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The government has officially announced October 1, 2024, as the starting date for <keyword id="23245808" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vivad-Se-Vishwas-2-0" source="keywords">Vivad Se Vishwas 2.0</keyword>, the direct tax dispute resolution scheme. If you're involved in a tax dispute, this scheme might be your chance to resolve it efficiently.<br /><br />Originally introduced during the 2024-25 Union Budget, the scheme is designed to handle <keyword id="22518437" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax-disputes" source="keywords">income tax disputes</keyword> that are currently tied up in appeals. Confirming the news, the <keyword id="19900485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Finance Ministry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Finance Ministry">finance ministry</keyword> said in its notification: "The central government hereby appoints the 1st day of October, 2024 as the date on which the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, 2024 shall come into force."<br /><h2>The scope of the disputes</h2>To give you an idea of the scale, about 2.7 crore direct tax demands are currently being contested, amounting to a staggering Rs 35 lakh crore. These disputes are scattered across various legal forums, and Vivad Se Vishwas 2.0 aims to help clear this backlog.<br />        <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113444994" title="In the long run, rate cut by Fed will be favourable for most US banks: Moody&amp;#39;s" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In her Budget speech, <keyword id="19912360" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister-Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> highlighted the government’s dedication to simplifying taxes and minimising litigation. She said, "The government will continue its efforts to simplify taxes, improve <keyword id="20404572" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="taxpayer-services" source="keywords">taxpayer services</keyword>, provide tax certainty and reduce litigation while enhancing revenues."<br /><h2>Who can avail the scheme?</h2>If you have any pending disputes or appeals, including writs and special leave petitions, whether filed by you or the tax authorities, as of July 22, 2024, you are eligible to take advantage of this scheme. The list of eligible cases includes those pending before the Supreme Court, high courts, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, and Commissioner/Joint Commissioner (Appeals). It also covers cases before the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) and revision petitions awaiting a decision from the Commissioner of Income Tax.<br />        <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113417255" title="Individuals earning over Rs 10 cr rise by 63% in India; financial assets of high net worth individuals to nearly double by 2028" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, the window to decide whether or not to participate in the scheme is limited. As Karishma R. Phatarphekar, Partner at <keyword id="20006170" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Deloitte-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Deloitte India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Deloitte India">Deloitte India</keyword>, said: "Given the limited time window, an informed decision on opting for the scheme should be made promptly." The rules and forms for the scheme are expected to be published "imminently in the coming week."<br /><h2>Success of the original Vivad Se Vishwas</h2>For those who are wondering about the potential impact, the first Vivad Se Vishwas scheme, introduced in 2020, resolved a significant number of cases. More than 1 lakh taxpayers participated, and the government collected about Rs 75,000 crore in taxes. With this track record, the expectations from Vivad Se Vishwas 2.0 are high.<br /><br />With October 1 just around the corner, now is the time to prepare if you are considering resolving your tax dispute through Vivad Se Vishwas 2.0. As the rules and forms are expected shortly, it’s wise to consult your <keyword id="23245810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tax-advisor" source="keywords">tax advisor</keyword> and make a decision soon. This scheme could provide the relief you’ve been waiting for while contributing to a more efficient tax system for all.<br /><br /><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em><br />

New Vivad Se Vishwas 2.0 tax resolution scheme to start on Oct 1 — what you need to know

Shares of fintech firm <keyword id="181441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="One97-Communications" source="Orion">One97 Communications</keyword> -- the owner of <keyword id="19898109" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paytm" source="keywords">Paytm</keyword> brand -- jumped 5 per cent on Thursday morning after the company received the government's approval for downstream investment in wholly-owned subsidiary <keyword id="22960487" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paytm-Payments-Services-Ltd-" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Paytm Payments Services Ltd." meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Paytm Payments Services Ltd.">Paytm Payments Services Ltd.</keyword> The stock climbed 5 per cent to Rs 565 on the BSE. <br /><br /> At the NSE, it surged 4.98 per cent to Rs 564.80. <br /><br /> The company will reapply for a <keyword id="6640986" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="payment-aggregator" source="Orion">payment aggregator</keyword> (PA) licence, a regulatory filing said on Wednesday. <br /><br /> "We would like to inform you that <keyword id="20410230" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PPSL" source="keywords">PPSL</keyword> has received approval from the government of India, <keyword id="156153" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Finance" source="Orion">Ministry of Finance</keyword>, Department of Financial Services, vide its letter dated August 27, 2024, for downstream investment from the company into PPSL. <br /><br /> "With this approval in place, PPSL will proceed to resubmit its PA application. In the meantime, PPSL will continue to provide online payment aggregation services to existing partners," Paytm filing said. <br /><br /> The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had rejected Paytm's PA licence permit application in November 2022 and instructed the company to reapply with Press Note 3 compliance under the foreign direct investment norms. <br /><br /> As per Press Note 3, the government had made its prior approval mandatory for investments from nations that share land borders with India.

Paytm shares jump 5% on receiving government's nod for investment in Paytm Payments Services

<keyword id="19896016" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-Delhi" source="keywords">New Delhi</keyword>: The 54th Meeting of the <keyword id="21275205" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Goods-and-Services-Tax-Council" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Goods and Services Tax Council" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Goods and Services Tax Council">Goods and Services Tax Council</keyword> or GST Council, will be held on 9th September 2024 in New Delhi, the GST Council said in a post on social media platform "X" on Tuesday.<br /><br />On June 22, <keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> Nirmala Sitharaman said that the next meeting of the GST Council will take place in mid to late August.<br /><br />The aim of this meeting will be to discuss the pending issues of the last meeting. The council is expected to discuss rate rationalisation and compliance, among others.<br /><br />The GST Council, consisting of the Union Finance Minister and representatives from all States and Union Territories, was established to make decisions on various aspects of GST, including <keyword id="20452955" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tax-rates" source="keywords">tax rates</keyword>, exemptions, and administrative procedures. It played a crucial role in shaping the GST framework in India.<br /><br />The last meeting of the GST Council was held on 22 June 2024 this year. During the meeting, the council recommended relaxation to taxation, Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims and demand notices.<br /><br />The GST Council proposes exemptions for specific services offered by Indian Railways to the general public, as well as for intra-railway transactions.<br /><br />During the 53rd meeting of the council, it proposed an exemption for specific services offered by Indian Railways to the general public, as well as for intra-railway transactions.<br /><br />The sale of platform tickets and services such as retiring rooms, waiting rooms, cloakroom facilities, and battery-operated car services are now exempt from GST.<br /><br />The 53rd council meeting was marked by several key decisions aimed at easing the compliance burden and providing relief to taxpayers.<br /><br />"Today's <keyword id="20115983" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="GST-Council-meeting" source="keywords">GST Council meeting</keyword> has taken a lot of decisions on trade facilitation, easing compliance burden and relief to taxpayers in terms of compliance easing out," the Finance Minister had said.<br /><br />The GST Council recommended waiving interest penalties on demand notices issued under Section 73 of the GST Act for fiscal years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20.<br /><br />The Council, in its June 22 meeting, approved an extension for availing input tax credit (ITC) on any invoice or debit note.<br /><br />To curb government litigation, the Council has recommended setting monetary thresholds for filing appeals by departments: Rs 20 lakh for the GST appellate tribunal, Rs 1 crore for high courts, and Rs 2 crore for the Supreme Court.<br /><br />In a move to assist small taxpayers, the Council, in its last meeting, extended the deadline for furnishing returns from April 30 to June 30 for the fiscal year 2024-25 and subsequent years.<br /><br />The Council, in its last meeting, recommended the phased rollout of biometric-based Aadhaar authentication for GST registration applicants across India.<br /><br />The Council recommended a uniform GST rate of 12 per cent on all milk cans, regardless of their material (steel, iron, or aluminium), to eliminate disputes.<br /><br />The Finance Minister, during the last GST meeting, reiterated the central government's intent to bring petrol and diesel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework.<br /><br />She highlighted that the groundwork for this inclusion was laid during the initial implementation of GST and emphasized that the decision now lies with the state governments.<br /><br />The central government has long maintained that incorporating petrol and diesel into GST would streamline tax rates and potentially reduce prices for consumers. <br />

54th GST Council meeting to take place on September 9 in New Delhi

Union Finance Minister <keyword id="129243" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="Orion">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on Saturday morning chaired a <keyword id="20255269" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pre-budget-meeting" source="keywords">pre-budget meeting</keyword> with Finance Ministers of all States and Union Territories. The Pre-Budget Meeting is organised by the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Affairs with Finance Ministers of all the States and Union Territories (with Legislature) to take suggestions for the upcoming <keyword id="20387181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2024-25" source="keywords">Union Budget 2024-25</keyword>.<br /><br />Ministers of State along with other stakeholders are participating in the meeting and visuals showed Uttar Pradesh finance minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, and finance minister of Rajasthan Diya Kumari at the Bharat Mandapam venue before the meeting commenced this morning. The Union Finance Ministry had begun consultations on the budget a few days ago with different stakeholders of economy. Sitharaman has met economists, finance and capital market experts and industry bodies.<br /><br />Sitharaman chaired the first pre-budget consultations with leading economists on June 19. The meeting was attended by Union minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, the finance secretary, secretaries of the departments of economic affairs, revenue, financial services and corporate affairs and the chief economic adviser.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Sitharaman will also chair the 53rd <keyword id="19922145" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Goods-and-Services-Tax" source="keywords">Goods and Services Tax</keyword> (GST) Council Meeting scheduled in the second half of the day. This is the first meeting of the <keyword id="19994390" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="GST-Council" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="GST Council" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="GST Council">GST council</keyword> after the formation of the new government.<br /><br />State finance ministers will also be present at the 53rd meeting of the Goods and Services Tax Council. As is the norm, the GST Council gets together to discuss issues pertaining to the GST regime, such as tax rates, modifications to policies, and administrative challenges.<br /><br />The Council is a key player in shaping India's indirect tax system, making sure that it facilitates company and citizen tax relief while also being in line with the country's economic objectives. The information on the agenda of Council meeting is not yet in public domain. However, the decisions and recommendations arising from the 53rd GST Council meeting will be closely watched by various stakeholders, including businesses, policymakers, and the general public, as they have the potential to influence taxation, trade, and overall dynamics.<br /><br />Goods and Services Tax was introduced in the country with effect from July 1, 2017, and states were assured compensation for loss of any revenue arising on account of the implementation of GST as per the provisions of the GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 for five years. Meanwhile, preparation has commenced for the Union budget 2024-25, the first for the third term of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led <keyword id="22141478" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Democratic-Alliance-government" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="National Democratic Alliance government" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="National Democratic Alliance government">National Democratic Alliance government</keyword>.<br /><br />

Union Finance Minister Sitharaman chairs pre-budget meeting with finance ministers of states, UTs; GST Council to meet later today

India's economic engine is roaring, and the job market reflects that optimism. The latest <keyword id="20613906" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Economic-Survey" source="keywords">Economic Survey</keyword> 2023-2024 paints a picture of a growing economy brimming with opportunities, but also cautions of potential roadblocks on the road to success.<br /><br /><h2>Cause for celebration</h2>The good news is plentiful, if the recent Economic Survey tabled by <keyword id="20426375" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Finance-Minister-Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman">Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> is to be believed. The <keyword id="20054242" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="unemployment-rate" source="keywords">unemployment rate</keyword> has dipped to an impressive 3.2% in 2022-23, signifying a more vibrant job market. Increased participation of young people and women in the workforce presents a golden opportunity to leverage India's demographic dividend and achieve greater gender equality. Additionally, a surge in net payroll additions under the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) indicates a healthy rise in formal jobs, offering much-needed security for workers.<br /><br />The government's "Skill India" initiative is gaining traction, with a significant rise in the number of people undergoing skill development programs, the Economic Survey highlighted. This is crucial, as India's burgeoning tech scene, with its skyrocketing number of startups, is creating a wealth of new opportunities that demand a skilled workforce.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111920956" title="FM Nirmala Sitharaman tables Economic Survey 2023-24 in Lok Sabha" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Challenges on the horizon<br /></h2>However, amidst the optimism, there are challenges to navigate. While <keyword id="107950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence" source="Orion">Artificial Intelligence</keyword> (AI) promises to revolutionise industries, it also poses a threat to some existing jobs. The Economic Survey emphasises the need to use technology for collective benefit, advocating against over-reliance on automation.<br /><br />Another significant hurdle is the widening <keyword id="21466653" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skills-gap" source="keywords">skills gap</keyword>. The rapid transformation of the <keyword id="20001119" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="services-sector" source="keywords">services sector</keyword>, marked by the rise of domestic service delivery powered by technology (think online food delivery and home automation) and the diversification of India's services exports beyond traditional sectors like IT, demands a workforce equipped with specialised skills. Areas like Blockchain, Machine Learning, <keyword id="19906883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cybersecurity" source="keywords">Cybersecurity</keyword>, <keyword id="19960489" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cloud-computing" source="keywords">Cloud Computing</keyword>, and Web and Mobile Development are becoming increasingly important.<br /><br />Outdated regulations, particularly those related to land use and restrictions on women's working hours, are further hindering job creation and female labour force participation. Deregulation in these areas is crucial to unlock India's full growth potential, according to the Economic Survey.<br /><br />The report also highlights the need for industry to take the lead in fostering innovation and skill development. Collaboration with academia and revamped vocational education programs are key to bridge the current skill gap.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111922453" title="AI casts huge pall of uncertainty over impact on workers across skill levels: Economic Survey" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Opportunities beyond tech</h2>The Economic Survey identifies promising sectors with the potential to create a significant number of jobs:<br /><br /><ul><li>Agro-processing: This sector can be a major job generator, especially in rural areas.</li><li>Care Economy: The growing demand for elder care and childcare services presents an opportunity for skilled professionals.</li><li>Tourism: While AI might moderate India's services export growth, the report emphasises the importance of the <keyword id="20260982" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tourism-sector" source="keywords">tourism sector</keyword>, which is relatively less skill-dependent, for employment generation. To capitalise on this opportunity, public policy should focus on enhancing the tourism sector's infrastructure and services.</li></ul><h2>Upskilling for the future</h2>India's job market is on an exciting trajectory. But addressing the skills gap, adapting to technological advancements and promoting innovation is crucial. By upskilling the workforce through government and industry collaboration, India can become a high-value partner in areas like cybersecurity and enterprise management.<br /><br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111923191" title="Economic Survey 2024 – industries grow by 9.5%, fueling economic growth to 8.2%" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

Economic Survey 2023-2024 highlights emerging job trends in AI, Cybersecurity, 3D Printing and Web Development

X (formerly Twitter) is experiencing its largest user exodus since <keyword id="6355315" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elon-musk" source="Orion">Elon Musk</keyword> took over in 2022. The tipping point is a perfect storm of political controversy, privacy fears, and discontent with the platform’s new policies, culminating in a dramatic shift of users to alternative platforms like <keyword id="412371" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="bluesky" source="Orion">Bluesky</keyword> and <keyword id="1163500" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="threads" source="Orion">Threads</keyword>.<br /><br />Here’s a breakdown of the recent changes and why they’ve left users saying goodbye to X.<br /><h2>Political backlash</h2>The day after the U.S. presidential election on November 6, X saw over 115,000 account deactivations — the most since Musk's acquisition. Many users were disillusioned by Musk's perceived alignment with newly elected President Donald Trump. Musk's vocal support for Trump during his campaign, coupled with his attendance at Republican rallies, alienated users who once trusted X as a politically neutral platform.<br /><br />One user, Kara Wurtz, said the election was the “final straw.” After eight years on the platform, the finance director from St. Louis decided that X was no longer delivering the content she valued. “Every time I opened it, it would throw things at me that put me in a bad mood,” she said.<br /><br />The political fallout didn’t just affect individuals. Prominent organisations and brands, including <em>The Guardian</em> and former CNN anchor Don Lemon, have also bid farewell to the platform.<br /><h2>New terms of service spark outrage</h2>On November 15, X's updated terms of service came into effect, granting the platform a sweeping global licence to use user-generated content. This includes using posts, photos, and creative works to train artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models.<br /><br />The backlash was immediate:<br /><br /><ul><li>Privacy Concerns: By continuing to use X, users implicitly agree to have their data — personal photos, creative work, and more — used for AI training. Artists and creators fear their intellectual property could be exploited to develop AI tools that might one day replace human creativity.</li><li>Legal Implications: Disputes over the new terms will be handled in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, home to Judge Reed O'Connor, a Tesla investor. This has raised questions about potential bias in legal proceedings related to the platform.</li></ul>Alex Fink, CEO of the AI-powered platform Otherweb, criticised X’s lack of transparency, stating, “Unlike other platforms with vague licensing terms, X removes any ambiguity about its intentions.”<br /><br /><h2>Changes to blocking and safety settings</h2>Safety concerns have also escalated due to alterations in X’s block feature. Users now allegedly receive notifications that even those they block can still view their posts — though they can’t interact.<br /><br />This tweak is particularly alarming for users who have faced harassment on the platform. Many feel their safety is compromised, prompting them to seek refuge in safer alternatives like Bluesky, which saw a surge of 500,000 new users in just one day following the policy updates.<br /><br />Initially developed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Bluesky offers customizable feeds and decentralised control, which many find refreshing. With over 16 million users (and counting), it’s quickly becoming the top choice for X refugees. Threads, Instagram’s text-based app, also surpassed 275 million monthly active users by November, with 15 million new sign-ups last month alone. For many, these platforms represent a chance to escape X’s chaos while reclaiming control over their online experience.<br /><h2>Is Fediverse the future?</h2>Experts believe the exodus from X could mark the beginning of a new era of decentralised social networks. Bluesky, built on a protocol that enables interconnected platforms, is part of the "Fediverse," which could allow users to interact seamlessly across different apps. This shift reflects growing dissatisfaction with centralised platforms that control user data, content visibility, and privacy settings.<br /><br />While Musk touts record-breaking engagement on X, the cracks in the platform’s foundation are evident. Critics warn that X could become a training ground for Musk’s xAI venture, leveraging user interactions to fuel lucrative AI models. Whether X can weather this storm remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the days of Twitter’s broad appeal as a space for open, inclusive dialogue seem to be fading fast.<br />

Mass X-odus: What are the controversial changes on X that are driving users away?

Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> hailed the seven-year journey of <keyword id="19922145" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Goods-and-Services-Tax" source="keywords">Goods and Services Tax</keyword> (<keyword id="19951327" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="GST" source="keywords">GST</keyword>). Quoting a newspaper report, PM tweeted on the social media platform "X" that GST has improved the lives of 140 crore <keyword id="19916609" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indians" source="keywords">Indians</keyword>.<br /><br />"For us, reforms are a means to improve the lives of 140 crore Indians. After the introduction of GST, goods for household use have become much cheaper."<br /><br />The PM also highlighted that after the implementation of GST, the <keyword id="20044873" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="savings" source="keywords">savings</keyword> of the poor and the common man have increased as the GST has reduced <keyword id="20018720" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="taxes" source="keywords">taxes</keyword> on various <keyword id="20447338" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="household-items" source="keywords">household items</keyword> like flour, curd, detergent, etc.<br /><br />He said, "This has resulted in significant savings for the poor and common man. We are committed to continuing this journey of reforms to transform people's lives".<br /><br />The Goods and Services Tax will complete its seven years on July 1, it was implemented in 2017. After its implementation, the tax has reduced on several products and services used by the common man.<br /><br />As per the Central Board of Indirect Tax and Customs, post GST various daily household items have become cheaper. It includes items like flour, television, detergent, hair oil, soap etc.<br /><br />The GST has amalgamated a large number of central and state taxes into a single tax. It also mitigated the ill effects of cascading or double taxation in a major way and paved the way for a common national market.<br /><br />From the consumers' point of view, the biggest advantage is in terms of reduction in the overall tax burden on goods.<br /><br />The Introduction of GST has also made Indian products more competitive in the domestic and international markets owing to the full neutralisation of input taxes across the value chain of production.<br /><br />On June 22, <keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> announced that the next meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is tentatively scheduled for mid-to-late August. The GST Council proposed exemptions for specific services offered by <keyword id="19909154" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Railways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Railways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Railways">Indian Railways</keyword> to the general public, as well as for intra-railway transactions.<br /><br />The GST Council recommended waiving interest penalties on demand notices issued under Section 73 of the GST Act for fiscal years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20. This section pertains to cases not involving fraud, suppression, or misstatement. Taxpayers who pay the full tax amount demanded in the notice by March 31, 2025, will benefit from this waiver.The Council approved an extension for availing input tax credit (ITC) on any invoice or debit note.<br />

Seven years of GST has lowered taxes and improved lives of 140 crore Indians: PM

Earlier this month, <keyword id="19904608" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amazon" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Amazon" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Amazon">Amazon</keyword> made headlines for enforcing a strict <keyword id="20408795" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="return-to-office" source="keywords">return to office</keyword> mandate on employees starting next year. Until now, Amazon employees were required to come to office for three days a week but from next year, the employees will have to work from offices for all five days. The move had sparked backlash from various employees who took to social media to express that they work better in a hybrid or remote setup. <br /><br />Now, at a recent event, <keyword id="19974102" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon-Web-Services" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Amazon Web Services" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Amazon Web Services">Amazon Web Services</keyword> CEO <keyword id="21187658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Matt-Garman" source="keywords">Matt Garman</keyword> talked about the company's <keyword id="23712741" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RTO-mandate" source="keywords">RTO mandate</keyword> and said that if it doesn't work for some employees, they can always "find another company."<br /><br /><h2>"Find another company"<br /></h2><br />Speaking at The Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live event, Garman said that according to him, in-office work plays a critical role in driving innovation and operational efficiency. Citing interactions like impromptu chats in hallways, quick brainstorms on whiteboards, and casual discussions over coffee, he said that in-person collaboration brings advantages that remote settings can’t replicate.<br /><br />However, Garman  also acknowledged that the mandate might not sit well with everyone, and that is okay. He said, “If it’s not for you, then that’s okay – you can go and find another company if you want.” <br /><br />This statement, as per a CNBC report, comes amid internal debate, with many employees voicing concerns about losing the flexibility they’ve become accustomed to, which some say enables them to balance their work and personal lives better. The report adds that around 37,000 employees have joined an internal Slack channel that advocates for <keyword id="20665553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="remote-work" source="keywords">remote work</keyword>.<br /><br />On a related note, Garman had talked about Amazon's new policy over a week back as well. While speaking at an all-hands meeting as per a Reuters report, he had addressed potential concerns from those who might find the mandate challenging. Garman said that while most employees he spoke with supported the change, he recognised it might not suit everyone.<br /><br />"If there are people who just don't work well in that environment and don't want to, that's okay, there are other companies around," he had said and added, "By the way, I don't mean that in a bad way. We want to be in an environment where we're working together."<br /><br /><h2>When Amazon defended its RTO mandate<br /></h2><br />Garman isn't the only Amazon employee who has advocated <keyword id="20294959" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-from-office" source="keywords">work from office</keyword>. A couple of days back, a report in The Information revealed that Beth Galetti, Senior Vice President of People Experience and Tech at Amazon, defended the RTO mandate. <br /><br />Galetti said that younger employees are eager to benefit from in-person mentorship and have been asking to work from office. Speaking at The Information’s Women in Tech, Media, and Finance conference, Galetti explained that many junior staff members expressed a desire for face-to-face interaction with colleagues. She also said that the new policy reflects a return to Amazon’s previous work culture, where there was flexibility for personal matters but office attendance remained the norm.

'Find another company if it doesn’t work for you’: Amazon Web Services CEO on work from office mandate

<keyword id="19898109" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paytm" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Paytm" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Paytm">Paytm</keyword>'s parent company, <keyword id="20253123" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="One97-Communications" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="One97 Communications" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="One97 Communications">One97 Communications</keyword>, declared its Q2FY25 results today, announcing a one-time, exceptional profit of Rs 1,345 crore during the quarter, thanks to the sale of its entertainment ticketing business. The company's PAT (profit after tax) stood at Rs 930 crore. <br /><br />Notably, without this windfall gain, Paytm's finances would still be in red, with the company racking up losses worth Rs 415 crore. Paytm was in red in the year-ago period as well, incurring losses worth Rs 290.5 crore.<br /><br />This windfall profit also improved Paytm's EBITDA by Rs 388 crore on a QoQ basis. <br /><br />The company's revenue also saw a slight uptick of 10.5% quarterly to Rs 1,659 crore, as opposed to Rs 1,501 crore in the previous quarter. But on a year-on-year basis, Paytm's revenue dipped significantly by 34%. The company also announced that it has entered into a DLG (<keyword id="23641220" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Default-Loss-Guarantee" source="keywords">default loss guarantee</keyword>) model for its merchant loans of about Rs 225 crore with SMFG India Credit. Under this arrangement, Paytm will be first in line to take a hit in case of a loss that emerges from borrowers defaulting or skipping their payments. <br /><br />"Following the regulatory framework and the emerging market practice, we see increased willingness from lenders to partner and allocate more capital in the default loss. The DLG model will help to increase disbursements with the existing partners and expand partnerships with new lenders for the loan distribution,” said the company in its earnings release today. <br /><br />The company's revenue from its payment business also inched up 9% on a quarterly basis, along with its revenue from <keyword id="19976433" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-services" source="keywords">financial services</keyword>, which also grew by 34% QoQ. At present, Paytm's total merchant subscriptions stand at 1.12 crore, with the company garnering 3 lakh new merchants during the quarter. <br /><br />During the previous quarter, Paytm's <keyword id="20253122" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gross-merchandise-value" source="keywords">gross merchandise value</keyword> (GMV) also inched up by 5% on a sequential basis, which experts anticipate will continue in the coming quarters, just as India braces for the festive season. <br /><br />Per its release, Paytm aims to achieve <keyword id="23641219" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EBITDA-profitability" source="keywords">EBITDA profitability</keyword> (before ESOPs) by the fourth quarter of this financial year. However, investors remained unimpressed with Paytm's performance, with its share slipping by around 3.96% during the day to trade at Rs 697.20. The stock has a YTD (yield-to-date) of 7.91% during the year.

Paytm declares Q2 results, earns Rs 930 crore as windfall gains by way of sale of ticketing business to Zomato

<ul><li><keyword id="19897349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola-Electric" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ola Electric" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Ola Electric">Ola Electric</keyword> has announced its plans to expand its sales and service infra to 10,000 outlets.</li><li>The company said it plans on reaching this by the end of 2025 and has initiated a network partner programme.</li><li>The programme is aimed at pushing sales into tier-2 and tier-3 cities.</li></ul>Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola Electric on Thursday said it will establish 10,000 sales and service outlets by the end of 2025 to expand its reach across smaller cities and towns.<br /><br />The electric two-wheeler maker said it has initiated a network partner programme aimed at taking EV sales further into tier-2 and tier-3 cities, including urban pockets where EV penetration remains low.<br /><br />Under the initiative, the company has reportedly on-boarded 625 partners to expand its sales footprint across India, it said in a statement.  The company further plans to have 1,000 partners ahead of the festive season this year, it added.<br /><br /><div type="twitter" handle="bhash" handlename="bhash" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1839215479480549447"></div><br />Ola Electric said it aggressively plans to expand its network by on-boarding 10,000 partners, across sales and service, by the end of 2025. This, the company claims will give it an edge over its competitors. The company currently has around 800 company-owned stores, and with the network partner programme, it will have nearly 1,800 sales and service touch points ahead of the upcoming festive season.<br /><br />"Our D2C model has been extremely successful in driving sustainable business growth. The Network Partner Program will further amplify the benefits of our D2C network as it requires limited capital investment from partners and can be scaled up really fast," Ola Electric Chairman and MD Bhavish Aggarwal stated.<br /><br />While the company-owned stores will be the anchors of sales and service network, this programme will be instrumental in expanding the EV footprint deeper into the urban and rural markets, he added.<br /><br />"We will continue to expand and invest in our front-end network to accelerate EV adoption to #EndICEAge, and by the end of next year, will have 10,000 Network Partners across the country," Aggarwal said.<br /><br />Ola Electric sells electric scooters and bikes priced from ₹74,999 to ₹1,99,999.<br /><br />Ola Electric reported a sale of 27,506 units in August 2024, up from 18,749 vehicles sold in August 2023, reporting a 46.7% year-on-year growth. This is however lower than its July 2024 sales of 41,711 vehicles.<br /><br />The sale of <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">electric vehicles</keyword> has slowed down, amid reduced subsidies, an increase in customer issues with the vehicles and more.<br /><br /><em>With inputs from agencies.</em><br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/airtel-is-using-ai-powered-technology-to-block-spam-calls-and-messages/articleshow/113691942.cms">Airtel is using AI-powered technology to block spam calls and messages</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/diffusion-engineers-ipo-quick-review-ipo-gmp-risk-factors-and-more/slidelist/113687580.cms">Diffusion Engineers IPO quick review – IPO GMP, risk factors and more</a><br /><br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/manba-finance-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113667907.cms"><strong>Manba Finance IPO allotment – How to check allotment, IPO GMP, listing date and more</strong></a><br />

