GST refund facilitation expands provisional input tax credit refunds and removes the minimum threshold for export-related IGST refunds. Punjab's GST amendments facilitate voluntary compliance and reduce procedural burdens by allowing a 90 per cent provisional input tax credit refund in inverted duty structure cases and removing the minimum threshold for IGST refunds on exported goods. Additional measures cap annual fee increases by private unaided educational institutions, establish digital open universities for technology-enabled higher education, protect trees and green cover, and address common infrastructure, panchayati raj, and contractual engagement of outsourced State personnel.
Video-conference statements for an approver application were declined, requiring the accused's statement to be recorded before consideration. Special CBI Court rejected an accused's request to record her statement through video conferencing in a bank-fraud prosecution. The accused had sought to become an approver, and her statement was required to be recorded before consideration of that application. She and her husband had previously become approvers in a related money-laundering matter involving alleged fraudulent Letters of Undertaking.
Fuel price transparency highlights allegations over excise duty, consumer retail costs, and profit disclosures by state-run oil marketing companies. Fuel pricing, central excise duty and profits of state-run oil marketing companies are examined through allegations that retail fuel prices and tax policy imposed excessive costs on consumers while generating substantial company profits. The criticism contrasts high crude-price periods with lower retail prices and lower excise duty against a later period in which reduced crude prices were allegedly not passed through to consumers. Profit-margin disclosure is also raised as a transparency issue, with parliamentary information described as covering oil prices, global crude prices and company profits.
Discharge in money-laundering proceedings turns on whether pre-charge material sufficiently establishes the alleged offence. Discharge in a money-laundering prosecution was sought before a special PMLA court concerning alleged siphoning and laundering of loans advanced to Jet Airways by Canara Bank. The prosecution was directed to respond, subject to the applicant not seeking adjournment. Discharge is available after filing of a chargesheet and before framing of charges where the material before the court is insufficient to establish the alleged offence. The proceedings arise from a CBI FIR concerning alleged bank fraud involving Jet Airways and associated persons.
High-speed rail indigenisation and infrastructure performance monitoring require skills development, comparative planning, measurable station assessments and freight-terminal dashboards. Parliamentary oversight calls for accelerated indigenisation of high-speed rail components, capacity-building through international expertise, and comparative study of successful high-speed rail systems for future corridors. Redeveloped stations should be assessed through measurable indicators concerning passenger use, accessibility, cleanliness, commercial occupancy, maintenance and feedback, with completed-project practices documented and shared. Operational cargo terminals and cargo-related facilities should be monitored through a digital dashboard covering utilisation, rake performance, mechanisation, connectivity, safety compliance and customer satisfaction.
MSME and export promotion framework expands finance, technology, infrastructure, sustainability and global-market support for enterprise growth. Haryana Progressive MSME and Export Promotion Policy 2026 creates a five-year framework for MSME growth through financial incentives, institutional support, industrial infrastructure, technology adoption and export facilitation. Identified thrust-sector enterprises may receive capital and interest subsidies, stamp duty reimbursement, employment assistance, insurance support, and incentives for automation, artificial intelligence, testing and research. Proposed venture capital and credit guarantee funds seek to improve institutional and collateral-free finance. Export support covers international certifications, credit, insurance, freight, e-commerce, trade fairs, documentation, compliance and buyer connections, alongside sustainability and inclusive entrepreneurship measures.
Employee data exposure alerts trigger review of alleged password spraying and MFA fatigue, with customer and operational systems unaffected. Employee data exposure alerts prompted TCS to review allegations concerning limited basic employee information that appears to be more than four years old. No indication exists that customer data, customer systems, or operational systems have been affected. The alleged vectors involve password spraying and multi-factor authentication fatigue. TCS states that safeguards against these techniques have been in place for more than two years, its controls remain effective, and monitoring and further assessment will continue.
Mustard honey export demonstrates FPO-led aggregation, quality-focused production and industry collaboration for international agricultural market access. Mustard honey export from Tripura to Dubai marks the first international shipment by Dergang Farmer Producer Organisation, supported through export-oriented aggregation and market linkage initiatives. The export creates overseas market access for local beekeepers and farmers, diversifies the honey value chain, and encourages quality-focused production. Industry collaboration supported bee production and an export-oriented supply chain, while capacity building, quality assurance, value addition and market linkages can strengthen agricultural exports and farmer participation in international markets.
Digital banking evidence gains recognition through a modernised framework for physical and electronic records, with privacy and security safeguards. The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, modernises the evidentiary framework for bankers' books by permitting banking records to be produced in physical or electronic form in legal proceedings. It recognises electronic, digital and virtual records and enables the Central Government to extend the regime to other regulated financial entities, supporting a uniform financial-sector evidentiary framework. The framework seeks secure and transparent use of banking records while safeguarding customer privacy, confidentiality and data security.
