National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories Launches India’s First Accreditation Scheme for Mobile Food Testing Laboratori...
Vicarious liability in cheque dishonour cases cannot attach to trust associates without statutory status or transaction-specific involvement. Vicarious criminal liability for cheque dishonour under section 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act does not extend to a trust, because a trust is not a juristic person. A person cannot be summoned merely for alleged active involvement in a trust where the person was neither drawer nor signatory of the cheques, trustee, office-bearer, authorised account operator, guarantor, or executor of transaction documents.
Cross-border payment integration through CBDCs and fast payment systems remains under BRICS discussion to reduce transfer costs. Cross-border payment integration is under discussion through potential linkages between central bank digital currencies and fast payment systems, including UPI-type platforms. These approaches seek faster and less costly trade and remittance transfers, particularly retail payments, but remain at a discussion stage. Rupee internationalisation is also being pursued through central-bank memorandums of understanding for bilateral trade settlement in local currencies, with existing arrangements covering Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius and the UAE.
Integrated infrastructure planning under PM GatiShakti coordinates project evaluation, multimodal connectivity, geospatial data use, and decentralized implementation. PM GatiShakti National Master Plan provides an integrated, data-driven infrastructure planning framework using geospatial data, satellite imagery and API integration. Project approval, implementation and funding remain with the respective Central Ministries, Departments and States or Union Territories under their own plans and budgetary provisions; the framework sets no separate budgetary allocation or quantified targets. The Network Planning Group evaluates critical Central Government projects at the planning stage for multimodality, synchronisation, last-mile connectivity, comprehensive local development and coordinated decision-making.
MSME procurement through GeM has expanded alongside analytics-driven controls against suspicious bidding, collusion, and vendor misconduct. GeM uses AI/ML analytics to detect order splitting, suspicious bidding, abnormal pricing, repeated participation and potential buyer-seller collusion. Flagged cases are placed before buyer organisations for review and action, while suspected cartels are assessed through digital-footprint, pricing and bid-timing indicators. Its Incident Management framework addresses false documents, fraud, collusive behaviour and other misconduct through administrative measures, including suspension. Anti-competitive conduct and cartel formation are Severe/Grave deviations, with proven cases attracting suspension for up to 365 days.
Direct tax collections show stronger corporate, non-corporate and securities transaction tax receipts, alongside increased refunds during the fiscal period. Net direct tax collections grew by 23.09 per cent to over Rs 8.11 lakh crore up to August 10 of the current fiscal year, while gross direct tax collections increased by 19.75 per cent to about Rs 9.55 lakh crore. Corporate tax, non-corporate tax including personal income tax, and Securities Transaction Tax receipts recorded growth. Refunds issued between April 1 and August 10 also rose over the corresponding earlier period. Direct tax collections are budgeted at Rs 26.97 lakh crore for the fiscal year.
Mobile food testing laboratory accreditation expands quality-assured testing access and supports coordinated food-safety surveillance and regulatory efficiency. NABL has launched an Accreditation Scheme for Mobile Food Testing Laboratories under the Integrated Assessment Programme. The framework enables mobile laboratories to provide reliable, quality-assured and internationally benchmarked food-testing services closer to communities, extending accredited testing beyond conventional laboratory settings. It is intended to strengthen food-safety surveillance, improve access to quality testing, support faster regulatory intervention and enhance consumer confidence. Coordinated assessments, regulatory harmonisation and mutual recognition are also intended to reduce duplication and improve regulatory efficiency while maintaining quality and compliance standards.
Digital public procurement will expand AI-led price intelligence, marketplace integrity, inclusive access, credit linkages and sustainable purchasing. Government e-Marketplace is advancing an AI-enabled public procurement ecosystem focused on efficiency, transparency, competition, price intelligence and marketplace integrity. Priorities include last-mile access through Suvidha Kendras, integration of public entities, credit linkages, sustainable procurement and university outreach. A nationwide five-digit Helpdesk short code, 14550, mapped to existing infrastructure, is intended to maintain service continuity and improve access to support and official communications. The platform seeks to provide enterprises with a more accessible and predictable procurement market and buyers with a data-driven procurement experience.
Expedited flood insurance claims require insurers and partners to simplify documentation and provide immediate service to affected policyholders. Expedited insurance-claim handling for flood-affected policyholders in Assam is being pursued through simplified documentation, prompt settlement and immediate service response. PolicyBazaar is coordinating with insurer partners to reduce processing delays. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has directed insurers, including life insurers and standalone health insurers, to mobilise resources for immediate assistance, alongside governmental efforts for expeditious and hassle-free claim disposal.
Money laundering investigation in alleged liquor scam leads to arrest and proposed custodial-remand proceedings under anti-money-laundering law. Money laundering investigation concerning an alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh led to the arrest of Congress leader Ramgopal Agrawal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Custodial remand is to be sought for interrogation. The allegations concern an alleged syndicate that purportedly controlled the state excise department, enabled illegal liquor sales and distributed resulting commissions. Chargesheets name political figures, excise officials and officials associated with the Chief Minister's Office.
Money-laundering investigation into an alleged liquor scam leads to arrest and proposed custodial interrogation under the prevention law. Money-laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act concerns an alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh. A former state political party treasurer has been arrested for alleged involvement and is to be produced before a local court for a request for custodial interrogation. The alleged scheme is stated to have involved control of the state excise department by a criminal syndicate, with multiple accused named in six chargesheets.
Immediate FIR registration for every missing person is mandatory, with missing children treated as suspected kidnapping or abduction cases. Immediate FIR registration is required whenever information is received that any person is missing, irrespective of age or gender, without preliminary inquiry. Missing-person FIRs must include relevant provisions concerning kidnapping and trafficking. A missing child must be treated from the outset as a suspected case of kidnapping or abduction. States and Union Territories may face contempt action for non-compliance. Traced children should ordinarily be restored to their families within 24 hours unless trafficking or exploitation by the family is suspected.
Money-laundering investigation targets alleged chit-fund collections, investor-fund diversion, concealed deposits, and irregular land transactions. Money-laundering investigation into an alleged multi-state chit-fund scheme involved searches at premises linked to Wellfare Buildings and Estates Pvt Ltd and its directors, seizure of cash, vehicles, property-related records and digital devices, and freezing of bank accounts. The alleged scheme concerns unauthorised public-fund collection through land-allotment schemes, followed by closure of operations. Allegations include diversion of investor funds, manipulation of financial statements to conceal deposits, and irregular land transactions intended to suppress actual consideration and evade statutory obligations.
Rupee exchange-rate pressure intensified as crude oil, regional uncertainty and weaker equities constrained the local currency in early trade. Foreign-exchange market conditions placed the rupee under pressure against the US dollar amid West Asia uncertainty, higher crude oil prices, and weaker domestic equity markets. Foreign institutional investor inflows and Reserve Bank of India intervention supported the rupee and limited further depreciation. Reported dollar sales through state-run banks helped contain downside pressure despite rising Brent crude prices and uncertainty concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
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.
The Government of India today signed a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for $208 million for Tranche 3 of this Investment programme titled 'Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Development Investment Program'. This Facility is for a series of loans to provide funding for four run-of-river hydropower projects totaling 856 MW in Himachal Pradesh, for an amount of $ 800 Million from ADB. This particular loan provides partial funding for stages II & III of the Integrated Kashang Hydroelectric Project totaling 195 MW located in District Kinnaur, and for the 100 MW Sainj Hydroelectric Project located in District Kullu.
Himachal Pradesh has abundant water resources, with five major rivers flowing from the western Himalayas. Its power generation potential is about 23,000 MW - about one fourth of India's total hydropower potential - out of which about 6,480 MW has been developed. Recognizing the state's comparative advantage, the state government in 2006 approved a hydropower policy that aims to make Himachal Pradesh the "hydropower state" of India.
Shri Venu Rajamony, Joint Secretary (MI), Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, signed the loan on behalf of the Government of India (GOI). Mr. Venu Rajamony said on the occasion, "We appreciate ADB's support to this project. This is part of GOI's priority to supply clean renewable energy power projects. We look forward to successful completion of the project. The Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation, the Implementing Agency for this project is also taking the lead in development and accreditation of its project for availing carbon credits as part of the Clean Development mechanism under the UNFPCC. We also look forward to development and realization of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) benefits by the project authorities."
"Himachal Pradesh's focus on hydropower development is vital to meet all in-state demand by providing affordable, reliable power to its residents as the state currently meets only about 50% of its power demand through its own power generating capacity. Harnessing this hydropower will also enable the export of excess power to the rest of the country for the benefit of power deficient states. Himachal Pradesh's focus on clean energy development will provide jobs to state residents and will further the country's goal of meeting its energy needs through treading a low carbon path," said Mr. Andrew Jeffries, a Senior Energy Specialist at ADB's South Asia Department.
The Executing Agency for the loan program is the Multi-purpose Projects & Power Department of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd. is the Implementing Agency. These two projects are expected to be completed by 2016.
Clean energy loan financing supports hydropower project construction and carbon credit accreditation under a multilateral investment programme.
A multilateral loan tranche provides partial funding for specified stages of the Integrated Kashang Hydroelectric Project and for the Sainj Hydroelectric Project as part of a larger facility to finance run-of-river hydropower projects, to be executed by the state multipurpose projects and power department and implemented by the state power corporation, with project designs pursuing Clean Development Mechanism accreditation and an anticipated completion timeline.
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