Finance Minister Arun Jaitley rules out privatization of railways, coal India

New Delhi: Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley on Saturday said that government has no intentions of privatizing railways or coal India and added that the main focus of the government is to create more jobs.

"Government has no intention to privatize either Railways or Coal India. Focus of the government is to create more jobs and employment opportunities, besides safeguarding the existing jobs," Jaitley said.

"Focus of the government is also to give better environment for ease of living for the common man," he added.

Jaitley's assurance seeks to dispel apprehensions among railway unions over the issue. The unions had even planned to hold protest against the proposal to invite FDI in railways.

Earlier in December last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also ruled out privatising the railways and asserted that his aim was to ensure growth and modernization of the state run transporter.