PROVISIONAL ESTIMATES OF WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX, OUTPUT PRODUCER PRICE INDEX, AND TRIAL INPUT PRODUCER PRICE INDEX FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2026, AND FINA...
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.
Foreign exchange reserve growth reflects increases in foreign currency assets, gold holdings, special drawing rights, and IMF reserve position. India's foreign exchange reserves rose to USD 707.002 billion for the week ended 7 August 2026. The increase comprised higher foreign currency assets, gold reserves, special drawing rights and the reserve position with the IMF. Foreign currency asset valuation incorporates appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies held in reserve assets. Measures including the FCNR(B) scheme were introduced to attract additional foreign exchange inflows.
Wholesale and producer price indices show July inflation movements, provisional estimates, final revisions, and manufacturing input-price trends. Wholesale Price Index, Output Producer Price Index, and trial Input Producer Price Index estimates under the 2022-23 base-year series set out provisional July 2026 measures and final May 2026 revisions. All-commodities WPI stood at 110.0 in July 2026, with year-on-year inflation of 9.78 per cent. The all-commodities Output PPI was unchanged at 109.9, while the trial Input PPI for manufacturing was provisionally estimated at 105.9. Final May WPI, Output PPI and trial Input PPI measures were revised from their respective provisional estimates.
Logistics data visibility enables EXIM container tracking, operational analytics and multimodal shipment monitoring across India's logistics chain. Logistics Data Bank provides near real-time visibility of India's EXIM container movement through technology-based tracking and stakeholder monitoring tools. RFID-based coverage extends across ports, terminals, inland logistics facilities, rail networks, industrial zones, borders and highways. The platform uses RFID, Internet of Things, Big Data and Cloud technologies, with analytics on dwell time, transit time, and port and terminal performance to identify logistics bottlenecks. LDB 2.0 adds high-seas tracking of export containers and multimodal shipment visibility.
International organic buyer-seller linkages support Tripura producers through direct sourcing engagement, market access and sustainable export opportunities. International Organic Buyer-Seller Meet in Tripura created a direct platform for organic producers, Farmer Producer Organisations, exporters and international buyers to explore sourcing opportunities, market requirements and long-term commercial linkages. Organic and naturally produced goods, including Queen Pineapple, GI-tagged Kalikhasa Rice, organic ginger and turmeric, black sesame, jackfruit and scented lemon, were showcased through product displays and producer interactions. The initiative seeks to strengthen global market access, sourcing partnerships and income opportunities for organic farmers.
Wholesale price inflation moderation was driven by softer fuel prices, while manufactured goods and primary articles recorded higher inflation. Wholesale price inflation moderated in July, led by a decline in fuel and power inflation and a marginal easing in food-article inflation. Inflation in manufactured products and primary articles increased, making the moderation uneven across groups. Mineral oils, food articles, basic metals, non-food articles, food products, and chemical products remained significant inflation drivers. The output Producer Price Index remained unchanged year-on-year, with lower manufacturing and mining inflation offset by higher agriculture and electricity producer-price inflation.
International investment-grade issuer ratings support expanded foreign-currency funding, trade finance, correspondent banking and cross-border financial market access. IDFC FIRST Bank's inaugural international investment-grade issuer credit ratings, with a stable outlook, are expected to improve access to international funding markets and global financial counterparties. The rating is intended to support standby letter of credit lines, foreign-currency funding through its GIFT City International Banking Unit, mobilisation of FCNR(B) deposits, correspondent banking relationships and cross-border trade finance. Strong capitalisation, improving profitability, stable asset quality and a granular retail funding profile underpin the outlook.
Clandestine psychotropic drug manufacturing faces enforcement targeting precursor chemicals, concealed laboratories, illicit production networks and trafficking operations. Enforcement action against clandestine manufacture of psychotropic substances led to the detection of a residential drug-production facility. Searches recovered amphetamine and intermediary forms, precursor chemicals, reagents, raw materials, and manufacturing equipment. Field testing indicated the presence of amphetamine, a psychotropic substance regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The recovered apparatus and materials indicated illicit manufacture, while preliminary investigation pointed to short-term, intermittently operated facilities intended to conceal production activities.
International banking unit expands cross-border financing, trade finance and foreign-currency service access through GIFT City operations. UCO Bank has launched an International Financial Services Centre Banking Unit at GIFT City to provide permitted international banking services. The unit offers trade finance, external commercial borrowings, foreign-currency loans, loan syndication, treasury services and other permitted financial services. It serves Indian corporates, exporters, importers, financial institutions, overseas businesses and other eligible customers requiring cross-border financing and access to global financial markets. FCNR(B) deposits are also offered through the unit.
Last-mile credit access is prioritised through timely lending, wider beneficiary coverage, digital support and stronger fraud vigilance. Banking-sector participation is emphasised through last-mile credit access for MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, rural artisans, small farmers and other underserved beneficiaries. Banks are urged to expedite government-scheme applications, maximise coverage and use technology for timely financial support. Industrial-policy assistance and incentives cover startups, SC/ST entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities and first-generation entrepreneurs. Greater coordination, expanded village banking access, and vigilance against cyber fraud and mule accounts are also prioritised.
Merchandise trade growth saw rising exports to major markets alongside increased imports and continuing United States trade-pact negotiations. India's merchandise trade data records increased July exports to the United States and China, alongside growth in imports from both markets. Exports to Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Germany, South Africa, Tanzania, Australia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Italy and Vietnam showed positive growth, while July exports declined for the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Nepal. Imports also increased from Russia, Korea, Singapore, Germany, Oman, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brazil. India and the United States are negotiating a trade pact amid an additional United States tariff on India.
GST transport documentation enforcement addresses freight movement of metals without valid e-way bills and invoices under applicable rules. GST enforcement action led to the seizure of copper and aluminium ingots transported by freight train without valid e-way bills and invoices. The metals were found in three train wagons during inspection of parcel cargo. Further proceedings are to be undertaken under applicable GST rules concerning movement of goods without prescribed transport documentation.
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
Contents
Summary
Note
Bookmark
Share
✓ Copied successfully !
Print
Print Options
For full text, please login
Login to TaxTMI
Verification Pending
The Email Id has not been verified. Click on the link we have sent on
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.
Note: It is a system-generated summary and is for quick reference only.
TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
of 3379 
