Public Company

World Bank approves NCRMP

The World Bank has approved the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) for implementation in Orissa. This follows the submission of the report on the project by the appraisal mission of the Bank which visited the state from 3 December to 5 December 2009.

Rs 20,120-cr capex projected for upgrade of power units

The power ministry and the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) have projected a total investment of Rs 20,120 crore for renovation and modernisation, as well as extending the life span, of various old power plants during 11th and 12th Five-Year Plans.

Basu\'s final journey begins

The body of veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu was taken in a hearse here this morning from a funeral parlour where it had been preserved since his death on January 17.

Amar rules out withdrawal of resignation

Senior Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today ruled out withdrawing his resignation from party posts, but said he would no longer ‘slog’ for the organisation like he used to.

Aditi Phadnis: Keeping the SP together

- Mulayam plays down Amar resignation as "nothing big" - Amar Singh quits as SP general secretary - Mum"s the word for Mulayam on Amar"s resignation - Amar Singh quits SP posts - Aditi Phadnis: Back to the future">Aditi Phadnis: Back to the future - Aditi Phadnis: Testing times for Telangana">Aditi Phadnis: Testing times for Telangana

Rathore booked for abetment to suicide in Ruchika case

Six years after the CBI dropped the abetment to suicide complaint against former state police chief S P S Rathore in the Ruchika molestation case, the Haryana Police today brought back the charge against the disgraced officer by registering a fresh FIR.

MSCI Asia Pacific index at 8-week low as stocks nosedive

Asian stocks fell, sending the MSCI Asia Pacific Index to an eight-week low, on speculation a US economic recovery will be delayed and as Japan’s Prime Minister called national elections.

News Corp restructures Asia businesses

To support continued growth and cut its costs, Rupert Murdoch’s media company, News Corporation, has decided to restructure its Asian broadcast businesses into three units — STAR India, STAR Greater China and Fox International Channels (FIC).

Ansal mulls to convert IT SEZ into residential projects

Hit by slowdown in the IT sector, realty firm Ansal Properties & Infrastructure is mulling over converting three out of four of its notified IT Special Economic Zones into residential projects.

JSW to ride on energy project in Bengal for steel plant

With JSW Bengal Steel (JSWBSL) failing to raise debt for its integrated steel, power and cement plant in Salboni due to the global financial crunch, group company JSW Energy will go public to raise funds for the power plant.

No LTA for employee using car or taxi, say central govt

The government will not sanction any Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) for an employee who uses personal car or taxi as mode of transport.

India Inc overseas borrowing down 9% to $2.35 bn in Nov

Overseas borrowing by India Inc declined by around 9 per cent in November to $2.35 billion compared to the previous month.

RBI battles inflation

Business Standard / New Delhi February 1, 2010, 0:54 IST

Air India bookings return to pre-strike level

National carrier Air India today said its passengers bookings in the last two days have regained the 26,000-28,000 level it had registered before the five-day stir by its senior pilots.

Hilary Mantel wins Booker for gripping 16th century tale

In a short-list bereft of Indian writers, this year"s Man Booker prize has gone to British novelist Hilary Mantel for her gripping 16th century tale titled "Wolf Hall".

New highway bidding scheme to save time

Pre-selection likely to save 18 months.

Allcargo Global to raise Rs 101 cr via debenture issue

Allcargo Global Logistics today said it will raise Rs 100.97 crore by issuing debentures to Black Entities (Investors) on preferential basis.

Car insurance may come with accident cover

Road ministry mulls a fee of Rs 15 for such a cover.

Fix reasonable targets: Plan Comm to road ministry

Not impressed by the ambitious plans announced by Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath, the Planning Commission has advised the ministry to fix a “reasonable target” for construction of roads this year. “...Fix a reasonable target for award of contracts in the rest of the current year and raise it subsequently as soon as possible,” the commission said in a communiqué to the highways ministry. The commission pointed out to the ministry that it would not be able to award road construction contracts for more than 3,794 km in 2009-10, against a target of 12,652 km.

