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<ul><li>With three months left until the end of the current financial year, the government has so far met only 5% of its <keyword id="787167" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="divestment-target" source="Orion">divestment target</keyword>.</li><li>Till now, it has raised ₹9,329 crore out of ₹1.75 lakh crore divestment target of FY22.</li><li><keyword id="7922409" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lic-ipo" source="Orion">LIC IPO</keyword> is expected to fetch somewhere between ₹75,000 crore to ₹1.50 lakh crore to the government depending on how much stake it decides to sell.</li><li>Check out our <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/bi-newsletter">weekly explainers</a> on the hottest topics and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/newsletters_signup.cms">sign up</a> if you like them.</li></ul>The union government might miss the divestment target for financial year 2022, which will be the third consecutive year where it fails to meet its ambitious numbers. Every year, the government sets a target amount it hopes to earn by selling stake in public sector enterprises, receiving dividends from owned companies, amount realised from exchange traded funds and so on. So far the government has only met merely 5% of its divestment target of ₹1.75 lakh crore and is short of ₹1.65 lakh crore more. The government has huge hopes of meeting its huge disinvestment target from the LIC IPO where it is reportedly expected to sell 5-10% of its stake. However, even after selling stake in the IPO, it would still not meet its divestment target, here’s how. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">How much will govt get from LIC IPO </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Funds govt would receive </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Short of divestment target by… </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">If it sells 5% stake </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹75,000 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹90,671 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">If it sells 10% stake </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1.50 lakh crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹15,671 crore </td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/ipos/fpos/lic-ipo-could-make-the-psu-indias-second-largest-company-after-reliance/articleshow/88850447.cms">Reportedly</a>, the government is pushing for a valuation of ₹15 lakh crore for the state-owned insurer that will soon file for the country’s biggest IPO before March 2022. So far the divestment proceeds of ₹9,329 crore came from the offer-for-sale of NMDC and the sale of some government-owned shares in Axis Bank. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Government divestment so far from trimming stake in below companies </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Approximately ₹9,329 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Axis Bank through Sutti </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,994 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">NMDC </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,654 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hudco </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹726 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">HCL </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹742 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IPCL </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹219 crore </td></tr></tbody></table>In FY21, the government met 16% of its ambitious divestment target of ₹2.10 lakh crore due to unexpected pandemic that hit the country In the last 10 years, only twice has the government been able to meet and even exceed its divestment target. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Year </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Divestment target </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">% of target met </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY11 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹40,000 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">57% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY12 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹40,000 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">45% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY13 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹30,000 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">86% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY14 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹54,000 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">54% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY15 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹58,425 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">65^ </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY16 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹69,500 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">61% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY17 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹56,500 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">85% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY18 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹72,500 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">138% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY19 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹80,000 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">118% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY20 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1.05 lakh crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">48% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY21 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2.10 lakh crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">16% </td></tr></tbody></table>In the February 2021 budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government would sell stake in Shipping Corp of India, Air India, Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd, Container Corp of India, IDBI Bank, BEML Ltd and Pawan Hans, among others. Adding to it, the government was to privatise two state owned banks and sell stake in one insurance firm. The government is yet to sell stake in these public sector companies, and they seem unlikely before March 2022. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/tax-rates-and-rules-change-expected-from-budget-2022/articleshow/88899801.cms">Anomalies that need to be fixed in India’s startup regulations</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2022-expectation-in-higher-standard-deduction-tax-slabs-and-covid-insurance/slidelist/88891751.cms">From higher standard deduction and change in tax slabs to clarity on Covid insurance, here’s what tax experts want from Budget 2022</a>

Even after the LIC IPO, Indian government may be well short of its divestment target ⁠— for a third year in a row

