Shreya Nandi &Amp; Peerzada Abrar

Stories by Shreya Nandi &Amp; Peerzada Abrar

Revamped SEZ law unlikely before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections

Revamped SEZ law unlikely before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2024

The revamped Special Economic Zone (SEZ) law is unlikely to see the light of the day before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, two people aware of the matter said. The commerce department had sought the Union Cabinet's nod to bring amendments to the existing SEZ Act, 2005 late last year. The plan, thereafter, was to introduce the Bill in the winter session of Parliament. Cabinet's approval remains pending.

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.

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.

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2024

Any government support or incentive to help exporters deal with high freight and insurance costs is unlikely.

Nearly Rs 41,000 crore unspent in govt's Rs 1.97 trillion PLI scheme

Nearly Rs 41,000 crore unspent in govt's Rs 1.97 trillion PLI scheme

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2024

Of the Rs 1.97 trillion that the government intends to spend on all 14 production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, around Rs 41,000 crore remains unutilised as of now, according to a senior government official. This means that 80 per cent of the total allocated amount, or Rs 1.56 trillion, will be used to pay incentives to companies eligible to claim benefits over the next few years. The unutilised amount/savings result from undersubscription, lukewarm responses in the case of schemes such as textile, as well as a reduction in the allocation of schemes.

'I have no sympathy for Byju's'

'I have no sympathy for Byju's'

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2024

'What has happened at Byju's is no surprise to anyone.'

Byju's pays Jan salaries; Raveendran says moving mountains to make payroll

Byju's pays Jan salaries; Raveendran says moving mountains to make payroll

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2024

Byju Raveendran, the founder and chief executive officer of the beleaguered edtech firm Byju's, said the company credited all pending January salaries to employees over the past few days. This was communicated to the employees in another letter sent on February 4. Byju's has about 15,000 employees. "I know you were told that you would get your salaries by Monday.

'BYJU's showing green shoots towards profitability'

'BYJU's showing green shoots towards profitability'

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2024

'If you look at assets truly working for us, you should look at Aakash and Great Learning.'

Likely surge in prices due to Red Sea attacks: FinMin

Likely surge in prices due to Red Sea attacks: FinMin

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2024

Prices may go up because of higher energy costs, caused by the rise in shipping charges, with commercial vessels taking a longer route to avoid the troubled Red Sea region, the finance ministry said on Monday. Iran-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen are repeatedly attacking ships in the Red Sea. While the global economy is grappling with challenges such as sticky inflation, sluggish growth, and mounting fiscal pressure, India's external sector could face "potential risks" due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions, according to the finance ministry's report on the review of the Indian economy.

Cash-strapped Byju's to raise $200 mn after taking 99% valuation cut

Cash-strapped Byju's to raise $200 mn after taking 99% valuation cut

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2024

Cash-strapped edtech firm Byju's' parent company said on Monday it will raise $200 million by way of a rights issue to all its equity shareholders, aiming to support growth and achieve operational sustainability. The proposed rights issuance by Think and Learn Private Limited (TLPL) will fund capital expenditure and support general corporate purposes. As the largest shareholders, the founders of Byju's have personally invested more than $1.1 billion in the company in the last 18 months.

Will Guidelines Impact Coaching Classes?

Will Guidelines Impact Coaching Classes?

Rediff.com   29 Jan 2024

'Parents, students and coaching institutes will find alternatives to cater to the demand.'

The Red Sea crisis: Commerce department flags rising import cost

The Red Sea crisis: Commerce department flags rising import cost

Rediff.com   23 Jan 2024

However, as of now, container availability has not been seen as an issue as adequate empties are available. The Red Sea strait is vital for 30 per cent of global container traffic and 12 per cent of global trade.

Flipkart eyes profitability ahead of IPO

Flipkart eyes profitability ahead of IPO

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2024

Flipkart, the e-commerce company owned by Walmart, is intensifying its efforts to achieve profitability as it is eyeing a valuation of approximately $60 billion at the time of its initial public offering (IPO), now planned in 2025-2026, instead of this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The firm might consider listing in the US or any other geography, including India. The company, which counts the likes of Amazon and Reliance's JioMart among its competitors in India's burgeoning e-commerce market, had also contemplated launching an IPO in 2022-2023.

Corporate India on overdrive to celebrate Ram Mandir inauguration

Corporate India on overdrive to celebrate Ram Mandir inauguration

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2024

As Ayodhya readies itself for the glittering, much-awaited consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir on January 22, and as millions of pilgrims and devotees pour into the holy city for the momentous event, companies are rushing to do their bit and be a part of the mega celebrations. Some are offering a part of their profits as donations, telcos are beefing up the number of cellular towers to ensure better connectivity, and there are those distributing jalebis and food platters.

US investor BlackRock slashes Byju's valuation by 95% to $1 billion

US investor BlackRock slashes Byju's valuation by 95% to $1 billion

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2024

BlackRock has again reduced the valuation of its share in edtech firm Byju's - this time to about $1 billion, TechCrunch reported on Friday, citing disclosures made by the US-based asset manager. This is 95 per cent less than its peak valuation of $22 billion in 2022. The markdown comes at a time when the company is facing a multitude of challenges, including securing fresh capital, delays in financial reporting and legal disputes with lenders.

How GenAI Startup Ecosystem Is Unfolding

How GenAI Startup Ecosystem Is Unfolding

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2024

'In India, the GenAI startup ecosystem is unfolding with remarkable speed, signalling a new era of technological advancement and investment opportunities.'

India's exports to Iran decline in last one year

India's exports to Iran decline in last one year

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2024

India's exports to Iran have been falling over the last one year, amid decline in rupee reserves of the West Asian economy. Going ahead, the possibility of augmenting exports to Iran may not be easy for India, considering the geopolitical tensions - Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts - and the West Asian country's support for Russia and Hamas, people aware of the matter said. Exports to Iran saw a downward spiral since November last year.