News for 'Association of Micro'

'BJP should be pleased because it has done well'

'BJP should be pleased because it has done well'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2023

'...despite not being ideologically aligned with a vast section of the people of the north east.' 'But the results in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya show that no party, including the BJP, can say that it has really done well.'

Walmart looking at sourcing toys, shoes, bicycles from India

Walmart looking at sourcing toys, shoes, bicycles from India

Rediff.com21 May 2023

US-based retail giant Walmart is looking to source toys, shoes and bicycles from Indian suppliers as the company is targeting to increase its exports from India to USD 10 billion annually by 2027. The company also wants to develop new suppliers in categories such as food, pharmaceuticals, consumables, health and wellness, and apparel and home textiles, a company spokesperson told PTI. Officials from the Bentonville-headquartered firm recently held a virtual meeting with several domestic toy manufacturers in India.

NBFC business has to hit the reset button after RBI strengthens norms

NBFC business has to hit the reset button after RBI strengthens norms

Rediff.com11 Dec 2023

"We will raise Rs 300 crore via bonds of two-, three- and five-year tenures. This will be our maiden bond issuance and is part of our effort to widen funding sources," says Vimal Bhandari, executive vice-chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), Arka Fincap. The firm, a subsidiary of Kirloskar Oil, is only five years old and small (assets of around Rs 5,000 crore with an "AA" rating), but the response to this float will be closely watched: It would be the first by a non-banking finance company (NBFC) after Mint Road upped the risk weights on bank exposures to them by 25 percentage points. The move by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has caught NBFCs off guard even though the issue had been flagged by Governor Shaktikanta Das with their corner-room occupants (and that of banks) in July and August 2023 - on consumer credit and the dependency on bank borrowings.

Strong investor flow lift-off puts mutual fund small-caps into orbit

Strong investor flow lift-off puts mutual fund small-caps into orbit

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

Retail investors now own a bigger slice of small-cap companies than a couple of years earlier, attributable to their growing conviction in mutual fund (MF) schemes focused on this space. Data from Capitaline shows MFs' average holding in the National Stock Exchange Nifty Smallcap 250 rising to 8.67 per cent, from 7.67 per cent in the past two financial years, with the number of companies with over 20 per cent MF holdings, rising from 15 to 24. At the end of May, the top five small-cap firms with the highest MF holdings were Carborundum Universal, Blue Star, Cyient, Gujarat State Petronet, and Cholamandalam Finance.

Ethical Code to keep doctor, drugmaker nexus at bay not mandatory yet

Ethical Code to keep doctor, drugmaker nexus at bay not mandatory yet

Rediff.com22 Aug 2022

'Gift-giving' - from free dinners and drug samples to promotional merchandise - seems to be driving drugmakers' marketing - a marketing prescription deeply entrenched in the industry. This is a well-oiled racket that sees pharmaceutical (pharma) companies 'gifting' doctors to push their respective drugs under the guise of marketing. But is there a cure in sight to end this unhealthy alliance? The recent controversy following the income-tax raids on Bengaluru-based drugmaker Micro Labs, makers of popular paracetamol brand Dolo-650, has brought this to the fore, again.

'Govt must stop harassing entrepreneurs'

'Govt must stop harassing entrepreneurs'

Rediff.com31 Mar 2022

'...for at least 6 months and give them peace of mind to get back on their feet.' 'Entrepreneurs are suffocating and not able to run their companies peacefully.'

'Public Sector Banks Don't Like To Loan To MSMEs'

'Public Sector Banks Don't Like To Loan To MSMEs'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

'The approach today is, instead of giving loans to 100 MSMEs, let us give one loan to a big-ticket corporate.' 'And so many of these big fish deceived the banks and the banks are in the doldrums now with high NPAs.'

Domestic toy makers see surge in sales after dip in Chinese imports

Domestic toy makers see surge in sales after dip in Chinese imports

Rediff.com27 Jun 2022

According to industry sources, domestic toy manufacturers are seeing a sharp rise in sales during the current financial year. On January 1, 2021, India had banned the sale of toys that are not certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This meant that all factories churning out toys to be sold in India had to be certified by the bureau along with mandatory product testing, including for units abroad.

