Open network digital commerce initiative expands to public beta, enabling interoperable e commerce through specification-based network.
ONDC has begun public beta testing in Bengaluru to operationalise an open, specification based e commerce network enabling consumers to transact across buyer and seller apps (initially for groceries and restaurants). Built as a Section 8 company, ONDC is presented as a set of interoperable specifications rather than a platform, aiming to democratise and decentralise e commerce, increase inclusivity for small and medium enterprises, and solicit public feedback via a consultation paper to refine governance and trust mechanisms.

Global innovation ranking rise highlights policy-driven innovation growth and strengthened IP and startup support in India.
India's rise in the Global Innovation Index is linked to policy measures promoting incubation, funding, industry-academia partnerships, mentorship and education reforms to strengthen research and development, alongside structural reforms to the Intellectual Property Regime-including modernization of the IP office, reduced compliance and facilitation of IP filing for start-ups, women entrepreneurs and small industries-to accelerate the transition to a knowledge economy.

Acquisition clearance: takeover of two power companies cleared, consolidating full ownership and operational control post-transaction.
Competition Commission approval is recorded for the acquisition by Adani Power Limited of 100% of the share capital and economic rights of Diliigent Power Private Limited and DB Power Limited, transferring full ownership and control of both targets to the acquirer. Diliigent acts as a holding and limited consultancy provider to DB Power, which operates a coal based thermal power plant with 1200 MW installed capacity; the acquirer is a listed power company with multiple thermal plants and a solar project. A detailed order will follow.

Merger control approval under Section 31 enables JSW Neo Energy to acquire Mytrah's renewable subsidiaries.
The Competition Commission approved, under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, JSW Neo Energy Limited's acquisition of the share capital of eighteen Mytrah Energy subsidiaries via individual share purchase agreements, transferring an operational renewable portfolio comprising the targets' wind and solar power generation assets to the acquirer; a detailed CCI order will follow.

Regulatory approval of asset acquisition enables transfer of power, transmission and port assets to the acquirer under merger review.
The Competition Commission of India approved AMNS's acquisition of specified Essar Group assets comprising Power Assets (EPHL and GHTL), Port Assets (HCTL, EBTL, EBTPL, EVTL, IATPL) and other corporate assets (SWAPL, BSL). The assets include captive generation and transmission facilities adjacent to AMNS, licensed and concessioned port terminals with stated capacities and mechanised handling, and holding companies/special-purpose entities; several assets are used by the acquirer for captive purposes. A detailed CCI order will follow.

Interest entitlement on senior citizens' savings accounts continues at scheme rate until death, then postal savings rate thereafter.
On death of an SCSS account holder, the SCSS interest rate is payable until the date of demise; from that date until final closure interest shall accrue at the Post Office Savings Account rate. The premature closure clause does not apply to closure on account of the holder's death; premature-closure penalties apply only when the account holder requests closure before maturity.

Constructive cooperation and transparency to unlock regional trade potential and pursue an equitable, development-oriented agenda.
Constructive cooperation underpinned by trust and transparency is proposed as the principal means to unlock regional trade potential and sustain multilateral trade relations. The statement stresses mutually beneficial, balanced and equitable cooperation to make trade an engine of recovery, enhance affordable access to medicines and healthcare during pandemics, share technological and resource-conservation best practices, narrow digital capacity gaps, and avoid using climate agendas to justify trade or investment restrictions.

Dearness Allowance and Relief increase effective from July raises central employees' and pensioners' payments retroactively.
Approval was given for release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief to Central Government employees and pensioners, effective 01.07.2022, based on the increase in the 12 month average All India Consumer Price Index ending June 2022. Entitlement to higher pay and pension amounts is effective from that date. The release identifies separate annual and pro rata financial implications for employees and pensioners and states the combined impact on the exchequer for the relevant financial year period.

Fast-Track Mechanism to expedite resolution of investment issues and strengthen bilateral investment cooperation between India and the Netherlands.
Formalization of a bilateral Fast-Track Mechanism (FTM) establishes a structured intergovernmental platform executed by Invest India with DPIIT, the Embassy of the Netherlands and relevant ministries to accelerate resolution of investment-related matters for Dutch companies in India, provide a defined channel for case handling and inter-agency engagement, and institutionalize collaboration on investor assistance, pre-emptive problem resolution and facilitation of mutual commercial cooperation.

Poppy straw trafficking: large-scale seizure prompts NDPS enforcement, arrests, vehicle seizure and arms investigation, with interagency support.
A targeted CBN search of a concealed temporary godown in Neemuch recovered 51 bags of poppy straw (totaling 1083.150 kg), three vehicles, processing equipment and an unlicensed firearm; three persons were arrested under the NDPS framework and the weaponry will be investigated under the Arms Act, with interagency assistance and further investigation ongoing.

Multilateralism: call for consensus-based action on trade, TRIPS waiver extension, fisheries and supply chain resilience
The Minister urged intensive efforts to preserve multilateralism and called for a consensus-based G20 outcome prioritising trade and investment. He welcomed WTO MC12 progress and pressed for timely action on WTO reforms, an extension of the TRIPS waiver to cover COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics, and urgent resolutions on fisheries negotiations, a permanent public stockholding solution, and the e-commerce moratorium. He also called for collective measures to bolster supply chain resilience and promote sustainable lifestyles under the LIFE approach.

