Cross-border barter trade resumes through Shipki La, subject to permitted goods, time limits, and import-export compliance requirements. Cross-border barter trade through Shipki La between India and Tibet resumed after a six-year interruption. Traders may exchange specified goods under a barter arrangement and must return within 72 hours. Traders are required to comply strictly with import-export regulations prescribed by the Union Ministry of Commerce, emphasising transparency and regulatory compliance. Expansion of permitted goods may be pursued through prescribed governmental and external-affairs channels.
Export growth projections outline pathways for Odisha to expand merchandise trade through export diversification, MSME support and financing initiatives. Export growth projections for Odisha set out base, optimistic and ambitious scenarios through FY 2029-30, based respectively on historical growth, envisaged national export growth, and a larger share of national exports. Odisha's export basket remains concentrated in metals and minerals, led by aluminium products, with China as the principal export destination. Odisha Vision 2047 identifies exports, including MSME contributions, as an economic transformation driver, while export-financing and risk-mitigation initiatives aim to address financing gaps for exporters and MSMEs.
GST compliance enforcement through AI analytics supported sustained net GST collection growth despite rate rationalisation reforms and reduced compliance costs. GST revenue mobilisation in Andhra Pradesh showed year-on-year growth in net GST and total commercial tax collections through July 2026, despite rate-rationalisation reforms. Revenue growth was attributed to AI-based scrutiny and analytics, machine-learning risk scoring, AI-driven IGST reversals, UPI-based enforcement analytics, data sharing, predictive analytics, registration verification, and Aadhaar-integrated expansion of the professional-tax base. These measures were stated to strengthen compliance, curb wrongful input tax credit claims, broaden taxpayer coverage, and improve revenue mobilisation.
Economic-offences fraud chargesheets address alleged fictitious loans, forged insurance surrender papers, and diversion of bank and policy funds. Economic-offences chargesheets were filed in separate alleged bank and insurance fraud matters. The bank investigation alleged fictitious loan sanctions and overdrafts beyond delegated authority, involving cheating, forgery, use of forged documents and criminal conspiracy. The insurance investigation alleged that duplicate policy records and forged surrender documents were used to open a fraudulent account in a policyholder's name and divert policy proceeds. Records, witness statements, documentary evidence and forensic examination were cited in support of the allegations.
PM Vishwakarma Scheme implementation expands artisan enrolment, skills, credit, e-commerce access and export facilitation while addressing documentation barriers. PM Vishwakarma Scheme implementation in Delhi facilitated artisan enrolment, application processing, skill training, toolkit distribution, loan access, e-commerce onboarding and export-related support. Awareness workshops and tele-calling campaigns were used to promote participation and follow up on benefits. Key implementation challenges concerned outreach to informal clusters, digital literacy, delays in Aadhaar and IEC documentation, and additional support for Divyang artisans. Planned action includes expanding workshops, scaling e-commerce onboarding, strengthening export facilitation and coordination with implementing agencies.
Goods and Services Tax collections rise on domestic consumption and imports, while elevated import revenue prompts assessment of underlying drivers. Goods and Services Tax collections for July increased over the corresponding prior-year period, supported by domestic sales and imports. Gross receipts included Central GST, State GST and Integrated GST, with net GST revenue calculated after adjusting refunds. For the April-July period, gross and net collections also increased. Commentary linked domestic GST growth to consumption, formalisation and industrial activity, while identifying elevated import GST collections as an area requiring assessment of import composition, currency effects and volumes.
GST revenue collections show provisional gross, refund and net revenue trends, with State-wise settlement and domestic collection data. GST revenue collections for July 2026 are reported provisionally through gross domestic and import revenue, domestic and export-related refunds, and net GST revenue after refunds. The data also sets out SGST collections and the SGST share of IGST settled to States and Union Territories, both monthly and cumulatively. State-wise domestic GST growth excludes GST on imported goods, while jurisdiction-wise data allocates collections between central and State formations and identifies CGST, SGST and IGST components.
Bilateral trade cooperation expands through a Joint Trade Committee covering investment, critical minerals, healthcare, digital technologies and market access. Bilateral trade and investment cooperation between India and Rwanda is to be advanced through a structured Joint Trade Committee mechanism for reviewing commerce, diversifying trade, promoting investment, facilitating business engagement and addressing market-access and logistical issues. Priority cooperation includes critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, agriculture and agro-processing, standards harmonisation, digital public infrastructure, fintech, cybersecurity, green mobility and renewable energy. Investment focal points will support engagement, while capacity-building assistance and close monitoring of the Agreed Minutes are intended to support time-bound implementation.
GST collection growth in West Bengal continued year-on-year in July but remained below the national growth trend. West Bengal's July GST collection increased year-on-year and over the preceding month, marking a second consecutive month of annual growth. Official data also indicated that the State's annual growth rate was below the national trend, while gross domestic GST revenue excluding imports and overall gross GST collections including import-related taxes rose nationally during July.
GST collection growth reflects higher revenue mobilisation from domestic transactions and imports, with refunds adjusted in net revenue. Goods and Services Tax collections increased in July, driven by higher revenue from domestic transactions and imports. The gross collection comprised Central GST, State GST and Integrated GST components. Refunds also increased during the month, and net GST revenue was determined after adjustment of refund outflows from gross tax receipts.
Concessional foreign-exchange swaps encourage bank deposits and foreign borrowings to strengthen balance-of-payments resilience and foreign-exchange liquidity. The Reserve Bank of India introduced a concessional foreign-exchange swap facility to encourage foreign-currency inflows, strengthen the balance of payments and support foreign-exchange liquidity. The facility applies to fresh Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) deposits, Overseas Foreign Currency Borrowings and External Commercial Borrowings. Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) deposits constitute the principal source of inflows mobilised under the arrangement. The facility is available for specified time-bound periods, with a later availability period for Overseas Foreign Currency Borrowings and External Commercial Borrowings.
Unauthorised pledge of listed-company land triggered securities-market bars for disclosure failures and misuse of management authority. Unauthorised pledge of ZEEL's Hyderabad land as security for loans obtained by promoter-linked entities was treated as a related-party transaction lacking prior audit committee approval. ZEEL failed to disclose the land's deployment in its financial statements. Its Chairman Emeritus was stated to have transferred title deeds by falsely representing management approval and to have concealed the transaction's nature. Securities-market prohibitions and monetary penalties were imposed with immediate effect.
Trade and sustainable development policy integrates carbon regulation, sustainability standards and domestic frameworks to strengthen trade competitiveness and preparedness. Trade and Sustainable Development policy was examined in relation to international trade disciplines, sustainability regulation and India's trade strategy. Discussions considered carbon markets, carbon pricing, carbon border adjustment measures, sustainability standards and regulatory cooperation, and their implications for trade and industrial competitiveness. Domestic mechanisms, including the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, Indian Carbon Market, Extended Producer Responsibility framework, and accreditation and conformity assessment systems, were considered for strengthening preparedness for emerging sustainability-related trade disciplines.
Digital public procurement engagement begins with stakeholder events promoting transparent, efficient and inclusive marketplace governance. Government e-Marketplace launched ten-day celebrations preceding its tenth Foundation Day, including a commemorative logo, stakeholder events and recognition of employees, buyers and sellers. The programme begins a year-long nationwide outreach initiative bringing together buyers, sellers, policymakers, industry representatives and ecosystem partners through events, dialogues and collaborative platforms. Its stated focus is technology-enabled, transparent, efficient and inclusive public procurement.
Strategic trade controls require dual-use exports to comply with national law and international obligations amid arms-transfer allegations. Strategic trade controls governing dual-use exports require Indian exports of dual-use items and technologies to comply with national law and India's international obligations. The stated framework applies to exports to various countries. In response to allegations concerning supplies to Israel, the position notes calls for an arms embargo covering direct or indirect transfers of arms and military material, including weapons, ammunition, parts and components, without determining the underlying allegations.
Greenfield airport development under a public-private partnership advances licensed international passenger, cargo, logistics, and sustainable infrastructure. A greenfield international airport is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership and Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer framework, with airport, aviation-hub, education and supporting infrastructure components. The airport has obtained an aerodrome licence and required safety, fire and environmental clearances. Passenger, airfield and terminal systems are designed for domestic and international operations. A cargo terminal with cold-chain facilities and integration with port, industrial-corridor and logistics networks are intended to strengthen exports and air-cargo logistics. Recycled-water use and LEED Platinum development standards form part of its environmental measures.
Regulatory and legal developments cover trade measures, legislative action, offshore exploration support, court directions and platform algorithm scrutiny. The compilation reports proposed United States tariff measures concerning purchasers of Russian oil and gas, India-United Kingdom trade engagement, extension of farmer-support measures, and approval of offshore exploration support. It also covers passage of the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, a privilege-motion notice, a criminal sentencing, and directions to appoint a nodal officer for families affected by the Russia-Ukraine war. Regulatory items include industrial credit data and examination of social-media algorithms, bias and public-order implications.
Russian oil purchases may trigger proposed targeted tariffs, with periodic reassessment based on countries' purchasing behaviour. Proposed United States measures would authorise sanctions against Russia and persons supporting its war in Ukraine, while permitting targeted tariffs on imports from countries purchasing substantial volumes of Russian oil or gas or facilitating sanctions evasion. The framework identifies major purchasers and shadow-fleet facilitators for possible additional tariffs and provides for periodic reassessment and tariff adjustments based on purchasing behaviour. India stated that its energy-security policy rests on national priorities and diversified energy sources.
Money-laundering proceedings face challenge over absent predicate offence, alleged lack of criminal intent, and treatment of related FIRs. Money-laundering proceedings linked to alleged diversion of homebuyer funds are challenged on the ground that no scheduled offence or criminal intent is attributable to the petitioner. The petitioner relies on his asserted exoneration in two predicate FIRs, where charge sheets did not name him, and settlement of the remaining FIR. Notice was issued for a response and status report, and the petitioner undertook to cooperate with the investigation.
Rupee appreciation reflected foreign capital inflows and central bank support, tempered by crude prices and geopolitical tensions. Rupee appreciation against the US dollar was linked to sustained foreign capital inflows and Reserve Bank support through dollar selling. Higher crude oil prices, a stronger US dollar and geopolitical tensions in West Asia constrained further gains. A slightly positive near-term rupee bias was associated with softer dollar conditions, dovish US monetary expectations, favourable global markets and improved foreign inflows, while geopolitical risks remained relevant. Domestic equity indices rose, foreign-exchange reserves increased, and fiscal-deficit data showed the central government's position against its full-year target.
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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