News for 'Business Standard the department'

'BJP Has Several Big Ideas For 2024 Election'

'BJP Has Several Big Ideas For 2024 Election'

Rediff.com22 Dec 2023

'The allegations of government involvement in targeted assassinations abroad are likely to help, not hurt, the ruling party.' 'True or false, they convey a sense of muscularity and, in some quarters, are celebrated as a harbinger of 'great power' status.'

All about the Infrastructure Finance Secretariat

All about the Infrastructure Finance Secretariat

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

During his first Union Budget in July 2014, former finance minister Arun Jaitley announced the setting up of an institution called 3P India, with an allocation of Rs 500 crore. The intention was to mainstream public-private partnerships (PPPs) in India. The plan was to bring together the capacities of the government and private sector to push PPP projects.

Apply for Maharashtra licence in 3 weeks, SC tells Uber

Apply for Maharashtra licence in 3 weeks, SC tells Uber

Rediff.com14 Feb 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday directed Uber to apply for a licence within three weeks to operate in Maharashtra, stressing that cab aggregators cannot function without one. A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud said that an earlier interim order by the Supreme Court that had allowed Uber to operate in the state would not provide legal cover, since an aggregator cannot operate without a licence. It ordered Uber to apply for a licence by March 6, said a report by Bar and Bench.

63.3% IT Returns Filed For Rs 5 Lakh Or Less

63.3% IT Returns Filed For Rs 5 Lakh Or Less

Rediff.com27 Dec 2022

Assessment year 2020-2021 saw returns filed fall to 69.7 million and stood at 71.4 million in assessment year 2021-2022.

Nirma's new clothes: The journey of detergent brand towards healthcare

Nirma's new clothes: The journey of detergent brand towards healthcare

Rediff.com12 Oct 2023

Nirma's tryst with the pharmaceutical space started in 2006 when it acquired the ailing Core Healthcare in a deal reported to be worth Rs 300 crore. The Ahmedabad-based manufacturer of intravenous fluids was subsequently renamed Nirlife. Pharma industry insiders say Nirma, which broke open the detergent market in the 1990s with low prices and massive advertising, tried an encore of the low-price strategy in pharma, but with mixed results.

Trai to update quality of service parameters soon; to meet telcos next month

Trai to update quality of service parameters soon; to meet telcos next month

Rediff.com6 Jul 2023

State-level reports every quarter for service quality and artificial intelligence-based solutions may be officially mandated as part of a set of more stringent, updated quality-of-service (QoS) norms by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) soon. The new norms will also factor in user experience for 5G networks, officials informed Business Standard. In February, Trai asked telecommunication (telecom) service providers (TSPs) to submit updates on measures taken to reduce call drops and lags and raise the quality of connection.

How Do We Prepare For LA 2028? We Don't.

How Do We Prepare For LA 2028? We Don't.

Rediff.com15 Aug 2024

You don't prep for 2028 but for 2040, or even 2044. Sustained sporting excellence is based on mass support, grassroots development, and funding - and it is this trifecta India needs to work on, systematically, asserts Prem Panicker.

How Jio plans to auction spectrum required by NGSO

How Jio plans to auction spectrum required by NGSO

Rediff.com14 Jun 2023

Reliance Jio has suggested an alternative plan to the The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) under which spectrum required by non-geostationary orbit satellite (NGSO) operators to run their gateway terminals should be auctioned geographically, based on districts, rather than circles as done for mobile services. For spectrum which would be required to connect user terminals (like individual homes), Jio has suggested it should be auctioned frequency-wise and exclusively to an operator at a pan-India level. The move is significant as the auctioning of satellite space spectrum has been vehemently opposed by low earth orbit satellite operators (satellites which circle at low altitudes of 200-2000 km).

Over 24 prominent charitable institutions in India may face tax scrutiny

Over 24 prominent charitable institutions in India may face tax scrutiny

Rediff.com31 Oct 2022

More than 24 prominent charitable institutions in the country - from private trusts, educational societies, statutory authorities, and cricket associations - may soon face tax scrutiny after a Supreme Court (SC) ruling set the limits to which tax exemption can be claimed. Most of these are highly profitable but get tax exemption due to their 'charitable organisation' status. The revenue department is preparing a standard operating procedure to scrutinise their books and evaluate if they can continue to claim tax exemption in the context of the recent SC ruling

GST Council may take up e-game tax in December meet

GST Council may take up e-game tax in December meet

Rediff.com22 Oct 2022

It will also be new Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra's first GST Council meeting. He will take charge after the incumbent Tarun Bajaj retires on November 30.

Citing National Security, India Bans Chinese Cos

Citing National Security, India Bans Chinese Cos

Rediff.com8 Jun 2023

The government believes firms which are subject to China's laws could be forced to hand over information to Beijing's security services.

The Battle For Satellite Spectrum

The Battle For Satellite Spectrum

Rediff.com27 Dec 2023

While the market for satellite broadband currently is small, the potential is large as an estimated 30 per cent of the country does not have reliable terrestrial broadband services.

IRCTC moves to monetise passenger data

IRCTC moves to monetise passenger data

Rediff.com26 Aug 2022

In a first of its kind move, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the ticket booking arm of the Indian Railways, is looking to monetise its bank of passenger data while conducting business with private and government companies. IRCTC has a large bank of data related to every online railway ticket ever generated as it is the country's only railway ticketing platform, an IRCTC official told Business Standard. The public sector undertaking, which has sought the services of a consultant to assist with the monetisation process, plans to raise Rs 1,000 crore through this exercise.

'Public AI infrastructure we create would help startups'

'Public AI infrastructure we create would help startups'

Rediff.com9 Jan 2024

'Similar to the case of the digital payment system where the government created a public platform and others joined in, we are exploring a similar structure to create a PPP platform where the compute required for AI could be accessed by the small player.'

Majority Of Judges Are Upper Castes

Majority Of Judges Are Upper Castes

Rediff.com13 Feb 2023

The law ministry said 78 per cent of high court judges appointed between 2018 and 2022 belonged to the upper caste.

Share of NRIs, overseas investors in mutual fund assets declining

Share of NRIs, overseas investors in mutual fund assets declining

Rediff.com13 Apr 2023

The share of non-resident Indians (NRIs) and overseas investors in Indian mutual funds has been declining over time, despite adding half-a-trillion rupees to holdings over the last five years. Mutual fund holdings for the segment went up from Rs 0.95 trillion as of December 2018 to Rs 1.54 trillion as of December 2022, shows Business Standard analysis of data from the industry body Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi). Their share in overall mutual fund assets has fallen from 4.2 per cent to 3.9 per cent during the same period.

Nandan Nilekani to join govt panel on curbing digital monopolies

Nandan Nilekani to join govt panel on curbing digital monopolies

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

Infosys chairman and Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani will join a panel set up by the central government, along with eight other members, to advise the government on designing and accelerating adoption of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), aimed at curbing digital monopolies. The larger idea is to give 'free and fair' choice to consumers to buy products on an online platform, a senior government official said.

US recovery helped India hit $400-bn export target

US recovery helped India hit $400-bn export target

Rediff.com1 Apr 2022

Economic recovery from the pandemic in the US has helped India achieve the $400-billion mark for exports for the first time in any fiscal year. According to the preliminary data compiled by the Department of Commerce, India exported goods worth $73 billion to the US from April 1 to March 21 - up 47 per cent, compared to last year. The US' share of exports, compared to total exports, stood at 18.2 per cent. The country is also India's largest trading partner and export destination.

India's Startup Scorecard

India's Startup Scorecard

Rediff.com2 Apr 2024

For the startup ecosystem in India, the scorecard so far has been a mixed bag, observes Akhil Gupta.

Will a fresh wave of Covid-19 hit India?

Will a fresh wave of Covid-19 hit India?

Rediff.com31 Mar 2023

According to Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman, national Indian Medical Association Covid Task Force, the current scenario qualifies as a wave.

ED's scope of probe under PMLA increased 2.5 times in six years

ED's scope of probe under PMLA increased 2.5 times in six years

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

Recently, Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth Rs 757.8 crore of Amway India Enterprises in connection with an alleged marketing scam. It claimed that Amway was running a multi-level marketing scam. The ED provisionally attached immovable and movable properties worth Rs 411.83 crore and bank balances of Rs 345.94 crore from 36 different accounts belonging to Amway. Data from the Department of Economic Affairs shows that in 2021-22 (until December 2021), ED had provisionally attached Rs 8,989.3 crore worth of assets.

Now, each state to have a score card on ease of doing business

Now, each state to have a score card on ease of doing business

Rediff.com19 May 2015

States to come under DIPP watch on ease of doing business.

Govt readies portal to speed up Rs 2.5 trn-plus asset monetisation drive

Govt readies portal to speed up Rs 2.5 trn-plus asset monetisation drive

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

The government has developed an asset monetisation dashboard for monitoring real-time progress of its ambitious Rs 2.5 trillion-plus pipeline, and providing visibility to investors. The portal has been prepared as the government tries to provide a one-stop shop to investors keen on taking over assets of government departments and ministries.

How Women Change The Political Game

How Women Change The Political Game

Rediff.com22 Dec 2023

More than ever before, women voters can make or mar a political party's electoral fortunes.

Pre-Budget Consultations To Begin Soon

Pre-Budget Consultations To Begin Soon

Rediff.com16 Nov 2022

Seven of the meetings will be held in late November or early December at the finance ministry, as is the norm.

Govt may seek crypto log on transactions from banks, exchanges

Govt may seek crypto log on transactions from banks, exchanges

Rediff.com31 Mar 2022

The tax authorities may tell banks and crypto exchanges to report transactions of virtual digital assets (VDAs) as the government begins taxing gains from cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens from April 1. So far, the tax department has relied on voluntary disclosures on transactions of VDAs. Once implemented, the sale and purchase of digital assets will reflect in the Annual Information Statement (AIS). The AIS contains details of at least 46 of the financial transactions done by a taxpayer in a financial year.

Trade settlement in rupee: Fearing sanctions by West, banks seek clarity

Trade settlement in rupee: Fearing sanctions by West, banks seek clarity

Rediff.com9 Aug 2022

Banks have raised concerns over the new international trade settlement in rupee, fearing that facilitation of such a mechanism could result in them facing the ire of economic sanctions by the West, people aware of the matter said. Large banks with overseas operations have sought clarity and assurance from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that they will not be targeted with sanctions for facilitating rupee trade with a sanction-hit country such as Russia. The present payment mechanism is a shift from earlier such arrangements, like the one with sanction-hit Iran, which involved banks facilitating settlement of international trade that did not have business in the sanctioned nation.

Walmart looking at sourcing toys, shoes, bicycles from India

Walmart looking at sourcing toys, shoes, bicycles from India

Rediff.com21 May 2023

US-based retail giant Walmart is looking to source toys, shoes and bicycles from Indian suppliers as the company is targeting to increase its exports from India to USD 10 billion annually by 2027. The company also wants to develop new suppliers in categories such as food, pharmaceuticals, consumables, health and wellness, and apparel and home textiles, a company spokesperson told PTI. Officials from the Bentonville-headquartered firm recently held a virtual meeting with several domestic toy manufacturers in India.

UP sitting on 2900-tonne goldmine at Sonbhadra

UP sitting on 2900-tonne goldmine at Sonbhadra

Rediff.com22 Feb 2020

According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and UP geology and mining directorate reports, gold reserves totalling 2,944 tonnes have been found in the Sona Pahadi and Hardi blocks of the backward Sonbhadra district.

I-T Goes After Rs 7.7 Trillion Tax Arrears

I-T Goes After Rs 7.7 Trillion Tax Arrears

Rediff.com5 Jan 2023

Senior tax officials were told to focus on cash collection from the arrears so that the target for FY23 was achieved and the overall revenue position improved.

Joshimath Tourism Industry Stares At Sinking Fortunes

Joshimath Tourism Industry Stares At Sinking Fortunes

Rediff.com11 Jan 2023

The tourism industry plays a vital role in the town, accounting for 70 per cent of its economy, according to experts.

Ayodhya to get 'Ramaland' on the lines of Disneyland

Ayodhya to get 'Ramaland' on the lines of Disneyland

Rediff.com8 May 2023

'With Ramaland, the tourism department is looking to attract children and adults alike. It'll be learning with entertainment.'

'LIC keeps investing in companies...'

'LIC keeps investing in companies...'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

'In equities, it has diversified portfolios.' 'So the short-term movement of individual stocks does not impact them.'

'We Need Thousands Of Gandhis Now'

'We Need Thousands Of Gandhis Now'

Rediff.com2 May 2024

'The world needs Gandhi now more than any other time in history.'

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

Rediff.com10 Jan 2022

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will soon start public consultation for a national retail trade policy, which is likely to include an insurance scheme aimed at providing financial protection against losses caused by theft, accidents or natural calamities. The policy will also spell out ways to give traders access to low-cost finance, promote digital inclusion, and create necessary infrastructure to support them, a senior government official told Business Standard. This is expected to offer relief especially to traditional traders, who are facing stiff competition from large e-commerce players.

Toy makers face a 'glocal' challenge

Toy makers face a 'glocal' challenge

Rediff.com30 Dec 2022

The Chinese dependence is far from over, industry players are also citing a shortage of electronic toys in the country.

IT Hiring Slowdown Worries Students

IT Hiring Slowdown Worries Students

Rediff.com13 Nov 2023

'Students of Tier-II and Tier III engineering colleges in the south may find 2023 to be one of the toughest years for getting jobs.'

Ajay Singh appointed press secretary to president

Ajay Singh appointed press secretary to president

Rediff.com16 Sep 2019

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the appointment of Singh as Press Secretary to the President on contract basis initially for a period of one year or until further orders, the Department of Personnel and Training said in an order.

The Credila Success Story

The Credila Success Story

Rediff.com10 Jul 2023

Education finance is a complex and dynamic sector. There are too many variables -- the course, the calibre of students, the universities, and the job prospects once the course is over, notes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Low demand for goods from China, others sinks imports

Low demand for goods from China, others sinks imports

Rediff.com26 Feb 2023

A decline in demand from six of India's top 10 import partners -- China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, South Korea, Australia, and Singapore -- resulted in India's imports hitting a 17-month low of $50.6 billion in January, showed the data compiled by the department of commerce. Shipments from South Korea, Australia, and Singapore declined by 14.1 per cent, 26.7 per cent, and 9.8 per cent, respectively. Among the 10, growth in inbound shipment was seen only in the case of the United Arab Emirates (12.1 per cent), the US (27.4 per cent), Russia (297.4 per cent), and Indonesia (22.9 per cent).