Tag: Covid-19

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Finance

Open Digital Ecosystems Have Potential to Contribute Rs 35 Lakh Crore in India by 2030, Around 5.5% of the Projected GDP: Report

ODE (Representational Image) Photo Credits: mygov.in

Mumbai, August 28: Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Indian enterprises are increasingly working on their digital transformation. According to a joint report by investment firm Omidyar Network India and Boston Consulting Group, by 2030,  10 high potential national open digital ecosystems (NODEs) in sectors like health, agriculture and justice has the potential to create Rs 35 lakh crore in India by 2030.

This is expected to be around  5.5 per cent of the projected GDP in 2030, and also generate over Rs 15 lakh crore in savings.  Roopa Kudva, MD, Omidyar Network India said, “India has been a pioneer in the movement to build ‘digital highways.’ We were one of the first developing countries to have a population scale Digital ID initiative, and have built digital payments infrastructure such as UPI.”

The government was able to transfer Rs 37,000 crore directly to the bank accounts of 16 crore citizens using India’s digital infrastructure even during the pandemic. However, Kudva stressed that critical issues like privacy must be taken care of.  ODEs are defined as open and secure digital platforms that enable a community of actors to unlock transformative solutions for society, based on a robust governance framework.

The report envisioned three layers – digital platforms, community and governance – to transform service delivery through ‘Responsible ODEs’. The ODE approach suggests that the government should focus on creating the ‘digital commons’ and enable interoperability between siloed systems.

J Satyanarayana, Advisor, National Digital Health Mission and former chairperson, UIDAI said, “We need to raise the bar from systems-thinking to ecosystems-thinking. Digital ecosystems can evolve faster if we create the right environment, which includes open-standards-based architecture, data policies, collaborative design, and innovation.”

 

Categories
Finance

GST Council Meet: Compensation Gap Stands at Rs 2.35 Lakh Crore for FY 2020-21 Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Centre Places 2 Options Before States

41st GST council meeting. (Photo Credit: PIB)
41st GST council meeting. (Photo Credit: PIB)

New Delhi, August 27: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday chaired the 41st Goods and Services Tax Council Meeting. During the meeting, the council estimated the compensation gap at around Rs 2.35 lakh crore in GST collections due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the press conference, Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey stated that the total shortfall in collection of GST is estimated at Rs 2.35 lakh crore, out of which Rs 97,000 crore is on account of GST shortfall while the rest is due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Following this, the Union Finance Ministry gave the states seven days time to get back on filling the compensation gap of Rs 2.35 lakh crore and hinted brief GST Council meeting soon. The Union Ministry also gave two options for states to fill the compensation gap.

The first includes a special window which can be provided to the states, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, at a reasonable interest rate for the borrowing of Rs 97,000 crore. The amount can be repaid after five years (of GST implementation) ending 2022 from cess collection. While the second option is to borrow the entire Rs 2.35 lakh crore shortfall under the special window.

Apart from this, the Union Ministry stated that it will provide a further relaxation of 0.5 per cent in states’ borrowing limit under Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 (FRBM Act, 2003). With this, states can choose to borrow more, beyond the expected compensation itself, since that is the injury caused by COVID-19.

Among other details, Union FM Revenue Secretary said that there was hardly any GST Collection in April and May. Adding more, he said, “Total GST compensation during April-July 2020 to be paid is Rs 1.5 lakh crores.” The Union Ministry informed that Centre released more than Rs 1.65 lakh crore as GST compensation to states for FY 2019-20, including Rs 13,806 crore for March.

Categories
Motivational Strategy

5 Steps for Newcomer to Build and Grow a Personal Brand Amid COVID-19

Steps to build and grow a personal brand. | File Image
Steps to build and grow a personal brand. | File Image

For a budding professional, the most difficult job is to build and grow a personal brand. This will not only boost his morale but also help his/her in securing a job in the corporate field. However, with pressures mounting with time and firms taking extra precautions in hiring candidates amid COVID-19 pandemic, here are five steps for a budding professional to build and grow a personal brand.

