Somesh Jha &Amp;Amp; Samreen Ahmad

Stories by Somesh Jha &Amp;Amp; Samreen Ahmad

Sales of Biocon's itolizumab surge as phase-4 clinical trials begin

Sales of Biocon's itolizumab surge as phase-4 clinical trials begin

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2020

In India, itolizumab, known by the brand name Alzumab, has been priced at Rs 8,000 per vial. Most patients require four vials for Covid-19 treatment, taking the cost of the therapy to Rs 32,000.

Six months on, migrants caught between hope and despair

Six months on, migrants caught between hope and despair

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2020

Six months after the lockdown was imposed, two dozen migrant workers were interviewed across five villages of Prayagraj. As the economy opens up, most of them are either hunting for a job or desperately waiting for a phone call from their previous employers. But the bruises of the lockdown are still fresh in their minds. Somesh Jha reports.

Codes give more power to states to be flexible on labour laws

Codes give more power to states to be flexible on labour laws

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2020

The move will help industries in pushing authorities for exemption under various labour laws at a micro-level, along with demanding changes to bring greater flexibility in their operations related to retrenchment, safety standards, and collective bargaining.

Govt issues Covid-19 safe workplace guidelines

Govt issues Covid-19 safe workplace guidelines

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2020

While demanding more outdoor air ventilation, the strategy document calls for a structural modification in the workplace.

Retrenchment norms: Govt says it won't be 'hire and fire'

Retrenchment norms: Govt says it won't be 'hire and fire'

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2020

The government further defended its move to introduce fixed-term employment, insisting that the present system of hiring workers through contractors is exploitative.

Silver Lake's love affair with India continues

Silver Lake's love affair with India continues

Rediff.com   25 Sep 2020

The PE biggie has committed to pumping money into Jio Platforms, Byju's and Reliance Retail so far this year - all marquee names in their respective sectors.

Covid spurs matured-stage start-ups to advance their IPO plans

Covid spurs matured-stage start-ups to advance their IPO plans

Rediff.com   25 Sep 2020

In the past few days, many companies, including fashion e-tailer Nykaa, food delivery platform Zomato, logistics and delivery firm Delhivery, insurance discovery platform PolicyBazaar, eyewear retail chain Lenskart, and edtech and online tutoring firm Byju's, have openly spoken about their IPO plans.

NPAs under Mudra scheme rise to 5% for public sector banks

NPAs under Mudra scheme rise to 5% for public sector banks

Rediff.com   24 Sep 2020

Former RBI governors Urjit Patel and Raghuram Rajan have also expressed worry about the Mudra scheme, particularly government's target-setting practice and the rising bad loans.

Covid: Some good news for ESI subscribers

Covid: Some good news for ESI subscribers

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2020

ESI subscribers to get Covid unemployment allowance within 15 days of claim. Payment will be made into bank account of the insured and Aadhaar will be used for identification.

Tiger Global, others invest $225 mn in parent of IPL title sponsor Dream11

Tiger Global, others invest $225 mn in parent of IPL title sponsor Dream11

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2020

The new round values the company at $2.5 billion, more than double the over $1 billion valuation Dream 11 enjoyed in April 2019 when it was declared the country's first gaming unicorn.

How Covid has triggered wave of innovations in India

How Covid has triggered wave of innovations in India

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2020

Some of these items of consumption include ultraviolet disinfectants and sanitising boxes, free-finger touch devices, do-it-yourself grooming kits, self-cleaning water bottles, smart tiffin boxes, hand-sanitizer wearables, antiviral fabrics, tiles, flooring and mattresses, and anti-fogging glasses.

Migrants must not bear cost of Covid: Centre to states

Migrants must not bear cost of Covid: Centre to states

Rediff.com   12 Sep 2020

Labour ministry guidelines say workers returning to cities must get housing, health insurance, facemasks. The Centre has also asked states to issue guidelines to employers to take care of the needs of migrant workers.

Post sale of Future group, Biyani will keep home retailing biz going

Post sale of Future group, Biyani will keep home retailing biz going

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2020

Future's home retailing interests, including furniture and furnishings, are housed under Praxis Home Retail, which was created in FY18 when the group demerged the business from Future Retail.

EPFO to pay 8.5% interest for FY20 in two instalments

EPFO to pay 8.5% interest for FY20 in two instalments

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2020

The remaining 0.35 per cent will be credited in December this year, if the EPFO is able to redeem its equity investments.

PUBG Mobile sheds China link to woo Indian gamers

PUBG Mobile sheds China link to woo Indian gamers

Rediff.com   9 Sep 2020

Even though PUBG Corporation is a South Korean company with its headquarters in Seoul, Tencent Gaming, a subsidiary of Chinese investment and technology giant Tencent, holds the global franchise for the mobile version of the game.

Edtech start-up Eruditus gets funding from Zuckerberg duo

Edtech start-up Eruditus gets funding from Zuckerberg duo

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2020

Eruditus runs on a partnership model with top global universities such as MIT, Columbia, Harvard, Cambridge, INSEAD, Wharton, and UC Berkeley, offering courses in coding, data science, fintech, block chain, and entrepreneurship.

Can Gondal's FAU-G tackle PUBG's withdrawal pangs?

Can Gondal's FAU-G tackle PUBG's withdrawal pangs?

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2020

According to nCore Games, FAU-G will be based on real scenarios encountered by the Indian security forces to deal with both domestic and foreign threats, with its first level set against the Galwan Valley backdrop. The start-up is planning to monetise the venture through in-game purchase where people will be able to buy better items in the game like better armour for an enhanced gaming experience.

FM to hold review meeting with lenders on loan recast scheme

FM to hold review meeting with lenders on loan recast scheme

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2020

The focus of the meeting will be on enabling businesses and households to avail of the revival framework on the basis of viability, necessary steps like finalising bank policies and identifying borrowers, and discussing issues that require addressing for smooth and speedy implementation.

Despite Covid woes, residential launches back on track

Despite Covid woes, residential launches back on track

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2020

Despite a 56 per cent fall in residential launches in the first half of the year compared to the second half of 2019, Anarock Property Consultants believes that consolidation in residential real estate is expected to gain ground, and that branded players may garner a market share of 75-80 per cent.

E-com giants may see 25% jump in sales

E-com giants may see 25% jump in sales

Rediff.com   10 Aug 2020

Instead of making the sellers bleed, experts say, e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart have roped in banks to offer discounts to buyers.