News for 'customs officials'

India, US trade talks to start from April 23 in Washington

India, US trade talks to start from April 23 in Washington

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

Indian and US officials will begin deliberations on the proposed bilateral trade agreement in Washington from Wednesday with an aim to iron out issues and give an impetus to the negotiations.

Piyush Goyal to lead team to Washington for trade talks

Piyush Goyal to lead team to Washington for trade talks

Rediff.com14 May 2025

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will lead a team of senior Indian officials to Washington starting May 16 for discussions with their US counterparts on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), an official said on Tuesday. Goyal is expected to hold meetings with US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during his visit.

Will ATMs Dispense Rs 100, 200 By September?

Will ATMs Dispense Rs 100, 200 By September?

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Filling of Rs 100 and Rs 200 notes result in faster depletion and more frequent cash replenishment. This will cost banks and managed service providers more.

Reliance Defence to get artillery shells, explosives from German firm

Reliance Defence to get artillery shells, explosives from German firm

Rediff.com22 May 2025

Reliance Defence and Germany-based Rheinmetall have agreed on a 'strategic partnership' in the field of ammunition, officials on Thursday said.

Hyderabad's Karachi Bakery faces protest over its name

Hyderabad's Karachi Bakery faces protest over its name

Rediff.com12 May 2025

Around 10-15 members, holding the tricolour and wearing saffron scarves, gathered in front of the Karachi Bakery store at Shamshabad on Saturday afternoon and raised "anti-Pakistan slogans".

Nearly 90% of orders in Feb sales fully paid: Ola Electric

Nearly 90% of orders in Feb sales fully paid: Ola Electric

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

Ola Electric on Tuesday clarified that its February sales figures reflect genuine customer orders after full payments, and not just preliminary bookings with a token amount, stating that "nearly 90 per cent" of these orders were paid in full at the time of placement. "To be clear, the sales figures for February 2025 represent genuine customer demand backed by financial commitment, not token-amount bookings.

India draws up blueprint to reduce US trade surplus

India draws up blueprint to reduce US trade surplus

Rediff.com28 Apr 2025

India's major imports from the US include crude oil and petroleum products, gold and jewellery, plastics, aircraft, and electrical machinery and components. The key exports to the US comprise pharmaceuticals and biologicals, telecom equipment, precious and semi-precious stones, petroleum products, gold and precious metal jewellery, and ready-made garments.

Most PSBs see decline in headcount even as branches spread

Most PSBs see decline in headcount even as branches spread

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

At a time when the finance ministry is focusing on addressing employee grievances, the number of employees in most public-sector banks (PSBs) has declined over the last three financial years.

Why gold import computation went wrong

Why gold import computation went wrong

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

The government's initiative to migrate SEZ data from NSDL software to ICEGATE system for streamlined reporting of import data caused double counting of gold imports, resulting in inflated figures and the issue has now been largely rectified, government sources said. The downward revision has provided the actual picture of trade deficit (difference between imports and exports), which was earlier looking very high. The deficit for November will now be revised downwards from $37.84 billion to about $32.8 billion. Similarly, there will be a revision in overall import numbers as well.

Serena, Simone, Sha'Carri Rule Met Gala

Serena, Simone, Sha'Carri Rule Met Gala

Rediff.com6 May 2025

From Grand Slam champions to Olympic gold medalists, some of the world's most iconic athletes brought their signature style to the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Body massager can't be used as sex toy: HC raps Customs dept

Body massager can't be used as sex toy: HC raps Customs dept

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

The Commissioner of Customs had confiscated the goods claiming that the body massagers could be used as adult sex toys and such items are prohibited for import.

TCS net profit dips 1.68% to Rs 12,224 cr in March quarter

TCS net profit dips 1.68% to Rs 12,224 cr in March quarter

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

India's largest IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services on Thursday reported a 1.68 per cent dip in its consolidated net profit to Rs 12,224 crore for the March 2025 quarter. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) - whose earnings marked the official start of IT results season - reported a total revenue of Rs 64,479 crore in Q4 FY25, up 5.3 per cent over the year-ago period.

It Starts With A Casual Bet And Then...

It Starts With A Casual Bet And Then...

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

In 2025 alone, at least 50 suicides linked to online gambling losses have been reported across India. According to FIRs, the victims were addicted to betting, largely driven by cricket, rummy and poker.

