Imagine this. You invested in a bond that was set to mature in June. You even planned your life around the principal you were supposed to get back. It was guaranteed by a state government, after all! Sadly, six months have gone by and you're still waiting. That's not all. While you are waiting for your funds, you learn that some other investors in the same bond got their money back in full and on time.
This is what happened to 68-year-old Rakesh Seksaria, who invested ₹10 lakh in Andhra Pradesh Power Finance Corporation Ltd (APPFCL) bonds. The 9.4% bond was set to mature in June 2024, but six months have passed and he hasn't received anything. He said his family invested ₹70 lakh in the bond issue as it was guaranteed by the state.
Delhi-based chartered accountant Manoj Agarwal, whose father, 65, had invested ₹20 lakh in the bond, is hit, so is R.K. Tandon, 71, who put in ₹10 lakh.
"Despite trying repeatedly, I've not been able to meet the government officials," said Agarwal. "Interest payments used to be delayed by a month or two but now when the bonds have matured, they have not said anything for the past six months."
Cracks started appearing in the state government-backed bonds after Telangana carved out of Andhra Pradesh. Now, the two states are fighting over how to bifurcate the bond commitments. Of the seven bonds issued by the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, the June 2024 one was the last to mature.
Emails sent to APPFCL, the Telangana government, and SBICAP Trustee Company Ltd, the bond's trustee, remained unanswered.
Esta historia es de la edición December 25, 2024 de Mint Bangalore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 25, 2024 de Mint Bangalore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The Indian coffee trends that defined this year
Among the most interesting trends is the rise of cafes turning into temporary sober dance venues with professional DJs
After 'Shogun', Content From Japan Is Hot
Foreign studios are getting better at avoiding some of the pitfalls of the past
Akhil Katyal on longing, translation and Charles Darwin
Katyal talks about ways of grieving, his approach to translation, and the quest for possible worlds in his new volume
Why are product displays on e-commerce sites so drab?
Businesses based on technology shouldn't lose touch with the subtle art of persuasion
Nike's turnaround strategy will need the second shoe to drop
Its new CEO has made a beginning but the real big test lies ahead
India's leadership has a valuable role to play in a multipolar world
Its strategic autonomy and multi-alignment place it in a unique position to lead everyone towards globally shared goals
Panama Isn't The Only US Ally Trump Has Rattled
America's president-elect seems bent on an expansive approach to its 'manifest destiny', but overreach could unsettle Pax Americana. Neutral India, thankfully, needn't worry much
One Nation, One Election: Consultation time has begun
The idea of state and central polls being held in sync has its pros and cons that need careful examination
Policymaking as usual does not suffice for periods of transition
Economic thinking across the world must look beyond the certainty of numbers in uncertain times
Truth About AIFs: Debunking Myths, Tapping Potential
AIFs emerge as a promising avenue for asset diversification, as well as for wealth creation