News for 'Consumers Union'

Apple seeks more time to comply with EU norm in older iPhones

Apple seeks more time to comply with EU norm in older iPhones

Rediff.com7 Dec 2023

Apple Inc has requested the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) to give it 18 to 24 months' exemption to comply with the European Union (EU) regulation of putting an USB charging port in all its older smartphones, mainly iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, which are assembled, exported and also sold in the domestic market. Apple's stance is different from that of Samsung, which has been pushing for an immediate implementation of the EU regulation. All smartphones by the South Korean giant already comply with the EU rules.

'Should not Uber/Ola drivers need social security?'

'Should not Uber/Ola drivers need social security?'

Rediff.com24 Aug 2023

'Nobody wants to run an exploitation factory.'

Ram Vilas Paswan's Final Throw Of Dice

Ram Vilas Paswan's Final Throw Of Dice

Rediff.com29 Mar 2024

Ram Vilas Paswan was no fool. He knew very well about the ownership tussle going on beneath this veneer of congeniality. At all costs, he wanted to keep the lid on the family drama. He did not want it to come in the way of his son's coronation.

Global Dark Economy Clouds Hover Over India

Global Dark Economy Clouds Hover Over India

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

'Rhetoric and chest-thumping are running high on India's recent growth record.'
'But will the giant waves developing elsewhere allow us to sail smoothly into fair winds?' asks Debashis Basu.

Western Union, India Post to expand operations

Western Union, India Post to expand operations

Rediff.com10 Nov 2006

Indian Postal Services and the Western Union plan to expand their joint operations aiming at a bigger slice of the hundreds of thousands dollars that are transferred by Indian diaspora to their loved ones every year.

Mob torches Manipur minister's godown, tries to burn down house

Mob torches Manipur minister's godown, tries to burn down house

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

An attempt was also made to torch another property of the consumer and food affairs minister and his residence at Khurai in the same district on Friday night but timely intervention prevented it.

PSU bank unions to go on two-day strike

PSU bank unions to go on two-day strike

Rediff.com21 Aug 2012

A section of the public sector banking employees will go on two-day all-India strike from Wednesday to protest against financial sector reforms and outsourcing of jobs.

Centre to revise SEZ Act, limiting tax sops and enhancing integration

Centre to revise SEZ Act, limiting tax sops and enhancing integration

Rediff.com16 Nov 2023

The Centre is unlikely to offer new direct tax incentives for units operating in special economic zones (SEZs) and may instead allow the grandfathering of previous exemptions that such units were entitled to, according to proposed amendments to the SEZ Act, 2005, people aware of the matter said. The amendments, proposed by the commerce department, will soon be considered by the Cabinet for approval. This represents a departure from the department's earlier plan to introduce these changes through the Development Enterprises and Services Hubs (DESH) Bill, 2023, which faced strong criticism from the ministry of finance.

'SIP Inflows Remained Robust'

'SIP Inflows Remained Robust'

Rediff.com28 Mar 2023

'Although mid- and small-cap funds have the potential for higher growth, they come with inherent higher volatility.'

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.

Fact-checking unit on hold till July 10, court's say final, says govt

Fact-checking unit on hold till July 10, court's say final, says govt

Rediff.com7 Jun 2023

The Centre on Wednesday told the Bombay high court it was extending till July 10 its earlier statement that it won't notify its fact-checking unit to identify fake news against the government on social media, even as two new petitions were filed challenging the recently amended IT Rules.

Budget's focus on capex to push growth to 7%: RBI article

Budget's focus on capex to push growth to 7%: RBI article

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

The Union Budget's focus on capital expenditure is expected to crowd-in private investment and push the GDP growth rate close to 7 per cent in the next financial year beginning April 1, said a Reserve Bank article on 'State of the Economy'. In 2023-24, capital expenditure is budgeted at Rs 10 lakh crore which will constitute 3.3 per cent of GDP. "We believe that India will decouple from macroeconomic projections of current vintage and also from the rest of the world.

Acid test for specialty chemical firms: Mix of weak demand, low realisations

Acid test for specialty chemical firms: Mix of weak demand, low realisations

Rediff.com7 Aug 2023

The weak April-June quarter (first quarter, or Q1) results of the largest listed specialty chemical maker, SRF, and multiple global headwinds for the sector are expected to weigh on the prospects of Indian specialty chemical companies in 2023-24 (FY24). Stocks in the sector (down 7-18 per cent) have underperformed the benchmarks (up over 10 per cent) in the past three months, and given the multiple challenges, the trend is likely to continue. Kotak Institutional Equities expects a very weak quarter (Q1FY24) for the sector due to destocking, demand weakness across certain critical end-use industries, and price erosion amid intense competition from Chinese suppliers.

Gadkari unveils prototype of world's first BS-VI-compliant flex-fuel car

Gadkari unveils prototype of world's first BS-VI-compliant flex-fuel car

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday unveiled the prototype of the world's first Bharat Stage (BS)-VI-compliant electrified flex-fuel car, developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor. The car, which runs on 100 per cent ethanol (E100), is based on the Toyota Innova HyCross. It can cover 40 per cent of its distance on ethanol and the remaining 60 per cent on electric, with the petrol engine shut off.

Shivraj 'mama' emerges as hero of BJP victory in MP

Shivraj 'mama' emerges as hero of BJP victory in MP

Rediff.com4 Dec 2023

The longest-serving Bharatiya Janata Party chief minister and popularly known as mama (maternal uncle) and 'paon-paon wale bhaiya' (foot soldier), Shivraj Singh Chouhan has emerged as the hero of his party's stunning victory in the state assembly elections.

India's Rigid Food Inflation Bites Harder

India's Rigid Food Inflation Bites Harder

Rediff.com18 Apr 2023

Nearly a third of an average Indian citizen's consumption budget is spent on food.

Shah Rukh Khan ordered to give money back to Byju's student

Shah Rukh Khan ordered to give money back to Byju's student

Rediff.com28 Apr 2023

In its order passed on Wednesday, the commission said Rs 1.08 lakh in fees deposited by complainant Priyanka Dixit at the time of admission in 2021 must be returned along with 12 per cent annual interest, while Rs 5,000 must be given to her as litigation cost and Rs 50,000 as compensation for financial and mental agony.

Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan's new role

Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan's new role

Rediff.com24 Mar 2023

Starbucks' new Indian-origin CEO Laxman Narasimhan has said he will work as a barista once a month in stores to stay close to the company's culture, customers, challenges and opportunities.

Gadkari launches Bharat NCAP, India's first crash testing programme

Gadkari launches Bharat NCAP, India's first crash testing programme

Rediff.com22 Aug 2023

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday launched the country's first crash testing programme Bharat NCAP aimed at improving road safety standards of motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) is India's own crash testing programme and is cheaper than tests conducted abroad, Gadkari said, adding that the star ratings will help buyers understand the quality of the product and make an informed purchase decision. Bharat NCAP will be implemented from October 1, 2023.

Cong reacts to Rahul 'flying kiss' row, says he never...

Cong reacts to Rahul 'flying kiss' row, says he never...

Rediff.com9 Aug 2023

The Congress on Wednesday came out in defence of Rahul Gandhi saying he never disrespects women and the Bharatiya Janata Party is indulging in an 'indecent' act of accusing him of 'misconduct' as it does not want a debate on Manipur violence.

'Public AI infrastructure we create would help startups'

'Public AI infrastructure we create would help startups'

Rediff.com9 Jan 2024

'Similar to the case of the digital payment system where the government created a public platform and others joined in, we are exploring a similar structure to create a PPP platform where the compute required for AI could be accessed by the small player.'

Sharad Yadav cremated at his ancestral village in MP

Sharad Yadav cremated at his ancestral village in MP

Rediff.com14 Jan 2023

The mortal remains of the former Union minister were consigned to flames by his son Shantanu Bundela and daughter Subhasini in his ancestral village Ankhmau at around 5 pm.

Antidote against Nipah reaches Kerala; expert panel to decide further action

Antidote against Nipah reaches Kerala; expert panel to decide further action

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

State health minister Veena George said a meeting was held between the principal secretary of the health department and the Union health ministry earlier in the day and now the monoclonal antibody has arrived.

Why India is worried about EU's draft due diligence law

Why India is worried about EU's draft due diligence law

Rediff.com6 Jul 2023

It aims at tackling issues such as child labour, mistreatment of workers, and denial of basic wages, among others. There will also be penalties for non-compliance.

Modi flags challenges in the fast growing cross-border e-com

Modi flags challenges in the fast growing cross-border e-com

Rediff.com24 Aug 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday suggested the G20 trade ministers to work collectively to ensure equitable competition between large and small sellers as there are challenges in the fast growing cross-border e-commerce. In a video message at the G20 Trade and Investment Minister's meeting here, he also emphasised on the need to address the problems faced by consumers in fair price discovery and grievance handling mechanisms. "Digitising processes and use of e-commerce have the potential to enhance market access. "I am glad that your group is working on the 'High Level Principles for the Digitalization of Trade Documents'. These principles can help countries in implementing cross-border electronic trade measures, and reduce compliance burdens.

NCB makes India's 'largest-ever' LSD seizure, 6 held

NCB makes India's 'largest-ever' LSD seizure, 6 held

Rediff.com6 Jun 2023

The seizure, as per officials, is estimated to be worth over Rs 10 crore in the international market (about Rs 5K-7K per blot) and all the six who have been taken into custody, beginning late last month, are students and youngsters who wanted to make 'easy money' by remaining anonymous within the deep layers of secret internet-based apps and messenger service like WICKR.

Is India's NavIC Better Than GPS?

Is India's NavIC Better Than GPS?

Rediff.com28 Oct 2023

NavIC consists of a constellation of seven satellites and a network of ground stations and is touted to be more accurate than GPS.

In touch with Uzbek authorities: WHO on syrup deaths of 18 kids

In touch with Uzbek authorities: WHO on syrup deaths of 18 kids

Rediff.com30 Dec 2022

The World Health Organisation on Friday said that it is in touch with the Uzbek authorities about the reported deaths of 18 children after consuming contaminated cough syrup made by Noida-based Marion Biotech.

The Blue Revolution: Indian Cricket's Success Story

The Blue Revolution: Indian Cricket's Success Story

Rediff.com30 Nov 2023

It is a tribute to a system so robustly meritocratic that this team represents India's diversity better than any other institution: The Union Cabinet, our chief ministers, the civil services, the leadership of our armed forces and security agencies, the judiciary and more than all of these, our typical newsroom. That is the biggest message from this breathless rise of Indian cricket, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Important! Monitor Credit Report Regularly

Important! Monitor Credit Report Regularly

Rediff.com23 Feb 2023

Going through the credit report regularly will make you aware of a number of issues. One is identity theft.

Centre issues 'dos and don'ts' amid unusual rise in temperature

Centre issues 'dos and don'ts' amid unusual rise in temperature

Rediff.com28 Feb 2023

The list of 'dos and don'ts' comes after the India meteorological department issued its first heat warning for 2023.

Taxes, incentives, reforms: How to read this year's Budget document

Taxes, incentives, reforms: How to read this year's Budget document

Rediff.com23 Jan 2023

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for 2023-24 in Parliament on February 1. The Budget is a statement of the government's estimated receipts and expenditures for a fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). It's divided into Revenue and Capital Budget. The Revenue Budget includes the government's revenue receipts and expenditures while the Capital Budget includes its capital receipts and payments.

Retail inflation rises to 15-month high of 7.44% in July

Retail inflation rises to 15-month high of 7.44% in July

Rediff.com14 Aug 2023

Retail inflation jumped to a 15-month high of 7.44 per cent in July as prices of vegetables and other food items spiked, according to official data released on Monday. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation was at 4.87 in June and 6.71 per cent in July 2022. Previously, high inflation was recorded at 7.79 per cent in April 2022.

Union Budget will boost growth: CII

Union Budget will boost growth: CII

Rediff.com28 Feb 2003

CII director general Tarun Das said, "It has outlined new strategies for growth with reduction of excise duty."

Debt Collection Goes Digital

Debt Collection Goes Digital

Rediff.com10 Aug 2023

Companies don't have to be in the field to nudge people to return money they owe lenders.

Petrol bomb hurled outside Raj Bhavan in Chennai

Petrol bomb hurled outside Raj Bhavan in Chennai

Rediff.com26 Oct 2023

The man who threw the petrol bomb was immediately overpowered, they said

India's pharma industry likely to take 5-6% price hikes this year

India's pharma industry likely to take 5-6% price hikes this year

Rediff.com6 Sep 2023

Notwithstanding the fact that the country's pharmaceutical (pharma) pricing regulator has allowed a 12 per cent price increase for medicines listed under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) in 2023, analysts and industry insiders predict that the overall domestic pharma industry will only witness a price hike of 5-6 per cent. This is attributed to higher competitive intensity in the market. Krishnakumar V, executive director and chief operating officer (CEO) of Eris Lifesciences, a domestic-focused pharma company, noted that the NLEM segment experienced growth suppression of around 150 basis points due to price reductions during the January to July period this year.

You are now limited to being a troll, ex-confidant Scindia slams Rahul

You are now limited to being a troll, ex-confidant Scindia slams Rahul

Rediff.com12 Apr 2023

He cited the names of Ghulam Nabi Azad, Scindia, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kiran Kumar Reddy and Anil K Antony in his tweet.

Cough syrup deaths: Seeking details from Uzbekistan, says MEA

Cough syrup deaths: Seeking details from Uzbekistan, says MEA

Rediff.com29 Dec 2022

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said consular assistance is being provided to some linked to the company who are facing legal action there.

How India Plans To Become A Semiconductor Giant

How India Plans To Become A Semiconductor Giant

Rediff.com22 Jun 2023

Micron plans an assembly testing, marking and packaging project of $1 billion, and talks are on to set up a memory chip plant for captive requirements.