I am directed to invite your kind attention to an issue which has been raised before the Board as to whether duty credit scrips issued under the Chapter 3 schemes of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) viz Served from India Scheme (SFIS), Vishesh Krishi Gram Udyog Yojana (VKGUY), Focus Market Scheme (FMS), Focus Product Scheme (FPS) and Status Holder Incentive Scheme (SHIS) can be utilized for clearance of goods from Custom Bonded warehouses.
Gross direct tax collection during April-October of the current fiscal was up by 20.28 percent at Rs.284,081 crore as against Rs.236,176 crore in the same period last fiscal. While gross collection of corporate taxes was up 20.35 percent (Rs. 189,872 crore against Rs. 157,767 crore last year), gross collection of personal income tax was up by 20.17 percent (Rs.93,769 crore against Rs.78,029 crore last year). Net direct tax collections stood at Rs.2 18,850 crore, up from Rs.204,347 crore in the same period last fiscal, registering a growth of 7.10 percent.
Notification No.L-3(2)/Regln:Gen.,(Amdt.)/2011/CCI, dated 8-11-2011- In exercise of the powers conferred by section 64 of the Competition Act, 2002 (12 of 2003), the Competition Commission of India hereby makes the following regulations further to amend the Competition Commission of India (General) Regulations, 2009, namely:—
The Government of India has reviewed the extant policy on FDI and decided as under: (i) FDI, up to 100%, under the automatic route, would continue to be permitted for greenfield investments in the pharmaceuticals sector. (ii) FDI, up to 100%, would be permitted for brownfield investments (i.e. investments in existing companies), in the pharmaceuticals sector, under the Government approval route.
DEPB on export of Cotton yarn including Melange yarn and Cotton which was withdrawn earlier has been restored by the above mentioned Public Notices. During that period as DEPB was not available on export of Cotton yarn including Melange yarn, the exporters have made their exports under Free Shipping Bills.
Message exchange between DGFT and Customs is operational only in respect of Advance Authorization (on and after 01.04.2009), Export Promotion Capital Goods (on and after 01.04.2009), Duty Free Import Authorization (on and after 13.10.2011) and DEPB (which is on EDI mode for almost 6 years). Only these authorizations are therefore available for ‘on-line’ verification.
Attention is invited to para 4.28 (ii) of HBP v.1 regarding regularization of bona fide default by the authorization holders. In case of any shortfall in value, authorization holder is required to deposit an amount equal to 1% shortfall in FOB value in Indian Rupee. Clarification has been sought on the exchange rate applicable for determination of shortfall in Export Obligation.
Amendment in Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 and in Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976 for submission of E-returns – HO No. Coord./40(1)2011/claim settlement/33462 dated 04/11/2011
With a view to mitigate the difficulties faced by the members of co-operative credit societies in collection of account payee cheques, relaxation was extended vide our circular DBOD.BP.BC.No. 47/21.01.001/2010-11 dated October 1, 2010. In terms of the said circular, banks may consider collecting account payee cheques drawn for an amount not exceeding Rs.50,000/- to the account of their customers who are co-operative credit societies, if the payees of such cheques are the constituents of such co-operative credit societies. The above relaxation will continue as hitherto, subject to the conditions outlined in the circular dated October 1, 2010 referred to above.
As banks are aware, instruments with account payee crossing are required to be credited to the payee’s account and not paid in cash over the counter. However, some unscrupulous elements use demand drafts without any crossing for transfer of money as an alternative to settlement through cash. In order to address the regulatory concerns that have arisen in this context, banks are advised to ensure that demand drafts of Rs. 20,000/- and above are issued invariably with account payee crossing.
