Financial Express - India's leading business newspaper from the Indian Express Group

Italcementi eyes 50% in Jaiprakash unit

The Italcementi Group is on the prowl again. Weeks after picking up a 50% stake in the KK Birla group's Zuari Cement, the European cement giant is now in the final stages of negotiations with the Delhi-based Gaurs to strike a similar joint venture for its cement business.

Tisco to offer staff stock options

Tata Steel has taken an "in-principle decision" to offer employees stock options (Esops). This is for the first time the house of Tatas may offer Esops in some of its group companies.

Centre permits 3 weak banks to revise wages

The Centre is understood to have given the green signal to three weak banks -- Indian Bank, UCO Bank, and United Bank of India (UBI) -- to individually decide on wage revision for their employees, with no compulsions to follow the recently concluded industry-wide accord.

IRDA unveils new solvency margins

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), in its new regulations on solvency margins, assets and liabilities, and deposits for insurers, has asked life insurance companies to deposit a sum equivalent to 1% of the gross premium written in the country after March 31, 2000.

No kid stuff this -- Drug firms find paediatric products too tempting

Generation Next has never had it so good. From fortified ice-creams to iron-packed biscuits, to drugs to check attention deficit disorder (in a more palatable form), India Inc is doing its best to keep Young India healthy.

EPZs told to come under SEZ's ambit

The revenue department has served notices on export processing zone (EPZ) units to either come under the fold of the special economic zone (SEZ) scheme, or debond/convert themselves into export-oriented units (EoUs).