Surajeet Das Gupta &Amp; Rituparna Bhuyan In New Delhi

Stories by Surajeet Das Gupta &Amp; Rituparna Bhuyan In New Delhi

RCom, China Mobile in tie-up talks

RCom, China Mobile in tie-up talks

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2009

In February, Wang Jianzhou, China Mobile's chairman and CEO, told Business Standard at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the company was keen to expand to India. China Mobile has over 450 million subscribers. RCom, which offers CDMA mobile telecom services and started GSM services a few months ago, has over 70 million customers. An RCom spokesperson declined to comment and an email query to China Mobile was unanswered.

DoT may ring in up to 12 operators for 3G

DoT may ring in up to 12 operators for 3G

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2009

The sole exception would be the Rajasthan circle (which can accommodate only two operators). The West Bengal and North-East circles would be able to accommodate only four operators. The numbers are based on the latest note prepared by the DoT. The availability of spectrum is a key element that determines the auction price of spectrum. Higher availability means a lower price.

Now, DEA questions Press Notes 2 & 4

Now, DEA questions Press Notes 2 & 4

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2009

For the second time since Press Note 2 and 4 were issued in February 2009, the Department of Economic Affairs in the finance ministry has raised questions on their implementation, this time over an application before the Foreign Investment Promotion Board.

Novartis may revise open offer price

Novartis may revise open offer price

Rediff.com   28 May 2009

The company is likely to increase buy-back offer from Rs 351 to Rs 425-450. The open offer price is likely to be revised from the earlier Rs 351 to between Rs 425 and Rs 450, as the current share prices of Novartis India are above the present open offer price, the sources added.

India, Asean resolve differences over FTA

India, Asean resolve differences over FTA

Rediff.com   28 May 2009

Government officials said the Asean FTA, as well as a similar pact with South Korea involving free trade of goods, services and investment, could be signed on the sidelines of the summit of Asean nations, scheduled in October this year. The India-South Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is also ready for signing, sources added.

FinMin asks govt depts not to exceed allocations

FinMin asks govt depts not to exceed allocations

Rediff.com   26 May 2009

As part of its fiscal tightening measures, the finance ministry has asked all government departments not to seek any increase in their allocations for 2009-10 over and above what has already been provided for in the Interim Budget presented on February 16.

Plan to divest 10% in BSNL may be revived

Plan to divest 10% in BSNL may be revived

Rediff.com   21 May 2009

The BSNL board had last year approved a plan under which the government would divest 10 per cent of its shares to the public. But opposition from the unions backed by the Left parties -- which supported the United Progressive Alliance in the last Parliament -- had stalled the process. That opposition has abated, now that the Left is no longer a factor in the current ruling alliance.

Govt to simplify SEZ approval

Govt to simplify SEZ approval

Rediff.com   21 May 2009

Developers will now be able to get their land classified as an SEZ at the initial stage of approval by submitting legal documents that prove land ownership. With exports falling sharply in the last six months, faster development of SEZs is seen as one way of increasing overseas sales of Indian goods and services, an official said.

Economic Advisory Council steps down

Economic Advisory Council steps down

Rediff.com   20 May 2009

Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister Suresh D Tendulkar, as well as other member of the apex panel submitted their resignation on Tuesday.

Bharti Airtel's big dream

Bharti Airtel's big dream

Rediff.com   18 May 2009

It's celebration time for Bharti Airtel, which last week became the third telecom brand in the world to cross the magic 100 million-subscriber mark in a single country. The gap between Airtel and its nearest competitor, Vodafone, is now about 26 million subscribers.

Follow the manifesto, don't forget the CMP

Follow the manifesto, don't forget the CMP

Rediff.com   18 May 2009

This meant targets set for primary school admissions, assured income for every family and roads, water, housing and electricity. And yearly spending of over Rs 1,20,000 crore (Rs 1,200 billion), up from Rs 36,000 crore (Rs 360 billion) in the last year of the National Democratic Alliance government.

Plan panel members to resign today

Plan panel members to resign today

Rediff.com   18 May 2009

The Planning Commission's term runs concurrently with that of the government. The commission, whose inputs are vital on important policy related matters, is likely to have new faces when the new team is announced, said a top government functionary who had earlier worked in the apex planning body.

Your air ticket will get cheaper

Your air ticket will get cheaper

Rediff.com   14 May 2009

Jet Airways, Kingfisher shift flights to low-cost platforms; experts expect a fare war. "Every year, airlines come up with cheap fares in the summer season, but not like this year. I had never seen airlines offering 50 per cent cash-back offers. Now with Jet Konnect and Kingfisher Red, there are more flights to the routes where LCCs used to dominate," says Bhawna Agarwal, co-founder and head of air business, Yatra.com.

India's exports fall 33% in April

India's exports fall 33% in April

Rediff.com   13 May 2009

India's exports have declined for the seventh consecutive month in April.

Bumpy ride for India Inc's ITI adoption plan

Bumpy ride for India Inc's ITI adoption plan

Rediff.com   12 May 2009

India Inc's initiative to adopt Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country is facing problems because of low level of cooperation on the field as well as red-tapism, industry lobby groups have claimed.

Industry lobbies divided over need for stimulus

Industry lobbies divided over need for stimulus

Rediff.com   7 May 2009

Ficci: Rationalise tax structure; CII: Space for fiscal incentives is limited.

Govt may raise viability funding for NHDP 5

Govt may raise viability funding for NHDP 5

Rediff.com   4 May 2009

The government has decided to raise the viability gap funding (VGF) for certain projects under the fifth phase of the National Highway Development Project (NHDP V), owing to poor response to the first few projects put up for bids in December last year.

New WPI series to be ready by August

New WPI series to be ready by August

Rediff.com   30 Apr 2009

National Sample Survey Organisation, a division within the ministry of statistics, has been roped in to collect price data for the new series and a dry run is on the anvil in the next couple of months. The new series will have 2004-05 as the base year, as against 1993-94 in the present mode and will reflect a consumption basket that is relevant in today's scenario, thereby making inflation data more reliable. The new series will have 2004-05 as the base year.

New FDI norms may be revised for banks

New FDI norms may be revised for banks

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2009

The new foreign direct investment guidelines may be revised with respect to the banking sector to avoid an adverse fallout for Indian banks with majority foreign equity.

Reliance Big TV plans to divest 49% in DTH arm

Reliance Big TV plans to divest 49% in DTH arm

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2009

To expand its services in the five-player private direct-to-home market, Reliance Big TV Ltd, the promoter of Big TV DTH services of the Reliance ADA Group, plans to sell up to 49 per cent to foreign private equity companies and global DTH players.