Nitin Kumar, Shine Jacob &Amp; Deepak Patel

Stories by Nitin Kumar, Shine Jacob &Amp; Deepak Patel

For Congress in Telangana, it's a vote on 5-month rule

For Congress in Telangana, it's a vote on 5-month rule

Rediff.com   13 May 2024

As the triangular political contest in Telangana intensifies, many believe that for the regional major BRS, it is a battle for survival after being routed in the assembly polls held late last year. What is haunting the party this time is the scams, the 10-year anti-incumbency factor, and family dominance in the party.

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.'

Why DGCA Suspended Vistara Executive

Why DGCA Suspended Vistara Executive

Rediff.com   1 May 2024

This isn't the first instance of Vistara facing scrutiny from the regulator over improper pilot training.

Advent to infuse Rs 2,475 cr into Apollo Hospitals' arm

Advent to infuse Rs 2,475 cr into Apollo Hospitals' arm

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2024

Apollo HealthCo Ltd (AHL), a subsidiary of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (AHEL), on Friday entered into a binding agreement to raise equity capital of Rs 2,475 crore from Advent International (Advent), one of the world's largest private equity (PE) players. The transaction will also see the merger of two units under Apollo Healthco - its wholesale pharma distribution unit Keimed Pvt Ltd and online healthcare business Apollo 24'7. The merger will take place in a phased manner over the next 24-30 months.

Political Movies Surge before Lok Sabha Polls

Political Movies Surge before Lok Sabha Polls

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2024

'Elections and audience interest in specific movies are often independent factors.'

DGCA directs airlines to seat kids up to 12 years with their parents

DGCA directs airlines to seat kids up to 12 years with their parents

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2024

A child who is less than 12 years of age must be allotted a seat beside at least one parent or a guardian with whom he is travelling, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told airlines on Tuesday. The DGCA has said that the air transport circular on unbundling of services and fees by scheduled airlines is being modified. It allows airlines to charge for excess baggage, preferential seats, meals, snacks, drinks, and carriage of musical instruments.

'Aionos will bridge silos within aviation, hospitality using AI'

'Aionos will bridge silos within aviation, hospitality using AI'

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2024

Industries such as aviation and hospitality have many silos within them and Aionos, the joint venture between Interglobe Enterprises (IGE) and Assago Group, is an attempt to bridge them and boost efficiencies using artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, Rahul Bhatia told Business Standard on Tuesday. Bhatia, the Group Managing Director of IGE, serves as the majority shareholder in India's largest airline, IndiGo. Additionally, IGE operates 21 hotels under the Ibis brand and runs a logistics company called Movin.

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.'

Can 'Singham Anna' Deliver For The BJP?

Can 'Singham Anna' Deliver For The BJP?

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2024

Annamalai has faced criticism for the breakup between the AIADMK and the BJP, but BJP leaders say 'he attracts youth, who needs change'.

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.'

'Will end year with a growth rate of over 30 per cent'

'Will end year with a growth rate of over 30 per cent'

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2024

'In life insurance, it is about creating distribution capacity and solutions for customers. We are constantly working on that.'

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.

Summer pinch: Airfares on key routes rise up to 13%

Summer pinch: Airfares on key routes rise up to 13%

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2024

Airfares on major domestic routes such as Kolkata-Bagdogra, Delhi-Bengaluru, and Delhi-Mumbai have witnessed an increase of up to 12.7 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in May this year, according to data by Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel. The recent increase in aviation turbine fuel prices, rupee depreciation, reduction of flights by key players, and grounding of planes due to engine supply issues have contributed to the rise in airfares, said aviation industry experts. However, the data also shows that summer airfares on key routes such as Delhi-Leh and Delhi-Kolkata have significantly decreased due to the introduction of new flights.

'Bonded labour': Air India pilot unions extend support to Vistara

'Bonded labour': Air India pilot unions extend support to Vistara

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2024

Describing their situation akin to "bonded labour", two Air India pilot unions extended their support to Vistara pilots on Thursday, who have raised grievances regarding the duty roster and the revised salary structure. Amid the slew of flight cancellations and delays, Vistara chief executive officer Vinod Kannan acknowledged on Wednesday that pilot utilisation in the airline was high, and announced plans to scale back its flight schedule and overhaul the rostering system to provide pilots with more rest time.

Flight schedule to normalise in 2-3 days: Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan

Flight schedule to normalise in 2-3 days: Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2024

High pilot utilisation, combined with a portion of pilots taking sick leave at the end of March has resulted in the cancellations during the last couple of days, chief executive officer (CEO) of Vistara, Vinod Kannan, said during a meeting with the pilots on Wednesday.

Vistara cancellations lead to surge in spot airfares by up to 38%

Vistara cancellations lead to surge in spot airfares by up to 38%

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2024

The spot airfares on major routes, where Vistara cancelled flights on Tuesday, have surged by up to 38 per cent, according to data provided by Cleartrip. The spot airfares for Tuesday were compared with March 5. Vistara has cancelled 52 flights on routes such as Delhi-Indore, Delhi-Srinagar, Mumbai-Kochi, and Bengaluru-Udaipur as a certain section of pilots went on sick leave, reportedly protesting against the new salary structure that was introduced as part of the airline's merger with Air India.

Adani, JSW, PSA looking to bag Rs 7K cr Tuticorin project

Adani, JSW, PSA looking to bag Rs 7K cr Tuticorin project

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2024

A Rs 7,056 crore outer harbour project by VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Tuticorin is garnering interest from domestic and global majors in the sector, such as Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, Singapore's PSA International, Dutch major Van Oord, JM Baxi, and JSW, among others, according to sources close to the development. The project aims to capitalise on the newfound investor interest in the region, spurred by mega investments such as the Rs 16,000 crore electric vehicle manufacturing unit by Vietnamese major VinFast, the Indian Space Research Organisation's second spaceport in Tamil Nadu's Kulasekarapattinam, and Singapore's Sembcorp's Rs 36,238 crore investment in renewable energy.

Election May Spike Sales Surge

Election May Spike Sales Surge

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2024

'During the scorching summer months of election season, largescale outdoor gatherings create a prime opportunity for increased consumption in the packaged drinking water category.'

Will Ombudsman Fix Air Travel Hassles?

Will Ombudsman Fix Air Travel Hassles?

Rediff.com   26 Mar 2024

'The ministry may like to consider setting up an ombudsman similar to electricity ombudsman and insurance ombudsman, to ensure a time-bound resolution of consumer issues within the airline sector.'