General Affairs
Sonia Gandhi Accuses Government of Arrogance Over Naga Peace Accord
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NEW DELHI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi led National Democratic Alliance government for their "arrogance" by not taking the chief ministers of north-eastern states into confidence before signing the peace accord with the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) faction, an armed rebel group active in the north-eastern region.
The 68-year-old veteran also criticised the government for not giving due respect to the country's federal structure.
"From this I take that this government is arrogant... their arrogance is even more clear than it was before, it's an insult to the chief minister, not only to them, but also to the people of those states and federal structure of our country," Mrs Gandhi told reporters in Parliament.
According to the senior leader, PM Modi did call a few leaders including her to inform her of the accord, but found out later that chief ministers were not consulted.
Mrs Gandhi said, "When I called my chief ministers who are directly affected by this, I asked them. They were totally blank, no one even bothered to even brief them, perhaps not in detail but even in a wide kind of sense after all Chief Ministers of Manipur, Arunachal, Assam, are directly affected ,so what do I take from this?"
On Monday, the government signed an accord with the NSCN (IM), after nearly two decades of peace talks to end the country's oldest insurgency.
Under the broad framework of the peace settlement, the Naga leadership has given up its demand for integration of the Naga inhabited areas under one administration, and has accepted the primacy of the Indian Constitution, according to sources.
Apart from the states of Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, the Congress is in power in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya in the north-east.
NEW DELHI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi led National Democratic Alliance government for their "arrogance" by not taking the chief ministers of north-eastern states into confidence before signing the peace accord with the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) faction, an armed rebel group active in the north-eastern region.The 68-year-old veteran also criticised the government for not giving due respect to the country's federal structure.
"From this I take that this government is arrogant... their arrogance is even more clear than it was before, it's an insult to the chief minister, not only to them, but also to the people of those states and federal structure of our country," Mrs Gandhi told reporters in Parliament.
According to the senior leader, PM Modi did call a few leaders including her to inform her of the accord, but found out later that chief ministers were not consulted.
Mrs Gandhi said, "When I called my chief ministers who are directly affected by this, I asked them. They were totally blank, no one even bothered to even brief them, perhaps not in detail but even in a wide kind of sense after all Chief Ministers of Manipur, Arunachal, Assam, are directly affected ,so what do I take from this?"
On Monday, the government signed an accord with the NSCN (IM), after nearly two decades of peace talks to end the country's oldest insurgency.
Under the broad framework of the peace settlement, the Naga leadership has given up its demand for integration of the Naga inhabited areas under one administration, and has accepted the primacy of the Indian Constitution, according to sources.
Apart from the states of Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, the Congress is in power in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya in the north-east.
Rural Development Ministry Praises MNREGS Months After PM Modi's Criticism
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NEW DELHI: Barely months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised MNREGS calling it a "living monument" of UPA's failures, the Rural Development Ministry today said the employment scheme has benefited villages by reducing distress migration and improving wage levels among the poor.
"In all states and Union Territories including Jharkhand, MGNREGA has reduced distress migration among rural poor, smoothened rural consumption in the lean season, set high standards in transparency, addressed under-employment problem and created assets and improved livelihoods," Minister of State for Rural Development Sudharshan Bhagat said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
The minister was replying to questions by three BJP MPs--- Varun Gandhi, Pashupati Nath Singh and Harish Chandra alias Harish Dwivedi --on issues including whether the life standards of workers has improved as a result of MGNREGS.
The minister praised the scheme saying it "gave boost to the financial inclusion" and "strengthened Gram Panchayats". The MGNREGA, he said, "improved the wage levels in rural areas and thereby increasing the income levels of the poorest of the poor, set standards for decent working conditions and helped in bringing fallow lands into cultivation."
In March, the Prime Minister, while replying to the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Lok Sabha, was particularly severe on the Congress on its pet scheme MNREGS.
"This is a living monument of your failure to tackle poverty in 60 years. With song and dance and beating of drums, I will continue with the scheme," he had said.
"MNREGA will stay. My political instinct says don't end MNREGA. I will never make that mistake," PM Modi had said.
NEW DELHI: Barely months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised MNREGS calling it a "living monument" of UPA's failures, the Rural Development Ministry today said the employment scheme has benefited villages by reducing distress migration and improving wage levels among the poor."In all states and Union Territories including Jharkhand, MGNREGA has reduced distress migration among rural poor, smoothened rural consumption in the lean season, set high standards in transparency, addressed under-employment problem and created assets and improved livelihoods," Minister of State for Rural Development Sudharshan Bhagat said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
The minister was replying to questions by three BJP MPs--- Varun Gandhi, Pashupati Nath Singh and Harish Chandra alias Harish Dwivedi --on issues including whether the life standards of workers has improved as a result of MGNREGS.
