Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<ul><li><keyword id="215177" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="vivo" source="Orion">Vivo</keyword> has allegedly transferred ₹62,476 crore to its parent company in China, in addition to being caught with 2 kilo gold bars in one of its offices.</li><li>The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that Vivo remitted the amount to avoid paying taxes in India.</li><li>The financial watchdog has blocked over a hundred bank accounts of the company.</li></ul>Chinese smartphone maker Vivo is currently in hot waters with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India after the financial watchdog accused the company and its associates in India of violating the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/ed-has-reportedly-raided-44-locations-of-vivo-and-related-firms-across-the-country/articleshow/92672031.cms">conducted raids</a> across 44 premises of Vivo and its associates in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and several other states across the country. The ED has accused Vivo of remitting nearly <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/vivo-reportedly-transferred-nearly-8-billion-to-its-parent-company-in-china/articleshow/92726095.cms">$8 billion</a> to China. Here’s everything that you need to know about the allegations against Vivo. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Vivo has reportedly sent ₹62,476 crore to China to evade taxes" comment="subhead" text="Vivo has reportedly sent ₹62,476 crore to China to evade taxes">Vivo has reportedly sent ₹62,476 crore to China to <keyword id="14399574" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="evade-taxes" source="Orion">evade taxes</keyword></cmsannotation> According to a <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1545016847669415936">report</a> by PTI, the ED has claimed that Vivo has remitted ₹62,476 crore, which is around 50% of its revenue over a five-year period to its parent company in China to avoid paying taxes. "The agency is investigating why Vivo India declared profit as expenditure in its balance sheet and transferred substantial sums of money to China," an official familiar with the matter told <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/exclusive-ed-probes-rs-62000-cr-fund-transfer-to-vivo-indias-chinese-parent-340713-2022-07-07">Business Today</a>. The money laundering case against Vivo was filed by the agency after taking cognizance of an FIR filed by the Economic Offenses Wing of the Delhi Police against a Vivo distributor based in Jammu and Kashmir. The report has claimed that Chinese shareholders of the company have used forged identity documents. The ED has claimed that the identity was forged to launder money using shell companies and “proceeds of the crime” have been sent to China and other businesses to bypass Indian rules. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Two directors flee the country" comment="subhead" text="Two directors flee the country">Two directors flee the country</cmsannotation> A <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/vivo-ed-raids-two-chinese-directors-of-a-related-company-flee/articleshow/92714054.cms">report</a> has also revealed that two Chinese directors of a company related to Vivo fled India after the ED raids. The directors were part of Solan, a Himachal Pradesh-based company that was associated with Vivo. The agency has claimed that the Chinese nationals were made directors of the company using forged documents. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="India blocks over a hundred accounts linked to Vivo" comment="subhead" text="India blocks over a hundred accounts linked to Vivo">India blocks over a hundred accounts linked to Vivo</cmsannotation> As part of its investigation into money laundering violations, the ED has <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-blocks-119-accounts-linked-to-chinas-vivo-in-money-laundering-probe/articleshow/92729778.cms">reportedly</a> blocked 119 bank accounts linked to Vivo. The accounts reportedly have over ₹465 crore. The agency has also seized ₹73 lakh in cash and 2kg gold. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="China calls for a “fair and non-discriminatory business environment”" comment="subhead" text="China calls for a “fair and non-discriminatory business environment”">China calls for a “fair and non-discriminatory business environment”</cmsannotation> After the ED raided Vivo and its associates, a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/china-unhappy-with-vivo-raids-says-frequent-probes-chill-investor-confidence/articleshow/92715136.cms">called</a> for a “fair and non-discriminatory business environment” for Chinese firms in the country. "The Chinese government has always asked Chinese companies to comply with local laws and regulations in their overseas operations and will firmly support Chinese companies to maintain their legitimate rights and interests," Wang Xiaojian counselor and spokesperson, Chinese Embassy in India said in a statement. "The Indian side should act in line with laws and regulations and provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese firms," Xiaojian added. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="India hits back, says Vivo needs to follow the law of the land" comment="subhead" text="India hits back, says Vivo needs to follow the law of the land">India hits back, says Vivo needs to follow the law of the land</cmsannotation> The Indian side has also hit back after the Chinese spokesperson called upon India to provide a non-discriminatory business environment. "Companies that operate here need to follow the law of the land. Our legal authorities are taking steps as per the law of the land. I don't see the case to make comments as such on it," Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson, ministry of external affairs said in a media briefing. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/chinese-smartphone-maker-huawei-comes-under-the-it-departments-scanner-over-tax-evasion/articleshow/92739828.cms">Chinese smartphone maker Huawei comes under the IT department’s scanner over tax evasion</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/exclusive-84-of-the-5551-27-crore-seized-from-xiaomi-india-were-remitted-to-qualcomm-group/articleshow/91560593.cms">EXCLUSIVE: 84% of the ₹5,551.27 crore of the alleged illegal remittance by Xiaomi India were to the Qualcomm Group</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/vivo-reportedly-transferred-nearly-8-billion-to-its-parent-company-in-china/articleshow/92726095.cms">Vivo reportedly transferred nearly $8 billion to its parent company in China</a>

Vivo's offices caught with 2 kilo gold bars after sending ₹62,000 crore back to China – all you need to know on the ED probe

