News for 'State for Telecom'

One week, Rs 1.47 lakh cr dues: What will telcos do?

One week, Rs 1.47 lakh cr dues: What will telcos do?

Rediff.com17 Jan 2020

Following the October 24 Supreme Court order, the department of telecom estimated that the total liability of 15 telecom companies, including penalties and interest, would be Rs 1.47 lakh crore.

Govt dept wants home ministry to allow limited activity in select sectors

Govt dept wants home ministry to allow limited activity in select sectors

Rediff.com12 Apr 2020

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) has suggested to the home ministry to allow limited activity in certain sectors such as heavy electricals and telecom equipment with reasonable safeguards. In a letter to Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the department said that these activities are essential to improve the economic situation and provide liquidity in the hands of the people.

Lockdown is only about control not health, says Anil Ambani's son Anmol

Lockdown is only about control not health, says Anil Ambani's son Anmol

Rediff.com7 Apr 2021

Anmol Ambani, the eldest son of industrialist Anil Ambani, has lashed out against a new round of lockdowns being imposed amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, saying such restrictions do not concern health but control and that they destroy the very backbone of the society and economy. The 29-year-old former executive director of Reliance Capital Ltd in a series of tweets lambasted the new semi-lockdown rules hurting small businesses and daily wage earners. "Professional 'actors' can continue shooting their films. Professional 'cricketers' can play their sport late into the night. Professional 'politicians' can continue their rallies with masses of people. But YOUR business or work is not ESSENTIAL. Still don't get it?" he said in a tweet.

Reliance reboots Aramco deal, to re-evaluate structure

Reliance reboots Aramco deal, to re-evaluate structure

Rediff.com19 Nov 2021

After missing two self-imposed deadlines, billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd on Friday announced recalibration of a proposed $15 billion deal to sell 20 per cent stake in its oil refinery and petrochemical business to Saudi Aramco, saying the two firms have agreed to re-evaluate the proposed investment in light of the Indian firm's new energy forays. The stake sale talks, which were first officially revealed in August 2019, are being reset in light of Reliance making forays into new energy business in recent months by investing $10 billion in alternative energy over three years. To pivot to green energy, it has already bought a German maker of photovoltaic solar wafers and signed a deal with a Danish company to manufacture hydrogen electrolysers in India.

RIL can become 1st Indian firm to hit $200 bn m-cap

RIL can become 1st Indian firm to hit $200 bn m-cap

Rediff.com16 Oct 2019

Reliance has significant investments in telecom, consumer retail and media businesses in India.

Jio designed to help India lead fourth industrial revolution: Mukesh Ambani

Jio designed to help India lead fourth industrial revolution: Mukesh Ambani

Rediff.com8 Oct 2020

Having missed most of the first three industrial revolutions, India has its chance to lead the fourth industrial revolution through a convergence of its IT prowess, ultra-high-speed internet connectivity and affordable smart devices, billionaire Mukesh Ambani said on Thursday. The richest Indian, who heads the nation's most valuable company Reliance Industries, said his group's telecom and digital unit Jio was conceived to provide the key ingredients needed to lead the fourth industrial revolution.

Tamil Nadu announces 'total lockdown' from May 10 to 24

Tamil Nadu announces 'total lockdown' from May 10 to 24

Rediff.com8 May 2021

With Tamil Nadu witnessing a sharp increase in the covid-19 cases, the government on Saturday announced clamping a two-week 'total lockdown' across the state to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Aggregate annual PE deal count over 60% in last 5 yrs

Aggregate annual PE deal count over 60% in last 5 yrs

Rediff.com3 Mar 2021

With the Indian economy expected to emerge as the third largest by 2030, investors have earmarked significant capital to actively participate in the India growth story.

Zambia telecoms regulator takes Bharti, two other operators to court

Zambia telecoms regulator takes Bharti, two other operators to court

Rediff.com8 Jul 2013

...accusing them of failing to meet minimum standards.

Reliance ranked 96th in Fortune Global 500 list

Reliance ranked 96th in Fortune Global 500 list

Rediff.com11 Aug 2020

This is the highest any Indian company has been ranked on the Fortune Global 500 list.

Cyberattacks on Mumbai power continue!

Cyberattacks on Mumbai power continue!

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

'Hackers from China and UK were involved in the October 12 power outage,' Maharashtra power minister tells Rediff.com.

Power, oil, telecom firms under CBI lens for laundering

Power, oil, telecom firms under CBI lens for laundering

Rediff.com20 Aug 2014

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had told the finance ministry some "well-known" companies in the power, oil, and telecommunications sectors were involved in round-trip trading by indulging in third-party transfers in violation of law.

Decision on TikTok within weeks: White House

Decision on TikTok within weeks: White House

Rediff.com16 Jul 2020

"I do not think there is any self-imposed deadline for action, but I think we are looking at weeks, not months," White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters aboard Air Force One, flying with President Donald Trump form Atlanta.