Create a Target Audience:

The first and the foremost step for building a personal brand is to create and make aware the target audience aware of the brand. For this, a well-written CV plays a vital role which should include a career summary, academic information, work experience, languages known, certifications, positions of responsibilities, and achievements.

Following this, post the CV in the right platform like Linkedin where recruiters can notice their prospective candidate. Apart from creating a profile, ask peers and ex-fellow employees to endorse your skills. Also, share relevant articles and write those which are relevant to your domain.

Online Classes:

Many of the budding professionals fail to grow their brand as they stick to traditional training. With the situation like COVID-19 pandemic in place and recruiters looking for extra talented people, budding professionals should focus on taking up online classes which makes them ready for the future. Courses like artificial intelligence, digital marketing, graphic designing, content writing, marketing analytics, among others.

Content Writing:

Apart from creating a CV and joining online classes to upgrade skills, a budding professional should write content in the field, in which s/he specialises. Content writing helps in building a professional brand. However, a clear knowledge of one’s vision, target audience and goals should be clear for writing content.

Participate in Case Study Competitions:

It is said that participating in case studies helps in building analytical and critical thinking. With this, a person develops the art of paying attention to details. Also, one learns to read between the line and begins strategic thinking. In the beginning, the idea might look scary, but with time this will help a budding professional into an ideal match for the recruiter.

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This is the last step which will help a budding profession to build and grow a personal brand. There is no harm in gaining current affairs related issues. This will help the budding professional in facing the HRs, future colleague and even friends to strike conversations on mutual interest. Even subscribing to OTT platforms like Discovery Plus or History Channel will enhance the chances of being recruited by a firm.

Among all other things, a budding professional should always look for options to enhance his/her skills. This will make him/her more confident and market-ready.

Categories
Startup

RBI Says ‘Promoting Startup And Ensuring Their Survival is Critical in Generating More Employment’

Startup
Startup (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Mumbai, August 25: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday said that the promotion of young firms and startups and ensuring their survival is critical for generating more employment generation and higher productivity-led economic growth in India. RBI’s annual report for 2019-20 mentioned that it will be essential to reorient resources and policy focus in this direction.

RBI in its report mentioned that Indian IT firms are already leading globally in terms of developing applications using artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotics, and blockchain technology. This niche advantage needs to be leveraged to strengthen India’s position as an innovation hub, coupled with India’s ‘Start-up India’ campaign which recognises the potential of young entrepreneurs of the country.

Commenting on the economic growth revival of the country following the impact of coronavirus, RBI said that the government’s consumption will continue to support current economic demand while private consumption is expected to lead the recovery.

 

 

 

Categories
Technology

Aadhaar Authentication to Help Businesses Get GST Registration Within 3 Days

Aadhaar For All (Photo Credits: Facebook)

In what is believed to be a major boost for businesses in India, the businesses that provide Aadhaar number while applying for registration under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will get the approval in three working days. Last week, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) had notified Aadhaar authentication for GST registration with effect from August 21, 2020. The notification also provides that in case businesses do not provide Aadhaar number, then GST registration would be granted only after physical verification of the place of business.

Sources believe that the Aadhaar authentication is expected to facilitate genuine and honest taxpayers while at the same time keeping fake and fraudulent entities away from GST.

Two important things to know:

  1. For a person opting for Aadhaar authentication for new GST registration would get it within just three working days, if no notice is issued and would not need to wait for physical verification.
  2. While applicants not opting for Aadhaar authentication for GST registration would be granted it only after physical verification of the place of business or documentary verification which may take up to 21 working days or more if notice is issued, sources said.

According to a report by PTI, sources of the Finance Ministry said the GST Council in its 39th meeting held on March 14, 2020, had approved operationalisation of Aadhaar authentication for new taxpayers. However, its implementation was postponed due to the lockdown on account of COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources further said that keeping the COVID-19 pandemic in view, it has been provided that the officer may, if the circumstances warrant, opt for asking for additional documents in lieu of the pre-registration for physical verification of the premises.

Categories
Process & Business Expansion

Logistics Firm Delhivery Mulls to Invest Up to Rs 300 Crore for Expansion Over 2 Years, May Add 150 Trucks to Its Fleet

Logistics firm Delhivery. (Photo Credit: Facebook)
Logistics firm Delhivery. (Photo Credit: Facebook)

New Delhi, August 23: With most the businesses have come to standstill amid the COVID-19 pandemic, logistics firm Delhivery is mulling to invest up to Rs 300 crore in 18-24 months on expansion. The firm is planning to increase its fleet size and set up trucking hubs to meet the increased demands for more organised players in the sector.

According to reports, Delhivery is planning to add around 150 trucks to its fleet apart from launching trucking terminals in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. With this new move, the logistic firm is setting eyes on clocking revenue close to Rs 7,000 crore in the next 24 months, up from Rs 2,800 crore last year.

Informing about the plan, Delhivery Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder Sahil Barua said, as quoted by news agency PTI, “Our total capital investment over the next 18-24 months is going to be in the range of Rs 250-300 crore. We will continue to invest behind growing our trucking network. We are going to launch three of the largest trucking terminals in the country in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.”

Barua added that Delhivery is planning to grow its fleet with Volvo and other partners. He said, “Our own fleet all put together is 300 vehicles. We will expand that to about 400-450 vehicles over the next 18 months.” It is to be known that daily Delhivery operates close to 5,000-7,000 vehicles daily, in association with other partners. He also expects that the firm would grow at least 35-40 per cent this year.

Categories
Startup Strategy

Startups From Home: 5 Business Ideas to Start From Home Amid COVID-19

Startup (Representational Image Only, Photo Credits: NeedPix.com)

Mumbai, August 12: The entire world is reeling under the effect of coronavirus, from businesses being shut, factories non-operational, to employees being handed over pink slips. The pandemic has bludgeoned economies worldwide, and the smallest of businesses have felt the heat. In a scenario, when thousands have gone jobless, we take a look at five business ideas which you can start from the comfort of your own home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The best part is that these business ideas will require a minimum to no investments. So if you are wondering to start a business from home, here are a few ideas which you can consider.

Sale of Masks, Gloves, PPE

The demand for masks has skyrocketed after countries across the world said that it is an important preventive measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. In India too, all the states have imposed a strict fine in order to ensure that people are abiding by the rule. From being sold as a fashion accessory to a life-saving piece of safety equipment, there is a huge demand for selling masks.

In such a scenario, there is an opportunity, if you want to start a business dealing with the sale of masks, gloves, PPE suits or hand sanitizers.

Remote Tutor

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, when schools are shut, students are facing the problem to complete their syllabus and struggling with doubts. Here lies a great opportunity for home tutors who can continue to teach their students from home via online classes. One just needs a good internet connection to start with online teaching.

Fitness Trainer

The pandemic has taken a toll on our lives, with additional workload both at the office and at home, people are being stressed. On top of it, fitness centres at several places continue to remain closed. If you are a fitness trainer, then you can start your online classes, be it yoga, power yoga or meditation from the convenience of your home.

Cooking Classes

There has been a huge demand for online cooking classes ever since the lockdown. Your friends, family members, office colleagues have all been experimenting with different dishes and have been putting it up on social media. Amid the coronavirus induced lockdown when people are still hesitating to go to restaurants, they have been making most of the dishes on their own. From experimenting with new cuisines to trying out new ingredients, there is a huge demand among the people to learn quick and healthy dishes.

If you have a knack in cooking or an expert in this area, there is a huge opportunity for you to start with your online cooking classes.

Freelance Writing and Copyrighting

You can take up freelance writing and copyrighting projects. Initially, the payment can be low, but once you build your own portfolio of work, you can start demanding a premium for your service.

So if you want to start something on your own, don’t delay your plan. These are some business ideas which you can start from the comfort and the convenience of your own home today amid the coronavirus pandemic.