Concessional duty under EPCG scheme updated with revised tariff classifications and substituted entries affecting eligible goods.
Amendment revises Part B of the Exemption Table under the EPCG Scheme by substituting and inserting tariff schedule entries; specified Customs Tariff headings and subheadings are reclassified into discrete concession groupings, with each amended or newly inserted serial entry pairing particular headings with the scheme's concessional duty categories for capital goods, components and spares.

Anti-dumping duty extension on graphite electrodes continued pending review, maintaining provisional protection during investigations.
The Central Government, acting on the designated authority's request during a review of the anti-dumping measure, amended the principal notification under the Customs Tariff Act and applicable anti-dumping rules to extend the anti-dumping duty on graphite electrodes for a further limited period unless earlier revoked, thereby preserving interim protection pending completion of the review investigations.

Import policy amendment: garlic classified as free for import under ITC(HS), amendment issued in public interest.
The Central Government amends the ITC(HS) Exim entry for garlic, fresh or chilled, revising its import policy designation to Free in the ITC(HS) schedule and noting the amendment issues in the public interest; the notification replaces the previous Exim entry text with the updated item description, policy classification, and condition.

Access to exchange traded derivatives: FIIs may trade under regulator limits; NRIs may invest non repatriably under prescribed limits.
Permits a registered Foreign Institutional Investor with valid foreign exchange approval to trade in exchange traded derivative contracts approved by the market regulator subject to prescribed limits, and permits a Non Resident Indian to invest in such contracts out of Indian rupee funds held in India on a non repatriable basis subject to prescribed limits, with such NRI investments being ineligible for repatriation benefits.

Appointment of Director General (Specific Safeguard) secures administrative authority to implement transitional product safeguard rules.
The Central Government, invoking sub rule (1) of rule 3 of the Customs Tariff (Transitional Product Specific Safeguard Duty) Rules, 2002, appoints the Director General (Specific Safeguard) to exercise functions under the transitional product specific safeguard framework, superseding earlier notifications while preserving prior acts and omissions.

Counting of DTA sales: non ITA I items manufactured in unit with zero basic customs duty may count for export obligation.
Supplies of Information Technology (ITA-I) items and notified non ITA I items manufactured in the unit and attracting zero rate of basic customs duty may be counted for NFEP/EP under the EOU/EPZ/EHTP/STP schemes and for NFEP under the SEZ scheme, enabling certain DTA sales listed in the Handbook appendix to be treated as fulfilling export related obligations when the manufacture in unit and zero basic customs duty conditions are met.

Foreign investment commitment limits set for joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries; domestic monetary threshold correspondingly revised.
The Reserve Bank amends Regulation 6(2) to (i) cap total commitments in Joint Ventures and Wholly Owned Subsidiaries in Myanmar and specified SAARC countries (excluding Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan) by imposing an annual ceiling, and (ii) raise the monetary threshold in clause (ii) previously stated as Rupees 350 crores to a higher national threshold; the amendments take effect on publication in the Official Gazette.

Tax exemption approval under section 10(23G) subject to withdrawal for failure to maintain or furnish audited accounts.
Approval was granted to M/s Pipavav Railway Corporation Private Ltd for its Broad Gauge Rail Link project as an eligible infrastructure enterprise for specified assessment years, subject to compliance with tax-exemption provisions and prescribed audit and recordkeeping requirements; the Central Government may withdraw approval if the enterprise ceases infrastructure operations, fails to maintain audited books, or fails to furnish the required audit report.

Tax withholding notification designates Maulana Azad Education Foundation, modifying withholding obligations under income tax law.
The Central Government notified the Maulana Azad Education Foundation, New Delhi under sub clause (f) of clause (iii) of sub section (3) of section 194A by Notification No. 14 of 2003 dated 15 January 2003, designating the Foundation for the purposes of that withholding provision and recording the exercise of statutory power to classify the entity under the Income tax Act.

Section 194A notification: Tourism Finance Corporation of India Limited designated for purposes of the specified sub clause under the Act.
The Central Government issued Notification No. 13 of 2003 designating the Tourism Finance Corporation of India Limited for the purposes of section 194A, exercising the power conferred by the specified sub clause of clause (iii) of the subsection.

Import duty increase on garlic: Customs Tariff Schedule amended to raise applicable tariff, effective immediately.
Notification No. 11/2003-Customs (15 January 2003) directs an amendment to the First Schedule of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 under section 8A(1), substituting the tariff entries for sub-heading 0703.20 (garlic) in the Schedule to increase the rates specified in the relevant columns; the notification was declared necessary for immediate action and came into force on 15 January 2003.

Anti dumping duty on hydrofluoric acid: definitive duties imposed to offset dumping and protect domestic industry.
The Central Government imposed a definitive anti dumping duty on hydrofluoric acid originating in or exported from the People's Republic of China after findings that concentrations other than 70% were dumped and caused material injury. Duties are calculated as the difference between specified per metric tonne amounts (in US dollars) and the landed value; amounts vary by concentration and by packed or unpacked form, with a concentration based formula for non 70% products. The duty is payable in Indian currency, effective from the provisional duty date, with exchange rate and landed value rules prescribed, and remains in force until 27 March 2008 unless revoked.

Customs exemption amendment increases the specified threshold in a prior notification under delegated public interest powers.
Central Government, under sub section (1) of section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962, by Notification No.9/2003 Customs dated 15 January 2003, substitutes the figures "7,500" with "10,000" in Condition No.3, sub para iii) of para A of the Annexure to Notification No.40/2002 Customs, leaving other provisions intact.

Customs amendment: Loading for export at Vijaydurg now expressly permits molasses, bauxite ore and silica sand.
The Central Government amended the principal non-tariff notification by substituting the Table entry for Vijaydurg to specify that loading for export at Vijaydurg shall include three commodities: molasses, bauxite ore and silica sand, thereby altering the permitted export loadings at that location.

Customs exemption amendment updates the exempt goods list by substituting the schedule entry to specify covered items.
Amendment substitutes the entry for S.No.168 in List A of the Table to Notification No.25/99-Cus, replacing the prior entry with a list of specified goods: DBE Solvent; DMH Solvent; Printing Inks; Protective U.V. Lacquer; Dyes; Optical Grade Polycarbonate; Methyl Lactate; OFP; Cake Box; BOPP Film; Jewel Box; Silver Sputtering Target; and unrecorded CD-R, issued under sub-section (1) of section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962.

Jurisdictional reallocation of Central Excise appellate benches changes territorial jurisdictions for appeals under Central Excise Rules.
Amendment to Notification No.14/2002-Central Excise (N.T.) substitutes specified entries in Table III to reassign territorial jurisdictions among Commissioners of Central Excise (Appeals). Under sub rule (2) of rule 3 of the Central Excise Rules, 2002, the Central Board replaces the entries for certain serial numbers, explicitly listing appellate benches and their corresponding subordinate commissionerates, thereby redefining appellate territorial assignments while noting prior amendments and cross references.

Rank of customs officers updated: substitution of specified officer ranks for SEZs and hundred percent export oriented units.
Amendment substitutes the Table entry for officers of Customs in Special Economic Zones and in jurisdictions with hundred percent export oriented undertakings, replacing certain subordinate officer designations (notably Appraiser/Examiner/Preventive Officer) with Superintendent and Inspector equivalents while retaining senior posts such as Commissioner, Commissioner (Appeals), Additional Commissioner and Joint Commissioner.

Letter of comfort alternative to Kimberley Process certificate permitted temporarily for rough diamond imports as a transitional measure
The DGFT amended the Export and Import Policy, 2002-07 to add "/ letter of comfort" after the Kimberley Process (KP) Certificate in Paras 1 and 2, permitting a Letter of Comfort as an alternative to the KP Certificate for rough diamond imports; Para 3 adds a transitional provision limiting the Letter of Comfort's operation as an alternative to the KP Certificate to a specified short-term period from the notification's effective date.

Foreign currency loans against FCNR(B) deposits permitted to account holders, subject to Reserve Bank guidelines and conditions.
An authorized dealer may grant foreign currency loans in India secured by funds held in FCNR (B) accounts to the account holder only, subject to guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank; this amendment adds clause (vii) to Regulation 4 and comes into force on publication in the Official Gazette.

Tax exemption approval under section 10(23G) subject to compliance and withdrawal for failure to audit or operate.
Approval under section 10(23G), read with rule 2E, is granted to M/s L&T Transportation Infrastructure Limited for its Coimbatore bypass and associated bridge project, subject to compliance with statutory provisions, maintenance of books, statutory audit and furnishing of the audit report; the Central Government may withdraw approval if the undertaking ceases the infrastructure activity or fails to maintain, audit or report accounts as required.