News for 'Consumer Affairs'

Union minister greets British PM Sunak with 'Jai Siyaram'

Union minister greets British PM Sunak with 'Jai Siyaram'

Rediff.com8 Sep 2023

The British prime minister, who is of Indian origin, has often emphasised his Hindu roots and said he is proud of it.

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.

How Indian Weddings Got So Big, Glitzy

How Indian Weddings Got So Big, Glitzy

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

What was once a solemn Vedic ritual is today a celebration for the entire extended family. And why not? With families living in distant cities, even continents, weddings are seen as an occasion for cousins and uncles to congregate under one roof for two or three days, observes Ambi Parmeswaran.

SC expands Patanjali misleading ads hearing to include FMCG companies

SC expands Patanjali misleading ads hearing to include FMCG companies

Rediff.com23 Apr 2024

Expanding the scope of its hearing in the Patanjali Ayurved case, the Supreme Court on Tuesday took a stern view of misleading advertisements by Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) firms and asked three Union ministries to inform it about the steps they have taken to curb the practice which takes 'public for a ride' and adversely affects their health.

50:50 Chance Of An RBI Rate Cut

50:50 Chance Of An RBI Rate Cut

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

'If it doesn't, it will continue with measures to infuse liquidity, signalling a new cycle,' predicts Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Xiaomi India head Muralikrishnan B resigns

Xiaomi India head Muralikrishnan B resigns

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

Chinese smart devices firm Xiaomi's India head Muralikrishnan B has resigned from the company to pursue his interest in academic research, the company said on Monday. He will continue to support Xiaomi India as an independent Strategic Advisor, the company said. "Muralikrishnan B, the current President of Xiaomi India, will be transitioning out of his role at the end of the year.

How Dr Singh Changed Finance Minister's Role

How Dr Singh Changed Finance Minister's Role

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

'Suddenly we had a new comprehension of affairs, which reminded that the luxury of politics floated atop a foundation by economics.' 'Along with this, finance ministers became crucial in molding the perception and reputation of Union Cabinets.' 'Governments couldn't afford a wrong person in that portfolio,' asserts Shyam G Menon.

Will L'affaire Adani Affect Modi's Image?

Will L'affaire Adani Affect Modi's Image?

Rediff.com21 Feb 2023

Gautam Adani's alleged proximity to Narendra Modi may dent the latter's self-styled image of incorruptibility, points out Kanika Datta.

Swiggy, Zomato and others get 15 days to submit complaint redressal plan

Swiggy, Zomato and others get 15 days to submit complaint redressal plan

Rediff.com13 Jun 2022

The government on Monday asked online food business operators like Swiggy and Zomato to submit a proposal within 15 days on improving their consumer grievance redressal mechanism amid rising complaints from customers. The department of consumer affairs directed e-commerce FBOs "to transparently show consumers the breakup of all charges included in the order amount such as delivery charges, packaging charges, taxes, surge pricing etc." According to an official statement, "The Department of Consumer Affairs has directed major e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs) to furnish the current framework as well as a proposal on improving the consumer grievance redressal mechanism within 15 days."

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Rediff.com11 Jun 2024

Signalling both change and continuity, India's new government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term, got into work gear on Tuesday with cabinet ministers and ministers of state filing into their respective offices to assume charge.

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.

Central vigilance commissioner appointed after a year, Murmu swears in Suresh Patel

Central vigilance commissioner appointed after a year, Murmu swears in Suresh Patel

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N Patel was on Wednesday appointed as the Central Vigilance Commissioner, a year after the post fell vacant.

Tomato Is Not The Villain Of Price Rise!

Tomato Is Not The Villain Of Price Rise!

Rediff.com21 Jul 2023

How is it that tomatoes recorded a price fall in official statistics when it remained unaffordable for the common person in June?

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.

India may require some tough negotiations with Trump: Experts

India may require some tough negotiations with Trump: Experts

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

The India-United States relationship is set to expand under the Donald Trump administration, but there could be some unease on issues like imports, tariffs and immigration, strategic affairs experts said after the Republican leader won the fiercely contested presidential election.

Govt to release buffer onion stock in open market immediately

Govt to release buffer onion stock in open market immediately

Rediff.com11 Aug 2023

The government on Friday announced it will release onion from its buffer stock in the targeted regions with immediate effect to ensure prices remain under check till the new crop arrives from October onward. The government is exploring multiple options for disposal of onion: e-auction, e-commerce as well as through states at discounted rates via retail outlets of their consumer cooperatives and corporations, it said. The government has currently maintained 3 lakh tonnes of onion under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) to meet any exigencies, if rates go up significantly during the lean supply season.

Mizoram: 9 out of 11 MNF ministers lose to ZPM

Mizoram: 9 out of 11 MNF ministers lose to ZPM

Rediff.com4 Dec 2023

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has faced a rout as it could win only 10 seats, while the main opposition ZPM bagged 27 seats in the 40-member House.

RBI, Always Watchful, Always Vigilant

RBI, Always Watchful, Always Vigilant

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

The RBI has changed the way it approached supervision in the past. Having seen a couple of collapses in the NBFC sector and the near-collapse of a few banks, it is focusing on regular drills to prevent a fire from breaking out, explains Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Modi govt 3.0: Who is in, who is out

Modi govt 3.0: Who is in, who is out

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Over 65 Union ministers are likely to take oath, going by the visual of the meeting Modi held with his likely council of ministers.

Expert groups to explore adoption of common chargers

Expert groups to explore adoption of common chargers

Rediff.com18 Aug 2022

The government will set up expert groups to explore the adoption of common chargers for mobile and all portable electronic devices, and submit a detailed report in two months, Consumer Affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said. The department of consumer affairs on Wednesday called a meeting with industry stakeholders. After the meeting, Singh said India can initially think of exploring shifting to two types of chargers, including a C-Type port.

India To Fast-Track Visas For Chinese Nationals

India To Fast-Track Visas For Chinese Nationals

Rediff.com8 Aug 2024

The new guidelines, effective from August 1, aim to expedite visa approvals for nationals from China and other countries sharing land borders with India.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Grievance redressal method of e-com players not up to mark

Grievance redressal method of e-com players not up to mark

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

The grievance redressal mechanism of many big e-commerce players is not up to the mark as the number of complaints received by the National Consumer Helpline has risen sharply over the last four years, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said on Thursday. Addressing an event organised by the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), Singh said the number of complaints registered on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has gone up to 90,000 in November compared to 40,000 in the same month last year. "Four years back, the number of complaints pertaining to e-commerce transactions was 8 per cent of the total complaints.

Long road ahead for consumer durable firms

Long road ahead for consumer durable firms

Rediff.com16 Sep 2020

Analysts expect firms to shift focus to online platforms to boost sales in these Covid-19-impacted times.

Jyoti Punwani: December 6, 1992, All Over Again?

Jyoti Punwani: December 6, 1992, All Over Again?

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Can ordinary citizens counter this backward march? Can peace activists ensure that the two communities retain their bonds? Do they have a choice, asks Jyoti Punwani.

Average tomato prices in Delhi drop to Rs 150 per kg

Average tomato prices in Delhi drop to Rs 150 per kg

Rediff.com17 Jul 2023

Tomato prices in the retail markets of the national capital declined to an average Rs 150 per kg on Monday from Rs 178 per kg on Sunday, according to the government data. However, e-commerce players such as Amazon, Big Basket and Otipy are selling tomatoes at Rs 170-190 per kg in Delhi-NCR. Blinkit is selling at Rs 138 per kg. The Centre is selling tomatoes at a subsidised rate of Rs 80 per kg in Delhi-NCR and some other cities through the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).

FM for giving power to consumers to file class action suits

FM for giving power to consumers to file class action suits

Rediff.com29 May 2015

The government is amending the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Troops disengaged at Galwan Valley, 3 other Eastern Ladakh spots: China

Troops disengaged at Galwan Valley, 3 other Eastern Ladakh spots: China

Rediff.com14 Sep 2024

Her comments come a day after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Geneva that roughly 75 percent of the "disengagement problems" with China are sorted out but the bigger issue has been the increasing militarisation of the frontier.

Zelenskyy explains war situation, Modi says India willing to help

Zelenskyy explains war situation, Modi says India willing to help

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

Ukraine and Russia need to engage with each other to find a solution to the ongoing conflict between them, India said on Friday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv under the shadow of the raging war.

BJP knocks off Congress and others, corners 6 parliamentary panels

BJP knocks off Congress and others, corners 6 parliamentary panels

Rediff.com4 Oct 2022

Opposition parties have not been given the chairmanship of any of the four key parliamentary panels including the committee on home affairs and information technology, which were with the Congress, in the latest rejig announced on Tuesday.

Social media influencers can be penalised for Rs 10 lakh

Social media influencers can be penalised for Rs 10 lakh

Rediff.com20 Jan 2023

The government on Friday made it mandatory for social media influencers to disclose their "material" interest in endorsing products and services and violations can attract strict legal action, including ban on endorsements. The regulations are part of continuing efforts to curb misleading advertisements as well protect the interests of consumers amid the expanding social influencer market which is projected to be worth around Rs 2,800 crore by 2025. The new guidelines named 'Endorsement Know Hows -- for celebrities, influencers and virtual media influencers (Avatar or computer generated character) on social media platforms' has been issued by the Department of Consumers Affairs.

Akshata Gets Rishi Ready For India

Akshata Gets Rishi Ready For India

Rediff.com9 Sep 2023

Rishi Sunak arrived in India for the first time after he took charge as the United Kingdom's prime minister on Friday, September 8, 2023.

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

'As we enter 2025, it must be acknowledged that there is a convergence of capital, influential people (from business and politics) and technology deciding the destiny of others in the name of pride, patriotism, nationalism, nation building, all of it thinly veiled disguises for personal profit and glory,' asserts Shyam G Menon.

Talks fail, farmers to march to Parliament today

Talks fail, farmers to march to Parliament today

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

Farmers will march towards Delhi on Tuesday after a meeting with two Union ministers over their demands, including legal guarantee to minimum support price (MSP) for crops, remained inconclusive.

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.

Correction in steel stocks could be a buying opportunity

Correction in steel stocks could be a buying opportunity

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

India's steel market is out of step with global trends. Global demand is weak with China at a huge supply surplus to its domestic demand, pushing down global steel prices. India's domestic demand for steel is strong, given the continuing infrastructure push and is likely to accelerate as urbanisation improves, and the auto sector continues to grow alongside the infrastructure push.

Modi invites Zelenskyy to visit India; he says...

Modi invites Zelenskyy to visit India; he says...

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invited President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit India and the Ukrainian leader said he would be happy to travel to the 'great' country.