The Hindu Business Line : Friday, January 20, 2006

Consolidation in the air
THE buyout of Sahara Airlines by Jet Airways signifies the beginning of a consolidation phase in the country's domestic aviation industry, putting behind the virtual frenzy over the past couple of years that saw the number of airlines doubling ... More

BUDGET

REPORTER'S DIARY

Budget blah-blah
TIME was when the Finance Minister as well as his entire Ministry would clam up about a month before the general Budget, so as not to be accused of causing any leak. In fact, the standard response of Finance Ministers ... More

BANKING

Convergence of public sector banks — Management matters, not just ownership
In India, a heated debate on consolidation among banks, especially public sector banks, has been generated recently, with the Finance Minister welcoming the idea, as part of his convergence, consolidation and competition mantra. Expert opinion on its desirability, however, appears to be divided. While the performance of PSBs has been satisfactory of late, there is need, first, to strengthen their fundamentals, before embarking on consolidation, says Katuri Nageswara Rao. More

FINANCIAL POLICY

RBI Quarterly Review — No sparks expected!
There is obviously a tightening of liquidity in the banking system. Reverse repo transactions have come down considerably from past highs and the appetite for government securities has declined. While thishas implications for banks' asset-liability m anagement, does it mean the RBI's forthcoming policy review will raise rates? More

EVENTS

Inspiring call
ALL know that the President, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, has got the unique and admirable gift of striking a chord in the heart of whomsoever he meets, whether informally on a one-on-one basis, or in interactive discussions with students and youths, ... More

INCOME TAX

Taxing the tinge of binge on the fringe
WITH the Budget only a month away, there is a clamour that the one-year-old fringe benefit tax (FBT) be dethroned, or at least, de-fanged. It seems remote that the Finance Minister would consign FBT to a bin of failed ... More

LETTERS

Fetters on IIMs

Union Budget

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