FCNR(B) concessional swap facility availability narrows to timely mobilised deposits amid rupee depreciation and foreign currency inflow concerns. Foreign-exchange conditions reflected rupee depreciation amid weak domestic equity markets and higher crude oil prices. FCNR(B) concessional swap facility availability is confined to foreign currency deposits mobilised by banks within the revised cut-off period, replacing the previously longer mobilisation window. The facility is intended to encourage foreign currency inflows, while banks use the FCNR(B) scheme to mobilise foreign currency deposits through attractive interest rates.
Banking sector review panel will align future growth with financial stability, inclusion and consumer protection through government recommendations. High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat is proposed to comprehensively review the banking sector and align it with India's next phase of growth. It is intended to safeguard financial stability, financial inclusion and consumer protection, while providing views and recommendations to the Government on banking-sector development and reform.
Prime Minister Internship Scheme enhances youth employability through paid industry exposure, cross-field learning, workplace readiness and potential full-time employment. The Prime Minister Internship Scheme provides paid internships with leading companies across India to improve youth employability through practical workplace exposure, industry experience and skills development. It addresses the gap between classroom learning and employers' expectations of workplace readiness. Participation is not confined to academic qualifications, allowing youth to pursue fields of interest and gain hands-on professional learning. Strong internship performance may lead to full-time roles, while the scheme stresses responsible work where errors may affect quality, consumer safety and organisational reputation.
SAFTA origin fraud in areca imports allegedly enabled improper duty exemption through false Bangladeshi-origin declarations. SAFTA preferential duty treatment for areca-nut imports was allegedly misused by falsely declaring goods originating in South-East Asian countries as Bangladeshi origin. Since areca nuts normally attract 100% basic customs duty, the scheme sought to obtain the full SAFTA exemption reserved for qualifying Bangladeshi goods meeting Rules of Origin requirements. The alleged mechanism included routing goods through Bangladesh, changing containers and bags, using improperly obtained Certificates of Origin, and facilitating clearance through importers, Customs Brokers and IEC holders. Investigative findings also indicated cash proceeds, hawala channels and dummy entities.
FCNR(B) concessional swap facility closure may reduce temporary foreign-currency inflow support and heighten rupee weakness concerns. The Reserve Bank of India restricted its concessional swap facility for FCNR(B) deposits to deposits mobilised by August 31, advancing the earlier cut-off date. The facility was intended to encourage foreign-currency inflows, while banks mobilise such deposits through attractive interest rates. Market commentary indicated that existing inflows may support the rupee in the near term, but the curtailed availability of the facility could reduce this temporary cushion and increase depreciation risk.
Temporary tariff suspension for earthquake recovery is sought to ease pressure on affected Colombian businesses. Temporary suspension of high tariffs on Colombian products has been sought to support business recovery following a severe earthquake declared a natural disaster. The request links tariff relief to economic disruption affecting businesses amid extensive destruction, injuries and missing persons. United States emergency assistance has been provided through food, shelter and health supplies, while no response to the tariff-suspension request had been reported.
Port-led industrial development and direct export operations aim to expand logistics infrastructure, market access and trade connectivity. Mission Samudra is proposed as a port-led industrial and logistics development programme linked to the commencement of export-import operations at Vizhinjam seaport. It covers industrial clusters, new cities, port connectivity, logistics, development initiatives, programme management and capacity building. Direct export shipments are intended to improve overseas-market access and reduce transit time and logistics costs, particularly for small and medium enterprises. The framework also anticipates growth in warehousing, cold storage, container freight stations and logistics parks, supported by private participation and road and rail connectivity.
Electric vehicle export diversification strengthens India's presence across European, Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets through expanding overseas demand. India's electric motor car exports expanded sharply in the first quarter of 2026-27, reflecting increased international acceptance and competitiveness of India-manufactured electric vehicles. Europe became the principal export destination, led by Spain and the United Kingdom, with further demand across several European markets. Exports also reached Asia-Pacific markets, Nepal and emerging Latin American destinations. This wider market presence reflects improving quality and safety standards, stronger integration into global electric-vehicle supply chains, and diversification of India's electric-vehicle export profile.
LPG production preparedness requires refiners and upstream producers to maintain capacity and increase output during supply constraints. Government has established a standing LPG production preparedness framework under which refining companies, oil marketing companies and upstream producers may be directed to increase production during supply constraints. Companies must maintain adequate LPG storage, evacuation and transportation infrastructure and pursue technically and economically feasible production-enhancing measures. Written directions may prescribe production quantities and periods, including restrictions on alternative uses of input streams required for LPG. The production schedule is updated twice yearly to reflect new facilities and added capacity from infrastructure, technology and distribution improvements.
Free trade agreement market access requires MSMEs, farmers and exporters to meet global quality standards. Free trade agreements expand market-access opportunities for Indian MSMEs, exporters and producers through reduced or eliminated import duties on traded goods. Textiles, machinery, medicines, seafood and agricultural products can access international markets where they meet global standards and remain competitively priced. Farmers and producers are encouraged to develop export-oriented products, including chemical-free agricultural produce, while MSMEs may use preferential trade access to support manufacturing, exports, employment and growth.
Chemical-free farming can strengthen agricultural exports by meeting global standards and responding to rising international demand. Chemical-free farming is urged to meet growing global demand and expand agricultural exports. Agricultural products must meet global parameters to facilitate access to international markets, including markets opened through free trade agreements. Food processing, export-oriented farm production, and global branding of traditional cuisine, millets, spices, fruits and flowers are identified as important elements of agriculture and food production policy.
Voluntary foreign asset disclosure allows eligible taxpayers to regularise overseas holdings with immunity from further tax, penalties and prosecution. FAST-DS permits eligible taxpayers to disclose specified undisclosed foreign assets, foreign income, and foreign assets omitted from return schedules. Undisclosed assets or income not previously offered to tax may be declared up to Rs 1 crore on payment of an effective 60 per cent levy, based on fair market value as of 31 March 2026. Assets already offered to tax, or acquired during non-resident status but omitted from the return schedule, may be declared up to Rs 5 crore on payment of a fee. Valid declarations provide immunity from further tax, penalty and prosecution, while declared amounts are excluded from total income.
Global pharmaceutical leadership is urged through Indian firms achieving top-five status, supported by generic manufacturing and export capacity. Indian pharmaceutical companies are urged to attain representation among the world's five leading pharmaceutical firms, despite India's established position as a major producer of generic medicines. India has a broad manufacturing base, supplies generic medicines across numerous therapeutic categories, and exports to worldwide markets including highly regulated jurisdictions. Although pharmaceutical exports and the domestic market have expanded, Indian firms have not yet secured positions among the largest global companies. Greater international scale may be supported through acquisitions and expanded established-brand and branded-generic operations.
Foreign asset voluntary disclosure permits eligible small taxpayers to regularise qualifying assets through tax, additional levy, and statutory immunity. FAST-DS permits eligible small taxpayers to voluntarily disclose specified foreign assets or foreign income. It covers undisclosed foreign assets or income not offered to tax, subject to an aggregate value threshold of Rs 1 crore, and certain foreign assets omitted from the relevant return schedule, subject to a Rs 5 crore threshold and prescribed fee. Payment comprises 30 per cent tax and an additional equal amount. Disclosed income or investment is excluded from total income, with immunity from further tax, penalty and prosecution under the Black Money Act for the disclosed asset or income.
Free trade agreement opportunities require MSMEs to meet global standards and expand exports across textiles, machinery, medicines and seafood. Free trade agreements are presented as export-market opportunities for Indian MSMEs because they reduce or eliminate import duties on a substantial range of traded goods. MSMEs are urged to expand exports of textiles, machinery, medicines and seafood, including shrimp, by meeting global quality standards and offering products competitively. Their export role is linked to self-reliance and their significant contribution to manufacturing, exports, GDP and employment.
Windfall gains tax on petroleum exports was reduced to support domestic fuel availability and limit export price advantages. Special additional excise duty (windfall gains tax) on exports of petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel was reduced from 15 August 2026. Petrol export duty was reduced to nil, and export-duty rates on diesel and ATF were lowered. Duty rates for petrol and diesel cleared for domestic consumption remained unchanged. The export-duty framework seeks to maintain domestic petroleum-product availability and limit export advantages arising from higher global crude oil prices amid West Asia tensions.
Energy self-reliance drives diversified fuel sourcing, expanded offshore exploration, and domestic capacity to reduce geopolitical supply vulnerability. Energy security policy seeks to reduce exposure to geopolitical pressure and supply disruption caused by dependence on overseas fuel and strategic maritime routes. India is diversifying crude oil and LNG sourcing while strengthening domestic hydrocarbon production through offshore exploration, seismic surveys, exploratory drilling and shared infrastructure. Expanded access to sedimentary basins is intended to unlock domestic oil and gas resources. Wider piped natural gas coverage, solar generation, critical-mineral exploration, and nuclear and other non-fossil energy sources support the broader objective of energy self-reliance.
Current account deficit widened as merchandise trade imbalance expanded, despite stronger services surplus, transfers, and positive capital inflows. India's current account deficit widened in June 2026, principally because merchandise imports increased faster than exports and expanded the merchandise trade deficit. A higher services surplus, increased net transfers and a narrower net income deficit provided partial offsets. Net capital inflows, including foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment, supported a positive overall monthly balance. During the April-June quarter, despite increased services surplus and net transfers, the overall balance shifted to a deficit as the merchandise trade deficit widened.
Concessional foreign-currency swap facility closes early for new FCNR(B) deposits while ECB and OFCB access remains available. The concessional swap facility for FCNR(B) deposits encourages foreign-currency inflows and supports foreign-exchange liquidity. New FCNR(B) deposits eligible for the facility must be mobilised by 31 August 2026, while swaps for eligible deposits may be availed until 11 September 2026. The swap arrangement for External Commercial Borrowings and Overseas Foreign Currency Borrowings remains available until 31 December 2026.
Insurance grievance redressal requires initial insurer complaint, prompt acknowledgement, and escalation through integrated monitoring channels when resolution remains unsatisfactory. Insurance policyholder grievances must first be raised with the concerned insurer, whose Grievance Redressal Officer and Board-level monitoring committee oversee redressal. Complaints received through digital channels, correspondence or call centres are recorded in the insurer's Complaints Management System, integrated with Bima Bharosa. Insurers must acknowledge complaints immediately and resolve them within 14 days. Where no response is received within a reasonable period or the response is unsatisfactory, policyholders may escalate through Bima Bharosa or designated helplines, email or physical correspondence.
Government Aiming at Double Digit GDP Growth in Medium Term - One Trillion US Dollar Required for Infrastructure Sector - Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission to be Set up to Clean up Financial Sector Laws: FM
November 19, 2010
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Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that the Government is aiming at a double digit GDP growth in the medium term. He said that there is already an upturn in investment and private consumption demand, revival of merchandise exports and buoyancy in capital flows which can support this growth.
Shri Mukherjee was addressing the dignitaries, senior officials, staff and customers of Canara Bank on Founders' Day Celebration of Canara Bank here today. Shri Mukherjee said that the Government has set the target for private and public sector investment in infrastructure to the tune of US1 trillion dollars for the next Five Year Plan. Mr. Mukherjee said that Banks as financial intermediaries have an important role to play in India's growth story. He said that as requirements for infrastructure investment picks up, banks will have to prudentially manage asset liability mismatches. He said that banks also need to make use of innovative credit enhancement mechanism and take out financing for bridging gap between demand and supply of long-term funds.
Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee said that financial inclusion, which is core to the Government's policy agenda, is carried forward in a cost effective manner. He said that the Government is in favour of cost effective technology solutions, implicit and explicit incentives and commitment to increase financial penetration of affordable banking services particularly in the rural and unorganized sectors. He expressed his happiness about the progress made by public sector banks in terms of increasing their penetration and outreach in underbanked and unbanked areas. He said that banks have formulated their Financial Inclusion Plans for 73,000 habitations in the country with population of more than 2000 and these are being monitored at the Central and the State level.
The Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee said with a view to strengthen and institutionalize the mechanism for maintaining financial stability and to address certain regulatory concerns in the Financial sector, the Government of India has decided to set up an apex-level Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC). He said that the Government has also decided to set-up a financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC) to rewrite and clean up the financial sector laws and bring them in the line with the requirements of the sector.
Shri Mukherjee said though on-going reforms should help further strengthen and stabilise the financial sector, the emerging challenges before banks cannot be overlooked. He said that care should be taken to ensure that there is no further deterioration of the asset quality as reflected by the increase in the proportion of doubtful and loss assets in the NPA portfolio of banks in 2009-10. He said that the banks at the same time should meet the additional provisioning norms to provide a cushion against asset slippages while maintaining profitability.
The text of the speech made by the Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee on the occasion of Founder's Day celebration of Canara Bank here today is as follows :
I am happy to be here today on the occasion of the Founder's Day of Canara Bank. It is indeed a befitting tribute to Shri Ammembal Subba Rao Pai, the founding father of this bank, that five important initiatives are being launched today in his memory. The bank will be opening 100 additional branches, including 10 Micro Finance Branches; installing 105 ATMs; launching 50,000 smart cards through business correspondents; issuing general credit cards to 100,000 beneficiaries and opening financial literacy and credit counseling centres (FLCC) in 10 districts. I congratulate the bank for these initiatives for financial inclusion.
It is important that financial inclusion, which is core to the Government's policy agenda, is carried forward in a cost effective manner. The Government is in favour of cost effective technology solutions, implicit and explicit incentives and commitment to increase financial penetration of affordable banking services particularly in the rural and unorganized sectors. I am happy to note the progress made by public sector banks in terms of increasing their penetration and outreach in underbanked and unbanked areas. Banks have formulated their Financial Inclusion Plans for 73,000 habitations in the country with population of more than 2000 and these are being monitored at the Central and the State level.
We are aiming at a double digit GDP growth in the medium term. Banks as financial intermediaries have an important role to play in India's growth story. There is already an upturn in investment and private consumption demand, revival of merchandise exports and buoyancy in capital flows which can support this growth. Government has set a target for private and public sector investment in infrastructure of US$ 1 trillion for the next Five Year Plan which should create jobs, improve connectivity, promote greater economic activity and productivity. As requirements for infrastructure investment picks up, banks will have to prudentially manage asset liability mismatches. Banks also need to make use of innovative credit enhancement mechanism and take out financing for bridging gap between demand and supply of long-term funds.
The global banking and financial system is currently undergoing structural transformation with standard setting institutions and national authorities framing new regulatory paradigms to address the weaknesses that emerged during the recent financial crisis. Banks will have to continue to augment their capital base to support higher credit growth and to build capital buffers for cyclical downturns.
With a view to strengthen and institutionalize the mechanism for maintaining financial stability and to address certain regulatory concerns in the financial sector, the government of India has decided to set up an apex-level financial stability and development council (FSDC). The Government has also decided to set-up a financial sector legislative reforms commission (FSLRC) to rewrite and clean up the financial sector laws and bring them in the line with the requirements of the sector.
Though the on-going reforms should help further strengthen and stabilise the financial sector, the emerging challenges before banks cannot be overlooked. One of these challenges concerns management of NPAs and maintaining profitability. Care should be taken to ensure that there is no further deterioration of the asset quality as reflected by the increase in the proportion of doubtful and loss assets in the NPA portfolio of banks in 2009-10. At the same time banks should meet the additional provisioning norms to provide a cushion against asset slippages while maintaining profitability.
In line with the vision of its founder Shri Ammembal Subba Rao Pai and the founding principles formulated over a century ago, the bank has successfully managed to blend commercial and social objectives. I am happy to note that Canara Bank is rapidly progressing in terms of business growth and profits while maintaining a commendable record in promoting financial inclusion, supporting micro, medium and small enterprises (MSMEs), providing finance to farmers and training to the unskilled workers in the rural areas. They need to improve their overseas presence consistent with their peers of comparable size.
I would like to take this occasion to compliment the entire Canara Bank team for their steadfast commitment to the development of the country. I am sure this mega branch opening exercise would spur Canara Bank to even greater heights. I wish the bank and all its employees every success in this venture.
Financial Sector Reform: establishment of apex council and law reform commission to strengthen financial stability and prudential duties.
The government will establish an apex-level Financial Stability and Development Council to institutionalize mechanisms for financial stability and a Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission to rewrite and clean up financial sector laws. Banks are directed to manage asset-liability mismatches prudently, employ credit enhancement and take out financing for long term funds, augment capital, and meet additional provisioning norms to guard against deterioration in asset quality. The policy also prioritises cost effective financial inclusion measures and expanded banking outreach.
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