News for 'customs officials'

Wanted Punjab terrorist arrested in US; had links with ISI, BKI

Wanted Punjab terrorist arrested in US; had links with ISI, BKI

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia alias Jora, an alleged terrorist who had illegally entered the US, was arrested by the FBI and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations in Sacramento.

Elon Musk Wants You!

Elon Musk Wants You!

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

The Tesla careers page reveals there are 14 staff vacancies, of which 13 are based in Mumbai.

ISRO Arm All Set To Launch US Satellite

ISRO Arm All Set To Launch US Satellite

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

'The LVM3 rocket will orbit one Block 2 BlueBird satellite in Low Earth Orbit.'

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Rediff.com2 May 2025

The bank made a Rs 67 crore net profit, up 21% from the previous year. Its deposits grew 8%, the loan book 10%. Net bad loans dropped from 7.53% to 6.07%. So why was the banker, who headed the bank, not promoted?

Modi Eyes Trade Revival Talks With Trump

Modi Eyes Trade Revival Talks With Trump

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Ahead of the visit, officials from key government departments held intense discussions to identify key trade-related proposals.

FTA talks may figure in Sitharaman's London meetings

FTA talks may figure in Sitharaman's London meetings

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

Issues related to the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) and bilateral investment treaty between India and the UK are expected to figure during the three-day visit of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to London from April 8-10, official sources said. The minister will attend a host of meetings, including the India-United Kingdom Economic and Financial Dialogue, in London.

Budget And ULIPs: Should You Invest?

Budget And ULIPs: Should You Invest?

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

'The incentives to switch to the new tax regime... are viewed as a negative due to potential loss of customers who buy policies for saving tax.' 'The tax-saving value proposition for the sector reduces.'

CBIC Eases GST Rules, Checks Overreach

CBIC Eases GST Rules, Checks Overreach

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

The revised guidelines are aimed at curbing discretionary practices by field officers, especially the tendency to seek documents not mandated under the law.

EXPLAINED: Trump's reciprocal tariffs

EXPLAINED: Trump's reciprocal tariffs

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Here is a list of Q & As to explain these issues and implications of the US move.

Etihad takes flight as CSK's official sponsor!

Etihad takes flight as CSK's official sponsor!

Rediff.com8 Feb 2024

Gulf carrier Etihad Airways on Thursday entered into an agreement with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to become its official sponsor.

18 injured after plane crashes, flips on landing in Canada

18 injured after plane crashes, flips on landing in Canada

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Two runways at the airport will remain closed as officials investigate the incident, according to the airport's CEO Deborah Flint, CNN reported.

Upholding constitutional ethos hallmark of CJI Sanjiv Khanna's tenure

Upholding constitutional ethos hallmark of CJI Sanjiv Khanna's tenure

Rediff.com13 May 2025

Some of his directives had the Supreme Court judges disclose their assets whereas the row over the discovery of cash from a sitting judge's official residence paved way for inquiry.

Proposed RBI norms may hit gold-loan NBFCs in near term: Analysts

Proposed RBI norms may hit gold-loan NBFCs in near term: Analysts

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) draft guidelines on gold loans, if implemented in their current form, are expected to impact non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and mid-tier banks in the near term, more significantly than larger banks, according to analysts.

Two Insurers Announce Investment In Bima Sugam

Two Insurers Announce Investment In Bima Sugam

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

New India Assurance and Niva Bupa have invested in the Bima Sugam India Federation.

What Trump Tariffs Can India Expect On April 2?

What Trump Tariffs Can India Expect On April 2?

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

'As negotiations continue, the path forward demands not only diplomatic skill, but also vigilance against legal asymmetries embedded in America's trade playbook.'

US judge stops Indian student's deportation weeks before graduation

US judge stops Indian student's deportation weeks before graduation

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

Krish Lal Isserdasani is an engineering student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Owaisi, Congress MP move SC against Waqf Bill

Owaisi, Congress MP move SC against Waqf Bill

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi have challenged the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Supreme Court, arguing that it violates constitutional provisions. The petitions claim the bill imposes arbitrary restrictions on Waqf properties and their management, undermining the religious autonomy of the Muslim community. They also allege that the bill discriminates against Muslims by imposing restrictions not present in the governance of other religious endowments. The bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, with the petitioners arguing that it introduces limitations on the creation of Waqfs based on the duration of one's religious practice, mandates inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf administrative bodies, and shifts key administrative functions to government officials, thereby diluting the autonomy of Waqf management.

'Strongly told US...': India on treatment of deportees

'Strongly told US...': India on treatment of deportees

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

India has expressed concern to the US authorities over the treatment of deportees on a flight that landed on February 5, particularly with respect to the use of shackles, especially on women. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also registered its concerns regarding the need to accommodate the religious sensitivities and food preferences of the deportees. The US side has confirmed that no women or children were restrained on the deportation flights that landed in India on 15th and 16th February, 2025.

RBI Forex Intervention Hits Highest In 17 Years

RBI Forex Intervention Hits Highest In 17 Years

Rediff.com23 May 2025

In response to the panic triggered by Trump's trade policies, the RBI net sold approximately $43 billion in the second half of FY25 to curb volatility, as the rupee plunged to a low of 87.95 per dollar in February this year.

Indian Student fled US as immigration agents came knocking

Indian Student fled US as immigration agents came knocking

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian student at Columbia University, has left the United States after her student visa was revoked over allegations of supporting Hamas. Srinivasan, a PhD student in Urban Planning, claims her visa was revoked for engaging in protected political speech. The Trump administration has been accused of targeting pro-Palestinian demonstrators through the use of federal immigration powers, and this case has drawn attention to the potential for free speech suppression in the United States.

US agents check gurdwaras for illegal immigrants

US agents check gurdwaras for illegal immigrants

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

Law enforcement officials from the US Department of Homeland Security have started visiting gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey to check for the presence of illegal immigrants, drawing a sharp reaction from some Sikh organisations which see such actions as a threat to the sanctity of their faith. The Trump administration has rescinded the Biden administration's guidelines that protected places of worship from immigration enforcement actions, leading to concerns that gurdwaras are being targeted. Sikh organisations argue that gurdwaras are not just places of worship but also vital community centres and that surveillance and raids by armed law enforcement would burden religious exercise and limit the ability of Sikhs to gather and associate with one another.

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

The US Trade Representative noted that India's average applied tariff rate stood at 17% per cent, the highest of any major world economy.

Why health insurance premium growth is in slow lane

Why health insurance premium growth is in slow lane

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

Health insurance premium growth has slowed after touching record highs during the Covid-19 pandemic due to tapering demand from retail consumers amid affordability issues. According to General Insurance Council data, health insurance premiums grew by 10.44 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in the Apr-Jan period of FY25 in comparison with 20.79 per cent in the year-ago period. It was around 23.57 per cent in FY23, and 25.89 per cent in FY22.

Banks urge RBI for boards' workload mgmt

Banks urge RBI for boards' workload mgmt

Rediff.com19 Nov 2024

Private sector bank board members have urged the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) top brass to consider workload management of the boards as they feel there are too many issues that go to the boards for approval and the situation becomes unmanageable at times. The views were conveyed to the regulator on Monday in a conference of directors of private sector bank boards on the theme "Transformative Governance Through Sound Boards". RBI governor Shaktikanta Das, deputy governors Swaminathan J and M Rajeshwar Rao, and other senior officials of the central bank participated in the conference.

Shopping abroad? Customs is watching you

Shopping abroad? Customs is watching you

Rediff.com28 Nov 2007

The Page Three and pullouts of leading newspapers, dealing with the good life of the rich and famous, have a new set of readers -- the customs officials. Recently, customs officials at the Mumbai international airport found that wife of a business tycoon, who had arrived from Europe along with a few friends, had failed to declare items which included mink and fur items and expensive purses.

From Tesla to Mercedes, luxury carmakers head South

From Tesla to Mercedes, luxury carmakers head South

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

In 2024 alone, South India saw the highest rise in sales in the luxury segment, with Tamil Nadu reportedly registering a 19.3 per cent increase in premium car registrations from 2022-23

India's services sector growth sees sharp uptick in Feb

India's services sector growth sees sharp uptick in Feb

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

India's services sector activity witnessed a sharp uptick in February boosted by improving domestic and international demand, which resulted in a quicker expansion in output and a substantial increase in employment, a monthly survey said on Wednesday. The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index rose from January's 26-month low of 56.5 to 59.0 in February, indicating a sharp rate of expansion.

VW to drive in Golf GTI, Tiguan R-line in India

VW to drive in Golf GTI, Tiguan R-line in India

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

German carmaker Volkswagen will be driving in its two globally acclaimed performance models Golf GTI and Tiguan R-line in India as part of its steps to enhance brand positioning in the country, a senior company official said on Monday.

India, US decide to hold sector-specific talks for proposed trade pact

India, US decide to hold sector-specific talks for proposed trade pact

Rediff.com29 Mar 2025

India and the US have decided to hold sector-specific talks in the coming weeks to finalise the structure of the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), the government said on Saturday. The engagement between the two countries came in the backdrop of the USA's threat to impose reciprocal tariffs on its key trading partners, including India, on April 2.

