Delhi Metro claims carbon credits

Earned: By Delhi Metro, carbon credits, making it the first railway project in the world to do so. The United Nations has registered the Metro (guided largely by Managing Director E. Sridharan, pictured alongside) under the clean development mechansim, enabling it to claim carbon credits.

Surged: To $14.2 billion (Rs 56,800 crore), venture capital and private equity investments into India in 2007, through 390 deals, compared to $7.5 billion (Rs 30,000 crore) and 299 deals in 2006. According to Venture Intelligence India, VC investments (seed, early stage and growth capital) accounted for $560 million across 100 deals in 2007.

Increased: To 3.5 per cent, the inflation rate for the week ended December 22, from 3.45 per cent in the previous week, on account of higher prices of food items such as bread and buns as well as industrial fuel. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram says food prices remain a cause of concern even as the prices of other items are under control.

Launched: By Monster Worldwide Inc., the parent company of Monster.com, the global employment portal, a short message service (SMS)-based job search application in India. The user can type free text such as “jobs brand manager Delhi” and SMS to 53030 in India. He will instantly receive the top three job matches.

Scrapped: By the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), entry loads on direct mutual fund applications. However, applications routed through distributors, agents or brokers will still have to bear the charge. The waiver is applicable to investments in existing schemes from January 4 and to schemes launched on or after the date.

Extended: By the government, the term of the Investment Commission, headed by Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata, till December 31, 2009. The Commission was set up to attract domestic and foreign investment in sectors where there is a paucity of funds. The panel has already recommended measures to attract $30 billion (Rs 1,20,000 crore) investments in key areas.