News for 'consumer affairs'

Face masks, hand sanitisers out of essential commodities list

Face masks, hand sanitisers out of essential commodities list

Rediff.com7 Jul 2020

On March 13, the Union consumer affairs ministry had declared face masks and hand sanitisers as essential commodities for 100 days to boost supply and prevent hoarding of these items in its fight to check the spread of coronavirus.

Zelenskyy explains war situation, Modi says India willing to help

Zelenskyy explains war situation, Modi says India willing to help

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

Ukraine and Russia need to engage with each other to find a solution to the ongoing conflict between them, India said on Friday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv under the shadow of the raging war.

Consumer court orders fresh sample testing for Maggi

Consumer court orders fresh sample testing for Maggi

Rediff.com17 Aug 2015

The apex consumer court on Monday issued notice to Nestle India Limited on a Rs 640-crore or Rs 6.40 billion suit against it by the Centre.

Troops disengaged at Galwan Valley, 3 other Eastern Ladakh spots: China

Troops disengaged at Galwan Valley, 3 other Eastern Ladakh spots: China

Rediff.com14 Sep 2024

Her comments come a day after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Geneva that roughly 75 percent of the "disengagement problems" with China are sorted out but the bigger issue has been the increasing militarisation of the frontier.

Jyoti Punwani: December 6, 1992, All Over Again?

Jyoti Punwani: December 6, 1992, All Over Again?

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Can ordinary citizens counter this backward march? Can peace activists ensure that the two communities retain their bonds? Do they have a choice, asks Jyoti Punwani.

Akshata Gets Rishi Ready For India

Akshata Gets Rishi Ready For India

Rediff.com9 Sep 2023

Rishi Sunak arrived in India for the first time after he took charge as the United Kingdom's prime minister on Friday, September 8, 2023.

Why HUL, Nestle gave Rs 175 crore to govt's consumer welfare fund

Why HUL, Nestle gave Rs 175 crore to govt's consumer welfare fund

Rediff.com14 Aug 2018

The deposit has been made on account of the rate reductions approved by the GST Council in its November. The rate was reduced on items including shampoo, detergents, chocolates, beauty products, sanitary ware, leather clothing, cookers, stoves, after-shave, deodorant, detergent and washing power. Companies found it difficult to pass on the benefits to consumers immediately at the time of GST rate reduction owing to logistical issues.

Talks fail, farmers to march to Parliament today

Talks fail, farmers to march to Parliament today

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

Farmers will march towards Delhi on Tuesday after a meeting with two Union ministers over their demands, including legal guarantee to minimum support price (MSP) for crops, remained inconclusive.

Govt issues 202 notices to e-com players for violating norm

Govt issues 202 notices to e-com players for violating norm

Rediff.com26 Oct 2021

The Union government on Tuesday said it has issued 202 notices to e-commerce players for incorrect declaration of 'country of origin' on products on their platforms in the last one year. The maximum number of such violations were found with respect to electronic appliances, followed by clothing and home products. Out of 217 notices, 202 notices were issued for violations relating to 'country of origin' norm.

Tur dal prices hit Rs 200/kg, adds to consumers' pain

Tur dal prices hit Rs 200/kg, adds to consumers' pain

Rediff.com19 Oct 2015

Retail tur dal prices on Monday shot up to Rs 200 per kg despite the government's steps to boost supply and check prices, aggravating consumers' woes.

Govt to now sell discounted tomatoes at Rs 80/kg

Govt to now sell discounted tomatoes at Rs 80/kg

Rediff.com16 Jul 2023

The Centre will sell tomatoes at Rs 80 per kg from Sunday, as against Rs 90 per kg earlier, to provide relief to people from high prices of the key kitchen item in retail markets.

Tech under work to detect pesky calls, messages

Tech under work to detect pesky calls, messages

Rediff.com28 Nov 2022

Telecom regulator Trai on Monday said that it is working on various technologies to detect pesky calls and messages along with a joint action plan with other regulators to curb financial frauds. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said that Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) or pesky communication is a major source of inconvenience to the public and impinges on the privacy of individuals. "Now complaints are reported against Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs), where a surge has been seen in pushing various kinds of UCC SMSes. Additionally, UCC calls are also one of the concerns which need to be dealt with equally along with UCC SMSes," it said.

Correction in steel stocks could be a buying opportunity

Correction in steel stocks could be a buying opportunity

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

India's steel market is out of step with global trends. Global demand is weak with China at a huge supply surplus to its domestic demand, pushing down global steel prices. India's domestic demand for steel is strong, given the continuing infrastructure push and is likely to accelerate as urbanisation improves, and the auto sector continues to grow alongside the infrastructure push.

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

'As we enter 2025, it must be acknowledged that there is a convergence of capital, influential people (from business and politics) and technology deciding the destiny of others in the name of pride, patriotism, nationalism, nation building, all of it thinly veiled disguises for personal profit and glory,' asserts Shyam G Menon.

Modi invites Zelenskyy to visit India; he says...

Modi invites Zelenskyy to visit India; he says...

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invited President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit India and the Ukrainian leader said he would be happy to travel to the 'great' country.

News websites, TV channels told to refrain from carrying ads of betting sites

News websites, TV channels told to refrain from carrying ads of betting sites

Rediff.com3 Oct 2022

The Centre on Monday issued advisories to news websites, OTT platforms and private satellite channels asking them to refrain from carrying advertisements of offshore betting sites. "...the private satellite television channels are strongly advised to refrain advertisements of online offshore betting platforms and/or their surrogate news websites or any such product/service depicting these platforms in a surrogate manner," the ministry of information and broadcasting advisory said. It also warned private satellite television channels of penal action under applicable laws for violation of the advisory.

Markets Expected To Remain Volatile

Markets Expected To Remain Volatile

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

'As the markets are expected to remain jittery in the near term, we advise investors to use this opportunity to enter quality largecaps from a long-term perspective.'

Expert panel on food waste to meet on June 23

Expert panel on food waste to meet on June 23

Rediff.com9 Jun 2011

On June 2, the ministry had constituted a 15-member committee, headed by Consumer Affairs Secretary Rajiv Aggarwal, to deliberate and suggest possible ways and means to check food wastage.

Citibank likely to hive off consumer banking business in India

Citibank likely to hive off consumer banking business in India

Rediff.com8 Mar 2021

In India, it is not easy to fight it out with the large banks which are nimble-footed and technology-savvy and are continuously innovating on the retail turf with newer products for customer acquisition.

Govt not to seek disclosure of flash sales from e-tailers

Govt not to seek disclosure of flash sales from e-tailers

Rediff.com22 Jun 2021

The Centre on Tuesday said it will not seek disclosure of flash sales from e-commerce players to regulate the fraudulent sale of goods and services but will take appropriate action as per the law on consumer complaints. Discount sales that benefit maximum to consumers will continue, but not fraudulent flash sales on the e-commerce platforms, the government said, adding that the e-tailers need not be "anxious" about the draft rules. Ban on fraudulent flash sales, mis-selling and appointment of chief compliance officer/grievance redressal officer -- are among key amendments proposed to the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2020, on which the government has sought public comments by July 6.

Maggi samples being tested, brand ambassadors can be liable: Govt

Maggi samples being tested, brand ambassadors can be liable: Govt

Rediff.com1 Jun 2015

Celebrities endorsing Maggi can face action If Maggi is tested of high content of MSG.

'Dak ghar' to become 'dal ghar' during festive season

'Dak ghar' to become 'dal ghar' during festive season

Rediff.com14 Oct 2016

The Centre will utilise huge network of post offices across the country to sell subsidised pulses, mainly tur, urad and chana, to ensure availability in the ongoing festival season.

U'khand CM Dhami allots portfolios, keeps over 2 dozen depts for himself

U'khand CM Dhami allots portfolios, keeps over 2 dozen depts for himself

Rediff.com30 Mar 2022

These include home, industrial development (mining), justice, labour, excise, environment conservation and climate change, disaster management and rehabilitation and civil aviation.

Labels must for GM food

Labels must for GM food

Rediff.com2 Jan 2013

Industry clueless about implementing labelling ru#8804 FSSAI dithers over regulations.

Why govt is importing about 10 lakh tonnes tur dal

Why govt is importing about 10 lakh tonnes tur dal

Rediff.com12 Jan 2023

Fearing likely shortage, the government on Thursday said it has made an advance plan to import about 10 lakh tonne higher quality of tur dal via private trade this year to meet the domestic requirement. The issue was discussed in a high-level meeting called by the cabinet secretary to review the prices of essential commodities, especially pulses and onions. Tur production is pegged lower at 3.89 million tonne in the 2022-23 crop year (July-June) from 4.34 million tonne in the previous year as per the initial projection made by the agriculture ministry. Tur is a kharif crop.

Over 6,900 corruption cases probed by CBI pending

Over 6,900 corruption cases probed by CBI pending

Rediff.com2 Sep 2024

Over 6,900 corruption cases probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation were pending trials in different courts, 361 for more than 20 years, according to the latest annual report of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). Besides, as many as 658 corruption cases were pending CBI investigation, 48 for more than five years.

You can now know if you bought a GM food

You can now know if you bought a GM food

Rediff.com13 Dec 2012

India might not have started growing genetically modified food crops, but it does import food products that contain GM ingredients. Consumers who buy them have no way of knowing what they contain. The government has come up with guidelines to let you know if the item purchased is genetically modified.

Celebrities can face 5-year jail, fine for misleading ads

Celebrities can face 5-year jail, fine for misleading ads

Rediff.com29 Aug 2016

The ministry has proposed similar penalty and jail term for adulteration, besides license suspension and cancellation

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Barely days after imposing a 40 per cent export tax on onions to cool down soaring prices, which, in turn, triggered widespread protests across the main growing belts, the Centre on Tuesday sought to mitigate both political and economic tensions gripping parts of Maharashtra. It decided to procure an additional 200,000 tonnes of onions at Rs 2,410 per quintal for its buffer stock from farmers, a rate that is strikingly close to the price at which they were being exported before the 40 per cent duty was levied on August 19. The export price before the imposition of the duty stood at around $320 per tonne free on board (approximately Rs 2,650 per quintal).

