General Affairs
NIA to file chargesheet against 5 accused in Naxal funding case
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A month after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed an over 12,000 page chargesheet in the Kashmir terror funding case, the premier anti-terror probe agency is ready with its chargesheet in a Naxal funding case which lays bare the conspiracy of the inter-state module of the CPI (Maoist) operating in Jharkhand and Telangana.
The agency has named CPI(M) top central committee member Sudhakar as the main accused along with four others. India Today has learnt that the agency has sought prosecution sanction from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) against 5 accused.
Sources confirmed that a 35 page main chargesheet has been prepared with a 1,000 page annexure. Compared to an exhaustive report prepared in Kashmir terror funding, the naxal funding case is concise. Once it is granted clearance from the MHA, the chargesheet will likely be filed at the end of this month.
The case goes back to August 2017 where Ranchi Police had arrested top naxal leader Sudhakar's brother, B Narayan and business partner Satyanarayan Reddy.
The duo was caught red handed at Ranchi station with Rs 25.15 lakh in cash and over half a kilo of gold biscuits worth about Rs 12 lakh. The delivery of cash and gold was meant for Sudhakar's family in Telangana.
Also read: Chhattisgarh: Two Naxals killed in encounter by Indo-Tibetan Border Police
Interestingly Narayan's PAN card and Reddy's Aadhar card gave them away. Their accounts were under the scanner.
Sources say that the agency has been able to unearth the conspiracy of the inter-state module involving Jharkhand and Telangana. Though scientific evidence has been put forth in the chargesheet, the agency has mentioned details of a conspiracy from open sources like the web.
Sudhakar has been extorting money from businessmen involved in mining, road construction and others in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Odisha's forested areas.
Sudhakar has also allegedly collected levies from Jharkhand's Koyal Sankh Zone for what sources say was his personal retirement plan.
The agency has named CPI(M) top central committee member Sudhakar as the main accused along with four others. India Today has learnt that the agency has sought prosecution sanction from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) against 5 accused.
Sources confirmed that a 35 page main chargesheet has been prepared with a 1,000 page annexure. Compared to an exhaustive report prepared in Kashmir terror funding, the naxal funding case is concise. Once it is granted clearance from the MHA, the chargesheet will likely be filed at the end of this month.
The case goes back to August 2017 where Ranchi Police had arrested top naxal leader Sudhakar's brother, B Narayan and business partner Satyanarayan Reddy.
The duo was caught red handed at Ranchi station with Rs 25.15 lakh in cash and over half a kilo of gold biscuits worth about Rs 12 lakh. The delivery of cash and gold was meant for Sudhakar's family in Telangana.
Also read: Chhattisgarh: Two Naxals killed in encounter by Indo-Tibetan Border Police
Interestingly Narayan's PAN card and Reddy's Aadhar card gave them away. Their accounts were under the scanner.
Sources say that the agency has been able to unearth the conspiracy of the inter-state module involving Jharkhand and Telangana. Though scientific evidence has been put forth in the chargesheet, the agency has mentioned details of a conspiracy from open sources like the web.
Sudhakar has been extorting money from businessmen involved in mining, road construction and others in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Odisha's forested areas.
Sudhakar has also allegedly collected levies from Jharkhand's Koyal Sankh Zone for what sources say was his personal retirement plan.
Indian Mujahideen's Ariz Khan, wanted for several serial blasts, arrested in Delhi
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Delhi Police Special Cell on Wednesday arrested a most-wanted Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist Ariz Khan alias Junaid.
Ariz Khan had a reward of Rs 15 lakh on him, the most for any IM member. He has been involved in all major blasts carried out by the terrorist organisation.
Ariz aka Junaid had a reward on his head of Rs 10 lakh by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) and Rs 5 lakh by the Delhi Police.
Also read: Gujarat ATS arrests LeT terrorist involved in 2000 Red Fort attack
He has been involved in five blast cases carried out by the terrorist organisation, including those in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.
Born in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, the 27-year-old IM member had left midway the engineering course that he had taken up in Muzaffarnagar and joined the cause of jihad.
A reward of Rs 1 lakh was announced on him after he was wanted for the serial bomb blasts in Delhi in September 2008.
Ariz alias Junaid had managed to escape from the Batla House encounter.
Ariz Khan had a reward of Rs 15 lakh on him, the most for any IM member. He has been involved in all major blasts carried out by the terrorist organisation.
Ariz aka Junaid had a reward on his head of Rs 10 lakh by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) and Rs 5 lakh by the Delhi Police.
Also read: Gujarat ATS arrests LeT terrorist involved in 2000 Red Fort attack
He has been involved in five blast cases carried out by the terrorist organisation, including those in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.
Born in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, the 27-year-old IM member had left midway the engineering course that he had taken up in Muzaffarnagar and joined the cause of jihad.
A reward of Rs 1 lakh was announced on him after he was wanted for the serial bomb blasts in Delhi in September 2008.
Ariz alias Junaid had managed to escape from the Batla House encounter.
Maharashtra to buy 1.5 lakh books on PM Modi’s life for state government-run schools
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Maharashtra government will soon procure books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for school children. The state government has ordered nearly 1.5 lakh books on PM Modi's life.
The libraries in state-run schools will have books on Narendra Modi alongside books subjected on Mahatma Gandhi, BR Ambedkar, Chhatrapati Shivaji and Jyotirao Phule. Incidentally, the procurement of books on Modi will be higher than of books on any other leader.
