NATIONAL No revision of petrol and diesel prices: Aiyar Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today (March 31, 2005) ruled out any revision in petrol and diesel prices until the Cabinet discusses the issue.
'20 States will implement VAT from April 1st 2005' Unfazed by traders' agitation and reluctance of eight major States on Value-added Tax (VAT), the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers today (March 31, 2005) said 20 States were switching over to the new regime from tomorrow (April 1, 2005).
Talisma Corp buys out KnowledgeBase.net in B'lore IT CRM product firm Talisma Corp today (March 31, 2005) said it has acquired knowledge management software hosting firm KnowledgeBase.net for an undisclosed amount.
Virgin Airways looks at more Indian destinations After the launch of three flights a week from London to Mumbai three days ago, Virgin Atlantic Airways is now hoping it would get more flights to India during the next round of bilateral talks between the British and Indian Governments early next month.
BSE: Sensex jumps by 111 points; ends at 6492.82 Led by IT sector, the Sensex today (March 31, 2005) spurted by 111 points to end at 6492.82 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on a fresh round of buying spree from domestic mutual funds as well as operators, extending the gains to second straight session.
BITS & RIT to set up research centre in Bangalore Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) and New York-based Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) today (Mar 31, 2005) said that they are setting up an applied research centre in Bangalore to offer professionals in the semiconductor industry advanced skills in high end areas of the industry.
LIC employees go on strike for higher pay package A major section of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) employees went on strike today (Mar 31, 2005) to press for higher pay package, even as the country's largest insurer kept its offices open.
Sensex rallies smartly; up 73 pts in morning trade The Sensex today (Mar 31, 2005) rallied sharply during morning trading and was quoted 73 points up at 10:30 hrs (IST) on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on selective buying support from domestic mutual funds and operators.
VAT: LPG distributors threaten strike from April 15 The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distributors yesterday (Mar 30, 2005) threatened to go on strike from April 15 in case LPG is not taken out of Value Added Tax (VAT).
Deccan, Kingfisher ink pact not to poach others HR Following growing competition among private airlines, low cost carrier Deccan Aviation and liquor baron Vijay Mallya promoted Kingfisher Airlines have agreed not to "poach on one another's Human Resources (HR) and instead help each other".
Trade Bandh against VAT continues for second day The nationwide Trade Bandh extended to two more States- Karnataka and Tripura on the second day as traders were unrelenting in their demand for a roll back of the Value Added Tax (VAT) coming into force tomorrow (April 1, 2005).
INTERNATIONAL 'Impact of tsunami, quake in India is manageable' The economic cost of the tsunami disaster for India and reconstruction and disaster relief appear 'manageable', the International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff report has said.
