RBI relaxes ECB norms for Infrastructure finance companies

The Reserve Bank of India through a circular dated 11 May ’10 has allowed infrastructure finance companies (IFCs) to raise funds through external commercial borrowings without obtaining its prior approval. IFCs can now raise funds through ECBs up to 50 per cent of their owned funds under the automatic route, according to the circular.

Sugar Industry in India: Basics

I have made a small attempt to list down the very basics of the sugar industry. Will keep updating it as and when I get the information and time.

Improvement in power situation in India?

The power situation in India improved in 2009-10, reflect statistics.

Total power generation in India rose by 6.6% in 2009-10. Higher generation resulted in higher power availability, which rose by 8%. The power requirement on the other hand grew at a slower pace of 6.9%. Consequently, power deficit fell by 100 basis points to 10.1 %.

While statistically it is an improvement, the situation is still very gloomy with over 10% deficit in the country. The power situation at peak hours was worse. Peak power deficit  2009- 10 rose by 1.4% to 13.3%. Among the top five power consuming states in India, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest power deficit of 21.7%. Deficit in Maharashtra & Gujarat stood at 18.8% and 4.5%, respectively.

UMPPs in India: Government releases updates

To boost economic growth and human development, the Government of India planned to provide access to electricity to all its citizens by 2012.

Recognising that economics of scale leading to cheaper power can be secured through development of large size power projects using latest super critical technologies, the Ministry of Power launched an initiative in the year 2006 for development of coal based ultra mega projects. These projects will have a capacity of 4,000 MW each on tariff based competitive bidding. Ultra Mega Power projects are either pit head based projects having captive mine block or coastal projects based on imported coal.

Indian Paint Industry: Colourful Times

Paint industry is going through a colourful & happy time with demand rising sharply. Growth in housing, automobiles and construction are all driving the rise in current consumption.

India’s trade falls in 2009-10

Slowdown in the global economy had led to a year-on-year decline in exports from and imports into India. A sharp fall in exports began in October 2008 and continued until September 2009. Low base effect, coupled with a marginal revival in the global economy, enabled growth from October 2009 onwards. During financial year April-March 2009-10, India’s merchandise exports dropped to $176.5 billion, down by 4.7% compared to the previous year.

A fall was recorded in exports of engineering goods, electronics, handicrafts, carpets and cotton yarn during the year. Marine products, iron ore, tea, tobacco, fruits and vegetables and man-made fibres reported a growth.

The recovery in exports has been dramatic as exports during April-November 2009 were 22.3% below the year-ago level. 

Bharat Stage Emission Norms: Govt Extends Deadline For Two-Wheelers

The deadline for a pan-India rollout of Bharat Stage III emission norms for four–wheelers, which was originally set for April 2010, is now delayed to October this year. This is because the public sector refiners could not meet the deadline and planned a staggered rollout in different cities. The government had earlier asked auto manufacturers to upgrade their two-wheelers to BS III from BS II norms by April 1. However, under the new norms, they would be given time till July 1 to convert their models to BS III for sale in 13 select cities, and till October 1 for pan-India upgrade.

The new deadline was fixed due to unavailability of BS III compliant fuel in many states. Analysts believe conversion from BS II to III will make a two-wheelers expensive by about Rs 1,000.

‘Spectrum management and licensing framework’ by Trai

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) released recommendations on ‘spectrum management and licensing framework’ on 11 May 2010. While I am yet to read the paper in detail, I have brushed through it.

Excerpts of the recommendations

Cement despatches in April: A cyclical movement

The cumulative volume growth of the five domestic cement companies (including UltraTech Cement, Grasim Industries, Ambuja Cement, ACC, Jaiprakash Associates and JK Lakshmi Cement) fell by 7.7% in April compared to March 2010. Despatches are usually low in April as sales are pushed at the year-end (in March). The companies registered a 12.3% YoY growth in despatches.

Is the RIL-RNRL saga over?

After fighting a long legal battle, the two companies have been asked to renegotiate the  price. What is worrysome from my perspective is that will the setting up of cheap gas-based power plants by RNRL be affected? If so, then capacity addition in India (which has a huge lag vis-a-vis target) will be hampered too.

Brief history of the battle…