Modernization of National Sample Surveys through adoption of digital platforms such as Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) integrated with e- ...
Shri Piyush Goyal Invites Indian and Uzbek Businesses to Co-invest and Co-manufacture; Calls for Doubling Bilateral Trade at India-Uzbekistan Business...
Digital statistical modernisation strengthens survey quality, macroeconomic indicators, international standards alignment and infrastructure performance monitoring through standardised data systems. National statistical modernisation uses digital survey platforms with validation checks, AI-enabled support and multilingual interfaces, alongside short-duration surveys and administrative data to improve sampling and timely official statistics. Reforms include base revisions for Gross Domestic Product, Consumer Price Index and Index of Industrial Production; adoption of metadata, quality-assessment and classification standards; and alignment with international statistical principles and methodologies. Sustainable development indicators and infrastructure monitoring are supported through a national indicator framework, PAIMANA and a standardised performance dashboard.
Windfall gains tax on petroleum exports increases to discourage exports and preserve domestic fuel availability during regional supply disruptions. Special additional excise duty on exports of petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel has been increased for the relevant fortnightly period, while existing duty rates for petrol and diesel cleared for domestic consumption remain unchanged. The windfall gains tax is intended to preserve domestic availability of petroleum products during the West Asia crisis and prevent exporters from benefiting unduly from price differences linked to elevated global crude oil prices.
Online Astrology Platform Regulation: consumer department reported no guidelines, while information requests required revised factual disclosures. Online astrology platforms were reported as lacking specific regulatory guidelines within the consumer affairs department. The RTI application sought information on alleged unfair trade practices, investigations, complaints, licences, approvals, and applicable rules. The National Consumer Helpline stated that it had not investigated because it functions as a grievance-resolution platform. A revised factual response was required on investigations and complaint data, while queries concerning regulation, licences, approvals, and related investigations were to be transferred to the public authorities likely to hold that information.
Business combination disclosure outlines shareholder approval, registration requirements, financing conditions, and forward-looking risks for the proposed public listing. The proposed business combination would take Yellow.ai public through a definitive agreement with Bluerock Acquisition Corp., subject to customary closing conditions and shareholder approval. Bluerock intends to file a Form S-4 registration statement containing a proxy statement/prospectus for proxy solicitation and securities issuance in connection with the transaction. The communication is not an offer or solicitation and states that no securities offering may occur without compliance with applicable registration, qualification or exemption requirements. Transaction projections and anticipated benefits are forward-looking statements subject to material risks and uncertainties.
Bilateral investment and trade facilitation drive proposed co-investment, digital cooperation and advanced manufacturing partnerships between Indian and Uzbek businesses. India-Uzbekistan cooperation is proposed through co-investment, co-manufacturing and co-innovation, supported by the Bilateral Investment Treaty to promote investor confidence and reciprocal investment. Priority sectors include mining, textiles, healthcare, agriculture, food processing, digital technologies and advanced manufacturing. Trade facilitation measures include reducing trade barriers, mutual recognition of standards, approvals, testing and certification, customs digitalisation and improved trade routes. Regulators and standard-setting bodies are expected to cooperate under a structured, time-bound economic partnership.
Concessional agricultural credit supports working capital, crop diversification, allied activities, and digital expansion under the Kisan Credit Card scheme. The Kisan Credit Card-Modified Interest Subvention Scheme provides concessional institutional credit to reduce farmers' interest burdens and improve timely working-capital access. The scheme is reported to support cropping intensity, multi-season cultivation, diversified crop portfolios, timely input use, and credit discipline through the Prompt Repayment Incentive. It also supports dairy, livestock, and fisheries-based income diversification. Credit-delivery measures include collateral-free lending, digital platforms, simplified applications, coverage expansion, and awareness campaigns. State-wise data tracks operative accounts, outstanding credit, and non-performing Kisan Credit Card accounts.
