"The total amount invested by 57 corporations is Rs 40,819 crore in form of bank deposits. Banks give them interest of about 5 to 5.5 per cent. I am of the opinion that it is not the job of government-owned corporations to sit on people's money in such a manner," state Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said.
The minister said people's money should be utilised for public good and accumulating funds in such a manner is not proper.
"Currently, this amount of Rs 40,819 crore is not being used and the corporations keep getting interest from banks," Mungantiwar said.
"If this amount is transferred to the non-banking financial services institution, the government will not have to pay high interest rates to banks on loans taken for public interest works and the surplus money of corporations will be used to meet urgent needs," he added.
City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) has deposits worth Rs 7,146 crore.