News for 'The Illustrated Weekly of India'

Top-Up Home Loan May Cost Your Home!

Top-Up Home Loan May Cost Your Home!

Rediff.com13 Aug 2024

'If the borrower can't repay the loan due to lack of income or losses from speculative activities, they risk defaulting on it.' 'This could lead to the bank seizing the property.'

Apply for Maharashtra licence in 3 weeks, SC tells Uber

Apply for Maharashtra licence in 3 weeks, SC tells Uber

Rediff.com14 Feb 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday directed Uber to apply for a licence within three weeks to operate in Maharashtra, stressing that cab aggregators cannot function without one. A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud said that an earlier interim order by the Supreme Court that had allowed Uber to operate in the state would not provide legal cover, since an aggregator cannot operate without a licence. It ordered Uber to apply for a licence by March 6, said a report by Bar and Bench.

Sebi seeks greater IPO disclosures for faster clearance

Sebi seeks greater IPO disclosures for faster clearance

Rediff.com4 Jun 2024

In a bid to expedite the processing of initial public offerings (IPOs), the markets regulator will now seek additional information from lead managers (LMs) when they file draft documents. Last week, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) sent a letter to bankers, listing over two dozens of new disclosure requirements. The average time Sebi takes to clear the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) - a document companies must file before accessing public funds - has dropped to less than three months in 2024 (until May 31).

Banking system liquidity goes into surplus mode after 3 months

Banking system liquidity goes into surplus mode after 3 months

Rediff.com6 Mar 2024

The liquidity in the banking system moved into surplus almost after three months as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) absorbed over Rs 40,000 crore from the market on Monday, predominantly on the back of increased government spending. However, this situation may be short-lived given the higher demand for funds to pay taxes and year-end targets, treasury executives said. Meanwhile, two variable reverse repo rate (VRRR) auctions held on Tuesday received weak response.

'Indian rupee best-performing Asian currency this year'

'Indian rupee best-performing Asian currency this year'

Rediff.com29 Jun 2024

'India represents one of the top opportunities with robust growth, solid fundamentals, and openness to foreign investment.'

Cash out: Mobile wallet payments may hit Rs 532 trn in 2028

Cash out: Mobile wallet payments may hit Rs 532 trn in 2028

Rediff.com9 Apr 2024

Mobile wallet adoption is surging in India and swiftly becoming a primary payment option, surpassing traditional methods like cash and cards. Over the next few years, payments via mobile wallets in India are likely to surpass the Rs 531.8 trillion mark in 2028, witnessing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.3 per cent between 2024 and 2028, according to GlobalData - a London-based leading data and analytics company. The value of mobile wallet payments in India, as per a GlobalData report, grew at a CAGR of 72.1 per cent between 2019 and 2023 to reach Rs 202.8 trillion ($2.5 trillion) in 2023.

Cautious approach: Small finance bank model in the slow lane, say experts

Cautious approach: Small finance bank model in the slow lane, say experts

Rediff.com24 Apr 2024

The small finance bank model may still be testing the water some 10 years since its launch. According to banking experts, the regulator has taken a cautious approach in granting approvals. Unity Small Finance Bank was the last one to get a licence in the category in November 2021.

Mutual funds bet on 'special' opportunities as uncertainties loom

Mutual funds bet on 'special' opportunities as uncertainties loom

Rediff.com9 May 2024

Mutual funds are looking to tap into the special opportunities theme ahead of the results of the general election results and the continued uncertainty on the geo-political and interest rate fronts. Two fund houses - WhiteOak Capital and Samco - are set to launch special opportunities funds next week. Kotak MF has also filed papers with the regulator to launch a scheme in the same category.

Recipe: Pheroza And Jamshed Godrej's Baked Eggs

Recipe: Pheroza And Jamshed Godrej's Baked Eggs

Rediff.com5 Apr 2024

An easy, simple breakfast or brunch, that goes well with toast.

Bourses eye index derivatives with new stock additions in limbo

Bourses eye index derivatives with new stock additions in limbo

Rediff.com3 May 2024

Stock exchanges are expanding the buffet of index derivatives even as the number of stocks permitted to trade in this space, generating an average daily turnover of Rs 450 trillion, is shrinking. This week, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) started issuing futures and options (F&O) contracts based on the Nifty Next 50 Index, bringing the total count of index derivatives to five.

