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Ministry of Health & Welfare issues guidelines to be followed on detection of suspect/confirmed COVID-19 case in a nonCOVID Health Facility

Indian Railways announces Incentives for Freight Traffic during COVID pandemic till 30th September 2020

No Haulage Charge for movement of empty containers and empty flat wagons from 24.03.2020 till 30.04.2020

More Customers can register their demands and also receive Railway Receipt for goods electronically instead of having to visit the goods sheds physically, making it more convenient and speedier for customers.

In case customer does not avail electronic Receipt, they can take delivery of goods without submitting Railway Invoice (Railway Receipt) at destination point by using alternate procedure.

Minimum number of BCNHL (covered wagons used for bagged consignments like foodgrains, agricultural produce etc) required to be loaded in order to avail train load rates has been reduced from 57 to 42 wagons now, with a view to support loading of essential items.

The distance related conditions governing mini rake, two point rake etc have been relaxed to encourage industry.

RBI announces second set of measures to preserve financial stability and help put money in the hands of the needy and disadvantaged.

States and UTs allowed to borrow more to manage COVID-19
Reverse Repo rate reduced from 4.0% to 3.75%
Relief provided to NBFCs and Real Estate Sector
India is projected to turn around and grow at 7.4% in 2021-22 – RBI Governor

The Government of India has reviewed the extant Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and amended para 3.1.1 of extant FDI policy as contained in Consolidated FDI Policy, 2017. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued Press Note No. 3(2020 Series) in this regard. Amended Para 3.1.1 of the Amended Policy reads as under:

3.1.1(a) A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FDI Policy except in those sectors/activities which are prohibited. However, an entity of a country, which shares land border with India or where the beneficial owner of an investment into India is situated in or is a citizen of any such country, can invest only under the Government route

The amendment will take effect from the date of FEMA Notification

Ministry of Corporate Affairs issues clarifications on passing of ordinary and special resolutions due to COVID 19 in view of difficulties cited by stakeholders in complying with the instructions as notified vide circular dated 8th April 2020

The Supreme Court of India, while modifying its orders dated 8th April 2020 has issued the following clarifications:

(i) Free testing for COVID-19 shall be available to persons eligible under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana as already implemented by the Government of India, and 6 any other category of economically weaker sections of the society as notified by the Government for free testing for COVID-19, hereinafter.

(ii) The Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare may consider as to whether any other categories of the weaker sections of the society e.g. workers belonging to low income groups in the informal sectors, beneficiaries of Direct Benefit Transfer, etc. apart from those covered under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana are also eligible for the benefit of free testing and issue appropriate guidelines in the above regard also within a period of one week.

(iii) The private Labs can continue to charge the payment for testing of COVID-19 from persons who are able to make payment of testing fee as fixed by ICMR.

(iv) The Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare may issue necessary guidelines for reimbursement of cost of free testing of COVID-19 undertaken by private Labs and necessary mechanism to defray expenses and reimbursement to the private Labs.

The International Organisation of Employers and the International Trade Union Confederation have issued a joint statement stating that all efforts need to be undertaken to help workers and companies to go through the crisis, to keep workers in their jobs, to protect from unemployment and loss of income, and to alleviate financial devastation. IOE and ITUC stated that they are committed and prepared to support policy makers in their efforts.

During the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, a number of countries and their social partners have implemented decisive measures to combat the spread of the disease, while ameliorating its pernicious effect on the economy and labour market.

Search a country or territory to find out the measures implemented by governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and the ILO

Members can access the details on
https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/country-responses/lang–en/index.htm

Ministry of Corporate Affairs issues clarifications on eligibility of CSR expenditure for COVID 19

1. Payment of salary/wages to employees and workers, including contract labour, during the lockdown period cannot be adjusted against the CSR expenditure of the companies as it is a part of statutory/contractual obligation of an employer. It is also a moral obligation of the employers, as they have no alternative source of employment or livelihood during this period.

2. Payment of wages made to casual /daily wage workers during the lockdown period cannot be adjusted against the CSR expenditure of the companies. Payment of wages to temporary or casual or daily wage workers during the lockdown period is part of the moral/ humanitarian/ contractual obligations of the company and is applicable to all companies irrespective of whether they have any legal obligation for CSR contribution under section 135 of the Companies Act 2013.

3. If any ex-gratia payment is made to temporary / casual workers/ daily wage workers over and above the disbursement of wages, specifically for the purpose of fighting COVID 19, the same shall be admissible towards CSR expenditure as a one-time exception provided there is an explicit declaration to that effect by the Board of the company, which is duly certified by the statutory auditor.

Supreme Court orders free COVID 19 Testing in Government & Authorised Private Labs
The Supreme Court of India, vide interim orders dated 8th April 2020, issued the following directions:

(i) The tests relating to COVID-19 whether in approved Government Laboratories or approved private Laboratories shall be free of cost.

The respondents shall issue necessary direction in this regard immediately.
(ii) Tests relating to COVID-19 must be carried out in NABL accredited Labs or any agencies approved by WHO or ICMR.