Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Business Line - Mumbai - 20211004
Business Line - Mumbai - 20211004
Business Line - Mumbai - 20211004
MUMBAI
₹10 • Pages 10 • Volume 28 • Number 275
₹15,000 cr by listing arms in India top ₹27,756 cr
Mamata Banerjee won the
Bhabanipur bypoll thereby se
curing her third term as
Bengal Chief Minister. BRANDLINE
With US Fed taper far the 60,000 mark while Nifty came Banerjee defeated her BJP
Perfect pitch
Will sell shares in NTPC away, more funds
close to 18,000. rival Priyanka Tibrewal by
Carnatic classical music
over 58,800 votes.
Renewable Energy seen flowing in More buying ahead Ahead of the Assembly polls
was ripe for some digital
“FPIs have been under constant fear intervention, and the way
within a year; plans earlier this year, Banerjee had
musician Sanjay
OUR BUREAU of the US Federal Reserve starting a vacated her home turf, Bhaba
IPOs of NEEPCO and Mumbai, October 3 taper. But any significant taper of nipur, to contest from Nandi
Subrahmanyan has
September marked the comeback the US bondbuying programme exploded across a medley
NTPC NVVN by 2024 of the foreign portfolio investors seems a distant reality. FPI money is
gram against her protégé
of formats is a case study on personal
turnedbête noire Suvendu
(FPIs). Data show that last month, yet to pour into a large number of branding. His ‘On That Note’ on YouTube
Adhikari. She lost by nearly
MONIKA YADAV FPIs made the largest purchase of small and midcap stocks. In the has not only cemented his engagement
1,200 votes.
New Delhi, October 3 stocks and debt instruments in coming months, as FPIs step up with his loyal fan base, but has earned him
Banerjee then sought re
Public sector power giant NTPC 2021 so far at ₹27,756 crore. buying into Indian markets, they new audiences. p6
election from Bhabanipur
hopes to raise ₹15,000 crore by Nearly 30 per cent of FPI invest will also start looking for hidden and polling took place on
2024 through the listing of its ments into stocks and debt instru gems instead of plain index buying. September 30. The constitu GAVEL
three units — NTPC Renewable The company is mulling to merge ments during 2021 so far came in The government seems to be step ency reported a turnout of 57
Energy, North Eastern Electric its 800-MW Koldam hydro-power September, data on the website of ping on the gas on its divestment
Nod for scheme of amalgamation
per cent. The Mumbai Bench of the
Power Corp (NEEPCO) and NTPC project in Himachal Pradesh with demat account provider NSDL programme and that will keep mar Read more on p2
the renewables arm National Company Law
Vidyut Vyapar Nigam. shows. kets buoyant for the next two
Tribunal is of the opinion
According to a senior com The FPIs net purchased equities years,” said Kishor Ostwal, MD, CNI
that conversion of equity
pany official, NTPC is planning to worth ₹39,832 crore for the pur for ₹13,154 crore and debt instru Global Research.
shares to preference
sell shares in NTPC Renewable pose of monetisation by 2025 in ments worth ₹12,804 crore in While neither retail nor do MPC seen keeping
shares, as sought by the
Energy within a year. Meanwhile, its recently released National September. So far this year, FPIs mestic investment into Indian rates unchanged
amalgamating companies, could not be
it is planning initial public offer Monetisation Plan (NMP) docu have net purchased stocks markets is showing any Mumbai, October 3
deemed to be impermissible, as objected
ings (IPOs) of NEEPCO and NTPC ment. and debt instruments signs of fatigue, im Amidst softening retail infla
by the Registrar of Companies.p7
NVVN by March 2024. The assets considered for mon worth ₹93,056 crore. petus in FPI fund tion, the Monetary Policy
“NTPC is also planning a stake etisation in power sector aggreg The last big monthly flows could lead the Committee is expected to
sale in NTPCSAIL Power Co, ate to 6 GW, of which, 3.5 GW is investment of FPIs markets to scale keep key rates unchanged FLIGHTPLAN
which is a joint venture with from hydel and 2.5 GW from re in 2021 was before many new psycho and maintain its accommod Battle of the giants
Steel Authority of India (SAIL),” newable energy including solar the Covid second logical peaks, ana ative stance to help sustain With the government
the official said. He added that and wind. wave of the pan lysts say. They are the growth momentum. expected to officially
the NTPC Renewable Energy’s tar Per the NMP document, the en demic, in February, of the view that Some experts believe that declare the winner of the
get will be to have a minimum of tities in the power sector con when they pur FPIs, which have of there could be steps an bid for Air India anytime
10 GigaWatts of generation capa sidered for monetisation are chased stocks and debt ten been the bulwark nounced to calibrate excess soon, and which is most
city by the time it is listed. NHPC, NTPC, NLC (Coal Ministry) worth ₹24,000 crore. of Indian markets, have liquidity. likely to be Tata Sons,
“The company is mulling to and SJVNL. chosen to tread a cautious Suman Chowdhury, Chief IndiGo will finally have a strong competitor
merge its 800MW Koldam hy Markets on a high path by not going overboard with Analytical Officer, Acuité Rat to contend with. But will IndiGo match up
dropower project in Himachal Green energy usage Indian stock markets have gained their investments since 2019 when ings & Research, said: “Acuité to the might of Tata Sons? p8
Pradesh with the renewables In addition, NTPC is also looking nearly 50 per cent in terms of index their total investments had crossed believes, in line with market
arm,” the official added. at raising the green energy usage value for Sensex and Nifty since the ₹1.35lakh crore. In 2020, that an expectations, that Reserve
The above asset monetisation to reduce its dependence on crash of March 2020. But contrary nual investment dropped to ₹1.03 Bank of India will continue CLEANTECH
is part of the government’s plan coal. The company has enhanced to the popular perception of the lakh crore. with its accommodative Green energy transition
of garnering ₹70,000 crore its target of renewable energy past two decades, the market rally During the last decade, FPI invest monetary policy in October As India sets out to meet
through the sale of the assets of projects to 60 GW by 2032. in the past two years has been ment was at its peak in 2015 when it although it is likely that it its ambitious target of
stateowned companies includ On the issue of coal supply, the mainly driven by domestic inflows reached the annual figure of ₹2.56 may take some further steps 450-GW renewables by
ing PowerGrid, NTPC and Rural official said that an interMinis into stock markets led by retail and lakh crore. But even though the to recalibrate the excess li 2030, it is an opportunity
Electrification Corporation terial subGroup led by the Coal high net worth individuals. In just markets are trading at record high quidity in the monetary sys to transform the networks
(REC). Ministry has been keeping tabs the past three months, the Nifty levels, FPI investments have only tem over the next one to two into smarter and greener grids. However,
Government thinktank NITI over the stock situation twice a and Sensex have managed to gain managed to cross the ₹1 lakh crore quarters.” there are also challenges, including the
Aayog has identified assets week. nearly 15 percent. Sensex touched market this year, analysts say. Read more on p10 need for huge resources p9
Incensed farmers DBT beneficiaries number hits record 71 cr so far in FY22
Not a good augury, ies (62.5 crore rural and 18.8 poor and lowincome families.
crore urban) under the National Lowincome and poor families
say experts Food Security Programme would, therefore, have to lower
(NFPS). Among these beneficiar their cost of living by availing
SHISHIR SINHA ies, about 70 crore are classified themselves of benefits under
New Delhi, October 3 as members of priority house programmes like PDS, particu
The number of beneficiaries re holds who are entitled to 5 kg larly when their incomes are not
ceiving foodgrains under the foodgrains per person per expected to grow,” Sood added.
Public Distribution System month. There is also an option of As on date, a total of 311
(PDS) through Direct Benefit receiving subsidy amount in schemes under 54 Ministries are
Transfer (DBT) has reached a re cash in lieu of foodgrains covered under this scheme. Of
cord high of around 71 crore so these, seven scheme groups —
far in the current fiscal, accord Not a surprise Subsidy for LPG Cylinder (PA
ing to data available at the DBT Anil K Sood, Professor and Co HAL), Mahatma Gandhi Na
portal. This has not surprised Founder of Hyderabadbased tional Rural Guarantee Scheme
the experts, but they have their IASCC (Institute for Advanced (MGNREGS), National Social As
own concerns. Studies in Complex Choices), is sistance Programme (NSAP),
Under the Targeted Public Dis not surprised with the higher about their economic future,” availability of cash during pan Scholarship Scheme, Pradhan
tribution System (TPDS), the gov number of PDS beneficiaries. he said. demic. “I find some truth in Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin
ernment allocates foodgrains The pandemic has not only res Manisha A Mehrotra, Associ opinion expressed by many eco (PMAYG), Public Distribution
(wheat and rice) as per the Na ulted in a fall in income for ate Professor, Department of nomists that the implementa System (PDS) and Fertiliers — are
tional Food Security Act, 2013, in urban and rural households but Economics, Banaras Hindu Uni tion of DBT is in limited number, the important ones. The remain
case of households covered un has also resulted in an increase versity, said the DBT scheme has if we go by Aadhaar enabled ac ing are clubbed under ‘Others’.
der the Antyodaya Anna Yojana. in healthcare expenditure for been introduced to overcome counts that have received sub These include schemes such as
Foodgrains are provided at uni them, he said adding the deficiencies of the PDS for sidies. Low accessibility to bank Livestock Health and Diseases
form subsidised prices of ₹3/2/1 “We would, therefore, expect those who were not getting be ing service and low level of Control, Swachh Bharat Mission
per kg for rice/wheat/coarse the households to avail them nefits because they had to pass awareness of the scheme are ma Gramin, Atal Pension Yojana,
grains, respectively. Since the selves of whatever little support through the various intermedi jor hindrances,” she said. Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana,
A vehicle was set ablaze as violence erupted during a farmers' protest over Uttar Pradesh
Covid pandemic broke, addi is available from the govern aries who caused leakages and “Since the government has Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit to Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday PTI
tional foodgrains (5 kg/person) ment. It definitely does not bode delays. In recent years it has re chosen to provide financial Yojana, Deen Dayal Upadhyay
are being provided free of cost. well for future growth, if we corded very high transfers to the stimulus and not economic Grameen Kaushalya Yojna, Kh
The government has identi were to read it as an indication marginalised section which has stimulus, it is expected that the elo India, Project Tiger, and Pro
fied about 81.3 crore beneficiar of household expectations led to a reduction of poverty and stimulus will not benefit the ject Elephant.
farmers’ protest in UP village
sector sees
robust demand
36% of USFDA’s market authorisations
PTI/ OUR BUREAU
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP)/ New Delhi,October 3
Several journalists were
also reported to have sus
sponsible for the violence.
FORUM GANDHI
Mumbai, October 3
Ahead of the festival season, ho
in 2020 went to Indian drugmakers
G NAGA SRIDHAR a product in the US market. may be better as research on
Eight people were killed as vi tained injuries in the More protests planned tels in the country are seeing ro Hyderabad, October 3 Thus, higher market authorisa Covid19 related products and
olence erupted here during a incident. SKM leader Yogendra Yadav bust demand. Industry experts In what can be seen as an indica tions implies greater access to other therapeutic areas has
farmers’ protest over Uttar Maurya's visit was cancelled said they will strengthen the said that there is a steady rise of tion of the primacy of India’s the US market and can boost been progressing well,” the Vice
Pradesh Deputy Chief Minis following the incident. protests in the background of 2030 per cent in occupancy pharma industry, 36 per cent of business performance of indi President of a Hyderabadbased
ter Keshav Prasad Maurya’s fresh violence. All India Kisan compared to last year and ho total market authorisation gran vidual players as well as overall listed pharma company said.
visit, administration sources SKM’s demand Sabha leader P Krishnaprasad tels are bullish of being able to ted by the US Food and Drug Ad exports of the country. There has been a ‘good
said. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha said Haryana Chief Minister be at par with preCovid level ministration (USFDA) in 2020 “All market authorisations pipeline’ of ANDAs with leading
Two SUVs were set on fire by (SKM) demanded a Supreme Manoharlal Khattar should bookings soon. was to drug makers from India. may not immediately translate Indian players that might qual
angry farmers, reports said, Courtmonitored probe into also resign for his call to BJP Manoj Agarwal, Head – Asset “This accounts for 36 per cent into revenue and export growth. The number of sites registered
ify First To File (FTF) status in
after they hit a group of the incident. workers to attack the farmers. Management, InterGlobe Ho of a total of 1,438 market author It depends on the timing of with USFDA for formulations and
market authorisations with ex
protesters. SKM leaders, who ad “BJP workers have implemen tels, said, “If this momentum isations granted by the USFDA in launch of the product. But this is bulk drugs in India stands at 741
clusive rights for the first six
Four of the dead were trav dressed a press conference ted Khattar's directions and continues, we should be able to calendar 2020 and we can take it a crucial step in taking India’s months which would push up
elling in the vehicles and the here on Sunday, asked Prime killed four farmers in Uttar close at around 60 per cent as a positive sign with potential products to the US market,’’ he last year. In FY21, pharma exports revenues, he added.
remaining were farmers, Minister Narendra Modi to ex Pradesh,” he added. higher revenue than the last to boost business growth and said. rose 18 per cent at $24.4 billion According to Industry estim
sources said. pel Minister of State for Home financial year.” Other chains exports going forward,” R Uday The number of sites re ($24,469 million), which was the ates, oncology and immunology
The violence broke out after Ajay Mishra charging him Cong hits out such as Chalet Hotels and Ster Bhaskar, DirectorGeneral, Phar gistered with the USFDA both for highest in the last seven years. In are expected to grow at a high
two SUVs allegedly ran over with instigating violence The Congress hit out at the BJP ling also expect revenues to sur maceutical Export Promotion formulations as well as bulk FY20, pharmaceutical exports rate of 912 per cent during the
over a group of antifarm law against farmers. They said and demanded a judicial pass preCovid levels. Council (Pharmexcil), an arm of drugs in India stands at 741 as of were at $20.7 billion. next five years while vaccines are
protesters, who were demon Mishra's son Ashish Mishra probe into the incident and In FY21, the hospitality in the Ministry of Commerce, told now. This has also been helping Industry experts expect better likely to clock 15 per cent
strating against Maurya’s visit should be booked under IPC strict action against the dustry recorded its lowest rev BusinessLine. drugmakers have a smooth sail performance in the current year growth.
at the TikoniaBanbirpur road Section 302 for the murder of guilty. Rahul Gandhi said enue per available room (Rev in obtaining ANDA approvals. in ANDA approvals. “As approval As of now, India is ranked 10th
here. farmers. The SKM has also de those who remain silent even PAR) of ₹1,582 in the last 22 ANDA approvals for an ANDA after filing takes among the top ten formulations
Angry protesters allegedly cided to hold protests in front after the incident are already years, according to a report by Market authorisations are ap Pharma exports about a year or so, those ap exporting countries and is the
forced the two vehicles to of every district headquarters dead and underlined that the Hotelivate. This is a 60.8 per provals given to Abbreviated The higher number of market proved last year may not have in 11th largest market. It is expected
stop, set them on fire and beat on Monday demanding ac sacrifice of farmers will not go cent decline over the last year. New Drug Applications (ANDAs) authorisations also contributed cluded many Covidrelated to be ranked the ninth largest
up some passengers. tion against the people re in vain. Read more on p10 that allow companies to launch to growth of pharma exports products. But this year, things market by 2025.
CM . ...... . .....BM-BME
YK
MUMBAI
2 NEWS BusinessLine
MONDAY • OCTOBER 4 • 2021
MCX may write-off payments made to Mamata wins bypoll by 58,000 votes Petrol, diesel
price at new high
London firm for spot trading software 46% of Bhabanipur
population is
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
New Delhi, October 3
Capital infusion, listing will boost Concor cuts rates by 35% for Nepal-bound import boxes
ECGC’s underwriting capacity Triggers rate war
among container
The rate cut by Concor fol
lowed a June amendment to
the Rail Services Agreement
contract was awarded by the
Nepal government in a
tender to a smaller Indian
OUR BUREAU be infused in instalments insurance helping exporters signed between India and rival, which also holds a li
and will help increase the ca to gain a stronger foothold
train operators on
Mumbai, October 3 Nepal that also allowed “au cence to run container trains.
