Popular Articles

India to again stress services at WTO ministerial talks
Movement on this seems stuck and linked initiative to defreeze progress needed, say analysts.

Hello commerce
Anand Sharma, Union minister for commerce and industry, must have got used to people addressing him in various ways. But Minister of State for Railways E Ahmed stunned him last week when he was about to enter Parliament. Ahmed was talking to someone outside gate number 4 when Sharma stepped out of the car. “Hello commerce, hello commerce,” Ahmed called Sharma. Sharma acknowledged the joke and responded with a warm smile.

News of the day

GMR Infra plans Rs 2,500 crore Vemagiri Power expansion
Vemagiri Power Generation Limited (VPGL), a subsidiary of Bangalore-based GMR Energy Limited, is planning to put up an additional capacity of 750 Mw in Vemagiri, adjacent to its existing natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant of 388.5 Mw.

International Business

BCCI extends Sahara\'s contract as team sponsor

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended Sahara"s contract for another six months as the Indian team’s sponsor for the same price the company had paid earlier. Sahara had paid around Rs 1.9 crore per test match and one-day international (ODI), while it will pay Rs 1.5 crore for T20 matches.

Tatas to promote IT SEZ in Chennai

Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd (TRIL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Tata Sons Ltd, will invest Rs 3,500 crore in setting up an information technology (IT) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Taramani, Chennai. The project will have both commercial and residential projects.

PDS makes a return in soaring Kerala market

With prices of essential commodities going through the roof, public distribution shops (PDS) in Kerala are back in action.

Hiring activity up 7.5% in Kolkata

Hiring activity for Kolkata increased by 7.05 per cent in November compared to October 2009, said a report from JobSpeak, the monthly job index released by Naukri.com.

Home decor store Rosebys plans 500-700 stores over 5 yrs

In a mega-expansion spree, Dalmia group"s home decor retail chain, Rosebys, plans to rollout 500-700-stores across the country over the next 3-5 years.

\'I think Satyam is worth documenting and should be made a case study\'

Shivani Shinde / Mumbai July 20, 2009, 0:27 IST

Petronet LNG to import additional natural gas from Qatar

Energy-hungry India will from November receive additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar, raising imports of the fuel to 7.5 million tons a year.

Share of hot money in forex reserves up

The ratio of volatile capital flows, comprising cumulative portfolio investments and short-term debt, to India’s forex reserves moved up to 51.1 per cent at the end of March 2009 from 45.4 per cent a year ago. This ratio was 46.2 per cent at the end of March 2007.

Petronet LNG likely to launch FPO or rights issue in 2011-12

The country"s largest liquefied natural gas importer, Petronet LNG Ltd, may come out with a $100 million follow-up public offer or a rights issue in 2011-12 to part fund a 1,200-Mw power plant, to be set up at Dahej in Gujarat.

UPDATE:China doing copy cat in Indian handicrafts, say exporters

The lamps you light on Diwali or the "rakhi" you tie on your brother"s wrist may not have been made by domestic craftsmen. Chances are you may be tying your brother a China-made rakhi and lighting Chinese lamps.

Malaysia 2nd largest importer of Indian spices

Indian spices to pep up the hot curries are a sure winner here with Malaysia emerging as the second largest importer, after the United States, with its imports worth $79 millions last year.

UPDATE:VCs bullish on stepping up investments into India: Deloitte

With the global venture capital industry showing signs of recovery, investment levels into India are expected to increase the most compared to others in the Asia-Pacific region over next three years, says a survey by Deloitte.

IMF welcomes Chinese decision to invest $50 bn

The International Monetary Fund has welcomed the Chinese decision to invest $50 billion in notes issued by IMF which would help in addressing the issues of the global financial crisis in third world countries.

India can achieve 8-9 % GDP growth: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the country"s economy is even now capable of growing by 8-9 per cent, the same rate as it did before the global financial meltdown set in.

Govt\'s direct tax arrears at Rs 2.1 lakh cr at May-end

The government"s direct tax arrears, including income and corporate tax, stood at over Rs 2.1 lakh crore at the end of May this year, while about eight per cent of the total amount was collected so far.

Uncollected taxes for 2007-08 at Rs 1.24 lakh cr: CAG

The government has uncollected revenue of over Rs 1.24 lakh crore in respect of corporate and income taxes at the end of 2007-08, a Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report said.

