News for 'customs officials'

Aim to double every 4 years: HDFC Bank MD after merger

Aim to double every 4 years: HDFC Bank MD after merger

Rediff.com1 Jul 2023

Having successfully executed the merger with parent HDFC, HDFC Bank's managing director and chief executive Sashidhar Jagdishan on Saturday said the country's largest lender aims to double every four years. In a letter to the over 4,000 employees from HDFC who joined the bank's rolls on Saturday, Jagdishan said the future is bright, and the work on realising the potential of the merger starts now. "The runway for financial services and mortgage, which are so underserved and under penetrated, is going to be very large. HDFC Bank - the combined entity - with a large and growing distribution and customer franchise, more than adequate capital, healthy asset quality and profitability, will be best positioned to capture growth.

Home loan customers can switch to lower rates: SBI

Home loan customers can switch to lower rates: SBI

Rediff.com28 Mar 2012

In a move that would help a large number of home loan customers to reduce their interest burden, nation's largest lender State Bank of India has decided to allow them to reprice their existing loans at lower rates.

Minissha Lamba detained at Mumbai airport

Minissha Lamba detained at Mumbai airport

Rediff.com18 May 2011

The actress was allegedly found carrying undeclared jewellery worth over Rs 50 lakh.

Did Mumbai Pay Rs 5 Trillion In Taxes?

Did Mumbai Pay Rs 5 Trillion In Taxes?

Rediff.com3 Apr 2023

Mumbai, which adds 37 per cent to the total direct tax mop-up, has reported tax collection of Rs 4.93 trillion so far, against the full-year target of Rs 5.35 trillion.

Telecom service providers log in to AI filter to stop pesky calls: Trai

Telecom service providers log in to AI filter to stop pesky calls: Trai

Rediff.com3 May 2023

Telecom service providers (TSPs) have begun to monitor and prevent spam calls since May 1, with the help of an artificial intelligence and machine language-based system acting on the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (Trai) latest directive on the matter, its officials told Business Standard. Touted as the first big technological measure against the growing menace of unsolicited commercial communications, all TSPs have confirmed to Trai that they have rolled out the AI/ML tool. The filter system works on the distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform used by TSPs, and is set to go for incremental updates, rules for which will soon be released, they added.

AAP targets LG, BJP over 'Shivling' fountains in Delhi

AAP targets LG, BJP over 'Shivling' fountains in Delhi

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday accused Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena and the Bharatiya Janata Party of disrespecting the 'Shivling' by installing fountains shaped like it in the capital ahead of the G20 summit.

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

India's recent move to remove additional 'retaliatory' duty on eight products from the United States (US), including apples and walnuts, would not have any negative impact on the domestic producers, the government clarified, even as the issue threatened to snowball into a political slugfest between the ruling and Opposition parties. The move would, in fact, result in competition in the premium market segment, ensuring better quality at better prices for consumers, especially for apples, a senior government official said. "There were certain concerns that were being raised on the mutually agreed solution that has come in, more specific to seven-eight agriculture products where we had levied additional import duties in retaliation to the steel and aluminum measures (imposed by the US)," Peeyush Kumar, additional secretary in the commerce department, told reporters in a briefing.

Duty cuts on oil imports hits customs revenue

Duty cuts on oil imports hits customs revenue

Rediff.com25 Oct 2004

Surging global crude oil prices failed to shore up customs revenue substantially as India Inc resorted to advance licence scheme, which allows duty-free imports for value-added exports.

When Sudha, Narayana Murthy Broke Up

When Sudha, Narayana Murthy Broke Up

Rediff.com19 Feb 2024

After agonizing over this for weeks, he made a decision. When they met after work one evening, he startled her by blurting out, 'I think we should break up.' A moving excerpt from Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's An Uncommon Love: The Early Life of Sudha and Narayana Murthy.

