BS Reporters In Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi

Stories by BS Reporters In Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi

Govt allows banks to issue zero-coupon bonds

Govt allows banks to issue zero-coupon bonds

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2009

The government has permitted scheduled banks, including state-owned ones, to issue "zero-coupon bonds" to meet long-term capital requirements, according to the Budget documents.

Landholders delay Mangalore SEZ

Landholders delay Mangalore SEZ

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2009

The Mangalore Special Economic Zone Limited (MSEZL) is facing stiff opposition from the landholders who are resisting acquisition of their lands.

Tech M now has 42% stake in Satyam

Tech M now has 42% stake in Satyam

Rediff.com   2 Jul 2009

On the conclusion of the mandatory open offer to shareholders of Satyam Computers, the new owner, Tech Mahindra, has a little over 42 per cent stake in the company, as against the original plan of acquiring a total of 51 per cent of the equity.

Big TV, Carlyle in talks to raise $50-100 mn

Big TV, Carlyle in talks to raise $50-100 mn

Rediff.com   2 Jul 2009

Big TV is also in talks with other private equity majors, though these are at preliminary stages, to raise funds. The exact quantum of funding to be raised from Carlyle would depend on the 'promises' by players, he said. The company is also in discussions with major players like The Blackstone Group, Providence and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for raising funds.

What Nilekani, and the new ID system, will do

What Nilekani, and the new ID system, will do

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2009

Nandan Nilekani will have the responsibility to lay down plans and policies to implement the Unique Identity card scheme and shall own and operate the UID database. The authority was notified on January 28 this year as an attached office under the aegis of the Planning Commission with an initial core team of 115 officials and staff. The scheme will be implemented in three years.

Our pay isn't the problem: AI staff unions

Our pay isn't the problem: AI staff unions

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2009

When National Aviation Company of India's wage bill is described as impossible to sustain, the unions say it is due in large part to the salaries paid to the same brass which wants pay cuts, apart from other creamy layers such as pilots and engineers, who get quite a bit through productivity-linked incentives. Hence, say the unions, it is these sections which need to take the hit in salaries, not their members.

Swine flu worries hotel, tourism players

Swine flu worries hotel, tourism players

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2009

With the monsoon season to begin and hotels hoping for a robust business at leisure destinations, swine flu could play spoilsport for the hotels, said industry players. At leisure destinations, international tourists form around 35 per cent of the clientele, with around 20-25 per cent coming from the US alone. Last year, tourist arrival in the country was 5.37 million, a fifth of whom stayed in five star hotels.

Buying a home may become more expensive

Buying a home may become more expensive

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2009

Whether it would help these cash-starved firms to improve their profit margins is yet to be seen, but such a move would send a strong signal that the phase of price correction is over. "Developers want to send signals that they are good. But if they are increasing above 10-15 per cent, it would be irrational," said Sanjay Dutt, chief executive of Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, a property consultant.

Security forces enter Lalgarh, 4 Maoists killed

Security forces enter Lalgarh, 4 Maoists killed

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2009

The first group of securitymen arrived at Lalgarh police station, which had been cut off by the tribals since November last year, with the police saying that it was a 'partial victory'.

Mobile operators differ on hike in 3G base price

Mobile operators differ on hike in 3G base price

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2009

Mobile operators are divided on the consensus reached in the government to increase the base price for 3G auctioning to Rs 4,040 crore. Earlier, the base price for auctioning ranged from as low as Rs 1,020 crore to Rs 2,040 crore.

India's IT sector banking on tax benefit extension

India's IT sector banking on tax benefit extension

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2009

Extending STPI tax benefits beyond 2010 (it was extended by a year in 2009) has been a long-standing demand of the software sector.

Rural growth tops Indian FMCGs' Budget wish-list

Rural growth tops Indian FMCGs' Budget wish-list

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2009

With the last two stimulus packages working wonders for the packaged goods industry, players in the sector are now rooting for one more round of fiscal incentives to further boost demand in the domestic rural markets and be competitive overseas.

It's business as usual for GM India

It's business as usual for GM India

Rediff.com   16 Jun 2009

"Just media hype," said a relieved Sachin Kumar, executive of the Auto Vikas showroom of General Motors India in West Delhi's Moti Nagar. "There were some showroom queries on the first two days, but it died down."

After DLF, now Rahejas want to surrender SEZ

After DLF, now Rahejas want to surrender SEZ

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2009

Real estate developer K Raheja Universal Private Ltd wants to scrap one of their notified special economic zones and also surrender a part of another zone, citing lack of demand from the information technology sector.

Call to make Web more accessible

Call to make Web more accessible

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2009

The Web is becoming an increasingly important resource to many aspects of life like education, employment, government, commerce, health care and recreation. It is used for receiving and providing information and interacting with society. Hence, it is essential that it be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with disabilities. An accessible Web also benefits others, including people with changing abilities due to aging.

Realtors cash in on the affordable home rush

Realtors cash in on the affordable home rush

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2009

Real estate companies are now going to the other extreme and falling over each other to offer affordable housing at a price range of Rs 500,000 to Rs 50 lakhs (Rs 5 million). The varied pricing is a function of affordability being a relative term, depending on the location. For instance, a Rs 50- lakh (Rs 5-million) apartment in Mumbai is considered affordable housing. In a city like Nagpur, the same price will qualify for premium housing.

Revised numbers reason for better GDP figure

Revised numbers reason for better GDP figure

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2009

CSO revised downwards the construction sector numbers, which account for nearly 9 per cent of India's GDP, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. This revision to 6.9 per cent as against the initial estimate of 12.6 per cent leads to 40 basis point upside to GDP growth. For agriculture, CSO revised the growth numbers to 2.2 per cent as against the initial estimate of 3.5 per cent. This led to higher agriculture growth of 2.7 per cent in January-March 2009.

PMO asks Montek, other Plan panel members to stay

PMO asks Montek, other Plan panel members to stay

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2009

Government sources in the PMO said Montek Singh Ahluwalia and other panel members will continue till the next Planning Commission is constituted by the prime minister. The apex panel plays a crucial role in the budgetary process. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is likely to present the Budget in the first week of July. Though the recommendations of the Plan panel are not legally binding, the inputs are crucial in dealing with the planned expenditure by the government.

Infy sees demand for its new models

Infy sees demand for its new models

Rediff.com   29 May 2009

Infosys has officially announced offering its clients new engagement models including outcome based pricing and transaction based pricing. According to a senior company executive, the clients accepting these models as they ask for 'no immediate pay-out of cash' and 'pay money per transaction basis.' These models can also be helpful for the clients to deal with the demand fluctuations and effectively manage their budgets.

MTN deal: Bharti may rope in holding co

MTN deal: Bharti may rope in holding co

Rediff.com   27 May 2009

Bharti Telecom, the unlisted holding company of Bharti Airtel, may issue fresh equity to the MTN group to give it the 25 per cent economic interest in India's largest mobile service provider.