News Digest

Blinkit CFO Vipin Kapooria resigns amid nationwide delivery partner protests: Report

Blinkit chief financial officer (CFO) Vipin Kapooria has reportedly resigned about 16 months after joining the quick-commerce firm, according to a PTI report . Kapooria joined Blinkit in September last year from Flipkart. He joined the Walmart-owned ecommerce company in 2015, left in 2018 for hospitality giant OYO, and returned in 2020 before moving to Blinkit. At OYO, he served as vice president for business finance. At Blinkit, Kapooria was the first full-time CFO in nearly two years. The role had been vacant since Amit Sachdeva , the company’s earlier CFO, exited in 2022 following Blinkit’s acquisition by Zomato, now rebranded as Eternal. Kapooria worked closely with Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa and Eternal CFO Akshant Goyal. He joined Blinkit shortly before Eternal raised Rs 8,500 crore through a qualified institutional placement last year. Kapooria’s exit comes amid heightened competition in quick commerce. Blinkit is locked in a three-way battle with Zepto and Swiggy Instamart...

Luminar Technologies plans 30% workforce reduction to cut costs

Luminar Technologies has announced a major cost-cutting initiative that includes reducing its global workforce by around 30 per cent. The decision forms part of a broader effort to rein in operating expenses as the lidar technology company works to stabilise its financial position amid mounting pressures. The workforce-reduction process has already begun and is expected [...] The post Luminar Technologies plans 30% workforce reduction to cut costs appeared first on HR Katha .

Newly-launched Alhind Air has put 120 employees on leave without pay

Claiming delay in obtaining the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Alhind Air has put about 120 employees on leave without pay. This move was reportedly verbally communicated to the employees last month itself. The official mail has been sent now because some employees wanted a written and formal [...] The post Newly-launched Alhind Air has put 120 employees on leave without pay appeared first on HR Katha .

‘Relocate to Delhi at the same LPA or lose the job’: Startup offer sparks debate over work culture

A Delhi-based startup CEO’s remarks about extreme working hours have triggered a wider online debate after a prospective employee, who is facing an imminent layoff, shared detailed concerns around work culture, compensation, and contractual clarity. In a post on Reddit’s r/IndiaCareers forum, the employee said the startup founder bluntly told him that “people don’t sleep here” and that employees are expected to be available “24/7” to close orders. According to the post, the CEO framed this as a reflection of “high Indian work standards,” adding that there was “no luxury time” at the company and that people “work very hard.” “ He messaged me on WhatsApp: "In India standard is high, people working 24h/24h...people not sleeping waiting to close order. Here no luxury time, we work very hard." Officially it's Mon-Sat 10-6, but yeah, he basically expects round-the-clock availability, ” the post read . The prospective employee, who said his last working day is December 31, explained that h...

Bloomingdale’s Fires Worker Over Free Palestine Note in Hanukkah PJs

Bloomingdale’s terminated the employee who inserted a slip of paper with the phrase “Free Palestine” into a package that had Hanukkah-themed pajamas, according to a person close to the company.

Vedanta demerger could unlock multi-lakh-crore value; Anil Agarwal says each entity can match current valuation

Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal said the group’s demerger is backed by asset strength, domestic demand and cost efficiencies, while downplaying concerns around corporate guarantees and reiterating that the restructuring is aimed at unlocking standalone valuations for each business.

Vedanta demerger likely by March 2026; Anil Agarwal eyes debt-free holding company, capacity doubling across businesses

Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal said the proposed restructuring will allow each business to pursue independent growth strategies, with a strong emphasis on deleveraging at the holding company level and scaling up production across key metals, energy and mining segments to tap India’s long-term demand outlook.

Oversight on IndiGo under scanner, DGCA sacks 4 flight ops inspectors

DGCA sacks four officials amid IndiGo crisis as flight cancellations continue

CG Power’s phoenix rise: How N. Srinivasan engineered one of India’s fastest corporate turnarounds

Once on the brink of collapse with stalled operations, mounting debt, and eroded investor confidence, CG Power staged a remarkable comeback under N. Srinivasan’s leadership. Through swift financial restructuring, strategic settlements with creditors, and restoring employee and vendor trust during the pandemic, the company returned to profitability, regained market share, and became debt-free—offering a blueprint for India’s next generation of corporate turnarounds.

RBI's final guidelines for bank groups balance structural strengthening with business flexibility: Crisil

RBI’s final guidelines let 12 bank groups, covering 55% of sectoral advances, avoid major restructuring, says Crisil Ratings, allowing continued overlapping lending activities.

The Hidden Risks of Replacing Human Agents with AI in Customer Service

Commonwealth Bank’s reversal on AI job cuts highlights the risks of replacing human agents with chatbots. AI can automate simple tasks, but without human empathy and judgment, customer frustration and dissatisfaction grow. The Hidden Risks of Replacing Human Agents with AI in Customer Service | hrnxt.com

Fresher hiring intent slips to 70% in H2 2025

A recent report indicates a slight cooling in India Inc's fresher hiring intent, dropping to 70% for July-December 2025 due to AI-led restructuring and global uncertainties. E-commerce and technology startups lead hiring at 88%, with Bangalore topping city-wise intent at 81%. Demand rises for degree apprenticeships and roles requiring cybersecurity, AI, and crucial soft skills like communication and problem-solving.

Outplacement biz sees big pick-up as companies look to soften layoff blows

Outplacement firms are experiencing a surge in demand as companies across various sectors implement restructuring and workforce reductions. This increase, ranging from 20-40%, is driven by economic shifts, technological advancements, and a focus on employee well-being. Companies are investing in these services to support departing employees, protect their brand reputation, and mitigate legal risks during transitions.