Toy makers face a 'glocal' challenge

Toy makers face a 'glocal' challenge

Rediff.com30 Dec 2022

The Chinese dependence is far from over, industry players are also citing a shortage of electronic toys in the country.

Narayana Murthy urged to extend support to antitrust probe against Amazon

Narayana Murthy urged to extend support to antitrust probe against Amazon

Rediff.com11 Aug 2021

Indian Sellers Collective (ISC), a trade association of micro and small enterprises and family businesses, on Wednesday urged IT veteran NR Narayana Murthy to cooperate in the Competition Commission of India's antitrust probe against Amazon for alleged anti-competitive practices. In 2014, Murthy's Catamaran and Amazon had formed a joint venture, Prione Business Services. On Monday, the partners announced that they have mutually decided not to continue the JV beyond May 2022. ISC thanked Murthy for deciding to end the joint venture with Amazon.

Why EV makers are flocking to Tamil Nadu

Why EV makers are flocking to Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com5 Apr 2023

At Prestige Polygon Towers in Chennai's Teynampet, hectic preparations are on for a mega global investors' meet under the aegis of Guidance Tamil Nadu (the state investment promotion agency) scheduled for January 2024. Asked about the key focus areas of the meet, the agency's managing director and chief executive officer, V Vishnu, said the state was betting big on electric mobility. This is no surprise, given that the state has signed electric vehicle (EV)-related memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with several companies in the recent past that may bring in investments worth around Rs 33,000 crore with the potential to create over 43,000 job opportunities.

After Bandhan, another micro lender in Bengal eyes the big league

After Bandhan, another micro lender in Bengal eyes the big league

Rediff.com13 Jul 2016

What is it about Arohan that puts it in the top league of microfinance institutions in the country?

UP polls: Only four out of 21 turncoats make it to legislature

UP polls: Only four out of 21 turncoats make it to legislature

Rediff.com11 Mar 2022

Nine of the turncoats were fielded by the BJP and 10 by the Samajwadi Party.

Cognizant rejig to cost $400 mn over 2 years, to lay off 3,500 employees

Cognizant rejig to cost $400 mn over 2 years, to lay off 3,500 employees

Rediff.com5 May 2023

Nasdaq-listed information technology (IT) services firm Cognizant will incur the cost of $400 million over two years as it sets to restructure its operations amid sluggish growth rates. Its NextGen Program aims at simplifying the operating model, optimising corporate functions, and consolidating and realigning office space to reflect a post-pandemic hybrid work environment. As part of this structural shift, Cognizant will eliminate 80,000 seats, or 11 million square feet of real estate in large cities in India.

GST: Success And The Way Forward

GST: Success And The Way Forward

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

No longer a discretion of the tax administrator, the audit of returns filed by taxpayers is now based on a selection by algorithms, notes Tarun Bajaj.

Imran govt challenges SC order calling for no-trust vote

Imran govt challenges SC order calling for no-trust vote

Rediff.com9 Apr 2022

The review petition, filed through Dr Babar Awan and Azhar Siddique, named the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Supreme Court Bar Association, Sindh High Court Bar Association and the Sindh Bar Council as respondents.

MSMEs caught between a rock and a hard place

MSMEs caught between a rock and a hard place

Rediff.com3 Apr 2023

Politicians and Twitter warriors around the globe have a new buzzword among them: Net zero. Everyone appears to be keen to state their commitment to net zero, with India providing an outlay of Rs 35,000 crore to achieve energy transition and net-zero objectives in its Budget for FY24, even as the latest and final report by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that current efforts are not enough to curb global warming. A number of small factory owners and businesses, however, have pointed out that the transition to net-zero emissions will cost them hugely.

Privatisation of PSBs gets bankers' thumbs up

Privatisation of PSBs gets bankers' thumbs up

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

Exuding confidence in sustaining the tempo of credit growth, public sector bankers said on Wednesday that consolidation in the public sector bank (PSB) space has given them a robust base to scale. The privatisation of PSBs can be done through divestment of government stake to a wider base of investors without haste. There is nothing to worry about at this point (high credit offtake) as underwriting standards and risk management are much better.

Industry may move court over Haryana job reservation law

Industry may move court over Haryana job reservation law

Rediff.com12 Nov 2021

Companies in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector may legally challenge the Haryana government's new law which mandates 75 per cent reservation of jobs in the private sector for locals. "We had earlier gone to the high court against this law, but the court said that it would hear the matter after the law was notified," said Manoj Tyagi, general secretary, IMT Industrial Association. Industries and associations feel that the law will not benefit the state and will hit MSMEs that are just coming out of the crippling effects of the lockdowns owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

India successfully tests Abhyas high-speed expendable aerial target

India successfully tests Abhyas high-speed expendable aerial target

Rediff.com22 Oct 2021

The vehicle can be used as an aerial target for evaluation of various missile systems.

Rahul's yatra a political gimmick to connect through hatred: RSS

Rahul's yatra a political gimmick to connect through hatred: RSS

Rediff.com12 Sep 2022

RSS joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya, apparently referring to the Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra, described it as a "political gimmick" that will not serve its stated purpose of uniting masses.

Pathaan Cheers Single Screen Theatres

Pathaan Cheers Single Screen Theatres

Rediff.com11 Mar 2023

Their number is dwindling, but single-screens believe they have a place in the entertainment space

Will content creators drive the next wave of e-commerce?

Will content creators drive the next wave of e-commerce?

Rediff.com9 Jan 2022

First it was called content-led commerce. Then it came to be known as influencer-led commerce. And its latest iteration is creator economy. This evolution of the terminology for online personas impacting buying decisions -- through blogs, memes, bite-sized videos, and podcasts -- has happened over the past five to seven years.

PM urged to drop 'harsh' norms on sale, promotion of tobacco products

PM urged to drop 'harsh' norms on sale, promotion of tobacco products

Rediff.com8 Jan 2021

New proposals like booking of retailers selling loose cigarettes and 7 years of imprisonment, are unacceptable, traders argued.

Why this entrepreneur turned to Rahul for help

Why this entrepreneur turned to Rahul for help

Rediff.com15 Feb 2021

'We have been telling the government that we need handholding.' So, we sent a series of recommendations to the government, but nothing happened.' 'And the condition of industry became worse.'

Exporters demand fiscal incentives, credit at affordable rates in Budget

Exporters demand fiscal incentives, credit at affordable rates in Budget

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

Exporters on Thursday demanded fiscal incentives, tweaking in customs duties on certain products and credit at affordable rates in the forthcoming Budget to boost exports and create jobs. In a pre-budget virtual meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar is affecting exports' competitiveness and the sector requires more support. "Creation of employment is the biggest challenge faced by the country...We would urge the government to provide fiscal support to units which provide additional employment in the export sector," the exporter's body said.

Lessons For Banks To Learn From SVB Collapse

Lessons For Banks To Learn From SVB Collapse

Rediff.com5 Apr 2023

The difference between what the banks play in the US and India is not that of soccer and football but rugby and football. SVB also has a unique character. But when risks are mispriced, the fallout could be very similar, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

Rediff.com10 Jan 2022

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will soon start public consultation for a national retail trade policy, which is likely to include an insurance scheme aimed at providing financial protection against losses caused by theft, accidents or natural calamities. The policy will also spell out ways to give traders access to low-cost finance, promote digital inclusion, and create necessary infrastructure to support them, a senior government official told Business Standard. This is expected to offer relief especially to traditional traders, who are facing stiff competition from large e-commerce players.

Dolo tablet makers gave freebies worth Rs 1,000 cr to docs, SC told

Dolo tablet makers gave freebies worth Rs 1,000 cr to docs, SC told

Rediff.com19 Aug 2022

The claims were made after the Income Tax department had on July 6 raided 36 premises of the Bengaluru-based Micro Labs Ltd. across nine states.

How to rewrite India's toy story

How to rewrite India's toy story

Rediff.com18 Jul 2021

The earliest ones included whistles shaped like birds, toy monkeys that could slide down a string and small carts made from materials found in nature such as sticks, clay and rocks. While there might be no disputing India's rich toy-making tradition, the industry is languishing for lack of investment and technology, and also owing to competition from cheap imports. And though it has been listed among 24 key sectors under the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, the question remains: will this push help place it in the global game? Currently, 80-odd per cent of the toys sold in India are imported - nearly 60 per cent of them from China.

