Wednesday, November 6

INDIA

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There Should be One Policy For Retail Business and E-commerce, Says Amitabh Kant
INDIA

There Should be One Policy For Retail Business and E-commerce, Says Amitabh Kant

(Pic Source: Gaurav Munjal, Unacademy co-founder Facebook profile) India is the only country where there are different policies for different segments of the retail business and e-commerce. Logically, there should be one policy, said Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, while interacting with CEOs at the Valedictory Session of the sixth edition of Massmerize 2016, FICCI’s annual flagship Retail, FMCG and E-Commerce Convention. He said that in today’s globalized world, it has become essential for India to become a part of the global supply chain. For this, India has opened up its economy and liberalized the FDI regime. Now India features as the number one nation in attracting FDI, which has given the country access to latest technology, global best practices and global innovations. Kant ...
Facebook Satellite Blast During Launch of SpaceX Rocket
INDIA, News

Facebook Satellite Blast During Launch of SpaceX Rocket

AFP- An unmanned SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exploded on the launch pad during a test in Florida on Thursday, destroying a satellite that Facebook planned to use to beam high-speed internet to Africa. The blast at Cape Canaveral — though it caused no injuries — marks a setback for the California-based private space firm and its founder, internet entrepreneur Elon Musk, who wants to revolutionize the launch industry by making rocket components reusable. Loss of Falcon vehicle today during propellant fill operation. Originated around upper stage oxygen tank. Cause still unknown. More soon. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 1, 2016 Dramatic footage broadcast by ABC News showed the rocket burst into a roaring ball of flame amid what appeared to be a succession of blasts — sending its payl...
WhatsApp to Share User Data With Facebook: HC Seeks Govt Reply
INDIA

WhatsApp to Share User Data With Facebook: HC Seeks Govt Reply

WhatsApps recent decision to share user data with parent company Facebook today reached the doorsteps of Delhi High Court, which sought the governments response on the modification. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra issued notice to the Centre on a plea by two users of the most popular instant messaging service, alleging that WhatsApp, Facebook Inc and Facebook India Online Pvt Ltds new private policy "compromises the rights of its users". Taking note of the concern by petitioners Karmanya Singh Sareen and Shreya Sethi, the high court wished to examine the issue and asked the concerned authorities to file their reply by September 14. "The privacy policy is in stark contrast to the Privacy Policy existing from July 7, 2012. In its first revised modificatio...
Indian E-commerce Companies Demand Exemption From GST
INDIA, News

Indian E-commerce Companies Demand Exemption From GST

The rapidly expanding e-commerce companies today made a strong case for keeping them out of the proposed GST net but the state finance ministers appeared in no mood to oblige. At the first meeting of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers held after the Parliament approved the GST Bill, online retailers said they only provide a platform to vendors and customers and do not make money out of sales made. According to representation made at the meeting, companies like Flipkart, Amazon India and Snapdeal are only service providers to the vendors and as such are liable to pay GST only on service income. When panel chairman and West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra questioned the billion dollar valuations some of the so-called online platforms command, the e-retailers s...
50 Companies Keen on Associating With Postal Bank: Ravi Shankar Prasad
INDIA

50 Companies Keen on Associating With Postal Bank: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Around 50 companies including global banking institutions, like the World Bank, Deutsche Bank and Barclays, have expressed eagerness to be associated with the Centres postal payments bank initiative, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today. "We will begin postal payments banking service from September 16, wherein 1.3 lakh postmen will be given hand-held devices, a moving ATM to provide banking services, insurance, money-order, as well as third-party service," Information Technology Minister said after inaugurating an incubation centre at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) here. "Some 50 companies, including World Bank, Deutsche Bank, Swiss Bank, Barclays, want to be associated with us," said the senior BJP leader. The Union Cabinet in June had cleared the ...
GST Bill a Game-Changer For Indias Economic Growth
INDIA

GST Bill a Game-Changer For Indias Economic Growth

The US India Business Council has termed the passage of GST bill by the Indian Parliament as a "game-changer", saying it is a significant milestone in efforts to improve the countrys ranking in World Banks ease of doing business index. The council congratulates Indian Government and members of Parliament for approving the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, 2014, an official statement by the US India Business Council (USIBC) said. This is a significant milestone in Indias ongoing efforts to improve its ranking in the World Banks ease of doing business index, it said. USIBC believes that the GST is a game-changer that will boost economic growth by streamlining domestic supply chains and removing the compliance burden of contradictory state tax regimes,...
Apple Given Relaxation in Sourcing Norms For Three Years: Indian Govt
INDIA

Apple Given Relaxation in Sourcing Norms For Three Years: Indian Govt

Apple has only been given a "breather" for the first three years by providing relaxation to it in local sourcing norms and the compulsory 30 per cent local sourcing clause has not been completely dispensed with, government today informed Rajya Sabha. "We have just given a relaxation that in the first three years, if local sourcing for their retail outlet is becoming difficult, the first three years will be exempted. But the average that we calculate for the local sourcing requirement will be applicable after that for five years. "So, it is not that as if we have completely dispensed with that clause. We have only said that give a breather for the first three years. We may do it afterwards," Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. Replying to members question, she said...
Indian Companies Can Now Obtain PAN or TAN Registration Within a Day
INDIA

Indian Companies Can Now Obtain PAN or TAN Registration Within a Day

Companies can now obtain PAN or TAN registration within a day if they submit digital signature certificate-based application, thereby ensuring ease of doing business, Income Tax department said today. Besides, individuals can now get a new Permanent Account Number (PAN) through Aadhaar-based e-signature facility which will reduce the effective time in allotment. For fast-tracking the allotment of PAN and Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) to company applicants, digital signature certificate-based application procedure has been introduced on the portals of PAN service providers -- NSDL eGov and UTIITSL. "Under the new process PAN and TAN will be allotted within one day after completion of valid on-line application," a tax department statement said. Similarly, a ne...
HCL Infosystems Delivered First Made in India Communication Network For Indian Armed Force
INDIA

HCL Infosystems Delivered First Made in India Communication Network For Indian Armed Force

HCL Infosystems, one of India's premier IT services, distribution and digital solutions company, has enabled the design, development and deployment of Defence Communication Network (DCN) - the first tri-service communication and IT network of the Armed Forces. The network has been fully designed and developed in India. The DCN was today dedicated to the nation by Shri Manohar Parrikar, the Hon'ble Raksha Mantri, Government of India. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Premkumar Seshadri, Executive Vice-chairman and Managing Director, HCL Infosystems Ltd. said, "This is a moment of great honour for us. HCL Infosystems is proud to design, develop and deploy the first ever converged tri-service communication and IT network for the Indian Defence Forces. The network has been entirely designed and d...
Karnataka HC Extends Relax on Interim Ban of Ola, Uber Cabs
INDIA

Karnataka HC Extends Relax on Interim Ban of Ola, Uber Cabs

The Karnataka High Court today extended till June 23 its interim order directing the state transport department not to seize cabs affiliated to Ola and Uber for allegedly plying without licence, and restraining cab aggregators from demanding surge price from commuters. Extending the interim order, Justice Aravind Kumar said "since the date of the interim order ends today, this court extends it till June 23." The order had directed the cab operators not to demand surge price from commuters and asked the Karnataka Transport department not to impound cabs affiliated to Uber and Ola for plying without licence. The High Court also admitted an application filed by Radio Taxi Operators, seeking permission to implead in the case, in a move to defend the governments on-demand transportation te...
Raghuram Rajan Leaving Not a Good Sign For Indian Economy: ASSOCHAM
INDIA

Raghuram Rajan Leaving Not a Good Sign For Indian Economy: ASSOCHAM

The ASSOCHAM has said at a time when a tumultuous global economy posed several risks to India along with the banks grappling with an unprecedented challenge of mounting non-performing assets, the decision of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan to not continue with his current post after the end of his tenure was unfortunate. "While it is the institutions which are paramount, individuals provide leadership and a quality leadership makes all the difference. That is what Dr Rajan has done to the RBI. Over the last three years, he provided a new dimension to entire approach of the central bank with a global perspective, yet keeping intact, the unique advantages of the Indian economy and eco system," ASSOCHAM Secretary General D. S. Rawat said. He expressed hope that Rajan was...
What Industrialists Said After Raghuram Rajans Decision Over 2nd Term
INDIA, News

What Industrialists Said After Raghuram Rajans Decision Over 2nd Term

Top industry leaders today said RBI Governor Raghuram Rajans decision not to take a second term will be "nation's loss" as he brought economic stability and enhanced Indias credibility on the world stage. India Inc led by Anand Mahindra, Deepak Parekh, NR Narayana Murthy, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Mohandas Pai hoped that Rajan's successor will continue with the good work he did although industry chambers CII and FICCI declined to comment. Reacting to the development, Mahindra & Mahindra Chairman Anand Mahindra said he was "saddened" to hear about Rajan's decision to opt for academia at the end of his current term. "In my travels around the world and encounters with leading overseas businessmen, it became clear that during his tenure he greatly enhanced the credibility and bankabilit...