News for 'Commerce Department'

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).

Russia withdraws troops from annexed Ukrainian city

Russia withdraws troops from annexed Ukrainian city

Rediff.com1 Oct 2022

On Friday, Putin formally announced the annexation of four regions -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia -- and claimed that "this is the will of millions of people".

Did Prabhu's tweet on exports help markets, rupee recoup losses?

Did Prabhu's tweet on exports help markets, rupee recoup losses?

Rediff.com14 Sep 2018

Export trade during August 2018 recorded at $27.84 billion, a positive growth of 19.21 per cent, tweeted Prabhu.

Droupadi Murmu set to become India's first tribal President

Droupadi Murmu set to become India's first tribal President

Rediff.com21 Jun 2022

The announcement of Murmu's candidature by BJP president J P Nadda came a day after she celebrated her 64th birthday.

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.

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.

Storming of Capitol Hill: More top officials resign

Storming of Capitol Hill: More top officials resign

Rediff.com8 Jan 2021

Two of the US Cabinet members -- Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Transport Secretary Elaine Chao -- have resigned over the storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters. US Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund has also announced that he would resign this month after he faced criticism for failing to prevent Trump supporters from storming the building.

NSA Ajit Doval leads A-team to US for crucial talks on emerging tech

NSA Ajit Doval leads A-team to US for crucial talks on emerging tech

Rediff.com30 Jan 2023

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will hold crucial talks with the top US leadership, including his counterpart Jake Sullivan, on the first high-level dialogue on Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday allocated portfolios to the new ministers, keeping 14 departments with himself and giving home affairs to deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and health to other deputy O P Soni.

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.

Foreign e-com cos creating massive unemployment, alleges RIL

Foreign e-com cos creating massive unemployment, alleges RIL

Rediff.com23 Mar 2021

Capital dumping is being used by foreign e-commerce firms to subsidise and engage in predatory pricing, oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries (RIL) has told the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) in an internal document. The document alleges that this is leading to massive unemployment and financial distress among small merchants and kirana stores. It consists of various recommendations and proposed changes that deal with Press Note 2 of 2018 (PN 2), which RIL wanted Assocham to present to the government, according to sources.

Govt not to seek disclosure of flash sales from e-tailers

Govt not to seek disclosure of flash sales from e-tailers

Rediff.com22 Jun 2021

The Centre on Tuesday said it will not seek disclosure of flash sales from e-commerce players to regulate the fraudulent sale of goods and services but will take appropriate action as per the law on consumer complaints. Discount sales that benefit maximum to consumers will continue, but not fraudulent flash sales on the e-commerce platforms, the government said, adding that the e-tailers need not be "anxious" about the draft rules. Ban on fraudulent flash sales, mis-selling and appointment of chief compliance officer/grievance redressal officer -- are among key amendments proposed to the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2020, on which the government has sought public comments by July 6.

Govt reshuffles bureaucrats, Air India chairman is aviation secretary

Govt reshuffles bureaucrats, Air India chairman is aviation secretary

Rediff.com22 Sep 2021

Air India Chairman Rajiv Bansal has been appointed as the new aviation secretary as part of a major top-level bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre on Wednesday. K Rajaraman, additional secretary in the department of economic affairs, has been appointed as secretary, department of telecommunications, a personnel ministry order said.

Modi Trapped In World Of Complex Relationships

Modi Trapped In World Of Complex Relationships

Rediff.com22 Mar 2023

The Modi government finds itself in a contradiction of its own making. It has encouraged pro-Russian, Westophobic public sentiment while setting strategic policy that's exactly the opposite, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Hizb chief's son, Bitta Karate's wife among 4 employees sacked by JK admin

Hizb chief's son, Bitta Karate's wife among 4 employees sacked by JK admin

Rediff.com13 Aug 2022

Syed Abdul Mueed is the third son of the Hizb chief to have been sacked from the government job.

India to go slow on trade deal with US

India to go slow on trade deal with US

Rediff.com27 Feb 2020

Trump had said a comprehensive trade agreement with India would take much longer to finalise than earlier expected.

India gets an earful from US on affordable healthcare issues

India gets an earful from US on affordable healthcare issues

Rediff.com26 Nov 2014

US said access to affordable health care entails a large number of factors from rates, logistics to insurance reforms.

US report flags 'downward trend of democratic values' in India

US report flags 'downward trend of democratic values' in India

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

As the United States focuses on the Indo-Pacific, in particular the Quad, the Biden administration needs to address India's ties with Russia and its 'downward trend of democratic values and institutions', said a report by the Democratic Party of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

Govt arms DIPP with more power

Govt arms DIPP with more power

Rediff.com31 Jan 2019

In its new avatar as the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), it will directly be responsible for 'the welfare of traders and their employees'.

TN extends Covid lockdown by another week

TN extends Covid lockdown by another week

Rediff.com22 May 2021

Calling for public cooperation to the government's efforts to stem the spread of the virus, Stalin urged people to follow due protocol like social distancing and wearing of masks.

Ecommerce issues being followed up, improvement every day: Secretary

Ecommerce issues being followed up, improvement every day: Secretary

Rediff.com3 Apr 2020

The government has held several meetings with e-commerce players to resolve issues arising due to the lockdown, and now witnessing improvement on them daily, a top government official said on Friday. Secretary in the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) Guruprasad Mohapatra said that with lot of follow-ups on their issues, relaxations were given to them by the home ministry.

E-com firms want govt to 'tweak' existing export policies

E-com firms want govt to 'tweak' existing export policies

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

E-commerce firms and sellers including Amazon and eBay have made recommendations to the government for a differentiated policy framework for e-commerce in the revised Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) which is expected to come into effect from April 1, 2021. This is because the existing policies on exports have catered largely to traditional, offline and business-to-business exports. Suggestions have been made to the government that through the FTP, it is important to create a conducive policy framework for e-commerce exports that lowers the entry barrier for small businesses to start exporting, according to the industry sources.

Goyal focuses on exports, industry growth

Goyal focuses on exports, industry growth

Rediff.com8 Jun 2019

Work on a dozen decisions to start by next week.

11 crypto bourses evaded Rs 81.54-crore GST

11 crypto bourses evaded Rs 81.54-crore GST

Rediff.com29 Mar 2022

The Centre has recovered around Rs 95.86 crore from at least 11 crypto exchanges for evading goods and services tax (GST), according to data released by Parliament on Monday. The amount includes interest and penalty. The GST investigation department has detected a total tax evasion of Rs 81.54 crore by crypto exchanges that include WazirX, Coin DCX, CoinSwitch Kuber, Buy Ucoin, UnoCoin and Flitpay, among other exchanges. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, minister of state (MoS) for finance Pankaj Chaudhary said 11 cases of GST evasion by cryptocurrency exchanges have been detected by central GST formations.

Govt extends Foreign Trade Policy by 6 months

Govt extends Foreign Trade Policy by 6 months

Rediff.com26 Sep 2022

The government has decided to postpone the release of the new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) and extend the existing one by six months on account of global uncertainties and currency fluctuations. The government was scheduled to announce the new FTP by the end of September. The current policy was to end on September 30.

Show-cause notice to Amazon India over Rs 175 cr tax demand

Show-cause notice to Amazon India over Rs 175 cr tax demand

Rediff.com13 Jan 2021

Probe has allegedly found calculation errors by Amazon. The company paid higher GST but instead of claiming refund took wrong input tax credit.

Who is benefitting from India's Free Trade Agreements?

Who is benefitting from India's Free Trade Agreements?

Rediff.com30 Sep 2019

Among the current FTAs with significant trade deficits for India, five are with countries from the 10-nation Asean bloc. Exports to the 10 economies stood at $ 37.4 billion in 2018-19, up by 9% year on year. On the other hand, imports were higher at $ 59.31 billion, up by 25% from the previous year's $ 47.13 billion.

Several parliamentary standing committees reconstituted

Several parliamentary standing committees reconstituted

Rediff.com9 Oct 2021

Shashi Tharoor has also been retained as the chairman of the panel on Information Technology.

Is govt's $60 billion agri exports target feasible?

Is govt's $60 billion agri exports target feasible?

Rediff.com7 Dec 2018

Aiming to push India into the list of the top 10 agri export nations, the policy has been backed by the Prime Minister's Office

India pushes Iran to accept rupee for all crude oil

India pushes Iran to accept rupee for all crude oil

Rediff.com17 Oct 2013

Or Iran may face the risk of losing its biggest client

Govt sends notice to Amazon, Flipkart for not showing country of origin

Govt sends notice to Amazon, Flipkart for not showing country of origin

Rediff.com17 Oct 2020

Not displaying the mandatory information, including country of origin, on products sold on their platforms in India, draws government's attention.

Govt sets up control room to ensure essential supplies

Govt sets up control room to ensure essential supplies

Rediff.com26 Mar 2020

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) has set up a control room to monitor in real-time the status of transportation and delivery of essential commodities amid the coronavirus lockdown in the country. It will also monitor the difficulties being faced by various stakeholders during the lockdown period from March 25 to April 14.

US Q2 GDP growth revised sharply higher to 3.7%

US Q2 GDP growth revised sharply higher to 3.7%

Rediff.com27 Aug 2015

The U.S. economy grew faster than initially thought in the second quarter.

India may take WTO action against EU over drug clinical trials

India may take WTO action against EU over drug clinical trials

Rediff.com15 Apr 2015

GVK Biosciences is the latest Indian firm to come under international scrutiny over quality issues.

Kenneth Juster to be America's new ambassador to India: WH

Kenneth Juster to be America's new ambassador to India: WH

Rediff.com22 Jun 2017

Juster, who is the Deputy Assistant to the US president for International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of his National Economic Council, would replace Richard Verma if nominated and confirmed by the Senate.

India gets USDA nod to export mangoes to America

India gets USDA nod to export mangoes to America

Rediff.com11 Jan 2022

India has secured approval of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the export of domestic mangoes to America in the new season, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday. The export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the US since 2020 as the USDA inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facilities due to restrictions imposed on international travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 23, 2021, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the USDA signed a framework agreement for implementing the "2 Vs 2" agri-market access issues.

15 more firms selected under PLI scheme for white goods

15 more firms selected under PLI scheme for white goods

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

As many as 15 companies, including Adani Copper Tubes, LG Electronics and Wipro Enterprises, with committed investment of Rs 1,368 crore, have been selected as beneficiaries under the PLI scheme for the white goods sector, the government said on Tuesday. In March, the commerce and industry ministry had reopened the application window for its Rs 6,238-crore PLI scheme for white goods -- air-conditioners (ACs) and LED lights-- with an aim to accommodate more players as several firms had expressed interest in the initiative. Last year, as many as 46 firms, including Daikin, Panasonic, Syska and Havells, with committed investment of Rs 5,264 crore were selected in the first round the scheme.

Indo-Pak trade talks to be hit again

Indo-Pak trade talks to be hit again

Rediff.com8 Aug 2013

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation, meaning non-discriminatory treatment for each other) issue is of prime importance to India, as it wants to have greater access in the Pakistani markets.

Amazon faces ED probe for violation of forex rules

Amazon faces ED probe for violation of forex rules

Rediff.com28 Jan 2021

The probe is being conducted under various sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) after the central probe agency recently received a communication from the commerce ministry seeking "necessary action" against e-commerce players like Amazon and Flipkart pertaining to certain multi-brand retail businesses and an observation made by the Delhi High Court in relation to Amazon.

America Inc still finds India a difficult market to crack

America Inc still finds India a difficult market to crack

Rediff.com20 May 2019

Though the US has got together a number of vetted and potential Indian business partners, most of these companies say they haven't had much luck in stitching up deals to tap into India as an export market for their goods.