Cabinet approves two multitracking projects covering Four Districts across Odisha and Jharkhand, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by...
Cabinet approves development of 6 lane Greenfield Elevated Corridor & Ramps/Loops & Foot Over Bridge between National Highway-19 and Varanasi Ring Roa...
Cabinet approves development of 6/4 lane Elevated Corridor along Varuna River Bank & its Ramps/Loops in Uttar Pradesh on Hybrid Annuity Model at total...
Money laundering asset attachment addresses alleged fund diversion through false invoices, inflated construction costs, shell entities and accommodation entries. Provisional attachment under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was undertaken in an alleged financial-fraud investigation involving a hospital company. The allegations concern diversion of company funds through purportedly false medical-implant invoices and inflated hospital-construction costs routed through a related company. Accommodation-entry operators and shell entities were allegedly used to conceal the origin of illicit funds. The proceeding arose from a Serious Fraud Investigation Office chargesheet against the hospital promoters.
Money-laundering investigation into online betting proceeds leads to custodial remand amid allegations of layered fund routing. A special PMLA court remanded Ebix Group chairman Vikas Garg to Enforcement Directorate custody in an investigation into alleged money laundering linked to online betting operations. The agency alleged that betting proceeds were routed through accommodation entries, shell entities and layered transactions into entities owned or controlled by Garg, and were used to acquire shares, securities and other assets. It also alleged dissipation or encumbrance of Ebix shares and an attempt to mortgage or sell property treated as proceeds of crime.
India-UK CETA tariff elimination strengthens export prospects for labour-intensive leather, jute, jewellery and agricultural products in British markets. India-UK CETA tariff concessions are expected to improve West Bengal's export competitiveness in the United Kingdom. Duty-free access applies to tea, mangoes and betel leaves, while import duties on jewellery have been removed. Labour-intensive leather, jute, and gems and jewellery sectors are identified as principal beneficiaries, with tariff removal also improving seafood export prospects. Further competitiveness measures are proposed to help exporters use the agreement's trade opportunities.
Zero-duty market access under CETA enables Indian jewellery exporters to enter overseas markets without import tariffs. Zero-duty access under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement enables eligible Indian gem and jewellery exports to enter the United Kingdom market without UK import tariffs. The agreement is expected to improve market access and support value-added manufacturing, employment, skill development, and the participation of artisans, micro, small and medium enterprises, and exporters in West Bengal's gem and jewellery sector.
UK-India trade agreement introduces wider market access, tariff reductions and social security arrangements to support bilateral commerce. The UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement has entered into force, providing expanded market access, tariff reduction and trade facilitation. India receives zero-duty access for nearly all exports to the UK, while UK products entering India receive duty-free or reduced-tariff treatment. The framework covers goods including textiles, leather, engineering products, food, cosmetics, alcoholic beverages and premium cars. A bilateral social security agreement has also been operationalised to support wider commercial engagement.
Data governance expectations propose stronger lifecycle controls, quality standards, accountability and third-party data-sharing safeguards for regulated financial entities. Draft regulatory guidance on data governance proposes expectations for regulated financial entities to maintain data that is accurate, consistent, secure and fit for purpose. The framework addresses data-governance arrangements, defined roles, data architecture, metadata and data lineage, data quality, and third-party data-sharing arrangements. It applies to specified banking entities, financial institutions, non-banking financial companies, asset reconstruction companies and credit information companies, and invites stakeholder feedback on the proposed framework.
Semiconductor and mobile manufacturing incentives support domestic production, component sourcing, design investment, exports and resilient electronics supply chains. Semicon 2.0 and the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme provide manufacturing support to expand domestic electronics production, exports and local value addition. Semicon 2.0 covers chip design, equipment and materials, fabrication, advanced packaging and testing, research, and talent development, while supporting semiconductor intellectual property and critical-component manufacturing. The mobile-phone scheme provides production-linked incentives linked to eligible sales, with additional support for domestic component sourcing and Indian investment in product design and research. The measures seek to reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic critical-technology capabilities.
India-UK trade liberalisation expands tariff preferences, services access and skilled professional mobility while preserving protections for sensitive domestic sectors. The India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement establishes preferential tariff treatment for goods and expands cooperation in services, digital trade, government procurement, investment and professional mobility. India retains protections for sensitive sectors through phased tariff reductions and quota-based access, while duties on British automobiles and alcoholic beverages are reduced in stages. The accompanying social-security convention exempts eligible Indian professionals temporarily assigned to the United Kingdom from simultaneous contributions in both jurisdictions, supporting skilled-worker mobility and reducing employment-related costs.
