Ruchika Chitravanshi &Amp;Amp; Samie Modak

Stories by Ruchika Chitravanshi &Amp;Amp; Samie Modak

Ravneet Kaur: An IAS officer with varied experience

Ravneet Kaur: An IAS officer with varied experience

Rediff.com   17 May 2023

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has named Ravneet Kaur, a Punjab cadre IAS officer of 1988 batch, as chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Kaur will hold the post for five years or until attaining the age of 65. She is the second woman to serve in an 'economic regulator' role after Madhabi Puri Buch, who was appointed chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India last year and the first woman to head the country's chief national competition regulator.

Warring sibling promoters put Hikal's future at stake, says InGovern

Warring sibling promoters put Hikal's future at stake, says InGovern

Rediff.com   15 May 2023

The infighting between the two promoters of Hikal-Baba Kalyani and sister Sugandha Hiremath-has put the company's growth at stake, InGovern has said in a note. The corporate governance firm has called for a change in the management and an overhaul of its board to protect the interest of minority shareholders, who own almost a third of the specialty chemicals company. The Kalyani and Hiremath families are mired in a legal dispute, with the latter seeking transfer of ownership of shares held by the Kalyani group, citing nearly three-decade old family arrangement.

Crowdsourcing ideas: IBBI seeks public views on IBC regulations till date

Crowdsourcing ideas: IBBI seeks public views on IBC regulations till date

Rediff.com   13 May 2023

In what could result in a complete overhaul of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), the insolvency regulator has sought public comments on the regulations it notified under the code to date. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has given a window of eight months ending December 31 to all stakeholders to share their views on its regulations. IBBI has called the exercise "crowdsourcing of ideas".

Guidelines for NCLT to deal with bankruptcy cases in the works

Guidelines for NCLT to deal with bankruptcy cases in the works

Rediff.com   9 May 2023

The government is planning to draft rules for the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to deal with Insolvency and Bankruptcy (IBC) cases, according to official sources. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is also looking to fill all vacant posts at various NCLT Benches by August and put in place an IT-enabled system that would use artificial intelligence (AI) for case management. The NCLT, adjudicating authority for matters related to company affairs, was constituted before the IBC came into effect.

Small- and mid-cap shares raced ahead of large caps in April

Small- and mid-cap shares raced ahead of large caps in April

Rediff.com   8 May 2023

With markets getting back their mojo after four months, small- and mid-cap shares raced ahead of large caps in April. The Nifty Smallcap 100 index surged 7.5 per cent - its biggest monthly advance in 10 months - and outperformed the benchmark Nifty 50 index by 350 basis points. The Nifty Midcap 100 index soared 5.9 per cent, most since August.

IFSC relaxation may boost trade in foreign stocks at the GIFT City

IFSC relaxation may boost trade in foreign stocks at the GIFT City

Rediff.com   8 May 2023

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) decision on Wednesday to relax restrictions on banks operating in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) related to the repatriation of idle funds in foreign currency accounts (FCA) could give a fillip to trading in foreign stocks at the GIFT City.

Low exposure to Adani stocks tilts active vs passive debate

Low exposure to Adani stocks tilts active vs passive debate

Rediff.com   2 May 2023

Actively managed mutual fund (MF) schemes had been at the receiving end over the past few years for their inability to beat their benchmarks. However, the slump in shares of Adani Group companies - two of which are part of the benchmark National Stock Exchange Nifty50 index - have helped them improve their performance vis--vis exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or index funds.

Mutual fund investors show bias towards riskier small-cap-oriented schemes

Mutual fund investors show bias towards riskier small-cap-oriented schemes

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2023

Notwithstanding sharp volatility in March, mutual fund (MF) investors didn't fight shy of investing in riskier small-cap-oriented schemes. Inflows into small-cap funds were not just the highest in absolute terms, they were also the maximum as a proportion of assets under management (AUM) among all market capitalisation (m-cap)-oriented categories. Investors funnelled Rs 2,430 crore down small-cap funds - 1.8 per cent of their AUM of Rs 1.33 trillion.

NSE Indices tweaks methodology before RIL-Jio financial demerger

NSE Indices tweaks methodology before RIL-Jio financial demerger

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2023

NSE Indices on Wednesday changed the methodology for handling schemes of demerger involving index constituents. The index provider said a company undergoing demerger would now be retained in its indices. The move comes ahead of the proposed demerger of Reliance Industries' (RIL's) financial services arm. Under the rules prevailing thus far, RIL -- which has the highest weighting among the 50 Nifty components -- would have been required to be removed from the index, resulting in a churn by funds tracking the Nifty index.