<ul><li>A report has revealed that <keyword id="215177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vivo" source="Orion">Vivo</keyword> reportedly transferred nearly $8 billion (₹62,000 crore) to its parent company in <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="china" source="Orion">China</keyword>.</li><li>The Enforcement Directorate had conducted raids across 44 locations belonging to Vivo and its associates.</li><li>The ED is reportedly investigating the transfer and why the company reported its profits as expenditure.</li></ul>The Enforcement Directorate (ED), the country’s financial watchdog recently <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/ed-has-reportedly-raided-44-locations-of-vivo-and-related-firms-across-the-country/articleshow/92672031.cms">conducted raids</a> across 44 offices belonging to <keyword id="2829414" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vivo-india" source="Orion">Vivo India</keyword> and its related firms, as part of ED’s investigations into violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the Chinese smartphone maker and its associates. According to a <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/exclusive-ed-probes-rs-62000-cr-fund-transfer-to-vivo-indias-chinese-parent-340713-2022-07-07">report</a> by Business Today, Vivo reportedly transferred nearly $8 billion (₹62,000 crore) to its parent company in China over a five year period from 2017 to 2021. "The agency is investigating why Vivo India declared profit as expenditure in its balance sheet and transferred substantial sums of money to China," an official familiar with the matter told Business Today. The above report has revealed that the company’s total turnover during the period was around ₹1.25 lakh crore. This shows it transferred nearly half of its turnover to its Chinese parent, if the reported numbers are correct. The money laundering case against Vivo was filed by ED after taking cognizance of a FIR filed by the Economic Offenses Wing of the Delhi Police against a Vivo distributor based in Jammu and Kashmir. The FIR alleged that Chinese shareholders of the company had forged their identity documents. According to the above report, ED suspects that the identity was forged to launder money using shell companies and “proceeds of the crime” have been sent to China and other businesses to bypass Indian rules. The Press Trust of India in a <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1545016847669415936">tweet </a>citing ED has said the actual amount remitted by Vivo is around ₹62,476 crore. The tweet further added that the amount was transferred to avoid taxes in India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="ED seizes funds, cash and gold from Vivo" comment="subhead" text="ED seizes funds, cash and gold from Vivo">ED seizes funds, cash and gold from Vivo</cmsannotation> <div type="twitter" handle="PTI_News" handlename="Press Trust of India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/826806758513446913/2__zaKJN_normal.jpg" favoritecount="150" retweetcount="31" status="Raids on Vivo: ED seizes funds of Rs 465 crore, Rs 73 lakh in cash and 2 kg gold under anti-money laundering law" createdat="1657195616000" id="1545016511982555136"></div> The Enforcement Directorate has reportedly seized ₹456 crore in funds, ₹73 lakh in cash and 2 kg gold from Vivo under the money laundering act. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Second Chinese smartphone maker to come under the ED scanner" comment="subhead" text="Second Chinese smartphone maker to come under the ED scanner">Second Chinese smartphone maker to come under the ED scanner</cmsannotation> This is the second instance of a Chinese company coming under the scanner of the Indian authorities for remitting money outside India. Earlier, Xiaomi came under the ED scanner for remitting over ₹5,500 crore. A <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/vivo-ed-raids-two-chinese-directors-of-a-related-company-flee/articleshow/92714054.cms">report</a> has also revealed that two Chinese directors of a company related to Vivo have fled India after the ED raids. The two directors were reportedly working for Solan, a Himachal Pradesh-based company that was associated with Vivo. They were allegedly made directors in the company using forged documents. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/ed-has-reportedly-raided-44-locations-of-vivo-and-related-firms-across-the-country/articleshow/92672031.cms">After Xiaomi, Vivo comes under the Enforcement Directorate’s scanner</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/exclusive-84-of-the-5551-27-crore-seized-from-xiaomi-india-were-remitted-to-qualcomm-group/articleshow/91560593.cms">EXCLUSIVE: 84% of the ₹5,551.27 crore of the alleged illegal remittance by Xiaomi India were to the Qualcomm Group</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/china-unhappy-with-vivo-raids-says-frequent-probes-chill-investor-confidence/articleshow/92715136.cms">China unhappy with Vivo raids, says frequent probes 'chill' investor confidence</a>

Vivo reportedly transferred nearly $8 billion to its parent company in China

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has told Delhi High Court through an affidavit that <keyword id="215177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vivo" source="Orion">Vivo</keyword> India indulged in money laundering to destabilise the financial system and challenge the integrity and sovereignty of the country. The affidavit was filed before the Delhi High Court last week. The anti-money laundering agency has said in the affidavit that they were scanning the suspicious financial transactions of 22 firms owned by Hongkong based foreigners and entities. These firms transferred huge money to China. It is also probing a money laundering case against Grand prospect International Communication private limited, a Jammu and Kashmir based distributor of Vivo. The firm was reportedly incorporated on the basis of forged documents and it was claiming to be a subsidiary of Vivo India. The firm used an email peter.ou@vivoglobal.com, indicates connection with Vivo India and it is in record of Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Delhi-based Chartered Accountant firm had helped in incorporating J&amp;K based firm. This firm has been in touch with Vivo India since 2014. The ED has mentioned that Vivo India incorporated 22 firms in different states which allegedly laundered money. The Delhi based CA firm helped Vivo India in incorporating 22 firms. Earlier, Vivo India had said that they were following all rules of the land of India. Chinese smartphone company Vivo's top executives, directors Zhengshen Ou and Zhang Jie, had fled from India via Nepal. In February, the ED initiated a Prevention of Money Laundering case against them on the basis of an FIR lodged with Kalkaji Police Station of Delhi under sections 417, 120B and 420 of IPC, 1860 against Grand Prospect International Communication Private Limited (GPICPL) and its Director, shareholders and certifying professionals etc on the basis of complaint filed by Ministry of Corporate Affairs. As per the FIR, GPICPL and its shareholders had used forged identification documents and falsified addresses at the time of incorporation. The allegations were found to be true as the investigation revealed that the addresses mentioned by the directors of GPICPL did not belong to them, but was a government building and house of a senior bureaucrat. ED has said that out of the total sale proceeds of Rs 1,25,185 crore, Vivo India remitted Rs 62,476 crore. i.e, almost 50 per cent of the turnover is out of India, mainly to China. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/why-is-zomato-share-price-down-today/articleshow/93101975.cms">Zomato tanks 14% wiping out ₹1,000 crore investor wealth – here’s what is happening</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/how-to-calculate-income-tax-on-stock-market-earnings/articleshow/93055335.cms">How to calculate income tax on stock market earnings</a>

ED to Delhi court: Vivo indulged in money laundering, challenged the integrity and sovereignty of the country