Beware! The Two Economic Indias

Beware! The Two Economic Indias

Rediff.com7 Dec 2021

The substantially increased economic dualism may exert lasting negative influences which could include a reduced potential for economic growth; the persistence of a very weak employment and poverty situation; rising social and political discord; and heightened vulnerability to geopolitical challenges, cautions Shankar Acharya, former chief economic adviser to the Government of India.

GDP likely to grow at 5.8% in Oct-Dec: SBI report

GDP likely to grow at 5.8% in Oct-Dec: SBI report

Rediff.com18 Feb 2022

The country's gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to grow at 5.8 per cent in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, according to an SBI's research report- Ecowrap. The country's economy expanded by 8.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2021-22, to cross pre-pandemic levels. However, the GDP growth in July-September period was slower than the 20.1 per cent expansion in the previous quarter.

India gets $1.75 bn World Bank loan for health, private investment

India gets $1.75 bn World Bank loan for health, private investment

Rediff.com1 Jul 2022

The World Bank has approved loans totalling $1.75 billion (about Rs 13,834.54 crore) to fund India's PM Ayushman Bharat scheme and private investment to boost the economic growth. Of the total loan, $1 billion will go towards the health sector, while the rest $750 million will be in the form of development policy loan (DPL) to fill the financing gaps through private sector investment in the economy. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved two complementary loans of $500 million each to support and enhance India's health sector.

Twitter suspends 70K QAnon accounts in wake of Capitol riots

Twitter suspends 70K QAnon accounts in wake of Capitol riots

Rediff.com12 Jan 2021

The social media giant confirmed in a blog post that it has removed the accounts as part of an effort following the riot last week "to protect the conversation on our service from attempts to incite violence, organise attacks, and share deliberately misleading information about the election outcome."

Selfie is a must, dead or alive!

Selfie is a must, dead or alive!

Rediff.com2 Sep 2022

Wherever you go, whether it's Malad or the Maldives, people. want. to. take. pictures. Of themselves. Relentlessly, repeatedly, recklessly.

Sterlite Copper COO hints at foreign hand behind protests in Thoothukudi

Sterlite Copper COO hints at foreign hand behind protests in Thoothukudi

Rediff.com8 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.'

Upper limits for mid-, small-caps zoom amid markets rally

Upper limits for mid-, small-caps zoom amid markets rally

Rediff.com8 Jun 2021

With India's market capitalisation surpassing the $3-trillion mark, stocks across the board are adding heft. The upper limit for qualifying as a mid-cap stock -under the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) definition for mutual fund reclassification - has hit an all-time high of $5.4 billion. In 2013, amid the taper tantrum sell-off, it had dropped to just $1 billion, shows an analysis done by ICICI Securities.

Suman Chakraborty Is Revolutionising Rural Healthcare

Suman Chakraborty Is Revolutionising Rural Healthcare

Rediff.com24 Jan 2023

'If you can simplify the technology, you don't need a doctor or a highly qualified technician to work on the technology; even an Asha health worker or a similar front line health worker can use it with minimal training.'

'Our vaccine policy is like temple darshan'

'Our vaccine policy is like temple darshan'

Rediff.com12 May 2021

'If you pay Rs 1,000, you get a special queue.' 'If you pay Rs 500, there will be another shorter queue.' 'There will be a separate queue for Rs 300.' 'Is this the way you give vaccine to the people?'

Stimulus package for economic revival 'inadequate': Par panel

Stimulus package for economic revival 'inadequate': Par panel

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

The stimulus package announced by the government for the revival of the pandemic-hit economy has been found to be "inadequate", according to a Parliamentary panel report. The report of the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector has noted that in the process of economic recovery post-first wave of the pandemic, the second wave has even more vigorously ripped the economy particularly the MSME sector. "The committee observes that the stimulus package announced by the government for the economic revival from the pandemic hit economy has been found to be inadequate as the measures adopted were more of loan offering and long-term measures instead of improving the cash flow to generate demand as immediate relief," it said.