Sensex, Nifty close higher in volatile trade

Sensex, Nifty close higher in volatile trade

Rediff.com29 Feb 2024

Reliance Industries closed more than half a per cent higher after the company announced a proposed merger of media and entertainment assets of Viacom18 with Star India. Hindustan Unilever, Bharti Airtel, Tata Motors, ITC, Tech Mahindra and Axis Bank were among the laggards.

BEWARE Of Such Scams!

BEWARE Of Such Scams!

Rediff.com29 Jul 2024

What is digital house arrest? It is a tactic cybercriminals use to confine victims to their homes and scam them, explains Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

'May God take special care of an exceptional human being!'

'May God take special care of an exceptional human being!'

Rediff.com5 May 2023

Three mentees pay homage to Sherna Gandhy, the legendary journalist and editor who passed into the ages on April 28 after a long battle with cancer.

'If you lose $5 billion to $7 billion every week...'

'If you lose $5 billion to $7 billion every week...'

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

'... as has been happening in the last three weeks, then the foreign exchange reserves will not be comfortable to ensure that the rupee does not fall drastically.'

'Industry Has To Help Us'

'Industry Has To Help Us'

Rediff.com16 Aug 2024

'There will be 200 ITIs developed as hubs, while 800 will be developed as spoke, connected with five National Skill Training Institutes.'

Startups Likely To Step Up Hiring

Startups Likely To Step Up Hiring

Rediff.com4 Jul 2024

'In the second half of 2024, about 60% of startup jobs will be taken by entry-level candidates with 0-3 years of experience.'

File tax return in mid-June, once all necessary info is available

File tax return in mid-June, once all necessary info is available

Rediff.com7 May 2024

Taxpayers are filing their income tax returns (ITRs) early for the Assessment Year 2024-25 (FY25). By April 29, over 592,000 returns were filed, with over 538,000 verified and 367,000 processed. Early filing allows revisions without penalties.

IPO-bound startups find favour with investors amid funding resurgence

IPO-bound startups find favour with investors amid funding resurgence

Rediff.com26 Jun 2024

The tide of startup-funding is turning in India, with a rising trend of overall funding while the deal sizes grow bigger. However, the spotlight now is on late-stage startups, many of which are seen to be headed for initial public offerings (IPOs). Record surge in stock markets and consistently improving performances of listed startups are understood to have turned the sentiment for the better, especially for those that exhibit a clear path to an IPO.

RSS and its affiliates seek I-T cut, robot tax launch in upcoming Budget

RSS and its affiliates seek I-T cut, robot tax launch in upcoming Budget

Rediff.com30 Jun 2024

An increase in the farmer income support scheme PM Kisan Nidhi, the introduction of a 'robot tax' to fund reskilling of people who lose their jobs to artificial intelligence (AI), and a reduced income-tax (I-T) to bring relief to the middle classes - these are some of the items in the Budget wish list submitted by Sangh Parivar affiliates to Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman. Representatives of the affiliates of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), such as the farmer organisation Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS); trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS); Laghu Udyog Bharati, which works for micro and small industries; and Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), which works on economic and policy issues, met the FM and other officials over the last couple of weeks as part of the pre-Budget consultations.

India's growth trajectory secure: FinMin's monthly economic review

India's growth trajectory secure: FinMin's monthly economic review

Rediff.com4 Aug 2023

Improved monsoon, solid fiscal performance, and capex push by the public and private sectors augurs well for India's macroeconomic stability and growth, the finance ministry's monthly economic review for June 2023 said. But the report said that while India's domestic fundamentals remain strong, negative cross-border spillovers and adverse global developments could act as a deterrent in achieving the high growth path this financial year. "An improved matching of aggregate supply and aggregate demand in the Indian economy underpins the progress made in the control of domestic inflation and the consequent strengthening of macroeconomic stability," the review said.

Bank customer has zero liability for unauthorised transaction: HC

Bank customer has zero liability for unauthorised transaction: HC

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

The bench referred to three reports submitted by the cyber cell police which said the beneficiaries were added to the bank account without any message or OTP received on the registered mobile number and email to the registered email account.

