Subrata Panda And Shally Seth Mohile

Stories by Subrata Panda And Shally Seth Mohile

How RBI's bar on Mastercard impacts Indian banks

How RBI's bar on Mastercard impacts Indian banks

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2021

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) move to ban Mastercard from issuing new cards for not complying with the local data storage guidelines may hit five private banks, a non-bank lender, and a major card-issuing company. The impact is expected to be felt for a few months as these players transition to other card networks. According to Nomura Research, RBL Bank, YES Bank, and Bajaj Finserv are the ones most impacted by the ban as all their credit card schemes are allied to Mastercard. Among others, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank and ICICI Bank have 35-40 per cent of their credit card schemes tied to Mastercard, the report said.

20-25% of Hotels may Close Down Forever

20-25% of Hotels may Close Down Forever

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2021

'On an average we have been getting four to five such proposals a month, but we aren't pursuing them as they don't tick the boxes.'

Chip shortage throws a spanner in JLR's plans

Chip shortage throws a spanner in JLR's plans

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2021

Tata Motors has halved the volume outlook for its UK subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover Automotive (JLR) and warned of lower earnings as it sees the semiconductor shortage deepening in the September quarter of the current financial year, according to a notification issued by the company to the stock exchanges on Tuesday. The announcement caught investors unawares. They were hoping for a quicker recovery. Tata Motors' stock tanked 13 per cent (on July 6) from the day's high of Rs 358.10 and hit the lower circuit (Rs 311.45) in intra-day trades.

Gourmet meals on wheels, 5-stars' latest success mantra

Gourmet meals on wheels, 5-stars' latest success mantra

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2021

Since home-delivered meals from five-stars are cheaper by 15 to 20 per cent as compared to eating at the destination outside, food delivery has emerged as an important part of every restaurant's service portfolio.

Digital payment transactions recover; UPI hits record high

Digital payment transactions recover; UPI hits record high

Rediff.com   2 Jul 2021

Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the flagship payments platform of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), touched a record high both in terms of volume and value of transactions in June after a slump in April and May. The platform recorded 2.8 billion transactions worth Rs 5.47 trillion in June, up 10.6 per cent in volume terms and 11.56 per cent in value terms over May. This is in sync with the opening up of the economy as Covid cases gradually came down from its peak in mid-May and lockdowns were eased in various places.

HDFC Bank plans mega infra revamp to tackle outages

HDFC Bank plans mega infra revamp to tackle outages

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2021

After facing multiple outages that irked the regulator, the country's largest private sector lender, HDFC Bank, is revamping its technology infrastructure by making large scale investments, wherein it is bringing new talent, getting into cloud-native stacks, a shift from the traditional monolithic IT infrastructures, and working with strategic partners for better products and services. The bank management is clear that it will do whatever it takes in line with its growth path to ramp up its technology infrastructure.

'Covid-related death claims are a concern'

'Covid-related death claims are a concern'

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2021

'The overall death claims have gone up.'

Three-row SUVs are the latest draw for auto firms

Three-row SUVs are the latest draw for auto firms

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2021

Close to half a dozen more three-row premium mid-size models are expected to hit the road over the next two years.

Vedanta arm is paying almost nothing for Videocon group: NCLT

Vedanta arm is paying almost nothing for Videocon group: NCLT

Rediff.com   16 Jun 2021

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the resolution plan of Twin Star Technologies -- a promoter entity of the Vedanta Resources group -- for the Videocon group. But it has pointed out that the successful resolution applicant is "paying almost nothing" as the amount offered is only 4.15 per cent of total outstanding claim. It noted the hair cut for all the creditors is 95.85 per cent and suggested to both committee of creditors (CoC) and the successful applicant an increase in the payout.

3rd Wave Fears: India Inc trims FY22 growth outlook

3rd Wave Fears: India Inc trims FY22 growth outlook

Rediff.com   16 Jun 2021

'While most companies were bullish before the second wave of double-digit sales growth in FY22, that may not be the case now.'

Dad steps down, Jayadev Galla helms Amara Raja

Dad steps down, Jayadev Galla helms Amara Raja

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2021

'I have personally been very keen on investing in lithium ion battery technology for some time.'

