News for 'consumer protection'

17 Acts to be amended through Finance Bill

17 Acts to be amended through Finance Bill

Rediff.com23 Mar 2017

Govt to scrap 8 appellate tribunals; National Company Law Appellate Tribunal to take over Competition Appellate Tribunal's duties

Final norms on small, payments banks by November: RBI

Final norms on small, payments banks by November: RBI

Rediff.com30 Sep 2014

Draft guidelines for Small Banks and Payments Banks were issued by the RBI in July and comments were invited till August 28.

Of power, privatisation and politics

Of power, privatisation and politics

Rediff.com26 Aug 2021

As the Centre pushes reforms in the power sector, especially for the beleaguered electricity distribution segment, several states, especially those ruled by Opposition parties, are clamouring against it. Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerela have voiced their reservations against the proposed amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003. The irony is the states opposing the amendments on the ground of threat of privatisation already have private partnerships in power supply. The proposed Bill was slated to be placed on the floor of Parliament in the Monsoon session. But it still awaits Cabinet approval amid several states complaining that they have been not consulted on the issue.

Millions of Covid vaccine doses are set to expire in India

Millions of Covid vaccine doses are set to expire in India

Rediff.com20 Jun 2022

Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) is sitting on 200 million doses of Covishield that were manufactured in December and are set to expire in September. The company is likely to destroy these vaccines if nothing works out, Sohini Das reports.

Steadfast farmers work on immunity, seek Covid vaccination

Steadfast farmers work on immunity, seek Covid vaccination

Rediff.com9 May 2021

Hundreds of farmers, chiefly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, continue to encamp Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur border points of Delhi despite "a few" of them being removed after testing positive for COVID-19 and some symptomatic protesters undergoing medication.

How Covid has triggered wave of innovations in India

How Covid has triggered wave of innovations in India

Rediff.com14 Sep 2020

Some of these items of consumption include ultraviolet disinfectants and sanitising boxes, free-finger touch devices, do-it-yourself grooming kits, self-cleaning water bottles, smart tiffin boxes, hand-sanitizer wearables, antiviral fabrics, tiles, flooring and mattresses, and anti-fogging glasses.

Birbhum Killings: Politician-Police-Criminal Nexus

Birbhum Killings: Politician-Police-Criminal Nexus

Rediff.com2 Apr 2022

The cycle of violence resulting from the increasing criminalisation of politics cannot stop, will not stop, unless there is a wider political consensus against relying on criminal mafias for electoral purposes, argues Virendra Kapoor.

Expect Another Rate Hike In December

Expect Another Rate Hike In December

Rediff.com14 Oct 2022

Probably 35 bps. There could be even an encore in February 2023 to take the policy rate to 6.5% before the financial year ends, predicts Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Uber to launch ride-booking via WhatsApp in India

Uber to launch ride-booking via WhatsApp in India

Rediff.com2 Dec 2021

Uber and WhatsApp on Thursday announced a partnership that will allow people in the country to book a ride via WhatsApp - a global-first initiative by the ride-hailing platform. With this integration, riders will no longer need to download or use the Uber app. Everything - from user registration, booking a ride and getting a trip receipt - will be managed within the WhatsApp chat interface, a statement said. The integration is a global-first for Uber, and it will make booking a ride as easy as sending a WhatsApp message, it added.

Maggi noodles clears final tests, relaunch likely this month

Maggi noodles clears final tests, relaunch likely this month

Rediff.com4 Nov 2015

Nestle says newly manufactured Maggi found safe in tests; to start retail sales this month.

Indian economy fast preparing to bounce back: PM

Indian economy fast preparing to bounce back: PM

Rediff.com18 Jun 2020

India's growth and success is guaranteed, he said propagating his idea of making the country self-reliant by cutting imports.

Don't Be OVER-OBSESSED With Stocks

Don't Be OVER-OBSESSED With Stocks

Rediff.com3 Jan 2022

Exposure to debt funds and gold is essential even if current returns from these asset classes are low, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

PM Modi, Union ministers wish nation on Republic Day

PM Modi, Union ministers wish nation on Republic Day

Rediff.com26 Jan 2021

India is celebrating its 72nd Republic Day, the day its Constitution came into force in 1950.