The mega IPO of Life Insurance Corporation of India (<keyword id="6367143" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lic" source="Orion">LIC</keyword>) will be out by the end of the current fiscal, a senior Central government official said on Monday. According to Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), the IPO plan is on course. "Some media speculation doubting the feasibility of <keyword id="7922409" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lic-ipo" source="Orion">LIC IPO</keyword> this fiscal year is not correct. It is reiterated that plan is on course for the IPO in the last quarter of this fiscal," the Secretary tweeted. The IPO is expected to become the biggest one in India and it may fetch the government around Rs 1 lakh crore. Post the Union Budget FY22, the government has taken several legislative and executive steps to pave way for the mega IPO. The LIC, a statutory Corporation constituted under the LIC Act 1956, is a leading life insurer of India wholly owned by the government. It has three branches outside India - in the UK, Fiji and Mauritius, a wholly-owned subsidiary in Singapore and Joint Ventures in Bahrain, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh. Its subsidiaries in India include LIC Pension Fund Ltd, and LIC Cards Services Ltd. Its associates include the IDBI Bank Ltd, the LIC Mutual Fund and the LIC Housing Finance Ltd. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/these-9-stocks-are-down-as-much-as-15-since-being-the-top-diwali-picks-6-weeks-ago/articleshow/88387967.cms">From ICICI Bank to INOX, these 9 stocks are down as much as 15% since being the top Diwali picks 6 weeks ago</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-do-rising-covid-19-cases-lead-to-a-fall-in-markets/articleshow/88385905.cms">Why is the stock market falling so sharply today?</a>

LIC IPO to be launched between Jan-Mar 2022

<ul><li>LIC has carried out advertisements in newspapers asking policyholders to keep their PAN and demat account updated and ready before the IPO.</li><li>The government has been making constant efforts to launch the <keyword id="7922409" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lic-ipo" source="Orion">LIC IPO</keyword>.</li><li>The IPO reportedly could garner between ₹40,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore from the IPO, which may help in reducing the gap between government’s income and expenditure.</li></ul>India’s largest insurance company Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), on Wednesday, released advertisements in newspapers asking insurance policyholders to keep their PAN and demat account updated and ready before the initial public offering (IPO). According to several reports, the IPO is expected to launch between January to March 2022 and raise up to ₹1 lakh crore. A<a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/banks-to-reach-anchor-investors-for-lic-ipo-after-paytm-delay"> Bloomberg </a>report said that the government could raise between ₹40,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore that will help plug a widening budget gap. The government may sell 5%-10% stake in the company as part of divestment plans and even allow foreign direct investment to ensure diversified and strong demand. There is speculation that LIC might reserve 10% of the issue size for its policyholders, which means policyholders might have an edge in the IPO allotment. <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/markets/ipo-corner/story/lic-hand-holds-its-25-cr-policyholders-in-opening-demat-accounts-ahead-of-ipo-314029-2021-12-01">Reportedly</a>, there are about 6 crore demat accounts in the country and 25 crore customers of LIC, which is why LIC is asking its customers a.k.a policyholders to open a demat account. Note that people who do not own a LIC policy can also apply for the IPO. Here are the steps to complete, if you have an LIC policy and willing to apply to the LIC IPO: Process to link your PAN details with the LIC: <ul><li>Visit LIC website <a href="http://www.licindia.in/">www.licindia.in</a> OR <a href="https://licindia.in/Home/Online-PAN-Registration">https://licindia.in/Home/Online-PAN-Registration</a></li><li>Keep your policy number ready, PAN, date of birth and e-mail ID, which needs to be filled in while updating your PAN.</li><li>You may update the records for all of your LIC policies using the above link.</li><li>You can also check whether your PAN Is registered in your policy or not by visiting the Corporation's website <a href="http://www.licindia.in/">www.licindia.in</a> OR <a href="https://linkpan.licindia.in/UIDSeedingWebApp/getPolicyPANStatus">https://linkpan.licindia.in/UIDSeedingWebApp/getPolicyPANStatus</a>?</li><li>Alternatively, you may also contact your LIC Agent for assistance. </li></ul>SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/international-flights-from-india-will-not-be-resuming-on-december-15-due-on-concerns-of-new-covid-19-variant/articleshow/88029203.cms">International flights from India will not be resuming on December 15 due on concerns of new COVID-19 variant</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/investment-platform-upstox-comes-up-with-quick-ipo-application-process-through-whatsapp/articleshow/88025420.cms">Investment platform Upstox comes up with quick IPO application process through Whatsapp</a>

Do you own an LIC policy? Here is how you can link your PAN before applying for the LIC IPO

<ul><li>Standing firm on its decision, the Indian government has announced that its plans to ‘<keyword id="9302395" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="divest-bpcl">divest BPCL</keyword> is very much on’.</li><li>One of the reasons behind the government’s decision to go ahead with <keyword id="8358736" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="bpcl-divestment">BPCL divestment</keyword> could be the loss of revenue and the massive stimulus package further bleeding its reserves.</li><li>The company sells a fifth of all petroleum products sold in the country. </li></ul>The shares of state-owned fuel refiner <keyword id="156368" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Petroleum-Corporation">Bharat Petroleum Corporation</keyword> (BPCL) were trading at over ₹500 a piece when the government announced that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/bpcl-divestment-opens-up-to-mixed-reactions-but-the-companys-shares-takes-a-hit/articleshow/72155044.cms">it will sell a little over half the company</a>. Analysts at Prabhudas Lilladher expected the government to make over ₹83,000 crore from the sale. Today, <keyword id="8228313" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="bpcl-shares">BPCL shares</keyword> are available at ₹329, they have lost 35% of their value in the last three months. However, that hasn’t stopped the government from going ahead with its plan to sell stake in the company this year because, cash crunch! <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="76054599" title="Indian lenders like SBI, Axis Bank and others need $20 billion⁠ in capital— most of it will go into filling up NPA holes" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The government needs money to stimulate the economy and tax collections are likely to be down. Selling assets may be necessary. And that is why, the deadline for submitting bids has been extended to July 31. <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/2597879" data-url="https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/2597879/embed"></div>]]></cdata></div> When the price is right.. However, Pradhan noted that the divestment in BPCL will be done at an appropriate time. “We believe BPCL now presents deep value as the value of its investments and non-core assets accounts for nearly its entire value,” stated a report by Edelweiss research dated May 11, 2020. The company sells a fifth of all petroleum products sold in the country. The value of the core refining business makes BPCL even more valuable but the market is not willing to pay the price. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.99375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.496875pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Brokerage </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.99375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.496875pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Target price </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.99375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.496875pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Upside (from May 27) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.99375pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Edelweiss </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.99375pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 525 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.99375pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">68% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.496875pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Nomura </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.496875pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 390 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.496875pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.496875pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">25% </td></tr></tbody></table> “Due to Covid-19, BPCL’s ongoing divestment is likely to be delayed to 2HFY21F or even FY22F. Also, given increased concerns on marketing, weak demand/margin, and likely reduced interest from NOCs (national oil companies) in the current scenario, we believe the likely valuations will be lower,” stated a Nomura report dated May 21, 2020. India needs money to revive the economy With economic growth expected to plummet in the months to come, the government is also bracing for a steep fall in tax the goods and services tax (GST) collections. According to the SBI Ecowrap report, the government will have a loss of INR 10.4 lakh crore in FY21. “When India had first imposed a lockdown, our GDP estimate was 2.6% and since then it has been progressively reduced to a negative 4.7%, with nominal GDP witnessing a contraction,” the report said. In addition to this, the ₹20 lakh crore stimulus package is also likely to hurt the government's coffers - some of which it has tried to make up for by hiking excise duty on petrol and diesel by up to ₹13 per litre. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/crude-oil-prices-didnt-fall-below-zero-futures-did-and-heres-what-it-means/articleshow/75264639.cms">Low crude oil prices</a> have helped the government shore up some money via high taxes to fund the COVID-19 relief measures. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75571747" title="For every ₹100 spent on petrol and diesel in India, ₹70 goes towards taxes" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> India’s fiscal deficit⁠— the difference between what the government earns and spends⁠— is estimated to be 5.5%, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/moodys-investors-service-sees-indias-economic-growth-at-zero-in-fy21/articleshow/75619459.cms">according to Moody’s</a>. The difference will have to come from either borrowing or sale of assets like the shares of BPCL. Government wants more private players in strategic sectors “Let me categorically assure investors and stakeholders, recently the Finance minister on her package announcement has categorically come out with a new policy approach on PSUs. For BPCL we have taken a decision prior to COVID-19 situation and we are very firm on our decision,” said Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas in an interview with <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/energy/govt-wont-change-bpcl-divestment-strategy-says-dharmendra-pradhan-5999261.htm">CNBC-TV18</a>. This should come as no surprise, especially after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/govt-signals-retreat-of-psus-even-across-strategic-sectors/articleshow/75795778.cms">said</a> that the government will go ahead with its divestment plans, and even in strategic sectors, public sector undertakings will be limited to a maximum of 4 companies, while the rest will be opened up to the private sector. Oil marketing is a sector that is currently a state monopoly, controlled by three government companies. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/govt-to-gain-rs-1-6-lakh-cr-this-fiscal-from-record-excise-duty-hike-on-petrol-diesel/articleshow/75567986.cms">India to gain ₹1.6 lakh crore this fiscal from record excise duty hike on petrol, diesel</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/crude-oil-price-crash-might-batter-these-significant-deals-that-could-drive-the-indian-economy/articleshow/75272856.cms">Crude oil crash might affect RIL-Aramco deal, BPCL divestment and much more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/bpcl-divestment-opens-up-to-mixed-reactions-but-the-companys-shares-takes-a-hit/articleshow/72155044.cms">BPCL divestment opens up to mixed reactions, but the company’s shares takes a hit</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/how-much-tax-consumer-is-paying-on-petrol-and-diesel-in-india/articleshow/75571747.cms">For every ₹100 spent on petrol and diesel in India, ₹70 goes towards taxes</a>

India may have to sell BPCL shares for less than the best price⁠ as the government needs money

Listing of <keyword id="6365973" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="life-insurance-corporation">Life Insurance Corporation</keyword> (LIC) and sale of government's stake in IDBI Bank may be delayed beyond March 2021, due to depressed valuation amid COVID-19 pandemic. The government aims to garner Rs 90,000 crore from the listing of LIC and stake dilution in IDBI Bank out of total the disinvestment target of Rs 2.10 lakh crore during the current fiscal. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Budget 2020-21 had announced stake sale in LIC through an initial public offer in the current financial year. <div type="Youtube" id="WYbWln2KsuA" title="Budget 2020: LIC to get Privatised" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WYbWln2KsuA/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Given the prevailing market situation, it seems to be difficult to do the LIC stake sale in the current fiscal as the situation is not conducive, sources said. Besides, they said, there will not be a matching appetite for the mega issue of LIC in the present market condition. Due to COVID situation, the government recently for the second time extended the deadline for bidding for privatisation of India's second-biggest oil marketing company Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) by over a month to July 31. The government currently owns 100 per cent in LIC, while it holds around a 46.5 per cent stake in IDBI Bank. The sources said, the government will have to cut down its expected realisation from stake dilution of both LIC and IDBI Bank even if the market condition improves. So, selling them at low valuation would be an imprudent decision, they added. Besides valuation, the sources said, listing of LIC involves a lot of regulatory clearances and more importantly amendment to the LIC Act itself. Market participants had already termed the listing of insurance behemoth LIC as IPO of the decade akin to the Saudi Aramco listing. The 60-year-old state-owned firm, LIC is the country's largest insurer, controlling more than 70 per cent of the market share. The insurer has a market share of 76.28 per cent in number of policies and 71 per cent in first-year premiums. LIC has many subsidiaries, including IDBI Bank. Turning the corner, IDBI Bank on Saturday posted a profit of Rs 135 crore for the March quarter on account of recoveries from bad loans. The lender reported a profit after 13 straight quarters of net losses. The bank had posted a net loss of Rs 4,918 crore in the corresponding period of last year. In January 2019, LIC completed acquisition of 51 per cent controlling stake in the lender. The state-owned life insurer infused Rs 21,624 crore into the bank. The bank, which is under the Reserve Bank of India's prompt corrective action (PCA) framework, said it has achieved all PCA parameters for exit except return on asset. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/india-moves-to-unlock-value-from-insurance-behemoth-lic-whose-corpus-is-at-31-lakh-crore/articleshow/73836245.cms">The biggest IPO of the next financial year ⁠— LIC, whose corpus is at ₹31 lakh crore</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/nirmala-sitharaman-says-the-lic-ipo-will-benefit-retail-investors/articleshow/74008705.cms">Nirmala Sitharaman says the LIC IPO will benefit retail investors</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/govt-to-retain-management-control-in-lic-after-listing-sitharaman/articleshow/74459403.cms">Govt to retain management control in LIC after listing: Sitharaman</a>

India's largest-ever IPO may be shelved until next year

Chennai, Tamil Nadu's ruling <keyword id="19897149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dmk" source="keywords">DMK</keyword>, a key constituent of the INDIA bloc, in its manifesto released on Wednesday promised to repeal the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 if the opposition alliance wins the <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> polls. Restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and holding polls there, scrapping the New Education Policy 2020, slashing fuel prices, annulling Article 361 of the Constitution that provides protection to governors from legal action and appointment of Governors following consultation with Chief Ministers, were among the key promises made by the DMK. The recommendations of the M S Swaminathan committee will be adopted to ensure that MSP for agricultural products "is set at total production cost plus 50 per cent," the DMK said. Also, it announced that if voted to power, the INDIA bloc will withdraw the Agnipath scheme and reintroduce "permanent recruitment service" in the Indian Armed forces. "From now on, population census, including caste-wise census and census concerning people below the poverty line, will be conducted by the Union government once every five years simultaneously." The DMK will firmly insist on the removal of Article 356, which allows the dismissal of duly elected state governments and imposition of President's rule. The Congress party's ally in Tamil Nadu said that "new constraints" on States' borrowing capacity, imposed by the union government beyond the limits in each state's FRBM-equivalent Act will be eliminated. "A recommendation to share cess revenues with states will be made. It will be proposed that the Finance Commission increase the horizontal devolution of tax revenue (to all States together) from 42 per cent to 50 per cent." The Union government's financial contributions to states will be based on the income tax and GST collected in those states. Thus, financial contributions will be assured based on the taxes collected within each state. The finance provided to states will be permanently determined based on the 1971 population. A 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and legislative assemblies will be implemented immediately. "DMK will insist that the Union government enact a law providing menstrual leave to women, emphasizing the journey towards gender equality." Petrol and diesel prices "will be set at Rs 75, Rs 65 (per litre)" and cooking gas cylinders shall be made available at Rs 500 (per cylinder). "The introduction of the Uniform Civil Code will be strictly prevented" to preserve India's secular nature as stated in the Constitution's preamble. "The 2019 CAA law will be repealed, and all minorities will be treated equally without any discrimination. The recommendations of the Sachar Committee for the improvement of the lives of Muslims and other minority communities will be implemented." Facilitation will be provided for <keyword id="21027983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sri-lankan-tamil" source="keywords">Sri Lankan Tamil</keyword> refugees to get Indian citizenship. Assistance will be provided to those who wish to return to Sri Lanka. Also, the manifesto said efforts will be made to implement reservation for minorities at the all-India level, similar to Tamil Nadu. "The financial assistance previously provided to minority educational institutions has now been stopped. Action will be taken to resume this assistance." For "political" reasons, funding from foreign countries to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has currently been stopped. "The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act will be properly amended, and measures will be taken to ensure these financial aids continue to reach NGOs without any problems." The proposal of 'One Nation, One Election' will be abandoned, and for the allocation of Lok Sabha seats to states, the current practice, based on the 1971 census will continue. All "people-unfriendly" laws introduced by the BJP government over the last 10 years will be reviewed immediately by the INDIA alliance government. The "labour-hostile laws" introduced by the BJP government will be "reformed." Through the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), the Union government will ensure a minimum pension of Rs 5,000 per month. The number of working days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act will be increased from 100 to 150 days. "A wage of Rs 400 will be provided across states/ union territories nationwide." Disbanding the current NITI Aayog, set up by the BJP regime and establishing again the Planning Commission to draft plans based on the requests of state governments is another assurance the DMK has made. "Measures will be taken to reclaim Kachchatheevu to ensure India's security and to protect the welfare of the fishermen." A mandatory "cooling-off period" of 2 years will be introduced for retired judges and secretaries before they could join private companies or political parties, the manifesto said. Waiving loans and interests for farmers in nationalised and scheduled banks, waiver of educational loans for students, monthly entitlement of Rs 1,000 for all women in every state and formation of <keyword id="21027984" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="state-development-council" source="keywords">State Development Council</keyword> by including Chief Ministers were among the promises made by the DMK. Exemption for Tamil Nadu from the NEET exam and complete removal of toll booths on national highways, forms part of poll promises of the Dravidian party. Further, the DMK said amendments will be made to relevant laws to ensure that state governments, elected by the people, appoint Vice-Chancellors to state-run universities, rather than Governors. Stopping government's divestment from public sector enterprises, implementing the Sethusamudram project, law to ban online gambling, setting up a <keyword id="19895345" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="keywords">Supreme Court</keyword> branch in Chennai, providing statehood for <keyword id="19901639" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="puducherry" source="keywords">Puducherry</keyword>, equal funding for all state languages including Tamil, were among the host of other promises made by the DMK. Establishment of Tamil departments in varsities and stopping construction of <keyword id="19950851" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mekedatu" source="keywords">Mekedatu</keyword> dam were also promised by the DMK. "The <keyword id="19996334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vishwakarma-scheme" source="keywords">Vishwakarma Scheme</keyword>, introduced by the BJP government to encourage caste-based occupations, will be restructured on the basis of social justice."

DMK vows to repeal CAA if INDIA bloc is voted to power

<ul><li>The sale of the national carrier has always been a politically sensitive issue.</li><li>Reports suggest that the government may sell the airline but transfer just a fourth of the company's debt.</li><li>The proposal may give Narendra Modi's rivals ammunition to attack him for selling a national asset cheap.</li></ul>The sale of Air India has been contemplated for years, unsuccessfully. An attempt made in 2018 failed too. Now, there is a consensus like never before that the ailing national carrier must be disposed off to a willing investor. But, there may be a new twist in the tale that may make the issue political once again. According to an <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/new-air-india-sale-offer-may-keep-working-capital-debt-out/articleshow/71176962.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Economic Times report citing sources</a>, the government is looking to reduce the amount of debt on the books to a fourth of its original amount before selling the airline. When the government invited bids for Air India in 2018, the debt on the books was close to ₹59,000 crore. Of that, ₹29,400 crore was moved to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that houses debt and assets of the national carrier. This amount is being repaid through government-guaranteed bond issues in three batches. Of the ₹30,000 crore remaining, about ₹15,000 crore is working capital debt, which the government may reportedly bear the burden. So, the potential buyer will only have the remaining ₹15,000 crore to shoulder-- just a fourth of the original amount. Making Air India attractive The idea is to make the debt-laden Air India, with all its operational inefficiencies, an attractive proposition for potential buyers. There was no response to the government's last call for bids. However, some of the factors have changed since last year. On the upside, the disappearance of Jet Airways from the Indian skies has helped airlines charge more for tickets and make some money out of it. So much so that Air India is hoping to turn profitable this year, for the first time in over a decade. On the downside, while India's aviation sector is expected to become the world's third largest aviation market by 2024, according to the International Air Transport Association, the passenger traffic has slowed down in recent months and that has dented performance for all airlines. The government is also hamstrung by its own ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's insistence that the airline must not be sold to a foreign peer. That leaves very few interested parties who may be interested or can afford to spend on buying an airline. While on the balance, the government will weigh out all its options, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political rivals are unlikely to miss any opportunity possible to corner the government finding faults in the sale of Air India, a national asset that has evoked strong emotions in the past. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/emirates-wont-buy-air-india-but-spicejet-flights-under-code-share-likely-by-diwali/articleshow/70970408.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Emirates is not interested in Air India but is excited about its code share with SpiceJet</a>

Indian government is looking to sell Air India but may keep its debt

<ul><li>Strategic divestments in <keyword id="2573" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword>, BPCL and Container Corporation are "unlikely" to be completed in FY20.</li><li>The ministry has budgeted to garner Rs 1.05 lakh crore from divestments during the fiscal.</li><li><keyword id="6470244" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="dipam">Dipam</keyword>'s joint secretary Anuradha Thakur said the government is working hard with the regulators in order to ensure that the bond market gets maximum traction. </li></ul> In what can potentially hurt the fiscal math for the ongoing fiscal, a senior government official said strategic divestments in Air India, BPCL and Container Corporation are "unlikely" to be completed in FY20.
 Work on all these companies is on and the process is facing delays due to "surprises" encountered once the wheels have begun moving, the official from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (Dipam) said.
 The ministry has budgeted to garner Rs 1.05 lakh crore from divestments during the fiscal. The government has already breached the budgeted fiscal deficit gap and the extent of the gap stands at 115 per cent with four months to go.
 The official declined to comment on the impact of such events on the fiscal math.
 When asked if the strategic divestment in the <keyword id="156368" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Petroleum-Corporation">Bharat Petroleum Corporation</keyword> (BPCL) -- which can alone fetch the government over Rs 60,000 crore if it were to sell its entire 53 per cent stake -- will be completed this fiscal, the official said, "unlikely". "We are not saying that for ourselves and our timelines are such that it should happen. But we know that the process throws up surprises," the official said speaking on the sidelines of an event here.
 Similarly, on Container Corporation (Concor) and Air India as well, the official said that the sales will not go through in the current fiscal ending March 31.
 The official said the government is preparing the financial statements and getting the data room ready for the sales, suggesting that such aspects take time.
 Till now, the industry has shown "excitement" over the companies which are being floated, the official said, adding that there are additional details which may be sought by potential bidders.
 When asked about the strategic sale in Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), the official said the sale is at a certain stage and going strong.
 The government, which had exceeded the budgeted divestment target last fiscal, has mopped up only Rs 12,359 crore of the Rs 1.05 lakh crore target as of September. According to media reports, the stake sale in SCI can fetch it Rs 2,000 crore and over Rs 13,000 crore can accrue from Concor.
 Meanwhile, Edelweiss Mutual Fund's Bharat Bond Exchange Traded Fund listed on the National Stock Exchange on Thursday with a marginally down opening.
 Dipam's joint secretary Anuradha Thakur said the government is working hard with the regulators in order to ensure that the bond market gets maximum traction.
 The next step for the stakeholders is to ensure that there is trading in bonds in the secondary market which will ensure liquidity for investors, she said.
 Rashesh Shah, the chairman and chief executive of Edelweiss, said the corporate bond exchange-traded fund (ETF) is the culmination of years of efforts by government, regulators and his group, and also added that it provides stability for investors as it includes only AAA-rated public sector bonds.

Indian government might not be able to close Air India BPCL divestments this fiscal

The Centre's top group of ministers looking into <keyword id="4708573" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India-divestment">Air India divestment</keyword> is slated to meet on Saturday with the agenda ranging from extending the process to allowing greater debt re-structuring. These key decisions might come at a time when the divestment deadline of October 31 is fast approaching. The meeting of the AISAM (Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism), headed by Home Minister <keyword id="6355521" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="amit-shah">Amit Shah</keyword>, will be conducted via video conferencing. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Commerce Minister <keyword id="6355222" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="piyush-goyal">Piyush Goyal</keyword> amongst others, will be participating. As per sources, extending the deadline for submission of initial bid or expression of interest (EoI) till December is on the cards. Another <keyword id="9602655" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="significant-change">significant change</keyword> that might be put forth for AISAM's approval will be a change in the deal's financial structure, especially concerning the airline's debt. Under this change, sources said that the bidders would be given the option to decide on the quantum of debt on the Air India books that they will like to absorb rather than freezing the debt amount and seeking investors' bids. As per the Air India EoI, floated by DIPAM in January, of the airline's total debt of Rs 60,074 crore as of March 31, 2019, the buyer would be required to absorb Rs 23,286.5 crore, while the rest would be transferred to Air India Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL), a special purpose vehicle. With the proposed changes, buyers will decide on the level of debt that they will take and the one taking the largest debt may be considered favourable to be declared winner. The Centre is, however, said to be finding it tough to get investors on board. A Tata Group-led consortium was considered the favourite to take over the airline earlier but its interest lately has been subdued. With foreign airlines bleeding over fall in air travel during the pandemic, getting investors would be difficult. But Air India, with vast pool of international flying slots and running overseas operations under the Vande Bharat scheme, is expected to get some investor interest. Air India has been been unprofitable since its 2007 merger with state-owned domestic operator Indian Airlines Ltd, and since then is flying on government budgetary support, adding pressure to central resources. Air India disinvestment will be a key component of this years sell target of Rs 2.1 lakh crore. The government has so far mobilised a mere Rs 5,500 crore as disinvestment receipts. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/list-of-indian-billionaires-who-dropped-out-of-school-or-did-not-go-to-school-at-all/slidelist/78829239.cms">From Mukesh Ambani to Azim Premji — Indian billionaires who dropped out of college or did not go to school at all</a>

