News for 'Union Minister for Commerce'

Farmers' protest: Govt says ready to discuss its proposals

Farmers' protest: Govt says ready to discuss its proposals

Rediff.com11 Dec 2020

As the issue remained deadlocked with both sides sticking to their respective positions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while laying the foundation stone for a new Parliament building, invoked Guru Nanak to underscore the importance of dialogue and noted that the Sikh Guru had said that interaction should continue till eternity.

Farmers' trust sacred to us: Harsimrat in resignation letter

Farmers' trust sacred to us: Harsimrat in resignation letter

Rediff.com18 Sep 2020

In her four-page resignation letter addressed to the prime minister, she said, 'In view of the decision of the government of India to go ahead with the Bill on the issue of marketing of agricultural produce without addressing and removing the apprehensions of farmers and decision of my party, Shiromani Akali Dal, not to be a part of anything that goes against the interest of farmers, I find it impossible to continue to perform my duties as a minister in the union council of ministers.'

The Congress house is on fire... and it's spreading

The Congress house is on fire... and it's spreading

Rediff.com3 Feb 2015

The number of disgruntled leaders in the party is swelling.

Coronavirus scare: Manufacturers, retailers flock to offices of ministries

Coronavirus scare: Manufacturers, retailers flock to offices of ministries

Rediff.com21 Feb 2020

From the rollback of customs duty on key electronic components to fast tracking delivery of goods imported from China, players are looking for incentives on several counts.

Farmers to observe day-long relay hunger strike on Monday

Farmers to observe day-long relay hunger strike on Monday

Rediff.com20 Dec 2020

He also urged people demonstrating against the laws across the country to observe a day-long hunger strike at their respective protest sites.

'Delhi Chalo': What the farmers' protest is all about

'Delhi Chalo': What the farmers' protest is all about

Rediff.com28 Nov 2020

Thousands of farmers have reached the national capital on their tractor-trolleys and other vehicles, responding to the 'Delhi Chalo' call against the agri-marketing laws enacted at the Centre in September. On Saturday morning, it wasn't clear if they will agree to move to the Burari ground on the outskirts of the city, where police said they can continue with their protest. Many protesters were demanding a better venue in the centre of Delhi. Originally, the protest was meant to be on November 26 and 27.

Jyotiraditya Scindia joins BJP, says Cong denying reality

Jyotiraditya Scindia joins BJP, says Cong denying reality

Rediff.com11 Mar 2020

Scindia, who was also named as its Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh by the BJP, hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "competence and complete dedication" to serving India and asserted that the country's future is fully secure in his hands.

COVAX urges equal recognition of WHO approved vaccines

COVAX urges equal recognition of WHO approved vaccines

Rediff.com2 Jul 2021

Calling for 'equal recognition of vaccines', COVAX on Thursday urged all governments to recognise as 'fully vaccinated' those people who have received COVID-19 vaccines deemed safe by World Health Organisation, saying any move that restricts travel of people based on the vaccines they have received is 'counter-effective, both in spirit and outcome'.

'Let them threaten us; we are not scared'

'Let them threaten us; we are not scared'

Rediff.com5 Jan 2021

'The prime minister should not have involved himself in these negotiations.' 'If he had not got himself involved and allowed only his ministers to talk to the farmers, things would have not reached this stage.'

Amazon's $500m retail food project to be cleared soon

Amazon's $500m retail food project to be cleared soon

Rediff.com13 Jun 2017

With the abolition of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), Amazon's proposal will now be vetted by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) under the commerce ministry.

The importance of trade

The importance of trade

Rediff.com4 Dec 2017

'We do India great disservice if we continue to perpetuate a flawed narrative on trade, one based on myths rather than facts,' says Hardeep Singh Puri.

Rs 18,000 crore: Kashmir business losses since August 5

Rs 18,000 crore: Kashmir business losses since August 5

Rediff.com22 Jan 2020

'The economy of Kashmir has collapsed.'

FDI shifting from China to India? 3 reasons why it's a joke!

FDI shifting from China to India? 3 reasons why it's a joke!

Rediff.com20 May 2020

'The belief that FDI will shift from China appears to be a strategy of politicians to keep the media busy, chasing irrelevant news to ward off pressure and questions about the government's plans to deal with COVID,' observes Debashis Basu.

Punjab plans resolution/bill to counter farm laws

Punjab plans resolution/bill to counter farm laws

Rediff.com5 Oct 2020

Addressing public rallies at Barnala chowk and Bhawanigarh in Sangrur, the chief minister vowed to do whatever it takes to protect the farmers and the state from the 'devastating' effects of the 'black laws'.

West Bengal seeks STP benefits for IT cos

West Bengal seeks STP benefits for IT cos

Rediff.com14 Jun 2012

Although Infosys was given 50 acre at Rajarhat for setting up its first development centre in West Bengal, the firm was insisting on getting special economic zone status, which the state was not keen to consider due to political reasons.

Chidambaram faces toughest test of career

Chidambaram faces toughest test of career

Rediff.com22 Aug 2019

With the fall of Congress, Chidambaram's political graph too started moving southwards.

Govt promises easy starts, exits for startups

Govt promises easy starts, exits for startups

Rediff.com16 Jan 2016

She said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is working "hard" on the Bankruptcy Code

Farmers up the ante, call for 'Bharat bandh' on Dec 8

Farmers up the ante, call for 'Bharat bandh' on Dec 8

Rediff.com5 Dec 2020

Addressing a press conference, farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chadoni said if the Centre does not accept their demands during Saturday's talks, they will intensify their agitation against the new farm laws.

FIR against Birla unfortunate: Anand Sharma

FIR against Birla unfortunate: Anand Sharma

Rediff.com16 Oct 2013

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma on Wednesday appeared to share industry's concerns over naming Kumar Mangalam Birla in an FIR in coal scam case saying it was unfortunate and could raise questions over investor confidence in the country.

Now on all private banks can collect tax, pay pension

Now on all private banks can collect tax, pay pension

Rediff.com24 Feb 2021

The finance ministry on Wednesday allowed all private sector banks to participate in government-related business, like collection of taxes. pension payments and small savings schemes. At the moment, only few large private sector are allowed to conduct government-related business.

BJP's oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal quits NDA over farm bills

BJP's oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal quits NDA over farm bills

Rediff.com27 Sep 2020

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal announced the decision to snap ties with the NDA on Saturday night, amid stepped up agitation by farmers in Punjab over the three legislations which were recently passed by Parliament amid Opposition protests.

Tamil Nadu announces 'total lockdown' from May 10 to 24

Tamil Nadu announces 'total lockdown' from May 10 to 24

Rediff.com8 May 2021

With Tamil Nadu witnessing a sharp increase in the covid-19 cases, the government on Saturday announced clamping a two-week 'total lockdown' across the state to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Hopeful of India winning 5-6 medals in Tokyo: Bindra

Hopeful of India winning 5-6 medals in Tokyo: Bindra

Rediff.com4 Jan 2021

Sanjay Kapoor elected AICF President, Chauhan retains secretary's post.

MSP will be hiked continuously, says 'farmer's son' Rajnath

MSP will be hiked continuously, says 'farmer's son' Rajnath

Rediff.com1 Oct 2020

Rajnath also attacked the Congress for the burning of a tractor by protesters from their youth wing.

What happened when Amit Shah met farmers' leaders

What happened when Amit Shah met farmers' leaders

Rediff.com9 Dec 2020

'Now that the home minister met us to discuss our demands a hope has definitely been kindled that farmers's demands will be met by this government.'

Agri bills introduced in Rajya Sabha, Tomar says MSP will continue

Agri bills introduced in Rajya Sabha, Tomar says MSP will continue

Rediff.com20 Sep 2020

Days after their passage in the Lok Sabha, Tomar introduced the Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 in the Rajya Sabha.

Nationwide protest planned against Walmart-Flipkart deal

Nationwide protest planned against Walmart-Flipkart deal

Rediff.com28 Jun 2018

Ever since the deal was announced of Walmart spending over $16 bn for a 77 per cent stake in Flipkart, the road to the takeover of India's biggest online marketplace has been quite bumpy

8 oppn MPs suspended from RS over 'unruly behaviour'

8 oppn MPs suspended from RS over 'unruly behaviour'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2020

Rajya Sabha witnessed unruly scenes on Sunday as Opposition members stormed the well and reached the deputy chairman's seat to protest against the farm bills debated and passed by the Upper House through voice vote.

Nirmala repeats her feat, breaches another male bastion

Nirmala repeats her feat, breaches another male bastion

Rediff.com31 May 2019

Sitharaman, who became the first full-time woman defence minister in the first tenure of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government -- will also head the Corporate Affairs ministry in the new cabinet.

Farmers harden stance, say will make govt repeal agri laws

Farmers harden stance, say will make govt repeal agri laws

Rediff.com15 Dec 2020

They said that they will completely block the Chilla Border between Delhi and Noida on Wednesday to press for their demands, adding that farmer unions are not running away from negotiation, but the government has to pay heed to their demands and come forward with concrete proposals.

India within striking distance of attaining positive growth: RBI

India within striking distance of attaining positive growth: RBI

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

India's GDP is within the striking distance of attaining positive growth, the Reserve Bank said observing that the letter "V" in the V-shaped recovery stands for vaccine. The Indian government launched the world's biggest vaccination drive on January 16 to protect people from COVID-19. "What will 2021 look like? The shape of the recovery will be V-shaped after all and the 'V' stands for vaccine," said an article on the 'state of economy' in the RBI's January Bulletin. India has launched the biggest vaccination drive in the world, backed by its comparative advantage of having the largest vaccine manufacturing capacity in the world and a rich experience of mass inoculation drives against polio and measles.

India Inc hails Jaitley's reform measures

India Inc hails Jaitley's reform measures

Rediff.com24 Aug 2019

Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said India has lost one of the finest political leaders and a legal luminary.

Sharma rules out easing sourcing norms in multi-brand retail

Sharma rules out easing sourcing norms in multi-brand retail

Rediff.com12 Oct 2013

Believes companies would come to India eventually.

Rajnath begins Kashmir visit, curfew lifted in parts of Valley

Rajnath begins Kashmir visit, curfew lifted in parts of Valley

Rediff.com23 Jul 2016

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to arrive in Srinagar on a two-day visit later in the day, official sources said.

Govt rules out fresh PSB merger proposal

Govt rules out fresh PSB merger proposal

Rediff.com3 Aug 2021

Experts attribute the lower target to increased allocation under the credit guarantee scheme for small businesses. Out of the Rs 3.21 trillion worth loans sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in the last financial year, Rs 3.12 trillion were disbursed to entrepreneurs, according to official data.

Oppn expresses 'serious misgivings' over lateral entry to jt secy post

Oppn expresses 'serious misgivings' over lateral entry to jt secy post

Rediff.com11 Jun 2018

Rashtriya Janata Dal's Manoj Jha saw the move as an attempt to have a 'committed bureaucracy'.

Sitharaman likely to take RS route from Andhra Pradesh

Sitharaman likely to take RS route from Andhra Pradesh

Rediff.com14 Jun 2014

Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to be elected to Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh in the by-election slated for July 3.

Protesting farmers beat 'thalis' during PM's 'Mann Ki Baat'

Protesting farmers beat 'thalis' during PM's 'Mann Ki Baat'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2020

"We are here to oppose Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat'. We are registering this protest because the prime minister only says what he has to without listening to the voice of the people," Chaduni said during the protest.

Check rumours on shortage of essentials: MHA to states

Check rumours on shortage of essentials: MHA to states

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

In a communication to chief secretaries and director generals of police of all states, the ministry asked them to take action to allay apprehensions and maintain peace and tranquillity, and inform people about the availability of food, medicine and other essential commodities.