Public Sector Enterprises in India: Evolution, Privatisation and Reforms

Public Sector Enterprises in India is a comprehensive and authoritative work covering the entire public sector in India, including the financial sector public enterprises such as banks and insurance companies. The book begins with the philosophy behind the public sector and traces its evolution in India and its subsequent privatisation and disinvestment after the economic liberalisation of 1991. Based on the most up-to-date data and the latest developments, it examines the plight and options of a public sector paralysed by excessive government interference and now trapped hopelessly between the State and the market. Drawing widely upon global experiences, the book argues that disinvestment and privatisation need not be the only answer to reform the public sector companies. They can be rejuvenated and transformed into global champions if freed from the stifling controls by an unimaginative government machinery, by depoliticisation and separation of the government’s roles as a majority stakeholder, policy-maker and regulator―and by changing their holding structure.

Govind Bhattacharjee is a former civil service officer who retired as Director General from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, New Delhi, in 2018. During his long service career spanning more than three decades, he has served in various capacities in India and abroad and completed many important assignments, national and international, including a 4-year tenure as tax adviser to a foreign government. He is currently a Professor of Applied Economics at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi.

Dr Bhattacharjee is a prolific writer and columnist with versatile interests in diverse areas ranging from public finance to photography and popular science. He has so far published nine books and numerous research articles in academic journals and national newspapers. He is also a regular contributor to science journals. His latest published books include Special Category States of India (a seminal work on the subject) and GST and Its Aftermath: Is Consumer Really the King, coauthored by Dr Debasish Bhattacharya (SAGE Publications). He is also the author of an acclaimed trilogy on evolution, Story of Universe, Story of Evolution and Story of Consciousness.