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With an aim to safeguard mutual fund investors from high-risk assets, regulator Sebi wants fund houses to shift all their investments to listed or to-be-listed equity and debt securities in a phased manner and reduce their exposure to unrated debt instruments from 25 per cent to only 5 per cent.  Exposure to risky debt securities has emerged as a major risk for the capital market investors, including those coming through the mutual fund space, and the regulator has been making efforts to enhance its regulatory safety net against such risks.  Taking forward certain decisions approved by Sebi's board earlier in June, the regulator has now finalised the draft amendments to the prudential norms for mutual fund schemes for investment in debt and money market instruments.  Besides, some further amendments have been proposed for approval of Sebi's board at its next meeting later this month, officials said.  A key fresh proposal is to reduce the existing overall limit for investment

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will cut interest rates again at its October meeting, making it the fifth in a row, according to economists in a Reuters poll who said the central bank's decision to ease by 35 basis points on Wednesday was right.  While a survey taken ahead of August's meeting showed a 25 basis points rate cut was a done deal, the RBI was expected to keep rates unchanged for the rest of this year.   However, a more recent Reuters poll, conducted Aug 7-8, predicted the RBI would ease its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points to 5.15% in October. If it does cut again as forecast it would be a repeat of a cutting spree last seen in 2000-01  After the expected October cut, the RBI is then forecast to ease by 15 basis points to a near decade low of 5.00% in the first quarter of next year, although much depends on global conditions.  "India is amidst an economic and financial slowdown with minimal support from fiscal policy. The responsibility is being born

The income tax (I-T) department has relaxed its assessment and scrutiny norms for start-ups.  In a circular it directed its officers not to raise additional tax demands for start-ups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).  This will be done in cases where scrutiny is limited to Section 56 (2) (viib) of the Income Tax Act, or what is called in popular parlance angel tax.  Angel tax refers to income tax payable on capital raised by unlisted firms by issuing shares where the share price is considered more than the fair market value.  “No verification on such issues will be done by the AOs (assessing officers) during the proceedings and the contention of such recognised start-up companies on the issue will be summarily accepted,” the circular said.  In cases where start-ups are recognised by the DPIIT but scrutiny involves wider issues, the I-T Department has asked its field formations not to pursue the issue of the angel tax during the assessm