Karnataka aims to cut T&D losses by 35%

The Karnataka government is looking to bring down its transmission losses from the present 23 per cent to 15 per cent by 2013. Karnataka additional chief secretary K Jairaj said, the government had launched initiatives for greening power and presently the state had renewable energy generation capacity of 2,500 mw of which 1,500 mw was wind and the rest mini hydro co-generation and bio-mass, he said.

Dalmia in control at GHCL

GHCL promoter Sanjay Dalmia appears to be in control of the country’s largest soda ash maker, and is believed to have increased his shareholding significantly above the 18.5 per cent he held till recently when a battle for control of the company raged.

Govt says Ambanis apportioning public property

The two-month-long arguments in the legal dispute on gas supply between RIL and RNRL ended today, with the central government’s counsel firing salvoes at both the warring Ambani brothers for apportioning shares in public property.

Promises to keep in 2010

New Year resolutions are common. Every year, during this time, a lot of people decide that they would do a number of things to improve their lifestyle, careers and finances. However, many times things do go awry and the best-laid plans fail to fructify.

Announcement of GST rollout date likely on Jan 8

The date for rolling out the Goods and Services Tax could be announced on January 8, the Chairman of the Empowered Committee on State Finance Ministers, Asim Dasgupta, said today.

Letters: Sachin\'s best century

Sachin Tendulkar scored his best century on the day he completed 20 years in international cricket. By telling the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) that he was an Indian first and a Maharashtrian later, Tendulkar has made several points. He has, of course, snubbed the MNS, but he has also told top professionals that they need to stand up and be counted. Just recently, Karan Johar apologised for calling Mumbai “Bombay” in a movie — while Johar and others fear the MNS will burn cinema halls showing their movies, Sachin has no such fear since the MNS can never hope to succeed in preventing fans from watching Sachin play. Interestingly, during the Mumbai riots, it was the original Little Master Sunil Gavaskar who used his stature in a similar manner to prevent mobs from killing Muslims.

3i Infotech erases gains, ends down 2%

The stock erased all its gains and slipped into the negative terrain to touch a low of Rs 90. The scrip finally ended at Rs 91, down 2% from its previous close. The counter clocked volumes of 3.71 million shares as compared to the two-week daily average traded volumes of 1.11 million shares on the BSE.

T N Ninan: Good to great

T N Ninan / New Delhi December 5, 2009, 1:54 IST

\'We structured the competition law to make it look absurd\'

CORPORATE AFFAIRS MINISTER SALMAN KHURSHID:

50% voting in fourth phase of J\'khand election

Over 50 per cent of the electorate cast their votes in the fourth phase of the assembly polls in 14 Maoist-affected constituencies in Jharkhand, which passed off peacefully today amid tight security.

Slow start to 4th phase polling

Only 7.15 per cent polling was recorded till 9 am in the fourth phase of assembly elections in the naxal-affected 14 constituencies of Jharkhand, according to Election Commission sources here.

A good beginning

Business Standard / New Delhi September 02, 2009, 0:09 IST

Ricky Ponting quits T20

Australia captain Ricky Ponting quit Twenty20 Internationals today, hoping the decision would prolong his career in other formats of the game.

Gillard insists Oz is safe, says violence occurs in big cities

As India issued a travel advisory for Australia following unbated assaults and killing of its citizens, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard insisted that her country is safe for all international students and said "acts of violence" occur in big cities around the world.

Aus says will cooperate with Garg\'s family

Australia today said it will cooperate with the family of Nitin Garg, the Indian youth killed here, and expedite the process of returning his body back home, terming the delay in the process as "unfortunate".

Indian student flow to Australia may drop 50%

The murder of a 21-year-old Indian national, Nitin Garg, in Melbourne has further tarnished Australia’s reputation for hosting Indian students. For the academic year 2010, overseas education consultants are predicting a 20-50 per cent fall in the number of students applying to Australian universities.

Aus says will cooperate with Garg\'s family

Australia today said it will cooperate with the family of Nitin Garg, the Indian youth killed here, and expedite the process of returning his body back home, terming the delay in the process as "unfortunate".

Indian student flow to Australia may drop 50%

The murder of a 21-year-old Indian national, Nitin Garg, in Melbourne has further tarnished Australia’s reputation for hosting Indian students. For the academic year 2010, overseas education consultants are predicting a 20-50 per cent fall in the number of students applying to Australian universities.

Japan asks India to sign CTBT

PM puts onus on US, China.

RIL revises Lyondell offer to $13.5 bn

- BofA likely to pay bonuses close to 2007 level - Future Group pulls the plug on "Bijli Ghar" - PowerMin wants gas at $2.34 for NTPC - Another RIL cash raising on anvil - RIL to drill six new wells in KG-D6 block this year - Reliance Industries: Filling its coffers

Energy sleuth

The scene is New York City in 2025. Henry Poiret, a former FBI scientist, is a specialist in environmental balance sheets who tracks down energy wasters of all kinds for his clients. For the very first time, he allows a journalist to watch him at work — and to get an inside glimpse of his new lab.

Future Group pulls the plug on \'Bijli Ghar\'

Raghavendra Kamath / Mumbai January 8, 2010, 1:07 IST

Gold trades near trough on dollar gain speculation

Gold traded near the lowest this month on speculation that the dollar will continue to advance on data pointing to a recovery in the US jobs market.

Rs 1-cr designer Nano to hit the roads soon

The Rs 1-lakh wonder Nano will soon enter the elite league thanks to auto design firm DC, which today said it will unveil redesigned version of the world"s cheapest car within the next two months with premium price tag of Rs 1 crore.

Hyundai to consider introducing EVs in India

Korean carmaker Hyundai today said it will consider introducing electric vehicles in the Indian market as demand for such cars is increasing gradually.

A changing picture

Business Standard / New Delhi October 05, 2009, 0:32 IST

UK jobless rate soars to 7.8%; highest in 13 yrs

The unemployment rate in the UK shot up to a 13-year high of 7.8 per cent for April-June 2009, as companies continued to slash jobs to bring down cost.

Small is beautiful

VW/Suzuki: Volkswagen’s $2.5bn investment in Japanese rival Suzuki is a small step in its ambition to be the world’s biggest car maker. But it is a smart move for both sides. And the strategic benefits for the German autos group are particularly attractive.

Sunil Jain: Media\'s decade

Sunil Jain / New Delhi January 04, 2010, 0:20 IST

V V: JM Coetzee - The story of himself

All fiction has its autobiographical roots, but Evelyn Waugh puts it as “experience totally transformed”. The autobiographical impulse is particularly strong in JM Coetzee, the South African Nobel Prize winner (2003), but his writings lie at the frontier between life and the freedoms of fiction. Summertime (Harvill Secker, special Indian price Rs 799), the final volume of a trilogy — the other two being Boyhood and Youth — is subtitled Scenes from a Provincial Life, charts the border territory with multiple skills of a biographer and fiction writer so that it can pretty well mean what you would want it to be.

Indian Bank may float subsidiary for NPA management

The public sector Indian bank, with a lot of expertise in the field of recovery of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), is exploring the possibility of floating a subsidiary for undertaking NPA management.

V V: Berlin Wall, 1989 and after

All successful publishers and authors have an impeccable sense of timing and generate literature with an eye upon the calendar. So it isn’t surprising that we have a flood of books on the fall of the Berlin Wall that started the process of disintegration of the Soviet Union and the collapse of communism in Europe. But what we have is an embarrassment of riches which try to unravel why such an all-embracing system that Alexander Solzhenitsyn described as “all pervasive, paranoid, oppressive, incompetent, lethal” in the latest edition of The First Circle (Harper, $18), came to an unexpected end. Almost everyone had expected that it would have to be killed; instead it collapsed, as if a house had fallen in on itself. What happened?

185 arrested for attacking Reliance outlets in Andhra

The Andhra Pradesh police have registered cases at 96 places and arrested 185 persons in the state in connection with the attacks on the outlets of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). The damage to the company’s properties was “not much and there is no major problem,” a RIL spokesperson told Business Standard.

UK economic contraction slows; GDP falls 0.7% in Q2

The recession-hit British economy shrank less than expected at 0.7 per cent in the second quarter of this year, indicating that the worst of the financial turmoil could well be over for the country.

RIL revises Lyondell offer to $13.5 bn

- BofA likely to pay bonuses close to 2007 level - Future Group pulls the plug on "Bijli Ghar" - PowerMin wants gas at $2.34 for NTPC - Another RIL cash raising on anvil - RIL to drill six new wells in KG-D6 block this year - Reliance Industries: Filling its coffers

RBI to seek Dubai World exposure details from banks

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday said it would ask banks to furnish details of their direct and indirect exposure to Dubai World, the beleaguered Dubai government-owned holding company which asked for more time to repay its debt.

Exports sops may continue till global economy turns around

The government today indicated it will continue sops for Indian exporters who have seen a sharp contraction in orders since October last year.

Passenger vehicles market to grow at CAGR of 13.9%: Survey

With the small car segment driving growth, the country"s domestic passenger vehicle market is likely to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9 per cent over the next five-years, a survey said.

Govt clears Rs 15,254 cr to revive 36 sick CPSEs

The government today said it has approved revival of 36 sick central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) that will require Rs 2,921 crore of cash infusion, besides Rs 12,333 crore of other assistance.

Many poverties

A contentious statement on Indian poverty, put out some years ago by Arjun Sengupta, said that 78 per cent of Indians lived on less than Rs 20 a day. That figure always looked problematic, but has become a favourite statistical weapon in the hands of the Left. So it is just as well that the Suresh Tendulkar report on poverty has effectively nailed that number. The Tendulkar report says that 25.7 per cent of urban residents are below the new definition of the poverty line, because they spend less than Rs 578.80 per month. That is Rs 19/day, close to the Sengupta benchmark. Given the urban-rural mix of 28:72, if the Sengupta claim of 78 per cent for the country as a whole (urban and rural) is correct, then 92 per cent of all rural residents would have to be consuming less than Rs 20/day.

Energy sleuth

The scene is New York City in 2025. Henry Poiret, a former FBI scientist, is a specialist in environmental balance sheets who tracks down energy wasters of all kinds for his clients. For the very first time, he allows a journalist to watch him at work — and to get an inside glimpse of his new lab.

F&O OUTLOOK: Nifty expected to lose its support of 5,200

The benchmark indices rose for the second straight day today with S&P CNX Nifty closing at a 22-month high of 5,278. Nifty January futures closed at a premium to the spot and added 1.05 million shares in open interest through buy-side trades, indicating fresh long build-up. However, the Nifty remained range-bound after opening at higher levels.

Anil Gupta modifies stand on \'Idiot Fund\'

Maintaining that its work is to promote entrepreneurship and to make money, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) has clarified that it is not awaiting any money from filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the producer of 3 Idiots. Chopra had sourced NIF’s innovations for his film.

India, other emerging economies to be on growth path: Report

The economic and financial status of emerging market economies like India would continue to improve in the days to come and the recent downturn would help accelerate the trend, a Deutsche Bank report said.

Insurance, pension bills face delay

Fierce protests from the Trinamool force Sonia Gandhi to ask her managers not to proceed with the land Bill.

BJP rebels firm on change in leadership

With fissures widening between the warring factions in the BJP in Karnataka the party’s top leadership summoned them to New Delhi after rebels remained firm on their demand for change in the leadership of chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Sun Pharma gets boost in Taro battle

Second-largest shareholder Templeton seeks management change, to vote against directors.

IIMA pulls up socks after swine-flu case

Two days after a student at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) tested positive for H1N1, the management institute has got its act together to handle the situation.

Industry favours early implementation of GST

India Inc today asked Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to introduce Goods and Services Tax (GST) "as early as possible", amid speculations that the indirect tax reform may not be implemented from the scheduled date of April 1.

2009: Deora presides over fall of oil sector, its men

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, an otherwise able administrator, may earn the distinction of presiding over the fall of individuals and institutions in oil sector in a year when he also faced accusations of taking sides in corporate battles.

When India Inc had a rough Raj in UK

Even before 2009 started, all initial indicators suggested that India Inc’s year in the UK would be that of the Tatas. The close of the year simply confirmed this with plenty of interesting developments leading to that foregone conclusion.

Malaysian realtor to tap up to $50 mn in India

Malaysian conglomerate Ascenteus Holdings is looking to raise $40 million - $50 million (Rs 185 crore - Rs 235 crore) via the private equity route in India to part-fund its $400-million mega residential project coming up in Kuala Lumpur.

