News for 'Customs'

Govt for nil GST on insurance premium for individuals

Govt for nil GST on insurance premium for individuals

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

The Centre has proposed exempting life and health insurance policies for individuals from GST, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and convenor of insurance GoM Samrat Choudhary said on Wednesday. Currently, health and life insurance premium attracts 18 per cent GST.

Radicalisation In Kashmir Schools Cause For Concern

Radicalisation In Kashmir Schools Cause For Concern

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

The surge in radicalisation has even startled some ex-separatist groups as they are concerned that another religious extremism wave, forced from the other side of the Line of Control, will destabilise the Valley's centuries-old Sufi tradition.

NCLT defers Vedanta demerger hearing to Sep 17

NCLT defers Vedanta demerger hearing to Sep 17

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Wednesday deferred the hearing on Vedanta Ltd's proposed demerger to September 17, as market regulator Sebi is yet to complete the scrutiny of the proposal, while the central government has raised certain objections. The matter, which was part-heard earlier, had been adjourned to August 20.

'Where Your Data Resides Is Now A Fundamental Question'

'Where Your Data Resides Is Now A Fundamental Question'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

'What we see now is a much stronger need for data sovereignty.'

E2W firms get serious about customer care support

E2W firms get serious about customer care support

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

Players like Ola Electric, Ather Energy, Kinetic Green and BGauss are introducing premium services and infrastructure enhancements.

Suzuki Motor to invest Rs 70,000 cr in India over the next 5-6 years: Toshihiro Suzuki

Suzuki Motor to invest Rs 70,000 cr in India over the next 5-6 years: Toshihiro Suzuki

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation will invest Rs 70,000 crore in the next five to six years in India to strengthen its operations in the country, its representative director and president Toshihiro Suzuki said on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday kicked off exports of Maruti Suzuki India's first electric vehicle e VITARA to 100 countries and also inaugurated the production of lithium-ion battery cells for strong hybrid electric vehicles at its facility in Gujarat.

Affordable Bank Cover: But Is It Enough?

Affordable Bank Cover: But Is It Enough?

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

Banks offer a wide range of group insurance plans -- personal accident, health, hospital cash, home insurance, credit protection, and critical illness.

OpenAI to set up first India office in 2025

OpenAI to set up first India office in 2025

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

OpenAI on Friday said it will set up its first India office in New Delhi later this year, underlining the swift uptake of its AI tools in a market that is ChatGPT's second-largest after the US and among its fastest-growing. OpenAI said it has officially established an entity in India and has begun hiring a dedicated local team.

A New Era of SUVs Is Coming!

A New Era of SUVs Is Coming!

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

Mahindras unveil four stunning, eye-popping, concept SUVs: the Vision.S, Vision.X, Vision.T, and Vision.SXT.

Wadiyars, Shivakumar in war of words over Chamundi Hill ownership

Wadiyars, Shivakumar in war of words over Chamundi Hill ownership

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

A controversy has erupted in Mysuru over the ownership of Chamundi Hill, home to the Chamundeshwari Temple, ahead of the Dasara festival. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family criticized Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's statement that the hill is not the property of Hindus alone, leading to a heated exchange and raising questions about the nature of the upcoming Dasara celebrations.

Can UPI Stay Free Forever?

Can UPI Stay Free Forever?

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

Several executives argue that UPI has the potential to grow tenfold, but warn that the absence of a monetisation model risks stagnating the real-time payments system, which has been recording all-time-high transaction volumes every year.

Startup Advice I Wish People Could Ignore

Startup Advice I Wish People Could Ignore

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

Mamaearth Co-Founder Ghazal Alagh warns entrepreneurs against three common pieces of startup advice, calling them traps that hinder speed, stifle innovation, and limit real growth opportunities.

Is AI Wiping Out Entry Level Jobs?

Is AI Wiping Out Entry Level Jobs?

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

Generative AI is transforming workplaces but at a cost -- there are fewer jobs for young workers just entering the workforce, reveals a Goldman Sachs report.

