News for 'Consumers Union'

Zero probability of India getting into recession or stagflation: Sitharaman

Zero probability of India getting into recession or stagflation: Sitharaman

Rediff.com1 Aug 2022

India is facing no risk of recession or stagflation as macroeconomic fundamentals of the economy are strong, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. Replying to a debate on price rise in the Lok Sabha, she said the GST collection and Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) are indicating that the Indian economy is getting more robust. The GST collection rose 28 per cent to touch the second-highest level of Rs 1.49 lakh crore in July. GST, introduced in July 2017, touched a record high of Rs 1.68 lakh crore in April 2022.

'Can I buy a 40 lakh car in 2 yrs with SIPs?'

'Can I buy a 40 lakh car in 2 yrs with SIPs?'

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

Nikunj Saraf, Vice President Choice Wealth, answers your queries.

Watch Live! All the action in Parliament

Watch Live! All the action in Parliament

Rediff.com8 Jul 2019

Lok Sabha will take up general discussion on the Union Budget for 2019-2020 on Monday.

18 states to impose stock limits on edible oils ahead of Diwali

18 states to impose stock limits on edible oils ahead of Diwali

Rediff.com26 Oct 2021

In order to check the abnormal surge in edible oil prices during Diwali festivities, as many as 18 states are in the process of imposing stock holding limits on oilseeds and edible oils after being empowered by the Centre for doing so. Of the 18 states that are in the process of imposing stock limit on my edible oils apart from UP, include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Kerala, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Of the 18, Uttar Pradesh, has already imposed stock limits on edible oils, the Centre was informed with as many as 23 states to discuss ways and means to ensure further easing of edible oil prices.

Jewellers expect 10% of pre-Covid sales on Akshaya Tritiya

Jewellers expect 10% of pre-Covid sales on Akshaya Tritiya

Rediff.com14 May 2021

For the second straight year, the gems and jewellery industry is set for almost a washout of business on Akshaya Tritiya as only about 10 per cent of pre-Covid sales of 2019 are expected on Friday amid the raging pandemic sapping footfalls and purchasing power of people.

The looming winter of discontent that awaits India

The looming winter of discontent that awaits India

Rediff.com3 Oct 2022

The dreary, cold months from December to February may prove to be the undoing of many a nation as they grapple with sky-high fuel prices - a result of the Ukraine conflict and the pandemic. Many - Europe, South Korea, Japan, and China - will still pull through on the strength of their wealth or because of strong storage infrastructure. But India will have its back to the wall. Signs of liquefied natural gas (LNG) rates hitting new records this winter are already evident.

SC-appointed panel on farm laws was against their repeal

SC-appointed panel on farm laws was against their repeal

Rediff.com21 Mar 2022

The report, which was submitted to the apex court on March 19, 2021, was made public on Monday. The three-member committee had also suggested many changes in the laws, including giving freedom to states to make Minimum Support Price (MSP) system legal.

India dials OPEC on high oil prices

India dials OPEC on high oil prices

Rediff.com19 Jul 2021

India has taken up the issue of high oil prices with producer nations and OPEC, demanding affordable rates, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameswar Teli told the Lok Sabha on Monday. Petrol and diesel prices have shot up to record highs across the country after relentless price increases since early May. Petrol is retailing above Rs 100 a litre in more than a dozen states.

Puri conveys India's concerns over high oil prices to OPEC

Puri conveys India's concerns over high oil prices to OPEC

Rediff.com16 Jul 2021

India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, has conveyed to OPEC countries its concern over high oil prices that are threatening to impact the nascent economic recovery after the devastating pandemic. New Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has made phone calls to key OPEC nations to convey the desire for an affordable price for consumers. After calling his counterparts in Qatar and the UAE, he called Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) kingpin Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening.

Ayush certified Coronil as Covid medicine as per WHO norms: Ramdev

Ayush certified Coronil as Covid medicine as per WHO norms: Ramdev

Rediff.com19 Feb 2021

In a tweet, Patanjali Ayurved said, "Moment of pride!! Efforts of scientists at Patanjali to make corona medicine have been successful today. We are pleased to announce the First evidence based medicine for Covid-19 by Patanjali."

With AAP, Capt in fray Punjab no more a Cong-SAD duel

With AAP, Capt in fray Punjab no more a Cong-SAD duel

Rediff.com8 Jan 2022

Punjab's 117 assembly seats are going to be a keenly-watched contest with the Congress, the AAP, the SAD-BSP alliance, and the BJP-PLC-SAD (Sanyukt) battling to form the government in the state, with a probable entry of farmers' front in the form of Sanyukt Samaj Morcha.

How Scindia has emerged as a stronger leader in BJP

How Scindia has emerged as a stronger leader in BJP

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

'Scindia did not just come to a new party, it was an ideological shift for him. In the past one and a half years, Scindia never lost communication with RSS leaders in the state. He left no stone unturned to ensure his acceptability in the party'

Can't have a situation where market is India but jobs are in China: Govt on Tesla

Can't have a situation where market is India but jobs are in China: Govt on Tesla

Rediff.com8 Feb 2022

Making it clear that relaxations will not be provided to US-based electric vehicles major Tesla unless it participates in manufacturing activities in India, Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar on Tuesday said there cannot be a situation where the market is India but jobs are created in China. The minister of state for heavy industries also told the Lok Sabha during Question Hour that the company is yet to apply for schemes as per the government's policy. Last year, the Elon Musk-led company sought a reduction in import duties on electric vehicles (EVs) in India but the Ministry of Heavy Industries asked the firm to start manufacturing its iconic EVs in the country before any tax concessions can be considered.

Maharashtra Rajya Sabha Polls: Prestige Battle Between Shiv Sena, BJP

Maharashtra Rajya Sabha Polls: Prestige Battle Between Shiv Sena, BJP

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

Even though MLAs are required to show their ballot to respective party whips before casting their vote, all parties have ensured their MLAs are housed in five star hotels closer to the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha where voting will take place on June 10.

What does Modi gain by not REPEALING Farm Laws?

What does Modi gain by not REPEALING Farm Laws?

Rediff.com4 Oct 2021

And the only answer one can think of is that this is being done to preserve the image of toughness and 56 inches and all the rest of it, notes Aakar Patel.

Sensex pares losses; finally ends down 581 pts on weak global cue

Sensex pares losses; finally ends down 581 pts on weak global cue

Rediff.com27 Jan 2022

HCL Tech was the top loser in the Sensex pack, skidding over 4 per cent, followed by Tech Mahindra Dr Reddy's, Wipro, TCS, Titan and Infosys. NSE Nifty plunged 167.80 points to 17,110.15.

GST on petroleum products will cut fuel taxes: Gadkari

GST on petroleum products will cut fuel taxes: Gadkari

Rediff.com10 Nov 2021

Bringing petrol, diesel and other petroleum products under the single nation-wide GST regime will reduce taxes on these products and increase the revenue of both the Centre and states, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will definitely try to bring petrol and diesel under GST if she gets the support of the state governments, said Gadkari while addressing the Times Now Summit virtually. "In the GST Council, finance ministers of states are also members.

J-K plans mythological theme park near Vaishno Devi shrine

J-K plans mythological theme park near Vaishno Devi shrine

Rediff.com11 Jun 2021

The Jammu and Kashmir administration is planning to set up India's best mythological theme park near the famous Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district and has sought investors for the project, officials said.

Industrial production remains muted; inflation @ 6-month high

Industrial production remains muted; inflation @ 6-month high

Rediff.com12 Jan 2022

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 1.4 per cent in November as most components like manufacturing, electricity, mining, primary goods, and consumer durables witnessed a slowdown, according to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Wednesday. This is on the base of a decline of 1.7 per cent in November 2020 and before the new Covid variant started impacting economic activity. IIP growth was lower than the 4 per cent expansion recorded in the previous month but was better than a 1.6 per cent contraction seen in November 2020. Separately, rising prices of kitchen staples pushed retail inflation, or rate of price increase, to 5.59 per cent in December 2021, bringing it close to the upper band of Reserve Bank's comfort zone.