India Eco Summit: \'IT will post double-digit growth next yr\'

IT industry body Nasscom today said the sector will regain double-digit growth from April next year leaving behind the prolonged recession.

Upto Centre to resolve Telangana issue: TRS chief

TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao today threw the ball in Centre"s court on the creation of a separate Telangana state and insisted that Hyderabad will be the capital of the proposed state.

Orchid Pharma settles patent row, stock up 4%

Orchid Chemicals gained nearly 4% at Rs 105, after touching a high of Rs 106 during the day. Around 862,500 shares were traded at the counter against its two-week average of one million shares.

Pratibha hits upper circuit on Rs 523cr order

Pratibha Industries zoomed 10% to close at its upper circuit limit of Rs 178. The counter witnessed a near five-fold increase in its total traded of 51,462 shares as against its two-week average traded quantity of 10,784 shares.

Ranbaxy, Aurobindo get USFDA nod for migraine drug

Pharma majors Ranbaxy and Aurobindo Pharma today said that they have received final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration(USFDA) to manufacture and market Sumatripan Succinate.

Telangana bandh peaceful

The bandh call given by the Telangana Sadhana Joint Action Committee in support of a separate state passed off peacefully barring sporadic incidents across the Telangana region.

Telangana issue: Centre calls meeting on Jan 5

The Centre, in an attempt to end the imbroglio over Telangana, today convened a meeting here on January 5 of eight recognised political parties in Andhra Pradesh for a discussion on the issue, a move welcomed by a grouping of all parties spearheading the statehood stir.

Premvir Das: China and India at sea - Growth vs Decline

Premvir Das / January 31, 2010, 0:16 IST

Rosaiah briefs new governor on situation in Andhra

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today briefed new Governor E S L Narasimhan about the prevailing political situation in the state.

No profit from excess carbon credits: ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal today said it has not made any money from its excess carbon credits, bulk of which was purchases during the global economic crisis.

Lloyds Banking Group to cut nearly 400 more jobs

British state-controlled bank Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) said today it will axe nearly 400 jobs at a call centre in the south of England.

ArcelorMittal to sell stake in Canadian firm

World’s largest steel maker ArcelorMittal will sell its 28.6 per cent stake in Canada-based Wabush Mines for about $34.28 million.

Global property sector M&A touched $152 bn: Dealogic

The global merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the property sector so far this year amounted to $151.8 billion (around Rs 7 lakh crore), the lowest level in the last six years amid the economic downturn.

Atul Chaturvedi takes over as Steel Secretary

Atul Chaturvedi has taken over as the Secretary in the Ministry of Steel.

Trai seeks views on FDI and norms for TV channels

Broadcasting regulator Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today sought views of stakeholders in the sector on issues such as raising limits on foreign direct investment (FDI) and on whether there is need for modifications in uplinking and downlinking guidelines for television channels.

Supply squeeze to keep sugar prices on the boil

Those hoping for a respite from deficit-driven high sugar prices next year have a long wait ahead, as tight supplies, high cane prices and expensive imports leave little scope for any substantial price correction.

Deora to meet Pawar next week to salvage ethanol programme

With the acute ethanol shortage derailing the programme to blend the sugarcane extract in petrol, Oil Minister Murli Deora will meet Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar next week to salvage the programme.

Shriram EPC bags orders worth Rs 156 cr

Engineering firm Shriram EPC (SEPC) today said it has bagged three orders worth Rs 156 crore for construction related works.

Financial reports not necessarily true: Mahindra Satyam

Mahindra Satyam today said its financials are not necessarily bad as has been made out, even as investors were roiled by reports that the accounting fraud in the company could be double the initial estimate of Rs 7,800 crore.

Port capacity expansion may miss 2012 target

India’s government might miss a target to add capacity at its 12 major ports, as the economy grew less than anticipated and global trade slumped amid a recession, the shipping secretary said.

Steelmin seeks more power on grant of iron ore mines

The Steel Ministry has sought absolute powers from the government on grant of mining rights for iron ore and other minerals to steel firms, a request that would, if granted, expedite projects, including that of Posco and ArcelorMittal, which are stuck for want of secure raw material supply.