Change of guard at TCS today

Natarajan Chandrasekaran (called Chandra by colleagues and friends) will take charge as the managing director and chief executive officer (MD & CEO) of India’s largest information technology services provider, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), from S Ramadorai tomorrow. He’s the third in the line of TCS’ CEOs, after F C Kohli and Ramadorai.

Pandit defies Schumer

At the Bank of America Corp office in Washington, employees are fielding as many as 10 calls a day from Capitol Hill, up from about two a year ago.

Vedanta to bid for UMPPs, coal blocks

Vedanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal today said the company would bid for Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) and coal blocks as and when the government puts these on auction and added it has plans of Rs 70,000 crore till 2011-12.

Disappointing show

While L&T’s December quarter results and cut in its 2009-10 guidance are disappointing, most analysts believe it to be a blip.

Big names in Maharashtra polls

Congress nominee and President Pratibha Patil"s son Raosaheb Shekhawat further consolidates his lead, by a margin of 6,640 votes, over Congress rebel Sunil Deshmukh, at the end of eleventh round of counting in Amravati constituency.

Orissa not to go against people for projects: Minister

Orissa government today said it would seek people’s support for the implementation of mega projects, including Rs 51,000 crore proposed steel plant to be set up by South Korean firm Posco.

Mittal donates for 2012 London Olympics art installation

NRI steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal has donated 15 million pounds towards creation of a landmark art installation in East End in honour of the 2012 Olympics.

Godrej to produce reality show

FMCG to aerospace products-maker, Godrej Group, has tied-up with Big Synergy and STAR television network to produce and air a reality show from mid-June, which seeks a wider audience from India’s growing middle-class for its lifestyle products.

Orissa asks oil companies to open more LPG outlets

The Orissa government has asked oil companies to open more LPG outlets by appointing agents in all the 314 blocks of the state, official sources said.

Succession race hots up in AP

Supporters of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy today sought to step up the campaign for making him the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh even as the interim incumbent K Rosaiah ruled out the possibility of any division in the party.

DGCA team intensifies probe into copter crash

Intensifying its probe into the helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhar Reddy, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation team today collected the debris of the chopper and will visit the crash site tomorrow.

Bell offers help to probe YSR\'s chopper crash

The manufacturer of Bell helicopters has offered its assistance to Indian authorities in probing into the crash of the Bell-430 chopper which claimed the lives of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhar Reddy and four others.

Clinton Foundation, Mylan & Matrix tie up for HIV drugs

In a development that would enable better and more affordable treatment for HIV/AIDS patients on second-line antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in the developing world, the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI), Mylan Inc and Hyderabad-based Matrix Laboratories have signed an agreement to offer a once-daily dose of the second-line regimen of four ARVs for under $500 (nearly Rs 24,000) per patient per year.

Pada-yatra against Posco and Vedanta University projects

The anti-land acquisition leaders and the activists of various Jana Sangathans in Orissa have intensified their stir against the projects of Posco and Vedanta, the two big ticket investments in the state.

Karnataka govt plans 300-km 'steel corridor'

The Karnataka government is planning to develop a 300-km ‘steel corridor’, which they hope will attract investment worth Rs 20,000 crore from the steel majors. As part of the development, the idea is for a nuclear power plant, a port and high-speed train connectivity.

Ports to set up wind mills

The two major ports in Chennai and Tuticorin are planning to set up wind mills to cater their power requirements. The two ports are planning to invest around Rs 82 crore.

Tamil Nadu ports plan wind farms

Two major ports in Tamil Nadu are planning to set up captive wind farms at a combined investment of around Rs 82 crore.

NTPC looking for long term contracts for coal import

State run power firm NTPC today said it is looking for long-term supply of coal from overseas market to meet the requirements of its local plants.

GMR achieves financial closure of 1,050 Mw thermal plant

GMR Kamalanga Energy owned by GMR Energy of GMR Group, an infrastructure developer has achieved financial closure for its 1,050 Mw thermal power project being set up at Kamalanga Village, Dhenkanal District in Orissa.

Seven developers eye solar panel manufacturing units

After allotting capacities to 34 developers for generating a total of 716 Mw of solar power, as many as seven developers have come calling to the state for setting up solar panel manufacturing units here.