Nothing wrong in judges being pro-govt or against it, says Delhi HC CJ

Nothing wrong in judges being pro-govt or against it, says Delhi HC CJ

Rediff.com11 Mar 2022

The Chief Justice, while speaking at the farewell reference organised by the high court, said that judges are only interpreters and are not here to make the law or to evolve a policy and a balance has to be maintained between judicial activism and restraint.

Vodafone says future in India 'could be in doubt'

Vodafone says future in India 'could be in doubt'

Rediff.com12 Nov 2019

Vodafone's operating loss from India business jumped to 692 million euros in April-September from 133 million euros in the same period last year.

Banks' NPAs never went away, they were only hidden

Banks' NPAs never went away, they were only hidden

Rediff.com26 May 2022

Indeed, there were frauds, and the politician-banker-industrialist nexus played a role in the rise of NPAs, but governance issues in Indian banking are far more nuanced and complex, reveals Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

The Work-Life Balance Illusion

The Work-Life Balance Illusion

Rediff.com5 Aug 2021

To young professionals I would say, work hard, play hard and not be constrained by fads like WLB, says Sudhir Bisht.

HC dismisses pleas of A Raja, holds amendment in PC Act not to apply on 2G case

HC dismisses pleas of A Raja, holds amendment in PC Act not to apply on 2G case

Rediff.com23 Nov 2020

Justice Brijesh Sethi held that the 2018 amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act relating to Section 13 (1)(d) would not come to the rescue of the acquitted accused in this appeal.

Vedanta arm is paying almost nothing for Videocon group: NCLT

Vedanta arm is paying almost nothing for Videocon group: NCLT

Rediff.com16 Jun 2021

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the resolution plan of Twin Star Technologies -- a promoter entity of the Vedanta Resources group -- for the Videocon group. But it has pointed out that the successful resolution applicant is "paying almost nothing" as the amount offered is only 4.15 per cent of total outstanding claim. It noted the hair cut for all the creditors is 95.85 per cent and suggested to both committee of creditors (CoC) and the successful applicant an increase in the payout.

India's telcos continue to dial the wrong number

India's telcos continue to dial the wrong number

Rediff.com2 Aug 2020

India's telecom sector has been through dizzying peaks, troughs, policy U-turns, court battles, brutal competition, and daily controversies. India could go back to a private sector duopoly with just Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel surviving the mayhem. The third player, Vodafone Idea, could be history.

Sabarmati ashram gifts UK PM Gandhi's unpublished work, Mirabehn's autobiography

Sabarmati ashram gifts UK PM Gandhi's unpublished work, Mirabehn's autobiography

Rediff.com21 Apr 2022

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who landed in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning on a two-day India visit, was accorded a grand welcome at the airport in Ahmedabad. Soon after, he visited Sabarmati Ashram in the company of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupesh Patel.

Maran wants PM to write to states about fires

Maran wants PM to write to states about fires

Rediff.com17 Jul 2004

Union minister Dayanidhi Maran today apprised Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh of the gravity of the fire tragedy at a private school in Tamil Nadu's Kumbakonam district in which 90 students were burnt alive

Why India's asset monetisation dream may be hard to achieve

Why India's asset monetisation dream may be hard to achieve

Rediff.com22 Sep 2021

India was among the top-five economies with the largest general government capital stock level, said, in 2015, an International Monetary Fund report called "Making Public Investment More Efficient". The report fuelled a debate on countries sitting on piles of cash that could be used better. India was believed to have public assets worth $4.5 trillion. The report urged countries to start asset recycling. Six years after the report, Australia's success in asset recycling has turned India into a believer; despite doing averagely in its previous efforts on roads, railways or meeting its divestment targets.

Tata Group is once again India's most valuable brand

Tata Group is once again India's most valuable brand

Rediff.com7 Jun 2021

The total value of India's top 100 brands has increased by 2 per cent, from $162.1 billion in 2020 to $164.9 billion in 2021, according to the latest Brand Finance India 100 2021 report. This uplift in brand value over the course of the first year of the pandemic is an impressive feat given the global economic crisis following the implementation of national lockdowns in March 2020, when business activity was brought to a halt, affecting both production and consumption. Among the brands that came on the top of the list include Tata Group, Reliance Industries, and Mahindra Group.

Cairn, Air India seek stay on New York court proceedings

Cairn, Air India seek stay on New York court proceedings

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

Cairn Energy and Air India have jointly asked a New York federal court to stay further proceedings in the British firm's US lawsuit targeting the airline for enforcement of a $1.2-billion arbitral award. The move follows the government enacting a law to scrap retrospective taxation in the country, which in effect will result in withdrawal of the Rs 10,247 crore tax demand on Cairn, according to court documents reviewed by PTI. The British company had won an international arbitration award against levy of such taxes and sought to take over Air India assets when the government refused to honour the award and pay it $1.2 billion-plus interest and penalty.

