News for 'The Illustrated Weekly of India'

Uber announces new measures for better experience

Uber announces new measures for better experience

Rediff.com19 May 2022

Uber on Thursday said it is now showing trip destination to drivers before they decide to accept a ride to enable them to make informed choices as the ride-hailing app announced a host of new measures promising to improve platform experience for drivers as well as riders. Upfront destination feature is already live across 20 cities and will be expanded to all others, Uber said in a statement. The move assumes significance as the government recently warned cab aggregators, including Ola and Uber, of strict action unless they improve their systems and redress mounting consumer complaints.

Ecomm firms ramp up as Omicron forces customers online

Ecomm firms ramp up as Omicron forces customers online

Rediff.com8 Jan 2022

Besides growing tech and digital enhancements, the firms are ramping up the hiring of more delivery partners and reinforcing existing Covid protocols.

COVID-19: India Inc asks RBI for one-time loan recast

COVID-19: India Inc asks RBI for one-time loan recast

Rediff.com21 Apr 2020

The one-time restructuring of loans will help every firm and prevent cost-cutting measures such as lay-offs.

S&P projects Indian economy to contract 9%

S&P projects Indian economy to contract 9%

Rediff.com14 Sep 2020

The rating agency said, rising COVID-19 cases in India will keep private spending and investment lower for longer.

America's race bitterness erupts in India's communal bitterness

America's race bitterness erupts in India's communal bitterness

Rediff.com26 Jun 2020

'India shares the world's pain, but India's pain is not the world's.' 'Little that occurs here is even reported abroad,' notes Sunanda K Datta-Ray.

Delhi assembly panel summons Kangana for remarks on Sikhs

Delhi assembly panel summons Kangana for remarks on Sikhs

Rediff.com25 Nov 2021

Delhi Assembly's peace and harmony committee has summoned Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut over her alleged hateful posts on social media, panel chairperson Raghav Chadha said on Thursday.

54 companies wait in the wings with IPOs worth Rs 1.4 trn

54 companies wait in the wings with IPOs worth Rs 1.4 trn

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

Fundraising activity in the upcoming financial year 2022-23 may even surpass FY22 when 52 Indian companies raised a record Rs 1.11 trillion via initial public offerings (IPOs). According to a note by PRIME Database, 54 companies (including LIC) plan to raise Rs 1.4 trillion and currently hold the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) approval. Another 43 companies, the note said, are looking to raise about Rs 81,000 crore but waiting for Sebi nod.

'My GF's pregnant and I don't have a job'

'My GF's pregnant and I don't have a job'

Rediff.com13 Jan 2023

In this weekly self-help series, mental health and life coach Anu Krishna tells you how to take control of your life.

Excess liquidity in banking system back to pre-Covid levels

Excess liquidity in banking system back to pre-Covid levels

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

Concerned over inflationary pressures in the economy, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is bringing down surplus liquidity in the system rapidly. It has fallen to pre-Covid levels and almost 2 per cent of banks' net demand and time liabilities (NDTL). NDTL shows the difference between the sum of demand and time liabilities (deposits) of a bank (with the public or the other bank) and the deposits in the form of assets held by the other bank.

Travel firms expect heavy rush as US lifts curbs

Travel firms expect heavy rush as US lifts curbs

Rediff.com18 Oct 2021

Travel companies are expecting a heavy rush to the US following the withdrawal of curbs on fully vaccinated travellers from select countries, including India, on November 8. The move will benefit those holding long-term tourist, business, and work visas. Also, new and extra flights by Air India and American Airlines are expected to provide better travel options.

Crypto industry asks govt to not rush with ban, take 'nuanced approach'

Crypto industry asks govt to not rush with ban, take 'nuanced approach'

Rediff.com24 Nov 2021

The cryptocurrency industry on Wednesday urged the government to take a nuanced approach towards regulating crypto assets in India and asked investors in the country to remain calm and not arrive at a rushed conclusion, a day after the government listed for introduction a Bill to ban all such cryptocurrencies, with some exceptions.

Weak Rs to make India Inc's foreign debt repayment costly

Weak Rs to make India Inc's foreign debt repayment costly

Rediff.com15 Apr 2020

RBI is expecting the rupee to stay close to Rs 75 to a dollar, as COVID-19 forces foreign funds to withdraw from emerging markets.

Nirav Modi extradition appeal to be heard in UK High Court on June 28

Nirav Modi extradition appeal to be heard in UK High Court on June 28

Rediff.com2 May 2022

The continuation appeal hearing in the extradition case of Nirav Modi, the fugitive diamond merchant wanted in India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to an estimated $2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, is listed to be heard in the high court in London on June 28. The 51-year-old diamond merchant had lodged an appeal against his extradition order on mental health grounds. "The hearing is listed for the 28th June," confirmed the Royal Courts of Justice administrative office last week.

DON'T WORRY About The Rupee!

DON'T WORRY About The Rupee!

Rediff.com2 Aug 2022

The currency market won't care for our moans, groans, cries and sighs. The rupee will find its own level, explains Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Good Time To Rebalance Your Portfolio

Good Time To Rebalance Your Portfolio

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

'The minimum holding period for equities should be three years.' 'Try goal-based investing.' 'Link your equity portfolios to specific goals such as retirement, purchase of a house or car...'

Forex kitty down by $902 mn to $474.66 bn

Forex kitty down by $902 mn to $474.66 bn

Rediff.com10 Apr 2020

Gold reserve also declined by $340 million to $30.55 billion.

Major PSU banks to go live on account aggregator system by July-end

Major PSU banks to go live on account aggregator system by July-end

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

After the finance minister directed public sector banks to join the account aggregator (AA) ecosystem, 5-6 major ones, including State Bank of India (SBI) and Bank of Baroda are expected to go live by July-end. Sahmati, an industry alliance for the AA ecosystem, has been working with PSU banks to get them onboarded for quite some time now. So far, Union Bank of India and Punjab National Bank (PNB) have gone live on the AA ecosystem. While Union Bank has been live for a while, PNB went live earlier this month.

Despite grim outlook, fiscal stimulus unlikely for India Inc this year

Despite grim outlook, fiscal stimulus unlikely for India Inc this year

Rediff.com29 Apr 2021

They say that a stimulus package may not be necessary because, unlike last year's total lockdown, public transport, including the railways and airlines, is running and the restrictions on movement are localised and, in some cases, are partial rather than total.

Govt may tweak customs duties on host of goods in Budget 2021

Govt may tweak customs duties on host of goods in Budget 2021

Rediff.com25 Jan 2021

The government may tweak customs duties in the Budget next week on several goods, including furniture raw materials, copper scrap, certain chemicals, telecom equipment and rubber products, to promote domestic manufacturing and exports, sources said. They said that while import duties could be tweaked on over 20 products such as cut and polished diamonds, rubber goods, leather garments, telecom equipment and carpet, the customs duties could be removed on select raw materials (like wood in rough, swan wood and hard board) used for furniture manufacturing and copper concentrate.

India's GDP may contract by 7.3% if COVID strikes again

India's GDP may contract by 7.3% if COVID strikes again

Rediff.com11 Jun 2020

However, the growth during the next financial year would be higher at 8.1 per cent in case of a second wave of the coronavirus and bit slower at 7.9 per cent if the virus recedes and remains under control.

India's tax pie gets altered because of pandemic

India's tax pie gets altered because of pandemic

Rediff.com4 Jan 2021

India's tax pie seems to have undergone a subtle change with a sharp drop in direct tax collections resulting from a disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 carnage on incomes. The share of indirect taxes, which mainly comprise of levy on goods and services as well as import duty, has risen while that of direct taxes - made up of corporate and personal income tax - has gone down in 2020. In an interview with PTI, finance secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey said in a pandemic like this where the economy has been impacted, any large scale changes impact direct taxes more severely, whereas indirect tax collection is mostly proportional to business turnover and compliance.

Will Nirav Modi be extradited to India by the end of 2020?

Will Nirav Modi be extradited to India by the end of 2020?

Rediff.com7 Sep 2020

Modi is subject to two sets of criminal proceedings, the first brought by the CBI relating to a large-scale fraud said to have been committed upon PNB and the ED case, relating to the laundering of the proceeds of that fraud.

Rest In Peace, Onkar Singh, Superman of News

Rest In Peace, Onkar Singh, Superman of News

Rediff.com14 Jan 2021

Onkar Singh, a valuable member of the Rediff.com team over the years, breathed his last on January 13. Syed Firdaus Ashraf, who knew him intimately, remembers the ultimate newsman.

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.

Forex reserves rise $441 mn to new lifetime high

Forex reserves rise $441 mn to new lifetime high

Rediff.com22 Nov 2019

During the week, gold reserves decreased by $200 million to $26.709 billion.

'A fight for justice that has been dragging on for too long'

'A fight for justice that has been dragging on for too long'

Rediff.com28 Sep 2022

'Now, it feels like the darkness has descended again.'

'Do Hospitals Charge More For Cashless Treatment?'

'Do Hospitals Charge More For Cashless Treatment?'

Rediff.com31 May 2022

Sanjib Jha, CEO, Coverfox Insurance Broking, answers your health insurance related queries.

Selfie is a must, dead or alive!

Selfie is a must, dead or alive!

Rediff.com2 Sep 2022

Wherever you go, whether it's Malad or the Maldives, people. want. to. take. pictures. Of themselves. Relentlessly, repeatedly, recklessly.

'Mutual Funds never provide guaranteed returns'

'Mutual Funds never provide guaranteed returns'

Rediff.com21 Oct 2022

Nikunj Saraf, Vice President Choice Wealth, answers your mutual fund queries.

Why bank FDs are no longer the 'safe' option

Why bank FDs are no longer the 'safe' option

Rediff.com12 Oct 2021

Senior citizens and others depending upon income from bank fixed deposit (FD) schemes will be at the receiving end with the retail inflation exceeding the interest rates. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its latest monetary policy review has projected retail inflation at 5.3 per cent for the current financial year. Last week, the RBI said that the Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation is now projected to be at 5.3 per cent for 2021-22 with risks evenly balanced.

Bankers' Dilemma On LIC IPO Price

Bankers' Dilemma On LIC IPO Price

Rediff.com8 Mar 2022

'It will be a cat and mouse game between investors and the government.' 'The issue will be launched only if there is sufficient demand from investors and the government is in agreement with the bankers on the valuations.'

GDP likely to grow at 18.5% in Q1: SBI report

GDP likely to grow at 18.5% in Q1: SBI report

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

The country's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow at around 18.5 per cent with an upward bias in the first quarter of the current financial year, according to SBI research report Ecowrap. This estimate is lower than the Reserve Bank of India's GDP growth projection of 21.4 per cent for the April-June quarter. "Based on our 'Nowcasting' model, the forecasted GDP growth for Q1 FY22 would be around 18.5 per cent (with upward bias)," the report said. Higher growth in Q1 FY22 is mainly on account of a low base.

Controlling Covid remains a key risk for Indian economy: S&P

Controlling Covid remains a key risk for Indian economy: S&P

Rediff.com22 Apr 2021

S&P Global Ratings on Thursday said the Indian economy is projected to grow at 11 per cent in the current fiscal, but flagged the "substantial" impact of broader lockdowns on the economy. In its report on Asia-Pacific Financial Institutions, S&P said the control of COVID-19 remains a key risk for the economy. New infections have spiked in recent weeks and the country is in the middle of a second pandemic wave.

ASK ANU: 'My Ex-Boyfriend Manipulated Me For Sex'

ASK ANU: 'My Ex-Boyfriend Manipulated Me For Sex'

Rediff.com20 Dec 2022

In this weekly self-help series, mental health and life coach Anu Krishna tells you how to take control of your life.

India is still less taxing for the super-rich

India is still less taxing for the super-rich

Rediff.com7 Jul 2019

Revenue secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey sought to justify the Budget proposal to increase surcharge on super-rich saying that the highest tax individual tax rate is 45 per cent in China and South Africa, and 50.3 per cent in the US.

ASK ANU: 'She wants me without marriage or kids'

ASK ANU: 'She wants me without marriage or kids'

Rediff.com4 Jan 2023

In this weekly self-help series, mental health and life coach Anu Krishna tells you how to take control of your life.

Start-up lay-offs accelerate on capital crunch worries

Start-up lay-offs accelerate on capital crunch worries

Rediff.com27 May 2022

Falling valuations, slowing funding rounds and faltering investor sentiment seem to have prompted many start-ups to lay off employees in a bid to conserve cash. The latest to do so is SoftBank-backed Cars24, a leading e-commerce platform for pre-owned vehicles, which has laid off over 600 staff, according to sources in the know. The move, they said, is aimed at conserving cash amid cautious investor sentiment and a slowdown in funding.

How India Inc is trying to save jobs

How India Inc is trying to save jobs

Rediff.com21 May 2020

India's biggest firm, Reliance Industries, has decided to cut salaries by 10 per cent in its oil and refining divisions. Several smaller companies like Kajaria Ceramics have followed suit with cuts as high as 40 per cent for those earning more than Rs 50 lakh.

IOC, BPCL, HPCL lost Rs 19,000 cr due to fuel price freeze: Moody's

IOC, BPCL, HPCL lost Rs 19,000 cr due to fuel price freeze: Moody's

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

India's top fuel retailers IOC, BPCL and HPCL together lost around $2.25 billion (Rs 19,000 crore) in revenue for keeping petrol and diesel prices on hold during elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, Moody's Investors Services said on Thursday. State fuel retailers did not revise petrol and diesel rates for a record 137 days despite prices of crude oil (raw material for producing fuel) rising to $120 per barrel compared to around $82 in early November when the hiatus began. "Based on current market prices, the oil marketing companies are currently incurring a revenue loss of around $25 (over Rs 1,900) per barrel and $24 per barrel on sale of petrol and diesel, respectively," Moody's said in a report.

RCEP can be particularly beneficial for India, says report

RCEP can be particularly beneficial for India, says report

Rediff.com31 Oct 2019

The report by the High Level Advisory Group said India stands to benefit even more when the US and China are locked in a global trade war.