Call to oppose LIC, BSNL privatisation

All India Trade Union Congress State vice president Gunashekhar alleged that the Union government is planning to privatise Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and called upon the working class to oppose the move.

He was speaking after inaugurating a meeting organised to discuss preparations for the nationwide strike scheduled to be held on September 2 by the joint action committee of labour organisations, at Bal Bhavan here recently.

Gunashekhar said the financially weaker sections will have to be slaves under the capitalists if the anti-labour plans of the Centre are brought to effect. There is a need for a revolutionary movement, he said alleging that the NDA-led Central government is bringing changes in labour laws with an intention to break the unity among labour organisations and by giving an opportunity to capitalists to loot the country.

Gunashekhar opposed the decision of the government to bring an amendment to the Land Acquisition Act through an ordinance. He warned that the proposed amendment, if implemented, will adversely hit food productivity.

CITU district president Dr I R Durgaprasad, Kodagu Zilla Panchayat Employees’ Association president P R Bharath, AIUTC district president Somappa and Joint Action Committee convener H B Ramesh were present.