According to a tender issued, the procured books will be used as supplementary reading material for students from Class 1 to Class 4. The government will purchase books worth Rs 59.42 lakh.
The order was placed last month and will be delivered to state government-run schools by this month-end.
"The order also includes purchase of books on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr B R Ambedkar but their number is lesser than that of the Modi books," the official said.
In total 1,49,954 on Modi and 1,635 books on Nehru have been ordered, while 4,343 books on Gandhi and 79,388 books on Ambedkar have been ordered, as per the purchase order.
Also, 76,713 books on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee have been ordered, the official said.
The books, in Marathi, Hindi, English and Gujarati languages, are being purchased under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a programme for universalisation of elementary education, and will be kept as extra reading material for students from class 1 to 8, he said.
Books on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj occupy the pride of place in the purchase order, with the state government ordering 3, 40,982 books on the life of the Great Maratha. This number is followed by books on former president A P J Abdul Kalam (3, 21,328).
The official said that the books are being purchased from private publishers.
State education minister Vinod Tawde said, "An expert committee has recommended the books and the order has been placed according to these recommendations."
The libraries in state-run schools will have books on Narendra Modi alongside books subjected on Mahatma Gandhi, BR Ambedkar, Chhatrapati Shivaji and Jyotirao Phule. Incidentally, the procurement of books on Modi will be higher than of books on any other leader.
According to a tender issued, the procured books will be used as supplementary reading material for students from Class 1 to Class 4. The government will purchase books worth Rs 59.42 lakh.
The order was placed last month and will be delivered to state government-run schools by this month-end.
"The order also includes purchase of books on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr B R Ambedkar but their number is lesser than that of the Modi books," the official said.
In total 1,49,954 on Modi and 1,635 books on Nehru have been ordered, while 4,343 books on Gandhi and 79,388 books on Ambedkar have been ordered, as per the purchase order.
Also, 76,713 books on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee have been ordered, the official said.
The books, in Marathi, Hindi, English and Gujarati languages, are being purchased under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a programme for universalisation of elementary education, and will be kept as extra reading material for students from class 1 to 8, he said.
Books on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj occupy the pride of place in the purchase order, with the state government ordering 3, 40,982 books on the life of the Great Maratha. This number is followed by books on former president A P J Abdul Kalam (3, 21,328).
The official said that the books are being purchased from private publishers.
State education minister Vinod Tawde said, "An expert committee has recommended the books and the order has been placed according to these recommendations."
Farmer who committed suicide in Mantralaya to get revised compensation of Rs 54 lakh
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Dharma Manga Patil, farmer who committed suicide inside Mantralaya by consuming poison, will now get a revised compensation of 54 lakh.
Report on the revised compensation has been sent by the Dhule District Collector to the Energy department.
Deceased Patil's land in Vikhran village was acquired for a power in the district. Patil was offered a compensation of 6 lakhs for his 5 acres of acquired land when he was alive.
As per the revised formula, (a copy of which is in possession of India Today), Late Dharma Patil will be getting a compensation of Rs 28 lakh, while his son Narendra Patil will be given a compensation of Rs 26.42 lakh for five acre land.
As per the revised plan, Rs 1,70,701 plus a same amount will be given as relief.
Apart from that, ex-gratia amount of Rs 24,63,582 will also be given to the deceased. The family will be getting an amount of Rs 54,48,132 now as per the revised proposal.
The compensations will be awarded according to the MGNREGA formula. The earlier Panchnama of the land acquired will stand cancelled.
Dharma Patil had then alleged the he is not been offered fair price for the trees in his farms.
Patil had been running from pillar to post demanding fair compensation for his land. He had consumed poison inside the state secretariat and subsequently died during treatment at Sir JJ Hospital in Mumbai.
Apart from Late Dharma Patil, 12 other farmers too had raised concerns about unfair compensation for the proposed Power Project. The government now will also revise their compensation accordingly.
"Had this decision been taken earlier, Dharma Patil would not have felt the need to end his life in such a tragic manner. Unfortunately, the action has come a little too late, said Nawab Malik, spokesperson of the NCP.
Report on the revised compensation has been sent by the Dhule District Collector to the Energy department.
Deceased Patil's land in Vikhran village was acquired for a power in the district. Patil was offered a compensation of 6 lakhs for his 5 acres of acquired land when he was alive.
As per the revised formula, (a copy of which is in possession of India Today), Late Dharma Patil will be getting a compensation of Rs 28 lakh, while his son Narendra Patil will be given a compensation of Rs 26.42 lakh for five acre land.
As per the revised plan, Rs 1,70,701 plus a same amount will be given as relief.
Apart from that, ex-gratia amount of Rs 24,63,582 will also be given to the deceased. The family will be getting an amount of Rs 54,48,132 now as per the revised proposal.
The compensations will be awarded according to the MGNREGA formula. The earlier Panchnama of the land acquired will stand cancelled.
Dharma Patil had then alleged the he is not been offered fair price for the trees in his farms.
Patil had been running from pillar to post demanding fair compensation for his land. He had consumed poison inside the state secretariat and subsequently died during treatment at Sir JJ Hospital in Mumbai.
Apart from Late Dharma Patil, 12 other farmers too had raised concerns about unfair compensation for the proposed Power Project. The government now will also revise their compensation accordingly.
"Had this decision been taken earlier, Dharma Patil would not have felt the need to end his life in such a tragic manner. Unfortunately, the action has come a little too late, said Nawab Malik, spokesperson of the NCP.
