Jet wins key approval for Etihad deal, with conditions

July 29, 2013

New Delhi, Jul 29: The foreign investment regulator gave conditional approval on Monday to a $379 million deal by Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways to buy a stake in Jet Airways(JET.NS), paving the way for more acquisitions in the domestic aviation sector.jet_eithihad

"We have approved with some conditions," Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram told reporters after a meeting of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).

He did not elaborate.

Etihad's purchase of 24 percent of Jet is the first such deal since the government allowed foreign airlines to own up to 49 percent of Indian carriers last September.

It bodes well for more foreign investment into the Indian aviation sector where most carriers are burdened with heavy debts and rack up losses mainly due to the high cost of fuel.

For foreign investors, buying a stake in an Indian carrier grants access to one of the world's fastest growing domestic airline markets which has plenty of untapped potential, especially in services to smaller Indian cities.

Low-cost carrier SpiceJet (SPJT.BO) has received interest from various unidentified potential investors, while fellow budget airlines GoAir and IndiGo have also been identified as potential targets.

The Jet-Etihad deal still has to obtain the approval of the capital markets regulator as well as a ministerial investment panel before the airlines can proceed.

The deal provides Jet with a deep-pocketed global partner as well as cash to help pay off debts. Etihad, which is on an acquisitions drive, will benefit from Jet's Indian connections.

Ahead of Monday's announcement, Jet shares had jumped nearly 3.7 percent, taking their gains in the last two sessions to nearly 22 percent on speculation the deal would be approved.

Effective control

Last month, the FIPB had said it wanted more details on who would be effectively in control of Jet Airways after the deal before making a decision.

The deal won regulatory approval after a revised shareholder agreement decreased Etihad's presence on the board of Jet, according to a document seen by Reuters, addressing government concerns that the Abu Dhabi carrier appeared to be taking control of the Indian airline.

Etihad will now take two seats on the board, which will have up to 12 members, one less than initially planned.

Jet's founder group will appoint four board members and will have the right to nominate the chairman, whereas Etihad will appoint a vice chairman, according to the document.

Opposition politicians have opposed the deal on grounds that a bilateral accord between India and the United Arab Emirates increasing number of seats per week favoured Etihad and also on security concerns.

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News Network
March 11,2020

Mar 11: Thirteen of the 22 rebel MLAs in Madhya Pradesh have given an assurance that "they are not leaving the Congress", senior party leader Digvijaya Singh said on Thursday while expressing confidence that the Kamal Nath-led government in the state will win a floor test.

"We are not keeping quiet. We are not sleeping," Singh told PTI, a day after Congress leader from the state Jyotiraditya Scindia quit the Congress and 22 MLAs submitted their resignations from the assembly in Madhya Pradesh.

Scindia was offered the post of Madhya Pradesh deputy chief minister but wanted his nominee, Singh said. However, Kamal Nath refused to accept a "chela", he said.

Scindia, he said, could have been a Congress nominee to the Rajya Sabha but "only Modi-Shah" can give a Cabinet post to the "over-ambitious" leader.

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News Network
January 9,2020

New Delhi, Jan 9: The Union government has removed the central security cover of Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam and DMK leader M K Stalin, officials said on Thursday.

They said while Paneerselvam had a smaller 'Y+' cover of central paramilitary commandos, Stalin had a larger 'Z+' protection.

The security cover of these two politicians has been taken off from the central security list after a threat assessment review was made by central security agencies and approved by the Union home ministry, they said.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandos were protecting these two leaders of Tamil Nadu.

However, they said, the central security cover will be formally taken off after the state police takes over their security task, they added.

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News Network
April 11,2020

New Delhi, Apr 11: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on hailed accredited social health activists, auxiliary nurse and midwives and anganwadi workers for their role in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, saying they are "true patriots" who toil to keep communities safe in the midst of this grave crisis.

In an environment where fear and misinformation pose a bigger danger than the virus itself, community workers have a key role to play in educating people about the dangers of COVID-19 and the manner in which it is transmitted, Gandhi said.

In a message for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Auxiliary Nurse and Midwives (ANMs) and Anganwadi Workers, he said they are working with dedication and courage, putting their lives at risk, on the frontlines of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The greatest form of patriotism is to serve our country in her hour of need. Our community workers are true patriots, our unsung heroes, who toil tirelessly away from the limelight, to keep our communities safe in the midst of this grave crisis," the former Congress chief said.

"As a nation, we owe them and their families a huge debt of gratitude for the tremendous personal sacrifices each of them is making. I hope that when this crisis is over their exemplary service will serve as a catalyst for deep-rooted change in their conditions of work," he said.

Gandhi said he salutes each and every community worker for their service to the nation and prays that they and their families will remain safe during this pandemic.

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