News for 'State for Telecom'

Central trade unions begin two-day nationwide strike

Central trade unions begin two-day nationwide strike

Rediff.com28 Mar 2022

Talking to PTI Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), said, "The two-day nationwide strike by the joint forum of central trade unions has begun this morning". About the impact of the agitation, she said that the entire coal belt (mining area) is affected in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. She also said that there is a good response in industrial areas of Assam, Haryana, Delhi, West Bengal, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The AITUC official noted that the banks and insurance sectors are affected all over India, while steel and oil sectors are also seeing partial impact due to the strike. Kaur said that she has got preliminary reports that markets are closed in Odisha.

Bharti Airtel Q4 profit zooms to Rs 2008 crore

Bharti Airtel Q4 profit zooms to Rs 2008 crore

Rediff.com17 May 2022

India's second-largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel on Tuesday posted more than twofold year-on-year jump in its consolidated net profit for the March quarter to Rs 2,008 crore, buoyed by a lift in average revenue per user and an exceptional gain. The telco said its Q4 scorecard was backed by strong performance delivery across the portfolio and its CEO Gopal Vittal, in a statement, exuded optimism about opportunities in the coming years and Airtel being "well-poised" as a company. Airtel, which competes in the market with Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea, as well as state-owned BSNL/MTNL, promised to maintain razor sharp focus on financial flexibility, optimising the capital structure and finance cost.

Antrix dispute: Devas seizes $87,457 cash in US

Antrix dispute: Devas seizes $87,457 cash in US

Rediff.com17 Aug 2022

Devas Multimedia has seized $87,457.47 cash that ISRO's commercial arm Antrix Corporation held in the US as it looked to enforce a $1.2 billion compensation it had won over a cancelled satellite deal, its lawyer said on Wednesday. Devas Multimedia America Inc had sought seizure of $145,000 but the actual recovery was $87,457.47 (a little less than Rs 70 lakh). This came after it secured a favourable order from the Eastern District Court of Virginia, Matthew D McGrill said.

What led to the trading glitch in Feb? NSE explains

What led to the trading glitch in Feb? NSE explains

Rediff.com22 Mar 2021

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday said failure of telecom links as well as that of storage area network system led to the outage last month and that steps are being taken to address the issues. Between primary and NDR (Near Disaster Recovery) sites, NSE said it has multiple telecom links with two service providers to ensure redundancy. In a detailed statement on the outage that happened on February 24, the bourse said various measures have been taken and others are under implementation to address the issues.

Uddhav in charge: Asks cops to crack down hard on MNS

Uddhav in charge: Asks cops to crack down hard on MNS

Rediff.com5 May 2022

'Uddhav has told the cops to crack down hard on the MNS agitation if MNS activists try to vitiate the communal harmony in the state.'

All about the Infrastructure Finance Secretariat

All about the Infrastructure Finance Secretariat

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

During his first Union Budget in July 2014, former finance minister Arun Jaitley announced the setting up of an institution called 3P India, with an allocation of Rs 500 crore. The intention was to mainstream public-private partnerships (PPPs) in India. The plan was to bring together the capacities of the government and private sector to push PPP projects.

90% chipmakers have design footprint in India: Intel

90% chipmakers have design footprint in India: Intel

Rediff.com16 Nov 2021

As many as 2,000 chips are annually designed in India by semi-conductor and fabless companies, Intel India managing director Prakash Mallya said in a conversation with Business Standard. Mallya was reiterating the importance of India in the semi-conductor sweepstakes. "As much as 90 per cent of the semi-conductor companies have a design footprint in India.

AGR woes: No decision on relief to telcos at crucial meet

AGR woes: No decision on relief to telcos at crucial meet

Rediff.com28 Feb 2020

Telecom companies have been desperately waiting for a bailout package from the government after a Supreme Court order put their statutory liabilities at Rs 1.47 lakh crore.

Factors that will drive stock markets this week

Factors that will drive stock markets this week

Rediff.com8 May 2022

Global markets trends, inflation, release of industrial output data and quarterly earnings will dictate movement of the equity benchmarks this week, analysts said, adding that volatility might continue amid slew of announcements of macroeconomic data at the global level too. Moreover, foreign fund movement, crude oil prices and trend in rupee would also act as major drivers for the equity market, they added. "The direction of global equity markets along with movement in dollar index and crude oil prices will continue to dominate while inflation numbers of the USA on May 11 and inflation and IIP numbers of India on May 12 will also cause volatility in the market," said Santosh Meena, head of research, Swastika Investmart Ltd.

Challenges Chip Projects like Vedanta-Foxconn Face

Challenges Chip Projects like Vedanta-Foxconn Face

Rediff.com19 Sep 2022

Indian plants -- who plan to begin production with 28 nano metre chips -- will take two to four years to get off the ground. By that time, in the fast changing world of chip making, the global market would have shifted to 22 nm.

FM to boost Budget spending to support economic growth

FM to boost Budget spending to support economic growth

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to strike a fine balance between being fiscally prudent and growth supportive when she presents her fourth straight budget on Tuesday, which is expected to have plans to boost spending to revive investment and create jobs. The Budget for the fiscal year starting April 1, 2022 is likely to raise spending on infrastructure to set the economy on a firmer footing. The stage for the Budget presentation was set by the Economic Survey stating that the government has the fiscal space to do more to support the economy that is forecast to grow at a healthy 8-8.5 per cent growth in the 2022-23 fiscal.

India sees sharp rise in cyber attacks as internet base continues to widen

India sees sharp rise in cyber attacks as internet base continues to widen

Rediff.com15 Aug 2022

Even as India's internet base continues to widen, with the country set to have over 900 internet users by 2025, a parallel rise in cyber threats has become a matter of huge concern. Experts say that the sudden surge in digital adoption left little time to develop a cybersecurity backbone for the country. This has put large amounts of data at risk.

Gautam Adani cements hold over Ambuja, son Karan is chairman of ACC

Gautam Adani cements hold over Ambuja, son Karan is chairman of ACC

Rediff.com16 Sep 2022

Billionaire Gautam Adani's son Karan will helm the cement firms his group has acquired to become India's second largest cement player and extend his burgeoning empire that spans from ports and energy to airports and telecom.

Ambani buys Britain's iconic country club Stoke Park

Ambani buys Britain's iconic country club Stoke Park

Rediff.com23 Apr 2021

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd has bought Britain's iconic country club and luxury golf resort, Stoke Park, for 57 million pounds (about Rs 592 crore). The acquisition adds to Reliance's current stake in Oberoi hotels and hotel/managed residences in Mumbai that it's developing. Over the past four years, Reliance has announced $3.3 billion in acquisitions with 14 per cent in retail, 80 per cent in technology, media, and telecom (TMT) sector, and 6 per cent in energy. The UK-based firm, which owns a hotel and golf course in Buckinghamshire, UK, will add to Reliance's consumer and hospitality assets, the firm said in a filing late on Thursday.

Airtel has paid full AGR dues, asserts Sunil Mittal

Airtel has paid full AGR dues, asserts Sunil Mittal

Rediff.com11 Mar 2020

The company has made payment in compliance with Telecom Department's instructions for self assessment, Mittal said, adding that the Supreme Court had not mentioned specific amounts.

Will TCS Enter The Metaverse?

Will TCS Enter The Metaverse?

Rediff.com7 Jun 2022

'At present Metaverse is a hype cycle.' 'If it succeeds, then I would like to see TCS there, too.'

With open offer to buy 26% stake, Adanis seek to become majority shareholder in NDTV

With open offer to buy 26% stake, Adanis seek to become majority shareholder in NDTV

Rediff.com24 Aug 2022

Three firms, Vishvapradhan Commercial Pvt Ltd along with AMG Media Networks and Adani Enterprises Ltd, have offered a price of Rs 294 for the acquisition of up to 1,67,62,530 fully paid-up equity shares of NDTV having a face value of Rs 4 from the public shareholders.

Covid-19: Airtel, Vodafone Idea not as lucky as Reliance Jio

Covid-19: Airtel, Vodafone Idea not as lucky as Reliance Jio

Rediff.com27 Aug 2020

While Reliance Jio added 3.65 million users in May, both Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea continued to lose subscribers.

Banking, public transport services hit on day 1 of Bharat bandh

Banking, public transport services hit on day 1 of Bharat bandh

Rediff.com29 Mar 2022

A joint forum of central trade unions has given a call for a nationwide strike on March 28 and 29 to protest against the government policies affecting workers, farmers, and people.

Govt accepts Cairn's offer on retro tax

Govt accepts Cairn's offer on retro tax

Rediff.com18 Nov 2021

Moving quickly towards ending a retrospective tax dispute with a firm that gave India its largest oilfield, the government has accepted Cairn Energy PLC's undertakings which would allow for the refund of taxes, sources said. Meeting the requirements of the new legislation that scraps levy of retrospective taxation, the company had earlier this month given required undertakings indemnifying the Indian government against future claims as well as agreeing to drop any legal proceedings anywhere in the world. The government has now accepted this and issued Cairn a so-called Form-II, committing to refund the tax collected to enforce the retrospective tax demand, two sources with direct knowledge of the development said.