<ul><li>Indian authorities prevented Chinese smartphone maker Vivo from exporting 27,000 smartphones worth $15 million for more than a week.</li><li>Chinese state-run publication <keyword id="107898" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="global-times" source="Orion">Global Times</keyword> has said that Indian officials should ensure compliance with laws and regulations, increase transparency, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese mobile phone maker.</li></ul>Amid reports that Indian authorities prevented Chinese smartphone maker Vivo from exporting 27,000 smartphones worth $15 million for more than a week, Chinese state-run publication Global Times has said that Indian officials should ensure compliance with laws and regulations, increase transparency, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese mobile phone maker. Whether this Vivo incident can be well resolved will have a strong demonstration effect on a vast number of other foreign companies, said a commentary in the publication, adding that the issue has once again raised eyebrows among Chinese companies about the <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>n market, given India's growing restrictions and investigations targeting Chinese companies this year. "Relevant departments in India need to further investigate and make clarifications in a timely manner to dispel anxiety among the business community," said the publication. "Vivo, on the other hand, should actively cooperate with relevant departments in India to clarify the actual situation. If the company has received unfair treatment, it should not hesitate to take effective measures to defend its legitimate interests," it added. According to the report, Chinese companies such as Vivo have long contributed to the Indian economy and operate legally. "India's economic growth needs foreign investment. If India uses more unfair practices to aggravate foreign companies' concerns, it will not only hurt the interests of Chinese companies, but the reputation of India's business environment may be irreversibly damaged," claimed the report. According to technology analysts, it will be difficult for India to rid its dependence on <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="china" source="Orion">China</keyword>'s relatively cost-effective mobile phones. India has stepped up its crackdown on Chinese firms over the years. The Indian government is looking into cases of alleged tax evasion by three Chinese mobile companies -- OPPO, <keyword id="2829414" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vivo-india" source="Orion">Vivo India</keyword>, and Xiaomi. The companies were served notices by the <keyword id="58154" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="directorate-of-revenue-intelligence" source="Orion">Directorate of Revenue Intelligence</keyword> (DRI) for duty evasion. India has also banned more than 300 Chinese apps, including Tencent's WeChat and <keyword id="3749909" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="bytedance" source="Orion">ByteDance</keyword>'s TikTok. The country is now bolstering its domestic smartphone and chip manufacturing sector. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-expands-end-to-end-encryption-to-icloud-in-a-bid-to-make-it-safer-for-vulnerable-profiles-like-celebrities-activists-or-journalists/articleshow/96080515.cms">Apple expands end-to-end encryption to iCloud in a bid to make it safer for vulnerable profiles like celebrities, activists, or journalists</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/best-ai-powered-apps-and-websites-that-will-increase-your-work-experience/articleshow/96051415.cms">Here are some free AI-powered apps and tools to try right now</a>

India should protect legitimate rights and interests of Vivo: Chinese state media

<ul><li>The income tax department has extended the deadline for both filing <keyword id="6355828" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax-returns" source="Orion">income tax returns</keyword> as well as tax audit reports.</li><li>This was followed by several requests to delay the deadline because of difficulties faced by the taxpayers due to the prevailing Coronavirus situation.</li><li>Check <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/">Business Insider </a>for constant news and developments.</li></ul>The government has extended the deadline to file income tax returns for assessment year 2021-22 to March 15, 2022 from February 15, 2022. Note that this is for individuals whose books of accounts are required to be audited by a chartered accountant. Under the Income Tax Act, taxpayers are required to get their books of accounts audited if the sales, turnover or gross receipts of business exceed ₹10 crore, while in the case of professionals, the limit is over ₹50 lakh. The deadline to file tax audit reports has been extended to February 15, 2022 from January 15, 2022. This came after industry bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and individuals made a request to extend the deadline. The income tax department tweeted about the extension. <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[ ]]></cdata></div>The notification by the income tax department said that the deadline was extended considering difficulties faced by taxpayers due to COVID-19 in filing tax returns and electronic filing of various audit reports. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/tata-group-to-replace-vivo-as-ipl-title-sponsors-from-this-year/articleshow/88831968.cms">Tata group to replace Vivo as IPL title sponsors from this year</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/check-out-the-new-set-of-restrictions-in-delhi-due-to-the-massive-surge-in-the-covid-19-cases/articleshow/88829541.cms">Delhi to go under stricter curbs amid steep rise in COVID-19 cases – Checkout the new restrictions announced by DDMA</a>

Due date for filing income tax returns extended to March 15, 2022 for individuals whose accounts are to be audited

