Nevin John &Amp; Kalpana Pathak In Mumbai

Stories by Nevin John &Amp; Kalpana Pathak In Mumbai

R-Com to buy back FCCBs

R-Com to buy back FCCBs

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2008

To be the first firm to take advantage of new RBI ruling.

Companies hedge on ATF to tackle price volatility

Companies hedge on ATF to tackle price volatility

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2008

In addition to that, an increasing number of airlines like SpiceJet, national carrier Air India and GoAir are either getting into hedging of aviation turbine fuel or increasing the quantum of ATF hedged on the MCX. Last month, state-run Indian Oil Corporation approached MCX to provide it with a platform to hedge its refinery margins and end products from crude oil.

RNRL refutes govt's stand on gas price

RNRL refutes govt's stand on gas price

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Natural Resources has filed an affidavit in the Bombay High Court in the case involving Reliance Industries, refuting the petroleum ministry's stand that the government-approved price of $4.2/million metric British thermal unit (mmBtu) is the selling price of gas.

Start-ups bail out IITians facing placement blues

Start-ups bail out IITians facing placement blues

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2008

On the back of a global meltdown, big-ticket firms may not be flocking at the premier Indian Institute of Technology campuses. IITians, however, have not lost all hope. Many are looking at start-ups for their first jobs.

Rel to downsize staff in jet fuel division

Rel to downsize staff in jet fuel division

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2008

In the termination letters, RIL mentioned that the business has been impacted by the slowdown and the company was not in a position to continue with their employment. Employees who would resign will get one month's salary as compensation. When contacted, an RIL spokesperson declined to comment on the development.

Hotel tariffs drop 20% after terror attacks

Hotel tariffs drop 20% after terror attacks

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2008

Hotel tariffs have dropped by as much as 20 per cent after last week's terrorist attacks on Mumbai that forced international tourists to cancel travel plans.

15% foreigners cancel trip: Tour operators

15% foreigners cancel trip: Tour operators

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2008

The trickle has begun and could turn into a flood. At least 15 per cent of overseas visitors have cancelled their tour plans to India following terrorist attacks on key locations in Mumbai, tour operators said. The attacks claimed nearly 200 lives and injured more than 300.

Power cos scout for Indonesian coal assets

Power cos scout for Indonesian coal assets

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2008

Leading power players Reliance Infrastructure and GMR Energy believe this will help ensure coal availability for their mega projects in the pipeline. "They have various proposals on their table, which are relatively cheaper when compared to the scene before the beginning of the financial crisis. However, the acquisitions will depend on the ability of the acquirers to raise funds as the banks have stopped lending at cheaper rates," said a source.

B-schools' development programme to take a hit

B-schools' development programme to take a hit

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2008

Revenues from management development programmes expected to slow during the next quarters. On an average, MDPs contribute around 35 per cent to the revenue stream for B-schools. With companies tightening their purse strings, B-schools could see a direct impact on their revenue stream. Companies have confirmed that they are cutting down spending on training programmes.

Society of Jesus applies for central univ status

Society of Jesus applies for central univ status

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2008

Consolidating on its 500-year-old legacy of providing quality education, The Society of Jesus (SJ) (popularly known as Jesuits) has applied for a Central University status with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

Mittal kin's Bulgarian steel unit faces closure

Mittal kin's Bulgarian steel unit faces closure

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2008

The steel plant will be closed down in 25 days unless an investor takes it over, operative executive director of the Bulgarian metallurgic enterprise Plamen Stoyanov told the Bulgarian media. Bulgaria's biggest steel plant has already shut down some of its production facilities, including two of its blast furnaces, and plans to stop operations completely by the end of this month.

RIL shuts five polyester units

RIL shuts five polyester units

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2008

The move, which comes in the backdrop of a global slowdown, aims to improve profit margin amid falling demand for polyester products worldwide. "The company has shut down plants for manufacturing polyester filament yarn, polyester staple fibre, paraxylene, purified terephthalic acid and linear alkyl benzene. However, it is yet to close down the second units of PSF and PFY," sources said.

Falling Re raises cost of studying in US

Falling Re raises cost of studying in US

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2008

UK, Australia numbers could pick up instead.

Travel industry pins hopes on new formats

Travel industry pins hopes on new formats

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2008

Travelport has decided to make holidaying an over-the-counter experience, where the customer can plan his travel. It will launch about 150-200 travel solution shops by tying up with malls, multiplexes and retail chains. Online travel company Cleartrip.com tied up with the Indian Railway and Catering and Tourism Corporation in September. SOTC plans to hold a six-day long Great Holiday Bazaar across all its outlets from November 3-8, with discounts between 4 and 20 per cent.

Anil Ambani plans to increase stake in R-Infra

Anil Ambani plans to increase stake in R-Infra

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2008

The promoter group companies controlled by Anil Ambani are expected to buy R-Infra shares from the open market. "The promoters want to control the majority stake in the company to ward off any hostile attack, when corporate rivalry heightens in the country. As the share price of R-Infra is cheaper around Rs 400, the promoters feel that the purchase of shares from the open market would be profitable, boosting the confidence of the shareholders in turn," said sources.

BPCL may sell 'purest' water

BPCL may sell 'purest' water

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2008

A refiner embarking on an alternative fuel strategy may end up selling bottled water to quench the thirst of millions.

B-schools woo companies for next summer

B-schools woo companies for next summer

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2008

Wary of the times ahead in the job market, business schools are working on a risk-minimisation strategy and looking at doubling the pool of companies on the campus for the summer placements scheduled in November this year.

5,000-Mw capacity lying idle due to gas shortage

5,000-Mw capacity lying idle due to gas shortage

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2008

State power boards incur fixed cost of Rs 3,500 crore (Rs 35 billion). About 5,000 Mw of gas-based electricity generation capacity, built at a cost of about Rs 20,000 crore (Rs 200 billion), is lying idle due to the shortage of gas in the country.

Slowdown plays spoilsport at B-school fests

Slowdown plays spoilsport at B-school fests

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2008

It's time for the famous B-school fests. But the zing is somewhat missing this time.

Bloggers trashing your company? Here's help

Bloggers trashing your company? Here's help

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2008

Apart from the embarrassment, these "crazy blogs" - as companies term them - force India Inc to spend crores of rupees to repair the damage.