Aneesh Phadnis And Somesh Jha

Stories by Aneesh Phadnis And Somesh Jha

Govt to extend minimum wages to 100% of workforce

Govt to extend minimum wages to 100% of workforce

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2019

Under the New Code on Wages Bill 2019, employers will be required to give the minimum wages, notified by either the state or the Centre, to the unorganised sector, too.

Jet's resolution professional receives Rs 24K cr worth of claims

Jet's resolution professional receives Rs 24K cr worth of claims

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2019

The IRP has admitted 33 claims from banks worth Rs 8,462 crore, and is verifying Rs 15,044-crore claims from operational creditors and staff.

Banks likely to freeze accounts of shell firms

Banks likely to freeze accounts of shell firms

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2019

Government suspects that many of these bank accounts were used to launder money, especially after the demonetisation in November 2016.

Lenders cautious as Cox & Kings defaults on commercial paper of Rs 200 cr

Lenders cautious as Cox & Kings defaults on commercial paper of Rs 200 cr

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2019

Cox & Kings had a total debt of Rs 3,238 crore at end of FY19 and this included both short-term and long-term loans.

Last-minute airfares rise 40% as rain disrupts Mumbai airport

Last-minute airfares rise 40% as rain disrupts Mumbai airport

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2019

On Tuesday 55 flights were diverted, over 200 flights were cancelled because of rain, low visibility and poor braking action on secondary runway

Planes overshoot runway thrice in 2 days: DGCA issues safety directions

Planes overshoot runway thrice in 2 days: DGCA issues safety directions

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2019

In a circular, the DGCA said, "Crew should be well aware of the aircraft limitations and of takeoff/landing performance calculations during the adverse weather operations." The regulator also said that the airlines must "make available sufficiently experienced crew in the cockpit".

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: How govt plans to tackle India's water woes

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: How govt plans to tackle India's water woes

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2019

The aim of the programme is to increase the water table in the stressed areas through dams, ponds, and afforestation. According to a NITI Aayog study, by 2030, the country's water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions of people and an eventual 6 per cent loss in the country's GDP.

Will Modi govt manage to push labour reforms this time?

Will Modi govt manage to push labour reforms this time?

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2019

After assuming power in 2014 with a full majority of its own, the BJP-led NDA government started an ambitious process of reforming labour laws in the form of codes aimed at making the framework less cumbersome with a variety of alterations. It had planned four codes each for industrial relations, wages, social security and welfare, and occupational safety, health and working conditions. To this end, 35 central labour laws were to be converted into four codes that would have had the virtue of streamlining labour relations. But none of the proposed code Bills could be converted into a law principally because neither trade unions nor industry representatives came on board. They hold the key to India's low-growth-high unemployment paradigm but the government may struggle to push them through this time as well. Somesh Jha explains why

How Air India plans to spread its wings in both East and West

How Air India plans to spread its wings in both East and West

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2019

Besides lining up Bali, Nairobi and Toronto flights, the airline is also planning flights from Mumbai to Hong Kong. The network expansion will help the national carrier grow its market share and capitalise on the capacity vaccum created by the collapse of Jet Airways.

RBI's new stressed asset resolution is 'practical'

RBI's new stressed asset resolution is 'practical'

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2019

'If there is a technical issue and the borrowers can resolve it within 30 days, you don't have to go through the bankruptcy court.' 'If the borrower is expecting a large disbursal of a facility or expecting a payment or receivables, in such cases it becomes practical to give a window for taking care of such circumstances. 'If banks had aggregated the assets and benefited with a long relationship with borrowers and now when assets get into a trouble, it is incumbent on banks to find resolution and take responsibility.'

An insurance plan that will benefit both employers and employees

An insurance plan that will benefit both employers and employees

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2019

The scheme, which will be effective from July 1, 2019 would benefit 36 million employees and 1.28 million employers. The ESI Act applies to factories with 10 or more workers and provides for medical, cash, maternity, disability and dependent benefits to employees drawing a salary of up to Rs 21,000 per month.

World Cup Final: Star Sports, travel firms in top gear

World Cup Final: Star Sports, travel firms in top gear

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2019

July 14 features three big-ticket sporting events -- the World Cup final, the Wimbledon men's final and the British Grand Prix.

Why India fails to attract foreign tourists

Why India fails to attract foreign tourists

Rediff.com   13 Jun 2019

Tourist arrival growth down to 1.9% over poor marketing and terror threats. Airlines, too, have been forced to reroute following airspace closure. UK and Australia advised their citizens from travelling to Srinagar following the Pulwama attack.

Hindujas want to steer clear of Jet's past

Hindujas want to steer clear of Jet's past

Rediff.com   12 Jun 2019

Among the other conditions of the Hinduja group for picking up a stake in Jet is that bankers must take a haircut of 80 per cent and that they should help negotiate with operational creditors like aircraft lessors for moratorium on certain immediate payments.

Aviation security fee revision could push up airfares

Aviation security fee revision could push up airfares

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2019

Starting July 1, passengers will be charged an aviation security fee of Rs 150, as opposed to the current Rs 130 for domestic flights, and $4.85 as compared to the current $3.25 for international flights.

L&T likely to win the contract to build Navi Mumbai airport

L&T likely to win the contract to build Navi Mumbai airport

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2019

The airport, which will now be built to handle 20 million passengers, will likely start operations by mid-2020. However, rating agency CRISIL in its report in May-end had said operations are expected to start in 2023.

On the govt's table: PSU general insurance consolidation

On the govt's table: PSU general insurance consolidation

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2019

'The plan is to secure nod of the Union Cabinet and other relevant regulatory approvals within the next three months,' a senior finance ministry official said, requesting anonymity.

Why Indian pharma cos are gung-ho about the US mkt

Why Indian pharma cos are gung-ho about the US mkt

Rediff.com   24 May 2019

While companies continue to face regulatory pressure leading to higher costs, they see an uptick from the launch of differentiated and high-margin products

Vistara is all set for global foray

Vistara is all set for global foray

Rediff.com   22 May 2019

Vistara appoints Vinod Kannan as chief strategy officer; plans to launch its maiden international flight to Colombo in May

Further turbulence for Jet as top execs bail out

Further turbulence for Jet as top execs bail out

Rediff.com   15 May 2019

The top executives who have put in their papers with immediate effect include Jet's chief executive officer (CEO) Vinay Dube, chief finance officer (CFO) and deputy CEO Amit Agarwal and company secretary Kuldeep Sharma.