Popular Articles

Good Knight ad: Dabur challenges HC order
FMCG group Dabur, manufacturer of mosquito repellent Odomos, has challenged a Delhi High Court order dismissing its plea to restrain the advertisement of its rival brand Good Knight.

Service tax from stock brokers halved last fiscal: Finmin
The government today said the total service tax collected from stock broking firms reduced to almost half in the last fiscal when compared with the previous fiscal.

News of the day

Ford launches special edition of Fiesta
US car maker Ford today launched a special edition of its mid-sized sedan Fiesta in the country, priced at Rs 6.44 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Corporate

Asian markets end positive; Nikkei up 3%

The Hang Seng advanced 203 points or 1% at 21,902.

NSE, BSE to open at 9 am from Friday

Minutes after the National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced that it would start equity trading from 9 am from Friday (December 18), rival Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) followed suit.

Bajaj Auto: Obvious move

Analysts say the company has not focused enough on the scooter segment as it saw bigger opportunity in motorcycles.

Hamara Bajaj to fade into oblivion

Bajaj Auto, once known for its scooters which revolutionised the two-wheeler market in the country, today said it will exit the segment by the end of the fiscal to focus exclusively on motorcycles.

Rajesh Tandon: Educational route to Australia

Rajesh Tandon / October 11, 2009, 0:26 IST

Victoria Premier invites India businessmen to invest

Premier of Australia"s Victoria provience, John Brumby said victoria was one of the attractive destinations for trade and business investment and opportunities and invited Indian companies to invest and expand their global operations in Victoria.

K\'taka seeks additional Rs 2,000cr immediate aid

Welcoming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh"s announcement of Rs 1,000 crore assistance to flood-hit Karnataka, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today sought an additional Rs 2,000 crore for providing relief to the lakhs of victims of the rain fury in northern districts.

Accept pay scale, IIT federation tells members

The All India IIT Faculty Federation (AIIITFF) President M Thenmozhi today urged faculty members of all the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to accept and implement the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.

Hershey in touch with Nestle for Cadbury bid

Hershey Co, exploring its options for a possible bid for Cadbury Plc, has been in contact with Nestle SA, said two people familiar with the talks. An agreement between Hershey and Nestle may not be reached, and Hershey would prefer to bid alone, said the people, who declined to be identified because the talks are private. Any offer would challenge an unsolicited $17-billion bid from Kraft Foods Inc.

Cadbury rejects Kraft\'s takeover offer as too low

Calls it ‘unappealing prospect’ from a ‘low-growth’ conglomerate.

US firm NVP to buy over 2% stake in NSE for Rs 252 cr

The US-based private equity firm Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) today said it would pick up a little over 2 per cent stake in NSE, the country"s largest stock exchange in terms of trading volume, for about Rs 252 crore, valuing the bourse at over Rs 12,000 crore.

Gammon Infra fixes Oct 27 as record date for stock-split

Construction firm Gammon Infrastructure Projects today said it has fixed October 27 as the record date for the proposed stock-split.

\'JNNURM has taken on a whole-slum approach\'

Vandana Gombar / New Delhi November 26, 2009, 1:00 IST

Retailers make a comeback from the margins of crisis

Powered by aggressive cost cutting and favourable terms from real estate developers, retailers have posted a healthy increase in operating profit margins (OPM).

BSES Commercial users are not consumers : National Commission

The National Consumer Commission has held that commercial users cannot move against service providers for any deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act.

BoA to take up fresh SEZ proposals on Aug 11

The Board of Approval (BoA), the apex body which clears special economic zone (SEZ) projects, will meet next month to approve fresh proposals.

RBI unveils timetable to implement norms

After ensuring successful implementation of basic Basel II norms by banks, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today unveiled a timeframe to adopt advanced approaches to manage credit, market and operational risks.

Govt may allow private sector investment in education

The Centre plans to allow the (for-profit) private sector to set up educational institutions and tap the capital market, thus aiming to plug the funding gap in the education sector. In this regard, the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry has asked Max India Chairman Analjit Singh to prepare a feasibility paper.

Kingfisher gets tough on non-performing employees

Vijay Mallya-promoted Kingfisher Airlines is understood to have come down heavily on non-performing employees, even as a large number of its pilots are leaving the airline to join low-cost carrier Indigo and other rivals.

