Cabinet clears alternative mechanism for PSU sale modalities

The Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today delegated powers to a select group of ministers that include Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to decide on modalities of stake sale in PSUs.
Once the Cabinet approves disinvestment in a public sector undertaking, the group that includes the Finance Minister, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and the concerned administrative minister, will take over decision making on a range of issues - from date of stake sale, price band and tranches.
"The CCEA has given its approval to Alternative Mechanism, who would decide on the quantum of disinvestment in a particular Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSE) on a case by case basis subject to government retaining 51 percent equity and management control," an official statement said.

This is in addition to the present functions performed by 'Alternative Mechanism' as has been approved by CCEA in August, 2014, said the statement issued after the Cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet today also gave nod to Finance Ministry proposal to reduce its stake in five state-run general insurance companies to 75 per cent from present 100 per cent.
Under the 'Alternative Mechanism', now the minister's group would decide on the quantum of stake sale in these individual general insurance companies and the pricing. They can decide to bring down the stake to 75 per cent in tranches and there would be no separate Cabinet approval required for this, sources said.

"This would reduce speculation and overhang and expedite the disinvestment process," the official statement added.
The government has set a target of Rs 56,500 crore from PSU disinvestment in current fiscal. Of this Rs 36,500 crore is to come from minority stake sale and Rs 28,000 crore strategic sale of PSUs.
So far in current fiscal, the government has raised over Rs 23,500 crore through PSU stake sale.