AG seeks more info on HPCL, BPCL: opinion likely next week

NEW DELHI: Attorney General Soli Sorabjee has sought further information for framing opinion on the privatisation of the two corporations.
Sorabjee sought more information from Disinvestment Secretary Pradeep Baijal, when the two met yesterday and had detailed discussions, sources said.
The opinion on whether the government could privatise the two oil PSUs, acquired through Acts of Parliament, through an executive order is now likely to be given next week.
Sorabjee is flying to Mauritius this weekend and is expected to return on Wednesday, sources said.
The Cabinet Committee on Disinvestment at its meeting on December 27 had deferred the issue of quantum and modalities of disinvestment in the two oil corporations for want of AG''s opinion.
Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie, who had promised in Parliament that AG''s opinion would be taken on whether there was a need for the government to seek either repeal or amendment in the concerned Acts under which two PSUs were acquired in 1970s, had also met Sorabjee on Saturday last in this connection.