Sensex ends 147pts higher at 14,256

After yesterday"s massive 520 points rally, the Sensex today opened on a flat note. It slipped into the negative for a while and touched a low of 14,078.

Pyramid Saimira suffers Rs 100-cr loss

Chennai-based Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd (PSTL) said the company suffered a business loss of over Rs 100 crore last year which resulted in an erosion of working capital. Meanwhile, N Narayanan, one of the promoters of the company, took over as the new chairman from P S Saminathan, who will continue to remain managing director.

PSEB to issue LoI for Rajpura Project

After receiving encouraging response from private players in developing a 1,320 Mega Watt Rajpura Thermal Power Project, the Punjab State Electricity Board is expecting to issue a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the successful bidder for this project by the end of this month.

ISRO earned Rs 100 cr from foreign satellite launches

ISRO earned over Rs 100 crore in the last three years by launching satellites of other countries, Minister of State in PMO Prithviraj Chavan told the Lok Sabha today.

Wipro targets govt contracts abroad

Wipro, India’s third largest IT services company, is planning to replicate its success in the government space in India. It is now courting the state sector across the world.

Death toll mounts to 17

Swine flu today claimed five more lives, four of them in worst-hit Pune alone, taking the countrywide toll to 17, even as authorities in Mumbai shut down schools and colleges for a week and cinema halls for three days to check the spread of the virus.

Govt-appointed panel calls for comprehensive land reforms

Says industry can’t keep growing at expense of farms, poor.

Genpact signs MoU with Bhutan govt for ITeS development

BPO firm Genpact today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Government of Bhutan, to train local talent and help in the development and growth of the IT-ITeS industry in the Himalayan Kingdom.

Competition to heat up as biggies gear up for small-car launch

Come 2010 and the small-car market is likely to witness intense competition with at least four new players set to launch their products in the market.

Tata Motors Dec sales more than doubles at 51,627 units

The country"s largest auto maker Tata Motors today said its total sales during December last year more than doubled to 51,627 units, up from 25,219 vehicles sold in December 2008.

Mercedes India sales decline over 10%

German luxury car maker Mercedes today said it has lost leadership position in the premium segment in India to rival BMW and reported a decline of 10.43 per cent in sales in the country for the last year.

Pai to head Sebi\'s internal audit committee

In a move to promote transparency and improve corporate governance standards, the capital market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), has proposed the formation an audit committee to oversee its financial reporting process and disclosure of financial information.

Nearly 60% of state to be under UID in a year

The pilot run for the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), headed by Nandan Nilekani, could cover nearly 60-70 per cent of citizens in Karnataka within a period of one year post commencement. Karnataka would be the first state to come under the UID project that seeks to issue a unique ID number for each citizen.

Hero Electric launches 3 electric scooters

Munjals-promoted Hero Electric today launched three electric scooters priced between Rs 17,900 and Rs 32,796.

\'I hope to reach 150,000 villages by 2010\'

Seema Sindhu / New Delhi January 7, 2010, 0:24 IST

Russia Space Troops put 250 spacecraft into orbit in 8yrs

Russian Space Troops have carried out over 200 lift-offs of launch vehicles over the eight years of active operation, which put into orbit 250 spacecraft of various designations.

Jyoti Basu in hospital, condition stable

Marxist patriarch Jyoti Basu was today admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital here with slight pneumonia infection and doctors attending on him said his condition was stable.

For zero-interest loan, check cash discount

The word ‘Zero’ is usually a bait to lure gullible buyers.

Indian ADRs shed $7.5 bn in a week, Sterlite top loser

The Indian stocks trading on the American bourses saw a collective value erosion of $7.5 billion last week, with copper producer Sterlite Industries accounting for nearly one-third of this loss.

Pickled from the heart

Chef Daoud Mohammed Tarhini always packs in a little bit of Lebanon, on his travels.

Work on Gujarat\'s largest mall put on back burner

Work on Gujarat"s second largest mall project has been suspended. With Niho Construction Ltd, the flagship construction and development company of Delhi-based Krishna Group, switching to a "wait-and-watch" mode, work on the upcoming 800,000 sq ft mall-cum-multiplex, Scottish City Centre has been suspended.

