News for 'PLC'

Cairn Energy CEO Thomson to meet FM next week over arbitration award

Cairn Energy CEO Thomson to meet FM next week over arbitration award

Rediff.com10 Feb 2021

A senior company executive said the company waited for seven years for the verdict and its shareholders needed to know when it would be concluded.

Cash-strapped Vodafone Idea gets nod for FDI up to Rs 15,000 crore

Cash-strapped Vodafone Idea gets nod for FDI up to Rs 15,000 crore

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

Cash-strapped telco Vodafone Idea's proposal for investment of up to Rs 15,000 crore through foreign direct investment (FDI) has been approved by the Union government, according to officials. A top-level group, comprising representatives from the ministries of home affairs, external affairs, finance and commerce and industry, took the decision. The nod, which is an enabling provision, would help the financially-stressed company raise funds to pay up some of its dues linked to adjusted gross revenue (AGR), reduce debts and use the money for operational expenses.

Challenges and dares mark Punjab's election campaign

Challenges and dares mark Punjab's election campaign

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

The game intensified after Congress fielded Channi from a second seat and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia chose to take on Sidhu from the Amritsar East seat.

Retro tax settlement with Cairn may hinge on Vedanta case

Retro tax settlement with Cairn may hinge on Vedanta case

Rediff.com20 Aug 2021

The Union government's offer of settling the retrospective taxation case with Cairn Energy may hinge on Vedanta withdrawing the ongoing arbitration from the Singapore Tribunal on the same issue. The government has offered to refund Cairn Energy Rs 7,900 crore that it had collected under the retrospective tax demand on fulfilment of certain conditions, including withdrawal of pending litigation and furnishing of an undertaking to the effect that no claim for cost, damages, interest, etc., would be filed. This condition is also part of the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021, passed by Parliament recently.

Govt stands to lose whether it saves debt-laden Vodafone Idea or not

Govt stands to lose whether it saves debt-laden Vodafone Idea or not

Rediff.com12 Aug 2021

The government will have to make substantial payments, as well as forego revenues in FY'23, if it wants to work on the survival of Vodafone Idea because it will have to extend the same incentives to the entire telecom sector. According to estimates, the industry has to spend around Rs 21,000-Rs 25,000 crore for spectrum which it bought on a deferred payment basis. Vodafone Idea has asked for a moratorium for another year (FY23). If granted, the government will have foregone the instalment payout for a third year in a row as it has already provided a moratorium for two years, giving telcos Rs 42,000 crore worth of relief.

Hindujas sell health care unit to Baring Private Equity for $1.2 billion

Hindujas sell health care unit to Baring Private Equity for $1.2 billion

Rediff.com11 Aug 2021

Hinduja Group's business process management entity, Hinduja Global Solutions Limited (HGS) said on Wednesday that it has entered into definitive agreements to divest its Healthcare Services business to funds affiliated with Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA), at an enterprise value of $1.2 bilion. The deal is subject to closing adjustments, and is expected to complete within 90 days, subject to shareholder and other regulatory approvals. "The cash that will come in as a result of this transaction will be deployed to growing the business as well as looking at buying some capabilities...where capabilities are important for being able to do a good job of customer experience transformation.

Vedanta drops cases against govt to settle retro tax dispute

Vedanta drops cases against govt to settle retro tax dispute

Rediff.com13 Dec 2021

Billionaire Anil Agarwal's mining group Vedanta on Monday said it has withdrawn cases in the Delhi high court as well as before an international arbitration tribunal to settle a Rs 20,495 crore retrospective tax dispute with the government. Post slapping of a Rs 10,247 crore tax demand on UK's Cairn Energy Plc for alleged capital gains made on a 2016 internal reorganisation prior to the listing of its India business, the Income Tax Department had sought Rs 20,495 crore in taxes (including penalty) from Cairn India for failing to deduct tax on capital gains made by its British parent. Cairn India was in 2011 bought by Agarwal's group and subsequently, the firm was merged with Vedanta Ltd.

