Sunil Jain, New Delhi

Stories by Sunil Jain, New Delhi

A world-class Hyderabad airport? Not too sure

A world-class Hyderabad airport? Not too sure

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2008

Given the existing airport is in the centre of town and there's no UDF, it's easy to see why passengers are up in arms. Indeed, if you think the goings on in the Delhi airport are a scandal, what's happening in Hyderabad is a lot worse.

Nepal to slap charges against kidney scam kingpin

Nepal to slap charges against kidney scam kingpin

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2008

Nepalese police on Friday decided to slap charges of illegal kidney transplants and foreign currency violations against alleged kingpin Amit Kumar as India wanted him to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation at the earliest.

Used-car prices down ahead of Nano entry

Used-car prices down ahead of Nano entry

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2008

Call it the "Nano effect" but less than a month after Tata Motors displayed its competitively-priced small car at the Delhi auto show, prices in the 1.3-million used-car market crashed 15 to 30 per cent, if not more.

Market crash: Banks in damage control mode

Market crash: Banks in damage control mode

Rediff.com   23 Jan 2008

Many banks have begun to work on plans to provide assistance to brokers to ensure they do not default on any payments amid a turbulent stock market, following the finance ministry's unofficial advice to them to explore ways of supporting market players. All the actions would be initiated within the prudential framework like adhering to the limit on capital market exposure, said a top executive of another PSB.

Wipro to sell message via Mario toons

Wipro to sell message via Mario toons

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2008

Bangalore-based software giant has teamed up with eminent cartoonist Mario Miranda to create an advertising campaign that will light up its recruitment brand. The Goa-based cartoonist will educate potential recruits about Wipro through his characters.

What India Inc is lobbying for in Budget 2008

What India Inc is lobbying for in Budget 2008

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2008

Industry representatives recommended that the basic annual exemption limit for individuals should be raised to Rs 1,50,000 from Rs 1,10,000 and the peak income tax rate be cut to 25 per cent, from 30 per cent at present.

No all-clear for DIAL yet

No all-clear for DIAL yet

Rediff.com   19 Dec 2007

The Delhi International Airport Limited's (DIAL) ongoing tussle with the Airports Authority of India/Ministry of Civil Aviation (AAI/MoCA) isn't likely to get resolved in a hurry, though things appeared settled when, a few weeks ago, Aviation Minister Praful Patel said at a press conference that the government would go by the Attorney General's (AG) opinion on the dispute.

TDSAT makes a wrong call, again!

TDSAT makes a wrong call, again!

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2007

TDSAT lifted the stay on distributing spectrum within about 30 minutes, instead of hearing detailed arguments on merits. Perhaps things would have been different if the hearing had come up after the Chief Justice made it clear the courts could interfere in government policy.

Eli Lilly drug patent deflated

Eli Lilly drug patent deflated

Rediff.com   14 Dec 2007

In another setback to Big Pharma, US drug major Eli Lilly's blockbuster erectile dysfunction drug Cialis (generic name:Tadalafil) has failed to qualify for a product patent in India after the basic constituent of the medicine was found to be a known substance, developed and patented by Indian scientists 32 years ago.

Bullying tactics in the telecom sector

Bullying tactics in the telecom sector

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2007

What's happening in the telecom sector are classic bullying tactics - do the wrong thing, threaten to do worse, get the threatened party to sue for peace, and walk away smelling of roses after a "compromise".

'I'm the raja, I'll decide'

'I'm the raja, I'll decide'

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2007

The Reliance decision was challenged by various GSM-mobile phone firms and there is an attempt to create a split in their ranks -- Maxis Aircel has already withdrawn from the court case, and it is likely another one or two firms will follow as they've been made to believe this improves their chances of getting spectrum.

Spectrum: Centre comes around to auction option

Spectrum: Centre comes around to auction option

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2007

A note prepared for Communications Minister A Raja by the DoT officials cites the October 18 meeting and offers various options available before the ministry given that it does not have enough spectrum to meet the needs of the 46 companies who have made 575 applications for spectrum in 22 telecom circles across the country.

35 pc Indian companies victims of economic crime

35 pc Indian companies victims of economic crime

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2007

"The cost of economic crime in India is significant, which is also evident from some of the large frauds experienced by the country in the last two years," said PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Leader Ashwini Puri, adding, "Additionally, average cost to manage economic crime in India is close to double as compared to global averages."

Why telecom sector is exciting again

Why telecom sector is exciting again

Rediff.com   15 Oct 2007

From a policy point of view, India's telecom industry is getting exciting once again. After a lull of a few years, we're back to the same half-truths from regulators/policy makers, and the all too familiar attempts to help favoured firms.

Big retail's big blunders

Big retail's big blunders

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2007

The way the story went, customers would get dramatically lower prices for everyday groceries (something that takes up 45 per cent of the household budget) and farmers would earn at least a third or more as big retailers began procuring from them directly. But none of this has really happened, and may not either.

Are telemarketers calling you? Be proud!

Are telemarketers calling you? Be proud!

Rediff.com   4 Oct 2007

Survey reveals why telemarketers can't help calling.

How poor is India, how unequal?

How poor is India, how unequal?

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2007

Have inequality levels, as represented by the Gini coefficient, risen from 30.3 in 1983 to 34.3 in 2004-05?

Suitors show up for IFCI

Suitors show up for IFCI

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2007

A clutch of foreign and domestic institutions has submitted expressions of interest to acquire at least 26 per cent in the Delhi-based Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI).

Politics sends retail into tailspin

Politics sends retail into tailspin

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2007

The ban, although described as temporary, is being seen as a knee-jerk reaction by the state government following the attacks on Reliance Fresh and Spencer's stores and has raised several questions over its farm policy.

Telecom tribunal in race against time

Telecom tribunal in race against time

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2007

Telecom companies with cases pending before the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal or those hoping to file new ones would be advised to hurry.