India Business Insight articles from January 2010

India Business Insight archives from January 2010

FOOD GRAINS- RABI CROPS PROSPECT TURNS BETTER (percentage of sowing improves due to good weather conditions).
January 31, 2010... Good weather conditions have helped farmers to bring more area under wheat and chana crops. While the area covered under wheat is higher at 231.3 lakh hectares as against 226.00 lakh hectares in 2008-2009, acreage under chana cultivation has...

DRY NUTS DEEPENING ROOT IN INDIAN MARKET - CASHEW (imports of raw cashew increases by 24 percent).
January 31, 2010... Cashew exports during Apr-Oct 2009 have registered a decline of 8 percent when compared to the same period IN 2008. This decline is largely attributed to the recession in the United States of America and United Kingdom. However, cashew...

DRY NUTS DEEPENING ROOT IN INDIAN MARKET - ALMOND (almond consumption increases by 7 percent year-on-year).
January 31, 2010... Almond consumption in India has increased largely due to the competitive price of almond as compared to other nuts. India's imports during 2009-2010 are expected to touch 53,000 tonnes (inshell basis) as against an import of 49,630 tonnes...

DRY NUTS DEEPENING ROOT IN INDIAN MARKET - WALNUT (walnut consumption to increase by 1,300 tonnes in 2009-2010).
January 31, 2010... Walnut consumption is estimated to have increased by 1,300 tonnes during 2009-2010. It is estimated that walnut consumption will be around 21,500 tonnes during the year 2009-2010 as compared to 20,200 tonnes in 2008-2009. Bakers,...

PURE LIFE COVER TO CARRY FEE, ULIPs TO BE FREED FROM 2011 (a load free regime to operate on most of the financial products after 1 Apr 2011).
January 31, 2010... A draft proposal of a panel, set up by the High Level Co- ordination Committee on Financial Markets, an apex body of financial sector regulators, will make way for a load-free regime on most of the financial products after Apr 1, 2011. If the...

SBI LIFE INSURANCE RECORDS PROFIT OF Rs116 CRORE (premium collection grew by 17 percent to Rs3,407 crore during Apr-Sep 2009).
January 31, 2010... SBI Life Insurance has posted net profit of Rs116 crore for Apr- Sep 2009. In terms of premium collection, the company grew by 17 percent to Rs3,407 crore out of which 65 percent was contributed by Unit linked policies. The assets under...

INSURERS TO TAKE Rs140 CRORE HIT FOR IOC FIRE (the plant was insured for Rs238 crore with ICICI Lombard as the lead insurer).
January 31, 2010... Insurance companies have to shell out up to Rs140 crore to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) for the fire accident in its marketing plant near Jaipur. The plant was insured for Rs238 crore with ICICI Lombard as the lead insurer, followed by Oriental...

CENTER TO INFUSE LIFE INTO HEALTH PLANS, PROTECT SIX CRORE POOR FAMILIES (proposes to provide each poor family with a life cover of Rs1.5 lakh and a medical cover of Rs1 lakh).
January 31, 2010... The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) proposes to introduce a new consolidated health and life insurance cover for more than six crore poor families. The existing insurance schemes, sponsored by the central and state...

IRDA PLANS TO INTRODUCE VARIABLE ANNUITY PRODUCTS, FORMS PANEL (forms a six-member committee to consider the proposal).
January 31, 2010... The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has formed a six-member committee to consider its plans of introducing variable annuity products. The regulator expects good scope for the product in India due to high population and a...

GIC PAYS Rs167 CRORE TO TAJ, OBEROI AS TERROR CLAIM (to release the final claim after completion of the renovation work in the two hotels).
January 31, 2010... General Insurance Corporation (GIC) has released Rs167 crore to Taj and Oberoi hotels. Designated as the administrator of the terror insurance pool, GIC has released the amount in connection with the 26/11 attack. The company is currently...

POSTAL DEPT SEES RISE IN MAIL DELIVERY AFTER 5 YEARS (mainly owing to an increase in the delivery of business mails).
January 31, 2010... The total number of mails delivered by the postal department in 2008-2009 has reported an increase after a gap of five years, mainly owing to an increase in the delivery of business mails. The Department of Post (DoP) carried over 6.54 billion...