Kingfisher Airlines takes a hit on accounting concerns

The stock slipped to a low of Rs 56 and finally ended at Rs 56, down 1.5% from the previous close. The counter clocked volumes of 3.98 million shares on the BSE.

Asian markets end in the red

The Hang Seng has dropped 348 points to 22,423 and the Nikkei has declined 96 points to 9,401.

Jet, Kingfisher, SpiceJet raise fuel levy by up to Rs 200

Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and SpiceJet today announced a hike in fuel surcharge by up to Rs 200 on their domestic flights. It translates into a maximum hike of up to 7.5 per cent on existing average fares.

Riding the bottom

BA: British Airways has become one of those companies that is trapped in an endless restructuring. Over the years, the UK airline has undergone successive rounds of cost cuts. The need for yet more is as urgent ever. Sales fell 14 per cent in the first half of BA’s financial year, but costs were not removed fast enough to avert a record pre-tax loss of £292 million. And that was in the normally buoyant summer months.

PSU oil firms cut jet fuel prices by 5.7%

After increasing it four times in a row, the state-run oil firms today cut jet fuel prices by 5.7 per cent on easing international rates.

SpiceJet hikes fuel surcharge by Rs 400

Budget air carrier SpiceJet today increased fuel surcharge by Rs 400 with immediate effect, a day after private domestic airlines Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines announced their decision.

MCF to increase speciality fertiliser biz

Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (MCF), a UB Group company and manufacturer of fertiliser, is planning to expand its specialty fertiliser business in the next couple of years. The company, which has over 50 new generation fertiliser products in its basket, plans to expand the business through its integrated nutrient management division, set up four years ago.

Emami raises Rs300cr from QIP issue

Kolkata-based FMCG major Emami Limited has raised Rs 310 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) issue.

Ghosn overruling electric engineers

The crowd of 600 falls silent as an employee asks Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn if he’s staking too much of Nissan Motor Co’s future on electric cars and not enough on green alternatives like Toyota Motor Corp’s Prius gas-electric hybrid.

India Eco Summit: Strengthening public transport

Mihir Mishra / New Delhi November 11, 2009, 0:30 IST

Axis Bank sweetens home loan offer

Upping the ante in the home loan war, the country’s third largest private sector lender Axis Bank today announced a sweetened fixed-cum-floating home loan offer.

Higher project costs force IOC to raise capex by 22%

Spending target raised to Rs 53,000 crore for 2007-12.

Rlys PPP projects go off track

The Railways" ambitious plan to raise Rs 1,00,000 crore in the Eleventh Plan (2007-12) to develop rail infrastructure projects through public private partnerships (PPP) appears to have gone badly off track. Most key projects are still to get started, mainly because of the inability to get a fix on a viable PPP policy.

Royal Enfield plans to double sales, exports in 3 years

Royal Enfield, niche motorcycle maker and a division of Eicher Motors, that has sold around five lakh bikes in its 54-year history now plans to take up its annual sales figures to one lakh by 2013.

Royal Enfield launches two bikes

Eicher Motors Group company Royal Enfield today launched two bikes, Classic 350 and Classic 500, priced at Rs 98,086 and Rs 1.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) respectively.

Tata Steel up prices by Rs 2,000, SAIL withdraws discounts

Dampening the Christmas mood, leading steel maker Tata Steel has jacked up prices by Rs 2000 a tonne, while the state-run Steel Authority of India (SAIL) has discontinued the discounts with immediate effect, on the back of rising demand.

SC issues notices to 23 states, 3 UTs on Tata Motors\' plea

The Supreme Court has issued notices to 23 states and three UTs on a petition by Tata Motors seeking quashing of the Central Sales Tax Appellate Authority"s decision asking it to pay Central Sales Tax to the tune of around Rs 14 crore on sale of bus chassis to the Andhra Pradesh government.

Word Bank to lend more for low-carbon energy growth in India

To help India attain low energy-intensive growth, the World Bank aims to increase its lending to the country’s clean-power generation and energy-efficiency programmes.

Wheat sowing up on favourable climate

The area under wheat rose a marginal 2 per cent this year on favourable climatic conditions. Late monsoon left adequate moisture content in the soil that suited the wheat sowing for this rabi season.