Fake ITI students lift scholarship worth Rs 100 crore
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The Social Welfare Department of Rajasthan has been rocked by a scam involving fake students being granted massive scholarships and purchasing substandard mattresses and bed sheets.
The department has been looking the other way and ignoring findings of its internal inquiry and even removed the officer who has been pushing for action.
Reports that Anti-Corruption Department was looking into the scam running into over a hundred crores, and that the issue may come up before the ongoing Assembly session, has forced the government to order an inquiry by a middle-ranking officer.
Sources reveal that the scholarship scam has so far unearthed in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) where 62,000 students who failed in various semesters during the academic years 2015-16 and 2016-17 have released scholarships.
Half of the students who were awarded scholarships failed. It was not because of academic issues, but the fact that such students were enrolled only to get a scholarship for them from the government.
Some ITIs enrolled as many as 10,000 students with no facility to teach them. A highly placed source revealed that one such ITI had offered a Fortuner car costing Rs 35 lakhs to a member of inspecting team to give a favourable report.
Most such fake students were either enrolled elsewhere in other courses or nowhere. Yet, ITIs claimed their scholarship and the department released it happily without verifying the claims.
Even when an internal inquiry brought the corruption to the fore, authorities refused to hand over the case to the anti-corruption department raising suspicion about heavy bribes reaching higher-ups.
If it was not enough, a random check at different hostels run by the social welfare department has revealed that mattresses supplied worth crores were filled not with proper cotton but waste material.
Besides, these were less than approved size and weight. The bed sheets shrunk drastically after the first wash.
Sources point out that the scam will hit the ruling government hard as the current inquiry appears more of an eyewash. Some PILs are expected to file seeking a CBI inquiry into the scam.
The department has been looking the other way and ignoring findings of its internal inquiry and even removed the officer who has been pushing for action.
Reports that Anti-Corruption Department was looking into the scam running into over a hundred crores, and that the issue may come up before the ongoing Assembly session, has forced the government to order an inquiry by a middle-ranking officer.
Sources reveal that the scholarship scam has so far unearthed in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) where 62,000 students who failed in various semesters during the academic years 2015-16 and 2016-17 have released scholarships.
Half of the students who were awarded scholarships failed. It was not because of academic issues, but the fact that such students were enrolled only to get a scholarship for them from the government.
Some ITIs enrolled as many as 10,000 students with no facility to teach them. A highly placed source revealed that one such ITI had offered a Fortuner car costing Rs 35 lakhs to a member of inspecting team to give a favourable report.
Most such fake students were either enrolled elsewhere in other courses or nowhere. Yet, ITIs claimed their scholarship and the department released it happily without verifying the claims.
Even when an internal inquiry brought the corruption to the fore, authorities refused to hand over the case to the anti-corruption department raising suspicion about heavy bribes reaching higher-ups.
If it was not enough, a random check at different hostels run by the social welfare department has revealed that mattresses supplied worth crores were filled not with proper cotton but waste material.
Besides, these were less than approved size and weight. The bed sheets shrunk drastically after the first wash.
Sources point out that the scam will hit the ruling government hard as the current inquiry appears more of an eyewash. Some PILs are expected to file seeking a CBI inquiry into the scam.
Business Affairs
PNB fraud shocking but not surprising; SBI, Bank of Baroda also in total mess
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Punjab National Bank's share price slipped 9.8 per cent today in the second biggest fall in the past five years. The public sector bank has detected fraudulent transactions amounting to more than $ 1.77 billion from one of its branch in Mumbai in probably one of the biggest scams in Indian corporate history. The stock saw its steepest decline of 10.8 per cent on August 24, 2015, during a five-year period.
It is interesting to note that the bank registered the fifth highest number of bank frauds in the fiscal 2017 amongst the PSBs. It saw a decline in the number of fraud cases from 180 in 2014/15 to 131 in 2015/16; however, it rose to 160 in 2016/17. Amongst the public sector banks (PSBs), with 803 cases State Bank of India reported the highest number of fraud cases, followed by Bank of Baroda (224).
PSBs witnessed 8,622 frauds, involving 1,146 staff between 2015-2017. However, keeping in view that PSBs have about 70 per cent market share, the incidence of such frauds in private sector banks is higher than in PSBs-4,156 frauds involving 568 staffs.
The figures look shocking but the incident is not surprising at all. One of the emerging risks to the financial sector is increasing trends in frauds in commercial banks and financial institutions. During the last five financial years, frauds have increased substantially both in volume and value terms. According to Reserve Bank's Financial Stability report, June 2017, "during this period, while the volume of frauds (above the cut-off of Rs 100,000) has increased by 19.6 per cent from 4,235 to 5,064, the value (loss incurred) has increased by 72 per cent from Rs 97.5 billion to Rs 167.7 billion." Share of frauds in advances portfolio continued to be high at 86 per cent of the frauds reported during 2016-17 (in terms of amount involved).
In a number of large value frauds, serious gaps in credit underwriting standards were evident. Some of the often seen gaps are liberal cash flow projection at the proposal stage, lack of continuous monitoring of cash flows and cash profits (EBITDA), lack of security perfection and over valuation, gold plating of projects, diversion of funds, double financing and general credit governance issues in banks. Moreover, almost all corporate loans related fraud cases get seasoned for 2 to 3 years as NPAs before they are reported as fraud.