Illicit opioid medicine exports exposed through concealed cargo, clandestine manufacturing, repacking, and attempted transnational trafficking to Nigeria. Illicit manufacture and attempted export of controlled opioid medicines were detected in a network producing, concealing, storing and exporting Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets to Nigeria. A consignment declared as Pregabalin capsules contained concealed Tramadol Hydrochloride and Tapentadol tablets. Investigation identified clandestine manufacture, repacking and preparation for export, with searches yielding tablet-compression machinery and raw materials. Tramadol is a psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, while Tapentadol is regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and its rules.
Summons compliance under anti-money-laundering law faces appellate scrutiny after acquittal over unproven email service allegations. Delhi High Court required Arvind Kejriwal to reply to Enforcement Directorate petitions challenging his acquittal in proceedings concerning alleged non-compliance with summonses. The trial court found that the agency had not proved intentional disobedience, service of summons through email, or lawful issuance of electronic summons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The appellate challenge concerns proof of service, validity of electronic summons, and intentional non-compliance.
Pesticide residue concerns drive organic farming, school agriculture initiatives, infrastructure financing and climate-resilience support for farmers. Food-safety concerns arising from pesticide residues and toxic substances are to be addressed through organic vegetable farming, household cultivation and the Kathir school-farming initiative. Kathir provides for institutional farming, teacher and committee support, markets, student training and clubs, with possible academic weightage for agricultural participation. Agricultural infrastructure financing supports post-harvest management, value addition, processing, packing, marketing and exports. Additional measures include banking support, agricultural technology adoption, women-farmer support and schemes addressing climate-related floods and drought.
Digital EODC processing removes physical duty challans through authenticated payment verification for export authorisation closure. Export Obligation Discharge Certificate processing under the Advance Authorisation and Export Promotion Capital Goods schemes no longer requires physical duty-payment challans for voluntary customs-duty payments made on or after 1 August 2026. Authenticated licence-wise payment information is electronically transmitted from Customs/ICEGATE to DGFT systems and mapped to the relevant authorisation. Exporters can verify payment details on the customer portal, while Regional Authorities use corresponding back-office records, replacing manual submission and verification for authorisation closure.
Trusted service-call numbering requires verified utilities and logistics entities to use dedicated numbers exclusively for transactional and service communications. The 1601-series is introduced for verified utilities, courier and logistics entities making service and transactional voice calls. Numbers must be allocated directly to eligible entities, not intermediaries or aggregators, following verification by telecom service providers and an undertaking of exclusive use. Promotional voice calls are prohibited on this series and remain associated with the 140-series. The framework separates these calls from the 1600-series reserved for regulated financial-sector and government-to-citizen communications, supporting consumer recognition of legitimate calls and reducing impersonation risks.
GST revenue collection drives tax growth while data scrutiny, taxpayer verification, and compliance capacity remain key administrative priorities. GST constituted the principal component of tax revenue for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Tax administration faces staff shortages, information-technology upgrade needs, and increased workloads from taxpayer registrations and return filings. Compliance oversight requires GST data scrutiny, risk assessment, identification of unregistered taxpayers, tax-evasion detection, and field verification of high-risk taxpayers. Long-term revenue planning sets progressively higher collection targets through 2063.
Russian crude imports reshape India's refining trade as processed petroleum products reach sanctioning jurisdictions despite import restrictions. Indian imports of Russian crude oil reached a second consecutive monthly record in July 2026, with Russian crude forming the dominant share of India's Russian fossil-fuel purchases and more than half of total crude imports. Higher receipts through smaller terminals offset reduced volumes at Paradip. Indian refineries processing Russian crude also exported refined petroleum products to sanctioning jurisdictions, including the European Union, Australia and the United States, despite the European Union prohibition on imports of oil products made from Russian crude.
Cyber-fraud through stolen phones allegedly used mule accounts, banking credentials and coordinated technical operations to divert victims' funds. Investigation into unauthorised withdrawals after theft of a mobile phone uncovered an alleged interstate cyber-fraud network using stolen devices, linked banking credentials and mule bank accounts. The scheme allegedly involved phone theft, supply of accounts and banking instruments, and a technical operation that accessed victims' accounts and routed funds for withdrawal or transfer. Digital surveillance, transaction mapping, seized devices, victim data and transaction records are being examined to identify linked complaints and the extent of funds allegedly diverted.
