RPCD.SME & NFS. BC. No. 62/06.11.01/2010-11 – In para 43 of the Union Budget Speech of 2011-12, it has been proposed to liberalise the existing scheme of interest subvention of 1 per cent on housing loans by extending it to housing loan upto Rs.15 lakh where the cost of the house does not exceed Rs.25 lakh from the present limit of Rs.10 lakh and Rs.20 lakh respectively.
It may be noted that initially transactions relating to securitization and reconstruction of financial assets and those relating to mortgage by deposit of title deeds to secure any loan or advances granted by banks and financial institutions, as defined under the SARFAESI Act, are to be registered in the Central Registry. The records maintained by the Central Registry will be available for search by any lender or any other person desirous of dealing with the property. Availability of such records would prevent frauds involving multiple lending against the security of same property as well as fraudulent sale of property without disclosing the security interest over such property. It may be noted that under the provisions of Section 23 of the SARFAESI Act , particulars of any charge creating security interest over property is required to be filed with the Registry within 30 days from the date of creation.
CIRCULAR NO 135/4/2011-ST – The existing Service Tax Audit Manual has been in use since 2003. With experience gained while conducting audits and rapid change in service tax law over the years, growth in service tax categories, assessee base as well as revenue, a need was felt to update the manual. The Board had set up a Working Group in 2009. The manual prepared by the Working Group was discussed in Board meetings for considering the various amendments and proposals to be included in the manual. The Board has since approved the Service Tax Audit Manual 2011 and will be circulated by the Directorate General of Audit. All Service Tax audits should henceforth be carried out in accordance with the principles laid down in the said Manual and the extant prevalent instructions. This Manual is for the use of departmental officers only.
In Notification No. 33(RE-2007)/2004-2009, dated 08.10.2007, sub para 2.11 was added on 28.02.2011 vide Notification No. 27(RE-2010)/2009-14. Now another sub-para 2.12 is added as under: “2.12 The prohibition imposed by Notification No. 33(RE-2007)/2004-2009, dated 08.10.2007 on export of wheat products shall not be applicable to export of 32,094.70 MT of wheat flour to Maldives through M/s. MMTC Ltd.”
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 5A of the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944),read with sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance ) Act,1957 ( 58 of 1957), the Central Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby makes the following further amendments in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance
The Government of India has decided to withdraw coins of denomination of 25 paise and below from circulation with effect from June 30, 2011. The Reserve Bank of India has instructed the banks maintaining small coin depots to arrange for exchange of coins of denomination of 25 paise and below for their face value at their branches. The coins will be exchanged at the branches of these banks as also the offices of the Reserve Bank till the close of business on June 29, 2011. Coins of denomination of 25 paise and below will not be accepted for exchange at the bank branches from July 1, 2011 onwards. The RRBs may take note of the above instructions.
Circular No. 137/6/ 2011– ST- Assistance provided by a visa facilitator, for obtaining visa, to a visa applicant or for foreign employer does not fall within the scope of supply of manpower service. Visa facilitators, while providing visa assistance directly to individuals does not act on behalf of the embassies, as agents of the principal and hence service tax is not leviable within the meaning of business auxiliary service. Also where the assistance is rendered to an individual directly, by a visa facilitator, and the visa applicant pays the service charge on his own (meaning such service charge is not borne by any business entity), the same cannot be considered as support service for business or commerce.
CIRCULAR NO 136/5/2011-ST – Service provided by a restaurant having air-conditioning and license to serve alcoholic beverages in relation to serving of food or beverage, including alcoholic beverages or both, in its premises [Finance Act 1994, Section 65(105) ( zzzzv )]. Service provided by a hotel, inn, guest house, club or campsite in relation to providing of accommodation for a continuous period of less than three months[Finance Act 1994, Section 65(105) ( zzzzw )]
Every Central Government Company which is applying to the Central Government for amalgamation with any other Government Company or Companies under the simplified procedure prescribed in this circular, shall obtain approval of the Cabinet i.e. Union Council of Ministers to the effect that the proposed amalgamation is essential in the ‘public interest’.
NOTIFICATION NO. LAD-NRO/GN/2011-12/02/12648, DATED 19-4-2011 – Section 4 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 – Recognized Stock Exchanges – Grant of recognition to stock exchanges – Renewal of recognition to Ludhiana Stock Exchange Ltd.