India Eco Summit: Bajaj, Renault-Nissan finalise venture

Ending months of uncertainty over their joint project to make an ultra-low-cost car, Bajaj Auto and Renault-Nissan have signed an agreement delineating their roles and fixing 2012 as the year when the car will hit the market.

Tata Motors resolves compensation issues with vendors

Tata Motors today said it has sorted out differences with vendors regarding the compensation issues arising out of its decision to shift the Nano plant from Singur.

Rapid H1N1 testing method developed

Scientists in the US have developed a rapid and automated swine flu testing method that will enable quick and effective diagnosis decisions.

Brown to talk to Tata for saving Teesside plants

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has promised to talk to Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata, as a final effort to stop the Corus steel plants in Teesside from being shut at the month-end, thus saving 1,700 jobs.

Commonwealth Games 2010 to be revenue-neutral

Despite setting an ambitious target of generating revenues in excess of Rs 900 crore, the organisers of the ‘Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi’ expect the event to be “revenue neutral”, meaning all that is earned through TV rights and other commercial deals will be spent on the game.

Tune in, tune out

Some trends of the decade in popular music, encompassing hits, losses, challenges, rivalries, victories, tv, movies — and himesh reshammiya.

New FTP clarifications to benefit Customs, excise officials

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has issued Circular number 26/2009-cus dated September 30, 2009, clarifying various changes made consequent to announcement of the new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP). Exporters must take note of the following:

Tata Tele top grosser of mobile users in Oct

Cellular service provider Tata Teleservices today said it has become the top grosser of subscribers for the third consecutive month, with over 3.8 million new mobile users in October.

DoT allots RCom new series for Maha, Goa circle

On account of exhausting mobile phone numbers starting with the digit 9, the Department of Telecom (DoT) has allotted Reliance Communications (RCom) a new series beginning with the digit 8(055) for its Maharashtra and Goa circle (M&G).

DoT panel recommends uniform 8.5% licence fee

A committee set up by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has recommended a uniform fee of 8.5 per cent of annual gross revenue (AGR) for all licences — which include UASL, international long distance, national long distance and internet service providers, amongst others.

Auto sales zoom in Oct

Cross 1-million mark on surge in commercial vehicle sales.

Maruti plans to roll into carbon credit trade

Maruti Suzuki is the latest auto major in the country preparing for trading in carbon credits.

IMF wants India to eliminate mandatory investment norms

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) wants India to gradually eliminate the norms that make it mandatory for banks and other saving funds to park a portion of their funds in government securities.

\'Nuclear programmes to gain momentum with UPA back in power\'

The Indo-US nuclear deal and India"s subsequent entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), ending 34 years of nuclear isolation, has thrown open business opportunities worth an estimated $100 billion by the year 2032. The country is planning to increase its nuclear power generation by about 60,000 mega watts (Mw) within the next 25 years. This planned capacity addition is being executed by the state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). Its head, Chairman and Managing Director SK JAIN, tells P B JAYAKUMAR about his plans and expectations. Excerpts:

Raj Oil Mills ends at marginal discount on debut

Raj Oil Mills finally settled at Rs 118 on the BSE today. The debutant touched an intra-day high of Rs 133, up 6.5% from its opening. The counter clocked a volume of over 17.3 million shares on the first day.

Is the critic obsolete?

It’s now the turn of the appreciator and the collector

Sugar firms to help calm prices

Producers meet agriculture minister, agree to increase supply of the commodity

Govt-industry partnership must for auto sector\'s revival: Kant

The outgoing president of SIAM Ravi Kant today called for a need to continue government -industry partnership to ensure investments in the sector are used productively.

Patni net Q2 up 14% y-o-y

Higher other income, positive currency movement and enhanced focus on operating discipline aided Patni Computer Systems post net income (India GAAP) of Rs 135.9 crore for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, an increase of 14 per cent from Rs 119 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

Will not take less than Rs 200/qtl: Tikait

The sugarcane growers of Uttar Pradesh have declined the state government’s offer of selling their produce at Rs 160-170 a quintal, a rate less than what their counterparts in Uttarakhand are getting.

Direct tax kitty up 3.7% in Apr-Nov

Despite the economic recovery, the government"s direct tax collections increased by a marginal 3.7 per cent to Rs 1.83 lakh in the first eight months of this fiscal compared to the same period a year ago.

