Joe C Mathew &Amp; Ishita Russell In New Delhi

Stories by Joe C Mathew &Amp; Ishita Russell In New Delhi

Unitech shelves 2 IT parks

Unitech shelves 2 IT parks

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2009

At least 38 per cent, or 8.3 million square feet, of its projected commercial space of 21.4 million square feet in its six parks will thus remain indefinitely on hold. The rentals from all these parks were expected to generate revenues for its AIM-listed associate Unitech Corporate Park, which has invested pound 317 million to acquire majority stakes in all the six seed projects in return of leasing rights.

China Mobile plans India entry

China Mobile plans India entry

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2009

This is the first time the world's largest mobile operator in terms of the number of subscribers has expressed an interest in India. Chairman and CEO Wang Jianzhou declined to comment on whether they were already in talks with any Indian operator. He however said the approach would be cautious since the domestic market still presented huge potential for growth.

DLF may walk out of Delhi convention project

DLF may walk out of Delhi convention project

Rediff.com   31 Jan 2009

The move comes 18 months after the cash-strapped developer was allotted 35 acres by the Delhi Development Authority to build and maintain an international convention & exhibition centre, hotels and allied commercial facilities. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 6,000 crore (Rs 60 billion) and was expected to be completed in three years.

Affordable homes are back

Affordable homes are back

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2009

Ever since the government announced that state-owned banks will provide home loans up to Rs 20 lakhs (Rs 2 million) at not more than 9.25 per cent for the first five years, real estate developers have started working their prices around the Rs 20-lakhz (Rs 2-million) figure. Dozens of real estate developers have announced homes at below Rs 25 lakhs (Rs 2.5 million) in the National Capital Region of Delhi.

3G spectrum auctions may be delayed again

3G spectrum auctions may be delayed again

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2009

Auctions for spectrum for 3G or third-generation telecom services could be delayed from an already rescheduled date of January 30 after the Department of Telecommunications sought legal opinion on whether it should send the finance ministry's suggestion on doubling the reserve price back to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for its endorsement.

Property firms see buyers back in market

Property firms see buyers back in market

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2009

Property developers expect to boost sales of homes and borrow funds at lower rates after the Reserve Bank of India on Friday reduced its key benchmark rate and cut the cash-reserve ratio requirement in a bid to help banks lower interest rates and lend more to cash-starved sectors, including the real estate. They are hopeful of attracting more overseas investment in projects as demand revives.

Debt due till Dec 31 paid, claims DLF

Debt due till Dec 31 paid, claims DLF

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2009

DLF, India's biggest real estate developer, has repaid dues and may not need to approach lenders to take advantage of a central banks relaxed rule that allows banks to restructure cash-strapped real estate companies loans.

Roche to sell arthritis drug in India

Roche to sell arthritis drug in India

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2008

Roche expects to start selling Actemra by April 2009, company sources said. India will be the second country to launch the drug, Japan being the first. The Indian drug regulator Drug Controller General of India usually approves a new drug marketing application based on safety and efficacy data cleared by regulators in the US, EU and other developed countries.

Now, realtors plan low-cost flats for cash flows

Now, realtors plan low-cost flats for cash flows

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2008

After launching mid-income houses, real estate companies are now targeting low-priced homes in the sub-Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) category to improve cash flows and beat the slump in the property market that has been driven by high borrowing rates.

HC orders review of Roche's drug patent

HC orders review of Roche's drug patent

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2008

First time, an Indian court revisits a patent office order.

Communication systems makers bullish amid slump

Communication systems makers bullish amid slump

Rediff.com   1 Dec 2008

Unified communications providers (video and audio conferencing, IP-based telephony and web-based communications systems) see a silver lining in the dark clouds of the economic slowdown. With companies reducing travel expenditure, thanks to the slump, telecom companies offering such modes of communication are bullish over their business prospects.

'India has to work on its patent laws'

'India has to work on its patent laws'

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2008

Paul Herrling, global head of Novartis' corporate research, spoke to Business Standard about the changing concepts in R&D and Novartis' strategy.

Japanese pharma firm sets up Indian subsidiary

Japanese pharma firm sets up Indian subsidiary

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2008

While Daiichi Sankyo acquired a majority share in the country's biggest drug-maker Ranbaxy, Eisai and Astellas have chosen to set up wholly-owned subsidiaries to promote their patented medicines in the country. In a communication to the Nikkei Stock Exchange on November 18, Astellas said its subsidiary Astellas Pharma India in Mumbai was set up as a marketing arm to sell its immunology and urology medicines.

USFDA to set up office in India

USFDA to set up office in India

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2008

The US Department of Health and Human Services has decided to employ 10 full-time officials in Delhi -- a country director, four drug inspectors, two senior technical experts in medicines, two technical experts in medical devices and one from the food sector. 'The purpose of the appointment is to help develop food and medical product regulations and agencies improve product safety and conduct inspections in a more timely manner,' said Christopher Kelly, press officer, USFDA.

Novartis to shift 100 jobs to India

Novartis to shift 100 jobs to India

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2008

It plans to make Hyderabad as its back office hub for data management in clinical research and financial service segments. Novartis is putting infrastructure to put all these people in one place and the centre is expected to turn operational next year. It will be the back office for Novartis' pharmaceutical operations and will find many PhDs and post-graduates working there, said Jurgen Brokatzky-Geiger, head (human resources), Novartis.

Of Religare buy and mutual fund markets

Of Religare buy and mutual fund markets

Rediff.com   10 Nov 2008

It did come as a surprise when, last week, Religare Enterprises (promoted by the former promoters of Ranbaxy) decided to acquire a majority stake in the ailing Lotus India Asset Management Company. This is the first deal in India since the financial crisis caused the market to crash 23 per cent in October, and Lotus' assets under management from Rs 7,000 crore (Rs 70 billion) to about Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion).

Lower India price tag may help drug MNCs

Lower India price tag may help drug MNCs

Rediff.com   8 Nov 2008

A government committee that is looking into the possibility of pre-marketing price negotiation for patented medicines is likely to recommend a lenient view on such medicines, it is learnt. A government committee that is looking into the possibility of pre-marketing price negotiation for patented medicines is likely to recommend a lenient view on such medicines, it is learnt.

India working on GM herbs, says Greenpeace

India working on GM herbs, says Greenpeace

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2008

Even as the debate over safety and essentiality of genetically modified foods continues, Indian research institutes are trying to genetically modify some high-value medicinal herbs that are an integral part of ayurvedic medicine, a recent report of pro-environment group Greenpeace has said.

Preparation for 3G auction to start next week

Preparation for 3G auction to start next week

Rediff.com   17 Oct 2008

The telecom department has sent a letter of intent to NM Rothschild.

After Ranbaxy, US FDA turns the heat on Actavis

After Ranbaxy, US FDA turns the heat on Actavis

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2008

The US Congressional committee, which is inquiring into the country's Food and Drug Administration's handling of drug-marketing approvals of India's leading drug-maker Ranbaxy, has extended its probe into similar permissions given to Iceland's Actavis.