News for 'goods-and-services'

Why 767 Maharashtra Farmers Died By Suicide

Why 767 Maharashtra Farmers Died By Suicide

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

'You've got to understand it is not easy to die by suicide.' 'People commit suicide only when they lose everything and find no other way to live.'

'From India-First To India-For-The-World'

'From India-First To India-For-The-World'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

'The next decade will be even more transformative,' says Prime Minister Modi. 'We are moving from digital governance to global digital leadership.'

India's services sector growth remained almost flat in May

India's services sector growth remained almost flat in May

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

The Indian services growth broadly steadied in May and was underpinned by healthy demand conditions, new client wins and greater staffing capacity, a monthly report said on Wednesday. The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index was at 58.8 in May, marginally up from April's 58.7 and signalled another sharp rate of expansion.

'We're the largest gig worker employer in country'

'We're the largest gig worker employer in country'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

'Today, we have 2 million active drivers earning through our platform every month.'

GST collections jump to Rs 2.01 lakh cr in May

GST collections jump to Rs 2.01 lakh cr in May

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

Gross GST collections remained above the Rs 2 trillion mark for the second month in a row, rising 16.4 per cent in May to over Rs 2.01 lakh crore. Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection had touched a record high of Rs 2.37 lakh crore in April. In May, 2024, the mop up was Rs 1,72,739 crore.

GST revenue hits record high of Rs 2.37 lakh cr in April

GST revenue hits record high of Rs 2.37 lakh cr in April

Rediff.com1 May 2025

Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection rose 12.6 per cent Y-o-Y to an all-time high of about Rs 2.37 lakh crore in April, which the government said shows resilience of the Indian economy and the effectiveness of cooperative federalism. The gross GST mop-up was Rs 2.10 lakh crore in April 2024 -- the second highest collection ever since GST was rolled out on July 1, 2017. The net mop-up was Rs 1.92 lakh crore.

Which is the new battleground in tax disputes?

Which is the new battleground in tax disputes?

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

In October 2024, Jindal Stainless challenged a Goods and Services Tax (GST) notice in the Delhi high court. It was about corporate guarantees issued to related parties by its former group company, Jindal Stainless (Hisar), before their merger in March 2023.

India, UK conclude landmark multi-billion-pound trade deal

India, UK conclude landmark multi-billion-pound trade deal

Rediff.com6 May 2025

India and the UK on Tuesday sealed an ambitious free trade deal along with a double contribution convention with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the landmark pacts will catalyse trade, investment, growth and job creation in both the economies. Modi made the announcement on the agreements after a phone conversation with his British counterpart Keir Starmer.

Are The Rich Paying Less Tax?

Are The Rich Paying Less Tax?

Rediff.com3 May 2025

They are not just underreporting income; they are reshaping what the income tax system perceives, says study.

The price of building India: Why cement remains in the 28% GST slab

The price of building India: Why cement remains in the 28% GST slab

Rediff.com7 May 2025

The 31st meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, held in December 2018, deferred a decision to reduce the GST rate for cement from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. This was despite recognising that cement - along with automobile parts - remained among the few mass-consumption items still taxed at the highest slab, which was originally meant for luxury and sin goods.

Sensex climbs 260 points on FII buying, hopes of India-US trade deal

Sensex climbs 260 points on FII buying, hopes of India-US trade deal

Rediff.com2 May 2025

Bajaj Finance, IndusInd Bank, State Bank of India, Maruti, Tata Motors, ITC, Tata Steel and Reliance Industries were also among the gainers. Nestle, NTPC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Power Grid and Titan were among the laggards.

What are India's free trade agreements?

What are India's free trade agreements?

Rediff.com6 May 2025

India finalised a free trade agreement with the UK, its 16th so far as the country aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investments. The other regions and countries with which India has signed such agreements include the four-nation European bloc EFTA, Japan, Korea and Australia.

India's exports cross $820 bn in 2024-25: Commerce ministry

India's exports cross $820 bn in 2024-25: Commerce ministry

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

The country's goods and services exports have crossed $820 billion in 2024-25, marking a nearly 6 per cent increase over the previous fiscal year despite global economic uncertainties, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday. The exports stood at $778 billion in 2023-24.

US top trading partner of India for 4th straight year

US top trading partner of India for 4th straight year

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The US remained India's largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25 with bilateral trade valued at $131.84 billion, while the country's trade deficit with China widened to $99.2 billion during the same period, government data showed. In the last fiscal, India's exports to China contracted 14.5 per cent to $14.25 billion as against $16.66 billion in 2023-24. The imports, however, rose by 11.52 per cent in 2024-25 to $113.45 billion against $101.73 billion in 2023-24.

