Latest news with #OpenNetworkforDigital
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Business Standard
31-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Misaligned incentives threaten to upset India's digital infra apple cart
Passing digital costs to users sends the wrong signal--cash is cheaper. India must align economics with policy to realise its DPI vision R S Sharma Listen to This Article India's digital journey has been nothing short of transformational. The country has built world-class digital public infrastructure (DPI) in areas such as identity (Aadhaar), payments (Unified Payments Interface), and financial inclusion (the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile trinity). These foundational platforms have reduced friction across sectors and empowered citizens across socio-economic strata. Now, with the emergence of domain-specific digital public infrastructures such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission in healthcare, and digital agriculture initiatives, India is set to redefine how markets, services, and innovation scale in an inclusive manner. But while the infrastructure is robust, misaligned incentives
Indian Express
29-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
With ONDC in place, separate national retail policy takes a backseat
As various interventions have been made by the government, such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), which provides open access to retailers, a separate national retail policy may not be a top government priority at the moment, The Indian Express has learned. 'A policy is a set of actions, and those actions are already being taken. Timely interventions are happening on a regular basis, such as the setting up of the National Traders Welfare Board and the launch of the ONDC platform. There is no need for a separate policy for retail trade right now,' a source tracking the matter told The Indian Express. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry told Parliament in 2023 that a draft National Retail Trade Policy had been prepared, based on consultations with state governments and major industry and trade associations. The draft focused on preparing strategies for the overall development of retail trade through targeted efforts to promote ease of doing business in the retail sector. The policy was expected to introduce several measures to reduce the compliance burden, enhance ease of access to credit, and decriminalise minor offences for all formats of retail trade. 'Special emphasis is placed on assessing the requirement of licences, removing renewal requirements, inspection reforms, facilitating public service delivery, and the creation of a single-window facilitation mechanism,' a parliamentary response said. India's retail sector contributes nearly 12 per cent to the gross value added (GVA) to overall GDP, making retail the country's third-largest sector. Experts have said that India currently lacks a single cohesive policy governing all retail formats, which creates 'pockets of imbalance between retail formats' and hampers the sector's growth. While some states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka have introduced their own policies, a comprehensive national approach is missing, leaving other states governed by 'outdated and unclear regulations'. An overarching policy is considered one of the most 'significant and urgent challenges', according to a CII report in 2018, prior to the development of the draft retail policy in 2021. 'A national policy can encourage the modernisation of in-store operations and standardise back-end infrastructure development by providing financial assistance, subsidies, and tax breaks, and improving access to capital. This modernisation process is expected to lead to more cost-efficient supply chains, improved labour productivity, and savings for end customers,' the report said. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ONDC enables private city bus ticketing in five Gujarat cities
New Delhi: The Open Network for Digital Commerce ( ONDC ) has onboarded Gujarat-based startup Katch Mobility as both a buyer and seller-side participant, enabling digital ticketing for private intra city buses in five cities - Gandhinagar, Anand, Botad, Mehsana, and Vadodara, it said in a press release on Thursday. The integration marks the first instance of smart Point of Sale (PoS) machines being used for bus ticketing on the ONDC Network. The rollout allows commuters to book tickets via the Katch Mobility Android app or through PoS devices installed in buses. Passengers can select their source and destination, input passenger details, make digital payments, and receive booking confirmation. The integration supports advance ticketing and is aimed at streamlining operations for private bus operators. These services are now discoverable across all ONDC-integrated buyer apps offering bus ticketing, increasing visibility beyond platform-exclusive systems. 'By making private city bus ticketing discoverable and bookable through multiple Demand channels on the ONDC network, we are creating more choices for commuters, expanding opportunities for transport service providers, and strengthening the mobility ecosystem. This initiative also demonstrates how sectors traditionally left out of digital commerce can be brought into a scalable, competitive framework that benefits everyone,' said Vibhor Jain, acting CEO and COO, ONDC. The model is intended to be scalable, enabling other buyer applications on the network to offer city bus services.
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Business Standard
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
HUL chairman urges India Inc to drive inclusive, eco-friendly growth
India Inc must play a responsible role for "inclusive and environmentally responsible" growth of the country, even as the government is taking steps for that, HUL Chairman Nitin Paranjpe has said. To become a developed nation, India should chart a path that prioritises economic growth alongside environmental sustainability and social progress, he said while addressing the shareholders in the 92nd AGM of the leading FMCG maker. "While the government is taking significant steps, 'India Inc.' must play a crucial role in ensuring this growth is inclusive and environmentally responsible," he said. In his speech titled Building a Winning Business in an Aspiring India', Paranjpe reflected on the evolving business landscape, noting that while India offers immense opportunities, it is equally important to address the challenges that accompany this growth. The world today is characterised by "uncertainty and chaos," however Indian economy is continuing its growth journey. "However, amidst this incomprehensibility, the Indian economy appears poised to continue its path to sustainable and inclusive growth," he said. Paranjpe called period from 2014 to 2024 as the "decade of India's economic resurgence" which aligns with the vision of a Viksit Bharat' (Develope India) by 2047. "Achieving zero poverty, quality education for all, affordable healthcare, meaningful skilled employment, and becoming the world's food basket are ambitious yet achievable milestones in India's journey to becoming an advanced economy," he said. Elaborating India growth journey Paranjpe said several tailwinds will help achieve this, including a strong digital infrastructure, a conducive policy environment, and a burgeoning young population. He called out India's Digital Public Infrastructure as one of its greatest future advantages, and hailed the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) for levelling the playing field for kirana walas and retailers across the nation. At the same time, he mentioned that getting sellers and resellers to leverage e-commerce and improve India's e-retail penetration is a tall order. Hinting towards growing premiuimisation, Paranjpe said the Indian consumer is evolving, seeking newer products, better experiences, and aspiring for more. "As a business serving the needs of an ever-aspiring consumer and partner to a nation focused on its growth, we bear significant responsibility. The new India presents several opportunities that we can leverage to leapfrog into the future," he said. Pranjape also added, HUL like other makers is witnessing 'unprecedented' technological advancements, where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking over everything from searches to product design to farming, bio-mimetic inspired design, driverless vehicles and Mars missions to science utilising bugs for cleaning homes. "Technology is, and will continue to be, a primary driver shaping our future," he said, adding HUL is "building capabilities to cater to the needs of an evolving and aspiring India". Simultaneously, the maker of popular brands as Rin, Lux, Surf Excel, Pond's, Dove, Horlicks, Bru, Lipton etc is also ensuring that its growth journey does not negatively impact the environment and leaves no one behind.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
HUL chairman urges India Inc to drive inclusive, eco-friendy growth
India Inc must play a responsible role for "inclusive and environmentally responsible" growth of the country, even as the government is taking steps for that, HUL Chairman Nitin Paranjpe has said. To become a developed nation, India should chart a path that prioritises economic growth alongside environmental sustainability and social progress, he said while addressing the shareholders in the 92nd AGM of the leading FMCG maker. "While the government is taking significant steps, 'India Inc.' must play a crucial role in ensuring this growth is inclusive and environmentally responsible," he said. In his speech titled Building a Winning Business in an Aspiring India', Paranjpe reflected on the evolving business landscape, noting that while India offers immense opportunities, it is equally important to address the challenges that accompany this growth. The world today is characterised by "uncertainty and chaos," however Indian economy is continuing its growth journey. "However, amidst this incomprehensibility, the Indian economy appears poised to continue its path to sustainable and inclusive growth," he said. Paranjpe called period from 2014 to 2024 as the "decade of India's economic resurgence" which aligns with the vision of a Viksit Bharat' (Develope India) by 2047. "Achieving zero poverty, quality education for all, affordable healthcare, meaningful skilled employment, and becoming the world's food basket are ambitious yet achievable milestones in India's journey to becoming an advanced economy," he said. Elaborating India growth journey Paranjpe said several tailwinds will help achieve this, including a strong digital infrastructure, a conducive policy environment, and a burgeoning young population. He called out India's Digital Public Infrastructure as one of its greatest future advantages, and hailed the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) for levelling the playing field for kirana walas and retailers across the nation. At the same time, he mentioned that getting sellers and resellers to leverage e-commerce and improve India's e-retail penetration is a tall order. Hinting towards growing premiuimisation, Paranjpe said the Indian consumer is evolving, seeking newer products, better experiences, and aspiring for more. "As a business serving the needs of an ever-aspiring consumer and partner to a nation focused on its growth, we bear significant responsibility. The new India presents several opportunities that we can leverage to leapfrog into the future," he said. Pranjape also added, HUL like other makers is witnessing 'unprecedented' technological advancements, where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking over everything from searches to product design to farming, bio-mimetic inspired design, driverless vehicles and Mars missions to science utilising bugs for cleaning homes. "Technology is, and will continue to be, a primary driver shaping our future," he said, adding HUL is "building capabilities to cater to the needs of an evolving and aspiring India". Simultaneously, the maker of popular brands as Rin, Lux, Surf Excel, Pond's, Dove, Horlicks, Bru, Lipton etc is also ensuring that its growth journey does not negatively impact the environment and leaves no one behind.