Hello commerce

Anand Sharma, Union minister for commerce and industry, must have got used to people addressing him in various ways. But Minister of State for Railways E Ahmed stunned him last week when he was about to enter Parliament. Ahmed was talking to someone outside gate number 4 when Sharma stepped out of the car. “Hello commerce, hello commerce,” Ahmed called Sharma. Sharma acknowledged the joke and responded with a warm smile.

HPCL net profit at Rs 31.4 crore

Helped by cash subsidy from the government, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), India’s third-largest refiner, managed to report a net profit of Rs 31.4 crore in the quarter ended December 2009. It posted a net loss of Rs 422 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

Local court restricts Maytas from loans on land collateral

In a major setback to cash-strapped infrastructure firm Maytas Properties, promoted by former Satyam Computer founder B Ramalinga Raju"s family, a local court has passed an order barring the company from using land as collateral for loans.

Hill County customers told to find investors

Maytas Properties, which is trying to raise finances for completing its Hill County project, is asking its customers to find investors for the project.

Central Bank Q3 dips 13% to Rs 306 cr

Public Sector lender Central Bank of India today said its net profit declined by 13.25 per cent to Rs 306.44 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, over the corresponding period last fiscal.

Setting \'example\', Mukesh takes pay cut

Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani has decided to take a big pay cut. His pay for 2008-09 has come down by 66 per cent, or nearly two-thirds, to Rs 15 crore from Rs 44 crore in the previous year.

Shobhana Subramanian: The margins can wait

Shobhana Subramanian / Mumbai October 9, 2009, 0:26 IST

CM hits back at Gowda over BMIC

Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has said that H D Deve Gowda has no locus standi to criticise the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project as it was he as chief minister who had cleared allotment of land at a lower price and had even signed an agreement accepting the clause that courts in London would have jurisdiction on dispute redressal.

Markets recover from day\'s lows

The Sensex is now quoting at 16,758, down by 116 points and the Nifty is placed at 4,961, lower by 41 points. The Sensex had touched a low of 16,622 and the Nifty had hit 4,921 during the course of the day.

India asks developed nations to change their lifestyle

In a strong message, India today asked the developed countries to modify their ‘unsustainable lifestyles’ to significantly cut down carbon emissions by 2020 and to ensure that developing nations had enough resources to cope with climate change while pursuing accelerated development.

India will not monitor 26/11 trials in Pakistan: Krishna

In response to Pakistan"s announcement that it would begin trials of the suspects held for Mumbai attacks from October 3, Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has said that India would not "monitor" these proceedings.

Ten new channels on BIG TV

BIG TV, the DTH service of Reliance ADA Group, is expanding its channel bouquet with the addition of 10 new channels from June 1, including Korea"s KBS (international offering) and WB the latest, English entertainment channel from the broadcasting major Turner International India Pvt Ltd in association with their sister company Warner Bros, the company said in a statement.

Rel BIG TV expands its channel bouquet

Reliance BIG TV, the DTH service of Reliance ADA Group, is expanding its channel bouquet with the addition of ten new channels.

Shiv Sena plans to counter Raj Thackeray\'s MNS in assembly polls

The heavy votes polled to Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) candidates during the recent Lok Sabha elections ensured a defeat for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in atleast 10 constituencies in Maharashtra. Taking a congnisance of this, the Shiv Sena seems to have taken the MNS factor seriously ahead of the state assembly polls scheduled in October.

International Year of the Tiger to kick off on Feb 14: Ramesh

To draw international attention on tiger conservation and protection, India will launch the Year of the Tiger on February 14, 2010 next year from Jim Corbett National Park, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh announced.

High Court to hear Rathore\'s anticipatory bail plea tomorrow

Disgraced former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging a sessions court order denying him anticipatory bail in two fresh FIRs involving serious criminal charges against him in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case.

FII-TO-FII: Union Bank traded at 4% premium

Trades between FIIs generated a volume of Rs 59 crore on the BSE Thursday-an increase of 114.44% from Rs 27 crore clocked on Wednesday. As many as four stocks witnessed trades of 8.02 lakh shares on Thursday.

Tata Tea Q3 net declines 76% to Rs 92 cr

Tata Tea, engaged in tea plantation and processing business, today announced a consolidated net profit of Rs 92.23 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2009, down 76.71 per cent over the corresponding period last fiscal.

Ambani Jr, Brad Pitt join hands for sci-fi film

ADAG will provide help in production and distribution in India.

