Foreign direct investment approvals: government cleared two proposals and referred a major bank proposal to higher economic authority.
Foreign direct investment approvals: the Central Government approved two FDI proposals totaling Rs. 89.33 crore-additional foreign equity in a pharmaceutical company (M/s Sunij Pharma Pvt. Ltd., 0.46 crore) and acquisition of shares of an Indian stock exchange by a Mauritius investor (M/s WCP Holdings III, 88.87 crore). One large proposal (M/s Yes Bank Limited) was recommended to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for consideration; two proposals were deferred for clarification; one was advised as not requiring FIPB approval.

National Manufacturing Policy boosts manufacturing growth through investment zones and incentives and streamlined FDI rules to attract investment
National Manufacturing Policy advances manufacturing expansion through National Investment and Manufacturing Zones, industrial corridor development exemplified by the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and a focus on skill development. Complementary measures include simplification of the FDI policy, an e-governance business services project, a dedicated investment promotion joint venture, and targeted incentives such as transport subsidies, special regional packages, and sectoral infrastructure programmes implemented by ministries to stimulate manufacturing growth.

Transport subsidy eligibility for inland water transport expanded to cover Dhubri-Sadiya corridor with road onward for North East industry.
Industrial units in the North Eastern Region are eligible under the Transport Subsidy Scheme, 1971 for subsidy equal to 90% of transport cost for inland water transport from Dhubri along National Waterway 2 to Sadiya and thereafter by road to the manufacturing unit, and for the reverse movement, in respect of inbound raw materials and outbound finished goods, subject to the Scheme's provisions.

Industrial infrastructure upgradation: central grants fund cluster common infrastructure and SME participation to modernise industry.
The Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme approves and finances industrial clusters by providing need based common infrastructure (R&D labs, skill upgradation centres, modern test and prototype centres) through central grants; state wise project records for 2010-2012 list project names, host states, total project costs, approved and released GOI grants, SME participation shares and year of sanctioning.

Single-window G2B services streamline licensing, permits and compliance via an integrated online portal for businesses.
The Government launched an eBiz single-window G2B portal to centralise licensing, permits, registrations and compliance: it provides 24x7 access to information and forms, enables online submission and payment, and routes applications, fees and filings to relevant departments to simplify regulatory interactions across the business life-cycle.

Intellectual property modernization improves office processes through online filing, digitization, automation and international compliance.
Strengthening of the national intellectual property administration focuses on modernization and capacity building: the Office adopted online filing, digitization of records, automated electronic processing modules, upgraded IT infrastructure and a public website, and conducts outreach and training; institutional measures include creation of a national IP training institute and phased amendments to the Patents Act to achieve compliance with international IP obligations.

Trade and investment cooperation: minister conducted bilateral talks and inaugurated an instant coffee plant, reinforcing commercial engagement.
The Minister of State engaged in economic diplomacy in Vietnam, conducting bilateral talks with Vietnamese leaders on trade and investment and meeting business representatives. She inaugurated an instant coffee manufacturing facility established by an Indian company in Dak Lak Province, attended by Indian officials, company executives, and regional Vietnamese leaders, underscoring industrial investment and bilateral commercial engagement.

Tax preferences: disclosure of revenue impact of exemptions may reveal potential revenue gains if removed.
The Government requires publication of a Revenue Foregone Statement that estimates major tax expenditures - special rates, exemptions, deductions, rebates, deferrals and credits - and quantifies the taxes that would have been collectible but for these measures, indicating potential revenue gains from removing or altering exemptions.

AYUSH coverage in mediclaim may be provided when treatment occurs in government or accredited institutions under regulation.
Insurers may include coverage for AYUSH treatments where the treatment is received in a Government hospital or in institutions recognised by the Government or accredited by national quality bodies, making policy eligibility dependent on provider recognition or accreditation rather than the treatment category alone.

Inclusive innovation fund to back for profit social investments serving low income populations, subject to government approval.
The India Inclusive Innovation Fund is proposed as a dedicated, for profit social investment vehicle to back grassroots enterprises that deliver social returns and modest economic returns for citizens in the lower half of the economic pyramid with limited access to basic services. The proposal, developed through a public sector collaboration, remains under formal executive financial consideration and is intended to combine investment discipline with an explicit social impact mandate.

