Aneesh Phadnis, Ujjval Jauhari &Amp; Sohini Das

Stories by Aneesh Phadnis, Ujjval Jauhari &Amp; Sohini Das

Regulatory woes torpedo PE/VC deals in e-pharma sector

Regulatory woes torpedo PE/VC deals in e-pharma sector

Rediff.com   27 Jun 2023

With regulatory uncertainties clouding the future of online pharmacies, deals in the space are showing signs of slowdown, as also fresh investment from private-equity (PE) firms and venture capitalists (VCs). The data from Venture Intelligence shows so far in 2023 (as of June 13) there has been one deal with PE-VC funding. In 2022 there were four, a sharp fall from the 12, totalling $1,520 million, the sector had attracted in 2021.

Lenders set to clear Rs 400 crore to give wings to Go First

Lenders set to clear Rs 400 crore to give wings to Go First

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2023

Go First's lenders have agreed in principle to support the airline's request for Rs 400 crore interim funding to restart its operations. The airline temporarily halted operations on May 2, and its insolvency plea was admitted by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on May 10. On Wednesday, the airline's resolution professional Shailendra Ajmera submitted a business plan and a request for over Rs 400 crore funding to airline's committee of creditors (CoC).

US drug shortage a shot in the arm for Indian pharmaceutical companies

US drug shortage a shot in the arm for Indian pharmaceutical companies

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2023

Drug shortages in the US are at an all-time high, and price erosion has stabilised, which could benefit Indian pharmaceutical (pharma) companies with a US focus, according to analysts. Nuvama Research analysts said that US price erosion seems to have normalised to its old levels of 6-8 per cent and volumes are picking up with easing of inventory. Similarly, an ICICIdirect analyst noted: "Price erosion intensity has now moderated to a single digit and is expected to tone down a

IndiGo has flexibility to decide 2035 size, says CEO Pieter Elbers

IndiGo has flexibility to decide 2035 size, says CEO Pieter Elbers

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2023

IndiGo has the flexibility to decide what would be the precise size of its aircraft fleet by 2035, its chief executive officer (CEO) Pieter Elbers said on Monday. IndiGo - the country's largest airline - has 312 aircraft in its fleet. Elbers said the airline will double in size by 2030, indicating the airline will have a fleet of about 625 by 2030.

Nigeria flags 2 India-made drugs as substandard, having toxins

Nigeria flags 2 India-made drugs as substandard, having toxins

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2023

Oral paracetamol and another cough medicine manufactured by companies based in Mumbai and Punjab were found to be "sub-standard or found to be containing toxins", reports Sohini Das.

Can Maruti Jimny Compete With The Thar?

Can Maruti Jimny Compete With The Thar?

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2023

Jimny will be priced between Rs 12.7 lakh and Rs 15.05 lakh.

Air India upgrading crew rostering, customer notification system: Wilson

Air India upgrading crew rostering, customer notification system: Wilson

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2023

Air India has been a subject of its passengers' ire this week as more than half of its flights have been delayed, primarily because of an old crew rostering system. Due to the existing system, the airline has not been able to handle the disruption created by cyclone 'Biparjoy' on India's western coast. The sudden grounding of two planes also added to the carrier's woes.

Jettwings, new regional airline for Northeast states, plans takeoff in Oct

Jettwings, new regional airline for Northeast states, plans takeoff in Oct

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2023

Sanjive Narain, owner of Assam's oldest news channel, and Sanjay Aditya Singh, promoter of a cabin crew training academy, are coming together to launch a regional airline providing business and premium economy services in the Northeast. Jettwings Airways will be based in Guwahati and will connect places with twin-class Embraer E175 aircraft. The airline has secured an initial no-objection clearance from the civil aviation ministry and plans to launch services in October.

Better chip supply fuels passenger vehicle production by 16%: Siam

Better chip supply fuels passenger vehicle production by 16%: Siam

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2023

Amid better semiconductor chip supplies, the Indian automotive industry posted an 8 percent growth in production of vehicles across categories for the month of May, with three-wheelers (20 per cent) and passenger vehicles (16 per cent) leading the pack. Exports, however, dipped 21 per cent at an industry level. The industry also recorded its highest-ever May wholesales of domestic passenger vehicles (334,802 units), riding on high demand for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and better supplies of semiconductor chips.

New flights based on flyer-handling capacity at security checks: BCAS

New flights based on flyer-handling capacity at security checks: BCAS

Rediff.com   30 May 2023

The addition of new flights at airports will now be based on passenger-handling capacity at security checkpoints, according to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The civil aviation security regulator issued directions in this regard on May 22 in a move to reduce congestion and delays inside airport terminals. Following this, airports will have to check passenger-handling capacity at security checkpoints before allotting slots.