Amalgamation approval: Jio Cinema platform to be merged into Viacom18 after investor commitments by BTS1 and RPPMSL.
The Competition Commission of India approved the amalgamation of the Jio Cinema OTT platform into Viacom 18 Media Private Limited following investment by BTS Investment 1 Pte. Ltd. and Reliance Projects & Property Management Services Limited, combining Jio Cinema's ownership and operations with Viacom18's media businesses while noting BTS1's capital-raising role and RPPMSL's operational support function.

National Logistics Policy aims to reduce logistics costs and boost efficiency through integrated digital platforms and standards.
The National Logistics Policy establishes a cross-sectoral framework to build a technologically enabled, integrated, cost-efficient and resilient logistics ecosystem, sets targets to reduce logistics costs to global benchmarks and improve Logistics Performance Index ranking, and creates data-driven decision support mechanisms. Implementation will use PM GatiShakti institutional structures including an Empowered Group of Secretaries and a Services Improvement Group to coordinate regulatory, process and digital improvements, while operational measures promote standards, warehousing planning, digitisation, track-and-trace, streamlined EXIM processes, and training; the Unified Logistics Interface Platform is introduced for immediate rollout.

GeM registration expands market access and transparency, urging GST registered traders to join for prompt payments and pan India orders.
Encouragement for GST registered traders to enrol on the GeM portal to gain pan India market access, transparent procurement and prompt payments. GeM is an end to end online marketplace operating paperless, contactless and cashless on principles of efficiency, transparency and inclusivity, with specific onboarding provisions for MSMEs and Self Help Groups. The release cites participant testimonials of business growth after registration and provides state and platform level registration and transaction metrics to illustrate scale.

Anti-smuggling operation uncovers courier-based gold trafficking from northeastern region, prompting multi-city seizures and ongoing criminal investigation.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence conducted an interdiction operation against a syndicate smuggling foreign-origin gold via a domestic logistics company; coordinated interceptions at Bhiwandi, a Bihar warehouse, and a Delhi hub recovered 394 pieces of foreign-origin gold bars weighing approximately 65.46 kg, revealing a repeatable modus operandi using courier consignments from Mizoram to Mumbai and prompting ongoing investigation.

Stakeholders Consultation Committee expanded powers to oversee liquidation and recommend liquidator replacement and fee fixation.
Amendments require the Committee of Creditors to act as a Stakeholders Consultation Committee for the first 60 days and to be reconstituted based on admitted claims; mandate structured, time bound SCC meetings; allow the SCC to propose liquidator replacement and fix fees if the CoC did not; and oblige the liquidator to verify claims not filed during liquidation against CIRP collated amounts.

Repayment of government security: holders must provide bank mandate for electronic credit or tender certificates to paying offices.
Repayment of the Government security is at par on the due date with no further interest accrual; if a holiday affects repayment, paying offices will repay on the previous working day. Maturity proceeds to holders in Subsidiary General Ledger, Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger or by Stock Certificate will be paid by pay order with bank particulars or by electronic credit; holders must submit bank account particulars in advance, or tender duly discharged securities at designated paying offices twenty days before the due date.

Trade and investment cooperation expanded with commitments to streamline market access, fast-track pharma approvals and enable digital payments.
The ministerial meeting advanced trade and investment cooperation by endorsing 41 priority areas across Agriculture, Energy, Technology and Infrastructure and committing to time bound implementation of priority projects including refinery, LNG and strategic petroleum storage. Parties agreed to remove trade barriers, address sanitary, phytosanitary and trade remedy issues, and facilitate market access for Indian pharmaceuticals through proposals for automatic registration and marketing authorization. Financial and digital facilitation measures included exploring Rupee-Riyal settlement and operationalizing UPI and Rupay Card in Saudi Arabia.

Public procurement access expanded via government e marketplace, enabling nationwide supplier onboarding and MSME facilitation.
Government e Marketplace is an end to end online Public Procurement Portal that centralises procurement for Central and State departments, PSUs and cooperative buyers into a contactless, paperless and cashless platform. Through state memoranda and platform functionalities, GeM expands market access for registered sellers nationwide and implements special onboarding, category expansion and lender linkages to facilitate MSME and SHG participation, including credit access at order acceptance.

Sale of assets in resolution enabled to maximise value through targeted marketing and revised disclosure and timeline rules.
Amendments to the CIRP Regulations permit a second solicitation of resolution plans for the sale of one or more assets where no whole-entity plan is received, allow resolution plans to allocate assets among successful applicants and treat remaining assets, require a CoC-consulted marketing strategy and enhanced Form G, advance the invitation for expressions of interest to the sixtieth day, move the information memorandum deadline to the ninety-fifth day with expanded disclosures, mandate sharing of preferential transaction applications with prospective applicants, and introduce procedural transparency measures including a common case email and RP communications to creditors.