BS Reporters In Mumbai, New Delhi

Stories by BS Reporters In Mumbai, New Delhi

Air India may vacate Nariman Point HQ

Air India may vacate Nariman Point HQ

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2009

The Air India building has 22 floors overlooking the Arabian Sea. Many floors are already leased out to other companies and it represents one of the costliest commercial real estate in both the city and the country. Air India made losses of Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion) in 2008-09.

Govt admits drought, but  says no need to panic

Govt admits drought, but says no need to panic

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2009

While the Centre asserted the situation could be handled effectively, chief ministers sought additional funds to deal with the situation. The country as a whole has witnessed a rainfall deficiency of 29 per cent as on Monday and the number of districts reeling under drought or drought-like condition has gone up to 207.

Food retailers take up to 50% hit on margins

Food retailers take up to 50% hit on margins

Rediff.com   17 Aug 2009

Prices of agricultural commodities have risen 23 per cent so far this month.

Tata does not need UK aid for JLR

Tata does not need UK aid for JLR

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2009

Fraught four-month-long negotiation between Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover and the United Kingdom government over a loan guarantee ended in an anti-climax on Tuesday, with the Mumbai-headquartered automobile maker announcing that it has secured loans from commercial banks and would not need any support from the UK government.

Domestic airlines call off strike

Domestic airlines call off strike

Rediff.com   3 Aug 2009

Pressured by low-cost carriers, the Federation of Indian Airlines has called off its decision to suspend domestic operations on August 18, two days after it was announced.

WADA laments BCCI decision, urges to sign code

WADA laments BCCI decision, urges to sign code

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2009

The World Anti-doping Agency on Sunday expressed its concern over the BCCI's decision to reject a controversial WADA clause which makes it mandatory for Indian cricketers to be available for out of competition testing.

Delhi Metro seeks ban on Gammon

Delhi Metro seeks ban on Gammon

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2009

Tuesday's move, announced at a press conference in the capital, comes a little over a month after an accident killed six workers at a metro construction site on July 12. The accident, the latest in a series over the past year, raised public outrage and prompted Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's widely respected chief E Sreedharan to submit his resignation, which the state government declined to accept.

More sub-Rs 20 lakh homes soon

More sub-Rs 20 lakh homes soon

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2009

Property developers plan more launches in the sub-Rs 20 lakh category of homes, after Monday's Budget concession.

Two-thirds of govt borrowing in H1

Two-thirds of govt borrowing in H1

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2009

The government intends to borrow Rs 1,10,000 crore over the next 75 days, which will push up its first-half borrowings by Rs 58,000 crore from the earlier planned level.This means that the government will now borrow Rs 2,99,000 crore by the end of September through bond issues, which would account for around two-thirds of the Rs 4,51,000 crore the Centre proposes to borrow during the current financial year.

Anil Ambani group, Spielberg ink $825 mn deal

Anil Ambani group, Spielberg ink $825 mn deal

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2009

Anil Ambani's Reliance ADA Group formalised its association with DreamWorks Studios promoted by Hollywood director Steven Spielberg and his partner Stacey Snider.

Cold chains: Retailers divided over tax

Cold chains: Retailers divided over tax

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2009

While some like RPG's Spencer's and Wadhawan group's Spinach say it will encourage them to invest more in cold chains, others such as Aditya Birla Retail and Future Group said the announcement has come too late and helps fresh produce and chilled product suppliers more than retailers.

Some car, LCD TV firms cut prices

Some car, LCD TV firms cut prices

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2009

Excise duty cut of Rs 6,000 on big cars to be passed to customers; LCDs cheaper by Rs 3,500.

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.

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'.