India, US to finalise broad contours of proposed trade deal soon

India, US to finalise broad contours of proposed trade deal soon

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

India and the US will sit together in the next couple of weeks to decide on the nature of the proposed trade agreement and finalise its broad contours, a senior official said on Monday. During the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington, India and the US announced to more than double the two-way commerce to $500 billion by 2030 and negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by fall of 2025.

2nd US flight with 119 deportees to arrive in Punjab today

2nd US flight with 119 deportees to arrive in Punjab today

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

The deportation of 104 Indian nationals from the US, followed by another 119 set to arrive in Amritsar on Saturday night, has sparked controversy in India over the treatment of returnees. The US government's intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants has led to criticism of the use of handcuffs and shackles for deportees, even those who have committed no crimes beyond immigration violations. The issue has led to heated debates in the Indian Parliament, with opposition leaders demanding an inquiry into the deportation process. The Indian government is engaging with US officials to ensure the humane treatment of deportees, while also facing the challenge of reintegrating returnees into Indian society. The deportations highlight the ongoing tension between border control and human rights, and the complexities of US-India relations.

McIlroy's US Open trophy with Chinese customs

McIlroy's US Open trophy with Chinese customs

Rediff.com3 Dec 2011

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy's management team are locked in a battle with Chinese customs officials to release the US Open trophy the Northern Irishman won earlier this year so it can be taken to the season-ending Dubai World Championship next week.

Telcos seek easing of 'stringent quality of service' norms

Telcos seek easing of 'stringent quality of service' norms

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

Continuing to push back against the stringent quality of service (QoS) norms brought in by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), telcos have informed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) that collection and submission of monthly and site-to-cell-level data should be eased, officials and industry sources said. In place since October last year, the QoS norms call for data for network availability, call drop, voice packet drop rate in uplink and downlink, among other parameters, to be collected at the cell level.

ED probes agents' network facilitating Indians' illegal US entry via Canada

ED probes agents' network facilitating Indians' illegal US entry via Canada

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating a complex network of agents and facilitators in India, Canada, and the US who assist Indians in illegally entering the US through fraudulent admissions to Canadian colleges. Over 8,500 financial transactions are under scrutiny by the ED in a case related to money laundering, stemming from a 2023 Gujarat Police crime branch FIR. The investigation includes international financial companies involved in remittances abroad, with the ED conducting 35 searches in the past year and seizing assets worth Rs 92 lakh. The issue has gained significant attention following the deportation of 104 Indians from the US on Wednesday. The investigation is linked to the tragic death of an Indian family in January 2022, who perished while attempting to cross the Canada-US border illegally. The ED has identified a network of agents and facilitators who manage and facilitate the stay, transportation, visa arrangements, and legal matters of illegal immigrants who gained admission to Canadian colleges through fraudulent means. The investigation has revealed that the fees paid to Canadian colleges were remitted back to individuals' accounts, with around 8,500 transactions identified between September 2021 and August 2024. The ED suspects that approximately 370 individuals have entered the US using this illegal immigration scheme. The agency has recorded statements from parents and guardians of students enrolled in Canadian colleges and continues its investigation.

CBI books ED officer for extorting Shimla institutes; recovers Rs 1 cr

CBI books ED officer for extorting Shimla institutes; recovers Rs 1 cr

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR against an Enforcement Directorate (ED) assistant director who escaped during a trap operation last week. The ED officer, posted in Shimla, is accused of demanding bribes from promoters of educational institutes in Himachal Pradesh. The CBI has already arrested the officer's brother and a middleman in connection with the case. The ED officer and his supervisory officers have been transferred to Delhi.

Avoid Mini Trade Deal With US

Avoid Mini Trade Deal With US

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

The Budget has given signals that India is sensitive to the US needs and willing to walk the extra mile, but if need be, we should respond in equal measure as a sovereign nation, notes Ajay Srivastava.

Gold worth crores of rupees missing from customs secure vaults

Gold worth crores of rupees missing from customs secure vaults

Rediff.com16 Sep 2015

Theft of gold from five packets had been reported to the police on January 16, 20, April 30.

How to get more bang for the buck out of field agents

How to get more bang for the buck out of field agents

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Will allowing business correspondents to hawk insurance products help in reviving 5-lakh strong field agents as a viable channel?

Centre waives off customs duty on oxygen, vaccines

Centre waives off customs duty on oxygen, vaccines

Rediff.com24 Apr 2021

This will boost availability of these items as well as make them cheaper, it said, adding that Modi also directed the revenue department to ensure seamless and quick custom clearance of such equipment.

Cooking gas to be costlier by Rs 50 from Tuesday

Cooking gas to be costlier by Rs 50 from Tuesday

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

Cooking gas or Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) price has been raised by Rs 50 per cylinder by distribution companies, Union Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday.