Zoom Developers - Fraud Case - Rs.3000 crores

While the CVC is on the verge of recommending action against officials of 25 banks, which together provided Rs 2,650 crore to Zoom Developers, declared a non-performing account, very little is known about the people running the show at the Mumbai-based company.

Zoom Developers set up in 1991, it is the flagship of the Zoom Group. The company is managed by Vijay Choudhary and father-in-law B L Kejriwal. The company website describes Choudhary as group chief executive.

Zoom Developers' business interests span engineering and project management services, development of industrial and infrastructure projects, information technology, telecom and business process outsourcing.

The shareholding of the undated company website shows the company is controlled by five holding companies. Zoom Developers started as an engineering sub-contractor for MNCs and later, established itself as an independent project executer with expertise in project development. The company website claims Zoom has a presence in China, India, Middle East, Europe, North and South America.

A consortium of nearly 25 state owned banks has given Rs.2600 crore loans mostly in the form of bank guarantee to the firm. The loan had turned bad in 2009 itself. Banks say global financial turmoil of 2008 had adversely affected companys cash flows and projects, which is why 26 Indian banks have taken Zoom Developers nearly Rs 2600 crore of debt to the corporate restructuring cell. Its also alleged that promoters has flouted FEMA guidelines.

Majority of the public sector banks have classified the exposure it had in Zoom Developers as non-performing loans or substandard or bad loans in the first quarter of FY11.

Major exposures:
Punjab National Bank
Indian Bank
Central Bank of India
Union Bank of India
UCO Bank
United Bank of India
Dena Bank
Bank of Baroda
Federal Bank

The amount has bulged to Rs.3000 crore and the banks are trying hard to recover their dues. Recently United Bank of India, member of consortium took possession of 3.4 acre land belonging to guarantors Magnificient Constructions.

Various investigating agencies like CBI are also investigating the matter and Central Vigilance Commission is close to finalise disciplinary action against officials of 25 banks that provided loans worth Rs.2650 crore to developers.

Who draws highest pay in India Inc.

These are the highest pay takers in Indian listed companies during 2011-12

1. Mr. Naveen Jindal,Jindal Steel and Power, Rs.73.42 crore
2. Mr. Kalanithi Maran, Sun TV network, Rs.57.01 crore
3. Mrs. Kaveri Maran, Sun TV network, Rs.57.01 crore
4. Mr. Pawan Munjal, Hero Motocorp, Rs. 34.47 crore
5. Mr. BrijMohan Lal Munjal, Hero Motocorp, Rs.34.44 crore
6. Mr. P.R.R.Rahja, Madras Cements, Rs.29.34 crore
7. Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Maruti Suzuki, Rs.28.14 crore
8. Mr. B.G. Raghupati, BGR Energy, Rs.25.98 crore
9. Mr. Karl Peter Forster, Tata Motors, Rs.23.97 crore
10. Mr. Murali K.Divi, Divi's Lab, Rs.23.15 crore