Tech giant Microsoft will collaborate with the Assam government to back the startup ecosystem in the state.

The company has come up with a comprehensive global programme designed to support startups as they build and scale their companies.

A team of the Microsoft for Startups met officials of the state industries and commerce department in Guwahati on Monday, an official release said.

The Microsoft team also visited the state-owned marquee incubation centre, 'the Nest', and was highly impressed by the infrastructure set up at Ambari.

Earlier, in April 2019, Microsoft made a commitment of $500 million to support startups and local startup ecosystems around the world to grow, build, and connect. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1580797972.9047089/Microsoft-to-collaborate-with-Assam-govt-to-support-startup-ecosystem?ref=audio_experience

A Niti Aayog discussion paper has made a case for using blockchain technology to resolve business and governance process inefficiencies.

It also pitched for the creation of a National infrastructure for deployment of blockchain solutions with in-built fabric, identity platform, and incentive platform.

Earlier in January , Niti Aayog said that it will develop a National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP) to make all government data accessible to stakeholders in a user-friendly manner.

"Given that data is the new oil, we at Niti Aayog feel the need to modernise our data system," Kumar said.

According to the vision document, data across sectors should be coherent to support analysis and dissemination. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1580796014.806894/Niti-Aayog-suggests-using-blockchain-to-resolve-biz,-governance-process-inefficiencies?ref=audio_experience

In the latest data leak related to users in India, over a million medical records and 121 Mn medical images of Indian patients, including X-rays and scans, have been leaked online to be freely accessible by anyone.

Among the leaked data are medical records belonging to Mumbai’s high-end Breach Candy Hospital as well as Utkarsh Scans, a relatively well-known medical imaging provider.

Upon review, Inc42 found that the link where the data has uploaded also allows anyone to download medical images of patients.

The images are directly available on the internet without any password protection, which is typically not the case with medical records.

The PDP bill is also likely to govern all healthcare data as well. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1580792408.6916902/India-Healthcare-Data-Leak:-Over-120-Mn-Medical-Images-Exposed?ref=audio_experience

As per an ET report, the guidelines propose that social media companies should be responsible about any content that’s uploaded on to their platform.

The Supreme Court had also asked to submit the final intermediary guidelines on social media and online content regulation on January 15.

For instance, MeitY proposed a guideline that would require social media platforms to remove any “objectionable” or questionable content within 24 hours.

With this step, the government intends to give more clarity on what can be and cannot be shared on social media networks and make them “safer.” Also, MeitY has asked the social media platforms to appoint a nodal officer for coordinating with the Indian government.

As of September 2019, the government had received almost 600 pages of feedback on the draft intermediary rules. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1580790643.88873/IT-Ministry-Seeks-Legal-Clearance-On-Social-Media-Guidelines?ref=audio_experience

WeWork is banking on Sandeep Mathrani to lead it out of trouble | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1580788805.3816745/WeWork-is-banking-on-Sandeep-Mathrani-to-lead-it-out-of-trouble?ref=audio_experience

And now the Narendra Modi government is preparing a massive fund to boost local manufacturing and make India an electronics manufactuing hub.

Close to INR 41K Cr would be reserved under the fund for disbursal based on the production at the units.

The production-linked incentives are meant to replace the subsidies that manufacturing units get from operating in SEZs and other earmarked zones.

“I wish to announce a new scheme for electronics manufacturing, mobile phone manufacturing, electronics components and semiconductor units.

Besides this, the government is also reportedly going to check eligibility based on employment generation, investment in the Indian market, sales and other details, with an acute focus on exports and value addition to the Indian market. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1580787007.1963654/Govt-Plans-INR-45K-Cr-Fund-For-Electronics-Manufacturing,-Exports-Boost?ref=audio_experience

— Seattle health-tech startup Propio expanded its leadership team with three new additions:Amish Patel , vice president of product.

Patel was previously vice president of technology at high-tech football helmet maker Vicis, which entered receivership in December.

Patel was previously vice president of technology at high-tech football helmet maker Vicis, which entered receivership in December.

— Senior assisted living company Aegis Living added Nader Naini to its board of managers.

McIntyre, currently the Chamber’s executive vice president, will lead the business association while an executive committee led by Diana Birkett Rakow conducts the search for a permanent CEO. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1580783410.5569527/Tech-Moves:-Propio-expands-leadership-team;-Jama-hires-CEO;-Nordstrom’s-new-accounting-chief?ref=audio_experience

Items that get costlierFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an increase in excise duty on cigarettes, hookah, and other tobacco products.

Customs duty on tableware, kitchenware made of porcelain or China ceramic, clay, iron, steel copper has also been doubled to 20 percent.

Customs duty on almost all household electrical appliances including fans, food grinders/mixers, shavers, hair dryers, water heaters, refrigerators, ovens, cookers, toasters, coffee/tea makers, heaters, irons, etc.

Items that get cheaperThe FM announced customs duty exemption on multiple food products from April 1.

Customs duty on the import of electric vehicles has also been reduced. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1580781609.4927614/Decoding-Budget-2020:-Cigarettes,-cooking-oil,-other-items-that-cost-more-from-April?ref=audio_experience

Technology has become the cornerstone for Indian startups, and if Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's latest Union Budget address is anything to go by, India's growing crop of tech-led startups appear set to benefit from an improved operating environment.

The implementation of such new-age technology in services could have a positive bearing over the medium to long-term, say experts.

The government announced measures that will see increased use of technology in areas such as agriculture, governance, education, and logistics.

Upma Kapoor, Founder, Teal & Terra, an organic beauty product startup, said, “The Union Budget 2020 has some promising announcements for the industry.

While many experts said that the seeds of growth are sown in this Budget, startups could look forward to harvesting the fruits in the coming years. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1580779805.5803847/Decoding-Budget-2020:-Startups-set-to-gain-from-strong-emphasis-on-technology,-better-operating-environment?ref=audio_experience

Some of the most common cancer types such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer, and colorectal cancer are largely curable by surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy if they are detected early and treated appropriately.

It manages their care end-to-end by connecting them with the relevant treatment centres, doctors, and labs, and provides solutions throughout the patient’s treatment journey.

Zumutor Biologics Founder Kavitha Iyer RodriguesImmunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps a patient’s immune system fight cancer, while monotherapy uses one type of treatment to treat the disease.

The platform’s integrated therapy focuses on treatment to help patients during and after cancer treatment.

It mainly focuses on providing a holistic approach to cancer patients at home. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1580778007.3070536/On-World-Cancer-Day,-meet-7-startups-working-to-raise-awareness-and-help-fight-the-disease?ref=audio_experience