Govt asks UNI Board to postpone AGM

New Delhi, Sep 25 (UNI) The government today said it had asked the UNI Board of Directors to postpone tomorrow's Annual General Meeting (AGM) by a month, stalling for the time being the proposed takeover of the news agency by Mr Subhash Chandra of Zee group.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters that the government would discuss the issue with UNI employees and the Board, besides Mr Chandra, and ensure that the independent character of the agency and the interests of the employees are protected.

Later in the afternoon, Mr Dasmunsi held a meeting with Mr Manoj Santhalia, Chairman of the UNI Board, and Mr Chandra, whose company, Essel Group, had made the takeover bid, to discuss the issue.

The Minister said he would pursue the issue after Dussehra. The government had the right to intervene in the matter under Section 25 of the Companies Act under which a company is set up for a public cause and the government allots land at concessional rate.

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party ...etc etc Editors: Pl pick up from para six of DI33, MEDIA-UNI-DEVELOPMENTS.

UNI TEAM RP HT1802