Aug. 02, 2011.
Aditi Taman
SpeakAsia, one of the largest online paid survey is been regularly hitting the headlines for its duping scandal. Even the Star India has one of its own online survey businesses. Star News breaks the news of Speak Asia survey. But, according to sources, SpeakAsia was major threat to Star India online survey hence the news channel conducted a sting operation to tarnish the image of SpeakAsia and hit its investors. Publicising mode of SpeakAsia was not that strong at the beginning but it could pull up enormous business for itself and Star India couldn’t replicate the same. This was the logic stated for doing sting operation. 
Investors didn’t become insecure while investing money into SpeakAsia online survey. Despite the controversy, there are numerous investors that are willing to invest with SpeakAsia and waiting for company to come out of the controversy.Nishant Sikand, one of the investor said, “This propaganda is done by media. I am damn sure there is some fishing inside and there are political involvements in this issue. I don’t find anything wrong here.”
Whereas, another investor, Rahul Wana is willing invest more money in this survey. He said, “I will support Speak Asia till my last breath.... I don’t know much about Kirti Somaiya. Maybe he has some hidden agenda against SpeakAsia as the firm’s growth was unstoppable.”
In May, Kirit Somaiya, president of the Investors Grievances Forum in Mumbai, filed a complaint with the EOW of Mumbai Police against Speak Asia claiming to have received several complaints from consumers related to fraudulent business dealings among other things. Three years ago, NDTV hit the same story on Star India online survey. During that time Kirit Somaiya didn’t voice out against Star India. RBI claims that the company is blacklisted but yet the firm continues to carry out business with 20 lakhs consumers.
Vishal Verma said, “SpeakAsia is genuine company and not a fraud organization. But the news channel has been indulging in false propaganda against SpeakAsia. After sometime I lost respect for this news channel.
Not only layman has invested but also companies like ICICI and BATA had paid to do survey with Speak Asia for them. Neither any consumer has come forward to lodge complaint or any political party nor media house have intervened into this matter before the sting operation was performed.
Chandresh Bisht, one of the panelists at the SpeakAsia said, “SpeakAsia has provided job to many unemployed people. If the firm halts its operations in India, then Indian government, politicians and media will be responsible for this.”
When AV spoke to Kirit Somaiya, President of Investors Grievance Forum, he defended himself and said, “My only agenda was to get things in public and governments notice. I have done my job and now it’s the task of investigation agencies to probe this matter. I can’t comment any further.”
Source : Afternoon Voice
