News for 'economic relief'

Sitharaman asks banks to be more customer-friendly

Sitharaman asks banks to be more customer-friendly

Rediff.com21 Feb 2022

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said banks need to focus more on being customer-friendly so that the process of availing credit becomes more hassle-free for borrowers. However, the minister made it clear that banks do not have to be lenient on credit underwriting standards by taking any adverse risks on a proposal. At a meeting between industry representatives and the finance minister, a startup founder in the baking business suggested for credit to be available hassle-free, to which largest lender SBI's chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara said a startup's worries are more on the equity side and assured full support in lending if sufficient equity is on the table.

Swapna committed no act of terror: HC in bail order

Swapna committed no act of terror: HC in bail order

Rediff.com2 Nov 2021

The Kerala high court on Tuesday granted bail to Swapna Suresh in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act case registered by the National Investigation Agency in connection with the sensational gold smuggling through diplomatic channel.

No plan to print currency notes to tide over crisis: Sitharaman

No plan to print currency notes to tide over crisis: Sitharaman

Rediff.com26 Jul 2021

The government has no plan to print currency notes to tide over the current economic crisis triggered by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament on Monday. To a question on whether there is any plan to print currency to tide over the crisis, the finance minister said, "No Sir". Many economists and experts have suggested to the government to print more currency notes to tide over the difficult economic situation with a view to support the economy ravaged by the spread of COVID-19, and protect jobs.

With new FDI rules, relief in sight for realtors

With new FDI rules, relief in sight for realtors

Rediff.com12 Nov 2014

Some developers point out that what comes in the way of low-cost housing is the sky-high price of land

Emergency in Sri Lanka ahead of new President's election

Emergency in Sri Lanka ahead of new President's election

Rediff.com18 Jul 2022

Sri Lanka's Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday imposed emergency giving him sweeping powers ahead of the key election on July 20 to pick a new President as he urged the political parties to put aside differences and form an all-party government, with the Opposition dubbing his decision as an 'undemocratic draconian act'.

Truce ends; Gehlot, Pilot resume attacking each other

Truce ends; Gehlot, Pilot resume attacking each other

Rediff.com19 Jan 2023

In his remarks at the rallies, Pilot has cornered the Gehlot government over issues such as the repeated paper leaks and political appointments of retired bureaucrats while sidelining party workers.

India slips 2 spot to 132 in UN Human Development Index

India slips 2 spot to 132 in UN Human Development Index

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

Human Development -- a measure of a nation's health, education, and average income -- has declined for two years in a row.

How victims of catastrophe can get faster relief

How victims of catastrophe can get faster relief

Rediff.com26 Mar 2013

Both General Insurance Council and Irda have made efforts to set up this pool. However, a formal notification giving guidance for its implementation has not yet been issued.

ONGC, IOC, others to spend Rs 1.11 lakh cr capex in FY23

ONGC, IOC, others to spend Rs 1.11 lakh cr capex in FY23

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

State-owned oil firms such as ONGC and IOC will invest over Rs 1.11 lakh crore in the next fiscal year starting April as they supplement the government's massive spending programme to spur economic growth. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), GAIL (India) Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) will together make a 7.4 per cent higher capital expenditure in the 2022-23 fiscal (FY23). The capex spending of Rs 1.11 lakh crore in 2022-23 compares with a revised estimate of Rs 1.04 lakh crore for the current fiscal year that ends in March, according to Union budget documents.

Budget Session: Opposition to corner govt over China, Pegasus

Budget Session: Opposition to corner govt over China, Pegasus

Rediff.com30 Jan 2022

The session will begin with President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha assembled together in the Central Hall and chambers of both the Houses in view of the COVID-19 situation.

Combined fiscal deficit of Centre, states may rise to 14%: Rangarajan

Combined fiscal deficit of Centre, states may rise to 14%: Rangarajan

Rediff.com8 Oct 2020

Banks should neither be timid nor adventurous while lending as the loans of today should not become NPAs of tomorrow, he said.

Sensex rallies 412 points in volatile trade

Sensex rallies 412 points in volatile trade

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

The Sensex jumped 412.23 points on Friday, braving heavy volatility during the day, amid the Reserve Bank of India maintaining status quo on the benchmark lending rate and buying in index heavyweights Reliance Industries Limited and ITC. The BSE Sensex climbed 412.23 points or 0.70 per cent to settle at 59,447.18. During the day, the benchmark hit a high of 59,654.44 and a low 58,876.36. The Nifty also gained 144.80 points or 0.82 per cent to finish at 17,784.35.

Tamil Nadu bureaucrat K Rajaraman is new telecom secretary

Tamil Nadu bureaucrat K Rajaraman is new telecom secretary

Rediff.com1 Oct 2021

Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officer K Rajaraman on Friday took charge as the new telecom secretary. His joining comes following the superannuation of Anshu Prakash on September 30. "Shri K Rajaraman, IAS (TN:89) takes charge as Secretary, @DoT_India in presence of senior officials of the department," a PIB tweet said. He was serving as the additional secretary for investments at the Department of Economic Affairs before being promoted to the position of secretary, DoT.

WTO talks on ITA-II collapse, India heaves sigh of relief

WTO talks on ITA-II collapse, India heaves sigh of relief

Rediff.com14 Dec 2014

India has been opposing the pact as ITA will only benefit the country when its domestic manufacturing is robust.

Petrol, diesel prices drop as govt cuts excise duty

Petrol, diesel prices drop as govt cuts excise duty

Rediff.com21 May 2022

The excise duty cut will translate into a reduction of Rs 9.5 a litre on petrol and Rs 7 a litre in diesel after taking into account its impact on other levies.

Delhi court grants bail to Zubair, extols Hindu tolerance

Delhi court grants bail to Zubair, extols Hindu tolerance

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

A magisterial court had on July 2 dismissed his bail plea and sent him to 14-day judicial custody (JC) in the case, citing the nature and gravity of the offences against the accused and observing that the matter was at an initial stage of investigation.

Sitharaman bets big on infra spending to take highway to growth

Sitharaman bets big on infra spending to take highway to growth

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

While she primed up spending on infrastructure to create jobs and boost economic activity, Sitharaman did not tinker with income tax slabs or tax rates. Her Budget for the fiscal year beginning April 2022 proposed a massive 35 per cent jump in capital expenditure to Rs 7.5 lakh crore, coupled with rationalisation of customs duty, an extension of time for setting up new manufacturing companies and plans for starting a digital currency and tax crypto assets.

Moratorium on loan repayment may not be extended beyond Aug 31

Moratorium on loan repayment may not be extended beyond Aug 31

Rediff.com29 Aug 2020

Moratorium was only a temporary reprieve to borrowers affected by the pandemic, adding that a longer moratorium period exceeding six months can impact credit behaviour of borrowers and increase the risks of delinquencies post resumption of scheduled payments.

'They are using the pandemic to push their reforms'

'They are using the pandemic to push their reforms'

Rediff.com18 May 2020

'The Modi government is about privatising profits and nationalising losses.'

PM made light of people's suffering: Cong hits back

PM made light of people's suffering: Cong hits back

Rediff.com7 Feb 2022

Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala claimed a clear message has come from the House today that if people want relief from 'severe unemployment, extreme inflation, falling incomes and extreme poverty', then the Bharatiya Janata Party 'will have to be defeated' in the elections.

Freedom of religion does not include right to convert others, govt tells SC

Freedom of religion does not include right to convert others, govt tells SC

Rediff.com28 Nov 2022

The Centre told the Supreme Court on Monday that religious freedom does not include a fundamental right to convert other people to a particular religion and that it certainly does not embrace the right to convert an individual through fraud, deception, coercion or allurement.

India's economy projected to record stronger recovery in 2021: UNCTAD

India's economy projected to record stronger recovery in 2021: UNCTAD

Rediff.com18 Mar 2021

India's economy, estimated to contract by 6.9 per cent in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, is forecast to record a "stronger recovery" in 2021 and grow by 5 per cent, according to a UN report which said the country's current fiscal year budget points to a shift towards demand-side stimulus, with an uptick in public investment. The report, 'Out of the frying pan ...Into the fire?' published Thursday as an update to the Trade and Development Report 2020 by UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said the global economy is set to grow by 4.7 per cent this year, faster than the 4.3 per cent predicted in September 2020, thanks in part to a stronger recovery in the US, where progress in distributing vaccines and a fresh fiscal stimulus of $1.9 trillion are expected to boost consumer spending.

Gujarat look to fix batting woes against MI

Gujarat look to fix batting woes against MI

Rediff.com5 May 2022

The likes of skipper Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan, who had produced stellar performances and played a key role in GT's success so far, have floundered against Punjab.

Sensex, Nifty scale new peaks, log gains for 5th day

Sensex, Nifty scale new peaks, log gains for 5th day

Rediff.com29 Dec 2020

On the Sensex chart, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, Tech Mahindra, HDFC, ICICI Bank, HCL Tech, HDFC Bank, SBI and ITC were prominent gainers.

What Every Indian Must Know About PM-CARES

What Every Indian Must Know About PM-CARES

Rediff.com5 Oct 2021

Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf traces the journey of PM-CARES from its founding to finally admitting it is not a government fund.

Little choice for beverage cos but to import paper straws

Little choice for beverage cos but to import paper straws

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

Parle Agro, which sells beverages such as Frooti in small tetra packs, has already started importing paper straws. Dabur India, which sells its fruit juices in tetra packs under the brand Real, is also considering importing paper straws.

Thumbs up or thumbs down? Rate the Budget!

Thumbs up or thumbs down? Rate the Budget!

Rediff.com1 Feb 2020

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday unveiled the budget for fiscal 2020-21, vowing to boost income of Indians and their purchasing power, in a bid to revive domestic economic growth that has slumped.

'We Want To Develop Dharavi Like Hong Kong'

'We Want To Develop Dharavi Like Hong Kong'

Rediff.com22 Feb 2023

'Dharavi will be completely slum free by 2040'

GST collections slip in July

GST collections slip in July

Rediff.com1 Aug 2020

Although the June collections were higher than that in July, however, it is important to note that during the previous month, a large number of taxpayers also paid taxes pertaining to February, March and April 2020 on account of the relief provided due to COVID-19.

Modiji, please read Sunil Mishra's story

Modiji, please read Sunil Mishra's story

Rediff.com30 Aug 2020

'I realised that if we don't get relief from the government, I'll be faced with the prospect of either starving in Delhi, or starving in my village.'

If India has chosen side, it is side of peace: Govt on Ukraine

If India has chosen side, it is side of peace: Govt on Ukraine

Rediff.com6 Apr 2022

Jaishankar said all members would agree that India's approach should be guided by its national beliefs and values, national interest and by its national strategy.

Hoteliers seek tax relief to beat slump

Hoteliers seek tax relief to beat slump

Rediff.com15 Dec 2008

The Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India has made a presentation to the government, requesting certain tax exemptions.

7 out of 9 neighbouring nations charge less for petrol than India

7 out of 9 neighbouring nations charge less for petrol than India

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

Amid news of a fuel shortage in some parts of the country and wider unrest over fuel issues in the neighbourhood, an analysis of the data from international tracker globalpetrolprices.com shows that the per litre price of petrol is higher in India than in seven out of its nine neighbours.

In US, Jaishankar replies to questions on Russian oil import

In US, Jaishankar replies to questions on Russian oil import

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

India's total purchase of oil from Russia in a month is probably less than what Europe does in an afternoon, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.

'People of Ladakh feel betrayed'

'People of Ladakh feel betrayed'

Rediff.com21 Feb 2023

'The Government of India should start a dialogue with the people of Ladakh, but the trouble is they are not willing to listen to our grievances.'

Can Navy Counter China In Indian Ocean?

Can Navy Counter China In Indian Ocean?

Rediff.com17 Sep 2022

New Delhi's regional partners in restraining a belligerent China -- primarily the US, Japan, Australia and Singapore -- would like the Indian Navy to lock down the Indian Ocean Region, while the other partners can focus on deterring the PLA (navy) in the South China Sea, explains Ajai Shukla.

Sell stakes in PSUs to boost growth: Raghuram Rajan to Sitharaman

Sell stakes in PSUs to boost growth: Raghuram Rajan to Sitharaman

Rediff.com14 Jan 2021

Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan says the government should take advantage of the peaks in the Indian equity markets right now and sell stakes in PSUs while prioritising spending to get the economy back on track. The upcoming Budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1 should look to provide "relief to the poorer households and small and medium enterprises," he said. And then move on to getting the economy back on track.

India's naval might in full display at President's Fleet Review

India's naval might in full display at President's Fleet Review

Rediff.com21 Feb 2022

The theme of the President's Fleet Review-2022 was 'Indian Navy -- 75 years in Service of the Nation', commemorating the Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Festive season holds hope for consumer appliances, auto cos

Festive season holds hope for consumer appliances, auto cos

Rediff.com11 Apr 2022

Automotive (auto) and consumer appliance companies are hoping for a bounty from the harvest season after two consecutive dry spells in 2020 and 2021. The season, which also marks the beginning of the regional New Year, kicked in across the country from April 1 - Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra; Ugadi in Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh; Bihu in the Northeast; and Chaitra Navratri in the North. Manufacturers and retailers of cars, two-wheelers, and consumer appliances said they have seen demand pick up year-on-year (YoY) at a brisk pace across categories.

Relief policy not to hit 237 SEZs

Relief policy not to hit 237 SEZs

Rediff.com17 Feb 2007

The rehabilitation policy, which is being currently formulated by the Ministry of Rural Development, is unlikely to affect the special economic zones already approved by the government.