New Delhi: Hopeful of all its problems getting resolved this year, embattled Sahara group’s chief Subrata Roy has said two large foreign investors have been roped in for real estate and city development businesses and nearly Rs 22,000 crore deposited with regulator SEBI will also eventually come back.
Roy has also assured all Sahara investors that they would get their invested amount with full interest and an additional interest would be paid even for a day’s delay.
In a letter to investors on the occasion of the group’s 42nd Foundation Day, celebrated on 1 February, Roy said the group always kept intact its tradition of timely payments and excellence in services but there has been delay in payments during the last seven years at certain places due to “some undesirable circumstances”.
Referring to a long-running dispute with capital market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) over funds garnered by two group firms through issuance of certain bonds, Roy said the entire amount generated through sale or mortgage of assets or from joint ventures had to be deposited in a SEBI-Sahara account due to an embargo imposed by the Supreme Court.
“Out of this, we cannot use even a single rupee for organisational work or even towards repayment to the esteemed investors,” Roy wrote.
Roy said Sahara has huge land parcels but developing townships or colonies on them has been difficult due to lack of funds for internal infrastructural development and for the requirement of depositing in SEBI-Sahara account any advance payment taken from residential unit buyers.
He, however, said these problems would be resolved soon as “two esteemed foreign investors with huge funds are coming with us in our real estate and city development businesses”.
“Keeping in mind the directions of the Supreme Court, certain agreements have been signed, which will resolve Sahara’s problems within this year, that is 2020,” Roy said.
SEBI had ordered Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd (SIRECL) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation Ltd (SHICL) in 2011 to refund the money raised from around three crore investors through Optionally Fully Convertible Bonds (OFCDs).
After a long process of appeals and cross-appeals, the Supreme Court on 31 August 2012 upheld SEBI’s directions asking the two firms to refund the money collected from investors with 15 percent interest. Sahara was eventually asked to deposit an estimated Rs 24,000 crore with SEBI for further refund to investors, though the group has always maintained it amounted to “double payment” as it had already refunded more than 95 percent investors directly.
Giving an update on the Sahara-SEBI matter, the government informed Parliament this Monday that Sahara group has deposited Rs 15,448.67 crore to ‘SEBI-Sahara Refund” account as on 1 February 2020, while a cheque of Rs 41.59 crore has also been given by the group in late January, which the court has directed to be accepted without prejudice.
Replying to a Lok Sabha question, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur further said that SEBI had received 19,560 applications in total involving 53,361 bond certificates for an aggregate amount of Rs 81.3 crore.
Out of this, SEBI has made refunds with respect to 14,146 applications, involving 39,499 certificates, for an aggregate amount of Rs 109.86 crore (including Rs 58.52 crore as principal and Rs 51.34 crore as an interest), the minister said.
Thakur also said Sebi had issued advertisements advising investors to file their refund claims and last such advertisements were issued on 26 March and 19 June in the year 2018, informing the investors that 2 July 2018 was the last date for receiving refund applications and no claim would be accepted after the cut-off date. The investors were told it was their last and final opportunity to claim refund.
Talking about the refund process, Roy said in his letter to investors that nearly Rs 22,000 crore was deposited in the Sebi-Sahara account (including the principal amount and the interest accrued on the same) till date, but Sebi could repay little over Rs 100 crore to investors despite giving four rounds of advertisements in 154 newspapers across the country.
“In the fourth advertisement, Sebi had clearly written that hereafter, it will not entertain any claims. This last advertisement appeared about a year ago, which means that no further payments are pending. As per the instructions of the Supreme Court, Rs 22,000 crore will eventually come back to Sahara after verification,” Roy said.
As per the latest available figures, the pending refund applications with Sebi are estimated to involve maximum Rs 20-25 crore, excluding interest component.
In its last annual report, SEBI had said Rs 20,173 crore (the recovered amount along with the interest earned on them after providing for refunds made to the investors) was deposited in nationalised banks as on 31 March 2019 as per the Supreme Court order regarding the money lying in ‘SEBI-Sahara Refund’ account.
Roy said various restrictions are making it difficult for the group to do business and things could have been set right much earlier “if only we had a bit of relaxation to do business in housing development”.
He said the group has thousands of acres of land across India, but they are spread over a number of large parcels of 100-300 acres and there are no ready buyers for such big plots due to a prevalent downturn in the real estate market.
While there are a few willing buyers, they are offering one-fourth or even less of the real value, but a deal at such low rates is not possible because Sahara is not allowed to make any sale below 90 percent of the government circle rate, he said.
Ajaz Yunus Patel is a cricketer born in Mumbai, India, on October 21, 1988. He…
Ajaz Patel, the skilled left-arm spinner from New Zealand, gained international attention in 2021 when…
Are you dealing with an unusual headache? It could be a cervical or cervicogenic headache.…
In a shocking development, YouTuber Praneeth Hanumanthu has become embroiled in controversy following his detention by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau. Initially arrested for making offensive remarks during a podcast, Hanumanthu's predicament has escalated, resulting in further allegations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act after he tested positive for cannabis consumption. The Context of the Detention The origins of Hanumanthu's difficulties can be linked to a podcast he hosted, which included a conversation that many considered highly unseemly. During this episode, he made inappropriate comments regarding the dynamics between a father and daughter, igniting outrage among viewers and critics alike. This incident quickly garnered the attention of both the public and law enforcement, prompting an investigation by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau. The primary allegation centered around his remarks, which were deemed to have crossed the boundaries of acceptable discourse. This scenario raises broader inquiries about accountability and the duties of content creators, particularly in an era where online platforms can amplify messages to a large audience. As a public figure, Hanumanthu's statements carry substantial weight, and the backlash he has encountered signifies society's increasing intolerance towards harmful rhetoric. Charges Related to Substances Things took a turn for the worse for Hanumanthu when, following his arrest, authorities opted to perform a drug test. The results confirmed the presence of cannabis in his system, leading to additional allegations under the NDPS Act. This legislation is a strict law in India aimed at combating substance abuse and trafficking. By testing positive for drug use, Hanumanthu not only worsened his legal troubles but also further tarnished his reputation. The addition of drug-related charges initiates an important discourse about the effects of substance use among influencers and celebrities. Many young individuals look up to figures like Hanumanthu, and such disclosures can have significant consequences on their perceptions and behaviors. The fallout from his actions extends beyond legal issues; it also encompasses the ethical obligations that accompany public visibility. Reactions from the Public and Consequences The public’s reaction to Hanumanthu's arrest has been varied. Many viewers voiced their outrage over both his initial remarks and his later substance use. Social media has been inundated with discussions, memes, and criticisms, illustrating the swift spread of information and opinions in today’s digital environment. Critics contend that individuals like Hanumanthu should be held accountable for their influence, particularly when it concerns endorsing a healthy lifestyle and responsible behavior. On the other hand, some supporters have rallied behind him, advocating for the necessity of empathy and understanding. They highlight the pressures that accompany being a public figure, especially in a hyper-connected world where every action is scrutinized. This divide in public sentiment mirrors a broader societal conversation about celebrity culture, accountability, and the intricacies of mental health and substance use. The Wider Picture of Substance Abuse Hanumanthu's situation is also part of a larger discourse regarding drug abuse in India, especially among the youth. As discussions about mental health and substance use become more widespread, incidents like this underscore the pressing need for awareness and education about addiction and its root causes. The stigma surrounding drug use often hampers open dialogue about the topic, leaving many to endure in silence. Moreover, the legal implications of the NDPS Act spark questions about how society addresses drug-related offenses. While the act aims to deter substance abuse, critics argue that such laws can disproportionately impact certain demographics and do not tackle the underlying causes of addiction. Conversations around harm reduction, rehabilitation, and public health strategies are increasingly relevant within the framework of these laws. Prospects Ahead for Hanumanthu As Hanumanthu navigates the forthcoming legal hurdles, his future remains unpredictable. He faces possible legal repercussions for both his unsatisfactory comments and his substance use, which could greatly affect his career and personal life. The scenario serves as a cautionary example for content creators about the consequences of their expressions and actions, highlighting the need for thoughtful engagement with their audience.…
Nimrat Kaur is an Indian actress celebrated for her contributions to Hindi cinema and American…
Grey divorce refers to the increasing trend of couples aged 50 and older choosing to…