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Trade Union Not ‘State’, Employer Can’t Generally Invoke Article 226 To Restrain a strike – Karnataka HC

State Human Rights Commission Can’t Entertain Complaints Against Private Employer

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal today invited businesses from India and Uzbekistan to co-invest, co-manufacture and co-innovate, while calling for concerted efforts to double bilateral trade between the two countries over the next three years. Addressing the India-Uzbekistan Business Forum in New Delhi, the Minister said the strategic partnership between the two countries, founded on mutual trust, respect and a shared vision for prosperity, offers tremendous opportunities for expanding trade, investment and economic cooperation.

Welcoming the delegation, Shri Goyal said India and Uzbekistan are bound not only by a rich shared history and deep cultural connect, but also by immense business potential that remains largely untapped. He observed that while bilateral trade has crossed approximately USD 1.5 billion, it represents only a fraction of what the two economies can achieve together. The Minister said India offers Uzbekistan not only a large and growing market but also a reliable partner, a skilled and youthful workforce and a platform for innovation-led growth. Referring to the recently concluded Bilateral Investment Treaty between India and Uzbekistan, he said the agreement would enhance investor confidence and encourage businesses from both countries to invest in each other’s economies and build long-term partnerships.

Shri Goyal identified several sectors with strong complementarities that offer significant scope for bilateral collaboration. He said Uzbekistan presents substantial opportunities for Indian investment in the mining sector. He also highlighted the potential for cooperation in textiles, noting Uzbekistan’s strength in cotton production and India’s leadership in the textile industry, with opportunities to jointly expand into garment manufacturing, design and global markets. In the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, the Minister said India, recognised as the pharmacy of the world, can support Uzbekistan’s healthcare modernisation through affordable medicines, medical devices, diagnostics, telemedicine, training of doctors and paramedics, and quality healthcare services. He also proposed reviving cooperation in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Yoga and Unani, which had historical links with the Uzbek region.

On agriculture and food processing, Shri Goyal said cooperation in food processing, packaging, cold chains and agri-tech could help build global value chains that benefit farmers in both countries while serving international markets through complementary strengths.The Minister also underlined India’s readiness to collaborate with Uzbekistan in information technology and the digital economy. He said India would be happy to work with Uzbekistan in developing Digital Public Infrastructure and strengthening cooperation in areas such as fintech, agri-tech and medtech. He further noted that engineering components, advanced manufacturing, automotive components and automobiles also offer promising avenues for future collaboration.

The Minister noted that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the President of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev have imparted new dynamism to bilateral relations by bringing the people of the two countries closer together and providing a clear political direction for the partnership. He emphasised that the full potential of the relationship can be realised only when businesses from both sides deepen engagement, expand economic ties, increase investments and create more employment opportunities.

Emphasising that trade must lead the bilateral relationship, Shri Goyal urged businesses to seize the opportunity to build enduring commercial partnerships. He called for eliminating trade barriers, promoting mutual recognition of standards, approvals, testing and certification processes, integrating customs systems through greater digitalisation, and creating more efficient trade routes to facilitate commerce. He said both governments are working towards a more structured, time-bound and outcome-oriented economic partnership and stressed that regulators and standard-setting authorities should also strengthen cooperation to facilitate businesses on both sides.

Addressing industry leaders, the Minister said, “This is your moment. Co-invest, co-manufacture and co-innovate. Build partnerships that are everlasting and which give companies on both sides scale, resilience and prosperity for the two economies and the people of Uzbekistan and India.” The Minister concluded by welcoming the visiting delegation and reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening the India-Uzbekistan economic partnership through stronger trade, investment and business collaboration.

Mumbai, July 31

The 190-year-old Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry announced the winners of the fourth edition of the Bombay Chamber Inclusion Awards 2026 at a glittering Nite last evening at ITC Grand Central Parel Mumbai, With Deloitte as its Knowledge Partner for the Awards, the Chamber reinforced its continued commitment to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within corporate India. 

Amazon Seller Services Ltd, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd and Godrej Properties Ltd won the Marquee Best of the Best Award. Other leading organisations who won included Tech Mahindra, Axis Bank, Deutsche Bank Group, India, The New India Assurance Company Limited, Oil India ltd, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited, The Indian Hotels Company Limited. In the MSME sector Harkesh Rubber LLP, The Vits Kamats Group, HAB Pharmaceuticals & Research Ltd and Ubisoft India Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. This year the Awards were segmented sectorwise – Tech, Media & Telecom; BFSI; Consumer & Life Sciences; Energy, Resources & Industrials; and MSME.

In his Welcome Address at the Awards, Rajiv Anand, immediate past President, Bombay Chamber, and MD & CEO, IndusInd Bank Ltd said, “When the Bombay Chamber instituted these Awards four years ago, we did so with a clear conviction: that inclusion is not an act of charity, nor a compliance requirement — it is a strategic imperative for building stronger businesses, resilient institutions, and a more equitable society. Today, as we gather for the fourth edition, it is heartening to see how this vision has grown into a vibrant community of changemakers who are proving that inclusive organisations are also more resilient, innovative and future-ready.”

The Awards Nite saw two powerhouse panel discussions. The Inclusion Dialogue was led by Meenakshi Priyam, Chair, DEI Committee, Bombay Chamber & SVP and Head of HR, Auto, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd had Rajiv Anand; P.D. Singh, CEO – India & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank and Sathish Gopalaiah, President, Consulting Business, Deloitte South Asia as the panelists. Singh, who was on the Jury panel for the Awards pointed out that, “The most inspiring part of this journey was seeing organisations move beyond good intentions to measurable business impact. Inclusion today is not a social initiative—it is a business priority.”  Gopalaiah, who was also on the Jury panel, observed, “Organisations are moving beyond accommodating diversity to integrating inclusion into innovation, culture and competitive advantage. That is where the real transformation begins.”

The second panel brought together two extraordinary people who through their work, have challenged perceptions and broken barriers. Zainab Patel is an independent DEIB consultant, social entrepreneur, and plays a visible role in India’s transgender rights movement. Alina Alam, winner of the National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and a four time TedX speaker, is the founder CEO of Mitti Cafe, the world’s largest chain of cafes (including one at the Mumbai International Airport), managed by physical, intellectual & psychiatric disabilities. The conversation touched on challenging norms in DEI, the importance of sustained inclusion beyond individual leaders, and addressing disability in perceptions.

Welcoming delegates to the Bombay Chamber Inclusion Forum 2026 which was held prior to the Awards, Meenakshi Priyam, Chair, DEI Committee, Bombay Chamber & SVP and Head of HR, Auto, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “Belonging is at the heart of inclusion. It is that feeling of longing to be in a place because it allows you to be your authentic self. When people truly belong, they are empowered to contribute, grow, and succeed. The Bombay Chamber Inclusion Awards celebrate organisations that have moved beyond measuring representation to creating workplaces where every individual feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute. May our community of inclusion continue to grow—bringing together leaders, organisations, and changemakers committed to building workplaces where everyone can belong, express themselves, and thrive.”

The Inclusion Forum also celebrated the successful completion of the third edition of the Bombay Chamber Mentoring for Enrichment (ME) Program—another milestone in the Chamber’s commitment to developing and empowering women professionals and allies through mentorship. This year, the ME program brought together 36 mentor-mentee pairs, each embarking on a journey of learning, collaboration, and professional growth. They were felicitated at the Forum.

The First Session of the India–Rwanda Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held in New Delhi on 30 and 31 July 2026. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Amit Kumar, while the Rwandan delegation was led by Director General, Asia, Pacific and Middle East Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Republic of Rwanda, Mr. Virgile Rwanyagatare.

Delivering the inaugural address, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Yashvir Singh, said the inaugural Session establishes a permanent, structured and periodic apex mechanism to review bilateral commerce, diversify the trade basket, expand two-way investment and address logistical impediments. Both sides reviewed the current state of bilateral trade in goods and services. India’s principal exports to Rwanda include drug formulations and biologicals, two- and three-wheelers, industrial and electrical machinery, oil meals, and iron and steel products, while Rwanda’s exports to India comprise lead, spices, essential oils, copper, precious and semi-precious stones, processed agricultural products and minerals. Both sides agreed to make concerted efforts to diversify the bilateral trade basket, facilitate business-to-business engagement and address market access issues.

