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Tag: Narendra Modi

  • CNBC-TV18’s Shereen Bhan talks business before Budget 2014

    CNBC-TV18’s Shereen Bhan talks business before Budget 2014

    MUMBAI: She is the most familiar face of Indian business news channel, providing investors and corporate India with insights about the dynamics of Indian economy and financial markets.  

     

    CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan, who anchors and produces several shows such as Young Turks, India Business Hour and Power Turks, is neck deep in work with the rail budget already announced and one day to go for the much awaited maiden budget to be presented by the new Narendra Modi led BJP government at the helm.

     

    While most channels are looking at concentrating on one aspect, Bhan says that their perspective will be a 360 degree angle one. “The key question we will be asking is if the budget will be able to deliver. There will be a sharp focus on market reactions, the stance taken by other countries giving India a thumbs up and about investment in domestic capital. We will analyse the long term and short term ideas the government has as well as the reforms that will be taken up to revive the economy. We will also look at how the fiscal deficit can be improved by the new government. While the analysis will primarily be on the domestic economy, we will also look at the budget from a political angle and try to draw political reactions.”

     

    The guest line-up includes India’s corporate giants like HDFC Bank chairman Deepak Parekh, HSBC India country head Naina Lal Kidwai, Godrej chairman Adi Godrej, Kotak Mahindra vice chairman Uday Kotak, GVK vice chairman Sanjay Reddy, TPG Growth India chairman Manish Chokhani and Helios Capital founder and fund manager Samir Arora. Foreign investors and rating agencies will also give their take on the budget.

     

    To get a political perspective political parties like BJP, Congress, TMC, CPI (M) and leaders such as Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sitaram Yechury will be on air.

     

    Bhan, who will be on air right from morning 8 am till late night, will be tracking foreign direct investment in the news sector and reforms in the capital markets and infrastructure sector.

  • CNBC TV-18 presents 360 degree budget special

    CNBC TV-18 presents 360 degree budget special

    MUMBAI: We are just one day away from the new BJP government’s first and most crucial decision making exercise- Budget 2014. With much hope riding on it, questions are being asked as to whether Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi will stand true to the things he had promised while he was contesting the elections.

     

    A channel that has made its presence felt since the last 14 years has lined up some interesting shows for pre budget and post budget sessions. CNBC TV-18 managing editor Shereen Bhan will host Meet the Ministers where she has been speaking to various cabinet ministers to know about their priorities for the upcoming year, most specifically finance and commerce ministers. What India Inc. Wants will analyse the business fraternity’s expectations from the Modi budget.

     

    Dalal Street’s big names will discuss the upcoming budget in What Markets Want while the big names from the FIIs and MNCs will reveal their hopes and aspirations from the new political centre and its effect on business through The Global Investor View. Some other shows include Fiscal State, Taxing Times, The Development Agenda, Budget & You and Sectoral Budget Expectations.

     

    These special shows will be accompanied by the channel’s existing shows that will have budget specials such as Young Turks, Indianomics, Forbes India Show and others.

     

    Ground events are being conducted with big names from CNBC TV-18. Shereen Bhan will host Budget Agenda while Network18 business newsroom editor-in-chief Senthil Chengalvarayan will host What India Wants to collate a macro perspective on India Inc.’s expectations. What Markets Want will have leading market and financial experts analysing what the masses and the capital markets expect from the budget. Investor Conclave, Young India and The Verdict are two more ongoing shows.

     

    Commenting on the budget programming, CNBC channels CEO Anil Uniyal said, “We are happy to set a new benchmark this year as well, with tri-lingual coverage for the first time in English, Hindi and Gujarati. This year’s budget is especially critical, as the new government has to fulfill electoral expectations of reform and development. Our special budget programming anchored by India’s finest editorial minds will bring viewers the best analysis of the challenges faced by the new Finance Minister and his decisions that will impact industry.”

     

    10 July will have live coverage of the budget through the day with bulletins and specials such as India Business Hour- Budget Special and on 11 July, breakfast shows on CNBC TV-18 will analyse the impact of the budget and a follow up show that will look into how the budget announcements will affect the common man’s investments.

     

    Sponsors for the shows include Llloyd Electrics, RPSG, askme.com, F6 Finserve, Muthoot Corp, State Bank of India.

     

    CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan said, “With a keen finger on the pulse of India Inc’s expectations and indications from the street, CNBC-TV18 is poised to present another defining season of budget coverage. Through a panorama of special programming and initiatives focusing on budget expectations, analysis and impact, CNBC-TV18 will once again ensure specialised coverage with the most breadth and depth, in the run up to and on budget day.”

