Sidhartha

Stories by Sidhartha

Insurance premium may not fall further

Insurance premium may not fall further

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2009

Indian reinsurer General Insurance Corporation has hardened its stance while negotiating reinsurance arrangements for the next financial year. During the first round of talks with non-life insurers, GIC said that it would pay at least 5 per cent lower commission on business that is reinsured with it. Further, it has sought a share in underwriting profits, which could be as high as 50 per cent, sources involved with the negotiations said.

IFCI recovers Maytas dues, ICICI Bank takes Rs 95-

IFCI recovers Maytas dues, ICICI Bank takes Rs 95-

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2009

In the coming days, other lenders are expected to initiate similar steps to recover their dues from the company, which is facing the prospects of a change of management. IFCI executives said that the company revoked the guarantee earlier this month to recover its dues amounting to Rs 95 crore from Maytas Infra.

IndusInd Bank may get new identity

IndusInd Bank may get new identity

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2009

In a few months, private sector lender IndusInd Bank may have a new identity. The move was in line with the repositioning exercise initiated by the new management team led by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Romesh Sobti.

L&T, ITC, Axis stakes may stay with SUUTI

L&T, ITC, Axis stakes may stay with SUUTI

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2009

Shares of ITC, Axis Bank and Larsen & Toubro are likely to stay with the Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India, which was to be wound up in June.Legal opinion received by the government suggests that SUUTI can exist as long as all investors in one of the schemes floated by the erstwhile Unit Trust of India have not redeemed their investment, sources close to the development said. The value of the shares of the three blue chips was estimated at over Rs 15,000 cr.

Bad debts of state-owned banks under check

Bad debts of state-owned banks under check

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2009

What's worrying for the public sector banks is the rise in delinquency in the housing portfolio, which does not include real estate. But a bank chief said that with low exposure to the real estate sector, the state-run banks have fewer worries. The other area of concern is credit cards but the operations of public sector banks in this segment are small compared with the likes of ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Citibank, the largest players in the business.

Low interest in Harshad Mehta's apartment auction

Low interest in Harshad Mehta's apartment auction

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2009

Less than half-a-dozen people have evinced interest in buying the eight apartments owned by the late Harshad Mehta and his family, partly due to a last-minute case filed by the stockbroker's mother, Rasila S Mehta.

Pranab-bank meet may lead to more rate cuts

Pranab-bank meet may lead to more rate cuts

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2009

In a possible precursor to further rate cuts, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's meeting with public sector bank chiefs on Monday will review their benchmark prime lending rates and interest rates on loans for automobiles, homes, small and medium enterprises and non-banking finance companies.

'Markets need to be stable for IDR issue'

'Markets need to be stable for IDR issue'

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2009

Standard Chartered CEO-Asia Jaspal Bindra spoke to Anirudh Laskar and Sidhartha about the bank's plans and his assessment of the situation.

'Big bull' Harshad Mehta's flats up for sale

'Big bull' Harshad Mehta's flats up for sale

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2009

Sixteen years after the stock market scam orchestrated by Harshad S Mehta, the custodian has put up eight apartments in a complex called Madhuli, which is occupied by his family in upscale Worli, for sale.

Delhi, Mumbai airports seek to double terror cover

Delhi, Mumbai airports seek to double terror cover

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2009

The move comes a month after three-day terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26 left at least 183 people dead and thousands wounded. A source close to the development told Business Standard that following 26/11, as the terror attacks came to be called, reinsurance rates have hardened in the global markets.

'Assured return products restrict investment'

'Assured return products restrict investment'

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2008

Paresh Parasnis, HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company's principal officer and executive director spoke to Shilpy Sinha & Sidhartha about the company's strategy.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.