Even in the domestic aviation scene, consolidation talks are on among some private airlines.
Public sector carriers Air-India and Indian Airlines would not offload more than 20 per cent of their equity in their proposed initial public offer slated to be announced within this fiscal.
He also said that the expert committee on amendments to the Income-Tax Act was expected to submit a draft Bill during the early part of 2006, but did not give any time-frame for the introduction of amendments.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said the new banking cash transaction tax imposed this year has started yielding results by helping authorities keep a track on black money.
Prices of petrol and diesel will not be reduced immediately as oil companies continue to make losses even after the recent fall in international oil prices, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said on Wednesday.
India will continue to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world with the GDP expected to grow by 6-6.5 per cent in this fiscal, finance minister P Chidambaram said on Wednesday.
'Commentators have said that dealing with allies as equals will make Modi more sensitive.' 'Remember that the people Modi is dealing with are equally autocratic in their own lairs.' 'Further, Modi always has handy the threat of dissolving Parliament and calling for fresh polls.' 'Most of his own party, and certainly his allies and opponents having blown their budgets of efforts and resources in the just concluded elections, have no stomach for this.' 'They are all greatly looking forward to the loaves and fishes of office on offer.' 'That gives Modi an unbeatable advantage in any push-comes-to-shove situation,' explains Shreekant Sambrani.
'We don't believe in the BJP. But the Congress has no main leader who is credible.'
'I think some of us, like Mukesh Ambani, myself and those of us who head industrial units, ought to really focus on what we can really do to make the world a safer place, maybe 50 or 100 years from now.' 'For instance, how can we deal with climate change and global warming, right now?' 'The effects of it may not be felt now; in fact, we may pay a price for it today, but it will help the generations to follow.'
'The PM who is first among equals, who has to listen to others, take their point of view into account and who would have to be a good manager'
The police in Kanpur have lodged an FIR against The Week magazine amid a row over "objectionable pictures" of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali that has led Hindu activists to burn copies of the magazine and economist Bibek Debroy end his association with it.
'Congress leaders who are making strategy for the Congress to win elections have not even won a class monitor elections.' 'When you have not contested school monitor elections, what will you know about the ground reality?'
NewsClick on Wednesday alleged in the Delhi high court that investigating agencies were abusing the process of law to subject it to criminal prosecution to create a "chilling effect".
NewsClick said that none of these investigations led to any chargesheets or complaints over the last three years."
'I don't think we have ever seen such alignment of everything that we need in the banking sector.'
A step away from nuclear weapons being used in conflicts, warns Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
Very often, 'sentiment' drives prices well beyond what is warranted and it is hard to forecast market sentiment, explains Debashis Basu.
After bumbling for years since 2014, the Modi government seems to believe that massive government expenditure will lead us to prosperity supported by 'seat-of-the-pants' decision-making, observes Debashis Basu.
I suggest we build a Vigyan Mandir (Temple of Science) with the ambience of a place of worship, so that it becomes a destination for pilgrims. We should embed on its walls bronze plaques describing each scientist mentioned here along with about a dozen of our ancient mathematicians, recommends Professor Kalyan Singhal, historian of science and technology.
'Rhetoric and chest-thumping are running high on India's recent growth record.'
'But will the giant waves developing elsewhere allow us to sail smoothly into fair winds?' asks Debashis Basu.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India's economic growth is a 'natural by-product' of his nine-year-old government's political stability, as he expressed optimism that it will be a developed nation by 2047 with 'corruption, casteism and communalism' having no place in our national life.
Currency notes of lower denomination of Rs 100 and Rs 50 will continue to be the legal tender
Taxing the rich will fetch nothing; only votes, argues Debashis Basu.
'But unlike Bond who killed an individual, Israel is killing a nation.'
Even today when news organisations and their owners have stooped before the powers that be when they were only asked to bend, Prannoy is still standing tall, asserts Sanjay Ahirwal, , former managing editor, NDTV Worldwide.
Looking for party starters for New Year?
After bumbling for years since 2014, the Modi government seems to believe that massive government expenditure will lead us to prosperity supported by 'seat-of-the-pants' decision-making, observes Debashis Basu.
For the banking system a new cycle starts in FY2024. It's fraught with fresh challenges on asset quality and profitability, warns Tamal Bandyopadhyay.
'To the believers of crypto regulations, I have only one question to ask, how will you regulate it?'
'The BJP is trying to change this mantra.'
'But he was very quick and did a very stylish adab.' 'Of course, I didn't expect him to hug.'
There seems to be no respite for Adani Group companies from the market carnage. All 10 stocks belonging to the conglomerate came under a fresh bout of intense selling pressure on Wednesday as the group's debt levels and repayment capabilities continued to plague investors. Analysts said investors are also concerned about whether the group will be able to maintain its pace of growth, given the current turmoil that has wiped out over Rs 12 trillion in market capitalisation (m-cap) since the start of the year.
China on Thursday criticised India's latest decision to block access to 54 more Chinese mobile apps over security and privacy concerns, saying that the move has damaged the legitimate interests of companies from China. India on Monday blocked 54 more apps with Chinese links, including Tencent Xriver, Nice Video baidu, Viva Video Editor, and gaming app Garena Free Fire Illuminate. The Chinese apps allegedly obtain various critical permissions and collect sensitive user data. The collected real-time data are being misused and transmitted to servers located in a hostile country, sources in India said, adding that the IT ministry has issued interim directions for the blocking of 54 apps.
'Later, I asked Hrithik how he could have remained so calm in the circumstances. He told me simply, "What could have happened? At the most, they would have killed me".'
'In India there is so much exploitation because of capitalism,' says CPI-M Politburo member Brinda Karat.