MCA portal sees 20 times increase in number of authenticated users

MCA portal sees 20 times increase in number of authenticated users

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2023

A key feature of the new version is to identify the people transacting on its portal by linking each user ID with the person's permanent account number (PAN), followed by a two-factor authentication through mobiles and email IDs. Those who cannot complete the KYC requirements cannot use the portal.

Hikal ownership dispute puts Kalyani firms at odds

Hikal ownership dispute puts Kalyani firms at odds

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2023

Two listed firms belonging to the Baba Kalyani Group (BNK Group) have contested their inclusion as parties in a suit pertaining to family dispute over ownership of chemical firm Hikal. The co-promoters of the company - Kalyani and Hiremath families - are mired in a legal dispute, with the latter seeking transfer of ownership of shares held by the BNK Group, citing nearly three-decade old family arrangement. An affidavit filed in reply to Hiremath's suit petition in the Bombay high court, BF Investment (BFIL) and Kalyani Investment Company (KICL) have stated that they are separate and distinct legal entities and were not even incorporated and party to the 'family arrangement'.

NSE's strict-governance platform in limbo after tepid corporate response

NSE's strict-governance platform in limbo after tepid corporate response

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2023

The country's largest bourse National Stock Exchange (NSE) has put the NSE Prime initiative in cold storage following lukewarm response from India Inc, said people aware of the development. Inspired by Brazil's Novo Mercado, NSE had announced a separate platform which any listed company could be part of by voluntarily adopting a stricter corporate governance code. Launched in December 2021, NSE Prime was to formally take off within a year after empanelling companies.

After Tax Blow To Debt MFs, HNIs May Turn To AIFs

After Tax Blow To Debt MFs, HNIs May Turn To AIFs

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2023

'Given that debt AIFs, by nature, target a higher portfolio return, it is likely to attract investors like HNIs, family offices, etc, looking for a higher yield debt product.'

'Every crack will be used by the virus to spread'

'Every crack will be used by the virus to spread'

Rediff.com   7 Apr 2023

'Who are the people who are dying?' 'What is their profile?' 'We need to know these things.' 'We do not take health issues seriously.'

Will a fresh wave of Covid-19 hit India?

Will a fresh wave of Covid-19 hit India?

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2023

According to Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman, national Indian Medical Association Covid Task Force, the current scenario qualifies as a wave.

US banking turmoil: ADRs of Domestic Banks Impacted

US banking turmoil: ADRs of Domestic Banks Impacted

Rediff.com   28 Mar 2023

Analysts say domestic banks' dependence on local depositors insulates them from the crisis.

UBS buy gives Credit Suisse India employees a glimmer of hope

UBS buy gives Credit Suisse India employees a glimmer of hope

Rediff.com   28 Mar 2023

UBS stepping in to save Credit Suisse with a $3.2-billion acquisition has provided the beleaguered Swiss bank's India employees a glimmer of hope. The surprise deal - engineered by the Swiss government - has triggered optimism of fewer job losses at Credit Suisse's India unit and better synergies at key verticals, such as wealth management and investment banking. "UBS is a much stronger hand. Coming within its fold will give Credit Suisse's wealth management and investment banking divisions a good home.

COVID-19 Cases: No Reason For Alarm

COVID-19 Cases: No Reason For Alarm

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2023

'The fortunate part is that the severity is less. New strains are continuously forming and the virus is getting less severe.'

Equities outpace bonds in ultra-long marathon

Equities outpace bonds in ultra-long marathon

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2023

Equities are the go-to asset class as far as ultra-long-term returns are concerned. Over the past 123 years, global equities have provided an annualised real return of 5 per cent in US dollar terms, while bonds have delivered 1.7 per cent and short-term bills just 0.4 per cent, according to Credit Suisse's Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2023. In collaboration with the London Business School, Credit Suisse has analysed over 100 years of returns for key asset classes in 35 countries.

Mega Push For Modi's Jal Jeevan Mission

Mega Push For Modi's Jal Jeevan Mission

Rediff.com   4 Mar 2023

'The first two years of the Jal Jeevan Mission were wasted in UP.' 'But after a push from the Centre, work has picked up pace in the state.'