Finance Ministry asks 5 PSU Banks to decrease Govt shareholding by 1st August

The Finance Ministry has instructed five public sector banks in India to increase their minimum public shareholding to 25% by August 1, in line with regulatory requirements. This directive is part of the Securities Contract (Regulation) Rules, which mandate all listed companies, including public sector entities, to maintain a minimum public shareholding of 25%.

The five public sector banks that have yet to meet this requirement are UCO Bank, Central Bank of India, Punjab & Sind Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, and Indian Overseas Bank. These banks currently have public shareholdings ranging from 1.75% to 13.54%.

Read More - Shareholding Pattern of Government in Public Sector Banks

Nationalized Banks (Government Shareholding %, as at end-March 2023)

1. State Bank of India (57.59%)

2. Canara Bank (62.93%)

3. Bank of Baroda (63.97%)

4. Punjab National Bank (73.15%)

5. Indian Bank (79.86%)

6. Bank of India (81.41%)

7. Union Bank of India (76.99%)

8. Bank of Maharashtra (90.90%)

9. Central Bank of India (93.08%)

10. UCO Bank (95.39%)

11. Indian Overseas Bank (96.38%)

12. Punjab and Sind Bank (98.25%)

Sources familiar with the matter suggest that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) may consider granting exemptions to some public sector banks and other public sector undertakings (PSUs) to gradually achieve compliance with the 25% minimum public shareholding norms by August 2024. State-run lenders are reportedly raising capital through Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), which leads to a dilution of the government’s stake. However, there are currently no plans for a direct share sale in any public sector bank.

It is worth noting that the government’s stake in the five state-run banks exceeds 75%, resulting in unsold government stakes valued at over Rs 65,000 crore at current market prices. Additionally, several other government enterprises, including IRFC and SJVN, also have government stakes exceeding 75%.

In related developments, the central government has divested its holdings in six public sector units (PSUs) over the past year. These include Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., RVNL, SJVN, Coal India, HUDCO, and NHPC. The shares of four of these companies have already doubled from their Offer for Sale (OFS) floor price.

It is important to note that the Finance Ministry has recently amended the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957 to exempt listed public sector companies from the minimum public shareholding norm. This exemption comes ahead of the three-year timeframe given to listed PSUs to conform to the norm. The amendment allows listed entities to have at least 25% public shareholding, which can be held by anyone other than a promoter, including institutions or individuals.

These recent developments highlight the government’s efforts to ensure compliance with minimum public shareholding requirements and promote transparency in the functioning of listed companies in India.