The Hindu Business Line : Wednesday, May 16, 2007

ECONOMY
Asset prices thrive on liquidity
One of the first things that Mr Gordon Brown, Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, did, after Labour came to power, was to make the BoE autonomous and responsible for ensuring inflation did not exceed target. It has worked well for ten long ... More

Bengal investment outlook unaffected by land rows: Sen
`Not a single promised investment proposal withdrawn' More

Brent crude quotes $5 above WTI
The partial shutdown of North America's largest refinery, Valero, in the US, has resulted in Brent crude quoting at a $5 premium over WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude price of $62 a barrel. Though WTI is used mainly in the US, it is looked ... More

FOREIGN TRADE
Kerala, UAE to set up joint working group
To identify projects in which UAE investments can be crystallised More

PETROLEUM
Iran-India pipeline project confronts 2 obstacles
`To go ahead with the project would be a brave act' More

No hike in petrol, diesel prices for now
Crude oil basket rises by 74 cents to $65.18 More

Interim hike in petrol dealers' commission
Petrol pump dealers have got an interim increase in their commission by the state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) on the sale of petrol and diesel. The increase, which comes into effect from Tuesday night, would mean a commission of Rs ... More

PHARMACEUTICALS
DRUG PRICE COMPENDIUM
The Minister for Chemicals & Fertilisers & Steel, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, flanked by the Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ms Satwant Reddy, and the Chairman, NPPA, Mr Ashok Kumar, during the release of the compendium contai More

POWER
NTPC gets shareholders nod for nuclear foray
State-owned NTPC Ltd on Tuesday said it has bagged shareholder approval for amending existing clauses in the company's Memorandum of Association for going ahead with its proposed nuclear foray. The power major informed the BSE that its ... More

TAXATION
Net direct tax collection up 128% in April
The Centre's net direct tax collections recorded a robust growth of 128.42 per cent in April 2007 to Rs 5,441 crore as against net collections of Rs 2,382 crore achieved in the same month last year. However, the gross direct tax collections for ... More

Kerala aims at Rs 11,000-cr tax mop-up
The Kerala Government is targeting tax collection of Rs 11,000 crore in the current financial year, a 51 per cent increase over the tax of Rs 8,600 crore collected in 2006-07. Of the targeted amount, about 65 per cent is expected to be ... More

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION
Labour shortage hits construction activity
Building activity in many parts of country is hit More

READYMADE GARMENTS
Italian brand Diesel ties up with Arvind Mills
Diesel is in India. The Italian luxury denim and casual fashion brand has entered into a joint venture agreement with Arvind Mills to create a new company called Diesel India Fashion Arvind Pvt Ltd. It will be a 51:49 joint venture with Diesel ... More

RURAL DEVELOPMENT
ITC chalks new schemes for AP wasteland development
ITC, in collaboration with Society for National Integration through Rural Development (SNIRD) of Ongole (AP), has chalked out new initiatives under its ongoing Indigenous Soil and Water Conservation Practices & Social Forestry (ISWCP) programme . More

Rural housing turns best bet for cement
May account for 50% of overall consumption this year More

Kudumbashree to open `design shops'
Achuthanandan to inaugurate ninth anniversary celebrations today More

MPs, MLAs may get to use local area fund to treat the poor
20% of fund may be allowed for the seriously ill More

INCOME TAX
New series of I-T returns forms
The Finance Ministry has notified the new series of eight income-tax return forms that would be applicable for the assessment year 2007-08. The forms of return of income are assessment year-specific and the tax department ... More

Revised forms for I-T returns
Returns of income by Income Tax assessees would be accepted only the revised format, which would be available on the Web site incometaxindia.gov.in/taxindiaonline.com. According to a press release from the Commissioner (IT), ... More

TOURISM
Bangkok attracting tourists from E. India
Some places in South East Asia, primarily Bangkok in Thailand, are emerging as potential holiday destinations for people living in eastern India. According to tour operators and travel agents, Bangkok enjoys cost advantages over preferred ... More