Notifications & Circulars
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
06.02.2019
Commercial
Activation of ANF 3D under the E-com module for applying for MEIS for courier/postal shipments under Para 3.05 of the FTP and Para 3.02 of the HBP
MANU/DGFT/0025/2019
This Directorate has notified the form ANF 3D, vide Public Notice 01/2015-20 dated 01.04.2015 as the application Form for Export of goods through courier or foreign post office using e-Commerce under Merchandise Exports for India Scheme (MEIS). This has been amended vide Public Notice No. 72/2015-20 Dated 05.02.2019.
2. All the RAs and the members of trade are also being informed that the E corn module at the DGFT portal www.dgft.gov.in for applying for MEIS for E-commerce/courier shipments based on the newly notified ANF 3D has been made operational. There is no application fees for applying for MEIS under ANF 3D and for exports made till the date of publication of the amended ANF 3D, late cut provisions shall apply counting the date of exports for all previous shipments as the date of publication of the amended ANF 3D.
3. This issues with the approval of the competent authority.
Tags : Activation ANF 3D Courier/postal shipments
Share : 
Top
Press Information Bureau
06.02.2019
Civil
Cabinet approves the revised Office Memorandum pertaining to the Cabinet Note on "Amendment of Constitution to provide for reservation for Economically Weaker Sections"
MANU/PIBU/0211/2019
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given ex post facto approval to the revised Office Memorandum (OM) pertaining to the Cabinet Note on "Amendment of Constitution to provide for reservation for Economically Weaker Sections". The OM was approved by the Cabinet on 8th January 2019.
Benefits:
The approval will promote social equity by providing opportunities in higher education and employment to those who have been excluded by virtue of their economic status.
Tags : Office Memorandum Approval Reservation Economically Weaker Sections
Share :
Top
Press Information Bureau
06.02.2019
Civil
Cabinet approves Framework Agreement between India and Indonesia on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes
MANU/PIBU/0212/2019
India and Indonesia on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval to the Framework Agreement between India and Indonesia on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes. The Framework Agreement was signed and exchanged at Jakarta on May 30, 2018.
Point-wise details:
This Framework Agreement shall enable the following potential interest areas of cooperation such as, space science, exploration of outer space, use of space technology, remote sensing of the earth; operation and maintenance of the integrated BIAK TTC station, hosting of Indian ground station, hosting of IRIMS station, in kind support for launching LAPAN made satellites,, cross utilisation of ground stations etc.
This Framework Agreement would lead to concluding Implementing Arrangements for specific activities. This would also lead to setting up a Joint Working Group, drawing members from DOS/ISRO, and Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), for the purpose of achieving the goals of this agreement.
Major Impact:
The signing of the Framework Agreement will strengthen the cooperation between India and Indonesia This agreement will help in establishing ISRO's TTC station and IRIMS station at Indonesia
Background:
India and Indonesia pursue space cooperation for more than two decades and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has established ground stations at Biak, Indonesia to provide Telemetry Tracking and Command (TTC) support for ISRO's launch vehicle and satellite missions. This cooperation currently pursued under agency level (ISRO- Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space -LAPAN) MoUs signed in 1997 and 2002. As per the 1997 MoU, the title of the equipment was to be handed over to LAPAN after 05 years, retaining the right of operation, maintenance, and utilisation.
Considering the above, enhancing the cooperation to government level, ISRO and LAPAN have negotiated a draft Framework Agreement between India and Indonesia on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes and arrived at mutually agreed version during the meeting between India and Indonesia held at Jakarta during April 23-26, 2018. On obtaining necessary approvals of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Prime Minister as Minister-in-Charge, this Framework Agreement was signed and exchanged during the visit of Hon'ble Prime Minister of India to Indonesia on May 30, 2018.
Tags : Approval Framework Agreement Exploration Outer space
Share :
Top
Press Information Bureau
06.02.2019
Power and Energy
Expansion of PNG and CNG coverage in the country
MANU/PIBU/0215/2019
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the authority to grant authorization to the entities for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in Geographical Areas (GAs) as per PNGRB Act, 2006. PNGRB identifies GAs for authorizing the development of CGD network in synchronization with the development of natural gas pipeline connectivity/ natural gas availability. The authorized CGD entities develop the Piped Natural Gas (PNG)/ Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) network to supply natural gas to households, industrial and commercial units in their respective GAs.
Upto the 8th CGD bidding round, there are 96 GAs in 23 States/ Union Territories (UTs) where CGD network is accessible. PNGRB has granted authorization for additional 84 GAs in 9th CGD Bidding Round. With the completion of 9th CGD Bidding Round, CGD would be accessible in 178 GAs covering approximately 280 districts spread over 26 States and UTs. PNGRB has also launched 10th CGD Bidding Round covering 50 GAs spread over 14 States and 124 districts (112 full and 12 part). As per PNGRB, after successful completion of 10th CGD Bidding Round, 70% of the country's population would have access to CGD network.
