(a) whether the Government are considering to explore the possibilities of disinvestment
in agricultural sector with a view to improve the condition of farmers of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, whether the Government propose to formulate an action plan to
consider the possibilities of disinvestment in agricultural sector; and
(d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done?
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND
MINISTER OF DISINVESTMENT (SHRI ARUN SHOURIE):
(a) to (d) As per the disinvestment policy of the Government, all the Public Sector
Undertakings (PSUs) which are non-strategic are to be disinvested on a case by case
basis. PSUs in agricultural sector are not classified as strategic undertakings. The
Disinvestment Commission has considered and submitted its report to Government on
disinvestment of Government equity in respect of State Farms Corporation of India Ltd.
(SFCIL) and National Seeds Corporation Ltd. (NSCL) in the month of April and May 2003
respectively. The Government has not taken any decision on the recommendations of the
Disinvestment Commission.