Ola Electric plans to expand sales and service infra to 10,000 outlets by 2025-end

<ul class="summary-list"><li>With bonus season coming, BI asked industry insiders what Wall Street's current status symbols are.</li><li>These 10 trends reflect a move away from loud displays of wealth to experiences and personalization.</li></ul><p>With bonus season just a quarter away — big banks like Goldman and JPMorgan typically communicate the numbers in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-goldman-jpmorgan-morgan-stanley-other-banks-will-announce-bonuses-2024-1">early January</a> — Wall Street rainmakers may soon be thinking about what they want to spend this year's extra check on. And though investment bankers may not be quite as ostentatious as in the heyday of the '80s and '90s, there are still plenty of ways they choose to express their wealth and power.</p><p>BI spoke to four industry insiders who have eyes on what's trending at all levels of Wall Street, including a junior banker turned private-equity employee and a personal stylist who dresses managing directors and partners. To be sure, status symbols vary by seniority: what's impressive to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jpmorgan-ryland-mcclendon-oversee-junior-bankers-wellness-80-hour-weeks-2024-9">junior bankers</a> may be cringe to senior MDs, for example.</p><p>That said, everyone seemed to agree that the days of logo-forward purchases and other conspicuous signs of wealth are over — even on Wall Street. The industry's movers and shakers are still into name brands but are leaning into those that exude <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/status-symbol-item-sales-show-quiet-luxury-changing-americana-corporate-2024-9">"quiet luxury."</a> They are also spending money on personalization as well as experiences — think big trips, luxurious secondary homes, and posh sporting events.</p><p>Here are 10 of the top status symbols on Wall Street in 2024.</p><h2 id="5642aec8-1b24-4045-876f-3fadc91a63ac"><strong>Posh sporting events</strong></h2><p>Attendance at exclusive sporting events like the Paris Olympics, the US Open, and Formula 1 races has become a surefire sign of status on Wall Street, insiders told BI.</p><p>Indeed, Bloomberg declared the 2024 Paris Olympics "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-02/wall-street-descends-on-paris-olympics-jpmorgan-citadel-executives-attend?embedded-checkout=true">Summer Davos</a>" for Wall Street in a story that reported sightings of CEOs Ken Griffin of Citadel, David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-succeed-at-blackstone-schwarzman-gray-career-advice-2024-8">Stephen Schwartzman of Blackstone</a>, to name just a few.</p><p>Last month, the US Open in Queens took the spotlight online as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-open-popular-as-tennis-interest-surges-2024-9">the hottest place</a> for New York socialites to see and be seen. And where there are celebrities and influencers, there tend to be Wall Street dealmakers.</p><p>"All my clients went to the US Open," said Jessica Cadmus, a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-streeet-styles-investment-banker-wardrobe-for-women-and-men">personal stylist</a> whose clients are almost exclusively managing directors and partners at finance firms in New York.</p><p>Even junior-level employees said the famous tennis tournament was <em>the</em> place to be to mark the end of summer.</p><p>"I know at least three people in the finance community who were at the Open last night," a young private-equity employee told BI in August after attending the tournament with friends.</p><p>Of course, the most elevated version of this status symbol is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/richest-sports-billionaire-owners-nfl-nba-premier-league-cricket-wealthy-2024-5#10-steve-cohen-1">owning your own sports team</a> — or getting access to private box seats.</p><div type="image" title="Crowd watching the 2024 US Open Tennis Championships in New York City." height="5341" width="8011" msid="113882292" hostid="261" sizebytes="5175806"></div><h2 id="f1c8e1a4-389c-4fae-aa3f-80984327170d"><strong>Home organizers</strong></h2><p>Wall Street executives have no shortage of personal assistants and staff, said Cadmus, because every moment of their time is worth thousands of dollars.</p><p>"Everybody that I work with has at least one person, if not multiple people, in their home all day long attending to X, Y, or Z," Cadmus told BI. "There are assemblies of nannies, home cleaners, and chefs."</p><p>Lately, there has been a new trendy addition to the usual in-home lineup — that of the "home organizer."</p><p>Think Marie Kondo — someone who comes into your home, takes a good look around, and crafts a custom organization plan to make your space user-friendly and effortlessly neat.</p><p>"I would say over the last five years, I've seen people leaning into that sort of service more, and I'd never really seen a ton of that," Cadmus said.</p><p>This person might, for example, put custom inserts for your kitchen cabinets so your Le Creuset pots fit seamlessly. But an organizer tackles just about any space you could conjure up, from a pantry to the coat closet or your kid's playroom.</p><p>"People do want to feel more connected to the items in their home, and they do want to feel a sense that things need to have a purpose and they need to be organized," Cadmus said.</p><h2 id="843bc59e-8506-437f-91ef-333d3d8e2db4"><strong>Zegna sneakers</strong></h2><p>A PR expert who works in the industry said they have seen a trend in one particular shoe recently among very high-ranking execs in the office: Zegna's "triple stitch" sneakers. The leather version (pictured below) costs about $1,300 per pair and come in a ton of colors. An espadrille version of the shoe was also a hot summer pick, this person said, and costs about $1,100.</p><p>Cadmus likes Zegna for men's off-the-rack suits, but for office-friendly sneakers she recommends the Tom Ford nylon and suede sneakers in black and white, which she described as "heavy lifters" for her clients.</p><div type="image" title="Man wearing Zegna triple stitch sneaker." height="1058" width="1410" msid="113882291" hostid="261" sizebytes="135370"></div><h2 id="e65e11f4-c4c8-4313-bfe9-b5642fa8f456"><strong>Big trips and experiences</strong></h2><p>Cadmus has seen a notable uptick in senior bankers going on extravagant and foreign getaways. </p><p>"I feel like the shift, especially with the younger, up-and-coming rising stars is not stuff — it's experiences, it's travel," said Cadmus.</p><p>This is leading to more safari adventures in Africa and, this past summer in particular, family vacations to Costa Rica. To be clear, we're not talking about an all-inclusive Sandals resort situation here. They're highly bespoke, private, and personal trips.</p><p>"Whether it be a Four Seasons or whether it be a super fancy boutique hotel, every bit of the travel is going to be a first-class situation."</p><p>For example, you might have a personal tour guide to take you on adventure experiences away from the throngs of tourists, a chef to cook your family private dinners each night, as well as a personal driver. And when one person at a firm loves a place or experience, it tends to spread like wildfire in popularity.</p><p>"The culture is so strong and the word of mouth is so strong that if one thing or experience is vetted by someone and recommended, that recommendation is golden because everybody has the same sort of expectations," said Cadmus. "Things really get passed from person to person. It's a pretty tight community that way, especially in the bigger banks."