The government has decided to introduce Maharatna category for Central Public Sector Enterprises, CPSEs that will have greater financial and operational autonomy than Navratnas .This is to enable mega public sector enterprises to expand their operations and emerge as global giants. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in New Delhi on Wednesday. Later briefing media the Information and Broadcasting Minister Mrs. Ambika Soni said that the CPSEs must be Navratna Company to get the status of Maharatna category and should be listed on Indian stock exchange with minimum prescribed public share holding under SEBI regulations. They should have an average annual turn over of more than 25 thousand crore rupees, an average annual net worth of more than 15 thousand crore rupees and have an average annual net profit of more than 5 thousand crore rupees after tax reductions during the last three years. They should also have significant global presence. After getting the Maharatna status the Boards of these CPSEs will be empowered to make investments in joint ventures and undertake mergers and acquisitions in India or abroad with an investment of up to 15 percent of net worth with the ceiling of five thousand crore rupees.<br/>