The central authorities is analyzing international direct funding from China in Paytm Funds Providers Ltd (PPSL), sources advised information company PTI on Sunday. PPSL is the fee aggregator subsidiary of One97 Communications Ltd, which has funding from Chinese language agency Ant Group Co.

In November 2020, PPSL utilized for licence with the Reserve Financial institution of India (RBI) to function as a fee aggregator underneath the rules on Regulation of Cost Aggregators and Cost Gateways. Nonetheless, in November 2022, RBI rejected PPSL’s utility and requested the corporate to resubmit it, to adjust to Press Word 3 underneath FDI guidelines.

Additionally learn: A former regulator, CA and banker: Meet the folks Paytm picked to unravel the mess it’s in

Subsequently, PPSL filed the required utility on December 14, 2022 with the Authorities of India for previous downward funding from One97 Communications Ltd (OCL) into the corporate to adjust to Press Word 3 prescribed underneath FDI pointers. 

Now, an inter-ministerial committee is analyzing investments from China in PPSL and a call could be taken on the FDI concern after due consideration and complete examination, sources advised the information company. 

Underneath Press Word 3, the federal government had made its prior approval obligatory for international investments in any sector from international locations that share land borders with India to curb opportunistic takeovers of home corporations. China is among the many international locations that share the land border with India.

A Paytm spokesperson mentioned PPSL utilized for a web-based Cost Aggregator (PA) utility for on-line retailers and the regulator subsequently requested PPSL to hunt essential approvals for previous downward funding and resubmit the applying. “That is a part of the common course of the place everyone making use of for a fee aggregator licence has to get FDI approval,” the spokesperson advised the information company.

The spokesperson mentioned PPSL adopted the related pointers and submitted all related paperwork to the regulator inside the stipulated time. Throughout the pending course of, PPSL was allowed to proceed with its on-line fee aggregation enterprise for present companions with out onboarding any new retailers.

“Since then the possession construction has modified. The Paytm founder stays the most important stakeholder within the firm. Ant Monetary lowered its stake in OCL to lower than 10 per cent in July 2023. Subsequently, it doesn’t qualify for helpful firm possession. OCL founding promoter now holds a 24.3 per cent stake,” the spokesperson mentioned.

China’s Alibaba was closely invested in Vijay Shekhar Sharma-led Paytm but it surely minimize its place through the years. In February final yr, Alibaba bought its remaining stake in Paytm for about 13.78 billion rupees ($167.14 million) via a block deal. Alibaba.com Singapore E-Commerce Pvt Ltd bought 21.4 million shares of Paytm at 642.74 rupees apiece. 

In January 2023, Alibaba bought about 3 per cent of Paytm for $125 million, chopping its holdings from 6.26 per cent, based mostly on the NSE information.

On January 31, the Reserve Financial institution barred Paytm Funds Financial institution Ltd (PPBL), an affiliate firm of OCL, from accepting deposits or top-ups in any buyer account, pay as you go devices, wallets, and FASTags, amongst others after February 29, 2024. The central financial institution mentioned the transfer was taken after persistent non-compliance and continued materials supervisory considerations in PPBL, warranting additional supervisory motion.  

Additionally learn: Vijay Shekhar Sharma thought of quitting Paytm Funds Financial institution board to keep away from RBI deadlock

The RBI’s transfer triggered a heavy sell-off of Paytm shares, which plunged greater than 40 per cent in three days.  

In March 2022, the RBI barred PPBL from onboarding new clients with fast impact.

On Friday, shares of Paytm declined 6 per cent to settle at Rs 419.85 on the BSE.

(With inputs from PTI)