Shobhana Subramanian &Amp; Sidhartha In Mumbai

Stories by Shobhana Subramanian &Amp; Sidhartha In Mumbai

'We'll ensure banks pass on benefits to borrowers'

'We'll ensure banks pass on benefits to borrowers'

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2008

With the Rs 7,000-crore (Rs 70 billion) refinance window, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will not face any fund crunch, says Sidbi Chairman and Manging Director R M Malla.

Terrorism: What India Inc must do

Terrorism: What India Inc must do

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2008

But industry needs to take up the issue at the highest level, business groups need to set aside their differences and work together, inconceivable as the idea may seem. It would be a pity if the corporate sector were to keep quiet this time.

Why Dabur needed Fem

Why Dabur needed Fem

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2008

Fem Care is a good addition to the portfolio because Dabur didn't have a presence in the skin care space. What Fem Care brings to the table is a strong product portfolio -- comprising bleaches, hair removing creams and liquid soaps -- which is complementary to Dabur's Gulabari skin-care range.

Dragged down by financial leveraging

Dragged down by financial leveraging

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2008

Obviously, with the larger corporations in a bit of a spot, ancillaries and vendors are feeling the pinch; others too are finding the going tough. Over the past five years financial leverage helped earnings; it will now work the other way, says Shobhana Subramanian.

Why she has total faith in ICICI Bank

Why she has total faith in ICICI Bank

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2008

Such is her faith in ICICI Bank, its joint MD continues to invest all her savings in the bank's stock and remains unfazed by the hammering it has taken.

RBI set to increase liquidity

RBI set to increase liquidity

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2008

In a move to boost liquidity, the government and the Reserve Bank of India are considering a special window to enable banks with farm loan relief scheme arrears, a major factor impacting liquidity, to raise funds. The move will help inject liquidity into the system till Parliament approves the Rs 25,000-crore reimbursement.

Will shareholders speak up, please?

Will shareholders speak up, please?

Rediff.com   10 Oct 2008

Even big public sector investors such as LIC that have very large stakes in companies haven't been known to voice their concerns. If institutions came together to air their grievances in public; that would put more pressure on managements to make more disclosures and do things the right way, says Shobhana Subramaniam.

A quizmaster and an entrepreneur

A quizmaster and an entrepreneur

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2008

One was a journalist, the other was trying to make a career out of theatre and quizzing. Siddhartha Basu and Anita Kaul Basu are entrepreneurs, who redefined television viewing in India.

Have India Inc's overseas buyouts worked?

Have India Inc's overseas buyouts worked?

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2008

Indian companies have done stunning acquisitions in the recent past. It was widely expected that with their frugal managerial practices, they would soon be able to recover the money spent in these acquisitions. While it has worked in several cases, in some cases it hasn't.

Tata Motors: Losing speed

Tata Motors: Losing speed

Rediff.com   24 Sep 2008

With the US economy in a downturn, it could be a while before the Jaguar and Land Rover business turns around. For the first half of 2008, JLR has posted losses of $383 million on sales of $ 7.07 billion, a disclosure that saw the Tata Motors stock fall 5 per cent on September 23.

Govt asks PFRDA to make pension scheme universal

Govt asks PFRDA to make pension scheme universal

Rediff.com   30 Aug 2008

The government has asked the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority to open the retirement scheme--which has so far been confined to central government employees--to the self-employed and those in the unorganised sector.

'Pension Bill: More players within 6 months'

'Pension Bill: More players within 6 months'

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2008

After years of waiting, finally there seems to be hope for the passage of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, thanks to the Left's withdrawal of support from the government. The passing of the Bill will provide statutory backing to the regulatory agency, enabling it to issue guidelines and allow non-government employees to save for the long-term. PFRDA Chairman D Swarup spoke to Business Standard about the issues involved.

How GAIL made profits

How GAIL made profits

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2008

The company, distributed lower volumes of petrochemicals but that was made up with price increases. It was the same for LPG where realisations improved by about 40 per cent on account of higher prices but volumes fell marginally.

No overseas exposure by pension funds

No overseas exposure by pension funds

Rediff.com   4 Aug 2008

The four Left parties may no longer be allies of the Congress party-led United Progressive Alliance, but their concerns on the pension Bill will still be addressed by the government.

Corporate India's sales are rising!

Corporate India's sales are rising!

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2008

A sample of 1,248 companies saw net sales rise a whopping 39 per cent in the quarter ended June 2008 over that a year ago, as compared to 28 per cent in the quarter ending March 2008 and 16 per cent for the quarter ending December 2007.

India to join anti-money laundering task force

India to join anti-money laundering task force

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2008

Membership to help domestic banks access developed markets.

Moody's also worried about fiscal

Moody's also worried about fiscal

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2008

A day after Fitch lowered India's local currency outlook to negative, international rating agency Moody's said it was also worried about the reversal of India's fiscal situation due to high oil prices and the lack of policy adjustment by the government. Moody's, however, said it was unlikely to change its investment grade rating to India's sovereign foreign currency rating or the domestic currency rating, which is below investment grade.

India Inc's next hunting ground

India Inc's next hunting ground

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2008

Last week, after months of scrutiny, the Forward Markets Commission, the regulator for futures trading in commodities, approved a proposal from state-owned MMTC Ltd and finance-to-real estate group Indiabulls to set up a national multi-commodity exchange.

Has Idea's time come?

Has Idea's time come?

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2008

A choppy beginning followed by flashes of good work. Strong pedigree, yet lagging behind peers. That could be actor Abhishek Bachchan or the mobile phone service he endorses, Idea Cellular. The analogy goes further. Just like Amitabh decided to step in and shore up his son's career, Idea's parent, AV Birla Group, has taken the cellular services provider by the scruff in a bid to make it one of the top three in the business.

Govt hurdle in ADAG power plans

Govt hurdle in ADAG power plans

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2008

Coal ministry says Sasan coal cannot be used for other plant.