Finmeccanica delays results; expands its surveillance body

VVIP chopper scandal hit Italian defence giant Finmeccanica has delayed publication of its 2012 results following the bribery probe into its Rs 3,600 crore deal with India and has increased the number of members in its surveillance body.

The Board of Directors of the firm also decided to centralise the Group's "Internal Audit activities, in order to exercise a more direct and incisive internal control over the correctness of the processes adopted by the Group companies".

The Board, which met yesterday, under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman Admiral Guido Venturoni, "made some significant decisions, in order to accelerate the reorganisation process, guarantee the coordination of management activities and

strengthen control activities", a statement by the company

said.

It said that the Board of Directors increased the number of 'Surveillance Body' members up to a maximum of five, and has also appointed new external members.

Besides other decisions, the statement said "Finally, to complete a full and comprehensive evaluation of the potential economic and financial effects to the financial statements in light of recent events, the Board of Directors has decided to

postpone the approval of the full year financial results to a later Board Meeting, after the one scheduled for the 12th March.

"Such meeting will be held following the conclusion of the above mentioned evaluation, and possibly after the end of March, but not later than the 30th April, which is the deadline for the publication of the annual financial statements under applicable laws".

An Indian Delegation comprising of officers from the CBI and the Defence Ministry is currently in Italy with regard to alleged payment of bribes to bag the contract for the supply of 12 helicopters for the price of Rs 3,600.

The Defence Ministry has already issued the show cause notice to the firm after the arrest of Finmeccanica CEO Giuseppe Orsi and AgustaWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini by Italian authorities in connection with allegations of kickbacks of Rs 362 crore.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Pawar to seek special package for state

China incursion: Both sides withdraw troops from Daulat Beg Oldi sector

Sonia Gandhi consults A K Antony on Pawan Bansal issue

Coalgate probe: No accused or suspect let off, says CBI chief Ranjit Sinha