After SC rap, DoT orders telcos to clear dues by midnight

After SC rap, DoT orders telcos to clear dues by midnight

Rediff.com14 Feb 2020

While in all, 15 entities owe the government Rs 1.47 lakh crore -- Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid licence fee and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charges, it is not immediately clear just how much of that has been sought by the government by midnight.

Trading halt: Why NSE did not switch to disaster recovery site

Trading halt: Why NSE did not switch to disaster recovery site

Rediff.com26 Feb 2021

The country's largest stock bourse NSE on Friday said it stuck to the primary site for carrying out trading on Wednesday and did not switch to the disaster recovery site after a considered view while dealing with telecom connectivity issues which led to the nearly four-hour halt in trading earlier this week. It can be noted that Sebi had asked the exchange, which also trades the highest derivative volumes in the world, as to why it did not switch to the Disaster Recovery (DR) site. "Post shut down of trading on NSE, we considered all the available alternatives on hand including invocation of DR to decide on the course of action that would bring up the market at the earliest with least disruption to market participants and post evaluation, a decision was taken to bring up the systems at the primary site," a statement from NSE said.

Govt doesn't want to run Vodafone Idea; promoters will manage biz: VIL CEO

Govt doesn't want to run Vodafone Idea; promoters will manage biz: VIL CEO

Rediff.com12 Jan 2022

A day after Vodafone Idea Ltd opted to convert interest on dues to government equity, its CEO on Wednesday said the government had made its position amply clear that it does not want to run the telco, and added that existing promoters are fully committed to managing and running the company's operations. Vodafone Idea (VIL) on Tuesday announced its decision to opt for converting about Rs 16,000 crore interest dues liability payable to the government into equity, which will amount to around 35.8 per cent stake in the company. If the plan goes through, the government will become the biggest shareholder in the company which is reeling under a debt burden of about Rs 1.95 lakh crore.

Budget 2022: India Inc pitches for more reforms and tax stability

Budget 2022: India Inc pitches for more reforms and tax stability

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

India Inc on Thursday pitched for continuation of reforms while ensuring tax and policy stability in the forthcoming Budget to prop up the economy hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the virtual pre-Budget consultation held with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, industry chambers said that government measures will help firmly entrench the nascent signs of recovery being currently seen in private investment. Capital expenditure by the government through enhanced infrastructure spending should in the meantime continue to support growth, CII president TV Narendran said.

How Airtel proposes to avoid service interruption

How Airtel proposes to avoid service interruption

Rediff.com23 Mar 2020

The Sunil Bharti Mittal-led firm on Sunday approached its competitors to set up intra-circle roaming and other processes in the way it is done by the sector to respond to disasters.

Can Religious Rows Hurt DMK In 2024?

Can Religious Rows Hurt DMK In 2024?

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

Party insiders concede statements of the Raja kind have the potential to hurt the DMK's electoral chances in closely-fought seats in 2024, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Who will be Mukesh Ambani's successor at Reliance?

Who will be Mukesh Ambani's successor at Reliance?

Rediff.com28 Dec 2021

Richest Indian Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday mentioned about leadership transition at his energy-to-retail conglomerate, saying he wants the process to be accelerated with seniors, including him, yielding to the younger generation. Ambani, 64, who has previously not spoken about succession plans at the country's most valuable company, said Reliance is "now in the process of effecting a momentous leadership transition." Ambani has three children -- twins Akash and Isha, and Anant.

Adani, Sitharaman line up for yoga session

Adani, Sitharaman line up for yoga session

Rediff.com21 Jun 2022

Billionaire Gautam Adani on Tuesday did an hour-long session of yoga exercises in the open air as he led corporate India to join the International Day of Yoga celebrations. Several public and private sector companies held yoga sessions at their offices to promote the adoption of exercise in daily routines to stay fit and healthy. Adani, chairman of logistics-to-energy conglomerate Adani Group, and his wife Priti, who heads the Adani Foundation, "participated with more than 1,000 members of the Adani Parivaar team to celebrate health, mindfulness and meditation," the group said in a statement. The session was held at a football ground at Adani Shantigram in Ahmedabad. Several other business leaders tweeted pictures of their yoga sessions.

