(a) whether several trade unions have opposed the first phase of disinvestment of Hindustan Copper Limited;
(b) if so, the main points raised by the trade unions against the disinvestment of HCL; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to have more transparency in the disinvestment process?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DISINVESTMENT, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRIES OF PLANNING, STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES (SHRI ARUN SHOURIE)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Some unions of workers have represented against the first phase of disinvestment in HCL. The Khetri Tamba Shramik Sangh has inter-alia stated that:-
i) Privatised company will not be able to exploit the copper deposits of Khetri.
ii) The interests and the security of employment of workers will suffer.
iii) The public will not be able to utilise the hospital facilities of the company etc.
(c) The disinvestment process is carried out in accordance with a prescribed procedure, involving competitive bidding, that ensures complete transparency. The decisions are taken collectively after due consultations with various concerned departments/Ministries and the management of the company. Meetings are held with the representatives of the workers unions to ascertain their view-points and address their apprehensions. Thus the process of disinvestment is completely transparent and it is reviewed from time to time with a view to refining it further..