Raghu Mohan, Ishita Ayan Dutt And Abhijit Lele

Stories by Raghu Mohan, Ishita Ayan Dutt And Abhijit Lele

'We focus on smaller ticket sizes loans'

'We focus on smaller ticket sizes loans'

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2024

'Banks may find small ticket size lending economically unviable due to the cost of branch operations.'

UK clears decks for 500 mn grant for Tata Steel's Port Talbot project

UK clears decks for 500 mn grant for Tata Steel's Port Talbot project

Rediff.com   12 Sep 2024

The Labour government in the UK has cleared the decks for a 500 million grant to Tata Steel, paving the way for decarbonisation of the company's British business and a sustainable financial future. In a statement, Tata Steel said that it has signed a 500 million Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) with the UK government, allowing it to "proceed at pace with the project to install a state-of-the-art electric arc furnace (EAF) at the Port Talbot steelworks in Wales". This is part of the 1.25 billion green steel project in Port Talbot, of which Tata Steel's investment is to the tune of 750 million.

After UPI and ULI, banks to set up Unified Recovery Interface

After UPI and ULI, banks to set up Unified Recovery Interface

Rediff.com   9 Sep 2024

Eying benefits from digital banking, lenders are now looking at building Unified Recovery Interface (URI) for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and getting good prices for properties of defaulters. This would be managed by PSB Alliance Ltd, a company set up by all public sector banks in the country. M V Rao, chairman, Indian Banks' Association (IBA), said: "Till now we had Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a product developed by National Payments Corporation Ltd (NPCI).

Protests Hit Retail Ahead of Durga Puja

Protests Hit Retail Ahead of Durga Puja

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2024

West Bengal is home to 43,000 Durga Pujas, and the business around it is a major economic driver.

After SC's ruling on mineral rights, CIL stares at 'hard hit' in Odisha

After SC's ruling on mineral rights, CIL stares at 'hard hit' in Odisha

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2024

State-owned mining giant, Coal India, is hoping to recover around 75-80 per cent of its liabilities from customers with whom it has long-term fuel supply agreements (FSAs) after the Supreme Court (SC) allowed states to recover dues retrospectively. A legal recourse, however, is underway. "We are impacted in two states - Jharkhand and Odisha.

'Idea behind SROs is not to make them more regulatory'

'Idea behind SROs is not to make them more regulatory'

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2024

'One of the aspects for transparency and fair governance is to give the industry being represented the chance of lobbying with the regulator.'

'Rates to remain elevated for bulk deposits'

'Rates to remain elevated for bulk deposits'

Rediff.com   21 Aug 2024

'In the case of corporate credit, especially to AAA borrowers, lenders will have to take a fresh look at pricing.'

'SC ruling cause of concern for mining industry'

'SC ruling cause of concern for mining industry'

Rediff.com   16 Aug 2024

'The biggest impact will be on coal and hence on power cost. Then comes iron ore, coking coal, bauxite.'

Results review: PSBs' net profit grows 16% to Rs 39,974 crore in Q1

Results review: PSBs' net profit grows 16% to Rs 39,974 crore in Q1

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2024

Public sector banks (PSBs) posted 16.1 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth in net profit at Rs 39,974 crore during the June 2024 quarter. While net interest income (NII) showed subdued growth of 7.1 per cent, provisions and contingencies declined by 10.5 per cent Y-o-Y. This aided the bottom line to show steady growth.

Big Steel Boys Pushing Future Mobiility Pedal

Big Steel Boys Pushing Future Mobiility Pedal

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2024

From setting up cutting-edge facilities to cater to the domestic market and building capabilities of global standards, the action is building up.

Private banks' bottom line remains healthy in Q1, bad loans inch up

Private banks' bottom line remains healthy in Q1, bad loans inch up

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2024

Private banks' net profit grew 26.3 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 48,982 crore in the first quarter ended June 2024 (Q1FY25) owing to healthy growth in credit and other income. The gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) increased with the end of dispensation granted during the pandemic, according to the data compiled by BS Research Bureau for listed 18 private banks.

