Reserve Bank of India

27.12.2018

Banking

Directions under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS) - The City Co-operative Bank Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra- Relaxation in withdrawal limit

MANU/RPRL/0126/2018

The City Co-operative Bank Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, was placed under directions vide directive dated April 17, 2018 from close of business April 17, 2018. The validity of the directions was extended from time to time vide subsequent Directives, the last being Directive dated October 15, 2018 extending the Directions upto April 17, 2019, subject to review. In terms of the existing directions, among other conditions, a sum not exceeding Rs. 1,000/- of the total balance in every savings bank or current account or any other deposit account by whatever name called, was allowed to be withdrawn by a depositor.

It is hereby notified for the information of the public that , the Reserve Bank of India, in exercise of powers vested in it under sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, hereby directs that -

Paragraph 1 (i) of the Directive dated April 17, 2018 issued to The City Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai and as modified vide Directive dated October 15, 2018 may be partly modified as under:

"i. A sum not exceeding Rs. 5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) of total balance in every savings bank account or current account or term deposit account or any other deposit account (by whatever name called); may be allowed to be withdrawn by depositor, provided that wherever such depositor is having liability to the bank in any manner, i.e. either as a borrower or surety, including loans against the bank deposits, the amount may be adjusted first to the relevant borrowal account/s."

Other terms and conditions of the Directive dated April 17, 2018, as modified from time-to-time, shall remain unchanged.

A copy of the directive dated December 12, 2018 notifying the above extension is displayed at the bank's premises for the perusal of public.

The aforesaid modification by the Reserve Bank of India should not per-se be construed to imply that Reserve Bank of India is satisfied of substantive improvement in the financial position of the bank.

Tags : Directions Withdrawal limit Relaxation

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Press Information Bureau

27.12.2018

Civil

Ensuring Hygienic and Quality Food in Indian Railways

MANU/PIBU/1720/2018

To maintain hygiene and quality, only potable drinking water is used for cooking of food on Indian Railways. Further, in its endeavour to provide hygienic and quality food to the passengers, Indian Railways have taken several measures as under:

I. Upgradation of Base Kitchens/Kitchen Units: To upgrade quality of food preparation, IRCTC is setting up new kitchens and upgrading existing ones. To ensure centralized monitoring of the kitchen activities, CCTVs have been installed in Base Kitchens/Kitchen Units. Sharing of live streaming of the Base Kitchens through website of IRCTC has been made operational.

II. To ensure compliance of Food Safety Norms, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification from Designated Food Safety Officers of each catering unit is mandatory. Food Safety Supervisors have been deployed at Kitchen Units to monitor food safety and hygienic practices. Food samples collected by Food Safety Officers/Supervisors are sent to the nominated accredited Laboratories under Food Safety & Standard Act for analysis and testing. Penalties are imposed in cases of detection of unsatisfactory food samples and prosecutions are carried out as per provisions of Food Safety & Standard Rule -2011.

III. Examination of quality of food, hygiene and cleanliness in Pantry Cars and Kitchen Units is done through Third Party Audit. Customer satisfaction survey is also conducted through Third Party Agencies.

IV. Regular and surprise inspections are conducted by railway officials including Food Safety Officers. Detailed instructions/guidelines have been issued to the Zonal Railways for conducting inspections.

V. Monitoring and supervision of catering service is done through operation of centralized Catering Service Monitoring Cell (CSMC) toll free number 1800-111-321, Operation of All India Helpline No. 138, Twitter handle, CPGRAMS, E-Mail and SMS based complaints redressal.

With the objective to provide quality and hygienic food to passengers, a new Catering Policy 2017 has been notified wherein unbundling of catering services on trains by IRCTC has been envisaged. In compliance thereof IRCTC has already taken over management of 377 mobile units (pairs of trains with pantry Cars) and 262 static units/Kitchen Units. IRCTC has already upgraded 30 Base Kitchens/ Kitchen Units. IRCTC is closely monitoring the quality of food preparation through various modalities, e.g. CCTV, Food safety supervisors, IRCTC supervisor, food sampling in NABL accredited labs, Third Party Audit.

