M A I N   N E W S

No differences with Shourie, says Naik
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 17
Asserting that the intrinsic value of all oil PSUs was strong enough, Petroleum Minister Ram Naik today maintained that his reference to Supreme Court’s verdict staying the disinvestment of BPCL, HPCL as “historic” should not be misconstrued as reflection of differences between him and Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie.

“My remark over the Supreme Court’s judgement was spontaneous and it should not be construed that I was happy or unhappy with it,” Mr Naik told newspersons at the BJP headquarters here.

“There is no difference between me and Mr Shourie... words are different but the content is the same,” he said, maintaining that the government would have to abide by the Supreme Court’s verdict on the disinvestment of HPCL and BPCL.

He parried questions whether he was in favour of disinvestment, saying that when the next round of consultations were held he would certainly be part of it.