STATES TIGHTEN RULES TO CURB POWER THEFT (Maharashtra plans to make power thefts punishable by life imprisonment).
January 31, 2010... States are taking stringent measures to curb power theft. Maharashtra, which has the aggregate transmission and commercial losses (AT&C) at about 24 percent, plans to make power thefts punishable by life imprisonment. Gujarat, Haryana and...

GEODESIC NET DOWN 25% (revenue declines by 20.5%).
January 31, 2010... Geodesic has reported a 25.31 percent decline in net profit at Rs62.5 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs83.69 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). The company's revenue declined by 20.5 percent to Rs151.85 crore (Rs191 crore).

VIDEOCON NET UP OVER TWO-FOLD (net sales increases by 35.28%).
January 31, 2010... Videocon Industries Ltd has reported an over 100 percent increase in net profit at Rs131.67 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs60.43 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). Net sales increased by 35.28 percent to Rs2,806.56 crore (Rs2,074.67 crore).

EMAMI NET UP 95% AT Rs78 CRORE (net sales increases by 30.33%).
January 31, 2010... Emami Ltd has reported a 95 percent growth in consolidated net profit at Rs78.05 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs40 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). Net sales increased by 30.33 percent to Rs349.58 crore (Rs268.21 crore).

FINANCIAL TECH SEES 43% GROWTH IN NET (net sales increases by 53%).
January 31, 2010... Financial Technologies (India) has reported a 43 percent increase in net profit at Rs61.75 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs43.19 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). Net sales increased by 53 percent to Rs99.80 crore (Rs62.40 crore).

BALRAMPUR CHINI'S NET RISES 49% (net sales increases to Rs439.48 crore).
January 31, 2010... Balrampur Chini Mills has reported a 49.2 percent increase in net profit at Rs76.55 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs51.29 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). Net sales increased to Rs439.48 crore (Rs429.45 crore).

ACKRUTI CITY NET JUMPS FOUR FOLD (has reported a net profit of Rs77 crore).
January 31, 2010... Ackruti City has reported a net profit of Rs77 crore in Oct-Dec 2009. Total income increased to Rs222 crore (Rs49 crore in Oct- Dec 2008).

JK CEMENT NET UP 62% AT Rs46.49 CRORE (total Income increases to Rs433.16 crore).
January 31, 2010... JK Cement has reported a 62.15 percent increase in net profit at Rs46.49 crore in Oct-Dec 2009. Total Income increased to Rs433.16 crore (Rs363.35 crore in Oct-Dec 2008).

GREAT OFFSHORE NET DIPS 14% TO Rs49 CRORE (total income declines to Rs241.94 crore).
January 31, 2010... Great Offshore reported a 14 percent decline in net profit at Rs49.54 crore in Oct-Dec 2009. Total income declined to Rs241.94 crore (Rs269 crore in Oct-Dec 2008).

MAN IND NET UP TEN FOLD (net income declines to Rs439.31 crore).
January 31, 2010... Man Industries (India) has reported a net profit of Rs30.92 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs2.69 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). The company's net income declined to Rs439.31 crore (Rs456.58 crore).

DWARIKESH SUGAR NET UP SEVEN FOLD (net sales increases to Rs170.27 crore).
January 31, 2010... Dwarikesh Sugar Industries has reported a net profit of Rs33.43 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs4.57 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). Net sales increased to Rs170.27 crore (Rs128.47 crore).

BANCO PRODUCTS NET GROWS TO Rs19 CRORE (net sales increases by 58%).
January 31, 2010... Banco Products has reported a net profit of Rs19 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs5 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). Net sales increased by 58 percent to Rs111 crore (Rs70 crore).

AUROBINDO POSTS 311% RISE IN NET (total operating income increases by 11.2%).
January 31, 2010... Aurobindo Pharma Ltd has reported a 311 percent increase in its net profit at Rs171.77 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs41.84 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). Total operating income increased by 11.2 percent to Rs915.24 crore (Rs822.82 crore).

RELIANCE CAP NET DROPS 52% (net profit on a standalone basis decline by 64%).
January 31, 2010... Reliance Capital has reported a 52 percent decline in consolidated net profit at Rs63 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs132 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). The company's net profit on a standalone basis declined by 64 percent to Rs41.29 crore (Rs114.43 crore).