21 stranded Pak nationals enter Pak via Attari-Wagah border

21 stranded Pak nationals enter Pak via Attari-Wagah border

Rediff.com2 May 2025

About 21 Pakistani nationals stranded at the Attari-Wagah border following the expiry of the Indian government's deadline for them to leave the country crossed over into Pakistan through the land route of the Integrated Check Post on Friday, officials said. In wake of last week's Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government cancelled all types of visas granted to Pakistani nationals and ordered them to leave by April 30. The Attari-Wagah border, located near Amritsar in India and Lahore in Pakistan, was shut on Thursday after being kept open till April 30. According to reports, about 70 Pakistani nationals were stranded at the border on Thursday after the deadline for them to leave India expired a day earlier. The 21 Pakistani nationals who entered Pakistan till 12 pm on Friday had been camping on the roads outside the Integrated Check Post. About 50 more Pakistani nationals are queuing outside the Integrated Check Post and may be allowed to cross over into Pakistan after due clearance of customs and immigration authorities. Pakistan on Friday announced it would continue to allow the use of the Wagah border crossing for its citizens stranded in India.

MNS workers slap mall staffer for refusing to speak Marathi

MNS workers slap mall staffer for refusing to speak Marathi

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

In a video which has gone viral on social media, the store employee is heard telling a customer, "I will not speak in Marathi, I will speak only in Hindi. Do what you want to do."

Pak man dies of cardiac arrest ahead of deportation in Amritsar

Pak man dies of cardiac arrest ahead of deportation in Amritsar

Rediff.com1 May 2025

Abdul Waheed was brought from Srinagar by the Jammu and Kashmir police for his repatriation to Pakistan.

Rare Earth Magnet Shortage: Will China Play Ball?

Rare Earth Magnet Shortage: Will China Play Ball?

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

The 17 rare earth elements that are at the centre of the current crisis are critical components of everyday products -- from cars to jet engines to electronics like smartphones and flat-screen TVs.

Why 500,000 Indians Visited Vietnam

Why 500,000 Indians Visited Vietnam

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

Stunning landscapes, natural beauty, clean beaches, cultural wealth, mouth-watering food, shopping options, safety for solo travellers, warm hospitality, easy visas, and connectivity make Vietnam a must-visit destination, discovers Ramesh Menon.

Telco staffer's refusal to speak in Marathi sparks row; BJP seeks action

Telco staffer's refusal to speak in Marathi sparks row; BJP seeks action

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

BJP MLC Chitra Wagh has called for promoting the use of the Marathi language in Maharashtra after a video of an Airtel employee refusing to speak Marathi with a customer went viral. Wagh, who heads the women's wing of the Maharashtra BJP, said that anyone residing in Maharashtra should know Marathi or be willing to learn it. She demanded action against the employee and called for all Airtel employees to be proficient in Marathi.

Skoda India gears up for EV play with local push

Skoda India gears up for EV play with local push

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

Skoda Auto India, the Czech carmaker that has recently found success with its compact SUV Kylaq, says it remains committed to developing a fully localised electric vehicle (EV). The EV will be manufactured at its Chakan facility for both Indian market and exports.

Costao Review: Dynamic Nawaz

Costao Review: Dynamic Nawaz

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

Sejal Shah's flatly-narrated timeline would probably serve better as a documentary, observes Sukanya Verma.

Tata Sons chief apologises for Air India crash, says AI171 had clean record

Tata Sons chief apologises for Air India crash, says AI171 had clean record

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

When specifically asked about the reason for the crash and whether Air India is privy to any preliminary findings, Chandrasekaran said, "One would have to wait for the probe to conclude."

Bengaluru Tragedy: Why India Must Rethink Crowd Safety

Bengaluru Tragedy: Why India Must Rethink Crowd Safety

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

What happened in Bengaluru is a wake-up call, no celebration of sport should ever come at the cost of human life, asserts veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.

Modi-Musk Talk: Will Starlink Get Go Ahead?

Modi-Musk Talk: Will Starlink Get Go Ahead?

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

Starlink's application for offering satcom services in India had been held up for the company's inability to comply with mandatory ownership disclosure norms.

India could double US energy purchases this year to offset tariff threat

India could double US energy purchases this year to offset tariff threat

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

India's purchase of US crude oil has picked up in 2025 and could easily double their previous levels, government officials said on Wednesday. The surge comes in the wake of the then-incoming Donald Trump administration's announcement that it would consider hiking tariffs on a reciprocal basis, and pushed some countries, especially those with large trade surpluses with the US, to buy more of its energy.

