Joe C Mathew &Amp; Siddharth Zarabi In New Delhi

Stories by Joe C Mathew &Amp; Siddharth Zarabi In New Delhi

Good news for govt staff, salaries to rise

Good news for govt staff, salaries to rise

Rediff.com   17 Oct 2007

The Sixth Pay Commission is likely to significantly raise basic salaries for an estimated 4.5 million central government employees. The recommendations are expected to be submitted in January, a few months ahead of schedule, and the award is likely to come into effect from January 2006.

Global bio-tech firms on India quest

Global bio-tech firms on India quest

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2007

Of the top-10 global biotech companies, the biggest two -- Amgen and Biogen -- have already set up wholly owned subsidiaries in the country.

New mobile licence: Who are in the lead?

New mobile licence: Who are in the lead?

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2007

Going by application dates, companies like Spice, Birla-promoted Idea Cellular, Reliance Communications (through Swan and Cheetah) and Hindustan Futuristic are in the lead for licences in different circles. The only new player in the list is the little-known ByCell.Several incumbents like Idea Cellular, Maxis-Aircell, owned by a Malaysian promoter, and Vodafone-Essar lead the list of applicants for initial spectrum allocation since they already hold licences.

Pitroda among telecom licence applicants

Pitroda among telecom licence applicants

Rediff.com   10 Oct 2007

The rush to enter the world's fastest-growing mobile services market has attracted a wide range of applicants for telecom licences with the Department of Telecommunications.

Private telecom players, govt on war path

Private telecom players, govt on war path

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2007

It was discovered that state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited was given additional spectrum of up to 10 MHz for GSM technology services in over 16 circles even as private competitors have been waiting to be allotted spectrum by the DoT.

BSNL gets spectrum, private telcos cry foul

BSNL gets spectrum, private telcos cry foul

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2007

Tensions between private telecom players and the government ratcheted up a notch after it was discovered that state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd was given additional spectrum of up to 10 MHz for GSM technology services in over 16 circles even as private competitors have been waiting to be allotted spectrum by the Department of Telecommunications since December 2006.

200 life-saving drugs to be cheaper

200 life-saving drugs to be cheaper

Rediff.com   25 Sep 2007

The medicines whose prices have been reduced belong to therapeutic categories, like dexametozone, betamethazone, ampicillin and ranitidine. The prices of some multi-vitamins and antibiotics would rise a bit.

WHO works on cheaper R&D for India

WHO works on cheaper R&D for India

Rediff.com   24 Sep 2007

The R&D plan, focused on diseases affecting poor nations, is expected to be ready by 2008 and may benefit Indian drug firms and contract research organisations in a big way.

Populist plans put <i>Aam aadmi</i> on centrestage

Populist plans put Aam aadmi on centrestage

Rediff.com   17 Sep 2007

Govt puts populist schemes on fast track.

More rural mobiles than fixed-line

More rural mobiles than fixed-line

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2007

It is not the urban centres alone that are powering India's phenomenal growth in mobile telephony. Data on rural telephony, compiled by the telecom regulator, shows people in villages are subscribing to mobile services in large numbers

Interview with TraI chief Nripendra Misra

Interview with TraI chief Nripendra Misra

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2007

The telecom regulator explains how he's hobbled by government policy and clarifies some parts of his latest recommendations.

Govt mulls relaxation in indirect FDI norms

Govt mulls relaxation in indirect FDI norms

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2007

Move to impact joint ventures in telecom, insurance, broadcasting.

Govt to net Rs 4,100 cr from divestment

Govt to net Rs 4,100 cr from divestment

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2007

The UPA government is likely to close this financial year with around a billion dollars (around Rs 4,100 crore) as receipts from divestment of minority shareholdings in four public sector undertakings.

Sterlite residual buy in HZL may be stalled

Sterlite residual buy in HZL may be stalled

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2007

Sterlite had acquired a 51 per cent stake in unlisted Balco as part of the government's strategic sale of its shareholding in March 2001 for Rs 551.50 crore (Rs 5.51 billion).

India no IPR pariah: US drug lobby report

India no IPR pariah: US drug lobby report

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2007

The PhRMA's observation is significant against the backdrop of Swiss pharma major Novartis AG's decision to relocate its R&D investments from India.

Govt cannot set price, supply of gas: ministry

Govt cannot set price, supply of gas: ministry

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2007

Petroleum ministry rejects conclusions of two reports ahead of EGoM.

Novartis drops AIDS drug plea

Novartis drops AIDS drug plea

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2007

The patent department made this declaration on August 16 after Novartis had failed to respond to its queries within the prescribed time.

Govt reduces MNCs' drug margins

Govt reduces MNCs' drug margins

Rediff.com   21 Aug 2007

The profit margins of multinational companies importing medicines into India have been hit with the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority starting strict scrutiny of price approval applications for imported products.

EU stipulation a hurdle for herbal exports

EU stipulation a hurdle for herbal exports

Rediff.com   21 Aug 2007

Indian exporters of ayurvedic drugs are finding it extremely difficult to tap this high-growth segment

Travel Guru sued for copyright breach

Travel Guru sued for copyright breach

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2007

According to a petition filed by Quadrant in the Delhi High Court, Travel Guru allegedly copied its software solution 'Final Quadrant SuiteCase'.