A parliamentary committee has recommended setting up population-based cancer registries in rural areas to help data-driven and evidence-based policy formulation. It has also suggested raising taxes on tobacco products citing that increasing their market price would make them less affordable. This will result in lower consumption and decrease the risk of tobacco-related diseases, including cancer, the panel said. The <keyword id="46535" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="health-ministry" source="Orion">health ministry</keyword> must pursue with the Department of Revenue to expedite the decision on raising taxes on tobacco products, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare said in its 147th report. It was presented in <keyword id="48510" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="Orion">Rajya Sabha</keyword> on Friday. It said for better policy formulation on cancer treatment and uniform distribution of cancer care, there is an urgent need to have realistic information about the incidence and type of cancers across the country. The committee said that the health ministry should take appropriate steps to persuade state governments to participate in the formulation of the cancer atlas so that the entire Indian population is covered under Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs). This will help in data-driven and evidence-based policy formulation, it said. It suggested that PBCRs can be linked to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to record data of cancer patients to get real-time information on cancer-related illnesses. "The committee has taken note that currently PBCRs cover 16 per cent of the Indian population only. Therefore, it is quite necessary that the National Cancer Registry Programme cover the population of India extensively, in order to have a unified national database for scientific understanding of epidemiology of cancer," the report said. Stressing a robust screening mechanism for cancer, the committee suggested that one day in a month can be fixed for cancer screening. While appreciating the government's impetus on an institutional framework for cancer care and management and financial support for combating cancer, the committee said cancer must be dealt with separately instead of being a part of other lifestyle and non-communicable diseases. It recommended the demerger of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) from the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) to have a better focus on screening, early diagnosis and management of cancer. In its report, the committee said that in all the leftover districts Non-Communicable Diseases (<keyword id="131571" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ncd" source="Orion">NCD</keyword>) clinics should be set up at the earliest and more healthcare professionals be trained for screening of common cancer. The panel highlighted that adequate human resource in cancer centres is crucial for their complete operationalisation and recommended setting up subsidised or free accommodation for patients and their relatives near cancer hospitals. The National Health Authority (<keyword id="672062" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nha" source="Orion">NHA</keyword>) should consider including all types of cancer diagnostic tests under the Ayushman Bharat <keyword id="6524177" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pradhan-mantri" source="Orion">Pradhan Mantri</keyword> Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), it said. It appreciated that in compliance with the committee's recommendations, the NHA has approved the inclusion of diagnostic tests under the AB-PMJAY with respect to breast, cervical and oral cancer. The committee noted that the health ministry has set up the e-Sanjivini Ayushman Bharat-Health Wellness Centre (AB-HWC), where doctor-to-doctor telemedicine services can be delivered through the hub and spoke model. It recommended that this model should be strengthened so that the opinions of experts can be provided to cancer patients in isolated and backward areas. The ministry should instruct National Cancer Grid (<keyword id="1502308" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ncg" source="Orion">NCG</keyword>) officials to explore group negotiation of commonly used high-value cancer drugs with pharmaceutical companies through a transparent central tendering platform to have substantial discounts on cancer drugs. Since the mandate of the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority is to ensure the availability of drugs at affordable prices, the committee reiterated that the pricing of cancer drugs should not be guided by profit as in the case of the other businesses. If it is not possible to reduce the profit margin of such drugs, the government may subsidise it, it said in its report. "The committee feels that the submission made by the Secretary, Department of Pharmaceutical, before the committee that over a period of about eight years or so the actual price increase in the drugs had been only between two to four per cent, does not mean that each manufacturer keeps the price of the drug below 10 per cent, as the mechanism permits them to make the hike up to 10 per cent," the report said. The committee said the government should rationalise the annual price hike limit of cancer drugs from 10 to five per cent in order to rescue poor cancer patients. It also suggested the ministry look at subsidising the healthcare cost for cancer patients and declare radiotherapy service as an essential commodity. The ministry should take the matter on board immediately and declare radiotherapy service as an essential commodity so that patients can get some relief from bearing the high cost of the service, it said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-puts-curbs-on-laptop-and-tablet-imports-heres-how-it-could-impact-you/articleshow/102430014.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-puts-curbs-on-laptop-and-tablet-imports-heres-how-it-could-impact-you/articleshow/102430014.cms" target="_blank">India puts curbs on laptop and tablet imports – here’s how it could impact you</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-sees-a-declines-in-q2-vivo-in-the-lead/articleshow/102417485.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-sees-a-declines-in-q2-vivo-in-the-lead/articleshow/102417485.cms" target="_blank">Indian smartphone market sees a declines in Q2; Vivo in the lead</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-recover-in-july-2023/articleshow/102347978.cms">Electric two-wheeler sales recover after spending June in the pitlane</a>

Parliamentary panel recommends setting up of population-based cancer registries in rural areas

<ul><li><keyword id="1731609" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oppo" source="Orion">Oppo</keyword> has reportedly come under the scanner of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).</li><li>The DRI has detected customs duty evasion of ₹4,389 crore by Oppo.</li><li>The company has reportedly mis-declared the description of items imported by it.</li></ul>Oppo is the latest Chinese smartphone maker to come under the scanner of Indian agencies. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the country’s apex anti-smuggling agency has detected customs duty evasion of around ₹4,389 crore. According to a <a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1841150">release</a> by the Press Information Bureau, the DRI conducted a search operation at Oppo’s offices in the country and the residences of its key management, the agency recovered incriminating evidence that revealed willful misdeclaration in the description of items imported by the company. The items imported by Oppo were reportedly used for the manufacture of mobile phones in the country. The DRI has claimed that Oppo mis-declared the items to avail ineligible duty exemption benefits. It has claimed that the company availed an exemption of ₹2,981 crore. It looks like DRI has a strong case as the senior management of Oppo and domestic suppliers of the company have accepted the submission of wrongful descriptions to the Customs Authorities to evade payment of customs duty. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Oppo sent over ₹1,400 crore to China" comment="subhead" text="Oppo sent over ₹1,400 crore to China">Oppo sent over ₹1,400 crore to China</cmsannotation> Oppo reportedly also remitted a huge amount to China for payment of “Royalty” and “license fee”. The DRI has claimed that Oppo did not add the amount remitted to China in the transaction value of goods imported by them. This allowed the company to further evade customs duty of ₹1,408 crore, bringing the total amount of customs duty evasion to ₹4,389 crore. “After completion of the investigation, a Show Cause Notice has been issued to <keyword id="2034172" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oppo-india" source="Orion">Oppo India</keyword> demanding Customs duty amounting to ₹4,389 crore. The said Notice also proposes relevant penalties on Oppo India, its employees and <keyword id="3513260" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oppo-china" source="Orion">Oppo China</keyword>, under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962”, the PIB release quoted DRI. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Oppo deposits ₹450 crore" comment="subhead" text="Oppo deposits ₹450 crore">Oppo deposits ₹450 crore</cmsannotation> Oppo has reportedly already deposited ₹450 crore as partial differential customs duty short. This means the Chinese smartphone maker will still have to pay ₹3,939 crore in customs duty. “We have a different view on the charges mentioned in the SCN. We believe it's an industry-wide issue many corporates are working on. OPPO India is reviewing the SCN received from DRI, and we are going to reply the notice, presenting our side, and will be working further with the related government departments. OPPO India is a responsible corporate and believes in prudent corporate governance framework. OPPO India will take appropriate steps as may be needed in this regard including any remedies provided under the law," Oppo said in a statement to Business Insider India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Oppo joins Vivo, Xiaomi, and other Chinese smartphone makers" comment="subhead" text="Oppo joins Vivo, Xiaomi, and other Chinese smartphone makers">Oppo joins Vivo, Xiaomi, and other Chinese smartphone makers</cmsannotation> This comes at a time when other Chinese smartphone makers are already under the scanner of Indian agencies for tax evasion, money laundering and other violations. Oppo’s sister company Vivo recently came under the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/ed-has-reportedly-raided-44-locations-of-vivo-and-related-firms-across-the-country/articleshow/92672031.cms">scanner</a> of the Enforcement Directorate after the agency alleged that Vivo <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/vivo-reportedly-transferred-nearly-8-billion-to-its-parent-company-in-china/articleshow/92726095.cms">remitted</a> ₹62,476 crore, which is around 50% of its revenue over a five-year period to its parent company in China to avoid paying taxes. The ED is also investigating Xiaomi over <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/exclusive-84-of-the-5551-27-crore-seized-from-xiaomi-india-were-remitted-to-qualcomm-group/articleshow/91560593.cms">allegations</a> that the company remitted ₹5,551.27 illegally. Huawei also came under the scanner of the Income Tax department after the company <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/chinese-smartphone-maker-huawei-comes-under-the-it-departments-scanner-over-tax-evasion/articleshow/92739828.cms">remitted</a> ₹750 crore as dividends to evade taxes. SEE ALSO: <a>Vivo's offices caught with 2 kilo gold bars after sending ₹62,000 crore back to China – all you need to know on the ED probe</a> <a>After Xiaomi, Vivo comes under the Enforcement Directorate’s scanner</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/vivo-reportedly-transferred-nearly-8-billion-to-its-parent-company-in-china/articleshow/92726095.cms">Vivo reportedly transferred nearly $8 billion to its parent company in China</a>

