Mysore/Mysuru: Opposing Union Government’s decision to sell a stake in the key PSU to the private sector, members of Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) Employees Association have decided to hold protest in front of the main gate from Feb. 15 to 20 daily between 2.40 pm and 3.15 pm.

Addressing a news conference here yesterday, Association Gen. Secretary M.D. Rajashekaramurthy said that the company has a workforce of around 13,000 working in all nine units in Kerala and Karnataka. In Karnataka, the units were functioning in Mysuru, Bengaluru and Kolar Gold Fields. The employees would oppose tooth and nail the sale of 26 percent stake in BEML. The Government currently has 54.03 percent stake in it. 

The sale of stake to private sector was a danger to the national security since it supplies materials in key areas of mining, construction, defence, aerospace, rail and metro. The total assets of the Company was around Rs.50,000 crore which included 205 acres of land in Bengaluru, 530 acres in Mysuru, 2,400 acres in KGF and 375 acres in Palakkad.

He alleged that despite strong opposition from the employees, the Union Government has stuck to its stand of selling a portion of stake to the private company in the name of disinvestment. 

Prospects of employees was at stake if private company takes over BEML as there would be no reservation for the SCs/STs. “We will intensify our stir if the Union Government fails to drop its idea of disinvestment of the profit making company,” he added.