The approved capital infu pacity to underwrite risks up in thedifficult markets,” it the sector thorised cargo train operat The new O&M contract is for
sion along with efforts made to ₹88,000 crore and this further said. ors licensed by Indian Rail five years which can be exten
to synchronise with the list will enable ECGC to issue cov At present, ECGC provides P MANOJ ways or privatelyowned ded by another five years.
ing process of Export Credit ers that can support addi cover to 239 countries across Mumbai, October 3 wagons approved by Indian This gave the new opera
Guarantee Corporation Ltd tional exports of ₹5.28lakh the globe and the capital in Stateowned Container Cor Railways under any train op tion and management con
through the initial public of crore over the fiveyear fusion will help in improv poration of India Ltd (Con erator or wagon investment tractor of the Birgunj ICD a
fering is expected to increase period, it further said. ing the competitive position cor) has cut rates by some 35 schemes” to ply between the distinct advantage in run
the underwriting capacity of of Indian exporters in the in percent for hauling import two nations. ning both the ICD and con
ECGC to support more Small exporters ternational markets. ECGC containers landing at Vi tainer trains.
‘The rate cut, apart from triggering a price war, will impact Concor’s
exports. This will help ECGC to said it is also in the process sakhapatnam, Haldia and ‘Segment opened up’ “Hence, the industry ex
bottomline by as much as ₹120 crore a year’ PICHUMANI K
The Cabinet Committee on provide insurance cover to of increasing engagements Kolkata ports and bound for The earlier agreement of pected Concor to lower the
Economic Affairs has ap around 25,000 exporters with alternate channels, Nepal. This follows entry of 2004, allowed only trains run The amendment was ap Nepal’s key Customs facility rates and set off a rate war
proved capital infusion of from the present level of such as brokers, to increase private operators into the by Indian Railways or Concor proved on June 28 this year. for handling third country among operators,” said an in
₹4,400 crore to ECGC Ltd 12,000 exporters, most of business. segment. to operate on the sector. After On average, 5,0006,000 con imports and is also con dustry source.
over a fiveyear period from which are small exporters. It has also started the issue The move, aside from trig the container train operation tainers move between the sidered the lifeline for the On September 15, Concor
202122 to 202526. “Capital ECGC has paid claims of of export credit insurance gering a rate war on the sec sector was privatised by the two counties every month. landlocked nation’s trade revised rail freight rates for
infusion in ECGC, will enable more than ₹7,500 crore dur covers in foreign currency tor among container train government in 2006, private Besides running trains to and industry. the movement of thirdcoun
it to expand its coverage to ing the last decade to export through its office in GIFT operators, will impact Con firms who secured licences to Nepal, Concor was also oper try import containers from
exportoriented industry ers and banks. “This will also CITY, Gujarat. “Once permit cor’s bottomline by as much operate trains, pushed for an ating a key inland container New operator India to Nepal and empty
particularly labourintensive enable ECGC to diversify its ted, will expand covers in for as ₹120 crore a year, said amendment to the RSA, to se depot (ICD) at Birgunj, the The ICD Birgunj contract containers on the return leg,
sector,” it said in a statement. product portfolio and eign currency to exporters people with knowledge of cure permission to operate to only raillinked dry port in ended last year, and the new cutting rates by about 35 per
The approved amount will provide cost effective credit outside SEZs as well,” it said. the matter. and from Nepal. Nepal. The ICD at Birgunj is operation and management cent.
Higher the central bank gold reserves, lower Maharashtra multiplexes roll out
the sovereign credit risk: IIM-A centre’s study welcome mat for moviegoers
OUR BUREAU over a 20year period, from 2000 inflation crisis. There has been a
Ahmedabad, October 3 to 2020, for measuring the eco general increase in the RBI’s stock AYUSHI KAR that we can hasten our revival to reopen our cinemas through
Gold reserves of Central Banks nomy’s default risk. of gold reserves since 2018. Mumbai, October 3 with some pathbreaking in the PVR Care program. We kept
can reduce the sovereign credit The data was mapped against With Maharashtra set to re novations revolving around our followers, movie enthusi
risk of countries, according to a information on Central Banks’ Aid diversification open its movie halls, multi the giant screen, like private asts and audiences engaged, at
study by the India Gold Policy gold stocks obtained from the Sanket Mohapatra, IIMA pro plexes are rolling out the red screenings, alternative content the same time ensure and rein
Centre (IGPC) at the Indian Insti World Gold Council database. The fessor, said, “Central Bank gold re carpet to draw movie goers. screening, unique brand col force that cinemas are a safe
tute of Management – findings of the study reveal a neg serves have been known to aid in While movieled marketing laborations, introducing new and secure place to visit post
Ahmedabad (IIMA). ative and significant association diversification of overall interna initiatives for bigticket re food and beverages concepts.” Covid.” Dutta believes that this
The study reveals that while of sovereign CDS spreads with tional reserves and may boost re leases such as Akshay Kumar’s Tandon continued, The new year they will have more due to
growthoriented macroeco country study suggest that Central Bank gold holdings of an turns during extremely low or Sooryavanshi and Daniel food and beverages concepts the huge backlog of movies
nomic policies can reduce sover higher Central Bank gold reserves economy. negative international interest Craig’s No Time to Die have include adding home meal re awaiting releases, and they are
eign risks, gold holdings of a can help in stemming a deteriora rates.” Central Bank gold reserves already begun, multiplexes placements into their food already seeing high levels of en
country’s Central Bank have a tion and provide support to the Reduce uncertainty can also have a positive impact on have partnered with food reser courts to capture customers PVR Cinemas, which has 18 thusiasm on their social media
strong impact during turmoils in credit ratings of countries such as The researchers noted that the sovereign creditworthiness, par vation apps, and plan on beyond their multiplex audi per cent of its nationwide busi platforms.
global financial markets. India,” he added. likelihood of a credit rating ticularly during times of finan adding value to the moviego ences into the fold. ness in Maharashtra, plans on
In 2020, Moody’s downgraded In the current scenario, the downgrade decreases with larger cial market volatility and crisis ing experience through luxury getting its customers back with
India’s sovereign rating to Baa3, findings seem to have positive gold holdings of Central Banks by episodes. screens, drivein theatres, Customer connect six super luxury screen
highlighting its weak fiscal posi implications for India. reducing future uncertainty and A more active involvement of private screening, alternative For their multiplex customers cinemas and a drivein theatre
tion as the primary cause of reassuring confidence in in gold can diversify India’s overall content screenings to entice especially, Inox has announced that are waiting to commence
credit restriction. IGPC study vestors and policy makers. international reserves portfolio. moviegoers away from OTT a partnership with the food re their operations after the Octo
In this context, Arvind Sahay, The IGPC claims this to be a first It investigates the variation in He is optimistic about gold play back to the movie hall experi servation app, EazyDiner. Tan ber 22 opening date. Gautam
Chairperson, India Gold Policy ofitskind study of global mar the negative relationship ing the role of a stabilising agent ence. don explained “With this col Dutta, CEO, PVR Ltd told Busi-
Centre, said, “Due to necessary kets conducted by the team of between Central Bank gold re in India’s external position. Inox which has 28 multi laboration, EazyDiner nessLine, “During lockdown,
countercyclical fiscal stimulus Sawan Rathi, a doctoral student serves and sovereign CDS Notably, as per the World Gold plexes with a total of 133 screens members can avail a flat 15 per we built our marketing
and a buildup of government in Economics, Sanket Mohapatra, spreads, specifically, during peri Council data for Q2 of 2021, India in Maharashtra has a lot cent discount across all Inox strategy around the entire cus
debt during the Covid19 crisis, IIMA faculty in Economics, and ods of high volatility in global fin added over 42 tonnes of gold in planned for the audience, Alok food counters and Café Un tomer journey to connect with
sovereign credit ratings of both Sahay. ancial markets and countryspe the past one year to its reserves to Tandon, CEO – INOX Leisure Ltd wind. EazyDiner members can our customers at the right time
advanced and emerging market The researchers considered cific crisis. This variation is found touch 703.71 tonnes. India’s Gold told BusinessLine, “We are in enjoy a flat 25 per cent discount with the right message. We
economies have come under fiveyear sovereign credit default to be even stronger during peri reserves have increased by 13 per novating a lot on the market across all Insignia lounges reached out to our 11 million
pressure.” swap (CDS) spreads for 48 ad ods of high global volatility, as cent or about 85.5 tonnes since Q2 ing side to ensure that custom across the country on reserving privilege loyal customer base
“The findings of this cross vanced and emerging countries well as country specific debt and of 2019. ers remain engaged. we know a table via EazyDiner.” to communicate our readiness
CM .. ..... . . ...BM-BME
YK
MUMBAI
BusinessLine
MONDAY • OCTOBER 4 • 2021 NEWS 3
Most States increase their capex but fail to rein in revenue expenses
Some States such as Maharashtra, Gujarat In fact, the capex spending
Top 5 States that witnessed highest jump Actual revenue expenditure
crore in Q1FY22 from ₹183
of all these three States in (Amount in ~ crore)
crore in Q1FY20. Similarly,
and TN have spent less on capex this fiscal the first quarter of the cur in revenue expenditure
Q1FY20 Q1FY22 % change
social sector spending of
year compared to pre-pandemic level rent fiscal was even lower Andhra Pradesh also went
Andhra Pradesh 22,583
than their spending in Q1 130 up ten times to ₹3,185 crore
NARAYANAN V FY20. 51,971 (₹303 crore) during this
Chennai, October 3 ₹68,659 crore, which is 15 Maharashtra was badly Bihar 12,193
period.
With growth being severely per cent higher than the impacted by the second 171 The economic sector ex
33,070
impacted by the pandemic capex outlay of ₹59,344 wave of the Covid19 pan penses cover infrastructure
and private capital ex crore in the first quarter of demic, which could be one West Bengal 25,307 spending on roads, rail
66
penditure showing no signs FY20 and nearly 62 per cent of the major reasons for the 41,951 ways, ports and other
of picking up, the Centre more than ₹36,216 crore of sharp decline in capex alloc growthfuelling economic
Kerala 26,154
had resolved to increase its capital expenditure in the ation as compared to the 47 activities while the general
capital expenditure sub pandemichit first quarter earlier years. 38,370 sector captures all other
stantially for FY22 and had of FY21. Financial accounts for Rajashtan 33,920
expenses.
34
also nudged States to do The increased capex out States like Goa and Assam 45,426
The Centre has also been
likewise. It has also been in lay in Q1FY22 comes not and Union Territories such spending hugely on capital
centivising States to increas withstanding the devastat as Delhi, Puducherry and expenditure. The capex out
ing their capex spending ing second wave of the Jammu & Kashmir were not rising revenue expenditure the multiplier for the eco lay of the Centre in the first
through enhanced ceilings Covid19 pandemic which available on the Comp of States is a cause for con nomy is between 9298 quarter stood at ₹1.11lakh
for borrowings and interest severely affected the eco troller and Auditor General cern. paise while in case of cap crore, which is 55 per cent
free loans. nomy besides claiming of India (CAG) portal and As per the CAG data, the ital expenditure, for every higher than ₹ 63,000 that
A BusinessLine analysis of thousands of lives. were, hence, excluded from total revenue expenditure rupee put in, the addition the government’s actual
capital and revenue ex the computation. of the sample 23 States con to the economy is ₹2.25 ru spending in Q1FY20.
penditure trend of 23 State States that lead in capex sidered have jumped from pees within the same year The Centre has budgeted
governments based on data Among the States, Uttar Pra Incentivising capex ₹5.76lakh crore in Q1FY20 and ₹4.80 over the course of ₹5.54lakh crore of capex
available from CAG showed desh topped the list in Capital expenditure, by its to ₹6.28lakh crore in the the entire capital expendit spending for FY22, which is
that most States have recor capex spending with an out nature, has a high multi first quarter of the current ure. 85 per cent higher than the
ded an increase in their cap lay of ₹9,734 crore in Q1FY22 plier effect with an ability to fiscal. FY19 target of ₹2.99lakh
ital expenditure in the first as against ₹7,683 crore in crowdin private invest For instance, revenue ex Capex in social sector crore and one of the highest
quarter of 202122 as com the first quarter of FY20. It ments which in turn en penditure of Andhra Pra Both revenue and capital ex allocations in over a decade.
pared to the prepandemic was followed by Madhya hances the production capa desh more than doubled to penditures of States are “At the central govern
levels in Q1 FY20. However, Pradesh (₹8,761 crore), Hary city leading to higher ₹51,971 crore in Q1FY22 from classified under general, so ment level, the capital ex
few of the larger States such ana (₹5,495 crore) and economic growth and em ₹22,583 crore at the end of cial and economic sectors. penditure stood at ₹1.11 lakh
as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh (₹4,606 ployment generation. It is first quarter in FY20. Simil Not surprisingly, a bulk of crore during the first
and Gujarat have shown a crore). for this reason that the arly, revenue expenditure of the State’s capex spending quarter of the current fiscal,
decline in capex. Most States Curiously, highly indus Centre has been constantly provided to States to be State Domestic Product Bihar and West Bengal went went into the social sector which is 20% of the FY22
have also struggled to con trial states such as Maha nudging States to boost spent on new or ongoing (GSDP) in the open market. up by ₹20,878 crore and which includes spending on budgeted estimate. In relat
trol revenue expenditure rashtra, Gujarat and Tamil their capital spending, espe capital projects under the In a report titled ‘Progress ₹16,644 crore, respectively, building healthcare infra ive terms, the Centre has
this fiscal. Nadu which contribute a cially to regain growth in ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat in States’ Capital Expendit during the comparable structure and education. tended to spend around
The combined capex substantial chunk to India's the aftermath of the global package’. ure Q1 FY22’, CARE Ratings period. Many States have ramped onefifth of the budgeted
spending of these 23 States Gross Domestic Product pandemic. Moreover, the Last week the Centre an said, “The June quarter of Speaking at a webinar re up hospitals and emergency amount in the first quarter
in the first quarter of the (GDP) lagged at the bottom States’ capital expenditure nounced that eleven States current financial shows en cently, India’s Chief Eco facilities to manage the of the year. Clearly with un
current fiscal stood at of the capex spending table. has higher growth multi including Andhra Pradesh, couraging trends with nomic Advisor, KV Sub Covid crisis. certainty in flow of revenue
plier potential than the Bihar, Chhattisgarh, States’ capex regaining ramanian criticised the For instance, Uttar Pra being a concern, even the
Centre as it is related closer Haryana, Kerala, momentum. A State governments for desh’s capex spending on Centre has been slow on
to the local community. Madhya Pradesh, massive increase spending taxpayers' money Social Sector jumped more capex to begin with,” CARE
In April 2021, the Centre Manipur, in the govern on revenue expenditure in than ten times to ₹2,439 Ratings’ report noted.
announced that it will Meghalaya, ment’s planned the form of freebies and
provide an additional Nagaland, Ra capital ex populist schemes. He asked
amount of up to ₹15,000 jasthan and Ut penditure for the them to instead focus
crore to States as interest tarakhand have FY22 coupled on ushering supply side re
free 50year loan for spend achieved the tar with various re forms and increase capital
ing on capital projects in get set by the Min cent proinvest expenditure to attract
cluding ₹5,000 crore if istry of Finance for ment announce private investment and
States undertake asset mon the capital expenditure in ments by the government spur growth.
