Ajay Modi And Siddharth Zarabi

Stories by Ajay Modi And Siddharth Zarabi

Farmers lay siege to Bajaj Hindusthan mill in UP

Farmers lay siege to Bajaj Hindusthan mill in UP

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2008

Demand payment of sugarcane arrears, company says there are no dues.

'Indian airline losses may clip aircraft orders'

'Indian airline losses may clip aircraft orders'

Rediff.com   29 May 2008

"No airline is making money in India because they are selling below cost. The country is seeing a 25 per cent annual growth rate in air passenger traffic, but some slowdown is also expected. These are some of the pains when markets open up," said John Leahy, chief operating officer (customers), Airbus. Leahy, however, declined to offer details.

Aviation industry to incur losses of $2 bn: Goyal

Aviation industry to incur losses of $2 bn: Goyal

Rediff.com   28 May 2008

The crude oil rally will impact prices of aviation turbine fuel, which forms 30 per cent of the operating cost for an airline. The company incurred a loss of $23.1 million during the October-December quarter of FY08. This was against a net profit of $9 million during the corresponding quarter of 2006-07.

'Consumers want organised & unorganised retail'

'Consumers want organised & unorganised retail'

Rediff.com   27 May 2008

Even if our findings are not to the liking of our sponsor groups, we always stand by them, Icrier Director and Chief Executive Rajiv Kumar tells Business Standard. The study took a long time to come and the perception is that the data have been 'fixed' to arrive at tailor-made conclusions that suit the government (the sponsor of the study).

Govt's price-control measures lose edge

Govt's price-control measures lose edge

Rediff.com   21 May 2008

The sharp depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar over the last four weeks has neutralised the impact of recent import duty cuts aimed at lowering prices of commodities like edible oil, metallurgical coke and newsprint.

Delhi: Apartments for Rs 15 crore plus!

Delhi: Apartments for Rs 15 crore plus!

Rediff.com   19 May 2008

Setting a new benchmark for apartments in the super-luxury segment in the national capital region, a local developer is offering 7,672 square feet of super area at a basic price ranging between Rs 13,500 and Rs 14,750 per square foot (sq ft), the highest in the region. The property is attracting keen interest in the market and analysts said it indicates the market for luxury properties remains strong as ever.

Govt wheat purchase close to all-time high

Govt wheat purchase close to all-time high

Rediff.com   19 May 2008

The procurement has already touched 19.8 million tonnes and government agencies continue to procure 200,000-250,000 tonnes daily.

Cement firms feel the pinch of price control

Cement firms feel the pinch of price control

Rediff.com   19 May 2008

Cement companies' latest quarterly performance shows that they have begun to feel the pinch of the government's anti-inflationary measures. The latest price cut of 1.5 to 3 per cent at the government's persuasion and a decision to hold prices for the next three months could impact earnings even more.

Soon, liquor will pinch your wallet more

Soon, liquor will pinch your wallet more

Rediff.com   16 May 2008

Liquor companies are set to raise prices, thanks to the hike in the cost of molasses, a by-product of sugar used to make potable alcohol. "Alcohol prices may rise as much as 20 per cent due to lower molasses production," said Abhishek Khaitan, managing director, Radico Khaitan, the country's second largest liquor producer.

Blame poor data collection for inflation woes

Blame poor data collection for inflation woes

Rediff.com   15 May 2008

This lack of regular and detailed disclosure by companies or respondents lies at the core of the problem, one that has gained ground in recent weeks.

Govt may scrap licence fees for landline firms

Govt may scrap licence fees for landline firms

Rediff.com   9 May 2008

The proposal is aimed at arresting the decline in wireline services growth and spur availability of broadband internet access across the country. The move has been high on the agenda of Communications Minister A Raja for some time now.

Bhasin's DSIL open offer hits Sebi hurdle

Bhasin's DSIL open offer hits Sebi hurdle

Rediff.com   6 May 2008

Stockbroker Harish Bhasin has got Rs 22 crore stuck in the bid to take over DCM Shriram Industries, the Delhi-based sugar company. He invested the money to raise his stake in DSIL from 12.87 per cent to 25.05 per cent over the last five-and-a-half months. He bought DSIL shares from the open market. However, his open offer to buy 22.88 per cent stake has not taken off, pending an approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

US responsible for global food crisis: FAO data

US responsible for global food crisis: FAO data

Rediff.com   5 May 2008

US President George W Bush and his Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice may have their numbers wrong when they accuse China and India of contributing to the global food crisis as a result of growing prosperity-led consumption.

Steel ministry wants FinMin to check prices

Steel ministry wants FinMin to check prices

Rediff.com   3 May 2008

The steel ministry has asked its finance counterpart to expedite the implementation of the measures that have been decided but not implemented yet to contain steel prices.

CCI fails to curb steel, cement cartel

CCI fails to curb steel, cement cartel

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2008

The Competition Commission of India, the body that is supposed to take action against any abuse of market dominance, says it is helpless. FM had accused the domestic cement and steel industry of forming cartels to exploit consumers. He also warned the industry that if they did not mend their ways, the government would not hesitate to take tough measures and break the logjam. CCI was supposed to prohibit anti-competitive agreements, abuse by dominant players and regulate M&As.

Steel bears inflation brunt, rises 17-62% in '08

Steel bears inflation brunt, rises 17-62% in '08

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2008

Interestingly, it is the long products that have witnessed the steepest price increase (between 50 per cent and 62 per cent), clearly reflecting the booming demand from construction activities. However, the flat products, by comparison, have seen a price increase of 17-24 per cent, almost half compared with the long products. Driven by demand, the share of the long products in the total steel production has been steadily increasing.

Inflation: Burden on many, bonanza for some

Inflation: Burden on many, bonanza for some

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2008

Numbers collated by the Business Standard Research Bureau show that in the last three years, leading cement manufacturers have multiplied their nine-month profits manifold and mining and paper companies have more than doubled it.

Steel prices up via 'surcharge'

Steel prices up via 'surcharge'

Rediff.com   10 Apr 2008

The country's leading steel producers have devised a new strategy to pass on rising raw material costs to the end users without raising prices. Companies are now levying raw material surcharges while keeping the base price unchanged.

Jairam Ramesh on India's power woes

Jairam Ramesh on India's power woes

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2008

Jairam Ramesh has taken over as the minister of state for power. According to him, the Tenth Five-Year Plan was a disaster in terms of capacity addition & so was the Ninth Plan. Of the target of around 41,000 Mw, only 23,000 Mw was added. In effect, the first 2 years will see an addition of almost the same capacity as the entire Tenth Plan. But achieving the Eleventh Plan target of 80,000 Mw is going to be a big challenge. He hopes to see at least 3-4 more projects in a year.

Existing vehicles not ready for 10% ethanol blend

Existing vehicles not ready for 10% ethanol blend

Rediff.com   7 Apr 2008

The mandatory 10 per cent ethanol blending in petrol may not happen for the existing 101 million vehicles on the Indian roads without introducing technical changes in them. The central government plans to make 10 per cent blending compulsory from October from the current 5 per cent. Existing vehicles are not capable of running on 10 per cent ethanol-blended petrol as ethanol releases more heat and can corrode vehicle engines, experts say. It will lead to a 3% drop in mileage.