Telcos face a big challenge to keep India Inc connected

Telcos face a big challenge to keep India Inc connected

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

Companies have activated a comprehensive pandemic response plan with requisite risk mitigation protocols for keeping networks working as telecom is an essential service.

Should India charge Internet cos for market access?

Should India charge Internet cos for market access?

Rediff.com24 Sep 2018

'Considering that an Internet company's market value is largely determined by its direct access to consumers for digital services, and largely served outside a sovereign country's control, it would appear reasonable in trade terms to discuss fees for a seat at the proverbial 'table' of opportunities in the largest open consumer market,' argues Venki Nishtala.

Ambani likely to roll out 5G services in second half of 2021

Ambani likely to roll out 5G services in second half of 2021

Rediff.com8 Dec 2020

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday hinted at rolling out 5G telecom services in the second half of 2021 and said policy steps are needed to accelerate the early rollout of ultra-high-speed 5G services that are affordable and available everywhere. Ambani, whose four-year-old telecom venture Jio has captured the No.1 spot offering free voice calling and data at dirt-cheap rates, also pitched for developing hardware manufacturing in India, saying the nation cannot rely on imports in such a critical area. 5G is the 5th generation mobile network that enables connecting virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices. India, he said, is today among the best digitally connected nations in the world.

ITI withdraws Rs 1,300-crore FPO over poor demand

ITI withdraws Rs 1,300-crore FPO over poor demand

Rediff.com6 Feb 2020

The government holds 90 per cent stake in ITI which is valued at Rs 7,550 crore.

New Telecom Act: Sops to cell cos

New Telecom Act: Sops to cell cos

Rediff.com13 Apr 2005

The government said on Wednesday that the Telegraph Act would be amended to incorporate cellular service providers to get a share from the Universal Service Obligation Fund to connect all villages, highways and rail network.\n\n

Sensex, Nifty close at lifetime highs

Sensex, Nifty close at lifetime highs

Rediff.com7 Jun 2021

PowerGrid was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying over 4 per cent, followed by NTPC, UltraTech Cement, Tech Mahindra, Reliance Industries and IndusInd Bank.

Why Air Indias' privatisation sailed & BPCL's is dragging on

Why Air Indias' privatisation sailed & BPCL's is dragging on

Rediff.com19 Dec 2021

Changing tracks helps. But, not taking the beaten path isn't always helpful. This is the story of two of India's biggest privatisations - Air India and Bharat Petroleum (BPCL). Nearly two decades after the last privatisation, a landmark divestment concluded this year when the loss-making national carrier Air India was sold to the Tatas.

Cabinet clears Rs 76,000-crore incentive scheme for semiconductors

Cabinet clears Rs 76,000-crore incentive scheme for semiconductors

Rediff.com15 Dec 2021

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a Rs 76,000 crore policy boost for semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country in an bid to position India as a global hub for hi-tech production. Announcing the decision of the Cabinet, IT and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw observed that electronics plays an important role in everyday life, and semiconductor chips forms a crucial part of electronics. Outlining the details of the scheme, he said the Rs 76,000 crore programme has been approved for the development of semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem.

BPCL privatisation: How long will govt wait for the right suitor?

BPCL privatisation: How long will govt wait for the right suitor?

Rediff.com19 Jan 2022

In 2017, a consortium led by Russian state oil company Rosneft agreed to buy Essar Oil for $12.9 billion in India's biggest foreign acquisition of a homegrown company. Rosneft's buyout of Essar's assets was meant to herald a wave of energy investments in India - over six decades after Esso, Caltex and Shell invested in India's refining sector in the 1950s. But the government has tripped up in its efforts to sell Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), formerly Burmah Shell, a blue chip public sector company. Bidders include a couple of global funds and resources firm Vedanta.

Why Should Govt Be In Fintech?

Why Should Govt Be In Fintech?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2021

The temptation to get into businesses that are hot is perhaps too great for any politician, no matter what his public slogans are. Nehru plunged into hot sectors of his time -- engineering and iron and steel. Modi has plunged into digital payments -- the hot sector of his time, notes Debashis Basu.

China protests US ban on TikTok, WeChat; warns counter measures

China protests US ban on TikTok, WeChat; warns counter measures

Rediff.com19 Sep 2020

The US on Friday issued orders to ban popular Chinese social media apps TikTok and WeChat from Sunday to safeguard national security, weeks after India banned them, saying they were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.

Manoj Sinha appointed new LG of JK

Manoj Sinha appointed new LG of JK

Rediff.com6 Aug 2020

Known as 'vikas purush' (man involved in developmental work), Sinha is a three-time Lok Sabha MP who held charge of the communication ministry as a minister of State in 2016 when the telecom industry was engaged in the sale of spectrum.