CCI approves proposed combination inter alia involving share acquisition(s) and merger of certain entities e.g. AAPC India, Triguna, Caddie, SMPL, Tec...
Merchant discount rate framework may permit charges on notified UPI and digital payments through a government notification mechanism. The proposed amendment to Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 replaces the existing income-tax-linked reference with a Central Government notification-based mechanism for electronic payment modes. It removes the current statutory restriction preventing banks and payment service providers from charging Merchant Discount Rate on notified modes, enabling the Government to permit charges for UPI and other digital payments. The policy rationale is to support funding for payment infrastructure and a sustainable revenue model for service providers.
Neutral monetary policy stance continues as resilient growth and food-fuel inflation risks require close macroeconomic monitoring. The Monetary Policy Committee retained the policy repo rate and continued the neutral monetary policy stance, citing the need to assess evolving growth-inflation conditions. Domestic activity was assessed as resilient, supported by consumption, investment, credit, manufacturing, services and exports, although global uncertainty, energy prices, supply-chain pressures, geopolitical developments and monsoon conditions remain risks. CPI inflation increased mainly because of food and fuel pressures, while underlying inflation remained moderate. The Committee considered that price pressures were not yet generalised and reaffirmed its commitment to align inflation with the target.
Closing auction price discovery and a neutral monetary policy stance shaped equity market conditions amid lower crude prices. The Closing Auction Session in the equity cash segment introduced an auction-based mechanism for determining closing prices of eligible shares with futures and options contracts, intended to make price discovery more transparent and robust. The Reserve Bank of India retained its neutral stance and left the benchmark policy rate unchanged, pending greater clarity on the inflationary effects of higher energy costs. Future policy decisions were stated to be data dependent.
Monthly public accounts review records receipts, expenditure, tax devolution, interest payments, subsidies, and capital spending through June. Consolidated monthly accounts up to June 2026 report total receipts of Rs.10,49,243 crore, comprising net tax revenue, non-tax revenue and non-debt capital receipts. Tax devolution transfers to State Governments total Rs.2,63,336 crore. Total expenditure is Rs.13,57,076 crore, including revenue expenditure of Rs.10,16,818 crore and capital expenditure of Rs.3,40,258 crore. Revenue expenditure includes interest payments and major subsidies.
Illicit psychotropic drug manufacture triggered seizure, apprehensions, and investigation into planned trafficking under narcotics control law. Illicit manufacture and trafficking of Alprazolam and Diazepam, psychotropic substances regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, were detected at a clandestine facility. Searches recovered finished and intermediary substances, together with raw materials and reaction mixtures used in manufacture, and the goods were seized under the Act. The manufacturer and an intended buyer were apprehended, with material indicating a proposed transaction for further illicit trafficking. Preliminary investigation indicated prior involvement in illegal drug production and trafficking.
Competition approval for hotel-sector consolidation covers share acquisitions and merger of Accor-branded hotel entities into InterGlobe Hotels. Competition approval was granted for related share acquisitions and the merger of AAPC India, Caddie, Triguna, Srilanand Mansions, Techpark and Accent into InterGlobe Hotels. The combination involves entities jointly controlled by the Bhatia Family Group and the Accor Group, including hotel-owning and developing entities, hotel management and franchising operations, leasing activities, and captive consultancy and support services relating to Accor-branded hotels in India.
Rupee appreciation followed unchanged monetary policy, lower crude prices, weaker dollar and expectations of orderly exchange-rate management. The rupee strengthened after the central bank maintained its policy rate and neutral monetary-policy stance. Lower crude oil prices, a weaker US dollar and declining US Treasury yields supported investor sentiment. Earlier measures to attract capital inflows remained part of the framework supporting the rupee, while the central bank stressed its endeavour to preserve an orderly currency trajectory. Future movement was linked to geopolitical de-escalation, global risk sentiment and US economic data.
Fiscal consolidation through revenue mobilisation and leakage control aims to reduce deficits while expanding capital expenditure capacity. Tamil Nadu's Revised Budget Estimates for 2026-27 project a revenue deficit and fiscal deficit, with outstanding liabilities comprising public debt and public-account liabilities. Revenue mobilisation is proposed through improved tax administration, collection efficiency, closure of leakages, liquor-manufacturer privilege fees, and eligible Union grants. The strategy projects gradual deficit reduction to create room for capital expenditure, supported by expenditure reforms aimed at eliminating leakages, optimising expenditure, and improving service delivery.
Political criticism of public office-holders raises debate over media accountability, personal remarks, and acceptable public discourse. Political criticism followed a social-media post describing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar as "gungi gudiya" in connection with a press interaction on law-and-order issues in Beed district. Congress representatives stated that the post was not a personal insult, had been deleted after adverse reactions, and was followed by an expression of regret. NCP representatives termed the expression inappropriate and stressed that the principal dignitary should conduct media interactions. Shiv Sena (UBT) representatives described the phrase as not unparliamentary and linked it to criticism of a guardian minister's public responsibilities.
On-tap licensing for Urban Co-operative Banks enters public consultation through draft guidelines inviting stakeholder feedback. Draft guidelines for 'on tap' licensing of Urban Co-operative Banks have been issued for public and stakeholder consultation. Comments and feedback may be submitted until September 05, 2026, through the designated online consultation facility or by written or email submission to the specified regulatory department.
Prohibition on indirect Pakistan-origin imports targets alleged origin misdeclaration and UAE routing used to circumvent trade restrictions. Import prohibition on goods originating in Pakistan applies to direct and indirect imports under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023. Pakistan-origin dry dates routed through the UAE were allegedly declared as UAE-origin goods for import, and were intercepted under the Customs Act, 1962. Investigation indicated that the goods were first sent from Pakistan to Dubai, re-containerised, and then exported to India. A separate interception involved Pakistan-origin guggul resin allegedly declared as Somali natural resin and routed through Dubai.
Neutral monetary policy stance keeps benchmark rates unchanged while inflation risks, liquidity management and consumer-protection reforms remain under review. Monetary policy maintains the benchmark policy rate unchanged and retains a neutral stance, with future decisions guided by incoming data. The central bank remains committed to aligning headline inflation with its medium-term target while monitoring food, fuel and other input-cost risks. Surplus liquidity will be managed through two-way operations, and the regulatory framework for interest rates on advances is proposed to be harmonised and standardised across regulated entities to improve transparency and consumer protection.
Export-only e-commerce inventory framework enables seller exports through registered exporters while requiring traceability, timely payments and domestic-diversion controls. The export-only inventory framework permits eligible e-commerce entities to export through a registered Exporter-on-Record, which procures goods from Indian Sellers-on-Record against confirmed overseas orders and assumes export and destination-country compliance responsibilities. Inventory must be segregated, digitally traceable and cannot be diverted to domestic sale. The framework requires timely seller payments, visibility of overseas sales and shipment information, proportional pass-through of export rebates and refunds, annual compliance certification and digital records.
Gold smuggling enforcement targets concealed foreign-origin gold, airport control evasion, and illicit railway transport under customs law. Gold smuggling enforcement operations under the Customs Act, 1962 involved alleged concealment and unlawful movement of foreign-origin gold. At an international airport, an alleged syndicate used an airline employee to transfer gold received from arriving passengers outside Customs and immigration controls, with gold disguised as silver-coloured bracelets. A separate railway operation concerned gold concealed in a specially made cloth waist belt and intended for delivery to a jeweller. The actions addressed concealment, evasion of Customs controls, and illicit transport of foreign-origin gold.
Digital bank-record evidence gains a technology-neutral framework through expanded admissibility, certified authentication, and regulated production of bankers' books. The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, modernises the evidentiary treatment of banking records by extending "bankers' books" to physical, electronic, digital, virtual and cloud-based records. It recognises electronic bank records as admissible evidence, allows production in physical or electronic form, and provides for standardised certificates authenticated by manual, digital or electronic signatures. The Bill also defines "special cause" for compelling bank officers to produce records or testify where the bank is not a party, and permits extension to specified financial-sector entities subject to conditions.
Closing auction price discovery and unchanged policy rates shaped volatile equity trading amid inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. The Monetary Policy Committee retained the policy repo rate and neutral policy stance while seeking greater clarity on inflation risks from higher energy costs. Stock exchanges introduced the Closing Auction Session for eligible futures and options shares in the equity cash segment to determine closing prices through a more transparent and robust auction-based price-discovery mechanism. Equity markets showed volatile, limited gains amid geopolitical uncertainty, energy-price concerns, profit booking and the new mechanism's introduction.
