News for 'Interests of Consumers'

An Era Of Secrecy Is Over For Modi

An Era Of Secrecy Is Over For Modi

Rediff.com11 Jun 2024

'The word 'ally' in a coalition is misleading because it suggests someone who is always for you and with you. This is incorrect.' 'They are always for themselves and sometimes with you,' explains Aakar Patel.

US firm used call centres in India to bilk consumers

US firm used call centres in India to bilk consumers

Rediff.com11 Sep 2013

The Federal Trade Commission said the defendants used phony debt collection calls from India and bogus claims that they would reduce consumers' credit card interest rates to bilk consumers.

Parl passes bill allowing govt to take control of telecom services

Parl passes bill allowing govt to take control of telecom services

Rediff.com21 Dec 2023

The Bill allows stopping of transmission and intercepting messages in case of public emergency, in the interest of the public, to prevent incitement for committing offence.

Fall in other goods freight may put Railways' 2030 target off track

Fall in other goods freight may put Railways' 2030 target off track

Rediff.com10 Apr 2024

Indian Railways has managed to improve its freight volumes each year since the pandemic. However, its inability to add new industries and goods will pose a challenge for the national transporter in the wake of it setting an ambitious target of 45 per cent share in the national logistics by 2030. According to officials, the ministry of railways achieved 114 million tonnes (mt) of miscellaneous goods (classified as balance and other goods) in 2023-24.

India to remain fastest-growing major economy in 2024

India to remain fastest-growing major economy in 2024

Rediff.com31 Dec 2023

India decisively withstood global headwinds in 2023 and is likely to remain as the world's fastest-growing major economy on the back of growing demand, moderate inflation, stable interest rate regime and robust foreign exchange reserves. Despite widespread pessimism witnessed among the developed nations and the worsening geopolitical situation, India recorded a gross domestic product (GDP) expansion of 6.1 per cent in the March quarter. The growth moved up to 7.8 per cent in the June quarter and was 7.6 per cent in the September quarter. For the first six months of this fiscal, the growth was 7.7 per cent.

Is Lok Sabha Poll Impacting Markets?

Is Lok Sabha Poll Impacting Markets?

Rediff.com14 May 2024

'It is advisable to stay away from the markets for now and buy only on a dip.'

Fitch retains India's FY24 growth forecast at 6.3%, flags inflation risks

Fitch retains India's FY24 growth forecast at 6.3%, flags inflation risks

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

Fitch Ratings on Thursday retained India's growth forecast for the current fiscal at 6.3 per cent citing economic resilience despite tighter monetary policy and exports weakness, but upped year-end inflation projection on El Nino threat. The Indian economy grew 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter of current fiscal on strong services sector activity and robust demand. "The Indian economy continues to show resilience despite tighter monetary policy and weakness in exports, with growth outpacing other countries in the region," Fitch said, while projecting 6.3 per cent growth for current fiscal (April-March), and 6.5 per cent for next fiscal.

Bank Liable For Employee Oversight

Bank Liable For Employee Oversight

Rediff.com5 Jan 2024

The Commission concluded that the bank officials had evidently been negligent in failing to compare the signature prior to making payment, notes Jehangir B Gai.

Voltas takes JV route to re-enter consumer durables segment

Voltas takes JV route to re-enter consumer durables segment

Rediff.com23 Oct 2018

The JV, Voltbek Home Appliances, aims to take on LG, Samsung as well as home-grown players such as Godrej among others head on with a slew of products that hopes to combine the best of both worlds -- European technology and design, with Indian pricing and delivery.

India can sustain 8% growth, even higher: RBI bulletin

India can sustain 8% growth, even higher: RBI bulletin

Rediff.com19 Mar 2024

India can sustain 8 per cent annual GDP growth and the conducive macroeconomic configuration may become a launching pad for a step-up in the country's growth trajectory, said an article on the 'State of Economy' in the central bank's March Bulletin published on Tuesday. Over the period 2021-24, gross domestic product (GDP) growth has averaged above 8 per cent. The global economy is losing steam, with growth slowing in some of the most resilient economies and high frequency indicators, pointing to further levelling in the period ahead, said the article authored by a team led by RBI Deputy Governor Michael Debabrata Patra.

Q3 sees startups turn a profitable corner

Q3 sees startups turn a profitable corner

Rediff.com23 Feb 2024

The third quarter (Q3) of 2023-24 (FY24) has proven to be pivotal, witnessing some startups turning profitable and others enhancing their performance as their businesses finally begin to deliver. Startups like Delhivery, Zomato, PolicyBazaar, Mamaearth, and Nykaa have either become profitable or improved their profit margins in Q3FY24. A renewed focus on profitability, supported by operational efficiencies, expense rein-in, and robust demand during the festival season, has empowered companies to strengthen their performance.

Why govt plans to partner with influencers

Why govt plans to partner with influencers

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

The government is planning to collaborate with industry stakeholders, including influencer marketing companies, to prepare and promote guidelines to help them understand the rules better and improve compliance. During a discussion with influencers, content creators, and their agencies on the recently released guidelines for celebrities, influencers, and virtual influencers on social media platforms, Rohit Kumar Singh, consumer affairs secretary, suggested forming a self-regulatory organisation for influencer marketing companies and the development of a creator or influencer recognition programme in collaboration with the industry.

Govt to take Rs 6500 cr hit for interest waiver on loans

Govt to take Rs 6500 cr hit for interest waiver on loans

Rediff.com24 Oct 2020

In a festival gift to borrowers, the finance ministry on Wednesday approved guidelines for a scheme for grant of ex-gratia payment of the difference between compound interest and simple interest for six months of loans up to Rs 2 crore.

Is This A Good Time To Buy Stocks?

Is This A Good Time To Buy Stocks?

Rediff.com16 May 2024

'Investors need to be stock specific and should not rush to buy stocks at the current levels.'

Why Foreign Financial Firms Quit India

Why Foreign Financial Firms Quit India

Rediff.com24 May 2024

There was no smooth surge in middle class prosperity for foreign businesses to tap into because of the Indian economy was mismanaged, argues Debashis Basu.

India Inc bets big as Indian consumers spend more

India Inc bets big as Indian consumers spend more

Rediff.com13 Oct 2016

Declining interest rates, a near-normal monsoon leading to higher rural incomes and pay hikes for central government employees are key triggers, says Dev Chatterjee.

Inflation makes a big hole in consumers' pockets

Inflation makes a big hole in consumers' pockets

Rediff.com27 Dec 2019

Costlier vegetables slowly pushed retail inflation, which had remained well within the Reserve Bank's comfortable level of 4 per cent during most part of 2019, peaked to more than three-year high of 5.54 per cent in November.

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Barely days after imposing a 40 per cent export tax on onions to cool down soaring prices, which, in turn, triggered widespread protests across the main growing belts, the Centre on Tuesday sought to mitigate both political and economic tensions gripping parts of Maharashtra. It decided to procure an additional 200,000 tonnes of onions at Rs 2,410 per quintal for its buffer stock from farmers, a rate that is strikingly close to the price at which they were being exported before the 40 per cent duty was levied on August 19. The export price before the imposition of the duty stood at around $320 per tonne free on board (approximately Rs 2,650 per quintal).

Fight your own consumer case and save money

Fight your own consumer case and save money

Rediff.com6 Jun 2016

You can save Rs 35,000-Rs 50,000 in lawyer's fee at a district forum and several lakhs at the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

'There's real interest in India right now'

'There's real interest in India right now'

Rediff.com27 May 2019

People are interested in the strength of India's economy, the country's stability, and the opportunities, says Stuart Tait, regional head of commercial banking, Asia-Pacific at HSBC.

Centre to waive interest on loans up to Rs 2 crore

Centre to waive interest on loans up to Rs 2 crore

Rediff.com3 Oct 2020

In an affidavit filed by Union finance ministry on behalf of the Union of India, it said that the relief to all borrowers in respect of compounding of interest during the period of moratorium would be admissible to the categories specified irrespective of whether the borrowers had availed the moratorium or not.

Paytm net loss widens to Rs 550 crore in Q4

Paytm net loss widens to Rs 550 crore in Q4

Rediff.com22 May 2024

Fintech firm One97 Communications, which owns the Paytm brand, on Wednesday said its loss in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2023-24 has widened to Rs 550 crore following the ban imposed by the RBI on transactions related to its payments bank. The company had posted a loss of Rs 167.5 crore in the same period a year ago, the company said in a regulatory filing. "Our fourth quarter FY24 results were impacted by temporary disruption on account of UPI transition etc. and permanent disruption because of the PPBL embargo.

Indians consume over 11 GB data a month, finds Nokia

Indians consume over 11 GB data a month, finds Nokia

Rediff.com27 Feb 2020

Cheap data plans, affordable handsets, increasing popularity of video services and 4G networks have helped average data consumption per user in India to grow to over 11 GB a month, telecom gear maker Nokia said on Thursday. Nokia -- in its annual Mobile Broadband India Traffic Index (MBiT) report -- said the overall data traffic in India increased by 47 per cent in 2019, driven by continued 4G consumption. 4G data constitute 96 per cent of the total data traffic consumed across the country, while 3G data traffic registered its highest ever decline of 30 per cent, it added.

FY24 earnings makeover: IndianOil to MRF, companies rewrite profit playbook

FY24 earnings makeover: IndianOil to MRF, companies rewrite profit playbook

Rediff.com6 Dec 2023

The headline for corporate profit growth has been very encouraging in the July-September quarter (Q2) of 2023-24 (FY24), with the combined net profit of listed companies up by 38 per cent year-on-year. However, the earnings distribution has been very lopsided, with most of the growth coming from public-sector oil-marketing companies (OMCs), banks, non-bank lenders, automobile (auto) companies, and cement producers. By comparison, companies from information technology services, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), retail, and consumer durables were disappointed, experiencing a sharp slowdown in net sales growth and a relatively muted increase in reported net profit.

Sensex up 276 points; banking, metal shares shine

Sensex up 276 points; banking, metal shares shine

Rediff.com21 Nov 2023

Among the Sensex firms, JSW Steel, Titan, Tata Steel, Sun Pharma, Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel, Tata Motors and HDFC Bank were the biggest gainers. NTPC, Tech Mahindra, Maruti, State Bank of India and Larsen & Toubro were among the laggards.

Your Phone Will Be Even Smarter In 2024

Your Phone Will Be Even Smarter In 2024

Rediff.com19 Jan 2024

This year will be the one when GenAI becomes a part of the daily lives of people around the world.

Ban on zero-interest schemes, a boon for customers

Ban on zero-interest schemes, a boon for customers

Rediff.com26 Sep 2013

The apex bank is taking away the 'psychological hook' that schemes with zero interest have on consumers.

'Oh My God! We've Done Something Great'

'Oh My God! We've Done Something Great'

Rediff.com6 Jun 2024

'The real change will happen when more powerful roles come to me.' 'I am looking forward to that change.'

Consumers, Wake Up!

Consumers, Wake Up!

Rediff.com14 Aug 2016

Harshala Chandorkar, chief operating officer, CIBIL, explains your rights and duties as a responsible consumer

Consumer credit may slow down: Kamath

Consumer credit may slow down: Kamath

Rediff.com12 Mar 2007

Consumer credit may slow down to 20-25 per cent due to rising interest rate and the base effect, ICICI Bank CEO, K V Kamath said on Monday.

Indian companies look to cash in on bulging infrastructure order book

Indian companies look to cash in on bulging infrastructure order book

Rediff.com6 Feb 2024

Investments worth more than Rs 80 trillion are expected in roads, railways and urban infrastructure between now and FY30 and the supply chains helping to build this core infrastructure are also readying to cash in on the growth. In the first half of the current financial year, orders worth more than Rs 2.6 trillion were tendered in the roads and railways segment alone, according to data sourced from ICRA Ratings and Research. "India's transportation infrastructure sector is in high gear, and we enjoy a sizable share of it," said S V Desai, whole time director and senior executive vice president (Civil Infrastructure) for Larsen & Toubro.

As inflation remains high, RBI leaves interest rates untouched

As inflation remains high, RBI leaves interest rates untouched

Rediff.com4 Dec 2020

Concerned over elevated inflation, Reserve Bank of India on Friday decided to leave the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4 per cent but maintained an accommodative stance, implying more rate cuts in the future if need arises to support the economy hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Real estate players deploy AI, plug into AR and VR tech to boost sales

Real estate players deploy AI, plug into AR and VR tech to boost sales

Rediff.com16 Jan 2024

Buying one's dream home requires planning, funds, and these days, putting on an AI-enabled virtual reality (VR) headset. Realtors are increasingly providing customers an immersive experience, courtesy generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), mixed reality, and metaverse. For realty consultancy Anarock group, AI and machine learning (ML) are enabling predictive market analysis, facilitating virtual property tours, and improving property management through predictive maintenance.

'IPO market has bullish outlook in 2024'

'IPO market has bullish outlook in 2024'

Rediff.com12 Dec 2023

'A key reason for the strong interest in IPOs has been an increased focus on profitability and reasonable pricing of deals.'

Why it won't be easy for Tesla to drive into India

Why it won't be easy for Tesla to drive into India

Rediff.com10 Mar 2024

India will not tailor its policies to suit US EV maker Tesla, and its laws and tariff rules will be formulated to attract all-electric vehicle manufacturers from across the world to set up a base in the world's fastest-growing economy, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said. Tesla has been seeking an initial tariff concession that would allow it to offset 70 per cent customs duty for cars priced less than $40,000, and 100 per cent for cars of higher value.

Imports of California walnut rise after India removes tariff

Imports of California walnut rise after India removes tariff

Rediff.com8 Jan 2024

The California walnuts shipped from the US to India have seen a sharp uptick with imports more than doubling from September to November against the same period last year. This comes after New Delhi removed its retaliatory customs tariffs on the key dry fruit. Two days ahead of US President Joe Biden's visit to New Delhi to attend the G20 Summit on September 9-10, India dropped additional customs duties on about half a dozen US goods that were imposed in 2019 in response to America raising tariffs on certain steel and aluminum products coming from India.

RIL-Disney 'game-changing' deal gets a thumbs-up from analysts

RIL-Disney 'game-changing' deal gets a thumbs-up from analysts

Rediff.com8 Mar 2024

Analysts have given a thumbs up to the Reliance Industries (RIL) and Walt Disney Co. (Disney) proposed a joint venture (JV). The stock of the Mukesh Ambani-controlled company gained nearly 1.5 per cent on Thursday to Rs 2,952 levels as compared to the S&P BSE Sensex that traded marginally weak, down 0.2 per cent to 72,172 levels in intra-day trades.

NYPD says person of interest in Brooklyn subway shooting is now a suspect

NYPD says person of interest in Brooklyn subway shooting is now a suspect

Rediff.com13 Apr 2022

A 62-year old Black male, initially identified as a 'Person of Interest' by the New York Police Department in the Brooklyn subway shooting, has now been named suspect in the attack that left 23 people injured, including 10 who were hit when he fired at least 33 shots with a nine mm handgun.

'Invest 10-15% Of Your Portfolio In Gold'

'Invest 10-15% Of Your Portfolio In Gold'

Rediff.com1 May 2024

Gold is an excellent asset class for diversification and should be included in all long-term portfolios.

Street Signs: Nifty50 enters 'overbought' zone

Street Signs: Nifty50 enters 'overbought' zone

Rediff.com26 Dec 2023

Going 'long' is becoming an overcrowded trade on Dalal Street, and any negative trigger could lead to a sharp correction, warn experts. However, given the strong momentum, particularly in IT stocks, the downside could be protected in the immediate term. "With the Nifty50 surging to new life-time highs, the bulls remain in control. Further upsides are likely once the immediate resistance of 21,492 is taken out.