Why Govt Must Press Ahead With IDBI Divestment The fate of IDBI’s divestment remains uncertain as of March 2026, with bids from known bidders—Emirates NBD and Fairfax—falling below the government’s reserve price for a 60% stake sale. This has raised concerns that the current round may be canceled. However, the article argues that the government must persist with the divestment despite challenges. The NDA government has been working on IDBI’s disinvestment for over a decade, yet the process remains incomplete. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley first announced the plan in his 2016 budget speech, but as of 2026, progress has stalled. This contrasts sharply with the successful divestment of smaller banks like RBL and Yes Bank, which attracted foreign institutional investors just six months prior. Comparisons highlight IDBI’s potential. As of December 31, 2025, IDBI’s return on equity (ROE) stood at 14.5%, and its return on assets (ROA) was 1.83%, outperforming RBL and Yes Bank. RBL’s ROA was 0.53% and ROE 4.93% at the time of its stake sale, while Yes Bank’s ROA was 0.8% and ROE 5.4%. Despite these lower metrics, RBL and Yes Bank managed to secure significant investments—Rs 26,850 crore and Rs 15,880 crore, respectively. The government’s reserve price for IDBI likely reflects a valuation closer to 2 times book value, given the higher ROE and ROA. However, IDBI faces unique challenges. A buyer acquiring a 60% stake would only gain 26% voting rights, limiting control over key decisions. The remaining 40% would be held by the government and LIC, which could lead to conflicting priorities. Former Bank of Baroda Chairman S S Mundra noted that the government might prioritize fiscal considerations, while LIC seeks higher returns for investors, creating uncertainty for bidders.#govt #emirates_nbd #fairfax #idbi #arun_jaitley
George Mason Men’s Basketball Secures Back-to-Back NIT Appearances FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men’s basketball team has been awarded a spot in the 2026 National Invitation Tournament, marking its second consecutive postseason berth. The Patriots will kick off the tournament with a Tuesday night matchup against Liberty, set for 6 p.m. on ESPN2. Tickets for the game, which will take place in Fairfax, are priced at $25 and will be available starting March 16. George Mason students will receive complimentary admission to the event. This marks the sixth time in program history that the Patriots have qualified for the NIT, with the past two seasons seeing them secure consecutive bids. The team’s recent success follows a postseason run in 2025, where they advanced to the NIT Second Round after their first victory in the event since 2004. The achievement also signifies the first time since the 2007-09 season that George Mason has made back-to-back postseason appearances, whether in the NCAA or NIT. Liberty, the team’s opponent, claimed the 2026 Conference USA regular season title with a 25-7 overall record and a 17-3 mark in conference play. The Flames and Patriots have a storied history, having faced each other nine times previously. George Mason holds a 6-3 edge in the series, with the most recent meeting occurring on December 10, 2011, in Fairfax. The Patriots emerged victorious in that game with an 84-54 score. The upcoming matchup represents a significant milestone for both programs, highlighting the competitive nature of collegiate basketball and the growing prominence of George Mason in postseason play.#ncaa #george_mason_university #liberty #nit #fairfax
