Centre looks to score an early goal on public float norms

As of June, there were 18 PSUs with government holding of more than 75%

Despite extending the 25 per cent minimum public shareholding (MPS) deadline by another year, the government has not taken eyes off the goal.

In recent weeks, the Centre has looked to dilute excess stake in two public sector undertakings (PSUs)-National Fertilizer (NFL) and Hindustan Copper (HCL). Investment banking sources say the government has identified another half a dozen companies where it plans to dilute in the near term.

NLC India, SJVN and Scooters India are among the companies where the Centre would try to increase the public float in the next few weeks, sources said.

"The extension in the MPS deadline was mainly