Loan moratorium cannot be extended: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court (SC), on Tuesday, refused to extend the six-month loan moratorium period offered by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last year, saying that it is a ‘policy decision’ on the part of the Central government and RBI. The SC also said that a complete waiver of interest during the moratorium period could not be granted, as banks have to pay interest to account holders and pensioners. The court directed that no compound or penal interest will be charged from borrowers for the moratorium period. Banks can now start declaring their non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans.
On March 27, 2020, the RBI had announced a moratorium on loan installments due between March 1 and May 31 and later extended it by three months till August 31, 2020.
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Adani Ports to acquire 58% stake in Gangavaram Port for Rs 3,604 crore
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (ASPEZ) will acquire a 58.1% stake held by DVS Raju and his family in Gangavaram Port Limited (GPL). The cost of the acquisition is Rs 3,604 crore. On March 3, ASPEZ had announced the acquisition of Warburg Pincus’s 31.5% stake in GPL. After the completion of both transactions, ASPEZ will hold an 89.6% stake in GPL. GPL is located in the northern part of Andhra Pradesh and has a capacity of 64 million metric tonnes (MMT).
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Mahindra Defence to make armoured tactical vehicles for Indian army
Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd (MDSL) has secured a contract worth Rs 1,056 crore to manufacture and supply armoured tactical vehicles for the Indian Army for its weapon carrier requirements. The light specialist vehicles (LSVs) have undergone rigorous and elaborate trial procedures carried out by the Indian Army in different terrains. The induction of LSVs is said to be completed within four years. MDSL is a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
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Allana Group acquires 1% stake in LT Foods for Rs 20 crore
Processed food manufacturer Allana Group said it has pickled a 1% stake in LT Foods Limited for Rs 20 crore. Both companies have plans to use their synergies and technology transfer to expand LT Foods’ consumer products business to focus on value-added and impulse products. LT Foods is a leading player in the rice market with leading brands like Daawat, Royal, and Devayya. The company has established a network in over 65 countries.
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Cipla’s subsidiary partners with SIGA Technologies to develop novel antibiotics
Cipla Limited said its subsidiary, Cipla Therapeutics, has partnered with US-based SIGA Technologies to develop novel antibiotics. The partnership is aimed at making Cipla’s novel antibiotics available to the US government as part of preparations against biological threats. The strategic partnership will deliver sustained innovation and access to novel anti-bacterial drugs, particularly against biothreats.
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Govt to raise Rs 755 crore by selling 15% stake in RVNL
The Central government will raise nearly Rs 755 crore by selling its 15% stake in Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) through an offer for sale (OFS). The floor price for the OFS has been fixed at Rs 27.50 per share. The issue will open on Wednesday for non-retail investors and on Thursday for retail investors. The Centre’s shareholding in RVNL will decline to 74.67% after the stake sale.
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HG Infra receives provisional completion certificate for road project in Maharashtra
HG Infra Engineering has received a provisional completion certificate from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for a road project in Maharashtra. The project consisted of four-laning the Bhandara- Khat-Ghotitok Junction section (NH-7, NH-547E) in Maharashtra on an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) mode. The NHAI had declared the project fit for entry into operation as of February 29, 2020.
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Bharti Airtel’s Africa unit to sell 1,421 towers to Helios for $108 million
Bharti Airtel’s Africa unit (Airtel Africa) has signed a pact with Helios Towers Plc to sell 1,229 towers in Madagascar and Malawai for $108 million (~Rs 782 crore). Airtel Africa Plc will also build 195 sites across the two regions over the next three years for $11 million (~Rs 79.72 crore). These sites will be handed over to Helios Towers upon completion. The transactions are expected to close in or around Q4 of calendar year 2021.
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Glenmark Pharma gets USFDA approval for diltiazem hydrochloride capsules
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said it has received final approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for diltiazem hydrochloride extended‐release (ER) capsules. The product is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. As per IQVIA data, the generic version of the capsules had sales of approximately $56.7 million (~Rs 410.75 crore) for the 12 months ended January 2021.
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Trident partners with California-based Kathy Ireland Worldwide
Trident Limited said it has further strengthened its brand portfolio with the recent addition of the “Kathy Ireland” brand. The company has entered into a licensing agreement with California-based Kathy Ireland Worldwide Inc. As per the agreement, Trident will have the right to use the “Kathy Ireland” trademark under its range of home textile products. The collection will also be included in Trident’s rapidly expanding e-commerce business.
Alkem Labs partners with Tata Memorial Centre
Alkem Laboratories has partnered with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) for establishing an advanced radiotherapy facility in Muzaffarpur and to set up three mini cancer centers in Bihar. These centers will connect cancer patients of Buxar, Jehanabad, and Bhagalpur districts by telemedicine to Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Muzaffarpur. The centers will also work with the district administration on community activities such as cancer awareness and screening.
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