Maria threatens to quit, Kamte\'s wife sticks to guns

Amid reports about Mumbai Police Crime Branch Chief Rakesh Maria"s offer to resign if Home Ministry does not clarify allegations levelled against him by Vinita Kamte, the slain IPS officer Ashok Kamte"s widow today said she stands by each and every word in the book written by her.

Agents and their relevance to the insurance Industry

Insurance and agents are two words that seem to be inextricably linked in our minds. If you think of the word insurance, then the word agent will instantly pop up in your brain.

CLP to meet today

Nearly three months after Y S Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) died in a helicopter crash, a meeting of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has been convened on Friday to condole the death of the former chief minister and formally elect the CLP leader.

Sunita Narain: Waste deep in water

Sunita Narain / New Delhi November 06, 2009, 0:24 IST

Govt forms standing committee on infra financing

The government has set up a standing committee on infrastructure finance, which will be headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla, according to a government official. The committee will comprise 11 members, including Planning Commission secretary, RBI deputy governor, Irda chairman, and IIFCL chairman.

Motorola rings in $26 mn profit in second quarter

Telecom entity Motorola today posted a profit of $26 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, even as revenues plunged.

Emirates becomes largest Boeing 777 operator

Dubai-based Emirates Airlines has become the world"s largest airline operator of Boeing 777 aircraft with the arrival of its 78th Boeing 777.

BCCI opens bidding for 10-yr IPL theatre rights

Leading multiplexes and media companies are queuing up for the theatrical rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL)cricket matches for the coming decade.

BPL cards for garment workers

Karnataka government is planning to issue below poverty line (BPL) ration cards to garment factory workers to enable them procure food grains at subsidised prices, minster for food and civil supplies H Halappa said today.

IIMs may double CAT window next year

To avoid a repeat of the chaos seen this year in the first few days of the computer-based Common Admission Test (CAT), the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are thinking of doubling the testing window period next year to make the process smoother.

After 20 yrs, India may import rice

To buy from Thailand, Vietnam; not to import wheat as it has surplus stock.

Rs 35 crore at stake in IPL-3 after Sena threat to Aussies

The third edition of the Indian Premier League, scheduled to begin in March, is under controversy after the Shiv Sena has opposed the participation of Australian cricketers in the domestic Twenty20 event, in the wake of ongoing attacks on Indian nationals Down Under.

Art and the man

Jai Arjun Singh / New Delhi October 10, 2009, 0:51 IST

Isro looking at 25 per cent revenue growth

The Indian Space Research Organistaion (Isro) is looking at 25 per cent growth in revenues this fiscal over Rs 1,000 crore attained last year, betting big on satellite launches and carrying space crafts of other countries.

A fine cut

A Sharma / New Delhi December 12, 2009, 0:05 IST

Preparedness of 2010 Games far from satisfactory: Hooper

Miffed by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee removing him from the post of 2010 CWG Chief Executive, Mike Hooper has struck back by declaring that the preparedness of the mega-event was far from satisfactory.

Barclays Capital appoints Matthew Ginsburg

Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, has appointed Matthew Ginsburg as Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking, Asia-Pacific.

Regaining strength?

Early signs of a recovery in demand along with measures to improve profitability at Corus indicate that Tata Steel may bounce back into the black

Cost of funds, fee income to drive bank profits in Q2

With bond yields hardening, bankers say they will not be able to look to their trading rooms for high profits.

Banks prepared to check fake currency menace: RBI

Banks are fully geared to check the menace caused by fake currency, a senior official of the Reserve Bank of India said.

Chakrabarty quits PNB to take charge as RBI deputy governor

Punjab National Bank CMD K C Chakrabarty has quit his post after his appointment as RBI Deputy Governor.

After Mohan\'s exit, Subbarao to handle monetary policy Dept

With two Deputy Governor posts falling vacant, the Reserve Bank has reallocated portfolios and Governor D Subbarao would handle the monetary policy department directly.

News Corp slips into red; posts $203 mn quarterly loss

Media conglomerate News Corp has posted a loss of $203 million for the fourth quarter ended June 30, primarily bogged down by impairment charges.

Sunil Jain: What inclusion?

