Amid ongoing discussions with the Indian partner Essar over the structure of the joint venture, UK-based Vodafone's deal to acquire 67 per cent stake in Hutchison-Essar is likely to be considered by FIPB on Wednesday.
Ever since Vodafone clinched the deal with Hutchison to buy its assets in India's fourth largest private mobile company Hutchison-Essar, issues have been raised on whether the deal would be compliant with the existing foreign direct investment norms in the telecom sector.
Even as two minority shareholders -- Asim Ghosh and Analjit Singh -- have declared that they are the 100 per cent owner of their holdings in the firm and all benefits from the deal would accrue to them, government has asked various
agencies, including RBI and Foreign Investment Promotion Board to see that there was no breach of FDI norms.
On the proposed structure of "partnership of equals" between Ruias and Vodafone, both the parties declined to comment.
When asked whether Vodafone has agreed to the terms and conditions proposed by Essar, the spokesperson of the UK-based company told PTI: "Discussions are still on. We cannot say anything until the discussions are concluded."
Sources in the know, however, said that there was no ambiguity over the fact that the operational control in the joint venture would be with Vodafone, which is having majority 67 per cent stake.
Essar spokesperson also said: "We would not like to comment at this point of time."