Shine Jacob, Deepak Patel

Stories by Shine Jacob, Deepak Patel

EV Adoption Rises As West Asia Crisis Makes Fuel Costly

EV Adoption Rises As West Asia Crisis Makes Fuel Costly

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2026

Fuel prices have risen by about Rs 7.5 per litre since May 15, as global crude oil prices surged due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia and supply concerns around the Strait of Hormuz.

India Inc Battles Rising Gulf War Costs

India Inc Battles Rising Gulf War Costs

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2026

Companies are already diversifying sourcing, raising prices, and reworking operating models as the disruption drags on.

Maruti Launches RD-Backed Car Loan

Maruti Launches RD-Backed Car Loan

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2026

The scheme, called 'Suhana Safar', targeted customers who aspire to own a car but were hesitant because of concerns around arranging the down payment or managing future EMI obligations.

Flex fuel to be sold at 5,000 outlets by end of next year

Flex fuel to be sold at 5,000 outlets by end of next year

Rediff.com   5 Jun 2026

Oil-marketing companies (OMCs) are set to significantly expand the sale of flex fuel (E85) across India, with plans to reach 5,000 outlets in major cities by the end of next year, according to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. This move aims to boost ethanol demand, reduce crude oil imports, and cut carbon emissions, coinciding with the launch of India's first flex-fuel vehicles by Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp.

Hero to roll out flex-fuel versions of motorcycles, but concerns remain

Hero to roll out flex-fuel versions of motorcycles, but concerns remain

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2026

Flex fuel motorcycles can deliver "3 per cent higher torque and 7 per cent higher peak power".

Government okays Rs 10,000 cr jet fuel fund for airlines

Government okays Rs 10,000 cr jet fuel fund for airlines

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2026

The support will be provided to oil-marketing companies (OMCs) in the form of interest-free advances through the ministry of petroleum and natural gas. The OMCs, in turn, will use the fund to provide ATF price stabilisation support to Indian carriers operating domestic and international flights.

June Is A Cruel Month For Airlines, Airports

June Is A Cruel Month For Airlines, Airports

Rediff.com   2 Jun 2026

Airlines are cutting not only international services but also domestic flights, especially on routes projected to remain unprofitable in the coming weeks due to weak demand and high fares.

West Asia crisis fuels EV boom, Tatas ramp up output by 50%

West Asia crisis fuels EV boom, Tatas ramp up output by 50%

Rediff.com   29 May 2026

"There is a sharp jump that we have seen in bookings of EVs... The jump, at least in our case, in just two months, it is about 2 to 2.5 times of what it used to be"

South India Industry Feels Absence of Bengal, Assam Workers

South India Industry Feels Absence of Bengal, Assam Workers

Rediff.com   23 May 2026

South India's manufacturing, construction, and services sectors are grappling with severe labour shortages, prompting employers to offer attractive incentives like free air tickets and salary increments to lure migrant workers back from their home states after recent assembly elections.

Maruti Suzuki Hikes Car Prices From June

Maruti Suzuki Hikes Car Prices From June

Rediff.com   22 May 2026

'With inflationary pressures now at elevated levels and the adverse cost environment persisting, the company has to pass on a portion of the increased costs to the market, while continuing to ensure that the impact on customers is kept to the minimum extent possible.'

Auto Sales Surge In Punjab, Gujarat

Auto Sales Surge In Punjab, Gujarat

Rediff.com   21 May 2026

About 181,750 units were sold in FY26 in Punjab, marking a 16.29 per cent year-on-year increase.

TVS Venu Group to bolster financial services presence with Jana SFB stake

TVS Venu Group to bolster financial services presence with Jana SFB stake

Rediff.com   19 May 2026

TVS Venu Group has agreed to acquire a minority stake of up to 9.9 per cent in Jana Small Finance Bank, including a 4.9 per cent ownership by TVS Motor Company, through a combination of primary issuance of warrants and a secondary purchase.

Soaring LPG Costs May Force Restaurant To Hike Prices

Soaring LPG Costs May Force Restaurant To Hike Prices

Rediff.com   13 May 2026

'If 5% of the total revenue was spent on LPG (pre-war), it is now expected to double. The overall food cost in restaurants is expected to rise by 4-6%.'

Vijay's Election Triumph Set To Revive Jana Nayagan Release

Vijay's Election Triumph Set To Revive Jana Nayagan Release

Rediff.com   12 May 2026

Vijay's electoral triumph in Tamil Nadu is poised to dramatically revive the fortunes of his much-anticipated final film, Jana Nayagan, which has been plagued by release delays, censorship battles, and a cancelled streaming deal.

Air India defers increments, asks staff to cut costs

Air India defers increments, asks staff to cut costs

Rediff.com   9 May 2026

Air India has deferred annual salary increments for its staff by at least one quarter and urged a "relentless focus on costs" due to external headwinds like the closure of Pakistan airspace, West Asia conflict, rupee depreciation, and a significant surge in aviation turbine fuel prices, though the airline has assured there will be no layoffs.

Vijay Delivers Political Blockbuster With Whistle Revolution

Vijay Delivers Political Blockbuster With Whistle Revolution

Rediff.com   5 May 2026

Launched in 2024, the TVK has Vijay's shift into politics was not sudden as he had been doing groundwork since 2009, when he launched his fan club, the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam.

TVK: 34.91%. DMK: 24%. AIADMK: 21%.

TVK: 34.91%. DMK: 24%. AIADMK: 21%.

Rediff.com   5 May 2026

One of the standout stories of the TVK victory was that of 30-year-old R Sabarinathan, the son of Vijay's driver from Virugambakkam.

TN Welfare Push Raises Fiscal Risks For New Government

TN Welfare Push Raises Fiscal Risks For New Government

Rediff.com   4 May 2026

Amid the arithmetic of subsidies, consumption and capacity, whichever government assumes office in Tamil Nadu after May 4 is likely to inherit a growing debate over how far the state can continue to expand welfare promises without placing additional strain on public finances and the power sector.

Mission Drishti Marks Space Tech Breakthrough

Mission Drishti Marks Space Tech Breakthrough

Rediff.com   4 May 2026

Weighing 190 kg, Mission Drishti is India's heaviest privately developed Earth observation satellite.

UPI transactions dip 1.7% by value in April after record March

UPI transactions dip 1.7% by value in April after record March

Rediff.com   2 May 2026

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction value and volume saw a slight month-on-month dip in April after record highs in March, but daily transaction volumes increased, indicating sustained growth in digital payments across India.