An energy ministry draft bill for gas utility DEPA’s split into two separate entities, DEPA Trade and DEPA Infrastructure, ahead of its privatization, includes a term excluding companies active in production or supply of natural gas or electricity in the Greek market from acquiring a controlling stake of DEPA Infrastructure.

The DEPA draft bill is scheduled to be submitted to parliament this Thursday.

Investors will initially be offered a majority stake (50% plus one share) in DEPA Trade, while a 14 percent stake of DEPA Infrastructure will also be placed for sale at a latter date. The Greek State will maintain no less than 51 percent of DEPA Infrastructure.

The draft bill does not include details of a controversial plan by the energy ministry to orchestrate hirings of 200 subcontracted external associates working for gas utility DEPA through a procedure that would skip bailout-related employment restrictions imposed on public sector enterprises. The ministry’s intention, seen as a pre-election favor, has troubled various authorities as well as investors.