All-party resolution passed against Centre's attempt to close PSUs

Kolkata: An all-party resolution was passed in the state Assembly on Tuesday, against the "Centre's attempt to purposely close" the public sector undertakings in Bengal, including Burn Standard Limited.

Partha Chatterjee, Parliamentary Affairs minister, has raised the issue of the Centre's "politically motivated" move, to close the industries which can be made profitable. Congress, Left Front and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha MLAs have also extended their support, protesting against the attempt of Centre.

This comes at a time when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had criticised the Centre's attempt of shifting the headquarters of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) from Bengal.

Banerjee had said on Monday that it is a conspiracy of the Centre against the state to shift the headquarters of DVC and she had directed Chief Secretary Malay De to write to the Centre, strongly condemning it.

She had also said that such steps are being taken to deprive Bengal. She had also mentioned that the state government had written to the Centre in connection with Burn Standard Company as well.

The matter came up in the Assembly on Tuesday, when Chatterjee said that there are attempts to pull down the shutters of undertakings like Burn Standard Limited, Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited and Alloy and Steel.

He said that there is enough potential in these companies, some of which are profit-making ones and those which are not making any profit, can be made profitable with a little assistance.

Chatterjee also raised his voice against the Centre's attempt to shift the headquarters of DVC out of Bengal. He alleged that this is nothing but conspiracy against the state.

Congress stated that the move is to create more opportunity of business for private companies. BJP, however, claimed that such measures could be taken against loss-making companies. But, Burn Standard Limited is not a loss-making one.