Banking inclusion expands rural access while digital credit systems and payment security controls address service delivery and cyber fraud. Banking inclusion is pursued by providing banking outlets within a five-kilometre radius of inhabited villages, with branch expansion permitted subject to rural-coverage requirements and continuing assessment of uncovered areas. Agricultural credit delivery uses digital loan, beneficiary-verification, processing and claim-settlement systems. Digital payment security measures require minimum controls for payment channels and include fraud-intelligence sharing, artificial-intelligence-based identification of money-mule activity, digital lending-app analysis, cyber-incident reporting, public awareness campaigns and electronic-banking training.
Foreign exchange market movement strengthened the rupee as lower crude prices, investment inflows and improved risk sentiment provided support. Foreign exchange market movement saw the rupee strengthen for a sixth consecutive trading session against the US dollar, supported by declining global crude oil prices, a softer dollar, foreign institutional investment inflows and gains in domestic equity markets. Improved global risk sentiment followed the decision to defer planned US military strikes against Iran and allow diplomatic engagement. Renewed geopolitical tensions were identified as a factor that could limit further appreciation.
Quarterly financial performance reflects revenue growth, improved standalone profitability, and continued investment in AI-led digital technology platforms. Quarterly financial performance reported revenue growth in standalone and consolidated operations, higher standalone profit before tax, and a return to consolidated profitability. The company continues to invest in an AI-led, intellectual-property-driven digital technology strategy through enterprise software, SaaS platforms, digital commerce, cloud, data and AI solutions. Its priorities include scalable platforms, proprietary technology assets, recurring-revenue offerings, partnerships and selective acquisitions. Complete financial results, notes to accounts and regulatory disclosures are available through exchange filings and the company website.
MSME delayed-payment reforms strengthen award recovery, faster dispute adjudication, invoice discounting, and interim supplier payment protection. MSME delayed-payment reforms seek faster adjudication, strengthened recovery and improved liquidity for enterprise suppliers. Courts may direct payment of at least half of an awarded amount where a setting-aside application remains pending beyond six months. Mediated settlements and arbitral awards may be recovered as arrears of land revenue and recognised as legally enforceable debts under the insolvency framework. The measures also provide graded penalties, voluntary digital registration, invoice settlement through the Trade Receivables Discounting System, and additional Facilitation Councils.
Monetary policy rate setting remains cautious as inflation, liquidity, growth and global uncertainty shape the policy stance. Monetary policy rate setting is expected to remain cautious amid global uncertainty, rising inflation risks and steady domestic growth. The inflation outlook is affected by energy-price pass-through, higher input costs, and seasonal and monsoon-related food-price pressures. Policy decisions are expected to remain data-dependent, guided primarily by domestic inflation, liquidity conditions and economic growth. A cautious or neutral stance is identified as preferable while external risks and inflation developments persist.
Forward-looking financial disclosure raises revenue and earnings guidance while describing non-GAAP measures, capital allocation, and material business risks. Financial performance reporting identifies increased bookings, revenue growth, continuing earnings, and backlog, with segment-level operating and margin measures. The release addresses cash flow, capital allocation through dividends, acquisitions and share repurchases, and increased full-year revenue and earnings guidance. Forward-looking statements concerning financial performance, operations, demand, liquidity and capital deployment are subject to identified risks and uncertainties. Non-GAAP measures are presented as supplemental to GAAP measures, with definitions and reconciliations stated to be available in accompanying materials.
Counterfeit drug enforcement targets illicit manufacture, storage and trafficking networks, with coordinated seizures and referral of non-narcotic stock. Counterfeit-drug enforcement under Operation Vajra addressed an inter-state network involved in the illicit manufacture, storage and distribution of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and spurious pharmaceutical products. Searches of unregistered godowns recovered narcotic products, unauthorisedly manufactured Buprenorphine injection ampoules, and counterfeit non-NDPS medicines. A farmhouse-based illicit manufacturing facility was dismantled, with machinery, chemicals and related materials seized under the NDPS Act, 1985.
Anti-smuggling enforcement targets concealed gold, narcotics, protected products, prohibited e-cigarettes and restricted imports through coordinated intelligence operations. Intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations resulted in seizures of foreign-origin gold, narcotic drugs, hydroponic weed, protected wildlife and forest products, prohibited electronic cigarettes, and restricted poppy seeds and areca nuts. The operations identified concealment through fabricated baggage cavities, false cargo declarations, misdeclaration of origin, forged documentation, and concealment in transport vehicles. Poppy seeds are restricted under the Foreign Trade Policy and may be imported only subject to conditions concerning legally cultivated produce from designated countries and registration of import contracts with the Narcotics Commissioner.
Tax devolution advance instalment strengthens State finances for accelerated capital and developmental expenditure through distribution of Union tax proceeds. Tax devolution was released to State Governments as an additional advance instalment alongside the normal monthly devolution schedule. The fiscal transfer shares net proceeds of Union taxes and duties with States, with the stated purpose of strengthening State finances and supporting accelerated capital and developmental expenditure. The release includes a State-wise distribution of tax-devolution proceeds.
Financial performance reporting highlights revenue and EBITDA growth, garmenting recovery, retail optimisation, ESG commitments, and forward-looking risk disclosures. Financial performance reflects growth in total income and EBITDA, with improved margin, reduced net working-capital days, and a net-cash position. Branded textiles and high-value cotton shirting reported lower revenue due to the prior-year base effect, while branded apparel grew but faced lower margin from channel mix. Garmenting improved through order-book execution, tariff rationalisation, and new global clients. ESG priorities include female representation, waste-management initiatives, renewable energy, emissions reduction, and workplace safety. Forward-looking statements remain subject to regulatory, political, economic, and technological risks.
Foreign exchange market support strengthens the rupee as lower crude prices, portfolio inflows and reserve growth improve sentiment. Foreign exchange market conditions supported an early appreciation of the rupee against the US dollar, attributed to lower global crude oil prices, a weaker dollar, sustained foreign portfolio inflows, higher foreign exchange reserves, and Reserve Bank of India presence in the foreign exchange market. Domestic equity market gains and net foreign institutional equity purchases were also identified as supporting factors.
Gold smuggling detection targets sophisticated concealment methods through strengthened passenger profiling, intelligence gathering and coordinated investigations into organised networks. Gold smuggling detection at Kerala airports led to multiple seizures, registration of cases and arrests in alleged smuggling attempts. Organised networks reportedly use gold in paste or compound forms concealed in clothing, body cavities, aircraft seats and other unconventional locations. Enforcement measures include strengthened passenger profiling, intelligence gathering and inter-agency coordination, while investigations continue to identify associated syndicates and financiers.
Offshore exploration funding supports deepwater drilling, shared infrastructure and seismic data to strengthen domestic hydrocarbon production potential. The Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme provides direct budgetary support for high-risk deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploratory drilling, subject to cost-sharing and per-well limits. Support is available to eligible operators holding or securing exploration acreage. The scheme also funds offshore data acquisition and shared subsea, receipt and processing infrastructure through a Common Hub Infrastructure model. It is intended to promote risk exploration, improve commercialisation of offshore discoveries and strengthen domestic hydrocarbon production potential within the existing exploration and licensing framework.
GST compliance enforcement combines taxpayer refunds, analytics-based fraud detection, cancellation of fake registrations, and recovery of outstanding VAT arrears. Punjab attributed increased GST collections to voluntary compliance, intelligence-based enforcement and technology-driven tax administration, while facilitating compliant taxpayers through timely GST refunds. Data analytics, risk profiling and field verification were used to identify tax evasion, bogus billing, fake input tax credit networks and misuse of the GST registration framework. Measures included penalties, cancellation of fraudulent registrations and recovery of long-pending VAT arrears through attachment and auction of defaulters' properties.
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.
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