PM likely to push sell-off at CMs' meet

NEW DELHI: With fresh confusion clouding the future of privatisation of the oil PSUs following deputy PM LK Advani''s statement here on Monday, all eyes are now on the chief ministers meeting to be held here on October 18.
Government sources said Prime Minister AB Vajpayee may use the opportunity to drive home the government’s commitment to the disinvestment process and resolve the oil PSUs privatisation logjam. The October 18 meeting has been organised to primarily discuss measures necessary to balance the states financial position. The PM would be chairing the meeting.
The PM is also likely to exhort state governments to take up privatisation of state-level public enterprises very aggressively as a means to raise funds for development and also to correct fiscal imbalances. Mr Advani’s comments that there was no going back on the three month moratorium on a decision to divest the two oil PSUs has taken everyone by surprise.