FPI investment limits in government securities maintain prescribed levels; equal allocation between general and long term categories and FAR applies.
Revision of FPI investment parameters under the Medium Term Framework confirms that overall FPI limits for government securities and SDLs remain at prescribed percentages; all eligible investments and existing holdings in specified securities are to be under the Fully Accessible Route, with outstanding stock calculations and utilisation adjusted. Incremental change in government securities limits is split equally between General and Long term subcategories, while the entire SDL increase is allocated to the General subcategory, and revised absolute caps for subcategories and aggregate debt limits are set for two half year periods.

GST refund and adjustment rules clarified for advances, returned goods, LUT continuation, and TDS and refund deadlines.
Clarification directs that GST paid on advances or invoiced supplies later cancelled must be rectified by issuing a credit note and adjusting tax liability in the return, with Form GST RFD-01 available for refund only where no output liability exists; advances without invoice require a refund voucher and refund application via Form GST RFD-01. Returned invoiced goods require a credit note and return adjustment. Supplies under an expired LUT may continue if the LUT and Form GST RFD-11 are furnished by the extended deadline. Deposit and return timelines for TDS and refund filing deadlines falling in the relief period are extended to the notified extended date.

Paperless customs: electronic PDF gatepass and OOC Bill of Entry transmission for eligible importers and brokers.
Paperless Customs requires electronic transmission of PDF gatepass and the Out of Charge copy of the Bill of Entry to authorised customs brokers, importers and other eligible stakeholders, directing them to use facilities in the referenced Central Board circular and to report any implementation difficulties to the Customs office.

Paperless Customs: electronic e OOC and e Gate pass emailed with QR authentication enabling contactless release verification.
DG Systems will email PDF Final e OOC copies of Bills of Entry and PDF e Gate passes to registered importers and Customs brokers immediately after Out Of Charge, each PDF bearing a digitally signed, encrypted QR code (including BOE details and a version number) for tamper proof authenticity and currency verification via ICEGATE enquiry and designated mobile app. E Gate passes will carry only custodial release details and include document level and container/package level QR codes; EDI OOC messages continue to be sent to custodians registered on ICEGATE.

Paperless customs: electronic PDF eOoC and eGatepass with digitally signed QR codes enable contactless release of imported goods.
Enablement of electronic transmission of final Out of Charge documentation replaces paper printouts: DG Systems will email PDF Final eOoC copies of Bills of Entry and electronic eGatepass PDFs to registered customs brokers and/or importers after OoC. The Final eOoC PDF will include a digitally signed, encrypted QR code with key BoE details and a version number verifiable via ICETRAK and ICEGATE; eGatepass PDFs will contain release-critical IGM/container/package details and both whole-document and container-level QR codes. EDI OoC messages continue for ICEGATE-registered custodians; non-registered custodians must register.

Relaxation of import clearance procedures allows email NOC issuance and testing waivers to expedite critical pharma imports.
Importers may submit pharma import applications and documents by email with authorised contact details; the Assistant Drug Controller will review and issue NOC electronically. Temporary acceptance of signed letterhead for labeling/testing guarantees substitutes for notarised stamp paper. Online signed requests may be made for pending Direct Delivery shipments. Vaccines and certain critical IVDs sampled fully may be released after document and protocol review, bank risk certificate and prior track record subject to central regulator conditions. Testing waivers for medicines used by treating physicians for COVID-19 may be allowed based on previous testing history.

EPCG bond cancellation procedure: release of bond and bank guarantee conditioned on original document submission after lockdown
EPCG licence holders must email specified documents to [email protected] for verification and submit originals within thirty days after end of lockdown; listed documents include EODC/Redemption Letter, ANF 5B certified by a Chartered Accountant, Installation Certificate, EPCG licence, shipping bills or ARE-1, Bank Realization Certificate, third-party export documents as per FTP, and other DGFT submissions. Bond and Bank Guarantee will be released only after receipt of originals (original EPCG licence, EODC issued by DGFT, and Installation Certificate) within the post-lockdown period.

Paperless Customs enables electronic PDF eOoC and eGatepass with digitally signed QR codes to reduce physical interface.
DG Systems will email digitally secured PDF Final eOoC copies of the Bill of Entry and PDF eGatepass to registered importers and Customs Brokers upon Out of Charge. The eOoC PDF contains a digitally signed, encrypted QR code with key BoE details and a version number verifiable via Mobile App ICETRAK and ICEGATE enquiry. The eGatepass includes movement-relevant details and two QR-code types (document-level and container/package-level). EDI OoC messages continue for custodians on ICEGATE; unregistered custodians must register to receive electronic transmissions.

Electronic Gatepass and eOoC: PDF transmission with digitally signed QR verification replaces paper for customs clearance processes.
Enables electronic transmission of PDF-based Final eOoC copy of Bill of Entry and PDF eGatepass to registered importers and Customs brokers in place of paper printouts; PDFs will bear digitally signed, encrypted QR codes with BOE details and a version number verifiable via ICEGATE/ICETRAK. eGatepass PDFs will include custodian-relevant movement details and two QR code types for document- and container/package-level verification. EDI OOC messaging continues for custodians registered on ICEGATE and custodians are urged to register to receive electronic messages.