New Development Bank mobilizing infrastructure and sustainable development finance for BRICS and emerging economies to supplement multilateral institutions.
A proposal to establish a New Development Bank aims to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging and developing economies to supplement existing multilateral and regional financial institutions. Negotiations focus on membership and governance, capital size and structure, institutional arrangements, operational framework and Articles of Association, with an initial capital contribution intended to enable effective infrastructure financing; India is participating in discussions.

Commission ceiling for insurance agents maintained; insurers may set lower age-based rates within prescribed limits.
IRDA prescribes a ceiling of 15% for agents' commission; insurers determine the exact commission per policy annually within that cap. PSU insurers revised health insurance commission scales in 2012 on an age-differentiated basis to encourage younger purchasers and protect combined ratios. Reductions in commission within the ceiling are not treated as premium increases.

Insurance product clearance focuses on policyholder protection and standardised regulations to streamline approvals.
Clearance of insurance products is governed by regulatory scrutiny focused on policyholder protection, examining suitability to targeted customers, reasonableness and affordability of cover, financial viability, regulatory compliance, stakeholder interests, and appropriateness of reinsurance, pricing assumptions, target segments, investment philosophy and charges; consolidated regulations for linked, non linked and health products were introduced to harmonise practices and expedite approvals.

Vendor performance oversight prompts remedial measures including possible contract termination for ATM vendors after unsatisfactory rollout.
An Oversight and Implementation Committee of six lead banks monitoring ATM rollout found three vendors performing unsatisfactorily, including the vendor for Uttar Pradesh, and advised banks to take remedial measures, including termination of contracts where required.

Service tax evasion: increased detections prompt intensified enforcement including surveys, publicity, and interagency information sharing.
Incidence of service tax evasion has risen, shown by increased detected cases and aggregate evasion figures. The increase is attributed to an intensified enforcement drive. The government's operational responses include conducting field surveys, widespread publicity about service tax liability, booking unregistered service providers, and obtaining information from other government agencies to identify persons and entities liable to pay service tax.

Education loan waiver: no proposal to waive student loans; focus remains on credit guarantee and model loan scheme.
No executive proposal exists to waive education loans for unemployed graduates; instead, the Government announced a Credit Guarantee Fund for Education Loans to improve student access to credit. Education lending follows the Model Educational Loan Scheme adopted by banks, which sets ceilings, permits course-specific higher financings at bank discretion, and is periodically revised to add recognized courses abroad for employment eligibility.

Cross-border investment facilitation as governments agree to assist, expedite issue resolution and support infrastructure investments.
The Joint UAE-India Investment Taskforce agreed on modalities to expedite resolution of issues affecting existing investments and to promote new cross border investment across sectors; the UAE offered a dedicated allocation for infrastructure projects in India and both governments committed to provide assistance and support to accelerate implementation and address investor concerns.

Dearness Allowance increase: additional instalment effective January increases rates and raises fiscal burden for central employees and pensioners.
Approval to grant an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to central government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners effective 1.1.2013 by increasing the existing DA/DR rate by 8 percent over the prevailing 72 percent, with a noted annual and 2013-14 budgetary impact on the exchequer.

Trade balance worsened as exports rose monthly but annual exports fell while imports marginally increased.
March 2013 data: exports rose in March year-on-year but cumulative April-March exports fell in dollar terms while rising in rupee terms; imports fell in March in dollar terms but rose in rupee terms, with cumulative imports up slightly in dollars and more in rupees. Crude oil imports fell in March but rose over April-March year-on-year; non-oil imports rose in March but were lower cumulatively. The April-March trade deficit widened compared with the previous year.

Trade cooperation: India and Costa Rica sign MoU establishing joint committee to enhance bilateral commerce and meet biennially.
The MoU establishes a bilateral institutional mechanism to enhance trade and commerce by forming a joint committee headed by the Indian Commerce Secretary and Costa Rica's Minister for Trade, with meetings proposed at least once every two years. The mechanism will address operational barriers identified by the Indian Minister, notably import restrictions on Indian food items, visa difficulties, bidding obstacles for Indian pharmaceutical firms, and procedures for inviting proposals under an existing Indian line of credit.