FinMin urges cash-rich public sector units for extra dividend

17 Jan 2013 Evaluate

Leaving no stone unturned to contain the fiscal deficit to 5.3% of GDP for the current fiscal, the finance ministry in its normal pre-Budget rush is seeking cash-rich public sector units for higher dividends. It is reported that discussions have begun and PSUs have been sounded out for additional dividend payouts. This move will help the government in meeting any shortfall on the account of spectrum sale targeted at Rs 40,000 crore or tax mop-up.

For the current financial year, the government is far behind the budgetary target of fiscal deficit with lower-than-estimated revenue collection. So far this fiscal, low tax collection and flop spectrum auction in November had contributed to the fall in revenue collection. India's fiscal deficit is the widest among major emerging economies due to huge spending on subsidies for items such as food, fuel and fertilizer. Further, subdued tax revenues in a slowing economy have aggravated India’s fiscal strains.

Further, the Budget 2012-13 has estimated receipts from dividends and profits at Rs 50,152 crore, however, the finance ministry not only wants to ensure that the target is met but to exceed it. Meanwhile, the government has targeted Rs 40,000 crore from the spectrum auction, which is scheduled to be held in March 11.

In the last fiscal, the government had managed to pull out an additional about Rs 7,500 crore over its budget estimates. As per the government, all profit-making companies in which government has majority stakes are required to declare a dividend of 20% of government's equity or 20% of profit after tax, whichever is higher.

However, Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE), the apex body of central government-owned public enterprises, wrote letters to PSUs cautioning them to spur their investment programmes to avoid paying higher dividends for this fiscal.   

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×