The minister praised the scheme saying it "gave boost to the financial inclusion" and "strengthened Gram Panchayats". The MGNREGA, he said, "improved the wage levels in rural areas and thereby increasing the income levels of the poorest of the poor, set standards for decent working conditions and helped in bringing fallow lands into cultivation."
In March, the Prime Minister, while replying to the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Lok Sabha, was particularly severe on the Congress on its pet scheme MNREGS.
"This is a living monument of your failure to tackle poverty in 60 years. With song and dance and beating of drums, I will continue with the scheme," he had said.
"MNREGA will stay. My political instinct says don't end MNREGA. I will never make that mistake," PM Modi had said.
Help Poor Women, Not Millionaire's Wife: Congress to Sushma Swaraj
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NEW DELHI: It was an emotionally-charged defense that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj presented today about her role in helping former cricket boss Lalit Modi get travel papers in the UK last year.
"His wife of many years is being treated for cancer... she said she needed the support of her husband... she is an Indian citizen who has not broken any laws," said Mrs Swaraj. "What would you have done?" she asked Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, followed by "Would Sonia Gandhi have acted differently?"
Yes, according to Mrs Gandhi's party, which is demanding Mrs Swaraj's resignation over the scandal dubbed "Lalitgate". Ranjeet Ranjan of the Congress said, "She (the Foreign Minister) should help poor women, instead of the wife of a millionaire".
Mrs Swaraj's explanation is invalid since it was made while the opposition was missing, said Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress. The party is boycotting the Lok Sabha after 25 of its modest pool of 44 MPs were suspended for five days for unruly behavior.
Disruptions will not cease, the Congress has said, till the PM removes Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, engulfed by allegations of a corruption scam, along with Mrs Swaraj and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje who are accused of helping Lalit Modi's appeals with UK immigration officials.
In 2010, the magnate moved to London after being named in corruption cases; he has refused to face trial in India, claiming death threats from the underworld.
Mrs Swaraj said in Parliament that she informed the UK that its relations with India would not be affected if it allowed Lalit Modi to travel to Portugal with his wife last year.
"I did not back his appeal," she said. But given that her stand differed from that of the previous Congress-led government, critics say she should have revealed the change. Mrs Swaraj has also been accused of a conflict of interest because her husband and daughter have served as lawyers for Lalit Modi. The government says she is not guilty of moral or legal transgressions.
NEW DELHI: It was an emotionally-charged defense that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj presented today about her role in helping former cricket boss Lalit Modi get travel papers in the UK last year."His wife of many years is being treated for cancer... she said she needed the support of her husband... she is an Indian citizen who has not broken any laws," said Mrs Swaraj. "What would you have done?" she asked Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, followed by "Would Sonia Gandhi have acted differently?"
Yes, according to Mrs Gandhi's party, which is demanding Mrs Swaraj's resignation over the scandal dubbed "Lalitgate". Ranjeet Ranjan of the Congress said, "She (the Foreign Minister) should help poor women, instead of the wife of a millionaire".
Mrs Swaraj's explanation is invalid since it was made while the opposition was missing, said Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress. The party is boycotting the Lok Sabha after 25 of its modest pool of 44 MPs were suspended for five days for unruly behavior.
Disruptions will not cease, the Congress has said, till the PM removes Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, engulfed by allegations of a corruption scam, along with Mrs Swaraj and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje who are accused of helping Lalit Modi's appeals with UK immigration officials.
In 2010, the magnate moved to London after being named in corruption cases; he has refused to face trial in India, claiming death threats from the underworld.
Mrs Swaraj said in Parliament that she informed the UK that its relations with India would not be affected if it allowed Lalit Modi to travel to Portugal with his wife last year.
"I did not back his appeal," she said. But given that her stand differed from that of the previous Congress-led government, critics say she should have revealed the change. Mrs Swaraj has also been accused of a conflict of interest because her husband and daughter have served as lawyers for Lalit Modi. The government says she is not guilty of moral or legal transgressions.
Over 1,100 Cases Under CBI Investigation: Government
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NEW DELHI: Over 1,100 cases are at different stages of investigation by the CBI, the government said today.
"As per information made available by CBI, a total number of 1,126 cases are at different stages of investigation as on June 30," Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
He said investigation is conducted by CBI as per provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure and as per instructions contained in the crime manual.
"In some cases, the investigation takes time because of the complicated nature of cases requiring scrutiny of voluminous documents and examination of large number of witnesses, conducting extensive enquiries and in obtaining opinion of experts to establish the allegations.
"No time frame can be assigned for completion of investigation as it depends on nature of the individual case," Mr Singh said.
He said the CBI has disposed off from investigation 1,173 cases in 2010, 992 in 2011, 1,019 in 2012, 1,070 in 2013, 1,094 in 2014 and 361 between January and June this year.
NEW DELHI: Over 1,100 cases are at different stages of investigation by the CBI, the government said today."As per information made available by CBI, a total number of 1,126 cases are at different stages of investigation as on June 30," Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
He said investigation is conducted by CBI as per provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure and as per instructions contained in the crime manual.
"In some cases, the investigation takes time because of the complicated nature of cases requiring scrutiny of voluminous documents and examination of large number of witnesses, conducting extensive enquiries and in obtaining opinion of experts to establish the allegations.
"No time frame can be assigned for completion of investigation as it depends on nature of the individual case," Mr Singh said.
He said the CBI has disposed off from investigation 1,173 cases in 2010, 992 in 2011, 1,019 in 2012, 1,070 in 2013, 1,094 in 2014 and 361 between January and June this year.
Mohammad Naved aka Qasim: When Terror Looks Like a Teenager
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Mohammad Naved or Qasim is 22. Or 16, depending on which of his statements, if any, is true. In the 24 hours since he was arrested, the terrorist has constantly changed his statements during interrogation, sources have said.
A video recording soon after he was arrested on a hill top near Udhampur featured a very young man with a smattering of facial hair who smiled incongruously as he answered many questions thrown at him by cops and villagers.
Hands bound behind his back, he demonstrated no fear or discomfort. His words were inconsistent and sometimes chilling.
"Its fun doing this," he has said, and also, "I came to kill Hindus." He said he had been in India for only 12 days and described reaching Udhampur on foot.
Interrogators say this man is no rookie, new to the business of terror. This is an extremely hardened terrorist, they say, based on his answers to sustained questioning since he was captured. He was interrogated through last night and the smile, said sources, did not flag.
He has now reportedly said that he has been in India for 45 days and that he travelled to Udhampur in a truck - though he has also named other vehicles.
He has been assessed as psychologically very strong and sources say he appears to have been thoroughly brainwashed.
The terrorist initially said his name was Qasim. He changed that to Usman and then Naved. He has allegedly told his interrogators now that he is Qasim, trained by the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The only detail consistent in his statements so far is that he is from Pakistan, denied today by Islamabad.
The terrorist has reportedly said that he is from Ghulam Muhammadabad in Pakistan's Faislabad. He says his father is Mohammad Yakub and that he has two brothers, one a college lecturer, the other a businessman.
He was captured yesterday after an attack on a BSF convoy near Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mohammad Naved or Qasim is 22. Or 16, depending on which of his statements, if any, is true. In the 24 hours since he was arrested, the terrorist has constantly changed his statements during interrogation, sources have said.A video recording soon after he was arrested on a hill top near Udhampur featured a very young man with a smattering of facial hair who smiled incongruously as he answered many questions thrown at him by cops and villagers.
Hands bound behind his back, he demonstrated no fear or discomfort. His words were inconsistent and sometimes chilling.
"Its fun doing this," he has said, and also, "I came to kill Hindus." He said he had been in India for only 12 days and described reaching Udhampur on foot.
Interrogators say this man is no rookie, new to the business of terror. This is an extremely hardened terrorist, they say, based on his answers to sustained questioning since he was captured. He was interrogated through last night and the smile, said sources, did not flag.
He has now reportedly said that he has been in India for 45 days and that he travelled to Udhampur in a truck - though he has also named other vehicles.
He has been assessed as psychologically very strong and sources say he appears to have been thoroughly brainwashed.
The terrorist initially said his name was Qasim. He changed that to Usman and then Naved. He has allegedly told his interrogators now that he is Qasim, trained by the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The only detail consistent in his statements so far is that he is from Pakistan, denied today by Islamabad.
The terrorist has reportedly said that he is from Ghulam Muhammadabad in Pakistan's Faislabad. He says his father is Mohammad Yakub and that he has two brothers, one a college lecturer, the other a businessman.
He was captured yesterday after an attack on a BSF convoy near Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir.
Business Affairs
Coal India to invest Rs 13,900 crore by 2020
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State-owned Coal India (CIL) will invest Rs 13,900 crore to take its production to 908 million tonnes (MT) by 2019-20, the government said on Thursday.
"Coal India (CIL) has prepared a roadmap for achieving a coal production level of about 908 MT in 2019-20 from the current level of production of 494.23 MT," Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
The envisaged investment for meeting the projected production of 908 million tonnes is Rs 13,900 crore the minister said adding that "the same is planned to be met from internal resources of Coal India."
The minister further said the domestic capital expenditure by Coal India and its subsidiaries up to June in the current financial year is Rs 1,026.77 crore.
Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of the domestic coal production.
The state-run firm missed the production target for the financial year 2014-15 by 3 per cent recording an output of 494.23 million tonnes. The company's output target was 507 million tonnes for the fiscal.
For the ongoing fiscal, the government has set for CIL an output target of 550 MT.
State-owned Coal India (CIL) will invest Rs 13,900 crore to take its production to 908 million tonnes (MT) by 2019-20, the government said on Thursday.
