(a) whether any review of the working of the privatized sectors providing essential services to the people has been carried out;
(b) if so, the names of the sectors reviewed along with the number of sectors found adversely affecting the welfare programmes of the poor and the reaction of the Government in this regard; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that the welfare of the poor people is not adversely affected by the process of liberalization in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a), (b) and (c): Of the public sector companies privatized, only Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd.(VSNL), which provides essential services in communications, has been privatized. While no review
of this company has been undertaken by the Department, the Department of Telecommunications has two
Government Nominees as Directors on the Board of Directors and Government’s views are reflected
through them. The welfare Programmes of the poor are not in any way adversely affected by the
privatization of VSNL. The Government ensures that the welfare of the poor people is not adversely
affected by the process of liberalization in the country through regulatory provisions governing
services. Further, Government/Central Public Sector Enterprises continue to provide essential
services.