SIEMENS MAKES INDIA R&D HUB (has developed seven CAD-aided imaging tools).
January 31, 2010... Siemens AG is making India a major hub for research and development of medical diagnostic tools using Computer Aided Design (CAD). The CAD group at Siemens Medical Solutions has over 60 percent of its engineers and scientists working in Chennai...

NTPC ARM TO PROCURE 1,000 MW SOLAR POWER (has been appointed the nodal agency for buying the entire solar energy generation).
January 31, 2010... NTPC Vidyut Vapyar Nigam Ltd (NVVNL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC Ltd, plans to procure up to 1,000 Mw of solar power by 2013, and mix it with the unallocated thermal power to produce bundled power. The bundled power is likely to be priced...

AMUL TO INCREASE MILK PRICES FROM FEBRUARY 1 (increase in milk prices has been attributed to increase in input cost of raw material).
January 31, 2010... Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells its dairy products under the brand name Amul, plans to increase the milk prices between Re1 and Rs2 per litre. The company plans to increase the prices of its Taaza and Slim...

IOC FEARS Rs12,000-CRORE LOSS IN '09-10 (is at present incurring a loss of about Rs110 crore per day on selling fuels below cost).
January 31, 2010... Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) expects to incur a loss of Rs12,000 crore in 2009-2010 if the Government of India does not increase the subsidy amount given to it for losses incurred on sale of cooking fuels. The company is at present incurring...

ICEX ACHIEVES 90% DELIVERY IN GOLD DEAL SETTLEMENT (has also launched contracts in base metals and energy).
January 31, 2010... Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) has achieved 90 percent delivery in gold contracts settlement. The physical delivery of 168 lots of 1 kg and 170 lots of 100 gm have been reported on all the vaults accredited by ICEX. The exchange has also...

BANK OF MAHARASHTRA NET DOWN 7% (net interest income increases by 5%).
January 31, 2010... Bank of Maharashtra has reported a seven percent decline in net profit at Rs112 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs120.6 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). Net interest income increased by five percent to Rs361 crore (Rs343 crore), while other income declined by...

JK BANK NET PROFIT RISES 19% (operating profit increases by 31%).
January 31, 2010... Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Bank has reported an over 19 percent increase in net profit at Rs139.99 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs120.67 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). Operating profit increased by 31 percent. Income earned by the bank other than...

KVB NET PROFIT JUMPS 28% (has reported a 55.98% increase in net profit in Apr-Dec 2009).
January 31, 2010... Karur Vysya Bank has reported a 28 percent increase in net profit at Rs75.87 crore in Oct-Dec 2009 (Rs59.25 crore in Oct-Dec 2008). The bank reported a 55.98 percent increase in net profit at Rs237.12 crore in Apr-Dec 2009 (Rs152.02 crore in...

SWINDLERS LAUGHING THEIR WAY TO BANK (as bank frauds amount doubled from Rs659 crore in 2007-2008 to Rs1,404 crore in 2008-2009).
January 31, 2010... According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), bank frauds are on the rise. Even though public sector banks (PSBs) are perceived to be safer than private banks, the number of frauds in PSBs is much higher than in private banks. Information...

UK SUSPENDS ACCEPTING STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS IN NORTH INDIA (because of a sudden increase in the number of applications over the last three months).
January 31, 2010... The British High Commission in Delhi has temporarily stopped accepting student visa applications under Tier 4 of the points based system at visa application centres in New Delhi, Chandigarh and Jalandhar. This is because of a sudden increase in...

KALPATARU NET DOUBLES (to Rs44 crore for Oct-Dec 2009 from Rs20 crore for Oct-Dec 2008).
January 31, 2010... The net profit of Kalpataru Power Transmission has risen more than two-fold to Rs44 crore for Oct-Dec 2009 from Rs20 crore for Oct-Dec 2008. It recorded higher sales volume at Rs716 crore for Oct-Dec 2009, a growth of 72 percent over Oct-Dec 2008.

OIL Q3 NET RISES 23.5% (and increase is largely due to higher price realisation for the crude oil it produces).
January 31, 2010... The net profit of Oil India Ltd (OIL) has increased by 23.5 percent for Oct-Dec 2009. This increase is largely due to higher price realisation for the crude oil it produces.

