Voices

``My first priority is to ensure that whatever has been provided in the Budget is spent as quickly as possible.'' -- Mr Yashwant Sinha, Finance Minister.

``The recent rise in oil prices is expected to spurt investments in the hydro-carbon sector in oil-producing countries and we consider this an opportunity.'' -- Mr A. M. Naik, Managing Director, Larsen and Toubro.

``Hindustan Lever is undertaking research to reduce consumption of water used by consumers while using HLL products.'' -- Mr M. S. Banga, Chairman, Hindustan Lever.

``The UTI had no option but to freeze the sales and repurchase window, considering heavy redemption in April-May, coupled with downturn in the stock markets.'' -- Mr B. G. Daga, Senior Executive Director, UTI.

``I am a free man now.'' -- Mr P. S. Subramanyam, after quitting as Chairman, UTI.

``It is significant that out of the redemption in April-May, 90 per cent has been by large institutional investors and not by small investors.'' -- Mr Yashwant Sinha, Finance Minister.

``The near-term agenda is solely to protect the interests of the small investors.'' -- Mr K. G. Vassal, acting Chairman, UTI.

``We had placed similar sets of bids for the fourth cellular licences -- one as Reliance Communications and the other as Reliance Internet Services Ltd.'' -- Comment by Reliance group officials on duplicate bids made by the Reliance group.

``There should be no ceiling on the number of pension operators.'' -- Mr N. Rangachary, Chairman, Insurance Regulatory Authority of India.

``One hurdle we face in selling mutual funds is in convincing investors that we do not invest only in the equity market.'' -- Mr Milind Barve, Managing Director, HDFC Mutual Fund.