The government has collected Rs 26,639.33 crore in the current financial year as of July 22. This amount includes Rs 20,272.40 crore from disinvestment through Offer for Sale (OFS) of various entities like Central Bank of India, Coal India Ltd, and others. An additional Rs 6,366.93 crore was garnered from asset monetisation, as per the information shared in Parliament.
Since the financial year 2023-24, separate disinvestment targets have been discontinued. However, an amount of Rs 80,000 crore has been allocated under miscellaneous capital receipts for the budget estimate 2026-27. This includes receipts from managing equity investments and public assets through different mechanisms, stated Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary.
Disinvestment is an ongoing process influenced by market conditions, economic outlook, geopolitical factors, and investor interest. The execution of specific transactions depends on administrative feasibility as well. Due to the market-sensitive nature of disinvestment, setting a timeline is deemed unfeasible, according to the minister.
Data from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) reveals that disinvestment proceeds in the current financial year have hit a four-year high in just over three months. There are 68 Central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) listed on stock exchanges, with the government’s shareholding valued at over Rs 22.80 lakh crore. Additionally, 16 public financial institutions have government shareholding worth around Rs 19 lakh crore.
Seven offers for sale through stock exchanges have been made, including entities like Central Bank of India, Coal India, and NHPC, among others. Offer for Sale (OFS) is a quicker mechanism for promoters to sell shares compared to IPOs or FPOs, requiring less documentation.
Asset monetisation through InvITs and REITs has facilitated fund unlocking for new projects and attracting global investors. InvITs, special funds for infrastructure projects, have broadened investment opportunities to ordinary investors. By pooling resources, they create a diverse project portfolio for steady income and long-term growth, benefiting both investors and developers.