India highlighted the potential to expand exports of heavy engineering goods, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, refined petroleum products, textiles, marine products, plastics, sports goods and toys, gems and jewellery, and scientific instruments. It was noted that India remains Rwanda’s largest source of pharmaceutical imports, accounting for about 24.5 per cent of the country’s pharmaceutical imports. Rwanda identified chillies, macadamia, French beans, avocados, essential oils, tea, coffee, other horticultural products, minerals and precious stones as priority exports to India. The two sides also discussed cooperation on harmonisation of standards, including capacity building between the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Rwanda Standards Board. On investment, Rwanda noted that India is its second largest foreign investor as of 2025 and highlighted opportunities in mining, agro-processing, affordable housing, information and communication technology, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism and financial services. Both sides designated Invest India and the Rwanda Development Board as investment focal points under the JTC framework and agreed to exchange calendars of trade fairs, business forums and Buyer-Seller Meets. Rwanda also highlighted its strategic location as a gateway to the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offering Indian businesses access to a wider regional market.

The two sides identified several priority areas for sectoral cooperation. In critical minerals, India expressed interest in strengthening collaboration on Rwanda’s tin, tungsten and tantalum resources, including institutional cooperation between the Geological Survey of India and the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board. In pharmaceuticals and healthcare, both sides noted that the Memorandum of Understanding between the health authorities of the two countries is at an advanced stage of finalisation for signature. India also proposed recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia and expanded cooperation in traditional medicine.

The discussions also covered cooperation in agriculture and agro-processing, including market access for avocados; textiles and leather; green mobility; digital public infrastructure; fintech and cybersecurity; and renewable energy. India offered continued capacity building support through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, the Study in India initiative and the Skill India Mission, including support for strengthening Rwanda’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training ecosystem. The discussions were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere. Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal congratulated both delegations on advancing the bilateral commercial partnership and emphasised the need for close monitoring and time-bound implementation of the outcomes recorded in the Agreed Minutes.

The Agreed Minutes were signed in New Delhi on 31 July 2026. Both sides agreed to hold the Second Session of the India–Rwanda Joint Trade Committee in Rwanda after one year on a mutually convenient date through diplomatic channels.

Employer is under an obligation to verify whether the resignation is voluntary if it refers to ‘threat or pressure’ Chhattisgarh HC

Mandatory settlement through TReDS: All operating Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) must route the settlement of invoices for goods and services procured from MSMEs through TReDS platforms authorised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Transparency and accountability: Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) shall disclose details of MSME invoices routed and settled through TReDS as specified by the RBI and obtain a statutory auditor’s certificate of TReDS registration and compliance during their annual audit.

A benchmark for corporate India: The mandate positions Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) as role models for timely payment discipline for large corporate buyers across the country.

In a decisive step to end the long wait for payments faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, has notified the mandatory use of the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) by all operating Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) for the settlement of transactions with their MSME suppliers. The Notification, issued on 30 June 2026, gives effect to a key announcement of the Union Budget 2026–27.

MSMEs are the backbone of the Indian economy, with over 8.70 crore enterprises registered on the Udyam Registration Portal and Udyam Assist Platform providing employment to more than 38 crore persons. Yet delayed payments remain one of the sector’s most persistent challenges, locking up working capital and constraining growth. By making TReDS the settlement route for all CPSE purchases from MSME, public sector procurement will now work actively for the small supplier: procurement by CPSEs gets captured on TReDS, and timely payment to MSME will be ensured through invoice financing from banks and financial institutions.

What This Means for MSMEs

With every CPSE invoice flowing through TReDS, MSME suppliers have the option to convert approved invoices into cash well before the due date. Financing on TReDS is collateral-free and without recourse to the seller, with banks and NBFCs bidding competitively to discount invoices, giving MSMEs working capital within a short span of time at competitive rates of interest.

About TReDS

TReDS is an RBI-regulated electronic platform, operational since 2017, for financing and discounting the trade receivables of MSMEs due from corporate buyers, Government Departments and Public Sector Undertakings, through competitive bidding by multiple financiers. Five platforms are currently operational: RXIL, M1xchange, Invoicemart, C2treds and DTX. The platform has grown from strength to strength, with invoice discounting increasing from ₹40,000 crore in FY 2021-22 to ₹3.47 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.

The TReDS Reform Journey

The Notification was issued on 30 June 2026. Full details are available in the Gazette of India at https://egazette.gov.in.

EPFO announces VISHWAS, 2026 for Amicable Settlement of disputes relating to Damages under Section 14B of the EPF Act 1952