Bengaluru: The state government is contemplating to revive sick public sector units (PSUs) in the state, according to Eshwar B Khandre, Minister of State for Municipal Administration and Public Enterprises.

Speaking to mediapersons, Minister Khandre said the public sector units play an important role in the state economy and the government wanted to strengthen the public sector units. “There is no proposal to close down the sick public sector units in the state. There are around 60 public sector units owned by the state government and 46 among them are making profit while 14 PSUs are incurring loss,” Minister Khandre said.

The minister said the PSUs that earn profit have to contribute 20 per cent of the profit to the government but some profit-making PSUs are not contributing 20 per cent of the profit to the government. “The government undertakings should be role-models for private companies,’’ he said.

He said the government has directed the authorities concerned to submit a report after conducting a survey on the properties owned by the government undertakings in the state.

Expressing concern over the drought condition in the state, he said that 110 taluks have been declared as drought-hit taluks in the state. “Priority will be given to the supply of drinking water in 164 local bodies limits in the state by utilising the funds allocated (Rs 2950 crore) under the third phase of Nagarothana project,” he said.