Divestment blueprint for 2 years by March

The Centre is likely to prepare a blueprint for its divestment process for the next two years by the end of this financial year. At present, there are 61 unlisted profit-making public sector undertakings and 10 listed PSUs where the government could look to dilute its stake.

The Department of Divestment of the finance ministry, would submit an action plan by the end of March, after consultations with administrating ministries of the 71 PSUs, Sunil Mitra, the department's secretary, said.

"Presently, the list that we have of profit-making PSUs for divestment is based on financial numbers from 20007-08. The 2008-09 figures are being compiled. From January to March next year, we will talk with administrating ministries of these PSUs and will have an action plan for the divestment process for the next two years by the end of March," Mitra said at an event organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Consequently, the number of PSUs that qualify for disinvestment could change after the new financial figures are analysed. These would also give a clearer indication of the amount of money that the government could raise through the process, Mitra said.