Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
India probes 21 companies in bribes-for-loans scandal
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
India probes 21 companies in bribes-for-loans scandal
Reuters - Saturday, November 27
Send
IM Story
Print
By Krittivas Mukherjee and Devidutta Tripathy
NEW DELHI - India's federal investigator is probing 21 sizeable companies for links to a bribes-for-loans scandal that has hit lending and infrastructure shares and hurt the country's image as an investment destination.
The scandal, in which eight financial executives from the public and private sectors have been arrested, is one of several to dog the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, putting to the test the ability of one of the world's fastest growing emerging economies to crack down on corruption.
Many of the companies the federal Central Bureau of Investigation has linked to the bribes scandal are connected to the booming infrastructure sector -- builders of dams, hydro-electric plants, energy equipment makers and property developers.
Shares in these sectors fell sharply on Friday.
India's stock market regulator SEBI has also stepped in with its own investigation into related possible insider trading, a source at SEBI told Reuters.
The Indian bond and rupee markets remained unaffected as traders did not view it as a risk to the banking system.
Analysts said the scandal, which comes just a few days after Singh had to defend his government in another case involving mobile phone licences sold for below-market prices, could harm investor sentiment.
"This is just unfolding at this point in time. These are very serious issues which impact investor sentiments," said Nitin Jain, Singapore-based principal of fund manager Kotak Mahindra.
"If we can clearly say that we have done something right at this point in time and do proper things at this point in time then it's salvageable but otherwise it does have a potential to impact investor sentiments towards India from a medium-term perspective," Jain said.
Investors, so far, remain keen to tap into a country with a young and fast-urbanising population of 1.2 billion. Economic growth is forecast at 8.5 percent in 2010-11, and between 9 and 10 percent a year after that, rivalled only by China among major economies.
But the revelations of one scandal after the other in recent months marks a change from the days when corruption and graft would never make it onto the front page on most of the country's top media outlets.
Analysts say this is due to the explosion of 24-hour television channels, a more assertive opposition and a growing middle class fed up with rampant graft throughout society.
MORE COMPANIES LINKED TO BRIBES
"Notices have been sent to 21 companies. It includes big to medium size companies, including real estate companies," a CBI official, who did not want to be named, told Reuters.
"Preliminary evidence points to the fact that the case is limited to individuals. So fall out is unlikely that it is big."
Several leading Indian companies have already acknowledged that they have been asked for information. Some of these companies were already named in court documents filed by the CBI on Wednesday, including the world's third largest wind turbine maker Suzlon Energy. Suzlon has denied any wrongdoing.
On Wednesday, federal agents arrested senior officials at state-run Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of India -- all major banks with operations across the country.
The CBI said the executives arrested had received bribes from private broker Money Matters Financial Services, which acted as a mediator of corporate loans and other facilities.
Three senior executives from the listed private company were also arrested on charges of handing out the bribes.
Shares in real estate and energy sectors have fallen over the past few days on fears that a cash crunch could delay or derail major development projects, some key to India's infrastructure expansion goals.
India, Asia's third largest economy, is seeking to spend $1 trillion over the next five years.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has asked all banks, financial institutions and insurance firms to look into their exposure to firms named by federal investigators in the case.
India was ranked 87th in Transparency International's 2010 ranking of nations based on the perceived level of corruption. India lies behind rival China, which is in 78th place.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
China launches hourly air quality data index AFP - 57 minutes ago
China issues warning ahead of U.S.-South Korea drills Reuters - 2 hours 42 minutes ago
Asiad best for China as Bangladesh win cricket AFP - Saturday, November 27
India flays Pakistan on Mumbai attacks anniversary AFP - Saturday, November 27
India probes 21 companies in bribes-for-loans scandal Reuters - Saturday, November 27
News Search
Top Stories
Portugal fights eurozone contagion, adopts budget
EU says not pressing Portugal to take bail out
Spain, Portugal fight fear of Irish contagion
Spain's Zapatero 'absolutely' rules out bailout
Portugal: under no eurozone pressure for financial aid
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Wealthy Americans say: 'Tax us' to ease deficit'
600,000 die each year from passive smoking: study
US, S.Korea plan war games after N.Korean attack
Europe bans baby bottles with Bisphenol-A
New AIDS cases fall by one fifth in a decade: UN
More Most Viewed »
'Naked' airport scanners may be 'dangerous'
EU fines 11 airlines 800 million euros for air cargo cartel
Pilgrims stone 'devil' as Muslims celebrate Eid
World leaders scramble for funds to save the tiger
US, S.Korea plan war games after N.Korean attack
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 26 November 2010 Afghan prosecutor summons vote officials over fraud
Merkel seeks to soothe markets on eurozone
US-TECH Summary
Russia plans more foreign naval bases
Brazil Marines join slum battles, 30 people killed
|
Wealthy Americans say: 'Tax us' to ease deficit'
Afghanistan arrests 2 election workers
Putin, Merkel trade barbs ahead of talks in Germany
|
Chevy Volt tops Prius in fuel economy rating
British students clash with police at second fees protest
U.N. warns Ivorian candidates against victory claims
|
Fuel Tank Cracks Delay Final Shuttle Launch To Dec. 17
Oakley Capital buys into Time Out for online growth
First Family To Put On Spread For T-Day
Haiti heads for elections, police keep marches apart
|
Many Cancers Still Being Found Too Late
Afghan settlement would leave no room for al Qaeda-Pakistan
|
Epilepsy Drugs Safe For Breast Feeding Moms
Obama Anticipates Political Struggles After Thanksgiving
Search for Air France crash black box revived
|
Elderly Vet Charged With Threatening Obama
Italian students storm Tower of Pisa, Colosseum
|
Poll: Rahm Emanuel Leads Crowded Chicago Mayor Race
Adrien Brody Wins Legal Battle Against Film's Producers
Search For Missing Dance Student Continues In Syracuse
Poorest countries stuck in boom/bust cycle: U.N.
