Bengal govt to start second phase of restructuring

Kolkata, June 2 (UNI) The West Bengal government has decided to embark on the second phase of restructuring in the state Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

The revamping process would be undertaken at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore in 30 state PSUs including two power PSUs, West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB), Dishergarh Power Supply (DPS) and five corporations in the transport sector, official sources said.

The budget for restructuring would be raised by a loan from the Department for International Development (DFID), which the state government has sought, and 12.5 per cent state contribution.

A recent meeting chaired by the state industry minister Nirupam Sen at the state secretariat gave the go ahead to the massive revamping.

Over 75,000 workers are currently employed in the 30 PSUs being considered for restructuring, the sources said.

The management and trade unions of the PSUs have been asked to meet the secretaries of the departments concerned in June to discuss the restructuring programme.

A profitability and viability study would be taken up by the state government appointed consultants in these PSUs in July. The state government has sought their report by November, the sources added.

Altogether, 34 PSUs were taken up by the state government in the first phase of restructuring. Early retirement scheme (ERS) was offered to over 6,000 workers in the first phase.

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