Coal India Ltd (CIL) has become a ‘Maharatna'. It is the fifth public sector company to be so designated. The certificate conferring the ‘Maharatna' status was handed over to CIL's Managing Director, Mr N.C. Jha, by the President, Ms Pratibha Patil, here on Monday. On the occasion of celebrations of ‘public sector day', Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) was conferred with ‘navratna' status. Mr A.R.Ansari, Chairman and Managing Director of NLC received the certificate from Ms Patil. Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd was conferred ‘miniratna' status and its Chairman and Managing Director, Mr R.K. Tyagi received the certificate. A miniratna status would empower the board of Pawan Hans Helicopters to take investment decisions up to Rs 500 crore without prior Government approval.
A public sector flag signifying invaluable contribution made by public sector enterprises (PSEs) in socio-economic development of the country was also launched by Ms Patil today. The public sector flag signifies shared goals and ambitions of PSEs and should inspire them in their work, Ms Patil said. Ms Patil also presented SCOPE felicitation trophies to the chief executives of existing maharatnas — Indian Oil Corporation, NTPC, ONGC and Steel Authority of India Ltd.