News for 'customs officials'

India-EFTA trade pact: How Swiss firms stand to gain

India-EFTA trade pact: How Swiss firms stand to gain

Rediff.com10 Mar 2024

Domestic customers will get access to high-quality Swiss products such as watches, chocolates, biscuits, and clocks at lower prices as India will phase out customs duties under its trade pact with the EFTA bloc on these goods over a period of time. India and the four-European nation bloc EFTA signed a trade and economic partnership agreement (TEPA) on Sunday to boost trade and investments between the two regions. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

India, EFTA sign $100-billion free trade pact

India, EFTA sign $100-billion free trade pact

Rediff.com10 Mar 2024

Domestic customers will get access to high-quality Swiss products such as watches, chocolates, biscuits, and clocks at lower prices as India will phase out customs duties under its trade pact with the EFTA bloc on these goods over a period of time. India and the four-European nation bloc EFTA signed a trade and economic partnership agreement (TEPA) on Sunday to boost trade and investments between the two regions. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

15,940 Indians Tried To Enter US Illegally In Oct-Nov

15,940 Indians Tried To Enter US Illegally In Oct-Nov

Rediff.com3 Jan 2024

'Our missions do not have any reliable data on the number of Indians staying or working illegally in foreign countries,' the MEA says.

Customers throng GTB branches

Customers throng GTB branches

Rediff.com26 Jul 2004

Panic-stricken customers of Global Trust Bank continued to throng its seven branches across the capital since early morning to withdraw cash, even as the bank officials said the GTB had enough liquidity to pay the account-holders.

Budget focuses on jobs and skilling, keeping 2 allies happy

Budget focuses on jobs and skilling, keeping 2 allies happy

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced income tax relief for the middle class, a Rs 2 lakh crore outlay for job creation schemes over the next five years and a spending splurge for states run by her party's new coalition partners as she unveiled the Modi 3.0 government's first budget after the general elections.

Heatwave sears north India, UP's Orai bakes at 46.4 deg C

Heatwave sears north India, UP's Orai bakes at 46.4 deg C

Rediff.com19 Jun 2024

The threshold for a heat wave is met when the maximum temperature of a weather station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees in coastal areas, and 30 degrees in hilly regions, and the departure from normal is at least 4.5 notches.

Quality Lapses Shut Down Drug Makers

Quality Lapses Shut Down Drug Makers

Rediff.com28 Jun 2024

Most of the pharma units are failing in documentation, and validation processes, and many don't have full-fledged quality control laboratories.

FY24 direct tax to GDP ratio may be highest since FY01

FY24 direct tax to GDP ratio may be highest since FY01

Rediff.com7 Feb 2024

On the back of robust tax collection, the ratio of direct taxes to gross domestic product (GDP) this financial year is likely to be the highest in this century so far. This, along with strong goods and services tax (GST) collection, may drive up receipts from central taxes as a proportion of GDP to the highest level or close to the highest since 2008-09 despite subdued excise and customs duty receipts. This will be due also to lower nominal GDP projected in the first advance estimates for 2023-24.

Telecom industry wants govt to junk USOF, slash duties

Telecom industry wants govt to junk USOF, slash duties

Rediff.com27 Jan 2024

Telecom services providers have urged the Ministry of Finance to suspend the universal service obligation (USOF) till the existing corpus is exhausted. In their Budget recommendations, they have also pressed for an exemption from the service tax on "assignment of right to use natural resources" and the slashing of Customs duty on telecom equipment to zero. The Cellular Operators Association of India (Coai), which represents private sector telecom operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, called for abolishment of USOF levy.

Apple MacBook Pro with M3 chips to be available in India from Nov 7

Apple MacBook Pro with M3 chips to be available in India from Nov 7

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

Apple's new MacBook Pro laptops and iMac with M3 chipsets will be available across 27 countries, including India, from November 7 onwards, according to an official statement. The company announced the launch of three M3 chipset models with built-in next-generation GPU architecture and a faster CPU with an eye on artificial intelligence use cases, gaming, entertainment professionals and other segments that need high-resolution image processing. The company has launched two variants of MacBook Pro laptops with 14 and 16-inch displays at a starting price of Rs 1.69 lakh and Rs 2.49 lakh, respectively.

Hong Kong busts $1.8-bn money laundering syndicate with India links, 7 held

Hong Kong busts $1.8-bn money laundering syndicate with India links, 7 held

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

The syndicate used "stooge" bank accounts and shell companies to transfer the largest amount linked to a single case recorded in the city, the Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong said.