It is interesting to note that the bank registered the fifth highest number of bank frauds in the fiscal 2017 amongst the PSBs. It saw a decline in the number of fraud cases from 180 in 2014/15 to 131 in 2015/16; however, it rose to 160 in 2016/17. Amongst the public sector banks (PSBs), with 803 cases State Bank of India reported the highest number of fraud cases, followed by Bank of Baroda (224).
PSBs witnessed 8,622 frauds, involving 1,146 staff between 2015-2017. However, keeping in view that PSBs have about 70 per cent market share, the incidence of such frauds in private sector banks is higher than in PSBs-4,156 frauds involving 568 staffs.
The figures look shocking but the incident is not surprising at all. One of the emerging risks to the financial sector is increasing trends in frauds in commercial banks and financial institutions. During the last five financial years, frauds have increased substantially both in volume and value terms. According to Reserve Bank's Financial Stability report, June 2017, "during this period, while the volume of frauds (above the cut-off of Rs 100,000) has increased by 19.6 per cent from 4,235 to 5,064, the value (loss incurred) has increased by 72 per cent from Rs 97.5 billion to Rs 167.7 billion." Share of frauds in advances portfolio continued to be high at 86 per cent of the frauds reported during 2016-17 (in terms of amount involved).
In a number of large value frauds, serious gaps in credit underwriting standards were evident. Some of the often seen gaps are liberal cash flow projection at the proposal stage, lack of continuous monitoring of cash flows and cash profits (EBITDA), lack of security perfection and over valuation, gold plating of projects, diversion of funds, double financing and general credit governance issues in banks. Moreover, almost all corporate loans related fraud cases get seasoned for 2 to 3 years as NPAs before they are reported as fraud.
New RBI framework may see loans over Rs 2 lakh crore headed to bankruptcy court
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"The Reserve Bank of India has issued various instructions aimed at resolution of stressed assets in the economy, including introduction of certain specific schemes at different points of time. In view of the enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), it has been decided to substitute the existing guidelines with a harmonised and simplified generic framework for resolution of stressed assets." Who would have believed that an RBI circular with such an innocuous beginning would leave the entire banking sector shaking?
The apex bank, on Monday, basically ditched its much-tomtommed past schemes for dealing with bank bad loans, such as Framework for Revitalising Distressed Assets, Corporate Debt Restructuring (CDR) Scheme, Flexible Structuring of Existing Long Term Project Loans, Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme (SDR) and more. In fact, 28 circulars issued over the past 17 years have been repealed "with immediate effect". The revised framework introduced not only specifies norms for "early identification" of stressed assets, strict timelines for implementation of resolution plans, and a penalty on banks for failing to adhere to the prescribed timelines, but also makes the bankruptcy court the main tool for resolution.
What this means is more reported stressed and bad loans in the days ahead. In fact, a whopping Rs 2 lakh crore worth of stressed loans may be headed to bankruptcy court, according to The Economic Times. These loans are mostly from infrastructure sectors such as power, telecom, roads and ports and are languishing in different stages of restructuring under plans such as SDR or Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A).
Leading PSU banks already saddled with mounting stressed assets over the past few years are in for a rough ride ahead. The top four state-run banks reportedly account for nearly Rs 1.37 lakh crore of such assets, some of which could turn into NPAs. More stringent provisioning requirements-banks have to make a 50% provision for accounts subject to insolvency proceedings compared to 15-20% for sub-standard assets-will erode profitability and increase pressure on their already-low capital levels. Although Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar said that "We don't see much impact on provisioning. Growth (loan) is intact as more capital will be available through sale of non-core assets", experts are not as optimistic. While Krishnan Sitaraman, senior director at Crisil Ratings, has been quoted saying "Our estimates are the top 50 accounts which make up for more than 50% of the NPAs are provided at 45%, which could increase to 60% in the next fiscal year", Smartkarma Insight Provider Daniel Tabbush in a recent report said "It was always the case that the Rs 2.1 trillion in government recapitalization money would go the way of provisions. With the new RBI circular, it becomes clearer". In the current fiscal, 20 PSU banks bagged Rs 80,000 crore through recapitalisation bonds and Rs 8,139 crore as budgetary support.
This translates to curtailed loan growth, which in any case has been steadily coming down. As per latest available CEIC data, India's Domestic Credit increased 5.9% year-on-year in November 2017-a record low-compared with the all-time high of 27.1% in July 2009. "For those banks having grown more aggressively in the past few years, there could be even more pain, with a higher level of unseasoned loans. HDFC Bank is a key stand out here, with some of the most fantastic growth of any bank in the country, and not due to any base effect. Its market share gains will be a bane, not a boon. And we are doubtful this is what most expect," adds Tabbush.
He also notes that it can't be a coincidence that the new RBI framework comes out now, right when banks are transitioning to the Indian Accounting Standards (IndAS), based on IFRS 9. This new accounting regulation is far more onerous on provisioning and NPL classification and according to CLSA, it may almost double stressed advances, boost provisioning by $30 billion and consume more than $26 billion in capital at state-run banks and $4 billion for private lenders.
Shares of the country's biggest banks, be it SBI, ICICI Bank or Bank of Baroda have all dipped 1-2% in this morning's trade. Things might get worse before it gets better for this sector.