FinMin's diktat to banks on selling insurance

FinMin's diktat to banks on selling insurance

Rediff.com23 Dec 2022

Concerned over rising incidence of mis-selling, the finance ministry has directed heads of public sector banks to put in place strong mechanisms to avoid unethical practices for selling insurance policies to customers. The Department of Financial Services has received complaints that fraudulent and unethical practices are adopted by banks and life insurance companies for procuring policies from the bank customers, a letter addressed to chairpersons and managing directors of public sector banks said. There have been instances where life insurance policies were sold to customers aged above 75 years in Tier II-III cities.

How fog in north India created chaos at Indian airports

How fog in north India created chaos at Indian airports

Rediff.com16 Jan 2024

As photographs and video clips were distributed on social media, aviation security watchdog BCAS issued show cause notices to IndiGo and Mumbai airport operator MIAL over the incident, official sources said on Tuesday.

Trai to update quality of service parameters soon; to meet telcos next month

Trai to update quality of service parameters soon; to meet telcos next month

Rediff.com6 Jul 2023

State-level reports every quarter for service quality and artificial intelligence-based solutions may be officially mandated as part of a set of more stringent, updated quality-of-service (QoS) norms by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) soon. The new norms will also factor in user experience for 5G networks, officials informed Business Standard. In February, Trai asked telecommunication (telecom) service providers (TSPs) to submit updates on measures taken to reduce call drops and lags and raise the quality of connection.

Digitising insurance policies is free for customers

Digitising insurance policies is free for customers

Rediff.com18 Aug 2014

Insurance company will bear the cost of digitising. It will in turn benefit from lower expenses on servicing policies.

Odisha accident: AI portal, SIM card tracking help identify unclaimed bodies

Odisha accident: AI portal, SIM card tracking help identify unclaimed bodies

Rediff.com7 Jun 2023

The railways initially called a team from the Unique Identification Authority of India to the site to take thumbprints of the dead to ascertain their identity.

Vi plans to get back in the game but fundraising a challenge

Vi plans to get back in the game but fundraising a challenge

Rediff.com7 Feb 2023

Vodafone-Idea is working on a multi-pronged strategy to begin its long journey to get back in the game but much hinges on how much money it can raise following the government's decision to go for equity conversion last week. Based on discussions with sources aware of the company developments and with vendors, VIL's immediate plan is to invest in increasing 4G coverage to the level of its competitors. Currently, it covers a 1 billion population with 4G while its competitors cover 1.2 billion people.

It's Raining Bharat Ratnas!

It's Raining Bharat Ratnas!

Rediff.com14 Feb 2024

In the 76 years since India gained independence, 53 recipients of the Bharat Ratna have been there. That's less than one every year, which is a healthy ratio given there is the sanctity of this gem of an award to preserve. But four recipients for the year were announced in a few days in addition to one announced earlier. That took the total number in 2024 to five in less than a month, the highest for any year, post-Independence, notes Shyam G Menon.

US-based Coupang to set up tech centre in India

US-based Coupang to set up tech centre in India

Rediff.com18 Aug 2023

Coupang, a prominent online retail giant headquartered in the United States (US), is gearing up to establish a cutting-edge technology centre in India, aiming to hire several dozen skilled professionals by the end of the year, Business Standard has learnt. The intended expansion involves the recruitment of software engineers across various domains, underscoring Coupang's commitment to extend its global reach. The Indian team will support the company's global technology team, sources said.

NSE lifts lid on dabba trading, tippers, issues warnings to 24 platforms

NSE lifts lid on dabba trading, tippers, issues warnings to 24 platforms

Rediff.com18 May 2023

New-age tech tools and 'mystery shoppers' are helping the country's top bourse stay ahead of the curve against dabba trading platforms and entities dolling out unsolicited investment tips. In the past one month, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has issued close to two dozen warnings and advisories against such activities. "We saw a rise of dabba trading or illegal trading platforms after the pandemic.

Kolkata: UAE plane carrying arms detained

Kolkata: UAE plane carrying arms detained

Rediff.com7 Sep 2009

A China-bound cargo plane of the United Arab Emirates Air Force was detained and its ten crew members including the pilot were questioned when customs officials found arms and ammunition on board the aircraft after it made a scheduled transit landing at the airport in Kolkata.

