DRI seizes over 125,000 kg foreign-origin smuggled areca nuts and 41,000 kg poppy seeds worth around Rs. 20.31 crore in Assam and Mizoram in a crackdo...
Anti-drug awareness and cultivator outreach combine prevention, direct grievance redressal, and safeguards against illicit narcotics diversion. Jan Sunwayi programmes provide direct, prompt and accessible grievance redressal for opium cultivators, including name corrections, Namantaran, and eligibility connected with the upcoming Settlement Operation. Cultivators are advised to avoid middlemen or intermediaries and seek clarification or assistance directly. These measures complement anti-drug awareness and preventive outreach aimed at preventing illegal trafficking, diversion and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
NDPS enforcement targets concealed poppy straw, opium and cannabis trafficking through seizures, arrests, and continuing supply-chain investigation. Narcotics enforcement operations in Rajasthan led to seizures of poppy straw, opium, hydroponic cannabis, cash, vehicles and a loaded country-made pistol, with four arrests. Poppy straw was recovered from vehicles and premises, including a truck where it was concealed beneath cement bags. Opium and cash were recovered from residential premises, while hydroponic cannabis concealed in an international parcel was recovered at the Foreign Post Office, Jaipur. The seized articles were taken under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and supply-chain investigation continues.
Free trade agreement market access is positioned to expand export opportunities and international investment for local entrepreneurs. Free Trade Agreement-led market access is positioned to expand international opportunities for entrepreneurs in Uttar Pradesh by supporting exports, investment inflows and access to overseas markets. International trade engagement is supported through direct business access to global markets, buyer-seller meetings and promotion of the State's products, cuisines and services. Export expansion, international investment, tourism and global recognition of State brands form the stated next phase of economic development, supported by coordination between governments and trade and industrial stakeholders.
Multilateral infrastructure cooperation guides annual development bank participation and bilateral engagement on sustainable investment and economic connectivity. The official visit includes participation, as India's Governor, in the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, alongside bilateral meetings and engagement with governmental leadership, business leaders and investors. The AIIB focuses on sustainable infrastructure and productive-sector investment in Asia to promote sustainable economic development, wealth creation and infrastructure connectivity.
Reciprocal trade agreement negotiations face tariff and subsidy pressures as both governments pursue lower bilateral trade barriers. India-US bilateral trade negotiations seek completion of the first-phase Bilateral Trade Agreement through a reciprocal trade arrangement lowering trade barriers and tariffs. Further negotiations are required because of changed US tariff conditions, forced-labour tariffs on Indian goods, a possible investigation into excess industrial capacity and subsidies, and sanctions legislation relating to Russia. Ministerial and bilateral engagements will review progress on the proposed reciprocal arrangement.
Banking strike contingency measures direct customers toward advance transactions and digital channels as branch operations may be disrupted. Banking-service continuity measures anticipate possible disruption from a three-day employee strike. Customers are advised to complete essential transactions in advance and use ATMs/ADWMs, mobile and internet banking, UPI, business correspondent points and other digital channels. Branch and office operations at participating institutions may be affected, while essential services are to be maintained where possible. Union demands include a five-day banking week, pension improvements and transition options from the National Pension System to the old pension scheme.
Government borrowing calendar: Reduced dated-securities borrowing will use weekly auctions, green bonds, switches and buyback operations. Second-half dated-security borrowing will be completed through weekly auctions across maturities ranging from 3 years to 50 years, including Sovereign Green Bonds. Switching and buyback operations will continue to smooth the redemption profile, while a greenshoe option may permit retention of additional subscriptions. Treasury Bill borrowing will proceed through 91-day, 182-day and 364-day instruments. Auctions will offer non-competitive bidding for specified retail investors, and flexibility is retained to modify issuance terms or introduce non-standard maturity instruments, floating-rate bonds and inflation-indexed bonds.
Interest-free working capital assistance for FCV tobacco growers supports liquidity, institutional loan repayment, crop inputs, and reduced private borrowing. A one-time, interest-free working-capital loan of Rs. 50,000 per barn is approved for FCV tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh under the Interest-Free Working Capital Assistance Scheme. Covering about 44,000 growers, the assistance is proposed to be delivered through direct benefit transfer. It is intended to provide liquidity for household requirements, institutional loan repayment and crop inputs, while reducing dependence on private borrowing.