The apex bank, on Monday, basically ditched its much-tomtommed past schemes for dealing with bank bad loans, such as Framework for Revitalising Distressed Assets, Corporate Debt Restructuring (CDR) Scheme, Flexible Structuring of Existing Long Term Project Loans, Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme (SDR) and more. In fact, 28 circulars issued over the past 17 years have been repealed "with immediate effect". The revised framework introduced not only specifies norms for "early identification" of stressed assets, strict timelines for implementation of resolution plans, and a penalty on banks for failing to adhere to the prescribed timelines, but also makes the bankruptcy court the main tool for resolution.
What this means is more reported stressed and bad loans in the days ahead. In fact, a whopping Rs 2 lakh crore worth of stressed loans may be headed to bankruptcy court, according to The Economic Times. These loans are mostly from infrastructure sectors such as power, telecom, roads and ports and are languishing in different stages of restructuring under plans such as SDR or Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A).
Leading PSU banks already saddled with mounting stressed assets over the past few years are in for a rough ride ahead. The top four state-run banks reportedly account for nearly Rs 1.37 lakh crore of such assets, some of which could turn into NPAs. More stringent provisioning requirements-banks have to make a 50% provision for accounts subject to insolvency proceedings compared to 15-20% for sub-standard assets-will erode profitability and increase pressure on their already-low capital levels. Although Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar said that "We don't see much impact on provisioning. Growth (loan) is intact as more capital will be available through sale of non-core assets", experts are not as optimistic. While Krishnan Sitaraman, senior director at Crisil Ratings, has been quoted saying "Our estimates are the top 50 accounts which make up for more than 50% of the NPAs are provided at 45%, which could increase to 60% in the next fiscal year", Smartkarma Insight Provider Daniel Tabbush in a recent report said "It was always the case that the Rs 2.1 trillion in government recapitalization money would go the way of provisions. With the new RBI circular, it becomes clearer". In the current fiscal, 20 PSU banks bagged Rs 80,000 crore through recapitalisation bonds and Rs 8,139 crore as budgetary support.
This translates to curtailed loan growth, which in any case has been steadily coming down. As per latest available CEIC data, India's Domestic Credit increased 5.9% year-on-year in November 2017-a record low-compared with the all-time high of 27.1% in July 2009. "For those banks having grown more aggressively in the past few years, there could be even more pain, with a higher level of unseasoned loans. HDFC Bank is a key stand out here, with some of the most fantastic growth of any bank in the country, and not due to any base effect. Its market share gains will be a bane, not a boon. And we are doubtful this is what most expect," adds Tabbush.
He also notes that it can't be a coincidence that the new RBI framework comes out now, right when banks are transitioning to the Indian Accounting Standards (IndAS), based on IFRS 9. This new accounting regulation is far more onerous on provisioning and NPL classification and according to CLSA, it may almost double stressed advances, boost provisioning by $30 billion and consume more than $26 billion in capital at state-run banks and $4 billion for private lenders.
Shares of the country's biggest banks, be it SBI, ICICI Bank or Bank of Baroda have all dipped 1-2% in this morning's trade. Things might get worse before it gets better for this sector.
A lot of super rich Indians are in smaller cities, not just Delhi and Mumbai
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A recent Kotak Wealth Management report focussing on the country's ultra-high net worth individuals has found there is a trend of wealthy people increasingly emerging from smaller cities-18% of them were based in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Ludhiana. Having said that, 56% of the UHNHs hailed from the four metro cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
The report also found those people with net worth of Rs 25 crore-increased by 10% to around 1.6 lakh in 2017 with 60% of them under the age of 40 years, compared to 47% in the previous survey. According to Jaideep Hansraj, CEO, Kotak Wealth Management & Priority Banking, this is due to family inheritance. Over the next five years, the study sees the number of such households doubling to 3.30 lakh and their net worth ballooning to Rs 352 trillion from Rs 153 trillion in 2017.
The report titled 'Top of the Pyramid 2017' also sheds light on where India's Richie Rich brigade prefer to park their money. Actually, in the past year, they have been more disposed to spend their moolah. These younger UHNIs "are at the vanguard of changes in consumption patterns. A robust economy, soaring markets, and strong consumption have contributed to rising disposable incomes, reflected in higher allocation towards leisure and allied activities," said the report.
This was reportedly true for professionals than inheritors and entrepreneurs, an indication of fatter pay cheques in India Inc. Investment for personal wealth, spends on jewellery and the share of savings have all dipped while inflation and higher cost of living, especially fuel, seems to have affected allocations to expenses, which were higher this year at 22%.
Spends on philanthropy have also been on the rise in the past few years, up 7% since the previous study. Moreover, a majority of UHNIs interviewed considered philanthropy in their annual expenditure plan. About 80% of the respondents claimed that they are associated with charities that provide food for the poor. Education (72%) emerged as the second most popular cause supported by UHNIs in 2017.
Calling the events of the past fortnight in the equity markets "crazy", Hansraj said he expects a shift to debt market investments over equities. However, he added that there won't be a return to investing in physical assets like gold and real estate.
Moreover, an increasing number of the rich are adopting "ad-hocism" as their investing style-almost half of them were inclined to take a high-risk and opportunity-driven approach while only about one-third preferred a disciplined and systematic approach. A noticeable theme for 2018 appears to be investment in agriculture and infrastructure-linked sectors. The report added that 46% of UHNIs intend to increase their investment in equities in the coming years.
The survey, conducted by global consultancy EY across 12 cities, relied on data points on savings, GDP growth, investments in asset classes like mutual funds, realty, gold and equities, and bank deposit growth.
