Gold prices snaps 2-day rally, slips on reduced offtake

Gold prices on Friday snapped two days of gains, falling by Rs 10 to Rs 32,400 per 10 gram in the national capital, on reduced offtake at existing higher levels amid a weak global trend.

Weak global trend, as investors weighed speculation that the US Fed will delay a reduction in stimulus against signs of reduced demand in world's biggest consumer - China, also influenced the sentiment, traders said.

Gold in Singapore, which normally sets price trend on the domestic front, fell by 0.5 per cent to $1,340.44 an ounce and silver by 1.2 per cent to $22.42 an ounce.

On the domestic front, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity slipped by Rs 10 each to Rs 32,400 and Rs 32,200 per ten gram, respectively. It had gained Rs 785 in last two days.

Sovereign held steady at Rs 25,300 per piece of eight gram.

Similarly, silver ready dropped by Rs 750 to Rs 49,450 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 350 to Rs 49,650 per kg. The white metal had surged by Rs 1,190 on Wednesday.

On the other hand, silver coins continued to be asked at last level of Rs 88,000 for buying and Rs 89,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

Ford CEO 'denies' comment on Microsoft top job speculations

Alan Mulally, the man who has led Ford Motor Co's turnaround from near financial ruin, continues to keep mum on whether he has talked to Microsoft about the CEO job at the software giant.

Ford is set to report its fifth-straight profitable year under Mulally. The No. 2 US automaker reported a $1.3 billion third-quarter net profit.

He has held the top post since 2006, when he was hired from aviation giant Boeing to rescue the company. Mulally, 68, repeated that there's no change in Ford's plan for him to stay as CEO through the end of 2014.

"We don't comment on the speculation," he said on Thursday in response to a question from The Associated Press on the company's third-quarter earnings conference call.

Mulally said nothing has changed since last November, when Ford announced that he would stay through 2014 and that veteran executive Mark Fields would take over day-to-day business as chief operating officer.

Fields ran the company's Americas operations for seven years, turning them into a profit machine. His appointment as COO is a strong indication that the board favours him to replace Mulally.

Washington-based Microsoft Corp is reportedly considering Mulally as a replacement for CEO Steve Ballmer, who intends to step down in less than a year.

Mulally on his part hasn't denied reports that tech giant is courting him. His name surfaced shortly after Ballmer said in August that he would retire. The two are friends, and Mulally still has a home in the Seattle area. Ballmer even spoke with Mulally over coffee about a wide-ranging reorganization that Microsoft announced in July.

A management expert said the Ford CEO's no-comment indicates that he has some interest in the Microsoft job.

"His non-denial denial means that he's either talking to them or that he wishes he were talking to them," said Yale University management and law professor Jonathan Macey, who has written a book on corporate governance.

Microsoft beats forecasts as Q1 profit jumps 17 per cent

 
Microsoft Corp cruised past Wall Street's quarterly profit and revenue forecasts, helped by strong sales of its Office and server software to businesses, sending its shares up 6 per cent after hours.

For the first quarter, the technology giant posted a 17 per cent increase in profit to $5.2 billion, or 62 cents per share, up from $4.5 billion, or 53 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter.

Revenue rose 16 per cent to $18.5 billion, helped by rising sales of its Office software.

Analysts had trimmed profit estimates for Microsoft over the past three months, concerned by the launch of an ambitious reorganisation by retiring Chief Executive Steve Ballmer and the pricey acquisition of Nokia's handset business, even as the company's core personal computer market ebbs away.

"The earnings report will positively surprise the market, especially in the context of the soft expectations going in and the dismal report last quarter," said Todd Lowenstein, a portfolio manager at fund firm HighMark Capital. "Beating on revenue and earnings handily will boost confidence that the reorganization is pivoting them in the right direction."

Technology is proving one of the most resilient sectors in an uncertain US economy, with 84 per cent of tech companies beating analysts' earnings estimates for the latest quarter.

Microsoft, the world's largest software company, is the latest tech firm to surprise investors with a powerful performance, coming the same day as Amazon.com Inc eased past average revenue forecasts.

As part of its reinvention as a "devices and services" company, Microsoft now reports under two main groups - one covering its devices and consumer business, and one its commercial business.

The commercial side was the stronger in the quarter, posting a 10 per cent increase in revenue, chiefly from selling Office and server software to businesses. The consumer and hardware group's revenue rose a more modest 4 per cent, held back by another poor quarter for the Windows system as sales of personal computers continue to decline.

According to industry research firm Gartner, PC shipments fell 8.6 per cent last quarter, confirming a worldwide trend towards tablets that has benefited Apple Inc and Google Inc but hurt traditional PC stalwarts Microsoft and Intel Corp.

PC sales have been sliding for the last 18 months, although Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood said on Thursday that there were "signs of stabilisation".

Microsoft said nothing on Thursday about the board's search for a new CEO after Ballmer announced in August that he plans to retire within 12 months.

Its shares rose to $35.65 after hours, after closing at $33.72 on Nasdaq.

Ratan Tata meets Anand Sharma post FIPB nod for airline venture

With the FIPB giving approval to the Tata-Singapore Airlines joint venture to start a full-service carrier, Tata Group Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata on Friday met Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma.

Tata was accompanied by Singapore Airlines (SIA) CEO Goh Choon Phong and Tata SIA Airlines Chairman Prasad Menon.

While Tata declined to comment, sources in the ministry said the meeting was a courtesy call.

On Thursday, Tata along with Phong had also met Finance Minister P Chidambaram after the FIPB cleared the venture.

The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) gave its green signal to Singapore Airlines to start a full-service airline in partnership with Tata Sons entailing an initial foreign investment of $49 million.

This is Tatas' second venture in the aviation sector after its tie-up with Malaysian carrier Air Asia in February for a low cost passenger air service.

Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram had stated that there were no riders set for the joint venture.

While Singapore Airlines plans to invest $49 million, Tatas would be contributing remaining amount of the total planned $100 million investment in the joint venture.

The joint venture needs other government approvals before it can start operations.

To be called Tata SIA Airlines Ltd, the venture would be headquartered in Delhi.

The two had assured the government that control of their proposed venture would always remain in Indian hands, while seeking approval to offer full-service passenger airways on both domestic and international routes. Of the six directors, four would be nominated by the Tatas.

Wockhardt Q2 net dips 69 per cent to Rs 138 cr

 

Wockhardt has reported a 69.46 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit for the second quarter ended September 30.

The pharma major posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 138.50 crore for the quarter under review against Rs 453.55 crore in the July-September period of 2012-13.

In a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange, Wockhardt said net sales during the second quarter stood at Rs 1,196.97 crore against Rs 1,347.44 crore in the year-ago quarter.

The company also said its Board of Directors have declared an 100 per cent interim dividend of Rs 5 per share for the financial year 2013-14.

Shares of Wockhardt closed 0.98 per cent down at Rs 455.35 on the Bombay Stock Exchange on Friday.

Deutsche Bank sees Sensex at a record 22,000 by Dec end

 
A day after the market benchmark sniffed at life-time high, German brokerage Deutsche Bank on Friday raised its year-end Sensex target to a record high of 22,000 points, saying investor pessimism earlier this year is receding amid positive developments like the good monsoons.

"We are raising our December Sensex target from 21,000 to 22,000 premised on our expectation that the pace of negative news flow over the country and excessive investor pessimism may be receding," Deutsche Bank said.

The Sensex hit an all-time high of 21,206.77 on January 1, 2008, while during intra-day on Thursday, it had scaled 21,039.42. While on January 1, 2008, the Sensex was trading at 28.12 times its PE, on Wednesday it was 18.89 times.

The bank said currency stability, lowering gold imports, rising exports and taper postponement have imparted considerable legitimacy to the government's commitment to contain CAD - the main pain-point for the economy.

In addition, the best monsoon in 15 years is expected to lay the foundation for an accelerated recovery in the rural economy which accounts for 56 per cent of total income and 64 per cent of total expenditure.

While stating it is not expecting any imminent turn in private sector investment momentum and remains cautious over near term monetary policy action, the brokerage has based its optimism on macroeconomy, likely withdrawal of extraordinary liquidity tightening measures by RBI, a synchronised global growth recovery and a US Fed that is expected to stay 'looser for longer'.

"At our target the Sensex will trade at a PE multiple of 15 times, in line with its past five trading average," the brokerage said.

The benchmark BSE Sensex fell 0.2 per cent, or 42.45 points, to end at 20,725.43 on Thursday.