How not to get duped by rogue jewellers

How not to get duped by rogue jewellers

Rediff.com20 Nov 2019

The industry body has issued two advisories in an attempt to restore jewellers credibility in the wake of the Rs 12,000-crore PNB-Nirav Modi scam, and recent defaults by two domestic jewellers - Goodwin and Rasiklal.

India's personal data protection bill may threaten innovation, growth: USTR

India's personal data protection bill may threaten innovation, growth: USTR

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

The US on Thursday raised concerns over India's Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill and draft non-personal data governance framework, claiming these could potentially threaten innovation and economic growth. In its latest 'Special 301' Report, the US Trade Representative (USTR) kept India on the priority watch list, maintaining the country remains one of the world's most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP). In December 2021, a joint parliamentary committee released a report recommending changes to the PDP Bill, 2019, that could undermine important IP protections in India.

Leftists, Maoists trying to take control of farmers' stir: Govt

Leftists, Maoists trying to take control of farmers' stir: Govt

Rediff.com11 Dec 2020

He also said the government is sensitive towards farmers and is in discussion with them and their representatives to resolve their concerns.

Index heavyweights lift Sensex, Nifty to lifetime highs

Index heavyweights lift Sensex, Nifty to lifetime highs

Rediff.com11 Jun 2021

Dr Reddy's was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising over 3 per cent, followed by PowerGrid, TCS, HCL Tech, Infosys and Reliance Industries. On the other hand, L&T, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finserv and Bharti Airtel were among the laggards.

Case of wrong diagnosis and prescription: Cong on Budget

Case of wrong diagnosis and prescription: Cong on Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

The Congress on Monday strongly criticised the Union budget, saying Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's speech was oblivious to the declining GDP and the budget was a case of "wrong diagnosis and prescription".

States shun imported onions; Centre fears stock may rot

States shun imported onions; Centre fears stock may rot

Rediff.com14 Jan 2020

So far, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal governments have taken the imported onions.

Services sector activity slips in Jan; biz confidence hits 6-month low

Services sector activity slips in Jan; biz confidence hits 6-month low

Rediff.com3 Feb 2022

India's services sector activity moderated further in January as new business rose at a noticeably slower rate amid the escalation of the pandemic, reintroduction of restrictions and inflationary pressures, a monthly survey said on Thursday. The seasonally adjusted India Services Business Activity Index fell to 51.5 in January, down from 55.5 in December, pointing to the slowest rate of expansion in the current six-month sequence of growth. For the sixth straight month, the services sector witnessed an expansion in output.

Biden bars Russian flights, says Putin wrong, US is ready

Biden bars Russian flights, says Putin wrong, US is ready

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

"Throughout our history we've learned this lesson -- when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising," Biden said addressing the joint session of the Congress in his first State of the Union.

'It wasn't Wankhede's decision alone to arrest Aryan Khan'

'It wasn't Wankhede's decision alone to arrest Aryan Khan'

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

'The decision to arrest Aryan Khan was a consensual decision, not a one-man command.'

Nearly 200 cases of black fungus in Delhi hospitals

Nearly 200 cases of black fungus in Delhi hospitals

Rediff.com21 May 2021

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Thursday said the city government will declare black fungus an epidemic if need arises.

Ambani charts succession plan; hands over telecom business to son Akash

Ambani charts succession plan; hands over telecom business to son Akash

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

Mukesh Ambani has resigned from the board of his group's telecom arm, Reliance Jio and handed over the reins of the company to elder son Akash, a step seen as succession planning by the 65-year old billionaire. In a stock exchange filing, Reliance Jio Infocomm said the company's board at a meeting on June 27, "approved the appointment of Akash M Ambani, non-executive director, as chairman of the board of directors of the company." This comes after his father resigned with effect from close of working hours on June 27, it said.

Conversion Row Rears Its Ugly Head In Tamil Nadu

Conversion Row Rears Its Ugly Head In Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com4 Feb 2022

As of now, there is nothing to suggest that the 'Michaelpatti episode' has the potential to polarise Dravidian Tamil Nadu on religious lines, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Delhi govt withdraws new excise policy facing CBI probe

Delhi govt withdraws new excise policy facing CBI probe

Rediff.com30 Jul 2022

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of using agencies like the CBI and Enforcement Directorate to threaten liquor licensees and excise officials but the BJP alleged that the AAP government's 'rushed' move was an 'admission of violations and corruption' and it was 'scared' of the CBI probe.

Higher petrol, diesel consumption can help govt cut fuel cess: ICRA

Higher petrol, diesel consumption can help govt cut fuel cess: ICRA

Rediff.com25 Jun 2021

A rise in petrol and diesel consumption can help the government cut cesses on the fuels by Rs 4.5 a litre without impacting revenue collections of FY21, and help cool off the pressure on inflation, domestic rating agency ICRA said on Friday. Petrol consumption is estimated to increase 14 per cent in 2021-22 and diesel by 10 per cent on the lower base, rise in mobility and economic recovery, ICRA said. The rating agency added that it will result in an additional Rs 40,000 crore in revenue for the government through higher collections of the cess.

Millions of Covid vaccine doses are set to expire in India

Millions of Covid vaccine doses are set to expire in India

Rediff.com20 Jun 2022

Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) is sitting on 200 million doses of Covishield that were manufactured in December and are set to expire in September. The company is likely to destroy these vaccines if nothing works out, Sohini Das reports.

No scientific report of bird flu transmission to humans: Giriraj

No scientific report of bird flu transmission to humans: Giriraj

Rediff.com11 Jan 2021

With bird flu being confirmed in 10 states so far, the Centre on Monday urged state governments, including Delhi, not to shut poultry markets and restrict sales based on 'public perception', asserting that there are no scientific reports of transmission of bird flu to humans.

Invoke stringent law against those hoarding: MHA to states

Invoke stringent law against those hoarding: MHA to states

Rediff.com8 Apr 2020

In a communication to chief secretaries of all states and union territories, Union home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said the ministry of home affairs, under the Disaster Management Act, has allowed manufacture or production, transport and other related supply-chain activities in respect of essential goods like foodstuff, medicines and medical equipment during the 21-day lockdown.

Petrol price up Rs 36 a litre, diesel 26.58 in less than 18 months

Petrol price up Rs 36 a litre, diesel 26.58 in less than 18 months

Rediff.com23 Oct 2021

Petrol and diesel prices were hiked for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday by 35 paise per litre, pushing the total increase in rates on petrol to Rs 36 per litre and on diesel to Rs 26.58 since early May 2020 when taxes on the two fuels were raised to record levels. Petrol in Delhi now costs Rs 107.24 a litre and diesel comes for Rs 95.97, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers. The latest increase that follows the unrelenting hike in international oil prices has pushed pump rates across the country to their highest-ever levels.

1 arrested in killing of pregnant elephant case

1 arrested in killing of pregnant elephant case

Rediff.com5 Jun 2020

The 15-year-old elephant is suspected to have consumed a pineapple filled with powerful fire crackers, which exploded in its mouth in the Silent Valley forest.

Centre, farmers to resume stalled talks on Wednesday

Centre, farmers to resume stalled talks on Wednesday

Rediff.com29 Dec 2020

The fifth round of talks was held on December 5, while the sixth round originally scheduled for December 9 was called off after an informal meeting of Home Minister Shah with some union leaders failed to reach any breakthrough.

Sensex, Nifty race to over 1-week high amid global stock rally

Sensex, Nifty race to over 1-week high amid global stock rally

Rediff.com28 Dec 2021

The 30-share BSE Sensex surged by 477.24 points or 0.83 per cent to close at more than one-week high of 57,897.48. As many as 28 of its constituents closed with gains while two declined. The broad-based Nifty of the National Stock Exchange rose by 147.20 points or 0.86 per cent to settle 17,233.45, tracking gains in Sun Pharma, Asian Paints, and Reliance Industries.