Ministry of Finance 

21.09.2017

Customs

Exemption of intra state supply of heavy water and nuclear fuels falling in Chapter 28 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 from the whole of central tax

MANU/GSCT/0026/2017

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 11 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017), the Central Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, on the recommendations of the Council, hereby exempts intra state supply of heavy water and nuclear fuels falling in Chapter 28 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975) by the Department of Atomic Energy to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd from the whole of the central tax leviable thereon under section 9 of the Central Good and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017).

Tags : Exemption Heavy water Supply

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Reserve Bank of India

21.09.2017

Banking

Trade Repository for OTC Foreign Exchange and Interest Rate Derivatives

MANU/RMIC/0127/2017

1. Attention of Authorised Dealer Category - I (AD Category-I) banks is invited to circular no.FMD.MSRG.No.75/02.05.002/2012-13 dated March 13, 2013 on the captioned subject wherein a threshold of USD 1 million, and equivalent thereof in other currencies, was stipulated for reporting FCY-INR and FCY-FCY forward and options trades between AD Category-I banks and their clients to the Trade Repository (TR). Subsequently, Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), in consultation with Reserve Bank on June 02, 2016, had informed its members the removal of this threshold limit for reporting FCY-INR and FCY-FCY option trades w.e.f. July 04, 2016.

2. It has now been decided to remove the threshold for reporting FCY-INR and FCY-FCY forward trades between AD Category-I banks and their clients w.e.f. October 03, 2017.

3. As a one-time measure, in order to update the outstanding balances in the Trade Repository (TR), AD Category-I banks are advised to report the following to the CCIL by October 06, 2017:

i. OTC currency option transactions between AD Category-I banks and their clients undertaken before April 02, 2013 and outstanding as on September 29, 2017.

ii. OTC currency option transactions between AD Category-I banks and their clients, with value below USD 1 million and equivalent thereof in other currencies, undertaken in the period April 02, 2013 - July 03, 2016 and outstanding as on September 29, 2017.

iii. Currency forward transactions between AD Category-I banks and their clients, with value below USD 1 million and equivalent thereof in other currencies, and outstanding as on September 29, 2017.

4. AD Category-I banks are advised to ensure that outstanding balances between their books and the TR are reconciled on an ongoing basis.

Tags : Trade Repository Foreign Exchange Interest Rate

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Press Information Bureau

20.09.2017

Indirect Taxation

Notification regarding GST rate for branded cereal, pulses and flour

MANU/PIBU/1186/2017

The GST Council, in its 21st meeting held on 9th September, 2017 at Hyderabad has, interalia, recommended that for 5% GST rate on cereals, pulses and flours etc. put up in unit container and bearing a registered brand name:

a) A brand registered as on 15.05.2017 shall be deemed to be a registered brand for the purposes of levy of 5% GST, irrespective of whether or not such brand is subsequently deregistered.

b) A brand registered as on 15.05.2017 under the Copyright Act, 1957 shall also be treated as a registered brand for the purposes of levy of 5% GST.

c) A brand registered as on 15.05.2017 under any law for the time being in force in any other country shall also be deemed to be a registered brand for the purposes of levy of 5% GST. d) A mark or name in respect of which actionable claim is available shall be deemed to be a registered brand name for the purposes of levy of 5% GST.

2. Notifications giving effect to the Council's recommendations relating to changes in GST rates on goods and conditions appended thereto are proposed to be issued on 22nd September, 2017.

3. Regarding aforesaid recommendations of the Council, these notifications, interalia, provide that 5% GST will apply if on brand name [as defined in the notification] an actionable claim or enforceable right in court of law is available. In this context, these notifications also provide that this 5% GST will, however, not apply if the person concerned voluntarily foregoes any actionable claim or enforceable right on such brand name, subject to the conditions that he:

a) files an affidavit to the effect that he is voluntarily foregoing his actionable claim or enforceable right on such brand name with the jurisdictional Commissioner of Central Tax or State Tax, or the jurisdictional officer of Union Territory Tax, as the case may be, and

b) prints in indelible ink, both in English and local language on each such unit container, that in respect of brand name printed on the unit containers he has voluntarily foregone his actionable claim or enforceable right.

