Press Information Bureau

24.01.2018

Banking

Government of India announces details of Bank recap and Comprehensive Reform Plan

MANU/PIBU/0104/2018

The Government of India today unveiled details of the re-capitalisation of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) announced in October, 2017. The capital infusion plan for 2017-18 includes Rs.80,000 crore through Recap Bonds and Rs.8,139 crore as budgetary support. This plan addresses regulatory capital requirement of all PSBs and provides a significant amount towards growth capital for increasing lending to the economy.

The recap would be accompanied by a strong reforms package across six themes incorporating 30 action points. The reforms agenda is based on the recommendations made at the PSB Manthan held in November, 2017 involving senior management of PSBs and representatives from Government. The reform agenda is aimed at EASE - Enhanced Access and Service Excellence, focusing on six themes of customer responsiveness, responsible banking, credit off take, PSBs as Udyami Mitra, deepening financial inclusion & digitalisation and developing personnel for brand PSB. The overarching framework for the reforms agenda is "Responsive and Responsible PSBs".

Capital infusion by the Government is contingent on performance of PSBs on the reform. Whole Time Directors of PSBs would be assigned theme wise reforms for implementation. Their performance in this regard would be evaluated by the bank Board. A survey by an independent agency in respect of EASE would be conducted to measure public perception about improvements in access and service quality. Results of the survey shall be made public each year.

Taken together, the recap & reform agenda is sharply focused on strengthening PSBs, increasing lending to MSMEs and making it easier for MSMEs and retail customers to transact as well as significantly increasing access to banking services. It includes a commitment to banking services within 5 kms of every village, refund within 10 days of any unauthorised debit in electronic transactions, a mobile App for locating banking outlets and a mobile ATM in every underserved district.

Tags : Bank recap Details Announcement

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Press Information Bureau

24.01.2018

Environment

Environment Ministry takes up new plan for rejuvenation of major river water systems

MANU/PIBU/0106/2018

Union Environment Ministry has taken up a new strategy for conservation and rejuvenation of major river water systems. The new strategy takes into account the entire river basin, which is contributing its flow to the particular river stretch for conservation. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Science & Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, in New Delhi today.

"The present strategy for conservation of rivers is limited only to tackling pollution load from domestic wastewater and regulation of industrial pollution," Dr. Harsh Vardhan said. "The new approach is a holistic one for rejuvenation of rivers, wherein water management and environment management are taken together for implementation to restore the lost ecology of the polluted stretches of the rivers", he added.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan also took a decision to call a meeting of all five states at the earliest and work out an implementation plan for Ganga river basin at the earliest and also rope in the resources from CAMPA fund. The Central Pollution Control Board had identified 302 river stretches on 275 rivers in the country as polluted, based on Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand, a critical parameter of water quality. The Minister said that a tentative action plan has been drawn up, "To begin with, we need to try it out on a few stretches in the country covering sub-basin or catchment area of river", Dr. Harsh Vardhan stated. He pointed out that independent institutions like IITs will be entrusted with the study for preparation and finalisation of river basin management and rejuvenation plan for nine selected stretches.

Since sewage into the selected river stretches is the most significant polluter, projects to treat it will be taken up immediately. Dr. Harsh Vardhan emphasized that under the conservation plans, sewage treatment will be made mandatory along the identified stretches. Since enforcement of provisions of the Water Act and Environment (Protection) Act comes under the local bodies in respective states, the Environment Ministry plans to set up a sewage management system with private participation.

Some of the other actions include watershed management, construction of small check-dams along the catchment area, scientific assessment of quantum of environmental flow in each stretch, rejuvenation of lakes and wetlands along the river basin and protection of floodplains from encroachment.

A detailed presentation on DPR on Forestry Interventions for Ganga was made by Director, Forest Research Institute. Appreciating the efforts of the FRI, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that it is a comprehensive document covering all aspects of forestry interventions required, including past and present status of Ganga river and its environmental peculiarities. The project report prepared by FRI for Catchment area Treatment of Ganga river covers five states - Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal has an estimated cost of Rs. 2500 crore approximately. The need of the hour is to prepare a project for the catchments of all important rivers of the country and implement the same over a period of next 10 years. The ultimate mission is to make all the rivers clean and ensure adequate water in the river to flow. The meeting was attended by Director General (Forest) and Special Secretary, Dr. Siddhant Das, Additional Secretary, MoEF&CC, Shri A.K Mehta and other senior officers of the Ministry.

