News for 'Department of Commerce'

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

Any government support or incentive to help exporters deal with high freight and insurance costs is unlikely.

Jitin Prasada, BJP's Brahmin face in UP, returns to Centre

Jitin Prasada, BJP's Brahmin face in UP, returns to Centre

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Jitin Prasada was once considered as among Rahul Gandhi's 'young Turks' and was a minister in successive Manmohan Singh governments but defected from the Congress to the BJP in 2021, where he has again established himself as a prominent Brahmin face of Uttar Pradesh.

100-day plan: Govt platform for exporters to boost trade

100-day plan: Govt platform for exporters to boost trade

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

The commerce department has reaffirmed its plans to launch the 'Trade Connect' e-platform to help exporters connect with stakeholders of international trade, as a part of the new government's 100-day action plan, a senior government official said.

US tariffs risk Chinese goods flooding India

US tariffs risk Chinese goods flooding India

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

India stares at the risk of an influx of Chinese products as US tariffs on a range of Chinese goods, including solar panels, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, syringes, and steel, are set to take effect from September 27. With higher tariffs reducing China's access to the US market, there is concern that China may divert its exports to other markets, including India, which could lead to potential dumping of goods. This situation could challenge Indian industries, particularly in sectors where competition with Chinese products is already fierce.

Traders step up demand for e-commerce policy

Traders step up demand for e-commerce policy

Rediff.com18 Dec 2018

Retailers claim online firms' predatory pricing strategy disrupting business

India, China complete disengagement; exchange of sweets on Diwali

India, China complete disengagement; exchange of sweets on Diwali

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

Following the disengagement, both sides will soon start the coordinated patrolling in their respective areas, sources added.

Pawan Kalyan to be Andhra dy CM; Naidu's son gets IT

Pawan Kalyan to be Andhra dy CM; Naidu's son gets IT

Rediff.com15 Jun 2024

The actor-turned-politician has been allotted Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Environment, Forests, and Science and Technology portfolios.

Where You Can Watch Bad Newz

Where You Can Watch Bad Newz

Rediff.com13 Sep 2024

Sukanya Verma gives you some interesting options to choose from.

Who Will Be The Next SBI Chief?

Who Will Be The Next SBI Chief?

Rediff.com14 May 2024

'The FSIB will conduct interviews for the SBI chairman position on May 21-22 as the tenure of the current chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara is scheduled to end by August.'

A yr of Israel-Hamas war: Trade with W Asia holds steady

A yr of Israel-Hamas war: Trade with W Asia holds steady

Rediff.com14 Oct 2024

A year after a Hamas attack against Israel on October 7 and the ensuing Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, India's trade with most West Asian countries has largely escaped any major disruption, except with countries like Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. However, repeated flare-ups of geopolitical tensions in the region continue to drive up shipping and logistics costs.

Customs duty cut on silver likely to give Centre breather for now

Customs duty cut on silver likely to give Centre breather for now

Rediff.com7 Aug 2024

The steep cut in Customs duty on silver in the FY25 Budget to 6 per cent from 15 per cent may provide the government temporary relief by checking the spurt in silver imports from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). In FY24, silver imports from the UAE jumped to $1.7 billion from only $11.18 million in FY23, according to commerce department data. In May, about 87 per cent of India's silver imports came from Dubai.

Why e-commerce policy may not take shape this year

Why e-commerce policy may not take shape this year

Rediff.com26 Sep 2018

The final policy may be out only after formation of the new government, according to sources

Govt may tweak FDI clause in draft e-commerce policy

Govt may tweak FDI clause in draft e-commerce policy

Rediff.com29 Aug 2018

The draft favoured up to 49 per cent foreign equity in inventory model in the case of 100 per cent made in India products sold through Indian management-controlled platforms with resident Indian founders/promoters.

ONDC likely to start levying small user charges on each transaction

ONDC likely to start levying small user charges on each transaction

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

The government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is likely to start levying user charges in the current financial year.

Chhattisgarh liquor scam: ED attaches assets of accused worth Rs 205 cr

Chhattisgarh liquor scam: ED attaches assets of accused worth Rs 205 cr

Rediff.com3 May 2024

The attached properties include 14 assets of Tuteja worth Rs 15.82 crore, 115 properties of Anwar Dhebar, the elder brother of Raipur Mayor and Congress leader Aijaz Dhebar, worth Rs 116.16 crore, properties of Vikash Agarwal alias Subbu worth Rs 1.54 crore and 33 properties of Arvind Singh worth Rs 12.99 crore, it said in a statement.

Meet Nirmalaji's Core Budget Team

Meet Nirmalaji's Core Budget Team

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The finance minister continues to be backed by the same policy team in charting out the broad strategy as in the few earlier Budgets.

Centre to revise SEZ Act, limiting tax sops and enhancing integration

Centre to revise SEZ Act, limiting tax sops and enhancing integration

Rediff.com16 Nov 2023

The Centre is unlikely to offer new direct tax incentives for units operating in special economic zones (SEZs) and may instead allow the grandfathering of previous exemptions that such units were entitled to, according to proposed amendments to the SEZ Act, 2005, people aware of the matter said. The amendments, proposed by the commerce department, will soon be considered by the Cabinet for approval. This represents a departure from the department's earlier plan to introduce these changes through the Development Enterprises and Services Hubs (DESH) Bill, 2023, which faced strong criticism from the ministry of finance.

India Inc slams draft e-commerce policy, calls it vague

India Inc slams draft e-commerce policy, calls it vague

Rediff.com3 Apr 2019

Data localisation, an overarching theme across recent government policy proposals, has been a thorny issue with industry

Govt may hike local content requirement

Govt may hike local content requirement

Rediff.com20 May 2024

The government is planning to tweak its procurement policy to give a fillip to domestic manufacturing. The industry department has floated a proposal to raise the minimum local content requirement for public procurement for Class-I and -II suppliers from 50 per cent currently to 70 per cent, and 20 per cent as of now to 50 per cent, respectively.

Digital firms, traders to lobby for e-commerce policy with Piyush Goyal

Digital firms, traders to lobby for e-commerce policy with Piyush Goyal

Rediff.com7 Jun 2019

According to CAIT, e-commerce policy should take within its ambit not only foreign players but also domestic ones.

19 major commodities see export volume growth, but value declines

19 major commodities see export volume growth, but value declines

Rediff.com9 May 2024

Exports of 19 major commodities, including petroleum products, coal and marine items, saw growth in terms of volume during April 2023-February 2024, even as they witnessed contraction in value terms during the same period. Government officials said the rise in export volume despite a decline in value implies that these commodities show a stronger market demand.

Dhankar terms coaching centre culture as gas chamber

Dhankar terms coaching centre culture as gas chamber

Rediff.com29 Jul 2024

He also pointed out the high sums earned by the coaching centres leading to the commercialisation of education.

India Post eyes $9 billion e-commerce business

India Post eyes $9 billion e-commerce business

Rediff.com20 Nov 2014

Eyeing $9 billion business opportunity in booming e-commerce business, India Post, which has the biggest network and serves the last mile, is boosting its infrastructure for real-time tracking of parcels through satellites using a new technology.

Govt turns down FDI in retail e-commerce

Govt turns down FDI in retail e-commerce

Rediff.com10 Jun 2015

Ecommerce firms will have it tough as govt turns down FDI proposal.

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios:

Smartphones, India's 4th Largest Exports!

Smartphones, India's 4th Largest Exports!

Rediff.com23 May 2024

Smartphones have been a key success story of the government's production-linked incentive scheme, helping India become the second-largest mobile phone manufacturing country, after China.

Govt likely to tweak SEZ rules for better land use

Govt likely to tweak SEZ rules for better land use

Rediff.com4 May 2023

With the fate of the Development Enterprise and Services Hub (DESH) Bill in limbo, the commerce department is working towards tweaking some rules under the existing special economic zone (SEZ) law to allow use of unutilised spaces in IT/ITES for non-SEZ purposes. The move, when implemented, will free-up the land area that is not in demand through partial de-notification of certain floors or buildings, thereby allowing easier exit. "The department of commerce is discussing the matter with the revenue department before making changes in the Special Economic Zone Act, 2005," a person aware of the matter

Now e-commerce firms are roped in to create Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Now e-commerce firms are roped in to create Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Rediff.com24 Jun 2020

Govt's e-commerce portal asks sellers to specify country origin of products. Now, the commerce & industry ministry has mandated that the Government e-Marketplace, which has seen Rs 55,048 crore worth of transactions till now, adopt this approach in the interest of creating an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

Rediff's Wave Rider Retires!

Rediff's Wave Rider Retires!

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

We asked colleagues, present and past, to reflect on a man who has made such a difference to their lives and careers. Here it is then, a rich collection of memories that offer enchanting glimpses of the enigmatic Ajit Balakrishnan.

Why Are Bengaluru IT Workers Protesting?

Why Are Bengaluru IT Workers Protesting?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

'The overwhelming evidence from various studies and reports indicates that the current work culture in the IT sector, characterised by excessive hours, has severe consequences for health, productivity, and overall quality of life.'

Sitharaman to ensure 'Ease of Living' during Modi 3.0

Sitharaman to ensure 'Ease of Living' during Modi 3.0

Rediff.com12 Jun 2024

Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday assumed charge as the Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister for the second consecutive term and is slated to soon present the final Budget for FY '25 that is going to set the tone for the Modi 3.0 government's priorities and direction for Viksit Bharat. Upon her reaching the North Block office, Sitharaman was greeted by Finance Secretary T V Somanathan and other top officials. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary was also present. Chaudhary assumed charge on Tuesday evening.

How Modi plans to tackle spiralling trade deficit with Russia

How Modi plans to tackle spiralling trade deficit with Russia

Rediff.com8 Jul 2024

India's trade deficit with Russia continued to widen for the second consecutive year to $57 billion in the financial year 2023-24 (FY24), with Moscow becoming New Delhi's largest source of crude oil imports. All eyes will now be on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia during July 8-9, where he is set to meet President Vladimir Putin. This will be Modi's first visit to the Kremlin since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began over two years ago.

E-commerce in India: To be or not to be

E-commerce in India: To be or not to be

Rediff.com14 Feb 2020

Ajit Balakrishnan offers a thinking man's guide to e-commerce controversies.

ED arrests ex-IAS officer in Rs 2000-cr Chhattisgarh liquor 'scam' case

ED arrests ex-IAS officer in Rs 2000-cr Chhattisgarh liquor 'scam' case

Rediff.com21 Apr 2024

The IAS officer was later taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and is expected to be produced before a magistrate seeking his remand, the sources said.

Indian American gets top post in Commerce Dept

Indian American gets top post in Commerce Dept

Rediff.com8 Aug 2009

Ro Khanna, 32, has been appointed by President Barack Obama as the new deputy assistant secretary of commerce for domestic operations of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration at the US Department of Commerce.He is the first Indian American to be named for a senior position in the Department of Commerce in the Obama administration, whose portfolio will have a direct impact on US-India trade and commercial ties.

Flipkart 'beaten' by govt e-commerce platform

Flipkart 'beaten' by govt e-commerce platform

Rediff.com5 Aug 2019

Three years and Rs 28,710 crore worth of transactions later, it has more than double the number of sellers than Flipkart.

DEPB plan: FinMin, commerce ministry spat on

DEPB plan: FinMin, commerce ministry spat on

Rediff.com7 May 2007

The finance ministry has turned down a proposal for shifting the exporters' tax refund plan to the commerce ministry, which has been lobbying hard to take charge of the duty entitlement pass book scheme.

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

India's recent move to remove additional 'retaliatory' duty on eight products from the United States (US), including apples and walnuts, would not have any negative impact on the domestic producers, the government clarified, even as the issue threatened to snowball into a political slugfest between the ruling and Opposition parties. The move would, in fact, result in competition in the premium market segment, ensuring better quality at better prices for consumers, especially for apples, a senior government official said. "There were certain concerns that were being raised on the mutually agreed solution that has come in, more specific to seven-eight agriculture products where we had levied additional import duties in retaliation to the steel and aluminum measures (imposed by the US)," Peeyush Kumar, additional secretary in the commerce department, told reporters in a briefing.

Spice row: Govt plans greater scrutiny, SOPs

Spice row: Govt plans greater scrutiny, SOPs

Rediff.com13 May 2024

The government is formulating guidelines on the use of ethylene oxide (ETO) in samples of spices for the domestic market and exports, people aware of the matter said, as it plans to step up efforts to make quality checks more stringent. ETO, a flammable, colourless gas, is typically used as a disinfectant. It is also used as a sterilising agent and an insecticide to reduce microbial contamination in spices. However, its use is considered carcinogenic, beyond permissible limits.