Viveat Pinto, Digbijay Mishra And Kalpana Pathak

Stories by Viveat Pinto, Digbijay Mishra And Kalpana Pathak

Auction of oil, gas blocks may be delayed

Auction of oil, gas blocks may be delayed

Rediff.com   14 Jan 2009

With 4,00,000 sq km in acreage and over 100 blocks to be awarded, Nelp VIII is touted as India's biggest-ever auction of oil and gas blocks. Industry observers say there is a strong case for the government to postpone the Nelp VIII, keeping in account the present liquidity situation and low crude oil prices. "It will make sense to postpone Nelp VIII as a lot of exploration and production companies are re-looking at their investment strategies," said a sector expert.

Oil sector officers demand reinstatement

Oil sector officers demand reinstatement

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

Oil sector officers, who brought the country to a grinding halt, by going on strike for nearly three days, will appeal to their respective management to reinstate the employees sacked by the companies.

FMCG sector fares well in campus hiring

FMCG sector fares well in campus hiring

Rediff.com   29 Dec 2008

After a gap of five years, Hindustan Unilever has bagged slot zero position on B-school campuses. In 2007, the company had slipped to number 14 on the recruiters' list of B-schools. "It's an improvement of our brand value and affirmation of our employer brand," says Leena Nair, executive director HR, Hindustan Unilever.

Second-rung B-schools feel the placement pinch

Second-rung B-schools feel the placement pinch

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2008

The situation at various second-run management and engineering institutes is no different, courtesy the slowdown that has impacted even their better-known counterparts like the Indian Institutes of Management and Indian Institutes of Technology.

IIITs hit stumbling block

IIITs hit stumbling block

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2008

Around 8 IT firms have withdrawn from partnering 11 out of the 20 IIITs, says govt.

70 Mumbai hotels shut in 6 months

70 Mumbai hotels shut in 6 months

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2008

As many as 70 restaurants in Mumbai have shut shop in the past six months, owing to spiralling costs, high taxes and a downturn in the economy.

Hoteliers seek tax relief to beat slump

Hoteliers seek tax relief to beat slump

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2008

The Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India has made a presentation to the government, requesting certain tax exemptions.

Mumbai Trident readies to reopen

Mumbai Trident readies to reopen

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2008

Hotel expects 25-30 per cent occupancy on December 21 when it throws open its doors. Trident regulars are preparing to return to the hotel sooner than later.

Govt to move court to allow RIL gas sales

Govt to move court to allow RIL gas sales

Rediff.com   13 Dec 2008

Sources familiar with the developments said the government will file an application in the Bombay High Court by the end of December or early January. RIL on its part has already appealed against the order.

'RIL-RNRL case is back on track now'

'RIL-RNRL case is back on track now'

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2008

Additional solicitor general Mohan Parasaran talks about the logic behind withdrawing the government affidavit in the RIL-RNRL gas dispute in the Bombay high court.

Companies hedge on ATF to tackle price volatility

Companies hedge on ATF to tackle price volatility

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2008

In addition to that, an increasing number of airlines like SpiceJet, national carrier Air India and GoAir are either getting into hedging of aviation turbine fuel or increasing the quantum of ATF hedged on the MCX. Last month, state-run Indian Oil Corporation approached MCX to provide it with a platform to hedge its refinery margins and end products from crude oil.

RNRL refutes govt's stand on gas price

RNRL refutes govt's stand on gas price

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Natural Resources has filed an affidavit in the Bombay High Court in the case involving Reliance Industries, refuting the petroleum ministry's stand that the government-approved price of $4.2/million metric British thermal unit (mmBtu) is the selling price of gas.

Start-ups bail out IITians facing placement blues

Start-ups bail out IITians facing placement blues

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2008

On the back of a global meltdown, big-ticket firms may not be flocking at the premier Indian Institute of Technology campuses. IITians, however, have not lost all hope. Many are looking at start-ups for their first jobs.

Hotel tariffs drop 20% after terror attacks

Hotel tariffs drop 20% after terror attacks

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2008

Hotel tariffs have dropped by as much as 20 per cent after last week's terrorist attacks on Mumbai that forced international tourists to cancel travel plans.

15% foreigners cancel trip: Tour operators

15% foreigners cancel trip: Tour operators

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2008

The trickle has begun and could turn into a flood. At least 15 per cent of overseas visitors have cancelled their tour plans to India following terrorist attacks on key locations in Mumbai, tour operators said. The attacks claimed nearly 200 lives and injured more than 300.

B-schools' development programme to take a hit

B-schools' development programme to take a hit

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2008

Revenues from management development programmes expected to slow during the next quarters. On an average, MDPs contribute around 35 per cent to the revenue stream for B-schools. With companies tightening their purse strings, B-schools could see a direct impact on their revenue stream. Companies have confirmed that they are cutting down spending on training programmes.

Society of Jesus applies for central univ status

Society of Jesus applies for central univ status

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2008

Consolidating on its 500-year-old legacy of providing quality education, The Society of Jesus (SJ) (popularly known as Jesuits) has applied for a Central University status with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

Falling Re raises cost of studying in US

Falling Re raises cost of studying in US

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2008

UK, Australia numbers could pick up instead.

Travel industry pins hopes on new formats

Travel industry pins hopes on new formats

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2008

Travelport has decided to make holidaying an over-the-counter experience, where the customer can plan his travel. It will launch about 150-200 travel solution shops by tying up with malls, multiplexes and retail chains. Online travel company Cleartrip.com tied up with the Indian Railway and Catering and Tourism Corporation in September. SOTC plans to hold a six-day long Great Holiday Bazaar across all its outlets from November 3-8, with discounts between 4 and 20 per cent.

BPCL may sell 'purest' water

BPCL may sell 'purest' water

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2008

A refiner embarking on an alternative fuel strategy may end up selling bottled water to quench the thirst of millions.