Somesh Jha &Amp; Abhijit Lele

Stories by Somesh Jha &Amp; Abhijit Lele

Banks likely to freeze accounts of shell firms

Banks likely to freeze accounts of shell firms

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2019

Government suspects that many of these bank accounts were used to launder money, especially after the demonetisation in November 2016.

Lenders cautious as Cox & Kings defaults on commercial paper of Rs 200 cr

Lenders cautious as Cox & Kings defaults on commercial paper of Rs 200 cr

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2019

Cox & Kings had a total debt of Rs 3,238 crore at end of FY19 and this included both short-term and long-term loans.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: How govt plans to tackle India's water woes

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: How govt plans to tackle India's water woes

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2019

The aim of the programme is to increase the water table in the stressed areas through dams, ponds, and afforestation. According to a NITI Aayog study, by 2030, the country's water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions of people and an eventual 6 per cent loss in the country's GDP.

Slow loan growth confirms India is not shining

Slow loan growth confirms India is not shining

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2019

While slowdown was prominent in vehicle loan segment, home loans growth improved to 18.7% in May 2019 from 15.5% a year ago.

DHFL promoters exit WGC Wealth to repay debts

DHFL promoters exit WGC Wealth to repay debts

Rediff.com   28 Jun 2019

Lenders to DHFL will meet early July to hammer out a rescue package, which will include the reworking of loan payments, fresh working capital support, roping in a financial investor, and the promoters ceding control.

Will Modi govt manage to push labour reforms this time?

Will Modi govt manage to push labour reforms this time?

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2019

After assuming power in 2014 with a full majority of its own, the BJP-led NDA government started an ambitious process of reforming labour laws in the form of codes aimed at making the framework less cumbersome with a variety of alterations. It had planned four codes each for industrial relations, wages, social security and welfare, and occupational safety, health and working conditions. To this end, 35 central labour laws were to be converted into four codes that would have had the virtue of streamlining labour relations. But none of the proposed code Bills could be converted into a law principally because neither trade unions nor industry representatives came on board. They hold the key to India's low-growth-high unemployment paradigm but the government may struggle to push them through this time as well. Somesh Jha explains why

HDFC to acquire Apollo Munich Health Insurance for Rs 1,347 crore

HDFC to acquire Apollo Munich Health Insurance for Rs 1,347 crore

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2019

The merged entity will have a combined market share of 6.4 per cent in the non-life insurance industry with 308 branches in the country. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and the entire process is expected to be completed in nine months.

Anil Ambani on why there's sharp fall in his group firm shares

Anil Ambani on why there's sharp fall in his group firm shares

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2019

He said unwarranted rumour-mongering, speculation, and bear hammering of all Reliance Group companies shares over the last few weeks had caused grave damage to all our stakeholders.

RBI's new stressed asset resolution is 'practical'

RBI's new stressed asset resolution is 'practical'

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2019

'If there is a technical issue and the borrowers can resolve it within 30 days, you don't have to go through the bankruptcy court.' 'If the borrower is expecting a large disbursal of a facility or expecting a payment or receivables, in such cases it becomes practical to give a window for taking care of such circumstances. 'If banks had aggregated the assets and benefited with a long relationship with borrowers and now when assets get into a trouble, it is incumbent on banks to find resolution and take responsibility.'

An insurance plan that will benefit both employers and employees

An insurance plan that will benefit both employers and employees

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2019

The scheme, which will be effective from July 1, 2019 would benefit 36 million employees and 1.28 million employers. The ESI Act applies to factories with 10 or more workers and provides for medical, cash, maternity, disability and dependent benefits to employees drawing a salary of up to Rs 21,000 per month.

On the govt's table: PSU general insurance consolidation

On the govt's table: PSU general insurance consolidation

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2019

'The plan is to secure nod of the Union Cabinet and other relevant regulatory approvals within the next three months,' a senior finance ministry official said, requesting anonymity.

Why RBI's risk draft has little to cheer NBFCs

Why RBI's risk draft has little to cheer NBFCs

Rediff.com   27 May 2019

An initial reading of the guidelines indicates two factors - potential rise in borrowing cost and lower returns on investment book - could hit the spread of NBFCs.

Things are simply getting worse for Anil Ambani

Things are simply getting worse for Anil Ambani

Rediff.com   8 May 2019

Debt-ridden Reliance Capital ready to cede control in home finance - Blackstone, Carlyle, Brookfield, and Piramal group are in talks to buy a large stake in Reliance Home Finance.

Bankers weigh all options to save Jet

Bankers weigh all options to save Jet

Rediff.com   3 May 2019

Indian bankers are fearful that going out of their way to save Jet could lead to subsequent harassment from investigative agencies.

'This time, it is about making Modi win'

'This time, it is about making Modi win'

Rediff.com   30 Apr 2019

'He has attacked our enemies in their own backyard.'

Why Indiabulls is ready to exit real estate business

Why Indiabulls is ready to exit real estate business

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2019

Chennai-based Lakshmi Vilas Bank is set to merge with Indiabulls Housing Finance in a share-swap deal, RBI may not be comfortable with a bank owner having realty business under its wings.

Why corporate credit may grow in next few quarters

Why corporate credit may grow in next few quarters

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2019

With average capacity utilisation now touching 76 per cent, Indian companies are going back to the drawing board to add capacity but the plans to build new factories and plants are still some months away.

Pay up, make peace: Promoters make one-time settlements with banks on loans

Pay up, make peace: Promoters make one-time settlements with banks on loans

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2019

Lenders say settlements will cross over 100 accounts in the March quarter.

SC order on RBI circular: How it will hit banks

SC order on RBI circular: How it will hit banks

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2019

Bankers said the SC verdict might prolong the resolution process and force lenders to bring back cases to the drawing board.

4 major debt resolution cases delayed further

4 major debt resolution cases delayed further

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2019

The delay will increase the provisioning burden on lenders and will also postpone the benefit of reversal of money set aside as provisions.