Why Powergrid is going for FPO ?

Powergrid Corporation acknowledged that its decision to go in for a 15% follow-on equity offering (FPO) is arguably contrary to its stance in recent investor interactions, wherein it has indicated: 1) the need for fresh equity is not envisaged in its base case business scenario, and 2) a firm decision on the issue would be taken after examining the FY15-19
regulatory returns regime to be finalized by regulator.

Investment opportunities are growing, all of which would cumulatively require a sizeable equity infusion – in the past few weeks PWGR has won a bid-based project (more…)

Cement Companies Found Guilty of Caretalisation by CCI – Corrupt Govt Slept with Companies ?

AS the Government went into Paralysis with Scams and massive Corruption in every nook and corner of the country, Regulators became super active. Thanks to the Honorable Supreme Court of India delivering Landmark judgement in Telecom Spectrum Scam which gave a big boost to other Lower Courts and other Institutions to deliver Justice without any fear or greed.

A year ago, we had published the dark side of Union Minister KamalNath openly demanding his cut in awarding Highway Tenders. During his regime as Commerce Minister (more…)

Mr FM Pranab – How many more Monsoons do you need to Cool WPI ?

India’s headline inflation rate (Wholesale Price Index, WPI) accelerated to 7.23% YoY in April 2012, compared to 6.89% YoY in March 2012. The acceleration in headline inflation was driven by higher food inflation, which was in turn driven by higher prices of vegetables and oilseeds. The final inflation data for February 2012, was revised higher to 7.36% YoY from 6.95% YoY reported earlier.

Food articles moved substantially higher to 10.5% from 9.9% last month, due to an upturn in vegetables, pulses, and cereals. Manufactured FOOD prices edged higher to 6.5% in April from 5.9% the previous month.

Non-Food Articles were back (more…)

Rise of Regulators in India – Competition Commission of India

In our recent report, on the emergence of United States of India, we had written about the rise of Regulatory Powers to Curb Corruption at High Places including Central Government Ministries. We’d like to prove one such point involving the Food Corporation of India which for over 8 years bought Supplies from 3 companies and everybody from the Food and Civil Supplies Ministry to the CEO of the company were hand in Glove in the operation.

CCI – Competition Commission of India – IN CCI’s report dated 23 April 2012, (more…)

Will Mamata Pull the Chain on Ambitious Railway Budget ?

The Railway Budget has adequately addressed the ongoing financial woes with revenue-enhancing measures. The passenger fare hikes come on the back of freight rate hikes on March 6, 2012. The rail budget can be considered non-populist and is a reflection of the intensely tight fiscal conditions facing the governments in general and is reflected in the fact that the passenger fare hike (10% to 12%) has happened after a long gap of 8 years.

Rail budget sets ambitious targets (more…)

Petronet LNG + GAIL India – Bright Fortunes

Petronet LNG (PLNG) is the largest LNG re-gasifier in India. The company has a unique risk-free business model, generating revenues by charging re-gasification margins. Its supply and demand side risks are hedged through a long-term sourcing contract from Ras-Gas Qatar and off take contracts from three of its heavyweight promoters – GAIL, IOCL, and BPCL.

A massive impetus in US shale gas production recently has plugged the country’s demand-supply gap. With US LNG imports dipping (more…)