News for 'commerce ministry'

How To Stay Safe From UPI Frauds

How To Stay Safe From UPI Frauds

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Link your UPI app to a separate bank account or wallet that has only a limited sum.

Foreign secretary raises safety of minorities in Bangladesh

Foreign secretary raises safety of minorities in Bangladesh

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday on a day-long visit to hold talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, amid strained bilateral ties since August following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

WTO services: Ministry moves Cabinet note

WTO services: Ministry moves Cabinet note

Rediff.com11 Jul 2006

The commerce ministry has moved a Cabinet note for inter-ministerial consultations to finalise India's offers on services for the World Trade Organisation.

Despite import cuts, govt seeks smooth supply of laptops

Despite import cuts, govt seeks smooth supply of laptops

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

As the Union government explores ways to restrict import of laptops and other electronic devices starting with a 5 per cent reduction from the current level, it is working to ensure that there's no supply disruption in India even if an import cap is introduced, it is learnt. The caveat assumes significance in the context of the government's announcement of its plan in August 2023 to issue licences for import of select IT hardware products to reduce the country's dependence on China.

Imports from Russia up 67% to $30.42 bn in Apr-Sep

Imports from Russia up 67% to $30.42 bn in Apr-Sep

Rediff.com13 Oct 2023

India's imports from Russia rose by about 67 per cent to $30.42 billion during the April-September period this fiscal on higher shipments of crude oil and fertiliser, according to the commerce ministry data. With this, Russia has become India's second-largest import source during the first half of this fiscal. The imports were $18.24 billion during April-September 2022.

Exports, imports down in Nov; trade deficit at $20.58 billion

Exports, imports down in Nov; trade deficit at $20.58 billion

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

India's exports declined by 2.83 per cent to $33.90 billion in November this year compared to $34.89 billion a year ago, government data released on Friday showed. Imports also declined to $54.48 billion in the month under consideration, as against $56.95 billion recorded in November 2022.

Govt unveils draft e-commerce norms

Govt unveils draft e-commerce norms

Rediff.com5 Aug 2019

Among key guidelines, the e-commerce companies will also be required to ensure that personally identifiable information of customers are protected.

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios:

India, China complete disengagement; exchange of sweets on Diwali

India, China complete disengagement; exchange of sweets on Diwali

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

Following the disengagement, both sides will soon start the coordinated patrolling in their respective areas, sources added.

Govt nearly doubles PLI scheme share of five key industry segments

Govt nearly doubles PLI scheme share of five key industry segments

Rediff.com12 Feb 2024

In a big push to the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, the government has nearly doubled (increase of 81 per cent) the allocation in five key industry segments from Rs 8,405 crore in the Revised Estimate of FY24 to Rs 15,198 crore in the Interim Budget for FY25. The segments cover over eight PLI schemes, including mobile phones, IT hardware, pharma (PLIs for medical devices, intermediates and pharmaceuticals), food processing, telecom hardware and, auto and auto components. In FY24, DPIIT officials, however, said that the disbursements would be much higher at around Rs 11,000 crore than what has been budgeted for the year.

Ministry recommends anti-dumping duty on Chinese chemical

Ministry recommends anti-dumping duty on Chinese chemical

Rediff.com5 May 2020

The commerce ministry has recommended the continuation of anti-dumping duty on a Chinese chemical used in food and pharma industry with a view to guard domestic players from cheap imports. In a notification, the ministry's investigation arm, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), has said there is a "positive" evidence of likelihood of dumping of Sodium Citrate and injury to the domestic industry if the existing anti-dumping duty were to be removed.

India cuts arbitration time for foreign investors in UAE pact

India cuts arbitration time for foreign investors in UAE pact

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

India has reduced the time period for foreign investors to seek international arbitration from five years to three years as part of the recently signed investment pact with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a departure from its model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). Under the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism, if the Indian judicial system is unable to resolve a dispute within this shortened period, investors can resort to international arbitration. The investment pact, signed on February 13 in Abu Dhabi, came into force on August 31, replacing the previous pact.

