<ul><li>Union Minister for Commerce &amp; Industry <keyword id="6355222" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="piyush-goyal">Piyush Goyal</keyword> came up with the idea of having a nodal agency.</li><li>The agency will then act as a body for <keyword id="6362513" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups">startups</keyword> where founders can raise tickets regarding issues. </li><li>Goyal had also recently said that India is on track to have 50,000 DPIIT registered startups. Currently, there are 23,252 registered startups.</li></ul>The Indian government is planning to set up a single <keyword id="8180459" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="nodal-agency-for-startups">nodal agency for startups</keyword> to raise their issues and concerns. “In a meeting with TiE Delhi NCR charter members, Union Minister for Commerce &amp; Industry Piyush Goyal himself came up with the idea,” said Deep Kalra, the Founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip, who was also present in the meeting. “We went to him with our laundry list, shared our reports. He asked us to give him some “audacious” suggestions, and we said we will come back with suggestions. Then he said why don’t we have a nodal agency for all startups,” Kalra told Business Insider. Goyal had also recently said that India is on track to have 50,000 DPIIT registered startups. Currently, there are 23,252 registered startups. The agency will then act as a body for startups where founders can raise tickets regarding issues. For long now, the ‘angel’ tax had been one of the pressing concerns of the Indian startup community. The law therin mandated that angel investments should be treated as “income from other sources” if the <keyword id="7849211" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Startup-issues">startup issues</keyword> shares at a price that exceeds the fair market value of the shares. The government has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-removes-angel-tax-for-dpiit-registered-startups/articleshow/70806739.cms">offered some relief</a> but there are many concerns beyond taxation. Startups are often at the burning end of bureaucratic decisions and, often, have to deal with tedious legal processes. “I see startups really hurting. As a young startup, you don’t want to be dealing with policy and government. So, a nodal agency could be very exciting. Just physical incubators from the government won’t cut it. We have to figure out why certain incubators have succeeded and go beyond seed funds,” said Kalra. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-removes-angel-tax-for-dpiit-registered-startups/articleshow/70806739.cms">No Angel Tax for startups registered with DPIIT, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/union-budget-2019-angel-tax-issue-resolved-for-indian-startups-by-nirmala-sitharaman/articleshow/70088296.cms">Budget 2019: Declarations can save Indian startups from angel tax scrutiny</a>

India’s Industry Minister wants a new nodal agency for startups

A Kerala-based startup, Farmers Fresh Zone (FarmersFZ), has been selected for the '<keyword id="71310" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="accelerator" source="Orion">Accelerator</keyword> Programme by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (<keyword id="18639" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="fao" source="Orion">FAO</keyword>) of the UN. FarmersFZ has figured in the list of 12 agri-food startups around the world for the UN body to develop business. The Kochi-based multichannel marketplace platform, which functions under the <keyword id="2917329" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kerala-startup-mission" source="Orion">Kerala Startup Mission</keyword> (KSUM), is one among <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s two startups to qualify for the 'Accelerator Programme'. Its ultimate aim is to attain the <keyword id="3374594" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="un-sustainable-development-goals" source="Orion">UN Sustainable Development Goals</keyword>. KSUM is the nodal agency of the Kerala government for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state. CEO AgriTech D2C P.S. Pradeep will attend the UN function in Rome next month. He said that the UN programme will enable FarmersFZ to present its model before countries across continents. "The model would require alterations based on the nature of the markets in each economy. For that we need funds, which will come through the Accelerator," said Pradeep. FarmersFZ, which bridges the gap between rural farmers and urban consumers by providing healthy, premium-quality and pesticide-free vegetables from fields to the table within 24 hours of harvest, connects more than three lakh consumers and 2,000-plus farmers in Kerala. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/india-gifts-lpg-cylinders-and-stoves-to-underprivileged-in-nepal/articleshow/100790646.cms">Strengthening ties: India gifts 3,000 LPG gas stoves to underprivileged families in Nepal</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/pan-india-drug-trafficking-cartel-using-cryptocurrency-through-dark-net-busted/articleshow/100790847.cms">Pan-India drug trafficking cartel using cryptocurrency through dark net busted</a>

Kochi startup that connects farmers & consumers selected for UN's Accelerator Programme

<ul><li>Ahmedabad-based Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) on Tuesday signed a pact with Bengaluru-based deep tech startup <keyword id="8933665" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="qnu-labs" source="Orion">QNu Labs</keyword>.</li><li>The outcome of the collaboration will help ensure that <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> leads the future of global <keyword id="6518536" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="quantum" source="Orion">quantum</keyword> communication networks, stated a release issued by IN-SPACe.</li><li>India holds the potential to become a world leader in creating Quantum Secure Communication Network, it said, after the MoU was signed in <keyword id="6354321" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="Orion">Bengaluru</keyword>.</li></ul>Ahmedabad-based Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) on Tuesday signed a pact with Bengaluru-based deep tech startup QNu Labs to develop indigenous satellite QKD (quantum key distribution) products. The outcome of the collaboration will help ensure that India leads the future of global quantum communication networks, stated a release issued by IN-SPACe. With satellite QKD capability, India holds the potential to become a world leader in creating Quantum Secure Communication Network, it said, after the MoU was signed in Bengaluru. QKD is an essential technology to ensure security to sensitive information shared among different parties, said Prafulla K Jain, Director (Programme Management and Authorization), IN-SPACe. For a country like India which is witnessing expansion of the space sector, it is crucial to have a robust ecosystem in place for smooth operations without having to compromise any sensitive data, he noted. This technology will be a game changer and can be used to keep secure the exchange of sensitive information across long distances, said <keyword id="168719" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sunil-gupta" source="Orion">Sunil Gupta</keyword>, CEO and co-founder of QNu Labs. He said using quantum technology will reinforce India's scientific leadership and excellence in quantum secure communication, and increase its autonomy in this strategic field. This partnership will help home-grown deep tech startup QNu Labs to be the first-of-its-kind globally to demonstrate QKD network capability covering both terrestrial as well as satellite medium, said Dilip Singh, Chief Product Officer at QNU Labs. IN-SPACe acts as a single-window, independent, nodal autonomous agency of the Department of Space (DOS) for the promotion, enabling, authorization, and supervision of various space activities of non-governmental entities (NGEs). SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-for-india-goes-heavy-on-ai-from-reading-handwritten-prescriptions-to-enhancing-agricultural-capabilities-heres-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/96362495.cms">Google for India goes heavy on AI — From reading handwritten prescriptions to enhancing agricultural capabilities, here’s all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/upcoming-new-games-in-2023/articleshow/95999256.cms">Top upcoming games in 2023: Here’s what PC, PlayStation, and Xbox users should expect</a>

IN-SPACe signs pact with startup to develop indigenous satellite quantum key distribution products

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 8 (): The Kerala StartupMission (KSUM) has planned a series of online mentorshipsessions for startups, in association with industry bodies, ona range of topics to equip them meet the challenges arisingfrom the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.High profile Industry leaders, including those fromTwitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Paytm, are also part of theyear-long webinar series.Startups can ingest ideas from industry stalwarts bytaking part in the free sessions from their convenient places.During this lockdown period, startups are facingdifficulty in meeting and networking with industry heads andget expert advice on various aspects of business such asmarketing, managing funds, investors perspective on thepandemic, business modelling, technical sessions and muchmore, a press release said.The webinars seek to bridge this gap by keepingfledgling entrepreneurs engaged and help the startups learnthe best practices to adopt at the time of crisis.It will also bring in active number of participants thanin the physical assembly of conferences.KSUM is the nodal agency for entrepreneurshipdevelopment and incubation activities in the state. UDVS VS

COVID-19: KSUM to hold webinars for mentoring startups

Kochi, Apr 17 () A startup at Maker Village Kochihas developed a drone supported with artificial intelligence(AI) that can help combat COVID-19 by monitoring bodytemperature, supplying essential commodities and sprayingdisinfectants. The unmanned 'Garud' has been designed andengineered by AI Aerial Dynamics at the Maker Village, claimedto be India's largest electronic hardware incubator and ESDMfacility. The integrated solution was developed fullyleveraging globally-benchmarked labs and equipment besidesproduct development software solutions available at MakerVillage. The indigenously-made drone is highly efficientand effective than those currently imported from othercountries, where the applicable payload is lower than that ofGarud and the option for customization is not possible,officials said here on Friday. Garud can monitor roads and bylanes besidesresidential pockets and aerodromes that have been locked downacross the country since March 25 in an effort to check thespread of coronavirus that is posing a global threat to humanlife. Already, Kerala Police are using the drones toensure the efficacy of the shutdown. Also, the aerial vehicle can collect thermal databy using an array of IR sensors and advanced digitaltechnology called EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSMEvolution), thus working as a means to combat the pandemic,according to a statement issued by the Maker Village. The vehicle can collect swabs and samples ofpeople for the virus test. It has the capacity to carry weight up to 60 kg,thus facilitating distribution of even essential commoditiesif there is an exigency. Further, Garud can feature a modern sprayer whichcan be used to shower disinfectants from above. It has also a loudspeaker for public announcements,according to AI Aerial Dynamics founder-CEO Vishnu V Nath. "Besides the AI-supported engine, the fully-automated Garud has a high-resolution camera, a facility tocarry weight, a micro-sprayer and thermal scanner. The visuals it generates can zoom into specifics withcentimeter-level accuracy.The images it captures will besimultaneously saved in the operating unit on the ground,"Nath said. "If the vehicle loses range or exhausts battery(capacity: 150 minutes), it will fly down to the point oftake-off." The UAV uses a hybrid engine for its flight.The 2016-founded Maker Village, which functionsat the Integrated Startup Complex near here, is a jointinitiative of Union Ministry of Electronics and InformationTechnology and the Government of Kerala with IIITM-K inThiruvananthapuram as the nodal agency. IA Aerial Dynamics is also developing drones forthe NPOL lab of DRDO and other defence establishments. The drone is capable of adapting to requirementssince it has been developed indigenously. "Its capability to fly with a load weighing as muchas 60 kg is one instance of how Garud has an edge over itscounterparts in other countries," Nath added. The UAV, with its high payload, unique platformfor integration of sensors and provisions such as sanitizerand pickup mechanism besides the AI engine, makes the solutiona one-of-its kind in combating the pandemic and similarapplications in disaster management. The vehicle was widely used for relief activitiesduring the flood in the year 2019. A state-of-the-art lab in Maker Village enabled IAAerial Dynamics to conceive and engineer the prototype forGarud, Nath said. "That is how we could so quickly launch the productin the market," he pointed out. Maker Village, which is emerging as the largestand the best deep-tech innovation platform in the country, isimplementing various innovation and entrepreneurshipdevelopment programmes with Ministry of Defence, Department ofScience and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Ministryof MSME, apart from the flagship ESDM scheme with UnionMinistry of Electronics and Information Technology, accordingto the statement. TGB BNWELCOME BNWELCOME

Startup in Kerala develops drone with AI to combat COVID-19

<ul><li>Premji Foundation, <keyword id="6364080" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="binny-bansal">Binny Bansal</keyword> along with SIDBI have led an investment of ₹960 crore in venture debt fund <keyword id="4844054" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Alteria-Capital">Alteria Capital</keyword>. </li><li>This makes Alteria Capital the largest venture debt fund in India. </li><li>Alteria invested in <keyword id="6362513" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups">startups</keyword> like Dunzo, Vogo, Stanza Living, toppr among others.</li></ul>Former Wipro Chairman <keyword id="6419840" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Azim-Premji">Azim Premji</keyword>’s Premji Foundation, Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal along with SIDBI,invested ₹960 crore in the venture debt fund, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/premjis-ngo-bansal-put-rs-960cr-in-venture-debt-co/articleshow/70424468.cms">Alteria Capital</a>. This investment has made Alteria Capital the biggest venture debt fund in the country. According to reports, it is also SIDBI’s single largest investment, as the government nodal agency pumped in as much as ₹160 crore. Alteria Capital was founded by Ajay Hattangdi and Vinod Murali who had earlier led Innoven Capital. The firm has so far invested in hyperlocal delivery startup Dunzo, electric bike startup Vogo, student accommodation startup Stanza Living among others. The firm also placed its bets on cricketer Virat Kohli’s apparel brand Wrogn. Meanwhile, ace entrepreneur and investor Binny Bansal has been on an investment spree. In July, he invested in fashion designer Masaba Gupta’s brand. In June, Bansal sold some of his shares in Flipkart for $76.4 million, according to filings sourced by paper.vc. That leaves him with a residual share of 3.52% in the company he co-founded. He made personal investments too, like in insurtech startup Acko and legal startup Spotdraft amongst others. Interestingly, earlier Bansal for his own fund had raised money from his co-investor in the round for Alteria Capital – Premji Foundation. Bansal formed 021 Capital with his financial adviser Sailesh Tulshan for which he had raised $32 million from Premji Foundation and a few former Flipkart colleagues.

Azim Premji, Binny Bansal join government’s startup fund to invest in Alteria Capital

<ul><li>The latest regulations are an amendment to the Consumer Protection (<keyword id="35621" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="e-commerce">E-Commerce</keyword>) Rules of 2020.</li><li>All e-commerce entities will have to appoint a compliance officer, grievance officer and a nodal contact person.</li><li><keyword id="47183" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="CCI">CCI</keyword> is also looking to launch an antitrust probe in the business practices of both <keyword id="18635" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword> and <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword>.</li></ul> The government of <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> has decided to revise the e-commerce regulations, as offline retailers in the country continue to be dissatisfied with predatory practices of the e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart. According to the new draft regulations by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, e-commerce entities might be prohibited from hosting flash sales. The department of consumer affairs, in the amended policy, defines flash sales as “sale organised by an e-commerce entity at significantly reduced prices, high discounts or any other such promotions or attractive offers for a predetermined period of time on selective goods and services or otherwise with an intent to draw large number of consumers” Notably, organisations like Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) have previously accused Amazon and Flipkart of giving deep discounts and eating into their businesses. The latest amendments to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules of 2020 also bar e-commerce entities from displaying or promoting any misleading advertisements, whether in the course of business on its platform or otherwise. The ministry released the draft on Monday, June 21. Just like the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, which came into force in<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/advertising/brands/news/the-new-consumer-protection-act-2019-provision-for-heavy-fines-and-even-jail-terms-for-misleadings-ads/articleshow/77065225.cms"> July last year</a>, the latest amendments aim to smoothen the grievance redressal process on e-marketplaces. Each e-commerce platform will have to establish an adequate grievance redressal mechanism. These platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, will also have to appoint a Chief Compliance Officer, a Resident Grievance Officer and a nodal contact person in India. <table><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="border-width: 1.5pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(207, 226, 243); padding: 2pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">New draft e-commerce policy proposes new appointments </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1.5pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); vertical-align: bottom; padding: 2pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Appointment </td><td style="border-width: 1.5pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); vertical-align: bottom; padding: 2pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Role </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1.5pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); vertical-align: bottom; padding: 2pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Chief Compliance Officer </td><td style="border-width: 1.5pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); vertical-align: bottom; padding: 2pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Ensuring compliance with the Indian rules and Acts </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1.5pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); vertical-align: bottom; padding: 2pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Resident Grievance Officer </td><td style="border-width: 1.5pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); vertical-align: bottom; padding: 2pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Ensuring redressal of grievances </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1.5pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); vertical-align: bottom; padding: 2pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Nodal Contact Person </td><td style="border-width: 1.5pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); vertical-align: bottom; padding: 2pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Ensuring coordination with law enforcement agencies and officers </td></tr></tbody></table>The e-commerce rules are a combination of the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, Indian Exchange Control Laws (IEC Regulations) and the Information Technology Act of 2000. These guidelines have been set in place to ensure fair play in technology and a data-driven e-commerce environment. The latest amendment to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules of 2020 also states: <ol><li>All e-commerce entities should be registered with the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT).</li><li>E-commerce entities should provide information within 72 hours of receiving an order from a government agency.</li><li>E-commerce entities are barred from manipulating search results and cross selling of products.</li></ol>Cross-selling means sale of goods or services which are related or complimentary to a purchase made by a consumer. Usually e-commerce companies follow these practices to maximise their revenue. Praveen Khandelwal, CAIT’s secretary general, believes that the latest guidelines will purify the e-commerce landscape of the country, “which has been greatly vitiated by various e-commerce global companies to the extent that not only the domestic trade has been damaged, but even the consumers are also feeling the heat of their unethical business practices.” The lobby group has once again<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/amazon-and-flipkart-are-destroying-indias-retail-sector-says-cait-asks-government-to-revise-fdi-policy-in-e-commerce/articleshow/81567283.cms"> accused</a> the foreign funded e-commerce companies like Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart of violating India’s foreign direct investment (<keyword id="44528" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="FDI">FDI</keyword>) policy. Previously, CAIT and All India Online Vendors Association (AIOVA) have accused these e-commerce giants of flouting Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) rules and devoiding the government of goods and services tax (<keyword id="6354679" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst">GST</keyword>) with their deep discounting policy. The accusation made by lobby groups, along with a few media reports, have put e-commerce entities especially Amazon and Flipkart on a tough spot with the Indian government. Not only is the central government scrutinising their actions, but is also looking to amend India’s FDI policy to create a level playing field for local players. The <a href="https://indiacorplaw.in/2019/01/dipps-revised-fdi-policy-e-commerce-changing-rules-game.html">FDI policies</a> for e-commerce prohibit foreign funded e-commerce companies from selling products of the retailers they have a majority stake in, giving preferential treatment to certain sellers and having a control of their inventory. However, the deep discounting practices did raise questions about Amazon’s and Flipkart’s control over its inventory and pricing policies. In addition, India’s competition watchdog Competition Commission of India (CCI) is planning to launch an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/flipkart-and-amazon-have-challenged-cci-decision-to-launch-an-antitrust-investigation/articleshow/83601987.cms">antitrust probe</a> into Amazon’s and Flipkart’s business practices. The antitrust investigation would look into the alleged policy violations and anti-competitive behaviours of both the companies. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/portugals-central-bank-clears-two-crypto-exchanges-for-operations/articleshow/83705548.cms">Portugal’s central bank clears two crypto exchanges for operation</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/after-assam-up-law-commission-proposes-population-control/articleshow/83706798.cms">India’s most populous state is about to take some stringent measures to control population</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/james-murdoch-plans-to-raise-150-million-from-ultra-rich-to-invest-in-indian-startups/articleshow/83709567.cms">James Murdoch plans to raise $150 million from ultra rich to invest in Indian startups</a>

Amazon, Flipkart and other e-commerce platforms may not be able to do flash sales any more, if Indian government has its way

New Delhi, Apr 15 () PGIM India Mutual Fund on Wednesday said it has donated Rs 20 lakh to 'Project Breath of Hope', a unique collaborative effort led by Kerala government to design and produce fully indigenous mechanical ventilators at the cost of just Rs 15,000 per piece.PGIM has provided a financial support of over 10 per cent of the overall cost towards this project to help accelerate the process of production in the first phase, it said in a release.Project Breath of Hope is a collaborative effort of Kerala startup mission -- Kerala government's nodal agency for innovation and entrepreneurship -- the State Health Department, various startups and the super fab labs set up in the state in partnership with the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it added. "Its assistance of Rs 20 lakh at this stage, comprises employee contribution and a matching company grant," PGIM said.Besides, the objective of the project is to design, develop and manufacture 5,000 low cost mechanical ventilators in the next couple of weeks and deploy them in designated hospitals in rural areas. AST SP ANUANU

PGIM MF donates Rs 20 lakh to make indigenous ventilators amid coronavirus pandemic

Ahmedabad, Feb 18 () The Gujarat government onTuesday signed an MoU with State Bank of India (SBI) tofacilitate approval of loans to entrepreneurs in the MSMEsector with ease and within a short time-frame.As per the MoU, the top public sector lender willprovide working capital to entrepreneurs seeking to start newmicro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) within a short time-frame after providing theoretical approval within 15 days ofmaking an application, the government said in a release here.The MoU was signed between principal secretary M K Dasand SBI Ahmedabad circle general manager Ramesh Kumar Agarwal.Within 15 days of making an application, the bank willprovide theoretical approval to the project. Start-ups cansubmit an application on either the MSME portal or to thelocal nodal agencies, it said.The SBI decided to help MSME entrepreneurs in Gujaratlooking at their high recovery rate, said the release.Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, also present at the MoUsigning event, said the number of applications for MSME loanshas increased this year compared to a year ago.Even the experience of banks in terms of loan recoveryhas been very good, he said.The state government had, in October last year,announced that MSME units will no longer be required to takevarious approvals to begin operations for the first threeyears.The government said MSME units exempted from takingapprovals for the first three years, can start operationsafter getting an acknowledgment certificate from the statenodal agency by submitting 'declaration of intent.' KA PDAPRSY RSY

Gujarat govt partners with SBI to facilitate MSME loans

Amid growing concern over rising <keyword id="8785701" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-cases">Covid-19 cases</keyword> in <keyword id="6354953" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="punjab">Punjab</keyword>, Chief Minister <keyword id="6361287" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="amarinder-singh">Amarinder Singh</keyword> on Tuesday ordered restriction on indoor gathering to 100 and outdoor to 200 persons from March 1, along with strict enforcement of mask-wearing and social distancing, with testing to be ramped to 30,000 a day. Chairing a high-level virtual meeting to review the situation, he also authorised the Deputy Commissioners to impose night curfew in hotspots in their districts if needed, with micro containment strategy to be adopted. He directed the <keyword id="11098" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="police">police</keyword> to ensure strict enforcement of wearing of masks, along with notification of Covid-19 monitors by all restaurants, marriage palaces, with the Department of Excise and Taxation to be the nodal agency in this regard. The Chief Minister said a decision on reducing occupancy in cinema halls will be taken after March 1. Private offices and restaurants will be encouraged to display last tests done for all employees, he added. Directing increased testing, Amarinder Singh ordered mandatory testing of 15 contacts per positive, with review to be undertaken by the <keyword id="48418" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Health-department">Health Department</keyword>. The Chief Minister also took stock of the vaccination status, underlining the need to carry out an IEC campaign to promote 100 per cent coverage of healthcare and frontline workers. He directed the <keyword id="6354750" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="health">Health</keyword> Department to plan for a strategise roll-out of vaccine for the elderly population and those with comorbidities. Expressing concern over the 3.23 case fatality ratio, Amarinder Singh took note of the mortality audit findings that many of the deaths are happening within 2-14 days of hospitalisation. He underscored the need for continued supervision of protocols for managing patients with comorbidities, especially in private facilities. Citing cases of some deaths at home, he further directed the Health Department to ensure proper monitoring of home isolation cases, especially those with comorbidities. Apprising the Chief Minister of measures taken by <keyword id="95863" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Punjab-Police">Punjab Police</keyword> to enforce adherence to safety protocols, DGP Dinkar Gupta said instructions have been issued to field officers to strictly impose restrictions. Earlier, in a brief presentation, Health Secretary Hussan Lal informed the meeting that the districts of Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, <keyword id="62595" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="patiala">Patiala</keyword>, SAS Nagar and SBS Nagar had shown a spike in positivity in recent days, triggering concerns over a possible fresh wave in the state. On the vaccination front, he said there had so far been 61 cases of minor adverse events following immunisation, while six severe and 14 serious cases had been reported. All had since recovered, he added. K.K. Talwar, who is heading the state government's expert group on Covid-19, said a detailed analysis was being done on the recent spike in positivity rate, which suggested an increase in cases among young people. At the current rate, the positivity could go up to four per cent in two weeks, translating into 800 cases per day, he said, stressing the need for urgent preventive steps. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/indian-startup-founders-are-wary-of-chinese-investors-prioritise-follow-up-funding-over-term-sheet-conditions/articleshow/81166682.cms">Indian startup founders are wary of Chinese investors, prioritise follow-up funding over term sheet conditions</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/mukesh-ambani-says-he-will-make-batteries-ahead-of-a-boom-in-electric-vehicles/articleshow/81166590.cms">Mukesh Ambani says he will make batteries ahead of a boom in electric vehicles⁠</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/sachin-tendulkar-picks-up-a-strategic-stake-in-edtech-unicorn-unacademy-will-also-develop-a-sports-learning-category-on-the-platform/articleshow/81166377.cms">Sachin Tendulkar picks up a strategic stake in edtech unicorn Unacademy – will also develop a sports learning category on the platform</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heranba-industries-ipo-is-off-to-a-decent-start-heres-why-investment-experts-and-retail-investors-are-excited/articleshow/81169631.cms">Heranba Industries IPO is off to a decent start — Here’s why investment experts and retail investors are excited</a>

Amid worries of Covid-19 surge, Punjab CM orders new restrictions from March 1

<ul><li>The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an advisory in April 2020 calling Zoom unsafe.</li><li>Zoom India Head, <keyword id="9465901" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="sameer-raje">Sameer Raje</keyword>, tells Business Insider that the MHA’s advisory is factually incorrect.</li><li>He explains that Zoom is currently in conversation with the MHA and is hoping for a positive outcome soon.</li></ul>The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released an advisory note on the video-conferencing application Zoom not being safe. Sameer Raje, Head of India at Zoom, told Business Insider that the discussions are progressing quite well. “We expect the MHA to give some positive feedback very soon. We’re at advanced stages of discussion so it should change,” said Raje, explaining that 9-year-old company is sharing any and all prerequisite information that the ministry may need. US-based Zoom has been heavily scrutinised since its popularity boomed in a matter of three weeks from just 10 million participants a day to over 300 million from March to April when news of the coronavirus pandemic broke. The advisory is factually incorrect, says Zoom The <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1615008">MHA</a> asserted that Zoom should not be used by government officers for official use based on an earlier advisory from Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). “Zoom is a not a safe platform and advisory of CERT-In on the same dated 6 February 2020 30 and March 2020 may kindly be referred,” said the ministry in its note. However, Raje points out that CERT-In never actually said that Zoom isn’t safe — it pointed out that Zoom has certain vulnerabilities, as is its responsibility for all applications that are currently in use in India. “Unfortunately, due to the misinformation out there, the MHA released its advisory which is factually incorrect. It is based on the CERT-In advisory citing that Zoom is unsafe to use, but CERT-In never said that,” he explained. India's nodal cybersecurity agency may not have said that Zoom is unsafe but it did point out that there are <a href="https://www.cert-in.org.in/s2cMainServlet?pageid=PUBVLNOTES02&amp;VLCODE=CIAD-2020-0011">multiple vulnerabilities on the platform</a>, which could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges or obtain sensitive information on the targeted system. “If you look at their advisory, nowhere does it say that Zoom is not safe for users. It says that please be secure, upgrade your applications, these are the vulnerabilities reported and these are the fixes,” said Raje. Zoom is working with MHA to change the narrative To Zoom’s credit — since the MHA’s advisory and the multiple incidents of ‘Zoom Bombing’ — it has introduced a number of measures to make the platform more secure like hiding meeting IDs and making it mandatory for schools to set meeting passwords. Earlier this month, Zoom announced that it will begin beta testing free end-to-end encryption for both free and paid users in July. However, there is a catch. End-to-end encryption only works if a person connects to a call using the Zoom client. As a communications platform, Zoom also allows the audio conferring lines to come in — and that’s where the encryption pattern changes, according to Raje. This means that since the call is no longer restricted to the Zoom platform, encryption at that end is not during the app’s purview. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/us-based-zoom-left-stunned-to-see-itself-in-list-of-flagged-chinese-apps/articleshow/76469726.cms">US-based Zoom app left stunned to see itself in list of flagged Chinese apps</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/made-in-india-app-say-namaste-video-conferencing-app-to-take-on-zoom/articleshow/76277547.cms">Say Namaste⁠ — a Mumbai startup is pitching itself as a challenger to Zoom</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/how-to/how-to-ensure-privacy-and-security-while-using-zoom/articleshow/75192771.cms">How to ensure privacy and security while using Zoom</a>

INTERVIEW: Zoom's India head believes he will able to convince the Home Ministry that the app is safe

New Delhi, Apr 18 () From increasing production of personal protection equipment (PPE) kits to manufacturing prototypes of ventilators, defence public sector undertakings and the ordnance factory board have ramped up efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic in the country.These vital institutions of the Department of Defence Production (DDP) under the Ministry of Defence have channelised all their resources, technical knowhow and manpower to help the nation mitigate the deadly virus, officials said.Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru, has set up isolation ward facility with three beds in intensive care unit and 30 beds in wards, the defence ministry said in a statement. In addition, a building with 30 rooms has been readied. In all, the HAL facility can accommodate 93 people.HAL has manufactured and distributed 25 PPEs to doctors in various hospitals in Bengaluru that are authorised to treat COVID-19 patients. It has also manufactured 160 aerosol boxes which have been distributed to various government hospitals in Bengaluru, Mysore, Mumbai, Pune, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the statement added.DPSUs and the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) have assisted civilian administration in fight against COVID-19, the ministry said.Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL), another DPSU, has come forward on the directions of the health ministry to manufacture and supply 30,000 ventilators to ICUs in the country within two months. The design of these ventilators was originally developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and later improved by Skanray, Mysore, with whom BEL has collaborated, it said.BEL is likely to start manufacturing of ventilators between April 20-24. As per the tentative schedule, BEL is expected to manufacture 5,000 units in April, 10,000 in May and 15,000 in June. It is also making efforts to indigenise these components with the help of DRDO, the statement said. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is developing a prototype of ventilator which is likely to be tested and certified by the first week of May before it starts with manufacturing. It is working on this project with the help of a private start-up of Pune, the ministry said.Also, the Ordnance Factory Board, which heads 40 ordnance factories in the country, has started supply of coveralls conforming to ISO class 3 exposure standards. Manufacture of the initial order of 1.10 lakh from HLL Lifecare Limited (HLL) is in full swing and it will be completed in 40 days, it said.Ordnance Equipment Group of factories located at Kanpur, Shahjahanpur, Hazratpur (Firozabad) and Chennai are engaged in manufacturing coveralls. The present production rate is 800 per day and efforts are on to ramp up to a level of 1,500 per day, the statement said.For testing the efficacy of coveralls and masks, it has developed three machines which have been approved by South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) and are to be used in production to maintain the standards. The Ordnance Factory Board has also manufactured 5,870 PPEs which have been distributed to HLL, CMO, Firozabad, besides its own hospitals in ordnance factories, it added.The OFB has also developed special two-metre tents which can be used for medical emergency, screening, hospital triage and quarantine purposes. Ordinance factories are presently producing 7,500 litres of sanitisers against an order of 28,000 litres from HLL, the nodal agency appointed by the Government of India for centralised procurement. The OFB has so far manufactured 1,11,405 masks which include 38,520 three-ply medical masks. These have been distributed to Tamil Nadu Police, district civil and police authorities in Firozabad and Agra, the Cantonment Board Shahjahanpur, the Government of Uttarakhand, the district health officer Shahjahanpur, Military Intelligence, etc, it said. KND DPB

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