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A-I fleet expansion plan takes off
Apax to buy Tommy Hilfiger for $1.6 b
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Roche, Hetero ink deal
CBoP mulls acquisition
NRIs can buy house abroad and claim exemption in India
Tourism to figure in Punjabi Parvasi Divas meet
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A-I fleet expansion plan takes off as Boeing offers
New Delhi, December 24 Besides the huge discount on the total price of around Rs 35,000 crore, Boeing has also offered to set up MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) and training facilities in India at a cost of around $205 million. The eGoM has also made Boeing agree to sourcing materials from India, equal to 30 per cent of the value of the aircraft, which works out approximately to Rs 8,500 crore. After a five-hour long meeting that eGoM and A-I officials held with Boeing representatives, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters that the documents would now be sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for final approval. The eGoM, headed by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, has Law Minister H.R. Bhardwaj and Programme Implementation Minister Oscar Fernandes and Patel as members. Patel had a few months ago informed Parliament that the deal would cost Rs 38,900 crore — which was the price prevailing at that point of time. Official sources said A-I has converted its options to buy 16 aircraft into a firm order, taking the total number of firm orders to 50. It is also acquiring 18 more aircraft for its subsidiary Air-India Express. The fleet would comprise eight Boeing 777-200 (Long Range), 15 B777-300 (Extended Range) and 27 B787s, besides 18 Boeing 737-800s for Air-India Express. The AI Board has selected engines for all 68 aircraft from the CFM International, a 50:50 joint venture between Snecma of France and General Electric Aviation of the US. While the B777-200s and 777-300s would be fitted with GE90 engines, the B787s would have GEnx engines, totalling to about Rs 4,912 crore. The B737-800s of the AI Express would be fitted with CFM56 engines at a cost of around Rs 768 crore. The fleet acquisition proposals of Air-India and Air-India Express were cleared by the Public Investment Board on October 13. While the precise calculation of the monetary concessions was being worked out, an official statement gave a break-up of the $205 million investments promised in India by Boeing and GE. The money would be used for setting up four training simulators costing (up to $75 million), MRO for Boeing aircraft (up to $100 million) and training and other civil aviation requirements ($10 million), besides GE’s investment in an engine shop ($20 million).
Istithmar stake in SpiceJet is $50m
Dubai: Istithmar PJSC, a UAE-based investment house focusing on private equity and alternative investments, has announced that it has raised its stake in low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet to $50 million. It invested $12.5 million in SpiceJet earlier this year, and the present stake-rise was made through the carrier’s recent issue of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCB). Istithmar’s investment in SpiceJet, its first in India, reflected the group’s long-term plans in India’s burgeoning aviation industry, news reports said. Executive Chairman of Istithmar Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said his company is extremely bullish on low-cost carriers in India with the current spate of reforms and the gradual shift to a more open skies policy.
— UNI
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Apax to buy Tommy Hilfiger for $1.6 b
New York, December 24 Tommy Hilfiger Corp said it had accepted a $1.6 billion cash takeover bid from Apax Partners. Apax in 2003 teamed up with clothing vendor Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. to buy Calvin Klein, and PVH said it is in preliminary talks with Apax on how they could collaborate on a Tommy deal. “This is an incredible brand, a great American iconic brand that we think we can continue to grow globally very significantly,” John Megrue, Apax co-chief executive officer, said. John Orrico, fund manager of the Arbitrage Fund, a mutual fund that specialises in merger targets, said that in light of Tommy’s 49 per cent share rise this year, the price seemed fair. “They’re getting taken out in line with market expectations,” Orrico said. Tommy Hilfiger, which maintains headquarters in Hong Kong and New York, has struggled with relatively flat sales for the past five years. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. advised Tommy Hilfiger on the deal.
— Reuters
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Roche, Hetero ink deal
London, December 24 The deal makes Hetero the second drug company after Shanghai Pharmaceutical Group to receive a sub-licence that will allow it to sell large volumes of Tamiflu at a price that it chooses. It will also be the first time Roche has authorised a partner company to produce and sell Tamiflu not only in its home market but also in other less developed and developing countries. A Roche spokesman said the deal, which initially lasts for two years, will allow Hetero to sell Tamiflu at whatever price it chooses in India and countries where there is no or poor intellectual property protection for the drug. — UNI
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CBoP mulls acquisition
Mumbai, December 24 To fund the acquisition and other expansion plans, the bank would raise up to Rs 416 crore in the overseas or domestic markets. It would also increase its authorised capital to Rs 250 crore from Rs 150 crore by issuing additional 20 crore shares to three private equity investors. “Acquisition is part of our strategy. We will grab the opportunity as and when it comes,” Bank’s Chief Executive Officer Shailendra Bhandari told PTI from Goa where the bank’s board held an extraordinary general meeting. He said the acquisition would aim at increasing the bank’s presence in the country and would be carried out in such a manner that the branches do not overlap too much. Centurion Bank of Punjab has 240 branches, mainly concentrated in the North and South. It has reasonable presence in the West and limited presence in the East. Asked whether the bank would look at any bank in the East for
acquisition, Bhandarai evaded any direct answer. — PTI
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by A.N. Shanbhag
NRIs can buy house abroad and claim exemption
Q: I have sold my house in India and earned some capital gains. Can I claim exemption u/s 54 by purchasing a house abroad? — Vinayak A: Sec. 54 and 54F give exemptions from tax on long-term capital gains arising out of sale (or transfer) of a long-term asset, provided the assessee has purchased within one year before or two years after the date of sale or has constructed within three years after that date, a residential house. Now comes the amusing part. An NRI (and in some special conditions, even residents) can buy a house abroad and claim the exemption legitimately. The legislation has not added the words ‘in India’! Yet another case for CBDT. 1-by-6 category
Q: Is 1-by-6 category for filing returns applicable to NRIs? — Bhoumik A: Notification 10674, dated August 20, 1998 has exempted NRIs from the 1-by-6 category. It has also exempted senior citizens having no business or professional income even if they possess an immovable property. Also foreign travel to certain countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia or to China organised by Ministry of External Affairs does not fall under the 1-by-6 category.
