Shine Jacob And Nirmalya Behera

Stories by Shine Jacob And Nirmalya Behera

Vande Bharat Express: Love at first sight

Vande Bharat Express: Love at first sight

Rediff.com   12 Mar 2019

The train has a lot to offer to its passengers: Silent run, fully-sealed gangway connecting two coaches, GPS-based passenger information system, modular bio-vacuum and disabled-friendly toilets, intelligent air conditioning that adjusts cooling according to the climate and closed-circuit television for safety.

Will HPCL, too, get the coveted Maharatna status?

Will HPCL, too, get the coveted Maharatna status?

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2019

If cleared, the ONGC arm will become the first subsidiary company of an existing Maharatna to get into this superior league among government-owned entities.

World's largest greenfield refinery may finally see the daylight

World's largest greenfield refinery may finally see the daylight

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2019

Estimated to cost $44 billion, the project was expected to be commissioned by 2025.

What is the controversy over Vande Bharat all about?

What is the controversy over Vande Bharat all about?

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2019

The Railway Board and employees at Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, makers of the train, are at loggerheads over the proposed transfer of design and reassigning the manufacturing of Train 18 to Modern Coach Factory in Raebareli.

Industries, airports near border on alert for war-like emergency

Industries, airports near border on alert for war-like emergency

Rediff.com   27 Feb 2019

State governments in Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir are on high alert and have come up with contingency plans to ensure the security of residents in case of a war.

Why US FDA is cracking down on India's shrimp shipments

Why US FDA is cracking down on India's shrimp shipments

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2019

US, the largest market for Indian shrimp exporters, is peeved over the use of banned antibiotics.

How Vijayan came to be known as 'firm leader'

How Vijayan came to be known as 'firm leader'

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2019

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has graduated from being a stalwart of the CPM to a 'strong' mass leader and arguably the 'most able administrator' that the state has seen in over three decades, reports Shine Jacob.

Oil PSUs may be allowed by Modi govt to bring in private players

Oil PSUs may be allowed by Modi govt to bring in private players

Rediff.com   18 Jan 2019

The government was planning to come up with a new fiscal model giving 'special incentives' for fields that were given out on nomination to ONGC and Oil India, reports Shine Jacob.

Despite likely budgetary cut, railways eyes biggest ever capex of Rs 1.7 tn

Despite likely budgetary cut, railways eyes biggest ever capex of Rs 1.7 tn

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2019

The Centre is likely to cut budgetary support to the railways by around Rs 5,000-10,000 crore for 2018-19, out of the total budgeted GBS of Rs 53,060 crore. Due to this cut in GBS, the railways is likely to depend more on borrowings, asset monetisation, and internal generation to meet the capex target of Rs 1.465 trillion for the current year.

Petrol, diesel prices likely to go up again

Petrol, diesel prices likely to go up again

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2018

CARE Ratings, in a report, said it foresees an increase in the retail prices of petrol and diesel in the coming few days, depending on how the oil markets react in the reduction in supply from the cartel.

Railways to try out new signalling system

Railways to try out new signalling system

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2018

Electronic devices installed along tracks provide train signals to a computer fitted in the locomotive. If a driver goes over the designated speed, a dashboard in front of him gives a red alert sign at first. Even after this, if the train continues its journey, the train's brake is automatically applied.

Railways to foray into education, convert hospitals to colleges

Railways to foray into education, convert hospitals to colleges

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2018

Railway hospitals will offer postgraduate courses for medical students.

Why is Iran crude so important for India?

Why is Iran crude so important for India?

Rediff.com   14 Nov 2018

One of the major advantages of buying Iran crude is the additional credit period of 90 days that the country gives to India, compared to 30 days by other countries.

Why it's not going to be a smooth ride for private oil retailers

Why it's not going to be a smooth ride for private oil retailers

Rediff.com   9 Nov 2018

As fuel prices surged in September, the government's decision to ask companies to cut price by Rs1 each on a litre of petrol and diesel came as a dampner for private players.

Indian Railways to get special track for high-speed trials

Indian Railways to get special track for high-speed trials

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2018

As the national transporter is planning to come out with semi-high speed routes where trains can clock an average speed of 160-200 kmph, dedicated testing becomes essential.

330,000 govt jobs up for grabs!

330,000 govt jobs up for grabs!

Rediff.com   6 Nov 2018

The railways, the country's largest employer, will be hiring 127,000 people in 2018-2019, for which 23.7 million are competing.

Sabarimala gives BJP a foot in Kerala's door

Sabarimala gives BJP a foot in Kerala's door

Rediff.com   30 Oct 2018

The saffron party will use Lord Ayyappa the same way it made use of Lord Ram in the north to take away the Nair vote and make electoral inroads in the state.

Private players may now enter India's fuel retailing space

Private players may now enter India's fuel retailing space

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2018

At present, India has 56,999 fuel outlets. Of those, only 6,276 are owned by private companies

Oil import bill for FY19 seen rising 42%

Oil import bill for FY19 seen rising 42%

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2018

The benchmark Indian crude oil basket is now estimated to average $77.88 a barrel for FY19, compared to the government's earlier estimate of $65 a barrel for the year and $56.39 for FY18

Oil subsidy bill is nearly twice the year's budgeted estimate - with 6 months to go

Oil subsidy bill is nearly twice the year's budgeted estimate - with 6 months to go

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2018

Senior policymakers say it is a tough task and the finance ministry may resort to the time-tested method of carrying forward part of the subsidy payment burden to the next fiscal year.