On its preferred stocks/sectors, it replaced IT services which it holds as 'neutral' with banks as the biggest portfolio overweight followed by metals, citing receding concerns over tight liquidity and higher short-end interest rates.

"Our top picks include Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel, Bharat Forge, Coal India, Godrej Consumer, ITC, IndusInd Bank, Larsen & Toubro, Maruti, RIL, Tata Steel and Zee.

"We have raised banks as the top overweight in our model portfolio as we believe that excessive concerns over tight liquidity and elevated short-end rates are behind us, and fears of sharp margin compression and treasury losses have waned," it said.

However, it said the three key themes investors will be playing out will be currency stabilisation, rural demand recovery and global growth.

Stating that the overall scene is not as bad as it appeared earlier, it said following fears over the Fed taper in May and the sharp currency depreciation, investors had feared a vicious economic cycle for the country and a protracted return to normalcy.

It also noted that contrary to prevailing pessimism during the currency crisis, the Q2 earnings so far have been above street expectations, assuaging investor concerns over an accelerated earnings downgrade cycle.

Gold, silver prices zoom on seasonal demand

Gold prices surged by Rs 305 to Rs 31,930 per ten gram in the national capital on Wednesday on brisk buying by stockists and jewellers to meet the rising seasonal demand amid strong global trend.

Silver prices too zoomed by Rs 1,190 to Rs 50,200 per kg on increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers for coming festivals led by Diwali and ongoing marriage season.

Silver and gold coins, which are normally used for pooja on Diwali and gifting purpose during marriage celebrations, remained in keen demand.

Firm global trend after payrolls in the US climbed, increasing speculation the Federal Reserve will maintain monetary stimulus to boost the economy, also influenced the sentiment, traders said.

Gold in New York, which normally sets price trend on the domestic front, climbed 2 per cent to $1,342.60 an ounce, nearing the highest level since September 30. Silver also climbed 2.3 per cent to $22.79 an ounce.

On the domestic front, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity surged by Rs 305 each to Rs 31,930 and Rs 31,730 per ten gram, respectively, while sovereign held steady at Rs 25,300 per piece of eight gram.

In a similar fashion, silver ready surged by Rs 1,190 to Rs 50,200 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 700 to Rs 50,000 per kg. However, silver coins held steady at Rs 87,000 for buying and Rs 88,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

L&T Finance net up 13.7 per cent to Rs 301 crore

L&T Finance Holdings has reported a 13.7 per cent rise in consolidated net profit in the September quarter to Rs 300.7 crore, driven by a healthy growth in assets.

Loans and advances grew 28.2 per cent year-on-year to Rs 35,458.7 crore compared to Rs 33,309.9 crore.


The growth in net profit in lending businesses has been on account of improvement in margins, offset by an increase in credit cost. For the lending businesses, net interest margin for the quarter improved by 0.1 percentage point to 5.6 per cent, the company said in a statement.

Gross NPAs stood at 2.89 per cent or at Rs 992.9 crore of loan assets compared to 2.54 per cent in the June quarter or Rs 846.4 crore. Net NPAs stood at 1.93 per cent or Rs 654.6 crore of loan assets compared to 1.67 per cent or Rs 551 crore in the June quarter.

The company attributed the rise in gross NPAs to slippage of one account in the infrastructure segment.

Despite a de-growth in the investment management business industry, the average assets under management grew by 9.4 per cent to Rs 15,078.9 crore, resulting in an increase in market share from 1.6 per cent in Q1 to 1.9 per cent in Q2.

The private wealth management business continued to grow momentum with the client base crossing 1,000 and an average assets under service of Rs 3,570 crore.

MTS awaits cheaper spectrum for India expansion

Sistema Shyam TeleServices (SSTL), which operates under the MTS brand in India, has launched a high-speed wireless broadband service in an attempt to boost its data revenue.

The new 3GPlus service will offer speed as high as 9.8 Mbps. This is higher than the speed on third-generation (3G) networks, which peaks at 7.2 Mbps, but is lower than 4G speed.

"The margins are higher on data. So we want to be a data company," said Dmitry Shukov, CEO of MTS India.

The company has licences to operate in nine of India's 22 telecom service areas. The 3GPlus service is delivered over evolution-data optimised (EVDO) technology. It will be available over MTS dongles and MTS-branded smartphones. The service will be offered at a starting price of Rs 700 for a month, and goes up to Rs 1,498.

The company aims to increase its share of the Indian dongle market by 50 per cent. It currently has 13 per cent of the Indian dongle market by volume. However, if the nine circles where MTS is present are to be taken, it governs anything between 18 to 20 per cent, said Leonid Musatov, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at MTS India.

CEO Shukov said the company will expand beyond the nine circles if it gets spectrum at a lower rate. When asked what should be the reserve price for spectrum, he answered: "The right price according to me is zero."

So, at what price does MTS want to go for pan-India expansion? "We have done some calculations but are not ready to talk about them," Shukov said. But he is sure he wants spectrum cheaper than what MTS paid in the last auction - Rs 2,013 crore in addition to Rs 1,626 crore it had paid in 2008.

In early October, MTS received a unified telecom licence from the government, which allows it to offer services through both Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technologies. However, it's not interested in providing GSM services.

"What's the point of thinking about 2G when operators are looking at next-generation [services]," Shukov said.

The company also recently received its third carrier, or tranche, of 1.25 Mhz spectrum for all its circles, taking its total spectrum availability to 3.75 Mhz. But it will still not be able to offer long-term evolution (LTE) technology for 4G services, which it intends to do.

"We need four carriers to do LTE in these circles, but we don't have contiguous spectrum," Shukov said. He, however, remains committed to achieving MTS India's break-even by the end of 2014. Shukov is also waiting for clarity on the Indian government's merger and acquisition guidelines for the telecom sector.

Is MTS looking to make an acquisition? "We are open for discussion [with other operators]," Shukov said

Nissan recalls over 188,000 SUVs worldwide to fix brakes

Nissan Motor Co is recalling more than 1,88,000 Nissan and Infiniti SUVs worldwide to fix faulty brake control software that could increase the risk of a crash.

The recall covers some Nissan Pathfinders from the 2013 and 2014 model years, as well as the 2013 Infiniti JX35 and its successor model, the 2014 QX60.

Nissan says that during light braking on rough roads, the antilock brake software could cause longer-than-expected stopping distances. The company said no crashes or injuries have been reported.

Nissan will notify owners within 60 days, and dealers will reprogramme the antilock brakes free of charge.

The recall includes nearly 1,52,000 SUVs in the US and roughly 36,000 in China, Canada, Mexico and other countries, the company said.

The Pathfinders were built between April 18, 2012 and September 20 of this year. The JX35s were built from September 15, 2011 to January 16 of this year, while the QX60s were built from January 17 to September 20 of this year.

India rupee up 57 paise to 61.08 dollar in early trade

The rupee opened strong and was trading 57 paise up to 61.08 against the dollar in early trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on Wednesday as the greenback fell against other currencies overseas after the weak US jobs report fuelled hopes the Federal Reserve will keep its stimulus programme in place.

Besides, increased dollar selling by exporters and a higher opening in the domestic equity market also supported the rupee, forex dealers said.

The rupee had lost 13 paise to close at 61.65 against dollar in Tuesday's trade on sustained demand from importers and banks as investors awaited US jobs data.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex was trading over 100 points down in late morning trade on Wednesday.

NSEL scam: NK Proteins MD Nilesh Patel held

 
Managing Director of NK Proteins Ltd, one of the biggest defaulters of the beleaguered National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL), was on Tuesday arrested in connection with the bourse's Rs 5,600 crore scam, taking the total number of arrests in the case to four.

"NK Proteins' MD Nilesh Patel was on Tuesday arrested in connection with NSEL case," Additional Police Commissioner (EOW) Rajvardhan Sinha said.

NK Proteins was the first company that had borrowed Rs 350 crore from the NSEL, said another police officer adding that "now the company owes the spot exchange about Rs 850 crore to Rs 900 crore that includes the principal amount of Rs 350 crore, interest as well as other payable amount."

"Patel knew that its company would not be in a position to pay back money but still he borrowed Rs 350 crore from the spot exchange, knowing the fact that NSEL cannot lend money.

Hence, Patel, in connivance with the NSEL officials misused the investors' amount," the official added.

The company has also used the amount to expand its edible oil business and also entered into a joint venture with Adani group, the officer alleged, adding "hence the books of accounts of the joint venture have also come under scanner and investigators would surely examine the books."

