News for 'commerce department'

Can govt meet fiscal deficit targets? RBI has doubts

Can govt meet fiscal deficit targets? RBI has doubts

Rediff.com29 Dec 2021

The government has budgeted for total expenditure of Rs 34.83 lakh crore or 6.8 per cent of GDP. While the net tax revenue rose from Rs 5,75,697 crore in October 2020 to Rs 10,53,135 crore till October 2021, a growth of 82.93 per cent annualized, total expenditure rose only by 9.95 per cent, led by infra spending to Rs 18,26,725 crore from Rs 16,61,454 crore during the same period, the RBI said in the financial stability report.

Why Budget proposal on digital tax may land in court

Why Budget proposal on digital tax may land in court

Rediff.com19 Feb 2021

The central government's clarification on the 2 per cent equalisation levy on foreign digital operators in the Budget, which considerably expands the scope of the levy, might be challenged in court, with several companies contemplating filing a writ petition in the coming few weeks. The writs might be filed on the grounds of the levy's alleged extra-territorial overreach, as it aims to cover those entities that do not have a physical presence in India, going against international taxation rules.

E-tailers face tough times as states tighten tax noose

E-tailers face tough times as states tighten tax noose

Rediff.com25 Jan 2015

Kerala's tax authorities are also reviewing other e-commerce companies for similar discrepancies, and might fine more defaulters.

Biden administration comes under pressure to ship Covid vaccine to India

Biden administration comes under pressure to ship Covid vaccine to India

Rediff.com24 Apr 2021

The Joe Biden administration has come under intense pressure from various quarters, including the powerful US Chambers of Commerce, lawmakers and eminent Indian-Americans, to ship AstraZeneca and other Covid-19 vaccines along with several life-saving medical supplies to India, which is witnessing a deadly surge in coronavirus cases.

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.

Why India's exports are likely to fly high in New Year

Why India's exports are likely to fly high in New Year

Rediff.com19 Dec 2021

After staging a strong recovery from COVID-induced slowdown in 2021, India's exports are likely to extend the growth story to the New Year also on increased demand in the global markets, boost in domestic manufacturing due to production-linked incentive schemes and implementation of some interim trade pacts. Expectations of positive growth in the country's exports are also backed up by the outlook of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) which predicts a 4.7 per cent expansion in the global merchandise trade volume in 2022. Exporters believe that the outbound shipments would cross $400 billion mark in this fiscal going by the current momentum and may reach $475 billion in 2022-23.

India to stick to its stance at WTO meet

India to stick to its stance at WTO meet

Rediff.com23 Sep 2014

India is in no danger of crossing the 10 per cent threshold of food subsidies under the WTO's agreement on agriculture and it will not breach the level in the near future.

Sebi didn't dilute NSE orders, acted as per remit: Tyagi

Sebi didn't dilute NSE orders, acted as per remit: Tyagi

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

Days after the government went public with its intent to examine a Sebi order in the NSE matter, its outgoing chairman Ajay Tyagi on Wednesday made it clear that the markets regulator did not "dilute" any of the quasi-judicial verdicts. The comments assume significance as they come after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as per reports, recently said the government is examining if Sebi has taken "necessary punitive" action in the case. In a media interview, the FM had said the government was analysing if there had been "enough application of mind in dealing with this" and if after applying its mind, Sebi took adequate corrective steps.

Kerala govt slaps fine on Flipkart, Jabong

Kerala govt slaps fine on Flipkart, Jabong

Rediff.com24 Jan 2015

The Kerala commercial taxes department has slapped a fine of Rs 53.63 crore (Rs 536.3 million) on four online trading companies including Flipkart and Jabong for allegedly doing illegal business in the state.

Modi Cabinet reshuffle: Who got what

Modi Cabinet reshuffle: Who got what

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

Fifteen Cabinet ministers and 28 Ministers of State were sworn-in by President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday evening.

'My boss doesn't think I deserve a raise'

'My boss doesn't think I deserve a raise'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2022

HR Guru Mayank Rautela tells you what you can do when you face such a situation.

Gangajal by post to be a reality soon

Gangajal by post to be a reality soon

Rediff.com30 May 2016

Receiving Ganga water by post could be a reality soon as the government endeavours to tap the e-commerce platform to bring the holy water at the doorsteps.

