Ruchika Chitravanshi And Subhayan Chakraborty

Stories by Ruchika Chitravanshi And Subhayan Chakraborty

Can Airtel convert AGR dues into govt equity?

Can Airtel convert AGR dues into govt equity?

Rediff.com   15 May 2025

Bharti Airtel vice-chairman & managing director Gopal Vittal on Wednesday said while a call on exercising the option of converting pending spectrum dues into government equity would be taken by its board, the company had reached out to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to confirm whether it could do so. "On the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) conversion, it was simple.

Uncertainty could hit pvt sector capital formation: FinMin economic review

Uncertainty could hit pvt sector capital formation: FinMin economic review

Rediff.com   30 Apr 2025

The prospect of protracted uncertainties in the global economic landscape not only pose a risk for India's growth outlook in 2025-26, but are also likely to dent the private sector's capital raising and investment plans, the finance ministry averred on Tuesday, cautioning the country's corporates that the era of 'easy pickings' was over.

Gensol promoters likely to come under SFIO glare

Gensol promoters likely to come under SFIO glare

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2025

The government is considering initiating a probe by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) against Gensol Engineering and its promoters, according to sources familiar with the matter. "It is under consideration at this stage. A final decision will be taken soon," a government official said.

BSNL not keen on selling tower assets as 4G, 5G rollout looms ahead

BSNL not keen on selling tower assets as 4G, 5G rollout looms ahead

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2025

With a major network rollout on the cards, the government is not keen to change the pattern of tower monetisation for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), officials at the state-owned telecom-service provider said. The monetisation target in the telecom sector had to be revised owing to a change in BSNL's approach to mobile-phone tower monetisation, which had shifted from a sale-based model to a lease-based one.

Modi-Musk Talk: Will Starlink Get Go Ahead?

Modi-Musk Talk: Will Starlink Get Go Ahead?

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2025

Starlink's application for offering satcom services in India had been held up for the company's inability to comply with mandatory ownership disclosure norms.

Trump tariffs: With crude off the table, US nudges India towards LNG

Trump tariffs: With crude off the table, US nudges India towards LNG

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2025

With India making it clear that the US doesn't have enough spare capacity for crude oil, Washington, DC, now wants India to sign fixed-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts with American producers, multiple sources in the know said.

US slams India's telecom, electronics testing norms, standards

US slams India's telecom, electronics testing norms, standards

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2025

The US wants India to recognise internationally accredited labs, harmonise labelling requirements and the validity period of test reports and certification with global practices, and eliminate retesting requirements.

Trump Diktat Threatens Oil PSUs Dividends In Venezuela

Trump Diktat Threatens Oil PSUs Dividends In Venezuela

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2025

ONGC's overseas arm applied for a sanctions waiver to access $500 million dividend from two Venezuelan projects.

India's next big business op: Hub for undersea cables?

India's next big business op: Hub for undersea cables?

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2025

While India has become the largest data generating nation, and hosts more than 152 data centres, it is fed by only 18 undersea cables.

Upstream oil companies return to Andaman Sea, dig offshore wells

Upstream oil companies return to Andaman Sea, dig offshore wells

Rediff.com   29 Mar 2025

In a significant move, state-run oil producer Oil India Limited (OIL) has finished drilling its first well in the Andaman sea while Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has just started drilling operations in the area, said officials.

Geopolitics, mkt volatility pose growth risks: FinMin

Geopolitics, mkt volatility pose growth risks: FinMin

Rediff.com   27 Mar 2025

Geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainties, volatility in international commodity prices and financial market uncertainties pose considerable risks to India's economic growth in the coming year, the finance ministry cautioned on Wednesday. "Global trade continues to be affected by uncertainty in the policy environment... tariff-related developments in multiple countries have heightened trade-related risks, affecting investment and trade flows globally.

'We Are Not The Obstacle To Peace'

'We Are Not The Obstacle To Peace'

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2025

'We will never recognise any part of territories occupied by the Russians.'

Why Govt Is In No Hurry On Digital Competition Bill

Why Govt Is In No Hurry On Digital Competition Bill

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2025

'Indian players in the digital market should not be dominated by global players, and they should not dominate the smaller players -- these discussions are on.'

Rs 1 Trillion Welfare Funds Idle in States

Rs 1 Trillion Welfare Funds Idle in States

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2025

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Grameen has the highest unutilised amount (Rs 13,111 crore) compared to any other centrally sponsored scheme.

Govt may use reserve oil funds to finance fertiliser subsidy gap

Govt may use reserve oil funds to finance fertiliser subsidy gap

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2025

For the first time, the government is likely to dip into the Oil Industry Development Fund (OIDF) to finance part of its fertiliser subsidy programme for 2025-26, according to official sources. The finance ministry has accounted for Rs 23,000 crore in the FY26 Budget as net additional resources to be drawn from dedicated reserve funds, including the OIDF, the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Fund, and the Universal Service Obligation Fund.

Govt May Cut Small Savings Rates

Govt May Cut Small Savings Rates

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2025

The interest rate on these schemes have remained unchanged for over a year now.

Good times are ahead: Puri on natural gas availability

Good times are ahead: Puri on natural gas availability

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2025

Ongoing strategic investment into assets abroad, alongside gas purchases being made by India, will soon allow the country to access as much gas as it needs, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on the sidelines of India Energy Week (IEW 2025).

Strategic pacts reshape energy turf

Strategic pacts reshape energy turf

Rediff.com   13 Feb 2025

Leading oil companies dedicated the second day of India Energy Week (IEW) 2025 to announcing strategic deals and business agreements across the supply chain - from sourcing more crude oil supply to deploying more domestic ships and building gas distribution capacity.

Coming Soon! New Internship Scheme

Coming Soon! New Internship Scheme

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2025

'We are getting to understand the mind of this generation.' 'Minor tweaks are being made to ease the process as we go along.'

Trump Takes Centrestage At Energy Week 2025

Trump Takes Centrestage At Energy Week 2025

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2025

'Trump is good news for us. Energy poverty is real, and fossil fuels are the answer.'