GST 2.0: These will get cheaper from September 22

GST 2.0: These will get cheaper from September 22

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Some of the key names include: Maruti, M&M, Ashok Leyland, Britannia, Ultratech, JK Cement, Havells, Voltas, Amber, Metro, Trent, LemonTree, Indian Hotels, Niva Bupa, HDFC Life, IGL, Acme Solar, Suzlon, Swiggy, Delhivery, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance," according to a report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

Swraj Paul, an entrepreneur with a heart in the right place

Swraj Paul, an entrepreneur with a heart in the right place

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

From the bylanes of Jalandhar to a regular name in the annual 'Sunday Times Rich List', Lord Swraj Paul, who died on Thursday evening in London aged 94, was one of the most well known NRI entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

GST 2.0: India's Answer To Trump's Tariffs

GST 2.0: India's Answer To Trump's Tariffs

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Simplifying GST rates, removing exemptions, easing disputes, and speeding up refunds can boost investment in India and offer the best reply to Trump's tariffs, observes V S Krishnan, former member, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Why Are Bankers Committing Suicide?

Why Are Bankers Committing Suicide?

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

In the past 10 years, over 500 PSB officers have died by suicide. When targets are overwhelming, senior management and customers are both impatient, and there is constant fear, not every banker has the resilience to survive and thrive, warns Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Amazon Gives India $12.7B AI Boost

Amazon Gives India $12.7B AI Boost

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'The Indian developer community is one of the most vibrant communities.' 'Indian builders are incredibly passionate, curious, and excited to embrace new technologies.'

18K orders per min: Amazon India's Prime Day sale hits record high

18K orders per min: Amazon India's Prime Day sale hits record high

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

Amazon's latest Prime Day sale event broke records with over 18,000 orders per minute - a 50 per cent jump from 2024. Nearly 70 per cent of new memberships came from Tier-III cities.

'India-China Won't Go Back To What It Was'

'India-China Won't Go Back To What It Was'

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

'What's currently underway is not a 'reset'.' 'What needs to be arrived at is a new balance.'

L&T bets big on data centres, defence sector

L&T bets big on data centres, defence sector

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) is deepening its push into data centres and defence manufacturing while keeping an eye on emerging opportunities in nuclear and thermal power, chairman and managing director SN Subrahmanyan said. The engineering and construction conglomerate has invested around Rs 2,200 crore in data centres, with 32 megawatts (Mw) already operational.

Talk To Modi Soon, Haley Urges Trump

Talk To Modi Soon, Haley Urges Trump

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

'Scuttling 25 years of momentum with the only country that can serve as a counterweight to Chinese dominance in Asia would be a strategic disaster.'

US tariffs: Modi makes a pitch for swadeshi, Make in India

US tariffs: Modi makes a pitch for swadeshi, Make in India

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

A day before US President Donald Trump's additional 25 per cent tariff kicks in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a vehement pitch for swadeshi and Make in India that should help create jobs in the country.

'Mercedes not chasing numbers in luxury car space'

'Mercedes not chasing numbers in luxury car space'

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

'In the luxury car segment, the adoption of EVs is almost double compared to the mass market.'

Tariffs: India Inc Cautions Against Knee-jerk Reaction

Tariffs: India Inc Cautions Against Knee-jerk Reaction

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Industry leaders urge India to pursue diplomatic talks with the US, strengthen manufacturing, and consider China ties to gain leverage against tariff pressures.

Shell deepens India market reach through Raj Petro buy

Shell deepens India market reach through Raj Petro buy

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Global energy giant Shell has acquired Mumbai-based Raj Petro Specialities to deepen its foothold in the world's third biggest lubricants market in the world, a top company official said. Shell, which has already invested over $5 billion in India across the energy value chain -- from LNG import terminals and fuel stations to renewable energy and technology centres -- has acquired 100 per cent equity interest in Raj Petro Specialities Pvt Ltd from Germany's Brenntag Group.

85% pvt participation in key ports by '30: Sonowal

85% pvt participation in key ports by '30: Sonowal

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

The government has identified 50 public-private partnership (PPP) projects worth over Rs 60,000 crore, significantly surpassing the original targets of the National Monetisation Pipeline, said Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at the Business Standard Infrastructure Summit on Thursday.

Tesla Hits Indian Roads But Misses Mass Appeal

Tesla Hits Indian Roads But Misses Mass Appeal

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

Analysts believe Tesla will first focus on building the Model Y brand before expanding -- both in terms of volume and models.

Maha civic body's meat ban on I-Day draws flak

Maha civic body's meat ban on I-Day draws flak

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

The order draws sharp reactions from the Opposition NCP-SP and Shiv Sena- UBT leaders who called it an infringement of people's food choices.

X'mas toys may get costly for US kids

X'mas toys may get costly for US kids

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

For kids in the United States, the tariff imposed by the Donald Trump administration on countries like China may no longer be a child's play, as toy prices are predicted to touch record highs this Christmas season. However, for India's toy export industry, which was ready to take giant strides in the sector by bagging heavy orders from the US retail giants like Walmart, Amazon, and Target Corporation, gaining from the China-Plus-One policy, the US tariffs came as a heavy jolt.

Nikki Bhati Case And The Dowry Trap

Nikki Bhati Case And The Dowry Trap

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

35,493 brides were killed in India between 2017 and 2022 -- averaging nearly 20 deaths a day -- over dowry demands, sometimes occurring even years after the wedding.

Vietnam's VinFast opens eSUV bookings on Tesla's big day

Vietnam's VinFast opens eSUV bookings on Tesla's big day

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

VF 7 and VF 6, as the models are called, will go on sale in August after the inauguration of VinFast's plant in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, and deliveries will follow later.

Want To Be A Monsoon Tourist? Read This

Want To Be A Monsoon Tourist? Read This

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Destinations like Coorg, Munnar, the Western Ghats, and parts of the North East, are at their scenic best in the monsoon.

Mahindra e-SUVs Can Now Drive Upto 500 km On Single Charge

Mahindra e-SUVs Can Now Drive Upto 500 km On Single Charge

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

Customers who have already booked earlier variants will also have the option to upgrade to the 79 kWh battery version.

Spreading Love With Irani Chai

Spreading Love With Irani Chai

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

'Only a fool would put his life savings into a restaurant at 59... but I did'

Amazon enters India's $15 bn diagnostics market with At-Home testing

Amazon enters India's $15 bn diagnostics market with At-Home testing

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

Amazon India has launched Amazon Diagnostics, an at-home healthcare service that allows customers to book lab tests, schedule appointments and receive digital reports directly via the Amazon app. Initially available in six cities-Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai and Hyderabad-the service covers more than 450 PIN codes and offers access to over 800 diagnostic tests.

Chhattisgarh man gets surprise calls from Kohli, ABD

Chhattisgarh man gets surprise calls from Kohli, ABD

Rediff.com10 Aug 2025

The tryst with instant fame began on June 28 when Manish, son of farmer Gajendra Bisi, purchased a new Jio SIM from a mobile shop in Deobhog, around 8 kilometres from his village.

US tariffs threaten to derail India's affordable housing market recovery

US tariffs threaten to derail India's affordable housing market recovery

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The US's recent 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports will have a trickledown effect on India's affordable housing, potentially derailing demand as well as supply in this segment, according to experts. Pointing to worker incomes and jobs in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that typically make up majority of the customer base of affordable housing, would take a hit in the near terms due to the tariff change, further crippling India's affordable housing sector, already reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

President's Rule in Manipur extended by 6 months

President's Rule in Manipur extended by 6 months

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Parliament has approved a resolution to extend President's Rule in Manipur for another six months, amidst opposition protests regarding electoral roll revisions in Bihar. The extension comes after the imposition of President's Rule in February due to ongoing ethnic conflict.

Renewal of life insurers' policies, after 1 year, declines in June quarter

Renewal of life insurers' policies, after 1 year, declines in June quarter

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

The 13th-month persistency rate of life insurers - an important metric indicating the retention of new policies - declined in the first quarter of 2025-26 (Q1FY26). This fall was primarily driven by a lower share of high-value policies, following taxation changes implemented in April 2023.