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<ul><li><keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">Electric vehicles</keyword> (EVs) are gaining popularity worldwide</li><li>However, concerns remain about their environmental impact</li><li> <keyword id="21881868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="alternative-fuel" source="keywords">Alternative fuel</keyword> vehicles like hydrogen fuel cells and biofuels are some more alternatives we can tap into</li></ul> Electric vehicles or EVs are in their prime right now, with the demand crossing an all-time high. A trend noticeable around the world, EVs are not only becoming increasingly popular but also fairly affordable. Slowly but surely EVs are overcoming the challenges that crossed them — design, features, safety, and most importantly range. A major credit to this trend can be given to consumer acceptance, policy backing, and improving infrastructure. However, there is a downside to EVs as well. Having featured multiple EVs with our series<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCR3PaYxcmk&amp;t=1s" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"> Short Spin, </a>I developed a strong reference point. This made me wonder why are we so heavily reliant on them. Over its life cycle, EVs cannot be termed as particularly environmentally friendly, which has been their main selling point over the past few decades. <h2>The ‘Red’ side of EVs</h2> There is a bit of red within the go-green agenda that EV manufacturers push. EVs as a whole do come with benefits like low maintenance, improved efficiency and ultimately lower fuel emissions. However, <keyword id="21357488" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="EV-production" source="keywords">EV production</keyword> and disposal can have detrimental effects on the natural environment. Here are some socio-ecological concerns over EVs: 1. High carbon footprint in battery production: EV battery production is energy-intensive and often relies on electricity from fossil fuels, leading to a high initial carbon footprint. This is elaborated in a story recently published by Earth Org. 2. Resource constraints and ethical concerns: Particularly with the extensive mining of cobalt and other minerals for EVs, there has been a global outcry. Limited availability of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, shady mining practices long work hours, unsafe work environments, and use of child labour in underdeveloped parts of the world have raised several ethical issues around the sustainability of EVs. This issue can be explored further in this essay by Al Jazeera. 3. Recycling and end-of-life challenges: EV battery recycling is currently inefficient, costly, and poses significant environmental risks, with a huge amount of batteries ending up in landfills. 4. Manufacturing costs and economic barriers: High production costs, especially for batteries, make EVs more expensive than conventional vehicles and require significant investments in new manufacturing facilities and supply chains. 5. Supply chain and geopolitical risks: Critical mineral resources necessary for EV production are concentrated in a few countries. This leads to vulnerabilities in the complex supply chain and often risks disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, or natural disasters. China as of today controls 83% of EV battery production in the world, with a major stronghold on the supply chain. While I am in no way suggesting to drop out of EVs, I believe sticking to just one alternative risks replicating the same mistake we did for ICE vehicles. So, what are the alternatives? <h2>The alternates fuel vehicles (<keyword id="23193800" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AFVs" source="keywords">AFVs</keyword>)</h2> AFVs are a growing segment of the automotive industry that utilize fuels other than traditional gasoline or diesel. These vehicles offer similar potential benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. While EVs are also a form of AFVs, here we will list out other major alternatives like hydrogen fuel and biofuel options. Hydrogen fuel cells: Convert hydrogen gas into electricity, emitting only water vapour. Currently, <keyword id="19906788" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Toyota" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Toyota" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Toyota">Toyota</keyword> and Hyundai are the only hydrogen-based cars in the Indian market. Hydrogen internal combustion engines: These vehicles use hydrogen as a fuel in modified combustion engines. While road-legal vehicles for this fuel type aren’t out, BMW with hydrogen 7 is working on a prototype. Ethanol: This is a renewable fuel made from plant materials, commonly mixed with gasoline. In America, Ford F-150 Flex-Fuel and Chevrolet Silverado Flex-Fuel are utilizing this technology. Biodiesel and renewable diesel: Derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled grease, these fuel types can be used in diesel engines. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): Perhaps the most famous alternative for cabbies in Delhi, CNG is in popular demand. Technically it is used in specially modified internal combustion engines, primarily for lower emissions. Propane (Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG): A byproduct of natural gas processing and crude oil refining, used in internal combustion engines. As technology continues to advance, these AFVs are becoming more accessible and affordable, making them a promising option for sustainable transportation. If you are an eco-conscious buyer in today’s auto market, bear in mind that there are options beyond EVs as well. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/mercedes-expands-bev-range-rolls-out-second-locally-produced-model-in-india/articleshow/113388002.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Mercedes expands BEV range; rolls out second locally produced model in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-adoption-in-india-rising-13-share-expected-by-2026-27-jefferies/articleshow/113361787.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Electric two-wheeler adoption in India rising, 13% share expected by 2026-27: Jefferies</a>

EVs are not the only options for alternative fuel — make way for hydrogen and bio-fuel

