News for 'Consumers Union'

Sidda govt to give cash instead of rice to poor due to grain shortage

Sidda govt to give cash instead of rice to poor due to grain shortage

Rediff.com28 Jun 2023

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after a Cabinet meeting here on Wednesday said that the government has decided to go for open market tender to procure rice, whose process will start from Thursday.

SC orders MHA to create media briefing manual for police on criminal cases

SC orders MHA to create media briefing manual for police on criminal cases

Rediff.com13 Sep 2023

Observing that biased reporting gives rise to public suspicion that the person has committed an offence, a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said media reports can also violate the privacy of a victim.

GST and states, a reality check of how indirect tax system is working

GST and states, a reality check of how indirect tax system is working

Rediff.com15 May 2023

Taiwan in 1951 came up with an ingenious plan to improve tax compliance: citizens taking receipts for purchases could use them as lottery tickets. Customers were incentivized, and businesses found it hard to evade taxes. The plan's success prompted other countries, Slovakia and Greece among them, to launch similar initiatives. India doesn't seem to find the need yet for such schemes amid surging goods and services tax (GST) collections.

Why consumers must cheer CCI's ruling on errant car makers

Why consumers must cheer CCI's ruling on errant car makers

Rediff.com2 Sep 2014

Such allegations are unjustified, given that the CCI's remedies do not promote a free-for-all scheme.

India to clock GDP growth of 6.5% in FY'24; to meet fiscal deficit target of 5.9%: CEA

India to clock GDP growth of 6.5% in FY'24; to meet fiscal deficit target of 5.9%: CEA

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran on Thursday said the economy is expected to grow at 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal notwithstanding deficient rains in August. India recorded economic growth of 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter of 2023-24 against 13.1 per cent in the year-ago period. India's economy in Q1 grew at the fastest pace in a year, on the shoulders of a boost in capital expenditure both at central and state levels, along with stronger consumption demand, especially in rural areas, and improved performance in the services sector, he said.

Pay more for pre-packed atta, pulses, curd as 5% GST kicks in from today

Pay more for pre-packed atta, pulses, curd as 5% GST kicks in from today

Rediff.com18 Jul 2022

A 5 per cent GST rate kicked in on Monday on pre-packed and labelled food items such as cereals, pulses and flour weighing less than 25 kg.

Amid Maha-Guj row, Gadkari's letter to Tata surfaces

Amid Maha-Guj row, Gadkari's letter to Tata surfaces

Rediff.com29 Oct 2022

The letter shared with the media on Saturday comes amid Maharashtra losing several big-ticket projects to neighbouring Gujarat.

Pill for thought: Sweetheart deals that hurt consumers

Pill for thought: Sweetheart deals that hurt consumers

Rediff.com16 Sep 2014

'Pay-for-delay' settlements between drug patent-holders and generics manufacturers to delay the launch of cheaper generic medicine are increasingly being scrutinised by antitrust regulators

Reversal of rate cycle seen as Union Bank blinks first

Reversal of rate cycle seen as Union Bank blinks first

Rediff.com30 Dec 2011

Mumbai-based lender Union Bank of India has reduced its base rate, the benchmark lending rate, by 10 bps to 10.65 per cent with immediate effect.

'When Time Is Precious, Call Dolly'

'When Time Is Precious, Call Dolly'

Rediff.com15 Nov 2023

'The sari is the most comfortable attire for curvy Indian women, who are all bust and butt.'

Dearness allowance of central govt staff hiked by 4%

Dearness allowance of central govt staff hiked by 4%

Rediff.com28 Sep 2022

Ahead of Diwali festival, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday increased the dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief by 4 per cent effective July 1, 2022, benefiting 41.85 lakh central government employees and 69.76 lakh pensioners. The additional instalment of DA and dearness relief (DR) is an increase of 4 per cent over the existing rate of 34 per cent of basic pay/pension. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both DA and DR would be Rs 12,852.5 crore per annum, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur while briefing reporters about the decisions of the Union Cabinet.

