News for 'Urban Money'

High equality ranking for India masks deeper gaps, say economists

High equality ranking for India masks deeper gaps, say economists

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

A recent World Bank report placing India among the most equal countries globally may present a limited view of inequality, with economists suggesting that broader data sets could tell a different story. According to the report, India's Gini index (or coefficient/ratio), a key measure of inequality, stood at 25.5 in 2022-23, placing the country fourth globally in terms of equality, behind only the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus.

Retail inflation falls to 6-yr low of 2.82% in May on cooling food prices

Retail inflation falls to 6-yr low of 2.82% in May on cooling food prices

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

Retail inflation dipped to an over six-year low of 2.82 per cent in May due to subdued food prices, remaining below the RBI's median target of 4 per cent for the fourth consecutive month, according to government data released on Thursday. Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation was 3.16 per cent in April and 4.8 per cent in May 2024.

Rural FMCG growth overtakes urban after 5 quarters

Rural FMCG growth overtakes urban after 5 quarters

Rediff.com8 May 2024

India's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector witnessed growth in rural consumption in volume terms outpace urban consumption for the first time in five quarters, in the January-March period. According to a report from consumer intelligence firm NIQ, rural consumption grew at a rate of 7.6 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in Q1CY24, overtaking that in urban areas which stood at 5.7 per cent.

Govt to provide homes for 1cr urban poor, middle-class

Govt to provide homes for 1cr urban poor, middle-class

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The government on Tuesday announced central assistance of Rs 2.2 lakh crore over the next five years to meet housing requirement of 1 crore urban poor and middle class families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban and proposed interest subsidy to provide loans at affordable rates. In her Budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Under the PM Awas Yojana Urban 2.0, housing needs of 1 crore urban poor and middle-class families will be addressed with an investment of Rs 10 lakh crore." "This will include the central assistance of Rs 2.2 lakh crore in the next 5 years," she added.

'Short-Term Panic Influences Investor Behaviour'

'Short-Term Panic Influences Investor Behaviour'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'Investors who remain calm, consistent, and disciplined through short-term volatility are usually the ones who benefit most in the long run.'

Should You Invest In Corporate Bonds?

Should You Invest In Corporate Bonds?

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Only a limited set of investors should invest directly in corporate bonds.

Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan Review: Engaging

Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan Review: Engaging

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Ishwak Singh's earnestness and the rustic energy of his mates keeps Mitti engaging, even when it starts to get preachy, observes Deepa Gahlot.

'India is a land of opportunities'

'India is a land of opportunities'

Rediff.com13 May 2025

'We've maintained that India is a high-penetration game. It's not only a premiumisation game.'

EV Sales Surge on Back of Government Push; Hybrids Lag

EV Sales Surge on Back of Government Push; Hybrids Lag

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

Despite the benefits of hybrid technology, a lack of government backing and few launches have kept the segment from gaining ground.

Public life likely to be hit as over 25 crore workers call 'Bharat Bandh' on Wednesday

Public life likely to be hit as over 25 crore workers call 'Bharat Bandh' on Wednesday

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

More than 25 crore workers engaged in sectors ranging from banking, insurance, postal to coal mining, highway and construction are expected to go on a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, potentially disrupting services across the country. A forum of 10 central trade unions and their associates has called for a general strike or 'Bharat Bandh' to "oppose the anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the government".

Not Just A Superwoman

Not Just A Superwoman

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Some of the suggested strategies include making thoughtful trade-offs between career choices and family responsibilities to avoid the guilt of not spending adequate time with elders and children at home; resisting the pressure to be a 'superwoman' by trying to manage everything alone; demanding, negotiating, and selecting jobs with flexible working hours; exploring work-from-home options; choosing an appropriate time for a career break; upskilling to re-enter the workforce after a break; and communicating openly with family members -- including spouse and in-laws -- about the support needed to grow professionally and the challenges faced at work, highlights N Ravichandran.

Want Steady Monthly Income? How Bonds Could Help

Want Steady Monthly Income? How Bonds Could Help

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

Saurav Ghosh's step-by-step guide will help you understand what bonds are, how they help investors make money, how much money they make and which bonds to invest in.

