignty of the country were in "danger" as money and market dominance had led to "corporatisation" of not just resources but the social institutions and political agencies.
From textile mills to public sector enterprises organised workers were thrown out of their jobs, Patkar said, adding, disinvestment and trans-national market forces played the "game" of acquiring and occupying whatever was public.
Another challenge facing the nation was the inhuman communal violence and casteist atrocities, she said.
"Issues of life and livelihood, of peace and parity remained outside the scope of the "distorted priorities of the ruling elite," she said.