81% consumers back e-commerce rules, want clarity on services-based biz

81% consumers back e-commerce rules, want clarity on services-based biz

Rediff.com5 Jul 2021

As many as 81 per cent people support having rules for consumer e-commerce, but want more services-based platforms to have more clearly defined roles, a survey by community social media platform LocalCircles has found. The survey asked respondents to answer questions based on the recent draft Rules proposed by the ministry of consumer affairs. The responses found 81 per cent consumers wanting sales of products and services over electronic or digital networks to be governed by a set of electronic commerce rules.

Ministry fears SEZ delay threat to foreign tie-ups

Ministry fears SEZ delay threat to foreign tie-ups

Rediff.com13 Feb 2007

In another instance, a foreign partner of a notified SEZ had already procured equipment abroad for setting up the units but could not send them to India as all proposals were put on hold.

After UPI and ULI, banks to set up Unified Recovery Interface

After UPI and ULI, banks to set up Unified Recovery Interface

Rediff.com9 Sep 2024

Eying benefits from digital banking, lenders are now looking at building Unified Recovery Interface (URI) for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and getting good prices for properties of defaulters. This would be managed by PSB Alliance Ltd, a company set up by all public sector banks in the country. M V Rao, chairman, Indian Banks' Association (IBA), said: "Till now we had Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a product developed by National Payments Corporation Ltd (NPCI).

Wholesale inflation falls to 3-month low of 2.04% in July

Wholesale inflation falls to 3-month low of 2.04% in July

Rediff.com14 Aug 2024

Wholesale inflation fell to a 3-month low of 2.04 per cent in July on decline in prices of food items especially vegetables, government data released on Wednesday showed. The decline in wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation in July came after it rose for four months in a row till June, when it was 3.36 per cent. It was (-) 1.23 per cent in July last year. In April wholesale inflation stood at 1.19 per cent.

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Among the new entrants to the Union cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given the agriculture and rural development portfolios, Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda the health portfolio and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the power portfolio.

'Make in India' initiative helped strengthen economy

'Make in India' initiative helped strengthen economy

Rediff.com25 Sep 2024

The Modi government's flagship initiative 'Make in India' launched 10 years ago has helped the country boost exports, push investments and promote manufacturing. Under the initiative, launched on September 25, 2014, a series of measures have been taken by the government to boost local manufacturing. These initiatives include the rollout of production linked incentive (PLI) schemes for 14 sectors, easing foreign direct investment (FDI) norms, reducing compliance burden to improve business climate, all approvals through single window, and rolling out of the national logistics policy.

Wholesale inflation: Costly veggies once again play the spoilsport

Wholesale inflation: Costly veggies once again play the spoilsport

Rediff.com15 Jul 2024

Wholesale inflation in the country rose for the fourth consecutive month in June at 3.36 per cent on account of rise in prices of food articles, especially vegetables and manufactured items. The wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation was 2.61 per cent in May. It was (-) 4.18 per cent in June 2023.

US tariffs risk Chinese goods flooding India

US tariffs risk Chinese goods flooding India

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

India stares at the risk of an influx of Chinese products as US tariffs on a range of Chinese goods, including solar panels, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, syringes, and steel, are set to take effect from September 27. With higher tariffs reducing China's access to the US market, there is concern that China may divert its exports to other markets, including India, which could lead to potential dumping of goods. This situation could challenge Indian industries, particularly in sectors where competition with Chinese products is already fierce.

Wholesale inflation at 4-month low of 1.31% in Aug

Wholesale inflation at 4-month low of 1.31% in Aug

Rediff.com17 Sep 2024

Wholesale inflation fell to a 4-month low of 1.31 per cent in August due to a decline in prices of vegetables and fuel, even though onion and potato prices spiked, according to official data released on Tuesday. Wholesale price index-based inflation fell for the second straight month in August after it hit a high of 3.43 per cent in May. Inflation in July was 2.04 per cent. In August last year, WPI inflation was (-) 0.46 per cent.

New scheme for EVs may put global majors in fast lane

New scheme for EVs may put global majors in fast lane

Rediff.com18 Mar 2024

The new scheme, promoting manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) by global majors, will give a fillip to companies like Tesla and its upstart rival Vinfast, both of whom have lobbied for lower import duties from the Centre. While Vinfast has already announced an investment of Rs 4,000 crore to set up an electric vehicle (EV) plant in Tamil Nadu, Tesla's next move will be watched carefully. Four years ago, Musk announced that his company would come to India.

Pompeii: How Life Changed In A Day

Pompeii: How Life Changed In A Day

Rediff.com26 Sep 2024

'They were ahead of their times. We don't expect this from a civilisation of the first century AD.'

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

While there are some new faces in the cabinet, leaders such as BJP president JP Nadda and Jual Oram have returned as ministers.

India, US sign key defence agreement

India, US sign key defence agreement

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

The two countries also signed a 'Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers', which will facilitate the posting of one military officer from each country with the military of the other.

NDA allies get 11 ministerial positions

NDA allies get 11 ministerial positions

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

Bharatiya Janata Party's National Democratic Alliance partners have got five cabinet ministerial berths in the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as against none in the outgoing government, given the party's dependence on allies for a majority in the Lok Sabha.

Commerce Min seeks liberalised packing credit scheme from RBI

Commerce Min seeks liberalised packing credit scheme from RBI

Rediff.com9 Jul 2013

India's trade deficit widened to $20.1 billion in May because of high gold imports while exports declined by over a per cent, raising concerns about economic recovery.

As food items become costlier, May inflation rises to 2.61%

As food items become costlier, May inflation rises to 2.61%

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

The wholesale inflation rose for the third consecutive month in May at 2.61 per cent on account of rise in prices of food articles, especially vegetables, and manufactured items. The wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation was 1.26 per cent in the previous month. It was (-) 3.61 per cent in May 2023. "Positive rate of inflation in May, 2024 is primarily due to increase in prices of food articles, manufacture of food products, crude petroleum & natural gas, mineral oils, other manufacturing etc," the ministry of commerce & industry said in a statement on Friday.

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

Any government support or incentive to help exporters deal with high freight and insurance costs is unlikely.

E-commerce rules to get stricter; flash sales may soon be history

E-commerce rules to get stricter; flash sales may soon be history

Rediff.com21 Jun 2021

The Centre on Monday proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 and sought public comments on banning mis-selling and fraudulent flash sale of goods and services on e-commerce platforms, and also on making registration of these entities mandatory with DPIIT. Ban on misleading users by manipulating search results, appointment of chief compliance officer and resident grievance officer are some of the other amendments being proposed. The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 were first notified in July last year.

Modi Firmly In Control Of Ministers

Modi Firmly In Control Of Ministers

Rediff.com25 Jun 2024

The strong message from the prime minister is of continuity of policies he considers right with strong emphasis on execution, points out T N C Rajagopalan.

Ministry proposes to decriminalise law on collection of statistics

Ministry proposes to decriminalise law on collection of statistics

Rediff.com12 Oct 2022

A government ministry has proposed decriminalising offences under the Collection of Statistics Act 2008 as part of the government's efforts to rationalise legislations to promote the ease of doing business. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has invited public comments on its draft proposal by October 30. The proposal to amend sections of the act will decriminalise offences like obstructing or deceiving statistics officers by doing away with the provision of simple imprisonment up to six months.

Ministry seeks easier gold import norms

Ministry seeks easier gold import norms

Rediff.com18 Aug 2013

In order to contain current account deficit, the Reserve Bank last month imposed restrictions on gold imports by banks and other authorised agencies.

Govt proposes host of incentives to revamp Special Economic Zones

Govt proposes host of incentives to revamp Special Economic Zones

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

The commerce ministry is proposing a host of direct and indirect incentives such as deferral of import duties and exemption from export taxes to revamp Special Economic Zones through a new legislation, an official said. In the Union Budget this year, the government proposed to replace the existing law governing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with a new legislation to enable states to become partners in 'Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs' (DESH). The official said the commerce ministry has sought views of different ministries, including finance, on the new bill.