FMCG volume growth slows to 5.1% in Q4

FMCG volume growth slows to 5.1% in Q4

Rediff.com8 May 2025

The volume growth of India's FMCG industry has slowed down in the March quarter to 5.1 per cent, driven by increased consumer purchases of small-value packs, according to the latest report from data analytics firm NielsenIQ. Volume growth is slowing across categories, and non-food segments are still outpacing food in the FMCG sector.

Rare earth curbs to hit EV, RE, defence sectors

Rare earth curbs to hit EV, RE, defence sectors

Rediff.com28 Jun 2025

India's macroeconomic health is in a "relative goldilocks situation", and although the risk of higher landed oil prices, due to insurance cost surges and closure of choke points due to the brief Israel-Iran war, has receded, it is "too soon to sound the 'all clear' for the rest of the year", the Finance Ministry said on Friday.

Affordable Homes Within Reach As Banks Ease Lending Norms

Affordable Homes Within Reach As Banks Ease Lending Norms

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

The move is to align affordable housing finance flows to the increase in property costs and inflation, says Raghu Mohan.

Truck rentals, EV and tractor sales rise in June

Truck rentals, EV and tractor sales rise in June

Rediff.com5 Jul 2025

Truck rentals saw a positive momentum across most key trunk routes due to an increased pre-kharif agricultural activity and a resilient manufacturing sector. The Kolkata-Guwahati-Kolkata corridor witnessed a month-on-month (M-o-M) rise of 2.4 per cent, while the Mumbai-Chennai-Mumbai route grew by 1.9 per cent and the Delhi-Hyderabad-Delhi route saw a 1.6 per cent increase in truck rentals, said June edition of the Shriram Mobility Bulletin.

Paint major Berger's palette finds contrast in a washed-out quarter

Paint major Berger's palette finds contrast in a washed-out quarter

Rediff.com26 May 2025

Listed paint majors posted another lacklustre showing in the January-March quarter (Q4) of 2024-25 (FY25), with average revenue growth under 3 per cent. Sales were weighed down by Asian Paints - the market leader and the only major to report a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) decline.

GoI greenlights bike taxis, over to states

GoI greenlights bike taxis, over to states

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

While mobility aggregators such as Rapido and Uber have welcomed the decision, gig workers associations and unions remain concerned.

Will German Visa Rules Affect Students?

Will German Visa Rules Affect Students?

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

Ritika Gupta, a study abroad expert and founder of Aaera Consultants, explains how Germany's new visa rules will affect international students and working professionals.

Automatic cars key to Skoda's plan to double sales

Automatic cars key to Skoda's plan to double sales

Rediff.com30 Jun 2025

Skoda India sees growth in automatics and network expansion as key drivers to reach 3 per cent market share, with EV plans and a new SUV also in the works.

Beyond 9 to 5: The Bike Taxi Hustle

Beyond 9 to 5: The Bike Taxi Hustle

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

Rising inflation and stagnant wages are forcing a number of salaried professionals to venture into the bike taxi service as part-time riders.

Covid Surge: Check Your Health Cover

Covid Surge: Check Your Health Cover

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

'Opt for a minimum cover of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh, especially in urban and metro areas.'

'We will be present across India over next 3-5 yrs'

'We will be present across India over next 3-5 yrs'

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

'There's been interest from multiple states, and exploratory conversations are ongoing.'

'The RBI has started to support growth'

'The RBI has started to support growth'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

'Deposit and lending rates have started to fall considerably. It is likely to spur investment and consumption of durables.'

Lasik Surgery Market Eyes 2X Growth In 5 Years

Lasik Surgery Market Eyes 2X Growth In 5 Years

Rediff.com20 May 2025

India currently performs around 6,00,000 to 7,00,000 laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Lasik) and refractive procedures a year, and the uptake is accelerating.

'Abhishek Has Gone Through A Lot'

'Abhishek Has Gone Through A Lot'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

'It's a tremendous accomplishment to have a father like Amitabh Bachchan and still be so sorted, to not taste the kind of success that he should have and yet be so balanced.'

'From India-First To India-For-The-World'

'From India-First To India-For-The-World'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

'The next decade will be even more transformative,' says Prime Minister Modi. 'We are moving from digital governance to global digital leadership.'

Ambani's Rs 86 Cr Bet On Trump Card

Ambani's Rs 86 Cr Bet On Trump Card

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Reliance 4IR Realty Development, a unit of Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, paid a Rs 86.5 crore 'development fee' to license the Trump brand for a forthcoming real estate project in Mumbai.

'India is on a strong footing, economy is resilient'

'India is on a strong footing, economy is resilient'

Rediff.com21 May 2025

'We believe that in the new world order FTAs or bilateral trade agreements (BTAs) are the way forward.' 'They are enablers for our participation in global value chains. Today, around 70 per cent of global trade is tied to these chains.'

Why IPO-bound OYO seeks to rename parent firm

Why IPO-bound OYO seeks to rename parent firm

Rediff.com30 May 2025

OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal has invited name suggestions for its parent firm Oravel Stays, in a strategic move as the global travel tech platform prepares to launch its IPO and looks to have more premium segment offerings. There is a high possibility that the name chosen through the exercise may end up being the name of the premium hotels app that OYO has been working to launch in the near future, people familiar with the strategy told PTI.

Rs 1 Trillion Welfare Funds Idle in States

Rs 1 Trillion Welfare Funds Idle in States

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Grameen has the highest unutilised amount (Rs 13,111 crore) compared to any other centrally sponsored scheme.

How Urban Flooding Affects Lives

How Urban Flooding Affects Lives

Rediff.com27 Jul 2023

Year by year, our cities remain defeated in the face of weather conditions, costing us time, money, resources and often lives, observe Amit Kapoor and Bibek Debroy.

SBI@70: Who Says The Elephant Can't Dance?

SBI@70: Who Says The Elephant Can't Dance?

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

While a giant, it's a nimble-footed one, and is growing at a speed that even some of its private sector peers find enviable.
Between FY18 and FY24, it doubled its balance sheet. Despite being a late entrant in some segments, it has been able to grab market share, observes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Adani commits $15-20 bn annual capex for 5 years

Adani commits $15-20 bn annual capex for 5 years

Rediff.com31 May 2025

Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani has reaffirmed Adani Enterprises' ambitions for aggressive expansion, committing to invest up to $20 billion annually over the next five years. "Our capital investment across businesses is set to break all records.

RBI Eases KYC Deadline For Low-Risk Customers

RBI Eases KYC Deadline For Low-Risk Customers

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

'Self-declaration from the customer in case of no change in KYC information or change only in the address details may be obtained.'

Drones Are What India Needs For Future Wars

Drones Are What India Needs For Future Wars

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

The foremost lesson for India today is to beef up its air defence to cater for multiple drone attacks. As seen in Operation Sindoor, we have come a long way, but there's room for getting better. We must develop a robust and almost impregnable air cover over ourselves, asserts IAF veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

Adani Group to invest $5-20 bn over next 5 years

Adani Group to invest $5-20 bn over next 5 years

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

The Adani Group plans to invest a record $15-20 billion across businesses over the next five years to chart out the next phase of growth, chairman Gautam Adani said on Tuesday as he touted the conglomerate's strong balance sheet and robust business to shrug off relentless scrutiny it faces. Record earnings from the businesses ranging from seaports to airports, renewable energy parks to data centres, cement to gas and electricity has built India's largest infrastructure group that not only exists just to serve the markets but to serve the nation's destiny, he said.

Not All Need Subsidies: Finance Secy

Not All Need Subsidies: Finance Secy

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

'If in our cities, all urban bus transport services are free, then the taxpayers are paying for it, or if electricity were to be made free, that's a huge cost to the rest of the people'

EV charging in 15 minutes could be a reality soon!

EV charging in 15 minutes could be a reality soon!

Rediff.com23 May 2025

'The testing and certification have been completed, and implementation could occur within a year, depending on the number of vehicles.'

HUL MD's salary rises 3.7% to Rs 23 cr in FY25

HUL MD's salary rises 3.7% to Rs 23 cr in FY25

Rediff.com30 May 2025

HUL managing director Rohit Jawa's total remuneration in FY25 has witnessed an increase of 3.75 per cent to Rs 23.23 crore, according to the latest annual report of the FMCG major. Jawa's annual package included a salary of Rs 3.65 crore, allowances of Rs 11.45 crore, a bonus of Rs 3.78 crore and a perquisite long-term incentives of Rs 2.76 crore.