India, US trade talks likely to resume in Washington

India, US trade talks likely to resume in Washington

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

An Indian official team is likely to visit Washington next week to iron out differences on certain issues before formally launching negotiations for the proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA), an official said. The visit, which comes within weeks of a high-level US team visiting India, indicates that the talks for the BTA are gaining momentum.

Strait of Hormuz closure: How it will impact India

Strait of Hormuz closure: How it will impact India

Rediff.com22 Jun 2025

US strikes on Iran's three main nuclear facilities have once again raised concerns that Tehran might shut down the Strait of Hormuz - one of the world's most critical chokepoints, through which a fifth of global oil and gas supply flows.

Another team from India will visit Washington this month for trade talks

Another team from India will visit Washington this month for trade talks

Rediff.com8 May 2025

A team of senior officials from India will again visit Washington this month to hold discussions with their US counterparts on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), government sources said on Thursday. To give impetus to the talks, India's chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, special secretary in the Department of Commerce, and Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch had last month held three-day talks in Washington.

Payments banks urge FinMin to raise deposit limit to Rs 5 lakh

Payments banks urge FinMin to raise deposit limit to Rs 5 lakh

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

Payments banks have urged the Union finance ministry to increase their deposit limit for each account to Rs 5 lakh, according to a source who participated in a meeting, chaired by the Department of Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju, in New Delhi. At present, they can accept deposits of up to Rs 2 lakh.

Kannada actress arrested with 15 kg gold is DGP's daughter

Kannada actress arrested with 15 kg gold is DGP's daughter

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of gold. Authorities suspect she may have attempted to use her connections to bypass customs checks. Officials are investigating whether she was acting alone or part of a larger smuggling network.

Ola Electric is accelerating profitability drive

Ola Electric is accelerating profitability drive

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

Ola Electric has eliminated its regional warehouses across India, and will now leverage its 4,000 retail stores nationwide for maintaining vehicle inventory, spare parts, accessories, and last-mile deliveries. The strategic move is expected to boost EBITDA margins by almost 10 percentage points, besides improving inventory management and faster customer deliveries, sources directly familiar with the matter said.

BookMyShow has removed Kunal Kamra from list of performers, claims Shiv Sena

BookMyShow has removed Kunal Kamra from list of performers, claims Shiv Sena

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

Shiv Sena functionary Rahool Kanal has claimed that BookMyShow has removed stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra from its platform following protests from the party. Kanal, the social media in-charge of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, thanked BookMyShow CEO Ashish Hemrajani for "keeping its portal clean and keeping such artist out of the list of pure entertainment." BookMyShow has not commented on the matter. Kanal was booked along with Shiv Sainiks for allegedly vandalising the studio where Kamra had performed and alluded to Shinde while making a traitor jibe, which snowballed into a major row.

India's next big business op: Hub for undersea cables?

India's next big business op: Hub for undersea cables?

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

While India has become the largest data generating nation, and hosts more than 152 data centres, it is fed by only 18 undersea cables.

Trade talks: India, US to hold wrap-up session on Sat

Trade talks: India, US to hold wrap-up session on Sat

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

India and the visiting US officials have decided to hold a wrap-up session on Saturday morning to conclude the three-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement, government sources said. They said the discussions are at a "very" early stage.

London's Heathrow airport closure disrupts flight ops

London's Heathrow airport closure disrupts flight ops

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

Following a significant power outage, operations at the London Heathrow (LHR) have been suspended till 2359 hours (local time) on March 21 (05.30 am March 22, IST).

India-Pak tensions: Govt extends closure of 28 airports till May 15

India-Pak tensions: Govt extends closure of 28 airports till May 15

Rediff.com9 May 2025

A senior government official confirmed that after a meeting with other stakeholders, the decision has been taken and airlines and airport authorities have been informed about it.

Bomb threat 'non-credible' but...: American Airlines on Delhi flight

Bomb threat 'non-credible' but...: American Airlines on Delhi flight

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

However, it said that the Delhi airport protocol required the aircraft to be inspected elsewhere before being cleared to land.

Messi's India return set to break records

Messi's India return set to break records

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi will return to India in October to play an exhibition match in Kerala.

How To Make Banks Treat Customers Fairly

How To Make Banks Treat Customers Fairly

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

Nobody is held accountable for lapses, no matter how badly it affects the person or business whose accounts are frozen. Nor is there compensation for losses. Most people get to know their accounts are blocked only when a cheque bounces, points out Debashis Basu.

US Visa Cancellations: Indians Hit Hardest

US Visa Cancellations: Indians Hit Hardest

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

'If you follow the law, America offers opportunities. But those who violate the law will face the consequences.'