97 PSUs get ‘mini-ratna’ status

The Government today announced a package of financial and operational autonomy for profit-making public sector enterprises other than the Navaratnas. For starters, 97 PSEs would be eligible to exercise the enhanced powers granted through the package. The Department of Public Enterprises has outlined two sets of eligibility criteria for the “Mini Ratnas”. Under Category-1, the enterprises would have to show profits for the last three years and have a pretax profit of Rs. 30 crores or more in at least one of the three years. These enterprises should also have a positive net worth. Category-II PSEs would have to show profits for the past three years, and have a positive net-worth.

Revised pay scales for Central staff notified

THE Government today notified the revised pay scales for Central Government employees in Groups A, B, C and D, as also for those in the All-India Services. The revision will put an extra burden of Rs. 18,250 crores on the exchequer. The total wage bill for 1997-98 is expected to cross Rs. 45,000 crores. While the revised scales of pay and dearness allowance are with retrospective effect from January 1, 1996, the revised allowances other than dearness allowance will be effective from August 1, 1997.

ISRO scientists grappling with Insat-2D problem

Restoration of the available transponders on the seriously crippled Insat-2D, launched exactly four months ago, remained a perplexing problem on Friday evening. Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) here are exploring the limited options — how best to salvage the power-short satellite’s remaining C-band transponders, running the three transponders regained Thursday, shutting off the satellite or letting it be as it is.