Maharatna status for PSUs

Industry
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Government is considering giving ‘maharatna’ status to big PSUs to provide them greater freedom to take strategic decisions in key areas of investment and mergers and acquisitions.

The plan to create the ‘maharatna’ group among the so-called ‘navaratna’ companies is part of the 100-day agenda of the ministry of heavy industries and public enterprise.

Currently 18 ‘navratna’ companies have financial autonomy to invest up to one thousand crore rupees in setting up joint ventures or subsidiaries abroad and freedom to decide on merger and acquisitions without the government permission.

Residential property becomes cheaper

Home Loan
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Residential property prices are expected to fall by about 10% this year. Residential property rates declined by 18% to 20% in this March. Despite this drop, buyers are watching market scenario with ‘wait and watch’ policy. This trend is likely to continue through 2009. Mr. Sudhir Nair, Head, CRISIL Research says, “Demand in the commercial and retail segment is likely to remain under stress for the next two years owing to excess supply and weak off take.”

It is believed that lower home loan interest rates would help to revive demand in the residential segment. Hence, capital values are likely to stabilise in the first half of 2010, and increase during the second half of the year.