Railway capacity augmentation strengthens multimodal connectivity, freight movement, operational reliability and lower-emission transport across Odisha and Jharkhand. Railway capacity augmentation is approved through doubling of the Paradeep-Haridaspur route and construction of a fourth line on the Rajkharsawan-Dangoaposi route. The projects aim to reduce congestion, improve railway operational efficiency and reliability, and strengthen integrated multimodal connectivity. Enhanced capacity is intended to support freight transport of coal, iron ore, dolomite, limestone and gypsum, improve regional and tourist connectivity, promote logistics efficiency, and reduce oil imports and carbon emissions.
Urea investment policy promotes gas-based domestic manufacturing through transparent cost treatment, return-on-equity parameters, and foreign-exchange risk mitigation. NIPU-2026 provides a framework for investment in new gas-based urea manufacturing units to increase indigenous production and reduce reliance on imported urea. It separates fixed and variable costs for transparency, provides a prescribed return-on-equity band, and mitigates foreign-exchange exposure through conversion of fixed costs into Indian rupees after four years at prevailing exchange rates. The policy supports self-sufficiency through additional domestic urea manufacturing capacity.
Greenfield elevated corridor development strengthens multimodal connectivity, urban decongestion, road safety and pilgrimage access through the Hybrid Annuity Model. Development of a six-lane greenfield elevated connector corridor between National Highway-19 and the Varanasi Ring Road has been approved under the National Highways (Original) programme through the Hybrid Annuity Model. The access-controlled corridor includes elevated road infrastructure, bridges, loops, ramps, link roads and service roads, and is intended to divert through traffic from congested urban roads. Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, it integrates road, rail, air and inland-water connectivity while improving access to logistics, religious, educational and cultural destinations.
Hybrid annuity corridor development advances urban decongestion, multimodal connectivity, safer travel and efficient passenger and freight movement. A predominantly elevated 6/4-lane link and connector corridor along the Varuna River Bank has been approved under the Hybrid Annuity Model. Comprising carriageways, flyovers, loops, ramps and service roads, it will connect NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road under the Varanasi Decongestion Plan. The corridor is intended to reduce congestion and travel time, improve safety and freight movement, and strengthen access to transport, economic, social and logistics nodes through multimodal integration.
Personal loan disbursal incentives provide eligible borrowers reward bundles, subject to eligibility conditions, verification, assessment and applicable terms. Personal loan disbursal incentive campaign offers eligible borrowers an entertainment and lifestyle voucher bundle upon successful disbursal during the specified promotional period. Reward availability is conditional on customer eligibility and applicable terms and conditions. The collateral-free, digitally processed credit facility involves eligibility-based approval, review of loan terms, KYC and bank-account verification, and application assessment before disbursal.
Domestic-demand weakness slows China's economic growth despite export support from artificial-intelligence technology and electric-vehicle demand. China's economic growth slowed in the second quarter amid weak domestic demand, property-market weakness, subdued consumer confidence and higher energy costs. Export demand, especially for artificial-intelligence technology and electric vehicles, supported foreign trade and industrial production, but underscored reliance on overseas demand. Property investment and new-home prices continued to decline, while youth unemployment remained elevated. Further support measures focused on new infrastructure could be considered as investment growth weakens and systemic risks require management.
Mobile phone manufacturing incentives link eligible sales, domestic sourcing, design and research support to indigenous brands and expanded production. The Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme establishes a five-year incentive-linked framework for manufacturing mobile phones in India. It provides differentiated incentive support on eligible sales, additional support for domestic sourcing of key components and sub-assemblies, and a further incentive for product design and research and development aimed at building Indian brands. The scheme seeks to expand domestic production and exports, promote technological sovereignty, create patents, support employment, and strengthen domestic value capture in mobile-phone manufacturing.
Domestic urea investment policy supports new natural gas-based capacity through subsidy-cost separation, assured returns, and foreign-exchange risk mitigation. National Investment Policy 2026 establishes an investment framework to add domestic natural gas-based urea production capacity and reduce import reliance. Extending the New Investment Policy 2012, it provides for separation of fixed and variable costs for subsidy calculation, assured returns for urea plant companies, and foreign-exchange risk mitigation to support investment in new domestic urea manufacturing capacity.
India-UK free trade agreement expands zero-duty export access and reduces duties on specified United Kingdom goods. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement entered into force with zero-duty market access for nearly all Indian exports to the United Kingdom. It is expected to support sectors including textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, marine products, chemicals and processed foods. A bilateral social security agreement has also become operational. The arrangement reduces Indian import duties on specified United Kingdom goods, including Scotch whisky and premium UK-built cars.