Bajaj Electricals says interested in acquisitions

The Shekhar Bajaj-spearheaded Bajaj Electricals is open to acquisitions, both domestic and overseas, in its related lines of businesses with the ticket-size in the range of $25-50-million, a top company official said.

Sensex in red in opening trades

The Sensex has opened down 22 points at 16,826. The index is now down 25 points at 16,825.

Government ups price, quota of levy sugar

Sugar prices, already at record highs, are set to rise further. The food ministry has decided to raise the levy price at which it buys sugar from mills to supply the public distribution system (PDS) by 50 per cent in Maharashtra and 63 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (UP) for the new sugar season starting next month. The two states account for 55 per cent of India’s sugar output. Prices have also been revised for other sugar purchasing states.

Tata Steel net dips 50% to Rs 903 cr

Tata Steel"s net profit dipped 49.4 per cent to Rs 902.94 crore in the second quarter of 2009 compared to Rs 1787.81 crore in the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Its total income plunged 18.23 per cent from Rs 7054.33 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 to Rs 5768.16 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

Bajaj Hindusthan cuts debt by Rs 710 cr

Sugar major Bajaj Hindusthan today said it has fully utilised Rs 710 crore raised by private placement of shares for repayment of its debt in accordance with the terms of the issue.

UBS aims $14.7 bn profit annually in next 3-5 yrs

Swiss banking major UBS today said it aims to achieve the target of about 15 billion Swiss francs (around $14.7 billion) pre-tax profits per year over the next three to five years.

Tata Steel, CSN stakeholders in Aussie mining giant

Brazil’s CSN and Tata Steel, which had once battled for control of Corus, the European steel company, are set to become stakeholders in Australia’s Riversdale Mining.

Bharti\'s share in Singtel Q2 profit rises 26%

Singapore"s leading telecom firm SingTel today said contribution of Bharti Airtel, in which the company holds nearly 32 per cent stake, to its profit rose by 26 per cent to 236 million Singapore dollars (around $170 million) for the July-September quarter.

Jaitley to lead BJP in RS, Sushma Advani\'s deputy in LS

The BJP today appointed its senior leader Arun Jaitley as the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House and Sushma Swaraj Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

HSBC eyes ING, RBS assets in Asia

Global lender HSBC is in advanced talks to buy assets of two troubled financial groups — ING and RBS in Asia in a move to expand its base in the region, says a media report.

Cong, JVM tie up for J\'khand polls almost certain

An alliance between Congress and JVM appears almost certain for the Assembly elections in Jharkhand later this month and in December.

Service tax from stock brokers halved last fiscal: Finmin

The government today said the total service tax collected from stock broking firms reduced to almost half in the last fiscal when compared with the previous fiscal.

Steel ministry sends MOIL disinvestment proposal to Finmin

The Steel Ministry has sent the proposal to sell 10 per cent of the government"s holding in state-run Manganese Ore India Ltd to the Department of Disinvestment, Parliament was told today.

Listed banks\' bad debt rises by Rs 4,000 cr

Gross non-performing assets up 23% in 12 months.

Govt initiates anti-dumping probe against acetone imports

The government is mulling imposing anti-dumping duty on imports of acetone, a chemical used in drugs and explosives, to protect domestic players from cheap shipments from Japan and Thailand.

Too early to exit economic stimulus: FM

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said it is premature to "exit" the fiscal stimulus as the global economy is not showing robust recovery, but was optimistic about economic growth.

CM hints at action against dissident ministers

As the three dissident ministers continued their defiance against him, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa today talked tough, hinting at "stern action" against them. "These people cannot cow me down. They are worried about my popularity graph," Yeddyurappa told reporters here, as he hit back at the three ministers who had launched a strong attack on him at a function in their home district of Bellary yesterday.

Mysore to be airlinked

Karnataka government has decided to provide airlink as an added attraction to lure tourists to this year’s Dasara festival at Mysore. The state’s tourism department has decided to charter a 65-seater ATR short haul aircraft to fly passengers from Bangalore to Mysore from September 22 for five days, Minister for Tourism G Janardhana Reddy told reporters here.

India Eco Summit: \'Food inflation to ease by fiscal-end\'

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today said the food price inflation would come down by the end of the current fiscal.

High assets reduce arbitrage funds\' returns

Is it better to invest short-term money in an arbitrage fund instead of liquid funds? The returns from the former, being equity-oriented, are tax-free after a year, while those of a liquid fund, which is a debt fund, would be taxable. More, in a falling interest rate scenario, liquid funds are not expected to return 8 to 9 per cent as earlier. On the other hand, arbitrage funds can comfortably return 7 per cent. Suggest some good arbitrage funds.

Web Excl - Dividend distribution tax: An anomaly unresolved

Over the past two decades, India is being viewed as one of the premier destinations for the global foreign direct investments. These investments have been the major supplement of the growth story of the country, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, information technology and power.

NTPC plans 100 Mw solar projects in Gujarat

Powering its way ahead in tapping renewable energy sources for power generation, public sector power utility NTPC (formerly National Thermal Power Corporation) has set the ball rolling for its two solar thermal units of 50 Mw each in Gujarat. The company has firmed up its plans to initially install a solar power generation capacity of 100 Mw in the state, which may go up to 300 Mw at a later stage.

Govt asks SFIO to stop Satyam probe to avoid duplication

The government has asked the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to discontinue its enquiry into the siphoning of funds by Satyam Computer to avoid duplication of work as the CBI is trailing the funds parked abroad by the IT company.

\'Rising prices may push inflation to 8% by March-end\'

Rising prices of food items and industrial goods are likely to push inflation to eight per cent in the next six months, much above the RBI"s projection of 5 per cent, global financial services company Nomura has said.

Infosys up 2% on growth outlook

The stock of Infosys Technologies rose nearly 2 per cent to close at Rs 2,235, a level not reached in over two years.

IIP to accelerate on restocking, externalities: Moody\'s

Industrial output, which grew at a 22-month high of 10.4 per cent in August, is set to accelerate further on inventory restocking and improving external factors, rating agency Moody"s said today.

Pranab hints at subsidy rollbacks to rein in fisc

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today signalled that the government’s economic reform strategy would focus on fiscal consolidation, debt management and mobilising additional resources through disinvestment proceeds. The emphasis would be on curbing subsidies and promoting private sector investment by continuing stimulus measures.

Govt may import up to 2 MT rice

The government is planning to import up to two million tonnes of rice to augment domestic supply, as production of the foodgrain is projected to decline due to the twin impact of drought and floods. The Centre, which had scrapped import duty on rice last month, may also consider incentivising imports, sources said.

Govt may defer stake sale fund

Facing a fiscal deficit of 6.8 per cent of Gross Domestic Product for the current financial year, the government is likely to delay for a year or two the National Investment Fund (NIF), a move that will enable it to keep disinvestment proceeds in the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI).

\'Jyothy Labs will target personal care space in future\'

Viveat Susan Pinto / Mumbai January 2, 2010, 0:59 IST

Letters: Blame it on NREGS

At last, there is an official admission that there is double-digit inflation in food articles, even according to the Wholesale Price Index. Till about a few weeks ago, this was downplayed on the ground that the total index showed a low inflation level; there was even a fear about deflation setting in! There was a standard, perhaps funny, explanation that the high inflation rate was due to the low base effect. One hears this nonsensical explanation only in India. One would not find it in any article on the subject in an internationally-recognised professional journal. This is an arithmetical and not an economic or technical explanation of the problem.

Hike ONGC, OIL gas price by 33%: OilMin

Price may be raised to Rs 4,250 per mBtu.

India Inc cautiously optimistic; just 6% firms reduce salary

Amid the economic downturn impacting companies worldwide, India Inc remains cautiously optimistic with just 16 per cent firms freezing salaries and as low as 6 per cent reducing pays for 2009-10, a survey by HR consultancy Hewitt Associates says.

Idea bigger than money

Is Rs 500 enough to start an entrepreneurship venture?

Anti-dumping probes rise with green shoots

Even as the economy is showing signs of revival, industry"s fears about dumping by other countries is on the rise, prompting the government to initiate as many as 20 fresh anti-dumping investigations since the beginning of current financial year, compared to 21 in all of 2008-09.

