Union Minister of Shipping Nitin Gadkari recently made it clear that the Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) will not be privatized. Dredging Corporation of India Limited, or DCI, is a Miniratna Indian public sector unit engaged in the business of dredging. It reports to the Ministry of Shipping. There have been news since more than a year about proposal of its privatization by Union government. It may be recalled that, earlier the Central government had announced that it is withdrawing shares from the DCIL.

DCIL employees met Pawan Kalyan and he made a public announcement and requested all parties to fight against this decision of union keeping aside politics. But center did not respond on this. Later, an employee of DCIL killed himself in protest to the privatization plans of the NDA government. Pawan Kalyan visited family of Venkatesh and raised the issue again. Later, other parties started supporting the cause.

While observing the people anger on the move, the Central government took ‘U’ turn on its decision. Three major ports, including Visakhapatnam Port Trust, Paradeep Port Trust and New Mangalore Port Trust, are competing to take over the DCIL and already submitted their proposals to the ministry. But because of the response of employees of DCI and the issue turning political, Central government went back on its decision. DCI reports to Ministry of shipping and now Gadkari, Union Minister of Shipping, himself giving the announcement makes this an official statement of Union government.