Privatisation remains a priority despite Covid slowdown: DIPAM Secy

Says it is not that investors are not engaged, but they want more time. Because one thing that is not open yet is international travel

Completing existing privatisation plans, such as that of Air India, remains a priority for the government even though the Covid-19 pandemic has slowed down the process, said Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Secretary of Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) on Wednesday.

“Strategic disinvestment is a long-term commitment of investors and requires deep engagement. Normally it takes 8-9 months. To a large extent, Covid has put a brake on this because international travel has virtually stopped. To some extent we have to grant extension to some of the expressions of interest that we have issued. It is not that the