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The NLRB filed a complaint against Apple, alleging labor law violations and retaliation.</li><li>Cher Scarlett, a former Apple engineer, initiated charges after she said she faced retaliation.</li></ul>The National Labor Relations Board filed an unfair labor practice complaint on November 1 that alleged Apple violated federal labor law and retaliated against employees who discussed pay and working conditions.The case's charging party, Cher Scarlett, is a former software engineer on Apple's security team. She was a prominent organizer for the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-fired-activist-apple-employee-janneke-parrish-nlrb-complaint-2021-11">#AppleToo </a>movement who helped launch an anonymous survey and<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-too-employee-website-discrimination-harassment-2021-8"> a website</a> for Apple employees to share stories about pay disparities and harassment.Scarlett said she left Apple in November 2021 after facing retaliation after she set up the wage survey and intimidation for her organizing efforts. She added that employees were not part of a union and were not allowed to present the results of their findings to HR collectively. She was also told to take medical leave and offered a severance agreement."I'm not saying everybody has to go share their wages, but the fact is it's a personal decision about what you want to share. It's not a business decision," Scarlett told Business Insider.Scarlett filed the first of her three charges against the company with the NLRB in September 2021.The new complaint, which consolidates her three charges, is the first step in the board's litigation process after the board investigates and finds merit in unfair labor practice charges. If both parties do not settle, a hearing will occur in June in Oakland.According to the consolidated complaint copy that BI reviewed, the NLRB found that Apple created a culture of surveillance by telling employees not to speak to the press or post online on social media about pay disparities. The board also said the company selectively enforced bans on creating Slack channels to discuss working conditions.Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act protects workers, even if they are not unionized, to engage in concerted activities "for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection."The NLRB found in the complaint that Apple maintained an overbroad confidentiality rule and "constructively" fired Scarlett by making continued employment contingent on her ceasing these Section 7 activities.The complaint included remedies, such as requiring Apple to post an official board notice at its offices and electronically explain the rights granted by the National Labor Relations Act and having managers and employees receive NLRB training regarding their rights as laborers. If an order is issued, Apple must amend its rules to not interfere with employees' Section 7 rights to organize.The NLRB's General Counsel also seeks an order reinstituting Scarlett in her former job position, compensating her for the financial losses incurred due to the unlawful termination, and providing a neutral job reference. Scarlett told BI that Apple and the NLRB discussed a potential settlement, and those talks have not yet succeeded.The NLRB declined to comment. Apple did not respond to a request for comment.<h2 id="611851da-3640-4b7f-b14d-ddbb82115101">A culture of silence</h2>Scarlett's case is among other ongoing unfair labor practice complaints by former Apple employees.The NLRB issued complaints last month for two other cases, alleging that Apple required employees nationwide to sign <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-accused-by-us-labor-board-imposing-illegal-workplace-rules-2024-10-01/">illegal confidentiality</a>, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements. The board also said that the company <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-accused-restricting-workers-slack-social-media-use-by-us-labor-board-2024-10-11/">restricted employee usage of social media</a> and Slack to advocate for better working conditions. These cases will be heard with an NLRB administrative law judge in Oakland next February.Although Apple told the SEC its policy is to not use strict non-disclosure clauses following allegations of harassment or discrimination, Scarlett showed that was not true when she <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-sec-response-under-scrutiny-after-whistleblower-comes-forward">came forward</a> to BI in 2021 and broke her NDA.In 2021, Scarlett filed a whistleblower complaint with the SEC over what she described as "false statements or misleading statements" by Apple to the agency. Soon after, under pressure from activist investors, Apple agreed to "make improvements and clarifications" for using NDAs and said it would not enforce agreements like Scarlett's. In California, where many Apple employees are based, the passage of laws such as the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ashley-gjovik-apple-fired-workplace-safety-sexism-harassment-2021-9">Silenced No More Act</a> prohibits companies from preventing employees from speaking out about discrimination and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/utah-bill-nda-sexual-assault-harassment-unenforceable-2024-2">harassment</a>."Decades later, the same things that women were fighting in Silicon Valley about for recognition and pay parity and like not being sexually harassed and everything–they're still fighting for that today," Scarlett said.Many Silicon Valley tech workers have said that companies force them to sign <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/silicon-valley-tech-workers-nda-culture-silence-2021-7">stringent non-disclosure agreements</a> that create a culture of silence and prevent workers from discussing working conditions such as pay disparities. The culture of preventing workers from speaking about pay disparities <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/23/22633141/apple-pay-equity-survey-results-wage-gap">especially impacts women</a>.The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-too-employee-website-discrimination-harassment-2021-8">#AppleToo</a> survey, which Scarlett said received almost 4,000 responses out of 147,000 employees, showed that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-blocks-workers-pay-equity-slack-channel-2021-8">women were paid</a> 6% less than men in 2020.Evan Starr, assistant professor of management at the University of Maryland, said companies don't want workers to discuss wages "because they don't want the workers necessarily unionized, and they don't want to necessarily have to respond to coordinated pay demands among workers."<h2 id="e1c793d5-ab0a-414c-8feb-081daa0bb40a">The future of labor organizing in Silicon Valley</h2>The NLRB has received an uptick in unfair labor practice filings from tech workers. Employees at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-union-organizer-sees-wave-organizing-across-us-zenimax-indeed-2023-6">Microsoft,</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-music-contract-workers-win-historic-union-election-2023-4">Google,</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-tech-workers-discuss-unionizing-over-rto-2024-1">Amazon</a>, and The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-times-tech-strike-disrupt-site-election-coverage-2024-11">New York Times</a> have pushed for unionization efforts to address working conditions."When we talk about labor law, we're really talking about unions and hourly labor, like retail, front line, and service workers," Scarlett said. "Tying this to corporate workers, especially high ranging software engineers who worked there a long time, really shows you that labor issues are not just issues that hourly per person faces. It's beyond that. It's technology workers. It's everyone you know who is the laborer."Scarlett and other employees created #AppleToo, modeled after the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/metoo-accusers-5-years-later-where-are-they-now-2022-10">#MeToo movement</a>, to encourage more workers to share stories about incidents of discrimination, inequity, sexism, and racism at Apple. Movements like #AppleToo reflect a greater push from tech workers, who expect more employer transparency."I do think tech is at a little bit of an interesting crossroads," said Matthew Bodie, an employment law professor at the University of Minnesota Law School. "People are looking ahead to their careers. They're not necessarily looking to spend their whole career in one place, particularly when you have employees who have more power than the org, like a software engineer who might be valuable to other companies. That person is going to want to have a say."Scarlett said that it has been difficult to find employment after becoming a whistleblower, despite having more than 20 years of developer experience at places such as Webflow, USA Today, and Activision Blizzard. Last year, the NLRB filed a complaint <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-22/nlrb-files-case-against-mozilla-for-not-hiring-labor-activist">against Mozilla</a> for refusing to hire her. Scarlett said tech workers may worry about being blacklisted if they come forward as whistleblowers.Despite these challenges, Scarlett hopes to move forward. She said she would not stop being a labor activist just to get a job.Scarlett added that this work "gives the next people who are experiencing these issues the power to hold Apple and other companies in Silicon Valley accountable."

The NLRB filed a complaint against Apple. The former engineer who cofounded #AppleToo explains why it's important.

One aspect that always garners much traction on the <keyword id="19936553" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget" source="keywords">Budget</keyword> day is what got <keyword id="20257498" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cheaper" source="keywords">cheaper</keyword> and what got <keyword id="20286063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="costlier" source="keywords">costlier</keyword>. Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> as part of her Budget presentation proposed a host of tweaks in basic <keyword id="20454068" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="customs-duty" source="keywords">customs duty</keyword> (BCD) for various products or items that are critical for manufacturing. In her Budget speech, Sitharaman proposed an exemption on customs duty on certain <keyword id="22516435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cancer-medicines" source="keywords">cancer medicines</keyword> and a reduction in duties on <keyword id="19920958" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-phone" source="keywords">mobile phone</keyword> parts and chargers, aimed at bringing down their prices in the retail market. "With a three-fold increase in domestic production and almost 100-fold jump in exports of mobile phones over the last six years, the Indian mobile phone industry has matured. In the interest of consumers, I now propose to reduce the BCD on mobile phone, mobile PCBA and mobile charger to 15 per cent," said Sitharaman in her Budget speech that lasted around 90 minutes. To provide relief to cancer patients, she proposed to fully exempt three more medicines from customs duties. Imported <keyword id="19895579" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold" source="keywords">gold</keyword>, silver, leather goods and seafood will also get cheaper, as duties were invariably lowered on them. Duty cut on gold would boost retail demand and help in curtailing smuggling in the world's second-biggest bullion market. "To enhance domestic value addition in gold and precious metal jewellery in the country, I propose to reduce customs duties on gold and silver to 6 per cent and that on platinum to 6.4 per cent." She also proposed changes in the customs duty on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors for use in medical X-ray machines under the <keyword id="20330318" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="phased-manufacturing-programme" source="keywords">Phased Manufacturing Programme</keyword>, so as to synchronise them with domestic capacity addition. Also, she proposed to fully exempt customs duties on 25 critical minerals and reduce basic customs duty on two of them. Minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements are critical for sectors like nuclear energy, renewable energy, space, defence, telecommunications, and high-tech electronics, said the finance minister. "This will provide a major fillip to the processing and refining of such minerals and help secure their availability for these strategic and important sectors," Sitharaman said. Putting energy transition on focus, as it is critical in the fight against climate change, the finance minister proposed to expand the list of exempted capital goods for use in the manufacture of solar cells and panels in the country. However, in view of sufficient domestic manufacturing capacity of solar glass and tinned copper interconnect, it was proposed not to extend the exemption of customs duties provided to them. To enhance competitiveness in marine products, the reduced duty on certain broodstock, polychaete worms, shrimp and fish feed to 5 per cent, besides exempting customs duty on various inputs for manufacture of shrimp and fish feed. Moving on to leather and textile, reduction in duty was announced for various items. "...to enhance the competitiveness of exports in the leather and textile sectors, I propose to reduce BCD on real down filling material from duck or goose," Sitharaman said. To reduce cost of production of steel and copper, two important raw materials, it was proposed to remove the customs duty on ferro nickel and blister copper. "I am also continuing with nil BCD (customs duty) on ferrous scrap and nickel cathode and concessional BCD of 2.5 per cent on copper scrap." On the flip side, to support chemicals and petrochemicals, an increase in duty was proposed. To support existing and new capacities in the pipeline, an increase in duty on ammonium nitrate from 7.5 to 10 per cent would be applicable. PVC flex banners are non-biodegradable and hazardous for environment and health. To curb their imports, a propose was made to raise the duty on them from 10 to 25 per cent. To incentivise domestic telecommunication equipment manufacturing, a propose to increase the duty from 10 to 15 per cent on PCBA (printed circuit board assembly) of specified telecom equipment was made. Explaining her rational behind the indirect taxes tweak, Sitharaman said her proposals for customs duties intend to support domestic manufacturing, deepen local value addition, promote export competitiveness, and simplify taxation, while keeping the interest of the general public and consumers surmount. In Budget 2022-23 too, the government reduced the number of customs duty rates.

Here's what will get cheaper and costlier after this Budget

<ul><li>34.7 crore <keyword id="20290357" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ayushmann-bharat" source="keywords">Ayushmann Bharat</keyword> cards generated </li><li>Avg growth of the manufacturing sector at 5% over last decade</li><li>Reduction in dependence on non-institutional credit </li></ul> The <keyword id="6354872" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="economic-survey" source="Orion">Economic Survey</keyword> 2023-24 noted that the country's energy requirements are set to burgeon by 2-2.5x by 2027, underlining the need for energy efficiency and seamlessly transitioning to clean energy solutions. By means of sovereign green bonds, the government managed to raise Rs 16,000 crore between January-February 2023, alongside an additional Rs 20,000 crore between October and December 2023. As for social security, Ayushmann Bharat, of which over 34.7 crore cards have been generated, has saved over Rs 1.25 lakh crore of OPD expenses of the poor and under-privileged families. The country's labor market has also seen solid improvement, with unemployment rates declining to 3.2% in 2022-23. The net payroll additions under Employee Provident Fund Organization has also doubled over the past 5 years, signaling a healthy growth in formal employment. As per the survey, care economy and agro-processing are the two key areas where there is untapped potential for boosting quality employment, and increasing women participation in the labor force. The agriculture sector has registered an average annual growth of 4.18% over the last 5 years, with the sector growing about 1.4% during 2023-24, as per provisional estimates. To provide further fillip to the sector, the government has been focused on reducing the sector's dependence on non-institutional, informal credit. As a result, its share has come down from 90% in 1950, to just 23.4% in 2021-22. However, as the survey observed, the country's agricultural growth policies should be consistent with climate change and water security practises. <h2>Thrust on MSMEs, manufacturing and clean energy</h2>Over the last decade, the manufacturing sector managed to mark an average annual growth rate of 5.2%, majorly driven by chemicals, wood products and furniture, transport equipment, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and equipment. <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> also emerged as a net exporter of finished steel over the last 10 years, and was a significant producer and consumer of the same during FY24. India's indigenous coal production also jumped up, with India actively working to reduce its import dependence. In FY 24, India producued 997.2 million tonnes of coal, imported 261 million tonnes, and consumed 1233.86 million tonnes. India's pharma market, valued at $50 billion, is the 3rd largest in the world, and India ranks prominently amongst clothing manufacturing nations as well. As of FY24, it is the second largest manufacturer, and one of the top 5 exporting nations of clothing, with the export of textiles and apparel, including handicrafts increasing by 1% to reach Rs 2.97 lakh crore. A similar growth was witnessed in India's electronics manufacturing segment, making up for 3.7% of global market share, with exports rising to Rs 1.9 lakh Crore in FY23. Per the survey, "the PLI schemes for key sectors have attracted significant investments, boosted production, sales and exports and generated jobs, particularly in the case of white goods. Keeping in view India’s vision of becoming ‘Aatmanirbhar’, over Rs 1.28 Lakh Crore of investment was reported until May 2024, which has led to production/sales of Rs 10.8 Lakh Crore and employment generation (direct &amp; indirect) of over Rs 8.5 Lakh under PLI scheme". Focus has also been on boosting research, development, innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. The number of granted patents increased seventeen-fold from 5,978 in 2014-15 to 1,03,057 in 2023-24. More than 45% of the recognised start-ups are emerging from Tier 2/3 cities. The country's services sector contributed to about 55% of the total size of the economy in FY24. The clean energy sector in the country also saw new investment of Rs 8.5 lakh crore between 2014 and 2023. India is prominently making a mark in space, with 55 active space assets, out of which 18 are communication satellites, nine navigation satellites, five scientific satellites, three Meteorological Satellites, and 20 are Earth Observation satellites.

Economic Survey shows India's energy needs to grow 2.5x, healthy growth in formal employment

As <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s <keyword id="19916774" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="exports" source="keywords">exports</keyword> in the first quarter of 2024-25 (April-June) crossed the $200 billion mark, the government has expressed its optimism about reaching its full-year target of $800 billion. "We are quite optimistic and it gives us optimism that we'd be crossing our <keyword id="19944038" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="USD" source="keywords">USD</keyword> 800 billion of trade this year," Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said on Monday while releasing India's trade data for June. India's overall exports, merchandise and services combined in the month of June were to the tune of $65.47 billion, a 5.4% rise on a yearly basis, commerce ministry data showed. Same month last year it was at $62.12 billion. In break up, <keyword id="22419320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="exports-of-merchandise-goods" source="Orion">exports of merchandise goods</keyword> rose from $34.32 billion to $35.20 billion, and exports of services rose from $27.79 to $30.27 billion. In May, merchandise and services exports combined were to the tune of $68.29 billion, a 10.2% rise on a yearly basis. The country's <keyword id="19933566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="imports" source="keywords">imports</keyword> too increased year-on-year in June, data showed today. The same was the case in May. The overall imports, both merchandise and services combined, increased from $69.12 billion to $73.47 billion, a rise of about 6.3%, in June. In the recently concluded financial year 2023-24, India registered record exports at $778 billion. In 2022-23, the country exported goods and services combined at $776.3 billion. In break up, services exports rose from $325.3 billion to $341.1 billion in 2023-24. Merchandise exports though marginally declined from $451.1 billion to $437.1 billion. Among various steps the government took was to launch a <keyword id="8870884" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Production-Linked-Incentive" source="Orion">Production Linked Incentive</keyword> (PLI) scheme in varied sectors, including electronic goods, to make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investments, enhance exports, integrate India into the global supply chain and reduce dependency on imports. These seemed to have reaped dividends. China, Russia, Iraq, <keyword id="19908927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="uae" source="keywords">UAE</keyword>, and Singapore were among the countries where India's exports in the just-concluded financial year have risen substantially, though with a low base. The other countries in the Top 10 list are the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and <keyword id="19899437" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="south-africa" source="keywords">South Africa</keyword>. Overall imports declined from $898.0 billion in 2022-23 to $853.8 billion. Both merchandise and services exports declined during the financial year. Overall trade deficit significantly improved from $121.6 billion in 2022-23 to $75.6 billion in 2023-24.

India's Apr-Jun quarter exports cross $200 bln, government optimistic of reaching  $800 bln annual target

As PC and laptop makers urge the government to rethink its decision on import licensing requirements accompanied by a quota, the industry stakeholders have met <keyword id="296566" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="it-ministry" source="Orion">IT Ministry</keyword> officials to seek solutions on the matter. The meeting discussed proposed changes, like linking the import of IT hardware to the local manufacturing of a company value and its export value of electronic items, according to sources. The meeting on Friday was called to give suggestions on how the proposed import management system should work and get the stakeholders' feedback. Another meeting is likely to happen again next week to continue discussions on the issue. Last month, the <keyword id="7825659" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india-cellular-and-electronics-association" source="Orion">India Cellular and Electronics Association</keyword> (<keyword id="6816005" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="icea" source="Orion">ICEA</keyword>) wrote to the IT Ministry, requesting the government to rethink its decision on import licensing requirement accompanied by a quota, which was extended by 3 months until October 31, fearing that this may lead to price rise in consumer electronics products as companies are not yet prepared for manufacturing PCs, laptops and servers domestically at scale. The letter said that an overarching factor that should be taken into consideration in "avoiding supply chain disruption till domestic production ramps up" is that any "reduction in supplies or even an indication will lead to hoarding and market distortion". This, in turn, can push up consumer prices, "which will adversely impact not just key stakeholders such as students, but also those who are the core of growing the digital economy, i.e. start-ups, IT and ITES firms, BPOs". The industry seeks at least nine-month breather after the PLI for IT Hardware was launched. "The government may undertake a re-assessment of the investment pipeline and the supply situation before inviting the industry to discuss whether any further policy intervention is needed at that stage. It may be too early to assess the full implication of the new scheme before then," according to the letter. Where servers are concerned, the ICEA has received inputs that companies in that sector seek a relook at their inclusion in the proposed intervention. The Central government earlier deferred its decision to restrict the import of certain categories of laptops and computers until November 1, allowing companies three-months time to import these devices. Post November 1, no entity will be allowed to import laptops, computers, and related items without a license. The PLI 2.0 for IT hardware has garnered applications from 40 companies including global and domestic. The expected incremental production under the scheme is around Rs 3.35 lakh crore. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/g20-leaders-summit-adopts-new-delhi-declaration/articleshow/103535369.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/g20-leaders-summit-adopts-new-delhi-declaration/articleshow/103535369.cms" target="_blank">G20 Leaders Summit adopts New Delhi Declaration</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/g20-summit-pm-modi-announces-launch-of-global-biofuel-alliance/articleshow/103535675.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/g20-summit-pm-modi-announces-launch-of-global-biofuel-alliance/articleshow/103535675.cms" target="_blank">G20 Summit: PM Modi announces launch of Global Biofuel Alliance</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/webstories/from-dream-girl-2-to-tootsie-epic-roles-which-saw-male-actors-crossdress/slidelist/103525812.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/webstories/from-dream-girl-2-to-tootsie-epic-roles-which-saw-male-actors-crossdress/slidelist/103525812.cms" target="_blank">From Dream Girl 2 to Tootsie – Epic roles which saw male actors crossdress</a>

