Government orders probe into 16 companies for illegal deposits: FM Arun Jaitley

The government has ordered probe against as many as 16 firms, including Saradha Housing, in the current fiscal (2015-16) for allegedly being involved in illegal deposit-taking activities, Parliament was told on Friday.

The other firms under the scanner are Ambujaatripuri and Artha groups of companies, Ultra Tie-up, Grand Vyapaar and Saphire Infradevelopers, Corporate Affairs Minister Arun Jaitley said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

From 2012-13 till so far in 2015-16, the ministry has ordered investigation into the business activities of 145 companies, of which West Bengal accounts for the most.

In many of these cases where probe has been completed, Jaitley said "diversion of funds so collected and/or default by the companies in repayment of such deposits has been observed".

On tackling corporate frauds, the Minister said various steps, including enhanced disclosure norms under the Companies Act, 2013, are in place.