ABSTRACT
The aggregate capital lost in enterprises whose deficits exceed the equity is no less than Rs 13,78 crores. This works out at about 12" of all equity capital, excluding enterprises "under construction". Of course, one has to explore if any of the accumulated deficits are likely to be wiped out in the near future by profits. While this line can never be ignored, it is time that we were realistic in policy measures. It will be helpful in every way to recognise the more-or-less permanent losses of capital, whatever the reasons - some are in fact in the nature of costs of national gestation in development and formulate schemes of capital write-off. Losses of capital are an unfortunate fact of public enterprise history in many countries. To admit these may be a delicate political problem.