NK Group and the Adani Group's agro trading arm, Adani Wilmar Ltd, had formed a 50:50 joint venture called AWN Agro Pvt Ltd, which became the largest castor oil exporting entity in India.

The EOW officials earlier arrested three accused in the case. Anjani Sinha, former head of the beleaguered bourse, was held on October 17, Amit Mukherjee, an ex-assistant vice-president of NSEL was nabbed on October 9 and the next day Jay Bahukhundi, another ex-assistant vice-president and in-charge of KYC department, was apprehended.

An FIR was registered in the case on September 30 by the EOW against the directors, including Jignesh Shah and Joseph Massey, promoters and defaulters.

All of them have been charged with cheating, forgery, breach of trust and criminal conspiracy and other offences under the Indian Penal Code. On October 1, CBI too registered a preliminary inquiry into the case.

NSEL has been facing problems in settling Rs 5,600 crore dues of 148 members/brokers, representing 13,000 investor-clients after it suspended trade on July 31 on government's direction.

NSEL defaults for 10th time, pays Rs 30 lakh against Rs 174.72 cr

Crisis-hit bourse National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) defaulted for the tenth straight time on Tuesday as it could pay only Rs 30 lakh to investors against a scheduled amount of Rs 174.72 crore.

NSEL, which is engulfed in a Rs 5,600-crore payment crisis, had previously defaulted nine times. On its seventh pay-out date, the bourse was unable to make any payment as its accounts were frozen by economic offences wing (EoW) of the Mumbai police.

With Tuesday's pay-out, NSEL settled about Rs 180 crore against Rs 5,600 crore dues to 13,000 investors.

"The total amount being disbursed today in a proportionate manner is Rs 30 lakh," an NSEL spokesperson said.

According NSEL data, MSR Food Processing made a payment of Rs 5 lakh and Metkore Alloys & Industries made payment of Rs 25 lakh to the exchange.

NSEL had availed a bridge loan of Rs 177.23 crore from its promoter Financial Technologies (FTIL) to make payments on priority basis to small investors.

NSEL, promoted by Jignesh Shah-led FTIL, is facing the problem of settling Rs 5,600 crore dues to 148 members after it suspended trade on July 31 on the government direction.

The bourse plans to settle the entire dues in 30 weeks time, by paying Rs 174.72 crore for first twenty weeks followed by Rs 86.02 crore in next ten weeks.

OVL pulls out of Brazilian oilfield auction

ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp , pulled out of an auction of $184 billion oilfield in Brazil after it could not stitch an alliance to bid for the giant project.

OVL was among the 11 companies shortlisted to bid for Brazil's Libra pre-salt block, one of the world's largest offshore oil discoveries.

It however did not make a bid at the auction on Monday as it could not form a consortium with any of the other shortlisted companies, sources privy to the development said.

The auction attracted just one bid from a consortium led by Anglo-Dutch oil major Shell, France's Total and China PetroChina and its sister company Cnooc. Brazilian state-run energy company Petrobras is also part of the consortia which got the giant field at auction start price or the minimum price.

The offshore area holds between 8 billion and 12 billion barrels of recoverable oil, according to Brazil's oil regulator and Dallas-based oil certification company Degolyer & MacNaughton (D&G).

If the estimates hold up Libra, which requires an estimated $184 billion investment, has enough oil to meet China's entire oil consumption need for three years.

Production is forecast to exceed 1 million barrels a day when fully ramped up.

Sources said OVL could not have gone alone due to the huge investment required to develop the field.

Unable to find suitable consortium partners, it decided not to bid, they said.

Shell, based in The Hague, and France's Total each have 20 per cent stakes in the winning consortium, while Cnooc and CNPC have 10 per cent apiece. The remaining 60 per cent will be with Petrobras. The consortia won the 35-year concession for the Libra prospect by promising the government a minimum 41.65 per cent of profit oil, or the barrels remaining after costs.

The winning consortium will also have to pay a signing fee of 15 billion reais (USD 6.9 billion).

Located more than 50 kilometers from Brazil's southeastern coast and discovered in 2007, the pre-salt gets its name from the layer of Cretaceous-era salt formed at a time when dinosaurs still lived and which traps the crude under the Atlantic seabed.

Other firms who were shortlisted but did not bid in the auction included Repsol-Sinopec, the joint venture between the Spanish and Chinese players, Ecopetrol of Colombia, Mitsui of Japan, Galp of Portugal and Malaysia's Petronas.

Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Jio gets unified licence for 4G services

Reliance Industries' telecom arm Reliance Jio Infocomm has won a unified telecom licence that will enable it to offer voice telephony and high speed data services across the country.

The Department of Telecommunications on Monday approved grant of unified license to Reliance Jio, the only telecom operator to own fourth generation spectrum or radio waves, sources said.

The unified licence will enable the firm to offer both voice and high-speed data services to subscribers across all the 22 telecom circles in the country.

Reliance Jio has submitted a one-time entry fee of about Rs 1,673 crore for the licence.

MTS India, the mobile telecom service brand of Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd (SSTL), and Idea had previously got unified telecom licence.

Leading operators Airtel and Vodafone have however not applied.

Sources said Reliance Jio applied for Unified Licences on August 21 and stated its net worth at Rs 5,033.32 crore.

Under the unified license, the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio will be allowed to provide services as full fledged mobile operator.

RIL had last week stated that Reliance Jio, which is the only private player with Broadband Wireless Access spectrum in all the 22 telecom circles of India, plans to provide reliable fast internet connectivity and rich digital services.

The new telecom licence will pave way for Mukesh Ambani's second innings in the mobile telephony space after his first stint at Reliance Infocomm which is now known as Reliance Communications.

It was given away to his younger brother Anil Ambani led company after the two split a few years ago.

In 2003, Reliance Infocomm had flooded market with a low cost CDMA handsets bundled with a scheme that allowed consumers to make mobile phone calls at low rate of 10 paise for 15 seconds and STD calls for 40 paise a minute. The prevailing rate of STD calls at that time had ranged between Rs 2.40 to Rs 5.40 a minute.

RJIL is the only company that holds pan-India spectrum for 4G services. The company earlier held Internet Service Provider Licence which will be annulled once it is issued UL.

The company has shown intention to provide phone call service using airwaves it has and is testing the technology for the same.

Jignesh Shah to stay on MCX Board for now

MCX promoter Jignesh Shah has managed to retain his position on the board in a crucial meeting held in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The Multi Commodity Exchange on Tuesday appointed three new share-holder directors, namely Union Bank of India's K N Raghunathan, Corporation Bank's P Paramasivam and Bank of Baroda's Sanjay Agarwal, and two new independent directors in G Anantraman - Ex- Sebi and Pravir Vora - ICICI, CIO, sources said.

Jignesh Shah managed to convince the MCX board and will continue to stay on for now as he has sought more time to step down, they said.

The market was anticipating Shah's resignation against the backdrop of the payment crisis of Rs 5,600 crore in the group company National Spot Exchange (NSEL).

The board has accepted and supported his request till the time the market regulator Forward Markets Commission (FMC) decides on 'fit and proper status' of shah.

A fortnight ago, shah and Joseph Massey were forced to opt out from the board of the stock exchange arm of the FTIL, MCX-SX. Massey was an MD on the stock exchange. MCX MD Shreekant Javalgekar had also resigned last week.

The board appointed deputy managing director Praveen Singhal as managing director to oversee functions till new managing director is appointed, exchange sources said.

The board has appointed a five-member oversight committees with Chairperson Pravir Vora (ICICI, CIO), sources said.

The promoter of exchange Jignesh Shah and Paras Ajmera continue to remain directors on the board, sources said.

With the induction of five new directors, the strength of directors has become 12 as against a full strength of 14 members in a period of 2 months. The slew of resignations came in following the NSEL scam and the market regulator's new norms on board composition.

As per the FMC's norms, MCX board with a strength of 14 members can only have one anchor investor director.

BSE Sensex wipes off early gains, down over 100 points

After rising over 40 points in early trade, the BSE benchmark Sensex wiped off its inital gains and was trading over 100 points down in late morning trade on Wednesday.

At 11.09 am, Sensex was down 104.98 points at 20759.99. Similarly, Nifty was down 30.80 points at 6172.00 during the same time.

The 30-share index gained 40.13 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 20,905.10 in early trade with consumer durables, realty, metal and power sector stocks leading the recovery. The Sensex had shed 28.92 points in Monday's volatile session.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 11.45 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 6,214.25.

