A better than expected response to the sale of eight per cent residual stake in Maruti Udyog Limited has enthused the government, which is now planning to offload the remaining 10.24 per cent stake in the carmaker.

"The department of heavy industry has said that the residual shares in Maruti could be sold at a suitable time. The proposal will be considered as per the process," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said, while announcing the names of successful bidders for eight per cent shares in the company.

The government held 18.24 per cent stake in Maruti. After Thursday's divestment, government stake in the company will come down to 10.24 per cent.

He said all Maruti employees would be offered 20 shares each of the company at the average price (of bids for the eight per cent shares).