ROME: The Italian government has approved the privatisation of up to 40 per cent of the national rail operator, the Ferrovie dello Stato said on its website on Tuesday. A government statement published on the Ferrovie dello Stato’s website said the Council of Ministers had approved on Monday the company’s privatisation, but did not give a date for the operation. The government has previously indicated it plans to proceed with the sale of the stake in the railway in 2016, while the finance ministry recently said it could take place in the second half of next year.