Regulation Making

United Breweries profit up 19.8% at Rs 97.7 cr, revenue down at Rs 4,427 cr

Beer maker United Breweries Ltd on Wednesday reported a 19.87 per cent rise in its consolidated net profit to Rs 97.76 crore in the January-March quarter of 2024-25 compared to Rs 81.55 crore in the January-March quarter a year ago. UBL's revenue from operations dropped by 7.54 per cent to Rs 4,427.15 crore in the March quarter compared to Rs 4,788.68 crore in the corresponding period a year ago, according to a regulatory filing by the company controlled by Dutch multinational brewing company Heineken NV. Its total expenses were at Rs 4,303.09 crore, down 8.54 per cent in the March quarter of FY25. Its total income, which includes other income, in the March quarter, was down 7.9 per cent to Rs 4,435.16 crore. UBL's net profit for the financial year ended on March 31, 2025, was up 7.67 per cent to Rs 442.41 crore. It was at Rs 410.86 crore a year before. In FY'25, UBL's total consolidated income was at Rs 19,444.44 crore, up 5.37 per cent. Shares of United Breweries Ltd on Wednesd

Best of BS Opinion: Why India needs wide-ranging regulatory reforms

Today's opinions track regulatory practices and reforms that are required across key sectors of the Indian policy-scape.

Regulatory easing to support 10.8% credit growth in FY26: Icra

The incremental credit is likely to rise 10.8 per cent to Rs 19-20.5 lakh crore in the current fiscal compared to Rs 18 lakh crore or a 10.9 per cent growth in 2024-25, according to rating agency Icra. In a release on the Indian banking sector outlook, the agency said it expects the regulatory easing seen in recent months to support a credit expansion of about 10.8 per cent in FY2026. Such measures include the repo rate cut, deferment of proposed changes in the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) framework and additional provisions on infra projects, along with the roll-back of increased risk weights on lending to unsecured consumer credit and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). "Besides this, the durable liquidity infusion by the Reserve Bank of India through open market operations (OMO) by way of purchases of Government bonds and forex swaps with banks, would aid the liquidity and faster transmission of the ongoing cut in policy rates," it said. The persisting challenges in depos

Best of BS Opinion: How can government best deal with regulations

We look at today's editorial and opinions in the backdrop of regulatory perspectives across sectors such as markets, agriculture and banking

Year in review: 5 important regulatory changes by Indian govt in 2024

Addressing diverse areas ranging from patent processes to frameworks for AI regulation, the Centre introduced several significant regulatory changes in 2024

BS BFSI Summit: Our company culture key to innovation, says Razorpay MD

We have 50 different teams, each pursuing separate goals, which allows us to innovate and launch new products, said Shashank Kumar, co-founder and managing director of Razorpay, at the BFSI Summit

Microlenders under RBI lens for 'netting off' loans; all you need to know

During its FY24 annual inspection of banks and NBFCs, the RBI flagged concerns regarding the widespread use of 'netting off' in microfinance loans

Varun Beverages to raise Rs 7,500 cr through QIP to fund expansion plans

Varun Beverages, the leading bottler of beverage major PepsiCo, has plans to raise Rs 7,500 crore from the market through Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) route to fund its growth plans. The board of the company in a meeting held on Wednesday approved the proposal for "raising of funds by way of issuance of equity shares for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs 7,500 crore" through QIP, according to a regulatory filing by the company. The fund would be raised in "one or more tranches" and would be "subject to receipt of approval of equity shareholders of the company" through postal ballot, it added. The proceeds from this fundraise would be utilised in "making investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates" or to "fund the growth of existing businesses including expanding product portfolio, entering into new territories and making strategic acquisitions". This will also help in "Pre-payment or repayment" of debts and in general corporate purposes, Varun Beverages

Hays Code for OTT? Govt to come up with guidelines for 'obscene' content

The proposed OTT regulations are also expected to seek a reduction in the use of profanity, even when it is considered vital to the script

After Sebi, Parliament committee to conduct CCI's performance review

The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, chaired by Congress leader KC Venugopal, has decided to assess the performance of regulatory bodies established by Acts of Parliament this financial year

Ex Sebi chief to head panel on ending monopolies in gas transmission

Oil regulator has formed a committee under former Sebi chairman Ajay Tyagi to recommend ways of ending monopolies enjoyed by companies engaged in both transportation and marketing of natural gas and city gas retailing. The eight-member committee has been asked to give its recommendations on splitting entities engaged in both transportation and marketing of natural gas, and ending the monopolies of city gas retailers where required, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) said in an order. The panel has been asked to submit its report in three months. In mature markets, energy infrastructure is operated on a common carrier principle that gives access to third parties. Any user or supplier could access any gas pipeline, irrespective of who owns it. But that is not the case in India with users and suppliers often complaining of not getting access. The government had a few years back considered splitting state-owned gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd by hiving off its pipeline

Revised norms: CCI can appoint agencies to monitor implementation of orders

Competition Commission can now appoint agencies to monitor the implementation of its orders, with the notification of amended regulations. The move also comes amid instances of some entities flagging concerns about non-compliance with certain orders of the regulator, which works to ensure fair competition in the market place. The Competition Commission of India (General) Regulations, 2024 were notified on Tuesday. Now, agencies can be appointed by CCI to monitor the implementation of its orders. The agencies can be accounting firms, management consultancy or any other professional organisation or chartered accountants, company secretaries or cost accountants. "Where the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of its orders passed under Section 31 or Section 48A or Section 48B or any other provisions of the Act and regulations made thereunder, needs monitoring, it may appoint agencies to oversee such implementation, on such terms and conditions as deemed fit by the ...

Regulatory, supply chain challenges affecting growth of medtech sector

Industry also faces shortages of component suppliers and talent, particularly in research and development

ICSI launches framework for sustainable, responsible investment practices

Company secretaries' apex body ICSI has come out with a framework to promote sustainable and responsible investment practices that seek to help institutional investors and service providers. The ICSI Guiding Principles on Stewardship (IGPS) is a framework of ethical stewardship practices to empower institutional investors and service providers, it said in a release. The framework outlines best practices for responsible investment, encompassing environmental, social, and governance factors. It aligns with the global trend and offers much needed guidance towards sustainable and responsible investing, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) said in the release. The framework was launched at the institute's Middle East Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Wednesday.

DGCA sets up internal working groups to develop regulatory norms for eVTOLs

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has set up internal working groups for studying various aspects related to operating electric air taxis and develop appropriate regulations, the government said on Monday. With respect to electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) capable aircraft for carrying passengers, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has established the Advanced Air Mobility Study Group in light of rapid technological advances of new entrants and the potential impact on the aviation ecosystem. "In tandem with that, DGCA has also constituted internal working groups for studying various aspects related to operation of eVTOL to assess and develop appropriate regulations/ requirements suitable for India," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. He said these working groups will study relevant regulations published by other countries/ civil aviation authorities, seek inputs from the industry

French senate calls for change to nuclear power price regulation

The Senate inquiry commission recommended replacing last November's agreement with 'real regulation' in the form of a CfD on the existing nuclear fleet

China tightens management of rare earths, approves new regulation

Rare earths belong to the country and no organisation or individual are allowed to claim them, the State Council said in a statement on its website

Hindutva outfit demands stringent laws to regulate OTT platforms content

It asked the government to ban sexually explicit content completely

Adding more bite: A case for tougher RBI penalties for violations

The amounts lenders are fined for violations are too little and may not deter them

RBI-regulated entities interface set for a change with bigger role for SROs

The SRO story has just begun to unfold