New Delhi: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on October 9 termed as an "obstacle", the Supreme Court ruling halting privatisation of oil firms Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and said government will "manoeuvre" it to keep the momentum of disinvestment programme.

"It is an obstacle. But a Supreme Court's judgement is not a weakness of the government. It is the law of the land and therefore you have to manoeuvre. You have to either circumvent it or find a way out," he told Karan Thapar's 'Hardtalk' programme on BBC World to be telecast on October 10.

The Supreme Court had in September asked government to seek approval of Parliament for sale of its equity in HPCL and BPCL.

Emphasising that the apex court ruling was not an end to disinvestment policy, he said "this government is committed to economic reform" and several options are being examined.

"Though there have been difficulties created but we are examining the judgement fully. And even after that (SC judgement) the first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Disinvestment undertook several measures," he said.

Advani hoped to see major disinvestments in the remaining part of the fiscal. Asked if the revenue target of Rs 13,200 crore from disinvestment proceeds in 2003-04 would be met, he replied "I hope so."

"I can't guarantee it certainly because after all what is the law of the land? The Supreme Court pronounces the law of the land. And therefore we are face to face with the Supreme Court judgement, which we have to find a solution for," he said.

PTI