PC manufacturers meet MeitY officials on import curbs, seek solutions

Four years after the unveiling of its consumer electronics brand globally, IT and technology solutions giant <keyword id="20658763" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Acer-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Acer Group" meta.hostid="268" meta.entityid="Acer Group">Acer Group</keyword> has finally announced the entry of <keyword id="20725958" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Acerpure" source="keywords">Acerpure</keyword> in India. "It took time because India is an important market and required special strategy," said Andrew Hou, President of Pan-Asia Pacific Operations at <keyword id="20240684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Acer" source="keywords">Acer</keyword> Group. He was speaking at the launch of the flagship product of its consumer electronics brand - a 65-inch television that promises an immersive viewing experience - in Bengaluru. Acer India's President and Managing Director <keyword id="21727286" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="harish-kohli" source="keywords">Harish Kohli</keyword> said the strategy involved creating a manufacturing ecosystem in India. "Through our collaboration with Indian company <keyword id="20252424" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dixon-Technologies" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Dixon Technologies" meta.hostid="268" meta.entityid="Dixon Technologies">Dixon Technologies</keyword>, we are poised to usher in a wave of locally manufactured products. This partnership embodies our shared vision of fostering economic growth and technological advancement within the nation,"Kohli said. While partnerships with local companies are an India-specific strategy, globally the brand builds on its existing strengths - customer-centric innovations, service access and fostering sustainability, President of Acerpure Inc Stanley Kao said. At the launch, Dixon Technologies Co-founder and Executive Chairman <keyword id="20420375" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sunil-vachani" source="keywords">Sunil Vachani</keyword> and Acer India President and MD Kohli signed the partnership deal. Vachani said Dixon Technologies's goal is to manufacture premium consumer products for both domestic and international markets. Apart from televisions, globally a diverse range of consumer electronics products, including 'air-circulator' fans, water purifiers, hand-held vacuum cleaners, robotic vacuum cleaners, hair dryer and styler, are already available in the market. "The range of products are well received in Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines," said Hou. While Hou said the likely competitors of Acerpure are Dyson and Korean water purifier brand Coway, globally known for their high-end gadgets, Acerpure India Director Vasudeva G said that in India the brand is building on its existing reputation of being affordable even while offering cutting-edge solutions. "For instance, our 'air circulator' fans are AI enabled and can adjust its speed according to the drop or increase in air temperatures," Vasudeva said. The fan starts from Rs 7,490 in India. "Acerpure represents more than just a product launch, it signifies the dawn of a new era in home appliances and consumer electronics with a key focus on 'Make in India'," said Hou. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/motorola-edge-50-fusion-vs-oneplus-nord-ce-4-price-specs-and-features-compared/slidelist/110197390.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/motorola-edge-50-fusion-vs-oneplus-nord-ce-4-price-specs-and-features-compared/slidelist/110197390.cms" target="_blank">Motorola Edge 50 Fusion vs OnePlus Nord CE 4 – price, specs and features compared</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/woman-loses-54-lakh-in-work-from-home-scam-heres-what-it-is-and-how-to-protect-yourself/articleshow/110166963.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/woman-loses-54-lakh-in-work-from-home-scam-heres-what-it-is-and-how-to-protect-yourself/articleshow/110166963.cms" target="_blank">Woman loses ₹54 lakh in work-from-home scam! Here's what it is and how to protect yourself</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/iqoo-z9x-5g-with-120hz-display-6000mah-launched-starting-at-12999/slidelist/110176453.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/iqoo-z9x-5g-with-120hz-display-6000mah-launched-starting-at-12999/slidelist/110176453.cms" target="_blank">iQOO Z9x 5G with 120Hz display, 6000mAh launched starting at ₹12,999</a>

Acer launches its consumer electronics brand Acerpure in India

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Three teachers spoke to Business Insider about their classroom spending for the new school year.</li><li>One teacher spent over $800 in the summer on Amazon purchases for her students.</li></ul>Maegan Driver welcomed her kindergarten students with jellyfish dangling in her classroom and alphabet letters with underwater scenes that spell out "nice to sea you" next to sea creature cutouts on her door.She bought the items for her ocean-themed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/school-classroom-spending-teacher-why-spend-own-money-2023-10">classroom with her own money</a>. Driver said she <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/school-classroom-spending-former-teacher-supplies-decor-books-crafts-2024-7">buys items out of pocket</a> because she wants the students to have a better educational experience and be excited to return each day.Many teachers like Driver <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/school-classroom-spending-elementary-teacher-books-math-class-items-2023-11">spend their own money</a> on their classrooms. A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nestlehealthscience.us/stories/carnation-breakfast-essentials-launches-essentials-wish-list-program-fulfill-teachers">survey</a> of 2,000 elementary school teachers from the Carnation Breakfast Essentials brand conducted by Talker Research in June found that 1 in 5 teachers said they spend over $300 out of pocket on classroom items."I don't like doing it out of my own pocket because I also have children that I also have to buy their school supplies and do things for them," Driver, who works at Trinity Christian Academy in Oklahoma, said. "But at the same time, I want my kids in my classroom to be able to have a fun learning experience, and I want them to love school."<div type="image" title="A photo collage with Maegan Driver giving a thumbs up next to a door in the left image and her classroom in the right image" height="1890" width="3014" msid="113570120" hostid="261" sizebytes="560408"></div>Rebecca Johnson, a seventh-grade teacher in Ohio, also bought decorations and supplies for her students. She spent hundreds of dollars this summer for her Horizon Science Academy Columbus Middle School classroom, including on "Peanuts" posters, clipboards, and containers to store headphones."I think the school gives us everything we need to teach successfully, and they give some of what we want," Johnson said, adding she and her fellow teachers were given $100 each for supplies, as well as getting other financial support when needed.But she wanted to go above and beyond for her students. She said it was her choice to add the additional decorations.<h2 id="f4964251-cd59-4afd-963d-c67064f0619e">Spending on the classroom amid higher prices</h2>While teachers can deduct qualified expenses on their taxes, spending hundreds of their own money for their classrooms could make a dent in their wallets."They, like all of us, are living in a world where the cost of grocery items and all that, household items and gasoline and all of these things are more expensive," Steve Majors, the executive vice president and chief external affairs officer for Teach For America, told Business Insider.Since Driver works at a private school, classroom funding can be limited since it comes from student tuition."I think my school is doing the best they can with what they have to help us with our classroom supplies," Driver said. "It would be nice if they could do more, but that always depends on the number of students we have enrolled."It's not just private and charter school educators who spend their money. <a target="_blank" href="https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/ntps/estable/table/ntps/ntps2021_6801_t12ns">Survey data</a> from previous years show teachers in "traditional" public schools have to spend out of pocket.Yelena Khazan, a first-grade teacher at a public school in Florida serving some low-income families, is excited about what's to come during her first year as a full-time teacher.She organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help buy items for her classroom. $845 of her $2,000 goal had been raised. Khazan said she spent some of her own savings on top of the money from the fundraiser. Documentation shared with Business Insider showed she had spent well over $2,000 for supplies and decorations on Amazon and through other sites. She also bought items at local stores.Khazan said in addition to students bringing in items on their school supply lists, some parents have offered even more support.She spent money on things for her classroom because she wanted to provide her students with what they would need to be successful and because she wanted to create a comfortable environment, given how much time she and her students would be in the classroom."I want them to feel like they can express themselves, they feel emotionally safe, and I want it to be a welcoming environment," Khazan said.<div type="image" title="Yelena Khazan's classroom" height="1536" width="2048" msid="113570121" hostid="261" sizebytes="265852"></div>Majors said that schools in lower-income communities "often are under-resourced" and "their families may not have the means for all the tools that they might need in the classroom."Majors said people who want to support teachers, even if they don't have school-aged children, could see if their school district has a donation fund or if they could drop off school supplies.<h2 id="e771c6ef-a8e9-4a41-9c1f-574dbe4a22fd">What the three teachers bought for their classroom goals and needs</h2>Driver said no one wants to go into a boring classroom, and she bought most of the items in her room. She spent over $800 on Amazon purchases alone this summer for her classroom and school sports she coaches for."I typically have to buy things that sometimes the kids just don't have," Driver said.She said the school helps with archery supplies, one of the sports she coaches, but she bought some items for flag football and basketball. For instance, she bought basketball goggles, a basketball rack, and flag football belts.Some items Driver bought this summer include paint brushes, dot markers, a rug, and musical instruments. She said she also bought a poster that her students can press to learn about the sounds of the alphabet."I'm trying to keep them away from the iPads, but I still want them to be able to learn because all of them are so used to that instant gratification that I was looking for something else to be able to give them that besides an iPad or a tablet," Driver said.Khazan bought books, magnetic tiles, storage and organizational items, and worksheets, among other things. Flexible seating items were also a priority.At the time of the interview, Khazan expected arts and crafts, STEM materials, and printing fees to be the main expenses for the classroom moving forward.Johnson thinks students will be interested in learning and be more likely to take care of her items the more "aesthetically pleasing" her classroom is. She has posters hung up, lamps, and different seating for students to use in addition to standard classroom chairs."I treat that classroom like an extension of myself, and I want it to be aesthetically pleasing," Johnson said. "I want it to be pretty and fun and dynamic looking."Johnson said she typically buys stuff for the classroom throughout the summer. However, her summer spending this year differed from the past."This year, I had applied for one of the assistant principal jobs, and so I kind of held off, and I didn't buy anything, and I didn't prep anything because if I got that job, then I was not going to decorate a classroom, so I didn't want to waste any money," Johnson said.<div type="image" title="Rebecca Johnson's classroom, including desks, posters, and lamps" height="2250" width="3000" msid="113570118" hostid="261" sizebytes="503646"></div>Johnson said she didn't have to buy some things in her room, like the desks, a bookshelf, and her cart of Chromebooks. "Their financial support has to go for those kinds of things; it has to go for the electronics, the internet, the basics of what I need to teach," Johnson said about the school.In addition to the bulletin board provided, Johnson said she creates three more boards "by stapling the paper and the border to the wall. So it looks really colorful and it looks inviting.""A lot of the teachers will walk by and say to me, 'Mrs. Johnson, if I could be a student in your classroom, I don't think I would ever leave,'" she said. "I love that feeling."If you are an educator, email this reporter at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:mhoff@businessinsider.com">mhoff@businessinsider.com</a> to share how much you spent out of pocket for your classroom.

3 teachers who spent up to $2,000 on their classrooms explain what they bought and why it's important

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ukraine recently received its first batch of long-awaited F-16s from its NATO partners.</li><li>A US Air Force squadron had to reprogram the electronic warfare systems on the fighter jets.</li></ul>A US Air Force squadron was tasked with reprogramming the F-16 fighter jets donated to Ukraine so they could battle evolving Russian threats with electronic warfare.The 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron, an element of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, recently worked with the Danish and Norwegian militaries to support the long-awaited delivery of F-16s to Ukraine, the Air Force said on Monday.Denmark and the Netherlands provided Ukraine with its first batch of F-16s, which <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/missiles-on-ukraines-f-16s-hint-at-missions-against-russia-2024-8">Kyiv finally unveiled </a>earlier this month. However, the American-made aircraft's electronic warfare subsystems needed some tinkering to be better prepared for their new threat environment.Electronic warfare <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-electronic-warfare-shows-us-needs-for-future-wars-2024-5">has been a prominent feature</a> of Russia's war against Ukraine, with both sides regularly using it to interfere with enemy weapons systems like precision strike munitions, guided bombs, and missiles, among other things.<div type="image" title="A fighter jet on the ground, its wings covered in camo netting." height="3775" width="5663" msid="112842395" hostid="261" sizebytes="1117486"></div>The extensive employment of such tactics in this conflict has forced both Russia and Ukraine to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/every-trench-ukraine-needs-tools-close-range-electronic-warfare-official-2024-6">find innovative ways</a> to scale up their electronic warfare practices and develop countermeasures.Russia and Ukraine "heavily rely on unfettered access to the electromagnetic spectrum to achieve commander objectives," the 350th, which is located at Florida's Eglin Air Force Base, said in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.350sww.af.mil/News/Display/Article/3884560/dominate-the-spectrum-350th-sww-enables-ew-capabilities-for-ukrainian-f-16s/">statement</a>, adding that "both sides have continuously engaged in EW through techniques such as jamming and spoofing throughout the war to achieve spectrum superiority.""With the third-party transfer of F-16s by Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands to Ukraine, another EW capability is joining the fight for Ukraine," the 350th said. It did not say what that capability is."To effectively integrate the F-16 into the Ukrainian Air Force, its EW subsystems required reprogramming to be effective against evolving Russian threats in the spectrum," the wing said, referring to electronic warfare. "The 68th EWS took this challenge head-on given the urgent priority it represents to the US and our partners."<div type="image" title="Two fighter jets flying side-by-side." height="1201" width="1801" msid="112842391" hostid="261" sizebytes="41698"></div>The squadron first had to learn about the unfamiliar system on the F-16s that were soon to be delivered from Europe, because the US does not have it in its inventory. Denmark and Norway provided data so the Americans could understand the system and how to reprogram it.After gaining an understanding the system and traveling overseas to develop and test it, the 68th verified the different elements so they met the Ukrainians' requirements. Squadron members said working with partner nations paved the way for a successful project."When you're talking about a near-peer conflict, you need all of your coalition partners to operate with the same playbook so you can achieve spectrum dominance," the director of the 68th EWS said in a statement. They were not named."One F-16 with a reprogrammed pod won't achieve air dominance alone, but it may give you a pocket of air superiority for a moment's time to achieve an objective that has strategic importance and impact," the director added, setting expectations for the capability.<div type="image" title="A Ukrainian air force F-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on August 4." height="1933" width="3000" msid="112842398" hostid="261" sizebytes="244994"></div>NATO countries have pledged to send Ukraine dozens of F-16s, giving Kyiv's arsenal of aging Soviet-era aircraft a significant capability boost.However, Ukrainian officials, top US generals, and experts have cautioned that the F-16 won't necessarily be a game-changing platform, as it <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-american-missiles-can-do-ukraine-f-16s-against-russia-2024-7">faces a tough operating environment</a> and Russia's sophisticated air-defense systems.Ukrainian leadership has also said it likely won't have enough fighter jets to make a notable impact. However, with the right weapon configurations, the jet can still be effective for certain offensive and defensive missions.On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed his F-16s <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://united24media.com/latest-news/zelenskyy-ukraine-used-f-16s-to-repel-latest-russian-massive-aerial-attack-1956">were used in combat</a> to shoot down Russian missiles during a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-attack-ukraine-shows-black-sea-fleet-dangerous-despite-losses-2024-8">massive attack</a> the day before.

A US Air Force squadron tinkered with the electronic warfare systems on Ukraine's new F-16s so they could fight evolving Russian threats

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Australia will assist the US in the maintenance of a nuclear-powered submarine for the first time ever.</li><li>The move will help pave the way for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS alliance.</li></ul>In a first, Australia is working alongside the US on nuclear-powered submarine maintenance.It's an important step towards Australia acquiring <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/improved-chinese-nuclear-submarines-could-counter-us-navy-dominance-2024-8">nuclear-powered submarines</a>, a pillar of its partnership with the UK and US to strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific and deter <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-military-china-missile-problem-getting-worse-2024-5">Chinese aggression</a>, a growing challenge.US Indo-Pacific Command first <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3882274/uss-hawaii-ssn-776-joins-uss-emory-s-land-as-39-in-first-ever-nuclear-powered-a/">announced</a> the arrival of the submarine USS Hawaii in Western Australia for a maintenance period late last month, noting the significance of the arrival of the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in the region.INDOPACOM shared that "over the coming weeks, submarine tender USS Emory S. Land will execute several maintenance activities aboard Hawaii. This is the first time Australians have participated in a US submarine maintenance period in Australia."The Australian Navy <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2024-08-22/arrival-uss-hawaii-ssn-776-first-aukus-nuclear-powered-submarine-maintenance-activity-australia">called</a> the work "the most practical demonstration of progress to implement the AUKUS Pathway to date," as Australian personnel conduct hands-on learning and participate in maintenance on the Hawaii.<div type="image" title="US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sitting around a roundtable." height="1333" width="2000" msid="113073084" hostid="261" sizebytes="332280"></div>AUKUS is the trilateral partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US, which focuses on freedom and security in the Indo-Pacific region.One of the partnership's goals is to equip Australia with its own nuclear-powered submarines, which it will eventually purchase from the US. The first steps, though, have been to help acquaint the Australian Navy with maintaining and operating the vessels. The US and UK have been helping with this process.The joint maintenance being done in Australia includes the replacement of an antenna on the Hawaii's sail, an inspection of the underwater towed array and torpedo tube muzzles, and full rigging and preparations."This is an important moment for the Royal Australian Navy," said Rear Adm. Matthew Buckley, the Australian Submarine Agency's Head of Submarine Capability. "For the first time, we have Australians who were trained and certified aboard Emory S. Land using their skills on a US SSN in Australian waters."The AUKUS partnership is not just limited to submarines; the defense pact also includes developments related to electronic warfare, missiles and missile defenses, cyber and space warfare, and artificial intelligence. The US, UK, and Australia achieved a milestone in the latter's development just last month when they employed AI to target enemies in a real-time, simulated battle environment <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-allies-ai-target-enemies-like-would-war-first-time-2024-8">for the first time</a>.<div type="image" title="A Chinese jet passing close to a US military aircraft. The jet is under the wing of the aircraft, closing toward the engine." height="848" width="1631" msid="113073082" hostid="261" sizebytes="25320"></div>AUKUS is widely seen as a way for the US and its allies to strengthen the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region and curb concerning Chinese activities through deterrence.The US and other partners have repeatedly accused China of increasingly aggressive behavior around <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/red-flags-tell-us-when-chinas-ready-to-invade-taiwan-2024-4">Taiwan,</a> as well as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-warships-could-protect-pacific-allys-ships-from-china-admiral-2024-8">maritime</a> territory and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-air-force-harassed-us-ally-aircraft-south-china-sea-2024-8">airspace</a> in the South China Sea, among other regional waterways.The US has made continuous efforts to strengthen its connections in the region through joint military exercises, security assistance, and other projects. For instance, the US and Japan have plans to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-and-japan-teaming-up-to-defeat-hypersonic-missiles-2024-5">develop counter-hypersonic missile defenses</a>. US military leadership has also said that the US could send vessels to escort Philippine ships in the contested waters of the South China Sea.China has called AUKUS "extremely irresponsible," warning that the alliance risks damaging regional peace and prompting an arms race.

A US ally in the Pacific just took an important step toward adding nuclear-powered submarines to its fleet

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) Top consumer electronics companies like HP, <keyword id="6354427" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="apple" source="Orion">Apple</keyword> and <keyword id="28251" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="dell" source="Orion">Dell</keyword> have urged the government to extend the November 1 deadline for the licences required for PCs, laptops and tablets by at least and year, as it will take time to configure and set up manufacturing/assembling units as per new guidelines. In a meeting with the <keyword id="3428254" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ministry-of-electronics-and-information-technology" source="Orion">Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</keyword> (MeitY) officials on Tuesday, also attended by leading industry bodies the <keyword id="18336155" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="manufacturing-association-of-it-hardware" source="Orion">Manufacturing Association of IT Hardware</keyword> (MAIT) and the <keyword id="7825659" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india-cellular-and-electronics-association" source="Orion">India Cellular and Electronics Association</keyword> (ICEA), the tech companies conveyed to the government they need more time to set up manufacturing units in the country, according to sources. According to reports, some 44 companies, including some leading global players, have submitted applications for incentives under the production-linked incentive (PLI) 2.0 scheme for hardware. According to the notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), for clearance of import consignments with effect from November 1, 2023, a valid licence for restricted imports is required. The government has told tech companies that the restrictions are not to ban imports but to promote exports via domestic manufacturing, according to industry representatives who attended the meeting. The <keyword id="6474066" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="economic-times" source="Orion">Economic Times</keyword> was first to report on the development. The Central government earlier deferred its decision to restrict the import of certain categories of laptops and computers until November 1, allowing companies three-months time to import these devices. Post November 1, no entity will be allowed to import laptops, computers, and related items without a license. "Import consignments can be cleared till October 31, 2023, without a licence for restricted imports," the notification said, adding that liberal transitional arrangements will be notified for the import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and servers till October 31. This is a partial reversal from its August 3 order, which had imposed import restrictions on these devices with immediate effect. The Centre has said the restrictions were imposed for security reasons and also for promoting the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission. <ul class="list-img-col"><li><a href="https://photo.iansnews.in/detail/asus-gaming-laptop-321389-id=2670928" target="_blank"></a></li></ul>

Apple, HP Dell  and others seek Nov 1 laptop import restriction deadline extended by a year

<keyword id="19894886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="China" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="China">China</keyword>, <keyword id="19895159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Russia" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Russia" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Russia">Russia</keyword>, Iraq, <keyword id="19908927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UAE" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="UAE" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="UAE">UAE</keyword>, <keyword id="19895045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singapore" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Singapore" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Singapore">Singapore</keyword> are among countries where <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="India" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="India">India</keyword>'s <keyword id="19916774" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="exports" source="keywords">exports</keyword> in the just-concluded <keyword id="19910979" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-year" source="keywords">financial year</keyword> have risen substantially, though with a low base. The other countries in the Top 10 list are the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and South Africa. India's overall exports, merchandise and <keyword id="19896799" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="services" source="keywords">services</keyword> combined, in the just-concluded financial year 2023-24 are estimated to be USD 776.68 billion, largely steady on a yearly basis, commerce ministry data showed on Monday. In a break up, exports of merchandise goods declined 3.1 per cent to USD 437.06 billion, and exports of services rose 4.4 per cent to USD 339.62 billion. Coming to exports in March 2024, merchandise exports declined 0.7 per cent to USD 41.68 billion, and services exports declined 6.3 per cent to USD 28.54 billion. India's overall exports 2022-23 were worth USD 775.87 billion, a growth of over 14 per cent and almost USD 100 billion on a yearly basis. Coming to <keyword id="19933566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="imports" source="keywords">imports</keyword>, India's overall imports in 2023-24 declined 4.8 per cent to USD 854.80 billion. In March 2024, merchandise and services exports declined 5.41 per cent and 2.46 per cent, respectively. Among various steps the government took was to launch a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in varied sectors, including electronic goods, to make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investments, enhance exports, integrate India into the global supply chain and reduce dependency on imports. These seemed to have reaped dividends.

India's exports to China, UAE, Russia, Singapore rose in 2023-24

The government has dropped the permit requirement for untested AI models but emphasised the need to label AI-generated content, according to a latest advisory on <keyword id="19904566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence" source="keywords">Artificial Intelligence</keyword> technology. Instead of permission for AI models under development, the fresh advisory issued by the <keyword id="19966789" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-electronics" source="keywords">Ministry of Electronics</keyword> and IT on Friday evening fine-tuned the compliance requirement as per IT Rules of 2021. "The advisory is issued in suppression of advisory...dated 1st March 2024," the advisory said. It has been observed that IT firms and platforms are often negligent in undertaking due diligence obligations underlined under the <keyword id="19930099" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="information-technology" source="keywords">Information Technology</keyword> (Intermediary Guidelines and <keyword id="20033095" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-media-ethics-code" source="keywords">Digital Media Ethics Code</keyword> ) Rules, 2021, according to the new advisory. The government has asked firms to label content generated using their AI software or platform and inform users about the possible inherent fallibility or unreliability of the output generated using their AI tools. "Where any intermediary through its software or any other computer resource permits or facilitates synthetic creation, generation or modification of a text, audio, visual or audio-visual information, in such a manner that such information may be used potentially as misinformation or deepfake, it is advised that such information created generated or modified through its software or any other computer resource is labelled....that such information has been created generated or modified using the computer resource of the intermediary," the advisory said. In case any changes are made by the user, the metadata should be so configured to enable identification of such user or computer resource that has effected such change, it added. After a controversy over a response of Google's AI platform to queries related to Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword>, the government on March 1 issued an advisory for social media and other platforms to label under-trial AI models and prevent hosting unlawful content. The <keyword id="19959928" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-electronics-and-information-technology" source="keywords">Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</keyword>, in the advisory issued to intermediaries and platforms, warned of criminal action in case of non-compliance. The previous advisory has asked the entities to seek approval from the government for deploying under trial or unreliable artificial intelligence (AI) models and deploy them only after labelling them of "possible and inherent fallibility or unreliability of the output generated". SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/new-ev-policy-elon-musks-tesla-may-soon-enter-india-as-import-taxes-slashed-for-electric-vehicles/articleshow/108527306.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/new-ev-policy-elon-musks-tesla-may-soon-enter-india-as-import-taxes-slashed-for-electric-vehicles/articleshow/108527306.cms" target="_blank">New EV Policy: Elon Musk’s Tesla may soon enter India as import taxes slashed for electric vehicles</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/benq-w5800-home-cinema-projector-launched-in-india-with-a-price-tag-of-6-5-lakh/articleshow/108523671.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/benq-w5800-home-cinema-projector-launched-in-india-with-a-price-tag-of-6-5-lakh/articleshow/108523671.cms" target="_blank">BenQ W5800 home cinema projector launched in India with a price tag of ₹6.5 lakh</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-a35-and-galaxy-a55-launched-in-india-starting-at-30999/articleshow/108512386.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-a35-and-galaxy-a55-launched-in-india-starting-at-30999/articleshow/108512386.cms" target="_blank">Samsung Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 launched in India starting at ₹30,999</a>

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