PM to decide on HPCL, BPCL sell-off: Naik
Union Petroleum Minister Ram Naik on Tuesday exuded confidence that the prime minister will amicably resolve the issue of divestment of HPCL and BPCL.
Asked at a news conference here about the possible outcome of the divestment issue, he said: "Let the prime minister decide what is good for the country and good for the (oil) companies."
With a stand-off in the divestment process in the wake of Naik, Defence Minister George Fernandes and others opposing the modalities of a strategic sale of the profit-making public sector units, the Union Cabinet meeting on September 7 authorised Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to take a final decision on the issue.
The prime minister had assured that the issue would be settled by December 7, Naik said when asked about the fate of divestment of the two oil PSUs.
Asserting that he 'still holds his views on privatisation (against divestment as oil is a strategic sector),' he said he had already conveyed it to the Union Cabinet.
'CNG queues in Mumbai to reduce'
Earlier in Mumbai, Naik said: "The queues for CNG (compressed natural gas) will soon reduce."
He was inaugurating the 37th CNG outlet of Mahanagar Gas Limited in Mumbai.
Naik said the supply of low sulphur diesel available till now only in Greater Mumbai will be extended to the Mumbai Metropolitan Area (Vasai, Dombivili, Thane and Navi Mumbai) from December 16.
C R Prasad, chairman, Mahanagar Gas Limited, welcomed Naik on the occasion.
UNI
ALSO READ:
More Money Headlines
Tell us what you think of this report
|