Law Updates

Subject

Summary: The Jute Commissioner, Moloy Chandan Chakrabortty, has issued a directive under the Jute and Jute Textiles Control Order, 2016, limiting the quantity of raw jute that traders can hold. Traders must ensure their stock does not exceed the specified limits for their category. Any excess raw jute must be sold within fifteen days and delivered to the consignee by 20th October 2025. Traders are required to submit compliance reports with supporting documents via email immediately. Weekly stock updates must be submitted every Friday on the Jute SMART portal. Stocks held in a single premise under different names will be treated as one, unless separate documentation proves otherwise. Stocks contracted for sale remain with the seller until physically delivered. Non-compliance may lead to penalties, including imprisonment and fines under the Jute Order, 2016, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Authorized officials may inspect premises, verify stock declarations, and seize jute held in violation of this Order. This directive takes immediate effect and remains valid until further notice.

Subject

Summary: The Central Government has announced new guidelines for the importation of horses and other equidae into India, as per the Livestock Importation Act of 1898. This new directive replaces the previous notice dated October 5, 2012, except for any actions that were taken before this update.  All horses being imported must possess a valid passport or a comprehensive history sheet, in addition to an identification certificate verified by an official veterinarian from the country of export. Thoroughbred horses can now only be imported for breeding, polo, or sporting activities and are not allowed to participate in racing. Horses are required to undergo quarantine testing for certain diseases prior to export. Importation is only permitted through specific international airports, which include Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru, as well as any other airports designated by the Central Government. Importers are obligated to present test results and veterinary health certificates to the Regional or Quarantine Officer at least seven days prior to shipment and must acquire a no-objection certificate. Disembarkation is permitted only after receiving the original certificate. Furthermore, all horses must possess a veterinary health certificate in English, issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian from the exporting nation, verifying a physical examination in accordance with Form A.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released a draft notification on 3rd October 2025. The notification proposes exempting Common Municipal Solid Waste Management Facilities (CMSWMF) from the requirement to obtain prior Environmental Clearance (EC) under the EIA Notification 2006. CMSWMF are important facilities that handle solid waste and help protect the environment. They prevent pollution of soil, water, and air while promoting safe waste treatment. These facilities also support the circular economy by converting waste into useful products, such as compost, energy, and recycled raw materials. Currently, such projects are already regulated under strong environmental laws like the Water Act, 1974, and the Air Act, 1981. The State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitor, inspect, and enforce compliance.  The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, also provide detailed criteria for site selection and operations. The CPCB has further classified these facilities under the “blue category” industries that provide essential environmental services. To encourage these services, CPCB has also granted benefits such as extended validity for consent to operate. With this draft notification, MoEFCC aims to remove the duplication of clearances and speed up the establishment of waste management facilities. However, strict environmental safeguards will continue under SPCB and CPCB monitoring. This step supports sustainable development, strengthens solid waste management in India, and ensures faster growth of eco-friendly infrastructure without reducing environmental protection.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued a draft notification intending exemption of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) from the requirement of prior Environmental Clearance (EC) under the EIA Notification, 2006. Traditionally, CETPs were listed under item 7(h) requiring mandatory EC. However, industries across sectors like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles, paints, fertilizers, and electroplating have modernized their effluent treatment systems, adopting Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and other advanced technologies. These improvements enable better waste management, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. The exemption intends to promote the establishment of CETPs as cost-effective, centralized facilities promoting collective responsibility and environmental accountability. While EC will not be mandatory, CETPs must comply with environmental safeguards enforced through the Consent to Establish/Operate mechanism under the Water and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Acts, 1974 and 1981. The decision follows recommendations by the Expert Appraisal and Expert Advisory Committees, reflecting a balance between industrial growth, technological advancement, and environmental protection.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has notified the Fertilizers (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Eleventh Amendment Order, 2025 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The amendment updates Schedule VI, Part D of 1985. The amendment updates Schedule VI, Part D of the 1985 Fertiliser Control Order, presenting supplementary practices for testing significant substances in fertilisers. New parameters involve the estimation of salicylic acid, cytokinin, carbohydrates, starch, cellulase activity, eugenol, folic acid (vitamin B9), homobrassinolide, and vitamin B3 (niacin) using innovative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography techniques. These updated measures specify equipment, reagents, preparation methods, and calculation formulas to ensure accuracy and consistency in testing. The amendment intends to improve quality control, encourage scientific testing standards, and boost traceability in fertiliser analysis. By aligning testing practices with global analytical protocols, the government aims to ensure product safety and maintain uniformity across laboratories. The Order takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Subject

Summary: The Government of India has extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme until March 31, 2026. This extension applies to exports from Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) units, Advance Authorisation (AA) holders, Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units, and Export Oriented Units (EOUs).  Under this scheme, exporters receive refunds for embedded non-creditable central, state, and local levies on inputs used in production. This ensures that taxes are not exported, enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian products. The existing RoDTEP rates and per-unit value caps remain unchanged.  However, the operation of the scheme is subject to the budgetary framework provided under Paragraph 4.54 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, ensuring that remissions during the financial year are managed within the approved allocation. For detailed information on eligible export items and applicable rates, exporters can refer to Appendix 4R (for DTA units) and Appendix 4RE (for AA/SEZ/EOU units).  This extension provides continued support to exporters, offering policy certainty and aiding in maintaining the momentum of India's export sector amid global trade challenges.