Another proof that 2nd Covid wave is creating havoc

Another proof that 2nd Covid wave is creating havoc

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2021

Auto-debit payment bounces have gone up for the second consecutive month in May, emphasising the stress building up due to a halt in economic activities as authorities lock down various parts of the country to stop the spread of the virus in the second wave. According to the National Automated Clearing House (NACH) data, in May, of the 85.7 million transactions initiated, 35.91 per cent, or 30.8 million transactions, failed.

As states unlock, auto sales may take the fast lane in 2 months

As states unlock, auto sales may take the fast lane in 2 months

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2021

Auto sales, particularly of two-wheelers, may not bounce back immediately and may take another two months to come back on track even as car bookings have started seeing an initial uptick. Various states started Unlock 2.0 on Monday, following a fall in the number of Covid-19 cases. Auto sales were hit in May following the impact of Covid-led lockdowns.

Piramal Group's resolution plan for beleaguered DHFL gets NCLT nod

Piramal Group's resolution plan for beleaguered DHFL gets NCLT nod

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2021

The Mumbai Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Monday approved Piramal Group's resolution plan for the beleaguered Dewan Housing Finance Ltd (DHFL), which has been reeling from the insolvency process since 2019. The plan put forward by Piramal Group, which has offered to pay Rs 37,250 crore, has been approved by the committee of creditors (CoC), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

How PSBs plan to restructure loans of up to Rs 25 cr

How PSBs plan to restructure loans of up to Rs 25 cr

Rediff.com   31 May 2021

Public sector banks, including the country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI), have come out with a templated approach for restructuring retail and small business loans of up to Rs 25 crore under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Covid restructuring package 2.0. They have also come out with standardised products to make funds available to business entities for improving healthcare infrastructure and to individuals for meeting Covid treatment expenses. Business loans have been divided into three categories.

Five-star hotels line up special menus to beat Covid blues

Five-star hotels line up special menus to beat Covid blues

Rediff.com   20 May 2021

In 2020, after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, several five-star hotel chains commenced home delivery of food as a lot of people preferred to stay indoors. A year later, as the Covid situation worsens, such hotels are going the extra mile to cater for the gastronomical needs of their customers. With health, nutrition, and immunity occupying the mind spaces, these hotels are crafting menus that are not only high on health quotient, but also have food capable of improving the mood. The move, they hope, would help them get more customers as prices are also competitive.

Covid-19: India's auto component makers brace for a bumpy ride ahead

Covid-19: India's auto component makers brace for a bumpy ride ahead

Rediff.com   17 May 2021

Auto component makers in India are bracing for a tough time. High absenteeism among workers owing to Covid-19, shortages of critical parts, and temporary closures of plants by automobile manufacturers have thrown a spanner in the works for the Rs 3.2-trillion sector, which derives 60 per cent of its revenues from automobile original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), with the balance split equally between replacement demand and exports. Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India on Saturday said it was extending the maintenance shutdown, which was from May 1 to 9, till May 16, "keeping in view the current pandemic situation". Some activities will continue in the plants.

Covid-19 surge makes corporate India nervous about Q1

Covid-19 surge makes corporate India nervous about Q1

Rediff.com   13 May 2021

Since April, India has seen multiple strains of the coronanavirus sweep the nation, upending life and businesses alike. Out-of-home retail and discretionary categories such as durables, auto, fashion, lifestyle, hospitality, food services, travel, and tourism have been the worst-hit as Covid cases remain high, leaving state governments with no option but to curtail mobility and economic activity.

ULIPs remain popular despite tax tweak

ULIPs remain popular despite tax tweak

Rediff.com   5 May 2021

These products are extremely transparent and are the lowest charged products in the insurance space. The policyholder has to only pay the fund management charge. Hence, from the cost side, ULIPs are very competitive.

Korean Auto firm Kia unveils a new brand identity in India

Korean Auto firm Kia unveils a new brand identity in India

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2021

Close to 60 per cent models that Kia sells in India are top trims of the models. In line with its global strategy, the India arm of South Korean major Kia has dropped 'Motors' from its name. This is to reflect the transition from an automaker to a provider of advanced and eco-friendly mobility solutions, the company said. With a new brand identity and slogan, the fourth-largest car maker in India by sales aims to accelerate growth and strengthen its premium positioning.