News for 'Commercial Service'

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka announces default on foreign debt

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka announces default on foreign debt

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

A statement from the finance ministry said, 'it shall be the policy of the Sri Lankan government to suspend normal debt servicing...shall apply to amounts of affected debts outstanding on April 12, 2022'.

India cancels international flights till Dec 31

India cancels international flights till Dec 31

Rediff.com26 Nov 2020

International scheduled flights, however, may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis, the circular added.

Can India Get Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya From The UK?

Can India Get Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya From The UK?

Rediff.com1 Jun 2023

It is high time the Indian government signalled discomfort with the UK providing refuge to those accused of financial crimes in India, states Jaimini Bhagwati.

Telcos pay Rs 17,873 crore as first instalment of 5G spectrum dues

Telcos pay Rs 17,873 crore as first instalment of 5G spectrum dues

Rediff.com18 Aug 2022

The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) on Wednesday received over Rs 17,873 crore from companies towards 5G spectrum dues. Nearly half the amount (Rs 8312.4 crore) was paid by Bharti Airtel, which made advance payments for four years to free up cash for future investments. Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea paid Rs 7,864 crore and Rs 1,680 crore, respectively.

Bharat Bandh: Rail services disrupted, roads blocked across country

Bharat Bandh: Rail services disrupted, roads blocked across country

Rediff.com10 Sep 2018

As fuel prices continue its northward march with petrol and diesel being sold at Rs 80.73 and Rs 72.83 per litre in the national capital, at least 21 opposition parties, led by the Congress have staged a Bharat Bandh protesting the rise in fuel prices and depreciation of the rupee.

China expanding to keep India constrained: Top IPS officers

China expanding to keep India constrained: Top IPS officers

Rediff.com23 Jan 2023

The papers presented by Indian Police Service officers at the just concluded conference of director generals of police (DGPs) and inspector generals of police (IGPs) submit that by providing huge amounts of money in the name of loans for developmental works in Southeast and South Asia, China wants to reduce India's influence in the Indian Ocean region and force resolution of bilateral issues on Beijing's terms.

Has India lost out in the global 5G race?

Has India lost out in the global 5G race?

Rediff.com17 Feb 2021

Several factors have held India back. One is DoT policy somersaults and lack of clarity on whether to or not to ban Chinese gear makers.

Why Do Banks Hide Losses?

Why Do Banks Hide Losses?

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

Believe it or not, the regulator is even stretching its arm to identify stressed borrowers and gauge the 'distance to default' as a measure of a particular bank's fragility, reveals Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Boeing's 737 Max is back in Indian skies

Boeing's 737 Max is back in Indian skies

Rediff.com23 Nov 2021

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday flew on SpiceJet's special flight between Delhi and Gwalior using Boeing's 737 Max plane that has been allowed to return to service after two and half years. All Max planes were grounded in India by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on March 13, 2019, three days after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max plane near Addis Ababa, which had left 157 people, including four Indians, dead. Along with Scindia, SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh and Boeing India president Salil Gupte were also present on the special flight on Tuesday.

RBI turns heat on banks over service charge hike

RBI turns heat on banks over service charge hike

Rediff.com27 Apr 2007

The hike in service charges by commercial banks has come under the Reserve Bank of India lens.

Rajasthan orders closure of schools in urban areas, Sunday curfew

Rajasthan orders closure of schools in urban areas, Sunday curfew

Rediff.com9 Jan 2022

The Rajasthan government on Sunday announced the closure of schools in urban areas, Sunday curfews, time limits on markets and a cap on occupancy at restaurants and movie theatres in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases.

'I told Rajnath Singh good things take time'

'I told Rajnath Singh good things take time'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2023

'Rajnath Singh's message was very clear: India's focus is on developing self-reliance.'

Ban on Boeing 737 Max aircraft lifted

Ban on Boeing 737 Max aircraft lifted

Rediff.com26 Aug 2021

India's aviation regulator DGCA on Thursday lifted the ban on Boeing 737 Max planes' commercial flight operations after almost two-and-half years. On March 13, 2019, all Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded in India by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max plane on March 10 near Addis Ababa which had left 157 people, including four Indians, dead. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has been modifying the 737 Max plane since March 2019 so that various countries' regulators, including the DGCA, permit its passenger flight operations again.

Google bans over a dozen malicious India-linked domains, websites

Google bans over a dozen malicious India-linked domains, websites

Rediff.com2 Jul 2022

To warn users about the threat, the company recently published a blog post where they listed these banned domain links which used to inject spying tools into users' PCs/laptops by appearing as fake login pages for websites or apps.

Govt not in 'crazy rush' to sell everything: Sitharaman

Govt not in 'crazy rush' to sell everything: Sitharaman

Rediff.com4 Mar 2023

The government is not in a "crazy rush" to sell everything and it will continue to have a presence in four strategic sectors, including telecom, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. In strategic sectors, a bare minimum presence of the existing public sector commercial enterprises at the holding company level will be retained under government control. The remaining enterprises in a strategic sector will be considered for privatisation or merger with another PSE or for closure.

Arms dealer Bhandari sues French firm for unpaid cut in Indian deal

Arms dealer Bhandari sues French firm for unpaid cut in Indian deal

Rediff.com11 Jan 2022

Sanjay Bhandari, an accused arms dealer wanted in India on money laundering and tax evasion charges, is pursuing a separate legal battle of his own in France over an alleged unpaid cut from a large Indian defence contract dating back over 10 years, according to a UK media report.

18.5 mn Mumbaikars travelled on Mumbai Metro since June 8

18.5 mn Mumbaikars travelled on Mumbai Metro since June 8

Rediff.com12 Aug 2014

The rise in commuters was also despite the state-run Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority filing a petition against MMOPL on fare fixation.

ED slaps Rs 10 cr fine on Aakar Patel, Rs 51.72 cr on Amnesty India

ED slaps Rs 10 cr fine on Aakar Patel, Rs 51.72 cr on Amnesty India

Rediff.com8 Jul 2022

The adjudicating authority of the Enforcement Directorate ED has adjudicated a show cause notice issued to Amnesty India International Pvt Ltd (AIIPL) and its CEO Aakar Patel for contravention of the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act and imposed a penalty of Rs 51.72 crores and Rs 10 crores respectively on them, the probe agency announced on Friday.

China's investment abroad tops $37 bn

China's investment abroad tops $37 bn

Rediff.com8 Feb 2005

Chinese companies invested $3.62 billion in non-financial sectors overseas in 2004, an impressive growth of 27 per cent year-on-year, the ministry of commerce said in Beijing.

Trains may run on CNG soon

Trains may run on CNG soon

Rediff.com23 Dec 2005

Indian Railways have developed and tested a kit with which diesel engines can run on CNG, Rajya Sabha was informed on Friday.

Elon Musk says he 'killed' Twitter's 'official' label just hours after rollout

Elon Musk says he 'killed' Twitter's 'official' label just hours after rollout

Rediff.com10 Nov 2022

Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, said he has "killed" the new 'official' label for certain verified Twitter accounts just hours after the feature was visible on multiple handles of governments, politicians, officials and media houses. Just hours after the feature went live, he hinted that it simply didn't work. "I just killed it," he said in a tweet replying to a web video producer Marques Brownlee's tweet of the 'official' label vanishing after a brief appearance.

Owners of buffaloes hit by Vande Bharat express booked

Owners of buffaloes hit by Vande Bharat express booked

Rediff.com7 Oct 2022

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Gujarat has registered a case against the owners of buffaloes that were hit by the Mumbai-Gandhinagar Vande Bharat express, in which the front portion of the train was damaged, officials said on Friday.

Akasa Air to allow pets in cabin, cargo from Nov

Akasa Air to allow pets in cabin, cargo from Nov

Rediff.com6 Oct 2022

Akasa Air, which took to the skies two months ago, will allow domesticated dogs and cats in cabin as well as cargo from November and will also be starting new routes in the coming weeks. The airline, which is "well capitalised", plans to start international services in the second half of 2023 once it has a fleet of 20 planes. Currently, the carrier has 6 aircraft and will have a total of 18 planes by the end of March next year.

Why India Inc is moving to Dubai in droves

Why India Inc is moving to Dubai in droves

Rediff.com7 Nov 2022

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani might have made news for purchasing the most expensive beach-side villa in Dubai recently, but he is not the only Indian eyeing the city for investment. Since Dubai allowed foreign investors full ownership in specific sectors in June 2021, a horde of Indian companies have moved or expanded into the desert city. The list even includes a kindergarten, an elementary and middle school, and a hotel that has sought 100 per cent ownership.

The next telecom battle in India is about to begin

The next telecom battle in India is about to begin

Rediff.com30 Aug 2022

The merits and demerits of the telcos' 5G strategy however is clearly dependent on the financial muscle of players, reports Surajeet Das Gupta.

Tatas now 100% owner of Air India as Air Asia sells stake

Tatas now 100% owner of Air India as Air Asia sells stake

Rediff.com3 Nov 2022

Ending its uncomfortable journey in India after eight years, Malaysia-based AirAsia Group on Wednesday said it has exited AirAsia India by selling its remaining 16.67 per cent stake to Tata Group-owned Air India for Rs 155.64 crore. Later in the day, Air India said it has begun the process of creating a single low-cost carrier subsidiary by merging AirAsia India and Air India Express. A working group consisting AirAsia India CEO Sunil Bhaskaran and Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh has been formed for the two carriers' integration, which is expected to take approximately 12 months, it added.

Peeing incident: 6 unions urge DGCA to revoke action against AI pilot

Peeing incident: 6 unions urge DGCA to revoke action against AI pilot

Rediff.com24 Jan 2023

Citing various aspects, the forum has appealed to the DGCA to "withdraw the harsh punishment and suspension of the PIC". it said.

Car prices to rise as auto cos gear to comply with stricter emission norms

Car prices to rise as auto cos gear to comply with stricter emission norms

Rediff.com9 Oct 2022

Passenger and commercial vehicle prices are expected to rise as automobile companies invest in upgrading vehicles to meet stricter emission norms that kick in from April next year. The Indian automobile industry is currently working to make their products meet the second phase of Bharat Stage VI, equivalent to Euro-VI emission norms, in real time driving conditions. Four-wheeler passenger and commercial vehicles will need more sophisticated equipment to be added to meet the next level of emission standards.

HDFC Bank, SBI, others not adhering to bulk SMS' norms

HDFC Bank, SBI, others not adhering to bulk SMS' norms

Rediff.com26 Mar 2021

The telecom regulator on Friday released a list of 40 "defaulter" principal entities, including large banks like HDFC Bank, SBI and ICICI Bank, that are not fulfilling the regulatory norms on bulk commercial messages despite repeated reminders. Hardening its stance on the issue, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) warned that defaulting entities should comply with the stipulated requirements by March 31, 2021 "to avoid any disruption in the communication with customers" from April 1, 2021. "As sufficient opportunity has been given to principal entities/ telemarketers to comply with the regulatory requirements and that the consumers cannot be deprived of the benefits of the regulatory provisions any further, therefore it has been decided that from April 1, 2021, any message failing in the scrubbing process due to non-compliance of regulatory requirements will be rejected" by the system, TRAI said in a statement.

Pakistan's economy in trouble; CAD increases to 4-year high of $17.4 bn in FY22

Pakistan's economy in trouble; CAD increases to 4-year high of $17.4 bn in FY22

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

Pakistan's current account deficit (CAD) increased to a 4-year high of $17.4 billion in the fiscal year of 2021-22, indicating more troubles for the ailing economy of the cash-strapped country. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday reported that the country recorded a CAD of $17.406 billion in FY22 compared to a gap of just $2.82 billion in FY21. According to Dawn newspaper, the massive CAD speaks a lot about the severe problem of the balance of payments.

Mumbai local trains may resume by Oct 15: Aaditya Thackeray

Mumbai local trains may resume by Oct 15: Aaditya Thackeray

Rediff.com30 Sep 2020

In a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19, the local trains are currently being run only for essential services staff, state and central government staff, employees of nationalised and private banks, PSUs and pharma companies, and QR code-based identity cards are mandatory for them.

Peeing incident: Air India reviews liquor policy; pilot, crew grounded

Peeing incident: Air India reviews liquor policy; pilot, crew grounded

Rediff.com7 Jan 2023

Tata Group-owned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson on Saturday apologised for a flyer urinating on a fellow female passenger on a flight from New York in November, and said four cabin crew and a pilot have been de-rostered and the airline is reviewing policy of serving alcohol on flights.

'The hooligans started to take over'

'The hooligans started to take over'

Rediff.com25 Apr 2023

'I grew up in a place that used to be the best city in India: Allahabad.' 'The city has given some of the best writers, politicians and musicians to the country. 'Today, it has gone to the dogs.'

Fund-raises by fintechs slowed by 47% in 2022

Fund-raises by fintechs slowed by 47% in 2022

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

Recently, Slice, a payment app, acquired a 5 per cent stake in North East Small Finance (NESF) for $3.42 million - the first such deal by a fintech in a small finance bank. Slice (valued at $1.5 billion, and backed by Tiger Global, Blume Ventures and Axis Bank) will technically get a toehold in a scheduled commercial bank if NESF were to get a licence to morph into one down the line Such a transition is well within the banking regulator's declared framework. The transaction has to be seen in a larger context.

Fly Singapore-Bangkok for S$1!

Fly Singapore-Bangkok for S$1!

Rediff.com15 Sep 2004

After 2 yrs, India to resume scheduled international flights from Mar 27

After 2 yrs, India to resume scheduled international flights from Mar 27

Rediff.com8 Mar 2022

The government has decided to restart scheduled international flight services from March 27 after a two years hiatus due to COVID-19, according to civil aviation ministry officials.

At $171 billion in 2022, India Inc clinches highest ever yearly M&As

At $171 billion in 2022, India Inc clinches highest ever yearly M&As

Rediff.com19 Dec 2022

Aided by the $57.8-billion merger of HDFC Bank and HDFC, India Inc reported its highest ever mergers and acquisitions in calendar 2022 at $171 billion as against deals worth $145 billion announced last year. The acquisition by the Adani group across cement, media and ports dominated the headlines with the conglomerate making its foray into the cement sector by buying Swiss materials firm Holcim's stake in Ambuja Cements for $6.5 billion. The Adani family's additional $4-billion open offer for Ambuja did not get a response because shareholders preferred to stay invested with the new owner.

Suspension of international flights extended till 'further notice'

Suspension of international flights extended till 'further notice'

Rediff.com28 Feb 2022

The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in the country has been extended "till further orders", aviation regulator DGCA said on Monday.

Govt has ambitious plans for the GIFT City

Govt has ambitious plans for the GIFT City

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The government on Tuesday said it will allow setting up of world-class foreign universities in Gandhinagar's GIFT City, free from domestic regulations, to facilitate availability of skilled manpower in the financial services space. In addition, an international arbitration centre will be set up in the GIFT City for timely settlement of disputes under international jurisprudence, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget for 2022-23. The centre could be on the lines of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, or the London Commercial Arbitration Centre.