Trade unions vow protest over pipeline issue

Ten central trade unions have decided to conduct a protests in Delhi ahead two-day nationwide strike after the parliamentary Budget session on Thursday in response to the central government's National Monetisation Pipeline scheme which will lease out state-owned infrastructure over the next few years.

The protests on Thursday will be part of the national convention of trade unions, attended by the likes of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (Citu), and the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC). A statement issued by the trade union heads said that the purpose of the protests was to raise awareness of the 'dangerous' move to privatise the public sector units (PSU's) and its impact on the middle class of the country.

Meanwhile, November 26 has been fixed as the nationwide protest day, since the date marks the anniversary of the National General Strike of trade unions and the 'Kisan March' (farmers' foot march) to Delhi. Statewide protests would also be held, the trade union heads told reporters.

Trade unions had already voiced opposition to the NMP scheme on October 7 after it was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. They accused the government of giving away state assets to the hands of private business owners "virtually free". The government has justified the move by saying it hopes to raise 81 billion dollars for capital expenditure without putting strain in government coffers. In addition to this, the scheme will also help identify other sectors which are monetisation-ready, according to the government which has held extensive consultations with stakeholders through infrastructure ministry and the NITI Ayog.