The government has exempted public sector entities from the minimum public shareholding (MPS) norm which mandates at least 25 per cent public float for all listed companies. The move is expected to facilitate the selloff of IDBI Bank.

The exemption would apply on the PSU entities regardless of the government’s direct or indirect holding. The exemption will be valid for a “specified period” even if there is a change in ownership or control after the exemption is granted, a gazette notification said.

The notification exempts “any listed entity in which the central government or state government or public sector company, either individually or in any combination with other, hold directly or indirectly, majority of the shares or voting rights or control of such listed entity, from any or all of the provisions of this rule (MPS norms).”

The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2022 was notified by the government on January 2. Following the notification, IDBI Bank will be exempt from MPS even after a partial stake sale by LIC and the government.

Last month, the government extended the deadline to submit preliminary bids for the lender till January 7. The government and LIC together are looking to sell 60.72 per cent of IDBI Bank and had invited bids from potential buyers in October.

The government and LIC hold 94.71 per cent stake in IDBI Bank. The successful bidder will have to make an open offer for acquisition of 5.28 per cent stake from public shareholders.

Poonam Kaura, partner —government and public sector advisory, Nangia Andersen LLP, said: “The exemption has been extended, although it will be for a “specified period”.”

“It will surely have a positive impact on central & state PSUs undergoing strategic disinvestment or privatisation. It sounds very lucrative and attractive for the private investors interested in acquiring a shareholding of large PSUs,” she said.