Before relinquishing charge, Panagariya to finalise names

New Delhi: Even after putting in his papers from the post of Niti Aayog Vice Chairman, Arvind Panagariya is burning the midnight oil to prepare the final roadmap for the disinvestment of 20 more public sector enterprises.

According to highly placed sources, Panagariya is doing his bit to finalise the disinvestment plans for 20 PSUs from the final list of total 74 PSUs that were identified by the Niti Aayog for the closure/disinvestment of sick PSUs soon after he had taken the charge in January 2015.

Though Niti Aayog is ready with its disinvestment roadmap, according to sources, the final decision in this regard would be taken during the inter-ministerial group meeting which is scheduled for the next week. According to sources, in the upcoming list of 20 PSUs there are some 'big ticket' public sector enterprises.

In the list of another lot of sick PSUs to be closed or disinvested include Hindustan Steelworks Construction Ltd, Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Airline Allied Services Ltd, Indian Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Air India Charters Ltd, etc.

"During the crucial meet, the IMG's final approval would be sought to close all critically sick PSUs, while it would also be decided to either merge or disinvest the public enterprises having 'revival potential'," the sources said, adding that it would be also decided to disinvest some of the "big ticket" PSUs belonging to the ministries of fertilizers, power, defence, petroleum, etc. After the IMG approval, the list would be sent to the Cabinet for its final approval.

The sources further said that the outgoing Niti Aayog vice chairman would complete the draft of the 15-year vision document for creation of massive coastal employment zones and establishment of world class universities prior to saying the final goodbye to the think tank.

For the Financial Year 2018, the government hopes to raise Rs 72,500 crore by divesting stakes in public sector firms.