Nitin Kumar &Amp;Amp; Peerzada Abrar

Stories by Nitin Kumar &Amp;Amp; Peerzada Abrar

Amazon infuses Rs 1,600 crore into India entity

Amazon infuses Rs 1,600 crore into India entity

Rediff.com   15 May 2024

Ecommerce firm Amazon has infused ~1,600 crore into its India entity Amazon Seller Services, according to its regulatory filings. The funding comes at a time when the company is seeing opportunities in emerging geographies, including India. The regulatory filings are dated April 15. This is the second time in five months that Amazon invested in its India arm Amazon Seller Services. Before this, Amazon had infused over ~1,000 crore into its Indian entity this year.

Byju's unveils new sales model for growth, managers to act as mentors

Byju's unveils new sales model for growth, managers to act as mentors

Rediff.com   9 May 2024

In a bid to democratise education, cash-strapped edtech firm Byju's has significantly reduced the prices of its products. The annual subscription fee for the Byju's Learning App now stands at Rs 12,000 (inclusive of taxes) per year, while Byju's Classes and Byju's Tuition Centres (BTC) are priced at Rs 24,000 and Rs 36,000 respectively for a full year of classes, according to the sources.

Is India's Marble Industry Facing A Bleak Future?

Is India's Marble Industry Facing A Bleak Future?

Rediff.com   9 May 2024

'Every year, the marble industry is shrinking due to tiles. It has already decreased by 20-25 per cent in recent years.'

Nilekani-backed people+ai rolls out AI strategy...

Nilekani-backed people+ai rolls out AI strategy...

Rediff.com   8 May 2024

An initiative of Nandan Nilekani's EkStep Foundation, people+ai on Tuesday unveiled its vision for the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India, dubbed 'Adbhut India' (Amazing India). It aims to harness AI as a powerful tool to enhance the lives of all Indians. The event marked the rollout of several initiatives by people+ai that are focused on discovering, demonstrating, and disseminating population-scale AI use cases for India.

Byju's may pay April salary to employees this week

Byju's may pay April salary to employees this week

Rediff.com   3 May 2024

Cash-strapped edtech firm Byju's is likely to pay its employees the April salaries this week, according to sources. The company is grappling with the issue of delays in paying salaries to employees. "There has been a delay in salary. It is expected to be now paid sometime this week," said a person.

Licious eyes IPO in 24 months, 500 stores in five years

Licious eyes IPO in 24 months, 500 stores in five years

Rediff.com   2 May 2024

The fresh meat and seafood delivery startup Licious plans to set up 500 stores nationwide within the next five years as part of an omnichannel strategy. The aim is to attract new users in the offline channel and encourage them to transact online as well. The move would also help the company in its efforts to achieve profitability and go for an initial public offering (IPO) in the next 24 months, according to the sources.

Tesla begins formal talks with govt

Tesla begins formal talks with govt

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2024

In its first official engagement with the Indian government, Elon Musk-led Tesla and other global automotive (auto) manufacturers sought clarification on the new electric vehicle (EV) policy, specifically regarding investment guidelines and the timeline for the domestic value addition (DVA) requirement. Officials who attended the meeting told Business Standard that the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) tried to understand whether the complete investment would be made within three or five years and the duration they would have to achieve the 50 per cent DVA. "The consultation meeting was convened to address queries from auto OEMs.

Locals' lament in Dibrugarh: Infra push but no jobs

Locals' lament in Dibrugarh: Infra push but no jobs

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2024

'It feels like Assam is good just as a tourist spot and not a place to earn and live.'

Wooing Tesla: 4 States Pull Out All Stops

Wooing Tesla: 4 States Pull Out All Stops

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2024

'Gujarat is the frontrunner at present.'
'However, Tamil Nadu's robust automobile ecosystem and Telangana's aggressive incentives make them strong contenders.'

11 EV makers get EMPS nod

11 EV makers get EMPS nod

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2024

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has approved 11 electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, including Ather Energy, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Ola Electric, and Mahindra, to receive incentives under the recently introduced Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024. "A total of 11 firms have been granted approval under the EMPS, with several more under consideration," informed a senior official of the ministry to Business Standard. The scheme aims to sustain the growth in EV sales, replacing the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles - II (FAME-II) scheme.

Byju: 'We'd like you to be part of our turnaround story'

Byju: 'We'd like you to be part of our turnaround story'

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2024

'Despite the animosity shown by some of the investors in pursuing uncalled for legal actions, we continue to show good faith towards all our shareholders.'