Changes in policy are made after taking the felt needs into account. The provisions of Catering Policy 2017 are under implementation by IRCTC and Zonal Railways.

Tags : Food Quality Indian Railways

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Press Information Bureau

24.12.2018

Consumer

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution celebrates National Consumer Day 2018 with the theme "Timely Disposal of Consumer Complaints"

MANU/PIBU/1712/2018

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution celebrated the National Consumer Day 2018 with the theme "Timely Disposal of Consumer Complaints" at Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi today. The Programme was presided over by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Commerce & Industry, Shri C. R. Chaudhary. President, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) addressed the participants while Shri Suresh Chandra, former Secretary, Legal Affairs was the theme speaker.

This year the National Consumer Day is being observed at a crucial time when the Government is preparing to repeal the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and bring in a new Act with substantial changes that will holistically cover all aspects of consumer grievance redressal, streamline functioning of Consumer fora to meet future challenges for more effective consumer protection. The new bill has been passed by Lok Sabha on 20th December, 2018 and is now pending approval from Rajya Sabha.

Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Shri Avinash K Srivastava, in his welcome address stated that new markets have brought new challenges for consumers who are now more aware of their rights due to constant efforts by Government campaign "Jago Grahak Jago" which has resulted in increased number of cases. Therefore, the theme timely disposal of consumer cases is most appropriate for celebration of National Consumer Day, 2018.

Shri Srivastava mentioned about the following four key initiatives taken by the department to reduce costs and ensure timely redressal of consumer grievances:

1. Strengthening of National Consumer Helpline with new software and additional counselors and Zonal Helplines in 6 zones. for regional language services. 480 major Companies including several e-commerce platforms have been roped in as convergence partners leading to speedy resolution of cases.

2. Strengthening of Consumer Fora with new infrastructure and CONFONET which is about computer networking of consumer fora.

3. NCDRC on directions of Supreme Court issued new Regulations making admission or rejection of cases in 21 days and pronouncing judgment in 45 days after final hearing. Model Rules have also been framed for States to recruit qualified persons for District fora and State Commissions.

4. The new Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 through Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) and alternate dispute resolution mechanism through mediation and simplification of adjudication procedures will result in quick disposal of consumer cases.

Former Law Secretary, Shri Suresh Chandra delivering his theme address stated that Consumer Protection has a long history dating back to ancient India. He said that CP Act is unique in that it is the only Act that is compensatory with redressal agencies at three levels. With internet and smart phones penetration and 24 hours shopping facility, he said e-commerce is poised to grow exponentially in India.

President, NCDRC Justice R. K. Agrawal asserted that performance of a judicial system and development of a nation go hand-in-hand. He said that in the new Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 there are so many provisions empowering consumer commissions as well as administration to ensure justice can reach the door of the consumer in time. He also stated that Hon'ble Supreme Court has laid right to speedy justice as a fundamental right of a citizen, implicit in the article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Delivering his presidential address, the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Commerce & Industry, Shri C. R. Chaudhary congratulated all Indians on the occasion of National Consumer Day and said the whole economy revolves around consumer. Shri Chaudhary asserted that we are trying to make consumers smart but the process will take time in a country as vast as India. Meanwhile, we need to prevent consumers' detriment and exploitation. The Minister of State thanked Lok Sabha MPs for passing the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 on 20th December which contains numerous provisions to reduce the cost of litigation and make it less time consuming.

Shri Chaudhary stated that as has been often said by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that Consumer is King, the Ministry is also trying to create an enabling environment for consumers to get the right goods and services at the right time and right place. He said that quick disposal of cases is essential as justice delayed is justice denied and for this purpose quasi-judicial system is being strengthened and streamlined. He also mentioned about deemed admissibility of complaints, mediation, and expansion of various definitions of unfair trade practices. Shri Chaudhary also said that model rules will enable state governments to adopt uniform recruitment rules, qualifications, selection procedure and salaries so as to get better qualified people for managing the consumer fora.