A major finding is that the pace at which the UHNI segment is growing has slowed considerably over the years. According to the report, the number of UHNHs in India increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 12% over the previous five years. But in the report for 2015, the segment had seen a CAGR of 22% per cent over the previous five years. The segment's collective net worth furthermore grew only 5% in the past year. That should make the envious common man feel a tad better.
The report also found those people with net worth of Rs 25 crore-increased by 10% to around 1.6 lakh in 2017 with 60% of them under the age of 40 years, compared to 47% in the previous survey. According to Jaideep Hansraj, CEO, Kotak Wealth Management & Priority Banking, this is due to family inheritance. Over the next five years, the study sees the number of such households doubling to 3.30 lakh and their net worth ballooning to Rs 352 trillion from Rs 153 trillion in 2017.
The report titled 'Top of the Pyramid 2017' also sheds light on where India's Richie Rich brigade prefer to park their money. Actually, in the past year, they have been more disposed to spend their moolah. These younger UHNIs "are at the vanguard of changes in consumption patterns. A robust economy, soaring markets, and strong consumption have contributed to rising disposable incomes, reflected in higher allocation towards leisure and allied activities," said the report.
This was reportedly true for professionals than inheritors and entrepreneurs, an indication of fatter pay cheques in India Inc. Investment for personal wealth, spends on jewellery and the share of savings have all dipped while inflation and higher cost of living, especially fuel, seems to have affected allocations to expenses, which were higher this year at 22%.
Spends on philanthropy have also been on the rise in the past few years, up 7% since the previous study. Moreover, a majority of UHNIs interviewed considered philanthropy in their annual expenditure plan. About 80% of the respondents claimed that they are associated with charities that provide food for the poor. Education (72%) emerged as the second most popular cause supported by UHNIs in 2017.
Calling the events of the past fortnight in the equity markets "crazy", Hansraj said he expects a shift to debt market investments over equities. However, he added that there won't be a return to investing in physical assets like gold and real estate.
Moreover, an increasing number of the rich are adopting "ad-hocism" as their investing style-almost half of them were inclined to take a high-risk and opportunity-driven approach while only about one-third preferred a disciplined and systematic approach. A noticeable theme for 2018 appears to be investment in agriculture and infrastructure-linked sectors. The report added that 46% of UHNIs intend to increase their investment in equities in the coming years.
The survey, conducted by global consultancy EY across 12 cities, relied on data points on savings, GDP growth, investments in asset classes like mutual funds, realty, gold and equities, and bank deposit growth.
A major finding is that the pace at which the UHNI segment is growing has slowed considerably over the years. According to the report, the number of UHNHs in India increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 12% over the previous five years. But in the report for 2015, the segment had seen a CAGR of 22% per cent over the previous five years. The segment's collective net worth furthermore grew only 5% in the past year. That should make the envious common man feel a tad better.
Indian economy shows recovery signs: Here are 5 best performing sectors
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The Indian economy is showing signs of recovery as corporate numbers for Q3FY18 has improved. Data analyzed for 2400 companies that have declared their standalone results so far have shown improvement in revenue growth, operating profit growth and net profit growth. Between December 2017 quarter and December 2016 quarter, the aggregate sales revenue has grown by 9.2 per cent compared to 6.6 per cent between September 2017 quarter and September 2016 quarter. In the same time period, operating profit has improved to 12.6 per cent from 9.4 per cent. The net profit has improved to 11.8 per cent in Q3FY18 from -8.5 per cent in Q2FY18. Let us look at the five best performing sectors in terms of the net profit growth in Q3FY18:
Trading sector: The sector has 143 companies that have declared their standalone results so far. Aggregate net profit growth of the sector is 874.5 per cent. The top line and operating profit grew by 8.8 per cent and 38.9 per cent respectively. The top 3 companies in trading sector in terms of net profit growth with market cap greater than Rs 500 crores are TVS Electronics (558.5 per cent), Future Consumer (429 per cent) and Cerebra Integrated Technologies (306.6 per cent).
Hospitality: 45 companies in hospitality sector has reported their standalone numbers for Q3FY18 so far. The aggregate top line and bottom line grew by 6.5 per cent and 287.5 per cent respectively. The top three companies in terms of net profit growth with market cap greater than Rs 500 crores are Taj GVK Hotels & Resorts (152.5 per cent), India Tourism Development Corporation (87.38 per cent) and Wonderla Holidays (48.86 per cent).
Construction materials: 80 companies have declared their standalone results so far for Q3FY18. The aggregate operating profit growth and net profit growth of the sector is 17.9 per cent and 224.9 per cent respectively. The top three companies in terms of net profit growth with market cap greater than Rs 500 crores are Sanghi Industries (597.5 per cent), Sagar Cements (473.4 per cent) and Saint-Gobain Sekurit India (411.7 per cent).
Electricals: There are 30 companies that have declared their standalone results for Q3FY18 so far. The sector reported an aggregate net profit growth of 104.3 per cent. The top three companies in terms of net profit growth with market cap greater than Rs 500 crores are Aksh Optfibre (409 per cent), Precision Wires India (149 per cent) and Universal Cables (72.9 per cent).
Retailing: Only 13 companies have reported standalone results for Q3FY18 so far. The aggregate operating profit growth and net profit growth of the sector is 40.7 per cent and 101 per cent respectively. The top three companies in terms of net profit growth with market cap greater than Rs 500 crores are Future Retail (81.23 per cent), Bata India (80.76 per cent) and Avenue Supermarts (65.76 per cent).
