Akshara Srivastava, Monika Yadav

Stories by Akshara Srivastava, Monika Yadav

Can India Regain Foreign Tourists This Winter?

Can India Regain Foreign Tourists This Winter?

Rediff.com   3 days ago

'We expect inbound numbers in 2025 to come close to pre-pandemic levels -- if not fully match them -- by early 2026.'

'There Was Chaos At Every Gate'

'There Was Chaos At Every Gate'

Rediff.com   5 days ago

Flyers faced a double blow as air fares on Air India flights out of Delhi and those of SpiceJet soared past Rs 1 lakh one-way on some routes, and even those showed 'sold out' despite the airlines adding capacity.

Consumer durable firms set to hike prices as rupee slides

Consumer durable firms set to hike prices as rupee slides

Rediff.com   5 days ago

As the rupee has been on a downward slide and crossed 90 a dollar, consumer electronics firms are looking to raise prices of products ranging from air conditioners (ACs) to television panels up to 10 per cent.

Tax forms for charitable institutions set for overhaul

Tax forms for charitable institutions set for overhaul

Rediff.com   7 days ago

As the new Income Tax (I-T) Act, 2025 moves towards implementation from April 1, 2026, the finance ministry is reviewing and simplifying the compliance forms used by charitable institutions. Debjyoti Das, principal chief commissioner of income tax (exemption), said the new Act has already reorganised exemption provisions into a clearer and more coherent structure, and the accompanying procedures and forms are now being examined.

'The Big Fat Indian Wedding Has Only Gotten Fatter'

'The Big Fat Indian Wedding Has Only Gotten Fatter'

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2025

'...since the pandemic, driven by the worlds of influencers and Bollywood.'

Make demergers tax-neutral, biz houses nudge govt

Make demergers tax-neutral, biz houses nudge govt

Rediff.com   26 Nov 2025

Ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, Indian business houses have urged the government to make demergers tax-neutral, particularly in cases involving transfer of investments in associate companies with 25 per cent or more shareholding, under the new Income Tax Act. This may possibly help some companies planning to go public, according to a source.

HDFC pips TCS as India's most-valued brand

HDFC pips TCS as India's most-valued brand

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2025

Financial services giant HDFC Bank, carrying a brand value of $44.9 billion, has surged past IT consulting behemoth Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to reclaim its crown as the country's most valued brand, according to the 2025 Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable Indian Brands report.

Tourism Faces Jolt After Delhi Blast

Tourism Faces Jolt After Delhi Blast

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2025

'Tourists from long-haul markets such as the US, UK, and Western Europe are especially sensitive to such news, and short-term cancellations or postponements of planned trips can be expected.'

Glowcations: When Travel Becomes Skincare Routine

Glowcations: When Travel Becomes Skincare Routine

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2025

More Indians are choosing trips based on beauty rituals, skincare treatments and access to cult products.

Budget wishlist: Industry seeks easier tax rules, dispute fixes

Budget wishlist: Industry seeks easier tax rules, dispute fixes

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2025

With the Union Budget three months away, major industry chambers have submitted to the government proposals on common taxes, seeking simpler compliance and a quicker resolution of tax disputes.

Auto refund, pre-filled forms... GST overhaul on cards

Auto refund, pre-filled forms... GST overhaul on cards

Rediff.com   31 Oct 2025

The government is finalising a major GST overhaul with automated refunds, pre-filled returns, and analytics-based scrutiny to simplify compliance and boost liquidity for MSMEs.

Pre-Budget meeting: Ficci seeks faster resolution of tax disputes

Pre-Budget meeting: Ficci seeks faster resolution of tax disputes

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2025

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has sought urgent steps to clear the huge backlog of income-tax appeals, simplify tax deducted at source (TDS) compliance, and ensure tax neutrality for fast-track demergers, during its consultation with Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27.

GST Made Easy From Nov 1

GST Made Easy From Nov 1

Rediff.com   25 Oct 2025

Nearly 96 per cent of new applicants will benefit from this simplified approval route.

AI Threat: 2 Million Tech Jobs At Risk

AI Threat: 2 Million Tech Jobs At Risk

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2025

To turn disruption into opportunity, NITI Aayog has recommended the launch of a National AI Talent Mission to make India the AI workforce capital of the world.

After hotels, online travel portals come under GST lens

After hotels, online travel portals come under GST lens

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2025

After issuing notices to hotels across the country for allegedly underpaying goods and services tax (GST) on restaurant services, the revenue department has now widened its scrutiny by seeking information from online travel platforms.

'Napcations' Catch On In India

'Napcations' Catch On In India

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2025

Instead of ticking off bucket-list activities, 'Nap'cations revolve around curated rest. Think blackout curtains, memory foam beds, herbal teas, rejuvenating spa sessions, and even anytime breakfasts.

Tourist Footfalls Drop Across J&K, Ladakh

Tourist Footfalls Drop Across J&K, Ladakh

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2025

'The Pahalgam terror attacks and the conflict that followed were a big blow to local tourism.' 'And just when things were starting to go back to normal, the floods, caused by heavy rain, spoiled all chances of a bounce-back this season.'

From 35 To 6: NITI Aayog's Tax Trim Plan

From 35 To 6: NITI Aayog's Tax Trim Plan

Rediff.com   11 Oct 2025

While the new income tax law replaces the Income Tax Act, 1961 and omits 13 offences, 35 actions and omissions continue to attract criminal liability under 13 provisions.

Why ecom platforms are under govt lens

Why ecom platforms are under govt lens

Rediff.com   4 Oct 2025

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is looking into complaints of additional charges being levied by ecommerce platforms when customers choose cash-on-delivery (COD) option instead of paying while ordering items. "The Department of Consumer Affairs has received complaints against ecommerce platforms charging extra for cash-on-delivery, a practice classified as a dark pattern that misleads and exploits consumers," Pralhad Joshi, Union minister of consumer affairs, wrote on X on Friday afternoon.

Hotel Industry Faces Crores in GST Demands

Hotel Industry Faces Crores in GST Demands

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2025

'This is not a case of tax evasion but the result of long-standing ambiguities in GST rules and unawareness.'