NEW DELHI, Oct 9: The ninth round of disinvestment of shares of India's Public Sector Undertakings (PSUS) began here today with shares of four PSUS being offered for sale, reports Xinhua,

The bidding, which is open to both local and overseas Investors, would involve the shares of OU and Natural Gas Corporation Limited. Steel Authority of India Limited, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited and Container Corporation of India Limited, official sources said here today.

The current bidding, the ninth round since the disinvestment process began in 1992 as part of India's reforms, will be closed on October 22. according to a notification issued by the Department of Public Enterprises of the Ministry of Industry.

Indian Finance Minister Manmohan Singh announced in his 1995-96 budget that the government proposed to raise 70 billion rupees (2.231 billion US dollars) through PSUS disinvestment.