DIPAM Secretary Tuhin Kant Pandey said that privatization of PSU Banks is not being pursued currently and there is no legislation in place for it. He also said that financial bids for disinvestment in IDBI Bank are expected by end of this year. He shared insights in an exclusive interview with ANI.
Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) deals with all matters relating to management of Central Government investments in equity including disinvestment of equity in Central Public Sector Undertakings. The three major areas of its work relates to Strategic Disinvestment and Privatisation, Minority Stake Sales and Capital Restructuring. DIPAM is a Department under the Ministry of Finance.
He said that now the government is commited to a comprehensive approach focusing on value creation for public enterprises. The aim is not to maximize dividends but to ensure consistent dividends, so enterprises always have resources for their growth.
“In early August, we will move to the due diligence process for IDBI Bank and proceed from there. We hope to get the financial bids within this financial year,” Pandey said. He explained that strategic disinvestment, particularly for public banks, is a lengthy process due to the need to transfer management control to strategic buyers. This involves a two-stage bidding process.
“First, we invite Expressions of Interest (EOI). After that, we conduct due diligence, negotiate share purchase agreements, and finally move to financial bidding. This also includes separating core from non-core real estate assets, which may involve demergers,” Pandey elaborated.
He further noted that regulatory approvals, employee-related issues, and their post-retirement benefits need to be addressed, often through securitization in trusts, before proceeding with transactions.
Regarding the disinvestment of the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Pandey mentioned that extensive documentation is required from the Government of Maharashtra to change the lease name from SCI to SCI LAL. Additionally, employee trust issues need resolution before moving to financial bidding.
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