Fema / RBI : The article explains that the FLA Return is a position-based FEMA compliance triggered by outstanding foreign investments, not by ...
Fema / RBI : RBI has updated the FLA Return FAQs, clarifying who must file, the 15 July deadline, revision procedures, and reporting requiremen...
Fema / RBI : The 2026 FEMA amendment expands portfolio investment eligibility beyond NRIs and OCIs to all individuals resident outside India. I...
Fema / RBI : The article examines how recent FEMA reforms have simplified downstream investments while highlighting unresolved issues involving...
Fema / RBI : India has expanded portfolio investment access by allowing any individual resident outside India to invest in listed Indian compan...
Corporate Law : Authorities found Dubai property acquisitions by Indian residents routed through hawala, leading to action for violations of FEMA ...
Fema / RBI : BCAS submits comments on RBI’s draft External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) regulations, seeking clarity on eligibility, KYC norms...
Fema / RBI : BCAS provides feedback on draft FEMA trade regulations, flags concerns over AD bank powers, seeks clarity and consistency....
Fema / RBI : New FEMA rules allow settlement of foreign exchange violations with penalties up to ₹5 crore. Pending cases will follow earlier ...
Fema / RBI : The Government amended FEMA regulations, enabling resolution of violations up to ₹5 crore by paying fines. Ongoing cases follow ...
Fema / RBI : The Karnataka High Court upheld the Appellate Tribunal's finding that the respondents satisfied the definition of person resident ...
Fema / RBI : The key issue was whether cash falls within the definition of property under the PBPT Act. The Tribunal ruled that cash is a tangi...
Fema / RBI : The case examined whether Indian assets could remain seized after foreign asset value was repatriated. The Tribunal ruled that onc...
Fema / RBI : The appellant claimed the disputed funds were received unknowingly and had attempted to return them. The Tribunal granted relief b...
Fema / RBI : The Tribunal held that bank accounts cannot remain frozen merely because the account holder is related to a suspect or under inves...
Fema / RBI : The RBI has withdrawn non-operative FEMA circulars after reviewing directives issued since June 2000. The ruling helps Authorised ...
Fema / RBI : RBI has rationalised FEMA reporting by introducing revised return formats, discontinuing several reports, and easing compliance re...
Fema / RBI : RBI has allowed Authorised Dealer Category-I banks to exclude hedged positions arising from FCNR(B) deposits, ECBs, and OFCBs whil...
Fema / RBI : The RBI has directed all AD Category-I banks to submit daily data on FCNR(B) deposits, ECBs, and OFCBs mobilized under its swap fa...
Fema / RBI : RBI's Sixth Amendment to the FEMA Deposit Regulations broadens the scope of SNRR accounts by permitting IFSC branches to maintain ...
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 1 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (42 of 2010), the Central Government hereby appoints the 1st day of May, 2011 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force.
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 54 It has now been decided to allow custodian banks to issue Irrevocable Payment Commitments (IPCs) in favour of the Stock Exchanges / Clearing Corporations of the Stock Exchanges, on behalf of their FII clients for purchase of shares under the PIS. Issue of IPCs should be in accordance with the Reserve Bank regulations on banks’ exposure to the capital market issued by the Reserve Bank from time to time. Further, AD Category – I banks may also comply with the instructions issued by our Department of Banking Operations and Development (DBOD) vide circular no. DBOD Dir. BC.46/13.03.00/2010-11 dated September 30, 2010.
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 55 – It has been decided to enhance the FII investment limit in listed non-convertible debentures / bonds, with a residual maturity of five years and above, and issued by Indian companies in the infrastructure sector, where ‘infrastructure’ is defined in terms of the extant ECB guidelines, by an additional limit of USD 20 billion taking this limit from USD 5 billion to USD 25 billion (with this the total limit available to FIIs for investment in listed non convertible debentures / bonds would be USD 40 billion with a sub limit of USD 25 billion for investment in listed non-convertible debentures / bonds issued by corporates in the infrastructure sector). Further, such investment by FIIs in listed non-convertible debentures / bonds would have a minimum lock-in period of three years. However, FIIs are allowed to trade amongst themselves during the lock-in period. It has also been decided to allow SEBI registered FIIs to invest in unlisted non-convertible debentures / bonds issued by corporates in the infrastructure sector, provided that such investment is as per the aforementioned terms and conditions.
Presently, an AD category – I bank is required to obtain unconditional, irrevocable standby Letter of Credit (LC) or guarantee from an international bank, for an advance remittance exceeding US $ 1,00,000 or its equivalent, for imports of goods into India. With effect from 29 April 2011, RBI has enhanced the aforesaid limit to US $ 2,00,000.
Government is planning 100 per cent foreign direct investment in sea plane operations as there is scope of phenomenal growth of sea plane, general aviation and helicopter travel. With India having a long coast line, there is a need for concerted efforts to promote sea plane operations. They are significant for the economy of islands like Anadaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep,” said S N A Zaidi, Civil Aviation Secretary while addressing a seminar on “Operations of Sea plane in India.
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India has vide Circular no. 1 of 2011 dated 31 March 2011 issued a consolidated Foreign Direct Investment (‘FDI’) Policy. This policy becomes effective from 1 April 2011 and shall subsume all the press notes, press releases, circulars and clarifications issued by the DIPP which were in force till 31 March 2011.
The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre and RBI on a petition seeking probe into the alleged money laundering by the trustees of Mumbai’s Lilawati Hospital. A bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar also sought response from the Minstry of Corporate Affairs, Enforcement Directorate, Central Board of Direct taxes and SEBI on a plea seeking investigation by appropriate agencies into the alleged tax evasion and money laundering by the trustees of the Lilawati Hospital.
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 53- It has been observed that overseas foreign exchange trading has been introduced on a number of internet /electronic trading portals luring the residents with offers of guaranteed high returns based on such forex trading. The advertisements by these internet / online portals exhort people to trade in forex by way of paying the initial investment amount in Indian Rupees. Some companies have reportedly engaged agents who personally contact people to undertake forex trading/ investment schemes and entice them with promises of disproportionate / exorbitant returns. Most of the forex trading through these portals are done on a margining basis with huge leverage or on an investment basis, where the returns are based on forex trading. The public is being asked to make the margin payments for such online forex trading transactions through credit cards / deposits in various accounts maintained with banks in India. It is also observed that accounts are being opened in the name of individuals or proprietary concerns at different bank branches for collecting the margin money, investment money, etc.
Foreign investment in India rose by USD 22.7 billion in the quarter ending December 2010 to USD 628 billion, mainly on account of increase in portfolio investment and FDI. Total foreign fund inflows, including FDI, portfolio investment and external commercial borrowings (ECB), rose to USD 628.6 billion on December 31 from 605.9 billion during the end of September, according to RBI data.
Pricing of Convertible instruments. Issue of Shares permitted against specified non-cash considerations under Approval Route. Approval / conditionalities surrounding previous joint venture/collaborations done away with. Guidelines relating to Down-Stream investments. Sector Specific policy for FDI- Agriculture. The revised FDI policy does carry the process of liberalization further and would assist in augmenting FDI into the Country. However, the revised FDI policy has kept at bay significantly expected changes such as permitting FDI in Limited Liability Partnership, Multi-Brand Retail Trading and several other subjects on which draft discussion papers were released earlier for public comments. It is important that these areas are also taken up the Government for liberalisation towards making India one of the most favourable FDI destinations in the world.