etisation and disinvestment Q1 FY22. are expected to give a much Citing a study by the Na
of their public sector enter As an incentive, the needed boost to the States’ tional Institute of Public
prises. The scheme was in Centre allowed these States capex in the future.” Finance and Policy (NIPFP),
continuation to last year's to borrow an additional Subramanian highlighted
50year ₹12,000crore in amount of ₹15,721 crore (or Revenue expenses surge that for every rupee inves
terestfree capex loan 0.25 percent of their Gross On the other hand, the ted in revenue expenditure,
Global cotton output seen rising 6%: ICAC Monsoon set to withdraw, but tail lashes Kerala, TN
OUR BUREAU forecast is on the higher side of IMD forecasts more and many parts of the South X
W showers lashed most parts of Meanwhile, the severe cyc
Ahmedabad, October 3 the previous forecast issued in Au Peninsula, the Islands, and The normal timeline of Kerala, many places in Bihar, lone ‘Shaheen’ spun away over
Global cotton output is seen gust 2021, with seasonaverage A rain in East and along the West Coast and arrival of the North-East Tamil Nadu and the Andaman NorthWest Arabian Sea to
rising by six per cent with expec index for 2021/22 ranging South in the next NorthEast India since the tail monsoon over the South & Nicobar Islands through Sat likely signal the start of with
ted rise in the output in the grow between 73 cents to 125 cents, with of the SouthWest monsoon is is at least a fortnight urday. drawal of the monsoon from
ing countries of Australia, Brazil a midpoint at 95.43 cents per few days still active. away. extreme NorthWest of India.
and the US. In its latest October pound. Overnight rain recorded Drastic reduction in moisture
cotton production and stock pro VINSON KURIAN Active weather systems A few places in East Uttar Pra and rainfall may hasten mon
jections for the 202122 season, Revival in production Thiruvananthapuram, October 3 A cyclonic circulation has been desh, East Rajasthan, Assam, soon withdrawal from some
the International Cotton Advis Notably, earlier in August 2021, Parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala hovering over the SouthWest Heavy rain forecast Meghalaya, Arunachal Pra parts of the region from Wed
ory Committee (ICAC) has indic ton trade stood at the highest ICAC had indicated a revival in the have witnessed NorthEast Bay of Bengal off Tamil Nadu These formations will translate desh, Odisha, South interior nesday.
ated that the global output of the levels ever in 2020/21. “The estim global production to 25 mt in monsoonlike weather over for the past few days. A low into isolated heavy to very Karnataka, Rayalaseema and ‘Shaheen’ lays centered over
fibre crop will be around 25.7 mil ate of 10.29 million tonnes for the 202122 with robust consumption the past few days even as the pressure area has been holding heavy falls over Bihar, hills of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and the Gulf of Oman and adjoin
lion tonnes (mt), which would be coming season shows that in growth expectations. predecessor SouthWest mon gamely over West Bihar and ad West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam Lakshadweep as well as plains ing NorthWest Arabian Sea on
higher than the previous year, but dustry sentiment remains posit India’s cotton scenario is likely soon is preparing to withdraw joining East Uttar Pradesh as and Meghalaya on Sunday and of West Bengal and Tripura also Sunday, about 1,000 km West
would still be lower than the pre ive — especially given the robust to be bright. The trade estimates from the NorthWest with a well. Both have been driving Monday. Isolated heavy to very reported thundershowers the NorthWest of Devbhoomi
pandemic levels. levels of retail sales of textiles cotton output for the season 2021 delay. The normal timeline of unseasonal rains over the heavy falls are likely over Tamil same day. Dwarka (Gujarat); 160 km
The ending stocks for 2020/21 seen in many developed coun 22 at 395 lakh bales (each of 170 arrival of the NorthEast mon country's East and South. Nadu, Kerala, Coastal and In the North, regions mak SouthWest of Chabahar Port
has been revised downward to 20 tries,” it said in its commentary. kg) as against the estimated 356 soon over the South is at least a These apart, a trough in east South interior Karnataka until ing gains are Jammu & Kash (Iran), and 130 km EastNorth
mt, leading to the world cotton The ICAC Secretariat has projec lakh bales for 202021. The trader fortnight away. erlies from the above cyclonic Wednesday. mir, Ladakh, Himachal Pra East of Muscat (Oman).
supply to be around 45.8 mt for ted a higher cotton price of the sources estimate cotton carry for The India Meteorological De circulation runs down to in Isolated heavy rainfall is also desh, Haryana, Chandigarh, It may cross the Oman coast
the 2021/22 season. The global seasonaverage A index for 2021/ ward stock to be lesser than the partment (IMD) has said that terior Maharashtra across forecast over Konkan, Goa, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, East early on Monday as a cyclone
consumption is estimated at 25.9 22 ranging from 82 cents to 127 previous season at around 80 scattered to fairly widespread Tamil Nadu and interior Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Marath with a maximum sustained
mt. cents, with a midpoint at 101.60 lakh bales on improved rainfall may continue over Karnataka too, triggering rain Marathwada until Wednes wada and Madhya wind speed of 8090 km/hr
ICAC noted that the global cot cents per pound. The latest price consumption. parts of East and Central India and thundershowers. dayeven as rain or thunder Maharashtra. gusting to 100 km/hr.
CM .. ..... . . ...BM-BME
YK
MUMBAI
4 THINK BusinessLine
MONDAY • OCTOBER 4 • 2021
0
xyz
I
n a significant break from the past, the situation by raising taxes in the
form of excise duty (Centre) and
Centre seems to be not just meeting, but MADAN SABNAVIS
VAT (States).
actually bettering, fiscal projections made Excise and VAT accounted for
T
in its Budget so far this year. In the April to he outcome of the GST ₹3.71 lakh crore and ₹2.03 lakh
August 2021 period, the Centre managed to rein Council meeting on crore respectively in FY21, while cus
in the gap between its total receipts and ex September 17 is likely to toms, cess, royalty, IGST and minor
divide opinion. The lower amounts for CGST and SGST accoun
penditure at ₹4.68 lakh crore — just 31 per cent ing of rates on several products and ted for the rest of the collections.
of its fullyear estimate. In the past decade, this services especially in the pharma Unless the governments (Centre
number has usually topped 90 per cent in the area is welcome at a time when and States) are willing to reduce
first five months. In the corresponding period health inflation is high and has af their levies, it will not be possible to
fected almost every household as bring petro products under the
of FY21, the fiscal deficit had hit 109 per cent of expenses on healthcare has in fold.
the annual target and in prepandemic years of creased during these pandemic There is ideology at play here as
FY19 and FY20, it was at 95 and 79 per cent. The times. However, two areas would well the government would like to
curtailed deficit has allowed the Government come as a disappointment for sure. retain the prerogative to increase
There were expectations that the taxes when it wants to. This holds Oil slick Bringing petro products under GST will help consumers but governments may lose tax revenue MANJUNATH HS
to announce a secondhalf borrowing plan
energy products would be brought especially when the base price of
(₹5.03 lakh crore) which is much lower than under GST or at least a roadmap an crude oil comes down. Crude oil ₹100/litre and inflation becoming was to have been for five years, to be lic. The two should be separated, as
what it mopped up in the first half (₹7.02 lakh nounced to ensure that at some has tended to vary between $4070 intransigent. The price of LPG too used to compensate States for any taxes can be levied in future to ser
crore). Given that the Government’s usual prac point of time this would be a reality. in the last decade with wide aberra has been pushed up independently shortfall in revenue for this period vice debt. Indian fiscal history
tice is to backend its borrowings after over Petro products are widely used by tions on both sides, though gener by the government by as much as if revenue did not grow by 14 per shows that whenever a cess is levied
everyone either directly by operat ally in the upward direction. When ₹190 a cylinder since January 2021. cent per annum. (which need not be shared with
shooting its deficit target, this announcement ing vehicles or indirectly through this base price comes down, if the There are two solutions. First is This fiveyear period was to end in States), they tend to become
has pleasantly surprised the bond market the price impact on all products. products are bound by GST rates, that the GST can be made condi March 2022 after which the cess permanent.
which has rallied on the news. While some Currently all taxes levied by both then the government would lose a tional on the crude oil price range should be withdrawn. However, the This cess is imposed on vehicles,
commentators are already the Centre and States form two lot of revenue which is likely to hit and hence can be graded. There can Finance Minister has stated that the tobacco, alcohol, energy products
thirds of the final price it hard. The Centre levies be a series of rates to begin with de cess collections had fallen short as including diesel and petrol, aerated
Scan & Share lowering their deficit projec paid by the consumer. a fixed excise duty while pending on the range of crude oil did overall GST revenue last year as water and coal. The implication is
tions for FY22, much will de Scan & Share
Even if a GST rate has to be States impose a VAT. price. The other option is for the well as probably in FY22 due to the that these products will face a price
pend on whether the fiscal considered, it would be Last year, for example government to voluntarily create a lockdowns. The Centre had to bor disadvantage for four more years.
performance so far is sus abnormally high at 200 prices crashed to an all buffer above a threshold after row money to pay the States their This is not good news for the auto
per cent presently which time low in April with fu which the revenue generated will dues. Now to repay this additional industry in particular which has
tained.
does not hold for any tures prices going negat be used for the rainy day when rates borrowing along with interest, the been buffeted twice by the
A breakdown of the num product. It is hence hard ive and consumption will not be increased. It cannot be government plans to keep the cess lockdowns.
bers does reveal some struc to choose a rate for these plummeted thanks to the ‘heads I win and tails you lose’ — running, which will over the next Therefore the GST Council’s inac
tural positives. For instance, the buoyancy in products as it is extremely high for Covid lockdown. In such a situation where ‘you’ is the consumer. four years, help to make this tion on these two issues is not good
direct tax collections with corporate tax collec something which is an essential increasing rates made sense to pro payment. news for the consumer as inflation
good for the public. tect revenue. The Centre increased The cess factor Is this the right thing to do? This will continue to be high as the gov
tions shooting up by 162 per cent and income the specific duty while States auto The GST Council’s decision to retain is a very ingenious way that the gov ernment is not willing to relent. The
tax revenues by 70 per cent over last year, is not Fiscal compulsions matically benefited as VAT is ad compensation cess up to 2026 is ernment has chosen because it sets continuation of the cess can be a
the result of just a lowbase effect. Direct tax col The conundrum for the govern valorem. Some of them increased also likely to disappoint a precedent that a cess can be levied dangerous precedent used in fu
lections this year are a significant improve ment is that these taxes have a dir their VAT rates. consumers. or carried on to finance additional ture if it gets linked with govern
ect impact on the fiscal balances. A However, this year with crude oil In FY22 it is estimated at ₹1 lakh borrowing. In effect, the higher gov ment borrowing.
ment over prepandemic levels too, suggesting sum of ₹6.35 lakh crore was earned price going back to the range of $70 crore which was also broadly the ex ernment borrowing programme is
that Covid may have accelerated the formalisa by the Centre and States on these plus, and taxes unchanged, prices pected collections in FY21. When being financed through a cess, The writer is Chief Economist, CARE
tion of the economy which was already under products in FY21 as revenue com of petrol and diesel soared above GST was launched in 2017, the cess, which may seem unfair to the pub Ratings. Views expressed are personal
way after GST. Corporate tax collections being
higher by 50 per cent compared to FY20, sug
gests that the sharp cut in corporate tax rates
may be paying off through better compliance.
The Centre has also managed to keep a tight lid
on spending, with its revenue expenditure in
the first five months lower than last year’s level,
Time for a sovereign wealth fund?
even as capital expenditure was up 27 per cent. A part of India’s huge forex reserves can be set aside for longer-term investments. But some caveats are in order
Productive heads such as health, agriculture
and rural development have seen increases JAYDEEP MUKHERJEE/ Switzerland, according to RBI. thor — of “too much” of reserves certainty. It has been held — rightly
ANSHUMAN KAMILA Such a high accumulation of re buildup for the Indian economy. so — that accumulated reserves are
F
while salaries, pensions and subsidies have or a country like India, serves has prompted the govern not ‘owned’, they are liabilities. Es
been pruned. On the flip side though, high du forex reserves have long ment to explore an investment The caveats sentially, forex reserves are built up
ties on fuel have contributed ₹1.37 lakh crore to been treated as precaution strategy whereby the accumulated However, the following precautions from investment flows and have
the excise kitty and the Reserve Bank of India ary savings that the govern reserves can be better utilised. It is may be noted. First, creation of long been used as a cushion to avert
ment acquires as a “rainy day” fund imperative to unleash the catalytic SWFs tends to be common practice crises that cause precipitate out
has paid out a largerthanusual dividend,
to tide over any sudden decrease in power of government investment among major fuel and commodity flows of foreign exchange.
neither of which may be sustained. Disinvest capital inflows. In other words, it to offset the shadow of the Covid19 exporting countries. SWF creator Nonetheless, just as a bank lends
ment receipts (₹8,370 crore), now at a fraction acts as a buffer against shocks to ex pandemic on India’s growth story. countries, which are not intensive out money from its liabilities (read
of the fullyear target (₹1.75 lakh crore), will ternal wealth. The newly announced Pradhan fuel exporters, otherwise possess deposits) while keeping aside a part
need to catch up for the annual deficit target to On the other hand, countries like Mantri Gatishakti National Master large current account surpluses that is deemed sufficient to take
China, the UAE, Norway, Saudi Ara Plan for infrastructure and other Forex Fuelling growth ISTOCK (namely, China). India is neither an care of exigencies, forex reserves
be met. bia, Russia, Singapore and many mega infrastructure projects neces oil exporting country, nor has cur may be suitably subject to this cal
Despite such imponderables though, the others prefer higher returns to li sitate a careful appraisal of our fin M3 or broad money. This ratio is es rent account surplus. culus.
fiscal performance so far underlines the virtues quidity. The precautionary savings ancial firepower. pecially relevant for countries like Secondly, India’s growing fiscal While it is apparent that RBI is
of presenting a realistic Budget that makes in such countries manifest in the That brings us to the funda India that are a haven for ‘hot deficit has the potential to create already diversifying its forex invest
form of sovereign wealth fund mental question: Does India have money’ investment by large foreign adverse trade imbalances, pop ments in a basket of currencies to
achievable assumptions on growth and tax (SWF), a stateowned investment “too much” reserve buildup and institutional investors and hence ularly known as ‘twin deficit’, earn higher returns, some part of
buoyancy. Underpromising and overdeliver fund that is riskier than traditional hence “surplus” reserves for the are subject to a major risk of capital thereby prompting the govern our reserves can be committed for
ing on the fisc doesn’t just improve the credibil forex reserves. government to explore an invest flight. It is suggested that a critical ment to adopt a cautious approach. longerterm investments.
ity of the ruling government but it also reduces Over the last two decades, India ment strategy? To answer this ques value of this ratio in the range of 5 In addition, RBI has advised a As India turns 75, it is time to as
has exhibited robust macroeco tion, we look at two popular meas 20 per cent is desirable. pragmatic assessment of reserve sess whether our forex reserves can
the interest burden on the exchequer, and
nomic fundamentals and is one of ures of reserve adequacy of a An analysis of timeseries data on adequacy in view of existing level of help further our geoeconomic and
helps investors and borrowers by smoothing the most attractive destinations of country (Park and Estrada, 2009). Indian economy for past three dec forex reserves being projected to strategic priorities while not disreg
out bond market volatility. foreign investment. This has resul The first measure of a country’s ades suggests that India comfort cover less than 15 months of im arding the above expressed con
ted in an unprecedented accumula susceptibility to currency crisis is ably fulfills both these measures. ports (while countries higher than cerns. A wider consultation on the
tion of forex reserves. It may be the ratio of reserves to shortterm With the ratio of reserves to short us in forex reserves position boast subject is the need of the hour.
