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66% businesses surveyed paid a bribe in the last 12 months: Report

Around 66 per cent of business firms surveyed across 159 districts admitted that they paid bribes in the last 12 months, a report by online platform LocalCricles said on Sunday. The survey, which received 18,000 responses, found that 54 per cent were forced to pay bribes while 46 per cent paid voluntarily to expedite the process. "As many businesses would vouch anonymously, bribes remain a way of life when wanting to get government departments to speed up the permit or compliance process, even getting duplicate copy of the authority license or anything to do with property matters. 66 per cent of businesses surveyed paid a bribe in the last 12 months," the report said. Only 16 per cent of businesses surveyed claimed that they always managed to get work done without paying a bribe and 19 per cent said they "did not have a need" to do so. "Of businesses that paid bribes in the last 12 months, 54 per cent were forced to do so, while 46 per cent paid it for timely processing. This kind

Udaan's online marketplace net loss narrows to Rs 666 crore in FY24

Hiveloop Technology recorded a loss of Rs 1,080 crore in the financial year (FY) 2023

Google Doodle today: Google celebrates Nov half moon with this fun game

To celebrate the end of the Half Moon cycle, Google has launched an interactive game today. Users can earn points and unlock rewards at various levels by matching moon phases to make a full moon pair

Swiggy introduces 'Swiggy Seal' during the festive season; what is this?

The Swiggy Seal, a badge for restaurants upholding strict hygienic standards, is introduced by Swiggy. Currently based in Pune, the project will eventually expand to more than 650 Indian locations

OTT releases this week: Web series and movies to watch this festive weekend

Festive days are here. Get ready to watch this week's top OTT releases. From romantic-thriller and action-adventure to mythological-epic and dark-fantasy, this week's list has it all

Govt working on welfare and social security benefits for gig workers

A new version of the E-shram portal (E-shram 2.0) will also be launched in the coming week, which will ensure the onboarding of platform workers onto the portal, said Mandaviya

Majority say they will stop using UPI if transaction fee levied: Survey

Around 75 per cent UPI users will stop using it if any transaction charge is levied on the service, a survey by Localcircles said on Sunday. The survey found that 38 per cent of users make over 50 per cent of their payment transactions via UPI instead of debit, credit or any other form of digital transaction. "Only 22 per cent UPI users surveyed are willing to bear a transaction fee on payments, 75 per cent of respondents stated that they will stop using UPI if a transaction fee is introduced," the survey said. The survey comprising three broad areas claims to have received 42,000 responses from 308 districts but the number of replies on each question varied. The questions regarding transaction fee on UPI received 15,598 responses. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) posted a record 57 per cent rise in the volume of transactions and 44 per cent rise in value in the 2023-24 fiscal year, compared to the previous fiscal year. For the first time UPI transactions crossed

Centre asks platform aggregators to register workers on e-Shram portal

Registration on the e-Shram portal is essential for workers to benefit from various social welfare programmes, said Union Ministry of Labour & Employment

India, EU to host conference to discuss threats in online radicalisation

The two-day EU-India Track 1.5 Conference in New Delhi will bring together experts, policymakers, academia

After getting out of hand during Covid, subscription boom faces big test

A majority of US adults surveyed in March said they pay too much for subscriptions

Top 5 OTT releases of this week: Modern Masters to Batman, check list below

Get ready for another power-packed week as many high-octane OTT shows and movies are about to hit different platforms. Check out the top releases of this week

Pune University introduces online portal for academic certificate

A streamlined online portal for obtaining academic certificates has been launched by Savitribai Phule Pune University with the intention of enhancing student convenience and efficiency

Digital Competition Bill may impact user experience on online platforms

As many as thirteen platforms, including Zomato, Swiggy, Paytm, IRCTC, Makemytrip, Flipkart, JioSaavn, Pharmeasy, and others, would come under the purview of the Digital Competition Bill

Quick-commerce firm Zepto raises $665 mn in funding, valued at $3.6 bn

Series F round comes as Mumbai-based startup aims to become profitable before launching IPO

BHIM to challenge Google Pay, PhonePe e-commerce dominance through ONDC

BHIM will expand its presence in e-commerce by offering a diverse range of products and services, including food and beverages, groceries, fashion, and apparel to its user base

Govt should create centralised authority for gig workers, says report

The report consulted with 10 platforms having nearly 4.5 million workers and a total revenue of Rs 56,400 crore along with two workforce providing platforms

Tata Group, Uber in talks for partnership to drive digital engagement

Tata Neu has faced challenges with stagnant user growth and low customer engagement and may be looking to collaborate with Uber to boost traffic volumes

Coming soon: Integrated e-platform for agricultural sector in Rajasthan

"If this comes out the way the CM is saying, I feel farmers will benefit a lot as everything related to agriculture would be under one place," said Ajay Meena, a farmer from Shivdaspura area

Games24x7 thrives amid new GST, explores innovative business models: CEO

'Despite GST, 2023 was best year for our fantasy sports, rummy platforms,' says Games24x7 CEO

ED makes two fresh arrests in Mahadev betting app money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested two more persons in connection with its money laundering investigation into the Mahadev online betting and gaming app case, officials said on Saturday. Nitin Tibrewal and Amit Agrawal were taken into custody under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and produced before a special court in Raipur on Friday, ED lawyer Saurabh Pandey said. The court sent them to ED custody till January 17, he said. Tibrewal is alleged to be a "close associate" of an accused in the case, Vikash Chapparia. He is alleged to have purchased some "undisclosed" properties in Dubai and a majority shareholder in an FPI company in which Chapparia is also a shareholder, ED sources said. The agency suspects these assets were bought using the "proceeds of crime" generated from the profits of Mahadev app. Amit Agrawal, the sources said, is a relative of another accused in the case, Anil Kumar Agrawal. Amit Agrawal is alleged to have received M