The think tank NITI Aayog expects the first strategic disinvestment of Central Public Sector Enterprises to be conducted within the current financial year.

“So far, based on NITI Aayog's recommendations, more than 30 CPSEs have been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for in-principle strategic disinvestment,” the three-year achievement book released by it here on Wednesday said.

“The process of divestment is being carried out by DIPAM (Department of Investment and Public Asset Management) and the first transactions are expected in the current financial year after a long gap of 14 years,” it said.

The NITI Aayog has recommended four tranches for strategic disinvestment in PSUs. A report was submitted to the government on 74 sick, loss-making or non-performing, CPSEs. The recommendations are under implementation and so far, more than 15 CPSEs are undergoing closure.

Change in approach

In addition to a number of initiatives, NITI Aayog has credited itself for guiding in creating the Three Year Action Agenda approach and doing away with the Five Years Plans and Annual Plans.

The report said that NITI Aayog has led the initiative for making India a leader in the global space on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) research with focus on adopting AI to address problems faced in developing countries. The focus is currently on health, education, and agriculture to develop proof-of-concepts in coordination with the respective ministries which they can then take up as projects.

The report also said that work on developing a National Data and Analytics Portal was at an advanced stage. The portal, besides being a single point source of sectoral data for researchers, policymakers and citizens, will also enable training dataset sharing between different organizations for AI applications.

It is also exploring the use of Blockchain for social good. Currently, the Aayog is working on a strategy paper for blockchain in India which will outline use cases as well as map out the schemes of government of India that stand to benefit from the utilisation of the technology.