Ranju Sarkar &Amp; Abhijit Lele

Stories by Ranju Sarkar &Amp; Abhijit Lele

Public sector banks on recruitment overdrive

Public sector banks on recruitment overdrive

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2009

Balachandran M, Director of the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, has little time to catch his breath. He and his team have been supervising recruitment of nearly 100 public sector bank employees every day.

Valuation concerns slow down QIPs

Valuation concerns slow down QIPs

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2009

More than 50 companies had rushed to make qualified institutional placements after real estate firms like Unitech and Indiabulls raised money through this route. Now it appears that only some of these companies may be able to raise equity through this route, on rising concerns over valuations and over-supply.

Wal-Mart's secret of success amid slump

Wal-Mart's secret of success amid slump

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2009

The annual shareholders' meet resembled a rock concert in an indoor stadium with associates cheering like crazy fans.

Banks rework CDR terms

Banks rework CDR terms

Rediff.com   29 May 2009

The clauses on corporate debt restructuring (CDR) are being reworked in view of the huge foreign exchange exposure of several companies, which have already opted for restructuring debt or are on their way to seeking approval for one.

With better equity outlook, firms

With better equity outlook, firms

Rediff.com   21 May 2009

Sources now believe that the next few months can see more companies raising money through qualified institutional placements and private equity. The success of the Unitech and DLF block deals have encouraged other companies to jump onto the bandwagon.

Canara Bank puts NPA sale on hold

Canara Bank puts NPA sale on hold

Rediff.com   15 May 2009

Canara Bank has put on hold its plan to sell non-performing assets with realisation value of around Rs 250 crore (Rs 2.5 billion) after lukewarm response from asset reconstruction companies (ARCs).

Bank staff may have to bear 25% pension cost

Bank staff may have to bear 25% pension cost

Rediff.com   13 May 2009

As part of wage settlement, new recruits will be asked to shift to the New Pension Scheme.

ICICI Bank scales down operations in US, Sri Lanka

ICICI Bank scales down operations in US, Sri Lanka

Rediff.com   7 May 2009

ICICI Bank, the country's largest private sector bank, has scaled down its overseas operations, especially in the United States and Sri Lanka. It has also recalled some employees from its international offices now that the businesses of fund-raising and merger and acquisitions have shrunk.

Working capital loans still pinch cos

Working capital loans still pinch cos

Rediff.com   6 May 2009

The Reserve Bank of India has cut the repo rate (at which it lends to the banks) by 525 basis points to 4.75 per cent from the pre-credit crunch level. Yet, companies continue to borrow much of their working capital at 12.25 per cent, which is State Bank of India's prime lending rate and a sort of benchmark. Nearly three-fourths of all working capital loans like cash credit and overdraft are lent at bank's prevailing PLR.

Parle-G, the price warrior

Parle-G, the price warrior

Rediff.com   4 May 2009

Parle-G enjoys close to 70% market share in the glucose biscuit segment and has held its price line for 25 years now. Ranju Sarkar explains how.

Confusion reigns over Sebi's peer review mandate

Confusion reigns over Sebi's peer review mandate

Rediff.com   4 May 2009

The compulsory peer reviews of auditors' notes for Sensex and Nifty companies for Q3 results of the last fiscal and full-year results of 2007-08 have proved a virtual non-starter, owing to confusion over its scope and the appointment of auditors.

Why independent directors are quitting in droves

Why independent directors are quitting in droves

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2009

More than 500 independent directors have resigned since January 1 this year.

RBI checks for surrogate holding in banks

RBI checks for surrogate holding in banks

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2009

Failed attempt to acquire stake in Kolhapur-based bank seen as trigger.

India prepares for shift to gas-based economy

India prepares for shift to gas-based economy

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2009

In a few years, households receiving piped gas at home can use a fuel cell unit to produce power and heat, which can also be used to chill homes during summer.

More companies opt for CDR

More companies opt for CDR

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2009

While the level of non-performing assets for banks is on the rise, despite the Reserve Bank of India's push for debt restructuring, cases referred to the corporate debt restructuring cell increased to 34 at the end of March 2009, as against 10 at the end of 2007-08. CDR, which was set up in 2002-03, is a mechanism for faster disposal of restructuring cases involving multiple lenders, though foreign banks are yet to join the platform.

Tata Motors nets Rs 15 cr on 5,00,000 Nano forms

Tata Motors nets Rs 15 cr on 5,00,000 Nano forms

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2009

Within 15 days of opening the registration process for Nano, its Rs 1 lakh car, Tata Motors has sold nearly 5,00,000 application forms, raking in Rs 15 crore (at Rs 300 each). Distributors associated with the Nano bookings said most of the forms were likely to translate into bookings.

SC tax reprieve to firms on forex losses

SC tax reprieve to firms on forex losses

Rediff.com   9 Apr 2009

The SC's dismissal of the Income-Tax department's plea that companies cannot claim deductions against tax liabilities on account of losses due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations legitimises the way companies were accounting for these forex losses.

Sub-BPLR loans make a comeback

Sub-BPLR loans make a comeback

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2009

Loans at a discount to the benchmark prime lending rates of banks are back with a majority of the fresh loans being disbursed at sub-PLR rates.

Auto financiers may loosen fists

Auto financiers may loosen fists

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2009

Auto financiers, which had tightened lending norms in the face of rising defaults last year, may loosen their fists in the wake of the Calcutta high court's order of Wednesday, reaffirming the lender's right to seize vehicles if customers stop repaying loans.

Short-term rates headed below 10%

Short-term rates headed below 10%

Rediff.com   18 Mar 2009

With interest rates softening, banks are slowly re-pricing the cost of short-term credit extended to the corporate sector.