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Sugar supply pressures drive festive-season price increases as imports, stockholding limits and ethanol diversion shape market conditions. Sugar prices in Bengal have risen sharply ahead of the festive season, with higher prices also affecting jaggery and other sugar-derived products. Supply constraints, mill stock releases, lower production in Brazil, ethanol diversion and possible hoarding have been identified as contributing factors. Raw-sugar imports have been permitted to augment availability, while stockholding restrictions limit inventories of specified bulk consumers. Lower projected closing stocks and possible future production effects from El Nino may sustain pressure on sugar availability and increase costs for sweetmeat producers.
Foreign currency inflows and FCNR(B) deposits supported rupee sentiment, while oil prices and geopolitical risks constrained currency strength. The rupee strengthened marginally against the US dollar as the dollar index softened, but elevated crude oil prices, geopolitical uncertainty, reduced foreign participation and net foreign equity outflows constrained currency sentiment. RBI measures to attract foreign currency inflows, including FCNR(B) deposits, were expected to generate substantial inflows, although these had not produced meaningful rupee strength. Energy-market disruption and restrictions on fuel exports through the Strait of Hormuz added to external-sector pressures.
Sovereign security production priorities emphasise compliance, modernisation, employee innovation and operational excellence across currency, passport and coinage manufacturing. SPMCIL performs a sovereign production mandate covering secure currency, coinage, passports and other products of national importance through its mints, currency presses, security presses and paper mill. Modernisation, compliance, transparency, efficiency, productivity, quality and corporate governance support the fulfilment of sovereign requirements. Individual employees and units were recognised for performance in productivity, environment and safety, energy conservation, knowledge and development, vigilance, and official-language implementation.
Customs enforcement against suspected gold smuggling leads to baggage seizure and apprehension of the alleged intended receiver. Customs officers intercepted an arriving passenger at the green channel on intelligence inputs and examined baggage after X-ray screening indicated suspicious images. The examination recovered two oval capsules containing gold paste concealed in the baggage. Interrogation indicated that an alleged receiver was waiting outside the airport to collect the suspected smuggled gold. Customs officers apprehended the alleged receiver, and further investigation remains underway.
Provincial alcohol sales restrictions remain subject to economic impact assessment under proposed bilateral trade agreement negotiations. Provincial control over alcohol distribution remains distinct from federal trade-making authority. Quebec retains authority over whether United States alcohol is offered through its government-controlled liquor distribution system, despite lacking a veto over a bilateral trade agreement. Federal requests to restore United States alcohol to retail shelves cannot compel provincial action. Proposed trade commitments also concern restrictions on United States agricultural products and Canada's dairy import regime, which applies lower tariffs within designated import volumes and higher duties beyond those volumes.
Electoral-roll verification found no reported cases of specified foreign nationals receiving identity-linked benefits or voter registration. Electoral-roll special intensive revision recorded no reported cases of Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Iranian nationals obtaining Aadhaar cards, ration cards, other government benefits, or voter registration. Illegal immigrants are identified through police monitoring, intelligence measures, specialised operations and a Special Task Force. Overstayers are recorded through the District Police Module and Foreigners Identification Portal and produced before Foreigners Regional Registration Officer authorities. Persons found to be residing illegally are reported to the concerned central divisions, proceeded against through registered cases, retained pending case disposal and exit permits, and subjected to deportation steps.
Raw sugar tariff-rate quota permits duty-free imports while bulk consumers face consumption-based sugar stockholding limits. Raw sugar imports are permitted duty-free under a tariff rate quota until 31 October 2026, with online allocation to eligible millers and refiners having functional refining capacity. Applicants must provide a refining-capacity declaration and supporting Consent to Operate; preference applies to importers undertaking timely completion of imports, while non-utilisation or failure to surrender allocations constitutes non-compliance. Bulk sugar consumers meeting the prescribed consumption threshold are subject to a stock cap of 15 days' consumption from 1 September to 30 November 2026.
Duty-free raw sugar imports under tariff rate quota seek to improve domestic supply and contain rising sugar prices. Duty-free import of 10 lakh metric tonnes of raw sugar is permitted under a tariff rate quota until 31 October 2026. The import-policy measure seeks to increase domestic raw-sugar availability and restrain rising local prices amid reduced opening stocks. Price-containment measures also include a stockholding limit for bulk consumers using more than 10 tonnes of sugar monthly, restricting holdings to 15 days' consumption.