Worsening Canada-India diplomatic ties may take a toll on FPI flows

Worsening Canada-India diplomatic ties may take a toll on FPI flows

Rediff.com27 Sep 2023

Deteriorating ties between India and Canada could have a bearing on flows into the domestic capital markets. At present, Canada is the seventh largest country for foreign portfolio investor (FPI) flows into India. According to the National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL), the assets under custody (AUC) of FPIs domiciled in Canada stood at nearly Rs 1.8 trillion ($21 billion) at the end of August. Almost 85 per cent of these investments are in listed equity, while the remaining in debt and hybrid instruments.

How To Curb Speculation In F&Os

How To Curb Speculation In F&Os

Rediff.com13 Jul 2024

'Sebi had no problem with derivatives until trading exploded after Covid.' 'But now, having built a dangerous road, from which different entities, mainly governments, are extracting a heavy toll, Sebi is concerned that people are driving on it in much greater numbers,' explains Debashis Basu.

Oh, To Buy A Home In Srinagar...!

Oh, To Buy A Home In Srinagar...!

Rediff.com29 May 2024

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com tried to buy a house on his recent visit to Srinagar.

SC reverses trial court order on Bloomberg article removal in Zee case

SC reverses trial court order on Bloomberg article removal in Zee case

Rediff.com22 Mar 2024

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said the error committed by the trial judge had been perpetuated by the high court.

Why BJP Is More Guilty Than Sam Pitroda

Why BJP Is More Guilty Than Sam Pitroda

Rediff.com15 May 2024

If Pitroda's blunder cost him his office, what should the BJP's unrepentant attitude cost it?, asks Shyam G Menon.

India's inflation is higher than other key developing economies

India's inflation is higher than other key developing economies

Rediff.com20 Jun 2023

India's prices are rising faster than many of its emerging market peers. The country's inflation print for May at 4.25 per cent is a marked reduction from the levels seen in May 2022 (7.04 per cent). However, even though the inflation rate remains within the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4 per cent, with a 2 per cent margin on either side, it continues to be higher than China, Russia, and Brazil.

Hopes of sealing India-UK trade deal in Oct may be fading

Hopes of sealing India-UK trade deal in Oct may be fading

Rediff.com18 Oct 2023

The hope that the ongoing 13th round of negotiations towards an India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) could conclude with a deal for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to sign off in time for the India versus England World Cup cricket clash in Lucknow on October 29 seem to be fading, according to a UK media report on Wednesday. The Financial Times quoted officials briefed on the negotiations to say that a lack of movement towards opening up of the Indian market to British professional services in the field of law and accountancy is among the factors for the slowdown. So much so that cricket fan Sunak's proposed return visit to India after an inaugural visit as UK Prime Minister to New Delhi for the G20 Summit last month is looking "very, very unlikely to happen".

A Week In The Life Of A PSU Banker

A Week In The Life Of A PSU Banker

Rediff.com12 May 2023

'The CM kept his cool, but his adviser was liberal with filthy language.' Tamal Bandyopadhyay recreates the diary of a general manager in a public sector bank, providing a glimpse of how they balance their work and life.

India-US bond yield spread at 17-year low

India-US bond yield spread at 17-year low

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

JP Morgan's decision last week to include Indian government bonds in its Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) index and the index suite from June 2024 may be a sort of blessing for India, as the move is estimated to result in an inflow of $25 billion of foreign portfolio investments into the country. The development comes at a time when the spread between the benchmark 10-year government of India bond and the 10-year US government bond has declined to its lowest level in more than 17 years. Low yield spreads make Indian bonds less attractive to foreign portfolio investors (FPIs).

Retail inflation eases to 11-month low of 4.83% in April

Retail inflation eases to 11-month low of 4.83% in April

Rediff.com13 May 2024

Retail inflation eased to an 11-month low of 4.83 per cent in April as prices of some kitchen items declined though overall food basket firmed up marginally, according to a government data released on Monday. The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation was 4.85 per cent in March. It was 4.7 per cent in April 2023.