Tags : GST rate Recommendation Branded cereal

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Press Information Bureau

20.09.2017

Civil

DBT announces three High-investment, High Outcome Thrusts for the North East Region Bio-technology in the NER

MANU/PIBU/1187/2017

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science & Technology, has taken many steps to brings about a paradigm shift in biotechnology in the country's North-East Region (NER). Eyeing an inclusive growth, DBT has announced a series of new programs and missions to turn this into a reality. DBT has established a dedicated 'North Eastern Region Biotechnology Programme Management Cell (NER-BPMC)', with an annual investment of Rs. 180 crores, to evolve, implement and foster biotechnology research in the north east states.

On the occasion of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Birth Centenary, the Minister of S&T, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Dr. Harshvardhan announced three major new initiatives for the North East. These new initiatives are in congruence to the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's philosophy of "Integral Humanism" which is a synthesis of the material and the spiritual, the individual and the collective, which the world is now calling as "One Health" embodying the health of human, animal and environment as one.

The Minister said that DBT has committed to dedicate each year, at least 10% of the budget for the North-East. This year at least Rs.200 crores is expected to be spent for North-East Programmes. The Minister informed that as a result of the programmes, North East has become a major hub of biotechnology at the foundational level. The biotech programmes are of the highest quality, the institutions have state-of-the-art facilities and there has now been an impact on innovation and entrepreneurship because of excellent human resources programmes.

I. Phyto-Pharma Plant Mission: This is a Rs 50 crore Mission aimed at conservation and cultivation of endangered and threatened endemic medicinal plants, and discovery of new botanical drugs for unmet medical needs using the rich traditional ethno-botanical knowledge and biodiversity of these states and at the same time also improve availability of authentic and quality botanical raw material on sustainable basis for a boom in the phyto-pharmaceutical industry. Through this Mission, it is expected to enable farmers from NE states and phyto-pharmaceutical industry to become global leaders in production and export of some quality botanical drugs for unmet medical needs. For this Mission, DBT will be the nodal coordinating and implementing department and work closely with Ministry of DONER and other identified institutions.

DBT has announced launch of the Phyto-pharmaceutical Mission in NER with three major objectives:

(i) Captive cultivation of selected medicinal plants of NER, which have great demand to ensure supply of authentic and quality botanical raw material to the user industries in the country.

(ii) Development of technology packages for production of GMP grade medicinal plant extracts for export markets.

(iii) Production of safe and efficacious phytopharmaceuticals from medicinal plants of NER for unmet medical needs using modern scientific tools and following global standards.

II. Brahmaputra Biodiversity and Biology Boat (B4) on the Brahmaputra River, a major ecology hotspot, in NER, in collaboration with DONER, B4 will establish a large barge on the river with a well-equipped laboratory for analysis of all components of the entire ecosystem of the river and surroundings. The B4 will link to all the local research institutions along the river, as well as national and international laboratories.

B4 will have capability to analyse soil, water, environment, plant and animal life, human health and agriculture and an equal component that involves local citizens in the experimental process of science in data generation and management. B4 will also have a teaching laboratory for school/college children. It is also proposed to have mobile satellite boat labs which will run along the tributaries of Brahmaputra to feed in data to the main B4.

III. Frugal microscopy through the Fold scope: a frugal microscope assembled from simple components, including a sheet of paper and a lens, is acting as a tool connecting students and science from the region, with the rest of the country.

A total 525 applications from schools, colleges have been received: 112 from schools, 357 from colleges and 56 from citizen scientists. All applicants will receive a micro grant between Rs 4 lakhs to 8 Lakhs as well as a supply of Fold scopes while being linked with NER.

Dr. Harshvardhan informed that in addition to the three new announcements, DBT has many major ongoing projects in the North-East in the following areas:

Skilling Human Resources:

Twinning R&D Programme: DBT has initiated 480 R&D twinning programs that link institutes in NER with those across the country. With an investment of Rs. 90 crores in the last three years, this effort has resulted in 252 research publications and 600 Junior and Senior Research fellowships awarded to the students to pursue biotechnology research.

