It's not only about technology, but the reach of Google that attracts the players. Google's online display ads have even evoked the interest of automobile companies, other than telcos and FMCG firms.
Dubbing the statements of Union ministers Pranab Mukherjee and P Chidambaram on the controversial 2G note as "comical", Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday said the issue was not one of settling bruised egoes but of fixing responsibility for loss of "lakhs of crores" of revenue in spectrum allocation.
After a see-saw week, the Congress-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance seems to firmly back on track with reports suggesting that DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi will speak to Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday and thank her for the Congress's acceptance of their seat-sharing formula.
Recalling the steps taken by the government to deal with the issue, Mukherjee said, "Our efforts to tackle this menace have been increasing (and) we are committed to the goal of achieving zero tolerance against corruption."
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday maintained that he will speak, if necessary, on the finance ministry note on 2G spectrum allocation issue only after talking to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday stepped into the 2G spectrum row that has engulfed the government by meeting Home Minister P Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee amid unconfirmed reports that the former had offered to quit.
The move comes in the backdrop of a slowdown in the foreign direct investments and its impact on the current account deficit.
The party -- happy that the government has accepted its demand for a parliamentary probe into the 2G scam -- might not obstruct most of the important Bills the government would present in this session, said senior BJP leaders.
Ludhiana's readymade garment makers on Wednesday announced shutting down of operations for a day on March 4, perturbed by the latest budget proposal, making 10 per cent excise duty on branded apparels mandatory.
At present, when Indian corporates declare dividends, a dividend distribution tax is slapped at 15 per cent.
Markets may have initially cheered the FM's static borrowing numbers, but the picture may not be as rosy.
Grappling with a high rate of price rise, the government on Tuesday expressed concern that increasing prices of crude and other commodities in global markets could add to inflationary pressure in the country.
Going the direct subsidy route, the prices of kerosene and LPG will go up in the market, but the extent of rise will not be as high as when the subsidy is given to everyone.
In an exclusive column to Rediff.com, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat explains what is wrong with the Union Budget 2011-12 that Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee presented in Parliament on Monday.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's Budget presentation on Monday was in sharp contrast to his colleague Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's disorderly and oft-disrupted performance.
The Union Budget stepped up plan allocation for the health sector by 20 per cent with a focus on health insurance, which Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced would be extended now to unorganised sector workers in hazardous mining and associated industries.
Government has set up a Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission to streamline the financial sector laws.
The government on Monday proposed imposition of 5 per cent service tax on treatment in private hospitals, paid either by individuals, insurance companies or firms, a move described as "detrimental" by industry players.
The finance minister has increased the quantum of rural credit, with particular emphasis on short-term crop loans for small farmers and focussed heavily on improving food storage and processing infrastructure as well as supply chain management.
There are allegations that MFIs are charging exorbitant interest rates and using strong-arm tactics to recover the loans.
Expressing "serious concern" over the generation and circulation of black money, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said the government has adopted a five-fold strategy to deal with the menace.
Concerned over the misuse of subsidies provided under various schemes, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said the government will provide a direct cash subsidy on kerosene and fertilisers to the poor from March next year.
The Companies Bill 2009, which seeks to replace a half-a-century-old Act, will be presented in Parliament in the ongoing Budget session, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Monday.
The government on Monday said inflation continues to remain a concern, but exuded confidence that the RBI's monetary policy will lead to moderation in inflation numbers in the coming months.
Referring to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's letter to the Prime Minister in the 2G Spectrum case, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday alleged that Home Minister P Chidambaram was involved in the scam and demanded that he should resign or else be sacked immediately.
'I think we will be able able to inspire confidence in the minds of prospective investors,' says Mukherjee.
Can Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee save the day for his coalition government?
The Union finance ministry has set up a special investigation unit to 'regulate' the funding and donations made to political parties.
Some persons with accounts in a Swiss bank have paid taxes amounting to about Rs 180 crore so far, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said in Parliament. He did not disclose any name.
The Unite dProgressive Alliance government and the Opposition will debate in Parliament on Thursday the terms of reference of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on 2G spectrum scam and pass a resolution.
Financial expert Anil Rego feels that there is nothing much Union Budget 2012-13 offers to the taxpayers.
Banerjee wants the two top leaders of the United Progressive Alliance to nudge the Planning Commission into including some of her most important initiatives in the Railway Budget.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday urged the states to strengthen PDS to enable the government insulate the poor from the adverse impact of inflation.
The emphasis would be on curbing subsidies and promoting private sector investment by continuing stimulus measures.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has urged Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to allow the Securities and Insurance Laws (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance 2010 to lapse, since it could affect the autonomy of all regulators, including the central bank.
The CBDT is understood to be 'seriously considering' recommending to the government a scheme on the lines of the Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme announced in 1996 to tap funds lying abroad for productive use in India.
In an affront to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has refused to relieve an Indian Administrative Service officer he wanted as his private secretary in what appears to be fast soiling relations between the two since differences cropped up over Teesta river deal with Bangladesh.
The Finance Minister himself admitted that the tax proposal could have some inflationary bearing.
Who will take over the tasks of the prime minister and oversee the functioning of the government during the third week of September? This is the question that is being discussed in the corridors of power in Delhi, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be in the United States from September 21 to September 28 to attend the United Nations General Assembly session. United Progressive Alliance trouble-shooter and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will also be away, in Washington.
Is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh once again trying to derail the process of setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee, for which hectic efforts have been made by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee having had a number of meetings with opposition leaders?
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances