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Left-UPA trade off on Iran and PSUs sell off |
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The UPA Government has agreed with the Left parties that the Iran nuclear issue should be resolved within the purview of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At the same time, the Left parties have agreed to consider, on a case-by-case basis, the Government proposals for disinvestment of minor Government stake in non-Navaratna public sector undertakings.
In a bid to buy peace with its Left allies, the UPA said on Nov. 21 that it was against referring Iran’s nuclear programme to the UN.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured his Left allies that diplomatic efforts were on to keep Iran’s case within the ambit of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He was speaking at a meeting of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left Front coordination committee.
“The government informed the Left parties of the progress made through diplomatic efforts,” Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters at New Delhi. “It was noted that the government’s intention is to ensure that the matter remains within the jurisdiction of the IAEA.”
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), which along with its allies had been warning the government of serious consequences if the government voted with the US against Iran, said it was “satisfied” with the government response.
“The government briefed us about the diplomatic efforts to avoid taking the Iran issue outside IAEA, that includes the UN Security Council. We are satisfied with the manner in which the government is trying to avoid such a situation,” CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said.
India had voted in support of the European Union resolution at the Sept. 24 meet of the IAEA in Vienna to refer Iran’s case to the Security Council if Teheran persisted with allegedly developing nuclear weapons.
New Delhi’s stand stirred a political storm in India, with the Left parties, which provide crucial support to the ruling coalition, lashing out at the government and accusing it of bowing to US pressure.
The government repeatedly denied the charge and said it took the decision in its own interests. It also said that it was in touch with Iran.
Meanwhile, the government’s efforts for resource mobilisation received a boost after the Left allies agreed to consider the divesting of some stakes in profit-making state owned companies.
“The Left parties agreed to consider the government’s proposal to disinvest a small portion of equity subject to certain guiding principles in selected profit making non-Navaratna (nine profit-making public sector units) enterprises,” Chidambaram said.
Official sources said the government was proposing the sale of some of its shares in the companies, in which it presently holds 80 to 100 percent equity.
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