Connect with us
Wednesday,26-November-2025
Breaking News

Business

BPCL cooking gas customers to continue getting subsidy, post privatisation

Published

on

LPG-cylinders

Sell-off bound Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has created a separate platform for its cooking gas operations that runs government’s subsidised LPG cylinder scheme where subsidy amount is transferred directly into the accounts of consumers.

Creation of separate platform was mandated as part of the sell-off process to ring fence the new owners from this subsidy scheme that could function uninterrupted with government transferring subsidy to consumers even after privatisation of the BPCL.

The government is selling its entire 52.97 per cent shareholding in BPCL to a strategic investor. There were doubts among potential bidders how the subsidised cooking gas scheme would be run post the management of BPCL getting transferred to new private sector owners. If companies were to take the tab of subsidy, it would alter the valuation of BPCL.

It has now been decided that cooking gas customers will continue receiving subsidy into their bank accounts post privatisation of PSU oil refiner. The government has clarified that the present system where the oil companies pay the subsidy amount and the government reimbursed such payments would continue.

Creation of a separate platform would help keep subsidised cooking gas operation separate. This will allow identification of beneficiaries and transfer of subsidy without the scheme creating confusion for new owners.

The LPG price for cooking for consumers under PAHAL is subsidized by the government wherein the subsidy quantum given to the PAHAL (Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh) consumers by way of DBT, is the difference between the market-determined price and the subsidized price.

Private oil companies such as Reliance, Nayara Energy do not get any subsidy support from the government for cooking gas. So if these companies were to sell domestic LPG cylinders, it would be priced at market rates.

The government has allocated Rs 12,995 crore as petroleum subsidy for FY-22, a drastic cut over Rs 40,000 crore provided in the previous year.

With regard to BPCL, the government hopes to invite price bids from prospective investors soon. Besides Vedanta Group, two American funds – Apollo Global and I Squared Capital – have submitted their expressions of interest (EoI) for BPCL.

Business

Revanth Reddy urges PM Modi to declare Bengaluru-Hyderabad as defence & aerospace corridor

Published

on

Hyderabad, Nov 26: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, on Wednesday, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare Bengaluru-Hyderabad as a defence and aerospace corridor.

The Chief Minister said this during the inauguration of the French aerospace major Safran’s largest MRO centre for the CFM International LEAP engines in Hyderabad.

The Chief Minister stated that declaring Bengaluru-Hyderabad as a defence and aerospace corridor will contribute to Viksit Bharat.

The Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI) facility at the GMR AeroPark (SEZ) near Shamshabad will be operational in 2026.

The Chief Minister congratulated Safran for choosing Hyderabad for a big investment and thanked it for its trust and continued partnership with Telangana.

He stated that this new facility marks an important milestone for Telangana’s growth in the aerospace and defence sector.

Revanth Reddy noted that this is the first-ever Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre for LEAP engines in India. Set up with an investment of ₹1,300 crore, the centre will employ over 1,000 skilled technicians and engineers, while also generating new business opportunities for local MSMEs and precision engineering firms, he said.

He said that the foundation stone was also laid today for Safran’s M88 Military Engine MRO, which will support both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.

The Chief Minister emphasised that Hyderabad has emerged as a major aerospace and defence hub, home to more than 25 major global companies and over 1,500 MSMEs. He added that Telangana’s progressive industrial and MSME policies are ranked among the best in India.

He said that Hyderabad’s world-class infrastructure, aerospace parks and SEZs continue to attract mega investments from leading global companies, making the city a top choice for highly complex precision engineering projects.

He noted that Hyderabad is already a preferred destination for companies such as Safran, Boeing, Airbus, Tata, and Bharat Forge for manufacturing and R&D activities, and has become one of India’s leading MRO and aero-engine hubs.

The Chief Minister highlighted that Telangana’s aerospace and defence exports doubled last year, reaching ₹30,742 crore in just nine months, surpassing the state’s pharma exports for the first time.

He also mentioned that Telangana has consistently won the Best State Award for Aerospace from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

He underscored that skilling is a key factor in attracting aerospace investments. Telangana has upgraded 100 Industrial Training Institutes into Advanced Technology Centres in partnership with Tata Technologies, ensuring youth are job-ready for advanced manufacturing.

He added that the Young India Skills University is offering specialised training in aircraft maintenance and invited Safran to be a lead partner in aerospace and MRO skilling initiatives.

Reaffirming Telangana’s commitment to supporting partners like Safran with world-class infrastructure, the Chief Minister spoke about the upcoming Bharat Future City, being developed across 30,000 acres as a planned, fully green, net-zero global destination – India’s answer to New York, Tokyo, Dubai and Singapore.

He extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to attend the ‘Telangana Rising 2047 – Global Summit’ at Bharat Future City on December 8 and 9, where the state’s long-term vision will be unveiled. Telangana aims to become a $1 trillion economy by 2035 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047.

Continue Reading

Business

Sensex, Nifty open higher on global optimism

Published

on

Mumbai, Nov 26: Indian share markets opened higher on Wednesday, supported by strong global cues.

The Sensex rose 260 points, or 0.31 per cent, to 84,847, while the Nifty gained 88 points, or 0.34 per cent, to trade at 25,973 during early trading session.

“The Nifty continues to remain range-bound, with resistance placed around 26,000–26,050 and near-term support at 25,750–25,800 ; a zone that may attract accumulation if tested,” analysts said.

“Fresh long positions can be considered once the Nifty convincingly crosses 26,100–26,130, while keeping a close watch on global cues and key technical levels,” market watchers added.

Global markets have been rallying for the third straight day as investors grow optimistic about a possible US Federal Reserve rate cut in December 2025.

This positive sentiment helped lift domestic equities as well.

Several major stocks led the gains on the Sensex, including Tata Motors PV, Trent, Adani Ports, Tata Steel, L&T, Ultratech Cement, Infosys, Maruti Suzuki, ICICI Bank and Tech Mahindra.

On the other hand, Bharti Airtel, Hindustan Unilever, and TCS were the only stocks that declined in early trade.

Broader markets also edged higher. The Nifty MidCap index climbed 0.53 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap index advanced 0.79 per cent — showing strong interest from investors across the board.

Among sectors, metals were leading the market rally. The Nifty Metal index jumped 1.7 per cent.

PSU banks, IT, financial services, and private banks also saw gains of up to 0.8 per cent, contributing to the overall positive market mood.

Analysts said that the best strategy for retail investors is to refrain from trading and slowly accumulate fairy-valued high quality growth stocks which will be available at attractive valuations due to heightened volatility.

Continue Reading

Business

Sensex, Nifty end lower over monthly Futures and Options expiry

Published

on

Mumbai, Nov 25: Indian stock markets ended in the red on Tuesday as traders reacted to the monthly expiry of Nifty futures and options contracts for the November series.

The Sensex closed 313.7 points lower at 84,587.01, a decline of 0.37 per cent. The Nifty also slipped, ending 74.7 points or 0.29 per cent down at 25,884.8.

“On the Nifty options front for the upcoming weekly expiry on December 2, significant call buildup was recorded at the 26,000 and 26,200 strike levels, while on the put side, notable additions were seen at the 26,000 and 25,500,” experts said.

Among key stocks on the Sensex, Trent, Tata Motors PV, HCLTech, Infosys and Power Grid were the top losers.

On the other hand, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), State Bank of India (SBI), Tata Steel and Eternal were among the major gainers.

Sector performance was mixed. The Nifty Realty index gained 1.62 per cent, making it the best-performing sector of the day, while Nifty PSU Bank rose 1.44 per cent.

However, Nifty IT fell 0.57 per cent and Nifty Media dropped 0.80 per cent.

Broader markets were more resilient than the frontline indices. The Nifty Midcap 100 index gained 0.36 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 added 0.19 per cent — showing continued buying interest in mid- and small-cap stocks.

Market experts said the expiry-related volatility and profit booking weighed on benchmarks, while select sectors continued to see fresh inflows ahead of December trading sessions.

“Caution prevailed as investors awaited clarity on a possible rate cut in the upcoming FOMC meeting and progress on the Indo-US trade deal, despite some improving signals,” analysts said.

They added that selling pressure is visible near the 26,000 level, though downside appears limited given strong domestic fundamentals, including a solid earnings outlook for H2.

“PSU banks and real estate stocks outperformed, supported by a strong revival in home loan demand and rising market share for PSU banks,” analysts mentioned.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending