India - Partner In Growth
Welcome to the January 27, 2017 bulletin of key policy decisions and high-impact news, presented by the Embassy of India, Washington DC
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KEY POLICY DECISIONS
New Fiscal Framework
The Government set-up a committee in May, 2016 under the Chairmanship of Mr. N.K. Singh to recommend a new fiscal framework for the country that addresses contemporary challenges, global economic developments and international best practices. The Report was submitted to the Finance Minister on 23th January, 2017. The Government is expected to use the Report for the upcoming Budget on February 1st, 2017.


New Guidelines on Place of Effective Management
The Government has recently notified new guidelines for determining the place of effective management for businesses in order to target shell companies and companies which are created for retaining income outside India, even while the real control and management of affairs is located in India.
 
Passport Services Extended to Post Offices
In order to streamline, liberalize and ease the issuing of passports, the Government will use the Head Post Offices (HPO) in various States as the "Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)" for delivering passport-related services. After a pilot project stating on January 25, the program will be scaled up by opening POPSK in all post offices in a phased manner.

Management Institutes Can Now Grant Degrees to Students
The Government has declared Indian Institutes of Management autonomous, enabling them to grant degrees to their students. The move would give the Institutions freedom in administration, recruitment and daily function, combined with accountability. 

India Maintains Global Green Leadership with Kyoto Ratification 
The Government has approved the ratification of the Second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol on containing greenhouse gas emissions. So far, 65 countries have ratified the Second Commitment Period. This decision underlines India's leadership in the community of nations committed to environmental protection and climate justice. 
HIGH-IMPACT NEWS
Trump to Modi: 'India a True Friend and Partner,' Invites PM to U.S.
In a phone call with Prime Minister Modi this week, President Trump said the U.S. considers India a "true friend and partner in addressing challenges around the world." The two leaders discussed security in India's region and strengthening the Indo-U.S. partnership. Trump invited PM Modi to the U.S.


 
Govt. to Use Geo-Spatial Tech to Build Smart Cities 
The Government will use geo-spatial technology to build 100 Smart Cities across India. "Cities in the past were built on riverbanks. They are now built along highways. But in the future, they will be built based on availability of optical fiber networks and next-generation infrastructure," said Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.

India Now No. 1 in Google Play App Usage
With the rise of smartphones and increased affordability of Internet data plans, India became the No. 1 country by downloads on the  Google   Play Store in 2016. This is only the beginning of India's smartphone uptake, as penetration is still below 30 percent nationwide. 


Cyient Subsidiary to Acquire U.S.-Based Certon Software 
IT firm Cyient, formerly known as Infotech Enterprises, has said that its subsidiary has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent equity in U.S.-based Certon Software firm in an all-cash deal.


Boeing Launches Engineering & Tech Center in Bengaluru 
Boeing has launched an engineering and technology center in Bengaluru. "The center will leverage a talented pool of skilled workers to increase productivity and long-term competitiveness to support Boeing's engineering growth in the global markets," Boeing India President Pratyush Kumar said.




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