Vibe Coding's Challenge For India's IT Cos

Vibe Coding's Challenge For India's IT Cos

Rediff.com14 May 2025

'Could the impending new crisis, vibe coding, similarly create not a disaster like what befell Indian handlooms during the Industrial Revolution but another opportunity like what the Y2K crisis created?' asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

Fake Invoices: Beware! IT Reopens Old Assessments

Fake Invoices: Beware! IT Reopens Old Assessments

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

These cases are being reopened under Section 147 of the Income Tax Act, which empowers the department to reassess income if it believes that taxable income has escaped assessment.

Exports inch up; trade deficit hits $21.54 bn in March

Exports inch up; trade deficit hits $21.54 bn in March

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

India's exports grew marginally by 0.7 per cent to $41.97 billion in March, while the trade deficit stood at $21.54 billion in the month, the latest government data showed on Tuesday.

Immense work pressure, not cancer: Wife on GST official's suicide

Immense work pressure, not cancer: Wife on GST official's suicide

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

The wife of a deputy commissioner of GST in Ghaziabad, who allegedly committed suicide, has claimed that her husband was under "immense work pressure" and denied that he had stage four cancer. The incident took place on Monday when Sanjay Singh (59) jumped from the 15th floor of a building. Singh's wife, Aparna Singh, told reporters that he was a "victim of the system." His cousin, Dhananjay Singh, confirmed that Singh had been diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early stage and had been cured.

Dubai offers India Inc a low-tariff launchpad into EMs

Dubai offers India Inc a low-tariff launchpad into EMs

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Dubai is positioning itself as a springboard for Indian companies looking to tap into fast-growing emerging markets, including Africa, banking on low tariffs, long-standing trade relations, and a shared vision for regional economic growth, said Mohammad Ali Rashid Lootah, president and chief executive officer, Dubai Chambers, at the Dubai-India Business Forum in Mumbai.

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.

India's export performance remains uninspiring amid weak global position

India's export performance remains uninspiring amid weak global position

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

March 31 marked 10 years since the Modi government introduced its first Foreign Trade Policy (FTP 2015-20) that lasted for 8 years before the current FTP 2023 came in. Here is a brief assessment. In 2015, the government said that it aims to increase India's exports of merchandise and services from $465.9 billion in 2013-14 to approximately $900 billion by 2019-20 and to raise India's share in world exports from 2 per cent to 3.5 per cent.

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?

What Nitin Gadkari told India Inc

What Nitin Gadkari told India Inc

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday asked the industry not to perennially demand a reduction in taxes as the government needs funds to implement welfare schemes for the poor. Addressing an event, the road transport and highways minister said the logistics cost in India will come down to 9 per cent within two years.

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced reservation for Muslims in supplying goods and services up to a value of Rs 1 crore to various government departments, corporations and institutions in the state budget for 2025-26. The budget also increased the value limit of government contracts in which Muslims can avail reservation to Rs 2 crore. The reservation to Muslims under 2B category is in addition to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Castes coming under Category-1, Category-2A. The budget also included various welfare schemes for minorities, including Rs 50,000 to support simple marriages and Rs 1,000 crore under the Chief Minister's Minority Colony Development Programme.

Karnataka govt tables bill for Muslim quota in public contracts

Karnataka govt tables bill for Muslim quota in public contracts

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

The Karnataka government has tabled a Bill in the Legislative Assembly to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts. The Bill aims to address unemployment among backward classes and promote their participation in government construction projects. The BJP has called the move an "unconstitutional misadventure" and vowed to oppose it.

Not All Need Subsidies: Finance Secy

Not All Need Subsidies: Finance Secy

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

'If in our cities, all urban bus transport services are free, then the taxpayers are paying for it, or if electricity were to be made free, that's a huge cost to the rest of the people'

Karnataka assembly clears 4% Muslim quota in contracts

Karnataka assembly clears 4% Muslim quota in contracts

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed a Bill providing 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts, sparking protests from the opposition BJP. The Bill, which amends the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act, aims to increase Muslim participation in government contracts valued up to Rs 2 crore for civil works and Rs 1 crore for goods and services. The BJP criticized the move as unconstitutional and vowed to challenge it in court.

Exports contracts; trade deficit widens to $23 bn

Exports contracts; trade deficit widens to $23 bn

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

eclined for the third month in a row in January, falling by 2.38 per cent year-on-year to $36.43 billion, while the trade deficit widened to $22.99 billion in the month. Imports rose by 10.28 per cent year-on-year to $59.42 billion in January due to an increase gold shipments, according to the Commerce Ministry data. The trade deficit was $21.94 billion in December and $16.55 billion in January last year.

Trump's Tariff Tsunami: Will India Sink or Reform?

Trump's Tariff Tsunami: Will India Sink or Reform?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

The Trump trade shock is a chance to push long-overdue reforms, rather than tinker with tariffs to appease the US, suggests M Govinda Rao.

US trade official begins India visit days before Trump's reciprocal tariff kicks in

US trade official begins India visit days before Trump's reciprocal tariff kicks in

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

Brendan Lynch, the assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia, will pay a five-day visit to India beginning Tuesday, days before US President Donald Trump's tit-for-tat tariff kicks in. The senior US trade official is expected to hold talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal besides meeting a number of senior Indian officials.

India, US to start 3-day trade talks from Wednesday

India, US to start 3-day trade talks from Wednesday

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Senior officials of India and the US will begin three-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement in New Delhi on Wednesday amid threats of reciprocal tariffs from the Trump-administration, an official said. To formally start the negotiations on the pact, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, along with a team of officials, is in New Delhi.

India hopes for temporary tariff waiver as US official comes calling

India hopes for temporary tariff waiver as US official comes calling

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

India and the United States will finalize the contours, schedule of negotiations, and terms of reference for a proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) during a three-day meeting beginning Tuesday. The agreement is expected to be finalized in two tranches, with the first phase focusing on goods trade. The US team, led by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, will be in India from March 25-29 to discuss the agreement. Both countries are aiming to conclude the first phase of the agreement by fall 2025.

Restaurants can't levy mandatory service charge on food bills: HC

Restaurants can't levy mandatory service charge on food bills: HC

Rediff.com29 Mar 2025

The court upheld the guidelines and imposed Rs 1 lakh cost each on the petitioners to be deposited with the CCPA towards consumer welfare.

Govt is not allowing people to celebrate Eid freely: Akhilesh

Govt is not allowing people to celebrate Eid freely: Akhilesh

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

Yadav further accused the BJP of "using distractions" to avoid addressing real issues such as rising unemployment, inflation, lack of investment in Uttar Pradesh, and failing healthcare facilities.

BJP issues three-line whip to MPs to be present in Parl on Friday

BJP issues three-line whip to MPs to be present in Parl on Friday

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday issued a three-line whip to all of its Lok Sabha MPs asking them to be present in the House for the passing of the Union Budget 2025-26.

FTA deal with India: EU firms want non-tariff barriers to go

FTA deal with India: EU firms want non-tariff barriers to go

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

European Union (EU) companies operating in India want New Delhi to streamline or remove non-tariff barriers such as Quality Control Orders (QCOs), complex Customs procedures; simplify labelling, testing, and import procedures; and facilitate cross-border digital transactions without data localisation constraints. These are results of a Business Sentiment Survey, 2025 conducted by the Federation of European Business in India (FEBI) ahead of resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between both the sides scheduled to be concluded by year-end.

GST mop-up rises 12% to Rs 1.96 lakh cr in January

GST mop-up rises 12% to Rs 1.96 lakh cr in January

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Gross GST revenue rose 12.3 per cent to Rs 1.96 lakh crore in January on higher domestic economic activity, government data showed on Saturday. This includes 10.4 per cent growth in revenue from sale of goods and services domestically at Rs 1.47 lakh crore and 19.8 per cent rise in tax revenue from imported goods at Rs 48,382 crore.

Cash row: HC probe report, SC video cast doubt on Delhi fire chief's claim

Cash row: HC probe report, SC video cast doubt on Delhi fire chief's claim

Rediff.com23 Mar 2025

A video and inquiry report have raised questions about the Delhi Fire Services' claim that no cash was found at the official residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma during a fire incident on March 14. The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows fire fighters dousing flames on articles that appear to include half-burnt Indian currency notes. The Delhi High Court Chief Justice has initiated an in-house inquiry against Justice Varma and the Supreme Court has proposed his transfer to the Allahabad High Court.

SC collegium recommends Justice Varma's transfer; lawyers to go on strike

SC collegium recommends Justice Varma's transfer; lawyers to go on strike

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court collegium has confirmed the transfer of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court. This decision comes after an inquiry was initiated against Justice Varma regarding the alleged discovery of a large amount of cash at his official residence. The transfer recommendation was made public in a resolution uploaded on the Supreme Court's website. The alleged cash discovery occurred following a fire at Varma's residence in Delhi on March 14, 2025. The apex court collegium, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, has also constituted a three-member inquiry committee to further investigate the matter.

US Firms Back Trump's India Tariffs

US Firms Back Trump's India Tariffs

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

Industry associations and companies in the United States, including the US Chamber of Commerce, Coalition of Services Industries and the iconic bike company Harley Davidson have called on the Donald Trump dispensation to push India to reduce tariffs, non-tariffs, and regulatory barriers to boost American exports.