In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei rose 0.48 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 0.60 per cent in early trade.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.49 per cent higher in previous session.

Wipro shares fall over 8 pc on bourses post Q2 results

Wipro shares fell by more than 8 per cent in morning trade on Wednesday after the company reported a 28 per cent growth in its consolidated net profit for the quarter ended September 30.

The stock, however, discounted the second quarter numbers and fell 8.41 per cent on the BSE to Rs 471.55.

On the National Stock Exchange as well, the stock opened weak and slumped 6.33 per cent to Rs 482.20.

The India's third largest IT exporter announced its second quarter results after market hours on Tuesday. Wipro posted a net profit from continuing operations at Rs 1,932.1 crore for the second quarter against Rs 1,510.5 crore in the year-ago period.

Market experts said the decline in the counter was largely because the company's second quarter revenue in terms of dollars lagged behind its peer group companies.

Meanwhile, the broader market was also trading in the negative territory with the 30-share benchmark index Sensex was trading at 20,736.49 points, down 128.48 points in morning trade.

In dollar terms, Wipro's net profit stood at $309 million in the second quarter this fiscal, while consolidated revenues were at $1.76 billion during the quarter.

IT services revenue rose 20 per cent to Rs 10,068 crore in the second quarter. In dollar terms, IT revenues rose 5.9 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to $1.63 billion, whereas, sequential growth stood at 2.7 per cent.

Rupee down 27 paise to Rs 61.79 against dollar in early trade

Extending its Monday's losses, the rupee lost 27 paise to Rs 61.79 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday on the Interbank Foreign Exchange due to appreciation of the Greenback against other overseas currencies.

Dealers attributed the fall in rupee to gains made by US dollar against the euro and other overseas currencies ahead of US jobs data and a lower opening in the domestic equity market.

Increased demand for the dollar from importers and banks also put pressure on the local currency.

The rupee weakened by 25 paise to close at Rs 61.52 against the dollar in Monday's trade on persistent demand from importers and banks as the US currency strengthened overseas.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex fell 31.74 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 20,862.15 in early trade on Tuesday.

Reverse mortgage scheme: Tax break for senior citizens on income from house

With an aim to make the reverse mortgage facility more attractive for senior citizens, the government has decided to give tax break on installment earned by pledging his residential property.

Now it has been decided that annuity would be tax exempt, National Housing Bank Chairman and Managing Director R V Verma said.

The scheme is operated by National Housing Board and housing finance companies, banks and insurance companies.

Besides income tax benefit, he said, the installment income or annuity is expected to increase at least three times to the benefit of retired person.

According to a conservative estimate, the reverse mortgage loan market is upwards of Rs 20,000 crore.

Banks have so far sanctioned Rs 1,800 crore and disbursed Rs 800 crore under reverse mortgage loan since it's launch in 2008, he said.

The revised scheme now enables a person above the age of 60 years to avail of monthly payments from insurance company as annuity till the life time against the mortgage of his/her house while remaining the owner and occupying the house.

Earlier, the period of reverse mortgage loan was 20 years from the date of signing the agreement by the reverse mortgagor and the approved lending institution. But, now period has been extended to "the residual life time of the borrower," said a notification by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).

As per the amendment, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and other insurer registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) have included as annuity sourcing institutions.

As per the scheme, on the borrower's death or on the borrower leaving the house property permanently, the loan is repaid along with accumulated interest, through sale of the house property. The borrower or heir can also repay the loan with accumulated interest and have the mortgage released without resorting to sale of the property.

CAD will reduce below $70 billion: Rangarajan

Stating that there has been improvement in the trade account, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister C Rangarajan on Tuesday said the Current Account Deficit (CAD) will go down well below $70 billion.

Pointing out that in August and September, India's exports showed a double digit growth rate, Rangarajan said at an event here that India's trade deficit in the first half of this year was $80 billion as compared to $92 billion in the previous year.
If the present trend in exports and imports continue, the overall CAD will reduce even lower than $70 billion.

Noting that the Indian rupee over the last few weeks had remained stable at around 61-62 against the US dollar, he said the rupee was well corrected for inflation differential.

Referring to the USA's indication of tapering on May 22 and the resultant fall in capital flows, he said this affected capital inflows not only to India but to all the emerging economies including Brazil as investments were moved to the USA.

However, now, there has been a change and investments flows have turned positive, he said.

Gold prices down in futures trade on weak global cues, profit-booking

Gold prices moved down by 0.11 per cent to Rs 29,496 per 10 gm in futures trade on Tuesday as participants indulged in trimming their positions, tracking a weak trend in the global market.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold for delivery in February next year eased by Rs 33, or 0.11 per cent, to Rs 29,496 per 10 gm in business turnover of one lot.

Likewise, the metal for delivery in December shed Rs 11, or 0.04 per cent, to Rs 29,745 per 10 gm in 138 lots.

Market analysts said apart from a weak trend in the overseas markets, profit-booking by speculators also weighed on gold prices at futures trade.

Globally, gold traded $3.30, or 0.25 per cent, lower at $1,313.30 an ounce in Singapore on Tuesday.

BSE Sensex trades flat during pre-noon trade

The BSE benchmark index was trading flat and was down over 30 points in Tuesday's trade on selling pressure. At 12.17 pm, Sensex was down 32.51 points at 20861.38. Similarly, Nifty was down 9.35 points at 6195.60 during the same time.

Good buying was observed in IT, metal and public sector undertakings (PSU) sectors; while selling pressure was seen in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,863.15 points, was trading at 20,893.70 points in the early morning session, down 0.19 points or 0.00 percent from previous day's close at 20,893.89 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,948.91 points and a low of 20,849.78 points during trade so far.

The S&P BSE IT index gained 20,849.78 points, metal index inched up by 46.92 points and PSU index moved up by 39.65 points; however, FMCG index dipped by 12.80 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading down by 0.30 points or 0.00 percent at 6,204.65 points.

Not much of festival season in as gold runs dry

 
In India's biggest bullion market, Mumbai's Zaveri Bazaar, gold dealers are busy -- not filling orders for customers, but busy avoiding phone calls because they don't have any gold to sell.

Battling a huge trade deficit and a weak currency, the government has taken various steps this year to make it harder and more expensive for Indians to get hold of gold, the biggest item on the country's import bill after oil.

Hardly any gold came in for two months until mid-September and industry is still feeling the pinch, especially now the festival season has started, a peak period for demand.

In the bazaar, jewellers wander around trying to get hold of a dealer who can find them gold right away , and wholesalers ask the same of banks. Retailers in half-empty showrooms try to dissuade customers from asking for immediate delivery.

"Even if someone wants 10 kg, we don't have the stock. So much so that we have stopped attending client calls," said Gautam Arora, a wholesaler, who ignored at least five phone calls during a 40-minute conversation with Reuters.

The government has set a record 10 per cent import duty on gold and imposed a rule that requires 20 percent of imports to be re-exported, meaning importers need to find a buyer who will guarantee those exports before bringing in any gold.

The complexity of the rules and sagging exports -- down 60 per cent this year -- have caused supplies for domestic use to dry up. Banks are required to supply three-quarters of the 20 percent meant for exports before delivering the 80 per cent that will be for domestic use.

Turnover at RiddiSiddhi Bullions Ltd (RSBL), the country's largest bullion dealer with 110 employees, has dropped to 20-30 kg a day from about 300 kg since the new rules kicked in.

"This is due to the government policy. I don't know what they are thinking," RSBL Director Prithviraj Kothari told Reuters from his Zaveri Bazaar office, a gold plate on his desk showing he was crowned "Bullion King of India - 2013".

"Why do I have 110 people if I don't have any consignments of gold? If they come in at 8 they say, 'Sir, I am going home early', and I say OK."

Gold is an integral part of Indian culture, given as a dowry for marriages, which tend to be timed around auspicious days that are often religious festivals.

The shortage of the metal sent Indian gold premiums to more than $100 an ounce over London prices this month when demand far exceeded supply due to the Dussehra festival, one of several connected with harvests and invoking Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

The related festivals of Diwali and Dhanteras fall in the first week of November.

"New imports for domestic use could start in the next 10-15 days, which could coincide with Diwali and Dhanteras. But despite new imports, the supply situation will be very tight and premiums may even go up to $150," said Bachhraj Bamalwa, director at the All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation.

Premiums in other parts of Asia such as Hong Kong and Singapore were stable at less than $2 an ounce.

Wholesaler Arora, who works for NIBR Bullion, said some banks had begun accepting orders for delivery in 10 days.

But the supply shortage would persist as long as the government rules remained in force, Arora said. "Banks are giving stock only to big suppliers, so smaller jewellers are suffering due to this."

One side effect of the government measure will do nothing to improve the trade figures: in the six months from April, gold jewellery exports more than halved to $3.34 billion from $8 billion in the same period a year earlier.

SHOOING AWAY CUSTOMERS
India was the world's biggest gold buyer in 2012 but could lose the top spot to China this year after the clampdown.

Demand, nevertheless, is expected to stay strong, with the World Gold Council forecasting India would need up to 1,000 tonnes for the year after 864 tonnes in 2012.

Many suppliers are turning to smuggled gold, especially as that also avoids the 10 percent import duty. As a result, even smuggled gold commands a premium of $50 an ounce above London prices, according to the Bombay Bullion Association (BBA).

"I'm not getting supplies for exports, forget about for domestic use," said Mehul Choksi, chairman of jewellery retailer Gitanjali Gems (GTGM.NS), one of the largest branded jewellery retailers in the world. "Premiums are already up and they could go up even further. Some demand is being met by supplies through unofficial channels."

"As supply is very scarce, we have moved to diamond jewellery, which uses less gold content," Choksi added.

The desperate search for gold has even prompted digging under a ruined palace after a Hindu village sage dreamt that 1,000 tonnes might be buried there.

Meanwhile, those who are waiting for official gold imports are just having to turn customers away.

"We have postponed deliveries to our clients and serve only one customer each day," said Suresh Jain, a BBA director who runs a jewellery store in Zaveri Bazaar.

Indirect tax collections up 5.1 pc in Apr-Sept

Indirect tax collections grew by 5.1 per cent in the April-September period of this fiscal, a finance ministry official said.

Total collection of indirect taxes - excise, customs and service tax - stood at about Rs 2,28,550 crore during the first six months of 2013-14, the official said.

Excise collection dropped 6 per cent during the period to over Rs 89,000 crore, against the same period in the last fiscal year, reflecting slump in manufacturing activity.

Customs mop up was up 10 per cent to Rs 80,550 crore during the period, the official said.

Service tax collection, which has become a new focus area for revenue officials, grew by 16 per cent to Rs 59,000 crore during the period.

In September, total indirect tax collection stood at Rs 42,700 crore, up 13 per cent from the same month last year.

Government has set indirect tax collection target of Rs 5.65 lakh crore for 2013-14, up from Rs 4.73 lakh crore in the last fiscal.

Gold price up 0.72 per cent in futures trade on Asian cues

Buoyed by a firm Asian trend, gold prices rose by 0.72 per cent to Rs 29,500 per 10 gram in futures trade on Monday as speculators enlarged their positions.

Besides, rising demand in the domestic spot markets for the ongoing festive and wedding season too supported the rise.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold for delivery in far-month February 2014 contracts rose by Rs 210, or 0.72 per cent, to Rs 29,500 per 10 gram in business turnover of 10 lots.

Similarly, the yellow metal for delivery in December traded higher by Rs 205, or 0.70 per cent, to Rs 29,685 per 10 gram in 235 lots.

Analysts said a firming trend in the Asian trade on speculation that the US Fed would not start tapering until 2014 and rising demand in domestic spot markets mainly led to rise in gold prices in futures trade.

In the national capital, gold prices went up by Rs 150 to Rs 31,650 per 10 gram on Saturday.

Globally, gold rose by $1.60, or 0.12 per cent, to $1,319 an ounce in Singapore.

BHP Billiton gives up 9 oil & gas exploration blocks in India

Global miner BHP Billiton on Monday said it has given up nine oil and gas exploration blocks in India due to its inability to carry out exploration operations there.

The company is withdrawing from those blocks because of delays in clearances, according to local media, but BHP would not confirm the reason for its decision to relinquish its interest.

"The decision to relinquish these blocks is the result of an exploration portfolio review ... there have been regular discussions and communications over the last 12 months with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas," BHP said in a statement.

The company gave up its interest in six blocks awarded in India's NELP VII bid round, in which it held 26 per cent interest and GVK held 74 per cent interest as well as three blocks awarded in the NELP VIII bid round in which it held 100 per cent interest.

BHP Billiton will keep its 50 per cent interest in its NELP IX block, operated by BG Group.

Amid NSEL crisis, MCX-SX begins search for new CEO

MCX Stock Exchange (MCX-SX) has begun its search for a new managing director and CEO to head the bourse, whose group entities remain embroiled in a major crisis emanating from Rs 5,600-crore payment default at the National Spot Exchange (NSEL).

The exchange was set up by Jignesh Shah-led Financial Technologies (FTIL) group, which has also promoted NSEL and commodity bourse MCX, among others.

Earlier this month, Joseph Massey resigned as MD and CEO of India's newest exchange while Shah also had to quit from its board.

In a public announcement on Monday, MCX-SX invited application from "suitably qualified and experienced" candidates for the post of Managing Director and CEO.

It is the country's newest stock exchange and began operations in currency derivatives segment from October 2008 while it commenced operations in capital markets trading in February this year.

MCX-SX said: "The candidate must be qualified in the fields of capital market, finance or management and possessing sufficient experience in related fields for at least 15 years."

The MD and CEO would report to the board of directors and would be responsible for conduct of affairs of the exchange under the direction and supervision of the board. He/she shall also be responsible to perform various functions under the bye-laws, rules and regulations of the exchange and also to comply with various statutory and regulatory requirements, it added.

The appointment will be subject to approval of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the candidate shall hold office for a term of three years which could be extended, the exchange said.

The candidate's age should not be more than 50 years as on October 31, it said adding that age and experience limits may be relaxed for deserving candidates at the discretion of the selection committee.

While renewing MCX-SX's licence for another one year, capital markets regulator Sebi had in September asked the exchange to set up a panel of independent directors to oversee its operations in the wake of questions being raised about 'fit and proper' status of its promoters.

After both Shah and Massey resigned, MCX-SX had said that U Venkataraman, whole-time Director, would assist the special committee of public interest directors in carrying out the functions of the exchange.

The group has seen a string of resignations in the past few weeks at its various entities.

Last week, commodity bourse MCX managing director and chief executive officer Shreekant Javalgekar also submitted his resignation.

China Q3 economic growth quickens to 7.8% yr/yr

Beijing: China`s annual economic growth quickened to 7.8 percent between July and September from 7.5 percent in the previous three months, the fastest growth this year and in line with expectations, official data showed on Friday.

Many investors have been concerned about the fragility of China`s economic revival, especially after a surprise fall in export growth in September.

The world`s second-largest economy grew 7.7 percent in the first nine months of 2013 from a year earlier, the data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.

Other data released alongside the gross domestic product data showed industrial output grew 10.2 percent in September from a year ago, versus expectations of 10.1 percent showed in the Reuters poll.

Retail sales in September rose 13.3 percent on a year ago versus an expected 13.5 percent.

Fixed-asset investment grew 20.2 percent in the first nine months from a year earlier, versus an expected 20.3 percent. The government only publishes cumulative investment data.

Internal migrants contribute 10% to GDP: UNESCO

New Delhi: Internal migrants, estimated to constitute about 30 percent of the population, contribute 10 percent to the country's GDP with employment having become the biggest reason behind migration, a UNESCO report has said.

The report considers internal migration as being a key factor behind prosperous cities, boosting economic activity and growth.

Citing various sources, it estimated that following Census 2011, the number of migrants may have increased to about 400 million from 309 million in 2001.

The report, however, says that most of the million-plus cities have recorded significant decline in population growth, hinting that they have become "less welcoming" to migrants.

Against the projected 400 million migrants in India, their global number was 740 million in 2009.

The report entitled 'Social Inclusion of Internal Migrants in India' says women form an overwhelming majority of migrants in the country ? 70.7 percent as per Census 2001 and 80 percent according to NSSO (2007-08) data.

It said 91.3 percent women in rural areas and 60.8 percent in urban areas were migrants, putting such high numbers down to marriage.

About 30 percent of the migrants in the country belong to the 15-29 years age group.

The report says migrants are often victims of politics based on "vote banks along ethnic, linguistic and religious lines" and face political and administrative exclusion and discrimination.

Women migrants face a double discrimination for reasons particular to their gender, it adds.

Migration, it says, is an integral part of development and the rising contribution of cities to India's GDP would not be possible without them.

"Internal migrants contribute cheap labour for manufacturing and services and, in doing so, contribute to the national GDP, but this is not recognised. Far from being a drain and burden, they are in fact providing a subsidy," the report says.

"Migrants are looked upon as outsiders by the host administration and as a burden on systems and resources. Their right to the city is denied on the political defence of the 'sons of the soil' theory which aims to create vote banks along ethnic, linguistic and religious lines," it says.

The UNESCO report has pushed for promoting positive political discourse and avoiding a prejudiced negative portrayal of internal migrants.

Though not counted as metropolitan cities, Surat, Nashik, Ludhiana, Faridabad and Pune are among the million-plus cities which house the maximum migrants with respect to their overall population, the UNESCO report says.

Migrants make up 58 percent of the population in Surat, 57 percent in Ludhiana, 55 percent in Faridabad, 50 percent in Nashik and 45 percent in Pune, according to Census 2001 data cited by the report.

They account for 43 percent of the population in Delhi as well as in Mumbai.

Calling for better legal and social protection for them, the report says internal migrants are particularly vulnerable due to low rates of education and ignorance about their rights.

The overall literacy rate, as per Census 2011, was 74.04 percent with male and female literacy being at 82.14 and 65.46 percent, respectively. However, among migrants, 57.8 percent of the females and 25.8 percent of males were illiterate.

NSSO data for 2007-08 reveals that 52 percent short- duration migrants were either illiterate or had not completed primary education.

Sensex may touch 21,000 level by Diwali: Experts

New Delhi: The BSE benchmark Sensex is likely to hit the much awaited psychological level of 21,000 this Diwali, driven by robust foreign fund inflow, good quarterly earnings from corporates so far and favourable global cues, say analysts.

The Sensex touched its one-year high level of 20,932.23 on Friday triggered by global cues as concerns about the US tapering eased and China's economic growth picked up.

The 30-stock index is 323.88 points away from its all- time peak of 21,206.77 hit on January 10, 2008.

Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors (FIIs), the main driver of the Indian stock market, have poured in nearly Rs 7,000 crore (USD 1.12 billion) in the domestic equity market since the beginning of this month.

With this, the total foreign investment in the Indian stock market has reached Rs 80,174 crore (USD 14.77 billion) so far in 2013, as per data available with market regulator Sebi.

Marketmen attributed the foreign fund inflows to easing concerns over the US tapering.

"Markets rose sharply on Friday, buoyed by the postponement of the debt ceiling issue and on likely expectations that the Fed will not taper the stimulus programme in its next meeting, pending final resolution of the debt ceiling programme," said Dipen Shah, Head of Private Client Group Research at Kotak Securities.

The Sensex has gained 1,365.74 points or 6.99 percent so far this month to 20,882.89.

According to analysts, the way things are looking positive for the country and the liquidity force will take markets to higher levels.

"The Sensex is likely to remain strong in near-term. The kind of inflows and liquidity that we are seeing indicates that the Sensex may scale new highs in the days to come. The Sensex is likely to touch its all-time high by Diwali as the global set-up is good, results by Indian Inc is reasonably decent and most importantly FII inflows are robust," said Paras Bothra, Research Head at Ashika Stock Brokers.

The sentiment in the market last week was boosted on speculation that Federal Reserve could maintain monetary stimulus next year on concerns that the 16-day partial US government shutdown may curb growth in the world's largest economy.

"Markets may move up further as indications from the US markets are positive, corporate results are good. Besides, FIIs are positive on the Indian stock market. So, it is likely that markets may touch their record high levels by Diwali," said Alex Matthews, Geojit BNP, Research Head.

BSE Sensex fails to maintain initial gains, turns negative

 
New Delhi: The S&P BSE benchmark Sensex failed to maintain initial gains and was quoted lower in afternoon trade Monday on selling pressure mainly in consumer durables and IT counters.

The 30-share index opened higher at 20,915.76 and moved up to 20,970.92 on buying in capital goods, auto and realty shares on the back persistent capital inflows from foreign funds coupled with higher global cues.

However, it later dropped to 20,787.56 and was quoted at 20,810, showing a loss of 72.74 points, from its last weekend's level.

Similarly, the 50-share NSE benchmark Nifty moved lower by 7.70 points, to 6,182.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth Rs 1752.98 crore on last Friday, according to provisional data from the stock exchanges.

Asian markets rose as traders continued buying spree that began last week on bets that US Federal Reserve will continue its monetary stimulus for the world's largest economy.

Key benchmark indices in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia and Japan rose between 0.1 percent and 1.13 percent, while indices in South Korea and Taiwan fell between 0.12 percent and 0.21 percent.

How to make Narendra Modi PM, Web masters at work

 
The Congress polled about 11 crore votes to win the 2009 general election decisively. In 2014, when the country votes again, it will have more than 14 crore mobile Internet users alone.
That’s a thought for pause. And that’s the thought that Narendra Modi seized upon at a BJP office-bearers’ meeting in Delhi on April 7 to underline how the 2014 polls could be won — on the Internet. Two months later, after being named the BJP’s campaign committee chief, he told a Maharashtra core group meeting that there were 165 Lok Sabha seats where social media could be used to enhance the campaign pitch.
That thought has since then fructified into an Information and Communication sub-committee headed by Rajya Sabha MP Piyush Goyal, as part of the panels set up by the BJP on July 19 to look after various aspects of its poll campaign. The sub-committee in turn is helped by the party’s IT cell, with an alumnus of IIT-BHU, Arvind Gupta, as convenor, and a Communication (or Samvad) Cell, headed by an MBA degree holder from IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade), Anupam Trivedi.
The BJP’s IT drive includes a third arm outside the party fold: Rajesh Jain. An IIT-Bombay alumnus and one of the original IT entrepreneurs turned venture capitalists and serial entrepreneurs, he is working as a volunteer for the party.
“Rajesh, Arvind and Anupam are the three pillars of my Information and Communication sub-committee,” says Piyush Goyal.
While Gupta and his team look after digital and social media platforms, Trivedi’s men work on content development. Jain and his self-initiated team handle IT-enabled election management down to the booth level.
If anyone had doubts about how thorough this work was, Jain effectively removed these at a meeting in the Capital on August 18, according to those present. Asked to make a presentation before a gathering of BJP central office-bearers, state unit chiefs and state organisation secretaries, Jain took up former deputy chief minister of Bihar Sushil Modi as an example, used a software tool that crawls through the Election Commission’s database of electoral rolls, identified the BJP leader’s polling booth, then

India rupee falls for second day on hopes of US debt deal

Rupee ends at 61.8350/8450 per dlr vs 61.55/56 on Monday
* High domestic inflation further hurts rupee sentiment
* Choppy domestic shares; broad dlr rally weighs on local unit
By Swati Bhat
MUMBAI, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The Indian rupee weakened for a second session on Tuesday as the dollar rallied broadly on hopes U.S. lawmakers would agree on a deal to raise the country's debt limit, averting an immediate default.
The plan being negotiated by U.S. Senate leaders would end a partial government shutdown and raise the debt ceiling by enough to cover the nation's borrowing needs at least through mid-February 2014, a source familiar with the negotiations told Reuters.
The index of the dollar against six major currencies rose to a one-month high of 80.678, pushing the rupee to session lows in the last hour of trade.
"The market is not positioned big yet for the 17th of October. It is not ready for a repeat of the 2008 mayhem with more intensity," said Vikas Babu Chittiprolu, a senior foreign exchange dealer with state-run Andhra Bank.
"The deal will likely go through last minute but either way the rupee will weaken further. If the deal doesn't go through, the fall would be much more," he added.
The partially convertible rupee closed at 61.8350/8450 per dollar compared to 61.55/56 on Monday. It moved in a wide band of 61.25 to 61.94 range during the session.
Financial markets will remain closed on Wednesday for a religious holiday.
Traders said choppy domestic shares also provided little comfort to the rupee, while expectations the Reserve Bank of India would raise interest rates late this month also weighed after data late on Monday showed annual consumer price inflation quickened more than expected to 9.84 percent in September.
Data on Monday had showed wholesale price inflation also accelerated more than expected.
In the offshore non-deliverable forwards, the one-month contract was at 62.30 while the three-month was at 63.32.
In the currency futures market, the most-traded near-month dollar/rupee contracts on the National Stock Exchange, the MCX-SX and the United Stock Exchange all closed at around 61.98 with a total traded volume of $2.36 billion. (Editing by Sunil Nair)

India's BSE index falls from nearly 3-year high; US debt deal key

BSE index falls 0.29 pct; NSE ends 0.39 pct lower * Indian shares snap 5-day winning streak * HDFC Bank posts slowest quarterly profit growth in a decade * Investors turn 'equal-weight' on India - Morgan Stanley survey By Abhishek Vishnoi MUMBAI, Oct 15 - India's benchmark index fell on Tuesday, retreating from a nearly three-year high hit earlier in the session, as blue chips declined ahead of the Oct. 17 deadline to lift the U.S. debt ceiling. Lenders also

Land Acquisition Act to come into force from Jan 1, 2014

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh

The historic Land Acquisition Act, to provide just and fair compensation to farmers, will come into force from January 1, 2014.

The new law received the assent of the President on September 27.

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh took the decision after consideration of another view, particularly from state governments, that the Act replacing a 119-year-old legislation should be notified from April 1, 2014.

"Sooner we notify the Act, lesser the uncertainty," Ramesh said on Tuesday, and announced the decision to implement The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 on New Year day.

Some state governments were of the view that if the law is notified during the beginning of the new financial year, they would get "some time" to establish necessary infrastructure for its implementation.

With the Centre deciding to implement the Act early, state governments will have to soon set up at least six bodies, including the state-level Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority, in each state to hear disputes arising out of projects where land acquisition has been initiated by the state or its agencies.

According to the draft rules released by the Ministry on Monday, the state governments should take immediate steps to create and establish the State Social Impact Assessment Unit, the office of the Commissioner Rehabilitation and Resettlement and the State Level Monitoring Committee.

The bill was brought as the archaic Act of 1894 suffered from various shortcomings, including silence on the issue of resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced by acquisition of land.

India can't afford fiscal slippages: Fitch

 
New Delhi: Global rating agency Fitch on Thursday cautioned that fiscal slippage could have negative bearing on India's sovereign rating, which is at the lowest investment grade in view of weakening CAD and persistent inflationary pressure.

"In India and Indonesia, both BBB- (lowest investment credit rating) with stable outlook, their relatively weak starting positions with high inflation and recent rises in current account deficits (CAD) suggest that their credit profiles have limited tolerance for policy slippage that saw their current account deficits and-or inflation rates stay high or rise further," it said.

Countries experiencing the greatest pressure on their currencies and reserve levels are those where weakening current-account positions and persistent inflationary pressure have raised doubts over the credibility of policy management - India and Indonesia in particular, it said.

In a report titled 'Emerging Asia: Slowing Growth Amid Market Pressures', Fitch sees limited scope for policy slippage for either sovereign at the current rating levels of 'BBB-' with stable outlook.

The government is taking all steps to contain fiscal deficit to 4.8 percent of the GDP in the current fiscal.

The fiscal deficit during 2012-13 came down to 4.9 percent of the GDP from 5.8 percent a year earlier.

"The government will do whatever is necessary to contain the fiscal deficit to 4.8 percent of GDP this year. The most growth-friendly way to contain the deficit is to spend carefully, especially on subsidies that do not reach the poor, and we will take effective steps to that end," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram at many occasions has reiterated that red line has been drawn for the fiscal deficit and they will not be breached.

With aim to stick to fiscal deficit target, the government had announced slew of austerity measures including reduction in non-plan expenditure, ban on holding seminars in five-star hotels and creation of new jobs.

As for the Current Account Deficit (CAD), it was expected to be less than USD 70 billion or 3.7 percent of GDP for the full fiscal.

The CAD, which is the difference between inflow and outflow of foreign funds, was at 4.9 percent of GDP in the April-June quarter.

India's service sector activity suffers worst slump in over 4 years in Sept

Bangalore: Activity at Indian services companies shrank at the fastest pace in more than four years last month, suggesting the slowdown in Asia's third-largest economy still has some way to run, a survey showed on Friday.

The HSBC Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by Markit, slipped from 47.6 in August to 44.6 in September, its weakest since April 2009.

That marked its straight third reading below 50, the threshold between growth and contraction.

It showed firms were less optimistic about the future and were cutting staff as new business dries up.

The PMI also capped the worst quarter for the Indian services sector - which accounts for nearly 60 percent of the economy - in more than four years, stoking fears that growth in the three months to September will be weaker than April through June.

India's economy grew just 4.4 percent in the quarter to June, its weakest quarterly pace since the first three months of 2009.

"Service sector activity contracted further in September ... as tighter financial conditions and heightened macroeconomic uncertainty weighed on growth," said Leif Eskesen, chief economist for India at survey sponsor HSBC.

The PMI's new business index fell to 45.0 in September from 46.6 in August, the weakest reading since February 2009 and the third month running that demand has declined.

Such weak demand augurs poorly for coming months, too.

An HSBC Markit manufacturing survey released on Tuesday showed factory activity shrank for a second month in September.

Adding to economic woes, a ballooning current account deficit has driven funds out of the country, hurting the Indian rupee and pushing the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to adopt measures which effectively drained cash from the market.

Those moves raised funding costs for banks and companies, creating a ripple effect that has crimped investment.

The weaker currency also pushed wholesale inflation to a six-month high in August, prompting RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan's surprise repo rate hike of 25 basis points to 7.50 percent on September 20.

"Despite the weak growth backdrop, inflation readings held broadly steady. This, in turn, supports RBI's stepped up efforts to better anchor inflation expectations," said Eskesen.

However, economists in a Reuters poll taken last week were split over whether Rajan will hike rates again at the central bank's next policy review on October 29.

Rupee advances to 7-week high at 61.45 against dollar

Selling of the US currency by banks and exporters triggered by its weakness overseas helped the Indian rupee advance by 28 paise to a seven-week high of 61.45 against the dollar in late morning deals on Friday.

Good foreign capital inflows into equity market also boosted the rupee value against the dollar, a forex dealer said.

The rupee resumed lower at 61.85 per dollar as against the Thursday's closing level of 61.73 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) Market on mild dollar demand from some banks.

However, it recovered immediately to 61.34 before quoting 61.45 per dollar at 1045 hours, on fresh selling by banks and exporters.

It may be recalled that the dollar was quoted at 61.32 on August 16, 2013.

The domestic currency hovered in a range of 61.34 and 61.95 per dollar during the morning deals.

In New York market, the dollar hit an eight-month low against the euro on Thursday as investors grew more concerned about the economic effects of a prolonged shutdown and debt-ceiling debate.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE index Sensex moved down by 29.66 points or 0.15 per cent to 19,872.41 at 1125hours, after earlier touching the 20K level.

BSE Sensex up in morning trade on sustained buying, Jet Airways shares gain

The BSE benchmark Sensex continued its rising sreak and was trading over 100 points in morning trade on Friday on sustained buying by funds as well as retail investors, ignoring a weak trend on the other Asian boures.

At 10.38 am, Sensex was up 93.11 points at 19995.18. Similarly, Nifty was up 33.95 points at 5943.65 during the same time.

The 30-share index gained 60.89 points, or 0.31 per cent, to trade at 19,962.96 points in early trade with auto, consumer durables, IT and realty sector stocks leading the rise. It had rallied over 522 points in the past two sessions.

On the similar lines, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up 12.00 points, or 0.20 per cent, to 5,921.70.

Brokers said sustained buying by funds as well as retail investors took place as the partial US government shutdown eased fears about the Federal Reserve tapering its monetary stimulus programme soon.

Stocks of Jet Airways turned buyers' fancy and shot up by 3.60 per cent to Rs 400.50 after the Union Cabinet on Thursday night cleared its proposed sale of 24 per cent equity to Abu Dhabi-based Etihad.

In the Asian region, the Japan's Nikkei fell 0.90 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 0.72 per cent in early trade.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.90 per cent lower in Thursday's trade.

Cabinet okays Telangana. Hyderabad to be joint capital for 10 years

The Centre Thursday took the first significant step towards creation of Telangana from southern Indian state Andhra Pradesh and decided that Hyderabad will be the joint capital of the two states for 10 years.

Over two months after the Congress Working Committee put its seal of approval, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Home Ministry for creation of the 29th state and decided to set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to work out modalities.

"The Cabinet has given its approval for the creation of a new state of Telangana," Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters after the meeting that lasted more than two hours.

He said it was decided that Hyderabad will be the common capital of the two bifucated states for 10 years.