Oppo comes under DRI scanner for alleged customs duty evasion of ₹4,389 crore

Chinese smartphone maker <keyword id="874458" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="xiaomi" source="Orion">Xiaomi</keyword> on Friday said the ongoing investigations and allegations in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> could take a long period of time to settle, and the company could receive judgments or enter into "settlements that may adversely affect its operating results or cash flows". The company, which registered around 20 per cent drop in its global sales at $10.31 billion in the June quarter (Q2), said that "it is not practical to quantify" related financial effects (of India probes) "at this stage". "The management assessed the aforesaid matters related to <keyword id="2210169" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="xiaomi-india" source="Orion">Xiaomi India</keyword>, taking into consideration opinions from professional advisors and concluded Xiaomi India has valid grounds to respond to the relevant Indian authorities," the group said in its quarterly financial statement. In April, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had said they seized Rs 5,551.27 crore of Xiaomi India, lying in the bank accounts under the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act, in connection with the illegal outward remittances made by the company. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had informed the Rajya Sabha, in the recent Monsoon session, that five cases of customs duty evasion have been registered against Xiaomi India by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). The company said in its quarterly results that since December 2021, Xiaomi India has been involved in various investigations and notifications initiated by relevant Indian authorities including the Income Tax Department, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and the Directorate of Enforcement "in relation to compliance of relevant income tax regulations, custom duties regulations as well as foreign exchange regulations". Xiaomi India further received an order on August 11, "whereby certain of its bank deposits were continued to be restricted, alleging Xiaomi India has inappropriately deducted certain costs and expenses, including purchase costs of mobile phones and royalty fees paid to third parties as well as companies within the Group". The government is looking into cases of alleged tax evasion by three Chinese mobile companies -- OPPO, Vivo India and Xiaomi. A show-cause notice demanding Rs 4,403.88 crore has been served to OPPO Mobiles India Ltd based on an investigation conducted by the DRI. The DRI also detected customs duty evasion of around Rs 2,217 crore by Vivo India. For Chinese enterprises that originally tried to make India an overseas product-processing centre, if it is indeed increasingly difficult and unprofitable to operate in the country, then withdrawing from India is also an available option, state-run Global Times said earlier this month. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/there-is-a-yawning-gap-between-the-confidence-of-consumers-and-businesses/articleshow/93662752.cms">There is a yawning gap between the confidence of consumers and businesses</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/tiktoks-in-app-browser-on-ios-includes-code-that-can-monitor-your-keystrokes-and-taps/articleshow/93662878.cms">TikTok’s in-app browser on iOS includes code that can monitor your keystrokes and taps</a>

Xiaomi is worried that investigations in India might affect it cash flows, operating results

Chinese handset maker <keyword id="1731609" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Oppo">Oppo</keyword> suspended operations at its Greater Noida factory after six of its employees employees tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday. It has no plans to resume operations till the time it completes screening of all 3,000 employees at the plant. The Chinese handset manufacturer, along with others like Vivo, had resumed the operations on Friday after it got permission from the UP government to open up the factory with around 30% of its workforce That's approximately 3,000 out of its 10,000-strong staff in Kasna, Greater Noida. "We have been asked not to come to the factory as six COVID-19 cases have been confirmed at our manufacturing unit in Greater Noida. The company has asked us to stay at home till further notice," an OPPO worker told IANS on the condition of anonymity. The company has sent samples of all employees who have to join work for coronavirus testing. "As an organisation that places the safety of all employees and citizens at the forefront, we have suspended all operations at our manufacturing facility in Greater Noida and initiated the COVID 19 testing for over 3,000 employees, for which results are awaited," Oppo said in a late night statement on Sunday. Oppo said it will only allow employees with negative test results to resume office following all safety protocols. "We are undertaking stringent measures to keep the employees safe and disinfecting the premises," the statement said. (With PTI and IANS inputs) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/lockdown-4-0-india-issues-new-guidelines-allowing-states-to-decide-the-red-green-and-orange-zones/articleshow/75790707.cms">Lockdown 4.0 ⁠— India issues new guidelines allowing states to decide the red, green, and orange zones</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/petrol-and-diesel-get-more-expensive-in-odishapetrol-and-diesel-get-more-expensive-in-odisha/articleshow/75784329.cms">Petrol and diesel get more expensive in Odisha as government hikes value-added tax</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/uber-ride-in-gurgaon-of-driver-seat-in-plastic-goes-viral-on-tiktok-and-instagram/articleshow/75771489.cms">Video of an Uber ride is all the rage on TikTok and Instagram ⁠— the driver got himself a cockpit covered in plastic</a>

OPPO has no plans of opening its Greater Noida factory until all 3,000 employees have been screened for coronavirus

New Delhi, Jan 29 () Smartphone shipments in India grew by 14 per cent to 39 million units in the December quarter, taking the full year growth rate to 8 per cent, according to research firm Canalys.
The Indian smartphone market is expected to grow by 8 per cent to over 160 million units in 2020, the research firm said. 
 Apple - helped by strong growth in sales in the country - managed to secure the sixth spot in the tally, behind Oppo.
"The Indian smartphone market had a slow start to 2019, but finished with a sprint in the last half. The market grew 14 per cent in Q4 2019 with total shipments at 39 million units," the report said. 
For the full year, Indian smartphone market grew by 8 per cent, reaching a total of 148 million smartphones, it added. 
Xiaomi led the market in the last quarter with shipments of 11.2 million units (29 per cent share), followed by Samsung with 8.1 million units (21 per cent share) and vivo with 7 million units and 18 per cent share. realme and Oppo had 12 per cent market share in the fourth quarter.
The report said Apple had registered its best-ever performance in India, "owing to a cheaper iPhone 11, and excitement around its dual and triple cameras". 
It shipped close to 925,000 iPhones in the fourth quarter - a growth of over 200 per cent annually. Its previous best performance was in the third quarter of 2017 when it shipped 890,000 iPhones to India. 
"Apple also finished sixth, behind Oppo, its highest rank in India since Q4 2013. For the full year, Apple shipped 2.0 million iPhones versus 1.6 million in 2018," the report said.
Canalys Analyst Madhumita Chaudhary said while the current slowdown continues to shroud the market with much uncertainty, the end-of-year surge saved the market from an otherwise poor first-half performance. 
"Online sales have been a silver lining, with vendors boosting sell-in to online retailers Flipkart and Amazon via exclusive tie-ups. However, relying exclusively on the online channel proved to be a double-edged sword, especially for Realme, which has seen its sell-in fall as online sales slow after the festive season. But overall, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and Realme had a commendable year," Chaudhary added.
Canalys Research Analyst Adwait Mardikar said vendors' short-term and long-term prospects will depend on government regulation and taxation. 
"Potential lowering of direct tax, that correlates to consumer spending in the short-term, will be a key topic. The long-term roadmap, however, depends on two main factors: telcos, and Make-in-India," Mardikar said. 
Mardikar added that the cash-starved telcos will need a reprieve, either in the form of waivers or increased tariffs, without which telco investments into 5G will likely slow down, making it difficult for vendors to build a case for 5G smartphones. 
"As for Make-in-India, any changes to import duties for parts will be a contributing factor to profitability, thereby affecting OEM product portfolios and pricing. 2020 will be a year in transition for the Indian smartphone market," Mardikar said. SR SR MR
MR

Smartphone shipment in India up 14% in Dec 2019 qtr, to grow by 8% in CY2020: Canalys

Indian Prime Minister <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Narendra+Modi">Narendra Modi</a> is touring the world again to sell the Indian dream. His ‘<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Make+in+India">Make in India</a>’ initiative promises to boost the Indian <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=manufacturing+sector">manufacturing sector</a> from 17% to 25% of India’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=GDP">GDP</a> by 2020. 
 
Around 60 Chinese smartphone companies have invaded the Indian market in the last 2 years. Companies like <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Xiaomi">Xiaomi</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Meizu">Meizu</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Coolpad">Coolpad</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Gionee">Gionee</a> are making it big here. The reason is simple – top-of-the-line features at crazy prices. 
 
However, while a host of Chinese brands are queuing to grab a slice of the world’s largest smartphone market, there are solid reasons why <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Apple">Apple</a> won’t <keyword id="6354869" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="make-in-India">make in India</keyword> no matter how hard NaMo tries. 
 
A closer look at the Indian smartphone market would reveal why: 
 
India’s Mark-sheet: 
 
· Xiaomi joined hands with Foxconn and started to ‘Assemble in India’ since last month (August). 
· Lenovo partnered with Flextronics this August to ‘Assemble in India’. 
· OnePlus is also toying with ‘Make in India’ plans. It is looking to launch an India-special smartphone by end 2015. 
· Meizu plans to manufacture in India with Foxconn. 
· Oppo and Vivo would also ‘Make in India’ by end 2015. 
 
What has worked for Chinese brands? 
While the Chinese smartphone market is slacking, India’s is soaring. Smartphone shipments in China fell by 4% but in India they grew 44%. 
Here’s what has worked for Chinese smartphone brands: 
 
· 2 to 20% subsidies on amount invested 
· Easing FDI (foreign direct investment) regulations 
· Cheaper labour in India (Avg. hourly labour cost Rs. 60.81 in India vs. Rs. 232.65 in China) 
· Closer to a large consumer base 
· 4G enabled smartphones selling like hot cakes, thanks to India’s 4G rollout 
 
What hasn’t: 
· Average smartphone prices lower, i.e. thinner profit margins 
· Upgrade to smartphones relatively slower 
· Competition from Indian brands like Micromax, Lava, Intex and Karbonn that make up 35% of the market 
· Securing land for factories is a pain 
· Taxes aren’t streamlined yet. Sales tax varies from State to state, and ends up raising input cost 
 
Your iPhone questions answered: 
Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about why Apple won’t Make in India answered. 
 
Why can’t Apple Make in India. After all, so many brands are! 
India is a small market for Apple. If there’s no demand, there’s no need to supply more. Simple. Just in case the demand rises suddenly, China is not that far, honestly. 
 
But they can use India as an export hub, right? 
Wrong. India’s poor logistics infrastructure makes transportation inefficient. Only 50% of the country’s roads are paved, and horrible traffic means goods never reach on time. 
 
But iPhones would get cheaper, duh! 
Apple would save around 11% on shipping. If Apple opts to carry that savings to the buyer (which is up to the company, really), iPhones would only get Rs 5,000 less expensive. Not a big deal for the company, or people who can afford its pricey gadgets.