Why RBI Flagged Small Loans As Risky

Why RBI Flagged Small Loans As Risky

Rediff.com   6 Aug 2024

In FY24, loans given out by such firms had topped a whopping Rs 146,517 crore, up by 49 per cent year-on-year and spread over 10.19 million accounts (up 35 per cent).

India Inc awaits demand uptick to go on capex spree

India Inc awaits demand uptick to go on capex spree

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2024

Chief executive officers (CEOs) across sectors have expressed intentions to expand capacities, expecting the government's target to invest a record Rs 11.11 trillion on infrastructure development will act as a catalyst for a jump in consumer demand. "With the government planning a capex of Rs 11.11 trillion, private sector investment will come in a big way. Companies will be preparing for it right from today," H M Bangur, chairman of Shree Cement, told Business Standard. For the past few years, the investment scene in India has been dominated by government capital expenditures; private investments in the manufacturing sector have remained muted.

Indian Biz Sees Hope After Bangladesh SC Order

Indian Biz Sees Hope After Bangladesh SC Order

Rediff.com   22 Jul 2024

'Bilateral trade has suffered seriously because of the growing unrest.' 'There is a standstill on both sides amid the curfew.'

Don't see change in UK strategy: Tata Steel chairman N Chandrasekaran

Don't see change in UK strategy: Tata Steel chairman N Chandrasekaran

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2024

There has been no change in Tata Steel's strategy on operations in the United Kingdom (UK), company chairman N Chandrasekaran has told shareholders. The statement comes amid growing concern about the restructuring plan in the face of change in government in the UK. Tata Steel's plan for the UK entailed a 1.25 billion investment plan agreed upon by the Conservative party-led government in September last year.

Tyger Capital to list by next year, targets Rs 20,000 crore book

Tyger Capital to list by next year, targets Rs 20,000 crore book

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2024

Bain Capital-backed Tyger Capital is planning to list its shares on the Indian stock exchanges by the next financial year and is targeting to grow its assets under management by four times to Rs 20,000 crore in five years from Rs 5,000 crore now, Gaurav Gupta, MD and CEO of the firm said. In an exclusive interview, Gupta said that keeping with the growing business, the finance company expects to on-board 600 people in the current financial year as it is opening 60-65 new branches for broad-basing its network in the country.

Result preview: Cost of deposits to weigh on banks' margins in Q1

Result preview: Cost of deposits to weigh on banks' margins in Q1

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2024

Despite steady loan growth, the banking sector is expected to report subdued margins in the quarter ending June 2024 (Q1FY25), driven by high demand for deposits amidst tight liquidity conditions. However, according to Bloomberg analysts, listed banks are forecasted to see a 14.5 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase in net profit. Estimates showed that banks' net interest income (NII), and revenues from interest minus interest expenses might grow 11.9 per cent Y-o-Y.

Labour Pains, The Silent Crisis Undermining India's Infrastructure Boom

Labour Pains, The Silent Crisis Undermining India's Infrastructure Boom

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2024

Severe skilled, unskilled shortage threatens to pull emergency brakes on India's industrial engine.

Fair trade, focus on manufacturing, infra on steel firms' Budget wish list

Fair trade, focus on manufacturing, infra on steel firms' Budget wish list

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2024

India's leading steel companies hope the Modi 3.0 Budget will continue the massive capital expenditure currently underway, focusing on infrastructure development, manufacturing, and fair trade. The infrastructure segment is the largest steel user, and the government's focus has fuelled steel consumption even as international markets have underperformed. According to provisional statistics, steel consumption grew 13.6 per cent in FY24, reaching 136 million tonnes (mt), according to a CRISIL report.

Tata Hitachi reaps rich harvest, from field to factory

Tata Hitachi reaps rich harvest, from field to factory

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2024

It was the summer of 2006 (May 18). Writers' Building, then the state secretariat, was buzzing with journalists. The event marked the start of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's second term as chief minister. And in style, it got off with West Bengal bagging the small car plant, Nano.