JAMMU (The Stellar News): Anil Bhardwaj: All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC gave a call for a nationwide protest against privatisation of the government PSUs and in this connection, All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC J&K along with Dalit OBC Minority (DOM) and National Students Youth Forum (NSYF) supported the call and presented a demonstration against privatisation at Dr BR Ambedkar Chowk on 19th Sept. Similar protests will be organised across UT J&K and the nation.
A large number of members gathered and raised slogans like Stop privatisation; Desh ki neelami, band karo; Stop selling the nation, Stop privatisation of PSUs, Banks, Railways, Airports; Stop selling financial institutions; Fulfill 80 Lakh backlog of SC/ST/OBC. RK Kalsotra, State President Confederation, said that the government under the National Monetisation Pipeline (NAM) is planning to monetise 6 lakh crores. The idea is to sell the PSUs and bring in the private sector in the government agencies. Kalsotra questioned the move of the govt and argued that the NPAs with the bank are around 8 Lakh crore. If the govt really wants money, why can’t they recover the NPAs which is fugitive money?
Kalsotra highlighted that there even after having reservation in govt jobs, the representation of SC/ST/OBCs is minimal. There is no reservation in the private sector. Now if the government brings in privatisation, it will harm the interests of not only SC/ST/OBC but also the general public. The govt sector is set on the premise of social service. But the private sector will bring in capitalistic instincts which will be harmful for the already vulnerable economy. Kalsotra also pointed out that there have been various talks about private agencies being set up in J&K like Reliance. There is already a backlog of 1.04 Lakh SC/ST/OBC educated youth in J&K. There should be an immediate recruitment drive to safeguard their constitutional rights. Kalostra appealed to the masses that whosoever believes in the ideals of the constitution, should come forth and join the struggle to stop privatisation and safeguard constitutional rights.
Dr Udit Raj, National chairman of Confederation, organised similar protest yesterday at Jantar-Mantar, Delhi where he said that at present about 80 lacs govt posts are lying vacant. Instead of filling up these posts, Modi Govt is snatching away that also which were hitherto to available. More than 240 posts are lying vacant in different tribunals. Out of 54 central govt universities, there is no single Sc/St/OBc vice-chancellor. These communities are already at receiving an end in higher judiciary. The courts are against reservation and there is little scope to get any relief from there. He highlighted how the government under the garb of privatisation is trying to harm the interests of the common people. Others present at the protest and spoke were BL Bhardwaj, Shahid Saleem, Ishtaq Bhatti, Suraj Parkas, Sikender Bhagat.
