News for '-urban'

'Future policy actions tied to the growth-inflation dynamic'

'Future policy actions tied to the growth-inflation dynamic'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

'Given the lag in transmission, further softening of lending rates may happen in the coming months.'

It's official! India bids for 2030 Commonwealth Games

It's official! India bids for 2030 Commonwealth Games

Rediff.com30 Aug 2025

India on Friday officially submitted its proposal to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking a significant step in its ambition to bring the multi-sport event back to the country after two decades.

Flipkart, Amazon Stack Up Space For Festival Rush

Flipkart, Amazon Stack Up Space For Festival Rush

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Festive sales are expected to surge 27 per cent to cross Rs 120,000 crore in 2025, driving Amazon and Flipkart to expand warehousing capacity by millions of cubic feet and extend delivery networks to thousands of new pin codes -- an infrastructure buildout that could reshape India's retail landscape for years.

How Monsoon 2025 Turned Into A Nightmare

How Monsoon 2025 Turned Into A Nightmare

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

IMD data shows in the 24 hours between September 1 and 2, Haryana received 806 per cent more rainfall than normal, Punjab 759 per cent, Himachal Pradesh 510 per cent, Delhi 740 per cent, Chandigarh a staggering 1,638 per cent, and Rajasthan 193 per cent.

India not to blame for Pakistan's devastating floods: Experts

India not to blame for Pakistan's devastating floods: Experts

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

Hydrology experts suggest that India cannot be directly blamed for the devastating monsoon flooding in Pakistan this year, citing greater destruction upstream of the border and lack of evidence for intentional action.

'Markets Remain Far From 2024 Euphoria'

'Markets Remain Far From 2024 Euphoria'

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

'A balanced portfolio mix of domestic and international equity, fixed income, and precious metals is recommended.'

Manufacturing pushes industrial output growth to 4-month high

Manufacturing pushes industrial output growth to 4-month high

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

India's industrial production growth accelerated to a 4-month high of 3.5 per cent in July this year due to good performance of manufacturing sector, according to official data released on Thursday. The country's industrial output earlier recorded this level of growth at 3.9 per cent in March 2025.

GST and income tax cuts to spark sustained growth

GST and income tax cuts to spark sustained growth

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

GST Reform 2.0, which trims tax slabs from four to two, signals a push for demand-led growth, and together with recent income tax cuts, sets the stage for sustained economic growth, experts said. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on September 3 approved an overhaul of the indirect tax regime by taxing essentials at 5 per cent and other goods at 18 per cent. A new 40 per cent tax will be applicable on luxury and sin items.

Blow to Uddhav, Raj as Sena UBT-MNS faces drubbing in BEST credit society poll

Blow to Uddhav, Raj as Sena UBT-MNS faces drubbing in BEST credit society poll

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

The Shiv Sena-UBT-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena panel has lost all 21 seats in the election to the BEST Employees Cooperative Credit Society Ltd, a platform where the two parties came together, sparking buzz about a pan-Maharashtra alliance.

First Look: Inside Kartavya Bhavan, the new seat of govt

First Look: Inside Kartavya Bhavan, the new seat of govt

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Construction of all ten buildings of the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) is slated for completion in the next 22 months. Several ministries currently housed in Shastri Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, Nirman Bhavan, and Udyog Bhavan will begin relocating to four new locations. The first building, Kartavya Bhavan, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What Does Keeladi Tell Us About Our Civilisation?

What Does Keeladi Tell Us About Our Civilisation?

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'Archaeological sites like Keeladi, having remained buried for 2,500 years, have come out and speak now.'

Lokah Review: Intriguing!

Lokah Review: Intriguing!

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

The Kalyani Priyadarshan starrer is the kind of incentive superhero origin story that can alter the way such films are made in Malayalam cinema, feels Arjun Menon.

Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Lucknow named top 3 clean cities

Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Lucknow named top 3 clean cities

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

Ahmedabad has been named the cleanest big city in the latest Swachh Survekshan, while Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai were recognized for exceptional sanitation efforts in a new 'Super Swachh League Cities' category.

Mumbai, Kohima safest for women; Delhi, Kolkata at bottom: NARI report

Mumbai, Kohima safest for women; Delhi, Kolkata at bottom: NARI report

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

The National Annual Report & Index on Women's Safety (NARI) 2025 reveals the safest and least safe cities for women in India, highlighting factors influencing safety perceptions and experiences.

EC asks Maha poll officers how to tackle urban apathy

EC asks Maha poll officers how to tackle urban apathy

Rediff.com27 Sep 2024

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar during the first day of review of poll preparedness of the state asked the district election officers and municipal commissioners to explain the steps taken by them to deal with 'urban apathy'.

Dhankhar to vacate VP Enclave, may shift to govt bungalow

Dhankhar to vacate VP Enclave, may shift to govt bungalow

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

Jagdeep Dhankhar, after resigning as Vice President, is preparing to move out of the Vice President's Enclave and will be offered a government bungalow.

Maha to scrap land fragmentation law; 50 lakh families to benefit

Maha to scrap land fragmentation law; 50 lakh families to benefit

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

The Maharashtra government will grant legal status to subdivided land parcels up to January 1, 2025, by relaxing and gradually scrapping the land fragmentation law. This decision aims to resolve legal hurdles related to property registration, construction permissions, and ownership for over 50 lakh families.

RBI's mpc minutes: Status quo in August hinged on tariffs, rate-cut outcome

RBI's mpc minutes: Status quo in August hinged on tariffs, rate-cut outcome

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

Uncertainties over the impact of the United States' (US') tariffs on India, along with the ongoing transmission of past rate cuts, prompted the members of the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to maintain the status quo during the August meeting, the minutes showed. While some of the external members highlighted their concern over growth, the internal members cited the one-year headline inflation rate overshooting the 4 per cent target.

52% Of Urban Indians Utilise Ayush

52% Of Urban Indians Utilise Ayush

Rediff.com18 Jun 2024

Ayush refers to the six Indian systems of medicines, namely Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy are majorly prevalent in the country.

Trump's Tariffs: India's Second 1991 Moment

Trump's Tariffs: India's Second 1991 Moment

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

The crisis may not be as visible this time, but the stakes are just as high, points out Rajeswari Sengupta.

Maharashtra: Sena, BJP ministers tussle over officials' meet

Maharashtra: Sena, BJP ministers tussle over officials' meet

Rediff.com26 Jul 2025

Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat of the Shiv Sena has taken an exception to his junior minister Madhuri Misal belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party holding a meeting with department officials 'without informing' him, with the latter responded saying it was very much within her powers.

2.17 lakh fake notes of various denominations detected in FY25

2.17 lakh fake notes of various denominations detected in FY25

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

As many as 2.17 lakh pieces of fake notes of various denominations were detected during 2024-25 compared to 2.23 lakh such notes in the previous year, Parliament was informed on Monday. Of this, highest -- 117,722 pieces -- counterfeit notes of 500 [MG (New) Series] were detected in FY25, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Andhera Review: Absurd

Andhera Review: Absurd

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

It is sporadically chilling but the disparate elements take forever to come together, notes Deepa Gahlot.

327 killed as flash floods lash northwest Pakistan in 48 hrs

327 killed as flash floods lash northwest Pakistan in 48 hrs

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

Flash floods in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have resulted in a significant loss of life, with the death toll rising to 327 in the last 48 hours. The disaster has prompted relief efforts from the army and government agencies.

9 Vaishno Devi pilgrims among 13 killed in J-K rains, landslides

9 Vaishno Devi pilgrims among 13 killed in J-K rains, landslides

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

Relentless heavy rain led to a landslide on the route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hill on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least five people and injuring 14, officials said.

Urban demand stress under watch, festivals may boost consumption: FinMin

Urban demand stress under watch, festivals may boost consumption: FinMin

Rediff.com29 Oct 2024

Days before Diwali, the monthly economic review by the finance ministry has highlighted moderation in urban demand, softening consumer sentiments and limited footfall as areas that need to be watched. In its review, released on Monday, the ministry also noted the early signs of artificial intelligence displacing workers, as described in anecdotal reports. The commentary from several large consumer goods companies, including Nestl India, Hindustan Unilever, and ITC, in their recent quarterly earnings, has been around a sluggish urban demand. Rural consumption, however, has mostly seen a revival, the companies pointed out.

'Almost All The People We Call 'Antinationals' Are The Ones Who Care'

'Almost All The People We Call 'Antinationals' Are The Ones Who Care'

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

'And then the people who call themselves great nationalists, I can bet you that 99 per cent of them are dodging taxes, have sent their kids to America, or are doing everything to make sure that what goes on in this country doesn't affect their personal wealth or their whatever bull*&$%.'

Congress to ditch MVA for Maharashtra local body polls?

Congress to ditch MVA for Maharashtra local body polls?

Rediff.com6 Jul 2025

With local body elections approaching in Maharashtra, a significant portion of the Congress party is advocating for contesting independently to regain lost ground amidst the BJP's growing influence. The party is currently part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.

'These Are Not 'Strays' But Community Dogs'

'These Are Not 'Strays' But Community Dogs'

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

'Day by day we expose how soulless we have become as a society. Every day is a disappointment.'

Modi inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan, the new seat of govt

Modi inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan, the new seat of govt

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan, the first of ten Common Central Secretariat buildings, aiming to consolidate ministries for improved efficiency. The building will house several key ministries, relocating them from older, outdated structures.

Unemployment rate rises to 5.6% in May

Unemployment rate rises to 5.6% in May

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

The rate of unemployment in the country, measured in monthly term, rose to 5.6 per cent in May from 5.1 per cent in April this year mainly due to seasonal variation, showed the government data released on Monday.

Gill: More Dhoni Than Kohli

Gill: More Dhoni Than Kohli

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

A few months after his U-19 World Cup heroics, three senior journalists sought his cellphone number, which he readily provided -- only, he gave three different, but similar, numbers to the three of them!

Ex-CJI Chandrachud vacates official residence after row

Ex-CJI Chandrachud vacates official residence after row

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

A controversy had arisen over his stay at the official residence of CJI at 5, Krishna Menon Marg, New Delhi, beyond permissible time.

NPAs in agriculture sector stay high amid loan-saturation concerns

NPAs in agriculture sector stay high amid loan-saturation concerns

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

Bad loans in the agriculture sector remain elevated, with several public-sector banks (PSBs) reporting higher slippages in the April-June quarter of FY26. For many banks, non-performing assets (NPAs) in farm lending were 5 per cent or more, with some nearing double digits.'

India Must Only Agree To A Deal If It Is A Win-Win

India Must Only Agree To A Deal If It Is A Win-Win

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

To those who ask, "Is all this really worth it? Why can't domestic demand fill the gap?", it is important to remind them that only 13 economies since the Second World War have grown at 7 per cent or more for 25 years -- like India needs to. They all had one thing in common: Strong export growth underpinned by strong global engagement, explains Sajjid Z Chinoy.

Move over incentives, time for 'soft' mandates on EVs: Niti Aayog

Move over incentives, time for 'soft' mandates on EVs: Niti Aayog

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

After a slew of programmes to facilitate electric-vehicle (EV) adoption in India, the NITI Aayog has said the government has done enough on incentives and now it's time to take the programme a step further with "strong signals" through regulations and mandates.

'I'm Not Against Hindi. I'm Against Linguistic Centralisation'

'I'm Not Against Hindi. I'm Against Linguistic Centralisation'

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

'We already understand Hindi -- through Bollywood, TV, pop culture.' 'But we never forced it on ourselves.' 'When something is imposed, the joy and organic nature of learning disappears.'

How Maharashtra Plans To Prosecute 'Urban Naxals'

How Maharashtra Plans To Prosecute 'Urban Naxals'

Rediff.com30 Jul 2024

'The strategy of frontal organisations of the Maoists is to create unrest and ensure that such unrest leads to a law and order problem.' 'To cover such acts it was necessary to bring in a different definition of unlawful activities which is different from the definition of unlawful activities in the UAPA.'

The Rise Of Eco-Luxury Homes

The Rise Of Eco-Luxury Homes

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Glass facades and air-conditioned enclaves are giving way to spaces that breathe -- homes that reflect a deeper connection to nature, heritage, and well-being.

Chinnaswamy Stadium unsafe for mass gathering: D'Cunha Commission

Chinnaswamy Stadium unsafe for mass gathering: D'Cunha Commission

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

The Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission, appointed by the Karnataka Government, has deemed Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium "unsuitable and unsafe for mass gathering".