Gujarat again tops NITI's Export Preparedness Index

Gujarat again tops NITI's Export Preparedness Index

Rediff.com25 Mar 2022

Gujarat, for the second consecutive year, has topped the Niti Aayog's Export Preparedness Index 2021 which is aimed at assessing the readiness of the states in terms of their export potential and performance. Gujarat was followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana, according to the government think tank's report. Union territories and states like Lakshadweep, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Ladakh and Meghalaya were placed at the bottom.

The intriguing tale of India's trade with North Korea

The intriguing tale of India's trade with North Korea

Rediff.com16 Jun 2018

India remains North Korea's 2nd-largest import source after China, according to several estimates by multilateral bodies, says Subhayan Chakraborty.

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.

US judge blocks Trump's H-1B visa ban

US judge blocks Trump's H-1B visa ban

Rediff.com2 Oct 2020

In a major relief to thousands of Indian IT professionals, a federal judge in the US on Thursday blocked the enforcement of a temporary visa ban by the Trump administration on a large number of work permits, including the most sought after H-1B visas, ruling that the president exceeded his constitutional authority.

Why e-tailers find it tough to mention 'country of origin' on goods

Why e-tailers find it tough to mention 'country of origin' on goods

Rediff.com28 Jul 2020

Experts say it is difficult to determine country of origin where most products are manufactured and sold, as part of a complex global value chain.

K'taka clamps night curfew for 10 days from Dec 28

K'taka clamps night curfew for 10 days from Dec 28

Rediff.com26 Dec 2021

Amid fresh COVID-19 concerns, Karnataka government on Sunday decided to impose 'night curfew' for 10 days from December 28, between 10 PM and 5 am.

Budget may open window for big-ticket foreign investments

Budget may open window for big-ticket foreign investments

Rediff.com26 Jan 2021

The Centre plans to create a special window for strategically important investors such as sovereign wealth funds and pension funds that wish to invest over Rs 3,000 crore through a single transaction.

'Black day for Kashmir and the nation'

'Black day for Kashmir and the nation'

Rediff.com3 Jun 2022

'The people of Jammu and Kashmir are your own people. Do not use them as cannon fodder in your laboratory.'

Govt approves revised DTH guidelines; to issue 20 year licence

Govt approves revised DTH guidelines; to issue 20 year licence

Rediff.com23 Dec 2020

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved revision in guidelines for providing direct to home (DTH) services in the country under which licenses would be issued for 20 years, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said. The Union Cabinet has also approved 100 per cent FDI in the DTH broadcasting services sector, Javadekar said, adding that while the commerce ministry had spoken of 100 per cent FDI in the DTH sector, the guidelines of the information and broadcasting ministry needed to be changed.

Govt brings ordinance to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR

Govt brings ordinance to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR

Rediff.com29 Oct 2020

Violation of the provisions entails a punishment of a jail term up to five years or with fine up to Rs 1 crore or with both, the ordinance released by the Ministry of Law and Justice on Thursday said.

India Post is grappling with e-tail shift

India Post is grappling with e-tail shift

Rediff.com16 Mar 2016

'A fresh look is being given to ways of processing, transmission, and delivery.'

Bureaucratic rejig at Centre: New secys appointed

Bureaucratic rejig at Centre: New secys appointed

Rediff.com13 Dec 2019

The appointment of new expenditure secretary comes a month-and-a-half ahead of the Budget for 2020-21 to be presented on February 1.

India, US have 'almost closed' contours of limited trade pact: Goyal

India, US have 'almost closed' contours of limited trade pact: Goyal

Rediff.com25 Feb 2020

Having almost closed the last contours of the limited trade deal and with the announcement of a much larger trade deal in the offing, we have moved to a new level of engagement: Goyal.

RBI's thumbs-down for exporters

RBI's thumbs-down for exporters

Rediff.com18 Dec 2013

RBI declines to accede to plea, upheld by Padmanabhan panel, for priority sector tag; feels move would dilute claims of those needing it more.

US trade deficit widens in December

US trade deficit widens in December

Rediff.com5 Feb 2015

US trade deficit rose to its highest level since 2012.

What US companies want from India: Stable policy

What US companies want from India: Stable policy

Rediff.com27 Jun 2020

Embargo on imports from a neighbouring country would send a chilling signal to foreign investors who look for transparency and companies with manufacturing units in India had requested the government to publish any change in port policy "to provide the business community with the visibility they need to function", says United States-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

Need India to be a net security provider in Indo-Pacific: Trump admin

Need India to be a net security provider in Indo-Pacific: Trump admin

Rediff.com7 Sep 2017

The Trump regime has informed the Congress that it 'strongly supports' transfers of F-18 and F-16 fighter proposals put forth by Boeing and Lockheed Martin respectively.

Alibaba grappling with policy bottlenecks in India

Alibaba grappling with policy bottlenecks in India

Rediff.com13 May 2016

It is watching e-commerce policy fineprint before spelling out India plan

Delhi metro to run at 50% capacity from Monday: Kejriwal

Delhi metro to run at 50% capacity from Monday: Kejriwal

Rediff.com5 Jun 2021

The Delhi Metro will operate at 50 per cent capacity and markets and malls in the national capital will open on an odd-even basis from June 7, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday as he announced further relaxations in lockdown.

Why Amit Mitra is important to Mamata

Why Amit Mitra is important to Mamata

Rediff.com27 Nov 2021

No longer Bengal's finance minister, Amit Mitra, Mamata's principal chief advisor, will still advise and aid the 'chief minister and finance department on all matters relating to management of state finance', represent the 'state government in national and international events/meetings/committees' and examine 'important proposals/files and policy issues relating to financial matters referred to him for advice/views'.

Biden reiterates US support for India's permanent seat in UNSC

Biden reiterates US support for India's permanent seat in UNSC

Rediff.com25 Sep 2021

Biden has reiterated America's support for India's permanent membership on a reformed UNSC and its entry into the NSG during his first in-person bilateral meeting with Modi at the White House.

Trouble brews for Amazon India

Trouble brews for Amazon India

Rediff.com5 Dec 2014

Karnataka tax dept may attach assets of dealers; new retailers not being registered

Mumbai police updates lockdown curbs: What's allowed, what isn't

Mumbai police updates lockdown curbs: What's allowed, what isn't

Rediff.com7 Apr 2021

Mumbai Police on Wednesday announced the updated lockdown guidelines which restricts the movement of people in public areas and transport while exempting those involved in essential services.

The many battles that Amazon is fighting in India

The many battles that Amazon is fighting in India

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

Among all the geographies where Amazon is fighting regulators, India is the only place where its lines are also tangled in a major corporate battle, this one with India's largest company by market capitalisation over the acquisition of Mumbai-based Future Group's retail chain, the country's second largest. No other corporate entity in any country offers a challenge to Amazon's hegemony in a way Reliance Industries does - and the final hearing of an arbitration case filed at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre between the two may decide at least some of these issues. This legal battle between one of the world's most powerful corporations and one of India's most powerful conglomerates could be complicated by a host of other developments.

Home delivery of liquor allowed in Maharashtra

Home delivery of liquor allowed in Maharashtra

Rediff.com12 May 2020

The order, issued by the Home Department, will come into effect only after guidelines are finalised, said a senior official.

How Biden's trade team could influence relations between the two countries

How Biden's trade team could influence relations between the two countries

Rediff.com7 Jan 2021

India will have to show more willingness to import, and since Biden will not encourage sale of oil and gas to bridge the gap, it means there has to be more meaningful duty reduction in other areas even if Delhi baulks at a Free Trade Agreement so soon after walking out of RCEP.

India vetoes WTO trade facilitation deal

India vetoes WTO trade facilitation deal

Rediff.com4 Jul 2014

According to a senior commerce department official, though India is ready to sign the TFA and take necessary actions towards that, it is imperative that a discussion on public stockholding gets its due importance.

Govt permits 100% FDI in online market places

Govt permits 100% FDI in online market places

Rediff.com29 Mar 2016

Market place model of e-commerce means providing of an IT platform by an e-commerce entity on a digital and electronic network to act as a facilitator between buyer and seller.