Paperless Customs enabled: electronic eOoC and eGatepass emailed to importers and brokers with digitally signed QR verification.
Enables Paperless Customs by emailing the PDF Final eOoC copy of the Bill of Entry and the eGatepass to registered importers/customs brokers after OOC; PDFs bear digitally signed, tamper proof QR codes with BOE details and a version number verifiable via ICETRAK and ICEGATE. The eGatepass contains custodial verification details and uses separate QR codes for the document and for each container/package; EDI OOC messages continue for custodians registered on ICEGATE. The measure reduces physical interface and is effective from 15 April 2020.

Electronic communications requirement for customs filings to replace physical visits, ensuring timely responses and operational continuity.
Stakeholders must avoid physical visits and submit duly signed letters, applications and requests as PDF attachments from official company or firm email accounts to designated departmental email addresses listed in the notice. The Administration assures that emailed submissions will be replied to within three working days and directs heads of offices and sections to implement this instruction as a Standing Order for all headquarters, divisions and field locations under Ahmedabad Customs.

Electronic customs documents with QR code verification enabling digital gatepass validation and removal of physical signatures.
The PDF final copy of the Bill of Entry and the eGatepass will be emailed on Out of Charge and will bear a digitally signed, encrypted QR code; scanning with the ICETRAK app returns document identifiers and authenticity. Version validity can be checked via ICEGATE Document Status enquiries, an ICES verification app for officers is planned, and eGatepass QR codes will permit container-level gate-out verification while EDI OOC messages continue to be sent to custodians via MFTP.

Import restrictions on refined palm oil require authorization with pre-purchase agreements and stricter origin and utilization controls.
Import of refined palm oil has been reclassified as restricted and will be permitted only under authorizations supported by a pre-purchase agreement and three years' import history; licenses will have reduced validity, total non utilisation will bar future licensing, and Customs must enforce Rules of Origin for consignments from specified neighbouring territories.

Timeline relaxation for RTAs and issuers extends compliance and processing deadlines during Covid lockdown disruptions.
SEBI grants timeline relaxation to RTAs and issuer companies by extending prescribed time limits by the duration of the Covid 19 lockdown (and any further extensions) for processing investor requests and meeting compliance obligations. Covered activities include remat, transmission, duplicate certificates, name changes, consolidation/split of certificates, investor correspondence/SCORES complaints, half yearly report submission, internal audits of RTAs, submission of cybersecurity audit reports, QRTAs compliance reports, and obligations under relevant Depositories Regulations.

Duty credit scrip exemption: imports under RoSCTL qualify for customs and additional duty relief subject to registration, production, and eligibility.
Imports against a RoSCTL duty credit scrip are exempt from customs duty under the First Schedule and from specified additional customs duties, subject to conditions: scrips must be issued for eligible garment and made up exports under the RoSCTL and Foreign Trade Policy within prescribed shipment periods; scrips must be registered at the port and produced at clearance for debit; scrips and imported goods are transferable; non claim of additional duty exemption is deemed non availment for calculation purposes; drawback or CENVAT credit may be claimed against debits; certain export categories are ineligible.

Option under section 115BAC: employees may notify employers to apply concessional tax rates for TDS.
An employee intending to opt for the concessional regime under section 115BAC may intimate the employer for the previous year; upon such intimation the employer shall compute total income and make TDS in accordance with that regime. If no intimation is made, the employer shall deduct tax without considering the concessional regime. The intimation is only for TDS purposes, cannot be modified during the year, and does not replace the formal option which must be exercised with the return under section 139(1).

Paperless customs electronic gatepass reduces in-person verification, enabling emailed digitally signed BoE and eGatepass for import clearance
Secure electronic emailing of the Final eOoC copy of the Bill of Entry and PDF eGatepass to registered importers and customs brokers replaces paper printouts. The PDFs will bear digitally signed, encrypted QR codes with BoE details and a version number verifiable via ICETRAK and ICEGATE. eGatepass PDFs will include gate relevant IGM/container/package data and separate QR codes for the document and each container, while EDI OoC messages continue for custodians registered on ICEGATE.

E-voting requirement ensures remote electronic notice and voting for company resolutions during COVID-19 restrictions.
Notices for EGMs during COVID-19 may be sent only by e-mail registered with the company or depository; public notices must state that the meeting is via VC or OAVM, provide meeting details, website availability of the notice, methods for members without registered e-mails to register and vote remotely, and contact information. The Chairman must record that all feasible efforts to enable member participation and voting were made. For postal ballots, rule 20 (electronic voting) and the earlier circular apply mutatis mutandis and assent or dissent shall be communicated only through remote e-voting.

Unclaimed funds and shares transfer: temporary fee free electronic filing and e verification relief for IEPF compliance amid COVID 19.
The circular provides temporary procedural facilitation for compliance with obligations to transfer unpaid or unclaimed amounts and related share transfers under the Companies Act and the IEPFA Rules, acknowledging COVID 19 related operational impediments and permitting electronic filing of specified IEPF e forms and e verification of claims through the MCA electronic registry without additional fees, so stakeholders may undertake requisite transfer, accounting and refund actions remotely.

Refund and adjustment of GST clarified: credit notes or refund vouchers govern recovery and refund procedures for cancelled supplies.
Where tax has been paid on advances or on invoiced supplies later cancelled, suppliers must issue a credit note and adjust tax liability in the return; if no output liability exists, a refund claim for excess payment of tax may be filed. If GST was paid on advances without an invoice, a refund voucher must be issued and refund sought via the prescribed refund procedure. Expired Letters of Undertaking for zero-rated supplies may be relied upon provided the LUT for the relevant year is filed by the extended deadline, and specified filing and TDS deposit timelines falling within the relief period are extended with no interest if complied with within the extended cutoff.