With the disinvestment programme of the government virtually coming to a halt, coal PSUs may pick up stakes in other public sector units to help the government meet its target of Rs 40,000 crore, a top ministry official indicated on Wednesday.
“It all depends. If it is financially viable, then why not?”, Coal Secretary Mr Alok Perti told reporters when asked if companies under the ministry were open to buying stakes in other PSUs.
The secretary, however, categorically denied receiving any communication so far in this regard from his counterpart in the Finance Ministry.
The government’s disinvestment target for this fiscal has gone haywire on account of the precarious market conditions.
Against the target, it has only been able to generate about Rs 1,150 crore so far this fiscal.