Dev Chatterjee, Ishita Ayan Dutt &Amp; Abhijit Lele

Stories by Dev Chatterjee, Ishita Ayan Dutt &Amp; Abhijit Lele

Economists sceptical about Sitharaman's Covid stimulus

Economists sceptical about Sitharaman's Covid stimulus

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2021

Direct economic stimulus measures such as tax cuts for individuals and industry would have helped to prop up the Indian economy which was hit hard by the lockdowns across several states in India, say economists and corporate leaders. While the measures announced on Monday are focussed more on the supply side, these steps would take a lot of time to move the needle for the economy.

How Bhaipo plans to make Trinamool a national player

How Bhaipo plans to make Trinamool a national player

Rediff.com   28 Jun 2021

33-year-old Abhishek Banerjee has emerged as the most visible and significant leader in the party after his pishi (aunt), Mamata Banerjee reports Ishita Ayan Dutt.

Adani group strikes first coal from its Carmichael mine in Australia

Adani group strikes first coal from its Carmichael mine in Australia

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2021

The Adani group struck first coal from its Carmichael, Australia project on Thursday and will start shipping to its customers according to schedule. With this, the project will not only lift the economic prospects of the hitherto barren Australian outback, but also help Indian power plants to source cheap coal. The project had faced protests from a section of population with several banks even refusing to fund it. The group, however, went ahead with the project which included construction of a brand new railway line connecting an Australian port to the mine -- situated 300 kilometers away in Queensland.

Despite its FMCG push, for D-Street ITC is still a tobacco play

Despite its FMCG push, for D-Street ITC is still a tobacco play

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2021

Most of the changes have come about in the last four years and ITC is now reaping the dividends - standalone revenues from the non-cigarettes FMCG business have grown 40 per cent from FY17 to Rs 14,728.21 crore in FY21 and pre-tax profits 30 times to Rs 823.69 crore. The business accounted for 30.58 per cent of gross revenues and 4.85 per cent of pre-tax profits in FY21. "In the last four years, our margins in FMCG have gone up by 640 basis points (bps) and EBITDA margins have been moving up consistently. "We created levers that enabled a sustained growth trajectory," said ITC chairman and managing director Sanjiv Puri. Puri took charge as the chief executive officer in 2017; in 2018, he was redesignated managing director and effective May 2019, he became chairman.

Covid impact: Million dollar M&A deals sealed on phone, Zoom calls

Covid impact: Million dollar M&A deals sealed on phone, Zoom calls

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2021

Some buyers are insisting on a clause in the agreement that the whole deal hinges on physical verification at a later date with some part of payment kept in escrow.

Is Darjeeling Tea Losing its Fizz?

Is Darjeeling Tea Losing its Fizz?

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2021

Scanty rainfall, last year's lockdown, growing competition from Nepal and the disaster of the 2017 Gorkhaland agitation are steadily weakening exports and sales of Darjeeling tea.

Why Alapan Bandyopadhyay matters in Mamata's Bengal

Why Alapan Bandyopadhyay matters in Mamata's Bengal

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2021

Those who know Alapan Bandyopadhyay describe him as measured, tactical and extremely focused on achieving what he sets out to do. To many it came as a surprise that he would cut short a meeting with the prime minister.

Hesitant at first, people rush to vaccination centres amid 2nd wave

Hesitant at first, people rush to vaccination centres amid 2nd wave

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2021

'Everyone wants to take a vaccine. The last time a camp was held, there were 1,000 people for 500 doses. People are waiting and returning disappointed. At times, it is creating problems. The demand is much more than the supply.' Ishita Ayan Dutt reports on how the West Bengal countryside is reacting to the vaccination drive.

Carlyle Group to acquire controlling stake in PNB Housing Finance

Carlyle Group to acquire controlling stake in PNB Housing Finance

Rediff.com   3 Jun 2021

Private equity firm Carlyle Group and associates will acquire a controlling stake of over 50 per cent in PNB Housing Finance by investing in the Rs 4,000 crore preferential issue of equity and warrants of the Delhi-based mortgage lender. After the proposed transactions, expected to be completed by January 1, 2022, Carlyle will also have the right to nominate the chairperson of PNB Housing Finance (PNB HF). This right will continue as long as it holds at least 40 per cent of the share capital on a fully diluted basis.

Covid-19 surge makes corporate India nervous about Q1

Covid-19 surge makes corporate India nervous about Q1

Rediff.com   13 May 2021

Since April, India has seen multiple strains of the coronanavirus sweep the nation, upending life and businesses alike. Out-of-home retail and discretionary categories such as durables, auto, fashion, lifestyle, hospitality, food services, travel, and tourism have been the worst-hit as Covid cases remain high, leaving state governments with no option but to curtail mobility and economic activity.

Centre-Bengal ties may hold key to investments

Centre-Bengal ties may hold key to investments

Rediff.com   6 May 2021

Though the mandate is seen largely an outcome of Banerjee's welfare schemes, she has promised to industrialise at a faster pace, or so read the manifesto.

IDBI Bank back in black in FY21 after five years

IDBI Bank back in black in FY21 after five years

Rediff.com   5 May 2021

The bank expects to grow loan book by 10 per cent in the current financial year with calibrated exposure to corporate accounts and thrust on the retail segment.

FinMin asks PSBs, insurers to postpone staff promotions

FinMin asks PSBs, insurers to postpone staff promotions

Rediff.com   4 May 2021

The finance ministry has asked public sector banks (PSBs) to postpone the annual exercise of promoting and transferring their staff in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The advisory issued by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) states that the promotion process has coincided with a spike in Covid-19 cases across the country along with localised lockdowns and an increase in micro-containment zones. As there are cases of bank employees or their family members being hospitalised due to Covid-19, bank, insurance companies and financial institutions must take cognizance of the issue, the advisory issued by DFS said.

Negative outlook list may get longer, Q1 biz to be hit

Negative outlook list may get longer, Q1 biz to be hit

Rediff.com   3 May 2021

At risk of entrenched rough times are sectors like hospitality and those with discretionary spends.

Modi's Covid mismanagement helped Mamata

Modi's Covid mismanagement helped Mamata

Rediff.com   3 May 2021

'The last three phases, the Trinamool gained more than expected due to Covid mismanagement by the Centre.'

Vaccinating 70% of 18-44 year olds to cost Rs 300 bn

Vaccinating 70% of 18-44 year olds to cost Rs 300 bn

Rediff.com   1 May 2021

UP Rs 50 billion, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal which may need close to Rs 25 billion for the massive task.

India Inc lends a hand amid shortage of oxygen

India Inc lends a hand amid shortage of oxygen

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2021

Over the weekend, many companies stepped in to ease the bottleneck in supply and transportation of oxygen, as demand ran high with the surge in cases.

South Africa's FirstRand Bank to exit India after 12 years

South Africa's FirstRand Bank to exit India after 12 years

Rediff.com   23 Apr 2021

The plan was to expand further, add more branches and also eventually become the third bank in India to start a wholly owned subsidiary after Singapore's DBS Bank and State Bank of Mauritius, but those plans never materialised due to lack of scale and rising non-performing assets in the country.

How Banks will Pester Customers to Pay

How Banks will Pester Customers to Pay

Rediff.com   23 Apr 2021

Although such alerts are not compulsory for the banks, this may become the norm now if payments are missed even for a day.