Will this leap of ‘faith’ pay off?

Top of the Morning

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Monday, September 16, 2024. My name is Nelson John. Let's get started.

India’s antitrust watchdog, the Competition Commission of India, just made it easier for companies to get their hands on up to 25% of another company's shares without asking for permission first. This tweak in the merger and acquisition rules is a big deal, especially for those looking at hostile takeovers. Before, you'd have to pause and get a nod from the CCI before buying shares off the market, which wasn't exactly speedy. Now, as long as you're not trying to take control right away, you can go ahead without waiting on that green light. This change means businesses can move faster during the initial buying phases without getting tangled up in red tape, Gireesh Chandra Prasad reports. It’s all part of a bigger push to cut down on the hassle and make doing business a bit smoother in India.

In India, where tradition meets tech, there’s a rising star sector: faith-tech. It’s catching the eye of big-time investors like PeakXV Partners, Blume Ventures, and Matrix Partners. Just recently, AppsForBharat bagged $18 million in a round led by Fundamentum, highlighting the surge in interest. This year alone, the faith-tech sector saw its funding leap to more than $50 million from just $4.3 million last year. This booming sector offers everything from virtual pilgrimages to digital pooja bookings and astrological services, targeting both young Indians and the global diaspora craving a slice of home. However, the sector is not without its challenges. The seasonal nature of religious activities and the necessity to establish trusted partnerships with religious institutions are hurdles these companies continue to navigate. Samiksha Goel takes a deep dive into a sector which is possibly unique to India and has carved a niche for itself.

Family businesses are usually well-oiled machines, as there is a clear hierarchy and established workflows. But when it comes to succession, things get murky. That's exactly what happened with Bharat Forge and its promoter family. A dispute between the managing director Baba Kalyani and his sister Sugandha Hiremath ended up in court after the brother refused to transfer shares to another pharma company. Now, a new court affidavit has come to light that might rule the verdict in favour of Sugandha. Priyanka Gawande and Anirudh Laskar report that this affidavit goes against the claims made by Baba Kalyani, who has allegedly diverted significant assets away from his father.

The Reserve Bank of India has been cautioning the Indian banking industry about the ever-growing amount of loans being disbursed. Finally, the banks are listening: the gap between the credit and deposits is finally narrowing, reports Shayan Ghosh. RBI now wants banks to get innovative in its ways to hold more deposits. It has also come down hard on unsecured loans, fearing a fracture in India's vast financial systems.

Crude oil prices have been crashing, and currently cost around 70 to 75 US dollars. Naturally, expectations of a cut in the price of petrol and diesel have risen. These rates were last revised prior to the general election. Sumant Banerji explains why crude prices have fallen, the various factors involved in making such a decision, and how likely a price cut is.

That’s all for today. Thank you for listening.

We're eagerly looking forward to our next Top of the Morning episode, which will be packed with fresh business news. Until then, have a great day!

CCI greenlights secondary share purchases, opens the door for hostile takeovers

Bigger than food delivery? Investors rush to bless faith-tech startups

Kalyani family feud could take a fresh turn as a crucial will surfaces

Credit, deposit rates converging on the back of RBI caution

Global crude prices at 3-year low. Will petrol prices see a cut?