Excise mop-up drops

New Delhi, May 14: Excise duty collection by the government fell by 3.9 per cent to Rs 6,410 crore in the first month of the current fiscal against Rs 6,673 crore a year ago. However, customs duty collection grew 24.9 per cent to Rs 9,018 crore in April against Rs 7,221 crore in the same month last year, because of high growth in imports.

SBI plans

Mumbai, May 14: The State Bank of India is planning to expand its partnership with financial services firm GE Money. Apart from credit cards, the duo will offer products such as personal loans and credit insurance through the joint venture.

Kinetic funds

Mumbai, May 14: Amidst speculations of a stake sale to Mahindra & Mahindra, Kinetic Motors today said it was looking to mop up Rs 100-125 crore in the next three months for expansion.

RPG stake

Mumbai, May 14: The RPG group is close to finalising a joint venture with an international major for a coffee shop-cum-specialty-food chain in the country. The RPG group will hold 51 per cent stake in the joint venture, a source close to the development said.

Aviation growth

New Delhi, May 14: Aviation sector has registered over 10 per cent growth in domestic passengers in April, when 38.92 lakh people travelled by air compared with 35.82 lakh in the same month last year. Jet Airways flew 8.39 lakh passengers in April, garnering the largest share of 21.6 per cent.

BSNL appeal

New Delhi, May 14: The Supreme Court has dismissed BSNL’s appeals seeking to recover revised charges from BPL Mobile, Idea Cellular and others for the infrastructure facilities provided to them in their respective circles.

DoT move

New Delhi, May 14: The department of telecom (DoT) is likely to permit additional players, including foreign ones, in 3G telecom services because increased competition would give higher revenues while auctioning spectrum.