Naresh Goyal ready to infuse up to Rs 700 cr in crisis-hit Jet Airways with a rider, wants his stake to remain above 25%

A lifeline has been thrown at embattled Jet Airways by none other than its chairman Naresh Goyal who says he is ready to invest up to Rs 700 crore in the airline on the condition that his stake does not fall below 25 percent. Goyal’s offer comes against the backdrop of strategic partner Etihad reportedly putting forward strict conditions, including that Goyal should give up control, for infusing funds into the crisis-hit carrier. In a letter to SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar, Goyal said he is writing with reference to the resolution plan under discussion and in view of Etihad’s position, “despite the significant cash crunch and imminent grounding, which the airline is facing”. [caption id=“attachment_812067” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] A file photo of Jet Airways’ promoter Naresh Goyal. AFP[/caption] Goyal said he was committed to an “infusion of funds into the company to the extent of Rs 700 crore” and pledging all his shares. This is subject to the condition that his shareholding post such infusion remained at least 25%, he said in the letter, which was seen by PTI.

.@jetairways Chairman Naresh Goyal told the @TheOfficialSBI that he is ready to invest up to ₹700 crore in the airline on the condition that his stake doesn’t fall below 25%.https://t.co/IxcLOd07BL

— News18.com (@news18dotcom) January 17, 2019

“Should this not be possible, then I would not be able to infuse any funds or pledge my shares, unless Sebi accords me an exemption permitting me to increase my reduced stake (if it is to be below 25 percent) without triggering the Takeover Code,” according to the letter. When shareholding of an entity in a listed company goes beyond a certain threshold, the open offer requirement is triggered under Sebi’s Takeover Code. SBI is the lead lender of a consortium of Indian banks that provided loans to the airline. Stakeholders are considering a resolution for Jet Airways, which is facing acute financial problems. --With PTI inputs     To keep watching India’s No. 1 English Business News Channel – CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News – CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day.