To create an environment of training and research in medial biotechnology, DBT has supported Medical Diagnostic facilities at 11 medical colleges in NER with an investment of Rs. 40.00 crores. This facility is providing quality diagnostic services as well as carrying out research on various health problems prevalent in the region using modern biotechnology tools and technologies. So far more than 4.70 lakhs tests in different disease have been conducted by these diagnostic facility.

DBT's 'Overseas Associate ship for North East Region' has seen 208 scientists from NER being trained overseas with Rs. 5.25 crore invested every year to support this programme. Through the DBT-NER Visiting Research Professorship (VRP) Scheme, 30 Scientists/Faculty are selected for bringing advancement in the field of biotechnology and life sciences in various institutions by sharing their vast experience and expertise with NER researchers and students.

At school levels, DBT has launched the 'Biotechnology Labs in Senior Secondary schools (BLiSS) programme', a first of its kind in India, for schools where biotechnology labs have been set up at 88 Senior Secondary Schools from NER with an investment of Rs. 2.20 crores.

For universities, DBT has set up 30 Bioinformatics Centre at an investment of Rs. 9 crores for conducting research on genomics, proteomics and data analysis.

Under the 'Biotech Industrial Training Programme', deserving students have been provided stipends during their training at biotech/life science industries. DBT is also supporting 15 institutes in NER recognised as 'Star colleges' to provide them with enhanced lab infrastructure and mentoring by leading scientists and Fellows of various national academies.

To provide these students with access to world-class journals and publications, the DBT e-Library consortium (DeLCON) has been launched in partnership with 18 institutions of NER, which provides access to more than 900 high impact e-journals. With an investment of Rs. 54. crores in last 3 years, this facility has been extended to more than 150 colleges benefiting about 1500 life science students.

Infrastructure and Resource building

Infrastructural support for biotechnology has been provided under many programs. DBT has established 126 'Biotech Hubs' at various institutions, universities and colleges to promote education, training and research in biological sciences including biotechnology. With over Rs. 22 crores invested in last three years, about 1000 training programmes were conducted by these hubs, with more than 1000 students, researchers and school teachers as beneficiaries.

DBT has also created biotech infrastructural facilities at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, at an investment of Rs. 4.50 crores.

The DBT has established many centres of excellence across NER to focus on different applications of biotechnology. The DBT-AAU Centre of Excellence on Agriculture Biotechnology at Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, promotes agriculture biotechnology research and is helping farmers by developing elite varieties for local crops and improving their yield. The centre, established with an investment of Rs. 36.70 crores.

The Centre of Excellence on Fisheries & Aquaculture Biotechnology (FAB) in Tripura has adopted 2 villages to provide local fishermen with good quality fish seeds to produce high quality fish products, benefiting 200 farmers.

DBT has also sanctioned an amount of Rs. 45.00 cores for the establishment of a regional level Animal House facility at Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Dibrugarh in Assam, which will be accessible to entire biomedical research community of NER for carrying out critical animal experiments in disease biology, molecular medicine, vaccinology and pharmacology.

Another related initiative is the Advance Animal Disease Diagnostic & Management Consortium (ADMaC) for surveillance and control of trans-boundary, exotic and zoonotic pathogens from NER. This programme will house a first Animal-BSL 3 lab in NER.

To conserve the delicate ecology of the region, DBT has sanctioned Rs. 26 crores for a major network programme on chemical ecology of NER in collaboration with leading institutions in India like IISc, NCBS, and UAS Bangalore.

Recognising the rich biodiversity of the region, DBT is also pushing for the development of 'NER-Scented Rice' -- a biotechnology inspired variant of the aromatic rice, and NER-Banana. The aromatic rice of NER, especially Joha and Black rice, are of premium value because of their aroma and high medicinal characteristics. But, these are also poor yielders and are susceptible to pest attacks. DBT is now seeking innovative approaches that use biotechnological intervention to ameliorate the agronomic characteristics of this aromatic rice and other scientific properties, besides yield enhancement. Under the various twinning programmes, projects like these are being implemented with an investment of Rs.16.67 crores.

Existing programs flagged off by DBT in the region have been enormously successful with almost all the allocated budget being utilised for the proliferation of biotechnology in the North-Eastern states of India. Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon'ble Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences has been instrumental in implementing these initiatives in the region and has personally visited each and every state in NER to review on-the-spot progress of these programmes and to interact with students, academia, scientists and local communities. This has resulted in skilled human resources and enhanced research infrastructure and resource building

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Ministry of Finance 

20.09.2017

Customs

Implementation of Electronic Sealing for containers by exporters under self-sealing procedure prescribed by Circular 26/2017-Cus dated 1st July, 2017 and Circular 36/2017 dated 28th August, 2017

MANU/CUCR/0037/2017

1. Representations have been received from several associations seeking information on the availability of RFID Tamper Proof One-time-bolt container seals. Field formations have also sought guidance of the Board regarding the identity of vendors, availability of the electronic seals, web-based application and provisioning of readers at various ports / ICDs.

2. Several potential vendors have communicated with the Board & field formations regarding availability of seals and their intention to provide reader devices (for reading the seals) at select or all ports/ICDs.

3. In order to ensure that electronic seals deployed are of a reliable quality, the Board has adopted international standards laid down under ISO 17712:2013 for high security seals and prescribed that vendors intending to offer RFID seals should furnish certifications required under the ISO standard (para 3 of circular No.36/2017 dated 28.8.2017 refers).

3.1 To ensure uniformity in acceptance of the certificates submitted by vendors, required under ISO 17712:2013, it has been decided that all vendors proposing to offer RFID Tamper Proof One-Time-Bolt Container Seals to exporters for self-sealing, must submit self-attested certificates from seal manufacturers to the Director (Customs), CBEC, North Block, New Delhi before commencing sales. Where the certification is found to comply with the requirements of the ISO standard, the names of such vendors shall be put up on the Board's website for ease of reference of the trade and field formations, as soon as they are received.

3.2 The vendors shall also produce a contract or communication between the vendor and manufacturer, to serve as a link document and undertake that the seals for which ISO certifications are submitted are the same seals pressed into service.

3.3 Any time a vendor changes his manufacturer-supplier, he shall provide the documentation referred in para 3 of circular 36/2017-Customs to the CBEC, before offering the seals for sale.

3.4 Clarifications have also been sought regarding the type/specification of the web-hosted application. While each vendor may develop and design their own web-enabled application, the data elements prescribed under para 4 (a) of circular 36/2017-Customs have to be incorporated. For the purposes of consistency in process of communication with the customs stations and the RMD, each vendor shall provide information as specified in para 4 (b) of circular 36/2017-Customs to the department by email in excel format or any other format that may be specified by any field formation or RMD. This would permit ease of consolidation of multiple feeds at the customs station and data integration. All field formations are advised to communicate the designation based email addresses to the vendors, once the list is placed on the website as mentioned at para 3.1 above.

3.5 As a measure of data integrity and security of sealing, vendors are also required to ensure that the Tag Identification (TID) number is captured in their data base and the IEC code of the exporter is linked to the same at the time of sale of the seals. Upon reading at the Port / ICD, the software application shall ensure that the seal's identity is checked with its TM. Beyond this prescribed minimum feature, vendors will remain free to build upon any other features of RFID system for enhancing security / functionalities.

4. For the ease of reference of the exporters, vendors are advised to publicise on their website, name of each port / ICD where they have provided readers. Custodians and Customs brokers are also advised to proactively engage with vendors regarding availability of reading facilities at container terminals and ICDs so that there is no dislocation to logistics operations.

5. Considering the difficulties expressed by trade associations in locating vendors of RFID seals, the Board has decided that the date for mandatory self-sealing and use of RFID container seals is deferred to 1st November, 2017. The existing practice may continue till such time. It is also provided that exporters are free to voluntarily adopt the new self-sealing procedure based upon RFID sealing, if readers are in place at the customs station of export from 1.10.2017.

6. Apprehensions have been expressed by some associations and trade bodies regarding the availability of reading facilities in hinterland ICDs. In view thereof, custodians of ICDs are requested to facilitate the process of receiving handheld readers or installation of fixed readers at the ICDs and to approach the Board in case readers are not made available by vendors at any ICD by 10th October, 2017. Difficulties, if any, may be brought to the notice of the Board.

Tags : Electronic Sealing Containers Implementation

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Press Information Bureau

20.09.2017

Civil

Cabinet approves Extension of time period of the Scheme "Special Industry Initiative for J and K" (Sll J and K) - Udaan

MANU/PIBU/1188/2017

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for extension of time period of the Scheme "Special Industry Initiative for J&K" (Sll J&K)- Udaan till 31st December, 2018 without any modification and cost escalation. Initially the time period of Udaan was upto 2016-17.

Udaan provides exposure to the youth of J&K to the best of corporate India and corporate India to the rich talent pool available in the State. So far, 109 leading Corporate have partnered with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under UDAAN with a commitment to train youth from the State covering Organized Retail, Banking, Financial Services, IT, ITES, Infrastructure, Hospitality etc. So far, 34,587 candidates have been selected of whom 31,903 candidates have joined, 22,237 candidates have completed the training, 7,649 are undergoing training and 14,694 have been offered jobs.

In spite of four months of unrest, the scheme has gained a good momentum and pace of implementation has been the best during FY 2016-17 since its inception. More than 12,000 candidates had joined training and nearly 10,000 candidates were offered jobs. 140 mega selection drives were held so far covering all districts of the State.

Udaan is a national integration scheme with the goal to mainstream J&K youth with rest of the country. The scheme not only provides skill enhancement and job opportunity but also connects these bright youths from the J&K with the vibrant corporate sector of India.

Tags : Extension Scheme Special Industry Initiative

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Press Information Bureau

20.09.2017

Law of Medicine

Cabinet approves introduction of the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017

MANU/PIBU/1190/2017

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for introduction of the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in Parliament subject to modifications of drafting or consequential nature, if any, as may be considered necessary by the Legislative Department by amending the Dentists Act, 1948 (16 of 1948). The amendment will reduce the redundancy.

The clauses being amended include those pertaining to certain modifications in the provisions of the Dentists Act, 1948 with regard to:

1. the Membership of the Dental Council of India under clause (f) of section 3 and

2. the Membership of State and Joint State Dental Councils under clause (b) of section 21 and clause (b) of section 23 of the said Act.

Background:

As per the existing Act, it was required to have the representation of dentists registered in Part B as Central Government nominees in the Dental Council of India and the election of four/ two members from Part B to the State/ Joint State Dental Councils. However, it has lost relevance. With a view to reducing the redundancy of the provisions of their representation, the Central Government has decided to delete these provisions so that their representation does not remain mandatory any more.

Tags : Dentists Bill Amendment Approval

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Ministry of Civil Aviation

20.09.2017

Civil

Aircraft (Ninth Amendment) Rules, 2017

MANU/CAVN/0055/2017

G.S.R.1171(E).--Whereas the draft of certain rules further to amend the Aircraft Rules, 1937, was published, as required by section 14 of the Aircraft Act, 1934 (XXII of 1934), vide notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R. 986(E), dated the 28th July, 2017, for inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby before the expiry of the period of thirty days from the date on which copies of the Gazette of India in which the said notification was published, were made available to public;

And whereas copies of the Gazette in which the said notification was published were made available to the public on the 2nd August, 2017;

And whereas objections or suggestions received in respect of the draft rules within the period specified have been taken into consideration;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 5 of the said Aircraft Act, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Aircraft Rules, 1937, namely: -

1. (1) These rules may be called the Aircraft (Ninth Amendment) Rules, 2017.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their final publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In Schedule II to the Aircraft Rules, 1937,-

(a) in Section R, in paragraph 6, in clause (b), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely: -

"Provided that this privilege shall be subject to any directions that may be issued by the Director-General in this behalf to Flying Training Organisations.";

(b) in Section Z, in paragraph 1, for clause (e), the following clause shall be substituted, namely: -

"(e) Experience.- He shall be the holder of a Student Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes, Helicopters, Gliders, Microlights, Light Sport Aircraft or Balloons) or a Private Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes or Helicopters) or a Pilot's Licence (Microlight, Light Sport Aircraft, Gliders or Balloons).".

Tags : Aircraft Rules Amendment

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