Abhijit Lele, Business Standard

Stories by Abhijit Lele, Business Standard

The Nehruvian Who Fell Out With Sonia Gandhi

The Nehruvian Who Fell Out With Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2024

Because of his proximity to Indira Gandhi, he was able to intervene directly at the level of the PMO, which he did in the days leading up to the partition of Pakistan in 1971 when he transferred crucial information about Pakistan's moves via information handed to him by an East Pakistani diplomat in Poland where he was posted.

'Brand' Welcome Awaits Olympic Stars

'Brand' Welcome Awaits Olympic Stars

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2024

'The Paris Olympics has once again blessed the Indian sports marketing landscape with fresh faces and promises.' 'Expect at least one biopic.'

MFs Boom Despite Market Volatility

MFs Boom Despite Market Volatility

Rediff.com   10 Aug 2024

Mutual Fund inflows in FY25 have already reached two-thirds of the total inflows seen in the entire FY24, with net inflows standing at Rs 1.3 trillion.

Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao In Supreme Court

Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao In Supreme Court

Rediff.com   10 Aug 2024

Lawyers flooded the courtroom of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud to witness the proceedings as one special guest -- Aamir Khan -- was seated in the front row.

Sebi Can't Recover Rs 76,293 Cr Dues!

Sebi Can't Recover Rs 76,293 Cr Dues!

Rediff.com   10 Aug 2024

Out of 3,871 recovery certificates issued by the regulator in various cases, 807 have been certified as difficult to recover.

Private banks' bottom line remains healthy in Q1, bad loans inch up

Private banks' bottom line remains healthy in Q1, bad loans inch up

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2024

Private banks' net profit grew 26.3 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 48,982 crore in the first quarter ended June 2024 (Q1FY25) owing to healthy growth in credit and other income. The gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) increased with the end of dispensation granted during the pandemic, according to the data compiled by BS Research Bureau for listed 18 private banks.

Tyger Capital to list by next year, targets Rs 20,000 crore book

Tyger Capital to list by next year, targets Rs 20,000 crore book

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2024

Bain Capital-backed Tyger Capital is planning to list its shares on the Indian stock exchanges by the next financial year and is targeting to grow its assets under management by four times to Rs 20,000 crore in five years from Rs 5,000 crore now, Gaurav Gupta, MD and CEO of the firm said. In an exclusive interview, Gupta said that keeping with the growing business, the finance company expects to on-board 600 people in the current financial year as it is opening 60-65 new branches for broad-basing its network in the country.

Result preview: Cost of deposits to weigh on banks' margins in Q1

Result preview: Cost of deposits to weigh on banks' margins in Q1

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2024

Despite steady loan growth, the banking sector is expected to report subdued margins in the quarter ending June 2024 (Q1FY25), driven by high demand for deposits amidst tight liquidity conditions. However, according to Bloomberg analysts, listed banks are forecasted to see a 14.5 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase in net profit. Estimates showed that banks' net interest income (NII), and revenues from interest minus interest expenses might grow 11.9 per cent Y-o-Y.

C S Setty: SBI's New Boss

C S Setty: SBI's New Boss

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2024

'You will see him frequently asking customers -- especially retail -- about service experience, pain points, areas of improvement and suggestions.'

What India Inc Expects From Modi 3.0

What India Inc Expects From Modi 3.0

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2024

'In the new coalition government, India's reform agenda may prioritise job creation and factor market reforms.'

Jio Fin arm plans Rs 36K cr deal with Reliance Retail

Jio Fin arm plans Rs 36K cr deal with Reliance Retail

Rediff.com   27 May 2024

Mukesh Ambani's Jio Financial Services (JFS) is set to seek shareholders' approval for its leasing subsidiary to acquire telecom equipment and devices worth Rs 36,000 crore ($4.33 billion) from Reliance Retail. Jio Leasing Services Limited (JLSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of JFS, plans to enter the device leasing business, and the equipment will be deployed in broadband wireless connectivity and other services.

'Liquidity will improve in system after elections'

'Liquidity will improve in system after elections'

Rediff.com   24 May 2024

'We may see little softness in liquidity position after the stabilisation of the government.'

SBI to hire over 15,000 in FY25 to boost operations, expand network

SBI to hire over 15,000 in FY25 to boost operations, expand network

Rediff.com   13 May 2024

State Bank of India (SBI) is planning to recruit over 15,000 people in 2024-25, increasing the strength of those in the field for marketing. The recruits will be also for deployment in the bank's operations subsidiary and expanding the branch network. The operations subsidiary - State Bank Operations Support Services - became functional last year.

'There Is No Modi Wave'

'There Is No Modi Wave'

Rediff.com   3 May 2024

'I am shocked that the BJP makes so many commitments. What did they deliver as the NDA?'

Outward foreign direct investment by Indian companies stabilises in FY24

Outward foreign direct investment by Indian companies stabilises in FY24

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2024

The outward foreign direct investment (FDI) by Indian companies stabilised in 2023-24 (FY24) after witnessing a fall in 2022-23 (FY23). The actual outward FDI inched up slightly to $13.75 billion in FY24 from $13.49 billion in the previous financial year (FY23), according to finance ministry data. This stability came after a sharp fall in outward flows in FY23 from $18.52 billion in 2021-22 (FY22).

Credit growth, quality assets likely to spur bank profits in Q4 FY24

Credit growth, quality assets likely to spur bank profits in Q4 FY24

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2024

With high credit growth and healthy asset quality, listed commercial banks are expected to report steady growth in earnings during the fourth quarter ended March 2024 (Q4 FY24). Profits are expected to grow at 9.6 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) and net interest income (NII) by 8.7 per cent in Q4 FY24, according to Bloomberg analysts' estimates. According to Motilal Oswal Securities, while bank credit growth has been robust, deposit growth has also gathered pace.

Bajaj Auto to pump Rs 3,000 crore into finance subsidiary

Bajaj Auto to pump Rs 3,000 crore into finance subsidiary

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2024

Bajaj Auto, India's leading two-wheeler (2W) and three-wheeler (3W) maker, is scaling up its wholly owned finance subsidiary, Bajaj Auto Credit Ltd (BACL), with an investment of more than Rs 3,000 crore planned over the next two financial years, company's managing director Rajiv Bajaj said. BACL has already started commercial operations, Bajaj recently said on the sidelines of the group's CSR identity event. According to rating agency CRISIL, BACL's operations began on January 1 after receiving its licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in August last year.

Net FDI in India down 38% in Apr-Jan

Net FDI in India down 38% in Apr-Jan

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2024

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in India, inflows minus outflows, declined 38.4 per cent year-on-year to $15.41 billion in the first 10 months of this financial year due to an increase in the repatriation of capital. According to the Reserve Bank of India's data in the March 2024 bulletin, FDI in India was $25.53 billion and outflows were $10.11 billion in April 2023-January 2024. In the same period last year, FDI inflows stood at $36.75 billion and outflows at $11.75 billion.

Future of digital payments in India

Future of digital payments in India

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2024

'The focus needs to shift towards the ability to collect payments, particularly in tier-3 to tier-4 areas where acceptance is still lacking.'

'Small finance banks need to build all product ranges'

'Small finance banks need to build all product ranges'

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2024

'You cannot have only one product or one market or one customer segment.'