Biometric Aadhaar authentication centres are designated for GST registration applicants across notified jurisdictional areas, effective from the stated date.
Biometric-based Aadhaar authentication for GST registration applicants is to be undertaken through designated Facilitation Centers under the proviso to sub-rule (4A) of Rule 8 of the Rajasthan Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017. The notification maps specified State Tax circles, AC/CTO wards and ward headquarters across the notified zones to corresponding Facilitation Centers and their office locations. The designated network covers jurisdictional areas throughout Rajasthan, including Bikaner, Jaipur, Pali, Ajmer, Udaipur, Bhiwadi, Jodhpur, Alwar, SriGanganagar, Bhilwara, Bharatpur and Kota zones. It takes effect from 7 January 2025.

Income exemption under section 10(46): specified horticulture grants, activity revenue and interest exempt subject to compliance.
The Central Government notifies that the Karnataka State Horticulture Development Agency's specified income-grants in aid from Central and State Governments, revenue from horticulture activities per its Memorandum of Association, and interest on bank deposits-is exempt under clause (46) of section 10 of the Income tax Act, subject to conditions prohibiting commercial activity, requiring unchanged activities and income character across financial years, and mandated return filing under clause (g) of sub section (4C) of section 139; the notification applies retrospectively for specified assessment years.

Exemption under section 10(46): specified municipal, rental and interest income exempt for Rabindra Setu subject to conditions.
Notification grants income tax exemption to The Commissioners for the Rabindra Setu, Kolkata for specified receipts-municipal and railway tax proceeds, miscellaneous income such as rental, maintenance, fibre laying and way leave receipts and recoverable damage costs, and interest on bank deposits-subject to conditions: no commercial activity, unchanged activities and income nature, and filing returns as required by clause (g) of sub section (4C) of section 139; applied retrospectively to assessment years 2019 2020 to 2023 2024.

Certification requirement for investment advisers: mandatory NISM initial and renewal exams to maintain compliance and standing.
An obligation is imposed that investment advisers, their associated persons, principal officers of non individual advisers, and partners of adviser partnership firms must pass the designated initial certification examinations and, before expiry of their existing certificates, obtain the prescribed renewal certification to maintain continuity of compliance; the notification takes effect on publication and rescinds prior related notifications.

Stakeholder consultation in trade policy may be sought, while government can withhold reasons for national security or confidentiality concerns.
Amendment inserts Para 1.07A permitting the Central Government to seek views from relevant stakeholders, including importers, exporters and industry experts, on formulation or amendment of the Foreign Trade Policy and, where possible, to allow a time limited period for submissions, while preserving the Government's right to act suo moto without consultation. Para 1.07B allows the Government, on a best endeavour basis, to give reasons to stakeholders when their feedback is not incorporated but exempts disclosure where doing so would harm trade relations, national security, conflict with policies or obligations, concern narrow private interests, or require revealing confidential information, and confirms no legal right to compel such reasons.

No tax deduction under section 194Q for purchases from IFSC Units where seller files verified declaration; buyer must report.
No tax is to be deducted by a buyer under the purchase-linked withholding provision on payments to an IFSC Unit seller if the seller furnishes and verifies the prescribed Form No. 1 declaring the ten consecutive assessment years for which it opts for deduction under the relevant incentive provision. After receipt of the verified declaration the buyer shall not deduct tax for those years and must report all such payments in the statutory TDS statement; the relief is limited to the declared years. Systems procedures and security standards will be prescribed, effective 1 January 2025.

No tax deduction on payments to a Central Government financed credit guarantee fund after official notification.
The Central Government, exercising powers under the Income tax Act, notifies that no deduction of income tax under the Chapter governing tax deduction at source shall be made on payments received by a credit guarantee fund that is established and wholly financed by the Central Government and managed by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited; the notification is effective from its publication in the Official Gazette.

No tax deduction on payments to National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company under Chapter XVII, effective upon publication.
No deduction of income-tax shall be made under Chapter XVII on payments received by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited, a company established and wholly financed by the Central Government for operating credit guarantee funds established and wholly financed by the Central Government; the notification is effective from its publication in the Official Gazette.