New Delhi, Oct 22: Days after criticising the disinvestment ministry for ignoring its suggestions on NALCO disinvestment, coal and mines minister Uma Bharti today said she would meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee later this week to make her case on the issue. "I have asked the Prime Minister for a date. I think it will be in 4 to 5 days. I will put forward the suggestions before the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister", she told a press conference here.

Asked what suggestions she would put forth before the Prime Minister, Bharti refused to comment merely stating that she would talk about it after the meeting. Brushing aside Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie`s comments that NALCO would go the sail way in five years if its disinvestment was delayed, Bharti said she was a `sanyasin` and could only say that "those who talk of the future are trying to take the position of god."

Asked whether the process of disinvestment would come to a stop merely on account of the differences, she said a few days here and there would not make a difference to the process. After reviewing the performance of the company in past three years, Bharti asserted that NALCO would continue to make greater profits in the years to come.

Government proposes to disinvest 60 per cent stake in the company through a three stage process comprising of domestic issue, ADR and strategic sale.

Bureau Report