Amazon, Flipkart, 3 others issued notices for selling faulty pressure cookers

Amazon, Flipkart, 3 others issued notices for selling faulty pressure cookers

Rediff.com22 Nov 2021

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to five e-commerce entities, including Amazon, Flipkart and PaytmMall, as well as various sellers for offering pressure cookers that are non-compliant with BIS norms. The notices were issued on November 18 to Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal, Shopclues and PaytmMall, and the sellers. As part of celebrations of 75 years of Independence - 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', CCPA has initiated a country-wide campaign to prevent sale of spurious and counterfeit goods that violate Quality Control Orders published by the Centre, the government said in a statement on Monday.

Top-level bureaucratic reshuffle at Centre, Pant named new health secretary

Top-level bureaucratic reshuffle at Centre, Pant named new health secretary

Rediff.com14 Jun 2023

Pant, a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Rajasthan cadre, is currently secretary in the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways.

K'taka portfolios: Siddaramaiah keeps finance, Shivakumar gets irrigation

K'taka portfolios: Siddaramaiah keeps finance, Shivakumar gets irrigation

Rediff.com29 May 2023

Shivakumar has got the all-important Major and Medium Irrigation and Bengaluru City Development, including the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore Development Authority, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited.

Piyush Goyal given additional charge of Paswan's portfolios

Piyush Goyal given additional charge of Paswan's portfolios

Rediff.com9 Oct 2020

Paswan, one of India's most prominent Dalit leaders and eight-time Lok Sabha MP died on Thursday at the age of 74.

Tomato prices may touch Rs 300/kg in coming days!

Tomato prices may touch Rs 300/kg in coming days!

Rediff.com2 Aug 2023

Tomato prices are likely to touch Rs 300 per kilogram in the coming days and the prices of vegetables are also on the rise, according to wholesale traders. Kaushik, a member of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), said that vegetable wholesalers are facing losses as the sale of tomato, capsicum, and other seasonal vegetables has fallen drastically. He said that the prices of tomatoes have shot up to Rs 220 per kilo from Rs 160 per kilo in the wholesale market, owing to which retail prices can also go up.

Over 60% vote in Phase V of LS polls; highest in Bengal, lowest in Maha

Over 60% vote in Phase V of LS polls; highest in Bengal, lowest in Maha

Rediff.com21 May 2024

Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Monday in 49 constituencies in six states and two Union territories in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, with Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir recording its highest-ever voting percentage.

Pulses stock limit: Govt tweaks norms

Pulses stock limit: Govt tweaks norms

Rediff.com19 Jul 2021

The government on Monday exempted importers of pulses from stock limits, and also relaxed the norms for millers and wholesalers, in view of softening of prices of the key pulses in the country. Now, the stock limits will be applicable only on tur, urad, gram and masoor for a period up to October 31, it said. However, these entities will continue to declare their stocks on the web portal of the Department of Consumer Affairs, it added. A revised order in this regard has been notified.

Amazon fined for not displaying mandatory info about products

Amazon fined for not displaying mandatory info about products

Rediff.com25 Nov 2020

The government has imposed a penalty on e-commerce major Amazon for not displaying mandatory information, including the country of origin, of products sold on its platform, according to an official order. Last month, the consumer affairs ministry had issued notices to e-commerce majors Flipkart and Amazon for not displaying such information. The ministry has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on Bengaluru-based Amazon Seller Services as well as each of its directors as per the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the Legal Metrology (Package Commodities) Rules, 2011.

Amazon fined for selling sub-standard pressure cookers

Amazon fined for selling sub-standard pressure cookers

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on e-commerce major Amazon for selling pressure cookers that did not meet quality standards. The CCPA also directed Amazon to notify the consumers of all these 2,265 pressure cookers sold through its platform, recall the products and reimburse the prices to buyers, the Department of Consumer Affairs said in a statement.

Karnataka minister Umesh Katti dies of cardiac arrest

Karnataka minister Umesh Katti dies of cardiac arrest

Rediff.com7 Sep 2022

Karnataka Minister Umesh Katti died due to cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday night, official sources said.

Govt says retail prices of 3 pulses on declining trend

Govt says retail prices of 3 pulses on declining trend

Rediff.com18 Jun 2021

Retail prices of three pulses -- tur, moong dal and urad -- are on a declining trend after the government took coordinated actions with state governments to check hoarding, the Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry said on Friday. "The upward pressure on retail prices of tur, moong dal and urad has stabilized in 2021 and is on a stable or declining trend," it said in a statement. According to the ministry, the average increase in prices of these three pulses during April to June 16, 2021 was 0.95 per cent as compared with previous three months (January-March, 2021).