Marketing firms give IIM-C a cause to cheer on Day 2

After the return of leading finance and consulting firms on the recruitment scene, the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C) on its second day of summer placements saw general management and marketing firms giving its students a lot to cheer about.

IT parks again on Madhya Pradesh government agenda

After frustrating traditional bid attempts for its SEZ-categorised IT parks in Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur, the Madhya Pradesh government is likely to re-bid for the parks through Swiss Challenge System, under which the government can also take offers from private parties, unsolicited. It is also likely to change the model of sale of IT parks so that the developers can attract private partners. Crystal IT park in Indore, a complete infrastructure of eight-storied building, has no taker for years, and the Bhopal IT park is reportedly going the same way before it can see the light of day. Few months back Zoom Developers pulled out of the Crystal IT park project after successfully bidding for it.

State gears up for Telangana bandh

Even as the Telangana Sadhana Joint Action Committee (JAC) is all set to enforce a bandh tomorrow pressing for a separate statehood to Telangana, the students at Osmania University have ‘urged’ the people to boycott New Year celebrations in support of separate state.

Subir Gokarn: The industrial divide

Subir Gokarn / New Delhi November 16, 2009, 0:04 IST

Real estate\'s many layers

You can purchase property Directly or go for Sect0ral stock picks and PMS.

Citi to relaunch hedge fund ops: report

Financial service major Citigroup is planning to relaunch Citi Alternative Investments, a unit that contains its hedge fund operations, a media report said.

Grupo Mexico\'s $1.6-bn bid rivals Vedanta\'s offer

Competing with Vedanta Resources, Grupo Mexico has come up with a $1.6 billion reorganisation programme for regaining control of its bankrupt firm, Asarco.

GE Hitachi in talks with BHEL, Bharat Forge for nuke equipment

Hoping to get the US government"s nod to go ahead with its business in India, GE Hitachi has begun talks with domestic companies like BHEL, Bharat Forge and Larsen & Toubro for making atomic power equipment.

Govt to encourage pvt investments in shipping

The Shipping Minister said today that the ministry is taking all possible measures to encourage private sector investment in the shipping sector as major ports alone require over Rs 36,000 crore private investment by March 2012.

Govt ready to deal with Satyam-like frauds: Khurshid

The government today said India is more prepared to deal with a Satyam-like fraud that hit the corporate world with the disclosure of about Rs 10,000 crore fudging of accounts by the founder of the IT firm B Ramalinga Raju a year ago.

Whirlpool to focus on AC segment, launch new range by Feb

Home appliances manufacturer, Whirlpool India is looking to strengthen its position in the air-conditioner segment and plans to launch smart and affordable range of cooling solutions by February next year, a senior company official said.

Stanchart PE, Temasek eye Coffee Day Holdings

Join race with KKR to invest Rs 465-700 crore in Bangalore firm.

Home truths on science

Business Standard / New Delhi January 08, 2010, 0:53 IST

Honda Siel launches new variant of CR-V

Luxury car maker Honda Siel Cars India today launched a new version of its sports utility vehicle, Honda CR-V, priced between Rs 21.9 lakh and Rs 24.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Honda Siel Cars expects double digit sales growth this year

Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese giant Honda Motor Co, today said that its sales will register double digit growth in the current financial year. The company expects its total sales to be around 60,000-65,000 units during the current year, up from 55,250 cars sold in 2008-09.

India doesn\'t stand out as an overspender: Montek

Refusing to be drawn into the debate over when should stimulus packages be withdrawn, the Planning Commission today said India will not stand out in the world as an overspender despite the rise in the fiscal deficit because of the sops.

JSW Steel zooms on robust growth in steel prod

JSW Steel ended the day at Rs 1134, stronger by Rs 110 or 10.8%, on the BSE.

STAR India buys exclusive rights for Paa, Wanted

In order to give a boost to its almost stagnant ratings, STAR Plus, the number two Hindi entertainment channel, is betting big on Bollywood films. Within past few weeks, STAR India has picked up exclusive satellite rights for blockbusters, including Paa, Wanted, De Dana Dan, Aladin and Drona for Rs 50 crore, the highest among the leading broadcasters this year for exclusive content.

Food inflation to ease next month: Montek

The Planning Commission today said food inflation will come down next month from a more than a decade"s high of around 20 per cent, as apprehensions about adverse effect of drought were easing.

Tower of Babel

Business Standard / New Delhi December 31, 2009, 0:43 IST

Small, green cars set to rule at Auto Fair

Global automobile giants converged here as the 10th edition of the Auto Expo opened today, rolling out an array of cars mostly the small ones with a green theme.

Sreelatha Menon: The green necklace

Sreelatha Menon / New Delhi December 06, 2009, 0:25 IST

Asian stocks rise on China growth optimism

Asian stocks climbed, lifting the MSCI Asia Pacific Index to its best year since 2003, as commodity prices rose and China pledged to maintain a “moderately loose” monetary policy.

Sreelatha Menon: A new lesson

Sreelatha Menon / New Delhi November 15, 2009, 0:36 IST

A perfect brew

The win-win deal between United Breweries and Heineken opens up a window of growth opportunities for the duo.

NIIT, SAP in alliance to offer software education

IT education provider NIIT today said it has entered into a strategic alliance with business software provider SAP India for offering software training programmes in the country.

Sreelatha Menon: Winning a fight

Sreelatha Menon / New Delhi October 25, 2009, 0:03 IST

India not to accept any legal binding on emission cut: govt

Under attack for its climate policy for Copenhagen summit, the government today said India will not accept any legal binding on emission cut and rejected any proposal that would put a cap on the carbon emission.

ONGC exits Trinidad and Tobago gas block

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been forced to exit from a gas block in Trinidad and Tobago after its partner Lakshmi N Mittal walked out of the project.

Green technologies can be profitable, say global CEOs

A survey of 40 firms suggests that there’s money to be made fighting climate change

India\'s coffee exports dip 14.28% in Oct-July

India"s coffee exports have declined 14.28 per cent to 2.28 million bags in the first 10 months of the 2008-09 coffee year till July, even as the global shipments rose marginally in the same period, the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) said.

Posco Foundation formed

Posco India Limited which is setting up a 12-million tonne per annum steel plant in Orissa has announced the formation of the Posco Foundation for carrying out various social welfare programmes focusing on development of underprivileged sections of the society.

FM to begin pre-Budget talks on January 5

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will kick-start the pre-Budget consultations on January 5, with industry leaders getting the first opportunity to present him their wish-list that includes continuation of stimulus.

2009 - Economy wins slowdown battle; loses against prices

India achieved the distinction of being the second-fastest growing economy amid the global recession in 2009, but the joy was marred by the decade"s sharpest rise in food prices to the chagrin of common man.

Nikon to go \'aggressive\' on brand visibility

Digital imaging equipment maker Nikon plans to go "aggressive" with its marketing campaigns as it looks to take on rivals like Canon and Sony for brand visibility and gain better growth momentum in the country.

Bhushan Steel may sell stake to Sumitomo

The two firms have been collaborating for several years.

Govt for 20% stake sale in SAIL

The government today said it is considering a 20 per cent stake sale in steel major SAIL, proceeds of which would partly fund the company"s Rs 70,000-crore expansion projects.

Divestment in SAIL, NMDC to fetch Rs 32,000 crore: Govt

The government is likely to raise around Rs 32,000 crore from disinvestment in NMDC and Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL).

SAIL again delays Rs 70,000-cr mega expansion plan

The global recession and the resultant demand slump has delayed Steel Authority of India"s (SAIL) ambitious Rs 70,000-crore expansion plan for the second time in as many months, as it would now be completed by 2012-13 only.

Qualcomm expects 3G services to be a hit in India

The third generation (3G) services will be hugely successful in India as there is a great demand from mobile data services in the country, global communication technology major Qualcomm Chairman and Chief Executive Paul Jacobs said today.

BSNL says Nokia Siemens did not meet tender requirement

State-owned BSNL today justified the disqualification of Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) from the mega 93-million GSM line expansion, saying the Finnish company did not provide specification with regard to subscriber information (known as Home Location Register) as per the PSU’s requirement.

