Zee rolls back DTH, other plans
Mumbai: There are reports to suggest that Zee Telefilms is rolling back plans and investments, including pulling out of the digital direct-to-home satellite project it had announced, in alliance with Sterling Infotech.

Zee has cited the confusing and rigid regulations related to DTH as well as the high entry fee of a bank guarantee of Rs 10 crore and an annual license fee of 10 per cent of DTH revenues as the rationale for its about-turn.

Zee is believed to have also postponed the launch of its lifestyle channel, 'Chakra', scheduled for launch this May, after cutbacks on investments. ZTL had also cut back on investment plans in Siticable by about Rs 350 crores.

The Chakra was designed as an international product aimed at both the Indian diaspora as well as foreign viewers interested in India’s rich civilisation, and a number of producers had been commissioned for programmes on a variety of subjects ranging from organic farming to ancient Indian culture. Of recent, no new programmes were commissioned.
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RCI to be travel service window
Mumbai: Resort Condominiums International, the US-based timeshare exchange company, is setting up a travel company in India, RCI Travels India, to set up call centres and provide travel related services.
The idea is to become a single window service provider for all travel related services, including flight ticketing, hotel booking, car hire, etc.

Globally, RCI services its members through travel clubs, but it is only in India that it is entering travel services, and is also throwing open its services to members as well as non-members.

In India, RCI affiliates include Club Mahindra Resorts, Usha Shriram Group, Jaypee Group, Kamat Group and Radisson Group.
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Dolphin to expand on cut-price wagon
Mumbai: MTNL’s cellular service Dolphin has chalked out an ambitious expansion plan including unleashing cut price pre and post paid cards, firming up a 250 strong franchisee network, and extending coverage to new segments.
Indications are that the pre-paid cards could be available at denominations of Rs 300-350 with a validity period of 45 days, and a grace period of 15 days for refill. Both the pre and post paid cards are slated for launch in June.

The post-paid cards are likely to come in Dolphin 500, Dolphin 1000, Dolphin 2000 variants, with a rental at 20 per cent lower than the prevailing rate, and administrative charges at half the prevailing 15 per cent.
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Mahindras portal to set up used-car dealerships
Mumbai: Automobile major Mahindra & Mahindra is planning to enter the 1.2 million vehicle second hand car market. Its auto portal, Automartindia, will open the largest dealer network for used cars.

Currently, only Ford Assured of Ford India has a multi-outlet second hand dealer network, while Daewoo Motor India too is said to be planning an entry.

Automart, with 57 per cent stake by Mahindras, 22 per cent by HDFC, 11 per cent by Sah and Sanghi and the rest 10 per cent with employees, plans to open a chain of 48 dealers across the country by 2003.

The second hand car dealer network will give a physical prsence to the Automartindia portal, the company believes. It will have a mix of its own and franchisee outlets. The initial investment is to the order of Rs 25 crores.
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Motorol introduces lubricants in sachets
Ahmedabad: Motorol Speciality Oils Ltd has launched a two-stroke motorcycle and scooter lubricant in a 40-ml sachets. It also plans to sell them at departmental stores.

The new product, named Insta 2T, has been priced at Rs 4 per sachet and expects to find demand for one crore sachets a month. The company believes that the Indian consumer will follow the trend in the west, where consumers buy lubricants at departmental stores rather than an auto and spare parts shops.
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