Sunil Jain And Sidhartha

Stories by Sunil Jain And Sidhartha

'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.

The problems with 3G auction

The problems with 3G auction

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2009

Even more curious, while the law says foreigners can have only up to 74 per cent equity in a telecom firm in India, the 3G Information Memorandum says foreigners can bid without having Indian partners if they win the bid, they can then set up an Indian firm and comply with the rules.

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.

Trai -- the toothless tiger

Trai -- the toothless tiger

Rediff.com   22 Dec 2008

The regulatory system in India has become a farce, and needs to be either scrapped, or thoroughly revamped. The way the law has been formulated, Trai is a toothless tiger -- it works well if the ministry chooses to be gentlemanly and takes the recommendations seriously; if the ministry chooses to assert its authority, there's little Trai can do, says Sunil Jain.

'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.

Black Swan: The Reliance Communications' story

Black Swan: The Reliance Communications' story

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2008

Swan is one of the firms which got a licence at bargain-basement prices thanks to telecom minister A Raja.

'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.

Want profit? Increase IT expenditure

Want profit? Increase IT expenditure

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2008

According to McKinsey numbers, IT expenditure can give a return of up to around 10 times by reworking supply chains and logistics, managing resources better and so on. If a firm reduces IT expenditures by around 15 per cent, this will add around 0.5 per cent to long-run EBIT. Retaining expenditure levels could add 1-2 per cent to EBIT in terms of better merchandising and 3-5 per cent in terms of better pricing by reducing revenue leakages.

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.

2G spectrum: What's $10-15 bn between friends?

2G spectrum: What's $10-15 bn between friends?

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2008

So far, most of those horrified by the dramatic evidence that surfaced last week of Telecom Minister A Raja's largesse on 2G spectrum costing the nation $10bn (that on 3G will probably cost another $5bn) have comforted themselves with one thought: maybe the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, which is hearing the case, will conclude the policy changes were illegal and smacked of favouritism.

From offshoring to onshoring

From offshoring to onshoring

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2008

An article in the latest The McKinsey Quarterly argues that thanks to rising wages in countries like China and Malaysia (favoured offshoring locations for manufacturing) and high costs of oil, the advantages of offshoring are rapidly eroding.

'Foreign clients want Indian buyers'

'Foreign clients want Indian buyers'

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2008

It has been nearly four months since Sidharth Punshi, 34, former executive director at Goldman Sachs, joined Jefferies International, a global investment bank and institutional securities firm, as the managing director and country head for India. In a recent interview, Punshi told Business Standard that despite the tight liquidity scenario and a challenging global situation, Indian companies continue to chase merger and acquisition deals abroad.

How poor are we actually?

How poor are we actually?

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2008

The latest NCAER annual household survey, to use other data, points out that around 33 per cent of the bottom 40 per cent of households had a television set and another 12 per cent a two-wheeler in 2005 -- how they can all be poor is anyone's guess, says Sunil Jain.

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.

Mukesh vs Anil: Who is the government batting for?

Mukesh vs Anil: Who is the government batting for?

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2008

In the last two years, there have been at least three instances of the government actively stepping in on Mukesh Ambani's side.

'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.

Mumbaikars spend least on education

Mumbaikars spend least on education

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2008

while Mumbaikars spend a smaller proportion of their incomes on food, beverages and tobacco (33.2 per cent) than Surat-ites (37.5 per cent), the total market for food, beverages and tobacco products in Mumbai in 2007-08 was Rs 28,590 crore (Rs 285.90 billion) as compared to a much smaller Rs 6,600 crore (Rs 66 billion) in Surat.

In India, 20 cities give 60% of savings

In India, 20 cities give 60% of savings

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2008

Delhi and Mumbai alone account for a fifth of the country's total surplus income. The country's top 20 cities, including both Delhi and Mumbai, account for just 10 per cent of the country's population but 20 per cent of its savings, 30 per cent of its income and as much as 60 per cent of its surplus income

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.