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Parliament passes bill amending Forest Act The Parliament passed on Wednesdayabill to exclude bamboo from the definition of tree under the Indian Forest Act, claiming it would improve the earnings of tribals and dwellers living around forests.The Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, which was adopted by the Lok Sabha on December 20, was passed byavoice vote in the Rajya Sabha, amidawalkout by member of the Congress, Biju Janta Dal and the Samajwadi Party. The Business Standard, New Delhi, 28th December 2017

Tax payers can see status of returns filed on GSTN portal Tax payers can now view the status of the returns filed by them on the GST Network portal, the company handling the technology backbone of the new indirect tax system said on Wednesday. "All users logging on the GST portal can now see the status of their returns filed for all the returns like GSTR1 or GSTR3B at one place," GSTN CEO Prakash Kumar said. The Business Standard, New Delhi, 28th December 2017

LS passes bill for GST cess hike on luxury cars to 25% The Lok Sabha approved on Wednesday a bill to hike cess on luxury vehicles from 15 per cent to 25 per cent with a view to enhance funds to compensate states for revenue loss following the rollout of GST. The GST (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017, was passed by the Lower House amid uproar by the opposition over controversial comments made by Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde on secularism and the Constitution. The Business Standard, New Delhi, 28th December 2017

SEBI notifies norms allowing REITs, InvITs to issue bonds This would be allowed for REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and InvITs (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) which are listed on stock exchanges.To make REITs and InvITs more attractive to investors, markets regulator Sebi has notified relaxed norms to allow these trusts to raise funds by issuing debt securities. This would be allowed for REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and InvITs (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) which are listed on stock exchanges.Further, Sebi has amended REITs and InvITs regulations in order to facilitate the growth of such trusts, Sebi said in notifications posted on its website today. According to the regulator, REITs and InvITs, "whose units are listed on a recognised stock exchange, may issue debt securities in the manner specified by the board provided that such debt securities shall be listed on recognised stock exchange(s)". It said debt securities means non-convertible deb

SEBI orders attachment of bank, demat accounts of 22 entities The decision was taken after the entities failed to pay the fine imposed on them by Sebi for violating securities regulation in 20 different cases.Markets regulator SEBI has ordered attachment of bank accounts as well as share and mutual fund holdings of 22 entities, including individuals, to recover dues totalling Rs 2.8 crore. The decision was taken after the entities failed to pay the fine imposed on them by Sebi for violating securities regulation in 20 different cases.These entities include Triumph International Finance India, Innovision E-Commerce, DPS Shares and Securities, Systel Infotech and T H Vakil Shares & Securities. The pending dues range from Rs 54,000 to Rs 70 lakh.In 20 attachment orders dated December 21, the Securities and Exchange Board of India directed the banks to attach all accounts, including lockers held by these 22 entities. Also, the regulator has directed the depositories -- NSDL a