Aneeka Chatterjee, Sanket Koul

Stories by Aneeka Chatterjee, Sanket Koul

Bengaluru's water crisis: India Inc adopt innovative methods

Bengaluru's water crisis: India Inc adopt innovative methods

Rediff.com   14 Mar 2024

From installing water-saving aerators on taps to using cans for washing hands and dishes, Bengaluru is adopting diverse strategies to tide over the water crisis. While several citizens have taken to social media to urge Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to make work from home mandatory for IT companies, it appears that hybrid mode will continue to be the norm for most - although with new water conservation measures in place. Co-working space provider Urban Vault has, for instance, installed smart water meters to detect leakage.

'Premium and luxury segments becoming more prominent in India'

'Premium and luxury segments becoming more prominent in India'

Rediff.com   9 Mar 2024

'The Indian economy is expected to grow in terms of per capita income and GDP, and with that, the luxury segment becomes more relevant.'

Karnataka's Locals Push Draws Flak

Karnataka's Locals Push Draws Flak

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2024

'Such steps would be a barrier and something people do not want.'

Want To Buy A Bungalow For Rs 325 Crore?

Want To Buy A Bungalow For Rs 325 Crore?

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2024

Enquiries indicate it belongs to an industrialist with links to a prominent cricketer.

AyushMin gets rap for underuse of funds despite rising allocation

AyushMin gets rap for underuse of funds despite rising allocation

Rediff.com   27 Feb 2024

Given the gap between budgetary allocation and use, a parliamentary standing committee has asked the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (Ayush) to take steps to prevent underutilisation of funds under the National Ayush Mission (NAM) scheme. According to the data, the ministry was allocated Rs 1,200 crore for the mission in the Budgetary Estimate (BE) for FY24. The Revised Estimate (RE) for the year fell to Rs 815 crore, of which Rs 589 crore, or 74 per cent, has been spent till January.

'The formulations business been a growth driver'

'The formulations business been a growth driver'

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2024

'However, we have seen weakness in our active pharmaceutical ingredients business.'

In a huge relief to homebuyers, allotted houses to stay out of liquidation

In a huge relief to homebuyers, allotted houses to stay out of liquidation

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2024

In a relief to homebuyers, assets in a real estate project that have been handed over to the allottee would be kept out of the liquidation process of the company, the latest amendment to the rules by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has said. The notification dated February 12 said: "For the purposes of clause (e) of sub-section (4) of section 36, wherever the corporate debtor has given possession to an allottee in a real estate project, such asset shall not form a part of the liquidation estate of the corporate debtor." Real estate experts call it a "pragmatic approach" by the regulator. "However, there are many cases where possession has not been given because the property is stuck in insolvency.

Air India, TASL to invest Rs 2,300 crore in Karnataka

Air India, TASL to invest Rs 2,300 crore in Karnataka

Rediff.com   20 Feb 2024

Air India and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), a player in aerospace and defence solutions, on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka government for an investment of ~2,300 crore in the state's aerospace and defence sector. The strategic move is expected to enhance Karnataka's aerospace ecosystem and help create over 1,600 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs in the state.

'Diageo India focuses on value rather than volume'

'Diageo India focuses on value rather than volume'

Rediff.com   26 Jan 2024

'Our approach has been to work with consumers and help them drink better, not more.'

Real estate players deploy AI, plug into AR and VR tech to boost sales

Real estate players deploy AI, plug into AR and VR tech to boost sales

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2024

Buying one's dream home requires planning, funds, and these days, putting on an AI-enabled virtual reality (VR) headset. Realtors are increasingly providing customers an immersive experience, courtesy generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), mixed reality, and metaverse. For realty consultancy Anarock group, AI and machine learning (ML) are enabling predictive market analysis, facilitating virtual property tours, and improving property management through predictive maintenance.

Half of top economists expect world economy to weaken in '24

Half of top economists expect world economy to weaken in '24

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2024

More than half (56 per cent) of chief economists expect the global economy to weaken in 2024, with most saying the pace of geo-economic fragmentation will accelerate, according to the latest "Chief Economists Outlook" released on Monday at the World Economic Forum (WEF). The report indicates that the global economic prospects remain subdued and uncertain. Challenges include tight financial conditions, geopolitical rifts, and the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI).

Union Budget '24: Realty players' high-rise expectations

Union Budget '24: Realty players' high-rise expectations

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2024

During 2023, the Indian real estate sector - both housing and commercial - witnessed buoyancy fuelled by demand, supply, and absorption, and the sector is banking on the upcoming Budget to keep the momentum going. Mumbai-based Sattva Group wants the government to focus on the critical pillars for long-term growth. The company emphasised on the infrastructure boom with increased allocation, lower goods and services tax (GST) rates, incentives for affordable housing and single-window clearance to fast-track projects and support liquidity.

Revised Schedule M elicits mixed response

Revised Schedule M elicits mixed response

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2024

A notification of the revised Schedule M rules by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has elicited mixed responses from the pharma sector and industry observers. While the industry has welcomed the revision of rules, several analysts said that implementation and compliance can become a challenge for smaller pharmaceutical companies. The Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules specifies the good manufacturing practices (GMPs), which aim to ensure quality of drugs made in the country.

Are hospitals ready to handle Covid surge?

Are hospitals ready to handle Covid surge?

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2023

Larger hospitals are not worried about a spike in cases, as they are now accustomed to converting ICUs and general wards into negative pressure zones or isolation rooms. For smaller hospitals, the task is tedious.

Why villas have become homebuyers' favourite choice

Why villas have become homebuyers' favourite choice

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2023

This shift is driven by a pursuit of a superior lifestyle and an innate desire to be grounded in an owned plot of land. Villas, situated within gated housing societies, have gained popularity as a property type, witnessing strong traction due to elevated aspirations and the need for more living space.

How AI Will Revolutionise Workplaces

How AI Will Revolutionise Workplaces

Rediff.com   21 Dec 2023

'Even for operational buildings, we are looking to smarten them in various ways.'

Real estate sector bats for green spaces

Real estate sector bats for green spaces

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2023

Bengaluru recorded the highest green building stock at 140 million square feet, followed by Delhi-National Capital Region at 74 msf, and Hyderabad at 72 msf for Grade A office buildings as of September 2023.

Tata Realty to scale up business in India, overseas

Tata Realty to scale up business in India, overseas

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2023

Tata Realty and Infrastructure, a subsidiary of Tata Sons, is looking to expand its business with over 50 projects across major cities in India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The combined projects boast a development potential exceeding 51 million sq ft, according to a top executive. The Mumbai-based real estate major has completed the first phase of project developments in Male (the Maldives), and is gearing up for the second phase. It has also expanded its footprint in Sri Lanka and plans to add about 2 million sq ft. in Colombo.

Demand for workspaces eases on global downturn; shift to office holds hope

Demand for workspaces eases on global downturn; shift to office holds hope

Rediff.com   23 Nov 2023

The net leasing of Grade-A commercial office space in India will stagnate this financial year at 32-34 million square feet, with global uncertainties brewing caution among key tenant categories, according to the latest Crisil Ratings report. Major seven cities in India - Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), National Capital Region (NCR) and Pune - had Grade-A office space with an operational stock of around 705 million square feet as of March 2023. India's commercial office space is dominated by technology companies, with information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITeS) companies occupying 42-45 per cent of the operational stock.

Mankind Pharma sees 21% profit surge in Q2 despite consumer health hurdles

Mankind Pharma sees 21% profit surge in Q2 despite consumer health hurdles

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2023

Pharmaceuticals major Mankind Pharma reported a 21 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase in net profit, with revenue rising by 12 per cent Y-o-Y in the second quarter of the financial year 2024 (Q2FY24) in a regulatory filing lrecently.