CPI-M seeks early merger of BHPV with BHEL

NEW DELHI: The CPI-M, the key ally of the UPA government, on Monday requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to speed up the take over of Bharat Heavy Plates and Vessels (BHPV) by Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) as Andhra Pradesh has agreed to all concessions sought by the centre for the merger.

"In reply to a question, Minister of heavy Industries has said that after certain concessions from Andhra Pradesh government the issue of merger will be taken up... state government has granted all the concessions as sought," CPI-M Politbureau Member Sitaram Yechury told the agency after meeting the Prime Minister.

"Time is a crucial input. We will be grateful if you speed up the merger process of BHPV with BHEL at the earliest possible date," he said.

The merger of the two companies was mooted to revive BHPV. BHEL has already done due diligence of the Andhra Pradesh-based company.

Yechury said the Prime Minister assured him that he would look into the matter soon.