Tags : Plan Rejuvenation River water systems

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Ministry of Finance 

23.01.2018

Goods and Services Tax

Waiver of amount of late fee payable by any registered person for failure to furnish the return in form GSTR-5 by the due date under Section 47 of the CGST Act, 2017

MANU/CGST/0005/2018

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 128 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017) (hereafter in this notification referred to as the said Act), the Central Government, on the recommendations of the Council, hereby waives the amount of late fee payable by any registered person for failure to furnish the return in FORM GSTR- 5 by the due date under section 47 of the said Act, which is in excess of an amount of twenty- five rupees for every day during which such failure continues:

Provided that where the total amount of central tax payable in the said return is nil, the amount of late fee payable by such registered person for failure to furnish the said return by the due date under section 47 of the said Act shall stand waived to the extent which is in excess of an amount of ten rupees for every day during which such failure continues.

Tags : Return Furnishing Late fee Waiver

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Press Information Bureau

23.01.2018

Commercial

Inauguration of ASEAN India Business and Investment and Expo, Promoting Mutual Trade and Investment, 22-23rd January, 2018

MANU/PIBU/0103/2018

The ASEAN - India Business and Investment Meet and Expo was jointly inaugurated by Mr Suresh Prabhu, Hon'ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, India with the ASEAN Ministers and Gen. (Dr.) (Retd.) V K Singh, Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs, India. The Ministers from ASEAN countries included H.E. Mr Lim Jock Seng, Hon'ble Minister at the Prime Minister's office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei, H.E. Mr Enggartiasto Lukita, Hon'ble Minister of Trade, Indonesia, H.E. U Khin Maung Cho, Hon'ble Union Minister of Industry, Myanmar, H.E. Mr Chhuon Dara, Hon'ble Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia, H.E. Ms Nora Kakilala Terado, Under Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines, H.E. Ms Chutima Bunyapraphasara, Hon'ble Deputy Minister of Commerce, Thailand, H.E. Mr Cao Quoc Hung, Hon'ble Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, Vietnam. H.E. Mr Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary General of ASEAN had also attended the event.

The inaugural plenary, on the theme of 'Promoting Mutual Trade and Investment for Shared Prosperity' covered discussions on strengthening India's economic relations with the countries in the East with both sides aiming to scale up bilateral trade and investment in the region. The session focused on trade facilitation measures taken to promote trade between India and ASEAN countries in manufacturing sector, promoting SME ecosystem to enhance entrepreneurship quotient in the region and startup culture to create new pipeline of ideas.

Mr Suresh Prabhu, Hon'ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, thanked the ASEAN ministers for their presence stating that India and ASEAN share deep and strong relations. He stressed that India is looking forward to further deepening our engagement with ASEAN, with all the special commemorative events lined up for the next few days, celebrating our Shared Values and Common Destiny. He further stated that this event will help to envision the next 25 years of India-ASEAN relations, highlighting our various sectoral collaborations.

ASEAN India Expo showcases the best in trade and services in India and ASEAN region. Buyers and exhibitors across the sectors such as Infrastructure, manufacturing, manufacturing & engineering, ICT, healthcare, Tourism, Environment, Agriculture, Science & technology, Finance and Banking, Logistics and Retail are participating in the Expo. The Expo has participation from businesses and CEOs across ASEAN countries, ASEAN country Pavilions, Pavilions of Indian States and Export Promotion Councils.

The sessions and discussions to be held on 23rd January 2018, the second day of the event will focus on sectors of mutual interest particularly namely Services, Regional Value Chains and Connectivity, Agriculture, Trade and Investment. The technical sessions will be presided by Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology and Law and Justice, Smt. Harsimrat Kaur, Minister for Food Processing Industries and the Valedictory Session by Sh. Arun Jaitley, Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs.

Tags : Inauguration Expo Mutual Trade Investment

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Press Information Bureau

22.01.2018

Civil

Accepting of Unique Identity Number (UIN) of Foreign Diplomatic Missions/UN Organizations while making supplies

MANU/PIBU/0100/2018

Complaints have been received from the Foreign Diplomatic Missions/UN Organizations regarding unwillingness of vendors / suppliers / E-commerce websites to record the UIN (Unique Identify Number) while making sales to such Embassies / Missions / Consulates or UN organizations.

