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Zee Learn-THEAL merger share swap ratio revised, approved
MUMBAI: A revised scheme of amalgamation of Zee Learn Limited (ZLL) with Tree House Education & Accessories (THEAL) has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both the companies.
The revised share swap ratio of 1:1 for the merger of THEAL with ZLL was agreed upon by shareholders at a meeting on 16 August 2016. Earlier, the plan was to issue 5:3 shares of Zee Learn for each share of Tree House.
Both ZLL and THEAL are primarily engaged into business of pre-school activities.
The Board of Directors of ZLL at its meeting held on 23 December 2015 had approved a merger of THEAL with ZLL subject to requisite statutory and regulatory approvals.
As a part of evaluation of financial results of THEAL for the quarter ended 31 March , 2016 and for the financial year ended 31 March, 2016, ZLL decided to keep on hold the plan and the matter was referred to the Merger Evaluation Committee (MEC).
“MEC was authorised to look into and suggest the way forward to re-work the deal of merger to ensure consolidation of business in the best interest of the shareholders,” said ZLL in an official statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The statement went on to add that the Board unanimously approved a revised scheme (including appointed date and share exchange ratio) for the merger of THEAL with ZLL. The scheme will be implemented subject to approval of shareholders and creditors of the company and applicable regulatory authorities.
In another statement, THEAL informed its shareholders, “Your company is trying to overcome the challenges faced in recent quarters by bringing in several cost control measure along with closing down of its non profitable centres. We believe that your company will be benefited with the merger, as the synergies arising out of amalgamation will play an important role in strengthening the company’s business and improving its operational efficiency and future outlook.”
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Reserve Bank of India cancels Paytm Payments Bank licence
Central bank cites compliance failures; curbs tighten as wind-up looms
MUMBAI: India’s banking watchdog delivered its sharpest blow yet to Paytm Payments Bank, cancelling its licence and effectively ending its ability to operate as a bank under the law.
The Reserve Bank of India said the entity can no longer conduct banking business under the Banking Regulation Act, citing concerns that its affairs were not being run in the interest of depositors or the public and that it had failed to meet licence conditions.
The move escalates a crackdown that has been building for months. The bank had already been barred from onboarding new customers since March 11, 2022, and later faced restrictions on deposits, credit and wallet top-ups. In January 2024, the central bank ordered it to stop accepting fresh deposits, pointing to persistent non-compliance, including lapses in customer due diligence, use of funds and technology systems.
Operationally, the bank is now on a tight leash. It may process withdrawals of existing deposits and facilitate loan referrals through banking correspondents, but it cannot take fresh deposits.
The central bank said it would apply to the high court to wind up the bank.
Paytm sought to ringfence the fallout. In a regulatory filing, it said the licence cancellation applies to Paytm Payments Bank Limited, a separate entity, and should not be attributed to One 97 Communications. It added that there is no exposure or material business arrangement with the bank and that it operates independently, without Paytm’s board or management involvement.
“As informed earlier, Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited) and its services, which have been operating without interruption, will continue to operate uninterrupted. These include the Paytm app, Paytm UPI, Paytm Gold and all other services offered by its subsidiaries and associated companies,” the company said.
The distinction may reassure users of the app ecosystem, but the regulator’s verdict is unequivocal. After years of warnings, caps and curbs, the payments bank experiment at Paytm is being shut down—decisively, and with little room left to manoeuvre.
