The Hindu Business Line : Wednesday, June 28, 2006

ECONOMY
`Tied aid not acceptable'
The Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, has ruled out any possibility of accepting `tied aid' or any external aid with binding conditions. He was addressing the consultative committee meeting attached to the Finance Ministry ... More

Fed's anti-inflation rhetoric hits metals hard
Growth expected to be resilient in second half this year More

`No change in Govt borrowing'
The Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, on Tuesday reiterated that the Government's overall gross market borrowing target of Rs 1,52,856 crore for fiscal 2006-07 remains unchanged. "I have said we have preponed the borrowing ... More

Montek holds talks on 11th Plan draft approach paper
The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, has said that for the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012) the targeted growth rate for the country is 8.5 per cent. During the period, emphasis would be given on ... More

ENVIRONMENT
NGOs oppose Swaminathan panel report
Several NGOs here, working for the uplift of the fisherfolk in the coastal areas and conserving the coastal eco systems, have opposed some of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee constituted in 2004 to recommend suitable changes to ... More

EXCISE AND CUSTOMS
Customs duty collections up 30.65 pc in April 1-June 15
The Centre's customs duty collections surged by 30.65 per cent during April 1 to June 15 to touch Rs 16,036 crore compared to Rs 12,274 crore recorded in the corresponding period last year, a top Finance Ministry official has said. The customs ... More

HEALTH
Star Health targets Rs 80-cr premium in maiden year
Star Health and Allied Insurance Company is confident of securing Rs 80-crore premium income in its first year of operations. Within 45 days of operation, the company has opened 57 offices and plans 28 more before the middle of next month. ... More

INFRASTRUCTURE
Jharkhand chalks out city development plan
43 MoUs signed for various projects More

PETROLEUM
SBI-led consortium to invest in BORL
Rs 6,387-cr term loan is the largest syndicated project finance deal More

POWER
AP CM against hike in power tariff
The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, today turned down a proposal by the State power utilities to increase the power tariff. The power utilities in effect sought marginal hike in power tariff to offset the additional financial burden ... More

STEEL
Indian cos not in the mood for mergers, says SAIL chief
`Mittal would prefer greenfield route in India' More

TAXATION
VAT States' tax revenues up 24 pc in April
After recording near about 14 per cent growth rate in fiscal 2005-06, tax revenues of States that have implemented value added tax (VAT) appear to have scaled up to a settled higher growth trajectory. Tax revenues of the 30 States and Union ... More

Assocham seeks early shift to goods and services tax
Urges Tamil Nadu to shift to VAT More

COAL
Singareni mulls coal price hike
Company board likely to meet today More

RADIO/TV
WorldSpace keen to widen subscriber base
In talks with mobile players; eyes car radios More

CARS
Focus on CNG to push sales in luxury cars segment
Lower fuel cost makes it an attractive proposition More

FOODS & FOOD PROCESSING
Govt, Assocham plan food processing park in South
Facility likely to tap processing capabilities and potential for export More

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION
HDFC, HDFC Real Estate Fund to invest in L&T Urban, Infra
Infrastructure firms to get Rs 95 crore; pact signed More

Assocham, Fapcci call for repeal of ULC Act
Plea to halve stamp duty, overhaul building bylaws More

Plea on rent control Act
HYDERABAD: The State Government's step to increase the exemption limit from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,500 a month instead of scrapping the AP Rent Control Act is `retrograde', said the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India ... More

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
CII to press TN Govt to implement VAT
The CII will take efforts to impress the State Government on the need to introduce VAT in the State early, said Mr Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Chairman of CII Tamil Nadu, on Monday. Any delay would affect the manufacturing sector in the State ... More

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Pyramid Saimira rolls out new film tech
Setting up network operating centre for transmitting movies via satellite More

INCOME TAX
IFA seminar on TDS
The Sub-Chapter of the Indian branch of the Netherlands-based International Fiscal Association (IFA) is organising a seminar on TDS, EPC contracts and outbound investments here on June 30, according to a release. IFA is a global ... More

EXPORTS & IMPORTS
Centre opts for duty-free sugar imports
Shelves tariff rate quota move due to high global prices More

Textile exports, post-MFA — Bales of opportunities
Post-MFA, India has the opportunity to derive the maximum gains as an exporter. But for this the country must bring in reforms. More

CO-OPERATIVES
Intel to advise Maharashtra co-op body
Intel Technology India Pvt Ltd will advise Maharashtra State Federation of Cooperative Credit Societies (MAFCOCS) on technology for the latter's technology and computing requirements. Under the memorandum of understanding between the two, they ... More

ECONOMIC OFFENCES
Deora assures funds for fuel testing labs
Funds will be guaranteed to set up fuel testing laboratories across India to curb adulteration, said Mr Murli Deora, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas. Addressing a seminar here on curbing adulteration, he said the Government was ready to ... More