News for 'Consumers Union'

Over 60% vote in Phase V of LS polls; highest in Bengal, lowest in Maha

Over 60% vote in Phase V of LS polls; highest in Bengal, lowest in Maha

Rediff.com21 May 2024

Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Monday in 49 constituencies in six states and two Union territories in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, with Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir recording its highest-ever voting percentage.

Budget reduced, census, NPR unlikely in 2024 too

Budget reduced, census, NPR unlikely in 2024 too

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

The interim budget 2024-24 on Thursday allocated Rs 1,277.80 crore for census, a significant reduction from 2021-22 when Rs 3,768 crore was allocated and an indication that the exercise may not be carried out even after three years of delay.

Army asks personnel not to consume Maggi

Army asks personnel not to consume Maggi

Rediff.com3 Jun 2015

The Indian Army on Wednesday issued an advisory asking its personnel not to consume Maggi noodles.

Interim Budget 2024-25: Funds to boost reach on fintech industry wishlist

Interim Budget 2024-25: Funds to boost reach on fintech industry wishlist

Rediff.com8 Jan 2024

Indian fintechs and associated entities are hoping that the Union Budget 2024 will provide a boost and empower firms to extend their reach beyond Tier-II regions, with an emphasis on supporting enterprises led by women. The fintech industry, which has witnessed regulatory reforms over the last year, expects the Budget, scheduled to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, will further encourage financial inclusion, empower micro-small-medium enterprises (MSMEs) with lending solutions, and push for upskilling initiatives for the country's young workforce.

Erode MP dies by suicide, Vaiko denies ticket denial was reason

Erode MP dies by suicide, Vaiko denies ticket denial was reason

Rediff.com28 Mar 2024

Erode MP A Ganeshamurthi, who allegedly attempted suicide recently, died at a Coimbatore hospital on Thursday morning, sources from his party Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the police said.

Manufacturing sector growth climbs to 4-month high in Jan

Manufacturing sector growth climbs to 4-month high in Jan

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

India's manufacturing sector growth climbed to a four-month high in January as a sharper upturn in new orders boosted output growth amid mild cost inflation, a monthly survey said on Thursday. The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) recovered from an 18-month low of 54.9 in December to 56.5 in January. The latest reading highlighted the strongest improvement in the health of the sector since last September.

AyushMin gets rap for underuse of funds despite rising allocation

AyushMin gets rap for underuse of funds despite rising allocation

Rediff.com27 Feb 2024

Given the gap between budgetary allocation and use, a parliamentary standing committee has asked the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (Ayush) to take steps to prevent underutilisation of funds under the National Ayush Mission (NAM) scheme. According to the data, the ministry was allocated Rs 1,200 crore for the mission in the Budgetary Estimate (BE) for FY24. The Revised Estimate (RE) for the year fell to Rs 815 crore, of which Rs 589 crore, or 74 per cent, has been spent till January.

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Barely days after imposing a 40 per cent export tax on onions to cool down soaring prices, which, in turn, triggered widespread protests across the main growing belts, the Centre on Tuesday sought to mitigate both political and economic tensions gripping parts of Maharashtra. It decided to procure an additional 200,000 tonnes of onions at Rs 2,410 per quintal for its buffer stock from farmers, a rate that is strikingly close to the price at which they were being exported before the 40 per cent duty was levied on August 19. The export price before the imposition of the duty stood at around $320 per tonne free on board (approximately Rs 2,650 per quintal).

'Govt wakes up only when you come on the roads'

'Govt wakes up only when you come on the roads'

Rediff.com22 Feb 2024

'Had they agreed to our demands that we raised two years ago, we would have never started our agitation again.'

Is Lok Sabha Poll Impacting Markets?

Is Lok Sabha Poll Impacting Markets?

Rediff.com14 May 2024

'It is advisable to stay away from the markets for now and buy only on a dip.'

Tomato prices jump to Rs 250/kg in major cities despite Centre's intervention

Tomato prices jump to Rs 250/kg in major cities despite Centre's intervention

Rediff.com16 Jul 2023

In a statement, the department of consumer affairs said about 18,000 kg of tomatoes were sold across Delhi-NCR to retail consumers.

Fall in other goods freight may put Railways' 2030 target off track

Fall in other goods freight may put Railways' 2030 target off track

Rediff.com10 Apr 2024

Indian Railways has managed to improve its freight volumes each year since the pandemic. However, its inability to add new industries and goods will pose a challenge for the national transporter in the wake of it setting an ambitious target of 45 per cent share in the national logistics by 2030. According to officials, the ministry of railways achieved 114 million tonnes (mt) of miscellaneous goods (classified as balance and other goods) in 2023-24.

Are hospitals ready to handle Covid surge?

Are hospitals ready to handle Covid surge?

Rediff.com26 Dec 2023

Larger hospitals are not worried about a spike in cases, as they are now accustomed to converting ICUs and general wards into negative pressure zones or isolation rooms. For smaller hospitals, the task is tedious.

Giriraj Singh's big claim: RJD, JD-U to merge soon

Giriraj Singh's big claim: RJD, JD-U to merge soon

Rediff.com23 Dec 2023

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United and its ally Rashtriya Janata Dal, founded and headed by Lalu Prasad Yadav, were heading for a merger.

 Western Union, SBI in tie-up

Western Union, SBI in tie-up

Rediff.com22 Jul 2010

Global payment services major, Western Union, has tied-up with State Bank of India to enable international direct cash-to-account transfers.

SC reserves order on contempt notice to Ramdev, Balkrishna

SC reserves order on contempt notice to Ramdev, Balkrishna

Rediff.com14 May 2024

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its order on the contempt notice issued to yoga guru Ramdev, his aide Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd in the misleading advertisements case.

'King' vs 'Queen': Cong fields royal heavyweight against Kangana

'King' vs 'Queen': Cong fields royal heavyweight against Kangana

Rediff.com14 Apr 2024

Historically, the Mandi constituency has favoured scions of erstwhile princely states, electing royals in 13 out of 19 elections, including two bypolls since 1952.

Postmen may collect consumer price data

Postmen may collect consumer price data

Rediff.com8 Sep 2008

Your friendly postman, besides delivering letters, could soon be collecting crucial data on consumer prices, if a proposal from the Union ministry of statistics and programme implementation is accepted by the Department of Posts.

How your CIBIL TransUnion Score is calculated

How your CIBIL TransUnion Score is calculated

Rediff.com8 Jul 2015

Here's a quick glimpse into what goes into the making of a person's CIBIL TransUnion Score

Highlights of Union Budget 2020-21

Highlights of Union Budget 2020-21

Rediff.com1 Feb 2020

The Budget emphasises on capacity building and empowerment of marginalised sections of society including farmers.

Is It Time To Smile, Nirmalaji?

Is It Time To Smile, Nirmalaji?

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

Now that the economy is growing at a higher-than-expected rate, it is time to accelerate the pace of fiscal consolidation, and the Budget could be a good starting point, argues Rajesh Kumar.

PM Modi flags concerns over bias in AI

PM Modi flags concerns over bias in AI

Rediff.com27 Aug 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for a global framework for ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as he flagged concerns surrounding bias in such modern technologies and their impact on the society. Days ahead of the G20 Summit, the prime minister also made a strong case for developing an integrated approach to deal with issues concerning cryptocurrencies. Modi, addressing B20 Summit India 2023 organised by CII, said India is preparing a global framework for Green Credit and urged industry leaders to adopt life and businesses with emphasis on planet positive actions.

Darjeeling tea hits 8-yr low in auctions

Darjeeling tea hits 8-yr low in auctions

Rediff.com5 Jan 2024

Geopolitical headwinds leading to lower demand from export markets, coupled with lower domestic buying, have dragged the auction average of Darjeeling tea to its lowest level since 2015. Data from Calcutta Tea Traders Association (CTTA) shows that the average price of Darjeeling tea at Kolkata auctions for January-December 2023 was Rs 319.74 per kg. The last time it dipped below this level was in 2015 at Rs 285.71 per kg.

Hooch Tragedy: Will TN Go Dry?

Hooch Tragedy: Will TN Go Dry?

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

Ironically, rival Tamil Nadu governments expend the most on social welfare schemes, especially targeting women and youth and children, but that money comes only by selling more liquor. There is always the specious plea, which has been peddled very many times in the past, that without licensed liquor, drinkers would go after hooch and there could be more hooch tragedies and hooch deaths. No one is convinced, but no one can dispute it either, comments N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why TVs Are Going To Cost More

Why TVs Are Going To Cost More

Rediff.com5 Feb 2024

'On the final product, there can be an increase of a minimum of 10 per cent in February and March.'

Major edible oil brands cut MRP by 10-15%

Major edible oil brands cut MRP by 10-15%

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

Major edible oil companies, including Adani Wilmar and Ruchi Soya, have reduced the maximum retail price (MRP) of their products by 10-15 per cent to provide relief to consumers, industry body SEA said on Monday. The prices have been reduced by Adani Wilmar (on Fortune brands), Ruchi Soya (Mahakosh, Sunrich, Ruchi Gold and Nutrella brands), Emami (Healthy & Tasty brands), Bunge (Dalda, Gagan, Chambal brands) and Gemini (Freedom sunflower oil brands), it said. OFCO (Nutrilive brands), Frigorifico Allana (Sunny brands), Gokul Agro (Vitalife, Mahek and Zaika brands) and others have also reduced prices, it added.

It's Amul vs Aavin in Tamil Nadu now; Stalin writes to Shah

It's Amul vs Aavin in Tamil Nadu now; Stalin writes to Shah

Rediff.com25 May 2023

Writing to Shah, Stalin drew the Centre's attention to the issues arising out of milk procurement by the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union (Amul) in the Tamil Nadu milk shed area.

Modi calls for global framework for ethical use of AI, flags bias

Modi calls for global framework for ethical use of AI, flags bias

Rediff.com27 Aug 2023

Modi called business communities and governments to work together to ensure usage of ethical AI as "we have to sense the potential disruptions in different sectors. This problem has to be solved under the global framework."

Subsidised tomatoes to now cost Rs 70 per kg: Govt

Subsidised tomatoes to now cost Rs 70 per kg: Govt

Rediff.com19 Jul 2023

The Union government has reduced prices of subsidised tomatoes to Rs 70 per kilogramme from Thursday from Rs 80 per kg now to provide relief to common man from high retail prices. The Centre is selling tomatoes to people at a subsidised rate of Rs 80 a kg in Delhi-NCR and some other key cities through the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). The all-India average retail prices of tomatoes is ruling at nearly 120 per kg, although the key kitchen item is selling as high as Rs 245 per kg at some places.

Can the consumer bill protect e-tail users?

Can the consumer bill protect e-tail users?

Rediff.com28 Sep 2015

The new law proposes to bring e-retail users and players into its fold.

IPO craze continues: 3 firms to raise Rs 1,325 crore next week

IPO craze continues: 3 firms to raise Rs 1,325 crore next week

Rediff.com3 Mar 2024

The primary market will see a flurry of activity in March, with at least three companies including Gopal Snacks will float their initial public offerings (IPOs) in the upcoming week to raise Rs 1,325 crore collectively. The other two companies which are set to launch their maiden public issues are -- RK Swamy and JG Chemicals. Additionally, Bengaluru-based luxury furniture brand Stanley Lifestyles and Krystal Integrated Services are expected to float their initial share-sales later this month, according to merchant bankers.

Nearly Rs 41,000 crore unspent in govt's Rs 1.97 trillion PLI scheme

Nearly Rs 41,000 crore unspent in govt's Rs 1.97 trillion PLI scheme

Rediff.com12 Feb 2024

Of the Rs 1.97 trillion that the government intends to spend on all 14 production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, around Rs 41,000 crore remains unutilised as of now, according to a senior government official. This means that 80 per cent of the total allocated amount, or Rs 1.56 trillion, will be used to pay incentives to companies eligible to claim benefits over the next few years. The unutilised amount/savings result from undersubscription, lukewarm responses in the case of schemes such as textile, as well as a reduction in the allocation of schemes.

NBFC business has to hit the reset button after RBI strengthens norms

NBFC business has to hit the reset button after RBI strengthens norms

Rediff.com11 Dec 2023

"We will raise Rs 300 crore via bonds of two-, three- and five-year tenures. This will be our maiden bond issuance and is part of our effort to widen funding sources," says Vimal Bhandari, executive vice-chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), Arka Fincap. The firm, a subsidiary of Kirloskar Oil, is only five years old and small (assets of around Rs 5,000 crore with an "AA" rating), but the response to this float will be closely watched: It would be the first by a non-banking finance company (NBFC) after Mint Road upped the risk weights on bank exposures to them by 25 percentage points. The move by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has caught NBFCs off guard even though the issue had been flagged by Governor Shaktikanta Das with their corner-room occupants (and that of banks) in July and August 2023 - on consumer credit and the dependency on bank borrowings.

24 policemen, 60 protestors hurt in clashes as farmers march to Delhi

24 policemen, 60 protestors hurt in clashes as farmers march to Delhi

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

Farmers from Punjab clashed with Haryana police at two border points between the states on Tuesday, facing tear gas and water cannons as they tried to break past barricades blocking their protest march to the national capital. The police lobbed tear gas shells -- some of them dropped from a drone -- and tried to disperse groups of stone-pelting protesters in the face-off that last several hours at Shambhu border near Ambala in Haryana.

Inflation makes a big hole in consumers' pockets

Inflation makes a big hole in consumers' pockets

Rediff.com27 Dec 2019

Costlier vegetables slowly pushed retail inflation, which had remained well within the Reserve Bank's comfortable level of 4 per cent during most part of 2019, peaked to more than three-year high of 5.54 per cent in November.

Kharge or Rahul likely to be PM pick if ...: Shashi Tharoor

Kharge or Rahul likely to be PM pick if ...: Shashi Tharoor

Rediff.com17 Oct 2023

Tharoor said there could be a surprise result in the election next year as there is an opposition coalition and there are chances of the INDIA alliance coming to power at the Centre by trouncing the BJP-led NDA in the general elections.

BJP's Mission UP: Winning All 80 Lok Sabha Seats

BJP's Mission UP: Winning All 80 Lok Sabha Seats

Rediff.com5 Jan 2024

The BJP lost 15 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in 2019. Union ministers have been deployed in all 15, tasked with turning the result around.

Consumer durables firms mull yet another price hik

Consumer durables firms mull yet another price hik

Rediff.com15 Oct 2008

The Boston Analytics Consumer Sentiment Index for August fell below the benchmark value of 100 since its inception, signalling a low-key festive season ahead.

New consumer price series to release on Feb 18

New consumer price series to release on Feb 18

Rediff.com7 Feb 2011

These consumer indices will be available for five major groups -- food, beverages and tobacco; fuel and light; housing; clothing, bedding and footwear; and miscellaneous.

'They want to suffocate our voices'

'They want to suffocate our voices'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2024

'Farmers have been sent notices in which the government is threatening that if you will join the movement, then we will impound your ancestral properties.' 'We will seal your bank accounts.' 'We will revoke the passports of your kids.'