TULIP TELECOM NET UP 32% (to Rs68.60 crore for Oct-Dec 2009 from Rs49.64 crore for Oct- Dec 2008).
January 31, 2010... The net profit of enterprise data connectivity service provider Tulip Telecom has risen 32 percent to Rs68.60 crore for Oct-Dec 2009 from Rs49.64 crore for Oct-Dec 2008. The company is betting big on the government sector to drive its topline in...

RCOM CONSOLIDATED NET SLIPS TO Rs1,108 CRORE (for Oct-Dec 2009).
January 31, 2010... The consolidated net earnings of Reliance Communications (RCOM) has declined by 21.4 percent to Rs1,108 crore for Oct-Dec 2009 from Rs1,410 crore for Oct-Dec 2008. The severe tariff war has impacted the profitability of RCOM. Pre-tax profits...

KNIGHT FRANK AND DBS BANK ENTER INTO STRATEGIC ALLIANCE (to offer real estate services).
January 31, 2010... Knight Frank India, the independent international property consultancy, has entered into a strategic alliance with DBS Bank India to offer real estate services in the residential and commercial domain to the high networth individual (HNI)...

145 NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS RUNNING BEHIND SCHEDULE (only 2,943 kilometres of roads completed against a target of 5,311 kilometre).
January 31, 2010... The Government of India has accepted that 145 highways projects under the National Highways Development Programme (NHDP) for construction of roads have been delayed. Out of a total of 5,311 kilometres (km) under construction only 2,943 km of...

GAMMON INDIA BAGS ORDER WORTH RS3.09 BILLION (from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board).
January 31, 2010... Gammon India Limited in association with Pratibha Industries Limited has acquired a Rs3.09-billion contract from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board. The contract involves procurement, fabrication and laying of clean water main from...

GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH ULTRA MEGA STEEL PROJECTS (at four to five locations close to iron ore mining sites).
January 31, 2010... The Government of India plans to launch a series of Ultra Mega Steel Projects (UMSP) to meet the demand for steel. The UMSP will be awarded to both public and private sector companies with a minimum capacity of 10 million tonnes. The projects...

SEPC SIGNS MoU WITH CHINESE FIRM FOR POWER PROJECTS IN INDIA (for a period of five years).
January 31, 2010... Shriram EPC (SEPC) has entered into a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with North West Electric Power Design Institute (NWEPDI) of China for the execution of thermal power projects in India. Shriram EPC will provide integrated design,...

INDIAN ECONOMY EXPANDS AT FASTEST PACE (in 18 months with GDP growing by 7.9 percent during Jul-Sep 2009).
January 31, 2010... India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth during Jul-Sep 2009 was 7.9 percent, the fastest growth in 18 months. The GDP growth was 6.1 percent during Apr-Jun 2009. However, the GDP growth during Apr-Sep 2009 was seven percent as against 7.8...

GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES TO WIND ENERGY SECTOR (to attract investments from independent power producers and investors).
January 31, 2010... The Government of India has announced the new Generation Based Incentive scheme for the wind energy sector. The move is to attract investments from independent power producers and investors in the wind energy sector. The wind energy sector...

LODHA TO INVEST Rs6,000 CRORE (is currently developing about 30 million square feet though 38 projects).
January 31, 2010... Lodha Developers of Mumbai plans to invest Rs6,000 crore during 2010-2013 on constructing its existing projects. The company is currently developing about 30 million square feet though 38 projects. Lodha currently has a landbank of 260...

ANSAL API TO LAUNCH 2MSF AFFORDABLE HOMES (expects to achieve the target of selling 10,000 units by Mar 2010).
January 31, 2010... Ansal API plans to launch affordable housing facilities over two million square feet during 2010-2011. The company has sold more than 8,500 houses priced between Rs5 and Rs12 lakh during 2009- 2010 and expects to achieve the target of selling...

HERO GROUP EYES TO ENTER REAL ESTATE BIZ (has already invested about Rs200 crore).
January 31, 2010... The Hero Group has invested about Rs200 crore in the real estate sector. The company plans to launch an integrated township in Haridwar over 50 acres, with about 2,000 residential units. The apartments will be priced between Rs18 and Rs70...

