The Government's programme to broadbase the ownership of Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) has received an overwhelming response. The six public issues of CPSUs in the current financial year have attracted around 50 lakh retail investors.

As against a target of Rs 40,000 crore, the Government will raise about Rs 22,144 crore from disinvestment in 2010-11. A higher than anticipated realisation in non-tax revenues has led us to reschedule some of the divestment issues planned for the current year. I intend to maintain the momentum on disinvestment in 2011-12 by raising Rs 40,000 crore.

Let me reiterate here that the Government is committed to retain at least 51 per cent ownership and management control of the CPSUs, as stated earlier in my Budget speech for 2009-10.