Sebi seeks action against RIL in share issue case

Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has asked the government to consider appropriate action against Reliance Industries (RIL) for allegedly routing funds to dummy companies for buying large quantity of its shares in the year 2000.

Honda Siel, Axis Bank ink vehicle finance JV

Car maker Honda Siel Cars India today said it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with private lender Axis Bank for vehicle finance.

Recovery still fragile: RBI

India’s recovery from the global financial crisis is “still fragile”, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor D Subbarao.

Centre-state financial ties to change with GST

Constitutional amendment to be basis of new tax regime.

BRIC to become economic leader in new decade: Goldman

A new decade started in the year 2010 will witness a radical re-distribution of forces in the world economy.

\'Focus on few stocks\'

Vishal Chhabria / Mumbai December 28, 2009, 0:01 IST

Govt promises to bring Dubai World out of crisis

The Dubai government today said it fully expected the fallout from its massive debt problem and promised to pump in all necessary resources to ensure long-term success of Dubai World.

Jaihind Projects bag Rs 14 cr pipeline contract from BPCL

Engineering and construction firm Jaihind Projects today said it has bagged an order worth Rs 14.05 crore from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) for a pipeline project.

Cairn to further explore Ravva field

Cairn India and its joint venture partners have decided to take up 4 dimensional (4D) seismic survey of Ravva field in the Krishna-Godavari Basin to further explore oil and gas reserves.

Mayawati protests sugar price move, writes to PM

The tug-of-war between the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government on sugarcane prices refuses to end with Chief Minister Mayawati asking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to review a recent Cabinet decision that requires states to pay the difference between the central government-announced fair and remunerative price (FRP) and the state-advised price (SAP).

Mangala oilfield output reaches 1 mn barrels

Cairn India, which began production from the world class Mangala oilfield in Rajasthan in late August, has reached 1 million barrels of oil output from the nation"s most prolofic onland field.

Domestic crude oil production falls 1.2% in H1: CMIE

Domestic crude oil production in India declined by 1.2 per cent in HI of the current fiscal from the same period a year ago due to fall in output by oil exploration and production major-- ONGC, an economic think-tank said in its report.

Rupee erases earlier gains; drops 11 paise to 45.73/$

Erasing its early gains, the rupee was trading 11 paise down at 45.73 against the dollar in late morning deals on good demand from banks for the US currency that was going strong against its other major rivals.

ONGC eyes 20-25% stake in Iranian gas field

The state-owned oil exploration major ONGC is eyeing 20-25 per cent stake in a giant Iranian gas field even as it awaits Tehran"s nod for its plan to develop a gas field it had discovered two years ago.

Mittal opts out of Kazakh oilfield JV

Steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal has pulled out of a project involving development of an oilfield in Kazakhstan in partnership with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). It is now looking for buyers for its stake in another company in the Central Asian nation.

HPCL-Mittal pays Rs 60 crore to insure its under-construction refinery

HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) has paid Rs 60 crore to insure its planned refinery in Bathinda in Punjab against risks during the construction phase.

Rupee down 16 paise at 45.50/$ in early trade

The rupee today depreciated by 16 paise to 45.50 a dollar in early trade as the US currency strengthened against major world currencies.

HPCL to pump Rs 6,900 cr in diesel production facilities

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) will invest Rs 6,900 crore to upgrade its diesel quality to Euro III and IV.

Fuel retailers for freeing petrol, diesel prices

Reliance Industries (RIL) and Essar Oil were today joined by state-run Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) in criticising the government"s "hotchpotch" fuel pricing policy which they alleged had ruined public sector firms and state finances, and demanded freeing of petrol and diesel prices immediately.

Cabinet grills Gill on higher fund demand for Games

Sports Minister M S Gill had to face some tough questioning by his cabinet colleagues today as he sought additional funds for Commonwealth Games (CWG) preparation.

Rush begins to become patent agents

There has been a sharp increase in the number of graduates who want to qualify as patent agents – the intermediates between patent applicants and the patent office.

IIP growth continues to be robust at 9.1%

Industrial output, as measured by the index of industrial production (IIP), grew by 9.12 per cent in September, up from 6 per cent in September 2008. It was mariginally lower than the 10.4 per cent in August this year.