Know About Loan Closure Process

Know About Loan Closure Process

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

While the RBI's guidelines aim to streamline the loan closure process, borrowers must remain proactive.

Govt portal pins 285,000 missing mobile phones, but only 20,771 recovered

Govt portal pins 285,000 missing mobile phones, but only 20,771 recovered

Rediff.com24 Jul 2023

The Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) of the department of telecommunications (DoT) has traced 285,000 lost or stolen mobile phones and blocked 680,000 devices since being launched. However, recoveries remain relatively low at 20,771 devices. According to government estimates, around 50,000 mobile phones are stolen every month in the country. Launched nationwide on May 16, the CEIR is a part of the DoT's Sanchar Saathi portal. It is the primary government platform aimed at protecting mobile phone users from various frauds such as identity theft, forged KYC, theft of mobile devices and banking frauds.

Indians' funds in Swiss banks down 11% to Rs 30k cr on lower deposits

Indians' funds in Swiss banks down 11% to Rs 30k cr on lower deposits

Rediff.com22 Jun 2023

Funds parked by Indian individuals and firms in Swiss banks, including through India-based branches and other financial institutions, declined by 11 per cent in 2022 to 3.42 billion Swiss francs (nearly Rs 30,000 crore), annual data from Switzerland's central bank showed on Thursday.

Beware: Banks may protect their employees over their customers

Beware: Banks may protect their employees over their customers

Rediff.com15 Dec 2011

The bank will take its time to look into the complaint and carry out an investigation. Ultimately, if the bank refuses to admit its liability, the customer is forced to take recourse to legal action.

Over 4,900 fake GST registrations cancelled since May 16

Over 4,900 fake GST registrations cancelled since May 16

Rediff.com5 Jul 2023

GST authorities have identified about 17,000 non-existent GSTINs and cancelled over 4,900 registrations in the ongoing pan-India drive against fake registration, a senior tax official said on Wednesday. Currently, there are 1.40 crore businesses registered under Goods and Services Tax, nearly double the number of businesses registered in indirect tax regime pre-GST rollout. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) member Shashank Priya said in the drive against fake registration, till July 4, over 69,600 GST Identification Numbers (GSTINs) have been selected for physical verification by field tax officers.

Bhindranwale's terrorist nephew dies in Pakistan

Bhindranwale's terrorist nephew dies in Pakistan

Rediff.com5 Dec 2023

Khalistani separatist Lakhbir Singh alias 'Rode', a designated terrorist under the Indian law, has died recently in Pakistan, where he had taken refuge after his uncle Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was killed in 1984 during an army action, officials said on Tuesday.

Defence forces halt Dhruv fleet ops after emergency landing incident

Defence forces halt Dhruv fleet ops after emergency landing incident

Rediff.com11 Mar 2023

In the wake of the accident off the Mumbai coast two days ago, the defence forces have halted the operations of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv till the time investigators find the reason for the incident and precautionary checks are carried out.

Shah poses questions to Vijayan over smuggling cases

Shah poses questions to Vijayan over smuggling cases

Rediff.com7 Mar 2021

Shah also said Kerala used to be known for development, literacy and for promoting tourism, but "with the ruling LDF and opposition UDF coming to power alternately has resulted in making the state a platform for political violence."

Customs duty on wheat slashed to 5%

Customs duty on wheat slashed to 5%

Rediff.com29 Jun 2006

When smugglers wanted to buy a helicopter

When smugglers wanted to buy a helicopter

Rediff.com28 Jan 2020

Iqbal wanted to land the smuggled goods by helicopter on the Andaman Islands. DK asked, 'Iqbal, a helicopter will bring the consignment to the island, drop it there and then return. Won't radars detect it?' 'No.' 'How?' 'Radars can't detect aircraft that fly at a low altitude. Our helicopter, after entering India's air space, will dive and fly at four feet above the sea level.' 'For that, I have a German pilot in mind. He was an ace aviator in the last world war.' An enthralling excerpt from Aabid Surti's Sufi: The Invisible Man Of The Underground.

Jio-Facebook will link kirana stores and customers via WhatsApp

Jio-Facebook will link kirana stores and customers via WhatsApp

Rediff.com22 Apr 2020

Reliance Jio and Facebook will look to use WhatsApp for delivering goods from local neighbourhood kirana stores to consumers before expanding collaboration in education and healthcare sector, billionaire Mukesh Ambani said soon after announcing the mega Rs 43,574 -crore deal. "All of us at Reliance and Jio are delighted to welcome Facebook Inc," he said in a short video message posted on the group's social media handles.

FM urges tax officials to meet revenue target

FM urges tax officials to meet revenue target

Rediff.com27 Jan 2014

The government had set a budgetary target of over Rs 1.87 lakh crore for collection from customs duty in current fiscal

Tax Collections May Exceed Budget Estimates

Tax Collections May Exceed Budget Estimates

Rediff.com15 Nov 2023

Taking both direct and indirect taxes, the gross collection is expected to grow 10.45 per cent to Rs 33.61 trillion in 2023-2024.

Crude import from Russia declines to lowest in 7 months

Crude import from Russia declines to lowest in 7 months

Rediff.com3 Sep 2023

Indian imports of Russian oil plunged by a record in August month-on-month (M-o-M) as discounts on the fuel shrank in tandem with rising Brent oil prices. Higher crude prices will drive inflation or hurt earnings at oil companies and India's fiscal position if such spikes are not passed on to consumers. Indian purchases of Russian crude declined by around 24 per cent in August from July to the lowest level since January, with refiners expecting volumes to drop further amid rising rates of Russian benchmark Urals grade, substantial stocks at refiners, and planned maintenance at Indian refineries, according to ship tracking data and industry officials.

Govt set to approve Micron Technology's $1-billion semiconductor plant

Govt set to approve Micron Technology's $1-billion semiconductor plant

Rediff.com2 May 2023

The government is close to approving a proposal by Micron Technology to set up an assembly, testing, marking and packaging (ATMP) facility in the country involving an investment of about $1 billion. The world's fifth largest semiconductor company, based in Idaho, USA, will use the facility to process some of its own wafers, manufactured across the globe.

How RBI plans to check banking fraud

How RBI plans to check banking fraud

Rediff.com29 Aug 2022

As part of its efforts to strengthen customer protection, Reserve Bank is considering setting up a fraud registry to create a database of fraudulent websites, phones and various modus operandi used for digital fraud. Such a database will help prevent these fraudsters from repeating the fraud as the websites or phone numbers would be blacklisted, RBI executive director Anil Kumar Sharma said on Monday. "There is no definite timeline for setting up of the fraud registry.

After Beirut, 700 tonnes of chemical near Chennai raises alarm

After Beirut, 700 tonnes of chemical near Chennai raises alarm

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

The chemical worth Rs 1.80 crore was seized from a Tamil Nadu-based importer in 2015, who had allegedly declared it as fertiliser grade although it was an explosive grade.

China bids to legitimise claim over Tibet through...

China bids to legitimise claim over Tibet through...

Rediff.com19 May 2023

China is trying to legitimise its claim over Tibet through museums, and cultural institutions in the region, according to Tibet Rights Collective.

Truckers' stir turns violent in Rajasthan; fuel rush across many states

Truckers' stir turns violent in Rajasthan; fuel rush across many states

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

Petrol pumps in many cities witnessed long queues on Tuesday as people came to fill up their vehicle tanks fearing shortage of fuel amid the protest by truck drivers against a provision in the new penal law on hit-and-run accident cases involving motorists.

Soon, a custom-built ride for the PM

Soon, a custom-built ride for the PM

Rediff.com11 Jul 2008

The PM and his entourage will fly in far more luxurious, safe and functional conditions. The US government has cleared the delivery to India of the first of three custom-built, high-security VIP aircraft.