Centre starts work on appraisal of state-level PSUs

NEW DELHI: The Centre has started work on the appraisal of public sector firms owned by state governments, numbering around 837, for fiscal year 2007-08.

The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has invited bids for the appointment of a consultant to prepare a comprehensive survey of state-level public enterprises (SLPEs) for fiscal year 2007-08, an official said.

Different aspects of the functioning of the SLPEs, including their profitability, level of employment and overhead costs, would be covered in the survey, he said.

The consultant would collect data from sources like commercial audit reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Corporate Affairs Ministry, Reserve Bank of India and the Planning Commission.

The report has to be prepared within three months of the award of the contract.

There were around 837 SLPEs in the country as per the 2007 report of the CAG. About 18.71 lakh persons were employed in these firms.

The DPE carries out a voluminous survey of Central public sector units on an annual basis.