Why Xiaomi will Make in India and Apple won’t

<keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> is consistently being bandied as the next major growth market for all smartphone companies, but there is one company that’s really struggling to crack India. The company in question is the most valuable one in the world -- <keyword id="6354427" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple">Apple</keyword>. According to CounterPoint’s latest report, Apple’s market share has dropped to an all-time low in India, with its share of the smartphone market dropping to below 2%. The problem is a combination of the nature of the Indian smartphone consumer, Indian laws and Apple’s stubbornness. This quarter Xiaomi and Samsung have emerged as the defacto leaders with their combined market share in India pushing 30%. Samsung managed to regain its lead in India with a share of 29%, up from 24% in the previous quarter, as per a report by Canalys. Xiaomi also grew to 28% market share in the country. While Tim Cook has reiterated often that India is a key market for the Cupertino-based giant, Apple has hit a new low in India, which is clearly the most important smartphone market outside of China. Pricing doesn’t allow Apple to compete for market share in India The problem for the company is that India is primarily a sub Rs 15,000 market, while the cheapest <keyword id="6354606" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="iPhone">iPhone</keyword> – the iPhone SE costs Rs 26,000, and runs three-year-old hardware. Apple doesn’t make cheap products because it doesn’t want to be perceived as a mass market smartphone brand. The Indian market is wildly different from the one in the United States, Europe and even China, which is Apple’s favourite market off-late. These markets are dominated by the operators and their contracts, where users can get the latest and greatest iPhone for about the same Rs 15,000 amount, put in as down payment. The space for phones that cost more than Rs 30,000 is just 4% of the Indian smartphone market. And that is commanded by OnePlus, followed by Samsung. Even if Apple were to get 100% market share in the premium space, it would still only command 4% of the market. Even when competing on price, older iPhones like the 6S and 7 lose out to newer phones from companies like OnePlus on both marketing and also technical capability. Indians tend to buy phones on the basis of specifications and even some of the newer models lose out to brands like OnePlus in the premium segment as the iPhone 6S and 7 models are perceived to be inferior. Hardware disadvantage Apple’s hardware disadvantage swells up when one talks about the cheapest iPhone models in this country. Apple simply doesn’t have a product in that price bracket, the sub-Rs 20,000 zone, and that’s the price point where the market for new smartphones is exploding. While the cheapest iPhone, the SE, costs Rs 26,000, it’s not the best selling iPhone here. It is the iPhone 6, which first popped up in 2014...and here we are in 2018. There are two reasons for this -- first, the iPhone 6 has a bigger screen (4.7-inch) which is more to the liking of Indian users; and second, design-wise, it’s not too dissimilar from the iPhone 8 which came out at the fag end of 2017. With the entry of Reliance Jio in India in late 2016, Indians have developed a voracious appetite for consuming video on the go. The iPhone SE, which uses the design of the iPhone 5 and 5S, has a rather small 4-inch screen. Newer phones like the Redmi Note 5 have much larger 5.99-inch screens. That’s a difference of 2-inches and considering mobile video, it's a huge one. The iPhone SE and iPhone 6, which are the two cheapest iPhones in India also have dated cameras. Nowadays, phones like the Honor 9 Lite and Redmi Note 5 Pro also offer dual cameras with an iPhone X-like bokeh mode -- something these older, cheaper iPhones can’t hope to match. Network conditions in India are often quite poor, connectivity wise, which results in smartphones consuming more battery. Apple’s iPhones have never been known for battery life. The most affordable iPhone in India (iPhone SE) has a meagre 1,624mAh battery, while phones half its price are pushing battery packs that are more than double the size. iPhones also don’t offer hardware features that are popular in emerging markets like ours. For instance, there is no support for dual SIM cards, and there is no support for expandable memory. With newer models like the iPhone 7, iPhone 8 and iPhone X, there isn’t even a headphone jack -- something competitors like Samsung and OnePlus are providing to customers in the premium segment. Apple hasn’t been able to push its design as a premium advantage either, as Chinese smartphone manufacturers have aped iPhone-like designs on almost all their phones. In fact, the design of the iPhone X has been democratised by Chinese smartphone makers. For instance, the iPhone X-style notch display can be found even on new phones like the Honor 9N that starts at just Rs 13,999 while offering dual cameras on not only the back but also for selfies, and also providing a battery that’s almost twice as big as the iPhone SE. Even their software is designed in a way that Android looks more like iOS. Android modifications from vendors like <keyword id="6357456" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="huawei">Huawei</keyword>, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo follow the same basic iOS-like design language. Software disadvantage It’s bad enough that many Android smartphone makers have designed their software to mimic the look and feel of iOS, but Apple’s problems are compounded by the fact that its own services perform poorly in India or are non-existent. Apple Maps is perhaps the biggest no-show. It doesn’t do turn-by-turn navigation in India and its mapping coverage is abysmal in the country. It is a matter of fact that Apple Maps can’t be used in India as a reliable tool for commuting. Apple Pay isn’t available in India at a time where digital payments are taking off in the country. Paytm and Google’s Tez payments systems are taking off in India massively. Samsung launched Samsung Pay in India last year. Apple Pay is dependent on NFC, while Samsung Pay uses a combination of NFC and magnetic secure transaction (MST), which mimics the magnetic signal a credit or debit card makes to a POS machine. Siri, on most days doesn’t understand the Indian accent as well as the Google Assistant, and nor can it do much. Heck, <keyword id="10387" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Microsoft">Microsoft</keyword>’s Cortana and Amazon’s Alexa do a better job and this is despite the fact that Apple was the first company to deploy a virtual assistant. While Apple’s services hobble on its own trophy -- the iPhone -- its competitors -- Google, Amazon and Microsoft have their services performing better on iOS. For mapping, most people use Google Maps. For search, Google Search becomes the default, and for productivity, Microsoft’s Office crushes Apple’s iWork apps. Rarely, you’re using Apple software on the iPhone in India. Even Apple Music, which is one of the rare examples of an Apple service doing well in the country, has been flanked by local competition like Ganna.com, Jio music, Wynk and Saavn. All of whom have