- Brokerages, fund houses whet Indian appetite for investments abroad - Any hardening of rates due to govt borrowings a worry: Jindal - 'Challenge is to raise credit flow' - RBI"s status quo, HUL numbers take toll - As it should be - RBI sees recovery, but wary of inflation

Sunil Jain: Tax Advantage

Most know private sector firms are a lot more efficient than public sector ones, but a little bit of perspective is required here. According to data from the latest budget documents, public sector firms, on average, pay around a fifth more effective tax rates in comparison to their private sector counterparts. So, while public sector companies paid an effective tax rate of 25.69 per cent in 2007-08, the figure was a lower 21.28 per cent for private sector firms. The average of 22.24 per cent for all firms, of course, was much lower than the statutory 33.99 per cent. The reason for this is the tax benefits claimed, obviously more by the private sector, particularly for export profits under the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) scheme (Rs 11,734 crore) and accelerated depreciation (Rs 14,344 crore of taxes were foregone on this account).

Govt may decide on freeing petrol, diesel pricing this week

The government may decide on freeing petrol and diesel prices after an expert committee on fuel pricing submits its report this week, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said today.

NTC in talks with NBCC for sale of surplus land

The National Textile Corporation (NTC) has begun talks with the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) and others for sale of its surplus land in four cities that is expected to fetch the state-owned firm Rs 5,000 crore.

GE mulls to sell 51% in NBC Universal: report

Industrial conglomerate General Electric is considering the sale of its 51 per cent stake in NBC Universal to America"s leading cable operator Comcast, says a media report.

Bank stocks surge on hope of better profits

Banking stocks have gained between 5 per cent and 11 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in the last two days on higher advance tax payments by banks and a correction in valuation of small banks.

Scarce lending by banks hitting tractor sales, complains sector

Deficient rains in the agrarian interiors and lack of finance availability from lending institutions, despite a mammoth relief package announced by the Centre last year, is slated to hit tractor sales, the industry says.

Unitech Wireless raises Rs 5,000 cr for network roll out

Unitech Wireless, the joint venture between realty major Unitech and Norway"s Telenor, has raised Rs 5,000 crore as loan from State Bank of India to finance the roll-out of its network as the firm will be launching mobile services in next three months.

RIL accuses NTPC of going back on draft gas pact

Reliance Industries (RIL) has accused NTPC Chairman and Managing Director R S Sharma of going back on the terms of a draft gas sales and purchase agreement that provided for government approving its bid price of $2.34 per mmBtu.

Lanka wants to rope in RIL for oil exploration

The Sri Lankan government wants to rope in Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) for exploration of oil in the island nation.

Genpact BPO project in city may be delayed

The proposed Global Delivery Centre of BPO (business process outsourcing) firm Genpact in the city, which is already running behind schedule, is set to face further delay.

Bull run 2009: Just Rs 60K cr for small investors

Bulls may have been charging full throttle on Dalal Street during 2009, but when it comes to sharing the bounty, small retail investors could get only a small pie of less than Rs 60,000 crore in the entire year that saw the total investor wealth exceeding Rs 60,00,000 crore.

Daiwa to buy out SMFG, ending bank venture

Daiwa Securities Group Inc, Japan’s second-largest brokerage, will buy out its partner Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc, ending their 10-year-old investment banking venture, two people familiar with the situation said.

After IT, consulting, finance firms defer hiring, students worried

McKinsey, RBS postpone placements by three to six months

SAIL, ONGC, IOC, NTPC may get Maharatna tag

Four public sector giants — ONGC, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and National Thermal Power Corp (NTPC) — were likely to get in next ten days the Maharatna status, which would empower these Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) with greater autonomy, a top government official said today.

Power situation improves in state

With power situation improving following good rains, Karnataka minister for energy K S Eshwarappa today said urban areas would get 22 hours of supply a day from August one, while load-shedding in rural ones would be to the extent of 14 hours. In Bangalore, the Bangalore Electricity Supply company (Bescom) has said it would make all efforts to provide 24-hour power supply, he told reporters here. Rural areas would get power supply for five hours in case of single-phase and five hours for irrigation purpose (IP sets) which means they would face load-shedding for 14 hours.

Goods and services tax - a letdown?

The release of the much awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) discussion paper by the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers is a welcome step forward in the reform of the indirect tax regime in India. However, the paper falls far short of expectations. The GST design the State Finance Ministers (SFCSs) have opted for is a compromise, which could prove to be neither good economics nor good politics.

Inter-state transactions may come under tax ambit

With less than five months left for the proposed roll-out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the empowered group of state finance ministers today suggested a model of inter-state goods and services tax (IGST) for inter-state transactions. The Centre would levy GST which would comprise central and state GST, with appropriate provision for consignment or stock transfer of goods and services.

Left may co-ordinate with BJP to tackle \'aggressive\' UPA

After voting with sworn political enemy Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against its one-time ally — the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) — last year, the Left is again considering floor co-ordination with the BJP in Parliament.

India needs global support on climate change: Saran

Reiterating India’s stance on climate change, that the country did not expect external financing or technology for its domestic actions, Shyam Saran, the prime minister’s special envoy on climate change, said it would be legitimate to ask for global support if we were doing something more.

Key messages

GE Capital: GE Capital is taking on the doubters. General Electric’s finance arm on Tuesday addressed investors sceptical of its fit within the industrial conglomerate. Chief among the messages: the business is adequately funded; it has enough capital to handle potential loan losses; and it is basically above average in what it does relative to big US banks. But if that’s all true, why does GE Capital need the special treatment it is fighting for on Capitol Hill?

Equity funds find no takers

Ban on entry load leads advisors to focus more on Ulips, insurance and NSC.

UK recovery signs mount as services expand

UK services expanded the most in 1 1/2 years, manufacturing unexpectedly rose and home prices jumped as evidence mounts that the worst recession in a generation is easing.

Nasscom lowers forecast of animation and gaming inds for 2012

The apex body of IT software and services, Nasscom, today lowered its forecast for the animation and gaming industry for 2012 on account of the global economic downturn.

MF assets may grow 29% annually till 2014: Report

The country’s burgeoning mutual fund industry is expected to see its assets growing by 29 per cent annually in the next five years, with high household savings rate and low retail penetration attracting foreign asset managers, a report has said.

GST rollout in troubled waters

Key roadblock: Constitutional amendment required to provide wider taxation powers to Centre, states.

More funds for expansion of IITs, NITs

The human resource development ministry has decided to keep its Budget allocation demands within the limits of what it had made in the Interim Budget, especially in the case of primary education.

Asian markets end in the red

The Asian markets had a weak closing, across the board.

Govt reviewing export sectors for more stimulus, says DGFT

The government is assessing the needs of major export-oriented sectors hit by the economic slowdown to provide support for their fast recovery, Director General of Foreign Trade R S Gujral said today.

Sensex opens weak on global cues

The Sensex opened at 16,339 and then slipped to a low of 16,182 on weak global cues. The index is now at 16,233, down 129 points and the NSE Nifty is at 54,847, down 35 points.

Proposed Base Rate likely to benefit MSME exporters: FIEO

Exporters today welcomed RBI"s proposal to shift to the base rate system for pricing of loans, saying the move would help in raising competitiveness of Indian goods in international markets by 3 to 4 per cent.

Patni allots 2.11 lakh shares under stock option plan

IT solutions provider Patni Computer Systems today said it has allotted over 2.11 lakh underlying equity shares to Bank of New York and certain employees under the stock option plan.

Bharati Ship extends gains after ABG exit

Bharati Shipyard finally settled at Rs 178, up 10.5% from the previous close. The counter winessed trades of 1.23 million shares as compared to the two-week daily average traded volumes of 95,067 shares on the BSE.

The Axe effect: Competition acquires an edge

Axe angels are working overtime these days. Ever since Hindustan Unilever launched the ‘Call Me’ campaign that shows a girl giving her phone number to a boy doused in Axe, the angels (as the girls in the commercials are called) have received 3.5 million calls. And the phones just don’t stop ringing these days.

Textiles Ministry demands change in Drugs and Cosmetics Act

The Textiles Ministry is pushing for amendments in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to ensure that quality standards are set for new medical textiles used in products like baby diapers, contact lenses and surgical gloves to promote their sales.

Zydus Cadila gets DCGI nod to conduct H1N1 vaccine trials

Drug maker Zydus Cadila today said it has received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct clinical trials for the swine flu (H1N1) vaccine.

CLB allows Maytas Infra to file FY10 results by June 30

Crisis-hit Maytas Infra today said the Company Law Board (CLB) has allowed it to report quarterly accounts for the current financial year by June 30, 2010.