</p><h2 id="59f49c7e-9e86-4708-8a6a-820c40beabb8"><strong>Van Cleef necklaces and Cartier bracelets</strong></h2><p>Van Cleef is a high-end jewelry brand, and one type of necklace in particular has taken over the necks of Wall Street women (and the wives of male rainmakers): the Alhambra. It has an unmistakable nickel-sized pendant in the shape of a four-leaf clover, comes in various colors, and, depending on the model, costs about $3,000.</p><p>"I distinctly remember that my first day of banking training there were three or four girls with them on their necks, and I was like, what is that necklace?" said the private-equity junior.</p><p>This person, along with the other insiders who spoke to BI for this story, laughed at the mention of the brand because it has become so ubiquitous. But cliché or not, they agreed the brand has an undeniable presence in investment banking.</p><p>"I think they're sort of perpetual," added Cadmus. "And beyond Wall Street too. It's just kind of a favored wealthy person brand."</p><p>Another popular piece for Wall Street women is the Cartier "love" bracelet — a bangle with the brand's iconic circular screws that sells for $7,350.</p><p>Cadmus loves Cartier as a choice for fine jewelry staples, but for her clients, she often opts for the slightly less popular "Juste un Clou" line.</p><p>"The Love bracelet has been 'the one' for a while now," she said.</p><div type="image" title="cartier love bracelet" height="765" width="1020" msid="113882296" hostid="261" sizebytes="31484"></div><div type="image" title="Woman on street wearing a green and gold Van Cleef &amp; Arpels Alhambra necklace." height="1854" width="2472" msid="113882295" hostid="261" sizebytes="157932"></div><h2 id="54b85fbd-3321-4add-85f4-248311f7bc54"><strong>Personal Jewelers</strong></h2><p>There's another option for those who want more unique pieces: handcrafted jewelry. Cadmus said she has seen an uptick in clients who prefer to have their jewelry customized.</p><p>"A lot of my clients have a jeweler with who we discuss what will be made for them," said Cadmus. "We'll see something, and a lot of times we will riff on that and be like, 'oh, that's cool, but it'd be better with this stone' or, 'I like that necklace, but I would prefer it as a bracelet.' Then we talk to the jeweler, and we have it made."</p><p>Depending on the materials you choose, she said, you can often have items made for 30% to 40% less than designer prices.</p><h2 id="e6b25c55-c06f-44c3-978b-ab654531873f"><strong>Quiet luxury clothing brands</strong></h2><p>"<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-streeet-styles-investment-banker-wardrobe-for-women-and-men">Quiet luxury</a>" is the new protocol for looking chic on Wall Street versus the ostentatious brand flexing of the past. The term refers to wearing pieces that are very high-quality and expensive but don't sport conspicuous logos and aren't necessarily made by household luxury names.</p><p>"The bonuses aren't as outsized as they used to be, and when they are, that's not something your institution really wants you to advertise in any way," Cadmus said. "So there is this quiet rule, and especially with the big MDs, which is just don't be ostentatious about your wealth. It's very frowned upon."</p><p>The private-equity junior agreed. "No guy walks around with a Hermes or Gucci belt," this person said.</p><p>Pop culture phenomena, like the popular HBO TV series "Succession," have put the quiet luxury trend in the spotlight. Leading actor Jeremy Strong wore a coat from the brand Loro Piana (pictured below) in an episode of the show.</p><p>"Loro Piana is probably the preeminent quiet luxury brand," Cadmus said of the label, which she has used for years.</p><p>Other quiet luxury brands Cadmus reaches for when styling clients include Armani and Tom Ford for men and Akris and Max Mara for women. For quiet luxury bags and accessories, Cadmus recommends brands like Hermes, Celine, Bottega Veneta, and Khaite.</p><div type="image" title="Jeremy Strong Succession" height="1152" width="1535" msid="113882299" hostid="261" sizebytes="83210"></div><h2 id="f1c37838-120b-49dc-82ab-a82d9efc4d7c"><strong>Overhauling the homestead</strong></h2><p>Cadmus has also observed an uptick in clients going all out to make their homes truly their own.</p><p>"Most of my clients have apartments that were originally two or three separate apartments that they had renovated to become one," said Cadmus.</p><p>The same goes for their other properties. It's not surprising that high-earners on Wall Street would have second homes (or, in many cases, multiple). But it's not just <em>buying</em> a great place that's a status symbol — it's having a whole team behind every facet of its construction and design, said Cadmus. That means, for example, hiring a renowned architect for the project and a best-in-class interior designer to outfit the home with luxurious furnishings.</p><p>"It's a major production. It's not like, 'Okay, we're just going to snatch this thing up and live in it as is.' It is a major overhaul."</p><h2 id="93455364-2851-41bd-9d67-0fb75739c2e6"><strong>The Hamptons</strong></h2><p>The beach towns of the Hamptons have long been a Wall Street favorite thanks to their proximity to Manhattan. They remain a popular spot for summer trips and second homes, Cadmus said.</p><p>Even juniors tend to rent out homes in Montauk and split the cost to get in on the fun, said a former banking analyst who recently quit. Indeed, in the summer, the train from Manhattan to Montauk is "full of finance people on their phone arguing about a deal and legal docs and clacking on their laptops," added the private-equity junior.</p><p>Nantucket and Cape Cod, according to Cadmus, are also popular but less cliche choices for second-home locations.</p><div type="image" title="Atmosphere at Midsummer Night Drinks Hosted By Lisa &amp; James Cohen at Private Residence on July 20, 2024 in East Hampton, NY." height="2400" width="3600" msid="113882289" hostid="261" sizebytes="915674"></div><h2 id="cb085dd3-e9bc-42d7-aecf-8c8c3569f7b2"><strong>Equinox memberships and personal trainers</strong></h2><p>For young Wall Streeters, having an Equinox membership is par for the course, said the two ex-investment banking analysts.</p><p>Equinox is a "luxury" gym that has "innovative group fitness classes, luxurious spas, and exclusive boutiques," as described on its website. A membership costs hundreds of dollars a month, varying by perks package and location access. The top-tier membership is $500 a month plus a $750 initiation fee.</p><p>There are about 30 Equinox gyms in Manhattan, but "having access to the Equinox Hudson Yards location is a status symbol," said the former analyst who recently quit.</p><p>As BI reported in 2019, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/equinox-membership-prices-reviews-nyc-guide-2019-5#equinox-hudson-yards-expands-equinox-into-the-lifestyle-brand-its-been-trying-to-break-into-48">Hudson Yards location</a> has — among other amenities — views of the Hudson River in nearly every part of the gym, both indoor and outdoor pools, and is complete with its own cafe and bar.</p><p>To be sure, this is a status symbol unique to younger people. Senior bankers don't want to be part of a gym scene, Cadmus said. Among their aforementioned lineup of domestic staff is usually a personal trainer who comes to their in-home gym.</p><p>"Yes, a younger person is going to enjoy that — there are social perks to that. But senior people do not want to be looked at when they're working out," she said. "They want somebody tracking it for them — their progression and all that kind of stuff. It's just totally different."</p><div type="image" title="Equinox Hudson Yards." height="3024" width="4032" msid="113882300" hostid="261" sizebytes="833048"></div>

What screams 'status' on Wall Street? Here's how the movers and shakers of finance are spending their money.

Earlier this week, the death of yet another corporate employee shook the nation. Various other incidents also made headlines last month, where employees of some big companies reportedly died of work pressure. With a rise in such incidents, people are talking about the importance of <keyword id="19901232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-life-balance" source="keywords">work-life balance</keyword> and <keyword id="19956983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mental-health" source="keywords">mental health</keyword> at workplace. <keyword id="20253489" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zoho" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Zoho" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Zoho">Zoho</keyword> CEO and Co-founder <keyword id="19914274" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sridhar-Vembu" source="keywords">Sridhar Vembu</keyword>, in a new interview with PTI, has called for a fundamental shift in how companies treat their employees. <br /><br />In the interview, the entrepreneur warned that organisations pushing their workforce to unsustainable limits will not be able to keep up the pace. He also called for a shift in mindset and said that people are being put in a "very big pressure cooker."<br /><br /><h2>Zoho CEO on putting employees in pressure cooker<br /></h2><br /><keyword id="21154651" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vembu" source="keywords">Vembu</keyword>, who has spent over two decades building Zoho into one of India’s leading tech companies, expressed deep concern over the increasing pressure faced by employees, particularly in large cities. He said that we are creating environments where workers are trapped in a ‘pressure cooker’, referring to the convergence of long working hours, grueling commutes, and the isolation many young professionals experience after migrating from smaller towns.<br /><br />"You already have loneliness, long-commutes, stressful work condition. So, you are throwing people into a very big pressure cooker, and very tragically, some people break, other people are broken," he told PTI. <br /><br />Reflecting on his own experience, Vembu stressed the importance of pacing oneself in order to sustain a long and productive career. “I have been working for 27-28 years, and I hope to work for another 28 if possible. But to do that, I cannot allow myself, or my employees, to burn out,” he explained. He argued that companies prioritising short-term gains at the expense of their workers’ health are doomed to falter in the long run.<br /><br /><h2>What's the solution?</h2>Vembu’s advocacy for a healthier work culture is grounded in his broader vision for corporate India. A long-time proponent of decentralising business operations, he believes that one solution to the high-stress environment is to diversify away from major urban centres. “We bring young people from small towns into big cities, and their first challenge is loneliness. Then, they face commutes that can stretch up to two hours each way, particularly in cities like Bengaluru. It’s no surprise that many feel overwhelmed,” he said.<br /><br />The Zoho chief pointed out that by expanding operations into smaller towns and rural areas, companies can alleviate some of these pressures, allowing employees to stay closer to their homes and communities. This approach, he believes, not only reduces stress but also fosters a more sustainable, human-centric model of growth.<br /><br />Beyond <keyword id="22447710" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="workplace-stress" source="keywords">workplace stress</keyword>, Vembu touched on the role of technology in shaping the future of business. He reiterated his call for tighter regulations on big tech companies, particularly in preventing the monopolisation of digital services. Drawing parallels between email, which is an open standard, and messaging services that are often locked within proprietary ecosystems, he urged the government to push for greater interoperability. “Messaging platforms should not operate in silos. We need standards that prevent monopolies and ensure a level playing field for all,” he remarked.<br /><br />Vembu also praised India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives, calling them a “shining success story” and a model for other nations. He highlighted how India has become a global leader in digital infrastructure, with initiatives such as the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) and the health stack setting new standards for the world to follow.<br />

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