New Delhi: After defaulting on its debt obligations, crisis-hit Dewan Housing Finance Ltd (DHFL) said Friday it is taking all necessary steps to meet repayments within the seven-day grace period and prevent any future default.
DHFL, the third-largest pure-play mortgage lender, has received rating downgraded on its Rs 850 crore worth commercial papers (CPs) to default grade by Crisil and ICRA due to delay in meeting its obligations. The mortgage lender had defaulted on bond repayments, June 4.
The company said there has been delay in payment of interest on non-convertible debentures issued by the company through public issue.
“The company is taking all necessary steps and shall ensure the payment of the due interest within the cure period of seven days as prescribed under the respective trust deeds pertaining to the said NCDs,” DHFL said in a regulatory filing. DHFL also said it will make necessary disclosures at appropriate time.
However, a day-ago, DHFL expressed surprise on the rating downgrade on its debt instruments stating it has been making and continues to make substantial efforts in ensuring no defaults on any instruments.
“These actions are unwarranted and the company is seeking clarification on the rationale that predicts DHFL’s inability to service pay-outs on the due dates. Such speculative rating rationale is not adequate,” the housing finance company had said Thursday. Besides, DHFL has repaid close to Rs 40,000 crore of financial obligations since September 2018, it said.
To ensure adequate liquidity to meet the repayments, DHFL has also sold its strategic retail assets including Aadhar, Avanse and DHFL Pramerica Asset Managers.
Following the rating action, shares of DHFL plummeted nearly 16 per cent Thursday and it fell a further 11 per cent Friday.
PTI