Somesh Jha And Neha Alawadhi

Stories by Somesh Jha And Neha Alawadhi

Whatsapp Pay's India launch in jeopardy

Whatsapp Pay's India launch in jeopardy

Rediff.com   6 Nov 2019

Top officials in key ministries, including finance and IT, are of the opinion that a sensitive payments system such as UPI should not be on a platform whose security is possibly compromised.

Spyware row: WhatsApp downloads in India drop by a staggering 80%

Spyware row: WhatsApp downloads in India drop by a staggering 80%

Rediff.com   6 Nov 2019

On October 29, WhatsApp announced it was suing NSO Group for selling its software, Pegasus, which has the ability to compromise a device and get access to all of a target's data. Spooked by revelations that activists and journalists were spied upon by using NSO Group's spyware, many have moved to alternative messaging platforms such as Signal and Telegram.

WhatsAppgate: Foreign lobbies involved, believes govt

WhatsAppgate: Foreign lobbies involved, believes govt

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2019

Home ministry sources say there are fears that international lobbies might have been involved in spying, to create a narrative around Indian governance as well as the economy.

What Uber plans to do in India

What Uber plans to do in India

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2019

'12% of all our global trips are done in India.'

Once a $1-billion brand, ShopClues sold for just about $100 mn

Once a $1-billion brand, ShopClues sold for just about $100 mn

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2019

After multiple attempts at selling itself, including to larger e-commerce player Snapdeal, ShopClues has found a buyer in Singapore-based e-commerce platform Qoo10 in an all-stock deal.

'India is a fundamental part of Uber's growth'

'India is a fundamental part of Uber's growth'

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2019

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says the younger generation doesn't dream of owning a car, but instead wants the freedom of having any service on demand.

Pension schemes: Govt owes Rs 9,100 crore, says EPFO

Pension schemes: Govt owes Rs 9,100 crore, says EPFO

Rediff.com   21 Oct 2019

Part of the dues has been pending since 1995-96 - the inception year of the Employees' Pension Scheme administered by the EPFO. The Centre also owes the EPFO more than Rs 1,000 crore towards the minimum pension scheme it had notified in September 2014.

New-look FRDI bill to offer higher deposit insurance

New-look FRDI bill to offer higher deposit insurance

Rediff.com   17 Oct 2019

The government would be ironing out issues related to the controversial 'bail-in' clause in the earlier Bill, explore hiking the deposit insurance cover of customers, and decide whether the resolution framework should apply to public sector banks.

Why launch of WhatsApp Pay in India may be delayed

Why launch of WhatsApp Pay in India may be delayed

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2019

Data processing compliance is the main reason behind the delay. The government, on several occasions, has made it clear that Indian financial data needs to be stored exclusively onshore and if it is processed outside, it needs to be brought back in 24 hours.

Sitharaman readies relief package for MSMEs, NBFCs

Sitharaman readies relief package for MSMEs, NBFCs

Rediff.com   15 Oct 2019

PSBs have been requested to reach out to MSMEs to provide bill discounting to them against their dues since they suffer the most from shortage of cash.

Genpact wants grads as leaders!

Genpact wants grads as leaders!

Rediff.com   7 Oct 2019

"We made a conscious decision that we will not get influenced by the years of experience," says Piyush Mehta, chief human resource officer, Genpact.

Govt refuses to budge on September 30 e-com deadline

Govt refuses to budge on September 30 e-com deadline

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2019

The e-commerce companies believe the government is using this exercise to take an unauthorised look into their financials, shareholding and operations.

Gig workers set to come under labour laws

Gig workers set to come under labour laws

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2019

According to draft Code on Social Security, 2019, gig and platform workers will be entitled to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, among others.

Did Sitharaman overrule bankers on loan 'mela'?

Did Sitharaman overrule bankers on loan 'mela'?

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2019

PSB chiefs tried to argue that liquidity is in surplus in the system and the problem was related to lack of demand in the economy, instead of banks' reluctance to lend, but 'the FM said it is a perception issue that loan is not available, which we need to dispel,', reports Somesh Jha.

Loan 'melas' are back: PSBs to hold credit meets in 400 districts, says FM

Loan 'melas' are back: PSBs to hold credit meets in 400 districts, says FM

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2019

The NDA government will be following the footsteps of its predecessor, the UPA, which had introduced the concept of "loan mela" to boost credit by directing banks to lend to people through public meetings.

Universal social security coverage to workers junked

Universal social security coverage to workers junked

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2019

In the latest draft of the Code on Social Security Bill, 2019, the government has decided to stick to the current thresholds for providing social security benefits to workers by industry.

Govt all set to woo US investors for agri and SME sectors

Govt all set to woo US investors for agri and SME sectors

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2019

Swadeshi Jagran will be leading the delegation on a multi-city tour, expected to start on September 21. The week-long trip will include meetings with industry bodies and government agencies.

Shashi Tharoor to head Parliamentary Committee on IT

Shashi Tharoor to head Parliamentary Committee on IT

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2019

The panel will likely play an important role as the Personal Data Protection Bill gets tabled in Parliament.

Infy co-founder 'Kris' Gopalakrishnan heads govt data panel

Infy co-founder 'Kris' Gopalakrishnan heads govt data panel

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2019

'The idea is to have a separate and independent consultation on non-personal data, and decide the contours of how it should be regulated, whether as guidelines, rules, or a separate policy,' said a senior official at MeitY.

Finance secy Rajiv Kumar to meet PSBs on Sep 19

Finance secy Rajiv Kumar to meet PSBs on Sep 19

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2019

The government is set to ask PSBs to expeditiously introduce repo-rate linked products "to step up affordable credit".