Interest subvention increases prompt pay repayment incentive, lowering short term crop loan interest for timely repaying farmers under the government scheme.
The Interest Subvention Scheme provides one year short term crop loans up to Rs.3 lakh through Public Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks, combining a base subsidy with an additional prompt repayment subvention; the increased additional subvention reduces the effective interest rate for prompt payee farmers, applying to pre harvest and proposed post harvest management loans.

Disinvestment of minority stake: approval with book building, retail and employee discounts and employee reservation applied.
Approval was granted for the disinvestment of a 5% paid-up equity stake in Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited through a domestic book-building process, reducing the Government's shareholding; ten percent of shares in the further public offer are reserved for employees, and price discounts are to be offered to retail investors and employees.

Index of Eight Core Industries shows sustained expansion driven by electricity and steel despite contraction in natural gas.
The Index of Eight Core Industries (weight 37.90% in the IIP) rose in July 2011 year on year, with electricity generation and steel as the principal positive contributors, cement and refinery products showing moderate growth, and natural gas and fertilizers recording contractions; the release supplies monthly indices and April-July cumulative growth comparisons and states that data are provisional and subject to revision.

Parliamentary resolution communicated to activist by Prime Minister informing adoption by both Houses and link to full text.
The Prime Minister communicated to Shri Anna Hazare that both Houses of Parliament adopted a resolution, informing him of that legislative action and directing him to the full text of the letter and associated press materials.

Wholesale Price Index update: Primary Articles and Fuel & Power show weekly variations and group-specific inflation trends.
Wholesale Price Index provisional movements for the week ended 13 August 2011 show Primary Articles rising to an index of 198.5 with point to point annual inflation at 12.40 percent, while Fuel & Power remained unchanged at an index of 167.2 and annual inflation of 13.13 percent. Food Articles rose on higher prices for fish, meat, pulses and some fruits and vegetables; Non Food Articles rose on increases in flowers, raw silk and oilseeds; Minerals declined due to lower crude petroleum. Annexures supply build up and six week trend data.

Tobacco export competitiveness: measures to improve Virginia tobacco quality, product integrity, and traceability for exports.
The Tobacco Board implements measures to enhance Virginia tobacco export competitiveness by reorienting FCV production through extension activities, addressing product integrity (elimination of NTRMs), reducing pesticide residue levels, and establishing traceability; it also supports market access via trade fairs, delegations, industry interfaces, and DEPB export incentives, implemented in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Indo US trade growth: officials welcome rising trade and investment flows and commit to measures to deepen commercial ties.
Bilateral merchandise trade between India and the United States expanded in 2010-11 with increases in exports, imports and overall trade turnover. At the Second India-US Strategic Dialogue, officials welcomed growth in trade and investment flows, noted potential for further expansion, and reiterated a mutual commitment to pursue measures to deepen commercial ties and promote continued increases in bilateral trade and investment.

SAFTA implementation: Pakistan's positive list contrasts with SAFTA negative list; talks seek shift and MFN recognition.
Pakistan maintains a Positive List permitting imports from India of 1,945 items, whereas SAFTA operates a sensitive Negative List of 1,169 items, creating a regulatory mismatch. In bilateral talks Pakistan has indicated in principle willingness to shift from a Positive List to a Negative List regime and recognized that granting Most Favoured Nation status to India could help expand bilateral trade.

Wholesale price inflation trends show food articles easing while fuel and power prices firm, altering weekly WPI dynamics.
The weekly WPI bulletin for 6 August 2011 reports provisional index levels, week over week percent changes and point to point annual inflation for Primary Articles (weight 20.12%) and Fuel & Power (weight 14.91%). Primary Articles fell weekly largely due to declines in food articles while Non Food Articles rose; Fuel & Power rose driven by petroleum and related products. Annexures provide item level indices, build up since end March and six week inflation trends for major commodities.

Manufacturing policy to reduce compliance burden through self-regulation and promote investment, boosting industry global competitiveness.
Primary policy emphasis is on enhancing industrial growth by creating world-class infrastructure, reducing transaction costs through regulatory mechanisms, promoting and facilitating industrial investment including foreign direct investment, improving the business environment, advancing industrial infrastructure via public-private initiatives, correcting regional imbalances, and developing industry-relevant skills; the Union Budget signals a manufacturing policy to lower compliance burden through self-regulation to raise manufacturing growth and global competitiveness.

TRIPS compliance should circumscribe IPR commitments, preserving states' ability to protect public health and access to medicines.
A UN political declaration recognized affordable medicines and stated that IP protection and enforcement should be implemented consistent with TRIPS while supporting states' rights to protect public health; India's negotiating stance is that international IPR commitments must be strictly circumscribed by TRIPS compliance and India's existing domestic IPR framework to preserve policy space for affordable generic medicines.

Geographical Indication registrations confirm multiple domestic and one foreign GI recorded under GI Act classifications.
Fourteen Geographical Indications were registered during 2009-10 across categories of foodstuff, agricultural produce, handicraft and manufactured goods under the GI Act 1999. The registrations identify region-specific products (for example traditional textiles and agricultural varieties), specify the State or country of origin for each entry, and include one foreign-origin GI; the data was reported in a parliamentary written reply by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry.

Foreign Direct Investment inflows reported for recent financial years and the first quarter indicate variation in equity receipts.
Total Foreign Direct Investment equity inflows are reported for financial years April-March 2009-10 and 2010-11 in rupee and US dollar terms, and for the first quarter April-June 2011 as the aggregate amount received during that quarter. The figures are disclosed in an official press statement responding to a parliamentary question.

Export classification of red sandalwood items under handicrafts HS codes confirms permissibility for export despite limited product-specific codes.
Items of red sandalwood procured from legal sources and fashioned as furniture or utility-oriented handicrafts are classifiable under HS Codes 970119091 and 970119099 within the Handicrafts category and are permissible for export, while no further product-profile-specific codes exist due to a short product list.

Services and investment negotiations urged greater flexibility to secure a comprehensive pact complementing trade ties and integration.
Negotiations on a Services and Investment Agreement between India and ASEAN were reviewed, with ministers urging negotiators to intensify efforts and show greater flexibility to reach a commercially meaningful, GATS-plus pact with substantial sectoral coverage that complements the Trade in Goods Agreement and deepens regional economic integration.

Bilateral trade negotiations: India and Australia to convene CEO Forum and advance FTA and regional economic integration.
India and Australia will hold the inaugural CEO Forum by year end with business co-chairs to deepen bilateral commercial engagement. Ministers reviewed progress on Free Trade Agreement negotiations and committed to intensify talks, support the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) for regional integration, and seek a balanced, development centric outcome in the Doha Round while noting recent trade and FDI growth with ASEAN.

Wholesale price inflation: monthly wholesale price index increased, with fuel and primary articles driving the movement
The Wholesale Price Index (base 2004 05=100) rose to 154.0 in July 2011 with an annual inflation rate of 9.22 percent; Fuel & Power showed a strong monthly rise led by kerosene, LPG and diesel, Primary Articles recorded mixed movements with food items up and several non food items and minerals down, and Manufactured Products edged higher overall with divergent subgroup patterns.

Strong Lokpal and anti corruption measures to bolster justice delivery and preserve judicial independence across governance.
The address prescribes a multi front anti corruption strategy centered on improving the justice delivery system, administrative reforms to prevent misuse of governmental discretion, and creation of a strong Lokpal, while insisting on preservation of judicial independence and discouraging hunger strikes; it also announces priority legislative and institutional measures including food security legislation, transparent land acquisition, an Education Commission, targeted health focus, an environmental assessment and monitoring authority, and commitments to control inflation, boost agriculture and reduce inequality.

Anti-corruption measures and institutional integrity urged to ensure transparency, electoral reform and accountable delivery of welfare.
Calls for strengthening institutional integrity under the Constitution through separation of powers and respect for institutional roles; implementing practical anti corruption measures with systems of transparency, preventive and punitive mechanisms; examining electoral reforms including state funding and barring criminal candidates; and ensuring transparent delivery of social welfare and food security entitlements while pursuing inclusive growth, education and skill development, agricultural modernisation, and measures to address declining child sex ratio and women's empowerment.

Wholesale Price Index signals sustained annual inflation in primary articles and marginal rise in fuel and power prices.
Weekly Wholesale Price Index review (base 2004-05=100) for week ended 30 July 2011: Primary Articles (weight 20.12%) rose week over week led by Food Articles and Non Food Articles with a point to point annual inflation above ten percent; Fuel & Power (weight 14.91%) showed a marginal weekly rise due mainly to lubricant prices and a comparable year on year inflation rate. Annexures provide detailed indices, build up since end March, year on year rates, 52 week averages and six week trends for key commodities.