Tags : Consumer Day Celebration Theme

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Press Information Bureau

24.12.2018

Electricity

Government plans to make all meters smart prepaid in 3 years

MANU/PIBU/1713/2018

Ministry of Power, Government of India has decided to make all meters smart prepaid in 3 years from 1st April, 2019. This step is likely to bring revolution in power sector by way of reduction in AT&C losses, better health of DISCOMs, incentivisation of energy conservation, ease of bill payments and doing away with the paper bills.

Move towards smart meters is a pro poor step as consumers need not pay the whole month's bill in one go, instead they can pay as per their requirements. Manufacturing of smart prepaid meters will also generate skilled employment for the youth.

It may be recalled that the State Governments had earlier signed the Power for All document and had agreed to supply 24*7 power supply to their consumers. Thus the distribution licensee shall provide 24*7 power to their consumers by 1st April, 2019 or earlier. However the appropriate Commission in exceptional circumstances for the reasons to be recorded in writing may grant extension in this time period.

Tags : Meters Smart prepaid Power sector

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Press Information Bureau

24.12.2018

Direct Taxation

Exception from Online Filing of Application under Section 197 and 206C (9) in the cases of NRIs and Resident Applicants

MANU/PIBU/1714/2018

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has decided to allow exception from online filing of application under Section 197 and 206C (9) in the cases of NRIs and Resident Applicants.

Vide Notification No. 74/2018 dated 25.10.2018, Rule 28 of the Income Tax Rules, 1962 was amended to prescribe electronic filing of application for lower deduction or no deduction under section 197 of Income Tax Act, 1961 using digital signature or EVC. Similar changes were also made in Rule 37G to prescribe electronic filing of application under section 206C (9) for lower or nil rate of tax collection at source (TCS). The functionality for online filing has since been made available by CPC-TDS through TRACES portal. Form No. 13 is the common form for application under Section 197 and 206C (9).

For proper administration of the provisions of Section 197 and 206C (9) and to remove genuine hardship being faced by certain applicants in filing online application in Form No. 13, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) by virtue of the powers conferred under Section 119(1) of the Income Tax Act has:

i. allowed Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), who are not able to register themselves on TRACES, to file manual application in Form No. 13 before the TDS officer or in ASK Centers till 31.03.2019.

ii. allowed Resident Applicants to file Manual Application in Form No. 13 before the TDS officer or in ASK Centers till 31.12.2018.

Tags : Online Filing Exception Application NRIs and Resident Applicants

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Reserve Bank of India

24.12.2018

Banking

Logo Design and Tagline Competition for National Centre for Financial Education

MANU/RPRL/0124/2018

The National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) was setup in 2013 with support from all the financial sector regulators i.e., RBI, SEBI, IRDAI and PFRDA for implementation of the National Strategy for Financial Education (NSFE). It functions under the aegis of the Technical Group on Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy (TGFIFL) of the sub-committee of the FSDC (Financial Stability and Development Council). NCFE is now a section 8 (Not for Profit) Company, incorporated on September 05, 2018.

NCFE has invited entries for the Logo design and Tagline design competition, the details of the same can be found in the website of NCFE as under-

http://www.ncfe.org.in/logo-competition

Tags : Logo Design Tagline Competition

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Ministry of Commerce and Industry

24.12.2018

Commercial

Prohibition on import of milk and milk products from China

MANU/DGFT/0208/2018

In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of FT (D&R) Act, 1992, read with paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020, as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby, makes the following amendment in ITC (HS) 2017, Schedule 1 (Import Policy):

2. The prohibition on import of milk and milk products (including chocolates and chocolate products and candies/confectionary/food preparations with milk or milk solids as an ingredient) from China is effective till 23/12/2018 as per the Notification No. 14/2015-2020 dated 22/06/2018.

3. The matter has been reviewed and the prohibition on import of milk and milk products, as mentioned in paragraph 2 above, from China is extended for a further period of four months, i.e., till 23.04.2019 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

4. Effect of this Notification:

Prohibition on import of milk and milk products (including chocolates and chocolate products and candies/confectionary/food preparations with milk or milk solids as an ingredient) from China is extended for a further period of four months, i.e., till 23.04.2019 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

This issues with the approval of Minister of Commerce & Industry.

Tags : Prohibition Import Milk products China

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