Satyam Computer Services Ltd (rebranded as Mahindra Satyam to reflect its new ownership by Tech Mahindra) has filed a fresh lawsuit in a New York court, challenging the tax payment claims made by mobile payment services company Upaid Systems.
Despite wage hikes, an appreciating rupee, and fewer working days nibbling at their profit margins during the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the five IT majors Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys Technologies, Wipro, Satyam Computer Services and HCL Technologies posted revenue and net profit figures that were in line with market expectations.
Satyam Computer Services Limited on Thursday announced that it has implemented an organisation-wide, virtual learning environment called Satyam Learning World.
PriceWaterhouse on Wednesday said its Bangalore unit audited the accounts of scam-hit Satyam Computer and was now cooperating with a probe by regulator SEBI, thus quashing reports that it was distancing itself from the multi-crore accounting fraud.
The mood appears to have changed dramatically. Despite the new chief executive officer of Mahindra Satyam assuring them the company and its employees (known as associates) have a great future, most associates this paper spoke to are confused and worried about the goings-on at the workplace.
Gurnani succeeds A S Murthy who was appointed by the government board after the multi-crore rupee scam broke out in then Satyam Computer Services. Gurnani has been heading the global operations of Tech Mahindra.
These facilities will accommodate 3,500 employees, who will be moved to the two company-owned campuses.
All the three tax-free enclaves were given formal approval, which would have lapsed by end of this month. While the ministry granted extension of time 'on file', the decision has to be ratified by the inter-ministerial Board of Approval which is meeting here on June 17.
Effective this month, the 'Virtual Pool' programme is applicable on those Satyam employees based in India. It allows them to take time off from work on a reduced pay structure (for up to six months) while they continue to retain their employment. The company expects approximately 7,000 to 10,000 associates will be a part of the programme.
Meanwhile, the company lost 66 clients, worth $183 million (around Rs 900 crore) in the same period -- either because contracts were terminated, or they expired, or were withdrawn. About 23 customers terminated contracts accounting for $70 million as on March 26, 2009.
More trouble is brewing for Maytas Properties Ltd, the unlisted company promoted by the family of Satyam Computer Services Ltd founder B Ramalinga Raju.
A source close to the development pointed out that, with the newly-appointed Minister of Corporate Affairs Salman Khurshid publicly stating that Tech Mahindra would have to deal with the excess employee issue with 'sensitivity', this is one point that will surely be discussed.
Tech Mahindra's acquisition of Satyam Computer Services, according to an internal survey, has helped in restoring the confidence of the latter's clients, many of whom were thinking of terminating their ties with the fraud-hit IT firm.
However, the regulatory body has asked Tech Mahindra to share with the company's stakeholders the information Satyam had provided to the bidders.
Sudip Banerjee, CEO, L&T Infotech talks about business post-Satyam, expansion plans and bigger acquisition targets.
Deepak Nangia, head of Satyam's Australia unit who, in his seven-year stint, brought the company a long list of clients, including National Australia Bank, Qantas and Telstra, is the latest to quit. Confirming the development, a Satyam spokesperson said Nangia had resigned two months ago to "pursue better opportunities outside the company." This is the third high-profile departure of a Satyam global head since January.
A local civil court in Hyderabad has issued an interim stay restraining Netflix from airing its web series Bad Boy Billionaires-India on a petition filed by B Ramalinga Raju who was convicted in the multi-crore accounting scandal of Satyam Computer Services Limited. The XXV Additional Chief Judge B Prathima, while issuing notices to Netflix Inc in USA, Netflix Entertainment Services India LLP and the nodal officer, department of electronics and information technology, posted the matter for further hearing on November 18 when the plea came up on Tuesday.
Paving the way for takeover of crisis-ridden Satyam by Tech Mahindra, the Company Law Board allowed the new owners to appoint Vineet Nayyar, C P Gurnani, Sanjay Kalra and Ulhas N Yargon on the board.
The Central Bureau of Investigation, investigating the financial scam at Satyam Computer Services, is finding it difficult to crack the content of the two laptops that belong to the company's founder, B Ramalinga Raju. It is now sourcing special accessories to unearth the data stored in them.
TM has an agreement with the Union of European Football Associations, while Satyam has signed up with Fifa. A Satyam spokesperson said: "Tech Mahindra has been providing mobile streaming services to Uefa, besides other telecom services. The company will support us by offering its technology expertise in football. We will go together for the two World Cups." TM and Satyam's alliance on sports may not end with the World Cup and may expand to other disciplines as well.
