Dev Chatterjee, Aneesh Phadnis And Shine Jacob

Stories by Dev Chatterjee, Aneesh Phadnis And Shine Jacob

By 2025 Indian Trucks Will Have AC Cabin

By 2025 Indian Trucks Will Have AC Cabin

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2023

'Instead of ACs, the government should do something to increase our salary.'

Vedanta likely to sell copper plant in Tamil Nadu for Rs 4,500 crore

Vedanta likely to sell copper plant in Tamil Nadu for Rs 4,500 crore

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2023

Vedanta Ltd, which is planning to restart its copper plant in Tamil Nadu, is weighing the option to sell the unit at a valuation of up to Rs 4,500 crore, banking sources have said. The company had sought expressions of interest (EoIs) for the plant in June last year but did not get a good response as the unit was shut for the last five years. "The process has now restarted with the bankers reaching out to potential bidders," said a banker.

Mission 2025: Adani group eyes 90% Ebitda via infrastructure business

Mission 2025: Adani group eyes 90% Ebitda via infrastructure business

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2023

The Adani group will be generating almost 90 percent of its Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) from infrastructure business by 2025 as compared to 83 per cent generated from these businesses currently, top company officials told bankers recently. Of the infrastructure business, 49 per cent of the profits are currently contributed by energy and utility, another 25 per cent by transport and rest by cement and logistics businesses. This will go up substantially as several new projects like Navi Mumbai airport and other projects get commissioned and contribute to the overall Ebitda pie, bankers were told.

Lenders set to clear Rs 400 crore to give wings to Go First

Lenders set to clear Rs 400 crore to give wings to Go First

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2023

Go First's lenders have agreed in principle to support the airline's request for Rs 400 crore interim funding to restart its operations. The airline temporarily halted operations on May 2, and its insolvency plea was admitted by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on May 10. On Wednesday, the airline's resolution professional Shailendra Ajmera submitted a business plan and a request for over Rs 400 crore funding to airline's committee of creditors (CoC).

Vedanta places Thoothukudi's 'restart ready' plans on fast track

Vedanta places Thoothukudi's 'restart ready' plans on fast track

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2023

Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta's Sterlite Copper has come out with a fresh notification inviting expressions of interest (EoIs) to supply raw materials like copper concentrate, imported thermal coal, rock phosphate and petroleum products, among others, as part of its preparatory measures to restart production at its Thoothukudi unit in Tamil Nadu. This plant is likely to restart operations if a Supreme Court verdict goes in favour of the company. On June 12, the company had invited EoIs for carrying out plant 'restart activities'.

IndiGo has flexibility to decide 2035 size, says CEO Pieter Elbers

IndiGo has flexibility to decide 2035 size, says CEO Pieter Elbers

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2023

IndiGo has the flexibility to decide what would be the precise size of its aircraft fleet by 2035, its chief executive officer (CEO) Pieter Elbers said on Monday. IndiGo - the country's largest airline - has 312 aircraft in its fleet. Elbers said the airline will double in size by 2030, indicating the airline will have a fleet of about 625 by 2030.

Air India upgrading crew rostering, customer notification system: Wilson

Air India upgrading crew rostering, customer notification system: Wilson

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2023

Air India has been a subject of its passengers' ire this week as more than half of its flights have been delayed, primarily because of an old crew rostering system. Due to the existing system, the airline has not been able to handle the disruption created by cyclone 'Biparjoy' on India's western coast. The sudden grounding of two planes also added to the carrier's woes.

Jettwings, new regional airline for Northeast states, plans takeoff in Oct

Jettwings, new regional airline for Northeast states, plans takeoff in Oct

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2023

Sanjive Narain, owner of Assam's oldest news channel, and Sanjay Aditya Singh, promoter of a cabin crew training academy, are coming together to launch a regional airline providing business and premium economy services in the Northeast. Jettwings Airways will be based in Guwahati and will connect places with twin-class Embraer E175 aircraft. The airline has secured an initial no-objection clearance from the civil aviation ministry and plans to launch services in October.

War Over Amul's Plans For South India

War Over Amul's Plans For South India

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2023

'As long as Amul was coming in with products it was not a problem because it was something value added and with a shelf life.' 'When it gets into the local market by procuring locally, it cuts into the market-share of local cooperatives.'

Sony likely to seek forensic audit of Zee Entertainment, say lawyers

Sony likely to seek forensic audit of Zee Entertainment, say lawyers

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2023

Japan's Sony Corporation, which is merging its Indian television content company with Zee Entertainment Enterprises, is likely to seek a fresh forensic audit of the company after market regulator Sebi levelled fund diversion charges against Zee promoters, top lawyers said. The Sebi also barred Zee founder Subhash Chandra and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Puneet Goenka from holding any position as director. "As the Sebi has made fund diversion charges, which may change the nature of audited reports already filed, the acquirer (Sony) can seek a fresh forensic audit," said H P Ranina, a corporate lawyer.