Farmers haven't 'properly understood' new laws: Niti Aayog member

Farmers haven't 'properly understood' new laws: Niti Aayog member

Rediff.com29 Nov 2020

'If these new farm laws are allowed to be implemented, there are very high chances of big increase in income of the farmers and in many states, it may even double'

Dealing with bitcoins? Do so at your own risk

Dealing with bitcoins? Do so at your own risk

Rediff.com14 Dec 2017

Short-term capital gains tax of 30% is likely to be levied if bitcoin is held for less than three years and 20% if held for longer than 36 months.

Customers, dealers left in the dark on VW scandal

Customers, dealers left in the dark on VW scandal

Rediff.com24 Sep 2015

The German group has set aside 6.5 billion euros ($7.3 billion) to help cover the costs of the crisis and said that 11 million of its cars could be affected worldwide.

Trade margins capped at 70% for oximeters, BP meters, other medical devices

Trade margins capped at 70% for oximeters, BP meters, other medical devices

Rediff.com14 Jul 2021

The medical devices, which have been in high demand during the Covid-19 pandemic, will now see a drop in prices, as the earlier margins were up to 709 per cent for some of these products.

Volvo S60 takes the safety-first mantra seriously

Volvo S60 takes the safety-first mantra seriously

Rediff.com19 Jan 2021

With all the safety equipment that it features, the S60 could be the smarter, more mature sedan alternative that consumers in this price category want, says Pavan Lall.

Only hallmarked gold jewellery to be sold from Jan 2021: Paswan

Only hallmarked gold jewellery to be sold from Jan 2021: Paswan

Rediff.com15 Jan 2020

Consumers have to watch out for four marks on hallmarked gold jewellery: BIS mark, purity in carat, assay centre's name and jewellers' identification mark.

Cap on fares, capacity hurting aviation sector recovery

Cap on fares, capacity hurting aviation sector recovery

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

The Indian aviation market's recovery has been significantly impacted by caps on fare and capacity that has been placed by the government since May last year, said Willie Walsh, the director general of global airlines body IATA, on Tuesday. When India resumed the scheduled domestic flights on May 25 last year after a two-month break in view of COVID-19 lockdown, it had allowed the carriers to operate not more than 33 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic services. This capacity cap has been gradually increased and it now stands at 65 per cent.

Cabinet okays 9 telecom reforms: 100% FDI, 4-year stay on dues and more

Cabinet okays 9 telecom reforms: 100% FDI, 4-year stay on dues and more

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

In big bang reforms, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a relief package for the telecom sector that includes a four-year moratorium on payment of statutory dues by telecom companies as well as allowing 100 per cent foreign investment through the automatic route. Briefing reporters on the decisions taken by the Cabinet, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said nine structural reforms for the telecom sector were approved. The definition of AGR, which had been a major reason for the stress in the sector, has been rationalised by excluding non-telecom revenue of telecom companies.

The many impacts of the Real Estate Bill on home buyers

The many impacts of the Real Estate Bill on home buyers

Rediff.com14 Dec 2015

The need for a regulatory authority has been felt since a long time in the real estate sector, struggling for many years due to tough market and economic conditions.

Do sunscreens really work?

Do sunscreens really work?

Rediff.com29 Jul 2018

The way sunscreen is applied determines how effective it is.

Biden bars Russian flights, says Putin wrong, US is ready

Biden bars Russian flights, says Putin wrong, US is ready

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

"Throughout our history we've learned this lesson -- when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising," Biden said addressing the joint session of the Congress in his first State of the Union.

Will Uber win India? Or Ola?

Will Uber win India? Or Ola?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2016

Tariff cap offers Ola relief in battle with Uber. Though it might hurt their earnings, Ola believes the Karnataka High Court's judgement levels the playing field with Uber.

State can't get free pass saying 'national security': SC orders Pegasus probe panel

State can't get free pass saying 'national security': SC orders Pegasus probe panel

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

Citing national security, the Centre had refused to file a detailed affidavit in the matter.

How to Stay SAFE in the Monsoon

How to Stay SAFE in the Monsoon

Rediff.com16 Jun 2021

Always boil water or at least filter it before drinking to avoid all possible water borne diseases.

Tata Group is once again India's most valuable brand

Tata Group is once again India's most valuable brand

Rediff.com7 Jun 2021

The total value of India's top 100 brands has increased by 2 per cent, from $162.1 billion in 2020 to $164.9 billion in 2021, according to the latest Brand Finance India 100 2021 report. This uplift in brand value over the course of the first year of the pandemic is an impressive feat given the global economic crisis following the implementation of national lockdowns in March 2020, when business activity was brought to a halt, affecting both production and consumption. Among the brands that came on the top of the list include Tata Group, Reliance Industries, and Mahindra Group.

Farmers' stir: India's largest mandi faces huge losses

Farmers' stir: India's largest mandi faces huge losses

Rediff.com16 Dec 2020

"It is certainly affected. As you know the border is closed. The customers are coming in lesser number than before and so is the supply of goods into the market. There is a lack of supply and also a lack of buyers," vegetable wholesaler, Sumer Singh Saini told ANI when asked whether the business in the market is affected due to the agitation.

Is A Vaccine Booster Needed?

Is A Vaccine Booster Needed?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2021

'There is no emergency of a third wave that we are rushing for booster doses.'

Odisha to float global tender to procure COVID-19 vaccines

Odisha to float global tender to procure COVID-19 vaccines

Rediff.com10 May 2021

Facing an acute shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, the Odisha government on Monday decided to float a global tender for procuring the vaccine to inoculate the states entire population, Chief Secretary S C Mohapatra said.

Nearly 33% of India's medical devices capacity lying unused

Nearly 33% of India's medical devices capacity lying unused

Rediff.com7 Dec 2021

After ramping up production to meet the steep demand spike during the Covid-19 pandemic, Indian medical device makers are now struggling with idle capacity. According to industry estimates, around a third of the installed capacity, especially for consumables, disposables, small-ticket electronic items, etc., is lying unutilised. Sample this: India used to produce just 6.24 million pieces of PPE kits per annum before the pandemic, but by June this was ramped up to 233.87 million pieces per annum.

Coronavirus: Windfall likely for medical device firms

Coronavirus: Windfall likely for medical device firms

Rediff.com7 Feb 2020

As fear grips the world, demand for protective gear used by health care professionals and citizens is on a rise. And, supply disruption from China has opened a window of opportunities for Indian medical device makers.

CES 2022: Fantastic Futuristic Cars

CES 2022: Fantastic Futuristic Cars

Rediff.com17 Jan 2022

Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com brings you some of the innovative cars presented at the latest edition of the Consumer Electronics Show.

How Ukraine war has put India's automakers in a fix

How Ukraine war has put India's automakers in a fix

Rediff.com29 Mar 2022

The sharp increase in commodity prices on account of the Russia-Ukraine war has put automakers in a fix. After the frequent price hikes in the current fiscal, manufacturers fear that any more price increases may further dent the already weak demand in certain segments. "We have taken several hikes and cannot immediately do it again. "We will have to closely watch the situation and act accordingly," said an official at an auto firm, declining to be identified. Even for companies like Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, which has had a strong volume run and a robust order book, passing on the entire costs has been tough.

Why govt MUST use private healthcare to fight COVID-19

Why govt MUST use private healthcare to fight COVID-19

Rediff.com31 Mar 2020

'Most of the testing capacity in India is in the private sector.' 'Whether it is the established RT-PCR test for COVID-19, or it is other innovations in testing that are now coming up, all these are fully within the capabilities of the private sector.' 'Health policy should harness these capabilities,' says Ajay Shah.

Environment Day: India advances ethanol-blending target by 5 yrs

Environment Day: India advances ethanol-blending target by 5 yrs

Rediff.com5 Jun 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the target date for achieving 20 per cent ethanol-blending with petrol has been advanced by five years to 2025 to cut pollution and reduce import dependence.

GST Council meet on Friday to discuss cutting tax on Covid medicines

GST Council meet on Friday to discuss cutting tax on Covid medicines

Rediff.com27 May 2021

Ahead of the first meeting of the top decision-making body in nearly eight months, finance ministers of eight states ruled by non-Bharatiya Janata Party and like-minded parties -- Rajasthan, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Kerala and West Bengal -- have devised a joint strategy to press for a zero tax rate on Covid essentials, sources said.

US sues Facebook over acquiring WhatsApp, Instagram

US sues Facebook over acquiring WhatsApp, Instagram

Rediff.com10 Dec 2020

Social media giant accused of anti-competitive conduct by abusing its market power to create a monopoly and crushing smaller competitors.

'Stop procrastinating. No dream is too big'

'Stop procrastinating. No dream is too big'

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

'Everything is possible if you are willing to give it your best shot.' 'And while you go about achieving your dreams, don't forget to care for our planet.'