Rupee depreciation reflected stronger dollar, elevated crude prices and geopolitical uncertainty, while portfolio inflows and equity gains provided support. The rupee depreciated against the US dollar amid a stronger dollar, higher global crude oil prices and uncertainty surrounding West Asia-related negotiations. Concerns over crude oil's potential impact on the trade deficit weighed on the currency, while positive domestic equity markets and foreign portfolio investment inflows provided support. Market caution remained focused on forthcoming US inflation data, dollar-index movements and Brent crude prices. Foreign-exchange reserves increased during the reported period.
Collateral-free personal loans offer extended repayment flexibility, conditional reward benefits, and online application subject to eligibility and disbursal requirements. Loan Utsav 2026 provides eligible Bajaj Finance Personal Loan applicants an exclusive reward bundle where the loan is successfully disbursed during the campaign period. The collateral-free facility supports personal expenses, offers repayment tenures from 12 to 108 months, and may enable lower monthly EMI obligations through a longer selected tenure. Interest rates depend on eligibility, credit assessment, financial profile and lending criteria. Online applications require personal and financial details and required documents, with disbursal for eligible applicants possible after verification and approval.
Credit card payment flexibility supports seasonal shopping and travel through eligible EMIs, rewards, tracking tools and conditional merchant benefits. Credit-card spending features include conversion of eligible purchases into EMIs, selected no-cost EMI options, reward points, cashback, merchant discounts and payment flexibility. Travel-related benefits may include domestic airport lounge access, travel-booking discounts, fuel-surcharge waiver and anniversary-linked rewards. The AU 0101 application enables transaction tracking, balance and interest-rate monitoring, EMI conversion and bill-payment management. Features and offers are subject to change, customer eligibility, internal policies and partner-merchant terms.
Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee's opening speech, delivered in the Lok Sabha today, at the beginning of consideration of the Finance Bill-2010, is as follows:
"As I rise to move the Finance Bill, 2010 for consideration of this august House, it is with some satisfaction that I report the positive developments in the Indian economy in the last few months. The turnaround of the economy which started in the second quarter of 2009-10 is likely to result in a growth of 7.2 per cent for the full year 2009-10 as indicated in the Advance Estimates of the Central Statistical Organisation.
The upward shift in India's growth trajectory has been anchored strongly in robust growth in consumption. The salutary impact of the fiscal stimulus along with the monetary measures implemented by the RBI, facilitated the growth recovery by regenerating the investment impulses and private spending.
In the Budget for 2010-11, I have initiated a partial roll back of stimulus measures and a resumption of the fiscal consolidation process with fiscal deficit at 5.5 per cent of GDP. The Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement 2010-11 provides the roadmap with fiscal deficit declining to 4.8 per cent of GDP in 2011-12 and further to 4.1 per cent of GDP in 2012-13. A focus on bringing down the level of public debt as envisaged in the Thirteenth Finance Commission's Report and as announced in the Budget for 2010-11 would anchor the fiscal consolidation process in a sustainable debt framework
. Inflation
The year 2009 started with low WPI inflation of 1.3 per cent in April, 2009, which relapsed to the negative zone during June to August, 2009. The WPI inflation turned positive in September 2009, thereafter, an upward trend has been observed. Clearly, the current levels of inflation are elevated and more generalized and the WPI inflation in March 2010 stood at 9.9 per cent. What has led to deep concern is the double-digit food inflation. The gradual increase in food inflation observed till December 2009 was due to expectations of supply-side constraints of food items, especially due to unfavorable south-west monsoon. As per the Second Advance Estimates of production of food grains for 2009-10, the total food grains production has been estimated at 216.85 million tones, which is about 5 per cent lower than the second advance estimate of last year.
The Government has utmost concern about the current price situation. We have taken a number of short term and medium term measures to improve domestic availability of essential commodities and to moderate inflation. These include: reducing import duties for rice, wheat, pulses, edible oils and sugar to zero; allowing import of raw sugar at zero duty under open general licence; removing levy obligation for imported raw sugar and white/ refined sugar; banning export of non-basmati rice, edible oils and pulses and imposing stock limit orders in the case of paddy, rice, pulses, sugar, edible oils and edible oilseeds. A Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central Ministers has been constituted on 15th March, 2010 to discuss issues related to prices of essential commodities. Besides, to protect the interest of poor and vulnerable sections of the society, the Central Issue Prices for rice and wheat have been kept unrevised at 2002 levels.
We have sufficient stocks of wheat and rice to meet the demands of the Public Distribution System and other welfare schemes. As on 15.4.2010, 25.4 millions of wheat in RMS 2009-10 and 25.9 million tonnes of rice have been procured in KMS 2009-10 (October to September). The Central Pool stock of wheat is at a high of 183.88 lakh tonnes and of rice at 269.50 lakh tonnes as on 1.3.2010.
In the case of pulses, the shortfall of domestic production has been made up by higher imports. Considerable support has been provided to the Public Distribution System. For pulses and edible oil, the Government is bearing a subsidy of Rs.10 per kg. and Rs.15 per kg. respectively for distribution through PDS/Fair Price Shops. The Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central Ministers held its first meeting on 8th April, 2010. Three Working Groups consisting of Chief Ministers of various States are now engaged in drawing up recommendations on agricultural production, consumer affairs and food and public distribution. The reports are expected by the middle of June, 2010.
Indications of softening of food inflation are clearly visible. There has been a significant decline from the peak food inflation of over 20 per cent recorded in December 2009 to 17.7 per cent in March 2010. Besides, the inflation in essential commodities also declined from the peak of 23.8 per cent in January 2010 to 19.8 per cent in March 2010. It is expected that this decline would continue in the recent months uninterruptedly.
The monetary policy stance has also been gradually fine-tuned by RBI to face the inflationary challenges. The Repo Rate has been increased from 5 per cent to 5.25 per cent and Reverse Repo Rate from 3.50 per cent to 3.75 per cent. The CRR has also been increased from 5.75 per cent to 6 per cent. These measures are expected to anchor the inflationary expectations.
Growth Prospects
While the slowdown in agriculture, inflicted by the monsoon failure, poses concern on the food and food prices front, the impressive recovery achieved by the Indian industry in the recent months is heartening. The Index of Industrial Production recorded a growth of 10.1 per cent during April-February 2009-10, compared to 3.0 per cent during April-February 2008-09. While both manufacturing and mining grew around 10 per cent, electricity grew at 5.8 per cent during April-February 2009-10. All the major segments of industry except consumer non-durables staged a strong recovery. The intermediate goods grew at 13.7 per cent and consumer durables recorded an appreciable 25.5 per cent growth in April- February 2009-10. The growth of capital goods at 18.2 per cent in April- February 2009-10, on top of their reasonable growth in the previous year, is indicative of the pickup in investment demand.
Tax Reform
I have already informed the House that the Government is firmly committed to the goal of comprehensive tax reform through the introduction of the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) as well as the Goods and Services Tax (GST). I am happy to inform the Hon'ble Members that, in the case of DTC, the process of consultation with the stakeholders for revising the first draft is almost over. We expect to place a revised Discussion Paper in the public domain by next month. After a quick round of consultations with some of the major stakeholders, we should be able to submit the draft legislation to Parliament in the monsoon session.
I have indicated my intent to introduce GST in the country with effect from 1st April, 2011. Central Government is closely engaged with the Empowered Committee of the State Finance Ministers in finalizing the GST design. Some of the States apprehend that they may lose some revenue in the initial years of the GST regime. Central Government is willing to provide compensation to the States for these initial years, provided there is agreement on the broad framework for a common threshold for Goods and Services between the Centre and the States; common exemption lists between the Centre and the States; mechanism to check deviations and acceptable level of overall GST rates. The design and modalities of providing this compensation would be worked out in discussion with the State Governments and the Empowered Committee.
Outlook for 2010-11
There are several factors that have emerged from the performance of the economy in the recent period which augur well for the Indian economy. Attesting the impressive recovery of the industrial sector, there is a revival in investment and private consumption demand, though demand recovery is yet to attain the pre-2008 momentum. The favourable capital market conditions with improvement in capital flows and business sentiments are also encouraging. There is also a significant pick-up in corporate earnings and profits. The outlook is further brightened by the fact that a normal monsoon is predicted this year.
Going by these indications and considering that agriculture had a set-back in 2009-10 and is only gradually getting back to the projected path, the Indian economy is expected to grow around 8.5 during 2010-11 and to breach the 9 per cent mark in 2011-12.
Since the presentation of the Budget on 26th February, 2010, we have received a large number of representations and suggestions both from trade and industry as well as my colleagues in this august House. While some seek modifications to the existing proposals, others have urged for fresh reliefs. Some valuable suggestions were also made by the Hon'ble members during the general discussion on the Budget in the first phase of this session. I expect to receive many more suggestions in the course of the ensuing discussion on the Finance Bill. I shall cover the reliefs we propose to grant, the amendments that we seek in the Bill and our response to the issues that are raised in discussions, in my reply.
With these words, Madam Speaker, I move for consideration of the Finance Bill, 2010."
Goods and Services Tax proposed with central compensation mechanism to states, aligning common thresholds and exemptions.
The Government proposes fiscal consolidation together with targeted measures to moderate inflation and secure food availability, including zero duty imports, export restrictions, stock limits, and PDS subsidies; monetary policy has been tightened to anchor expectations. Concurrently, comprehensive tax reform is advanced through consultation on the Direct Taxes Code and a planned introduction of the Goods and Services Tax with a State compensation mechanism conditional on agreed common thresholds, exemptions and deviation controls.
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