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The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has expressed concern over high equity derivatives turnover visàvis cash turnover.For every one rupee of cash turnover, Rs 15.6(notional value) of derivatives is traded. The derivatives to cash turnover in India is the world´s second highest, after South Korea, where it is 24 times.Australia, Japan and Spain have a derivatives to cash ratio of less than five. The markets regulator has also raised concern overalot of individual investors dealing in the derivatives space without understanding the risks.Sebi on Wednesday issued a discussion paper on ´Growth and development of the equity derivatives market in India´. “Orderly growth, development and alignment of both cash and derivatives markets is important,” it has said. “The discussion paper has been prepared to undertake an assessment of the derivatives market in India, to evaluate whether there isaneed to further strengthen the regulatory framework.” Sebi has given market participa

So, if old jewellery worth Rs 1 lakh is sold, a GST of Rs 3,000 will be deducted Selling of old jewellery or bullion will attract a 3 per cent GST on the value realised, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said on Wednesday. But, if the jewellery is sold and new one bought through the proceeds, the 3 per cent tax paid will be deducted from the goods and services tax (GST) payable on buying new jewellery. “Supposing I am a jeweller. Somebody comes to me with old jewellery, it is as good as buying gold. You can later claim input tax credit,” he said at the GST Master Class. Explaining further Adhia said a jeweller buying old jewellery from someone will charge 3 per cent GST under reverse charge. So, if old jewellery worth Rs 1 lakh is sold, a GST of Rs 3,000 will be deducted. If the proceeds from the old jewellery is used for buying new jewellery, the tax paid on sale will be adjusted against GST on the purchase, he said. However, if an old jewellery is given to the jeweller for some mod

The prospect of a tougher September quarter looms large for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, as the full impact of the transition to the goods and services tax (GST) is likely to be felt during this period. While the June quarter saw trade destocking in the last 10 to 15 days of the period, companies and analysts Business Standard spoke to said the problem would persist for a longer duration in the three months to September 30. “GST is a huge reform and transition will take time. While our internal systems are ready, transition (within wholesale) will take another 30 days (to be completed),” Sunil Kataria, business head, India and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Godrej Consumer Products, said. "GST is a huge reform and transition will take time. While our internal systems are ready transition (within wholesale) will take another 30 days (to be completed)," Sunil Kataria, business head, India and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperatio

India is looking to impose restrictions and standards on products where imports have replaced domestic production, an attempt to give a push to 'Make in India'  programme and reduce the widening trade gap.  The commerce department has instructed various ministries to analyse data and compile lists of products which are being produced domestically but losing market share  to imports.  The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has been assigned the task of setting standards that will have to be met by imported goods as well as goods manufactured in the  country. "We need to do an analysis of the deficit before putting any technical restrictions because there are certain areas where we do not have domestic production,"  said an official aware of the development.  Medical devices, solar cells, ceramics, plastic wares and toys, among other products, may be subjected to manda ..  Most line ministries, especially those which have a regulatory role such as textiles and

The government on Tuesday said free food supplied in anna kshetras (food areas) run by religious institutions have been kept out of the goods and services tax (GST) ambit.Besides, prasadam distributed by religious places of worship like temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras and dargahs, would not attract any GST.Clarifying on media reports which suggested that the GST would be levied on free food supplied in anna kshetras run by religious institutions,afinance ministry statement said “this is completely untrue.No GST is applicable on such food supplied for free”.However, some of the inputs and input services required for making prasadam would be subject to the GST. These include sugar, vegetable edible oils, ghee, butter, service for transportation of these goods, among others. Business Standard, New Delhi, 12th July 2017

The RBI could wait for CPI inflation to settle and then reduce the repo rates. Or it could take a calculated risk by cutting the rates immediately In the meeting held on June 7, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided not to cut the repo rate. The lone dissenting voice was that of IIMA professor Ravindra Dholakia, who wanted the repo rate to be reduced by at least 50 basis points from the present 6.25 per cent. The RBI, too, has reasons to abstain from a repo rate cut. After signing the new Monetary Policy Framework Agreement with the Union government in February 2015, the responsibility of maintaining Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation becomes the only factor in deciding the repo rate. As per the agreement, it is mandatory for the RBI to maintain CPI inflation at four per cent, plus or minus two per cent, from FY 2017-18 onwards. However, the track record of the Indian economy shows that in the last 20 years average CPI inflation was about

Income tax (I-T) officials fear 80 per cent of the outstanding tax demand arrears, quantified over Rs 8.4 lakh crore, is unlikely to be recovered. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) plans to adopt a two-pronged strategy to reduce such huge dues. It would focus on optimising disposal in terms of numbers and on maximising disposal of appeals involving high quantum of demand. The CBDT has asked commissioners of I-T (appeals) to dispose of at least 30 per cent of appeals that involve I-T arrear demands of over Rs 10 lakh. It has also directed them to conclude 100 per cent of cases that involve demands of over Rs 50 crore. Arrears of tax demands are demands raised against assessees in the past that have not been paid. The total outstanding arrear demands increased to Rs 10,52,084 crore in April 2017 from Rs 9,29,972 crore in March 2016. Officials indicated 80 per cent of this would be difficult to recover in this fiscal year. The arrears are piling up because of litigation, liquid