The government on Monday said the issue for divestment of residual equity in four privatised companies including IPCL and IBP would be floated by January-February.

"We are proceeding as per plans... the residual equity (float) will come by January-February," Divestment Minister Arun Shourie told reporters in New Delhi, when asked about the ministry officials meeting with Securities and Exchange Board of India chief G N Bajpai for fixing the calendar.

The government had earlier announced to sell its residual equity in five companies which were privatised earlier and was seeking mandate from the strategic partners, who had the right of first refusal.

Replying to another question about realisation of the Rs 13,200 crore (Rs 132 billion) divestment target for the current financial year, Shourie said that it would be difficult to put a figure.