Ex-bureaucrats seek Green Credits scheme withdrawal

Ex-bureaucrats seek Green Credits scheme withdrawal

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2024

A group of 91 retired bureaucrats has appealed to the Centre to withdraw the Green Credits programme, which they claimed may facilitate diversion of forest land to private entities. "Quick, smooth and easy diversion of our forest lands in favour of user agencies is apparently the sole intention of this set of Green Credits rules. "We urge the MOEFCC to recognise this danger and withdraw the Green Credits notification expeditiously," the group of former civil servants wrote in an open letter to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

EV makers lukewarm to new subsidy scheme

EV makers lukewarm to new subsidy scheme

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2024

Manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs) have been lukewarm to the ad hoc subsidy scheme announced by the Centre for them. Sector majors have not been enthused by the lower level of incentives in the scheme, which has replaced the flagship Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric (and Hybrid) Vehicles-II. Moreover, increased stringency in claiming subsidies and delays in disbursement have been cited by several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Startups call for swift measures to ensure robust safety

Startups call for swift measures to ensure robust safety

Rediff.com   4 Mar 2024

The blast at The Rameshwaram Caf has caused distress and concern among the startup and information technology (IT) community, raising questions related to safety and security. Approximately 10 people were reportedly injured in a low-intensity bomb blast at The Rameshwaram Caf, a popular restaurant in Bengaluru's Brookfield. The surrounding area is a major hub for the Indian technology (tech) industry, housing many startups and top IT companies such as IBM, SAP, Accenture, International Tech Park Bangalore, and Prestige Technostar.

India one of the toughest markets for Uber: CEO Dara Khosrowshahi

India one of the toughest markets for Uber: CEO Dara Khosrowshahi

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2024

Uber Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dara Khosrowshahi sees India as one of the toughest markets and a standard to succeed in any other part of the world. One of the biggest challenges for the ride-hailing firm, according to Khosrowshahi, is the expectation of Indian consumers for more services at lower spending. "India is one of the toughest markets out there.

Committed to restructuring board: Raveendran tells Byju's shareholders

Committed to restructuring board: Raveendran tells Byju's shareholders

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2024

Ahead of Friday's extraordinary general meeting (EGM), Byju Raveendran, chief executive officer (CEO) of Byju's, told shareholders that he is committed to restructuring the board of the embattled educational technology (edtech) firm. He also committed to appointing two non-executive directors to the board by the mutual consent of the founder and shareholders. The development comes at a time when a consortium of key shareholders, holding over 30 per cent stake in Byju's, issued a notice to the embattled edtech firm this month, calling for an EGM to address "persistent issues", including a proposed change of management at the firm.

Key investors may drag Byju's to NCLT

Key investors may drag Byju's to NCLT

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2024

A consortium of shareholders with over 30 per cent stake in cash-strapped Byju's might approach the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking a management change, if the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) scheduled for Friday failed to yield an 'amicable settlement' or faced further delays, sources said. Earlier this month, these shareholders had issued a notice calling for an EGM to address "persistent issues", including a change in management. They will vote for a revamp of the existing board, an exercise which would include asking Byju Raveendran to step down as chief executive officer (CEO) and relinquish his operational role, according to sources.

Mine bidders to face penalties for delays; Centre proposes timelines

Mine bidders to face penalties for delays; Centre proposes timelines

Rediff.com   20 Feb 2024

To expedite mining activities in the country and address shortcomings in the mine auction process, the Centre has proposed the introduction of intermediary timelines for acquiring mining leases and composite licences. The government has outlined timelines for various activities involved in the process, accompanied by penalties for delays attributable to the bidder. According to the Ministry of Mines notification dated February 9, the penalty for surpassing specified timelines in any activity within a milestone would lead to deductions from the performance security deposited by the bidder.

Hybrid Vehicles May Race Ahead

Hybrid Vehicles May Race Ahead

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2024

Hybrids have helped Maruti acquire leadership in SUVs, a segment that was never its forte. Toyota has also risen with the hybrid tide to clock its highest-ever annual sales in 2023.

Swiggy may file papers with Sebi for IPO in 2 weeks to raise Rs 8,000 cr

Swiggy may file papers with Sebi for IPO in 2 weeks to raise Rs 8,000 cr

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2024

Swiggy is planning to file its draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India for its initial public offering (IPO) in the next two weeks, aiming for an $11 billion IPO valuation target. The Bengaluru-based firm plans to raise an estimated $1 billion (Rs 8,300 crore) through the IPO this year. The company is targeting a valuation in the range of $10-11 billion, and it currently has approximately $800 million in cash from the previous funding round, according to sources.