USHA BRECO REALTY TO ENTER AFFORDABLE HOUSING (will execute four projects across India in the sub-Rs20 lakh category).
January 31, 2010... Usha Breco Realty (UBR) of Mumbai will execute four projects across India in the affordable housing sector, in the sub-Rs20 lakh category. The projects, valued at Rs400 crore, will come up in Pune, Bangalore, Chandigarh and near Mumbai, each...

VASCON DIVERSIFYING INTO INFRASTRUCTURE, EYES IPO (bags a Rs210-crore order for the second phase of the new Secretariat building).
January 31, 2010... Vascon Engineers (VE) of Pune will diversify into the infrastructure sector through an associate company, Vinfra Infrastructure Private Ltd. Vascon will hold 25 percent stake in the company and plans to expand into new areas. The company has...

OMAXE TO EXIT TWO LUXURY PROJECTS IN DUBAI (had paid the first instalment of Rs50 crore towards acquiring the required land).
January 31, 2010... Omaxe Construction Ltd plans to exit two super luxury residential projects in Dubai. The company had paid the first instalment of Rs50 crore to Nakheel of Dubai towards acquiring the required land for the projects. The company plans to invoke...

FRAZER SUITES FOR COMMONWEALTH GAMES (is constructing about 100 units of serviced apartments).
January 31, 2010... IFCI Infrastructure Development Ltd (IIDL) is constructing about 100 units of serviced apartments, Fraser Suites, at Mayur Vihar, New Delhi. Work on the project is expected to be completed before the commencement of the Commonwealth games. ...

INDIA'S FIRST AEROSPACE SEZ LAUNCHED (Quest Global has committed an initial investment of Rs150 crore in the SEZ).
January 31, 2010... Quest Global (Quest) has launched the first aerospace special economic zone (SEZ) at Belgaum, Karnataka. The company has committed an initial investment of Rs150 crore in the SEZ, which has come up over 300 acres. The SEZ houses an...

DLF SELLING LAND PARCELS (to raise Rs2,000 crore to retire its debt holdings).
January 31, 2010... DLF Ltd plans to raise Rs2,000 crore to retire its debts. The company has sold 500 plots of 200-400 yards at about Rs800 per square feet at Indore, Madhya Pradesh and earned about Rs110 crore. DLF expects higher realisation from its land...

SAHARA TO FUND TOWNSHIPS THROUGH IPO (to develop 217 townships across India).
January 31, 2010... Sahara Prime City Ltd will launch an initial public offer to fund the construction and development of integrated townships. The company plans to develop 217 townships, Sahara City Homes, across India, out of which 50 will come up in Uttar...

RIL PLANS LOW-COST HOUSING (to launch large projects at multiple locations).
January 31, 2010... Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) plans to foray into the low cost housing segment. The company plans to launch large projects at multiple locations. RIL holds a huge land bank in various locations where it has planned to launch special economic...

GODREJ FORAYS INTO CHANDIGARH (to invest Rs200 crore in its first commercial project in the city).
January 31, 2010... Godrej Properties Ltd (GPL) plans to invest Rs200 crore to launch its first commercial project in Chandigarh. The project, expected to come up over 4.04 acres, will offer offices and retail spaces with a development size of 6.8 lakh square feet....

MIELE'S GRAND PLANS FOR INDIA (targets to achieve a sales of Rs100 crore by 2015).
January 31, 2010... Miele, an appliance maker of Germany, plans to launch its first experience centre in India, to create awareness for its products in the country. The company plans to promote its 65 products with a focus on word of mouth publicity and...

TATA REALTY PLANS WATERFRONT HOMES IN KOCHI (will come up over 8.44 acres).
January 31, 2010... Tata Realty and Infrastructure (TRI) plans to launch a residential project at Kochi, Kerala. The high-end waterfront project, valued at Rs625 crore, will come up over 8.44 acres. The project will offer two, three and four bedroom-hall-kitchen...

SAMIRA HABITAT OFFERS 187 VILLAS AT ALIBAG (is investing Rs200 crore).
January 31, 2010... Samira Habitat is investing Rs200 crore to launch a 187 premium villa project, Samira Pavilions, in Alibag near South Mumbai. The project, a luxury gated community will launch 56 units in the first phase and 131 units in the second phase. The...

