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MUMBAI: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority has taken a U-turn in its stance on single premium life policies by deciding to allow companies to sell such policies after threatening to halt them, citing high risk. Life insurers have been lobbying that these products are not as risky as...
By Barun Das Gupta KOLKATA: Assam politics has for quite some time been as dull as ditchwater. People have lost all interest in the ongoing talks between the ULFA leaders and the Centre. They have realized that the talks will continue for a long time without producing any tangible...
By Rashmi Saksena What a vulgar move, what an indecent proposal! How gross can the Union Cabinet get by recently passing a Bill that seeks to make it illegal for below 18 year olds to have sex. Before I raise the hackles of conservatives, concerned parents of adolescent girls...
From Pradeep Kapoor LUCKNOW: After drubbing in UP assembly polls, BJP is gearing up for better performance in civic polls scheduled in June-July. Civic polls are biggest test for newly appointed state BJP Luxmi Kant Bajpai who has to ensure good performance for party. Senior BJP vice-president and MLA...
NEW DELHI: The country’s power sector requires Rs 13.72 lakh crore in funding for the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17), the government said today. “The Working Group on Power for formulation of the 12th Five-Year Plan has estimated total fund requirement of Rs 13,72,580 crore for the power sector,” Minister...
MUMBAI: Now,India can build cheaper nuclear reactors, than even South Korea. Talking to TOI on the eve of his retirement, Dr Srikumar Banerjee, secretary in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), said India can now manufacture nuclear reactors at $1,700 per unit. Come May, Banerjee will make way for...
MUMBAI: The coal ministry has issued revised guidelines for preparing mine closure plans, incorporating a few stringent provisions. Mine owners would now have to open escrow accounts with scheduled banks, with the Coal Controller’s Organisation (CCO) as an exclusive beneficiary. When the final mine closure scheme is implemented by...
NEW DELHI: Keen to stay clear of the minefield of scandals and lawsuits, the Union mines ministry has asked the attorney general (AG) whether mining lease applications can be disposed of under the first-come-first-served (FCFS) policy, until upcoming legislation makes auction mandatory. The ministry’s concern is that granting mineral...
NAGPUR: Shortage of coal in various plants, providing power to MSEDCL, and wet coal problem in 2011 will prove costly for power consumers this year. MSEDCL had purchased electricity from the two power exchanges to make up for the reduction in generation in Mahagenco and NTPC plants. The cost...
NEW DELHI: International Coal Ventures Ltd (ICVL), a consortium of state-run firms with the mandate of acquiring coal assets abroad, may come under the jurisdiction of steel ministry after NTPC expressed its desire to opt out of the venture. “There is a question mark on the shape of ICVL....