Not upset over shuffle: Sharad Yadav

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 3. Mr. Sharad Yadav, Janata Dal(U) leader and a partner in the BJP-led NDA Government, today took charge as Union Labour Minister, asserting that he was neither upset nor angry over his shifting from the high profile Civil Aviation Ministry.

Asked if he was divested of the Civil Aviation portfolio over his reported failure to speed up the disinvestment process of Air India, Mr. Yadav admitted that there had been an impression that disinvestment had not been taken to its ``logical end'' during his tenure as Civil Aviation Minister.

Talking to newspersons soon after taking over reins of the Labour Ministry, Mr. Yadav said there were no differences between him and the Government on the disinvestment in Air India. ``In politics, not everyone is your friend. It is a coincidence that Singapore Airlines pulled out from the TATA-SIA joint bid for the stake in Air India on the same day when I was eased out from the Civil Aviation portfolio,'' he observed.

Mr. Yadav said the Civil Aviation sector had achieved profitability during his tenure and predicted that for the first time since 1996 Air India would make a profit of Rs. 22 crores in the first half of the current financial year. ``Even Pawanhans is poised to record profits. Indian Airlines will be in a no loss, no profit position and the Airports Authority of India will also make a profit.''

When, in his own words, his performance as Civil Aviation Minister was so good what was the need to shift him to Labour Ministry? ``In fact, I had met the Prime Minister and he had asked me before the Cabinet reshuffle if I wanted to remain in the Civil Aviation Ministry only. I told him that it was his prerogative to choose his own team and see who can perform which duty. For me no work is either high or low profile, the Government is a collective responsibility,'' he replied.

Why did he meet the Prime Minister again yesterday? ``My meeting with the Prime Minister had been scheduled before. We talked about weather and culture,'' he quipped. He said the NDA coalition Government at the Centre would complete its full term and give good governance.

In the Labour Ministry, Mr. Yadav said, he would evolve consensus on labour reforms.

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Section  : National
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