A big monopoly may be coming to an end, as government officials looking at India's energy demands are recommending the break-up of Coal India, according to Reuters. Government officials have recommended that the company be broken up into seven separate firms, to improve its competitiveness and efficiency. Coal India has been struggling under lower domestic demand, falling quality and coal imports. The government's recommendations however, would mean immediate resistance from the 350,000 people strong unions representing the company's employees. 

Lines grow longer at ATMs with salary payouts, with banks and ATMs running dry, people protesting outside bank doors, and banks individually setting withdrawal limits at cash counters of under Rs. 10,000 to meet demand. The new 500 rupee notes are not yet available, and the situation has been complicated by some companies paying their employees in old notes, resulting in queues to exchange these as well. In the meantime the numbers coming in from auto companies suggest a clear impact of de-monetization. Sales at Mahindra & Mahindra are down 38.8% in November compared to October, and at Tata Motors sales are down 28.4%. 

Stock in spotlight: Dr. Reddy's, which has gained in technical scores and is currently above all SMAs. The company launched an anti-cancer generic earlier this month in the US.

Photo of the day: Emma Morano, said to be the world's oldest person, blows out the candles on her cake on her 117th birthday. Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters