News for 'Consumer Affairs Ministry'

India-Pak tensions: Govt warns traders against hoarding of food items

India-Pak tensions: Govt warns traders against hoarding of food items

Rediff.com10 May 2025

The Indian government has assured citizens that the country has ample food stocks to meet domestic demand, despite escalating tensions with Pakistan. The government has also warned traders against hoarding essential food items and creating artificial shortages, emphasizing that there is no need for panic buying. The food ministry detailed the country's current stock levels, showcasing a surplus over required buffer norms for rice, wheat, and pulses. Additionally, India holds substantial edible oil and sugar stocks, ensuring a strong food security position.

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

The Centre has appointed senior IAS officers Vumlunmang Vualnam and Neeraj Mittal as new secretaries in the ministry of civil aviation and the department of telecommunications respectively in a major secretary-level bureaucratic reshuffle, a government order stated.

'My God, The Number Of Meetings We Had On GST!'

'My God, The Number Of Meetings We Had On GST!'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

'It was like rigorously preparing for a solid, good exam...' 'I don't know what marks I will get, but I felt the rigorous preparation of an exam.' 'You may sweat, but I feel rejuvenated.'

Indulging in trade with Russia themselves: India counters US

Indulging in trade with Russia themselves: India counters US

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

India has strongly criticized the US and EU for their 'unjustified and unreasonable' targeting of New Delhi for its procurement of Russian crude oil, pointing out their own continued trade relations with Russia.

NDA allies get 11 ministerial positions

NDA allies get 11 ministerial positions

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

Bharatiya Janata Party's National Democratic Alliance partners have got five cabinet ministerial berths in the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as against none in the outgoing government, given the party's dependence on allies for a majority in the Lok Sabha.

SC relaxes norms for appointing consumer court presidents, members

SC relaxes norms for appointing consumer court presidents, members

Rediff.com4 Mar 2023

The Supreme Court on Friday said lawyers and professionals with 10 years of experience will be eligible for appointment as president and member of the state consumer commission and district forums.

CBI repatriation rate doubles, brings back 134 over 5 years

CBI repatriation rate doubles, brings back 134 over 5 years

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

The CBI has significantly increased the rate of fugitive repatriation, bringing back 134 individuals in the last five years, doubling the number from the previous decade. This success is attributed to enhanced diplomatic efforts, technological advancements, and improved coordination with Interpol.

81% consumers back e-commerce rules, want clarity on services-based biz

81% consumers back e-commerce rules, want clarity on services-based biz

Rediff.com5 Jul 2021

As many as 81 per cent people support having rules for consumer e-commerce, but want more services-based platforms to have more clearly defined roles, a survey by community social media platform LocalCircles has found. The survey asked respondents to answer questions based on the recent draft Rules proposed by the ministry of consumer affairs. The responses found 81 per cent consumers wanting sales of products and services over electronic or digital networks to be governed by a set of electronic commerce rules.

Spain all set to get 'The Taste of India'

Spain all set to get 'The Taste of India'

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), which sells dairy products, has launched Amul Milk in Spain.

Centre to recruit private sector experts in key posts across 12 ministries

Centre to recruit private sector experts in key posts across 12 ministries

Rediff.com16 May 2023

The department of personnel and training has asked the Union Public Service Commission to recruit such specialists through "lateral entry" mode in 12 government departments/ministries, he said.

Why FSSAI called up qcom companies

Why FSSAI called up qcom companies

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought a meeting with quick-commerce (qcom) platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto on Tuesday to discuss issues regarding violations of food safety standards, according to sources familiar with the matter. This comes at a time when there have been issues raised about food safety standard violations by qcom platforms for packaged food products, including violations related to expiry and best before dates.

'On Beijing, Delhi Will Sleep With One Eye Open'

'On Beijing, Delhi Will Sleep With One Eye Open'

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

'New Delhi is not naive about its foreign policy choices.'

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios:

Modi clubs 17 ministries

Modi clubs 17 ministries

Rediff.com28 May 2014

The 17 related ministries have been combined into seven different groups, including some infrastructure departments, in a bid to ensure synergy and better results.

Deadline for public comments on draft e-com rules extended till July 21

Deadline for public comments on draft e-com rules extended till July 21

Rediff.com5 Jul 2021

The government on Monday extended till July 21 the deadline for public comments on proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2020. Earlier, the last date for public comments on the draft e-commerce rules was July 6. "It has now been decided to extend the timeline for receipt of comments/ suggestions on the draft e-commerce rules. "Views/ comments/ suggestions on the proposed amendments may be sent by July 21, 2021," a government notice said.

2 central co-ops to sell tomatoes at Rs 50 per kg

2 central co-ops to sell tomatoes at Rs 50 per kg

Rediff.com14 Aug 2023

The Centre on Monday directed cooperatives NCCF and NAFED to sell tomatoes at a reduced rate of Rs 50 per kilogram from Tuesday in view of the decline in prices in the wholesale markets. Since July, both NCCF and NAFED have been selling tomatoes at a discounted rate on behalf of the consumer affairs ministry in Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar to boost domestic availability and contain price rise. Initially, the ministry had asked the two cooperatives to sell tomatoes at a subsidised rate of Rs 90 per kg and later reduced the price to Rs 80 per kg. Further, the price was cut to Rs 70 per kg.

Can Meta, Google Curb Illegal Gambling?

Can Meta, Google Curb Illegal Gambling?

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

The scale of illegal gambling and betting in India is staggering, with 1.6 billion visits recorded between October and December 2024 across four analysed platforms -- Parimatch, Stake, 1xBet, and Battery Bet.

Govt imposes 40% export duty on onion

Govt imposes 40% export duty on onion

Rediff.com19 Aug 2023

The government on Saturday imposed a 40 per cent duty on the export of onions to increase domestic availability amid signs of increasing prices. The export duty, which is the first time ever on onion, has been imposed as the retail sale price of the kitchen staple, according to government data, touched Rs 37/kg on Saturday in Delhi. The finance ministry through a Customs notification imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions till December 31, 2023.

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

While there are some new faces in the cabinet, leaders such as BJP president JP Nadda and Jual Oram have returned as ministers.

Piyush Goyal not against e-commerce platforms, but...

Piyush Goyal not against e-commerce platforms, but...

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

A day after lambasting e-commerce players for predatory pricing, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said he is not against online platforms but India wants such entities to be "fair and honest" in their conduct. Speaking with reporters in the financial capital, the outspoken Union minister said the rule of the law should be followed in letter and spirit, and made it clear that consumer preferences should not be influenced by algorithms.

Expert panel on food waste to meet on June 23

Expert panel on food waste to meet on June 23

Rediff.com9 Jun 2011

On June 2, the ministry had constituted a 15-member committee, headed by Consumer Affairs Secretary Rajiv Aggarwal, to deliberate and suggest possible ways and means to check food wastage.

Census with caste enumeration to begin from Oct 1, 2026

Census with caste enumeration to begin from Oct 1, 2026

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

Census exercise with caste enumeration will be carried out with the reference date of October 1, 2026, in snow-bound areas like Ladakh and of March 1, 2027, in the rest of the country, the Home Ministry announced on Wednesday.

Clarifications on FDI in e-com soon: Goyal

Clarifications on FDI in e-com soon: Goyal

Rediff.com2 Jul 2021

Amid domestic traders continuously complaining alleged violations of FDI norms by foreign online players, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the ministry will "very shortly" come out with certain clarifications on the e-commerce sector. Goyal said the ministry is not changing any policy on e-commerce for foreign direct investment as the policy is crystal clear. "We will also come out with the e-commerce policy and whatever clarifications... Certain instances have come to our notice where the policy is not being followed in letter and spirit, we will obviously be clarifying that very shortly," he told reporters in New Delhi.

Consumer cells may be mandatory soon

Consumer cells may be mandatory soon

Rediff.com15 Jul 2005

In order to check the ever-increasing cases in consumer courts, the government is toying with the idea of making it mandatory for all companies to have consumer grievance redressal systems in place.

For first time Centre will sell tomatoes at discount in metros

For first time Centre will sell tomatoes at discount in metros

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

In a first, the Centre will start selling tomatoes at discounted rates in retail markets in the national capital and few other cities from Friday to provide relief to the consumers as the price of the kitchen staple is ruling high at over Rs 200 per kilogram in some parts of the country.

Labels must for GM food

Labels must for GM food

Rediff.com2 Jan 2013

Industry clueless about implementing labelling ru#8804 FSSAI dithers over regulations.

Consumer NGOs under scanner for funds misuse

Consumer NGOs under scanner for funds misuse

Rediff.com28 Aug 2007

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is conducting an in-depth financial audit of some consumer awareness NGOs that have received financial assistance from it in recent years.

Celebrities can face 5-year jail, fine for misleading ads

Celebrities can face 5-year jail, fine for misleading ads

Rediff.com29 Aug 2016

The ministry has proposed similar penalty and jail term for adulteration, besides license suspension and cancellation

$800/tonne minimum export price imposed on onion

$800/tonne minimum export price imposed on onion

Rediff.com28 Oct 2023

The government on Saturday imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of $800 per tonne on onion exports till December 31 this year with a view to increase availability of the vegetable in the domestic market and contain prices. The decision will come into effect from October 29. Besides, the government has also announced the procurement of additional 2 lakh tonnes of onion for the buffer, over and above the 5 lakh tonnes already procured.

You can now know if you bought a GM food

You can now know if you bought a GM food

Rediff.com13 Dec 2012

India might not have started growing genetically modified food crops, but it does import food products that contain GM ingredients. Consumers who buy them have no way of knowing what they contain. The government has come up with guidelines to let you know if the item purchased is genetically modified.

Regulator must before opening FDI to retail

Regulator must before opening FDI to retail

Rediff.com10 Feb 2011

Most states have urged the Union consumer affairs ministry to set up a retail regulatory authority before opening up the sector for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). These views form part of the report, prepared by the ministry after seeking the views of states.

Face masks, hand sanitisers out of essential commodities list

Face masks, hand sanitisers out of essential commodities list

Rediff.com7 Jul 2020

On March 13, the Union consumer affairs ministry had declared face masks and hand sanitisers as essential commodities for 100 days to boost supply and prevent hoarding of these items in its fight to check the spread of coronavirus.

Govt issues new guidelines banning surrogate ads

Govt issues new guidelines banning surrogate ads

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

The government on Friday came out with new guidelines to prevent misleading advertisements, including those targeting children and making free claims to woo consumers.

'Dak ghar' to become 'dal ghar' during festive season

'Dak ghar' to become 'dal ghar' during festive season

Rediff.com14 Oct 2016

The Centre will utilise huge network of post offices across the country to sell subsidised pulses, mainly tur, urad and chana, to ensure availability in the ongoing festival season.

How Government Is Making Use Of AI

How Government Is Making Use Of AI

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

The National Informatics Centre uses AI to automate document analysis and detect fraud in government departments.

Onion export ban to continue till Mar 31

Onion export ban to continue till Mar 31

Rediff.com20 Feb 2024

The ban on export of onion will continue till its previously announced deadline of March 31 as the government is keen to keep prices under check and ensure domestic availability, a top official said on Tuesday. On December 8, 2023, the government had banned export of onion till March 31. "Ban on onion exports has not been lifted. It is in force and there is no change in the status," consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh told PTI.

Ban on onion export lifted; MEP of $550/tonne imposed

Ban on onion export lifted; MEP of $550/tonne imposed

Rediff.com4 May 2024

The government on Saturday lifted the ban on onion exports but imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of $550 per tonne, amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the country. Last night, the government imposed a 40 per cent duty on export of onions. In August last year, India had imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions up to December 31, 2023.

Insurance claims to get easier

Insurance claims to get easier

Rediff.com9 Oct 2006

Insurance companies will find it difficult to deny claims to policy holders on 'flimsy' grounds once the Parliament approves the amendment to the Consumer Protection Act, a ministry official said on Monday.

Tighter norms, rising compliance failures driving scrutiny for startups

Tighter norms, rising compliance failures driving scrutiny for startups

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi, once hailed as rising stars in India's clean energy sector, are now facing serious regulatory action.