Income from NSC
Q: I have purchased NSCs, which mature after six years. My question is regarding taxation thereof. Do I have to pay the tax at the time of maturity when I receive the money? That would mean a heavy burden on me and may take me to the next tax bracket also. Is there any way out? — Subhash A:
The income from NSC is chargeable to tax on accrual basis. It accrues only at the end of each year. The year-end is computed from the date of purchase and is not related to the end of the financial year. However, if you have failed to do so in earlier years, you may pay the tax at the end of the term (on receipt basis) but you will lose all benefit of deductions on annual interests.
Section 80C
Q: I invested in the Tax Saving ELSS mutual fund scheme in the month of August/ September, 2005, opting for Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). I invested an amount of Rs 5,000 per month and would thus invest a sum of Rs.35,000 by March 31, 2006. I also intend to deposit an amount of Rs.70,000 in my existing PPF account before March 31, 2006. Can you kindly let me know: 1) Whether I will be eligible to get deduction of Rs.1 lakh from my taxable income u/s 80C for A.Y. 2006-07; 2) Whether the above mentioned investments, both in ELSS as well as PPF would qualify for EEE or EET method on withdrawal (ELSS investments will remain locked in for 3 years hence attracting long term capital gains upon withdrawal after three years and PPF account completes 15 years this year hence eligible for total withdrawal of balance and closure next year). 3) I have some earned interest on my investment in NSC in previous years and will pay LIC premium on my 12-year-old insurance policy and will continue to earn interest on existing NSC and pay premium on the insurance policy in future also. So what treatment would they get in subsequent assessment years — EEE or EET? If I will need to claim deduction u/s 80C for the same. — Sumeet A: Yes, you are entitled to claim the benefit u/s 80C for the FY 05-06 for both ELSS and PPF investments. EET has not yet become a law and it is strongly felt that if and when it is enacted, it will not be with retrospective effect. Therefore, at least for FY 05-06 the old EEE system will apply. The answer to this question is similar to point 2 above. For FY 05-06, it will be EEE and for subsequent years, it will depend upon when and in what manner the law is enacted.
Demat charges
Q: I read your article on Dividends - Look before you strip, was informative for layman . Sometimes the accountants who file our returns are not aware of all these lT rules (IT laws). I have a small doubt — in stocks / equity shares, while considering capital gain/loss, can we factor in CDSL or demat charges ? What about STT? — Vinod Argekar, Muscat A:
The Continent Deferred Sales Load or CDSL is reduced by the MF from the repurchase NAV and the investor gets only the net proceeds in hand. Hence, it gets automatically factored in. STT cannot be claimed by an investor as a deduction. However, if you are a trader, you can set-off the STT against your tax on trading profits. Demat charges are of two types, one charge is for dematting the particular scrip whereas the other charge is the general holding charge. The first charge can be directly associated with the scrip and hence you can claim it. The other charge needs to be apportioned over the entire portfolio and hence is that much more difficult to claim. If it is significant then the apportionment exercise may be carried on. However, if it is minimal then the means won’t justify the end. Trust this meets your requirements.
— The author may be contacted at wonderlandconsultants@yahoo.com
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by K.R. Wadhwaney Tourism to figure in Punjabi Parvasi Divas meet Aviation and tourism are among a few vital areas for development and expansion through non-resident Indians (NRIs) in Punjab in particular and country in general. This all-important topic will be discussed threadbare at the two-day international convention, organised by the Punjabi Parvasi Divas at Chandigarh on January 14 and 15, 2006. Many renowned aviators and tourism personalities are expected to provide wide-range data for expeditious progress. Aviation analysts are of firm belief that speedy progress is possible only when infrastructure is developed at different airports. The fact of the matter is that many more planes are criss-crossing domestic skies than before but there is not even marginal development at airports, which are the gateways of the country. Existing climate is conductive as common people have realised that time saved is money saved. No wonder more persons are flying through no-frills airlines. Apart from Indian, which has been a key player for decades, five private carriers — Spicejet, Air Deccan, Kingfisher, Sahara and Jet Airways — have been flying high. While India continues to have major market share, these private operators have been offering razor-sharp competition to each other. In a free for all, more private operators are about to join as the new year unfolds. The analysts feel that the competition will become more combative which new promotions and schemes being floated by innovative players. Imagine, Air Deccan is even eyeing for flying on NE routes to capture the market. “The fares are lower but we have no problem to make the most of it”, said airline officials. This is however one version of the airline industry. The other is that there are more players in the vexed airline trade than there is room for. They predict at least 50 per cent will fold or merge with each other before 2006 closes. This observation is not improbable because airline trade is a rough industry. Recently, Kingfisher Airlines has introduced special fares for the Indian armed forces, government employees and public sector personnel. Analysts says it is surprising that no carrier is offering similar kind of facilities to mediapersons. Media is a huge market now. There is indeed a boom as far as airlines are concerned. But despite new operators and routes being connected with each other, the ground situation in airports remain static. The congestion has increased manifolds and pre-flying and after flying continues to be irksome to passengers. If the passenger has to reach airport about two hours before scheduled departure, he has to wait for long to get his baggage. In all, flying is not as much comfortable as it ought to be. Flights are often delayed and then there are instances when flights are cancelled without any prior notice to passengers. Some operators are hell-bent on taking passengers for granted.
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