Department of Public Enterprises (DPE)

In their 52nd Report, the Estimates Committee of 3rd Lok Sabha (1962-67) stressed the need for setting up a centralized coordinating unit, which could also make continuous appraisal of the performance of public enterprises. This led to the setting up of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in 1965 in the Ministry of Finance. Subsequently, as a result of the reorganization of the Ministries/Departments of the Union Government in September, 1985, BPE was made part of the Ministry of Industry. In May, 1990, BPE was made a full-fledged Department known as the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). Presently, it is part of the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises.

The Department of Public Enterprises is the nodal department for all the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and formulates policy pertaining to CPSEs. It lays down, in particular, policy guidelines on performance improvement and evaluation, autonomy and financial delegation and personnel management in CPSEs. It furthermore collects and maintains information in the form of a Public Enterprises Survey on several areas in respect of CPSEs.

In fulfilling its role, the Department Coordinates with other Ministries, CPSEs and concerned organizations. As per the Allocation of Business Rules of the Government, the following subjects have been allocated to the DPE:

1. Residual work relating to erstwhile Bureau of Public Enterprises including Industrial Management Pool.
2. Coordination of matters of general policy affecting all Public Sector Enterprises.
3. Evaluation and monitoring the performance of Public Sector Enterprises, including the Memorandum of Understanding mechanism.
4. Matters relating to Permanent Machinery of Arbitration for the Public Sector Enterprises.
5. Counseling, training and rehabilitation of employees in Central Public Sector Undertakings under Voluntary Retirement Scheme.
6. Review of capital projects and expenditure in Central Public Sector Enterprises.
7. Measures aimed at improving performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises and other capacity building initiatives of Public Sector Enterprises.
8. Rendering advice relating to revival, restructuring or closure of Public Sector Enterprises including the mechanisms therefor.
9. Matters relating to Standing Conference of Public Enterprises.
10. Matters relating to International Center for Public Enterprises.
11. Categorisation of Central Public Sector Enterprises including conferring ‘Ratna’status.
12. Survey of Public Enterprises

Department of Public Enterprises is headed by Secretary to the Government of India who is assisted by an establishment with an overall sanctioned strength of 122 officers/personnel.