Shine Jacob, Nitin Kumar

Stories by Shine Jacob, Nitin Kumar

Why Ola decides to recall 1,441 units of S1

Why Ola decides to recall 1,441 units of S1

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2022

Ola Electric became the latest among electric scooter (e-scooter) makers to have started the exercise of recalling a specific batch of its model after a rap on the knuckles by the government. Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday advised electric vehicle (EV) companies to act responsibly by identifying and recalling defective batches without waiting for orders or guidelines from the ministry. The Bengaluru-based start-up is conducting pre-emptive diagnostics and health check on 1,441 scooters, it said in a statement on Sunday.

How AAP aims to recreate Punjab magic in Haryana

How AAP aims to recreate Punjab magic in Haryana

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2022

AAP is working on its new strategy to build a strong organisational set-up with leaders from all sections of society, reports Nitin Kumar.

Why BPCL divestment is on the slow track

Why BPCL divestment is on the slow track

Rediff.com   12 Apr 2022

In December 2019, the India arm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu surprised many with its ultra-competitive bid to become the transaction advisor for the country's largest strategic divestment in Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL). The multinational major quoted just Rs 1; the second-highest bidder, SBI Caps, reportedly quoted Rs 15-17 crore. For Deloitte, the motivation was to bag a prestigious deal adding a national energy company to its portfolio. No doubt, it expected BPCL to go to a marquee buyer in quick time.

How safe are India's electric scooters?

How safe are India's electric scooters?

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2022

The government-appointed expert committee, which probes incidents of Ola Electric's S1 Pro and Okinawa vehicles catching fires, has added the latest case of fire involving PureEV electric scooter to its investigation, a senior government official told Business Standard. "A team comprising experts from Indian Institute of Science (IISC) and Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) are investigating the cases. "As soon as the report is submitted, we shall take appropriate action," said Giridhar Aramane, secretary at the ministry of road transport and highways.

India may import 15 mn barrels of cheap Russian oil

India may import 15 mn barrels of cheap Russian oil

Rediff.com   24 Mar 2022

Taking advantage of a Russian offer to sell its crude oil cheap and bear the cost of insurance and transportation, India may import as much as 2 million tonnes (mt), or roughly 15 million barrels of crude, from the sanctioned nation in 2022, Business Standard has learnt. This comes after reports that Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) bought 3 million barrels of Russian Urals from trader Vitol for May delivery. This will be on cost, insurance and freight (CIF) model, where the seller incurs the costs and pays the freight, including insurance charges.

Why UP's Youth Are Unhappy With BJP

Why UP's Youth Are Unhappy With BJP

Rediff.com   4 Mar 2022

'I have been trying for the past five years to get a government job.'

Govt may miss Rs 6-trillion national monetisation target

Govt may miss Rs 6-trillion national monetisation target

Rediff.com   2 Mar 2022

The Centre's ambitious Rs 6-trillion National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) could fall short of yearly targets for the current fiscal year (FY22) and the next one as well (FY23), partly due to the long gestation period in monetising big-ticket railway infrastructure, Business Standard has learnt from sources in the finance and rail ministries. Officials say the major chunk of railway monetisation will happen from FY24 onwards because leasing some of the infrastructure, like stadiums and dedicated freight corridor, will not happen anytime soon. Rail infra is expected to be the second-biggest contributor to the NMP, with about Rs 1.52 trillion worth of assets to be monetised.

'They robbed us of thousands of acres'

'They robbed us of thousands of acres'

Rediff.com   2 Mar 2022

'The government is just laying foundation stones everywhere.' 'It has hardly inaugurated anything.'

The $8.5 billion TVS Group splits to grow: What's changed structure-wise?

The $8.5 billion TVS Group splits to grow: What's changed structure-wise?

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2022

The $8.5 billion TVS Group received final approval for a family resettlement on February 4 from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). It is an arrangement that is noteworthy because unlike many other corporate settlements this one was sorted out amicably and without any open conflicts.

