CITU OPPOSES MOVE FOR
ALLOWING 100% FDI IN DEFENCE PRODUCTION
FOR DISINVESTMENT/PRIVATISATION OF PSUs
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) strongly opposes Modi government’s move, as reported by the media, for allowing 100% FDI in defence sector. Such move is totally detrimental to the interests of the indigenous defence production network, mainly under government departments and PSUs, and also to national security-management and preparedness. Such move would also directly provoke disinvestment/privatization of the Defence PSUs and Ordinance factories establishment via corporatization route which could so long be successfully resisted by the united trade union movement in the country as well as all the defence sector federations including those having allegiance with the political party in power.
The CITU also expresses its deep concern and strong opposition to the overzealous drive of the government to push through disinvestment of shares in highly profit-making PSUs, mostly in the strategic, infrastructure and natural resources sector of the economy. As reported by the press, the Government has reportedly taken up as their priority agenda for off-loading government’s residual stakes at aluminum major BALCO and also expediting disinvestment in other blue-chip PSUs already shortlisted by the disinvestment department of the previous Government.
CITU urges the Government to take serious note of the unanimous opposition of the working people of the country, who actually creates GDP for the country as well as resources for the national exchequer to such disastrous exercises of disinvestment and privatization and unrestricted FDI. Such opposition has been voiced through numerous agitations by the united platform of the entire trade union movement in the country irrespective of affiliations and political allegiances during last five years.
CITU demands of the Government to restrain itself from such moves which are detrimental to the interests of the people as well as of the national economy; and calls upon the trade unions and working people to unitedly voice their opposition and put up resistance to such disastrous moves.
100 fdi in telecom equipment not brought the desired results. this move to be opposed in toto
It looks like CITU is upset(jealous) at the prospects of our defence forces getting high quality, state-of-the-art defence equipments at better costs and exact deliver schedules. If left to DRDO, DPSUs and Ordinance Factories, due to sheer inefficiency and lethargy (babu culture), our defence forces have to tolerate faulty, lower quality defence equipments and delayed deliveries. Why should the lives of fighter pilots, sailors and frontline infantry soldiers be risked to protect the “Life Time Job Guaranteed” inefficient, unpatriotic and selfish scientists, officers etc “enjoying” at DRDO, DPSUs and Ordinance Factories?
Your comments are well taken. It is not always the best equipment that the foreign companies are supplying to us. They will also be not prepared to transfer their technology to us. We will always be dependent on the foreign companies for our defence purchases which has got security concerns. US, China, Russia, Israel etc. all have their own productions, from whom India is purchasing. According to the FDI at present, there is no condition of technology transfer. It is for the government to ensure efficiency in the government as well as DRDO, Factories etc. It is their utter failure and FDI is not the answer.