Finance Ministry Brainstormed on Capital Expenditure with PSU, Financial Advisers

In order to boost capital expenditure of the Union Government so as to pump liquidity in the market to boost demand, Ministry of Finance held a meeting with the heads of Maharatna and Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Financial Advisors (FAs) of infrastructure Ministries in New Delhi.

The meeting was Co-Chaired by Atanu Chakraborty, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and Shri G.C.Murmu , Secretary Department of Expenditure.

During the meeting capital expenditure by various CPSEs & Ministries was reviewed. They were impressed upon to adhere to the expenditure plan and accelerate investment activities.

They also reviewed monitoring release of payments for procurements and other contracts without delay to infuse liquidity in a time bound manner.

The officials also discussed resolution of outstanding payments which may have been held up on account of disputes.

Ministry of Finance would constantly monitor the progress of large infrastructure projects for the Ministries as well as the CPSEs and further follow meetings would be held.

For this purpose, Ministry will be developing a dashboard for enabling Ministries to upload figures on periodic basis.

During last week, the Secretary (Expenditure) and Secretary (Economic Affairs) also Co-Chaired a meeting with the heads of large CPSEs and officials of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Ministry of Public Enterprises.

Government has devised a multi- pronged approach for providing boost to the economy. Merger of some Public Sector Banks and upfront capital infusion of Rs. 70.000 crore were announced recently.

It is hoped that enhanced credit flow will spur investment cycle and help revive stressed sectors like housing.

Start-ups have been exempted from ‘angel tax’. Distress in the auto sector has also been addressed through a package of measures.