After the creation of the new state, the security and guarantees including fundamental rights of the people of coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana will be ensured, he said.

The Cabinet approved a GoM that will go into the issue of a special financial disbursement that may be required from the central government for the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, for building its capital and to cater to special needs of backward regions.
The new state will have a geographical area of 10 of the 23 districts of undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Thursday's decision brings to fruition the announcement made by the then Home Minister P Chidambaram on December 9, 2009 for creation of Telangana.

Joy & anger in Andhra Pradesh over Centre's nod for Telangana

Raghuram Rajan meets Chidambaram; discusses economic situation

Rajan discusses economic situation with Chidambaram

Ahead of the RBI's central board meet, the central bank chief Raghuram Rajan on Thursday met Finance Minister P Chidambaram and is understood to have discussed economic issues. "Our meeting was part of regular interaction that takes place between RBI and Finance Ministry," Rajan said after his hour long meeting with the Minister and Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram. The Central Board of Reserve Bank will meet in Raipur on Friday to discuss key economic and financial developments. The RBI board meets at least once every quarter. The meeting would be chaired by Rajan. The four deputy governors are the official directors on the board, while Mayaram and Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Takru are the government nominees. There are also 11 non-official directors on RBI board. The meeting assumes significance in the wake of economic growth falling to a four year low of 4.4 per cent and current account deficit (CAD) at an elevated level of 4.9 per cent in the April-June quarter. While the government has been emphasising on measures for incentivising growth, the RBI in its policy review last month had hiked interest rates by 0.25 per cent. The RBI is scheduled to announce its second quarter policy review on October 29. Although Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other government functionaries are expecting the growth to improve in the second half of this fiscal, Asian Development Bank in its recent report lowered India's growth projection for 2013-14 to 4.7 per cent. The economic growth rate slipped to a decade's low level of 5 per cent in 2012-13.

Remittances to developing world to reach $414 bn this year: World Bank

Developing world to get $410 bn in remittances

India and China would account for nearly a third of total remittances of $414 billion to the developing world this year, according to the World Bank. The total remittances to the developing world this year would be 6.3 per cent higher compared to 2012. "Remittance volumes to developing countries are projected to continue growing strongly over the medium term, averaging an annual growth rate of 9 per cent to reach $540 billion in 2016," the World Bank report also said. Global remittances, including those to high-income countries, are estimated to touch $550 billion this year, and reach a record $707 billion by 2016, the report added. World Bank Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Kaushik Basu said: "Remittances act as a major counter-balance when capital flows weaken as happened in the wake of the US Fed announcing its intention to rein in its liquidity injection programme. "Also, when a nation's currency weakens, inward remittances rise and, as such, they act as an automatic stabiliser." The estimates reflect recent changes to The World Bank Group's country classifications, with several large remittance recipient countries, such as Russia, Latvia, Lithuania and Uruguay no longer considered developing countries. The top recipients of officially recorded remittances for 2013 are India (with an estimated $71 billion), China ($60 billion), the Philippines ($26 billion), Mexico ($22 billion), Nigeria ($21 billion), and Egypt ($20 billion), World Bank said. Other large recipients include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Ukraine. Growth of remittances has been robust in all regions of the world, except for Latin America and the Caribbean, where growth decelerated due to economic weakness in the US. The high cost of sending money through official channels continues to be an obstacle to the utilisation of remittances for development purposes, as people seek out informal channels as their preferred means for sending money home, World Bank said. The global average cost for sending remittances is 9 per cent, broadly unchanged from 2012, it added.

EOW likely to defreeze NSEL escrow account on Thursday

The economic offence wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police is likely to defreeze an escrow account of National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) by Thursday morning. NSEL's escrow account was among those 58 bank accounts which was frozen by EOW on Tuesday, to investigate Rs.5,500 crore NSEL payout crisis.

Crisis-ridden NSEL had opened an escrow account after direction by the government to ensure payouts on priority to about 8,000 small investors stuck after the exchange halted trading. But on Tuesday, NSEL failed its payout seventh time in a row - giving a reason that EOW had frozen its settlement and escrow accounts, both.

In an email statement, NSEL had said, "Due to freezing of bank accounts, NSEL is unable to make any payouts on Tuesday. NSEL has informed the FMC of this development. NSEL is taking legal advices to defreeze the settlement bank accounts. Investors and members will be notified in due course."

Talking exclusively to Headlines Today, senior EOW official admitted, "It was our mistake to freeze escrow account on Tuesday. At that point of time, when all 58 bank accounts were getting freezed, we were unaware which are escrow account and which are settlement accounts." But he assured,"

For the benefit of investors, we would defreeze the escrow account at the earliest. Wednesday is public holiday, therefore, on Thursday we would communicate to the bank and will ensure NSEL's escrow account gets defreezed soon."

Interestingly, as of now, NSEL's escrow account has only Rs.18 crore. That means - payout failure was quite imminent. NSEL was supposed to make a scheduled payment of Rs.174.72 crore to investors on Tuesday.

According to settlement plan, NSEL would pay Rs.3,494.4 crore this year in installments of Rs.174.72 crore every Tuesday. The exchange has defaulted on payouts for the past six weeks and has settled about Rs.150 crore so far.

EOW has frozen total 58 bank accounts of promoters of FTIL and NSEL - which also includes personal accounts of Jignesh Shah, Anjani Sinha, Joseph Massey, Shantilal Guru, B D Pawar, Amit Mukherjee, M C Pandey, Shrikant Jawalgekar, Neerav Pandey, NSEL's auditor Mukesh Shah and others.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/eow-likely-to-defreeze-nsel-escrow-account-on-thursday/1/312804.html

Onion prices down over past fortnight

Retail onion prices in the capital have declined by about 20 per cent to Rs.60-65 per kg over the past two weeks.

Onion arrivals in Delhi and in the major markets of Maharashtra, the biggest producer of onions, have been going up in last few days.

In Delhi, the average arrival price for wholesale onion dipped from Rs.5,555 per quintal on September 17 to Rs.3,639 on September 30, a drop of over 34 per cent. The declining trend at the wholesale level is expected to reflect at the retail level with a further drop in prices this month, said a wholesaler at Delhi's Azadpur market.

The harvest of the onion kharif crop has been good in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In October, arrivals will pick up in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The two states account for one-third of country's output. October's nine day long Navratri celebrations - when people avoid eating onions - are also likely to lead to a drop in consumption and prices. With a 244 per cent rise in prices in August, onions were instrumental in driving up the August wholesale price inflation to  a six month high of 6.1 per cent. India produces about 16 million tonnes of onion but consumes only 10-11 million tonnes. Higher domestic prices had led to a resumption in imports of onion after a gap of two years and onions from countries like Egypt, China and Pakistan have found a market in India.

Remunerative domestic prices and the imposition of a higher minimum export price have slowed onion exports. In August, onion exports fell sharply to 29,247 tonnes compared to 156,165 tonnes in July and 150,512 tonnes in June. India exported 1.82 million tonnes of onion in 2012/13, valued at Rs.2,295 crore. In the first five months of current fiscal year, exports have only been 697,028 tonnes.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/onion-prices-down-retail-wholesale-delhi-maharashtra/1/312710.html

ADB clears $700 mn loan for infrastructure development

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $700 million in loans to support the Indian government's efforts to accelerate investment in infrastructure which the country requires to ensure strong economic growth.

"Poor infrastructure is one of the biggest drags on growth and development in India and there is a large investment funding gap of about $113 billion during the 12th Five-Year Plan for 2012-2017," ADB said in a statement.

This assistance to India's Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) will allow it to lead the market evolution for infrastructure financing and will spur greater involvement from the private sector, said Cheolsu Kim, Lead Finance Specialist in ADB's South Asia Department.

The government estimates that $1 trillion is needed in infrastructure investment to achieve economic growth of 8.4 per cent under its current five-year development plan, and expects nearly half of that to be financed by the private sector.

However, banks which have been the key source of infrastructure finance, are increasingly unable to provide funds as they are fast approaching exposure limits to key infrastructure companies, the Manila-based multi-lateral funding agency said.

ADB's funds - provided through two loans under a multi tranche financing facility - will be used to provide direct loans for project developers and to replace bank loans, freeing up banks to provide credit in other greenfield projects, it added.

Currently, 31 road, railway, airport, urban infrastructure and energy projects, including in renewable energy, are in the pipeline to receive support from ADB.

Established in 2006, IIFCL is wholly owned by the government and its borrowing programme is fully backed by a government guarantee.