Trading sector: The sector has 143 companies that have declared their standalone results so far. Aggregate net profit growth of the sector is 874.5 per cent. The top line and operating profit grew by 8.8 per cent and 38.9 per cent respectively. The top 3 companies in trading sector in terms of net profit growth with market cap greater than Rs 500 crores are TVS Electronics (558.5 per cent), Future Consumer (429 per cent) and Cerebra Integrated Technologies (306.6 per cent).
Hospitality: 45 companies in hospitality sector has reported their standalone numbers for Q3FY18 so far. The aggregate top line and bottom line grew by 6.5 per cent and 287.5 per cent respectively. The top three companies in terms of net profit growth with market cap greater than Rs 500 crores are Taj GVK Hotels & Resorts (152.5 per cent), India Tourism Development Corporation (87.38 per cent) and Wonderla Holidays (48.86 per cent).
Construction materials: 80 companies have declared their standalone results so far for Q3FY18. The aggregate operating profit growth and net profit growth of the sector is 17.9 per cent and 224.9 per cent respectively. The top three companies in terms of net profit growth with market cap greater than Rs 500 crores are Sanghi Industries (597.5 per cent), Sagar Cements (473.4 per cent) and Saint-Gobain Sekurit India (411.7 per cent).
Electricals: There are 30 companies that have declared their standalone results for Q3FY18 so far. The sector reported an aggregate net profit growth of 104.3 per cent. The top three companies in terms of net profit growth with market cap greater than Rs 500 crores are Aksh Optfibre (409 per cent), Precision Wires India (149 per cent) and Universal Cables (72.9 per cent).
Retailing: Only 13 companies have reported standalone results for Q3FY18 so far. The aggregate operating profit growth and net profit growth of the sector is 40.7 per cent and 101 per cent respectively. The top three companies in terms of net profit growth with market cap greater than Rs 500 crores are Future Retail (81.23 per cent), Bata India (80.76 per cent) and Avenue Supermarts (65.76 per cent).
Sensex sheds 144 pts in late sell-off; bank stocks sink
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Benchmark Sensex succumbed to fag- end profit-booking to end 144 points lower on Wednesday after banking stocks tumbled on RBI's new norms for recognising stressed assets.
Punjab National Bank (PNB) plunged 9.81 per cent after the state-owned lender said it has detected fraudulent transactions worth USD 1.77 billion (about Rs 11,335 crore).
In a bid to hasten the resolution of bad loans, the RBI has tightened rules to make banks identify and tackle any non-payment of loans rapidly.
The Reserve Bank of India abolished half a dozen existing loan-restructuring mechanisms and instead provided for a strict 180-day timeline for banks to agree on a resolution plan in case of a default or else refer the account for bankruptcy.
The benchmark BSE index opened higher at 34,436.98 on positive domestic and global cues and advanced to hit a high of 34,473.43.
However, it slipped on profit-booking to touch a low of 34,028.68. It finally ended 144.52 points or 0.42 per cent down at 34,155.95.
The NSE Nifty settled the day 38.85 points or 0.37 per cent lower at 10,500.90 after shuttling between 10,590.55 and 10,456.65, intra-day.
Data released after market hours on Monday showed that industrial output expanded by 7.1 per cent in December on robust performance by manufacturing and capital goods sectors.
Retail inflation, on the other hand, eased marginally in January to 5.07 per cent -- after touching a 17-month high of 5.21 per cent in December -- as food prices cooled.
"Strong IIP growth and slowing retail inflation is providing some signs of stabilisation in economy. However, the broad market witnessed some volatility due to under- performance in financials.
"The PSU banks witnessed sell-off as RBI scrapped a number of loan-restructuring schemes which may lead to further jump in provisions, impacting profitability of these banks," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.
Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 814.11 crore on net basis on Monday, while domestic institutional investors bought shares worth Rs 1,342.70 crore, provisional data showed.
In the banking space, Yes Bank slipped 4.40 per cent, SBI 4.06 per cent, Axis Bank 3.35 per cent, ICICI Bank 2.29 per cent and Bank of Baroda 1.75 per cent.
Other losers included ONGC, Sun Pharma, TCS, Power Grid, NTPC, ITC, Bajaj Auto, Maruti Suzuki, Dr Reddy's, Tata Steel, Hero MotoCorp, Infosys, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Asian Paints, falling up to 2.62 per cent.
However, Coal India, RIL, Wipro, Bharti Airtel, Adani Ports, Tata Motors, L&T, HDFC Ltd, HUL and IndusInd Bank ended higher, rising up to 2.47 per cent.
The BSE mid-cap index edged higher by 0.17 per cent, while small-caps gained 0.16 per cent.
Among the BSE sectoral indices, PSU fell the most at 1.80 per cent, followed by banking (1.62 per cent), healthcare (0.69 per cent), power (0.68 per cent), oil and gas (0.34 per cent) and auto (0.30 per cent).
However, capital goods rose by 0.33 per cent, realty 0.19 per cent and infrastructure 0.12 per cent.
Globally, Asian share markets ended mixed and European bourses opened higher as investors await US inflation numbers for clues on the pace of interest rate rises in the world's biggest economy.
Japan's Nikkei fell by 0.43 per cent and Singapore shed 0.36 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 2.27 per cent and Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.45 per cent.
In the Eurozone, Paris CAC 40 rose 0.70 per cent and Frankfurt moved up 0.76 per cent in their early deals. UK's FTSE also traded higher 0.68 per cent.
