What was Navaratna Policy? Make a list of companies included in Navratnas.
In order to improve efficiency, enhance professionalism and enable them to compete effectively in the liberalised global environment, the Government of India announced a policy in 1996, called Navaratna Policy. Under this policy, 9 most profitable PSUs were given the status of "Navaratna" and 97 other profit-making PSUs were called Mini Ratnas. The companies included in Navaratnas is as follows:
1. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOC)
2. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL)
3. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL)
4. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC)
5. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
6. Indian Pharmaceuticals Corporation Ltd. (IPCL)
7. Bharat Heavy Electronics Ltd. (BHEL)
8. National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (NTPC)
9. Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (VSNL)
Later two more PSUs were included in the list:
10. Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)
11. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL)