IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has invited representatives from Google for a meeting on Monday over a dispute between the tech giant and some Indian companies over non-compliance with billing policies. 

Google on Friday removed apps from 10 Indian companies, citing disputes over service fee payments. Among the affected apps were matrimony services such as Bharat Matrimony and job search app Naukri, intensifying the long-standing grievances of Indian startups against Google’s practices, including in-app fee charges.

Mr Vaishnaw, expressing optimism about a swift resolution, stated, “I am hopeful that Google will be reasonable in its approach. We have a large, growing startup ecosystem, and it’s crucial to protect their interests.” 

“I have already asked Google to meet me. We will take all necessary steps to safeguard our startup ecosystem, and I trust that Google, which has adapted well to digital payments, will approach this matter reasonably,” the IT Minister added. 

Dispute Explained 

The dispute revolves around attempts by Indian startups to resist Google’s imposition of a fee ranging from 11 per cent to 26 per cent on in-app payments, following an order from antitrust authorities to dismantle the previous fee structure of 15 per cent to 30 per cent. Google says that its fees contribute to the development and promotion of the Android and Play Store app ecosystem. Although two court decisions in January and February seemingly allowed Google to proceed with the new fee or remove apps, Indian companies continue to contest this imposition.

Matrimony.com, the founder of Bharat Matrimony, Christian Matrimony, Muslim Matrimony, and Jodii, expressed dismay as its matchmaking apps were taken down from Google’s Play Store. Founder Murugavel Janakiraman referred to it as a dark day for India’s internet, emphasizing the potential widespread impact on matrimony services. 

“Our apps are getting deleted one by one. It literally means all the top matrimony services will be deleted,” Mr Janakiraman said as quoted by news agency Reuters. 

The impact is significant as matrimonial apps and websites have gained popularity in India, particularly among younger generations opting for non-traditional matchmaking. Bharat Matrimony alone boasted more than 50 million downloads and a customer base exceeding 40 million.

Google’s actions weren’t limited to matrimony apps. Info Edge, the parent company of job search app Naukri and real estate search platform 99acres, faced removal from the Play Store as well. Despite initial share price fluctuations, both Matrimony.com and Info Edge managed to recover partially by the end of the day.

Google’s Response

Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., defended its actions, claiming that 10 Indian companies had opted not to pay for the “immense value they receive on Google Play” for an extended period. 

“After giving these developers more than three years to prepare, including three weeks after the Supreme Court’s order, we are taking necessary steps to ensure our policies are applied consistently across the ecosystem, as we do for any form of policy violation globally,” Google said in a statement. 

The tech giant, which holds a dominating 94 per cent share in the Indian market through its Android platform, argued that allowing selective developers to evade fees creates an uneven playing field. Google maintained that no court or regulator had disputed its right to charge fees on its Play platform.

After establishing itself as a key player in the tobacco industry, the Banshidhar Company has come under the radar of Income Tax authorities who are working round the clock to unravel the company’s web of deception. The department today carried out raids at the home and offices of the company’s head KK Mishra.

Banshidhar Tobacco Private Limited is a major player in the tobacco industry and is known for supplying products to major pan masala groups. Reports suggest that the company has a declared income of Rs 20 to 25 crore when the actual turnover was pegged at Rs 100-150 crore. The searches so far have revealed a trail of clandestine dealings and opulent lifestyles.

In today’s raids, the agency seized several expensive watches belonging to Shivam Mishra, the scion of the tobacco company. One of the watches, diamond-studded, is worth nearly Rs 2.5 crore rupees, sources in the agency said.

Seven crore rupees in cash, along with jewellery and other assets, have also been seized, intensifying the scrutiny on the group’s financial affairs.

The agency has already seized a collection of luxury cars, all bearing the number plate ‘4018’, from Shivam Mishra’s home in Delhi’s Vasant Vihar.

Fifteen to 20 teams carried out raids across five states, metaphorically shaking down every tobacco leaf linked to Banshidhar Tobacco Company, to stumble upon a treasure trove of luxury cars worth a staggering Rs 50 crore; among them, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, priced at a cool Rs 16 crore, found at Shivam Mishra’s home in Delhi’s Vasant Vihar.

The raids, being executed with military precision, reveal an empire built on deceit and financial manipulations. There is a major gap between the company’s declared income and the actual turnover and the officials believe that they hid their money using offshore accounts and manipulated ledgers, sources said.

KK Mishra, the once-untouchable patriarch, now finds himself entangled in a web of his own making. The Banshidhar Tobacco Limited, once an impenetrable fortress, now stands exposed, its foundations cracked, and its secrets laid bare.

BJP MP Jayant Sinha has asked the party to relieve him of electoral duties, signalling that he does not want an active role or a ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Mr Sinha’s announcement came just hours after another party leader, Gautam Gambhir, hinted at his exit from electoral politics.

Both the MPs have requested BJP president JP Nadda to relieve them so that they can focus on their other commitments. 

In a post on X, the MP from Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh wrote, “I have requested Honourable Party President JP Nadda to relieve me of my direct electoral duties so that I can focus my efforts on combating global climate change in Bharat and around the world. Of course, I will continue to work with the party on economic and governance issues.”

I have requested Hon’ble Party President Shri @JPNadda ji to relieve me of my direct electoral duties so that I can focus my efforts on combating global climate change in Bharat and around the world. Of course, I will continue to work with the party on economic and governance…

— Jayant Sinha (@jayantsinha) March 2, 2024

The announcements come amid reports that the two leaders may not get a ticket for the upcoming 2024 polls. The BJP is said to be contemplating giving tickets to several new leaders and some other sitting MPs also are understood to have told the party that they would like to focus on other organisational work.

The party has conducted extensive surveys to find out which leaders are popular among the masses. Sources told NDTV that both Gautam Gambhir and Jayan Sinha didn’t fare well in the surveys and were not likely to get a ticket to contest in the 2024 elections.

The BJP is expected to release a first list of candidates – over 100 names, which will include heavyweights like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah – for the 2024 Lok Sabha election soon. The party held marathon overnight meetings in Delhi, including one led by the Prime Minister at his Delhi residence that began 11 pm Thursday and finished at 4 am Friday.

Earlier today, BJP’s East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir also said he said asked the party to relieve him from political duties so that he can focus on his upcoming cricket commitments.

“I have requested Hon’ble Party President JP Nadda ji to relieve me of my political duties so that I can focus on my upcoming cricket commitments. I sincerely thank Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi for giving me the opportunity to serve the people. Jai Hind,” Mr Gambhir wrote.