UPA colluding with big corporates to loot natural wealth: CPM

Coimbatore: The CAG report on the loss to the tune of Rs 1.86 lakh crore to government by nominating coal blocks is a clear case that UPA government was colluding with private firms to loot natural resources in the country, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said on Friday. By nominating the coal blocks, instead of bidding, the government has favoured big corporates like Tatas, Birlas and Jindals, who were making money at the Government’s expense, which was a clear loot of natural resources belonging to the people, Karat alleged at a public meeting on Friday night. [caption id=“attachment_421997” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Karat also came down heavily on the privatisation of Delhi Airport. AFP[/caption] There should be a thorough investigation into the entire episode and the guilty should be punished and put behind bars in Tihar Jail, he said. Karat also came down heavily on the privatisation of Delhi Airport, by which a passenger was made to pay Rs 250 in additional charges, resulting in the firm making a huge amount of Rs 3,600 crore. However, the government was not interested in protecting the interests of farmers and reduced the subsidy on fertilisers, by which the prices have shot up in recent months, hitting hard the poor and marginal farmers, he said. The party has decided to hold nationwide protests seeking passage of Food Security Bill and also regularisation of contract and casual labour system. PTI