News for 'State for Commerce and Industry'

Ecommerce issues being followed up, improvement every day: Secretary

Ecommerce issues being followed up, improvement every day: Secretary

Rediff.com3 Apr 2020

The government has held several meetings with e-commerce players to resolve issues arising due to the lockdown, and now witnessing improvement on them daily, a top government official said on Friday. Secretary in the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) Guruprasad Mohapatra said that with lot of follow-ups on their issues, relaxations were given to them by the home ministry.

Business friendly state: Gujarat, Maharashtra fight for No.1 position

Business friendly state: Gujarat, Maharashtra fight for No.1 position

Rediff.com17 Feb 2016

The Make in India Week has become a platform for two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states to jostle for the number one destination in India for investor funds.

Political consensus necessary on nuclear deal:Nath

Political consensus necessary on nuclear deal:Nath

Rediff.com9 May 2008

Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath has said that a broad political consensus was necessary on the deal. Nath pointed out that it was because of this consensus that economic reforms have continued despite changes in governments and prime ministers. He said that it needs to be looked more as an energy deal rather than nuclear deal. To ease the tight power situation, he said India is looking for clean coal technology as also alternative sources of energy.

Indian Millennials Spend Rs 4K A Month On Fitness

Indian Millennials Spend Rs 4K A Month On Fitness

Rediff.com30 Jun 2023

India is among the top three emerging markets in the wellness economy.

100 cities in six months: Govt's ambitious ONDC pilots on Friday

100 cities in six months: Govt's ambitious ONDC pilots on Friday

Rediff.com28 Apr 2022

This will be done across five cities - Delhi, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Bhopal, and Shillong. Thereafter, it will be scaled up and launched in 100 cities over a period of six months, said a senior government official.

Apple boost helps India double smartphone exports; shipments hit $11.1 bn

Apple boost helps India double smartphone exports; shipments hit $11.1 bn

Rediff.com13 Apr 2023

India doubled its exports of smartphones to $11.1 billion (about Rs 91,000 crore) in 2022-23 (FY23) over the previous year's figure of $5.48 billion (Rs 45,000 crore), thanks largely to the Apple juggernaut, according to data from the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA). Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw said: "With the doubling of exports of smartphones to over Rs 90,000 crore, India is well on its way to becoming a leader in the global mobile device market." On the flip side, despite the government prodding Chinese companies to export more, their smartphone shipments fell steeply by 26 per cent from $214 million in FY22 to $157 million in FY23.

When it comes to 'innovative ideas' you can't beat Didi

When it comes to 'innovative ideas' you can't beat Didi

Rediff.com26 Oct 2014

Mamata woos industry with boat ride to Gangasagar, Sundarbans

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.

New India knows its direction, has no confusion, Modi tells diaspora

New India knows its direction, has no confusion, Modi tells diaspora

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

Wrapping up his four-day state visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that a new and proud journey of India-US ties has begun and the world is watching the two great democracies strengthening their bond.

Delhivery's IPO will be second biggest this year after LIC

Delhivery's IPO will be second biggest this year after LIC

Rediff.com9 May 2022

Logistics services provider Delhivery is likely to launch its downsized initial public offering (IPO) this week, said people in the know. The Softbank-backed firm may trim its issue size from Rs 7,460 crore to Rs 5,500 crore to align with the volatile market conditions, sources said. Sources added the fresh issue component of the IPO could be reduced to Rs 4,500 crore and the OFS component to Rs 1,000 crore.

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.

Indian Chamber of Commerce seeks lowering corporate tax to 25%

Indian Chamber of Commerce seeks lowering corporate tax to 25%

Rediff.com7 Jul 2014

It emphasised that agricultural infrastructure needs considerable investments and hence Section 80IA benefits must be extended to all such investments like IT infrastructure, computers, VSAT, solar panels, water harvesting facilities, storage etc.

India Inc on state polls: People want corruption free politics

India Inc on state polls: People want corruption free politics

Rediff.com8 Dec 2013

Results of four state elections are giving a strong message that government and political parties need to ensure good governance and provide corruption free rule, industry leaders said on Sunday.

Investment for Tatas' small car is Rs 3,700 cr

Investment for Tatas' small car is Rs 3,700 cr

Rediff.com14 Dec 2007

The total investment - by Tata Motors and its vendors - in the Rs 1 lakh car project is Rs 3,700 crore (Rs 37 billion). The West Bengal government on Thursday disclosed that the investment in the vendor park would be around Rs 2,200 crore (Rs 22 billion).

Media one of most adversely affected sectors due to COVID-19

Media one of most adversely affected sectors due to COVID-19

Rediff.com23 May 2020

The report suggests that one of the major impacts of COVID-19 on the media and entertainment industry is the instability caused and the downfall in the advertising revenues across all media segments

Tatas to invest $90 bn in India in 5 years

Tatas to invest $90 bn in India in 5 years

Rediff.com23 Sep 2022

The Tata group is planning to invest $90 billion in new industries such as mobile components plant, semiconductor, electric vehicles, batteries, renewables energy and e-commerce by 2027. The Tata group's investment in India is far higher than the $75-billion investments planned by Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries and $55-billion investment planned by the Adani group in the next five years in the country, the Economist reported recently. The investment by the Tata group is a shift in its strategy to focus more in the home markets instead of international markets where the group lost money.

What Sitharaman wants public sector banks to do

What Sitharaman wants public sector banks to do

Rediff.com25 Aug 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said she has requested banks to work with all state governments to push the 'one district, one product' agenda. Banks have also been requested to have interaction with export promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and industry to understand and address the requirement of exporters on a timely manner, Sitharaman said while addressing the media in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Govt sets up control room to ensure essential supplies

Govt sets up control room to ensure essential supplies

Rediff.com26 Mar 2020

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) has set up a control room to monitor in real-time the status of transportation and delivery of essential commodities amid the coronavirus lockdown in the country. It will also monitor the difficulties being faced by various stakeholders during the lockdown period from March 25 to April 14.

US report flags 'downward trend of democratic values' in India

US report flags 'downward trend of democratic values' in India

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

As the United States focuses on the Indo-Pacific, in particular the Quad, the Biden administration needs to address India's ties with Russia and its 'downward trend of democratic values and institutions', said a report by the Democratic Party of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

Indian start-ups may take legal route against Google in-app billing

Indian start-ups may take legal route against Google in-app billing

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

Scrutiny of Google's code of conduct in the Indian Android ecosystem is far from over with several start-ups preparing to appeal against the company's revised policies of service fee on in-app purchases and subscriptions, according to sources in the know. This comes days after the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) granted partial relief to the tech giant, reversing four of the 10 key non-monetary directives that would have forced Google to allow uninstalling of its pre-installed apps on Android devices. Paytm, BharatMatrimony, and ShareChat are among the start-ups that are likely to file grievances against the tech major for alleged non-compliance with the Competition Commission of India's (CCI's) cease-and-desist order on Play Store policies.

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.

Trade bodies impose 12-hr bandh in Nagaland over 'illegal taxation'

Trade bodies impose 12-hr bandh in Nagaland over 'illegal taxation'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

The shutdown has been complete in not only major cities like Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung, but even smaller towns such as Tuli, Jalukie, Pfutsero, CNCCI president Khekugha Muru told PTI.

Exporters demand fiscal incentives, credit at affordable rates in Budget

Exporters demand fiscal incentives, credit at affordable rates in Budget

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

Exporters on Thursday demanded fiscal incentives, tweaking in customs duties on certain products and credit at affordable rates in the forthcoming Budget to boost exports and create jobs. In a pre-budget virtual meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar is affecting exports' competitiveness and the sector requires more support. "Creation of employment is the biggest challenge faced by the country...We would urge the government to provide fiscal support to units which provide additional employment in the export sector," the exporter's body said.

Amazon-Future battle: More skeletons tumble out of closet

Amazon-Future battle: More skeletons tumble out of closet

Rediff.com15 Nov 2021

Future Retail's (FRL's) independent directors have written a second letter to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), stating American e-commerce major Amazon never intended to invest in Future Coupons (FCPL) and the representations made by the US e-commerce player were completely opposite and contradictory to their own internal correspondences as submitted before courts. The directors also wrote to CCI that Amazon has obtained approval by making deliberate misrepresentations. By actively misleading the CCI and the regulator, it has to revoke the approval granted for Amazon's investment in FCPL.

Dissociate from Hindutva, Muslims not untouchable, says BJP ally Apna Dal-S chief

Dissociate from Hindutva, Muslims not untouchable, says BJP ally Apna Dal-S chief

Rediff.com7 Feb 2022

Stressing that the Apna Dal-S stands for social justice, Union minister Anupriya Patel on Monday dissociated her party from "Hindutva and all those issues" and said it is ideologically different from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Govt extends Foreign Trade Policy by 6 months

Govt extends Foreign Trade Policy by 6 months

Rediff.com26 Sep 2022

The government has decided to postpone the release of the new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) and extend the existing one by six months on account of global uncertainties and currency fluctuations. The government was scheduled to announce the new FTP by the end of September. The current policy was to end on September 30.

PM asks industry to take risks; India Inc wants rate cut

PM asks industry to take risks; India Inc wants rate cut

Rediff.com8 Sep 2015

Assocham told Modi policy makers needed to act fast to "bullet proof" India from global jitters.

Bengal Durga Puja economy may expand by 20-30%

Bengal Durga Puja economy may expand by 20-30%

Rediff.com2 Oct 2022

After the Covid-19 pandemic that derailed the economy since 2019, the Durga Puja festival in West Bengal is back with an estimated 20-30 per cent jump in festive spending. Retail sector is the key contributor to the state's Durga Puja economy which was Rs 32,377 crore in 2019, according to a British Council study conducted for the state government. Retail accounts for 85 per cent of the total puja economy and the rest is shared among pandal making, decoration, illumination, entertainment, advertisement, food & beverage and others.

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".

Maharashtra businessmen want Ajit Pawar to step down

Maharashtra businessmen want Ajit Pawar to step down

Rediff.com14 Nov 2013

The businessmen in the Maharashtra have given a cry of 'remove Ajit Pawar' against the high tariff of electricity.

India crosses $400-bn milestone in exports

India crosses $400-bn milestone in exports

Rediff.com23 Mar 2022

The country's exports for the first time crossed the $400 billion mark in a fiscal on healthy performance by sectors such as petroleum products, engineering, gems and jewellery, and chemicals, according to the commerce ministry's data released on Wednesday. The merchandise exports rose by by 37 per cent to $400.8 billion in 2021-22 until March 21 against $292 billion in 2020-21. Previously, the outbound shipments had touched a record of $330.07 billion in 2018-19.

WTO talks conclude, leaves India disappointed

WTO talks conclude, leaves India disappointed

Rediff.com20 Dec 2015

India has expressed its disappointment over non-reaffirmation to conclude 14-year-old Doha Round pacts

Govt urged to cut customs duties on British alcohol

Govt urged to cut customs duties on British alcohol

Rediff.com19 Jan 2022

The apex body for liquor firms Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies has urged the government to gradually reduce customs duties on British alcoholic beverages under the proposed India-UK free trade agreement to support domestic players. India and the UK have formally launched negotiations for an FTA, under which duties would be reduced or eliminated on several goods traded between the two countries. The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has also suggested the government to ensure that the UK allows the selling of domestic whiskies as 'Indian Whisky', irrespective of whether they are made from malt, grain spirits or molasses-based spirits.

Infrastructure sectors' output rises 16.8% in May

Infrastructure sectors' output rises 16.8% in May

Rediff.com30 Jun 2021

The output of eight core sectors grew by 16.8 per cent in May, mainly due to a low base effect and uptick in production of natural gas, refinery products, steel, cement and electricity, official data released on Wednesday showed. The eight infrastructure sectors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity had contracted by 21.4 per cent in May 2020 due to the lockdown restrictions imposed to control the spread of the COVID-19 infections. In March this year, these key sectors had recorded a growth of 11.4 per cent, and 60.9 per cent in April.

Afghan President to pay three-day state visit to India

Afghan President to pay three-day state visit to India

Rediff.com27 Apr 2015

Afghan President Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ghani will be paying a three-day state visit to India beginning on Monday, during which he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attend delegation-level talks.

Modi's 5-year vision: What's it all about

Modi's 5-year vision: What's it all about

Rediff.com13 Jan 2020

Spurring the economy, currently in the throes of a slowdown, remains the prime focus for most ministries, but the government is also looking to make women's welfare and environmental protection key to policymaking in this term.

Freebie culture made into art for fighting polls, will lead to disaster: Govt to SC

Freebie culture made into art for fighting polls, will lead to disaster: Govt to SC

Rediff.com11 Aug 2022

In a response to the August 3 order, the Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, said till the time either the legislature or the poll panel steps in, the top court must lay down "dos and don'ts" for political parties in the 'larger national interest.'

Thousands take out rally to seek early solution to Naga issue

Thousands take out rally to seek early solution to Naga issue

Rediff.com5 Aug 2022

Thousands of people joined a public rally organised by Nagaland People's Action Committee (NPAC) on Friday to demand an early solution to the Naga political issue.

Can't wait to return, says Apple CEO Tim Cook on last day of India visit

Can't wait to return, says Apple CEO Tim Cook on last day of India visit

Rediff.com21 Apr 2023

After a five-day long visit, Apple CEO Tim Cook left India with a note that he can't wait to return to the country. The visit of Cook coincided with 25 years of the iPhone maker's presence in India. Cook arrived in India on Monday. The visit started with the launch of the first official Apple store in Mumbai on April 18 followed by a second in the national capital on April 20.

In a first, BJP meets SJM, others over joining RCEP

In a first, BJP meets SJM, others over joining RCEP

Rediff.com8 Oct 2019

The BJP's effort comes in the wake of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal set to attend the eighth RCEP ministerial meeting in Bangkok from October 10 to 12.