World Bank reviewing ban, says Mahindra Satyam

KOLKATA: Mahindra Satyam, currently on a high after winning a big-ticket order from BASF IT Services, said on Wednesday that the World Bank is having a relook at the ban imposed by the institution on the Indian company when it was run by the Rajus.

"Mahindra Satyam has requested... (it's ) under active consideration,'' Mahindra Satyam CEO C P Gurnani informed TOI through an SMS. He was responding to a question on whether the World Bank has given any indication on relaxing the ban.

However, Gurnani did not elaborate on how soon the World Bank would officially communicate its changed view. The World Bank could not be reached for their version.

A key industry source familiar with Mahindra Satyam's operations said that the company has adopted the stance that with the Rajus no longer there in the picture, the World Bank could rest assured that there would be no repetition of the earlier indiscretions. "Mahindra Satyam has been harping on new owners, new management team, etc. They (World Bank authorities ) have promised to consider ,'' the source said.

Incidentally, the revocation or even a relaxation of the ban holds more symbolic value - in terms of ridding itself of the inglorious Raju legacy - than any orders that Mahindra Satyam could potentially win from the World Bank in the future.