All stories by Shine Jacob
Will HPCL, too, get the coveted Maharatna status?
Rediff.com11 Mar 2019If cleared, the ONGC arm will become the first subsidiary company of an existing Maharatna to get into this superior league among government-owned entities.
World's largest greenfield refinery may finally see the daylight
Rediff.com11 Mar 2019Estimated to cost $44 billion, the project was expected to be commissioned by 2025.
What is the controversy over Vande Bharat all about?
Rediff.com7 Mar 2019The Railway Board and employees at Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, makers of the train, are at loggerheads over the proposed transfer of design and reassigning the manufacturing of Train 18 to Modern Coach Factory in Raebareli.
Industries, airports near border on alert for war-like emergency
Rediff.com27 Feb 2019State governments in Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir are on high alert and have come up with contingency plans to ensure the security of residents in case of a war.
How Vijayan came to be known as 'firm leader'
Rediff.com5 Feb 2019Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has graduated from being a stalwart of the CPM to a 'strong' mass leader and arguably the 'most able administrator' that the state has seen in over three decades, reports Shine Jacob.
Oil PSUs may be allowed by Modi govt to bring in private players
Rediff.com18 Jan 2019The government was planning to come up with a new fiscal model giving 'special incentives' for fields that were given out on nomination to ONGC and Oil India, reports Shine Jacob.
Despite likely budgetary cut, railways eyes biggest ever capex of Rs 1.7 tn
Rediff.com3 Jan 2019The Centre is likely to cut budgetary support to the railways by around Rs 5,000-10,000 crore for 2018-19, out of the total budgeted GBS of Rs 53,060 crore. Due to this cut in GBS, the railways is likely to depend more on borrowings, asset monetisation, and internal generation to meet the capex target of Rs 1.465 trillion for the current year.
Petrol, diesel prices likely to go up again
Rediff.com11 Dec 2018CARE Ratings, in a report, said it foresees an increase in the retail prices of petrol and diesel in the coming few days, depending on how the oil markets react in the reduction in supply from the cartel.
Railways to try out new signalling system
Rediff.com24 Nov 2018Electronic devices installed along tracks provide train signals to a computer fitted in the locomotive. If a driver goes over the designated speed, a dashboard in front of him gives a red alert sign at first. Even after this, if the train continues its journey, the train's brake is automatically applied.
Railways to foray into education, convert hospitals to colleges
Rediff.com17 Nov 2018Railway hospitals will offer postgraduate courses for medical students.
Why is Iran crude so important for India?
Rediff.com14 Nov 2018One of the major advantages of buying Iran crude is the additional credit period of 90 days that the country gives to India, compared to 30 days by other countries.
Why it's not going to be a smooth ride for private oil retailers
Rediff.com9 Nov 2018As fuel prices surged in September, the government's decision to ask companies to cut price by Rs1 each on a litre of petrol and diesel came as a dampner for private players.
Indian Railways to get special track for high-speed trials
Rediff.com7 Nov 2018As the national transporter is planning to come out with semi-high speed routes where trains can clock an average speed of 160-200 kmph, dedicated testing becomes essential.
Sabarimala gives BJP a foot in Kerala's door
Rediff.com30 Oct 2018The saffron party will use Lord Ayyappa the same way it made use of Lord Ram in the north to take away the Nair vote and make electoral inroads in the state.
Private players may now enter India's fuel retailing space
Rediff.com23 Oct 2018At present, India has 56,999 fuel outlets. Of those, only 6,276 are owned by private companies
Oil import bill for FY19 seen rising 42%
Rediff.com23 Oct 2018The benchmark Indian crude oil basket is now estimated to average $77.88 a barrel for FY19, compared to the government's earlier estimate of $65 a barrel for the year and $56.39 for FY18
EXPLAINED! How runaway fuel prices affect Indian economy
Rediff.com21 Sep 2018The Central government is stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea as far as the runaway fuel prices are concerned.
The Indian tycoon who sparked talk of UAE aid
Rediff.com29 Aug 2018For many, he is the Dhirubhai Ambani of Kerala. For others, he is the most influential Indian in West Asia. M A Yusuff is back in the spotlight after the controversy surrounding the UAE's reported offer of a Rs 7 billion aid package for flood-hit Kerala.
Why petroleum dealers are angry with the Modi govt
Rediff.com27 Aug 2018The dealers are protesting against the use of petrol pumps for government campaigns and seeking of personal data of over a million people working there
Railways won't roll back dynamic pricing for premium trains
Rediff.com22 Aug 2018Looking into the flexi-fare scheme in Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains introduced in September 2016, the CAG stated that occupancy in all classes except the sleeper class in Duronto decreased.