As Go First seeks to plug exit, 200 pilots accept Air India's job offer

As Go First seeks to plug exit, 200 pilots accept Air India's job offer

Rediff.com   30 May 2023

Around 200 pilots of Go First, the cash-strapped airline that suspended operations on May 2, have joined Air India. As many as 75 of them started training with the Tata-owned airline on Monday. As Go First tries to salvage its operations, it has announced additional pay or retention allowance of Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 for captains and first officers, respectively, with effect from June 1.

Under the lens: Regulator moots pre-export govt testing for cough syrup cos

Under the lens: Regulator moots pre-export govt testing for cough syrup cos

Rediff.com   24 May 2023

After reports of contamination in cough syrups sent from the country, India is considering a system to test them before exporting. It is learnt that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has sent a proposal to the Union health ministry on this. The idea is to test the medicines at government labs before exporting.

Lesson for Go First from Jet Airways' insolvency: Restart quickly

Lesson for Go First from Jet Airways' insolvency: Restart quickly

Rediff.com   24 May 2023

Both Jet Airways and Go First have met with a similar fate of landing up in insolvency, albeit for different reasons. Whether Go First will be able to avoid the sharp erosion in value like in the case of Jet, experts say, will depend on how quickly it is able to restart operations and retain its slots at airports. Go First, owned by the Wadia group, filed for voluntary corporate insolvency resolution on May 2 due to inadequate capacity utilisation that led to a cash crunch.

Drug sales stuck at pre-pandemic level, price rise shapes market growth

Drug sales stuck at pre-pandemic level, price rise shapes market growth

Rediff.com   16 May 2023

Drug sale volumes are almost stuck at pre-pandemic levels but price growth has improved value, data from market research agency Pharmarack AWACS showed. The Indian pharmaceutical market's (IPM) volumes in April 2023 grew by 0.21 per cent when compared to April 2019. Key therapy areas like cardiac, anti-diabetic and vitamins recorded negative volume or consumption growth, while respiratory, anti-infectives, and pain and analgesics had positive growth from April 2019 to April this year.

Let's get business running, crisis-hit Go First's IRP tells staff

Let's get business running, crisis-hit Go First's IRP tells staff

Rediff.com   12 May 2023

Go First chief executive officer Kaushik Khona and tribunal-appointed interim resolution professional Abhilash Lal on Thursday reached out to the airline's staff, seeking their support for revival. While Khona said the company had taken all steps for the airline's revival, Lal put forward the view it would have to raise funds. Employee engagement took place a day after the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the airline's insolvency plea on Wednesday and ordered a moratorium on recoveries.

A P&W story: From giving wings to aviation in India to Go First grounding

A P&W story: From giving wings to aviation in India to Go First grounding

Rediff.com   9 May 2023

Its association with India is over 70 years old and spans both civil and military aviation. The Douglas DC-3 transport aircraft used by the air force beginning the 1940s and the iconic Boeing 747 aircraft flown by Air India, both had Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engines. The Indian Air Force's present-day, heavy-lift C-17 Globemaster III and the yet-to-be-inducted C-295 planes, too, have P&W power plants.

Mahindra and Mahindra gears up for EV play; aims to make 200,000 EVs a year

Mahindra and Mahindra gears up for EV play; aims to make 200,000 EVs a year

Rediff.com   9 May 2023

Analysts have predicted a 23 per cent volume growth for the auto segment between FY22 and FY25, riding on the company's differentiated EV and SUV plan. M&M is already a market leader with a 36 per cent share in electric three-wheelers, and its Zaheerabad plant in Telangana is ready to cater to demand. In the farm segment, the company plans to focus on niche electric products.

Jet Airways Revival Hope Diminishes

Jet Airways Revival Hope Diminishes

Rediff.com   8 May 2023

Jet's air operator certificate will lapse on May 19.

Import of key Chinese medical devices rises up to 152% till Dec FY23

Import of key Chinese medical devices rises up to 152% till Dec FY23

Rediff.com   5 May 2023

In the first nine months of financial year 2022-23, India's exports of medical devices have grown by 17 per cent, while imports have declined by around 8 per cent, show the latest data compiled by the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD). However, import of 30 medical devices from China has risen between 25 per cent and 152 per cent during this period, the AiMeD has written to Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal in March. The AiMeD is an umbrella organisation of medical device makers.

'Tough times': Go First staff hopes for airline survival, scout for options

'Tough times': Go First staff hopes for airline survival, scout for options

Rediff.com   4 May 2023

Employees of Go First, which has filed for bankruptcy, hope that the airline will fly out of the crisis with government support but some are already scouting for work. Some Go First pilots have joined airlines in West Asia in recent weeks and others have approached IndiGo, India's largest domestic airline. Calls to IndiGo's human resources and operations department increased after Go First said on Tuesday it will suspend flights for three days starting May 3, sources said.