Government plans stake sale in 4 more cos in current fiscal

The government plans to divest some of its stake in four more state companies including Steel Authority of India Ltd and National Aluminium Company Ltd by the end of next month, a junior finance minister said on Friday.

The government also expects to complete the stake sale in state trading firm MMTC Ltdand Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilisers Ltd in this fiscal year that ends on March 31, SS Palanimanickam, told parliament in a statement.

New Delhi will divest 10.82 percent of its stake in Steel Authority of India, 12.15 percent in National Aluminium, 12.5 percent in Rashtriya Chemicals and 9.33 percent in MMTC through auction of shares, the minister said.

India plans to raise about USD 880 million next month cutting its stakes in Steel Authority and National Aluminium, sources told Reuters on Thursday, a move that will help the government tackle the Budget deficit.

Also read: Oil Min proposes rostering of KG-D6 gas

Asset sales are a key part of the government's plan to cut the deficit to 5.3 percent of gross domestic product for this fiscal year, from 5.8 percent in 2011-12, to avoid a credit downgrade.

Neyveli plans 5% divestment in Q1FY14; FSA with CIL soon