The government on Tuesday cleared 21 foreign direct investment involving Rs 93.26 crore (Rs 932.6 million) inflow, including the Rs 20 crore (Rs 200 million) investment envisaged by Thomson Multimedia Asia Pte in hiking stake in Indian operations to 89.11 per cent.

Also, another proposal made jointly by iSolutions Inc and the Bank of New York for transfer of shares from resident/overseas corporate bodies to non-residents was given the go-ahead.

This procedure envisages investment of Rs 30.63 crore (Rs 306.2 million) as FDI, according to an official statement issued in New Delhi.

Finance and Company Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh approved these 21 proposals, recommended by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, it said adding the major proposals pertain to introduction of technology for colour televisions, video cassette recorders, audio products, communication products, software development and stock broking.

Other proposals cleared by the finance minister include one by General Motors Acceptance Corporation of the US for hiking foreign stake by way of acquisition in the Indian arm.

The company provides full service leasing, fleet financing and fleet management services including providing financial accommodations to dealers.

The proposal involves FDI inflow worth Rs 9.56 crore (Rs 95.6 million).

Also, South Asia Ports Ltd of Mauritius plans to increase foreign equity shares. The company operates via Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal Ltd in Mumbai and the proposal envisages foreign direct investment of Rs 6.97 crore (Rs 69.7 million).

Siemens AG of Germany has been allowed to enhance its activity clause and trade in telecom equipment in its Indian subsidiary Siemens Ltd but the plan does not involve any fresh FDI inflow into India.