Maha to restructure some state-run corporations;to shut down 7

Maharashtra government will wind up at least seven state-run corporations which are in red and restructure some like Annasaheb Patil Corporation which has failed to disburse scholarships to Backward Class students for last three-four years, the Legislative Council was told today.
"The Annasaheb Patil Corporation currently has no chairman, officers and has very less staff. It has just one managing director. Government will restructure it and other such corporations," Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said.
Replying to a supplementary query during question hour on a starred question raised by Sanjay Dutt (Congress) and others on winding up loss-making corporations, Khadse said the successive governments set up 62 state corporations in last 20 years, out of which some have outlived their stated purpose.

Khadse said that a previous committee, headed by then state Chief Secretary, had recommended winding up 32 out of 62 state-run corporations which was not accepted by government.
"Some in social welfare sector are doing overlapping work whereas some like Cidco, MIDC, MHADA indulge in profit-making ventures and some are purely engaged in creating public awareness and generate no profits. Corporations like 'Sheli-Mendhi Vikas Mahamandal' which have outlived their purpose, need to be wind up," he said.
In his written reply, the Minister for Finance and Planning, Sudhir Mungantiwar stated that seven state-run corporations, which have been incurring losses continuously between 2001-05, are to be shut down.

Khadse said that a committee headed by then state Chief Secretary had been set up in January 2006 in this regard.
"The committee reviewed these corporations and recommended winding up 7 such entities. The high-powered panel had recommended sale of properties of these loss-making state run corporations," the minister said.