Govt expects to raise $3.6 billion from share sale in four companies
Stakes in four state-run firms include Oil and Natural Gas Corp. and National Aluminium Co. Ltd
New Delhi: India could raise ₹ 225.74 billion ($3.6 billion) from the sale of stakes in four state-run firms including Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC) and National Aluminium Co. Ltd (NALCO), junior finance minister Jayant Sinha said on Friday.
The cabinet has already approved the sale of 5% stakes in ONGC and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, and 10% each in NALCO and NMDC Ltd, Sinha told lawmakers in a written reply in the lower house of parliament.
The expected receipts were based on share prices of these companies on 16 March, taking into account a possible discount for retail investors. He did not disclose when the government planned to sell shares in these companies.
The government expects to raise ₹ 132.2 billion ($2.1 billion) from stake sale in ONGC, lower than earlier estimate of near $3 billion, and about ₹ 50.4 billion ($806 million) from NMDC, India’s biggest iron ore producer, Sinha said.
In his first full-year budget last month, finance minister Arun Jaitley set an ambitious target of ₹ 695 billion ($11.1 billion) from share sales in the fiscal year beginning 1 April.
During the current fiscal year, the government had to revise down the stake-sale target in state-run and private companies by more than half against an earlier estimate of about $10 billion.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!