FPIs continue their buying spree; Rs 4,800 crore infused in equities

FPIs continue their buying spree; Rs 4,800 crore infused in equities

Rediff.com7 Jan 2024

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) continued their buying spree and poured close to Rs 4,800 crore in the Indian equity markets in the first week of January driven by confidence in the country's robust economic fundamentals. Additionally, they injected Rs 4,000 crore in the debt market during the period under review, data with the depositories showed. With expectations of a prolonged decline in US interest rates in 2024, there is an anticipation that FPIs will likely escalate their purchase, particularly in the initial months of the New Year leading up to the general elections, V K Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said.

Rs 9000-cr worth of IPOs lined up for next few weeks

Rs 9000-cr worth of IPOs lined up for next few weeks

Rediff.com17 Oct 2022

IPO market hopes to come out of slump in festive season, reports Sundar Sethuraman.

India's average growth rate likely to be 6.7% till FY27

India's average growth rate likely to be 6.7% till FY27

Rediff.com28 Jun 2023

Indian economy is expected to clock an average growth rate of 6.7 per cent till 2026-27 fiscal driven by domestic consumption, S&P Global Ratings senior Economist (Asia Pacific) Vishrut Rana said on Wednesday. He said the economic growth in the current fiscal is expected to come in around 6 per cent, lower than 7.2 per cent clocked in 2022-23. "We are seeing some headwinds from the trade side which is affecting activity and that is one of the factors that is affecting growth this year," Rana said at a webinar.

Is India Prepared For AI Adoption?

Is India Prepared For AI Adoption?

Rediff.com12 Apr 2023

The impact of AI automation in India is the lowest.

''Made Good Money? Take Your Capital Out'

''Made Good Money? Take Your Capital Out'

Rediff.com7 Aug 2024

'Forget your loss or profit in your portfolio.' 'Look at how much cash you have in hand.' 'If you don't have cash in hand, liquidate at least partially; get into about 20 per cent in cash.'

India's jobless rate at 6-year low; wage employment share shrinks

India's jobless rate at 6-year low; wage employment share shrinks

Rediff.com11 Oct 2023

India's unemployment rate fell to a six-year low of 3.2 per cent in the July-June 2022-23 period, down from 4.1 per cent in the same period the previous year, according to the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report. The report, released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Monday, showed a decline in unemployment rates in both rural and urban areas during the 2022-23 period to 2.4 per cent and 5.4 per cent, respectively, from 3.2 per cent and 6.3 per cent in the 2021-22 period. The unemployment rate for rural women (1.8 per cent) was lower than that for rural men (2.7 per cent) in 2022-23; in urban areas, the rate was higher for females (7.5 per cent) compared to males (4.7 per cent).

MFs own larger slice of small and midcap stocks

MFs own larger slice of small and midcap stocks

Rediff.com10 Apr 2024

Retail investors now own a larger share of smallcap companies than they did a year ago, thanks to their conviction in mutual fund (MF) schemes focused on this segment. Data from Capitaline shows that MFs' average holding in the National Stock Exchange Nifty Smallcap 250 Index stood at 9 per cent at the end of the October-December quarter of 2023-24 (FY24), up from 7.76 per cent in the same quarter of 2022-23.

Dalal Street minnows steal the show in FY24

Dalal Street minnows steal the show in FY24

Rediff.com29 Mar 2024

The BSE mid-cap and small-cap stocks have outperformed the benchmark Sensex in 2023-24 with about 62 per cent returns, reflecting buoyant investors' sentiment amid robust macroeconomic conditions in the country and impressive quarterly earnings reported by various firms. As per an analysis, the BSE mid-cap gauge jumped 15,013.95 points or 62.38 per cent in the 2023-24 fiscal, while the small-cap index climbed 16,068.99 points or 59.60 per cent. In comparison, the 30-share BSE Sensex raked in a gain of 14,659.83 points or 24.85 per cent during the fiscal under review.

Woman moves HC against govt rule over maiden surname readoption

Woman moves HC against govt rule over maiden surname readoption

Rediff.com29 Feb 2024

The petitioner woman, who had added her now estranged husband's surname to her maiden name, said the requirement was in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.