Maytas Infrastructure Ltd, the listed company floated by the promoters of Satyam Computer Services, plans to raise Rs 800 crore to Rs 1,000 crore through asset sales plus loan and guarantees from banks to complete various projects, including the prestigious Hyderabad Metro, and to bid for some new projects that are coming up for auction.
The agreement with the new owners of Satyam Computer Services will incorporate restrictions to prevent mass retrenchment of employees, according to a top functionary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
B Ramalinga Raju, the disgraced founder of the erstwhile Satyam Computer Services, and his family members wrongfully gained Rs 2,743 crore (Rs 27.43 billion), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said.
For Tech Mahindra, the successful bidder for Satyam Computer Services, it was "a game-changing day," according to Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman & MD of Mahindra & Mahindra.
Analysts are optimistic on absorption of new clients, growth possibilities under Tech Mahindra. For Tech Mahindra, the biggest positive is that the two companies have synergies in service offerings and client portfolio, says Sabyasachi Satpathy, director and co-founder, Mindplex Consulting. Satyam will give Tech Mahindra capabilities in enterprise resource planning, systems integration, as well as vertical expertise in the embedded, manufacturing and insurance space.
Early on Monday morning, the chairman of the government-appointed board of Satyam Computer Services, Kiran Karnik, hurried into the Taj President Hotel in south Mumbai to begin one of India's strangest corporate sell-offs.
Months before Satyam Computer Services founder B Ramalinga Raju made disclosures about committing fraud, authorities in the US had initiated an investigation into the company's dealings with Syria, Sudan, Cuba and Iran, identified by the US government as state sponsors of terrorism, and subject to US economic sanctions and export controls.
With only two days left for the final bidding process to start (9 am on April 13), the government-appointed board of Satyam Computer Services is giving final touches to the modalities. And providing the extra information the potential bidders wanted.
"The situation is bad. Some people are leaving and some are being asked to leave. And more important, several positions are remaining vacant. The selected candidates for these posts are not coming," said an associate, as the employees are called. "There is talk now that the new company, whichever that is, will cut at least 10,000 jobs gradually. We are praying that this is unfounded," a senior associate said.
If no bid comes within at least 90 per cent of the highest bid, the highest bidder would be declared the final buyer. Accordingly, the government-appointed board and Justice S P Bharucha, the former chief justice who will oversee the bidding, will open the sealed financial bids submitted by the shortlisted qualified bidders whose technical bids have been found satisfactory, and rank them based on price only. Earlier, there was no ranking of the bids.
The buzz refuses to die down even though other PE players, investment bankers and analysts say such an alliance is highly unlikely. Wilbur Ross, meanwhile, is understood to have completed the due diligence of the scam-tainted IT company. When contacted, a company official declined comment.
A court allowed the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), a central government body, to question Satyam Computer Services founder B Ramalinga Raju, former managing director B Rama Raju, former chief financial officer Srinivas Vadlamani and two Price Waterhouse auditors, S Gopalakrishnan and Srinivas Talluri, for six days from March 29.
Satyam founder B Ramalinga Raju's confession letter on January 7 also refers to a net amount of Rs 1,230 crore (Rs 12.3 billion) arranged for Satyam by the 37 companies.
ICAI starts proceedings against software firm's CFO and head of audit cell.
Australian telecom giant Telstra has reportedly dropped outsourcing partner Satyam Computer Services from an applications support contract worth Aus $32 million annually.
"Satyam will give us the scale. This will make us stronger," says Phaneesh Murthy, CEO of the Freemont (California)-based IT services provider, iGate Corporation, and one of the suitors of the beleaguered IT corporation.
On one hand, they feel the sale will help in restore the firm's past glory. On the other, they fear that life would be tougher in the new company. Notwithstanding management assurances that existing staff won't be retrenched after the takeover, several employees are understood to be hunting for openings elsewhere.
The Satyam board may present prospective bidders for the troubled Satyam Computer Services with operating statements for two quarters - October-December 2008 and January-March 2009 - to help them arrive at a decision.
Satyam Computer Services on Friday received approval from market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India to facilitate a global competitive bidding process enabling it to sell 51 per cent stake in the company to a strategic investor.
Bidding guidelines for inviting a strategic investor in Satyam Computer Services Ltd are expected to be ready in 10-15 days, Corporate Affairs Minister Prem Chand Gupta has said. "It would be a transparent process," said Gupta. The Satyam board was in touch with the financial consultants and would take a decision soon, he added.
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