Q-CITY FOR HYDERABAD (has come up over 1.2 lakh square feet of commercial space at Gachibowli).
January 31, 2010... The Quinn Group of Ireland has launched the Q-City project in Hyderabad. The project has come up over 1.2 lakh square feet of commercial space at Gachibowli. The project is to be developed by Indu Projects Ltd and to be managed by Cushman &...

MAGNETO MALL IN RAIPUR (at a cost of about Rs250 crore).
January 31, 2010... Magneto plans to launch one of the largest malls in India by Nov 2010. The company will invest about Rs250 crore in mall, coming up over one million square feet in Raipur. One of the main highlights of the new Magneto-The Mall will be the...

PLAZA CENTERS' Rs3,000 CRORE INDIA PLAN (to launch six new malls across India by 2014).
January 31, 2010... Plaza Centers' India (PCI) plans to invest Rs3,000 crore to launch six new malls across India by 2014. The company plans to start work on the malls, to come up in Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi and Pune, by early 2011. PCI has invested about Rs500...

EWDPL TO ROLL OUT 20 MALLS (to invest Rs2,000 crore).
January 31, 2010... Entertainment World Developers Private Ltd plans to invest Rs2,000 crore to launch 20 malls across India. The malls, to be launched under the rent-free revenue sharing concept for emerging brands, will come up over one million square feet across...

UB CITY MALL COMPLEX TO HAVE LUXURY FLATS (will be allowed to build in about an additional half a million square feet within the UB City premises).
January 31, 2010... The UB Group has partnered with the Prestige Group to develop a premium residential project at its UB City Mall complex in Bangalore. The developers will be allowed to build in about an additional half a million square feet within the UB City...

AERENS PLANS BIG FOR KERALA (to invest about Rs1,000 crore during 2010-2014 to expand its operations in Kerala).
January 31, 2010... Aerens Gold Souk Group plans to invest about Rs1,000 crore during 2010-2014 to expand its operations in Kerala. The group will launch Gold Souk Grande, a large format mall, over 5,00,000 square feet, at Kochi. The mall, expected to be...

AMPA HOUSING'S CHENNAI MALL (to hive off the Rs120-crore Ampa Mall into a separate entity).
January 31, 2010... Ampa Housing Development Private Ltd plans to hive off the Rs120- crore Ampa Mall into a separate entity. The company also plans to dilute 40 percent of its stake in the venture and has initiated talks with a couple of private equity companies....

IREO UPTOWN (will offer 534 two, three and four bedroom-hall-kitchen apartments over 11 acres).
January 31, 2010... Ireo has launched Ireo Uptown, its second realty project. The development will offer 534 two, three and four bedroom-hall- kitchen apartments over 11 acres. Ireo Uptown will comprise landscaped space over 84 percent of the property. The...

SAVIOUS IRIS (has come up in Crossings Republik at Ghaziabad).
January 31, 2010... Saviour Builders has launched Saviour Iris, their new tower in Crossings Republik at Ghaziabad. Saviour Iris is equipped with all the basic amenities and other amenities including piped gas, full air conditioning and others. Saviour Iris will...

JAYPEE GREEN'S LAKE DISTRICT (will come up on the Yamuna Expressway over 200 acres).
January 31, 2010... Jaypee Greens, a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates, has launched Lake District, a residential project, at its upcoming Sports City at Gautam Budh Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh. The project will come up on the Yamuna Expressway over 200...

DAX PROPERTIES GOLF RETREAT (the project is coming up over 300 acres).
January 31, 2010... DAX Properties has launched Golf Retreat, its premium Rs500-crore lifestyle project. The project is coming up over 300 acres at a distance of 30 km from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The project will offer 1,100 villas ranging from...

DOSHI SERENE COUNTY (is a mix of independent homes, row houses and four-in-one residential units in Chennai).
January 31, 2010... Doshi Housing has launched Doshi Serene County, a mix of independent homes, row houses and four-in-one residential units in Chennai. The project, coming up over 3.09 acres at Santhoshpuram, will offer 64 dwelling units, a majority of which...

