Mumbai

Bank Employees Begin Strike Today

Aug. 6 – Employees of India’s private, overseas and state banks numbering more than 900,000 will begin their two-day strike today. An estimated 26 state-run banks, 10 private banks and eight foreign banks will be affected when its workers join the strike organized by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). “We seek expedition of […]

First Sea Bridge Now Open in Mumbai

Jul. 1 – India’s first open sea one was inaugurated last Tuesday by ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is named after Ms. Gandhi’s deceased husband and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. It is the country’s longest bridge at 5.6 kilometers with an eight-lane capacity that shortens time between Bandra and […]

India Releases New Anti-Competition Laws

By Vikas Srivastava May 25 – The Indian government has announced the changes to the Competition Act of India dealing with anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance. The details of how the changes affect Indian M&A have yet to be ratified, although it is expected to be brought into law later this year. To strengthen […]

Farewell To Mumbai’s Premier Padmini

MUMBAI, Apr. 20 – The ubiquitous Premier Padmini, the tiny black taxi derived from the 1957 Fiat 1200, is to be phased out. The Bombay High Court ruled last week that taxis over 25 years old must be taken off the road by the end of the year. The ruling comes a year later than […]

India’s Commercial Capital Mumbai Attacked By Terrorists

For the most recent updates visit 2point6billion.com.

Nov. 27 – Terrorist’s attacked 10 prime landmarks in Mumbai at 10 pm local time last night killing at least 100 people and wounding over 900 others. Prominent amongst those shot down are chief of the anti-terror squad Hemant Karkare, Mumbai’s additional commissioner of police (east) Ashok Kamte and encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar.

A group called the Deccan Mujahideen, have claimed responsibility for the attack, however it is yet to be ascertained to which terrorist outfit they belong. Reports state that the terrorists are targeting foreigners in the city. Besides attacking prominent tourist hot spots such as the Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Towers and Leopolds café in South Mumbai the terrorists reportedly asked guests in these hotels for British and American passport holders. Adding to the panic, hospitals including Cama hospital and Bombay Hospital as well as Mumbai’s largest railway station, the CST station and the Municipal Corporation headquarters have also been attacked.

Goa Tries to Prevent Foreigners from Buying Illegal land

Nov. 7 – Sun, sea and cheap land are attracting many westerners to buy illegal land from organised land mafia's along the golden beaches of Goa. Located just south of Mumbai, foreigners flock to the ideallic beaches of Goa, for a holiday, many later decide to stay on in what was formerly a portuguese colony.

According to Indian law, foreigners are free to buy real estate, but within limits: Any money invested in the country must stay in India, and for the first year, buyers must be in residence more than 182 days and file income tax.

India Eases Foreign Fund Investment Rules to Woo Cash

Oct. 7 – In order to encourage foreign inflows into India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), India's capital market regulator lifted curbs on indirect investment notes by foreign funds to spur inflows into a battered stock market. SEBI initiated the change to stem record sales by offshore funds that have triggered a 42 percent slide in the benchmark index this year, Bloomberg reported.

A requirement forcing investors to register in India before buying shares and limits on offshore derivatives that were imposed in October will be lifted with immediate effect, C.B. Bhave, chairman of the Securities & Exchange Board of India, told reporters after a board meeting in Mumbai.

General Motors to Invest US$200 Million in India

Aug. 29 – Riding on India's automotive high, General Motors Corp said it would invest more than US$200 million in a plant for car engines in India.

The facility, which will be located in Talegaon in western Maharashtra state, will be GM's second vehicle plant in India and will have an annual capacity of 160,000 units that can be expanded to 300,000 units, Reuters reported. The plant will make petrol and diesel engines and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2010.