Presently, Oil and Gas Public Sector Undertakings have total 59 overseas assets in 28 countries of which 23 are producing, 7 are developmental blocks, 25 are exploratory and 4 are pipeline projects. There are total 15 MoUs that India has signed with various countries for cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
With respect to Paradip-Haldia-Barauni oil pipeline (PHBPL), the executing agency has taken up pre-project activities, such as statutory clearances and acquisition of Right of Use under P&MP Act.
PNGRB has authorized Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) for the development of North East Gas Grid to connect eight states of North Eastern India. The executing agency has taken up Pre-project activities such as statutory clearances and acquisition of Right of Use under P&MP Act.
The executing agency has taken up the pipeline execution work of Jagadishpur -Haldia -Bokaro Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL).
Tags : Expansion PNG CNG coverage
Share :
Top
Press Information Bureau
05.02.2019
Civil
Steps Taken by Government for Conservation and Promotion of Medicinal Plants
MANU/PIBU/0197/2019
As per information of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), an organization under Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change estimated more than 8,000 species of medicinal plants are found in India.
The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH is presently implementing following schemes to encourage farming / cultivation, conservation, processing and promotion of medicinal plants throughout the country:
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM). Under 'Medicinal Plants' component of the NAM scheme the large scale farming / cultivation of medicinal plants is being supported. As per the scheme guidelines, the support is provided for:
Cultivation of prioritized medicinal plants on farmer's land.
Establishment of nurseries for supply of quality planting material.
Post-harvest management.
Primary processing, marketing infrastructure etc.
For cultivation, the support is provided as subsidy to farmers @ 30%, 50% and 75% based on cost of cultivation.
Central Sector Scheme on "Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants". Under the scheme, the project based support is provided for following activities:
In-situ conservation through development of Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas (MPCDAs).
In-situ/Ex-situ resource augmentation.
Ex-situ conservation through establishment of herbal gardens.
Livelihood linkages with Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) / Panchayats / Van Panchayats / Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) / Self Help Groups (SHGs).
IEC activities like Training / workshops / Seminars/ Conferences etc.
Research & Development.
Promotion of marketing and trade of medicinal plants produce.
Voluntary Certification Scheme for Medicinal Plants Produce (VCSMPP). The scheme is aimed to encourage Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Field Collection Practices (GFCPs) in medicinal plants and enhance quality and safety of their produce.
Tags : Conservation Medicinal Plants Steps
Share :
Top
Press Information Bureau
05.02.2019
Civil
New Scientific Standard of Kg
MANU/PIBU/0198/2019
The prototype of one kilogram (NPK-57) is already available in India and placed at National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi as per the provisions made under the Legal Metrology (National Standards) Rules, 2011. There is no such proposal at present before the Government to achieve the new prototype of kilogram through physical constants.
The previous definition of kilogram was based on the mass of the international prototype 'kilogram' which is an artefact, however, the new definition is based on physical constants of nature. The change is in the definition of kilogram and will not have any practical implications.
Tags : Scientific Standard Kg New definition Physical constants
Share :
Top
Reserve Bank of India
05.02.2019
Banking
Reserve Bank of India imposes monetary penalty on Syndicate Bank
MANU/RPRL/0031/2019
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed, by an order dated January 30, 2019, a monetary penalty of Rs. 10 million on Syndicate Bank (the bank) for non-compliance with the directions contained in Master Circular on Frauds - Classification and Reporting dated July 01, 2015 and Circular on Risk Management Systems in Banks dated October 07, 1999 issued by RBI. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of Section 47A (1) (c) read with Section 46 (4) (i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 taking into account the failure of the bank to adhere to the aforesaid directions issued by RBI.
This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.
Tags : Penalty Imposition Syndicate Bank
Share :
Top
Press Information Bureau
05.02.2019
Civil
Commerce and Industry Minister Releases Compendium of Cement Industry
MANU/PIBU/0199/2019
Suresh Prabhu releasing compendium on the Cement Industry India 2018 in New Delhi.
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu released the compendium on "The Cement Industry - India 2018" in New Delhi today.
The compendium has been prepared by National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM), in association with cement section of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). It contains key information about technology development, challenges and opportunities for Indian cement industry along with an exhaustive directory of cement plants in India. The Indian cement industry is the second largest in the world with an installed capacity of 509 million tonnes per annum in 2018 and cement production of 298 million tonnes in 2018 with 143 integrated cement plants, 102 grinding units, 5 clinkerisation units and 62 mini cement plants in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Suresh Prabhu emphasized on improving energy efficiency, environmental excellence and quality standards in the Indian cement industry. He observed that cement consumption in India is still around 235 kg per capita against global average of 520 kg per capita, which shows significant potential for the growth of industry. The Commerce Minister highlighted that Government's focus on Housing for all by 2022, Make in India, World Class Cement Concrete Highways, Creation of 100 Smart cities, Dedicated Freight Corridors, Clean India Mission, Ultra Mega Power Projects, Connectivity improvement including Water Transport will bring required boost in infrastructure and housing sectors.
The Minister also urged the cement industry to think of recycling of material used in production of cement.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, office bearers of National Council for Cement and Building Materials, cement industry and representatives of Cement Manufacturers' Association.
Tags : Compendium Cement Industry Release
Share :