News Article 26-08-2020

Title: Last-mile logistics firm Exprs bags Rs 4.5 crore in seed funding

Background: Exprs works with leading e-commerce and third-party logistics firms, enables last yard
deliveries from campus gates to customer doorsteps, helping them improve efficiency and save
costs.

Summary:

1. Last-mile logistics firm Exprs has raised Rs 4.5 crore in seed funding. It is looking to set up over 500
nano distribution hubs for e-commerce deliveries in large apartment complexes and tech parks
across India in the next six months.

2. Last mile takes 50% of the overall logistics cost because of multiple inefficiencies.

3. All the deliveries come to kiosks within large gated communities and tech parks and then they will
micro distribute them.

4. there were around 6,000 locations within residential complexes, tech parks and college campuses
where Exprs can potentially open kiosks for deliveries, while it is also looking to set up locations in
areas that have a high density of smaller apartment complexes.

5. The company is also piloting a dark store model, for which it has begun working with a few direct
to customer (D2C) brands.

Future Implications:

1. The most complex part of delivery logistics is usually the last-mile delivery. It’s great to see that
Exprs is seeking to solve this problem with an innovative approach, using the right smart
technologies and driving process improvement strategy

2. it will improve efficiency of package delivery inside large residential and office campuses by
collating deliveries from multiple providers, while allowing them to do deliveries in batches and
handle smoother returns.

Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/last-mile-logistics-firm-
exprs-bags-rs-4-5-crore-in-seed-funding/articleshow/77754807.cms

Title: Health Ministry starts teleconsultation services for CGHS beneficiaries

Background: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has commenced a
teleconsultation service with specialist doctors in view of the COVID-19 pandemic to help people
from various quarters, including senior citizens.

Summary:

1. In order to facilitate consultations with specialists by Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
beneficiaries through virtual mode, the CGHS has started tele-consultation services with effect from
August 25.

2. Initially, these services will be available to beneficiaries in Delhi/National Capital Region (NCR).
The e-services are available between 9:00 am and 12 noon on all working days.
3. CGHS teleconsultation services are using the existing e-Sanjeevani platform of the Health Ministry.
For ease of use, this platform has been linked with the ID of the beneficiaries.

4. After the teleconsultation, an e-prescription will be generated. Using this, the patients can get
medicines issued from their CGHS Wellness Centre.

Future Implications:

1. The new teleconsultation services of CGHS will prove to be a boon for those CGHS beneficiaries
who are in need of consultation with specialists, but in the times of COVID-19 are not able to move
out.

Link: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/health-ministry-starts-teleconsultation-services-for-
cghs-beneficiaries-11598426914694.html