a free tier. On older iPhones, Apple’s iOS updates have also crippled the experience of the iPhone. A couple of years ago, there used to be a strong argument in favour of the iPhone as it would perform well for over two years. Apple’s recent updates have made older iPhones inferior in comparison to newer Android phones that cost the same. Apple is addressing this issue in this year's iOS 12 update, which makes huge performance improvements to older iPhones, but it could be too little too late. The app store also doesn't make life easy for users as it demands a credit card for a user to even download free apps. That's not the case on the Google Play store. Apple has been late in localising services for India The larger issue here is that Apple isn’t localising its services for India in the way it has attempted to for China. This is indicative of the fact that Apple hasn’t taken the time or put enough resources behind localising its services for this country. Samsung and Huawei have R&amp;D centres in India customising services for the market. Xiaomi also prioritises and customises products for India. Apple opened an App Accelerator in Bangalore and a facility for Apple Maps in Hyderabad only in 2016. Google has had software and services being developed out of India since the mid-2000s, while Microsoft has been in India since the early 90’s. This has, in turn, inhibited Apple’s ability to quickly pivot. Its biggest competitor, Google, on a platform level, makes products for India. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said last year, “India shapes how we build products. If something works in India it will work globally.” And this philosophy can be seen in the customisations that Google has made to core services like Android, Maps, YouTube, Search and even payments. Its next billion division has made “Go” editions of Android, YouTube, Search and Maps, which are designed to work better on low power phones and poorer network conditions. They have even invested in KaiOS that powers feature phones like the Jio Phone creating its own versions of YouTube, Google Search and Assistant in India. For Apple to replicate its China success in India, it has to do a lot more than what it did in China. Even in China, Apple’s momentum has slowed so it has a steep slope to climb there as well. In China, Google and Amazon are almost non-existent. In India, they are big players. Apple isn’t able to compete with Google with regards to services. Most people use Google services which are part of all Android phones and one doesn’t need to buy a comparatively expensive iPhone to enjoy them. Apple and the Indian government: Frenemies? Apple hasn’t seen eye to eye with the Indian government for long. Apple expected concessions for manufacturing in India. It never made headway with that. While it lobbied for tax concessions -- brands like Xiaomi, Oppo and Huawei all got on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ programme which grants locally assembled phones some tax concessions. Only recently, Apple has started manufacturing both the iPhone SE and iPhone 6S in India. There are some reports that Apple has locked in a deal with one of its ODM vendors to manufacture even the iPhone X, but that’s not happening right now. The price variance between the iPhone X and the new Samsung Galaxy S9+ is quite startling. The iPhone X tops out at a whopping Rs 1,07,999 while the latest Galaxy S9+ tops out at Rs 69,000 for its top-end model in India. That’s almost a gap of Rs 40,000 which ironically is the cost of the 128GB model of the OnePlus 6 which is currently the best selling smartphone in the premium segment in this country. In the US, the iPhone X costs $1,149 which is around Rs 79,000 and the Galaxy S9+ costs $792 (around Rs 55,000). This points towards the fact that India is the most expensive place to purchase an iPhone and also the fact that Samsung’s phones have a huge price advantage in India that they don’t enjoy even in the US. And a lot of this is due to the fact that the S9+ is assembled in Samsung’s factory in Greater Noida (a satellite town outside New Delhi) which also happens to be the largest smartphone manufacturing plant in the world. The iPhone is further hobbled by the fact that it has an international warranty and India has a bubbling <keyword id="395545" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="grey-market">grey market</keyword>. It’s totally possible for someone to buy an imported iPhone for much lesser than the official price in India and still enjoy global warranty on the product. For years, Apple has been hoping to get permissions to set up its iconic Apple Stores in India. Indian law stipulates that single brand retail can only happen when products use 30% raw materials that are locally sourced -- that’s a hard problem to solve for Apple. That’s led to it selling its phones via resellers who often have discounted products to move inventory, thereby diluting Apple’s premium identity. In order to move more affordable iPhones, the Indian government has also rejected Apple’s plan for selling refurbished iPhones in India. More recently, Apple has been deadlocked in a stalemate with Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in India over the installation of its spam reporting app on the iPhone. The telecom regulator has been reported to be taking extreme steps which could result in the iPhone being blocked from telecom networks in India if Apple doesn’t play ball, but that seems to be changing. An update in iOS 12 could possibly pave the way for an extension in the iMessage app for the TRAI to push out its spam reporting feature. The big takeaway is that Apple’s brand positioning makes its life hard enough in a market where feature phone sales are still growing, however, it hasn’t helped its own cause by not investing in India in a timely manner and also not adopting and partaking quickly enough in initiatives of the Indian government which has put it at a disadvantage with regards to lobbying.

You Searched For "vivo tax case" and got 12 results

Vivo's offices caught with 2 kilo gold bars after sending ₹62,000 crore back to China – all you need to know on the ED probe

Sourabh Jain

Vivo reportedly transferred nearly $8 billion to its parent company in China

Sourabh Jain

ED to Delhi court: Vivo indulged in money laundering, challenged the integrity and sovereignty of the country

IANS

India should protect legitimate rights and interests of Vivo: Chinese state media

IANS

Due date for filing income tax returns extended to March 15, 2022 for individuals whose accounts are to be audited

Bhakti Makwana

Parliamentary panel recommends setting up of population-based cancer registries in rural areas

PTI

Oppo comes under DRI scanner for alleged customs duty evasion of ₹4,389 crore

Sourabh Jain

Xiaomi is worried that investigations in India might affect it cash flows, operating results

IANS

OPPO has no plans of opening its Greater Noida factory until all 3,000 employees have been screened for coronavirus

BI India Bureau

Smartphone shipment in India up 14% in Dec 2019 qtr, to grow by 8% in CY2020: Canalys

PTI

Why Xiaomi will Make in India and Apple won’t

Saikat Pyne

Here’s why the iPhone can’t compete in India

Sahil Mohan Gupta

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides