New Delhi: The government on November 15 said that it has fixed no time-frame for privatisation of national flag carrier Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).

"You can't fix a time-frame (for privatisation). You have to get best value and overcome perception problems. I can't say if 3-4 months would be enough. Even Department of Disinvestment can't set a time-frame," Shipping Minister Ved Prakash Goyal told reporters.

Though the suitors for government's 51 per cent stake in SCI have completed two rounds of due diligence, no fixed time-table for calling of financial bids has been finalised, he said.

Goyal said that the debate over disinvestment of oil public sector undertakings (PSUs)-Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum-had created a "perception problem", but added that he was for privatisation of SCI and there were no "issues" on that.

SCI scrip, which touched Rs 100 in the run up to disinvestment, has fallen to Rs 58 following the delay over privatisation.

"In market if you are seen to be in a hurry, you don't get market price. They (Department of Disinvestment) are in touch with world market to access benefits at various stages," he said.

"I don't think I can give a date (for invitation of financial bids)," he said.

Three bidders including Essar Shipping and Great Eastern Shipping, remain in the fray out of the original lot of 10 who expressed interest in picking up government equity, he said.

PTI