Port capacity expansion may miss 2012 target

India’s government might miss a target to add capacity at its 12 major ports, as the economy grew less than anticipated and global trade slumped amid a recession, the shipping secretary said.

Clinton to embark on seven-nation African safari in August

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will embark on a seven-nation African Safari next week as part of Obama Administration"s commitment to make Africa a priority in the US foreign policy.

Clinton to address IIT alumni meet

Former US President Bill Clinton will address over 3,000 alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology at a global conference here in October.

US, China seek common ground on climate change

The United States and China today pledged to work together to fight climate change and promote free trade as they set the stage for an era of closer cooperation between the Pacific giants.

Action from India, China needed on climate change: US

US has said "meaningful action" from India and China is necessary to make any substantial progress on climate change.

US open to conditional talks with North Korea

The United States today said it is open to bilateral talks with North Korea if Pyongyang takes some concrete steps to fulfill its commitments.

RInfra wins Rs 590 cr NHAI road project

Anil Ambani group firm Reliance Infrastructure (Rel Infra) today said the company-led consortium has bagged a road project worth Rs 590 crore from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

Plan panel against govt control on gur production

The Planning Commission, as well as farmers in Uttar Pradesh, leading sugarcane-growing state, have opposed a proposal by the food ministry to control gur (jaggery) production.

US open to conditional talks with North Korea

The United States today said it is open to bilateral talks with North Korea if Pyongyang takes some concrete steps to fulfill its commitments.

India to beat China to become fastest growing economy: Montek

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today expressed confidence that in the years to come India could emerge as the fastest growing economy in the world, beating China as the nation has yet to achieve its full growth potential.

FMCG companies may raise prices or reduce product size

Pinched by rising raw material prices, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, especially manufacturers of packaged foods and soaps, may raise prices or reduce grammage per pack over the next one or two quarters.

Centre may compensate 50% of CST losses to states

Discussions on Goods and Services Tax inconclusive.

Retail recovery still some time away

The retail sector in Kolkata has adopted a wait and watch situation with retailers still wary of what lies ahead. What started as a big set-back for the retail industry in end-2008 with several malls and retailers shutting shop, the year 2009 was particularly bad for the industry with several cancellations of booked spaces and deferment of sanctioned projects.

TMB eyes Rs 20,000 cr business

Tuticorin-based Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) has set a target of Rs 20, 000 crore business by March 2010 from the present Rs 16,000 crore.

Pollution level in 10 industrial hubs alarming: study

Pollution level in 10 major industrial hubs in the country, including some in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh has reached to a "very alarmingly" level, according to a study.

TRS chief discharged from hospital

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao was today discharged from a hospital here after being admitted for 13 days during his fast for a separate Telangana state.

Small, green cars to be flavour of Auto Expo

The 10th Auto Expo will open here tomorrow with over 10 global launches and previews of small and green cars by the likes of Honda and Toyota during the week-long event -- billed as the world"s biggest in terms of footfall.

Shipping Corp in tie up with MSC for Europe service

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has entered into an agreement with Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to run its European service.

Toxic waste disposal at cement plan

Even as legal experts refuse to buy government’s claim that 350 tonnes of waste is no source of pollution and factory premises pose no health risk to humans, a study is going on to incinerate the waste in some cement kiln. According to sources, a final report would come by end of this month or in January. If a well placed government source is to be believed, the Central Pollution Control Board and National Council for Cement and Building Material are in dialogues over the issue.

Govt considering to cancel NTPC\'s Rs 2,000-cr order

In the face of alleged multi- crore rupee kickback, which is being probed by CBI, the government is considering cancelling power PSU NTPC’s Rs 2,000-crore contract with a Russian equipment firm.

Lupin settles litigation with Forest Labs for Alzheimer drug

Drug firm Lupin today said it has settled all litigations relating to memantine tablets, the generic version of US-based Forest Laboratories" Alzheimer drug "Namenda".

M&M utility vehicle sales grow 36.75% in September

Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra today reported 36.75 per cent growth in domestic sales of its utility vehicles (UV) in September at 21,961 units against 16,059 units during the same month last year.


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