Pakistan-origin import prohibition covers third-country routing, false origin declarations, forged documents, and trans-shipment arrangements used to evade restrictions. The prohibition on direct or indirect import or transit of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan extends to goods routed through third countries and falsely declared as having another origin. Misdeclaration of country of origin, false descriptions, forged documentation, and trans-shipment arrangements may contravene that prohibition and invite action under the Customs Act, 1962. Dry dates declared as UAE-origin and Guggul resin declared as Somalia-origin were investigated as goods of Pakistan origin routed through Dubai.
Foreign exchange stability measures support the rupee as policy continuity, capital inflows and global risk sentiment shape currency expectations. Foreign exchange market movement reflected a rupee appreciation against the US dollar following the monetary policy decision to retain the repo rate and neutral stance. Market sentiment was supported by softer crude oil prices, weakness in the US dollar, lower US Treasury yields and foreign equity inflows. The monetary policy framework sought to support capital inflows and maintain an orderly rupee trajectory, with geopolitical developments and US economic data remaining relevant to near-term exchange-rate expectations.
Money-laundering investigation examines alleged proceeds from chit fund operations following searches linked to a former company managing director. A money-laundering investigation concerns alleged proceeds of crime arising from a multi-state chit fund operation associated with Welfare Building and Estates Pvt Ltd. The company is alleged to have collected investor deposits through investment schemes promising high returns before defaulting. Searches at premises linked to its former managing director form part of the inquiry into alleged laundering. The underlying alleged fraud had previously resulted in a CBI case and multiple police FIRs.
Political restraint in public communications was urged, alongside adherence to principal-speaker protocol during press conferences and media interactions. Political restraint in public communications was urged after a social-media remark directed at Sunetra Pawar was criticised as ideologically irresponsible. It was stated that regret alone was insufficient and that leaders should exercise care in public comments. Press-conference protocol was also emphasised: the principal dignitary should respond to media questions, and those seated alongside should not participate in the interaction. Party colleagues were expected to act more responsibly in future media engagements.
The Government has been concerned about the impact of the global financial crisis on the Indian economy and a number of steps have been taken to deal with this problem.
The first priority was to re-assure the people of the stability of the financial system in general and of the safety of bank deposits in particular. To this end, steps were taken to infuse liquidity into the banking system and also to address problems being faced by various non-bank financing companies. These steps have ensured that the financial system is functioning effectively without suffering the kind of loss of confidence experienced in the industrialised world.
Having assured stability of the system, the Government has focussed its attention on countering the impact of the global recession on India's economic growth. On the monetary side, the RBI has sought to pump sufficient liquidity into the banking system to enable bank credit to meet the expanded requirements of the economy keeping in mind the contraction in credit from non-bank sources. Banks have been provided adequate liquidity through a series of reductions in the CRR and additional flexibility in meeting the SLR requirement. Interest rate reductions have also been signalled by reductions in the repo and reverse repo rates, the most recent of which was announced on Saturday when both the repo rate and the reverse repo rate were cut by 100 basis points. Access to external commercial borrowings has also been liberalised so that borrowers capable of accessing funds from abroad are allowed to do so. The banks are being encouraged to counter what might otherwise become self-fulfilling negative expectations by enhanced lending to support economic activity.
These measures in the area of money and credit are being supplemented by fiscal measures designed to stimulate the economy. In recognition of the need for a fiscal stimulus, the government had consciously allowed the fiscal deficit to expand beyond the originally targeted level because of the loan waivers, issue of oil and fertilizer bonds and higher levels of food subsidy. In addition, the following steps are being taken:
1. Plan Expenditure:
In order to provide a contra-cyclical stimulus via plan expenditure, the Government has decided to seek authorisation for additional plan expenditure of upto Rs 20,000 crore in the current year. In addition, steps are being taken to ensure full utilisation of funds already provided, so that the pace of expenditure is maintained. The total spending programme in the balance four months of the current fiscal year, taking plan and non-plan expenditure together is expected to be Rs.300,000 crore.
The economy will continue to need stimulus in 2009-2010 also and this can be achieved by ensuring a substantial increase in plan expenditure as part of the budget for next year.
2. Reduction in Cenvat:
As an immediate measure to encourage additional spending, an across-the-board cut of 4% in the ad valorem Cenvat rate will be effected for the balance part of the current financial year on all products other than petroleum and those where the current rate is less than 4%.
3. Measures to Support Exports
i) Pre and post-shipment export credit for labour intensive exports, i.e., textiles (including handlooms, carpets and handicrafts), leather, gems & jewellery, marine products and SME sector is being made more attractive by providing an interest subvention of 2 percent upto 31/3/2009 subject to minimum rate of interest of 7 percent per annum
ii) Additional funds of Rs.1100 crore will be provided to ensure full refund of Terminal Excise duty/CST.
iii) An additional allocation for export incentive schemes of Rs.350 crore will be made.
iv) Government back-up guarantee will be made available to ECGC to the extent of Rs.350 crore to enable it to provide guarantees for exports to difficult markets/products.
v) Exporters will be allowed refund of service tax on foreign agent commissions of upto 10 percent of FOB value of exports. They will also be allowed refund of service tax on output services while availing of benefits under Duty Drawback Scheme.
4. Housing
Housing is a potentially very important source of employment and demand for critical sectors and there is a large unmet need for housing in the country, especially for middle and low income groups. The Reserve Bank has announced that it will shortly put in place a refinance facility of Rs.4000 crore for the National Housing Bank. In addition, one of the areas where plan expenditure can be increased relatively easily is the Indira Awas Yojana. As a further measure of support for this sector public sector banks will shortly announce a package for borrowers of home loans in two categories: (1) upto Rs.5 lakhs and (2) Rs 5 lakh-Rs 20 lakh. This sector will be kept under a close watch and additional measures would be taken as necessary to promote an accelerated growth trajectory.
5. MSME Sector
The Government attaches the highest priority to supporting the medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) sector which is critical for employment generation. To facilitate the flow of credit to MSMEs, RBI has announced a refinance facility of Rs.7000 crore for SIDBI which will be available to support incremental lending, either directly to MSMEs or indirectly via banks, NBFCs and SFCs. In addition, the following steps are being taken.
(a) To boost collateral free lending, the current guarantee cover under Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small enterprises on loans will be extended from Rs.50 lakh to Rs.1 crore with guarantee cover of 50 percent.
(b) The lock in period for loans covered under the existing credit guarantee scheme will be reduced from 24 to 18 months, to encourage banks to cover more loans under the guarantee scheme.
(c) Government will issue an advisory to Central Public Sector Enterprises and request State Public Sector Enterprises to ensure prompt payment of bills of MSMEs. Easing of credit conditions generally should help PSUs to make such payments on schedule.
6. Textiles
(a) An additional allocation of Rs.1400 crore will be made to clear the entire backlog in TUF Scheme.
(b) All items of handicrafts will be included under 'Vishesh Krishi & Gram Udyog Yojana'.
7. Infrastructure Financing
A large number of infrastructure projects are now being cleared for implementation in the Public Private Partnership mode. These projects may experience difficulty in reaching financial closure given the current uncertainties in the financial world. In order to support financing of such projects, Government has decided to authorise the India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) to raise Rs.10,000 crore through tax-free bonds by 31/3/2009. These funds will be used by IIFCL to refinance bank lending of longer maturity to eligible infrastructure projects, particularly in highways and port sectors. In this way it is expected that IIFCL resources used for refinance can leverage bank financing of double the amount. Depending on need, IIFCL will be permitted to raise further resources by issue of such bonds. In particular, these initiatives will support a PPP programme of Rs.100,000 crore in the highways sector.
8. Others
(a) Government departments will be allowed to take up replacement of government vehicles within the allowed budget, in relaxation of extant economy instructions.
(b) Import Duty on Naphtha for use in the power sector will be eliminated.
(c) Export duty on iron ore fines will be eliminated and on lumps will be reduced to 5%.
The Government is keeping a close watch on the evolving economic situation and will not hesitate to take any additional steps that may be needed to counter recessionary trends and maintain the pace of economic activity.
Fiscal stimulus expands public expenditure and tax relief to sustain credit flow and support exports and MSMEs.
The Government announced monetary measures to ensure bank liquidity and credit supply via reduced reserve requirements, lower policy rates, SLR flexibility and liberalised external borrowings, together with fiscal stimulus through increased plan expenditure authorisation, a temporary across the board 4% cut in ad valorem Cenvat for most products, targeted export supports including interest subvention and enhanced refunds and guarantees, housing refinance facilities and bank packages for home loans, expanded MSME refinance and credit guarantee provisions, and IIFCL authorisation to raise tax free bonds for infrastructure refinancing.
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