Vedanta's Sterlite Copper invites EoIs to 'restart' the Thoothukudi unit

Vedanta's Sterlite Copper invites EoIs to 'restart' the Thoothukudi unit

Rediff.com   13 Jun 2023

Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta's Sterlite Copper on Monday came out with an advertisement inviting expression of interest (EoI) for carrying out plant "restart activities" at its Thoothukudi unit in Tamil Nadu, that got closed more than five years ago following an order issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). The EoI for restart comes when the company is still awaiting the final judgement on the issue, and the court has only allowed it to do maintenance work. "We have initiated the upkeep and maintenance activities at the plant as allowed by the Supreme Court vide its order dated May 4, 2023, in coordination with the district authorities.

Vedanta's Rs 2,632-crore brand fee helps VRL repay part of its debt

Vedanta's Rs 2,632-crore brand fee helps VRL repay part of its debt

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2023

An increased brand fee paid by India-listed Vedanta, apart from record dividend, has helped Vedanta Resources (VRL) - the London-based holding company of Vedanta Group - to repay part of its debt. Vedanta paid a brand fee of Rs 2,632 crore ($325 million) for 2022-23 (FY23), according to Nomura report. This was after the Anil Agarwal-owned holding company raised the brand fee to 2 per cent of the turnover for its Indian businesses in 2021.

Why Anil Agarwal-owned Vedanta group companies face high debt risk

Why Anil Agarwal-owned Vedanta group companies face high debt risk

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2023

Vedanta group chairman, Anil Agarwal, 69, is well known for his business journey from a scrap dealer from Bihar to a London-based globe-girdling metal and oil and gas conglomerate with revenues of $19 billion. Now his abilities to keep his group from over-leveraging itself will be put to the test. Over the years, Agarwal, now based in London, set up the conglomerate via acquiring iron ore producer Sesa Goa, Cairn's oil producing assets in India, and Electrosteel Steel.

Sterlite gets access to Thoothukudi plant for upkeep after 5 years

Sterlite gets access to Thoothukudi plant for upkeep after 5 years

Rediff.com   3 Jun 2023

The maintenance work will include operations such as removal of remaining gypsum and leachate handling operations among others. Based on this, the district administration has now allowed the firm to maintain the plant after five years.

Adani group withdraws from M&As, to focus on prepaying debt

Adani group withdraws from M&As, to focus on prepaying debt

Rediff.com   3 Jun 2023

On Thursday, Adani Enterprises announced that it will not go ahead with acquiring Macquarie group's two road companies at an enterprise valuation of Rs 3,100 crore.

Walmart boost: India's readymade garment exports limping to normalcy in May

Walmart boost: India's readymade garment exports limping to normalcy in May

Rediff.com   2 Jun 2023

After dipping by as much as 17 per cent in April, readymade garment (RMG) exports of all textile categories in India are showing signs of recovery in May. Exporters in Tiruppur are indicating a rise in rupee terms during the month, while it may take at least a month for volumes to be back in positive terrain. Among the global majors that are placing orders in the textile hub include Walmart, H&M (Hennes & Mauritz AB), Tommy Hilfiger and Target.

New flights based on flyer-handling capacity at security checks: BCAS

New flights based on flyer-handling capacity at security checks: BCAS

Rediff.com   30 May 2023

The addition of new flights at airports will now be based on passenger-handling capacity at security checkpoints, according to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The civil aviation security regulator issued directions in this regard on May 22 in a move to reduce congestion and delays inside airport terminals. Following this, airports will have to check passenger-handling capacity at security checkpoints before allotting slots.

As Go First seeks to plug exit, 200 pilots accept Air India's job offer

As Go First seeks to plug exit, 200 pilots accept Air India's job offer

Rediff.com   30 May 2023

Around 200 pilots of Go First, the cash-strapped airline that suspended operations on May 2, have joined Air India. As many as 75 of them started training with the Tata-owned airline on Monday. As Go First tries to salvage its operations, it has announced additional pay or retention allowance of Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 for captains and first officers, respectively, with effect from June 1.

Bernstein pegs RIL's stake in retail arm at $111 billion

Bernstein pegs RIL's stake in retail arm at $111 billion

Rediff.com   26 May 2023

Global investment management firm Bernstein has pegged the enterprise valuation of Reliance Industries (RIL)'s 85 per cent stake in Reliance Retail at $111 billion, while valuing the Mukesh Ambani-led company's 66.5 per cent stake in telecom and digital platform arm Reliance Jio at $88 billion. Reliance Industries had earlier planned to list both its subsidiaries to unlock value for its shareholders but hadn't fixed any timeline. The report said that Reliance Retail had raised $6 billion by diluting a 10.1 per cent stake, while Jio Platforms raised $20 billion from investors by selling 33 per cent in 2020.

Nirma, 3 private equity firms in race to buy Glenmark Life Sciences

Nirma, 3 private equity firms in race to buy Glenmark Life Sciences

Rediff.com   25 May 2023

Ahmedabad-based Nirma group and leading private equity firms have joined the race to acquire BSE-listed Glenmark Life Sciences. The acquisition by chemicals-to-cement major Nirma, if successful, would be a major boost for the health-care segment of the group, on the lines of its successful entry into the cement sector following its purchase of Lafarge India's assets for about Rs 9,400 crore in July 2016. It later followed up by buying Emami cement assets for Rs 5,500 crore in February 2020.