Keeping it safe

Business Standard

Maharashtra moves forward on housing regulation

Taking the lead

Now, new government must not undermine PSU independence

Speedy stake sales

The impact of Saradha on West Bengal's politics

An embattled Ms Banerjee

Now, government tries to end local consent for deforestation

Green short cuts

Moving forward with Asean

Armed forces do all the work after disasters anyway

Shut down NDMA

Indian drug companies shift research overseasPiramal Enterprises, the Piramal group's flagship company operating primarily in the healthcare sector, has decided to close its Mumbai drug research and development (R&D) unit, its largest in the country. With this, the list of Indian drug makers that have either downsized their R&D work or have moved it outside India has got longer. Ten years ago, India wanted to become the hub for drug research. Some scientists said they could discover and develop a new molecule for less than $100 million - a tenth of what it cost abroad then. Today, much of that enthusiasm seems to have dissipated. Piramal Enterprises Vice-chairperson Swati Piramal recently told Reuters that the group has "lost the India advantage". The only option left, she said, was to invest in R&D abroad.The trend has already begun. Indian companies that want to expand beyond generic medicine are investing in R&D capabilities abroad. Lupin is setting up two R&D un

As red tape grows, pharma research flees India

Supreme Court's decision to free long-serving undertrials welcome

Freeing undertrials a welcome move

Aviation regulator can't be lax about safety norms

Putting fliers at risk

Check cynicism about constitutional institutions

Standing up for ethics

The questions and achievements of a boxing biopic

Mary Kom, star

A reality check on the stock market rallyIndian equities have delivered a return of almost 50 per cent in the past 12 months. The Sensex has delivered higher returns over a 12-month period only twice in the past - in 2003 and in 2009. The latest turnaround is stupendous considering that, just about a year ago, the economy was battling rupee depreciation and stock markets were in reverse gear due to fears of capital flight. Most businesses and investors believe India is heading back to high growth - and high corporate earnings growth. This has led to a re-rating of stocks across sectors, with the expectation that future earnings growth will retrospectively justify high valuations. Corporate earnings and GDP growth for the first quarter of 2014-15 accelerated over the previous year, which appeared to justify a bullish outlook.But look a little closer. Yes, the combined net profit of around 1,700 top listed companies (excluding petroleum & financial stocks) was up 35.3 per cent in the

Pricing in hope

Better management needed to avoid power crisis

Don't blame Coal India

Raghuram Rajan has done well, but his task is incomplete

The governor's year

India must take advantage of Japanese enthusiasm

A bridge to Tokyo

Govt starts with energy, but has no grand strategy

The next 265 days

Europe, again

CBI should be held accountable for errors

Is the CBI above reproach?

Don't unbundle Food Corporation, prune it

Starving a dinosaur

Further government action needed to sustain growth

Economy expands, but little room to grow

Incisive columns and editorial comment by top opinion leaders

Page 218 - Editorial Comment