Under the lens: Regulator moots pre-export govt testing for cough syrup cos

Under the lens: Regulator moots pre-export govt testing for cough syrup cos

Rediff.com24 May 2023

After reports of contamination in cough syrups sent from the country, India is considering a system to test them before exporting. It is learnt that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has sent a proposal to the Union health ministry on this. The idea is to test the medicines at government labs before exporting.

Water use, pollution high in animal slaughter industry: Bhagwat

Water use, pollution high in animal slaughter industry: Bhagwat

Rediff.com29 Dec 2022

The RSS chief also noted that those who eat non-vegetarian food in India follow rules and desist from eating it during the Hindu month of Shravan and on Thursdays.

Allow hybrid mode hearings, technology not judges' choice, SC tells HCs

Allow hybrid mode hearings, technology not judges' choice, SC tells HCs

Rediff.com6 Oct 2023

The top court drew parallel between driving and technology and said if one doesn't know how to handle technology then he or she can't be a judge and questioned the approach of some of the high courts.

How Politicians Prevented Onion Tears

How Politicians Prevented Onion Tears

Rediff.com5 Sep 2023

Even before NCP-Ajit Pawar leaders came to meet in Delhi, the central government decided to buy 200,000 tonnes of onions from farmers at Rs 24.1 per quintal. This was among the highest prices at which onions have ever been bought from farmers.

Hurdles in biofuel use: Few vehicles, weak ethanol-blended petrol rollout

Hurdles in biofuel use: Few vehicles, weak ethanol-blended petrol rollout

Rediff.com25 Sep 2023

The limited availability of flexible (flex)-fuel vehicles in the Indian market and the slow rollout of ethanol-blended petrol by oil-marketing companies (OMCs) remain major obstacles to achieving widespread use of biofuels in the transportation sector in India. Recently, two Union ministers have emphasised India's biofuel potential, arguing that it has the capacity and potential to lead a transition towards widespread biofuel adoption. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari signalled that this transition is well underway and urged car manufacturers to quickly adapt and introduce new biofuel-run vehicles, lest the government resort to taxing diesel vehicles.

Tomato Prices Increased By 1315%!

Tomato Prices Increased By 1315%!

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

8 out of 10 households are planning to cut their tomato consumption if prices stay in the Rs 75-150 kg range over the next three months.

India right country at right time to host G20 summit, says Rishi

India right country at right time to host G20 summit, says Rishi

Rediff.com8 Sep 2023

Emphasising that various issues are on agenda at the G20 under India's leadership.

Govt blames 6 non-BJP states for high petro prices

Govt blames 6 non-BJP states for high petro prices

Rediff.com15 Dec 2022

Six non-BJP ruled states -- West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Kerala and Jharkhand -- have not reduced the VAT on petroleum products, leading to higher prices of petrol and diesel there, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday. Puri said in Lok Sabha that the central government has reduced excise duty on petroleum products and some other states, following cues, reduced their Value Added Tax (VAT). Six states -- West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Kerala and Jharkhand -- have not reduced the VAT, he said amidst vocal protests by the opposition members.

Passenger vehicle dispatches record best-ever Feb performance: SIAM

Passenger vehicle dispatches record best-ever Feb performance: SIAM

Rediff.com10 Mar 2023

Indian automakers dispatched nearly 2.92 lakh passenger vehicles, the highest ever for February so far, driven by strong demand for cars and utility vehicles, industry body SIAM said on Friday. The total passenger vehicle dispatches from companies to dealers last month increased 11 per cent to 2,91,928 units from 2,62,984 units in February 2022. Passenger car sales rose to 1,42,201 units in February against 1,33,572 units in the year-ago period.

'Railways is known for covering up accidents'

'Railways is known for covering up accidents'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2023

'Imagine what will happen when a train running at 128 kmph moves onto a track that is meant to have only a speed less than 30 kmph!' 'Naturally, it will derail, and the coaches will go for a tailspin.'

6 years of GST: Rs 1.5 trillion monthly tax revenues becomes 'new normal'

6 years of GST: Rs 1.5 trillion monthly tax revenues becomes 'new normal'

Rediff.com29 Jun 2023

Six years after the rollout of the biggest indirect tax reform in India, Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue of Rs 1.5 lakh crore every month has become a new normal and tax officers are focusing on dealing with fraudsters who are adopting newer modus operandi to game the system, causing loss to the exchequer. To apprehend black sheep, who operate as syndicates and create fake entities on the basis of forged documents to claim input tax credit (ITC), tax officers have started using data analytics, artifical intelligence and machine learning aiming to curb evasion, which was over Rs 3 lakh crore since inception of GST. It was over Rs 1 lakh crore in 2022-23. Thinktank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said the most critical pending GST reform is upgradation of GST Network to prevent fake supplies and fraudulent claims of Input Tax Credit (ITC).

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.

Import of key Chinese medical devices rises up to 152% till Dec FY23

Import of key Chinese medical devices rises up to 152% till Dec FY23

Rediff.com5 May 2023

In the first nine months of financial year 2022-23, India's exports of medical devices have grown by 17 per cent, while imports have declined by around 8 per cent, show the latest data compiled by the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD). However, import of 30 medical devices from China has risen between 25 per cent and 152 per cent during this period, the AiMeD has written to Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal in March. The AiMeD is an umbrella organisation of medical device makers.

K'taka portfolios: Siddaramaiah keeps finance, Shivakumar gets irrigation

K'taka portfolios: Siddaramaiah keeps finance, Shivakumar gets irrigation

Rediff.com29 May 2023

Shivakumar has got the all-important Major and Medium Irrigation and Bengaluru City Development, including the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore Development Authority, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited.

War Over Amul's Plans For South India

War Over Amul's Plans For South India

Rediff.com14 Jun 2023

'As long as Amul was coming in with products it was not a problem because it was something value added and with a shelf life.' 'When it gets into the local market by procuring locally, it cuts into the market-share of local cooperatives.'

Govt revises gas pricing formula; CNG, piped cooking gas to cost 10% less

Govt revises gas pricing formula; CNG, piped cooking gas to cost 10% less

Rediff.com6 Apr 2023

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a revision in the formula for pricing of natural gas and imposed cap or ceiling price to help cut CNG and piped cooking gas prices by up to 10 per cent. Natural gas produced from legacy or old fields, known as APM gas, will now be indexed to the price of imported crude oil instead of benchmarking it to gas prices in four surplus nations such as the US, Canada and Russia, Union I&B Miniser Anurag Thakur told reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet. APM gas will be priced at 10 per cent of the price of basket of crude oil that India imports (Indian basket of crude oil).

Exports dip 10.3% in May; trade deficit at 5-month high

Exports dip 10.3% in May; trade deficit at 5-month high

Rediff.com15 Jun 2023

Exports declined for the fourth-consecutive month by 10.3 per cent year-on-year to $34.98 billion in May, while the trade deficit widened to a five-month high of $22.12 billion. According to the data released by the commerce ministry on Thursday, key export sectors recording negative growth include petroleum products, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, ready-made garments of all textiles and chemicals. Imports also declined 6.6 per cent, six-month in a row, to $57.1 billion against $61.13 billion in the same month last year, the data showed.

Cough syrup deaths: DCGI bans use of propylene glycol supplied by Delhi firm

Cough syrup deaths: DCGI bans use of propylene glycol supplied by Delhi firm

Rediff.com11 Mar 2023

Maya Chemtech India Pvt Ltd supplied propylene glycol used in Marion Biotech's cough syrups that were found to be "not of standard quality", according to the regulator.

Households Happier With Budget Than Markets

Households Happier With Budget Than Markets

Rediff.com18 Feb 2022

Evidently, households see a brighter future after the Budget, reveals Mahesh Vyas.

Ensure availability of oxygen, functional ventilators: Centre to states

Ensure availability of oxygen, functional ventilators: Centre to states

Rediff.com24 Dec 2022

In a letter to all states and UTs, Health Ministry Additional Secretary Manohar Agnani said the operationalisation and maintenance of these medical infrastructure is of utmost importance to meet any eventuality even though the number of cases in the country is low now.

Centre bans 138 betting apps, 94 illegal loan apps with Chinese links

Centre bans 138 betting apps, 94 illegal loan apps with Chinese links

Rediff.com5 Feb 2023

As per sources, the MHA recommended the MeitY this week to ban and block these apps, and the ministry subsequently initiated the process as per communication.

What Cards Will BJP Play For Elections?

What Cards Will BJP Play For Elections?

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

Elections may be a few months away, but the government may get into election mode much earlier than that, predicts A K Bhattacharya.

Tribal step up demand to 'free' Parasnath hills from Jains

Tribal step up demand to 'free' Parasnath hills from Jains

Rediff.com7 Jan 2023

Even as the Centre stayed the Jharkhand government's move to promote tourism at the Parasnath hills after protests by Jains, tribals jumped into the fray staking a claim to the land and asking for it to be freed.

Govt issues 202 notices to e-com players for violating norm

Govt issues 202 notices to e-com players for violating norm

Rediff.com26 Oct 2021

The Union government on Tuesday said it has issued 202 notices to e-commerce players for incorrect declaration of 'country of origin' on products on their platforms in the last one year. The maximum number of such violations were found with respect to electronic appliances, followed by clothing and home products. Out of 217 notices, 202 notices were issued for violations relating to 'country of origin' norm.

Gujarat, Kerala & TN top FSSAI food safety index for 2020-21

Gujarat, Kerala & TN top FSSAI food safety index for 2020-21

Rediff.com20 Sep 2021

Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have topped an index that ranks states on food safety parameters for the 2020-21 year, according to an FSSAI report unveiled by Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday. The index ranks states on five parameters of food safety: human resources and institutional data, compliance, food testing facility, training and capacity building besides consumer empowerment. Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have topped in the list of large states on the index.

Prices of 3 Amul milk brands hiked by Rs 2 per litre

Prices of 3 Amul milk brands hiked by Rs 2 per litre

Rediff.com16 Aug 2022

The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets its dairy products under the Amul brand, on Tuesday increased the prices of its Gold, Taaza and Shakti milk brands by Rs 2 per litre. The new prices will be effective from Wednesday, the GCMMF said in a statement. This price hike is being done due to an increase in the overall cost of operation and production of milk, it said.

10 Millets To Include In Your Diet

10 Millets To Include In Your Diet

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

Millets can provide nutritional security against deficiencies, especially in children and women, says Sreejith Moolayil, co-founder and COO, True Elements.

What Nirmalaji Must Include In The Budget Speech

What Nirmalaji Must Include In The Budget Speech

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

The real requirement for the finance minister's explanatory speech is to explain the measures taken in the Budget to influence inflation and growth not just through the announcement of a deficit goal, but more broadly through the impact on money supply, consumer demand, foreign trade and investment, explains Nitin Desai.

How Eveready is trying to regain its mojo

How Eveready is trying to regain its mojo

Rediff.com8 May 2022

Over the past decade, a change in consumer choice swept through the battery industry - the walkman lost its mojo, smartphones took over cameras and batteries were tucked away in remotes and wall clocks that hardly needed frequent call-ups. The result: Brand Eveready lost mind space. And the company's attempt to stick to the on-ground marketing activities didn't quite help. But Eveready, now at the cusp of change, is putting things right - a new Give Me Red television commercial has been launched after a gap of 7 years featuring an empowered bride ski-diving to her wedding venue. The creative, according to Eveready sources, is in sync with the brand doctrine.