Nirmala Sitharaman Launches National Monetisation Pipeline Plan

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday launched the MNP i.e. National Monetisation Pipeline plan, including the government’s four-year plan to monetise its brownfield infrastructure assets. Through this, a list of government properties will be prepared that the central government will sell or monetize over the next four years.   

Addressing the media in Delhi on Monday evening, Sitharaman said, "National Motenisation Pipeline talks about brownfield assets where investment is already being made, where there are assets either languishing or not fully monetized or under-utilized." 

"By bringing in private participation, we are going to monetize it (assets) better and with whatever resource that you obtained by monetization, you are able to put in for further investment into infrastructure building," the Union Minister said. 

She further emphasised that India recognises that the time has come for making the most out of our assets. 

"Asset monetisation, based on the philosophy of creation through monetisation, is aimed at tapping private sector investment for new infrastructure creation. This is necessary for creating employment opportunities, thereby enabling high economic growth and seamlessly integrating the rural and semi-urban areas for overall public welfare," Sitharamn said. 

National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) estimates aggregate monetization potential of Rs 6 lakh crores through core assets of the Central Govt, over a 4-year period, from FY 2022 to FY 2025. 

Rajeev Kumar, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman, meanwhile said that the remarkable step is all been assured by the Finance Minister's budget of 2021-22, and also denotes the PM's unambiguous commitment that infrastructure growth & economic growth in India will be private sector-led. 

"This govt is committed to making greater opportunities available for the private sector participation including in infrastructure. Infrastructure has huge multiplier effects. This is the next step in mobilising private capital for the development of infrastructure," Rajeev Kumar said. 

As per the announcement, Ministries of Roads, Transport & Highways, Railways, Power, Pipeline & Natural Gas, Civil Aviation, Shipping Ports & Waterways, Telecommunications, Food & Public Distribution, Mining, Coal & Housing & Urban Affairs are included in National Monetisation Pipeline.