News for 'Consumers Union'

Gadkari launches cow dung soap, bamboo water bottles

Gadkari launches cow dung soap, bamboo water bottles

Rediff.com1 Oct 2019

The bamboo water bottle is priced at Rs 560 and the soap variant of 125 grams costs Rs 125 each.

Ram Vilas Paswan, among India's tallest Dalit leaders, passes away

Ram Vilas Paswan, among India's tallest Dalit leaders, passes away

Rediff.com9 Oct 2020

Ram Vilas Paswan, 74, who was the Lok Janshakti Party patron, had undergone a heart surgery at a hospital in New Delhi a few days ago.

No deaths due to lack of oxygen reported by states during 2nd COVID wave: Centre

No deaths due to lack of oxygen reported by states during 2nd COVID wave: Centre

Rediff.com20 Jul 2021

The Government of India has supported the states and undertook a series of actions including provisioning medical oxygen, and other consumables to ensure clinical care of COVID-19 patients in view of the steep rise of COVID-19 trajectory in the country during April- May 2021.

Why Modi is not good at implementation

Why Modi is not good at implementation

Rediff.com4 Jan 2021

He is not good at thinking through laws and policies. His lockdown produced chaos and misery and didn't stop Covid. His GST finished off thousands of companies and reduced the amount of tax government collects to such an extent that he cannot pay state governments any more, observes Aakar Patel.

Sitharaman bets big on infra spending to take highway to growth

Sitharaman bets big on infra spending to take highway to growth

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

While she primed up spending on infrastructure to create jobs and boost economic activity, Sitharaman did not tinker with income tax slabs or tax rates. Her Budget for the fiscal year beginning April 2022 proposed a massive 35 per cent jump in capital expenditure to Rs 7.5 lakh crore, coupled with rationalisation of customs duty, an extension of time for setting up new manufacturing companies and plans for starting a digital currency and tax crypto assets.

Elephant didn't eat for 2 weeks before drowning: Post-mortem report

Elephant didn't eat for 2 weeks before drowning: Post-mortem report

Rediff.com5 Jun 2020

Drowning, followed by inhalation of water leading to lung failure was the immediate cause of death of the elephant, said the preliminary report prepared on May 28, a day after the elephant, estimated to be 15-year old, died in Velliyar River.

Rs 43,000 cr! That's how much banks didn't pass on to borrowers

Rs 43,000 cr! That's how much banks didn't pass on to borrowers

Rediff.com20 Nov 2020

The RBI, which has no interest or mechanism to get feedback from bank customers, is unaware of this. If made aware, it remains silent, proving that it has no problem in allowing lenders to short-change its customers, says Debashis Basu.

Swiggy, Zomato to pay 5% GST to govt; food won't cost more

Swiggy, Zomato to pay 5% GST to govt; food won't cost more

Rediff.com17 Sep 2021

The all-powerful GST Council on Friday decided to charge food delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato a tax even as it extended concessional tax rates on certain COVID-19 drugs by three months till December 31. The Council, which comprises the Union finance minister and her state counterparts, decided to continue keeping petrol and diesel out of the GST purview as subsuming the current excise duty and VAT into one national rate would impact revenues. Briefing reporters on the decisions taken by the Council at a meeting here, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said GST has been exempted on muscular atrophy drugs like Zolgensma and Viltepso, which cost crores of rupees.

Why FMCG companies are likely to lose their sheen

Why FMCG companies are likely to lose their sheen

Rediff.com10 Jul 2019

Delay in demand recovery and higher stock valuations mean low safety margin, say analysts.

'2022 will be blockbuster year for films'

'2022 will be blockbuster year for films'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2021

'We will see footfall returning to pre-COVID levels by January.'

Black Friday Sale receives good response, shoppers throng stores, websites

Black Friday Sale receives good response, shoppers throng stores, websites

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

Black Friday sales in India received a good response as brands dropped their prices making customers queue up outside stores where discounts were steeper. Discounts were offered both online and offline. Most of the international brands in India offered discounts under the Black Friday Sale banner. The Black Friday Sale started in the US on the Friday after Thanksgiving Thursday. The day typically marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season ahead of the festival.

Unravelling what awaits us in 2022

Unravelling what awaits us in 2022

Rediff.com13 Jan 2022

As the industrial era wanes, the network era looms, notes Ajit Balakrishnan.

Onion prices are likely to come down soon

Onion prices are likely to come down soon

Rediff.com25 Nov 2019

Last week, the Union Cabinet decided to import 1.2 lakh tonnes of onions to improve the domestic supply and control prices, which touched Rs 100 per kg earlier this month.

Covid is driving demand for gold loans from banks

Covid is driving demand for gold loans from banks

Rediff.com25 Nov 2020

For the first time, consumers, including those at the so-called bottom of the pyramid, are monetising gold by taking loans from banks, offering the yellow metal as collateral, says Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Tata Group is once again India's most valuable brand

Tata Group is once again India's most valuable brand

Rediff.com7 Jun 2021

The total value of India's top 100 brands has increased by 2 per cent, from $162.1 billion in 2020 to $164.9 billion in 2021, according to the latest Brand Finance India 100 2021 report. This uplift in brand value over the course of the first year of the pandemic is an impressive feat given the global economic crisis following the implementation of national lockdowns in March 2020, when business activity was brought to a halt, affecting both production and consumption. Among the brands that came on the top of the list include Tata Group, Reliance Industries, and Mahindra Group.

Patanjali rebuts charge of profiteering from lower GST rates

Patanjali rebuts charge of profiteering from lower GST rates

Rediff.com16 Jan 2019

Anti-profiteering authority puts Baba Ramdev-led company in the dock for allegedly not passing on benefits received from the reduced rate of taxation under the GST regime. Patanjali to respond to notice at January 28 hearing.

New inflation index to impact DA, 30 mn govt staff to get more pay

New inflation index to impact DA, 30 mn govt staff to get more pay

Rediff.com16 Oct 2020

However, the hike in salary for government officials may take some time as the Centre had earlier this year decided to put a freeze on any hike in the DA of its employees till July, 2021, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

As prices hit 7-year-high, Indians sell record amount of old gold

As prices hit 7-year-high, Indians sell record amount of old gold

Rediff.com2 Aug 2019

Consumers during the quarter sold 37.9 tonnes of old gold, which is the highest quarterly sale after September 2016, when old gold sale, or scrap supply, was 39 tonnes.

Dining out? Here's some great news for you

Dining out? Here's some great news for you

Rediff.com3 Jan 2017

A customer dissatisfied with his dining experience can have service charge on his food bill waived.

Ujjwala beneficiaries have time till Sep to avail free LPG

Ujjwala beneficiaries have time till Sep to avail free LPG

Rediff.com8 Jul 2020

The relaxation would be available only to those beneficiaries who have been credited with the advance for buying the cylinder but have not been able to purchase the refill.

Worsening Centre, states relation poses a 'threat to federalism'

Worsening Centre, states relation poses a 'threat to federalism'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2020

When the Centre tries to encroach upon the subjects that are under the prerogative of the state, or where the centre tries to evade from any responsibility guaranteed to a state through a constitutional provision/obligation, it poses a threat to federalism.

Bank privatisation plan could face hurdles amid Covid: Fitch

Bank privatisation plan could face hurdles amid Covid: Fitch

Rediff.com7 Jun 2021

Fitch Ratings on Monday said the plan to privatise two state-owned banks in the current financial year ending March 2022 could face delays amid renewed challenges for the Indian banking sector due to the second wave of Covid-19. The government in the Budget announced plans to privatise two public-sector banks. NITI Aayog has been entrusted with the task of selecting the banks and one general insurance company for the privatisation.

'Can I invest in the stockmarket now?'

'Can I invest in the stockmarket now?'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2020

Ajit Mishra, vice president, Research, Religare Broking, answers your queries.

Bird flu spreads to 10 states, PM advises strict vigil

Bird flu spreads to 10 states, PM advises strict vigil

Rediff.com11 Jan 2021

Delhi, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra on Monday confirmed bird flu cases, adding to the list of seven states -- Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh -- which had already reported avian deaths due to the disease.

If pizza can be delivered at home, why not ration: Kejriwal

If pizza can be delivered at home, why not ration: Kejriwal

Rediff.com6 Jun 2021

'People are distressed that the central government is fighting everyone'

Explained: Why are fuel prices rising in India?

Explained: Why are fuel prices rising in India?

Rediff.com19 Feb 2021

The oil crisis could not have come at a worse time for the Modi government as its tax collection has fallen short of its 2020-2021 target by Rs 5.2 lakh crore.

Govt unleashes bold reforms; opens coal, mineral mining

Govt unleashes bold reforms; opens coal, mineral mining

Rediff.com16 May 2020

In her fourth tranche of the economic package, she said commercial mining will be done on revenue sharing mechanism instead of the regime of fixed rupee/tonne.

Nifty spurts to record high amid F&O expiry

Nifty spurts to record high amid F&O expiry

Rediff.com27 May 2021

SBI was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, jumping around 3 per cent, followed by Kotak Bank, Axis Bank, Bajaj Auto, Tech Mahindra, UltraTech Cement and PowerGrid. NSE Nifty rose 36.40 points to 15,337.85.

Sensex tanks 470 points; Nifty drops below 14,300

Sensex tanks 470 points; Nifty drops below 14,300

Rediff.com18 Jan 2021

ONGC was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding around 5 per cent, followed by Sun Pharma, PowerGrid, Bajaj Finance, IndusInd Bank, Dr Reddy's and Maruti. On the other hand, Reliance Industries, Titan, HDFC Bank and ITC were the gainers.

After Dec's surge, veggie prices dip on rise in arrivals

After Dec's surge, veggie prices dip on rise in arrivals

Rediff.com15 Jan 2020

Prices have continued to move up in Delhi's markets, wholesale and retail, on supply worries and spoilage due to record cold weather.

2017-18 to be base year for GDP calculation

2017-18 to be base year for GDP calculation

Rediff.com15 Feb 2018

The statistics ministry has proposed the new base year for GDP and IIP as 2017-18 while for CPI it will be 2018.

Gold is selling at a premium for the first time since Budget

Gold is selling at a premium for the first time since Budget

Rediff.com15 Nov 2019

The yellow metal now trades at a 0.5 per cent premium over its landed cost, compared to a 4 per cent discount in mid-September because jewellers have voluntarily withdrawn the display of cash price from their website.

J&K government gave 14 lakh quintals foodgrain to people during unrest: Minister

J&K government gave 14 lakh quintals foodgrain to people during unrest: Minister

Rediff.com16 Oct 2016

He said the officials of his department, despite facing various hardships due to the unrest in the Valley, worked day and night to provide foodgrain to the consumers.

'Government is going back on its commitment to the states'

'Government is going back on its commitment to the states'

Rediff.com28 Aug 2020

'Because of the COVID-19 pandemic situation today, the revenues of the states have gone down, the GST money is not coming and all the states combined have lost more than Rs 365,000 crore in revenue.' 'To make it worse, the Government of India is not compensating us for the shortfall, which it must as per its Constitutional obligations.'

'We won't discuss any issue with this committee'

'We won't discuss any issue with this committee'

Rediff.com12 Jan 2021

'This four-member committee cannot supersede the four-five member ministerial committees, 25 top-level government bureaucrats, with whom we have had nine rounds of discussions each of which lasted for more than six-seven hours.'

44% rural Indians willing to pay for COVID-19 vaccine: Survey

44% rural Indians willing to pay for COVID-19 vaccine: Survey

Rediff.com22 Dec 2020

Of those who were willing to pay, two-third said they can pay up to Rs 500 for two doses of the vaccine, whenever it is available.

Inflation rises marginally; factory output slows

Inflation rises marginally; factory output slows

Rediff.com12 Jul 2019

The Reserve Bank of India, which mainly factors in retail inflation to decide its monetary policy, has been tasked by the government to ensure the rate of price rise remains around 4 per cent.

Govt to focus on LPG cost in next leg of Ujjwala scheme

Govt to focus on LPG cost in next leg of Ujjwala scheme

Rediff.com14 Apr 2021

With the price of a cylinder touching Rs 800, it's becoming increasingly unaffordable to an already price-sensitive population, threatening to risk one of the most-celebrated campaigns of the Modi regime, reports Twesh Mishra.

Why Should Govt Be In Fintech?

Why Should Govt Be In Fintech?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2021

The temptation to get into businesses that are hot is perhaps too great for any politician, no matter what his public slogans are. Nehru plunged into hot sectors of his time -- engineering and iron and steel. Modi has plunged into digital payments -- the hot sector of his time, notes Debashis Basu.