B.PAC Survey - Safer Public Transport Systems Post-COVID-19 Lock Down in Bengaluru City

Now that the lock down is in its final stage, life in the post-COVID19 era seems to be very different as this pandemic has brought in many changes in our way of life and habits and soon with they way we travel too.

Imagining ourselves traveling using public transport is a matter of great concern. Crowded buses, long queues, confined space with limited ventilation, no access control to identify potentially sick persons and many common surfaces to touch (ticket machines, handrails, etc) are worrisome.

Hence we are doing the survey to understand what precautionary measures undertaken by public transport operators (BMTC/BMRCL/KSRTC/SWR) would make Bengalureans to consider public transport as a safe mobility option.

Please spare a minute to respond to the survey. Click to respond to the Survey

Survey ends on Tuesday 12th May.

Hero Motocorp Swiftly Resumes Retail Business Across India with Strict Safety Guidelines

Details

* OVER 1500 RETAIL OUTLETS OPENED ALREADY
* RETAIL SALES CROSS 10,000 UNITS SINCE RE-OPENING
* COMMENCES WHOLESALE DISPATCHES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FY’21
* SHARES RESTART MANUAL WITH DEALERS IN 12 LANGUAGES

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, has commenced its retail operations with the re-opening of more than 1500 customer touch-points including authorized dealerships and service centers. These outlets contribute to around 30% of the Company’s total domestic retail sales.

10,000 units of motorcycles and scooters have already been sold since the reopening of these customer touch points.

Keeping the safety and wellbeing of everyone as top-most priority, the Company has issued a Restart Manual to all its Dealerships, Service Centers and Parts distributors.

Hero MotoCorp also commenced vehicle dispatches from its manufacturing facilities for the current fiscal year (FY’21) on Thursday, May 7. All of Hero MotoCorp’s manufacturing facilities across the globe had halted operations since March 22 as a precautionary preventive measure against COVID-19.

On May 4, Hero MotoCorp became the first two-wheeler manufacturer in the country to resume operations after it reopened three of its manufacturing plants at Dharuhera and Gurgaon in Haryana and Haridwar in Uttarakhand.

In addition to sharing the restart manuals with dealer partners and parts distributors, Hero MotoCorp has also conducted intense training programs though webinars reaching to 700 internal sales, after-sales employees and over 7000 customer touch-points, already.

Besides English and Hindi, the Company has released the restart manuals in 10 regional languages, which have proven immensely helpful in rural and interior areas. The manuals have a lot of visuals that accurately yet simplistically convey all crucial aspects to be followed. It is also providing guidance on the acquisition of key safety materials such as masks, gloves, sanitizers, disinfectants, and other equipment to the dealers.

The elaborate restart manuals cover the whole breadth of activities for restarting operations, from pre-opening preparations to monitoring & operating protocols post restart. The manuals provide guidance on –

* Deep cleaning
* Fumigation
* Safety marking of the channel point
* Rearrangements at the channel point to ensure social distancing
* Seating, washroom, work-station, equipment hygiene
* Staggered break times, staff/ customer entry protocols, use of PPEs
* Encouraging digital payments, careful handling of documents/credit cards/cash
* Staff training, entry protocols, social distancing, customer entry protocols
* Use of PPEs such as masks, gloves

The manuals also cover various other aspects like Pre-delivery inspection (PDI), delivery norms, home delivery, pre-booking to avoid customer rush, social distancing protocol in workshop, hygiene/care of tools, vehicle pick-up and drop protocols, and creation of waiting areas.

Hero MotoCorp had recently also shared similar Safety Manuals with its employees as operations commenced at its three manufacturing facilities. The Manuals for operations employees focused on safety and hygiene measures to be followed within plant premises. The Company is maintaining strict procedures to ensure hygienic workplaces by ensuring measures such as thorough sanitization of all workplaces regularly, sanitization of buses, shuttles and other official vehicles after each trip, deep cleaning and sanitization before daily shift commencement.    

FAIFA Appeals for Urgent Rescue Package for Tobacco Farmers as Crop Worth Rs 4400 Crores Lying Unsold in Fields

Details

* Demand immediate resumption of auction for nearly 130 Million Kgs of Flue Cured Tobacco worth Rs. 1700 Crores under prolonged storage; estimated loss of Rs 200 crore to farmers due to deterioration in quality
* More than 330 millions kgs worth Rs 2700 crores of tobacco lying in the open sky in Gujarat as  famers fail to sell the produce
* Appeals to the Government to immediately sanction a compensation amount of Rs 25,000 to each registered tobacco grower for their survival and re-schedulement of crop loans
* Failure to revive demand results in significant price drop in Auctions & loss of farmer income, with devastating impact on livelihoods of small and marginal farmers in the drought prone and degraded tracts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh majorly depending on income from tobacco crops
* Appeals for temporary reduction of taxes on cigarettes as FCV tobacco demand has drastically fallen under prolonged lockdowns

Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), a non-profit organization representing the cause of millions of farmers and farm workers of commercial crops across the States of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat etc. today appealed to the Government of India to save their livelihoods in the present pandemic as the demand for the crop has weakened due to declining volumes of cigarettes and other tobacco products as a result of prolonged lockdowns.

FCV tobacco farming community is undergoing severe stress to sell their harvest and also to cope up with mounting labor and infrastructure charges due to interruption to auctions due to the lockdown. Nearly 130 Million Kgs of Flue Cured Tobacco worth over Rs. 1700 crores is waiting to be sold as the tobacco auctions are moving at snail’s pace, causing quality loss under prolonged storage.

The Gujarat famers, whose tobacco produce is used in the making of bidi’s and other tobacco products are also struggling for their livelihoods. More than 330 million kgs of tobacco worth Rs 2700 crore is lying in the open fields as the traders are not ready to pick-up the produce because government has banned the sale of tobacco products. The rains are expected in coming days and if the government will not start the sale of tobacco products both traders and farmers will go bankrupt. In Gujarat, tobacco is produced in several districts such as Anand, Kheda, Vadodara, Panchmahal, Banaskantha, and Sabarkantha etc.

The farmers have also appealed for reducing taxation on cigarettes to pre-GST levels so that demand can be restored for the domestic legal cigarette industry which is already reeling under penal taxation on account of continuous increases in excise duties and compensation cess. Adding to the existing woes of tobacco farmers, the Indian Government has also removed tobacco export incentives, making India a less competitor in the Global market, whereas other countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, etc are encouraging the tobacco farmers by providing incentives and subsidies.

The tobacco auctions for the winter FCV cultivation usually starts in March and farmers got an average price of Rs 121.53 per kg for the Andhra Pradesh crop sold in 2019. This year, the demand has been very weak from the traders and manufacturers due to rising inventory of cigarettes in the market during the lockdown and delay in export shipments. More than 95% crop is waiting in barns to be sold and FCV tobacco farming community of Andhra Pradesh is estimating a loss is excess of Rs 200 crores because of quality deterioration and weight loss.

Mr. Javare Gowda, President, Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), said, “We request the government to immediately start the auctions in all the Tobacco Auction platforms. The Government should also direct the Tobacco Board and other concerned officials to coordinate with FCV Tobacco Manufacturers, exporters and traders to facilitate reasonable prices (Pre-Covid market prices) for FCV tobacco produce at the auctions in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.”

“As FCV tobacco farmers' are undergoing severe financial crisis, we request the Government of India to immediately sanction a compensation amount of Rs 25,000 each to all registered FCV tobacco growers for their very survival.”

“Failure to bail out the current duress for tobacco farmers will force many of them into debt trap which will virtually kill the ecosystem comprising of marginal farmers, workers, and people employed in handling and transportation activities while pushing the farmers to extreme measures”, he further added.

Mr. Murali Babu, General Secretary, Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), said, “We request Smt. Nirmala Sithraman, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of India to intervene with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the State Level Bankers’ Committee to reschedule the crop loans for next 2-3 seasons and allow the farmers' to repay the loan amounts in splits of 30% each per season while continuing the sanction of the regular seasonal loans. The decision will benefit millions of FCV tobacco farmers, their families and workers dependent of the industry, as they are already staring at burden of huge interests of non-institutionalized loans.”

FAIFA has also demanded for a comprehensive FCV Tobacco Production plan for 2020-21.  Tobacco Board should make more efforts to promote Indian exports studying opportunities arising out of COVID 19. Based on the current International trends, it is essential to be prepared with an action plan for the next season by assessing domestic/export market trends considering actual Traders indents.

In this backdrop, with folded hands, we request the Government of India to implement our request and “Protect our Livelihood”.

Audi India Enhances its Digitalization Focus: Introduces Online Sales and Service Initiatives

Digital

* Simple steps to book your favorite Audi
* Service bookingsgo online with an option of doorstep pick-up and drop
* Augmented Reality (first-in-segment) now available on www.audi.in – customers can scan a QR code to experience their Audi in their personal space
* A 360° Product Visualizer to explore product features in detail
* Audi Shop (www.audiindia.in/audishop) for online purchase of Audi merchandise

Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, today announced a vital step in its Digitalization journey with the roll-out of digital sales and after-sales offerings. The incorporation of Augmented Reality, a 360° Product Visualizer, and online bookings on the Audi India website bring the buying experience straight to a prospective customer’s fingertips.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India, said, “Digital customer-centric initiatives are a key focus area for Audi in India. We have been at the forefront of enabling and introducing future technologies for our customers – including Augmented and Virtual Reality elements. Taking this Digitalization strategy a step forward, we are pleased to announcedigital sales for our product portfolio and after-sales support for our existing and future customers. While our belief in a digital future is already profound, the advent of Covid-19 has only made it stronger as to how we interact with our customers going forward. With theinitiativesannounced today, we are taking digital experiencesto the living rooms of our customers and offering them theflexibilityto purchase their preferred Audi of choice and even book their next service appointment online.”

Buyers can now familiarize themselves with features, configure their Audi, explore finance options, and place an order, all from the comfort of their home.  Audi was the first luxury car manufacturer in India to leverage Virtual Reality (VR), enabling Audi Q8 and Audi A8 L buyers to engage with, and personalize their cars in a never-seen-before manner.

Further, existing Audi customers can now book a service on the Audi India website and can schedule a car pick-up and drop as per their convenience. Real-time service status updates and online payment options will be added over the course of time.

Mr. Dhillon further added, “Digitalization plays a major role in buying and engaging with a customer. Audi India leaped into 2019 by becoming the first luxury car maker to unveil and introduce a digitalization roadmap – “myAudi Connect”. Digitalization will continue to be at the core of our strategy. As a brand, we are investing holistically in all possible avenues to be ‘Future Ready’. Through all our digitalization initiatives, we want our customers to experience what we stand for - ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’.”

Augmented Reality:

Audi India’s first-in-segment featureis available on the company’s website;customers can scan the QR Code from their hand-held device to experience the Audi product range in Augmented Reality.  Moreover, customers can post fun images of the Audi within their personal environment and can tag Audi India’s Twitter and Instagram page with #AudiShowroomInEveryRoom.

Bharat Financial Inclusion Facilitates Financial Transactions of Over Rs. 100 Crore in 5000 Villages Across 4 States

Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd. (BFIL), a 100% subsidiary of IndusInd Bank, today announced that it has facilitated financial transactions worth over Rs. 100 crore through its wide network of Rural Distribution Service Points (RDSP) in Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra and Bihar.

These RDSPs, also known as ‘Bharat Money Store’ is a business innovation by BFIL that offers the convenience of facilitating deposits and withdrawals for the rural population based in remote locations of the country. With the help of a Bharat Money Store, rural villagers can now walk into their nearest kirana/merchant store to make basic financial transactions like repaying loans, depositing money, withdrawing cash, making utility and other kinds of bill payments.   

Bharat Money Stores are actively supporting Government’s efforts at encouraging the usage of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model by enabling withdrawal at their neighborhood shop for over 4 lakh beneficiaries in Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra and Bihar. Given the restrictions on movement owing to the current lockdown in the country, the Bharat Money Stores have also made banking services available to over 5000 villages, thereby impacting the lives of 3.5 lakh people in addition to the 4 lakh DBT beneficiaries.

Talking about the initiative, Mr. Ritesh Chatterjee, Head, Bharat Money Store said, “At BFIL, it has been our constant endeavor to nurture and support livelihoods across over 1,20,000 villages. Bharat Money Store as a concept has ushered in the most convenient cash-in, cash-out points in rural areas which is coupled with a friendly neighbourhood guide, who caters to the customer’s financial needs. Through this initiative, IndusInd Bank along with BFIL aims to offer the convenience of making banking services available across the remotest areas of the country, without having to make the customer travel long distances. We strongly believe, this will go long way in building financial inclusiveness and sustainability across unbanked as well as under-banked locations of the country.”

"During the lockdown period, many people in my region received funds from government under DBT. They have been coming to my store to withdraw cash, deposit or transfer money. I am happy to have served customers and supported the government by facilitating DBT transactions at such a critical time", said Raghvendra, a Bharat Money Store merchant from Chincholi in Sulepeth, Karnataka.

The Bharat Money Store is built on the strength of the Aadhaar architecture (eKYC, AEPS) which is central to the Government’s DBT model for distribution of relief fund, as well as the only payment channel to have seen a record increase in transactions volumes in April this year.

SBI General Insurance Launches “Arogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy” Across Indian Market

Recently, SBI General Insurance launched the standard health insurance policy – “Arogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy” SBI General Insurance. The policy provides hospitalisation cover anywhere in India with sums insured ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs.

Pushan Mahapatra, MD & CEO, SBI General Insurance said, “The introduction of Arogya Sanjeevani is a welcome development as this is a product which has been designed at the instance of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) with standard coverage and affordable premiums. We are confident that it will help in achieving the regulatory aim of improving the penetration of health insurance in our country. With the trusted brand name of SBI and our unrivalled distribution reach, we are well positioned to market this product successfully in tier 2 and 3 locations as well as rural areas.  We have ensured that this product is available through all our distribution channels.”

He added, “We are sure that with this product, we will be able to bring more customers under insurance fold. We are happy and excited to introduce Arogya Sanjeevani in SBI General’s bouquet of health offerings like our other health plans named Arogya Premier, Arogya Plus and Arogya Top up.”

Arogya Sanjeevani will cover the hospitalisation treatment cost of COVID–19 and will help in making affordable health care more accessible in times like these.

For more details of the policy, the customers can visit to the website of SBI General Insurance - https://www.sbigeneral.in/portal/

About SBI General Insurance Company Limited:

With the strong parentage of SBI, we, at SBI General Insurance, are committed to carry forward the legacy of trust and security; and to become the first choice for every Indian’s general insurance needs.

Ever since our establishment in 2009, from 17 branches in 2011, we have expanded our presence to around 123 branches pan-India.

We follow a robust multi-distribution model encompassing Bancassurance, Agency, Broking and Retail Direct Channels. Today, our distribution family includes over 22,900 IRDAI certified employees including the State Bank Group employees, and over 12,000 Agents to make insurance easily available even in the remote areas of the country.

On the distribution network front, we have strong distribution partners adding up our reach to every nook and corner of India, with SBI’s over 22000 branch network, other financial and digital partners. Our current geographical exposure covers 125+ cities pan-India with a presence of another 350+ locations through satellite resources.

We currently serve three key customer segments viz. - Retail Segment (catering to Individual & Families), Corporate Segment (catering mid to large size companies) and SME Segment; and are future-ready to serve the growing needs of Indians with new age-processes and services at affordable prices.

Nova IVF Fertility Resumes Operations with Stringent Safety Protocols Implemented in India

Details

* NOVA IVF centres following stringent COVID – 19 safety & prevention protocols
* Maintaining high standards of safety, hygiene and sanitisation for all doctors, staff and visiting patients
* All working counters adhere to social distancing norms

With the COVID-19 Pandemic situation stabilising and businesses are gradually getting back to normalcy, Nova IVF Fertility Clinic is ready to resume its Assisted Reproductive Treatment in regions permitted by local authorities. The clinics are now ready to assist couples seeking ART, however under strict vigilance & safety protocols taken protecting patients and healthcare staff during this time from COVID-19.

Sharing his thoughts, Mr Shobhit Agarwal, CEO, Nova IVF Fertility said, ““Since there was a directive from the Government to stop elective procedures, we at Nova IVF Fertility also took the hard call of stopping all clinical services during the lockdown across all our centres. Now with the lockdown being eased in majority regions, we are delighted to resume assisting couples and encouraging people to come ahead and fulfil their dream of parenthood. The safety of our employees and the community is of utmost importance to us. As an organization, Nova IVF has prepared a comprehensive safety guidelines manual. We have implemented these strict guidelines across all operational centers, ensuring no compromise of our employees or patients consulting with us. These times have in fact been challenging, but we are confident with the stringent protocols in place that Covid-19 will not have a substantial effect on the utilisation of IVF services, just like any other medical services.”

Nova IVF Fertility is adhering to all safety protocols as directed by the government to ensure safety of doctors, staff and all the visiting patients. In fact, the brand has also defined new hygiene norms, including: Use of masks and gloves at all times within the clinics, use of sanitisers and thermal screening at all entry points, frequent hand washing / using sanitizers before and after all procedures, maintaining social distancing throughout the clinic, frequent sanitization of clinic, use of triage questionnaire for staff and patients to identify and avoid high risk individuals, mandatory download of Arogya Setu App, seeing of patients only by appointments, and use of teleconsultation whenever possible.

Dr. Manish Banker, Medical Director, Nova IVF Fertility said, “Many couples who were about to start their treatment had to defer their plans, and even for patients who whose treatment was under way, there was a sudden change in their entire treatment process. We are now pleased to share this great news for couples who had to defer their dreams of parenthood due to the lockdown. We have reopened our clinics as per the Government Guidelines after implementing appropriate COVID-19 protocols to ensure seamless treatments at Nova IVF Fertility. We will continue to strive and pave the way for stress free and healthy pregnancies for all aspiring mothers especially during challenging times such as this.”

About Nova IVF Fertility:

Nova IVF Fertility (NIF) is one of the largest service providers of fertility treatment across India. With an average IVF experience of over a decade our highly experienced IVF specialists and well –trained embryologists, Nova IVF Fertility has successfully achieved over 30,000 clinical pregnancies in the country. With vast international expertise, NIF brings exceptional and ethical standards of processes, protocols, and policies to India. Through personalised treatment plans of medical management, basic ART and advanced ART – all procedures aim to significantly improve the chances of a positive pregnancy. NIF currently operates 25 fertility centres across 18 cities in India (Ahmedabad (2), Bengaluru (3), Chennai, Coimbatore, Hisar, Hyderabad, Indore, Jalandhar, Lucknow, Mumbai (2), New Delhi (2), Kolkata (3), Pune, Surat, Vijayawada, Patna, Ranchi, and Siliguri).