  • Esha Media Research sees surge in demand of Railway Budget 2014 news clips

    Esha Media Research sees surge in demand of Railway Budget 2014 news clips

    KOLKATA: As the Union Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda started presenting his maiden Rail Budget in Lok Sabha on 8 July, Esha Media Research, a media monitoring and research company, saw an increase in inquiries, seeking news clips of the Railway Budget.

     

    The enquiries were for news clips in parts or as a whole from different stakeholders and interested parties across the ecosystem including big information technology (IT) companies and foreign direct investors (FDIs). The BJP-led government has mooted railway digitisation and foreign investment to improve the country’s railway system.

     

    Esha Media Research says that it currently monitors 140 channels across the nation in all languages. “We are tracking the entire railway budget and also certain areas like IT, FDI, freights in parts,” Esha Media Research managing director R S Iyer informed indiantelevision.com.

     

    “Tracking for railways is more as compared to last year,” Iyer said. “Apart from business houses, we are also receiving inquiries from media agencies tracking the economic content,” he added. Without mentioning the names of the clients and agencies, he revealed that there are some forums across the world that are interested to know and analyse the seriousness of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government.

     

    “We have been tracking from morning all the government interviews across channels, and they will continue to take place till the end of prime time today, maybe until 11pm. We have also started uploading the files,” Iyer informed.

     

    Gowda, during his budget presentation, said that his Ministry would seek cabinet approval for allowing foreign direct investment in the state-owned network, but passenger services would be excluded.

     

    The Railway Minister proposed work stations in select trains as a pilot project this year apart from offering technology for automatic closing of doors both in main line and suburban sections.

     

    He also said that the e-ticketing mechanism would be strengthened to allow 120,000 simultaneous bookings. The proposed overhaul of the e-ticketing system would support 7,200 tickets per minute as against the current 2,000 tickets per minute

     

    The budget also talked about the expansion scope of online booking, including streamlining of booking on mobiles, and providing Wi-Fi in A1 and A category stations and in select trains. E-procurement would be made compulsory for procurements worth Rs 25 lakh and more said Gowda.

     

    “Overall the budget was crisp and concise and the government played safe by not hiking the fare on the day of the budget but two weeks before it,” said a financial expert.

     

    Stock markets have not reacted very favourably to the railway budget-the BSE closed 562 points down at 4pm today as compared to the its pre-opening at 9am. The NSE CNX Nifty index also closed 2.11 per cent lower than its opening today.

  • ET Now decodes the most awaited #Budget2014

    ET Now decodes the most awaited #Budget2014

    MUMBAI: As The Modi Government gears up to present its first Union Budget, India’s No.1 Business News Channel ET NOW is set to launch a power packed line up of shows. ET NOW will be kicking off its special two-week long comprehensive programming from June 30, 7:30 pm. Over 10 special shows will be aired in the run up to the Big Budget that will cover not just key sectoral expectations but also the economic imperatives of this Make-or-Break exercise. Given the significance of this budget, ET NOW has aptly used the tagline ‘The Big Reset’ for its entire budget programming.

     

    MK Anand, Managing Director and CEO, Times Television Network said, “This is the new government’s maiden budget and ET NOW will bring together leading experts across different fields in India, think-tanks, global investors and the country’s best editorial minds to decipher and analyse the Union Budget 2014. Through our shows, we aim to reach out to every Indian from industrialists to the common man by providing a detailed coverage on the run up to the Budget and the Budget Day.”

     

    R.Sridharan, Managing Editor, ET NOW said “We have the most powerful line up of seasoned experts in the business. ET NOW will also have the most viewer-friendly screen and the fastest flashes. Our programming line-up caters every key stakeholder in the economy ranging from the CEO to the retail investor.  The viewers’ overwhelming response to our Budget 2013 programming is a vindication of the tremendous value that our content delivers.”

     

    Jatin Bhatt, CMO – TIMES NOW, ET NOW &ZoOm, said, “With all eyes on the much-anticipated Budget from the Modi Government, ET NOW has put together an extensive programming line-up that will give audiences a holistic view on the Indian economy and the impact it will have after the Union Budget 2014 is announced.  For a channel like ours, Union Budget is an opportunity to present the most engaging and eclectic content that builds credibility among our existing viewers and helps generating new audiences.

     

    ET NOW’s Budget programming will be led by India’s most respected economist- SwaminathanAiyar, who is also the channel’s Consulting Editor. Apart from SwaminathanAiyar, other prominent economists like BibekDebroy and MythiliBhusnurmath will be commenting exclusively on ET NOW.

     

    The key shows are as follows:

     

    Budget 2014:The Politics of Budget

     

    Budget 2014 will be the budget presented by the new government in power. ET NOW’s Policy Editor SupriyaShrinate to quiz the biggest political commentators on the politics that will be at play for Budget 2014

    Date:  30th June, 7.30 pm

     

    Budget 2014:Cracking the Tax Code

     

    Panel Discussion will focus on  the key taxation issues in the run up to Budget 2014. Some of the biggest tax experts and lawyers will be analysing the likely tax reforms and their impact on corporate India and the taxpayer.

    Date: 1st July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: The Global View

     

    The show to decode the game changing reforms that could change market sentiment and attract foreign money, the expectations of the investors. Catch top Global Fund Managers and Market experts share their budget expectations exclusively on ET NOW.

    Date: 2nd July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: The Market Makers Budget Special

     

    Stocks Editor Nikunj Dalmia to interview big market voices on market expectations from Budget and stocks and sectors to watch out for.

    Date: 3rd July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: Macroscope

     

    A discussion programme anchored by MythiliBhusnurmath that gives a view of the macroeconomic imperatives faced by the  government, and how the Budget is likely to address them.

    Date: 4th July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: What Markets Want

     

    Nikunj Dalmia to interview (3-person panel) with three of the biggest market voices analysing the market expectations from Budget 2014

    Date: 7th July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: Rail Budget

     

    The NarendraModi-led NDA government will announce its maiden Railway Budget in Parliament. Just as the General Budget, the Rail Bugdet is also keenly watched by experts and the country as a whole. Watch the extensive coverage of the Budget only on ET Now with eminent experts from various fields

    Date: 8th July, 11:00 am

     

    Budget 2014: Budget & India Inc

     

    A panel discussion anchored by ET NOW’s National Editor Sandeep Gurumurthi. It will bring together the top names from corporate India to talk about how the Budget can spur growth, and give an impetus to the reform process. India Inc’s biggest CEOs  will share their wishlist.

    Time: 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: Eco Survey 2014

     

    A detailed coverage of annual document of the Ministry of Finance, In the Economic Survey programming ET NOW will speak to experts about the developments in the Indian economy over the previous 12 months and will also analyse the reforms roadmap of the govt.

    Date: 9th July; 11:00 am

     

    Budget 2014: An Agenda for the FM

     

    The biggest Macro-minds and economists come together to present an Agenda for the FM. Catch ET NOW’s Budget Think Tank:  SwaminathanAiyar, BibekDebroyand  Punita Kumar Sinha present an Agenda for the FM.This show will be anchored by ET NOW’s Policy Editor SupriyaShrinate.

    Time: 6:30 pm

     

    Budget Day programming

     

    The Budget Day will have budget special programming all through the day with ET NOW’s best line of experts comprising CEO’s, Economists, Market Experts and Foreign investors.

     

    Stay Tuned to ET NOW all this Budget season for the most credible and accurate analysis of Budget 2014.

  • Axe The Tax on CNN-IBN

    Axe The Tax on CNN-IBN

    MUMBAI: As the Narendra Modi-led NDA government prepares to set out its economic agenda for the nation, ‘Axe The Tax’, CNN-IBN’s award-winning initiative returns to highlight 5 tax clauses which should be amended in order to provide benefit to the common man. Commenced in 2007, this unique initiative has not only garnered immense popularity among viewers but has also been lauded and awarded by critics through the years.

     

    As an integral part of ‘Budget of Hope’, the channel’s umbrella Budget programming, this one-of-its-kind initiative gives the common people a platform to voice their concerns against unfair tax clauses and takes their ideas and suggestions directly to the honourable Finance Minister for consideration. For seven years now, we have presented these suggestions to the Finance Minister – many of these have even resulted in policy level changes.

     

    Speaking on this unique programming, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN Network, said “Budget 2014 is truly a ‘Budget of Hope’ for the citizens of India. With the recent hike in Railway fare and duty on sugar imports, all eyes are now set on Budget day to find out what else the Finance Ministry has in store for them. ‘Axe The Tax’ is an endeavour from CNN-IBN to empower ordinary citizens to raise five tax related issues that need to be addressed by the newly elected government, and it will certainly emerge as a masterpiece within our unparalleled Budget programming.”

  • Axe the tax, say DTH ops & MSOs

    Axe the tax, say DTH ops & MSOs

    MUMBAI: In the run up to Budget 2014, the DTH Operators Association and the MSO Alliance have joined hands with broadcasters to embark on an aggressive campaign (in the shape of a television promo or commercials)  to fight the heavy entertainment taxes levied on them by the various state governments.

     

    The TV commercial which stars Roopal Tyagi (Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke) and Surbhi Jyoti (Qubool Hai) has been running across all channels.  It makes an appeal to TV viewers to log on to http://entertainmenttaxappeal.com to pledge against rising entertainment taxes. It says that on an average a viewer spends approximately Rs 3000 on cable TV and DTH recharges annually. Almost half of this goes directly into the government’s kitty by way of taxes. Therefore, there is a need to put an end to it.

     

    “We will present the appeals from the people to the government and hope that they take note of it,” says newly-appointed DTH Operators Association of India president RC Venkateish. He added that the advertisement was timed to coincide with the upcoming budget session. 

     

    Entertainment tax is a state subject and hence, varies from state to state. In some, it is a fixed amount while in others the state exchequer carves it out as a percentage of the bill. 

     

     “The state of Maharashtra charges Rs 45 as entrainment tax. This is ridiculously high,” says an industry professional and adds, “High entertainment tax is one of the reasons why local operators don’t declare the number of viewers they have.”

     

    The campaign is expected to run for a month in order to build a ground swell of public opinion against the entertainment tax levies.  It seems to have got the Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar’s attention already. Speaking to PTI recently he assured industry that “the government is looking into the demands of the DTH operators and that the issue is with the Ministry of Finance.”

     

    “Industry has high hopes in the new Modi-led government. For several years, it has been appealing to the previous government to reduce the burden but to no avail.  High and multiple taxes have been crippling. Hopefully, the government will find a solution to this problems,” says a media observer. 

     

    It’s now over to Mr Arun Jaitley. 

     

    Click here to watch the commercial

  • Jayalalitha again seeks DAS licence for state-run Arasu

    Jayalalitha again seeks DAS licence for state-run Arasu

    NEW DELHI: After she failed to convince him through a memorandum presented last month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has now written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene to secure Digital Addressable System (DAS) licence for the state run TV Cable Corporation.

     

    The application has been pending with the state for three years but has not been cleared in view of the opinion by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that political party, state and centre-run TV channels or TV distribution networks should not be permitted in the country.

     

    The Regulator had given this opinion in 2008 and then reiterated it earlier this year after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry referred the matter to it for a second time.

     

     In her letter to Modi, Jayalalithaa said the previous United Progressive Alliance regime sanctioned licenses to nine Multi System Operators in Tamil Nadu but did not respond to the state’s plea. She claimed that her government had revived the ‘defunct’ Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV), a state run TV Cable Corporation, after coming to power in 2011 to adhere to its commitment to provide inexpensive and quality Cable TV services.

     

    TACTV, an initiative of the previous DMK government at the height of family feud in the party’s first family involving M Karunanidhi and his grandnephews, Maran brothers, was however later put in cold storage after they patched up.

     

    TACTV was providing 100 channels for Rs 70 as against the Rs 150-250 charged by some other MSOs, she said in the letter. After the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 was amended, paving way for DAS, TACTV took steps to commence operations in the digital mode in Chennai and applied to the Ministry for DAS license.

     

    Orders were also placed for the supply of Set Top Boxes, Conditional Access System and Subscriber Management System and installing of a headend at a cost of about Rs 50 crore, she told Modi.

     

    Jayalalithaa in her letter has asserted that as per the provisions of the Cable TV Network (Regulations) Act, 1995, and Rules thereof, TACTV is qualified for such a licence. She also alleged that she strongly suspects that the non-issuance of license by the previous UPA government was only to facilitate particular private business interests. 

  • Narendra Modi-the third most followed world leader Twitter account

    Narendra Modi-the third most followed world leader Twitter account

    MUMBAI: Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi is now the third most followed world leader on Twitter after overtaking Indonesian President S B Yudhoyono today.

     
    Modi (https://twitter.com/narendramodi) has around 5,087,980 followers to Yodoyono’s- 5,08743 followers (https://twitter.com/SBYudhoyono) as of 1pm IST today. Only the President of the United States Barack Obama and the Pope have more followers on Twitter.

     
    This shows how Mr Modi has been actively using Twitter to connect with the masses reinforcing the tool of digital diplomacy in a larger context making the social media platform a powerful channel for communicating and engaging with all Indians across the country.

     
    There were nearly 60 million elections-related Tweets during the Lok Sabha elections this year. Narendra Modi was the top elections-related term on Twitter during the entire polling period, more than AAP and INC combined. On Counting Day itself, Narendra Modi and BJP accounted for over half of the 2 million elections-related Tweets. His Twitter account (@narendramodi) has grown by more than 1 million followers since his election win, while the official account of the Prime Minister’s office (@PMOIndia) has grown more than 40% since his swearing-in ceremony. , His election victory Tweet remains the most retweeted Tweet of all time from India.

  • Narendra Modi meets Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg

    Narendra Modi meets Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg

    NEW DELHI: Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg today told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India is a very important country for Facebook, considering the high number of active Facebook users here.

     

    The Prime Minister discussed with Sandberg ways through which a platform such as Facebook could be used for governance and better interaction between the people and government.

     

    He also spoke about how Facebook could be used to bring more tourists to India. During the meet, Modi expressed his wish of getting the social networking site’s assistance in commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary year with a special focus on cleanliness.

    Later, the Prime Minister wrote on his Facebook page: “Had a very fruitful meeting with Sheryl Sandberg. She pointed out that India is a very important country for Facebook, considering the high number of active Facebook users in India.”

    “Being an avid user of social media myself, I talked about ways through which a platform such as Facebook could be used for governance and better interaction between the people and governments. I also talked about how Facebook can be used to bring more tourists to India.”

     

    Click here to view the event pictures

  • Budget 2014 is an opportunity for M&E to grow: Sudhanshu Vats

    Budget 2014 is an opportunity for M&E to grow: Sudhanshu Vats

    The new government’s overall inclination towards development brings with it great optimism about the new Budget (2014) for me – not just as the head of an organisation but also as a representative of the Media and Entertainment industry. In fact, the Media & Entertainment industry experienced a whiff of fresh air with the new I&B Minister’s thoughts at the recent CII CEO roundtable. Eminent colleagues from across the industry raised key issues, which Shri Javadekar patiently heard and responded to – a sign of the new government’s strong preference for accountability and focus on governance.

     

    The industry is poised for exponential growth during the term of this new government – almost doubling every year. It has the potential to provide almost six million direct jobs and also add to the economy as an aid to tourism.

     

    After the extensive discussions and dialogue with colleagues and members of this bustling industry, I’ve penned some suggestions that can fuel the industry to reach never-before levels of growth.

     

    Accountability

     

    Accountability is the one thing that lacks processes in the Media & Entertainment space. A single-window clearance mechanism for permissions, especially for films and events, will motivate the industry to concentrate more on revenue streams rather than go around in circles. The wish list would remain only partially addressed without queries and licenses becoming more time-bound.

     

    And while we expect an evolution in policies, keeping them clear and consistent with foresight at the back of the mind constantly, future action can be planned at the organisational level with greater certainty and generate opportunities for employment in large numbers, thus contributing significantly to the economy.

     

    Pragmatic Policies

     

    The media and entertainment industry is currently valued at USD 20 plus billion with significant growth potential. We’re poised to catapult to the next level with a few pragmatic policy reforms. Additionally, the M&E industry has the capacity to generate almost six million jobs directly and also further boost sectors like tourism.

     

    More Spending Power

     

    Rationalising Income Tax slabs is a key step towards taking the burden off the consumer’s shoulders. He will have more money to spend on his favourite means of recreation – entertainment.

     

    Tax Abatement

     

    And while we are on the topic of the Media & Entertainment industry and its role in the economy, one of the biggest losses I believe that it incurs is almost the one-third of revenue that it gives away in taxes and multiple licence fees over and above recurring commissions. These need to be re-evaluated and rationalised. In anticipation of GST implementation, entertainment and service taxes can be lowered to a more reasonable level.

     

    Considering the premise of development that the new government has adopted, we expect a growth oriented budget, laying down a clear and consistent long-term roadmap. These steps that I have attempted to chalk out, will only allow the entire industry to collectively entertain India even more, even better!

     

    (These are purely personal views of CII National Committee on Media & Entertainment chairman & Viacom18 Media group CEO Sudhanshu Vats and indiantelevision.com does not subscribe to these views.)