Nifty may correct further next week

The Nifty closed in the red on Friday due to profit-booking at higher levels. For the last nine trading sessions, the Nifty has been making lower lows and lower highs, which is a bearish indication. According to a technical analyst at HDFC Securities, unless the index stops making new intra-day lows, the correction will continue.

Glenmark plans to raise Rs 300-350 cr through QIP

Drug firm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is planning to raise around Rs 300-350 crore through issue of shares to qualified institutional buyers on a private placement basis.

Garmin, Reliance Retail tie up to launch navigation products

Global satellite navigation device maker Garmin today said it has entered into a tie-up with Reliance Retail to launch its car navigation products in India.

Mahindra Satyam down 7% on L&T\'s stake sale

Mahindra Satyam slipped to a low of Rs 109 and finally ended at Rs 110, down around 7%. The counter witnessed trades of 46.44 million shares on the BSE as compared to the two-week daily average traded volumes of 7.23 million shares.

Govt balances with RBI decline

With the government increasing expenditure on payments to contractors for projects, its balances with RBI fell by Rs 16,346 crore in the week ended January 1.

Placements begin at IITs

Day one of the final placements at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has brought the smile back on the faces of students, as big recruiters are back on the campuses. IIT placement representatives say salaries could go up by 30-40 per cent this year.

Karnataka launches e-governance programme

As part of strengthening e-governance initiative, Karnataka government today launched the Karnataka State Wide Area Network (KSWAN) that seeks to establish a state information highway connecting its 2300 offices across the state.

Govt asks GAIL to assure gas supply to power projs

Resolving the issue of fuel supply guarantee to upcoming gas-based power projects, Oil Ministry has asked state-run GAIL India to extend "comfort letters" assuring gas supplies so that the developers can raise finances.

Govt\'s stock mkt kitty zooms by Rs 6.5 lakh cr in 2009

The government could be among the least active investors in the stock markets, but it appears to have come out the winner in terms of returns--its equity portfolio appreciated by about Rs 10 crore in every minute of trade in 2009 resulting in a total gain of Rs 6,50,000 crore.

Committee begins probe into IOC fire

A committee set by the Petroleum Ministry to probe into the causes of the devastating fire at the IOC depot near here began its inquiry today by visiting the site.

Tune in, tune out

Some trends of the decade in popular music, encompassing hits, losses, challenges, rivalries, victories, tv, movies — and himesh reshammiya.

3Idiots may pinch as producer seeks higher ticket prices

The Aamir Khan-starrer 3Idiots is the most-awaited Bollywoood film of 2009. Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra is banking on this to bargain for an exceptionally good financial deal.

Amend petition against NTPC in two weeks: HC asks RIL

The Bombay High Court today directed Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries (RIL) to carry out amendments in its petition against PSU NTPC on a gas supply deal within two weeks.

\'We cannot regulate gas prices\'

Sunil Jain / New Delhi October 30, 2009, 0:38 IST

Corps to ignore Bollywood in favour of Hollywood: study

The Indian entertainment and media (E&M) corporates will prefer Hollywood over Bollywood in terms of investment in the near future, as over 90 per cent of the Bollywood movies flop annually, a study said.

2009 marks turning point in Indo-Russian ties

The year 2009 proved to be a turning point in the ties between India and Russia as the two strategic allies put aside the chill and "misunderstandings" to re-discover each other in the changing global scenario and extended their defence cooperation for another decade.

Wen the honest

One of the positive fallouts for India from the BASIC powwow at Copenhagen was the thaw in India-China relations after the recent chill over Dalai Lama and Arunachal Pradesh. A warm and friendly Chinese premier Wen Jiao Bao bent over backwards to reassure Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that China was a good friend of India, adding that contrary to the impression created by the China-US joint statement issued during the visit of US President Barack Obama, China had no intention to interfere in India’s disputes with Pakistan. Perhaps feeling that Manmohan Singh was not fully convinced of his good intentions, Premier Wen insisted, “I am telling the truth, I am not a liar”!

Small states\' genie now out

Learn lessons from Jharkhand

Amitabh transfers land in UP for college named after Aishwarya

Nearly two years after Amitabh Bachchan laid the foundation of a girls college named after his daughter-in-law and actress Aishwarya Rai in Barabanki district, legal formalities have been completed to transfer the land to the organisation building it.

