Sanjeeb Mukherjee, Archis Mohan, Business Standard

Stories by Sanjeeb Mukherjee, Archis Mohan, Business Standard

31,000 RTI Appeals Await New CIC

31,000 RTI Appeals Await New CIC

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2025

The Central Information Commission, which is functioning at full strength for the first time after December 2016, will need to consider 31,000 appeals and complaints. It takes more than a year for a matter to be heard by the Commission.

Nitin Nabin Was 7 Weeks Old When BJP Was Formed In 1980

Nitin Nabin Was 7 Weeks Old When BJP Was Formed In 1980

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2025

BJP sources said the formal process to elect current party President J P Nadda's successor will begin in mid-January, following Makar Sankranti, with Nitin Nabin expected to be the frontrunner to file his nomination.

India, Oman to ink free trade agreement during PM Narendra Modi visit

India, Oman to ink free trade agreement during PM Narendra Modi visit

Rediff.com   13 Dec 2025

Next week's three-nation foreign tour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will see India and Oman sign a free trade deal. The visit will also pave the way for agreements with Ethiopia and Jordan to increase India's bilateral trade and investments.

Cabinet OKs Private Entry into Nuclear Power

Cabinet OKs Private Entry into Nuclear Power

Rediff.com   13 Dec 2025

The Bill is likely to pave the way for amending two existing legislations -- the Atomic Energy Act 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010.

Trai Launches Digital Consent Pilot

Trai Launches Digital Consent Pilot

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2025

A national rollout will take place after the pilot test in which SBI, PNB, Axis Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank are participating.

Centre restarts MGNREGA in West Bengal, but conditions apply

Centre restarts MGNREGA in West Bengal, but conditions apply

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2025

After a gap of more than three years, the central government has agreed to resume the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) works in West Bengal with immediate effect, but subject to mandatory adherence to stringent conditions. These include a prohibition on any work valued at more than 20 lakh, compulsory 100 per cent electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) verification of all workers, and mandatory pre-estimation field visits for all works before they are undertaken.

India free to buy oil from sources it deems beneficial, says Russia

India free to buy oil from sources it deems beneficial, says Russia

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2025

Two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded his visit to India, during which he assured that Moscow would remain a reliable energy supplier, the Kremlin on Monday said that India, as a sovereign nation, is free to buy oil from sources it deems beneficial. It expressed confidence that New Delhi will continue to prioritise its economic interests.

Kremlin Didn't Know About Modi Gesture

Kremlin Didn't Know About Modi Gesture

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2025

The Russians have termed Putin's visit to India, his first to this country since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, as 'Druzhba Dosti', which means 'friendship' in Russian and Hindi respectively.

India, Russia Explore Duty Cuts to Rebalance Trade

India, Russia Explore Duty Cuts to Rebalance Trade

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2025

Putin's State visit will centre on fixing the huge India-Russia trade imbalance, with both sides pushing to lower duties, ease non-tariff barriers, and seal a landmark mobility pact to send more Indian workers to Russia.

India Set for Colder Plains, Warmer Hills

India Set for Colder Plains, Warmer Hills

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2025

The winters could be cooler in the plains due to the prevailing La Nina conditions though it does not have a direct relationship and also due to influence of the polar vortex.

What Weapons Will Putin Sell India On Rare State Visit?

What Weapons Will Putin Sell India On Rare State Visit?

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2025

On the table are additional batches of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia, which India used with immense success during Operation Sindoor. India could buy at least two squadrons of Su-57 fighter jets plus joint production of S-500 air defence systems.

India's rice output may hit record high

India's rice output may hit record high

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2025

Releasing the first advanced estimate, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that though excessive rainfall affected crops in some areas of the country, most parts have benefited significantly from a good monsoon, leading to overall good crop growth.

Sugar industry relieved as Centre allows 1.5 mt import

Sugar industry relieved as Centre allows 1.5 mt import

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2025

Amid the political push and pull, the Centre's decision to allow sugar exports and remove the 50 per cent duty on molasses exports has rekindled hope in the industry that more relief may follow.

India's NCDEX eyes 20% stake in Sri Lanka's first commodity exchange

India's NCDEX eyes 20% stake in Sri Lanka's first commodity exchange

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2025

India's leading agriculture commodity exchange, the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), has decided to acquire around a 20 per cent stake in a new commodities and financial derivatives exchange being set up in Sri Lanka, subject to regulatory and governmental approvals. The move aims to deepen NCDEX's footprint in the financial ecosystem of its neighbouring country.

Sebi Eases IPO Lock-In Rules

Sebi Eases IPO Lock-In Rules

Rediff.com   14 Nov 2025

Sebi has proposed allowing depositories to mark such pledged shares as 'non-transferable' for the duration of the lock-in period, based on instructions from the issuer.

'We Forced NDA To Talk About Jobs'

'We Forced NDA To Talk About Jobs'

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2025

'When the BJP wanted the election to focus on 'ghuspathiya' and promises that look like pies in the sky, we forced them to talk about jobs, giving free 125 units of power, and addressing women's indebtedness.'

'Don't Consider Gold, Silver As Asset Classes'

'Don't Consider Gold, Silver As Asset Classes'

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2025

'An asset must generate income. Equities yield dividends, bonds pay coupons, deposits give interest, and real estate earns rent.' 'Gold, silver, and even Bitcoin produce no income, they merely store value. So, they should not be compared to productive assets.'

Will Nitish Kumar Spring A Surprise On Friday?

Will Nitish Kumar Spring A Surprise On Friday?

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2025

While it is evident that the INDIA bloc has not shut its doors on Nitish Kumar, those within the NDA are hopeful that the JD-U's support base would benefit them as well

'Banks Need To Reinvent Themselves'

'Banks Need To Reinvent Themselves'

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2025

'Reinvention is not a hugely difficult task. With technology as available today, you can reinvent yourself pretty quickly.'

UPI Goes Global, Fintech Hits A Wall

UPI Goes Global, Fintech Hits A Wall

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2025

'When you think of cross-border payments, the first things that come to mind are risk, compliance, taxation, speed, and cost.'