Reservation policy implementation is strengthened through capacity building, uniform institutional practices, welfare measures, and improved financial accessibility for Divyangjans. Reservation policy implementation across Public Sector Banks, Public Sector Insurance Companies, sectoral regulators and Public Financial Institutions is being strengthened through a capacity-building workshop. The programme seeks uniform and effective application of Government reservation policies and related welfare measures. Senior human-resource functionaries and Chief Liaison Officers considered practical implementation issues, actionable measures for consistency, and operational concerns. It also focuses on improving accessibility of financial services for Divyangjans.
Startup ecosystem support expands through digital infrastructure, mentorship, market linkages and specialised assistance for energy and climate-tech innovation. DPIIT's collaborations with PhonePe and Shell India create support mechanisms for DPIIT-recognised startups through technology access, digital infrastructure, mentorship, market opportunities and industry networks. PhonePe will provide transaction credits, access to the Indus AppStore, onboarding support, brand visibility, and training on fintech, sales, go-to-market strategy and business scaling. Shell India will assist energy and climate-tech startups through mentorship, strategic guidance, investor and incubator connections, participation opportunities, and knowledge-sharing materials on innovation and best practices.
India-Singapore economic cooperation advances through trade, investment, technology and business linkages, including agriculture, fintech and sustainable infrastructure collaboration. India-Singapore economic cooperation was advanced through ministerial, business and government-to-business engagements focused on deepening bilateral trade, investment, technology and commercial linkages. Discussions addressed agri-exports, GCC-based commercial parks, fintech and sustainable infrastructure, alongside expanding agricultural market linkages. The engagements reinforced commitment to strengthening trade, investment, technology and business-to-business cooperation.
Responsible AI banking requires human oversight, explainable customer decisions, fair conduct, resilient systems and inclusive credit access. Responsible AI in banking must promote inclusion, resilience and customer trust while preserving human judgement, governance accountability and clear responsibility. AI and alternative data may widen access to credit where data is obtained with consent, tested for reliability and bias, and used prudently. Banks must maintain capacity to challenge models, oversee providers, test systems under adverse conditions and intervene when automation fails. Material customer decisions must be explainable, clearly communicated and subject to review by an authorised person. Fair conduct, meaningful disclosure, impartial complaint review and transparent communication remain essential throughout the customer relationship.
Multi-Currency EEFC settlements let exporters retain foreign earnings and choose conversion timing for overseas payment obligations. Multi-Currency EEFC Account settlements enable exporters and international businesses to receive payment settlements directly into Exchange Earners' Foreign Currency accounts in the original transaction currency without immediate conversion into Indian rupees. Retention of foreign currency earnings permits businesses to choose when conversion is required, reducing repeated foreign-exchange conversion cycles and supporting management of foreign-currency cash flows and overseas obligations.
Power semiconductor foundry expansion targets Indian fabless customers through technology showcasing, process development, and collaboration in the growing semiconductor market. DB HiTek seeks to expand foundry business with Indian fabless semiconductor companies by showcasing power semiconductor and specialised process technologies. Its commercial focus includes BCD processes for automotive and industrial applications, together with silicon-carbide and gallium-nitride process development and planned volume production. Product-performance evaluations are underway with strategic customers. Customer expansion also covers X-ray, global-shutter, single-photon avalanche diode, specialty CIS, and mixed-signal/RF processes, supported by collaboration with local fabless firms.
Money-laundering allegations over payments without services raise concerns about overseas transfers, identity-linked communications, and mineral smuggling. Money-laundering allegations concern claimed payments by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. to Exalogic Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a company promoted by Veena T., without corresponding services. Searches reportedly yielded handwritten material referring to fund transfers to Dubai and digital material relating to a SIM card obtained in another person's name. Further allegations included overseas fund movement, hawala transfers, and possible thorium or monazite smuggling, all presented as allegations requiring examination.
Exchange stabilisation support aims to strengthen foreign-exchange resilience, reduce rollover dependence and restore access to longer-term market financing. Pakistan has sought a proposed Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility to reinforce foreign-exchange stability and signal currency resilience to international capital markets. The strategy seeks to reduce reliance on short-term bilateral loans, deposits and rollovers by moving towards market-based financing with longer repayment periods. Improving sovereign creditworthiness through engagement with credit-rating agencies is intended to facilitate international market access, lower borrowing costs and enable longer-maturity debt raising.
Elephant ivory trade prohibition supports enforcement against wildlife trafficking, seizure of carved ivory articles, and further investigation. Illicit trade in elephant ivory and articles manufactured from it is prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, supporting India's CITES obligations. Enforcement action against a wildlife-trafficking syndicate resulted in the interception of four persons and seizure of 54 carved ivory artefacts. The seized articles and apprehended persons were transferred to the State Forest Department for further investigation. The action forms part of continuing measures against unlawful trade in wildlife derivatives and biodiversity threats.
Trade deficit pressures persist as energy-import costs and currency weakness offset record automobile and electronics export growth. Japan recorded its highest July import and export values since comparable statistics began, but continued to experience a trade deficit as rising energy costs increased import expenditure. Higher crude oil prices and disruption to Middle East supply routes affected an economy reliant on imported oil, while a weak yen raised the cost of fuel, food and raw materials. Strong automobile, semiconductor and electronics exports benefited from currency weakness, which also increased the yen value of overseas earnings.
Forged health-scheme cards allegedly enabled ineligible treatment and misuse of public healthcare funds through false beneficiary details. Alleged misuse of Ayushman health-scheme cards involved collecting identity and ration-card details by promising free treatment, then creating forged beneficiary cards with false particulars. The alleged scheme enabled treatment for ineligible persons and purported claims of government health-scheme funds. Police arrested five persons, recovered purported forged identity and beneficiary cards, and are investigating possible involvement of hospital and medical-office personnel, the scale of card forgery, and alleged diversion of public funds.
MSME competitiveness requires affordable credit, technology adoption, formalisation, sustainable trade and stronger export-market access for inclusive growth. MSME development is identified as central to employment generation, exports, entrepreneurship, economic resilience and self-reliance. Key priorities include affordable credit, technology upgradation, supply-chain integration, market access, brand-building and reduced red tape. Formalisation of micro industries is emphasised to expand institutional credit access, while sustainable trade is promoted through green technologies and renewable energy. Export competitiveness is to be strengthened through regional production capabilities and the "One District, One Export Hub" initiative.
Text of the Statement made by FM in Reply to: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Regarding Protocol for Avoidance of Double Taxation between India and Switzerland
August 31, 2010
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Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made a statement in both the Houses of Parliament i.e., Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha today on the Protocol signed between India and Switzerland yesterday to amend the existing Agreement and Protocol for Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income. Text of the statement is given below:
"Yesterday the Republic of India and the Swiss Federal Council have signed a Protocol which will amend the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between the two countries (DTAA). The amended DTAA shall come into operation after it enters into force on completion of internal process by Switzerland side.
Salient features of this Protocol are:
Article on Exchange of Information has been amended to bring it in line with international standards
· Under the current DTAA between India and Switzerland, India has not been able to obtain banking information from Switzerland. The protocol now seeks to amend the Article concerning Exchange of Information to enable exchange of such information.
· Information which is foreseeable relevant for carrying out the provisions of this agreement or to the administration or enforcement of the domestic laws concerning taxes can be exchanged under the DTAA, whereas earlier information which was relevant only for carrying out the provisions of DTAA could be exchanged.
· Information exchanged is to be used for tax purpose only. However, the new Article also provides for use of information by such other purposes which are allowed under the laws of both States and the competent authority of the supplying State authorizes such use.
· There is a specific provision to ensure that information will be exchanged even if there is no domestic interest.
· There is a specific provision for providing banking and ownership information.
· The new provision will be applicable only for prospective information and not for past information.
At present the income from international shipping are not covered under the DTAA. This is now sought to be included in the DTAA by providing for residence based taxation for shipping income from international traffic.
Our earlier treaties used to cover tax sparing provisions where if the income is exempt in one country, the other country used to provide corresponding relief even if such taxes are not paid due to exemption. However, India no longer supports this method and is moving away from profit based exemption. Tax sparing (to the extent of 10% of interest income) is currently there in the existing DTAA. Therefore, it is sought to be deleted in the Article concerning elimination of double taxation.
Article on Non-discrimination is sought to be amended to provide that difference in tax rate of resident taxpayer and Permanent Establishment of non-resident tax payer should not be more than 10%.
Recognised pension fund or scheme is included in the definition of resident to enable them to get benefit of the DTAA.
A provision for Limitation of Benefit is sought to be introduced to prevent misuse of treaty benefits on dividend, interest, royalty, fee for technical services and other income."
DSM/BY/GN-295/10
Exchange of information expanded to include banking and ownership data, with new limits on treaty benefits and shipping taxation.
The Protocol amends the DTAA to expand the Exchange of Information to permit foreseeable information exchange-including banking and ownership data-and to allow use for tax purposes (and other authorised uses); it applies prospectively. It introduces residence-based taxation for international shipping income, removes specified tax-sparing relief on interest, limits tax-rate divergence between residents and non-resident permanent establishments, includes recognised pension funds as residents, and adds a Limitation of Benefit clause to prevent treaty misuse on dividends, interest, royalties and similar income.
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