They could be dismissed as a nondescript group of people chatting on the lawns of an exclusive club or strolling down Marine Drive. Their clothes are quiet, their gait without swagger. Indeed, it's hard to believe that these are the very men who have a vice-like grip over some of the biggest builders in the country. They are India's wealthiest moneylenders who, even as the banks tighten their belts, loosen their own purse-strings. With financial institutions and banks increasingly restricting loans to developers, these moneylenders primarily belonging to the Sindhi, Marwari and Kutchi communities have stepped in to play their part. These moneylenders are mainly active in three cities Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. The loans are given to builders for short periods, from three to six months. The amounts could range from a couple of crores to as much as Rs 100 crore. If the amount is substantial, about 10 to 15 of those in the group are believed to come together to fund the project. But many diamond merchants have burned their fingers because of the crash in the stock market. Then there are the politicians. It's widely believed that many builders are being backed by politicians, including ministers, from different political parties. One construction group has seen its fortunes steadily rise over the last five years because of its political connections.

riathareja