Punjab National Bank (PNB) plunged 9.81 per cent after the state-owned lender said it has detected fraudulent transactions worth USD 1.77 billion (about Rs 11,335 crore).
In a bid to hasten the resolution of bad loans, the RBI has tightened rules to make banks identify and tackle any non-payment of loans rapidly.
The Reserve Bank of India abolished half a dozen existing loan-restructuring mechanisms and instead provided for a strict 180-day timeline for banks to agree on a resolution plan in case of a default or else refer the account for bankruptcy.
The benchmark BSE index opened higher at 34,436.98 on positive domestic and global cues and advanced to hit a high of 34,473.43.
However, it slipped on profit-booking to touch a low of 34,028.68. It finally ended 144.52 points or 0.42 per cent down at 34,155.95.
The NSE Nifty settled the day 38.85 points or 0.37 per cent lower at 10,500.90 after shuttling between 10,590.55 and 10,456.65, intra-day.
Data released after market hours on Monday showed that industrial output expanded by 7.1 per cent in December on robust performance by manufacturing and capital goods sectors.
Retail inflation, on the other hand, eased marginally in January to 5.07 per cent -- after touching a 17-month high of 5.21 per cent in December -- as food prices cooled.
"Strong IIP growth and slowing retail inflation is providing some signs of stabilisation in economy. However, the broad market witnessed some volatility due to under- performance in financials.
"The PSU banks witnessed sell-off as RBI scrapped a number of loan-restructuring schemes which may lead to further jump in provisions, impacting profitability of these banks," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.
Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 814.11 crore on net basis on Monday, while domestic institutional investors bought shares worth Rs 1,342.70 crore, provisional data showed.
In the banking space, Yes Bank slipped 4.40 per cent, SBI 4.06 per cent, Axis Bank 3.35 per cent, ICICI Bank 2.29 per cent and Bank of Baroda 1.75 per cent.
Other losers included ONGC, Sun Pharma, TCS, Power Grid, NTPC, ITC, Bajaj Auto, Maruti Suzuki, Dr Reddy's, Tata Steel, Hero MotoCorp, Infosys, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Asian Paints, falling up to 2.62 per cent.
However, Coal India, RIL, Wipro, Bharti Airtel, Adani Ports, Tata Motors, L&T, HDFC Ltd, HUL and IndusInd Bank ended higher, rising up to 2.47 per cent.
The BSE mid-cap index edged higher by 0.17 per cent, while small-caps gained 0.16 per cent.
Among the BSE sectoral indices, PSU fell the most at 1.80 per cent, followed by banking (1.62 per cent), healthcare (0.69 per cent), power (0.68 per cent), oil and gas (0.34 per cent) and auto (0.30 per cent).
However, capital goods rose by 0.33 per cent, realty 0.19 per cent and infrastructure 0.12 per cent.
Globally, Asian share markets ended mixed and European bourses opened higher as investors await US inflation numbers for clues on the pace of interest rate rises in the world's biggest economy.
Japan's Nikkei fell by 0.43 per cent and Singapore shed 0.36 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 2.27 per cent and Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.45 per cent.
In the Eurozone, Paris CAC 40 rose 0.70 per cent and Frankfurt moved up 0.76 per cent in their early deals. UK's FTSE also traded higher 0.68 per cent.
General Awareness
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Sahitya Akademi
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Context: Kannada litterateur Chandrashekar Kambar has been elected as president of the Sahitya Akademi. Kambar, who has been recipient of various awards including Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Shri and Pampa Award, will serve as president of the Akademi for a period of five years. Hindi poet Madhav Koushik has been elected as vice-president.
Prof. Kambar is the third Kannada writer to head the country’s premier literary institution, after Vinayak Krishna Gokak (1983) and U.R. Ananthamurthy (1993).
About Sahitya Akademi:
Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, is the central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and the only institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English. Though set up by the Government, the Akademi functions as an autonomous organisation.
The Sahitya Akademi was formally inaugurated by the Government of India on 12 March 1954. The Government of India Resolution, which set forth the constitution of the Akademi, described it as a national organisation to work actively for the development of Indian letters and to set high literary standards, to foster and co-ordinate literary activities in all the Indian languages and to promote through them all the cultural unity of the country.
Awards: Akademi gives 24 awards annually to literary works in the languages it has recognized and an equal number of awards to literary translations from and into the languages of India. It also gives special awards called Bhasha Samman to significant contribution to the languages not formally recognized by the Akademi as also for contribution to classical and medieval literature.
Prof. Kambar is the third Kannada writer to head the country’s premier literary institution, after Vinayak Krishna Gokak (1983) and U.R. Ananthamurthy (1993).
About Sahitya Akademi:
Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, is the central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and the only institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English. Though set up by the Government, the Akademi functions as an autonomous organisation.
The Sahitya Akademi was formally inaugurated by the Government of India on 12 March 1954. The Government of India Resolution, which set forth the constitution of the Akademi, described it as a national organisation to work actively for the development of Indian letters and to set high literary standards, to foster and co-ordinate literary activities in all the Indian languages and to promote through them all the cultural unity of the country.
Awards: Akademi gives 24 awards annually to literary works in the languages it has recognized and an equal number of awards to literary translations from and into the languages of India. It also gives special awards called Bhasha Samman to significant contribution to the languages not formally recognized by the Akademi as also for contribution to classical and medieval literature.
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