Shreya Nandi &Amp; Peerzada Abrar

Stories by Shreya Nandi &Amp; Peerzada Abrar

100% FDI in PSU refiners gets nod; to aid BPCL sale

100% FDI in PSU refiners gets nod; to aid BPCL sale

Rediff.com   23 Jul 2021

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in public sector refiners, expanding the scope for FDI in the privatisation of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL). The approval by the Cabinet will enable the sale of the government's 52.98 per cent stake in BPCL to a foreign buyer, and, at the same time, will open the door for FDI in other public sector companies in the oil sector put up for privatisation.

India Inc expects swifter recovery from 2nd wave

India Inc expects swifter recovery from 2nd wave

Rediff.com   13 Jul 2021

Recovery from the second wave of the pandemic in April-May is expected to be swifter as compared to the first wave in 2020, according to the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) chief executive officers (CEOs) poll of 119 top corporate. During the second wave, the lockdowns were largely designed to limit social gatherings and impact on economic activities was restricted. This helped arrest the impact of the second wave on economic growth, according to a survey conducted by the industry lobby group Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). About 59 per cent of the CEOs polled expect the recovery in sales to be better than in the first wave for their companies, while 46 per cent of them expressed a similar trend for their respective industry sectors.

Nandan Nilekani to join govt panel on curbing digital monopolies

Nandan Nilekani to join govt panel on curbing digital monopolies

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2021

Infosys chairman and Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani will join a panel set up by the central government, along with eight other members, to advise the government on designing and accelerating adoption of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), aimed at curbing digital monopolies. The larger idea is to give 'free and fair' choice to consumers to buy products on an online platform, a senior government official said.

Indo-American Chamber slams new e-com rules

Indo-American Chamber slams new e-com rules

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2021

The proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, that are envisioned to protect consumer interests, may further compound the impact of multiplicity of regulations on the e-commerce sector, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) had told the ministry of consumer affairs. IACC, the apex bilateral chamber for Indo-US business, had told the government that the proposed amendments would increase compliance liabilities that risk severely impairing the growth of the sector.

Skylark Drones raises $3 mn to fuel international expansion

Skylark Drones raises $3 mn to fuel international expansion

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2021

Skylark Drones, a leading drone platform company that counts Tata Steel, Ultratech Cement, Softbank Energy among its customers has secured $3 million in a pre-series A funding round. It would use the funding to strengthen its product offerings and fuel international expansion.

'Amazon has an outsize impact on India'

'Amazon has an outsize impact on India'

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2021

'We are having an outsize impact not only on the lives of the customers and livelihood, but also the economy of India.'

Made in India tag: E-commerce firms get 148 notices in past three months

Made in India tag: E-commerce firms get 148 notices in past three months

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2021

The Centre has slapped as many as 148 notices on e-commerce players in the past three months for not complying with the mandatory display of the 'country of origin' tag on products sold. "Of the 148 notices, 56 have compounded it (the offence) and paid up around Rs 34 lakh," a senior official told Business Standard. "Every product has to display the country of origin, along with other basic information," the official added. In the case of e-commerce companies, these details have to be clearly displayed on their portals.

Space tech start-up Agnikul raises $11 mn funding

Space tech start-up Agnikul raises $11 mn funding

Rediff.com   20 May 2021

Billionaire and Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra along with top Silicon Valley investors Naval Ravikant and Balaji Srinivasan are backing space tech start-up Agnikul as part of a new funding round. Chennai-based Agnikul said, on Thursday, that it has raised $11 million in Series A funding round led by Mayfield India. It is the largest funding round for a private Indian space technology company in the country. Existing investors pi Ventures, Speciale Invest and Artha Venture Fund also invested in this round.

Amazon's next CEO Andy Jassy's India Plan

Amazon's next CEO Andy Jassy's India Plan

Rediff.com   15 May 2021

'We look forward to providing great customer experiences in India.'

Covid curbs at foreign ports hit Indian seafarers hard

Covid curbs at foreign ports hit Indian seafarers hard

Rediff.com   14 May 2021

The trade to-and-from India so far is not affected. But if the situation continues to remain the same for the next two to three months, it could definitely hurt India trade, including essential cargo.

'We put pressure on Biden admn over vaccines'

'We put pressure on Biden admn over vaccines'

Rediff.com   13 May 2021

'Supplies should start moving to the Serum Institute without any impediments.'

Is Zomato's Deepinder Goyal up for a challenge?

Is Zomato's Deepinder Goyal up for a challenge?

Rediff.com   12 May 2021

With scrutiny that comes with a public listing, Deepinder Goyal's leadership could face its sternest test yet.

Covid wave: Govt speeds up import approval for 17 medical equipment

Covid wave: Govt speeds up import approval for 17 medical equipment

Rediff.com   30 Apr 2021

Recently, the finance ministry waived off basic customs duty and health cess on imported oxygen and related equipment for three years.

Zomato's revenue from operations doubles to Rs 2,604 cr amid pandemic

Zomato's revenue from operations doubles to Rs 2,604 cr amid pandemic

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2021

Zomato said it has consistently gained market share over the last four years to become the category leader in the food delivery space in India in terms of gross order value from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

50 more start-ups likely to join unicorn club in year or two

50 more start-ups likely to join unicorn club in year or two

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2021

There seems to be no dearth of funds to fuel this growth, report Peerzada Abrar and Shivani Shinde.

Top UPI players stare at uncertain future

Top UPI players stare at uncertain future

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2021

'How can we be told not to grow?'

Indian economy in better shape to tackle Covid 2nd wave: CEA Subramanian

Indian economy in better shape to tackle Covid 2nd wave: CEA Subramanian

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2021

'Overall, compared to the previous episode, we are in a better shape because the vaccine is already out there and vaccination drives are proceeding'

How Xiaomi passed the Covid lockdown test

How Xiaomi passed the Covid lockdown test

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2021

'One out of three phones sold in India is a Xiaomi phone.'

Rising Covid cases cast shadow on exports

Rising Covid cases cast shadow on exports

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2021

According to Ajai Sahai, director-general and CEO of Federation of Indian Export Organisations, rising cases are a cause for concern as it adds to the uncertainty and may impact exports.

Byju's buys Aakash Educational Services for $1 bn over Zoom call

Byju's buys Aakash Educational Services for $1 bn over Zoom call

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2021

The stock-and-cash deal is the biggest in the education space.