|
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay Convicted Of Money Laundering
Fans mark 40 years since far-right Japanese author's suicide
Cambodia holds day of mourning for stampede dead
South Korea defence minister quits after attack
Hong Kong Picasso sale aims to tap China demand
Shanghai suffers 'poor air quality' as Expo ends
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Jamal flops as Pakistan win Asiad hockey title
Billy Joel recovering from double hip replacement
Second Indian 'child sacrifice' murder claim
Warner Bros. trademarks "Quidditch" lingerie
Presenter Ross joins forces with Big Brother team
Indonesia selects new anti-corruption chief
Chevy Volt tops Prius in fuel economy rating
|
Disney animators faced knotty problem with 'Tangled'
Afghan and Pakistan agree on coordinated anti-drug raids
Billy Joel recovering from double hip replacement
|
British intelligence promoted Taliban impostor: report
Turkey stresses commitment to normalising ties with Armenia
Openness to virtual operators key in 4G mobile: France
North Korea says U.S.-South Korea exercises bring war closer
|
Maliki named Iraq PM for second term, urges unity
600,000 die each year from passive smoking: study
Irish bailout talks accelerate as PM faces new setback
Egypt detains 156 protestors over church riots
Europe bans baby bottles with Bisphenol-A
Teenage boys survive 50 days adrift in South Pacific
|
U.N. warns Ivorian candidates against victory claims
|
Election flap heats up in Afghanistan
India to widen probe into bribery scandal: report
|
US presence in Afghanistan as long as Soviet slog
Australia's Gillard ends troubled year on a high
|
India marks two years since the Mumbai attacks
Worst of times, best of times: tale of two Irelands
|
U.S. briefs allies on new documents leak
Teenagers adrift in Pacific for 50 days reach land
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
In gaffe, Palin supports 'our North Korean allies'
Kanye West, Kung Fu Panda to star at NYC parade
Dutch prostitutes learn new tricks
Storms, not airport security, slow holiday travel
Frenchwomen protest violence by wearing skirts
Seoul shares fall; caution before military drill
Jewish rapper Shyne takes Orthodox path back to stardom
Sanctions-hit Fiji hikes consumer tax to repay debt
Japan's frilly 'maids' go grey
17th century shipwreck found in Sweden
New Australia phone app aims to fight skin cancer
|
S.Korean won down 2.2 pct for wk on N.Korea worries
Bailed-out Bank of Ireland flogs off art collection
Pakistani c.bank sells 25 bln rupees of t-bills
Pakistan
Petronas Chemicals raises $4.1 bln in IPO
Japan consumer prices slide further
S.Korea bonds gain on smaller Dec issuance plan
Japan's October core consumer prices fall 0.6 percent
Seoul shares open up as techs, shipyards gain
New Australia phone app aims to fight skin cancer
EU says not pressing Portugal to take bail out
Voters hammer Irish government
|
Spain's Zapatero 'absolutely' rules out bailout
Spain, Portugal fight fear of Irish contagion
Collahuasi mine strikers set to shun latest offer
|
Portugal: under no eurozone pressure for financial aid
U.S. Calls India Great Partner, Natural Ally In Defense Matters
Fed-Ex Searching For Missing Radioactive Package
Whole Foods Announces Cheese Recall
Consortium Buys Pet Food Giant For $4 Billion
Study: Jet Lag May Lead To Memory Problems
Disappearance Of Dance Student Marks First Week
U.S. Mulls Changes On Color-Coded Terror Alert System
US warns Israel of WikiLeaks release
India agency probing other insurers in bribery scandal: source
|
Georgia Teens Murdered On Thanksgiving
U.S. Adds Islamic Charity To Terror Black List Over Its Links To LeT
Kenya seeks sites for nuclear power plant
|
Second Christian dies of wounds after Egypt riots
|
Pope Benedict to visit Benin in 2011
|
Asiad best for China as Bangladesh win cricket
Impostor deepens confusion over Afghan peace talks
|
India flays Pakistan on Mumbai attacks anniversary
India probes 21 companies in bribes-for-loans scandal
Nigeria court sacks state governor in blow to PDP
|
N.Korea stages artillery drill, warns of war
Indonesia's GDP will hit $1 trillion in 2014: Govt
Black Eyed Peas to play coveted Super Bowl slot
Q+A-Pakistan's central bank grapples with inflation, low growth
Malaysian opposition faces crunch time in party congress
Author Murakami took four years to agree to film
Taiwan c.bank to strengthen fund flow monitoring
Cambodia to hold festival next year despite stampede
Boy's toys the new frontier for erotica industry
Australian cricketers fight back in Ashes opener
Korean pop star Rain to sing at closing ceremony
Cambodia to boost rice spending, eyes 7 pct 2011 growth
Murakami took 4 years to approve 'Norwegian Wood'
Spice up English, with Chinese
Armani taps Chinese market with online store
Director: Murakami took 4 years to approve movie
Smartphones, Twitter top Japan hit product survey
|
Toyota suffers second straight output fall in October
Pirate Bay activists lose court appeal in Sweden
|
Indian police widen real estate bribery probe
Sony to return to Japan e-reader market in December
|
Investigators: Unlicensed Hospital Lett Swedish Woman In Coma After Botched Surgery
First Family To Put On Spread For T-Day
Black Eyed Peas to play coveted Super Bowl slot
|
Norwegian Wood director Tran cuts through language barrier
|
Auction houses eye Russian recovery ahead of sales
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights