News for 'Customs department'

Mumbai Resort Booked for Allegedly Keeping Exotic Animals Illegally

Mumbai Resort Booked for Allegedly Keeping Exotic Animals Illegally

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

A popular resort in Mumbai is under investigation after a joint raid by Customs and forest department officials revealed the alleged unauthorized possession of exotic animals, including marmoset monkeys and macaw parrots.

Washington in flames: Wildfire crisis triggers emergency, mass evacuations

Washington in flames: Wildfire crisis triggers emergency, mass evacuations

Rediff.com2 Aug 2026

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide state of emergency and burn ban Saturday morning as an unprecedented wildfire crisis gripped the region, with active blazes scorching nearly 3,000 acres.

Infosys Veteran Ashiss Kumar Dash Appointed CEO Designate, To Succeed Salil Parekh in 2027

Infosys Veteran Ashiss Kumar Dash Appointed CEO Designate, To Succeed Salil Parekh in 2027

Rediff.com23 Jul 2026

Infosys, India's second-largest IT services firm, has appointed company veteran Ashiss Kumar Dash as CEO designate, with the leadership transition scheduled for April 1, 2027, after current CEO Salil Parekh completes his second term.

IndiGo moves Delhi HC seeking Rs 900 crore Customs duty refund

IndiGo moves Delhi HC seeking Rs 900 crore Customs duty refund

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of IndiGo, has approached the Delhi high court seeking a refund of over Rs 900 crore it claims to have paid as Customs duty on aircraft engines and parts re-imported into India after overseas repairs. The petition came up for hearing on Friday before a bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Shail Jain.

FCC Aims to Incentivise Return of Call Centres to US, Improve Customer Service

FCC Aims to Incentivise Return of Call Centres to US, Improve Customer Service

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering proposals to encourage businesses to bring call centre jobs back to the US and require call-takers to be proficient in American Standard English.

Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal outlines new growth engines: Data Centres, Cloud, and Financial Services

Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal outlines new growth engines: Data Centres, Cloud, and Financial Services

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Bharti Airtel is strategically shifting its focus towards data centres, cloud services, and financial services as key drivers for its next phase of growth, leveraging significant past investments in digital infrastructure, as outlined by Chairman Sunil Mittal in the company's Annual Report for 2025-26.

DRI seizes 440+ Endangered Animals, Ivory

DRI seizes 440+ Endangered Animals, Ivory

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has conducted a nationwide crackdown on wildlife trafficking, seizing over 440 endangered animals and 15 kg of ivory, and arresting 33 individuals involved in organised crime syndicates.

Why Rs 5 Lakh Health Cover Falls Short

Why Rs 5 Lakh Health Cover Falls Short

Rediff.com28 Jul 2026

Marriage, childbirth, dependent parents and ageing increase the cover a person needs.

How Nykaa Is Revolutionising Beauty And Fashion Shopping With OpenAI

How Nykaa Is Revolutionising Beauty And Fashion Shopping With OpenAI

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Beauty and lifestyle retailer Nykaa has announced a multi-year collaboration with OpenAI to integrate AI-driven shopping experiences through ChatGPT. This partnership will allow users to receive conversational recommendations for beauty and fashion products, with Nykaa fulfilling these queries. Additionally, OpenAI's technologies will be deployed across Nykaa's internal operations to boost productivity.

Passenger Caught With 29 Exotic Animals At Mumbai Airport

Passenger Caught With 29 Exotic Animals At Mumbai Airport

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

Customs officials at Mumbai international airport intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok with 29 exotic wild animals, including a gibbon, melanistic squirrel, ball python, and iguana. A rescue team was called to identify and stabilise the animals, which will be repatriated to their country of origin.

Airtel Defends Its Priority Postpaid Plans

Airtel Defends Its Priority Postpaid Plans

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

Airtel, which upgraded all postpaid customers to priority plans, argued that the service did not throttle or degrade the experience for its prepaid customers, forming the majority of its 368 million customers in the country.

10 AI Careers For Fresh Graduates

10 AI Careers For Fresh Graduates

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Dr Lovi Raj Gupta, pro vice-chancellor, Lovely Professional University, explains how aspiring professionals can equip themselves for a competitive AI-driven job market.

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to meet Karur stampede victims' kin, offer jobs

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to meet Karur stampede victims' kin, offer jobs

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to visit Karur for a crucial public interaction, where he will address victims of last year's stampede, distribute welfare, and lay the foundation stone for a major Rs 1,700 crore footwear manufacturing factory.

Four Arrested At Delhi Airport For Alleged Drug Smuggling

Four Arrested At Delhi Airport For Alleged Drug Smuggling

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

Customs officials at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport arrested four passengers arriving from Bangkok for allegedly smuggling drugs worth approximately Rs 9 crore.

6 Taxpayer Categories Face Scrutiny

6 Taxpayer Categories Face Scrutiny

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

Taxpayers should reconcile returns with AIS, Form 26AS and maintain all supporting records.

Rats, cockroaches found in 6 Mumbai restaurants, FDA suspends licences

Rats, cockroaches found in 6 Mumbai restaurants, FDA suspends licences

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of six restaurants and eateries in Mumbai, including a posh establishment in Nariman Point. The action followed raids that uncovered unhygienic kitchens, expired stock, misbranded products, and pest infestations. The FDA also seized banned food items and made arrests during a wider statewide enforcement drive, vowing continued strict action.

India Owes Iran $7 Billion!

India Owes Iran $7 Billion!

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Formerly Iran's second-largest oil customer, Indian financial institutions were forced to withhold crude oil payments following the 2018 US sanctions.

Ahmedabad Airport Bust: Passengers Arrested with Rs 2 Crore of Hydroponic Weed

Ahmedabad Airport Bust: Passengers Arrested with Rs 2 Crore of Hydroponic Weed

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

Two passengers were arrested at Ahmedabad airport for allegedly possessing hydroponic weed worth Rs 2 crore, after arriving from Bangkok. The drugs were discovered following a tip-off.

Budget 2026: Is Customs Amnesty Scheme On The Cards?

Budget 2026: Is Customs Amnesty Scheme On The Cards?

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Total pending Customs arrears, including amounts under litigation, court stays and cases where the appeal period has not expired, stood at about Rs 1.36 trillion at the end of December 2024.

HC orders Customs to ensure old jewellery of flyers are...

HC orders Customs to ensure old jewellery of flyers are...

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

The Delhi High Court has directed Customs officials to ensure that old and personal jewellery of travellers, including ornaments being worn by them during travel, are not unnecessarily detained at airports and they are not harassed. The court was hearing a batch of more than 30 petitions raising issues on the procedure for detention of goods belonging to the tourists travelling to India, of both Indian and foreign origin, by the Customs department.

India suspends postal services to US amid new customs rules

India suspends postal services to US amid new customs rules

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

Under an Executive Order issued by the US administration on July 30, 2025, goods valued above USD 100 will be subject to customs duties in America with effect from August 29 onwards.

DoT notifies new telecom authorisation rules, replacing multiple licences

DoT notifies new telecom authorisation rules, replacing multiple licences

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced a new authorisation regime, replacing multiple licences with a single permission for principal telecom services, aiming to simplify compliance and accommodate evolving technologies. This move is expected to ease business operations, enhance fraud prevention with AI, and expand connectivity, especially through satellite networks.

Mumbai grinds to a halt as BEST strike pulls 2,700 buses off roads

Mumbai grinds to a halt as BEST strike pulls 2,700 buses off roads

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Employees of Mumbai's BEST undertaking have launched an indefinite strike, severely impacting public transport and electricity services. The strike, called by a joint action committee, demands budget merger with BMC, settlement of dues, and implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, among other issues. Despite court orders and MESMA invocation, the strike continues, causing widespread inconvenience to millions of commuters and electricity consumers.

Iraq striker Hussein questioned for hours on arrival in US for FIFA World Cup

Iraq striker Hussein questioned for hours on arrival in US for FIFA World Cup

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago's O'Hare Airport before being allowed into the United States, while the team's photographer was denied entry ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

Govt to Crack Down on Industrial Users Diverting Cheaper Retail Fuel

Govt to Crack Down on Industrial Users Diverting Cheaper Retail Fuel

Rediff.com28 May 2026

The Indian government has issued a stern warning to industrial users who are reportedly procuring cheaper retail fuel instead of industrial-grade fuel, leading to significant losses for state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) and potential local shortages. This diversion, driven by a substantial price difference between retail and bulk diesel, is adversely impacting OMCs, which are absorbing daily losses of approximately 550 crore to keep retail prices stable.

Trump Is Coming For Immigrant Brothers, Sisters, Aunties, Uncles...

Trump Is Coming For Immigrant Brothers, Sisters, Aunties, Uncles...

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Immigrants' contribution to the US economy is disproportionate to their share of the population, meaning that losing them would shrink the economy even more than losing a random group of Americans, points out Sree Sreenivasan.

How Air India Is Using AI To Transform Operations

How Air India Is Using AI To Transform Operations

Rediff.com26 Apr 2026

Air India is significantly embracing artificial intelligence to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer services, increase revenues, and reduce costs as part of its ambitious transformation plan under the Tata Group.

India-China border trade via Lipulekh Pass to resume after 6 yrs

India-China border trade via Lipulekh Pass to resume after 6 yrs

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

Border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district is set to resume this year after a six-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

30 Indian truck drivers arrested for living illegally in US, to be deported

30 Indian truck drivers arrested for living illegally in US, to be deported

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

About 30 Indian nationals living illegally in the US and working as commercial truck drivers have been arrested and will be deported as part of 'Operation Checkmate'.

How Hyderabad Police Busted A Ghost SIM Card Racket

How Hyderabad Police Busted A Ghost SIM Card Racket

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Hyderabad Police have apprehended 66 individuals linked to a nationwide 'ghost' SIM card network, connected to 76 cybercrime cases involving over Rs 101 crore.

The Last Trip With My Father

The Last Trip With My Father

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

At Kolga Aabla, the closest beach to her grandmother's home, at the edge of a birch forest, we immersed her balance ashes. It was a sombre, precious day for both of us. But a day that also brought long-needed closure. My mother's spirit, chained for so many years in a Parkinson's-locked body, was free. But my father came back from the beach a visibly older man.

Trent targets 10x revenue milestone, eyes international markets: Noel Tata

Trent targets 10x revenue milestone, eyes international markets: Noel Tata

Rediff.com31 May 2026

Tata Group retail firm Trent, owner of Westside and Zudio, is confident of achieving a ten-fold increase in revenue in the 'not-so-distant future' and plans to take its homegrown brands to international markets, said Chairman Noel N Tata.

Avoid These Life Insurance Mistakes

Avoid These Life Insurance Mistakes

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Proposal forms are often filled by the agent. Check the form after it is filled.

Punjabi Devils Founder Jailed For Firearms Offences

Punjabi Devils Founder Jailed For Firearms Offences

Rediff.com15 May 2026

Jashanpreet Singh, the founder of the 'Punjabi Devils' motorcycle gang, has been sentenced to over five years in prison in the US for unlawful dealing of firearms and possession of a machine gun.

LIC unveils MyLIC and Super Sales Saathi apps for digital transformation

LIC unveils MyLIC and Super Sales Saathi apps for digital transformation

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has launched two new mobile applications, MyLIC for policyholders and Super Sales Saathi for its sales intermediaries, aiming to enhance digital agility and cater to the younger generation's needs. The apps, part of LIC's DIVE digital transformation platform, offer features like policy management, premium payments, and personalised recommendations.

Banks Advised To Use RBI's AI Tool To Combat Cyber Fraud

Banks Advised To Use RBI's AI Tool To Combat Cyber Fraud

Rediff.com30 Apr 2026

Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju has urged banks to adopt the MuleHunter AI tool developed by RBI to identify and prevent mule accounts used in cyber financial frauds. The meeting also discussed 'Operation Octopus' by Hyderabad Police and emphasised coordinated efforts and intelligence sharing.

Kangana Ranaut Backs Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: 'She Is Not Here To Please You'

Kangana Ranaut Backs Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: 'She Is Not Here To Please You'

Rediff.com25 May 2026

Kangana Ranaut has defended Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Cannes 2026 appearances, shutting down critics by stating, "Fashion and style is a self-expression, it is one's own interpretation of life and their attitude, no woman owes anything to anyone, Ash looks great!!"

Probe into IRS Officer's Alleged Asset Acquisition Ordered to be Disclosed

Probe into IRS Officer's Alleged Asset Acquisition Ordered to be Disclosed

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

The Central Information Commission has ordered the disclosure of an investigation into a retired IRS officer's alleged acquisition of assets under different identities and subsequent name change to claim ownership, deeming the case a potentially significant revelation.

ServiceNow Enhances AI Control Tower For Enterprise Governance

ServiceNow Enhances AI Control Tower For Enterprise Governance

Rediff.com6 May 2026

ServiceNow has announced an expansion of its AI Control Tower offering with new capabilities that give enterprises control over every AI system, agent, and workflow, regardless of where it runs.

The perfect pitch is the goal for World Cup grass growers

The perfect pitch is the goal for World Cup grass growers

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

From Mexico to Canada, across 16 stadiums in wildly different climates, the continental tournament is putting turf science to its ultimate test. The goal: creating living surfaces that can withstand kicks, studs, tackles and scorching summer heat.