News for 'Department of Commerce'

Amazon fined for selling sub-standard pressure cookers

Amazon fined for selling sub-standard pressure cookers

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on e-commerce major Amazon for selling pressure cookers that did not meet quality standards. The CCPA also directed Amazon to notify the consumers of all these 2,265 pressure cookers sold through its platform, recall the products and reimburse the prices to buyers, the Department of Consumer Affairs said in a statement.

Is Technology Important In Banking?

Is Technology Important In Banking?

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

'Just the amount of work which is there just to become more and more successful in banking. For this to happen you need to have leaders who understand technology.'

'Absolutely believe it was a success': US on G20 Summit in Delhi

'Absolutely believe it was a success': US on G20 Summit in Delhi

Rediff.com12 Sep 2023

The US hails the landmark 'India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor' which will usher in a new era of connectivity from Europe to Asia and will stimulate economic growth across the two continents.

Truckers' stir turns violent in Rajasthan; fuel rush across many states

Truckers' stir turns violent in Rajasthan; fuel rush across many states

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

Petrol pumps in many cities witnessed long queues on Tuesday as people came to fill up their vehicle tanks fearing shortage of fuel amid the protest by truck drivers against a provision in the new penal law on hit-and-run accident cases involving motorists.

Can BJP Wrest Mahakoshal From Congress?

Can BJP Wrest Mahakoshal From Congress?

Rediff.com16 Nov 2023

Modi and Chouhan have visited Mahakoshal multiple times and reached out to tribals to shore up support for the BJP.

Himanta inducts 2 cabinet ministers, rejigs several seniors' portfolios

Himanta inducts 2 cabinet ministers, rejigs several seniors' portfolios

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

The expansion was the first by Sarma since he assumed chief ministership of the state about 13 months ago.

'Many Indian unicorns have set up businesses in Dubai'

'Many Indian unicorns have set up businesses in Dubai'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2023

'As part of our D33 strategy, the plan is to establish 30 unicorns in Dubai within the next 10 years.'

Gujarat, Karnataka are best states for start-ups

Gujarat, Karnataka are best states for start-ups

Rediff.com4 Jul 2022

Gujarat and Karnataka have been ranked as the best performers in developing startup ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs, according to the ranking of states and Union territories by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Among smaller states having population of less than one crore, Meghalaya has been adjudged as the best performer. The rankings are based on the initiatives taken to develop the startup ecosystem for promoting budding entrepreneurs.

Commerce minister plans to push the idea of co-working spaces

Commerce minister plans to push the idea of co-working spaces

Rediff.com20 Jun 2017

To tap into the growing demand for offices, several global and Indian co-working entities are creating stock in the top cities.

Soaring veggie prices stoke inflation fears

Soaring veggie prices stoke inflation fears

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

Unprecedented rains and floods in the northern region in the past few days have not only caused extensive damage to lives and property but have also impacted business and commercial establishments. Vegetable prices have gone through the roof in the national capital and many other parts of the country since rains started pouring earlier this month. Traders say vegetable prices would come down only after roads open and skies clear, even as water in the fields will take time to recede.

Draft ecommerce policy to ensure goods sold online meet standards

Draft ecommerce policy to ensure goods sold online meet standards

Rediff.com15 Mar 2021

Conformity assessment procedures will be put in place to verify that goods and services sold on e-commerce platforms meet required standards and technical regulations, according to the draft e-commerce policy. The policy, which is under discussion, also stated that actions and things which cannot be done by the online platform entities "can also not be done" by any of its associates and related parties. Government may, from time to time, notify parties which fall in the definition of associates and related parties, it said.

Exports saw sharp fall on decline in US and UAE share

Exports saw sharp fall on decline in US and UAE share

Rediff.com24 May 2023

Exports to India's key markets - the US, the United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore, Bangladesh and Germany - witnessed a sharp decline, resulting in a 12.69 per cent contraction in outbound shipments during the first month of the current financial year, commerce department data showed. India's biggest export market - the US - with 17 per cent share witnessed 17.16 per cent contraction at $5.9 billion in April. This was followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that saw 22.09 per cent decline at $2.23 billion exports.

Deadline for public comments on draft e-com rules extended till July 21

Deadline for public comments on draft e-com rules extended till July 21

Rediff.com5 Jul 2021

The government on Monday extended till July 21 the deadline for public comments on proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2020. Earlier, the last date for public comments on the draft e-commerce rules was July 6. "It has now been decided to extend the timeline for receipt of comments/ suggestions on the draft e-commerce rules. "Views/ comments/ suggestions on the proposed amendments may be sent by July 21, 2021," a government notice said.

Udaan lays off about 180 employees in a move to drive cost-efficiency

Udaan lays off about 180 employees in a move to drive cost-efficiency

Rediff.com29 Jun 2022

Udaan - India's largest business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce company - has laid off about 180 employees, or 4-5 per cent of its workforce of 4,000, in a move to drive cost efficiency, revealed sources. They said the layoffs have happened across various department functions. The layoffs have happened at a time when the Bengaluru-based firm is trying to turn into a publicly listed entity in 18-24 months.

Germany 'takes note' of Rahul's disqualification

Germany 'takes note' of Rahul's disqualification

Rediff.com30 Mar 2023

As Germany took note of Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday accused the Congress of 'inviting foreign powers' for interference in India's internal matters and the Opposition party hit back, alleging that its rival was attempting to divert attention from the Adani issue.

Rupee trade: 9 Russian banks open vostro accounts

Rupee trade: 9 Russian banks open vostro accounts

Rediff.com16 Nov 2022

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed the opening of nine special vostro accounts with two Indian lenders - Uco and IndusInd Bank - to facilitate overseas trade in rupee, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said on Tuesday. Apart from the domestic lenders, Russia's two largest banks - Sberbank and VTB Bank - are the first foreign lenders to have received approval from the central bank for settling international trade transactions in rupee. "Nine accounts have been opened. One each in Uco Bank, Sberbank, and VTB and six with IndusInd Bank. There are six different Russian banks who have opened special vostro account in IndusInd," Barthwal said.

Tracing the journey of auto industry pioneer Keshub Mahindra

Tracing the journey of auto industry pioneer Keshub Mahindra

Rediff.com12 Apr 2023

Mahindra & Mahindra chairman emeritus Keshub Mahindra passed away this morning in Mumbai due to old age. Mahindra, 99, breathed his last this morning at home peacefully, said a person close to the family. After joining the company in 1947, he became the chairman in 1963.

India-US joint statement puts trade at heart of enhanced ties

India-US joint statement puts trade at heart of enhanced ties

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

India and the US on Thursday said they are looking forward to the reconvening of the India-US Trade Policy Forum later this year to further enhance trade relationship and identify new areas for engagement.

Budget 2023-24: T V Somanathan to Ajay Seth, meet the FM's crack squad

Budget 2023-24: T V Somanathan to Ajay Seth, meet the FM's crack squad

Rediff.com27 Jan 2023

Coming Wednesday, Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman will present the 2023 Union Budget - the last full Budget ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While India exited 2022 as a relatively bright spot in the global economy, the FM will endeavour to present a Budget that insulates India's economy against global headwinds and recession in advanced economies, while sticking to the path of fiscal consolidation. In this, she is being helped by her core team of trusted advisors.

Will govt restart rupee-rouble trade?

Will govt restart rupee-rouble trade?

Rediff.com10 Mar 2022

The government may soon give the green light to bilateral trade between Russia and India in their national currencies to avoid any trade disruptions, multiple people aware of the matter said. While the Department of Commerce has recommended the proposal, an announcement is likely to be made by the finance ministry after further deliberations between the Department of Economic Affairs and Department of Financial Services. "The finance ministry will take a call on how to peg the two currencies," a senior government official told Business Standard. In the past, the two nations have had rupee-rouble trade, and when such an arrangement is implemented again, it will bypass the sanctions imposed on Russia by the West.

What's Greenwashing?

What's Greenwashing?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2023

Greenwashing is making misleading or false environment-friendly claims about a product. Consumers in India currently do not have any way of telling whether a claim is authentic or greenwashing. And one never hears of action against any company for making false claims of being environment-friendly.

Amazon, Flipkart, 3 others issued notices for selling faulty pressure cookers

Amazon, Flipkart, 3 others issued notices for selling faulty pressure cookers

Rediff.com22 Nov 2021

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to five e-commerce entities, including Amazon, Flipkart and PaytmMall, as well as various sellers for offering pressure cookers that are non-compliant with BIS norms. The notices were issued on November 18 to Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal, Shopclues and PaytmMall, and the sellers. As part of celebrations of 75 years of Independence - 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', CCPA has initiated a country-wide campaign to prevent sale of spurious and counterfeit goods that violate Quality Control Orders published by the Centre, the government said in a statement on Monday.

Rs 1,900 crore deficit likely to hit infrastructure projects in FY23

Rs 1,900 crore deficit likely to hit infrastructure projects in FY23

Rediff.com20 Apr 2022

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce has observed that a massive shortfall in the budgetary allocation of over Rs 1,900 crore by the finance ministry to the industry department may have an adverse impact on the implementation of infrastructure (infra) projects in 2022-23 (FY23). While the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had sought Rs 10,267 crore from the finance ministry for FY23, it received Rs 8,348-crore allocation. For the National Industrial Corridor Development & Implementation Trust (NICDIT), the finance ministry has allocated Rs 1,500 crore instead of Rs 2,400 crore demanded for the project.

Indo-American Chamber slams new e-com rules

Indo-American Chamber slams new e-com rules

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

The proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, that are envisioned to protect consumer interests, may further compound the impact of multiplicity of regulations on the e-commerce sector, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) had told the ministry of consumer affairs. IACC, the apex bilateral chamber for Indo-US business, had told the government that the proposed amendments would increase compliance liabilities that risk severely impairing the growth of the sector.

UP seeks to take embassies' help to boost exports

UP seeks to take embassies' help to boost exports

Rediff.com2 Aug 2022

The Uttar Pradesh government will tap the Indian embassies in the US and European countries in its bid to double merchandise shipments to Rs 3 trillion in the next 4-5 years. The Indian embassies in the US, UK, Germany, Australia, Israel, Singapore, etc. will promote the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) products, apart from traditional handicrafts and indigenous products, under the state's flagship One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. "Indian embassies will provide the much-needed traction and visibility to our traditional products in key export destinations across the globe," UP additional chief secretary (MSME and export promotion) Navneet Sehgal told Business Standard.

Progress made over early return of stranded Indian students, says China

Progress made over early return of stranded Indian students, says China

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

China said on Thursday that "progress" has been made in facilitating the return of thousands of Indian students stranded back home due to Beijing's COVID visa bans and efforts were on for "early return" of the first batch.

Govt monitoring exports of products used in Covid management

Govt monitoring exports of products used in Covid management

Rediff.com29 Dec 2022

The move is aimed at dealing with any possible emergency situation on account of a spurt in coronavirus cases.

UPSC takes 31 pvt sector experts as jt secretaries

UPSC takes 31 pvt sector experts as jt secretaries

Rediff.com8 Oct 2021

Minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh said it is a major step to place the right talent for the right role.

Bilateral trade deal: India to import pork from US

Bilateral trade deal: India to import pork from US

Rediff.com12 Jan 2022

India has agreed to allow import of pork and pork products from the US as a part of a bilateral trade deal which will facilitate export of Indian mangoes and pomegranate to the US. The development comes months after the two governments renewed the India US Trade Policy Forum (TPF), after which both nations agreed to iron out thorny issues that included market access issues pertaining to the agriculture sector.

After curbing import of toys, India to turn tap off for Chinese fans, smart meters

After curbing import of toys, India to turn tap off for Chinese fans, smart meters

Rediff.com3 Dec 2022

We are looking at bringing quality control orders for mass production items such as smart meters and ceiling fans. This will benefit our own industry and consumers, a government official said.

India's trade deficit with Russia grows seven-fold to $34.79 billion

India's trade deficit with Russia grows seven-fold to $34.79 billion

Rediff.com26 Apr 2023

The rising dependence on discounted crude oil has resulted in India's trade deficit with Russia hitting the second-highest place last year, after China, reveals Department of Commerce data. From April through January 2022-23 (FY23), India's maximum trade deficit was with China, at $71.58 billion. This was followed by Russia, where the deficit expanded sevenfold - from $4.86 billion in April-January of 2021-22 (FY22) to $34.79 billion during the same period in FY23.

Low demand for goods from China, others sinks imports

Low demand for goods from China, others sinks imports

Rediff.com26 Feb 2023

A decline in demand from six of India's top 10 import partners -- China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, South Korea, Australia, and Singapore -- resulted in India's imports hitting a 17-month low of $50.6 billion in January, showed the data compiled by the department of commerce. Shipments from South Korea, Australia, and Singapore declined by 14.1 per cent, 26.7 per cent, and 9.8 per cent, respectively. Among the 10, growth in inbound shipment was seen only in the case of the United Arab Emirates (12.1 per cent), the US (27.4 per cent), Russia (297.4 per cent), and Indonesia (22.9 per cent).

Was Narasimha Rao India's Best Prime Minister?

Was Narasimha Rao India's Best Prime Minister?

Rediff.com22 Aug 2023

'He told senior journalists a few days after the Babri Masjid demolition, 'Jo hua theek hua. Maine isliye hone diya ki BJP ki rajniti hamesha ke liye khatam ho jaye.'

Russia withdraws troops from annexed Ukrainian city

Russia withdraws troops from annexed Ukrainian city

Rediff.com1 Oct 2022

On Friday, Putin formally announced the annexation of four regions -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia -- and claimed that "this is the will of millions of people".

Droupadi Murmu set to become India's first tribal President

Droupadi Murmu set to become India's first tribal President

Rediff.com21 Jun 2022

The announcement of Murmu's candidature by BJP president J P Nadda came a day after she celebrated her 64th birthday.

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

Rediff.com10 Jan 2022

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will soon start public consultation for a national retail trade policy, which is likely to include an insurance scheme aimed at providing financial protection against losses caused by theft, accidents or natural calamities. The policy will also spell out ways to give traders access to low-cost finance, promote digital inclusion, and create necessary infrastructure to support them, a senior government official told Business Standard. This is expected to offer relief especially to traditional traders, who are facing stiff competition from large e-commerce players.

Foreign e-com cos creating massive unemployment, alleges RIL

Foreign e-com cos creating massive unemployment, alleges RIL

Rediff.com23 Mar 2021

Capital dumping is being used by foreign e-commerce firms to subsidise and engage in predatory pricing, oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries (RIL) has told the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) in an internal document. The document alleges that this is leading to massive unemployment and financial distress among small merchants and kirana stores. It consists of various recommendations and proposed changes that deal with Press Note 2 of 2018 (PN 2), which RIL wanted Assocham to present to the government, according to sources.

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday allocated portfolios to the new ministers, keeping 14 departments with himself and giving home affairs to deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and health to other deputy O P Soni.

Trade settlement in rupee: Fearing sanctions by West, banks seek clarity

Trade settlement in rupee: Fearing sanctions by West, banks seek clarity

Rediff.com9 Aug 2022

Banks have raised concerns over the new international trade settlement in rupee, fearing that facilitation of such a mechanism could result in them facing the ire of economic sanctions by the West, people aware of the matter said. Large banks with overseas operations have sought clarity and assurance from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that they will not be targeted with sanctions for facilitating rupee trade with a sanction-hit country such as Russia. The present payment mechanism is a shift from earlier such arrangements, like the one with sanction-hit Iran, which involved banks facilitating settlement of international trade that did not have business in the sanctioned nation.

Govt not to seek disclosure of flash sales from e-tailers

Govt not to seek disclosure of flash sales from e-tailers

Rediff.com22 Jun 2021

The Centre on Tuesday said it will not seek disclosure of flash sales from e-commerce players to regulate the fraudulent sale of goods and services but will take appropriate action as per the law on consumer complaints. Discount sales that benefit maximum to consumers will continue, but not fraudulent flash sales on the e-commerce platforms, the government said, adding that the e-tailers need not be "anxious" about the draft rules. Ban on fraudulent flash sales, mis-selling and appointment of chief compliance officer/grievance redressal officer -- are among key amendments proposed to the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2020, on which the government has sought public comments by July 6.