Markets bounce back after 5-day rout; RIL leads charge

Markets bounce back after 5-day rout; RIL leads charge

Rediff.com20 Apr 2022

Benchmark indices bounced back on Wednesday after falling for five straight sessions, with investors snapping up the recently-mauled IT, finance and consumption stocks amid a supportive trend overseas. A rebounding rupee further bolstered sentiment, traders said. Halting its five-session slide, the BSE Sensex jumped 574.35 points or 1.02 per cent to finish at 57,037.50. Similarly, the NSE Nifty surged 177.90 points or 1.05 per cent to 17,136.55.

The End Of NDTV As We Know It

The End Of NDTV As We Know It

Rediff.com2 Dec 2022

We got the same Diwali bonuses. We ate together. We carried equipment together on shoots. And when the odd reporter tried to throw her weight around and leave the camera person to carry bags of equipment, cables, the camera and tripod down the stairs and to the shoot location, Prannoy would step in, take the tripod off the shoulders of the colleague silently, lightening the load, recalls Revati Laul.

BSNL told to stay 4G tender for Rs 90000 cr over allegations

BSNL told to stay 4G tender for Rs 90000 cr over allegations

Rediff.com5 May 2020

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade has asked the telecom department and State-owned BSNL to put on hold the tender for setting up 4G network, valued at Rs 9,000 crore, after allegations emerged that the tender favoured foreign companies. The tender was floated by BSNL in March under the new management for setting up the 4G network.

Covid woes: Mumbai, Delhi bring little cheer for telcos

Covid woes: Mumbai, Delhi bring little cheer for telcos

Rediff.com30 Sep 2020

Telecom operators say the reason for the low increase in ARPU in the two metros could be linked to the massive reverse migration of labour.

When Namal Met NaMo...

When Namal Met NaMo...

Rediff.com20 Oct 2021

When the first flight arrived at Kushinagar airport on Wednesday, it was not Gota or Mahinda who stepped out, but another Rajapaksa. Namal Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's minister of sports.

Kashmir unrest: Curfew-hit state remains peaceful but tense

Kashmir unrest: Curfew-hit state remains peaceful but tense

Rediff.com13 Aug 2016

Curfew remained in force in entire Srinagar district and Anantnag town on Saturday to thwart the separatists' plan to stage a two-day sit-in in the city centre even as the death toll in the ongoing unrest climbed to 56 in the Valley with the death of a youth injured in firing.

Low profile, yet outspoken, Trai's Vaghela knows how to take tough calls

Low profile, yet outspoken, Trai's Vaghela knows how to take tough calls

Rediff.com8 Oct 2020

Vagela could not have reached this position if Narendra Modi, who'd known him from his chief minister days, had not backed the choice.

DoT gives telcos breathing space on AGR non-payment

DoT gives telcos breathing space on AGR non-payment

Rediff.com23 Jan 2020

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have communicated to the telecom department that they will not pay AGR dues of Rs 88,624 crore, the deadline for which ended on Thursday, and will wait for the outcome of modification petition listed for hearing before the Supreme Court next week, according to official sources. Reliance Jio on Thursday paid Rs 195 crore to the telecom department to clear all adjusted gross revenue dues accounted till January 31, 2020, according to an official source.

Cabinet clears telecom FDI norms

Cabinet clears telecom FDI norms

Rediff.com21 Oct 2005

Airtel again pips Jio in mobile customer addition

Airtel again pips Jio in mobile customer addition

Rediff.com23 Dec 2020

India's telecom subscriber base grew to over 1.17 billion in October with Bharti Airtel maintaining its leadership in mobile subscriber addition that accounts for over 98 per cent of total connections in the country, according to the monthly report released by sector regulator Trai on Wednesday. This is the second consecutive month when Airtel added highest number of subscribers. In September, it had regained the leadership position in subscriber addition after a gap of four years. The Sunil Bharti Mittal-led company added 3.67 million new customers in October, taking its total wireless customer base to 330.28 million in October 2020, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (Trai) report said.

Major shake-up in state bureaucracy on the cards

Major shake-up in state bureaucracy on the cards

Rediff.com4 Jan 2011

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan appointed Subodh Kumar, a 1977 batch IAS officer, as the commissioner of India's richest civic body - the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Kumar replaces Swadhin Kshtriya who has been appointed as the revenue secretary.

Two-day all India strike from Monday may hit essential services

Two-day all India strike from Monday may hit essential services

Rediff.com27 Mar 2022

The strike notices were given by workers' unions of various sectors such as coal, steel, oil, telecom, postal, income tax, copper, banks and insurance.