After Ayodhya and Kashi, BJP eyes Mathura for electoral gain

After Ayodhya and Kashi, BJP eyes Mathura for electoral gain

Rediff.com   27 Feb 2022

A magnificent Krishna Janambhoomi temple in Mathura was a recurrent theme for the ruling BJP in the run-up to the assembly polls, reports Nitin Kumar.

'Their manifesto has mandir and roads, not jobs'

'Their manifesto has mandir and roads, not jobs'

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2022

'The BJP talks about prosperity, but it doesn't want anybody to prosper.'

India Inc braces for fallout of Russia-Ukraine crisis

India Inc braces for fallout of Russia-Ukraine crisis

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2022

Stocks of Indian companies with exposure to Europe fell on Tuesday amid concerns about the impact on their sales in case the Russia-Ukraine crisis worsens and the US and its allies impose economic sanctions on Russia. While top conglomerates, including Reliance Industries, the Tata group, and Aditya Birla Group, said they did not have any significant exposure to Russia, executives of some of the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and tea companies said they were monitoring the situation closely as they earned substantial income from the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered troops into two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine after announcing that Russia would recognise their independence.

'Akhilesh and I are giving the people a new paradigm and leadership'

'Akhilesh and I are giving the people a new paradigm and leadership'

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2022

'They are trying to stoke emotions to build fear.' 'They have done nothing and that is why they are trying to divert attention.'

'Does the UP chief minister even know what thermodynamics is?'

'Does the UP chief minister even know what thermodynamics is?'

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2022

'By calling names and using unparliamentary language, they are trying to divert people's attention from the issues of electricity, water, and income.'

Iconic TVS group families start restructuring businesses

Iconic TVS group families start restructuring businesses

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2022

As part of the exercise, each family will get complete ownership of the businesses it manages while scrapping the holding company.

'ISRO's goal is to develop a rocket company'

'ISRO's goal is to develop a rocket company'

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2022

'We have all the technologies available, but it should be converted to something that can be commercially viable.'

Indian firms, banks cautious as Sri Lanka battles financial crisis

Indian firms, banks cautious as Sri Lanka battles financial crisis

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2022

Banks and companies in India are taking a cautious approach towards Sri Lanka, which, reeling from a financial crisis, has sought a $1-billion loan from the country to import essential commodities. A senior State Bank of India (SBI) executive said the bank was committed (to Sri Lanka) for the long term. "As far as exposures (are concerned), the bank will be cautious on its dollar exposure to Sri Lankan entities till the situation improves," he said.

Social media startup Pepul to launch on R-Day

Social media startup Pepul to launch on R-Day

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2022

After raising Rs 10 crore in seed funding last week from investors like Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Freshworks founder Girish Mathrabootham and Silicon Valley based venture capitalist firm Hourglass Venture, Chennai-based social media startup Pepul told Business Standard that it is looking to raise around Rs 200 crore by June this year for expansion. The social media platform, focused on online ethical practices, will be launched by 1,000 entrepreneurs across the country on January 26. Pepul, founded by G Suresh Kumar, will be using an Aadhaar-based user verification system to get rid of fake accounts on its platform. "We are planning to raise around Rs 200 crore by June this year.

Sterlite Copper COO hints at foreign hand behind protests in Thoothukudi

Sterlite Copper COO hints at foreign hand behind protests in Thoothukudi

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2022

'We were exporting copper at that time. Now India is importing copper to the tune of around $1.2 billion. Moreover, there was a larger impact on the dependent MSMEs.'

Labour unrest in Kerala lands children's garments producer Kitex in a spot

Labour unrest in Kerala lands children's garments producer Kitex in a spot

Rediff.com   4 Jan 2022

Kerala-based Kitex Garments, the world's second-largest children's garments producer, has landed in trouble after sporadic violence at its workers' camp led to an attack on the local police, injuring at least five officers. The local police told Business Standard that at least 156 migrant workers were detained after the incident and around 50 have been arrested so far. A decision on any possible action against the company will be taken after the investigation.