New Delhi: The BJP government has given 'in-principle' approval for the strategic disinvestment of 33 PSUs, including subsidiaries, units and joint ventures, Minister of State Finance Anurag Singh Thakur told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The government has planned sale of its majority stake and transfer of management control, Thakur said in a written response.
The list of PSUs shortlisted for strategic disinvestment includes profit-making, as well as loss-making CPSEs. "The government follows a policy of strategic disinvestment of CPSEs, which are not in 'priority sectors.' For this purpose, NITI Aayog has been mandated to identify such CPSEs based on the criteria of (i) National Security, (ii) Sovereign function at arm's length, and (iii) Market Imperfections and Public Purpose. However, profitability/loss of the CPSEs is not among the relevant criteria," Thakur told the Upper House of the Parliament.
"Strategic disinvestment of PSUs is being guided by the basic economic principle that the government should discontinue in sectors, where competitive markets have come of age and economic potential of such entities may be better discovered in the hands of a strategic investor due to various factors such as infusion of capital, technological upgradation and efficient management practices. The success of the transaction depends on the prevailing market conditions and the investors' interest," the House was told.
Here's the list of PSUs, including subsidiaries, units and joint ventures for which the government has given 'in-principle' approval for strategic disinvestment: