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'No move for divestment in Bhel'

Union Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise Minister Balsahab Vikhe Patil on Saturday said there was at present no move for divestment in the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.

In an informal conversation with reporters after inaugurating Bhel's Kasturba Nursing College in Bhopal, he said no decision had so far been taken by the Centre and no model was prepared for divestment in the heavy engineering giant.

Replying to several questions about reports of the possible privatisation of Bhel, he said ''divestment should not be construed as privatisation''.

He, however, evaded direct reply to a query as to whether the Bhel's divestment was on the cards, saying this would be known at an appropriate time.

The divestment process was set in only those public sector undertakings where the government found its role irrelevant, he said adding that a different model was adopted by the Centre for the same.

Earlier, speaking at the function, Patil said that Bhel being the 'Navratna PSU', need not worry much about divestment. The PSU should never be a burden on the government or public, he said.

He, however, said the personnel should change their total mindset in accordance with the changing scenario. Recalling Bhel's role in the country's infrastructure development since independence, he said it achieved remarkable growth despite declining government support to public enterprises in the wake of the World Trade Organisation regime.

He said the heavy industries ministry had constituted two task forces to give stimulus to Bhel's export and domestic market. Patil said the Centre wanted to make optimum utilization of the heavy engineering giant.

Bhel chairman and managing director K G Ramachandran, Madhya Pradesh deputy chief minister Subhash Yadav and state medical education minister Dr Vijaylaxmi Sadho were also present on the occasion.

UNI

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