The major changes in the public sector reforms were:
i. The number of industries reserved for public sector was reduced from 17 to 8. Even in the reserved areas, private sector participation was allowed selectively. Joint ventures with foreign companies was encouraged.
ii. Public sector enterprises, that were chronically sick would be referred to Board for Industrial and Financial Restructuring (BIFR) and closed or privatised if necessary.
iii. There would be increasing emphasis on profitability and rate of return, and budgetary support to public enterprises would be progressively reduced.
iv.Loss making enterprises would be considered for privatisation and selective disinvestment would be introduced to strengthen the resource position of public enterprises. The Disinvestment Commission was established for deciding on the selection and modalities of equity dilution.