Sunil Jain, New Delhi

Stories by Sunil Jain, New Delhi

MTN deal: Bharti may rope in holding co

MTN deal: Bharti may rope in holding co

Rediff.com   27 May 2009

Bharti Telecom, the unlisted holding company of Bharti Airtel, may issue fresh equity to the MTN group to give it the 25 per cent economic interest in India's largest mobile service provider.

Liquidity starts seeping back into India Inc

Liquidity starts seeping back into India Inc

Rediff.com   21 May 2009

After a near six-month drought, India Inc is finding some takers for debt and equity issues. Though private and the foreign banks are yet to step up lending in a big way, public sector banks have started financing projects.

Realty market fall: Developers find JVs attractive

Realty market fall: Developers find JVs attractive

Rediff.com   19 May 2009

Developers who are launching new projects are opting for this route, as they need not pay the entire amount in one lot and owners need not forego the potential rise in value. As much as 70 per cent of land deals in the country take place through this model now, against 40-45 per cent a couple of years earlier, say property consultants.

Hotels go hi-tech to woo travellers

Hotels go hi-tech to woo travellers

Rediff.com   18 May 2009

Today, when you check into a hotel, be sure to expect more than just a helpful bell-boy and a smiling concierge. As it is, the category of business travellers has been growing at a healthy clip. However, the rise of low-cost airlines and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi has now given the entire travelling space a shot in the arm.

Telecom nirvana: Will MNP help?

Telecom nirvana: Will MNP help?

Rediff.com   7 May 2009

One reason why mobile subscribers haven't shifted companies is that the service is uniformly bad. But now, with new players coming in, the picture could be different, says Sunil Jain.

Will Obama's new tax proposal affect India?

Will Obama's new tax proposal affect India?

Rediff.com   6 May 2009

Most large American companies earn more than 50 per cent of their revenue from markets outside the US and will be affected by the proposed tax reforms. Business groups in the US had assailed the proposal, arguing it would subject them to far higher taxes than their foreign competitors must pay and ultimately endanger US jobs. Global companies that earn profits in India are subject to a tax rate of 33.9 per cent and the impact of the proposed reforms on them would be marginal.

Dialling trouble in telecom

Dialling trouble in telecom

Rediff.com   4 May 2009

Decisions are also being pushed on free allotment of additional spectrum to telecom firms, on extending the licence period for 'dual technology' firms like Reliance Communications/Tata Teleservices etc, and on revising merger and acquisition norms. Given how each of these cases is so controversial, even apart from the issue of propriety, it is unacceptable that a government on its last legs should be taking such decisions.

Black money: Can BJP bring it back?

Black money: Can BJP bring it back?

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2009

Vote for the BJP if you have to, but not because they're going to bring back Rs 25,00,000 crore and use this to develop roads or provide piped water to India's villages. That's a pipe dream.

April heat is godsend for AC manufacturers

April heat is godsend for AC manufacturers

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2009

Among the minority who are relieved at the rising heat are consumer durables' companies and retailers. Air conditioner (AC) sales are picking up in anticipation of a hot summer.

Satyam transition may be discussed today

Satyam transition may be discussed today

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2009

"Other than the induction of the new board members, Tech Mahindra will have discussions with the management to articulate the growth of the company, strengthen the governance part and also focus on cash-flow issues. The current management members, including CEO A S Murty, will continue for some time," said a source close to the development. Tech Mahindra members are also expected to take stock of operations at Satyam.

Airtel to launch DTH for cars

Airtel to launch DTH for cars

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2009

With the start of general elections as a source of revenue Bharti Airtel's direct-to-home arm is ready to launch its mobile DTH units for cars.

Don't blame the global crisis

Don't blame the global crisis

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2009

There is little doubt that the global economic crisis has worsened Indias growth prospects, but the slowdown began long before the US financial meltdown began.

Orissa versus Rest of India

Orissa versus Rest of India

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2009

It'll only be when other states start following this discrimination for a large enough number of products, presumably, that the political class will wake up to it. Hopefully, the courts will too.

High-end Nano more popular

High-end Nano more popular

Rediff.com   10 Apr 2009

Nearly 80 per cent of the buyers opting for the more expensive variants instead of the base-level car which is priced at Rs 1.23 lakh (ex showroom, Delhi). The trend is based on responses from dealers and banks that took bookings in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Kolkata on Thursday. The Nano CX costs Rs 1.48 lakh and the top-end LX Rs 1.72 lakh.

Satyam: IBM, WL Ross tie-up buzz gets stronger

Satyam: IBM, WL Ross tie-up buzz gets stronger

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2009

The buzz refuses to die down even though other PE players, investment bankers and analysts say such an alliance is highly unlikely. Wilbur Ross, meanwhile, is understood to have completed the due diligence of the scam-tainted IT company. When contacted, a company official declined comment.

Bharti, AXA likely to end mutual fund tie-up

Bharti, AXA likely to end mutual fund tie-up

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2009

While a company spokesperson said Bharti would either dilute its stake or exit the venture, the fund house is trying to rope in a bank to strengthen its distribution network. In addition, an asset management venture is seen to have closer links with banks, which are looking to offer a wide range of financial products.

Fiscal lesson: Money scarce, use it wisely

Fiscal lesson: Money scarce, use it wisely

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2009

The aggression shown by corporate houses till not a long ago has given way for consolidation in the backdrop of current economic downturn and the companies in the next fiscal, beginning tomorrow, would need to focus on growing their core businesses and conserving the resources, global consultancy firm PwC executive director Sanjeev Krishnan told PTI.

Teams from bidders camp at Satyam HQ

Teams from bidders camp at Satyam HQ

Rediff.com   27 Mar 2009

The bidders had started sending teams from departments like human resources, finance and legal, who were holding discussions with their counterparts at Satyam, the sources added. The Satyam stock was up 4 per cent at Rs 42.20 on BSE. It had dropped a little over 10 per cent in the past month. "Between this week and next week, there will be several meetings between various bidders and company officials," confirmed Satyam's Hari Tallapalli.

Mahindra eyes full pie in 2-wheeler biz

Mahindra eyes full pie in 2-wheeler biz

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2009

The Mumbai-based company will take on Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto and HMSI and will have models in the 100cc, 125cc and 150cc mobike segments, and also in the ungeared low and high-powered scooter segments. Hero Honda has a 60 per cent share of the motorcycle segment, while HMSI commands a 58 per cent of the scooter market. Anand Mahindra said: "Our two-wheeler project is complete; we have already begun marketing the fleet in Bangalore."

This growth isn't crashing

This growth isn't crashing

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2009

India's growth rates may be crashing, but the rates of growth of crashing on the country's roads, and those dying in these crashes, are growing by leaps and bounds.