News Digest: Top Newspaper Headlines

Business Standard

Indian carriers go shopping

SpiceJet, Jet, Air-India, Indian buy aircraft, engines worth $3.7 bn.

Sops likely at single tax windows   

The sops may include inter-unit transfer of any excess Cenvat credit for both excise and service tax, inter-unit movement of capital goods without payment of duty and refund or rebate within 30 days of filing claims.

SBI squeezes fixed home loan horizon 

State Bank of India yesterday announced that it was discontinuing fixed-rate home loans for above 10 years in view of "uncertainties" on the longer-term interest rate scenario. The bank also hiked interest rates on fresh home loans by 25-75 basis points, after resisting pressures for making the move.

The Economic Times 

Strikes take zing our of India Inc's stride

Close to 25 cases of industrial unrest protests reported in past six months.

Cash withdrawal tax may go, banks to track transactions

Existing laws seen able to keep tabs on black money movements.

Day Four: More flu suspects, even more confusion

Eight hospitalised, poultry companies in line of fire.

The Hindu Business Line

MFs may get more leeway for overseas investments 

Restrictions likely on exposure to shares of individual companies.

Maharashtra issues notice to Venkateshwara Hatcheries

Sourcing bird flu-affected chickens.

'Company hasn't supplied any infected chicks'

MR O. P. Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Venkateshwara Hatcheries, has categorically stated that the company, per se, has not received any show-cause notices from the District Magistrate of Nandurbar.

The Financial Express

MNCs line up for ultra power units

As many as 46 power majors including a dozen foreign multinationals have evinced interest to participate in the bidding for the first two ultra mega power projects of 4,000 mw each on offer at Sasan in Madhya Pradesh and Mundhra in Gujarat.

LIC offer to buy SU-UTI stake in UTI Bank nixed

The Centre has rejected Life Insurance Corporation's bid to acquire the 28% stake held by the Specified Undertaking Unit Trust of India in UTI Bank.

Reliance Communications Ventures net up at Rs 310 crore

Reliance Communications Ventures has reported a net profit of Rs 310 crore in Q3 this fiscal as against a net profit of Rs 18 crore in Q2 ended September, 2005.

Daily News & Analysis

Anil Ambani puts power projects onus on brother Mukesh  

Anil Ambani has deftly put the onus of setting up his 5,600 mw mega power project in Dadri, UP, as well as his 447 mw Patalganga project on RIL.

ONGC moves to acquire Spic Petro, Tide Water 

Oil & Natural Gas Corporation officials plan to meet on February 25 to discuss proposals to acquire the chemicals manufacturer and the lubricants company.

Reliance set to sign Sudan blocks deal  

Reliance Industries will make a debut in Sudan's oil business with two exploration blocks.