Megha Manchanda &Amp; Sohini Das

Stories by Megha Manchanda &Amp; Sohini Das

Demand for Covid-19 tests growing 100 pc week-on-week

Demand for Covid-19 tests growing 100 pc week-on-week

Rediff.com   23 Apr 2021

One challenge for many laboratories in ramping up is the shortage of trained manpower for collecting samples, report Sohini Das, Vinay Umarji and Virendra Singh Rawat.

Shortage of key chemical from US hits Covaxin ramp-up plans

Shortage of key chemical from US hits Covaxin ramp-up plans

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2021

'In case of shortage of other raw material, like filters and bags, one can try to develop another vendor. However, for chemicals as critical as adjuvants, this is not possible'

Serum, Bharat Biotech to get Rs 45 bn for 300 mn vaccines

Serum, Bharat Biotech to get Rs 45 bn for 300 mn vaccines

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2021

This will be an upfront payment for the vaccine doses that these two companies will supply to the government.

'Scrapping centres will be an industry'

'Scrapping centres will be an industry'

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2021

'Our automakers export 50 per cent of what they manufacture and once the policy comes into play, which is in the next 2-3 years, we would become a Rs 10 trillion industry.'

'In 3 years, India's infrastructure will be on par with the US'

'In 3 years, India's infrastructure will be on par with the US'

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2021

'We completed Rs 17 trillion worth of projects in the first term and currently Rs 9 trillion worth of contracts are under construction.'

COVID-19 vaccine: Why Poonawalla wrote to Biden

COVID-19 vaccine: Why Poonawalla wrote to Biden

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2021

'The US has invoked the Defence Act and banned export of raw materials.' 'This is as good as banning vaccines.'

100 million Covaxin vaccines by Sept

100 million Covaxin vaccines by Sept

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2021

The production of Covaxin will increase from the current 10 million doses per month to 60 million-70 million by July-August.

Second Covid wave is 1.7x times faster than first wave, shows data

Second Covid wave is 1.7x times faster than first wave, shows data

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2021

It has taken 51 days to reach a daily caseload of 84,000 from 11,000, as against 85 days taken in the first wave, report Abhishek Waghmare and Sohini Das.

Mobile operators rush to rework equipment sourcing pacts

Mobile operators rush to rework equipment sourcing pacts

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2021

While the government has not barred procurement of equipment from Chinese companies, the process to amend the general financial rules (GFR) 2017 has started. This will impose restrictions on bidders in public procurement from countries that share a land border with India, reports Megha Manchanda.

'We will be prioritising vaccine only for India'

'We will be prioritising vaccine only for India'

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2021

'I don't think anybody would want to be in my position today where every head of State has to be explained that I am prioritising my country because there is a surge in cases.'

Serum, Bharat Bio seek govt funds to boost vaccine output

Serum, Bharat Bio seek govt funds to boost vaccine output

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2021

Both manufacturers have sought funds in excess of Rs 150 crore under the department of biotechnology's Mission Covid Suraksha scheme. Announced last November, the scheme has an outlay of Rs 900 crore to help develop Covid vaccines, from the clinical development stage to setting up production sites.

'Govt wants more incentive to customers for vehicle scrapping'

'Govt wants more incentive to customers for vehicle scrapping'

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2021

'Some companies have agreed to 2-3% incentive but the automakers and SIAM have to decide amongst themselves'

Expert panel seeks more data on Sputnik V Covid vaccine

Expert panel seeks more data on Sputnik V Covid vaccine

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2021

'No approval was given to Sputnik V on Thursday. Some queries have been asked on safety, efficacy, and logistics, which the firm will have answers to at the next meeting'

Sputnik V vaccine may be added to India's Covid armoury soon

Sputnik V vaccine may be added to India's Covid armoury soon

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2021

'We expect to get the approval in the next few weeks,' says Deepak Sapra, CEO, API and pharmaceutical services, Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL).

Bharat Biotech's Krishna Ella wins Covaxin fight

Bharat Biotech's Krishna Ella wins Covaxin fight

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2021

'He came back from the US only to work for his country.' 'He has invested his fortunes to build this company and is married to his work.' 'Rarely does one see such commitment.'

Govt eyes Rs 6,200 crore in AGR dues from Airtel, Vi by March 31

Govt eyes Rs 6,200 crore in AGR dues from Airtel, Vi by March 31

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2021

SC said 10 per cent of the amount would have to be paid by March 31.

Chaos rules at toll plazas over FASTag implementation

Chaos rules at toll plazas over FASTag implementation

Rediff.com   27 Feb 2021

Either drivers were blissfully unaware of the requirement or they hadn't bothered to get one installed in their vehicle.

Public may get COVID-19 vaccine by April

Public may get COVID-19 vaccine by April

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2021

Anybody over 50 years of age or with co-morbidities can get a date, place and time of choice for getting the vaccine shots.

Data traffic in India increased 60 times in 5 years

Data traffic in India increased 60 times in 5 years

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2021

A Nokia research showed that 4G alone constituted nearly 99 per cent of the total data traffic consumed across the country in 2020.

Low turnout forces govt to mull private rollout of Covid vaccine

Low turnout forces govt to mull private rollout of Covid vaccine

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2021

Two weeks after the vaccination programme started, about 37 per cent of the targeted 10 million healthcare professionals had received the first shot. This slow rate may prompt the government to allow vaccines in the private market sooner, to use up the doses before they expire, Sohini Das reports.