Middle East energy export disruption risks raise oil prices and unsettle global equity markets amid renewed conflict. Middle East energy-export disruption risks increased following renewed conflict and a threatened halt to regional oil and gas exports amid a blockade of Iranian ports. Concerns over the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz contributed to higher oil prices and reduced Gulf traffic flows, reflecting the potential for wider interruption of energy transportation. Global equity markets showed mixed movements as investors assessed escalating conflict, oil-supply disruption, inflation data and corporate earnings.
Apricot export facilitation enables overseas market access through exporter-managed supply chains, cold-chain transport, and proposed local processing capacity. Apricot export facilitation for Ladakh's indigenous Raktsey Karpo and Halman varieties is being implemented through an agreement under which exporters manage harvesting, sorting, grading, packing, transportation and marketing. Administrative measures include transport monitoring, expedited transit arrangements and cold-chain support for perishable produce. A proposed apricot processing unit is intended to improve value addition, address short shelf life and support smoother exports while reducing post-harvest losses.
India-UK trade agreement expands market access, tariff reductions, services trade and professional mobility across identified commercial sectors. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement entered into force as a free trade arrangement intended to expand bilateral market access and promote movement of goods and services. It provides for tariff reductions and supports trade, services and professional mobility. The agreement is expected to create opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, farmers, manufacturers, MSMEs and skilled workers, including in textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, marine products, chemicals and processed foods.
Government has made changes in the Investment Pattern for Non-Government Provident Funds, Superannuation Funds and Gratuity Funds. A Notification to this effect was issued by Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, here today. The Investment Pattern is reviewed from time to time and revisions are effected based on the developments in the financial market and economy. The investment pattern was last revised on 24th January, 2005. Subsequently, it was decided to revise the investment pattern to make it more flexible and give the trustees of these funds more autonomy and discretion. Accordingly, the proposed revised pattern was put up on the website of the Ministry of Finance in draft form in September, 2007 inviting comments. A large number of comments were received and these have been examined by the Government.
Based on this feedback, the revised investment pattern was finalised and notified today. It explicitly recognises the fiduciary responsibility of the Trustees and the need for the exercise of due diligence by them and gives them greater flexibility in terms of a wider variety of financial instruments as well as greater freedom to actively manage the portfolio. The changes suggested in the new investment pattern include:
(i) merger of Central Government Securities, State Government Securities and units of gilt Mutual Funds into a single category and allowing investment up to 55% of the investible funds;
(ii) providing a flexible ceiling for various category of instruments instead of fixed investment ceiling as at present;
(iii) providing new category of instruments, such as, rupee bonds of multilateral funding agencies, money market instruments ;
(iv) permitting investment in term deposit receipts of not less than one year duration issued by scheduled commercial banks subject to the specified financial criteria; and
(v) permitting direct investment up to 15% of the investible funds in shares of companies on which derivatives are available in the Bombay Stock Exchange or National Stock Exchange.
Further, it has been provided that,-
(i) The Trustees of these funds will have freedom to exit from a rated financial instrument when their rating falls below investment grade as confirmed by one credit rating agency;
(ii) The Trustees have been given freedom of trading of securities, subject to the turnover ratio (i.e., the value of securities traded in the year divided by average value of the portfolio at the beginning and end of the year) not exceeding two.
(iii) Though it is expected that throughout the year the investments are in conformity with the investment pattern, the same may be achieved by the end of the financial year. Trusts will have the flexibility of exceeding the investment ceiling up to 10% of the limit prescribed during the year.
This investment pattern would come into force from 1st April, 2009, that is, from the financial year 2009-10.
BSC/SS/GN-196/08
Investment pattern reform grants trustees greater fiduciary discretion and wider permissible instruments, with staged implementation.
Notification revises the investment pattern for Non Government Provident Funds, Superannuation Funds and Gratuity Funds, consolidating gilt instruments into one category with an elevated ceiling, replacing fixed category ceilings with flexible limits, and adding eligible instruments including rupee bonds of multilateral agencies, money market instruments and qualifying bank term deposits; limited direct equity investment in companies with listed derivatives is permitted. Trustees are recognised as fiduciaries with duties of due diligence and are granted powers to exit downgraded rated instruments, trade within a turnover limit, and temporarily exceed ceilings subject to year end compliance.
Note: It is a system-generated summary and is for quick reference only.
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