Government securities auction calendar establishes retail bidding access, flexible issuance terms, greenshoe subscriptions, and periodic debt switch operations. Each auction carries a non-competitive bidding facility, under which five per cent of the notified amount is reserved for specified retail investors. The Government may modify indicated amounts, issuance periods and maturities, and may issue instruments with non-standard maturities, floating-rate bonds or inflation-indexed bonds, having regard to governmental requirements, market conditions and other relevant factors. It may retain additional subscriptions through a greenshoe option and conduct switch or buyback auctions of dated securities.
Market borrowing plan sets dated securities auctions, Treasury Bill issuance, redemption management, and temporary cash-flow support. Government market borrowing for the second half of FY 2026-27 is to be raised through weekly auctions of dated securities, including Sovereign Green Bonds, across maturities from 3 to 50 years. Debt-management measures include switching and buyback operations to smooth the redemption profile and a greenshoe option for additional subscriptions. Treasury Bills are to be issued through weekly auctions in 91-day, 182-day and 364-day maturities. The Ways and Means Advances limit is fixed to address temporary mismatches in government accounts.
GI-tagged agricultural exports expand farmer access to international markets through FPO-led value chains and higher price realisation. APEDA facilitated the export of a one-metric-tonne consignment of GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to the Maldives through an FPO-led brand. Gulbarga Tur Dal has held GI registration since 2019. The export-linked channel provides farmers a realisation of Rs.82 per kg compared with a prevailing market price of Rs.60 per kg, while supporting closer integration of FPOs and farmers into export-oriented supply chains.
Gold smuggling through powdered gold concealed in food products led to seizure and arrests under customs law. Intelligence-led interception and baggage examination identified foreign-origin gold converted into fine powder and mixed with packaged food products of similar colour, texture and consistency. Segregation and assaying yielded 9.40 kg foreign-origin gold, which was seized under the Customs Act, 1962. Questioning linked the passengers to the same organised gold-smuggling syndicate, and they were arrested under that Act.
Customs seizure of suspected smuggled areca nuts and restricted poppy seeds followed intelligence-led cross-border enforcement operations. Intelligence-led customs enforcement in Mizoram and Assam resulted in seizure, under the Customs Act, 1962, of suspected foreign-origin areca nuts and poppy seeds believed on preliminary inquiry to have been smuggled from Myanmar. Searches of locked, unattended godowns near the Indo-Myanmar border recovered the commodities, while interception of two trucks carrying poppy seeds without valid import documents led to seizure of the consignments and vehicles. Four persons connected with transportation of the poppy seeds were arrested.
Industrial control system cybersecurity certification validates system-level protection across wind farm controls, networks, and lifecycle security services. IEC 62443-3-3 Security Level 2 certification applies to a wind farm control system covering SCADA, PPC, PLC and industrial network devices. It assesses system-level security requirements, including the interaction of components, networks and security mechanisms within an overall industrial control environment. The cybersecurity framework also spans secure development, certified core control components, system-level protection, and security integration and maintenance services across the lifecycle of wind energy technologies.
Foreign exchange reserve composition reflects a weekly decline driven by foreign currency assets despite a modest gold increase. India's foreign exchange reserves declined by USD 14.881 billion to USD 765.901 billion for the week ended 18 September 2026. The contraction was principally driven by a reduction in foreign currency assets, which also reflect valuation effects from movements in non-US reserve currencies. Gold reserves increased, while Special Drawing Rights decreased and the reserve position with the International Monetary Fund remained reported separately.
Five-day banking proposal remains under consideration amid strike plans and measures for uninterrupted banking and advance disbursements. Five-day banking remains under governmental consideration, with no Finance Ministry commitment to implementation. Unions linked the proposal to the 12th Bipartite Settlement/9th Joint Note, which contemplated extended Monday-to-Friday working hours. Family pension revision and a pension option for resignees were identified as addressed, while withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive scheme remains in abeyance. Public sector banks were instructed to remain open on the preceding Sunday, and central government salaries, wages and pensions were directed to be disbursed in advance.
Alternative fuel transition promotes ethanol, electric and hydrogen mobility to reduce imports, pollution, and strengthen farm income. Alternative-fuel and public-transport measures seek to reduce dependence on imported petroleum, curb air pollution, and support farmer income and employment. Ethanol is positioned as a farm-income source through increased demand and returns for maize growers, alongside electricity, hydrogen and waste-derived CNG. Development and introduction of flex-fuel vehicles, using engines capable of operating on ethanol, electric tractors, hydrogen-powered vehicles and hydrogen buses form part of a cleaner-mobility strategy.
Foreign-exchange market intervention expectations supported rupee appreciation amid improved risk sentiment, while importer demand and crude prices constrained gains. Foreign-exchange market conditions supported a 19-paise appreciation of the rupee to 95.80 against the US dollar, aided by improved global risk sentiment and expectations of Reserve Bank intervention. Dollar demand from importers, high crude prices and US dollar strength constrained gains. Lower crude prices and dollar weakness could support the rupee, while geopolitical escalation may create pressure. Market participants expected intervention if the currency weakened toward 96.
Credit health assessment combines score, repayment history, utilisation, accounts and enquiries to support informed borrowing and profile monitoring. Credit health is broader than a numerical credit score and encompasses the way credit has been managed over time. Credit analysis requires a combined review of the score, repayment history, credit accounts, credit utilisation, credit history and credit enquiries. A credit report may identify management of EMIs and credit-card dues, existing borrowing obligations, use of revolving credit relative to available limits, and recent lender checks associated with credit applications. Incorrect or unfamiliar entries may be reviewed and, where necessary, raised with the relevant lender or credit bureau.
Finance Minister has announced that the Government has identified seven critical areas on the Direct Taxes Code for further detailed examination. At an interactive session with representatives of trade and industry from all over the country, here today, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that the areas identified after interactions with all stakeholders are: The concept of Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) based on gross assets; Capital Gains Taxation in the case of non-residents; The Income Tax Act and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA); General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR); Issues relating to effective management control and taxation of foreign companies in India; Taxation of charitable organizations; and Shift from EEE to EET taxation system.
On the apprehensions expressed regarding the time schedule for implementation of the new Direct Taxes Code, the Finance Minister assured that next steps would be taken only after a comprehensive review of the draft Direct Taxes Code by taking on board the suggestions received. Every effort would be made to meet the aspirations and expectations of our taxpayers and our vibrant corporate sector.
Shri Mukherjee said that it has been the endeavour of the government to incorporate the best practices prevailing across the globe and to use innovative methods for attaining equity—vertical and horizontal, ensure growth with sustainability, create stable fiscal eco-system and have well regulated free markets. The new Direct Tax system would also take into account established and time tested practices which have withstood judicial scrutiny. He said, "We want to present the stakeholders with a tax regime which is simple and broad based leading to lowering of tax rates, better tax compliance and reduced litigation."
The Finance Minister said that it has been two months since the proposed draft direct tax code was released for public debate and he was moved by the amount of interest and intellectual debate it has generated amongst various sections of taxpayers, tax professionals and general public. We are receiving thoughtful feedbacks on our website and through other means—trade and industry associations, professional bodies and others, he added.
Shri Mukherjee said that he has kept his promise by putting the draft code in public domain within 45 days and he would like to expedite to give it a final shape. While thanking the industry and trade associations for enthusiastically participating in today's deliberations, Shri Mukherjee said that he looks forward to their suggestions in making the new Direct Taxes Code an effective instrument for meeting the economic challenges and development priorities of the country. The outcome of the discussions would be used for modifying the proposals contained in the draft Direct Taxes Code, the Minister said.
Minister of State for Finance, Shri S.S. Palanimanickam, Revenue Secretary, Shri P.V. Bhide and senior officers of the Finance Ministry were also present at the interactive session.
General Anti-Avoidance Rule under review alongside other Direct Taxes Code reforms to refine tax base and compliance.
Direct Taxes Code reform now targets seven critical areas for detailed examination: Minimum Alternative Tax based on gross assets; Capital Gains taxation for non-residents; the Income Tax Act's interaction with Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements; the General Anti-Avoidance Rule; effective management control and taxation of foreign companies; taxation of charitable organisations; and the shift from an EEE to an EET taxation system, with further steps contingent on a comprehensive review of the draft Code and stakeholder inputs.
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