COVID-19: How gold smugglers stand to gain

COVID-19: How gold smugglers stand to gain

Rediff.com18 Mar 2020

Customs officials are busy at ports and airports, scanning passengers to ensure that COVID-19 virus-affected people are traced. So, officials are not able to focus much on baggage checking. This could lead to more gold getting smuggled into the country as luggage check at airports is now random unlike earlier where every bag was checked thoroughly.

Porsche crash: Restaurants sealed for serving liquor to minor

Porsche crash: Restaurants sealed for serving liquor to minor

Rediff.com22 May 2024

The car, a Porsche, allegedly driven by the 17-year-old, who the police claim was drunk at the time, fatally knocked down two motorbike-borne software engineers at Kalyani Nagar in Pune city in the early hours of Sunday.

'Dunki' plane held in France over human trafficking lands in Mumbai

'Dunki' plane held in France over human trafficking lands in Mumbai

Rediff.com26 Dec 2023

French authorities launched a judicial investigation into the conditions and purpose of the trip, with a unit specialising in organised crime investigating suspected human trafficking.

Medical inflation, high coverage drive up ticket sizes for retail health insurers

Medical inflation, high coverage drive up ticket sizes for retail health insurers

Rediff.com13 Mar 2024

The average ticket size of retail health insurance in India has increased by nearly 48 per cent over 6 years due to elevated medical inflation and increased demand for higher coverage policies among policyholders. According to data by online insurance broker PolicyBazaar, the average ticket size of retail health insurance in India has increased to Rs 26,533 so far in FY24, up 48.22 per cent from Rs 17,900 in FY19.

10 injured in low-intensity IED blast in Bengaluru, UAPA invoked

10 injured in low-intensity IED blast in Bengaluru, UAPA invoked

Rediff.com1 Mar 2024

A low intensity bomb blast at a popular eatery in Bengaluru on Friday left 10 people injured, leading the police to invoke the stringent UAPA provisions in the case. Subsequently, the police were looking into all angles related to the incident.

Budget: Why customs duty was hiked on mobile phones

Budget: Why customs duty was hiked on mobile phones

Rediff.com9 Feb 2018

Even as the government's move to hike import duties on 45 items is seen as a sign of protectionism, the prime minister was himself involved in the process.

$800/tonne minimum export price imposed on onion

$800/tonne minimum export price imposed on onion

Rediff.com28 Oct 2023

The government on Saturday imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of $800 per tonne on onion exports till December 31 this year with a view to increase availability of the vegetable in the domestic market and contain prices. The decision will come into effect from October 29. Besides, the government has also announced the procurement of additional 2 lakh tonnes of onion for the buffer, over and above the 5 lakh tonnes already procured.

Delivery man falls from 3rd floor while fleeing dog; owner booked

Delivery man falls from 3rd floor while fleeing dog; owner booked

Rediff.com22 May 2023

The incident took place in an apartment at Manikonda on Sunday when the delivery executive, aged 30, went there to deliver a mattress and the dog started barking at the customer's door, which was reportedly partly open, they said.

DMK ex-member Jaffer Sadiq, partners invested Rs 40-cr drug money films: ED

DMK ex-member Jaffer Sadiq, partners invested Rs 40-cr drug money films: ED

Rediff.com13 Apr 2024

The Enforcement Directorate made these claims in an official statement issued by the federal agency following its raids in this case at Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchirapalli on April 9.

Rs 244 crore cash seized in last 15 days in poll-bound Rajasthan

Rs 244 crore cash seized in last 15 days in poll-bound Rajasthan

Rediff.com24 Oct 2023

According to officials, this year there has been a three-fold increase in the total seizure, which was Rs 322 crore in 2021, Rs 347 crore in 2022 and Rs 1,021 crore so far in 2023.

Kanwariya Order: Time For Rahul, Akhilesh To Step Up

Kanwariya Order: Time For Rahul, Akhilesh To Step Up

Rediff.com20 Jul 2024

'There is one way to defeat the intention behind this directive: To patronise Muslim establishments that have been forced to identify themselves.' 'This is one opportunity for the Congress to show that the 'mohabbat ki dukaan' its leader talks about does exist.' 'Can Akhilesh Yadav, who has asked the court to take note of this directive, order his party members to do this?' asks Jyoti Punwani.

Weak Demand Leads To Drop In Headcount At IT Majors

Weak Demand Leads To Drop In Headcount At IT Majors

Rediff.com30 Apr 2024

While the current headcount reduction has more to do with slowing demand, the rise of artificial intelligence will impact jobs in the future.

It's official, Fryums won't attract any GST

It's official, Fryums won't attract any GST

Rediff.com3 Nov 2021

The Appellate Authority for Advance Rulings (AAAR) of Gujarat has held that papad fryums would not attract any goods and services tax (GST) as they are similar to traditional round papads in all respects. In this connection, the appellate authority modified the ruling of the authority for advance rulings (AAR), which had ruled that Fryums would attract 18 per cent GST. The AAAR held that Fryums is a brand and not a generic name of the product, Harpreet Singh, partner, indirect taxes at KPMG in India said while explaining the order.

British Airways officer on the run in India over visa racket

British Airways officer on the run in India over visa racket

Rediff.com27 Feb 2024

The unnamed 24-year-old suspect worked at Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport and is said to have charged customers GBP 25,000 per trip to abuse a loophole and fly them across the British Airways network without crucial visa documents.

Net direct tax collection at Rs 10.64 lakh cr in Apr-Nov

Net direct tax collection at Rs 10.64 lakh cr in Apr-Nov

Rediff.com14 Dec 2023

Net direct tax collection in the eight months of the current fiscal touched 58.34 per cent of Budget Estimates (BE) at Rs 10.64 lakh crore. The net tax collection for April-November stood at Rs 10.64 lakh crore, which is 23.4 per cent higher than the corresponding period of last year, the ministry of finance said.

CBI closes IPL 2019 betting cases

CBI closes IPL 2019 betting cases

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

CBI had filed two FIRs in May 2022 against seven people in two cases related to alleged fixing of matches in IPL 2019.

T20 WC: Focus on pitch as India take on wounded Pakistan

T20 WC: Focus on pitch as India take on wounded Pakistan

Rediff.com8 Jun 2024

A confident and well-adjusted India would look to capitalise on an unpredictable Pakistan during Sunday's T20 World Cup match.

Gandhigiri To Recover Bad Loans

Gandhigiri To Recover Bad Loans

Rediff.com21 Nov 2023

Every defaulter is not a wilful defaulter who has the capability of paying back and is yet not servicing the bank loan, observes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

15 customs, central excise officers sacked on corruption charges

15 customs, central excise officers sacked on corruption charges

Rediff.com18 Jun 2019

The government has sacked these officers ranging from the ranks of principal commissioner to assistant commissioner, some of whom were already under suspension.

Apple Sales In India Up to 67,000 Cr

Apple Sales In India Up to 67,000 Cr

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

Despite the robust growth in this country, Apple's India share in its overall global sales remained modest -- constituting 1.5 per cent of its overall turnover of $389 billion in FY23.

Free banking services offered to customers not under GST ambit

Free banking services offered to customers not under GST ambit

Rediff.com4 Jun 2018

The ambiguity arose after notices were sent to lenders for non-payment of service tax under the pre-GST regime

Bank mergers: Changes that customers can expect

Bank mergers: Changes that customers can expect

Rediff.com23 May 2016

Loan rates will change at the next reset, while deposit rates will continue till maturity.

Customs duty may be cut 5%

Customs duty may be cut 5%

Rediff.com14 Dec 2005

India got consular access to Baby Ariha in Berlin; Diwali celebrated with her

India got consular access to Baby Ariha in Berlin; Diwali celebrated with her

Rediff.com30 Dec 2023

The ministry of external affairs and the embassy of India in Berlin have been persistently advocating for the return of Ariha Shah to India.

Using An App For A Loan? Read This First

Using An App For A Loan? Read This First

Rediff.com7 Mar 2024

Borrowing from a fraudulent loan app subjects the borrower to a variety of risks.

Quality Control Orders: What does this mean for domestic industry?

Quality Control Orders: What does this mean for domestic industry?

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

From toys, footwear and furniture to insulated flasks, smart meters, and air coolers - the Central government over the last decade has mandated higher standards for production and imports of such items. Sample this: Till 2014, there were 14 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) covering 106 products. By the latest count, there are 156 QCOs on 672 products.

Karnataka water situation turns grim, Rs 5,000 fine imposed for...

Karnataka water situation turns grim, Rs 5,000 fine imposed for...

Rediff.com8 Mar 2024

Amidst a severe water crisis, the Karnataka Water Supply and Sewerage Board banned the usage of drinking water for car washing, gardening, construction, water fountains and road construction and maintenance. It also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000, if the order is violated.

Insurance firms launching mobile apps to woo customers

Insurance firms launching mobile apps to woo customers

Rediff.com26 Jun 2014

Companies like public sector New India Assurance, one of the largest general insurers, and private Cholamandalam M S General Insurance, part of the Murugappa group, have already launched their mobile apps that enable customers to renew their policies or buy new ones.

15 Vistara pilots quit, over 50 flights cancelled; Govt, DGCA step in

15 Vistara pilots quit, over 50 flights cancelled; Govt, DGCA step in

Rediff.com2 Apr 2024

Aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked Vistara to submit a daily report on flight cancellations and delays as the Tata group airline cancelled more than 50 flights for the second straight day on Tuesday amid non-availability of pilots.