Cover Story
- Recent changes in income tax laws and filing process may have perplexed many taxpayers, but here is help at hand.
How HUL Got Its Mojo Back
Chairman and MD Sanjiv Mehta seeks to reinvent HUL as a future-ready corporation that can juggle heterogeneous markets successfully."I look for opportunities in a challenge"
Taking over businesses in challenging circumstances and turning them around is nothing new for Hindustan Unilever Chairman & MD Sanjiv Mehta. In a conversation with Prosenjit Datta and Ajita Shashidhar, Mehta talks about how he turned the slow-growing Indian operations into India's highest valued FMCG major. Edited excerpts:
Home Goal
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has doubled import duty to 20 per cent on over 50 textile items - mainly garments - to protect the domestic industry. At least, that is the stated intent. India's sugar stockpile is at a record high, after a good monsoon and a bumper crop in 2017/18. New capital with new management is good news for private banks. The first quarter of this fiscal ended on a cheery note for the domestic IT industry's Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) vertical. The Bengaluru-based B2B firm offers an AI-powered speech recognition system for major Indian languages. India's electric vehicle story is imploding at an alarming rate. In the last few years retail banking, especially mortgages, and personal loans, have proved a saviour for the banking industry. At the beginning of the year, India's macros seemed to be in good shape, but numbers now tell a dismal tale. The EU's stringent data privacy rules are affecting digital marketers but provide an excellent opportunity to build trust. Over the past two-three years, India Post has been increasing revenues from non-traditional sectors such as e-commerce or value-added services. The joint venture with German Giant Thyssenkrupp AG in early July was expected to serve as a rescue line for Tata Steel Europe. The UGC will be replaced with the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) that will deal only with academic co-ordination, determination, and maintenance of the standards of university education.
Beyond Fitness
Unlike other fitness bands with proprietary chargers, GOQii Vital has a built-in USB that can be plugged into an adapter or a laptop. With thin bezels and a notch at the top, the front features a 6.2 inch display that is sharp and super bright with full HD-plus resolution. The pursuit of excellence could be daunting but the actionable guidelines will encourage people and organisations not to give up.The Classic & The Contemporary
From splendidly crafted items to stylish workwear and more. Wireless security cameras are easy to instal and provide access to live feed without costing a bomb. Microbes can be used in large quantities to convert light into energy, even under overcast skies. Acute stress could trigger hypertension, cardiovascular conditions or diabetes.
The Bitter Truth
Sugar sector is in a bear cycle. Wait for some more correction before bottom-fishing.
Start Early To Win The Race
In spite of costly personal loans and zero equity exposure, the Sharma family is ready to get in the groove, says Financial Planner Pankaaj Maalde. Savvy investors seeking tailor-made services drive growth in the portfolio management segment. Managing your money can be tricky. Send your queries, and top-notch industry leaders will help you resolve any issue. Deadline For Aadhaar-PAN Linking Extended; e-PAN Can Be Generated Instantly
RBI Rate Hike May Not Hurt Real Estate Growth
Vinay Sah, MD and CEO of LIC Housing Finance (LIC HFL), talks to Naveen Kumar on the latest developments in the housing finance industry and the performance of the company as one of the significant NBFC players in this segment.
Keeping Track Always
AI-powered, personalised 'digital drugs' are a reality now in health interventions."Higher MSP will not distort market prices"
The NDA regime has announced a steep increase in minimum support price for 14 kharif crops. The question is, will this mitigate the mounting rural distress? Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh walks Business Today through his blueprint for increased procurement and distribution.Why Governments Continue To Fail
A balanced execution agenda is the key to translating mission and policy into operational terms at all levels. Social networking in India gets a regional flavour. Why alternative investment funds are gaining traction with wealthy Indians. The government's attempt to sell Air India has failed but its broad public asset management strategy is showing results.
The Pathology Of Regulation
Easier accreditation critical for laboratories.Single Speciality Makes Its Mark
The scalable model means much faster break-even. Most leading hospitals are struggling to make profits. At the same time, new formats, specialties and technology assisted ventures are coming up with a promise of transforming the sector. Ayushman Bharat can do to healthcare what GST is expected to do to India's indirect tax regime. But there are challenges, too. Diagnostic tests have moved beyond identifying the ailment and are now guiding doctors on the line of treatment to follow. India's $160 billion healthcare ecosystem is undergoing unprecedented shift.
