Press Statement
Prakash Karat, member of the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The report that the Central Vigilance Commissioner has informed the Prime Minister about some ministers demanding money from the PSU chiefs is shocking. According to the Indian Express report at least six ministers have allegedly demanded favours from chiefs of public sector undertakings including in one case where Rs. 20 crores was demanded.
At a time when the most profitable public sector units are sought to be privatised adopting dubious means, this sort of extortion is another way of destroying the public sector. The Vajpayee government should immediately respond and inform the country as to what steps are being taken to investigate these charges and take necessary action.