Few people get 100-day employment under NREGA

Even as the Centre is mulling to raise the number of job days under the NREGA scheme, none of the states have provided the guaranteed 100-days wage employment to all the registered rural households in over three years of the landmark legislation.

OIL may price IPO at Rs 1,000-1,100 a share

Oil India, the second state-run firm to hit the market with an offering of equity shares this year, may price its IPO that opens on September 7 at Rs 1,000-1,100 a share.

The sky's the limit

Branson: Richard Branson is making headlines on three continents. The serial entrepreneur is selling Virgin Mobile USA to partner Sprint-Nextel well below its IPO price. But his latest mediocre performance in the US isn’t stopping him elsewhere. Abu Dhabi is ponying up money for his loopy spaceship venture and his Aussie airline Virgin Blue is planning a rights issue. Branson"s record doesn"t give investors any certainty.

Oil India IPO likely on Sept 7

Oil India Ltd (OIL) the nation’s second-largest state-run explorer, may hit the market with an initial public offering (IPO) on September 7.

Anil Agarwal ready to buy out govt in HZL, Balco

Vedanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal today said he is ready with Rs 8,000 crore for buying the government’s residual equity in Balco and Hindustan Zinc, for which he will meet the finance minister this month.

Shree Cements Q3 net rises 35% to Rs 167 cr

Shree Cements has reported 35 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 167.4 crore in the third quarter ended December 31, 2009 as against Rs 124 crore in the same qaurter last year.

NTPC wants to pay marketing margins

NTPC Ltd, the country’s largest power generator, has sought permission from the Ministry of Power to allow it to pay the marketing margin on the natural gas it plans to buy from the Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).

Nitin Desai: Climate negotiations

Nitin Desai / New Delhi July 16, 2009, 0:43 IST

Govt mulling stake sale in four PSU firms

The government is considering to divest stake in four PSUs -- NMDC, KIOCL, MOIL and RINL -- administered by the steel ministry, as part of a broader plan to mobilise resources to meet their funding needs.

Govt not to roll back incentives given to exporters: Sharma

The government today ruled out any possibility of rolling back the incentives given to the export sector saying the country has yet to fully recover from the impact of the global financial meltdown.

No large-scale dumping of cheap steel from abroad: Virbhadra

Denying large-scale dumping of cheap steel from China and the CIS countries into India, Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the government will take tough measures if such cases are brought to its notice.

SBI Canada\'s biz grows by 22% in 2008-09

Despite the global economic slowdown, State Bank of India (Canada), a subsidiary of SBI, saw an overall business growth of 22 per cent in July 2008 to June 2009, although its profit slightly went down, a top bank official said here on Thursday.

Coimbatore units more open to equity tie-ups

Entrepreneurs in this traditional town of family- managed companies, popularly known as the Manchester of south India, are now more open to entering into equity collaborations with both domestic and international partners.

Subir Roy: Dogs will be dogs

- Subir Roy: A homestead in the heart of town">Subir Roy: A homestead in the heart of town - Subir Roy: Living together separately">Subir Roy: Living together separately - Subir Roy: Up the down market">Subir Roy: Up the down market - Subir Roy: It's been cooking for decades">Subir Roy: It's been cooking for decades - Latha Jishnu: Slumdogs and fat cat bankers">Latha Jishnu: Slumdogs and fat cat bankers

Subir Roy: Living together separately

One of the nicest things that has happened to Kolkata in recent times is the creation of two new parks around the eastern and southern periphery of Victoria Memorial. Earlier, for most of the year the place used to collect rubble, coming alive once a year for the book fair, only to relapse into being an eyesore.

Country faces shortage of 15,000 Mw, says minister

The government today said in the Rajya Sabha that there were difficulties in meeting targets of thermal power generation because of shortage of equipment and manpower and pointed out that the country faces a shortage of 15,000 Mw.

Panel to look into vendor complaints against BSNL

To probe the limited issue of disqualification of Nokia Siemens Networks from the 93-million GSM lines tender.

Madhucon Projects bags Rs 196 cr order from NCL; shares surge

Construction firm Madhucon Projects today said it has bagged an order worth Rs 196.24 crore from Northern Coalfields (NCL) for an infrastructure-related work.

Tata Power with Norway firm to dev hydropower project

Tata Power and SN Power, Norway’s fast growing international renewable energy company, signed an exclusive partnership agreement to develop joint hydropower projects in India and Nepal.