Anirudh Laskar, Nevin John In Mumbai

Stories by Anirudh Laskar, Nevin John In Mumbai

RBI relooks floating rate costs

RBI relooks floating rate costs

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2008

The Reserve Bank of India has initiated a review of the benchmarking system for pricing floating rate loans, a move that could impact 70 to 75 per cent of banks' loan portfolios.

Vedanta may scrap Orissa steel project

Vedanta may scrap Orissa steel project

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2008

Billionaire Anil Agarwal-controlled Vedanta Resources has decided not to pursue a proposal to build a Rs 20,000-crore (Rs 200 billion) five-million-tonne steel project in Orissa in view of its strategy to focus on non-ferrous and iron ore businesses, two highly-placed sources in the company said on Tuesday.

Now, third-party cash deposits set to pinch

Now, third-party cash deposits set to pinch

Rediff.com   9 Sep 2008

Banks levy a fee on transactions under core banking solutions.

Banks trim sales force as credit growth slows down

Banks trim sales force as credit growth slows down

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2008

A clampdown on fresh personal loans, credit cards and auto loans is taking a toll on direct selling agents hired by banks to push these products. According to estimates, banks have reduced the number of DSAs by 15-25 per cent, while marketing expenses are 35-40 per cent lower.

Modi starts talks with SET's shareholders

Modi starts talks with SET's shareholders

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2008

The negotiations were shelved following a difference of opinion on prices. "We intend to close both the deals by September," said a highly-placed source with MCorp, the holding company for B K Modi's group of companies.

Loan flow to slow on default fears

Loan flow to slow on default fears

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2008

With higher interest rates, bankers today said their loan portfolios will grow at a slower pace, partly because of the caution being exercised by lenders themselves.

Investors flock to fixed deposits

Investors flock to fixed deposits

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2008

Individuals are lining up to park their money in fixed deposits (FDs), what with the instrument earning 15-20 per cent more than what they were in April.

Kuwait telco begins talks for Indian buys

Kuwait telco begins talks for Indian buys

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2008

Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain), the third largest telecom operator in West Asia and a leading operator in Africa, has initiated talks with several Indian telecom service providers to buy stakes.

Family feud: Gujarat NRE, Austral trade charges

Family feud: Gujarat NRE, Austral trade charges

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2008

India Inc is seeing yet another family feud - this time between Gujarat NRE Coke founder Girdhari Lal Jagatramka and his son-law, Ratan Lal Tamakhuwala, who owns Austral Coke.

Aegis BPO's PeopleSupport buy hits hurdle

Aegis BPO's PeopleSupport buy hits hurdle

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2008

"Levi & Korsinsky usually investigates a deal when any of the clients complain about chances of fraud in the transaction. In Aegis's acquisition of PeopleSupport, we received a complaint from a client who is a shareholder of PeopleSupport. After our investigation, if we find any fraud, we will take up the issue before the court. At this point of time, we can not disclose the name of the client," said Juan E Monteverde, associate, Levi & Korsinsky.

JSW group plans $40-bn splash

JSW group plans $40-bn splash

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2008

Lines up investments in steel, power sectors to profit from booming demand.

'There cannot be a case for a windfall tax'

'There cannot be a case for a windfall tax'

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2008

Naresh Nayyar, MD & CEO, Essar Oil, tells Business Standard that a windfall profit tax on private oil companies will only worsen the situation.

Essar Oil leads race for Aussie  gas blocks

Essar Oil leads race for Aussie gas blocks

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2008

Ruias-controlled Essar Oil is close to acquiring two oil and gas blocks in Australia. The company has emerged as the preferred bidder for developing the blocks amidst international competition. The ruias will hold 100 per cent equity in the blocks.

JSW, Sterlite to defer IPO plans on choppy markets

JSW, Sterlite to defer IPO plans on choppy markets

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2008

May opt for PE funds or debt to finance capital expenditure.

Mittal's Bulgarian plant takeover plan hit

Mittal's Bulgarian plant takeover plan hit

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2008

Steel tycoon Lakshmi N Mittal's move to revive and take over the sick steel plant of his brother, Pramod Mittal, in Bulgaria is facing hurdles after a major trade union representing over 2,000 workers raised its opposition.

Anil's men skip Mukesh peace meet

Anil's men skip Mukesh peace meet

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2008

A day before the deadline of exclusive takeover talks between Anil Ambani's Reliance Communications and South African company MTN expires, Reliance Industries has invoked the dispute resolution clause of the non-competition agreement against RCom. However, RCom plans to go ahead with its proposed merger with MTN without taking RIL's claim into account.

RCom may get 20% fresh equity in MTN

RCom may get 20% fresh equity in MTN

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2008

Move to skirt public offer for S African telco.

After Esmark, Essar loses Kenya refinery

After Esmark, Essar loses Kenya refinery

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2008

The Kenyan government has dumped the Mumbai-based group in favour of a Libyan company for a 50 per cent stake in a refinery project in Mombasa. Essar officials said they are still negotiating with the Kenyan government so that they can invest in the project.

Asarco buy: Sterlite may retaliate legally

Asarco buy: Sterlite may retaliate legally

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2008

Sterlite Industries, the flagship firm of London-listed Vedanta Resources, may consider legal action if the bankruptcy court favours Grupo Mexico's counter-offer of $4.1 billion for Asarco, the US copper mining giant. Sterlite's takeover bid for Asarco hit a bump when a judge of a bankruptcy court in Texas signalled on Friday that he might give Grupo Mexico, Asarco's estranged corporate parent, a last chance to resume control of its US subsidiary.

ONGC, others eye Canadian sand beds

ONGC, others eye Canadian sand beds

Rediff.com   12 Jun 2008

On the sidelines of crude oil price rise, Indian oil majors including Reliance Industries, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Essar Oil are eyeing exploration opportunities at the oil-rich sand beds of Alberta in Canada. The firms are believed to be drawing up plans in consultation with the central government and considering tie-ups with international firms for sand-oil exploration.