Considering the spurt in volume of software exports from India in recent times, other complexities involved in execution of work contracts and time consumed in the certification of SOFTEX forms, a simplified procedure has since been finalised by the Reserve Bank. Under the revised procedure, a software exporter, whose annual turnover is at least Rs. 1000 crore or who file at least 600 SOFTEX forms annually, will be eligible to submit a statement in excel format, giving all particulars alongwith quadruplicate set of SOFTEX forms to the nearest STPI.

With a view to liberalizing the procedure, it has been decided to permit AD Category- I banks to allow exporters to receive advance payment for export of goods which would take more than one year to manufacture and ship and where the ‘export agreement’ provides for shipment of goods extending beyond the period of one year from the date of receipt of advance payment subject to the following conditions:-

A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 82 – Attention of all the Authorised Dealers (ADs) in foreign exchange is invited to the A.P.(DIR Series) Circular No. 106 dated June 19, 2003 in terms of which applications by persons, firms and companies for making payments, exceeding USD 500 or its equivalent towards imports into India must be made in Form A-1. Based on suggestions received from the various stake holders, the said limit has been reviewed and it has been decided as a measure of liberalization to raise the above limit for foreign exchange remittance towards imports without any documentation formalities, from USD 500 or its equivalent to USD 5000 or its equivalent, with immediate effect.

Kindly refer to circular letter RPCD.CO.LBS.BC.No. 6855/02.01.01/2006-07 dated January 22, 2007 wherein Lead banks were requested to ensure the presence of MPs/MLAs in DLRC meetings as far as possible. Reference is also invited to circular RPCD.LBS.BC.85/02.01.01/2000-01 dated May 9, 2001 wherein the Lead banks were advised to adhere to instructions on participation of Members of Parliament and Public Representatives while convening the DLRC meeting.

when a person resident outside India, who has established in India in accordance with the Foreign Exchange Management (Establishment in India of Branch or Office or other Place of Business) Regulations, 2000, a branch, office or other place of business, excluding a liaison office, acquires any immovable property in India in accordance with the provision of said regulation, the said person has to file with the Reserve Bank a declaration in the form IPI annexed to those regulations, not later than ninety days from the date of such acquisition. As the form is required to be submitted by such persons only, the form is suitably amended to reflect the position.

As per the revised procedure, a software exporter, whose annual turnover is at least Rs. 1000 crore or who files at least 600 SOFTEX forms annually, will be eligible to submit a statement in excel format as per Annexure A, giving all particulars alongwith quadruplicate set of SOFTEX form to the nearest STPI. STPI will then verify the details and decide on a percentage sample check of the documents in details. Software companies will submit all the documents on demand to STPI within 30 days of their advice or any reasonable/extended time at the discretion of the Director, STPI, at the request from the exporter.

The Reserve Bank of India has decided to change the Bank Rate with immediate effect by realigning it with the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate, which in turn is linked to the policy repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF). Accordingly, the Bank Rate shall be 9.5 per cent with effect from the close of business today. This should be viewed and understood as one-time technical adjustment to align the Bank Rate with the MSF rate rather than a change in the monetary policy stance. Henceforth, whenever there is an adjustment of the MSF rate, the Reserve Bank will consider and align the Bank Rate with the revised MSF rate. All penal interest rates on shortfall in reserve requirements, which are specifically linked to the Bank Rate, also stand revised.

As per the extant ECB procedures, requests for reduction in the amount of ECB, changes in the drawdown schedule and reduction in the all-in-cost of the ECB after obtaining the loan registration number (LRN) is required to be referred by the bank concerned to the RBI for necessary approval. Simplifying norms for overseas borrowers, the RBI today said they will no longer require its approval to raise an amount lesser than sanctioned ECB as the power to authorize the same has been delegated to banks.

Attention of the Authorised Dealer Category – I (AD Category – I) banks is invited to Regulation 4 of Notification No.FEMA 22 /2000-RB dated May 3, 2000, viz., Foreign Exchange Management (Establishment in India of Branch or Office or other Place of Business) Regulations, 2000, as amended from time to time, in terms of which, no person, being a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iran or China, shall establish in India, a branch office or a liaison office or a project office or any other place of business by whatever name called, without the prior permission of the Reserve Bank. Attention of the AD Category -I banks is also invited to the A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 37 dated November 15, 2003 which provides the guidelines regarding general permission to a foreign entity for setting up a Project office in India, subject to certain conditions.

Keeping in view public interest, it has been decided that State and Central Co-operative Banks / Regional Rural Banks should, in addition to the instructions contained in the above mentioned circular, play a more pro-active role in finding the whereabouts of the accountholders of unclaimed deposits/ inoperative accounts. They are, therefore, advised to display the list of unclaimed deposits/inoperative accounts which are inactive / inoperative for ten years or more on their respective websites. The list so displayed on the websites must contain only the names of the account holder(s) and his/her address in respect of unclaimed deposits/inoperative accounts. In case such accounts are not in the name of individuals, the names of individuals authorized to operate the accounts should also be indicated. However, the account number, its type and the name of the branch shall not be disclosed on the bank’s website. The list so published should also provide a “Find” option to enable the public to search the list of accounts by name of the account holder.