Cairn arbitration: Govt confirms French court order against Indian assets

Cairn arbitration: Govt confirms French court order against Indian assets

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

The government on Tuesday confirmed that a French court has ordered the freezing of certain Indian assets in Paris on a petition by Britain's Cairn Energy, which is seeking to recover $1.72 billion from New Delhi after winning an arbitration against retro tax. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha said the government has filed an appeal against an international arbitration tribunal overturning levy of Rs 10,247 crore in back taxes on Cairn Energy. "Yes sir, an order has been passed by a French Court freezing certain Indian government properties in the case pertaining to Cairn Energy," he said.

US to unveil plans for global distribution of vaccine

US to unveil plans for global distribution of vaccine

Rediff.com2 Jun 2021

In the next two weeks, the United States will detail plans to equitably distribute about 80 million (8 crore) COVID-19 vaccine doses globally without 'political requirements' of those receiving them, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.

It's business as usual at Thomas Cook India

It's business as usual at Thomas Cook India

Rediff.com23 Sep 2019

The collapse of Thomas Cook in the UK has no impact whatsoever in terms of ownership, business, people, technology or processes to us at Thomas Cook India: Madhavan Menon, chairman & managing director, TCIL.

Top-level rejig at Diageo management

Top-level rejig at Diageo management

Rediff.com30 Jul 2014

Diageo Western Europe President John Kennedy would will take responsibility for Russia, Eastern Europe and Turkey as President, Diageo Europe.

IOC reassures anxious Japan Olympics will be safe

IOC reassures anxious Japan Olympics will be safe

Rediff.com19 May 2021

IOC chief said he believed more than 80 per cent of residents of the Olympic Village would be vaccinated or booked for vaccination ahead of the Games

Govt brings bill to drop retro tax with eye on Cairn, Voda awards

Govt brings bill to drop retro tax with eye on Cairn, Voda awards

Rediff.com5 Aug 2021

The government on Thursday brought a bill in the Lok Sabha to withdraw all back tax demands on companies such as Cairn Energy and Vodafone and said it will refund the money collected to enforce such levies.

Govt rules out fresh PSB merger proposal

Govt rules out fresh PSB merger proposal

Rediff.com3 Aug 2021

Experts attribute the lower target to increased allocation under the credit guarantee scheme for small businesses. Out of the Rs 3.21 trillion worth loans sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in the last financial year, Rs 3.12 trillion were disbursed to entrepreneurs, according to official data.

Gas price hiked by 62%; CNG rates may go up

Gas price hiked by 62%; CNG rates may go up

Rediff.com30 Sep 2021

The government on Thursday hiked by 62 per cent the price of natural gas that is used to produce electricity, make fertilisers and turned into CNG to use as fuel in automobiles and cooking gas for household kitchens. This is the first increase in rates since April 2019 and comes on back of firming benchmark international prices but does not reflect the spurt in spot or current price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) witnessed during the last couple of weeks. The oil ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) said the rates paid for gas produced from fields given to state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) will be $2.90 per million British thermal unit for the six-month period beginning April 1.

What's keeping govt from appealing against Vodafone verdict?

What's keeping govt from appealing against Vodafone verdict?

Rediff.com23 Nov 2020

The government may be waiting for the outcome of an arbitration initiated against its levy of Rs 10,247 crore retrospective tax on UK's Cairn Energy Plc before deciding on appealing against losing a tax case against Vodafone Group, sources said. An international arbitral tribunal is expected to give a decree within next few days on Cairn Energy Plc's challenge to the Indian government seeking Rs 10,247 crore in retrospective taxes. If the arbitration award in the Cairn cases goes against India, the government has to pay the British firm over Rs 7,600 crore to reverse the dividend and tax refund it had ceased and shares it sold to recover part of the tax demand.

RIL looks to revive upstream biz

RIL looks to revive upstream biz

Rediff.com5 Aug 2019

With two of its clusters - R-Series and Satellite Series - likely to start production in the next two years, the company looks to turn around production from this business.

US President Biden announces COVID vaccine sharing plan

US President Biden announces COVID vaccine sharing plan

Rediff.com3 Jun 2021

The Biden administration had been under pressure to send the excess COVID-19 vaccines with the US to nations like India, which are facing severe vaccine shortages.

DoT engages with banks to find solution for telecom sector

DoT engages with banks to find solution for telecom sector

Rediff.com8 Aug 2021

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated discussions with banks to address financial stress in the telecom sector, particularly Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) that urgently requires fund infusion to stay afloat. There was a meeting of DOT officials and senior bankers on Friday on the issue of Vodafone, sources said, adding that banks have been asked to look for a solution within the prudential guidelines. According to sources, senior officials from the country's biggest lenders State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda were also present among others in the meeting. More such meetings are expected to take place in the coming days, they said.

Vedanta deal: Cairn Energy may pay $1 bn tax

Vedanta deal: Cairn Energy may pay $1 bn tax

Rediff.com16 Aug 2010

The Finance Ministry on Monday said Cairn Energy Plc is likely to pay close to $1 billion as capital gains tax on the $8.48 billion it expects to get from selling majority stake in its India arm to Vedanta Resources.

Essar Energy appoints Deepak Maheshwari as CFO

Essar Energy appoints Deepak Maheshwari as CFO

Rediff.com18 Mar 2013

P Sampath, the current CFO, moves to a new role as the President of Business Optimisation and Improvement for Essar Energy plc, the company said in a press statement.

Govt to seek parliament nod to change retrospective tax

Govt to seek parliament nod to change retrospective tax

Rediff.com4 Mar 2013

Cabinet will take a decision on a conciliation offer from Vodafone.

Govt agrees to Air India employees' main demands

Govt agrees to Air India employees' main demands

Rediff.com25 Aug 2021

The central government has agreed in-principle to Air India employees' main demands. It fears an industrial dissension now could impede the process of privatisation. It has agreed to bear the cost of liquidation loss on account of transfer to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) from company-owned trusts, inclusion of employees in the central government health scheme (CGHS), and encashment of leaves. The template of the Air India process will be followed for other public sector undertakings up for privatisation at a later date.

Vedanta to file notice of claim in Cairn India tax case

Vedanta to file notice of claim in Cairn India tax case

Rediff.com28 Mar 2015

Vedanta to file notice of claim in Cairn India tax case.

Why are foreign banks marching out of retail banking?

Why are foreign banks marching out of retail banking?

Rediff.com27 Mar 2022

Foreign banks set the template in consumer banking in its infancy, but have almost vacated this booming space.

ICICI Pru Life files for India's biggest IPO in six years

ICICI Pru Life files for India's biggest IPO in six years

Rediff.com18 Jul 2016

Top Indian private sector lender ICICI Bank, which owns nearly 68 percent of the insurer, is selling up to 181.34 million shares in the IPO.

Unilever's $5.4 bn open offer for HUL begins

Unilever's $5.4 bn open offer for HUL begins

Rediff.com21 Jun 2013

Anglo-Dutch FMCG giant Unilever Plc's $ 5.4 billion open offer to increase stake in its Indian arm Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) to up to 75 per cent commenced on Friday.

Despite govt's relief package, questions remain over Voda Idea's survival

Despite govt's relief package, questions remain over Voda Idea's survival

Rediff.com4 Oct 2021

The question mark over Vodafone Idea's survival is gone after the government's telecom package, managing director and chief executive officer Ravinder Takkar said in an interaction recently. The extended moratorium for spectrum payments and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues has indeed ensured that Vodafone Idea survives, at least for the time being, but questions remain. Answers to those questions may determine the future of Vodafone Idea and its power to stay in a difficult telecom market in the coming years.

Cairn files notice against India in $1.6 billion tax dispute

Cairn files notice against India in $1.6 billion tax dispute

Rediff.com11 Mar 2015

Cairn files notice against India in $1.6 billion tax dispute.

This govt was not in favour of retro tax: Fin Secy

This govt was not in favour of retro tax: Fin Secy

Rediff.com5 Aug 2021

The bill to nullify retrospective taxation offers a fair solution within the framework of Indian law and Parliamentary sovereignty to companies which have been subjected to such demands, Finance Secretary T V Somanathan said on Thursday. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced 'The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021' in the Lok Sabha that seeks to withdraw tax demands made using a 2012 retrospective legislation to tax the indirect transfer of Indian assets. The Bill provides for the withdrawal of tax demand made on "indirect transfer of Indian assets if the transaction was undertaken before May 28, 2012 (i.e. the day the retrospective tax legislation came into being)."

Cairn offers to forego $500 mn if India agrees to pay principal due

Cairn offers to forego $500 mn if India agrees to pay principal due

Rediff.com11 Apr 2021

UK's Cairn Energy Plc has offered to forego $500 million and invest that amount in any oil and gas or renewable energy project identified by the Indian government if New Delhi agrees to honour an international arbitration award and returns the value of loss it incurred because of being taxed retrospectively, sources said. The Scottish firm invested in the oil and gas sector in India in 1994 and a decade later it made a huge oil discovery in Rajasthan. In 2006-07, it listed its Indian assets on the BSE. Five years after that the government passed a retroactive tax law and billed Cairn Rs 10,247 crore plus interest and penalty for the reorganisation tied to the flotation.

Cairns accepts India's $1bn refund offer, to drop cases, says CEO

Cairns accepts India's $1bn refund offer, to drop cases, says CEO

Rediff.com7 Sep 2021

UK-based Cairn Energy PLC on Tuesday said it will drop litigations to seize Indian properties in countries ranging from France to the US, within a couple of days of getting a USD 1 billion refund resulting from the scrapping of a retrospective tax law.

Was govt's decision to sell Cairn shares flawed?

Was govt's decision to sell Cairn shares flawed?

Rediff.com8 Aug 2021

Faced with prospect of its assets across the globe being seized just like Pakistan and Venezuela, the government decided to scrap retrospective taxation but the international embarrassment could have been avoided had 'attached' shares of Britain's Cairn Energy Plc not been sold, according to tax and legal experts. On Thursday, the government introduced a Bill in Parliament to scrap the tax rule that gave the tax department power to go 50 years back and slap capital gains levies wherever ownership had changed hands overseas but business assets were in India. The 2012 legislation was used to levy a cumulative of Rs 1.10 lakh crore of tax on 17 entities, including UK telecom giant Vodafone, but substantial punitive action was taken only in the case of Cairn.

Cairn gets French court order to seize 20 Indian assets

Cairn gets French court order to seize 20 Indian assets

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

Britain's Cairn Energy has secured a French court order to seize 20 Indian govt properties to recover arbitration award, it is learnt.

Thomas Cook sells Indian arm stake to Fairbridge

Thomas Cook sells Indian arm stake to Fairbridge

Rediff.com22 May 2012

UK-based travel services provider Thomas Cook Group plc will sell for Rs 817.4 crore (Rs 8.17 billion) its entire 77 per cent holding in the Indian arm to Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Ltd, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings.

Looking at how best to sort out Cairn arbitration: Sitharaman

Looking at how best to sort out Cairn arbitration: Sitharaman

Rediff.com22 Apr 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday reiterated that an international arbitration ruling on India's sovereign right to taxation sets the wrong precedent, but said the government is looking at how best it can sort out the issue arising out of New Delhi being ordered to return $1.2 billion plus interest and cost to UK's Cairn Energy Plc. The government, which participated in an international arbitration brought by the Scottish firm against being taxed retrospectively, has appealed against The Hague based tribunal's ruling asking the government to return the value of shares expropriated and liquidated, tax refunds withheld and dividend seized to recover a wrongly levied retroactive tax demand.

Cairn has identified India's assets for seizure in case of non-payment

Cairn has identified India's assets for seizure in case of non-payment

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

British oil firm Cairn Energy Plc on Tuesday said it has identified Indian sovereign assets overseas, which it can seize in the event of New Delhi failing to return over USD 1.7 billion that an international arbitration tribunal has ordered after rescinding a retrospective tax demand.

Vodafone and Idea are now 'Vi'

Vodafone and Idea are now 'Vi'

Rediff.com7 Sep 2020

The brand integration not only marks the completion of the largest telecom merger in the world, but will also set the company on its future journey to offer strong digital experiences to 1 billion Indians on its 4G network.

'Mallya is the author of his own misfortune'

'Mallya is the author of his own misfortune'

Rediff.com12 Apr 2019

Diageo, which had acquired Mallya's United Spirits nearly six years ago, is claiming $40 million paid to the liquor tycoon as part of an alleged breach of agreement.

SEC slaps $16 mn fine on Diageo for bribery

SEC slaps $16 mn fine on Diageo for bribery

Rediff.com29 Jul 2011

US market regulator SEC has slapped penalties of over $16 million on spirits giant Diageo Plc for indulging in corrupt practices in India, Thailand and South Korea to push up sales of its leading brands like Johnnie Walker.