TRAS ALERT – NOVEMBER 2023
In this edition we have tried to bring you notice the latest amendment that followed in the month of November, 2023 issued by MCA, RBI, SEBI, IBBI and others.
MCA
Commerce Ministry to collaborate with e-commerce companies to promote exports from districts (November 23, 2023)
In a significant move to enable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and boost e-commerce exports from the country, Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India is collaborating with the various e-commerce players to leverage the Districts as Export Hubs initiative and promote e-commerce exports from the country. In first such collaboration with different e-commerce platforms, DGFT has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Amazon India
To Read More:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1979068
More than 200 unique Geographical Indications (GIs) products exhibited in Geographical Indication (GI) Pavilion in the India International Trade Fair(November 15, 2023)
The Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry is hosting the largest Geographical Indication (GI) Pavilion in the India International Trade Fair at ITPO, Pragati Maidan from 14 to 27 November, 2023. The Pavilion was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash on here today, the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, and laid the red carpet for public viewing. The GI Pavilion is witnessing participation from more than 600 artisans from 28 States and Union Territories with more than 200 unique Geographical Indications (GIs) products from Agriculture to Food to Handicarfts and Handloom to cater the interests of every age group. GI products carry specific characteristics and possess qualities attributed to geographical origin. Artisans from different tribes and women entrepreneurs have been given the centre stage for the presentation of their craft. Enthusiastic participation from artisans is making the GI Pavilion a confluence of cultural exchange and business opportunities. In the Pavilion, live demonstration and portrayal of traditional artworks like Gond Painting, Warli painting, Pithora painting, Shamphee Lanphee, Sandur Lambani Embroidery, Odisha Pattachitra, etc. by Padma Shri and National awardees give visitors a firsthand experience of India’s rich traditional and cultural soul.
To Read More:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1977215
BANKING
Lenders asked to avoid risks: FM Sitharaman (November 23, 2023)
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on November 23, 2023 urged lenders to exercise prudence while lending, reinforcing the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) advice to adhere to core banking practices amid the push for digital transformation. In her address at the Digital Acceleration & Transformation Expo 2023, Sitharaman highlighted the RBI’s warning to Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Small Finance Banks (SFBs) against overextending their lending activities.
To Read More:
Regulations must support innovation: RBI Deputy Governor Rajeshwar Rao (November 24, 2023)
The regulatory framework must be redefined in such a manner that it supports innovation, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Rajeshwar Rao said in a speech on November 23, 2023. “The innovations and collaborations need to be well thought out, risks properly analysed and mitigation plans must be put in place before offering them to customers,” he said at an event organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Indian Banking Association.
To Read More:
High attrition keeps private banks on their toes (November 30, 2023)
The attrition at private banks has been high in recent years as the workload of employees has increased. Additionally, intense competition from fintechs and new-age lenders has also led to poaching of employees, said experts. At a recent public event, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das noted that the attrition at private sector banks is high & and that the central bank is closely looking at the issue. In his speech, Das urged banks to build a core team to deal with such issues.
To Read More:
‘Stricter norms a preemptive measure for sustainable lending’ says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das (November 22, 2023)
The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) have jointly organised the FIBAC event. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, at the annual FIBAC event on November 22, 2023, underscored that the recent stricter norms on unsecured lending were aimed at sustainability. He clarified that while certain sectors like housing and vehicle loans, along with small business credits, were exempted, it was due to their positive impact on economic growth.
To Read More:
Unsecured retail loans’ growth to ease in FY24: Crisil Ratings (November 23, 2023)
Unsecured retail loans are likely to see slower growth of 20-30% compared to 45% last year, as Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) alter their strategies due to the recent regulatory measures issued by the Reserve Bank of India, said Crisil Ratings. The RBI last week ordered banks and NBFCs to set aside more capital for consumer loans which will cost an estimated ₹84,000 crore in capital. These new guidelines will make personal loans and credit cards more expensive as banks could increase rates to offset the higher cost of capital.
To Read More:
Higher risk weight on unsecured bank loans credit positive: Moody’s (November 21, 2023)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) diktat last week asking lenders to increase risk weights on unsecured consumer credit loans like personal loans and credit card by 25% is a “credit positive” step, as it will force lenders to allocate higher capital on such risky loans and may dampen the pace of the unsecured loan growth, global rating agency Moody’s said in a note November 20, 2023.
To Read More:
COMPETITION COMMISION OF INDIA
CCI approves the proposed acquisition by Atlas 2022 Holdings Limited to increase its voting rights/shareholding in Vodafone from 14.6% to less than 25% in Vodafone Group Plc. (November 29, 2023)
Atlas 2022 Holdings Limited (Atlas) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC (e&). Atlas was incorporated on 24th February 2022, in the Cayman Islands, for the purposes of acquiring and holding e&’s current 14.6% interest in Vodafone. e& is a telecommunications operator headquartered and based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates which was previously known as Etisalat Group. e& provides services in various countries across the Middle East Asia and Africa. Neither Atlas nor e& has any physical presence in India (e& does not have any Indian subsidiaries). e& does not hold a licence to operate as a mobile network operator in India. Vodafone Group Plc. (Vodafone) is a British telecommunications operator headquartered and based in Newbury, England. It provides mobile and fixed-line connectivity services, as well as connectivity products and services to customers predominantly across Europe, Africa and Asia. In India, Vodafone is active in the telecommunications sector through Vodafone Idea Limited (VI India) and its stepdown subsidiaries. VI India offers mobile telephony services; broadband services; content and digital offerings (in partnership with various overthe-top apps and content creators); and various Value Add Services.
To Read More:
https://www.cci.gov.in/antitrust/press-release/details/336
Chartered Accountant Firm Near You