"Coal India (CIL) has prepared a roadmap for achieving a coal production level of about 908 MT in 2019-20 from the current level of production of 494.23 MT," Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
The envisaged investment for meeting the projected production of 908 million tonnes is Rs 13,900 crore the minister said adding that "the same is planned to be met from internal resources of Coal India."
The minister further said the domestic capital expenditure by Coal India and its subsidiaries up to June in the current financial year is Rs 1,026.77 crore.
Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of the domestic coal production.
The state-run firm missed the production target for the financial year 2014-15 by 3 per cent recording an output of 494.23 million tonnes. The company's output target was 507 million tonnes for the fiscal.
For the ongoing fiscal, the government has set for CIL an output target of 550 MT.
Capital infusion in PSBs credit positive but not a game changer: Moody's
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Government's decision to infuse Rs 70,000 crore in PSU banks is a credit positive but "not a game changer" as the amount is relatively small and they will have to access capital from markets to meet their needs, Moody's said on Thursday.
In the recent times the PSU banks have not been able to access capital market which is a "key negative driver of their overall credit profile", Moody's Investors Service said.
"Banks will have to demonstrate their ability to raise funds from equity market", it said in a report - Government Capital Infusion Into State-Owned Banks is Credit Positive, But Not a Game Changer.
The government has estimated capital requirement of PSU banks over four years till 2018-19 at Rs 1.80 lakh crore. Of this, the government would infuse Rs 70,000 crore, while the remaining Rs 1.10 lakh crore would be raised from market.
"Although the capital infusion plan is credit positive, we note that the capital amount is a fraction of the overall capital requirements over the next four years," Moody's VP and Senior Credit Officer Srikanth Vadlamani said.
The government is aiming to improve the Tier 1 capital ratios for all PSU banks to at least 7.5 per cent by March.
"The banks still need access to the equity markets to materially improve their capital levels," Vadlamani said.
As per government's capital infusion plan, Rs 25,000 crore would be infused in 2015-16 and 2016-17 and Rs 10,000 crore each in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
"The front-loading of the capital allocation - with Rs 50,000 crore of the total Rs 70,000 crore coming in the first two years - is also credit positive, while the four-year timespan offers medium-term visibility regarding the PSU banks' capital positions," Moody's said.
"For their capital position to stop being a negative driver of their credit profile, PSU banks will have to demonstrate access to equity capital markets", it said.
The recent announcement to infuse Rs 25,000 crore is way higher than the plan in 2015-16 Budget to provide only Rs 7,900 crore equity capital support to PSU banks.
Of the total amount of Rs 25,000 crore, Rs 10,000 crore would be provided to weak PSBs.
"This represents a key and crucial change compared to the capital allocation policy announced in February of this year. By that policy, only those banks which met specified profitability thresholds would be provided capital. Accordingly, only 5 PSU banks qualified to receive capital then," the report added.
Government's decision to infuse Rs 70,000 crore in PSU banks is a credit positive but "not a game changer" as the amount is relatively small and they will have to access capital from markets to meet their needs, Moody's said on Thursday.
In the recent times the PSU banks have not been able to access capital market which is a "key negative driver of their overall credit profile", Moody's Investors Service said.
"Banks will have to demonstrate their ability to raise funds from equity market", it said in a report - Government Capital Infusion Into State-Owned Banks is Credit Positive, But Not a Game Changer.
The government has estimated capital requirement of PSU banks over four years till 2018-19 at Rs 1.80 lakh crore. Of this, the government would infuse Rs 70,000 crore, while the remaining Rs 1.10 lakh crore would be raised from market.
"Although the capital infusion plan is credit positive, we note that the capital amount is a fraction of the overall capital requirements over the next four years," Moody's VP and Senior Credit Officer Srikanth Vadlamani said.
The government is aiming to improve the Tier 1 capital ratios for all PSU banks to at least 7.5 per cent by March.
"The banks still need access to the equity markets to materially improve their capital levels," Vadlamani said.
As per government's capital infusion plan, Rs 25,000 crore would be infused in 2015-16 and 2016-17 and Rs 10,000 crore each in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
"The front-loading of the capital allocation - with Rs 50,000 crore of the total Rs 70,000 crore coming in the first two years - is also credit positive, while the four-year timespan offers medium-term visibility regarding the PSU banks' capital positions," Moody's said.
"For their capital position to stop being a negative driver of their credit profile, PSU banks will have to demonstrate access to equity capital markets", it said.
The recent announcement to infuse Rs 25,000 crore is way higher than the plan in 2015-16 Budget to provide only Rs 7,900 crore equity capital support to PSU banks.
Of the total amount of Rs 25,000 crore, Rs 10,000 crore would be provided to weak PSBs.
"This represents a key and crucial change compared to the capital allocation policy announced in February of this year. By that policy, only those banks which met specified profitability thresholds would be provided capital. Accordingly, only 5 PSU banks qualified to receive capital then," the report added.
