Bidding for basic telecom services opens with a bang
Even as the cellular operators wage a battle against WLL mobility, the bidding process for the new basic service licences opened on Monday with a big bang. The first day saw most telecom majors file applications for at least 47 circles with the DoT.

Combined fiscal deficit rises to 9.9% of GDP
Reserve Bank of India, in its Report on Currency and Finance (1999-2000), has said that the combined fiscal deficit -- the Centre's plus states' -- of the country rose to 9.9 per cent of the GDP in 1999-2000: the highest in the last decade.

Ficci, CII support quake surcharge
Apex chambers expect a levy of additional surcharge on industry in the Budget due to the burden on the economy after the Gujarat earthquake. Both Ficci and the CII said that they would support any move of the government to manage the disaster.


  JNU prof predicted Gujarat quake
  Non-life quake claims to be settled in 30 days
  India, Algeria set $200-million trade target within two year
  Convergence to make call market an inter-bank one
  Bank deposits popular despite other investment options
  Insurance not competition to banks, but synergistic
  Banks meet RBI capital adequacy norms; asset quality improves
  Reserve Bank voices concern over stock market volatility
  Net capital flows top $10.2bn,lead to spurt in forex reserves
  Gleanings
  Banking operations to be restored by mid-Feb
  Reinsurance premia likely to increase due to earthquake
  BSE witnesses 3 listings on Monday
  BP Amoco to sell Lukoil stake
  Executive Briefing
  `There should be parity for all players in the telecom sector'
  Investment in Asia to slow in 2001
  Sri Lanka takes a step closer to liberalisation
  Oil ministry pits one against the other to check default
  Interest rate cuts are easier said than done
  Soros says US already in recession
  Birla Sun Life eyes high-income metro households
  Birlas hint at cement price review
  High court turns downKirloskar Leasing plea
  ICICI Eco-Net to join handswith ICICI Venture Funds