Peerzada Abrar &Amp; Samreen Ahmad

Stories by Peerzada Abrar &Amp; Samreen Ahmad

Foreign e-com cos creating massive unemployment, alleges RIL

Foreign e-com cos creating massive unemployment, alleges RIL

Rediff.com   23 Mar 2021

Capital dumping is being used by foreign e-commerce firms to subsidise and engage in predatory pricing, oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries (RIL) has told the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) in an internal document. The document alleges that this is leading to massive unemployment and financial distress among small merchants and kirana stores. It consists of various recommendations and proposed changes that deal with Press Note 2 of 2018 (PN 2), which RIL wanted Assocham to present to the government, according to sources.

Draft e-commerce policy is 'nationalistic'

Draft e-commerce policy is 'nationalistic'

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2021

Many industry executives have said the draft e-commerce policy is being perceived as nationalistic but not overly protectionist and it is providing preference to Indian players against foreign companies. This might have an impact on investment by large players such as Walmart and Amazon in the country, said the executives. They said e-commerce was a very small portion of the retail industry and at a nascent stage and did not require heavy hammer regulations. Though the policy talks about being equally applicable to foreign and domestic players, it mentions that foreign direct investment (FDI) takes precedence over the e-commerce policy in any area of overlap.

Data privacy: Tension between big technology firms and govt boils over

Data privacy: Tension between big technology firms and govt boils over

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2021

There is a perception getting built inside the government that big technology companies -- a common term used for firms like Facebook, Google, Twitter, Amazon and the like - are becoming very powerful and present multiple threats to entire nations and their citizens today. The digital ecosystem is replete with CSAM (child sexual abuse material), fake news, drug trade, radicalisation, trolling among other social vices. Given the network effect that these platforms have, it is important to ensure that these platforms are not misused.

Has Amazon actually broken India's e-commerce laws?

Has Amazon actually broken India's e-commerce laws?

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2021

Last November, a lawyer for Future Retail Limited (FRL) told Delhi high court that Amazon is interfering with its lawful business and thousands may lose their jobs and FRL may go bankrupt. Senior advocate Harish Salve, who appeared for FRL, likened Amazon to East India Company. Senior advocate Gopal Subramanium, who represented Amazon, told the Future counsel to keep the "East India Company" rhetoric aside, as Amazon has invested $6.5 billion all over India and created 900,000 jobs. This drama played out in the case in which Amazon has challenged Future's $3.4-billion deal with Reliance, alleging the retailer's deal breached an agreement with the American e-commerce firm.

Indian firms reject Google Play's new bill plan

Indian firms reject Google Play's new bill plan

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2021

Indian industry snubbed Google Play's decision to cut by half its commission for developers when they make $1 million in annual revenue for in-app purchases, saying the US tech giant may continue its "abrasive & monopolistic abuse" as it owns the Android system. Google Play said Tuesday that beginning July 1 it would slash its 30 per cent billing fee to 15 per cent for developers globally when they make the first $1 million of their annual revenue.

Koo is finally a true Indian company

Koo is finally a true Indian company

Rediff.com   18 Mar 2021

Koo has so far raised $4.1 mn in Series A funding from existing investors Accel, Kalaari Capital, Blume Ventures and 3one4 Capital.

How technology is changing fashion

How technology is changing fashion

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2021

From omnichannel to AI and 3D technology, the fashion industry is in the middle of a digital revolution.

E-com firms want govt to 'tweak' existing export policies

E-com firms want govt to 'tweak' existing export policies

Rediff.com   9 Mar 2021

E-commerce firms and sellers including Amazon and eBay have made recommendations to the government for a differentiated policy framework for e-commerce in the revised Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) which is expected to come into effect from April 1, 2021. This is because the existing policies on exports have catered largely to traditional, offline and business-to-business exports. Suggestions have been made to the government that through the FTP, it is important to create a conducive policy framework for e-commerce exports that lowers the entry barrier for small businesses to start exporting, according to the industry sources.

Zostel claims win in 3-year legal battle against OYO, latter refutes

Zostel claims win in 3-year legal battle against OYO, latter refutes

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2021

Zostel could get upwards of $600 million if arbitration goes through.

Flipkart keen to add Cleartrip to its cart

Flipkart keen to add Cleartrip to its cart

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2021

Apart from air travel, Flipkart would also be able to offer train bookings through Cleartrip.

Uber's business shows strong recovery signs post lockdown in India

Uber's business shows strong recovery signs post lockdown in India

Rediff.com   2 Mar 2021

As Indians start travelling in the new normal, strong recovery in smaller towns underscores success for ride-hailing giant's 'India to Bharat' strategy, which offers new products in regional markets.

India set to have 150 unicorns by 2025

India set to have 150 unicorns by 2025

Rediff.com   2 Mar 2021

$47.6 bn capital invested across 921 deals in India in 2020, despite pandemic.

Edtech, logistics and gig-economy to drive jobs

Edtech, logistics and gig-economy to drive jobs

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2021

Fresher hiring is expected to more than double compared to last year.

How Covid changed the lives of Amazon India's employees

How Covid changed the lives of Amazon India's employees

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2021

From virtual yoga to empathy, the pandemic has prompted the e-commerce giant to double down on building innovations focused on improving remote work culture especially employee well-being, both mental and physical.

'We are the eyes and brain of the missile'

'We are the eyes and brain of the missile'

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2021

'Our sensors allow the missile to locate and identify the target even if it's on the move.'

Ola to deploy robots at its electric scooter factory

Ola to deploy robots at its electric scooter factory

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2021

Ola's factory will create 10,000 jobs and serve as the company's global manufacturing hub for India and international markets.

How Amazon Academy will help students crack JEE

How Amazon Academy will help students crack JEE

Rediff.com   14 Jan 2021

Live lessons help students strengthen their JEE preparation. They can also track their progress over time, identify strong and weak areas, get insights on overall test-taking strategy.

Show-cause notice to Amazon India over Rs 175 cr tax demand

Show-cause notice to Amazon India over Rs 175 cr tax demand

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2021

Probe has allegedly found calculation errors by Amazon. The company paid higher GST but instead of claiming refund took wrong input tax credit.

How WhatsApp's new privacy policy affects you

How WhatsApp's new privacy policy affects you

Rediff.com   7 Jan 2021

The most prominent changes deal with how WhatsApp shares information with Facebook and its subsidiaries.