Fund raising via market doubles to Rs 1.73 trillion in April-June quarter
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Indian companies mopped up a whopping Rs 1.73 lakh crore from the markets in April-June quarter of the current financial year, more than double the amount garnered in the year-ago period.
These funds have been raised mainly for expansion of business plans and to support working capital requirements.
An analysis of funds raised through various routes showed companies have together mopped up fresh capital worth Rs 1,72,818 crore from equity and debt markets during the first quarter of the current fiscal (2015-16), higher than Rs 72,085 crore raised in April-June period of 2014-15.
A large chunk of this amount or Rs 1,42,334 crore has been mopped up from debt market, while Rs 30,484 crore has been mobilised via equity route.
In the equity segment, most of the funds were raised through preferential route (Rs 17,398 crore), followed by rights issue (Rs 7,498 crore), qualified institutional placements (Rs 3,265 crore) and initial public offers (Rs 2,324 crore).
Within the debt market, the companies raked in Rs 1,41,624 crore through debt placement route, while just Rs 710 crore was mopped up through public issuance of debt securities.
Companies preferred debt route over equity for mobilising money in the April-June quarter, while in the equity segment, most of the fresh capital were raised through preferential allotment and rights issue. In 2014-15, firms had raised a total of Rs 4.80 lakh crore from equity and debt markets as compared to Rs 3.92 lakh crore raked in the preceding fiscal.
Indian companies mopped up a whopping Rs 1.73 lakh crore from the markets in April-June quarter of the current financial year, more than double the amount garnered in the year-ago period.
These funds have been raised mainly for expansion of business plans and to support working capital requirements.
An analysis of funds raised through various routes showed companies have together mopped up fresh capital worth Rs 1,72,818 crore from equity and debt markets during the first quarter of the current fiscal (2015-16), higher than Rs 72,085 crore raised in April-June period of 2014-15.
A large chunk of this amount or Rs 1,42,334 crore has been mopped up from debt market, while Rs 30,484 crore has been mobilised via equity route.
In the equity segment, most of the funds were raised through preferential route (Rs 17,398 crore), followed by rights issue (Rs 7,498 crore), qualified institutional placements (Rs 3,265 crore) and initial public offers (Rs 2,324 crore).
Within the debt market, the companies raked in Rs 1,41,624 crore through debt placement route, while just Rs 710 crore was mopped up through public issuance of debt securities.
Companies preferred debt route over equity for mobilising money in the April-June quarter, while in the equity segment, most of the fresh capital were raised through preferential allotment and rights issue. In 2014-15, firms had raised a total of Rs 4.80 lakh crore from equity and debt markets as compared to Rs 3.92 lakh crore raked in the preceding fiscal.
Bharti Airtel launches pan-India 4G services, data packs at Rs 25
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Bharti Airtel, India's largest telecom operator, has commercially launched 4G services across 296 towns in India. The telecom company launched first 4G network in India in Kolkata in April 2012.
Airtel said it will offer 4G at 3G price, with packs starting at Rs 25. To opt for Airtel 4G, customers will just have to switch to a 4G SIM.
"We have partnerships with Samsung and Flipkart to help our customers upgrade to Airtel 4G," Bharti Airtel said in a statement on Thursday. "Now, customers across the country will be able to experience high-speed wireless broadband on Airtel 4G and get on to the digital superhighway to enjoy uninterrupted HD video streaming, superfast uploading and downloading of movies, music and images."
The company said 4G services will be available to customers across a range of smart devices, including mobile phones, dongles, 4G hotspots and Wi-Fi dongles.
With every 4G SIM swap, Airtel is also offering six months of unlimited music streaming and downloads on 'Wynk Music' and five free movies per month for six months on the Eros Now channel of 'Wynk Movies'.
Airtel also announced the launch of a new carrier agnostic mobile app 'Wynk Movies' that offers a library of thousands of movies and other popular videos. "This follows the successful launch of Wynk Music and establishes Airtel as the only mobile operator in India to offer OTT (Over-the-Top) mobile applications that work across carriers," Airtel said.
Bharti Airtel has over 324 million customers across its operations as of March 2015, according to data available on its website. The telecom major is reported to have tied up with Chinese telecom equipment and network solution firm Huawei for 4G network rollout in Delhi circle.
Shares of Bharti Airtel closed 0.62 per cent lower on the BSE.
Bharti Airtel, India's largest telecom operator, has commercially launched 4G services across 296 towns in India. The telecom company launched first 4G network in India in Kolkata in April 2012.
Airtel said it will offer 4G at 3G price, with packs starting at Rs 25. To opt for Airtel 4G, customers will just have to switch to a 4G SIM.
"We have partnerships with Samsung and Flipkart to help our customers upgrade to Airtel 4G," Bharti Airtel said in a statement on Thursday. "Now, customers across the country will be able to experience high-speed wireless broadband on Airtel 4G and get on to the digital superhighway to enjoy uninterrupted HD video streaming, superfast uploading and downloading of movies, music and images."
The company said 4G services will be available to customers across a range of smart devices, including mobile phones, dongles, 4G hotspots and Wi-Fi dongles.
With every 4G SIM swap, Airtel is also offering six months of unlimited music streaming and downloads on 'Wynk Music' and five free movies per month for six months on the Eros Now channel of 'Wynk Movies'.
Airtel also announced the launch of a new carrier agnostic mobile app 'Wynk Movies' that offers a library of thousands of movies and other popular videos. "This follows the successful launch of Wynk Music and establishes Airtel as the only mobile operator in India to offer OTT (Over-the-Top) mobile applications that work across carriers," Airtel said.
Bharti Airtel has over 324 million customers across its operations as of March 2015, according to data available on its website. The telecom major is reported to have tied up with Chinese telecom equipment and network solution firm Huawei for 4G network rollout in Delhi circle.
Shares of Bharti Airtel closed 0.62 per cent lower on the BSE.
Piramal Enterprises reports Q1 net profit of Rs 202.74 crore
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Piramal Enterprises on Thursday reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 202.74 crore for the first quarter ended June 30.
The company had posted a net profit after taxes, minority interest and share of profit of associates of Rs 2,896.32 crore for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal, Piramal Enterprises said in filing to BSE.
Consolidated total income from operations of the company stood at Rs 1,473.59 crore during the quarter under consideration.
It was Rs 1,182.13 crore during the same period, a year ago. The figures for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 are not comparable to the previous quarter ended June 30, 2014 on account of various acquisitions and divestitures, Piramal Enterprises said.
Commenting on the results, Piramal Enterprises chairman Ajay Piramal said, "Post, we crossed the inflection point in our profitability during the last fiscal year, we have continued our momentum of delivering significant bottom-line performance during the quarter."
Exceptional loss of Rs 2.6 crore was reported during the quarter on account of loss on sale of clinical research business in April 2015. Exceptional gain in the same period of the previous fiscal primarily included gain on sale of 11 per cent stake in Vodafone India for Rs 8,900 crore, Piramal Enterprises said.
Shares of Piramal Enterprises closed at Rs 931 per scrip on BSE, down 1.23 per cent from its previous close.
Piramal Enterprises on Thursday reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 202.74 crore for the first quarter ended June 30.
The company had posted a net profit after taxes, minority interest and share of profit of associates of Rs 2,896.32 crore for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal, Piramal Enterprises said in filing to BSE.
Consolidated total income from operations of the company stood at Rs 1,473.59 crore during the quarter under consideration.
It was Rs 1,182.13 crore during the same period, a year ago. The figures for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 are not comparable to the previous quarter ended June 30, 2014 on account of various acquisitions and divestitures, Piramal Enterprises said.
Commenting on the results, Piramal Enterprises chairman Ajay Piramal said, "Post, we crossed the inflection point in our profitability during the last fiscal year, we have continued our momentum of delivering significant bottom-line performance during the quarter."
Exceptional loss of Rs 2.6 crore was reported during the quarter on account of loss on sale of clinical research business in April 2015. Exceptional gain in the same period of the previous fiscal primarily included gain on sale of 11 per cent stake in Vodafone India for Rs 8,900 crore, Piramal Enterprises said.
Shares of Piramal Enterprises closed at Rs 931 per scrip on BSE, down 1.23 per cent from its previous close.
General Awareness
Important Committees
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1. Finance Ministry constituted a Task on Financial Redress Agency (FRA) under ________ to begin work for FRA as recommended by Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission to act as a unified financial redressal agency? – Dhirendra Swarup
2. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set up an Expert Group under ___________ to examine impact of Foods with High in Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) (also called Junk Food) on the health of consumers? – D Prabhakaran
3. International Boxing Association (AIBA) constituted a five member committee under _________ to manage the process of finding a group to organise and run boxing in India. – Kishan Narsi
4. Committee on Railway traffic optimization led by ___________ submitted its report to Ministry of Railways? – Mohd. Jamshed
5. For Revisiting & Revitalizing the PPP Model of Infrastructure Development submitted its Report. ? –Vijay Kelkar
6. Finance Ministry appointed committee under chairmanship of ________ (head of 20th Law Commission of India) to look into issue of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) on Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) to resolve the contentious issue of MAT between the tax authorities and the foreign investor? - Ajit Prakash Shah.
7. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority 's Committee headed by _______ in its report suggested changing wordings of disclaimer in advertisements of insurance companies from Insurance is a subject matter of solicitation to Before buying, know the conditions and exclusions, to make a well-informed decision. ? – M Ramaprasad
8. __________Government constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Ravishankar Ayyanar to probe Chittoor firing Case? – Andhra Pradesh
9. ___________for recommending restructuring and strengthening of UGC (University Grants Commission) submitted report to Ministry of Human Resource Development. – Hari Gautam
10.___________ to examine the possibility of replacing multiple prior permissions with pre-existing regulatory mechanism. ? – Ajay Shankar
11. Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation constituted a 'Task Force' chaired by ____ on Interlinking of Rivers to look into the issues relating to Interlinking of Rivers ( ILR) in the country ? – BN Navalawala
12. National Transport Development Policy Committee (NTDPC), under chairmanship of _____ submitted its report suggesting reforms for development of various modes of transport categorized as immediate reforms and long run goals. ? – Rakesh Mohan Prakash Shah
13. ____ Government constituted committee headed by its Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh to consider demand of hike in pay for fixed pay teachers in the state ? – Bihar
14. ____ to suggest a framework to assess Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities undertaken by companies. – Anil Baijal
15. Government created three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by _____for re-investigation of 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases ? – Pramod Asthana
16. Committee headed by _____on Road Safety submitted its report to supreme court and recommended ban of sale of alcohol on National and State highways to minimize road accidents along with other recommendations. ? – KS Radhakrishnan
17. Ministry of Railways constituted a Committee under ____ to identify factors and issues affecting growth of traffic (Freight & Passenger) and suggest a plan of action for Traffic Optimization ? – Mohd. Jamshed
18. Odisha Government has appointed ____ as Chairman of committee for Inquiring of multi-crore chit fund scam in Odisha ? – Madan Mohan Das
19. 20th Law Commission of India headed by ______ submitted 253rd report Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts and Commercial Courts Bill, 2015 ? – A P Shah
20. Committee headed by _____ submitted report on restructuring of Food Corporation of India (FCI) ? – Shanta Kumar
21. Government accepted recommendations of ______ committee to look into concerns of people of the the North East states living in other parts of the country ? – M P Bezbaruah
22. Government reconstituted Empowered Committee for setting up of Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication (FAB) manufacturing facilities in the country under NITI Aayog member _____ ? – V K Saraswat
23. Government reconstituted Pollution Control Board Working Group to simplify procedures to get consent certificates and categorisation of industries. The Working Group comprising of 11 members will be headed by _____ ? – Ayi Vaman N Acharya
24. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted a Committee under RBI Deputy Governor ____, to reexamine appropriate set of businesses and licensing terms for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCB) – R Gandhi
1. Finance Ministry constituted a Task on Financial Redress Agency (FRA) under ________ to begin work for FRA as recommended by Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission to act as a unified financial redressal agency? – Dhirendra Swarup
2. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set up an Expert Group under ___________ to examine impact of Foods with High in Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) (also called Junk Food) on the health of consumers? – D Prabhakaran
3. International Boxing Association (AIBA) constituted a five member committee under _________ to manage the process of finding a group to organise and run boxing in India. – Kishan Narsi
4. Committee on Railway traffic optimization led by ___________ submitted its report to Ministry of Railways? – Mohd. Jamshed
5. For Revisiting & Revitalizing the PPP Model of Infrastructure Development submitted its Report. ? –Vijay Kelkar
6. Finance Ministry appointed committee under chairmanship of ________ (head of 20th Law Commission of India) to look into issue of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) on Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) to resolve the contentious issue of MAT between the tax authorities and the foreign investor? - Ajit Prakash Shah.
7. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority 's Committee headed by _______ in its report suggested changing wordings of disclaimer in advertisements of insurance companies from Insurance is a subject matter of solicitation to Before buying, know the conditions and exclusions, to make a well-informed decision. ? – M Ramaprasad
8. __________Government constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Ravishankar Ayyanar to probe Chittoor firing Case? – Andhra Pradesh
9. ___________for recommending restructuring and strengthening of UGC (University Grants Commission) submitted report to Ministry of Human Resource Development. – Hari Gautam
10.___________ to examine the possibility of replacing multiple prior permissions with pre-existing regulatory mechanism. ? – Ajay Shankar
11. Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation constituted a 'Task Force' chaired by ____ on Interlinking of Rivers to look into the issues relating to Interlinking of Rivers ( ILR) in the country ? – BN Navalawala
12. National Transport Development Policy Committee (NTDPC), under chairmanship of _____ submitted its report suggesting reforms for development of various modes of transport categorized as immediate reforms and long run goals. ? – Rakesh Mohan Prakash Shah
13. ____ Government constituted committee headed by its Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh to consider demand of hike in pay for fixed pay teachers in the state ? – Bihar
14. ____ to suggest a framework to assess Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities undertaken by companies. – Anil Baijal
15. Government created three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by _____for re-investigation of 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases ? – Pramod Asthana
16. Committee headed by _____on Road Safety submitted its report to supreme court and recommended ban of sale of alcohol on National and State highways to minimize road accidents along with other recommendations. ? – KS Radhakrishnan
17. Ministry of Railways constituted a Committee under ____ to identify factors and issues affecting growth of traffic (Freight & Passenger) and suggest a plan of action for Traffic Optimization ? – Mohd. Jamshed
18. Odisha Government has appointed ____ as Chairman of committee for Inquiring of multi-crore chit fund scam in Odisha ? – Madan Mohan Das
19. 20th Law Commission of India headed by ______ submitted 253rd report Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts and Commercial Courts Bill, 2015 ? – A P Shah
20. Committee headed by _____ submitted report on restructuring of Food Corporation of India (FCI) ? – Shanta Kumar
21. Government accepted recommendations of ______ committee to look into concerns of people of the the North East states living in other parts of the country ? – M P Bezbaruah
22. Government reconstituted Empowered Committee for setting up of Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication (FAB) manufacturing facilities in the country under NITI Aayog member _____ ? – V K Saraswat
23. Government reconstituted Pollution Control Board Working Group to simplify procedures to get consent certificates and categorisation of industries. The Working Group comprising of 11 members will be headed by _____ ? – Ayi Vaman N Acharya
24. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted a Committee under RBI Deputy Governor ____, to reexamine appropriate set of businesses and licensing terms for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCB) – R Gandhi
2. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set up an Expert Group under ___________ to examine impact of Foods with High in Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) (also called Junk Food) on the health of consumers? – D Prabhakaran
3. International Boxing Association (AIBA) constituted a five member committee under _________ to manage the process of finding a group to organise and run boxing in India. – Kishan Narsi
4. Committee on Railway traffic optimization led by ___________ submitted its report to Ministry of Railways? – Mohd. Jamshed
5. For Revisiting & Revitalizing the PPP Model of Infrastructure Development submitted its Report. ? –Vijay Kelkar
6. Finance Ministry appointed committee under chairmanship of ________ (head of 20th Law Commission of India) to look into issue of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) on Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) to resolve the contentious issue of MAT between the tax authorities and the foreign investor? - Ajit Prakash Shah.
7. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority 's Committee headed by _______ in its report suggested changing wordings of disclaimer in advertisements of insurance companies from Insurance is a subject matter of solicitation to Before buying, know the conditions and exclusions, to make a well-informed decision. ? – M Ramaprasad
8. __________Government constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Ravishankar Ayyanar to probe Chittoor firing Case? – Andhra Pradesh
9. ___________for recommending restructuring and strengthening of UGC (University Grants Commission) submitted report to Ministry of Human Resource Development. – Hari Gautam
10.___________ to examine the possibility of replacing multiple prior permissions with pre-existing regulatory mechanism. ? – Ajay Shankar
11. Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation constituted a 'Task Force' chaired by ____ on Interlinking of Rivers to look into the issues relating to Interlinking of Rivers ( ILR) in the country ? – BN Navalawala
12. National Transport Development Policy Committee (NTDPC), under chairmanship of _____ submitted its report suggesting reforms for development of various modes of transport categorized as immediate reforms and long run goals. ? – Rakesh Mohan Prakash Shah
13. ____ Government constituted committee headed by its Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh to consider demand of hike in pay for fixed pay teachers in the state ? – Bihar
14. ____ to suggest a framework to assess Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities undertaken by companies. – Anil Baijal
15. Government created three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by _____for re-investigation of 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases ? – Pramod Asthana
16. Committee headed by _____on Road Safety submitted its report to supreme court and recommended ban of sale of alcohol on National and State highways to minimize road accidents along with other recommendations. ? – KS Radhakrishnan
17. Ministry of Railways constituted a Committee under ____ to identify factors and issues affecting growth of traffic (Freight & Passenger) and suggest a plan of action for Traffic Optimization ? – Mohd. Jamshed
18. Odisha Government has appointed ____ as Chairman of committee for Inquiring of multi-crore chit fund scam in Odisha ? – Madan Mohan Das
19. 20th Law Commission of India headed by ______ submitted 253rd report Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts and Commercial Courts Bill, 2015 ? – A P Shah
20. Committee headed by _____ submitted report on restructuring of Food Corporation of India (FCI) ? – Shanta Kumar
21. Government accepted recommendations of ______ committee to look into concerns of people of the the North East states living in other parts of the country ? – M P Bezbaruah
22. Government reconstituted Empowered Committee for setting up of Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication (FAB) manufacturing facilities in the country under NITI Aayog member _____ ? – V K Saraswat
23. Government reconstituted Pollution Control Board Working Group to simplify procedures to get consent certificates and categorisation of industries. The Working Group comprising of 11 members will be headed by _____ ? – Ayi Vaman N Acharya
24. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted a Committee under RBI Deputy Governor ____, to reexamine appropriate set of businesses and licensing terms for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCB) – R Gandhi
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