It may be noted that supply to Foreign Diplomatic Missions / UN Organizations is like any other Business to Consumer (B2C) supply and will not have any additional impact on the supplier's tax liability. Recording of UIN while making such supplies will enable Foreign Diplomatic Missions / UN Organizations to claim refund of the taxes paid by them in India. Therefore, it is advised that suppliers should not decline to record the UIN of the Embassies / Missions / Consulates or UN organizations on the tax invoice.

Unique Identification Number (UIN) is a 15-digit unique number allotted to any specialised agency of the United Nations Organisation or any Multilateral Financial Institution and Organisation notified under the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947, Consulate or Embassy of foreign countries. First two digits of the UIN denotes State code where such entity is located.

It may also be noted that recording of the Unique Identity Number on the invoice is a necessary condition under Rule 46 of the CGST Rules, 2017. Contravention of the Rule may attract punitive action under the CGST Act, 2017. Search functionality for UIN is available on the GST Common Portal in "Search Taxpayer" option. On entering UIN and captcha, details of the entity will be available.

Tags : UIN Accepting of Foreign Diplomatic Missions UN Organizations

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Press Information Bureau

22.01.2018

Civil

Government of India, the Government of Uttarakhand and the World Bank sign $120 million Loan Agreement to improve access to Water Supply Services in the Hilly State of Uttarakhand

MANU/PIBU/0101/2018

The Government of India, the Government of Uttarakhand and the World Bank Board signed here today in New Delhi, a $120 million Loan Agreement which will help increase access to improved water supply services in peri-urban areas in the State of Uttarakhand.

The Agreement for the project was signed by Mr. Sameer Kumar Khare, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India; Mr. Arvind Singh Hyanki, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, on behalf of the Government of Uttarakhand; and Mr. Hisham Abdo, Acting Country Director, World Bank, India on behalf of the World Bank.

The Uttarakhand Water Supply Program for Peri-Urban Areas will help the State increase water supply coverage as well as ensure sustainable water supply service delivery in peri-urban areas. It will develop and implement a service-oriented and efficient water supply policy for peri-urban areas, strengthen the current monitoring and evaluation systems, and provide dedicated incentives for preparation and adoption of water supply 'master-plans' in peri-urban areas.

Growth and urbanization has led to the rise of significant "peri-urban" areas (mostly in the plains) that, while classified as rural, are effectively urban in nature (in terms of density of population, the structure of the economy, and aspirations of the people). The "disconnect" between the formal classification of these populated areas and their actual nature, including provision of water supply, along with unique governance, infrastructure, and service delivery challenges.

From 2001 to 2011, the state's urban population grew by nearly 42 percent, which is substantially higher than the national average of 32 percent. While the state has made significant strides in piloting and implementing innovative approaches in water supply and sanitation services, water supply services in peri-urban areas have not been a focus.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sameer Kumar Khare, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India said that over 700,000 people residing in peri-urban areas of the state are expected to benefit from the program. He said that with increasing urbanization, the demarcation between rural and urban is slowly diminishing. The rise of peri urban areas in Uttarakhand presents many challenges to development. Mr. Khare concluded that through this project, the peri-urban population in the State, especially the women will have easy access to regular water supply services, thus freeing- up their time for other more socially and economically productive activities.

The Program will focus on increasing coverage, quality and reliability of water supply services in all peri-urban areas of the State. Services would be provided through piped network and metered service connections with a focus on improving the operation and management (O&M) of it. Some of the efforts at improving services under the Program will include ensuring a minimum 16-hour water supply which meets the Government of India water quality standards, supplied at a minimum pressure of 12m, for no less than 300 days in a year; 100 percent customer metering and volumetric tariffs; and sustainable water supply systems which recover O&M costs through user charges with transparent subsidies, if any.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Smita Misra, Lead Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist and the World Bank's Task Team Leader for the program said that with rapid economic growth and urbanization, there is a strong demand for better public services, including water supply in peri-urban areas. She said that this Program is now a priority for the State as it moves towards achieving its goal of universal water supply coverage in urban areas by 2030 and in rural areas by 2022. She further said that we hope this program shows the way for others addressing service delivery issues in challenging 'peri-urban' areas that are increasingly part of the landscape of India and other countries in South Asia. The $120 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a 5-year grace period, and a maturity of 17 years.

Tags : Loan Agreement Water Supply Improvement

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Press Information Bureau

21.01.2018

Indirect Taxation

GST - Supply of services upto Rs 5 lakh allowed under Composition Scheme

MANU/PIBU/0102/2018

APART from approving various legislative changes the GST Council at its 25th meeting has also approved the proposal to allow supply of services upto Rs 5 lakh per annum to the composition dealers. In other words, while computing the turnover of a Composition Dealer, even if one may be providing certain services along with the supply of goods, such supply of services upto Rs 5 lakh is to be treated as exempted. The Council has also approved the earlier decision to hike the threshold for such dealers to Rs two crore in the law but to notify only upto Rs 1.5 Crore after the necessary amendments are made in the CGST and SGST Acts. On the tax rate front, a uniform rate of 1% is to be levied under the Composition Scheme for manufacturers and traders. There is no change for Composition Scheme for restaurants.

Tags : GST Supply Services

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Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

19.01.2018

Media and Communication

TRAI releases Recommendations on 'In-Flight Connectivity'

MANU/TRAI/0009/2018

1. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has on 18th January 2018 issued its Recommendations on In-Flight Connectivity'.

2. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through its letter dated 10th August 2017 had communicated that there is a proposal to introduce In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) for voice, data and video services over Indian airspace for domestic, international and overflying flights in Indian Air Space. DoT had also requested TRAI to furnish its recommendations on licensing terms and conditions for provision of IFC for voice, data and video services and associated issues such as entry fee, license fee, spectrum related issues including usage charges and method of allocation and other conditions.

3. In this regard, a Consultation Paper on 'In-Flight Connectivity' was released on 29th September 2017 seeking comments of stakeholders. An OHD on the issues concerned was held on 27th November 2017.

4. After analysing the comments received from stakeholders during the consultation and the open house discussions, TRAI has finalized its recommendation on 'In-Flight Connectivity'. The highlights of the recommendations are as follows:

a) Both, Internet and MCA service should be permitted as In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) in the Indian airspace.

b) The operation of MCA services should be permitted with minimum height restriction of 3000 meters in Indian airspace for its compatibility with terrestrial mobile networks.

c) Internet Services through Wi-Fi onboard should be made available when electronic devices are permitted to use only in flight/airplane mode.

d) A separate category of "IFC Service Provider" should be created to permit IFC services in Indian airspace. The IFC service provider should be required to get itself registered with the DoT and it need not necessarily be in Indian entity.

e) The IFC service provider be permitted to provide IFC services, after entering into an arrangement with Unified Licensee having appropriate authorization.

f) If IFC service provider partners with Unified Licensee having Internet Service (Category 'A') authorization for the provision of Internet services onboard as part of IFC, then (i) If the licensee also has the Commercial VSAT CUG service authorization, it can provide the satellite links also. Alternatively, (ii) Unified Licensee with National Long Distance (NLD) service authorization can provide the satellite links.

g) The regulatory requirements should be same for both Indian registered and foreign registered airlines for offering IFC services in Indian airspace.

h) The deployment of a gateway in India provides an effective mechanism to lawfully intercept and monitor the in-cabin internet traffic while the aircraft is in Indian airspace. Therefore, the onboard Internet traffic must be routed to a Satellite Gateway on Indian soil. Such an obligation should be imposed regardless of whether the satellite in question is an Indian Satellite System or not.

i) The IFC service provider should be permitted to use either INSAT systems (Indian Satellite System or foreign satellite capacity leased through DoS) or foreign satellites outside INSAT systems in the Indian airspace.

j) To promote the adoption of IFC services in Indian airspace, the IFC service provider should be imposed a flat annual Licence Fee of token amount of Rs. 1. However, the same may be reviewed and amended at a later stage, if need be.

k) Spectrum neutral approach should be adopted subject to the condition that the frequency bands have been harmonized and coordinated for their use at the ITU. It would facilitate the IFC services in all the bands (L, Ku and Ka) in which IFC services are currently being provided.

l) The framework recommended for IFC services in Indian airspace should be made applicable to all types of aircrafts such as commercial airlines, business jets, executive aircrafts etc.

5. For any clarification/information, Shri S.T. Abbas, Advisor (Networks, Spectrum and Licensing) may be contacted at Tel. No.+91-11-23210481 or e-mail advmn@trai.gov.in.

Tags : Recommendations Release In-Flight Connectivity

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