MAHINDRA'S PREMIUM HOUSING (to come up over 55 acres near Chennai).
January 31, 2010... Mahindra Lifespace Developers has launched Aquality, a premium residential project, which will be developed within the Mahindra World City, near Chennai. The project, to be developed as a gated community, will come up over 55 acres. The project,...

PATEL REALTY'S MIXED DEV PROJECT (launches the Neotown project in Bangalore with an investment of Rs900 crore).
January 31, 2010... Patel realty India Ltd (PRIL) has launched the Neotown project in Bangalore with an investment of Rs900 crore. The project, coming up over 120 acres, will comprise three residential precincts, a business precinct, a tech icon precinct,...

MAJOR BRANDS TO TAKE STORE COUNT TO 100 (by Mar 2011).
January 31, 2010... Major Brands India Private Ltd proposes to invest Rs30 crore to open more outlets of its nine international brands, Mango, Aldo, Nine West, Promod, Charles & Keith, La Senza, Okaidi, Aldo Accessories and Inglot. The company plans to increase...

BEVERLY HILLS PLANS PAN-INDIA RETAIL EXPANSION BY 2011 (with an investment of Rs20 crore).
January 31, 2010... Spencer's Retail plans to launch 70 outlets of the brand, Beverly Hills, across the country with an investment of Rs20 crore by Mar 2011. While the company has opened four outlets in Delhi, it plans to expand to 30-40 cities by 2011 by...

TACO BELL'S MAIDEN INDIAN OUTLET OPENING AT MANTRI SQUARE MALL (in Bangalore).
January 31, 2010... Yum! Restaurants International (YRI) plans to inaugurate the first outlet of its Mexican food brand, Taco Bell, in India at the Mantri Square mall in Bangalore. The outlet will cover 3,000- 3,200 square feet. YRI also intends to open outlets at...

PRIYA ENTERTAINMENTS TO ENTER MULTIPLEX SPACE (under the brand Bioscope).
January 31, 2010... Priya Entertainments of Kolkata plans to foray in to the multiplex space by establishing a chain of 12 multiplexes in West Bengal and at Thimpu in Bhutan under the brand Bioscope. It also plans to launch a themeplex comprising six screens at...

GITANJALI ACQUIRES SALASAR AS PART OF EXPANSION STRATEGY (and will rename it as Maya by Gitanjali Lifestyle).
January 31, 2010... The Gitanjali group has acquired 76 percent stake in Salasar Retail Ltd as part of expansion strategy and will rename it as Maya by Gitanjali Lifestyle. With this acquisition, the Gitanjali group will expand its reach to Delhi, Cuttack, Kanpur,...

FASTRACK ON FAST TRACK (and plans to set up an additional 36 stores to have 50 outlets by Apr 2010).
January 31, 2010... Fastrack, the eye-wear and time-wear brand from Titan Industries Ltd has launched four stores at Hyderabad, Nashik and New Delhi taking its retail footprint to 14. It plans to set up an additional 36 stores to have 50 outlets by Apr 2010.

BIG CINEMAS OPENS MULTIPLEX IN MALAYSIA, HITS 500-SCREEN MILESTONE (and plans to set up an additional 100 screens in 2010-2011).
January 31, 2010... Big Cinemas of Reliance Media Works Ltd has reached the 500- screen mark by launching its multiplex at Kedah in Malaysia. The company operates 240 screens across 75 cities in India while the remaining is spread across 40 locations worldwide....

SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE ACQUISITION OF DT CINEMAS: PVR (will issue 25.57 lakh shares each to DT Cinema and Major Cineplex Group of Thailand).
January 31, 2010... The shareholders of the multiplex major PVR have approved the acquisition of DT Cinemas of the DLF group. The proposal to issue 25.57 lakh shares each to DT Cinema and Major Cineplex Group of Thailand has also been approved. With this, PVR will...

SUBWAY PLANS 100 MORE OUTLETS BY END OF 2010 (to increase its reach across India).
January 31, 2010... Subway Systems India Private Ltd proposes to increase the number of its outlets by 100 to 250 across 29 cities in India by end of 2010 to increase its reach across India. Now, the company has a network of 150 restaurants across 25 cities in India.