Ring-ring bling

These phones and laptops will make you look like a million bucks.

Sunil Sethi: The difficulty of being Khan

Sunil Sethi / New Delhi August 22, 2009, 0:04 IST

Bengal okays creation of 606 new posts

The West Bengal cabinet in a meeting today okayed creation of 606 new posts and filling up of 264 vacancies in different departments, the state"s finance minister, Asim Dasgupta, said.

Barun Roy: For Tagore\'s sake

Barun Roy / New Delhi November 19, 2009, 0:13 IST

L&T accepts U\'khand govt\'s demands on hydel project

Infrastructure major Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has accepted all the demands in its implementation agreement with the Uttarakhand government on the 99-Mw Singoli-Bhatwari hydel project in the hilly Rudraprayag district.

Suzlon Energy\'s three promoters pledge 2.8 cr shares

Wind power turbine maker Suzlon Energy today said its three promoters have, in total, pledged a further 2.80 crore shares, taking the total shares pledged by the company"s promoters to 28.28 per cent.

Power Finance Corp up 3%

The stock gained 3.2 per cent to Rs 253.80 after the company announced that it entered a joint venture agreement with NTPC, Power Grid Corporation of India and Rural Electrification Corporation for formation of a public limited company.

BMC to regularise water connections to pre-2000 slums

Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) would regularise water connections to slums in the city that came up before 2000. The decision comes in the wake of an announcement made by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to regularise water connections to pre-2000 slums.

Century Textiles, TTML, Glenmark Pharma, MRF Q1 result

Century Textiles

Centre bans mining at six mines in AP

The Centre has suspended forest clearances of some firms, including that of the Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Karnataka minister G Janardhana Reddy, for allegedly carrying out "illegal" mining in six mines in Andhra Pradesh.

World Bank bars Siemens\' Russian unit for corruption

The World Bank has said it has barred a Russian subsidiary of Germany"s Siemens from participating in bank projects for four years, citing evidence of fraud and corruption.

Zandu Pharma Q1 profit doubles at Rs 11.12 cr

Zandu Pharmaceutical Works, the manufacturer of ayurvedic health care products, today reported a growth of over twofold in its net profit for the quarter ended June at Rs 11.12 crore, over the corresponding period a year ago.

Infy sets up domestic BPO operation

India’s second-largest IT services firm, Infosys Technologies, has set up a separate unit within its business process outsourcing arm (Infosys BPO) to concentrate solely on the domestic BPO market.

Pantaloon Retail's full year profit dips 54%

Higher depreciation charges, interest and employee costs have brought down the net profit of Pantaloon Retail, the country’s largest retailer, by 54 per cent for the financial year 2009.

HCL inks 5-year deal with Dr Pepper Snapple

HCL Technologies today said it has bagged a five-year deal from US-based flavoured beverage producer Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

Airtel launches per second plan for US customers

Telecom major Bharti Airtel today announced the pay-per-second plan on its virtual calling card service, "Airtel CallHome", for its customers in the US.

Apalya Tech to make overseas foray in FY11

Apalya Technologies Private Limited, a Hyderabad-based mobile video platform developer, is planning to enter overseas markets with its flagship mobile live streaming and video on-demand product ‘MimobiTV’ by the second quarter of the next financial year.

Tata Tele adds 3.3 mn mobile users in Nov

Telecom operator Tata Teleservices (TTSL) today said its subscriber addition in November at 3.3 million is the highest for the fourth time in a row among all service providers, including GSM operators.

Govt woos Africa with more investments, trade in oil sector

Seeking closer ties with the hydrocarbon-rich Africa, India today proposed to invest in oil fields and increase purchase of crude oil and LNG from the continent, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Jitin Prasada said today.

Ranbaxy-Daiichi working on 3-yr plan for synergy

Ranbaxy Laboratories and its Japanese parent Daiichi Sankyo are working on a three-year plan for exploiting synergies in operations to enhance their generic as well as branded business across the globe.

GVK ties up with QS for selling clinical trial data bases

Contract research services provider, GVK Biosciences today said it has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based Quantitative Solutions (QS) to develop and market clinical trial outcome data base.

FIIs net bought Rs 490cr in F&O on Friday

The foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers of Rs 490.23 crore in futures and options segments on Friday.