AISAM likely to take key decisions on Air India divestment on Saturday

<ul><li>The <keyword id="26362" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Government">government</keyword> will divest a 100% stake in <keyword id="2573" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword>’s profitable ground handling unit, Air India Air Transport Services (AIATS), and will use the proceeds of the sale to pay down the <keyword id="34984" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="airline">airline</keyword>’s debts. </li><li>The decision is part of a larger turnaround plan that will see the government transfer around ₹300 billion of the airline’s short-term <keyword id="44647" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="debt">debt</keyword> and certain non-core assets into a separate entity. </li><li>The government needs to make the heavily-indebted airline an attractive acquisition target following a failed sale earlier this year. </li></ul> India’s central government is not ready to give up on its loss-making national carrier, Air India. The government is moving ahead to divest a 100% stake in Air India’s profitable ground handling unit, Air India Air Transport Services (AIATS), according to RN Choubey, the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil <keyword id="31907" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aviation">Aviation</keyword>. The reason for the sale? The government needs to make the heavily-indebted airline an attractive acquisition target following <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/after-a-botched-sale-the-indian-government-might-just-bail-air-india-out-again/articleshow/65323903.cms">a failed sale</a> earlier this year. However, as opposed to bailing out the airline at the expense of taxpayers, the government will use the proceeds of the sale to pay down Air India’s debt and interest liabilities. The government had tried to sell <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/no-one-seems-interested-in-buying-air-india/articleshow/63697732.cms">a 76% stake</a> in the airline this past summer, but it received zero bids by the 31 May deadline. The primary reasons were the government’s decision to retain a 24% stake in the airline as well as the high amount of debt a buyer would have had to inherit, which was estimated to be around 70% of the airline’s total debt burden of ₹488 billion. Consequently, the government decided to focus on restructuring the airline’s operations while adopting a wait-and-see approach with regards to the <keyword id="44639" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="divestment">divestment</keyword>. It has been <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/from-time-to-time-government-is-providing-support-to-air-india-r-n-choubey/articleshow/66694176.cms">infusing funds</a> in small amounts in Air India in order to meet its working capital needs like paying salaries and suppliers. The decision to sell off Air India’s ground handling unit is part of a larger turnaround plan wherein the government will cut operating costs, sell land holdings and transfer around ₹300 billion of the airline’s short-term debt and certain non-core assets into a special purpose vehicle called Air India Assets Holding. The sale document will only be released once AIATS is hived off into this separate entity. The actual purpose of the special purpose vehicle is to service more than half of Air India’s debt by selling off its assets. The overall goal of these actions is to generate more enthusiasm from prospective buyers. The government still intends to privatise Air India as opposed to liquidating it or worse, maintaining complete ownership -- certain to be a drain on the Exchequer. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/no-one-seems-interested-in-buying-air-india/articleshow/63697732.cms">No one seems interested in buying Air India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/after-a-botched-sale-the-indian-government-might-just-bail-air-india-out-again/articleshow/65323903.cms">After a botched sale, the Indian government might just bail Air India out again</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-indian-government-is-planning-a-rescue-package-for-the-aviation-sector-as-the-losses-pile-up/articleshow/65681289.cms">The Indian government is planning a rescue package for the aviation sector as the losses pile up</a>

You Searched For "india government divestment" and got 10 results

Even after the LIC IPO, Indian government may be well short of its divestment target ⁠— for a third year in a row

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India may have to sell BPCL shares for less than the best price⁠ as the government needs money

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India's largest-ever IPO may be shelved until next year

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DMK vows to repeal CAA if INDIA bloc is voted to power

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Indian government is looking to sell Air India but may keep its debt

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AISAM likely to take key decisions on Air India divestment on Saturday

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The Indian government is trying to make its struggling national carrier an attractive acquisition target by selling off a profitable subsidiary

Dilsher Dhillon

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