Somesh Jha And Arindam Majumder

Stories by Somesh Jha And Arindam Majumder

Govt wants Rs 10,000 cr interim dividend from RBI to bridge fiscal gap

Govt wants Rs 10,000 cr interim dividend from RBI to bridge fiscal gap

Rediff.com   31 Jan 2020

This demand comes at a time when the government is falling short of its revenue targets due to dwindling tax and low disinvestment receipts. It could account for the dividend in the upcoming Union Budget on February 1. RBI is, however, yet to take a final call on the government's demand and might decide on this at its central board meeting scheduled for February 15 in New Delhi.

Kamra ban: 'Minister created pressure on airlines'

Kamra ban: 'Minister created pressure on airlines'

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2020

The move by four airlines -- IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet and GoAir -- to suspend the stand-up comedian raises fears that the government can use the no-fly list to settle political scores, undermine the freedom of citizens.

Air travel will cost more in India. Here's why

Air travel will cost more in India. Here's why

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2020

A loss of revenue from liquor sales will have to be compensated through increased landing and parking charges on airlines, which, in turn, will pass on the cost to flyers.

RBI plans to put weak private lenders under the hammer

RBI plans to put weak private lenders under the hammer

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2020

The banking regulator is seeking an early exit mechanism for private banks under Prompt Corrective Action.

Did Asian Paints use strong-arm tactics to bar JSW from entering the markets?

Did Asian Paints use strong-arm tactics to bar JSW from entering the markets?

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2020

JSW had moved competition watchdog alleging Asian Paints threatened various dealers from dealing with the company.

Govt gives tax breather to airlines

Govt gives tax breather to airlines

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2020

Airports levy charges such as FTC, infrastructure charge, and into-plane charges on sale of jet fuel. The levy is passed through to airlines, pushing up costs.

JNU fallout: Professor quits statistics panel

JNU fallout: Professor quits statistics panel

Rediff.com   7 Jan 2020

C P Chandrasekhar, who has served on key statistical panels in the past both as a chairman and member, said he was present in the campus when the ruckus broke out on Sunday and found the incident "disturbing" and "unprecedented", and that it further undermined the faith in the system. Somesh Jha reports.

FinMin counters RBI, says stress in banking sector declining

FinMin counters RBI, says stress in banking sector declining

Rediff.com   29 Dec 2019

The net NPA ratio declined to 3.7 per cent in September 2019 from just below 4 per cent in March 2019, reflecting increased provisioning.

CBI told to use director identification number in notices to bankers

CBI told to use director identification number in notices to bankers

Rediff.com   29 Dec 2019

This, said Sitharaman, would remove the possibility of unauthorised communication "and consequent harassment", which was a cause of concern for bankers.

Indian firms skip Auto Expo

Indian firms skip Auto Expo

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2019

Hero MotoCorp, Honda Motorcycles, Scooters India, TVS, Honda India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Ford, Nissan, Ashok Leyland are all giving the Auto Expo a miss this time.

At 11.2%, Nov's air traffic growth fastest this year

At 11.2%, Nov's air traffic growth fastest this year

Rediff.com   13 Dec 2019

About 1.2 crore passengers flew in November compared to 1.1 crore in October. While the industry opinion is divided over the sustainability of unprofitable growth, which is primarily led by low fare, some described it as the resilience of air travel against the economic slump.

State-run banks come to the rescue of MSMEs

State-run banks come to the rescue of MSMEs

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2019

Banks will also consider requests from MSMEs for restructuring their stressed standard assets. So far, only 25 per cent of the around 1 million eligible MSMEs have taken benefit of the RBI's special dispensation.

Gig economy workers may now get insurance cover under ESIC scheme

Gig economy workers may now get insurance cover under ESIC scheme

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2019

Gig workers are usually spoken of in the context of the sharing economy, like Uber, Ola drivers, delivery persons for Zomato and Swiggy and so on. This is the first time such workers will be covered under India's social security law.

Cars to get pricier in 2020

Cars to get pricier in 2020

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2019

Primary steel producers in the domestic market have raised product prices by 2.5 to 3 per cent for December to address margin compression and in anticipation of a demand pick-up.

Oyo brass Aditya Ghosh joins board, Rohit Kapoor becomes CEO

Oyo brass Aditya Ghosh joins board, Rohit Kapoor becomes CEO

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2019

Oyo has recently undergone large-scale corporate restructuring, setting up several subsidiaries and bifurcating operations globally.

Only 61% homes used LPG as of Dec 2018

Only 61% homes used LPG as of Dec 2018

Rediff.com   26 Nov 2019

Only 48.3 per cent of the rural households used LPG, while the figures were much higher in urban areas at 86.6 per cent, according to a NSO report.

Govt releases 5 survey reports but holds back study it junked

Govt releases 5 survey reports but holds back study it junked

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2019

The government's decision to release the reports comes two days after over 200 scholars from across the globe issued a statement demanding release of all withheld reports produced by the NSO, including the household consumer expenditure survey that was junked.

Consumer spend falls for the first time in over 40 years

Consumer spend falls for the first time in over 40 years

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2019

Experts said a dip in consumption expenditure indicated an increasing prevalence of poverty in the country.

This Bill will decide how India Inc hires and fires

This Bill will decide how India Inc hires and fires

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2019

Sitharaman said the Bill has proposed giving a legal framework for fixed-term employment through which contract workers serving a fixed-tenure will get equal statutory social security benefits as regular workers in the same unit.

Festive-season discounts bring respite to auto dealers

Festive-season discounts bring respite to auto dealers

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2019

Retail sales of passenger vehicles - the largest component of the pie - jumped 11 per cent year-on-year in October to 248,036 units, largely because of discounts offered during Navratri and Diwali.