PM Modi asks PSUs to come up with a developmental roadmap in 100 days

NEW DELHI:  In a bid to strengthen state-owned companies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, gave a 100-day deadline to the heads of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) to come out with a developmental roadmap with “measurable targets”.

Addressing a CPSE conclave at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Modi identified five challenges for CPSEs and said they should focus on maximising their geo-strategic reach, minimising import bill, integrating innovation and research, optimal utilisation of CSR Fund and coming up with a new development model by 2022.

Thematic presentations were made to the PM on subjects such as corporate governance, human resource management, financial re-engineering and Vision 2022 for ‘New India’.

The Prime Minister also suggested that their CSR spend should be focused largely on one specific theme each year. He said one good theme could be the development of 115 aspirational districts identified by Niti Aayog for special focus.

He said CPSEs can also take up skill development programmes, as part of CSR.

Expressing concern over little procurement by CPSEs from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the PM prodded them to buy more from the small units and also ensure timely payments.

In 2016, the procurement by CPSEs was only Rs 25,000 crore from MSMEs of the total Rs 1.30 lakh crore. The PM also asked the CPSE managements to hold their meetings at lesser known tourist destinations so as to promote tourism.