No privatisation of Dredging Corporation of India: Gadkari
Visakhapatnam, July 13 : Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday ruled out privatisation of Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) and said the company will be acquired by three major ports and made more efficient.
He added that there was no question of closing down the state-owned company either.
Gadkari's remarks came amidst reports of the government planning to sell its entire 73 per cent stake in the company which is under the administrative control of the Shipping Ministry.
"We have taken a decision at the department level and we are just waiting for the Cabinet approval. Three major ports -- Visakhapatnam Port, Paradeep Port and New Mangalore Port -- are now ready to acquire the government stake in the Dredging Corporation of India," he said.
The Minister added there were also plans to restructure the company so that it becomes more efficient and stronger, and could take projects not only in India but also abroad.
"So, the question does not arise about the closure of Dredging Corporation of India," he said.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
