BS Reporters In New Delhi, Mumbai

Stories by BS Reporters In New Delhi, Mumbai

MSP to now reflect transport, marketing charges

MSP to now reflect transport, marketing charges

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2009

According to a decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices will consider the above elements while recommending the MSP. The CACP, an advisory body under the agriculture ministry, recommends MSPs of over 20 crops, including wheat and rice.

Tata Comm plans Rs 1k-cr rights issue

Tata Comm plans Rs 1k-cr rights issue

Rediff.com   14 Jan 2009

TCL wants to raise around Rs 10 billion through a rights issue, sources familiar with the developments said. This means the government will have to invest Rs 2.6 billion to retain its stake in the company, in case it approves the issue. The company needs to raise fresh equity for any fresh borrowing, as it has already reached the maximum limit of debt vis-a-vis its net worth, as stipulated under the shareholder agreement.

Reliance Retail plans private label sale to kirana

Reliance Retail plans private label sale to kirana

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

The move is expected to give high retail exposure to its products in innumerable kirana stores in the country, without having to spend much on advertising and marketing expenses apart from generating business volumes. When contacted, Reliance Retail spokesperson said: "As a policy, we do not comment on speculation." In a recent reshuffle at the company, Reliance Fresh head Gunender Kapur was made head of private labels business in the company.

Maytas projects being reviewed: Andhra CM

Maytas projects being reviewed: Andhra CM

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy said on Sunday public projects being implemented by Maytas Infra in the state, individually or as part of consortia, were being closely reviewed. Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy said on Sunday. The total value of the projects awarded to Maytas and its joint venture partners amounts to Rs 3,800 crore (Rs 38 billion).

What bonds us now is emotional equity:  Satyam CEO

What bonds us now is emotional equity: Satyam CEO

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2009

Ram Myanampati, the interim chief executive officer of beleaguered Satyam Computer Services, on Thursday admitted that he himself is on a shaky ground.

Advance bookings surge 30% on air fare cuts

Advance bookings surge 30% on air fare cuts

Rediff.com   7 Jan 2009

While portals such as makemytrip, cleartrip and ezeego have seen a rise of 30 per cent in advance booking in the first week of January, others such as yatra and travelocity, with a 10-15 per cent surge, are also expecting more bookings in the coming weeks. The cleverly-introduced advanced booking fares have induced passengers to book tickets until as late as November.

States fear shortage of essential commodities

States fear shortage of essential commodities

Rediff.com   6 Jan 2009

According to industry leaders, the ongoing strike is also going to dampen production and also hit the timely delivery of goods to the customers. The transporters are mainly demanding that diesel prices be reduced by at least Rs 10 per litre, a uniform VAT of 4 per cent on the fuel, withdrawal of service tax on truck operators and rationalisation of tyre prices.

Strike: Truck operators' permits may be cancelled

Strike: Truck operators' permits may be cancelled

Rediff.com   6 Jan 2009

The government has given clear instructions to the state governments to take necessary steps to ensure smooth transportation of essential commodities. "If the situation demands, the law of the land will prevail. The law of the land says the permit of truck operators could be revoked if the situation demands. The government is committed to provide full support to the state governments," said Brahm Dutt, secretary, ministry of road transport and highways.

Company FDs bloom as equity, debt markets dry up

Company FDs bloom as equity, debt markets dry up

Rediff.com   6 Jan 2009

With the stock markets yet to recover and banks lowering fixed deposit rates, companies accessing public deposits are seeing investors parking funds.

Indian CEOs still nervous; eye government bailout

Indian CEOs still nervous; eye government bailout

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2009

A majority of Indian CEOs do not expect economic prospects to improve in 2009 and feel growth is constrained by the liquidity crunch, negative sentiment and demand recession in the economy.

PE investors suffer $2.24 bn loss in '08

PE investors suffer $2.24 bn loss in '08

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2008

Private equity investments in public firms have tanked as much as $2.24 billion so far this year, thanks to the massive erosion in equity markets as well as the present economic downturn, a latest study says.

Govt to unveil 2nd stimulus package soon

Govt to unveil 2nd stimulus package soon

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2008

The government is expected to announce the second stimulus package in the next three days.

Govt may relax ECB norms for NBFCs, realty

Govt may relax ECB norms for NBFCs, realty

Rediff.com   20 Dec 2008

Permitting realty firms to tap ECBs, relaxing borrowing norms for non-banking finance companies, increasing the ECB limit 50 per cent to $750 million under the automatic route (that is, without central bank permission) and raising the price ceiling at which overseas loans can be raised are among proposals the committee is considering. For realty, the committee may relax norms only for integrated township projects, said a top finance ministry official.

Banks reduce deposit rates, say rates will decline

Banks reduce deposit rates, say rates will decline

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2008

The decisions come within 24 hours of the home loan package offered by public sector banks. Chennai-based Indian Bank reduced interest rates of domestic term deposits of Rs 1-5 crore (Rs 10-50 million) by 150-25 basis points across various maturities.

No big cheer for textile firms

No big cheer for textile firms

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

The government on Sunday announced a package of Rs 1,400 crore (Rs 14 billion) under the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme and 2 per cent interest subsidy up to March 31 next year. But the textile industry had demanded 4 per cent interest subsidy along with reintroduction of the duty drawback scheme.

India Inc greets govt measures

India Inc greets govt measures

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

The infrastructure sector, however, felt the package was insufficient and wanted additional measures. "The government's package is inadequate. We expected at least $20 billion relief package, giving emphasis to the infrastructure sector.

Investors give realtors the chill

Investors give realtors the chill

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

Investors, at a recent property exhibition concluded by magicbricks.com, were seen selling flats at 30 per cent discount to the market rate compared with the builders' offer of 15-20 per cent, according to reports. Investors normally comprise about 30 per cent of the property markets.

Mumbai terror puts IT, BPO firms on high alert

Mumbai terror puts IT, BPO firms on high alert

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2008

The Mumbai terror attacks have once again put Indian IT and business process outsourcing firms on high alert. Over the next four to five weeks, many of these firms plan to meet or video-conference with their clients to update them of the country's security scenario.

PM panel mulls relief for housing, core sectors

PM panel mulls relief for housing, core sectors

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2008

The government is likely to announce early next week a series of measures to boost economic activity in the country.

Who will be the next finance minister?

Who will be the next finance minister?

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2008

The country's new home minister, Palaniappan Chidambaram, today said he prefers a Congressman as his successor in the finance ministry, setting off speculation about the implication of his statement.