noted here that India’s forex re external debt. Also known as Green term external debt exceeding one ing anywhere between 16 and 39
serves accumulated to a record spanGuidotti rule, the critical in all the years since 199192 and the months of import cover), net inter Mukherjee is Associate Professor in
high of over $600 billion a few value of this ratio is one, with a ratio of reserves to broad money national investment position of () Economics, Indian Institute of Foreign
POCKET RAVIKANTH
weeks back. This makes us the fifth value below one being undesirable. above 20 per cent for all the years 12.9 per cent of GDP, exposure to Trade, and Kamila is Assistant Director,
largest holder of forex reserves The second indicator of reserve since 200203, there is ample evid valuation changes and market risk Economic Division, Ministry of Finance.
after China, Japan, Russia and adequacy is the ratio of reserves to ence — established by the first au in a world of heightened global un Views are personal
Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002 and Printed by N. Vaidyanathan at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No. 22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai-400701 on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai-600002. Group Editorial Officer: Krishna Prasad. Editor: Raghuvir Srinivasan (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). ISSN 0971 - 7528
CM . ..... .. . ...BM-BME
YK
MUMBAI
BusinessLine
MONDAY • OCTOBER 4 • 2021 THINK 5
BOOK REVIEW BOOK REVIEW
W
hat if you were offered a realtime people. B BASKAR ter. He started a Working Paper countries such as Samoa, Senegal,
A
backseat view of the pandemic as Dr Farrar demonstrates how individual per fter being a hardboiled series in the Finance Ministry invit Tajikistan, Peru and Estonia.
it broke in China to spread across ception of an evolving situation can vary for dif academician for more ing economists and researchers to There are some amusing incid
the world, and the car’s driver ferent individuals — based on their personality, than three decades, Cor send academic papers involving ents recounted here – Tajikistan’s
happened to be a scientist of worldwide experi past experience, personal failures, individual nell University Professor policymaking. Basu wrote a paper Deputy Prime Minister singing a Raj
ence who offered expert commentary at every preferences, influence of peer groups and mul Kaushik Basu took a plunge into the on corruption where he said in Kapoor song (what’s with these ex
stop? tiple types of bias. In particular, he highlights cauldron called government when small corruption offences, the ‘bribe Soviet Republics and Raj Kapoor?) at
I would grab the opportunity. two forms of bias that corrupt decisionmaking he became Chief Economic Advisor giver’, who are usually common a party; a meeting with Bill Gates at a
Spike is a detailed narrative on how the pan during a crisis – they are optimism bias and con in late 2009. This was the year the people, should not be penalized for restaurant in Washington, where
demic evolved in the first 18 months. It is written firmation bias. UPA returned to power much giving bribes to get a ration card or a Gates confessed to Basu that his fa
by Dr Jeremy Farrar who is a tropical medicine He also warns of the intrusion of pseudos against expectations. It was also a driver’s license. vourite Indian politician was Nitish
expert and member of SAGE, the scientific advis cience in the guise of science, referring specific time when the 2008 global financial This paper was widely reported in Kumar. Basu tried to get Gates en
ory group for emergencies in the UK. Although ally to ‘The Great Barrington Declaration’ which crash was beginning to be felt in the the press and predictably raised the thused on the concept of “Living Life
much has been written about the pandemic, this essentially was interpreted as “let the disease run emerging economies. Basu’s term hackles of the political class. Ironic Index”. But the index “meant to
book pieces together all the events as they unfol its course”. He explains why the concept of ‘herd lasted till 2012, when India had to ally, the Left parties were most in study bureaucratic hurdles faced in
ded, meticulously documenting them through immunity’, while applicable to pathogens like pump in a massive stimulus to censed and wanted the paper to be Title: Policymaker’s Journal: From
everyday life” was stymied by the
the eyes of a medical doctor. While written from poliovirus, does not apply to the SARSCoV2 maintain growth, leading later to in taken down from the Finance Min New Delhi to Washington D.C.
bureaucratic hurdles in the World
a global perspective, the book focuses on Bri virus. Unfortunately, the price to pay for an ini flation and stuttering growth. istry web site. Basu was willing to Author: Kaushik Basu
Bank!
tain’s dilemma, response and experience in tial delay in implementing even basic measures After his stint with the govern even put in his papers if either the Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Basu also had a chance to meet the
some detail. was a large number of deaths, and today, the ment, just when Basu was preparing Prime Minister or the Finance Minis India
legendary Daniel Ortega of
The book’s title, Spike — could not have been world knows that Britain was not the only to go back to the quiet world of aca ter had made such a request. To their Price: ₹699
Nicaragua, who led the Sandinista
more apt, as it refers not only to the wealthy nation that suffered the con demia, he was offered the post of credit they didn’t, much to Basu’s revolution back in the 1970s, where
spike protein of the SARSCoV2 virus, sequences of early hesitancy. World Bank Chief Economist. relief. he mused on ”how hard it is live up
but perhaps also signifies that a spike In spite of Britain having had the op Policymaker’s Journal is essentially Another interesting incident re judgments in some high profile tax to the idealism of a genuinely pro
in cases (and deaths) could occur from portunity to witness the devastation a diary that Basu kept during his counted in the book was when Basu cases against some MNCs. Basu gressive revolution”. Basu wanted to
failed decisions, or worse — failing to caused by the pandemic in more than years in New Delhi and Washington. gave the Carnegie Endowment lec claims that he was kept out of the ask him about his fall from grace,
decide. one country, writes Dr Farrar: “The UK He does not go into the nittygritty ture in the US where he made some loop on this decision and wonders but discretion got the better of
The early part of the book is written was suffering its own longstanding of policymaking here, as dealt with remarks on reforms in India, which whether that was because he would valour.
like a thriller. The first chapter opens malady: the arrogance of in an earlier book. These are impres were construed in the press as proof have opposed it. For the record, this On the ideological spectrum, Basu
with the author seated in an airport exceptionalism” sionistic jottings that Basu made of the then government halting re law was recently amended after nine considers himself firmly on the Left.
lounge in Rwanda on December 31, Although criticised for its tepid ini every night after a hectic day’s work. forms till the 2014 elections. This long years. This will surely make some tradi
2020, scanning through his phone — tial response, Britain has shown the The period in which the author was again predictably created a storm in Basu has great admiration for tional Left leaders in India uncom
when he first became aware of a cer way for the world in several other as Chief Economic Advisor was also New Delhi. Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukher fortable – a Leftist World Bank Chief
tain situation in China. The reader gets pects of the pandemic. This includes one beset with corruption scandals – When Basu in his defence said jee and Arun Jaitley. He is almost in economist? But to Basu’s credit, he
a firstperson account of how Dr Farrar net the RECOVERY trial, which gave the world the Commonwealth Games, 2G, coal that it was a case of misreporting, awe of Manmohan Singh. But it is his attempted to veer the World Bank
worked with important people across the world, first scientifically proven lifesaving treatment case – were some of the major ones. Pranab Mukherjee, the then Finance glowing views on the GandhiNehru away from the muchmaligned
in an attempt to decipher the true nature and ex for Covid19, that was dexamethasone. A consid Minister, was convinced and told family that are bound to raise eye “Washington Consensus” and
tent of the problem. erable part of our knowledge of variants is owed View on corruption Basu to call up the reporter con brows. About Rahul Gandhi, he says, worked on the “Stockholm State
The reader’s interest is kept hooked in both to the work of British scientists. Public Health But one hardly finds any mention of cerned and give him a piece of his “… he has no great interest in power, ment” which emphasized, “… that
the science of the pandemic, as well as the hu England generates regular updates on variants, them in the book and the reason mind. When Basu called up the re which is a rare, good quality in a economics was not just about free
man and fallible side of being a concerned sci and on the effect of vaccines. Spike provides a Basu gives is he did not personally porter, the reporter was so apolo politician. He is also a person of trade, deficit control and GDP
entist. Dr Farrar has annotated his prose with his rare insider’s perspective into how these ele witness any act of corruption, getic, having got enough grief from ample basic goodness.” Goodness, growth. Inequality matters, for a bet
own emails and tweets, recreating a sense of the ments were put together for a common good. adding, “while there is a lot of cor his bosses, that it was Basu who maybe, but power? ter society and also an end in itself”.
realtime urgency he faced. Although the pandemic is far from over and ruption in the government, its incid ended up consoling him! Basu had his skirmishes with then A minor quibble. William Stanley
knowledge is rapidly getting outdated, Spike will ence is not as high as many outside Another major government de highprofile NAC over making Jevons, who brought about the
A ‘how-to’ guide no doubt hold its position as a candidly written observers believe”. cision taken during Basu’s tenure everything into a right. He says, “marginal revolution” in economics
Virology and epidemiology apart, Spike is also a early narrative on the topic — by a person of au In fact, his view on corruption got was the controversial “retrospective “…to enshrine something as a right, lived and worked in the 19th century
goldmine of practical wisdom; it is essentially a thority and competence. Dr Farrar’s book will en Basu into a bit of trouble with the tax” law which was brought in to when you have no way to ensure and not in 1960 as mentioned on
howto guide for those interested or involved thuse general readers, policy makers as well as Prime Minister and Finance Minis counter the adverse Supreme Court that the right can be fulfilled is to di Page 342. Printer’s Devil?
with decisionmaking. Barriers to decisionmak healthcare workers, all of whom have been in minish the value of the right.” What shines through in the book
ing are elegantly outlined, and this would be one volved or affected by the pandemic one way or MEET THE AUTHOR Though he supported the right to is that it is written with great hu
of the key takeaways from the book. For in another. Kaushik Basu is professor of Economics and Carl Marks Professor of food law, he opposed right to work. mour, much of it selfdeprecating.
stance, you could involve several brilliant and in International Studies at Cornell University. He served as India’s Chief But one gets the impression that
dividually competent people in a project, but The reviewer is a specialist physician, public Economic Advisor between 200912 and as World Bank’s Chief The Washington years Basu has held back more than he has
that need not necessarily result in the best pos educator, author and is a member of the National Economist between 201216. As World Bank Chief Economist Basu revealed – especially on his New
sible outcome. The chief reason is that effective Task Force of IMA for Coronavirus pandemic led a peripatetic life travelling to Delhi days.
SHORT TAKE
BusinessLine
OPEC+, worry Brands can no longer ignore sustainability issues TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY
about shortfalls SURESH NARAYANAN longer can brands feel that sus
tainability does not concern
ates can not only ensure environ
mental sustainability and biod
October 4, 2001
R
emembering the father them. According to a research iversity in farms, but also safe BG India to buy Enron's gas, oil assets
not surpluses of the nation, Mahatma
Gandhi, one of his
conducted, consumers are closely
monitoring the progress and per
living and better working condi
tions, for the farmer communit
BG India has entered into a conditional agreement to
acquire Enron's offshore interests in the country for a
JULIAN LEE quotes come to mind. formance of brands on the sus ies. Stakeholders can come to consideration of $388 million. The contract signed on
He once remarked that “The earth tainability front. Indian con gether to initiate or elevate such Tuesday night with Enron Oil and Gas India Ltd involves
The oil producer group known has enough resources for our sumers increasingly prefer to reformative initiatives. purchase of the latter's 30 per cent stake in the Tapti gas
as OPEC+ keeps trumpeting its need but not for our greed”. The back brands that are committed Over the last decade, we have field and the PannaMukta gas/oil fields besides the 62.64
Sustaining together /ISTOCKPHOTO
flexible approach to balancing interesting times we live in, the to doing good, a large portion of seen governments, corporates per cent interest in the CBOS/ 1 exploration block.
the global oil market. As prices quote is more significant than consumers actively pursuing sus and industries hold active conver ‘In line with Enron’s business approach’
test $80 a barrel, that flexibility ever. The nature has sustained hu tainability issues. nologies, automation and remote sations around conserving the en Enron Oil and Gas India Ltd's decision to sell its oil assets to
needs to include raising the man lifeform for thousands of system operations. What also vironment, which has led many to British Gas is consistent with Enron's evolving business
amount of oil they plan to pump years and will continue to do so if Moral obligation needs to be incorporated is to set get accustomed to the idea of ‘sus approach to reduce some of its nonstrategic international
in the coming months. we are mindful of our actions. Regardless of who we are, where clear policy and institutional tainability’ and ‘sustainable devel assets while placing greater emphasis on other
Oil ministers from the Organ For centuries mankind has we live, and what we do, we all framework, systematically mon opment’. Good intentions are no businesslines around the world, Enron India
ization of Petroleum Exporting been deriving resources from the have a moral obligation towards itor the performance and encour longer enough, organisations spokesperson said here today. Last year, after announcing
Countries and their allies are planet often a little more than we each other, our future genera age continuous improvements need to join hands and work to its exit from oil and gas in India, the multinational had
due to meet via video conference ‘need’, thinking our environment tions, and other species to sustain and innovative practices. wards the greater cause. appointed Credit Suisse First Boston as investment bankers
on Monday, when they will agree is inexhaustible. Today, we have the planet. Therefore, businesses In our country groundwater This new decade should focus for sale of its stake in the fields.
on their production target for reached a point where a clock ex and organisations, must adopt a depletion is a serious threat to our on the ‘implementation’ and ‘exe DHI attempts to salvage PSUs spurned bidders
November. The group has ists to solely remind us that our wellrounded approach towards environment. The need is for effi cution’ of the many ecofriendly It may not be the end of the road yet for the five public
already put in place a program of world needs action, it needs pro sustainability, taking everything cient utilisation and conservation practices. It has been demon sector undertakings which were reverted by the Ministry
increases that will see them raise tection and most importantly it into account. of water. As an example, in addi strated time and again that no of Disinvestment to the Department of Heavy Industries
their combined target by needs our attention. The time to We need to accelerate our ef tion to efficient use of water in one can prosper alone and busi (DHI) due to lack of interest from prospective buyers in
400,000 barrels a day each act and possibly repair the dam forts towards integrating envir manufacturing, recycling treated ness depends on a thriving society bidding for them. The DHI, the administrative department
month until they have restored age is now and it remains our col onmental considerations into the water for steam generation in and planet. In my several years as a of the five companies, is thinking of giving one final shot
all the supply they cut last year. lective responsibility to work to business planning, be it the factories can help substantially re professional, there is a quote that I on its own to scout for buyers or joint venture partners for
But they need to do more to ex wards it. product research and develop duce ground water extraction, truly believe in, “If you want to go these companies before putting them under the closure
ercise that flexibility they keep The Covid19 pandemic has led ment, new manufacturing meth which can in turn increase avail fast, go alone; if you want to go fur mode. The five companies which were sent back by the
touting. Their own analysts, who to a renewed perspective for ods, integrating supply chains etc. ability of water for the needs of ther, go together”. Ministry of Disinvestment a few weeks ago are Bharat
presented their findings to the many people about nature and We must implement new ways local community. Pumps and Compressors Ltd, Bharat Leather Corporation
group’s technical committee their environment. For compan of doing business and that might Similarly, through traceability The writer is Chairman and Managing Ltd (BLC), Praga Tools Ltd (PTL), RBL Ltd and Scooters India
last week, see global stockpiles ies, the time to act is now. No mean using more advanced tech and responsible sourcing, corpor Director, Nestlé India Ltd (SIL)
continuing to be drawn down
over the next two months, be
fore a swing in the opposite dir
ection early next year.
The ministers could be for
given for concluding that next easy bl two-way crossword 1971 not so easy
year’s oversupply is a bigger
ACROSS DOWN ACROSS DOWN
concern than the shortfall expec
01. Building craftsmen (11) 01. Prizefighter (7) 01. Such men, of course, are in the 01. Sure, he has broken rib when he
ted in October and November.
08. Create one from more than 02. Very stupid (7) building trade (11) comes to blows (7)
But the production numbers
for the countries that aren’t part one (5) 03. Bend leg to the floor (5) 08. June didn't begin by holding it 02. To CID, one twice appears very silly
of the OPEC+ group are strange 09. Clean clothing (7) 04. Attractiveness (6) to make one (5) indeed (7)
indeed. Their production in 10. A colonist (7) 05. Difficult to pin down (7) 09. A way to proceed to The Wash 03. Put the joint on the floor to show
creased by 700,000 barrels a day 11. Favourable selfrepresentation 06. Unhappy (3) from Arundel (7) one's subservience (5)
between August and September. (5) 07. Comparative form of bad (5) 10. The man who colonises is the 04. Everything pure doesn't begin to
But where was that coming 12. Disc (6) 13. Stop oneself from (7) one to foot the bill (7) have its attraction (6)
from? We know that output in 14. Folk (6) 15. Solemn promises (7) 11. Imagine dropping in, to find 05. Use live circuit if it is liable to escape
the US — by far the biggest mem 18. Printer's trial impression (5) 16. Tried (7) one's exact likeness (5) (7)
ber of that group — went in the 19. Church songs of praise (7) 17. Wagoner (6) 12. The best performance of CD 06. What a pity the cake is so doughy! (3)
opposite direction last month, 21. Beaming (7) 18. Avian sleepingpole (5) perhaps (6) 07. West, as alternative to Southeast, isn't
thanks to the damage caused by 23. Cross (5) 20. Lag behind (5) 14. Men and women have Dad hold so good (5)
Hurricane Ida. 24. Made a sweeping statement 22. Canine (3) the East before the French (6) 13. Part of the song one will abstain from
By the end of September, Hur (11) 18. It's a trial for a printer to show (7)
ricane Ida was responsible for percentage of alcohol (5) 15. Half to plan borders that are
the loss of about 32 million bar 19. In the short answer, those acceptable to uncle (7)
rels of production from the Gulf people who provide church 16. Tried to use words in scattering the
of Mexico, according to figures music (7) seed (7)
from the US Department of En SOLUTION: BL Two-way Crossword 1970 21. Sound mad about help 17. One in transport business used to be
ergy. The disruption will con returned by the beamingly in the White House (6)
tinue at the current rate of al ACROSS 7. Participation 8. Darklantern 12. Pieces 14. Lancer 16. happy (7) 18. Upper Chamber includes a place
most 300,000 barrels a day for Abacus 18. Serial 19. Herringbone 23. Conflagration DOWN 1. Band
23. Upset at translation of Gray where Polly might rest (5)
weeks to come and production 2. Star 3. Scales 4. Spinel 5. Stye 6. Moon 9. Average 10. Ruction 11.
that includes Newton (5) 20. Show what's to come, or follow
won’t be fully restored until Oral 12. Play 13. Emu 15. Ace 17. Spiral 18. Sugary 19. Hoop 20. Rift 21.
24. Made a statement, but wasn't what's gone before (5)
Oats 22. Exon
sometime in the first quarter of particular when one did so (11) 22. Pan, say, given over to mean
next year. BLOOMBERG OPINION scoundrel (3)
CM .. .... .. .....BM-BME
YK
MUMBAI
6 BRANDLINE BusinessLine
MONDAY • OCTOBER 4 • 2021
PITCH PERFECT
I n the thick of the resumed IPL season, brands play ball
with cricket, though our eye was caught by a Daughter’s
Day campaign, and also a few charming region specific ad
vertisements that capture local flavours really well.
How the classical vocalist got audiences singing to his tune, 30 seconds at a time, is a case study in branding and engagement
AKSHAYA CHANDRASEKARAN Mani performed a SWOT analysis, also profess their enchantment with laptop and mobile phones. If only for businesses selling products,
Homing in on memes examined risks, pain points, and the vibrant colour palette in the pop music is available, they will only which can be bought out with
Y
Interiors startup ou don’t expect Carnatic brand requirements, which, she videos and eyecatching tambura sil grow up listening to that. There’s no money, does not apply here.
HomeLane is batting music ragas like Nal- says, opened up many possibilities. houette of a logo. “The colour reason as to why Carnatic music can It is far more challenging to create
with MS Dhoni in its inakanti and Niroshta to “One of the most wonderful traits palettes are inspired from the im not occupy that space,” says Harish organic, highengagement content
new “Takatak leap out at you while about Sanjay, and his wife Aarthi, is pressionist art that Sanjay enjoys Bijoor, brand and business strategy which aligns with the artiste’s per
Chakachak” cam scrolling through Twitter or Ins their ability to remain objective. and the logo represents his tambura consultant. sonal brand.
paign that uses a tagram. Don’t they belong more to They were so open to feedback. The which is 100+ years old,” explains That reception of ‘On that Note’ in Bijoor believes efforts such as this
quirky meme format sabhas and live concerts? But musi level of friendliness and ‘egoless’ ob Mani. spired Subrahmanyan and his team are laudable. “There is nothing clas
to tackle consumer fear and anxiety around doing up a cian Sanjay Subrahmanyan, helped jectivity Sanjay has, especially as a to expand the series to the format of sical about classical music. That
home, and hopes to reach IPL audiences across all formats. by brand auteur Bhargavii Mani, is musician of his stature, leaves me Striking a chord 30second reels, and the interactive might sound sacrilegious, but what I
redefining the rules of engage spellbound to this day. ” The first six episodes were shot in ‘Short Notes’ was born. mean is, classical is considered to be
Just a period ment with his audience, one day, and when it was released, it For instance, the vocalist who has old, antediluvian, and so retro. That
Hygiene brand pitching out mellifluous Digital swaras became a runaway hit, racking up never sung a film song, performs a is not the case now. Classical music
Stayfree got its notes in exciting How did the musician more than 1,00,000 views in its first raga tied to an old Illayaraja compos has changed with time. What used
messaging right formats — reels, short find the capacity to in week alone. Many people, who were ition, at once entertaining and edu to be physical has become digital.”
with its new video series, and on novate as he was step not traditionally Carnatic music cating an audience. “YouTube subscribers have tripled
Daughter’s Day line concerts — all ping into uncharted fans, were tuning in. Branding a musician on social me for Sanjay’s channel. The proof of
campaign, which across social media. territory? Responds “Today the art dia is wildly different from branding the pudding is in the retention rate
urges fathers to Carnatic classical mu Subrahmanyan: “I have form is appreciated a large business. and the quality of engagement,”
be involved in period conversations with their daughters. sic was ripe for some di had no problems adapt even by children, The number game of likes and says Mani.
The film shows an audition for a Daughter’s Day ad but none gital intervention, and the ing to new technology in the who are all digital topping trending charts, important For Subrahmanyan, the love and
of the dads who showed up knew that it was for Stayfree. way Subrahmanyan has exploded past. However, to be honest, I was beings. They affection is so overwhelming that he
Upon reading the script, they fumbled, stammered and across a medley of formats is a case not a fan of singing online concerts need to experi says “it is almost as if I don’t miss the
stuttered, but the conversation slowly gets easier. study on personal branding by a per or producing digital content. The ence classical afterkutchery experience! One of the
forming artiste. His ‘On That Note’ initial optimism that I would be music in the biggest takeaways is the global
Ode to the Parippu Vada on YouTube, which combines music back to live performances very soon form they ex reach and how people from every
PhonePe’s new ad with memories has not only cemen was probably the main reason. But perience where are tuning in.”
series for a Kerala ted his engagement with his loyal when the pandemic showed no everything
audience, created by fan base, but earned him new signs of subsiding, I had to rethink else — on New notes
Bang In the Middle, audiences. all this. After meeting Bhargavii and their Today, Sanjay Sabha is shot inhouse,
pays a delightful ode working with her, I believe my di with a sevencamera setup and pro
to the ubiquitous The alaap gital presence is here to stay, even duced for a virtual audience, who
parippu vada the It all began in March 2021, when after I resume live performances.” sign up to be a patron for the paid
State’s favourite Mani, founder of Bhargavii Mani The idea for the ‘On that Note’ programming.
snack. The witty ad combines the ease of payment with the and Consultants, formerly Edge series came to Mani when she real Mani said she watched videos of
joy and ease of eating a vada, which is found in every nook Design House, was approached by ised Sanjay was a natural storyteller. the musician and noted his charac
and corner of the State! Local flavours done right. Subrahmanyan to produce episodes “I was jotting down all the anecdotes teristic movements, paying particu
of his online concert ‘Sanjay Sabha’. he shared with me about his musical larly close attention to the relation
Coke’s Hug for Humanity Her response was a question: Are journey. Chatting over a cup of cof ship he shares with his
Coca Cola is fizzing up things you leveraging your brand ad fee, the idea gradually took shape, accompanists, the importance he
by launching a new global equately? The vocalist was no and we decided to combine music gives to enunciation, and his profi
brand philosophy and a new stranger to technology; he had with memories where he picks a se ciency in multiple languages.
platform called Real Magic, launched his official website and lect raga, performs it, and then On upcoming projects, Subrah
which invites everyone to cel produced his podcast back in 2008, renders his favourite memory at manyan says, “We are looking at
ebrate the magic of humanity. well ahead of the curve. And even be tached to it in a casual, friendly way, ways to explore deep technology in
It also unveiled a new per fore the jugalbandi with Mani, he all in roughly two minutes.” Carnatic music and continue with
spective on the CocaCola logo had already tested the waters, with Indeed, one of the audience’s fa what we are already doing. Mean
— which curves up like a ‘Hug’! three episodes of the online concert. vourite aspects of the series has while, I have had a lot of time to
From Open Happiness to a But that was not enough for Mani. been getting to know the artiste out work at home, refresh myself creat
Hug for Humanity, this is one She wanted to bring to light the side the performance context. Many ively, polish old material, and gear
brand that is always in sync many facets of the artiste and ex up for concerts. I totally endorse the
with times. plore new avenues for him to dir In-tune: Sanjay Subrahmanian and current buzzword WAGMI (We’re
ectly engage with his fan base. brand auteur, Bhargavii Mani ALL Gonna Make It).”
HYGIENE PLAY
MARKETING MANTRA
HUL’s precision marketing at scale Spinning disruptive plans for the future
Quick Smart Wash seeks to expand horizons and find new niches in the laundry business
The FMCG behemoth’s CMD Sanjiv Mehta on how it is using
CHITRA NARAYANAN fessional services was more
personalisation to change the assortment at every store here,” he says. QSW started off in
VINAY KAMATH
THOMAS K THOMAS
CM .. . ..... . ...BM-BME
YK
MUMBAI
BusinessLine
MONDAY • OCTOBER 4 • 2021 GAVEL
LAWS FOR BUSINESS
7
COURTROOM
India and Next Radio. National Company Law Tribunal allowing conversion of equity shares into preference shares is laudable
The Madras High Court, after checking the rule against Section
31D of the parent Act, had allowed the broadcaster to give a CHIRAG NANGIA
P
notice about the use of the copyrighted material after the use,
within a stipulated time. The issue went to the Supreme Court. aving way for corporates to Praveen Khandelwal, the Na
Justice Dr DY Chandrachud observed that “the High Court has give structured exit to its tional Secretary General of
substituted the provisions of Rule 29(4) with a regime of iits shareholders, the Mumbai the Confederation of All India
own, which is made applicable to the broadcasters and the Bench of the National Com Traders (CAIT), has likened
petitioners before it.” pany Law Tribunal (NCLT/Tribunal), the ecommerce sector to the
Noting that the court “cannot supplant the terms of the has recently sanctioned a scheme of British East India Company.
provisions through judicial interpretation by re-writing amalgamation that involved conver Addressing a letter to
statutory language,” Justice sion of equity shares into preference Ratan Tata, former Chairman
Chandrachud stressed that shares. of Tata Sons Ltd in his capa
“draftsmanship is a function The Tribunal was of the opinion city as “one of the captains of
entrusted to the legislature”. that the conversion of equity shares the industry”, Khandelwal
He said, “Craftsmanship on the to preference shares, as sought by has sought Tata’s support to
judicial side cannot transgress into the amalgamating companies, could “fight for justice” and imple
the legislative domain by re-writing not be deemed to be impermissible, ment a new ecommerce
the words of a statute. For then, the as objected by the Registrar of Com policy, because the ecom
judicial craft enters the forbidden panies (ROC). The Tribunal seems to have understood that the affairs of a company are often complex and involve numerous policy matters merce companies are “killing
domain of a legislative draft. That Notably, ‘preference shares’ carry competition, abusing their
precisely is what the Division Bench of the High Court has done preferential rights on the matters of pany with its creditors and mem ested in the control and administra way of an inclusive definition that an dominance and creating a
by its interim order.” payment of dividend and repayment bers. To substantiate its claim, the tion of a company will be able to se ‘arrangement’ may be in the form of monopolistic ecommerce
Section 31D(2) speaks of the necessity of giving prior notice, in of capital. Such shareholders are company relied on the verdict of the cure a comfortable exit. The approval reorganisation of share capital’. market, which is never in the
the manner as may be prescribed, of the intention to given priority or ‘preference’ in pay Supreme Court, wherein it was held of the scheme permitting conver Since the scope is not restricted, it interests of the economy and
broadcast the work stating the duration and the territorial ment of dividend over equity share that ‘every procedure is to be under sion would also help indebted com would be against legislative intent to the country.” “After great per
coverage of the broadcast, together with the payment of holders. At the event of winding up stood as permissible till it is shown to panies, facing difficulties in paying fetter the activities of a company and suasion with the government
royalties in the manner and at the rates fixed by the Appellate too, preference shares are repaid be be prohibited by the law’. It was also off debts taken from holding com restrict the choice of the members/ and laying emphasis on the
Board. fore equity shares. On the other highlighted by way of a High Court panies. In fact, share conversion creditors/ stakeholders. necessity of E Commerce
While the High Court has held the broadcasters down to the hand, equity shareholders, being the judgment that the very purpose of route will also enable settlement Rules in the Country, the Min
requirement of prior notice, it has modified the operation of owners of a company, are entitled to the scheme of reconstruction is to with creditors, who hold equity Lenient approach istry of Consumer Affairs has
Rule 29 by stipulating that the particulars which are to be dividend only after all liabilities of a make available alterations in the shares of the company. The flexible approach adopted by the proposed several ecom
furnished in the notice may be furnished within a period of company stand discharged. structure of a company, to enable it Notably, to protect the interests of NCLT, while sanctioning the Scheme merce rules under the Con
fifteen days after the broadcast. The interim order converts In the instant case, the sharehold to function. A scheme, therefore, dissenting minority shareholders, of Arrangement/ Amalgamation sumer Protection Act, but
the second proviso into a “routine procedure” instead of an ers of the transferee company, hold which contains ultra vires provisions the Tribunal, while approving the between the companies concerned they are yet to be notified,”
exception (as the High Court has described its direction). This ing a portion of equity shares had re to Memorandum of Association scheme, has followed a judicious ap is praiseworthy. The Tribunal seems the letter says.
exercise by the High Court amounts to re-writing. quested for regular dividends/ (Such as alteration of rights of share proach by seeking objections against to have understood that the affairs of
redemption of their investment as
they were not interested in seeking
holders) can also be sanctioned. the Scheme from the interested per
sons. Any interested person (includ
a company are often complex and in
volve numerous policy matters, fin
Digital India
control and management of the No change ing a minority shareholder) is at the ancial aspects and legalities. Mindful India is becoming all 0s and
No copying, please company. The transferee company The Tribunal accepted the claims of liberty to apply to the Tribunal re of the fact that the purpose of recon 1s. Latest data shows that the
The Karnataka High Court has issued an ex-parte injunction expressed its inability to pass on the company and concluded that garding this matter for any direc struction is to enable operations of country has taken to digital
restraining Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd from such benefit and consequently pro when shares of one class are conver tions that may be necessary. the concerned entities by way of ap payments like duck to water.
manufacturing/ selling a sanitary undergarment used by posed to convert Equity shares into 9 ted to another, the value of paidup Another interesting point to note propriate modifications, the Here is a snapshot of it: over 2
women during their menstrual per cent noncumulative optionally share capital does not undergo any is that the Tribunal accepted the Tribunal adopted a lenient trillion transactions pro
cycle and patented by Yashram convertible preference shares. change. Plain reclassification of stance of the assessee, based on the approach. cessed using Aadhar last year.
Lifestyle. ROC raised objections that the con equity shares to preference shares pronouncement of the Division Staying within the ambit of law United Payments Interface
According to Justice HP Sandesh, version of equity shares into prefer and vice versa, has the effect of mere Bench of the Punjab and Haryana and supporting judicial pronounce banking interface recorded
the products of Aditya Birla ence shares was not permissible as alternation of nomenclature of High Court, that the term ‘arrange ments, it has been clarified that a highest ever – 3.6 billion
Fashions amount to “infringing the per law as its value, terms and rights shares, without impacting the sub ment’ is of a wide amplitude and that Scheme of Compromise or Arrange transactions – in August. That
statutory right granted in favour of are different from equity shares. The scribed and paidup share capital. It a Scheme requires adherence to vari ment may involve increase, consolid eclipsed the previous record –
Yashram”. company, however, contended that acknowledged that the prevailing ous legal provisions and enact ation, subdivision of shares or re up till May 2021, UPI had seen
Yashram Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd had the conversion was not barred by the law does not proscribe such a conver ments. The legislature, therefore, de duction of sharecapital. Likewise, participation of 224 banks
approached the court with a plea legal framework and in fact, such sion. liberately does not restrict the scope conversion of equity shares to prefer and had recorded 2.6 billion
that its patent on sanitary undergarment ‘cotton sensation conversion amounts to ‘reorganisa The ruling will facilitate a flexible of the term ‘arrangement’ by defin ence cannot be disapproved. transactions worth over $ 68
stay dry period panty’. The patent ends in 2029. In the present tion of share capital’ permissible as corporate restructuring for private ing it. billion. Investment inflow in
case, it was found that ‘period party’ was infringed by Aditya per Companies Act in case of ‘com companies and family settlements. In fact, explanation to Section 230 (The author is Partner – M&A, Nangia the fintech sector is over $10
Birla. promise or arrangement’ of a com Minority shareholders, not inter of the Companies Act permits, by Andersen LLP, a law firm) billion since 2016.
granted through a power of attorney. between the courts under Section 9, nouncement of an order on July 20, concluded that where a Section 9 ap Business impact
The corporate debtor cannot take the plea that while the and arbitral tribunals under Section 17 2021. Meanwhile, on July 9, 2021, the plication was already taken up by the With this clarification, EL 2.0 has the potential to impact a wide
officer has power to sanction the loan, such officer has no of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, High Court allowed Arcelor’s applica court, the constitution of an arbitral range of businesses and business models, even if such busi
power to recover the loan amount or to initiate the 1996 (Arbitration Act). tion and constituted an arbitral tribunal would not bar the court from nesses are not operating in a typical ecommerce model. Any
corporate insolvency resolution process, in spite of default The Section 9 of the Arbitration Act tribunal. Consequently, the company deciding the application. foreign company providing services/goods in India through a
in repayment. empowers the courts to grant interim prayed before the Commercial Court This judgment plays a fine balance digital platform could be within the scope of the levy. Consider a
While hearing a dispute between Rajendra Narottamdas reliefs in arbitration matters to protect that the Section 9 application filed between protecting the interests of the situation where an Indian buyer places an order for the pur
Sheth Vs Chand Prakash Jain, the corporate debtor the subject matter of the dispute. Such seeking the grant of interim reliefs be party seeking interim reliefs and en chase of goods through offline/physical mode with a nonresid
(Rajendra Sheth) argued that the orders include only temporary meas referred to the arbitral tribunal. suring minimal intervention of the ent ecommerce operator.
application under Section 7 of the ures to guard the rights of the parties The Commercial Court refused to courts in the arbitral process. There is The goods are also delivered by the nonresident physically to
Code was barred by limitation from being frustrated. Section 17 of the refer appellants Section 9 application no doubt that when a party ap the Indian buyer. The Indian buyer merely makes an online pay
before the NCLAT. Arbitration Act empowers the arbitral to the arbitral tribunal. A series of litig proaches a court for interim reliefs un ment for the same. Given the expanded definition of ‘online sale
In this, his counsel, Rana tribunals with powers akin to Section ation followed and the matter reached der Section 9, a lot of judicial time and of goods’, a mere payment that is made through an online
Mukherjee, relied upon an NCLAT 9. Thus, arbitral tribunals can grant in the Supreme Court. The question for cost of the parties are spent in agitat mode can potentially be subject to the transaction to equalisa
judgment in the Palogix terim reliefs under Section 17 to pro the consideration of Apex Court was ing the Section 9 applications. tion levy. The compliance obligation to discharge the levy in In
Infrastructure Vs ICICI Bank case, tect the rights and interests of the ar whether the courts could entertain a Any unnecessary delay or expense dia is on the nonresident company. The provisions of EL 2.0 are
in which it was held that an bitrating parties. Section 9 application once the arbitral caused due to the juggling of a matter so widely worded, amenable to interpretation to cover the sale
‘authorised person’, distinct from a The moot question in the matter tribunal was constituted. between the court and the arbitral of physical goods as also services enjoyed offline. Illustratively,
‘power of attorney holder’, could file an application under was whether a court could entertain tribunal frustrates the very object of ar while many businesses negotiate supply and service agree
Section 7 and that a power of attorney holder cannot file the applications under Section 9 of Arbit Settling the conundrum bitration. Therefore, it would be in in ments online and use electronic means for confirming con
application on behalf of the financial creditor. It was argued ration Act once the arbitral tribunal The Supreme Court upon hearing the terest of justice that a court is allowed tracts, the delivery of goods and/or services is largely offline.
that the defect in filing the application (by an unauthorised had been constituted. The Apex Court parties held that the courts were not to continue adjudication of an ongo Further, pure traditional brick and mortar businesses that use a
person) was not curable, but even if it was curable, the held that the court would not take up denuded of their powers to grant in ing Section 9 application. fair degree of digitisation, (website, digital payments) may also
financial creditor did not cure it, despite having been given an application under Section 9 for con terim relief under Section 9 even after This is more so in the absence of any come under the net of EL 2.0.
time to do so. sideration unless similar reliefs gran the constitution of an arbitral provision allowing for the relegation Although many expected the CBDT to clarify issues, to date
The judges, however, observed that in the Palogix ted by the arbitral tribunal under Sec tribunal. The Apex Court held that the of a pending application under Sec there have been no such announcements and it appears that
Infrastructure case, the NCLAT had held that if the officer was tion 17 would be rendered intention of the legislature in impos tion 9 to the arbitral tribunal upon its the anomalies are here to stay. As such, one would need to take a
authorised to sanction loans and had done so, the inefficacious. ing the bar under Section 9 (3) of the constitution. The decision of the Su position basis the interpretation of the statute. It is now neces
application filed under Section 7 of the Code cannot be However, such bar on taking up ap Arbitration Act was not to turn the preme Court is a welcome develop sary to assess the implications of EL 2.0. Foreign companies
rejected on the ground that no separate specific plications under Section 9 (3) would clock back and require a matter re ment given that it adds the much need to factor in these levies as part of their global tax planning
authorisation letter has been issued by the financial creditor not operate once the court had already served for orders to be considered needed clarity to the scope of opera as it is likely to increase the cost of doing business in India
in favour of such officer. With this judgment, the Supreme taken up the application and applied afresh by an arbitral tribunal. tion of Section 9 and Section 17 of the without the ability to claim the tax credit in the home country.
Court has settled the issue in favour of the principle that a its mind. The Apex Court reiterated that ap Arbitration Act.
power of attorney holder could file an application under The appellant (Arcelor) had filed an plications for interim reliefs by their (The author is Partner, BDO India, a Tax, Accounting, and Advisory
Section 7 of the IBC. application for the appointment of an very nature had to be disposed of ur (The author is a Partner at Phoenix Legal) Firm)
CM .. . .. . . . ..BM-BME
YK
MUMBAI
8 TRANSPORT BusinessLine
MONDAY • OCTOBER 4 • 2021
Truck Route
Truck Rental Rates
Rentals (per round trip) Gangavaram primed for boxes Shortsea shipping gains
Round trip
18 ton pay load
Rental
as on 17th
September
Rental
as on 1st
October % Change
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) is converting Berth No. 9 to a momentum in Kerala
Delhi MumbaiDelhi 145000 150000 3.33 container terminal; sources say it will be operational by the middle of 2022 In a short span of time, three minor ports
Delhi NagpurDelhi 133000 135000 148
Delhi KolkataDelhi 148000 152000 2.63 handled a total of 1,152 containers
Delhi GuwahatiDelhi 200000 200000 0.00 V SAJEEV KUMAR At a trade meet to discuss de
Delhi HyderabadDelhi 160000 160000 0.00 velopment of shortsea ship
A
from Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Hazira, Pipavav* dani Ports and million TEUs. huge discounts at Gangav of services at some ports within 100 days of the LDF gov
20 40HC Special Economic aram to entice customers,” such as Krishnapatnam ernment retaining power for a
Zone (APSEZ) has Volume concerns said a port industry official. could be a “temporary phe second term after the May
Trade lane Low High Low High
started work on Container cargo at Vi nomenon”. Krishnapatnam polls.
Adriatic Sea 6000 8200 6500 7700
opening a container ter sakhapatnam Port Trust has Krishnapatnam decline is expected to return to nor The shortsea shipping ser
Baltic Sea 4900 8900 6400 10000 minal at Gangavaram port, been growing at about 45 APSEZ’s move to hasten the mal container operations vice connecting various ports
Black Sea 6000 7200 6400 7700 days after it acquired the per cent a year. The organic start of container opera once the global situation is being operated by Round
Canada 7400 11600 9000 20500 port in a ₹6,200 crore deal. growth in container tions at Gangavaram follows stabilises, which could be The Coast, promoted by Mum
The 330metrelong Berth volumes at Vizag has been a steep decline in container sometime in the second half baibased logistics conglomer Shortsea shipping: Service
Caribbean 9800 16400 10800 16800
No. 9 at Gangavaram is be subdued, particularly after cargo at its Krishnapatnam of calendar year 2022. ate JM Baxi and Company. The operated by Round The Coast
Central America 8900 15300 10000 17300
East Africa 3700 6200 4500 7900 ing converted into a con the pandemic. In FY21, VCTPL Port due to the ongoing APSEZ is currently relying company has so far operated providing incentives to ship
South America (East Coast) 6600 10700 7500 11100 tainer terminal, which is ex handled 4,81,000 twenty “market imbalance”, a ship more on bulk and break 15 services, connecting Kochi operators, exporters and im
East Mediterranean 3800 8000 5200 8700
pected to be operational by foot equivalent units (TEUs), ping industry official said. bulk cargo at Krishnapat with Azhikkal and Beypore porters using the coastal
the middle of 2022, multiple the standard size of a con Some of the top container nam, while bolstering the ports. The imported cargoes mode to ship cargo.
Far East Asia 700 2000 1300 2200
sources said. tainer, from 5,04,000 TEUs ports globally, particularly container handling facilities handled by the ports mainly Meanwhile, Round The
Arabian Gulf and Middle East 1300 2800 1500 3300
Cargo handling equip in FY20. in the US and China have in the Chennai region — the include tiles, building materi Coast has agreed to share a
Indian Ocean Islands 3400 6500 5400 6600 ment has been ordered and Between April and August been hit by congestion and catchment area for contain als, food items and plywood. minimum of 20 per cent from
Indian Subcontinent 2000 5100 2800 4900 APSEZ is currently building this year, VCTPL handled the trade have also suffered ers — where it runs two facil The shortsea shipping ser the incentives given by the
North Africa 5100 7500 7300 8100 the backup infrastructure 215,000 TEUs as against from equipment shortages ities. vice, which was launched at government with the export
North Europe 5100 9800 5400 9800 to store containers. Gangav 197,000 TEUs during the and lack of space on ships, India’s biggest private the initiative of the Kerala ers and importers.
Oceanic Islands 4200 8800 6900 13100 aram already has rail and same period last year. forcing lines to reschedule port operator has recently Maritime Board, received Ahammed Devarkovil, Ker
Pacific Islands 4100 7100 6700 12600 road connectivity for evacu Shipping industry execut their voyages. added one rail mounted strong support from all the ala’s Minister for Ports, said
Red Sea 2100 4500 3300 5600 ation of cargo. ives say that the short berth “Container volumes at quay crane (RMQC) or ship chamber of commerce and that a plan has already been
Scandinavia 7500 12500 7700 13000 The start of container length of 330 metres will Krishnapatnam have de toshore crane to the six it trade bodies connected with chalked out to increase opera
South Central Europe 5500 9500 6400 9400
handling operations at hamper Gangavaram’s abil clined drastically due to already runs at the two con shipping in Kerala, particu tional efficiency of minor
Gangavaram will trigger ity to handle more than one heavy demand for ships on tainer berths in Kattupalli larly the business community ports in the State. Efforts are
South East Asia 1000 2600 1800 3300
competition in the region, ship at a time. the China to the United port. It also added three from the Malabar region. afoot to shift 30 per cent of the
Southern Africa 3400 7000 4600 9900
where the only other facility However, APSEZ reckons States and Europe trade. As a more rubber tyred gantry container transport to sea
USA (East Coast) 7500 14300 8500 18000 is the Visakha Container Ter that from the existing berth result, some lines have dis (RTG) cranes at the port, tak Expansion plans from road in five years. The sea
USA (West Coast) 9600 11600 9100 13600 minal Pvt Ltd (VCTPL) run by length and water depth, continued services at Krish ing the RTG’s to 18. Aimed at promoting shortsea offers huge tourism potential
West Africa 4600 8100 5200 9700 JM Baxi Group at Visakhapat Gangavaram will be able to napatnam and diverted APSEZ also runs a con shipping service, the govern and a tourist service connect
South America (West Coast) 9000 16300 9900 15400 nam Port Trust. VCTPL is cur handle the current volumes ships to other lucrative tainer terminal at Kamara ment has taken initiatives to ing various places in the State
West Mediterranean 5100 8000 6800 8300 rently undergoing expan in the region. The berth No. trade lanes,” the industry of jar Port Ltd, located adjacent dredge– Azhikkal, Beypore, with other States will also be
*In USD (Excluding surcharges and local charges) Source: cogoport sion to raise capacity to 1.5 9 can be extended as de ficial said. to Kattupalli port. Kollam and Vizhinjam ports. launched, he added.
FLIGHTPLAN
Battle of the giants: IndiGo vs Tata Sons BY INVITATION
The digitalisation of
If Tata Sons adds Air India to its portfolio of airlines, India’s largest carrier will have its first serious challenge to its dominance
K GIRIPRAKASH has been so huge for the air flights on 29 routes will give Vistara in which Singapore
aviation post-pandemic
line that it has accumulated the airline a muchneeded Airlines owns a 49 per cent Airport experiences are gradually
W
ith the gov debt of around ₹10,000 boost to its operations. stake, has a total fleet size of
ernment ex crore during the last six “We believe IndiGo contin 46 aircrafts. The airline also integrating contactless technology
pected to of quarters and its net worth is ues to remain better placed operates international
ficially negative. Its latest plans to than its peers and is likely to flights to five destinations, come a travel necessity, just like
declare the winner of the bid raise around ₹3,000 crore emerge stronger post including Frankfurt. one’s travel passport.
for Air India anytime soon, has not been successful so Covid,” Prabhudas Liladhar, However, these numbers
and which is most likely to far. The closing balance of se a researchbased financial are not enough for the com Safety first
be Tata Sons, IndiGo will fi cured loans increased from organisation said in its re bined entity to increase its Airports are now using thermal
nally have a strong compet ₹680 crore in FY20 to ₹2,500 port. market share or even get screening at checkpoints to
itor to contend with. crore in FY21. The rate of in IndiGo, according to its close to that of IndiGo’s. In KARTHIK VISWANATHAN monitor passenger health.
But how does the leader terest on working capital website, has a total of 274 air tegrating all the airlines will Also, mobile disinfectant ro
IndiGo match up to the
might of Tata Sons, which is a
much larger conglomerate,
with more financial muscle
than the lowcost operator?
loans ranges from 3.20 per
cent to 7 per cent per annum,
according to a note by ICICI
Securities.
The lease obligation per
crafts (all Airbus 320s); flies
to 72 domestic destinations
and 24 international destin
ations. For Tata Sons, Air In
dia alone will get the group
be a major challenge. The
culture of a public sector
which is run by bureaucrats,
with that of a private airline
run by professionals cannot
T he aviation industry is
one of the most success
ful sectors today, and
technology has always played a
vital role in revamping the fly
bots will be introduced, as is
the case in Hamad Interna
tional Airport in Doha, Qatar.
Airlines and airports have ad
opted new safety measures to
aircraft increased 14 per cent access to 1,800 international be overlooked either. ing experience. However, the comply with the health regula
Lion’s share Spiralling debt: Indigo’s closing balance of secured loans from ₹84.10 crore in FY20 to landing and parking slots at It is perhaps not the right advent of a crisis as large as the tions that include maintaining
Even though IndiGo, with a increased from ₹680 crore in FY20 to ₹2,500 crore in FY21 ₹96 crore in FY21. However, domestic airports; 900 at time to carry out such an ex pandemic, made it even more social distance and implement
domestic market share of 59 the rightofuse (RoU) asset foreign destinations and ercise in the market, if one critical today, and airlines have ing aircraft cleaning solutions.
per cent is way ahead of the IndiGo’s 13 per cent. On the has been running away for a per aircraft increased 16 per membership of the Star Alli takes into consideration avi shown incredible resilience in Furthermore, inhouse cater
rest, it is the international domestic front, however, all few years with the market cent from ₹54.40 crore in ance. The airline also has ation consultancy firm CA adapting to the situation. The ing service methods have un
operations that the airline is the three combined entities’ share, increasing it almost FY20 to ₹63.10 crore in FY21. 1,500 welltrained pilots, 200 PA’s forecast for FY2022, future of the industry is so reli dergone a significant trans
going to face tough competi market share will be around on a monthly basis even as trained engineers and of which says Indian airlines ant on technology that the in formation, emphasising
tion in. If Tata Sons bring all 20 per cent, nearly onethird those of others keeps shrink Silver lining course a fleet of 173 aircraft will lose a consolidated $ 4.1 tegration of contactless opera reduced contact delivery and
the airlines, Vistara, Air In of IndiGo’s share. ing. But there are positives that consisting of various types of billion, similar to that in tions and digital changes is increased food safety
dia, Air India Express and Air IndiGo has an almost im However, for IndiGo it cannot be ignored. Its recent aircraft and a nearmono FY2021. essential for its revival.
Asia India under one roof, its pregnable lead over the rest, might find it difficult to re codeshare agreement with poly of the Gulf market. This will take losses over
market share in the interna and herein lies the challenge tain or grow the market American Airlines that al Add to it, AirAsia India’s 34 two years to around $8 bil Reinventing experiences
tional sector will be around for the combined entity of share from now onwards. lows the US airline to sell A320s, 240 routes; with 17 do lion as a result of the two While robotics in several areas
19 per cent compared with Tata Sons’ airlines. IndiGo The impact of the pandemic seats on the Indian carrier’s mestic destinations, while Covid waves. began a few years ago, its full
potential is being seen now. For
a long time, biometrics and ar
tificial intelligence have been
RADAR ON HISTORY making the rounds in the air
Tech takes over: Touchless
line industry for identification
O n November 13, 1995,
around 9.30 pm,
three men allegedly
stopped a car carrying East
West Airlines’ owner Thakiy
gitive gangster Ejaz Lak
dawala which they believe
will lead to solving the mys
tery behind the killing of
Wahid.
200 and Fokker 27 aircrafts.
When Indian Airlines pilots
went on strike in 1992, East
West Airlines came to the res
cue.
operate more aircrafts be
cause of the strike.
By 1994, the government
granted scheduled
domestic airline
operators, including East
West Airlines.
Inevitable demise
Following the murder of
Delhi High Court, which
ordered the airline to either
return the money or the
aircraft.
Four years after its launch,
recognition will take its place,
and contactless travel, passen
ger health checks, and social
isolation will be pivotal.
Gradually, we will see a no
ing out environmentally
focussed sustainable opera
tions. In order to improve pas
senger experience, seamless
connectivity and health secur
udeen Abdul Wahid, broke EastWest Airlines was star The then civil aviation status to nine Wahid, the airline’s Man the DGCA allowed the airline ticeable change in the airport ity will be the focus in the fu
its windshield and sprayed ted by the Wahid family, in minister, Madhav Rao Scin private air aging Director, the airline to cease flying on trunk experience as we enter the air ture. As we move forward, both
bullets inside the vehicle early 1992. dia had asked the airline to charter found it challenging to raise routes, as it didn’t have port, checkin, board the flight, airports and airlines will mon
killing the occupant in It was among the first few funds to continue its opera enough aircrafts to fly to and go through security and itor technological and regulat
stantly. Wahid was on his way private airlines in the coun tions. The airline owed these destinations. In Au baggage routines. ory advancements to establish
to his house from his office in try to launch its operations around $3 million to PLM gust, EastWest Airlines fi Health passports are the fu digital and more sustainable
Bandra, Mumbai, when he under the government’s Equipment, from which it nally shut down its opera ture of travel, allowing airlines travel.
was shot dead. open skies policy unveiled in had leased three Boeings. The tions, thus marking the end to verify the validity of passen
In January last year, the the early nineties. The airline leasing company filed a case of the airline. gers’ Covid19 test results and The author is Regional Manager,
Mumbai Police arrested fu had leased the Boeing 737 Leasing lows: EastWest Airlines owed around $3 million against the airline with the Sourced from various reports indicating the passenger’s Indian Sub-Continent, Qatar
health status, which could be Airways
CM .. .... . . . ..BM-BME
YK
MUMBAI
BusinessLine
MONDAY • OCTOBER 4 • 2021 CLEANTECH 9
SUPPLY SOLUTION CLEAN FACTS
The evolving electricity generation mix and load from fresh sectors, including electric vehicles, call for an efficient green energy transition
V RISHI KUMAR sources) and green energy cor sustainability must be plugged strategy. We are looking to
ridors (which serve as evacu into the system. achieve our net zero goal by
A
s India sets out to ation networks to carry higher 2030.”
meet its ambitious capacity of renewable energy) Green corridors In a recent report, the Insti
target of 450GW re that much more important. Among the various initiatives tute for Energy Economics and
newables by 2030, it is Add to this the new forms of for renewable energy transmis Financial Analysis (IEEFA) notes
an opportunity to transform load that will tax the grid, such sion was the government’s that the challenge of India’s
the networks into smarter and as the charging of a large num Green Energy Corridor around growing daily peak demand
greener grids. However, there ber of electric vehicles, operat seven years ago, which was ad does not require investment in
are also challenges, including ing data centres, and even the opted by several states. Several excess baseload thermal capa
the need for huge resources. Indian Railways, which is set projects were tendered, includ city. Instead, the electricity sys
Three things are happening ting a mission of net carbon ing some to evacuate power tem needs flexible and dynamic
simultaneously. The energy zero by 2023. from solar parks, but not much generation solutions in the
generation mix is changing, “These rapid changes have has happened on the ground form of battery storage,
thanks to renewable energy resulted in tremendous chal after December 2019. Six com pumped hydro storage, peak
ISTOCK.COM
coming in; consumers are turn lenges and opportunities, with petitive bidding packages have ing gasfired capacity and flex
ing into prosumers as they are the grids needing to be resili been awarded so far, and more ible operation of the existing
both consuming and produ ent,” says N Venu, Managing are expected later this fiscal. At coal fleet. For every tonne of paper recycled, you save
cing electricity; and decentral Director and CEO, India and the state level, utilities are look “Increasing renewable en about 17 trees, 123 kg of sulphur, 159 kg of
ised generation of energy is be South Asia, Hitachi ABB Power power system the size of the port for 201920, India needs ing forward to green energy ergy generation, along with limestone, 4,082 kg of steam and 60,000 gal-
coming popular. Together, they Grids. He explains that the grids European Union to meet future $281 billion to build its trans corridors that connect their other flexible sources, can ad lons of water.
make the grid even more signi are now becoming bigger by requirements, Venu says, “We mission systems for evacuating solar parks, wind parks or hy dress the issue of peak short
ficant as it becomes the centre the day and need astute hand need to expand the current renewables. While the pan brid farms. ages as the load profile is also
of both generation and con ling as the growing share of re transmission and transforma demic delayed awarding pro Talking about his company changing in India, with high de Nearly 40 per cent of
sumption and is, hence, under newable energy is susceptible tion capacity manifold. The jects to companies, enhanced and the sector in general, Venu mand occurring during the waste going to landfills is pa-
going a complex transition. It to interruptions because “we grids must be robust enough to activity is likely in the coming says that while Covid has dis day,” opines IEEFA’s energy eco per. Cutting paper waste will
needs to address bidirectional don’t know when the sun withstand these rapid changes months. There is also a need for rupted the process, “we are cau nomist Vibhuti Garg. extend the life of landfills.
flows and multiple feeding shines and when the wind and handle the large entry of re innovative energy solutions tiously optimistic that we can And what better way to ad
points. blows”. newables, growth of EVs and and digital platforms for the en reach our targets in time be dress these needs than green
This makes the need for Quoting the recent Interna green data centres.” tire power ecosystem — genera cause everything is falling in grids and green energy cor A typical office generates
green grids (which have a high tional Energy Agency report According to the Central Elec tion, transmission, distribution place. Everybody is making sus ridors. An idea waiting to be about 500 grams of paper
proportion of clean energy that India may need to add a tricity Authority’s annual re and consumption. Importantly, tainability a part of their executed. per employee; 77 per cent
of it is recyclable.
Recycling lithium-ion batteries for the EV era Tribunal, many of these in
formal units have been shut
down by the state or central
pollution control boards.
Using old paper to make
new paper needs 30-50 per
cent less energy compared
to using trees. Pollution is cut
A strategy that will route by the end of the year. discarded battery may go up But that creates further un by 95 per cent.
These will be in Telangana, Ut 10fold in the future. Batteries employment. Environment ex
help scale up the tar Pradesh, Karnataka and Ma are not only recyclable, the ex perts emphasise the need to in
sector significantly harashtra. Ewaste manage tracted materials are also tegrate these informal players Newspapers can be re-
ment, in general, will receive a valuable. into the formal industry by cycled into egg cartons,
PREETI MEHRA massive legup with an in According to Attero, handholding them economic game boards, new newspa-
crease in the number of 500,000 tonnes of Liion bat ally and through technical per, gift boxes, and insulation
T here is some good news
that should help accel
erate the creation of an
electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem
in India. The shortage in bat
trained, legitimate ewaste
handlers, dismantlers and
recyclers.
“Our vision is to, ultimately,
provide dismantling and/or re
teries have already reached
end of life and, by 2030, this
will rise to 3 million tonnes,
making recycling a responsib
ility and an opportunity. At
training. They suggest the
building of ewaste recycling
clusters where microentre
preneurs can share technical
infrastructure and expertise.
and packaging material.
PULSE
Compensation in the time of Covid-19 BY INVITATION
Sustainability in the
As we await the SC order on ex-gratia payment for Covid-linked deaths, experts call for clarity to ensure no one gets left out
PT JYOTHI DATTA the clinical judgement on death ity such as cancer, diabetes or a
healing business
due to Covid19, but this needs to re heart problem, he said it was left to Why ESG — environmental, social and
I
n the last 18 months, the pan flect on the ground. Prevailing the clinical judgement of the treat
demic has scripted a heart guidelines still rely heavily on RT ing physician. governance — reporting matters
rending tale of death across PCR test positive diagnostic re Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, former pres
the world. The numbers are so ports,” says Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, ident with IMA (Kochi), outlines the dress these issues by collabor
large, they get counted as just that — former national president, Indian challenge in establishing death ating with experts for
numbers. Medical Association. from one precise cause. Using a innovative solutions across
Over 47,77,503 deaths have been “There could be false negatives broad statistic, he says, if one crore the value chain.
reported globally from the even with an RTPCR report. People people were followed for two For instance, sustainability
coronavirus, including 4,48,573 in recover and go back home, and die months, 14,000 would die. Add to is not merely a boardroom
India. shortly thereafter. The family is put this the Covid19 variable and “it’s GEENA MALHOTRA conversation but has become
Eachdeath takes away not just the through trauma in getting insur never easy to establish that the a key discussion point at our
C
ISTOCK.COM
individual — a mother, father or ance or assistance from Govern death resulted directly from onversations around manufacturing plants, on
other family member. Sometimes it ment schemes,” observes Dr Covid19,” he says. sustainability have ways to attain our ESG targets.
could be a family’s sole earning Wankhedkar. If there are diagnostic A sick person could die in hos been growing louder Investing in ESG is not just
member. And that’s where the State reports to establish that the de pital from a heart stroke or lung in the last few years, and with good for the planet but also a
comes in, providing some comfort ceased had been treated for Research’s (ICMR) definition of Brihanmumbai Municipal Cor problem, for example. And that fits good reason. smart business move. There is
by way of compensation. Covid19, assistance should be ex ‘death from Covid19’. And Dr poration (BMC) additional muni the ‘death from Covid19’ definition, Recently, a UN report de higher value creation through
Under the Supreme Court’s tended, he adds. Wankhedkar says this shouldreflect cipal commissioner Suresh Kakani he says on the added dilemma. clared a ‘code red’ for human optimised topline growth, re
watch, the Centre outlined the change in approach directed by explains that hospitals are busy “There’s no rule that a person can ity as global warming be duced costs, increased em
guidelines on defining a Covid19 Widening the ambit the SC. with patient treatment, which is have only one disease at a time,” he comes inevitable. Worldwide, ployee efficiency, and sustain
linked death and proposing The Centre has, in fact, included for Be it at the State level or country their priority. The paperwork and points out, calling for a clear defini governments are ramping up
₹50,000 exgratia payment to the compensation the families of those wide, the reported death toll is data update are done only after pa tion that would aid the doctor’s clin climate initiatives and asking
affected family. Expressing happi who died by suicide on being dia muchcontested, with health activ tient details are crosschecked to en ical judgement. businesses to play their part
ness with the measures taken so far, gnosed Covid19 positive, those who ists alleging underreporting. Some sure there is no confusion, he said, The problems involved in estab and do their due diligence. In
an SC order on this is expected this passed away at home after being States, however, revise their death indicating there was no other lishing death from Covid19 and India, the recent introduction
week. treated for Covid19 and discharged, tolls as and when hospitals report motivation. supporting the affected families of ESG (environmental, social
Agreeing with the need for finan and other such cases. It has, under them. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bi will unfold as more people seek as and governance) reporting by
cial support, experts explain why the National Disaster Management har and Kerala have reconciled the Single cause or more? sistance. But, for the moment, the SEBI can help move the needle
“it’s never easy” to define death due Authority, outlined these situations. mortality numbers — a move appre On the difficulties involved in defin hope is, as the SC judge observed, on sustainability. It will bring
to a single cause — Covid19, in this But it all hinges on the Health Min ciated by public health experts as a ing a death from Covid19, he said the financial aid would indeed greater transparency in re Making a world of difference
case. “It is a good decision to go with istry and Indian Council of Medical step towards transparency. that if the person had a comorbid “wipe away the tears of many”. porting and drive sustainabil responsibly ISTOCK.COM
ity to the front and centre of
every boardroom conversa able development of
Date with vaccine exports tion. communities. ESG will also en
COMING UP for breakfast and keep track of for a great source of protein The first step in the long courage businesses to invest
The world will be watching with MY FIVE my calorie intake. and nutrients after workouts. I march to ESG is a sustainabil in people for a more inclusive
interest as India resumes its ex- avoid alcohol and consult my ity mindset, acknowledging and sustainable change.
port of Covid-19 vaccines later
this month, as committed by
Bhavin Turakhia
Co-founder and CEO, Zeta 2 The workout regime is followed
by a mix of yoga, cycling and nutritionist regularly. the impact of one’s business
on the environment.
Our planet needs a healing
touch — and businesses com
the government. Exports had
stopped at the peak of the Apple cider vinegar,
strength training. I also
incorporate pilates four times a
week. On days I skip my
4 I love reading and read close
to three books a month.
Recently, I dived into the
As for the pharma industry,
I believe we have a great re
mitted to sustainable prac
tices can help greatly. I see ESG
second wave. However, as the sponsibility to reduce our re compliance becoming a driv
ground situation started com- workouts and three morning workout due to work, world of quantum mechanics, source consumption and ing force in transforming the
I play squash in the evening for particle physics and general make a positive social impact sustainability landscape in In
ing under control in India, sev-
eral agencies including the
books a month an hour. I also love playing relativity. I also engage private — from reducing water usage dia. Building a sustainable
table tennis. tutors for various subjects on
World Health Organization, GAVI, the vaccine alliance, and the
Covax-facility urged the country to resume exports and plug the 1 I wake up at 5.30 am and
begin my day with a glass of
3 I follow a strict vegetarian diet. weekends.
to replacing traditional fuels
with greener alternatives and
world is no longer an option —
we owe it to our future
supply shortfall, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Indian companies with foreign collaborations on Covid-19 vac-
cines, such as Serum Institute (with AstraZeneca-Oxford Univer-
apple cider vinegar and water
with ginger, and a
60–90minute workout at the
My favourite snacks include
broccoli salad, cucumbercarrot
salad, and sweet corn salad.
5 Five hours of sleep is enough
to keep me going. The day
ends with meditation to calm
successfully implementing
the ‘extended producer re
sponsibility’ by collecting and
generations.
CM .. .. . . . . ..BM-BME
YK
MUMBAI
10 NEWS BusinessLine
MONDAY • OCTOBER 4 • 2021
demand ahead of festival season LS constituencies first concerns outweigh positive news
Confident of with occupancy rates of over
Eyes on Monetary
bookings reaching
60 per cent during the month, Elon Musk firm fer services. Besides, the Centre Eyeing monetary policy
surpassing industry expecta is yet to announce the policy Policy for any Benchmark yield (%)
pre-Covid levels tions. Average daily rates are collecting deposits for satellite communication 6.25
also improving across mar services. change in VRRR
soon even without any 6.20
kets, with Goa and Chennai Delhibased NGO Telecom quantum, tenor
leading the way,” it said. official policy yet Watchdog wrote to the Depart 6.15
FORUM GANDHI ment of Telecommunications
Mumbai, October 3 Occupancy levels AYUSHI KAR on September 29, likening BOND WATCH 6.10
Ahead of the festival season, In FY21, the industry has According to Nishant Pitti, Mumbai, October 3 Starlink asking customers to 6.05
hotels in the country are see recorded its lowest RevPAR of CEO and cofounder, Ease In a bid to get policymakers to deposit ₹7,350 per person, so BHAVIK NAIR
ing a robust demand. In ₹1,582 in the last 22 years MyTrip, overall, the occupancy back its satellite broadband that they can be served on a Chennai, October 3
6.00
Sep 1, 2021 Oct 1, 2021
dustry experts said that there at leisure properties such as venture, Elon Muskowned firstcome firstserve basis, to a Benchmark yields rose 5 basis
is a steady rise of 2030 per crease in queries for upcom fivestar hotels and resorts are Starlink on Sunday said it will Ponzi scheme. Source: Bloomberg
points last week compared to
cent in occupancies com ing long weekends and fest 80 per cent and metros such focus on 10 rural Lok Sabha the previous one pushed up by
pared to last year and hotels ival day bookings. We are as Delhi, Mumbai and constituencies for 80 per cent India plan concerns on the liquidity front in order to suck out the excess might start reducing GSAP
are bullish of being able to be expecting a 200 per cent rise Bengaluru are running at 50 of the Starlink terminals Recently, Bhargava had an despite a slew of positive news. ive liquidity sloshing around and raising overnight rates
at par with preCovid level in numbers. While last year, per cent occupancy. shipped to India. nounced that Starlink aims to The week commenced with in the system. next week. I believe the central
bookings soon. people were going for longer “Additionally, the number Starlink's India Country Dir commence operations from the FY22 secondhalf borrow bank would not want to shock
Manoj Agarwal, Head – As stays, this time around of bookings for fourstar and ector Sanjay Bhargava said in a December, with over 2 lakh act ing calendar coming in at Rate review the markets. They may in
set Management, InterGlobe shorter stays are popular,” fivestar hotels has doubled as social media post: “In October, I ive terminals. Starlink, which ₹5.03lakh crore, which was Bond market participants are crease the VRRR and suck out
Hotels, said, “If this mo said Devendra Parulekar, compared to last year. The av am also keen to have 30 had opened preorders from well within the anticipated wary that the central bank will some of the excess liquidity,
mentum continues, we Founder, SaffronStays. erage stay has also increased minute virtual March for cus level. Then came the fiscal defi raise the variable rate reverse but would also comfort the
should be able to close at from 3.2 days to 4.7 days,” he conversations tomers to enter cit number for AprilAugust at repo (VRRR) auction quantum market that the liquidity
around 60 per cent higher rev Worst-hit sector added. with MPs, min the priority 31 per cent of the Budget Estim as well as the tenors and also would remain on the surplus
enue than the last financial The hospitality sector has There has been an improve isters, secretar queue, has ate. The GST collections for raise the fixed reverse repo side for much longer. I think it
year,” Other hotel chains such been one of the worst affected ment in the average revenue ies to GOI (gov crossed 5,000 September also came in at rate in the upcoming Monet would be a surprise if the
as Chalet Hotels and Sterling by the pandemic. In FY21, the per room (ARR). Saffron Stays’ ernment of preorders as of ₹1.17lakh crore which is 23 per ary Policy. benchmark yield goes beyond
also expect revenues to sur Indian hospitality industry ARRs are 15 per cent higher India), or prin October 1. cent higher compared to the Ananth Narayan, Professor 6.30 per cent in the short
pass preCovid levels. has recorded its lowest rev than last year, whereas Inter cipal secretar Starlink be same month last fiscal. Finance at SPJIMR, said a lot term,” Narayan said.
“Hotels are observing enue per available room (Rev globe Hotels is seeing a 2030 ies to States to lieves custom However, yields continued has happened over the past The 10year US treasury yield
monthonmonth improve PAR) of ₹1,582 in the last 22 per cent higher ARRs than last see if they ers putting to move higher as concerns on few weeks that wasn't condu also went up to 1.56 per cent
ment in bookings since the years, according to a report by year. On the other hand, the think 100 per cent broadband down the deposit will help the the liquidity front took pre cive for the bond market. last week before cooling to 1.46
end of the Covid second wave, Hotelivate. This is a 60.8 per ARRs for Sterling is varying would help improve lives. We company on the licensing and cedence. For one, the cutoff “Commodity prices have shot per cent. With the benchmark
and the overall mood is up cent decline over the last year. from destination to destina will probably focus on 10 rural the regulation front. on the sevenday variable rate up, there have been energy yield hitting 6.24 per cent,
beat. The December quarter But, now, according to a re tion. It has seen a 30 to 35 per Lok Sabha constituencies for A former Paypal executive, reverse repo auction came in shortages around the world, bond traders expect the yield
has been robust and we ex port by HVS Anarock, the occu cent growth on average. 80 per cent of the Starlink ter Bhargava said he will engage at 3.99 per cent last week. Com mainly China and the UK, and to find solace close to the 6.3
pect similar traction this year pancies have been at least 50 All in all, hotels are optim minals shipped to India.” Bhar with CEOs of large telcos, pared to this, the cutoff on the the whole confusion about the per cent level. All eyes are now
too. Even during 2020, hotels 52 per cent higher a month istic that more people getting gava was named Starlink's In banks, financial services, 14day variable rate reverse US debt ceiling also added on the Monetary Policy where
saw a surge in business in the onmonth basis and a 25 per fully vaccinated and with the dia head just three days ago. healthcare, education and repo auction was at 3.6 per pressure on the US treasury the crucial thing to watch out
December quarter ,” said Ra cent higher on a yearonyear festival cheer round the Starlink's move to prebook NGOs to refine the plan for 100 cent the week before. yields. would be any potential
jneesh Malhotra, COO, Chalet basis. corner, demand will pick up customers has come under the per cent Broadband and Meas This implies that the RBI is “As we worry about cost changes in the VRRR
Hotels Ltd. “Chandigarh, Mumbai and and provide an opportunity scanner as the company has urable Real Outcomes (MeT gradually getting comfortable push and imported inflation, quantum, tenor as well as the
“We’ve started seeing an in Delhi are the market leaders for further tariff corrections. not yet taken the licences to of ROs) to improve people’s lives. paying a relatively higher rate the concern is whether the RBI fixed reverse repo rate.
Byju’s to develop technology Strong home-charging ecosystem will speed India-UAE free trade pact: Centre seeks
solutions for effective learning electric 2-wheeler adoption: Ather Energy CEO inputs on IPR issues from stakeholders
Byju’s Lab will focus multimodal, some of them G BALACHANDAR have created the initial pull Move will make it
like to watch videos, while Chennai, October 3 and sales momentum for
on personalisation others like to solve problems. Even as the electric two electric twowheelers, intro easier for Indians to
through AI, ML Some prefer working on their wheeler market is set to see duction of electric products do business in UAE
own and others like having the launch of more powerful by conventional twowheeler
YATTI SONI some scaffolds. The team at vehicles in the coming makers has also resulted in AMITI SEN
Bengaluru, October 3 Byju’s Lab will work on find months, there is a need to raising the demand for EVs. New Delhi, October 3
Over a dozen acquisitions ing ways in which technology build a strong homechar On a tight time schedule for
done, Byju’s is turning focus can be used to cater to each of ging ecosystem to maintain Change in mindset the proposed IndiaUAE free
towards building inhouse these multimodal natures the positive momentum, Electric twowheeler OEMs trade pact, which is to be
technology solutions under without pushing kids to go says Tarun Mehta, Co say the market is turning in signed by early next year, the IndiaUAE trade was at $59 billion in 201920, making the latter
Tarun Mehta, Cofounder
its new initiative Byju’s Lab. out of their preferred learn founder and CEO of Ather En their favour in a big way due Department of Policy for In India’s third largest trading partner for the year ISTOCKPHOTO
and CEO of Ather Energy
Headed by the company’s ing mode or environment. ergy, a leading electric two to the mindset change vestment and Internal Trade
Chief Innovation and Learn Further, in terms of demo wheeler manufacturer in the Welfare Associations and among the people thanks to (DPIIT) has called for sugges Negotiations for the early such as IP offices, enforce
ing Officer, Dev Roy, Byju’s Lab cratising education, the team country. policymakers should address the many benefits of owning tions from industry bodies harvest component of the FTA ment agencies or any other
will be work out of the UK, the will explore building systems these basic concerns, which an electric 2W. and other stakeholders on in have already started. Apart government agency.
US and India. The hub will on that will enable children in Govt push will help generate more de “Today, people are walking tellectual property rights is from opening up markets for IndiaUAE trade was at $59
board AI and ML specialists, distant places to access tech The government has been mand for EVs. Though these into an EV showroom expect sues that could make it easier goods and services, the two billion in 201920, making
along with some hires in psy assisted learning which is taking a keen interest in policies have been put in ing to be wowed by electric for Indians to do business in Ministers also discussed an in UAE, India’s third largest trad
chometric, and other do equivalent to the education building a public charging place, ensuring that they are vehicles. Consumers funda the United Arab Emirates. vestment promotion agree ing partner for the year after
mains that could help the offered in major cities. infrastructure. The density of implemented is necessary, mentally want a product “In this agreement, IPR ment and there are ongoing China and the US, per govern
team gain a deeper under charging points across the says Mehta. that they can be proud of. plays a critical role as it would meetings involving big sover ment figures.
standing of how students ab Success metrics country will be as that of fuel They expect a wellperform be of significant importance eign wealth funds from the UAE is India’s second
sorb and consume content. Talking about success metrics stations in the coming years. Proprietary charging ing and highquality electric to IPintensive industries, UAE. largest export destination
“We are already thought for Byju’s Lab, Roy said there Many newage players like Ather recently announced vehicle which is an upgrade both creative and technology The DPIIT, in its communic ,after the US, with nearly $29
leaders in the content and are two: one, is if the initiative Ather are also involved in that it will offer its propriet and not a compromise. In driven,” the DPIIT said in a ation to Indian businesses, billion. For UAE, India is the
learning space. Now with is able to achieve some of the building the ecosystem and ary charging connector to the coming years, we will see communication to has sought to know the areas second largest trading part
Byju’s Lab, we want to become businessoriented goals of setting up charging points other EVmakers, paving the more OEMs introducing stakeholders. of IPR of primary considera ner for 2019.
thought leaders in using tech democratisation and better across cities. Although the way for an interoperable more efficient and powerful Commerce and Industry tion including patents, trade India’s major export items
nology in the education personalisation. And, two, the government is looking to twowheeler fastcharging electric twowheelers. This Minister Piyush Goyal and mark, copyright, design, geo to the UAE are petroleum
space. That’s the genesis of halo goals, which is people re build infrastructure at pub platform. will also impact buying pat UAE Foreign Minister Thani graphical indications products, precious metals,
Byju's Lab,” Roy told Business- cognising Byju’s as the pion lic places, homecharging re “This would not only re terns to a large extent,” says bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, at a re enforcement, regulatory ap stones, gems & jewellery, min
Line. The venture will incub eers of how to use AI and ML quires a bigger push. duce range anxiety by allow Mehta. cent meeting in New Delhi, proval and commercialisa erals, food items, textiles, en
ate new ideas, provide cut in education. “The majority of EV char ing all scooters to access Ather sees high demand in decided on an ambitious tion of technology transfer. gineering goods and chemic
tingedge solutions across Byju’s has officially an ging takes place at home for Ather Energy’s more than all the markets for its electric timeline for concluding the Specific areas of concern als. India’s major imports
Byju’s ecosystem of learning nounced 10 acquisitions in the average consumer, but 200 fast chargers, but it twowheelers and expects negotiations for the India are to be mentioned such as from the UAE include petro
products. the edtech space including EV enthusiasts face chal would also allow more OEMs the demand to get better in UAE free trade agreement, of filing, registration, enforce leum and petroleum
Broadly, the lab will focus Tynker, Gradeup, TutorVista, lenges due to the lack of ded to build products on a com the coming years. The com ficially known as the Compre ment or commercialisation of products, precious metals,
on bringing deeper personal Edurite, Math Adventures, icated charging spots for mon standard thus lowering pany is expanding to 40 cit hensive Economic Partner IP rights in the UAE. The in stones, gems & jewellery, min
isation and democratisation Osmo, Whitehat Jr, Aakash twowheelers, giving them infrastructure investments,” ies by the end of this year ship Agreement, by the end of dustry has also been asked to erals, chemicals, wood &
of a student's learning jour Education Services, Epic and second thoughts about mak says Mehta. due to a favourable growth December and signing it by point out the level at which wood products.
ney. Roy said children are Great Learning. ing the switch. Residential While the new players outlook for EVs. March 2022. the challenges are observed
CM .. ..... . . ...BM-BME
YK