News for 'Business Standard the department'

Will Ombudsman Fix Air Travel Hassles?

Will Ombudsman Fix Air Travel Hassles?

Rediff.com26 Mar 2024

'The ministry may like to consider setting up an ombudsman similar to electricity ombudsman and insurance ombudsman, to ensure a time-bound resolution of consumer issues within the airline sector.'

How Met department plans to fight city floods

How Met department plans to fight city floods

Rediff.com8 Aug 2016

At present, the Met department is often unable to provide exact information on the exact amount of rain over a localised area.

The Formidable Editor, Vimla Patil

The Formidable Editor, Vimla Patil

Rediff.com3 Oct 2024

Vimla Patil always stressed the importance of proving wrong the perception that women were women's worst enemies. And it iss a lesson I carried forward with me all through my career, learning empathy, understanding and ways to help as I went along. Sathya Saran, who succeeded Mrs Patil as Femina's editor, pays homage to the well-known journalist who passed into the ages on September 29, 2024.

'Rs 1.7 trillion may be GST average collection next FY'

'Rs 1.7 trillion may be GST average collection next FY'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2024

'We crossed Rs 1.7 trillion in three months this financial year.'

BJP Luminaries Gather In Varanasi

BJP Luminaries Gather In Varanasi

Rediff.com27 May 2024

The electoral battle in Varanasi, according to locals and political experts, is not about whether the PM will win for a third successive occasion, but if he will increase his share of the votes polled and his win margin.

Quality Lapses Shut Down Drug Makers

Quality Lapses Shut Down Drug Makers

Rediff.com28 Jun 2024

Most of the pharma units are failing in documentation, and validation processes, and many don't have full-fledged quality control laboratories.

Doctors want govt to allow 4th booster

Doctors want govt to allow 4th booster

Rediff.com4 Jan 2023

'The protective effect of the vaccine lasts for about nine months to a year.' 'For health workers that period is already over. This is the right time to augment their immunity.'

India set to launch first-ever offshore mineral auction in Q1 FY24

India set to launch first-ever offshore mineral auction in Q1 FY24

Rediff.com28 Dec 2023

In a step towards diversifying its resource base and securing green energy minerals, India is poised to launch its first-ever offshore mineral auction in the first quarter of 2024, announced Union Minister of Mines Pralhad Joshi during the launch event of the National Geoscience Data Repository portal. The government plans to hold auctions in March, offering 10-15 blocks for bidding. Meanwhile, the ministry of mines is currently developing rules and regulations for offshore mining.

100 cities in six months: Govt's ambitious ONDC pilots on Friday

100 cities in six months: Govt's ambitious ONDC pilots on Friday

Rediff.com28 Apr 2022

This will be done across five cities - Delhi, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Bhopal, and Shillong. Thereafter, it will be scaled up and launched in 100 cities over a period of six months, said a senior government official.

Monsoon may finally start withdrawing in next three days, says IMD

Monsoon may finally start withdrawing in next three days, says IMD

Rediff.com19 Sep 2022

The southwest monsoon might finally start withdrawing from parts of North-West India over the next three days, signaling the end of its four-month journey over the country that started in June, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. However, though the retreat might begin from next week, the rains might not descend quickly, as the met department predicted fresh spells of rains in Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh and east MP on September 21-22 and over Odisha, Coastal areas north Andhra Pradesh and Gangetic West Bengal on September 19-21. "Due to anti-cyclonic flows over northwest India at lower tropospheric levels, dry weather is very likely over west Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi during the next five days. "Hence conditions are becoming favourable for the withdrawal of Southwest Monsoon from parts of northwest India during next three days," the IMD said.

Byju's sacks 1,000 more; count jumps to 3,500

Byju's sacks 1,000 more; count jumps to 3,500

Rediff.com20 Jun 2023

India's largest edtech firm Byju's will fire 1,000 employees in a fresh round of layoffs across departments. With the latest round, total job cuts at the company have mounted to around 3,500. According to sources, fresh job cuts are an attempt by the company to improve its finances and work towards a path to profitability.

Railways reduces speed of Vande Bharat till Kavach is operational

Railways reduces speed of Vande Bharat till Kavach is operational

Rediff.com27 Jun 2024

The Railway Board has reduced the speed of semi-high speed trains Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat from 160 kmph to 130 kmph till the automatic train protection system gets operational.

After UP, Uttarakhand implements kanwar route eatery order

After UP, Uttarakhand implements kanwar route eatery order

Rediff.com19 Jul 2024

An Uttar Pradesh government spokesperson said a formal order for all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route in the state was likely to be issued soon.

What Rajnath's UK Visit Means For India's Defence

What Rajnath's UK Visit Means For India's Defence

Rediff.com8 Jan 2024

The Indian Navy, which was earlier looking towards the US for design expertise, technical know-how and operational practices, is now considering the advantages of working with the Royal Navy.

Google unveils a slate of AI tools for Indian developers

Google unveils a slate of AI tools for Indian developers

Rediff.com29 Jun 2023

Google unveiled on Wednesday a slate of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies for Indian developers at its first I/O Connect event for India, being held in Bengaluru. The company made accessible for Indian developers its faster, more accurate large language AI model accessible through PaLM API, Makersuite, as well as features on Google Cloud's Vertex AI. Google Cloud officially launched a new initiative in collaboration with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, to help sellers build and scale commerce platforms across the country.

Air India offers VRS in first move to prune headcount

Air India offers VRS in first move to prune headcount

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

Tata-owned Air India has launched a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) for its employees- in the airline's first drive to reduce headcount. The salt-to-steel conglomerate acquired the carrier last year. As of November 2019, the airline had 9,426 permanent employees.

'We Want Chinese Style Growth'

'We Want Chinese Style Growth'

Rediff.com1 Aug 2024

'We have essentially tried to set out an agenda for the next five years and it, in essence, represents the political commitment to that agenda.'

How Banks Plan To Tackle 'Mule' Fraud

How Banks Plan To Tackle 'Mule' Fraud

Rediff.com8 Aug 2024

'A mule operates someone else's account to transfer illegal money.'

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

India's recent move to remove additional 'retaliatory' duty on eight products from the United States (US), including apples and walnuts, would not have any negative impact on the domestic producers, the government clarified, even as the issue threatened to snowball into a political slugfest between the ruling and Opposition parties. The move would, in fact, result in competition in the premium market segment, ensuring better quality at better prices for consumers, especially for apples, a senior government official said. "There were certain concerns that were being raised on the mutually agreed solution that has come in, more specific to seven-eight agriculture products where we had levied additional import duties in retaliation to the steel and aluminum measures (imposed by the US)," Peeyush Kumar, additional secretary in the commerce department, told reporters in a briefing.

Air India upgrading crew rostering, customer notification system: Wilson

Air India upgrading crew rostering, customer notification system: Wilson

Rediff.com19 Jun 2023

Air India has been a subject of its passengers' ire this week as more than half of its flights have been delayed, primarily because of an old crew rostering system. Due to the existing system, the airline has not been able to handle the disruption created by cyclone 'Biparjoy' on India's western coast. The sudden grounding of two planes also added to the carrier's woes.

Imports from Russia jump 33% to $1.1 bn in March

Imports from Russia jump 33% to $1.1 bn in March

Rediff.com9 May 2022

Shipments from Russia rose nearly 33 per cent to $1.1 billion in March from $831.17 million in the previous month, which was when the country mounted aggression on Ukraine and faced sanctions from Western nations, the data accessed by Business Standard shows. Growth in imports was largely on account of oil, people aware of the matter said. The Department of Commerce is learnt to have written to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), seeking details of imports, including the payment mechanism, which India has not made public.

Centre in 'mission mode' to fill job vacancies in govt depts and ministries

Centre in 'mission mode' to fill job vacancies in govt depts and ministries

Rediff.com29 Sep 2022

The Centre is in "mission mode" to fill vacancies in government departments and ministries. The Department of Expenditure is currently following up with other wings of the government to expedite pending appointments. Regular follow-ups are being made to fill the vacant positions, so that the stated target of eliminating 1 million vacancies is met by December 2023, ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections. Even as the nodal ministry for filling vacant positions in the government is the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the Department of Expenditure's Establishment Coordination (Personnel) division is providing support for the recruitment drive.

'Jobs Have To Be Created Everywhere'

'Jobs Have To Be Created Everywhere'

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

'I found it unbelievable that L&T said 45,000 jobs were waiting to be filled because of unavailability of suitable skillsets.' 'So, when the Opposition sweepingly says there are no jobs, I'm sorry... I'm not saying it's raining jobs, but there are jobs. The (skill) gap has to be bridged.'

'Money lending has become prudent and conservative'

'Money lending has become prudent and conservative'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2024

'We need to be far more careful given the fact that while this is group lending, it's essentially unsecured.'

'Indian manufacturers are making good-quality EVs'

'Indian manufacturers are making good-quality EVs'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2023

'I'm very much against petrol and diesel....'' 'I travel in an electric car.' 'I have had a really good experience with it.'

5G Spectrum Auction Unlikely Before 2023

5G Spectrum Auction Unlikely Before 2023

Rediff.com27 Sep 2021

'We are targeting the 5G tender around January-March 2023.'

Is Technology Important In Banking?

Is Technology Important In Banking?

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

'Just the amount of work which is there just to become more and more successful in banking. For this to happen you need to have leaders who understand technology.'

US Targets India's Russian Oil Source

US Targets India's Russian Oil Source

Rediff.com28 Feb 2024

Urals and Sokol accounted for every 4 out of 5 barrels of Russian supplies to India last year.

'A prime minister should take the country forward'

'A prime minister should take the country forward'

Rediff.com19 Apr 2024

'The prime minister took a meeting recently and he asked for suggestions and ideas for a plan till 2047.'

Champai Soren: Puppet Or Puppeteer?

Champai Soren: Puppet Or Puppeteer?

Rediff.com19 Feb 2024

Pressure from the Soren clan is only one of the challenges Champai faces as he readies himself to helm the predominantly tribal state.

Govt notifies standards for mobiles, 14 other electronic items

Govt notifies standards for mobiles, 14 other electronic items

Rediff.com9 Nov 2014

The government has notified mandatory standards for 15 electronic products, including mobile phones, power banks, LED lamps, to curb flow of low quality items in the country.

Will BJP benefit from Trinamool leader's arrest for Sandeshkhali?

Will BJP benefit from Trinamool leader's arrest for Sandeshkhali?

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

Whether the age-old cry of kendrer banchana will be able to drown out pangs of Sandeshkhali, the EVM will tell.

GST Authority Summon Insurance Intermediaries

GST Authority Summon Insurance Intermediaries

Rediff.com2 Mar 2023

At least 120 insurance intermediaries and aggregators from across the country are under scrutiny, mainly from Mumbai, Gurugram and Bengaluru.

Monsoon onset over Kerala to be delayed

Monsoon onset over Kerala to be delayed

Rediff.com16 May 2023

The onset of the southwest monsoon is being keenly watched this year as it may provide an early sign regarding its progress over the Indian subcontinent, particularly when El Nio is expected to rear its head during the latter half of the season.

Wipro asks freshers to take new test or get terminated

Wipro asks freshers to take new test or get terminated

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

Wipro is in the news, again. The information technology (IT) services company has mandated freshers, who had opted for a lower salary package of Rs 3.5 lakh per annum, instead of Rs 6.5 lakh per annum, clear a new training module titled Project Readiness Program (PRP) and score at least 60 per cent or stand terminated. Wipro is not the only company to have implemented such a programme.

Satellite spectrum: Reliance Jio sends second legal opinion to Trai

Satellite spectrum: Reliance Jio sends second legal opinion to Trai

Rediff.com4 Sep 2023

Reliance Jio has sent a second legal opinion to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on the subject of the potential allocation of satellite spectrum. The letter is written by retired Supreme Court Justice L Nageshwara Rao and argues in favour of auctions, stating that any other method for allocating spectrum apart from auctions could be constitutionally unsound. Business Standard has reviewed the letter.

Impact of untimely rain on wheat crop marginal

Impact of untimely rain on wheat crop marginal

Rediff.com5 Apr 2023

There has not been a large impact of untimely rain and hailstorm so far in several major wheat-growing areas, and those might have damaged around 3 per cent of the standing crop -- not enough to make a big dent in the expected 112 million tonnes of production in FY24, a senior government official said on Tuesday. Relentless rain pounded most North Indian states all through March. Separately, the chairman of Food Corporation of India (FCI), Ashok K Meena, told reporters the agency was on track to achieve the targeted 34 million tonnes of procurement in FY24 on the back of a strong start to the purchase season from Madhya Pradesh.

'We should not call it demonetisation'

'We should not call it demonetisation'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2023

'...because it is still a legal tender.'

Maharashtra govt unhappy over ease of doing business ranking

Maharashtra govt unhappy over ease of doing business ranking

Rediff.com16 Sep 2015

The govt plans to seek Centre's help for a re-assessment by the World Bank.

Govt Misses Divestment Target

Govt Misses Divestment Target

Rediff.com19 Jan 2023

Ahead of the Budget, the government has achieved almost half the divestment target of Rs 65,000 crore. FY23 divestment receipts are unlikely to be anywhere close to the budgeted target.