August 7, 2024

A special economic zone (SEZ) is an area in a country that is designed to generate positive economic growth. An SEZ is normally subject to different and more favorable economic regulations compared to other regions in the same country, including tax incentives and the opportunity to pay lower tariffs. SEZ economic regulations tend to be conducive to—and attract—foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI refers to any investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business interests located in another country. Special Economic Zone – SEZ in India were introduced to provide an internationally competitive and hassle-free climate for export promotion in India. SEZ in India is established through the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act, 2005. The SEZ Act provides for drastic simplification of procedures and for single window clearance on matters relating to Central as well as State Governments. SEZ Act in India Generation of additional economic activity Promotion of exports of goods and services Promotion of investment from domestic and foreign sources Creation of employment opportunities Development of infrastructure facilities Features of SEZs As opposed to the international counterparts, the SEZs in India are developed by the government, private, and the joint sector. Hence, it provides equal opportunities to both local as well as international players. The government has allocated at least 1,000 hectares for the greenfield special economic zones in the country. However, there is no restriction as to the favourable areas in constructing the specific SEZs. 100% of the FDI is allowed for all SEZ endowments apart from the activities listed under the unconstructive records. The SEZ units are required to encourage the net foreign exchange yield. They are not entitled to any least amount of additional guidelines or exports. Commodity boost from the DTA (Domestic Tariff Area) into the SEZ is known as exports, while the commodity boost from the SEZ into the DTA is called imports. Advantages of Setting up a Business in an SEZ Exemption from Central Sales Tax Exemption from Service Tax Single window clearance for Central and State level approvals Exemption from State sales tax and other levies as extended by the respective State Governments Duty-free import / domestic procurement of goods for development, operation and maintenance of units in SEZ Exemption from minimum alternate tax under section 115JB of the Income Tax Act 100% Income Tax exemption on export income for SEZ units under Section 10AA of the Income Tax Act for first five years, 50% for next five years thereafter and 50% of the reinvested export profit for next five years External commercial borrowing by SEZ units up to USD500 million in a year without any maturity restriction through recognized banking channels Types of Special Economic Zones Type Description Free Trade Zones (FTZ) Tax-free area that provides essential facilities for activities like shipping, trading, import, and export. Businesses under such areas enjoy exempted, reduced, or less controlled rules and regulations on labor, etc. Export Processing Zones (EPZ) These areas promote the growth of the sickening export business in India.     They were established to help and revive the growth of Indian export commodities, particularly from the fast-growing sectors. Free Zones (FZ) / Free Economic Zones (FEZ) They are a unit of SEZs designated by the trade and commerce organizations of the countries. The free or free economic zones are in which the companies are taxed bare minimum to encourage economic activities. Industrial Parks/ Estates (IE) It is an area planned for the purpose of industrial development within the country. The industrial parks consist of offices and light industries instead of heavy ones. Free Ports It is a port or other similar area with relaxed jurisdiction of customs and/ or national regulations. A free port is a special customs area or territory with less strict customs regulations. Bonded Logistics Parks (BLP) Trade arrangements are similar to that of a bonded warehouse over a particular geographic area. Goods can be stored, manufactured, or manipulated without any duties or customs. Urban Enterprise Zones Policies to encourage economic growth and development They generally provide add-ons like tax concessions, reduced regulations, and infrastructure incentives to lure the investors and private companies to such zones Who can set up SEZs in India? Any private, public, joining sector, or state government or its agencies are permissible to set up an SEZ for hassle-free trade activities A foreign agency is also allowed to establish SEZs in India For that, prior approval is required from the respective state governments. As well, it must be ensured that the SEZs satisfy in terms of water, electricity, etc. Locations of SEZs in India The following are the functional Special Economic Zones in India: Santacruz (Maharashtra) Cochin (Kerala) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) Kandla & Surat (Gujarat) Noida (Uttar Pradesh) Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) Indore (Madhya Pradesh) Falta (West Bengal) Objectives of the SEZ Act in India Generation of additional economic activity Promotion of exports of goods and services Promotion of investment from foreign and domestic sources Development of infrastructure facilities Creation of employment opportunities FAQs What is a special economic zone? What are special economic zones in China? Where are special economic zones located? Special Economic Zone (SEZ) offers economic regulations in a specific geographic area to promote economic activities for foreign direct investments. Among the important Special Economic Zones in China are Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Xiamen, which were founded at the end of the 1970s. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are located worldwide, spanning various countries and regions. They are typically situated in strategic areas with favorable infrastructure, transportation, and business environments. What do special economic zones do? Why are special economic zones important to the economy? Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are places within a country that gives certain benefits to the people who want to invest in these zones, so they become attractive places for investment. These places are designed to provide an effective environment for companies. They aim to boost (economic) growth by providing tax exemptions, etc. Special economic zones are considered the backbone of any economy as they enable a country to enhance its global

Among the low-risk investment tools with moderate and assured returns, Recurring Deposit (RD) is a popular investment option in India. It comes with an option of flexibility for customers in the choice of investment amount and tenure accompanied by multiple other benefits. Available in flexible tenure options ranging from 6 months to 10 years, this investment tool offered by multiple banks and NBFCs helps channelize monthly savings for long or short-term corpus creation.  Investors can thus choose a minimum amount to be invested every month over the term for assured wealth generation. What is a Recurring Deposit? Among the low-risk investment tools with moderate and assured returns, Recurring Deposit (RD) is a popular investment option in India. It comes with an option of flexibility for customers in the choice of investment amount and tenure accompanied by multiple other benefits. Available in flexible tenure options ranging from 6 months to 10 years, this investment tool offered by multiple banks and NBFCs helps channelize monthly savings for long or short-term corpus creation. Investors can thus choose a minimum amount to be invested every month over the term for assured wealth generation. If you do not have a lump sum amount to meet short-term goals, depositing a small share of your income to the RD account every month serves the purpose well. Features of Recurring Deposit RD allows you to earn fixed interests on the amount invested at frequent intervals until the investment matures or a predetermined term ends. The total amount (i.e., the capital invested and the interest accumulated) is disbursed to the investor after the maturity period completes. Here is a table that provides a brief overview of RD features: RD Features  Applicability Rate of interest Between 5% to 8% (variable from one bank to another) Amount of minimum deposit From Rs. 10 Tenure of investment Between 6 months and 10 years Frequency of interest calculation Usually every quarter Mid-term or partial withdrawal Not allowed Premature account closure Allowed with penalty Now, take a look at the features of RD in detail. Minimum investment The minimum investment amount varies from one bank to another. You can open this account with an amount as small as Rs. 10. Deposit term The minimum deposit tenure starts from 6 months. You can choose a suitable period of deposit with a maximum tenure stretching up to 10 years. Interest rate The interest rate offered on RDs is always higher than the interest earned through a savings account. The interest rates offered on RDs are also similar to what you can earn through FDs. Returns on RD – Interest Earned Almost all banks in the country along with several other institutions offer Recurring Deposit investment options. The interest rates are, thus, highly competitive. Depending on the prevalent market trends at the time of account creation, the interest rates may vary anywhere between 5% and 8%. The average interest rates, however, hover around 6% to 7% for most banks. Eligibility for a Recurring Deposit Anyone can do it. Any minor above the age of ten is entitled to open a recurring deposit account if he or she produces proof of identity. Any minor under the guardianship of a natural or legal guardian who is under the age of ten. Any corporation, firm, sole proprietorship, or commercial enterprise. Any government institution. Important Factors to Check Before Applying for Recurring Deposit Term Period of the Recurring Deposit Account There are mainly 3 categories into which the term periods are divided. Short-Term Tenure that lasts from 6 months to a year, Medium-term tenure that lasts from more than a year to 5 years, and Long-term tenure that lasts from more than 5 years to 10 years. You must consider checking the tenure before applying. Interest Rate Offered Consider reviewing the interest rate offered before you apply for an RD account as different banks offer different interest rates depending on different term periods. Premature Withdraw Conditions Usually, all banks offer the facility of opening an RD account. They also offer the choice of premature withdrawal of the same. If you decide to withdraw before maturity, the interest payable will be calculated on the basis of the tenure completed. Also, banks will charge a penalty for such withdrawal. Thus, before you invest, choose a bank that offers a high rate of interest and charges a less amount of penalty on premature withdrawal. Types of Recurring Deposit Accounts Regular deposit Account The regular RD account is intended for Indian residents who are above 18 years of age and have a fixed amount to invest. Regular Recurring Deposit allows account holders to deposit a fixed amount once a month for a fixed period to earn fixed interest on the deposited amount on maturity. RD account for Minors RD Current Account is for Indian residents above 18 years of age and with a consistent amount to invest. Regular RD account allows account holders to deposit a fixed amount once a month for a fixed maturity period to earn fixed interest on the deposited amount at maturity. RD account for Senior Citizens Banks offer special RD accounts for people over 60 years of age. Seniors can earn higher interest on their RD accounts than ordinary depositors according to the bank’s terms and conditions.  NRE/NRO RD Account Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can open NRE i.e. Non-Resident External account and NRO i.e. Non-Resident Ordinary account. NRIs can then invest in RD using an NRE or NRO deposit account. The most significant advantage of NRIs for depositing money in an RD account is that the account does not have to pay any taxes in India. Documents Required to Open a Recurring Deposit Account An application form Passport size photograph of the applicant ID and Address proof KYC documents How to Open a Recurring Deposit Account Online? Log in to the bank’s mobile application. Find the option to open a RD account , for example under “investments” or “savings”. Enter the desired deposit amount and select the desired duration and type of RD account Enter

Revenue mapping is an essential pre-requisite for tracking the revenue contributed by all your campaigns and journeys. It’s a simple one-time setup that helps you draw a correlation between certain user actions (prompted by a campaign) and your business’s revenue. What is revenue mapping? Revenue mapping is a technique to identify revenue-generating opportunities in your business. By creating revenue maps for your company, you can find out what revenue streams are most profitable and where there are gaps that need to be filled. It will help you generate more revenue by analyzing the data from past years and projecting future trends into the next five or ten years. Why do you need to map your business’s revenue? Revenue mapping is the key to revenue growth, and revenue projections are a critical component of revenue mapping. The revenue map captures data about your business in order to find areas for improvement. Once you have these data points mapped out, you can start implementing changes that will increase profitability and revenue production. Do you want to increase revenue? If so, a revenue map is your answer! It is a process that helps businesses figure out the best areas of revenue growth. It also provides insights into where you can increase or decrease your revenue. With revenue maps, it’s easier to decide about how to spend money because they show what strategies are working and which ones you should change. How revenue mapping relates with your sales funnel? Revenue mapping is the revenue forecasting process that helps to optimize your revenue. You can do this before or after revenue funnel analysis. But you should do this in order to have a complete understanding of where each revenue stream is coming from. You should use your revenue map as part of your funnel analysis because your revenue map is the key to revenue growth. The revenue map captures data about your organization in order to identify areas for improvement and revenue-generating opportunities. By applying revenue mapping, you can figure out how to increase revenue. Also, you can find areas where you can decrease or redirect your revenue towards other areas of the company. What is the difference between your value ladder and revenue mapping? The revenue map is part of the value ladder. The revenue map captures data about your business in order to identify areas for improvement and revenue-generating opportunities. While the value ladder is a visual representation of how revenue flows through your business, from each stage to the next one, and then into revenue. The revenue map is more specific than the value ladder because it captures data about your business, while value ladders are a visual representation of revenue flow. Also, the revenue map is more actionable because it provides insights into how to increase revenue. The value ladder is a great place to start when you’re using revenue mapping because it helps to lay out the steps and stages that are in your sales funnel. After you’ve laid everything out on a value ladder, your revenue map will help you identify areas for revenue growth. Identifying revenue-generating opportunities with revenue mapping is a surefire way to help your business grow. By using a revenue map with the value ladder, you can increase revenue and optimize your sales funnel. Why revenue mapping works? Revenue mapping has been revenue generation gold for companies of all sizes and industries. It’s a revenue forecast tool that considers past revenue performance, current market trends, and future predictions to generate a revenue map. The revenue map is a visual tool that allows business owners to see their business in terms of revenue. It’s a big-picture view that business owners can use to make informed decisions about their revenue growth. The revenue map results from compiling data. Then, you can analyze it to see where revenue you can increase or decrease it. The revenue map will help business owners to focus revenue-generating efforts on the revenue streams that are most profitable for their business. The revenue map will also help to identify revenue gaps and areas that need to be filled. Then, you can address these revenue gaps can and redirect revenue streams towards these areas in order to increase revenue, as well as profitability. FAQs What is a revenue map? A revenue map is a visual representation of a region showing the distribution and sources of revenue. It typically includes information on tax revenue, property values, land usage, and other economic indicators. How is a revenue map useful? A revenue map is useful for government authorities, planners, and businesses to understand the economic landscape of a region. It helps in identifying revenue sources, planning infrastructure development, and making informed decisions about resource allocation.

Dynamic economic landscape, the need for accessible and inclusive financial services is more important than ever. Nidhi Companies have emerged as a unique solution, containing the spirit of community-driven financial growth. These specialized Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) operate under the purview of the Companies Act 2013, with a primary focus on fostering a culture of savings and providing micro-lending services among their members. What is Nidhi Company? Nidhi Company is a type of NBFC (a non-banking finance company) registered under Section 406 of the Companies Act 2013. Its primary function is to accelerate lending money between the prime members of the company. By doing so, the members of the company are encouraged to save money and put them into the company. The company then gives loans or advances to its member (or shareholders) and buys government securities/stocks/debentures/ bonds with the deposits. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs controls this type of company, and the RBI keeps an eye on all its money matters. The Purpose and Nature of Nidhi Companies Nidhi Companies serve a distinct purpose in the Indian financial landscape, primarily focused on promoting savings among their members. These companies are unique in that they can accept deposits from and offer loans exclusively to their members. The term “Nidhi” in Nidhi Company, derived from Hindi, signifies “treasure.” Nidhi Companies fall within the category of Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). While they do not fall under direct regulation by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the RBI holds the authority to issue directives regarding their deposit acceptance activities.  What sets Nidhi Companies apart is their exclusive engagement with their members, who are also shareholders. This exclusive relationship grants them exemptions from certain core provisions of the RBI Act and other regulatory guidelines that apply to traditional NBFCs. As a result, a Nidhi Company is a legally sound entity for accepting deposits and providing loans exclusively to a specific group of members, making it a unique financial institution in India. Understanding what is Nidhi company comes down to these key characteristics and purpose distinguishing it from other forms of companies. Activities Prohibited in a Nidhi Company Nidhi Company can’t deal with chit funds, hire-purchase finance, leasing finance, insurance or securities business. It is strictly prohibited from accepting deposits from or lending funds to, any other person except members. Nidhi companies have certain rules they must follow to keep their focus on serving their members. They are not allowed to: Advertise for deposits from the public. Get involved in chit funds. Provide leasing or hire-purchase financing. Run lotteries. Offer insurance services. Sell, mortgage, or use assets as security. Partner with others for lending and borrowing. Take deposits or lend money to people who aren’t their members. Issue certain types of shares or debt instruments. Exceed a limit on the value of shares. Open current accounts for members (though savings accounts are fine). Lend to or take deposits from corporations. Pay commissions or fees for attracting deposits. Do any business beyond borrowing and lending to members. Get involved in hire-purchase financing. Pay fees for loans to brokers. Benefits of Nidhi Company Easy Formation: Nidhi Companies boast a straightforward and hassle-free formation process with minimal requirements, making it accessible for those looking to establish such entities. Non-Compliance with RBI: Nidhi Companies are not bound by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, allowing them to set their own operational rules and regulations. Lower Risk: Transactions involving lending, borrowing, or depositing are carried out by members of the Nidhi Company, reducing financial risks and ensuring a sense of security within the community. Economic Registration: The registration process for a Nidhi Company is cost-effective when compared to other Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) registration procedures, which facilitates easier access to business loans and financing options. Savings Promotion: Nidhi Companies play a pivotal role in promoting a culture of saving among the Indian population, thereby contributing to financial prudence. Net-Owned Funding System: Nidhi Companies typically adopt a cost-effective net-owned funding system, which can enhance their business growth prospects by efficiently utilizing their own resources and funds Documents required for registration Proof of the registered place of business (Ownership documents/ rent or lease agreement) No Objection Certificate (signed by the owner/ landlord) Identity proofs Address proofs of the members Photos of the members PAN card copies of the members Digital Signature (DSC) Director Identification Number (DIN) of the directors Memorandum of Association of the company (MoA) Articles of Association of the company (AoA) Nidhi Company Incorporation Requirements Requirements before Registration: Minimum Shareholders or Members: A minimum of 7 members is required to initiate the registration process. Minimum Directors: You must have a minimum of 3 directors to form the company. Minimum Capital: A minimum capital of Rs. 5 lakhs is essential to kickstart your Nidhi Company. Director Identification Number (DIN): Directors must obtain a Director Identification Number (DIN). Number of Directors: At least three directors are necessary to establish the company. No Preference Shares: Issuing preference shares is not permitted. Focus on Savings: The Company’s primary objective should be to promote the habit of saving by receiving deposits from and lending to its members exclusively for their mutual benefit. Requirements After Registration: Membership Quota: By the end of the first year, your Nidhi Company must have at least 200 members or shareholders. Net Owned Funds (NOF): Your company’s NOF should exceed Rs. 10 lakhs. NOF to Deposit Ratio: The NOF to deposit ratio should be greater than 1:20. Unencumbered Deposits: Unencumbered deposits must be over 10% of outstanding deposits. Nidhi Company Registration Procedure Step 1: Applying for DIN and DSC Directors of the Nidhi Company must apply for Directorâ??s Identification Number (DIN) and acquire a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). DIN is issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), while DSC is essential for all e-filing processes. Directors with pre-existing DIN and DSC can bypass this step. Step 2: MoA & AoA Draft the Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA), specifying the primary purpose of establishing the Nidhi company. These documents, along with a subscription statement, need to be filed with the Registrar of Companies (ROC).

In a world full of dismay, something’s will always brighten up the day: the milkshake. Nothing can cheer a person up like the perfect creamy frothiness of a thick milkshake. Indians have adopted these heavily garnished drinks and given them a home. Frozen Bottle, one of India’s trendiest milkshake brands and it is an ever-growing plethora. Frozen Bottle is on the run to build its outlet army across the globe. The harder we will shake, then the better we will make, join your hands with Frozen Bottle to shake up your career. Frozen bottle Franchise is here with its Kiwi shakes, sugar-free beverages, cold coffees and nutty vanilla shakes and many more to hook up all its customers with its flavor. Frozen bottle is a milkshake brand which is sure in serving some good quantity of delicious desserts and treats at reasonable prices. Frozen Bottle is the perfect place for a hangout with your loved one, family and friends, surrounded by surprisingly great desserts and importantly,  it is 100% vegetarian.  This milkshake brand also has a variety of picks for you, right from Banana Gulkand to KIWI crush that treats with all happiness and the fruity flavors of these shakes and desserts makes you linger as an aftertaste. Hence, if you are interested in taking up a dessert franchise, Frozen bottle Franchise India would be a best decision. The investment of the Frozen Bottle Franchise is Rs. 33 lakhs. Inaugural Days of Frozen Bottle Frozen Bottle Franchise started off from Bangalore it is now in over five cities in our country with 15 outlets and aims to open up over 200 outlets in the next two years. With a mission and vision to grow, learn, serve and revolutionise the frozen dessert scene in and around India. It helps a wide variety of Frozen Desserts, Signature Thick Shakes and one of its kind Ice Cream Jars that are 100% vegetarian. The birth of Frozen Bottle in the 21st century makes it contemporarily rich and well versed with the youth spectrum.  Why Frozen Bottle Franchise Frozen Bottle’s first outlet was in Bangalore and currently this milkshake brand has expanded its branches in more than eleven cities all over India with more than fifty outlets.  The brand is now very keen on spreading out more branches through franchise. The first and foremost reason for ‘Why Frozen Bottle Franchise” is they’re wildly popular among youngsters for its unique factor of thick and very delicious shakes.  The unique way of serving shakes in little glass bottles which the customers can take those bottles home.  Their shakes and desserts are outstandingly delightful and tasty which makes the customers to visit again and again. Frozen Bottle encapsulates happiness, love and they have a volcano of flavors in their dessert bottles and most of its shakes are known to have an out-of-the-world taste.  Most importantly, Frozen Bottle’s shakes have created a lot of buzz among youngsters and also among all its customers. Products of Frozen Bottle Ice Cream Pizza Waffle Sticks Milk Shakes Stone Jars Potential Areas of Expansion Frozen Bottle Franchise current Locations Bangalore Mumbai Chennai Pune Hyderabad Manipal Coimbatore Upcoming Frozen Bottle Franchise in India Gujarat Kerala Benefits of starting a Frozen Bottle franchise in India The Frozen Bottle Company is really planning to expand in more cities in India and currently they have branches and outlets in various cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Manipal and Coimbatore. They still want to expand in more cities like Delhi, Kerala and other major cities in India. Importantly, as this company is in the early stage of expansion, there’s no better option and time to take up the franchise opportunity to shake your hands with Frozen Bottle and start your business. Frozen Bottle Franchise Stability Raw Materials: Key Raw Materials are processed and packaged in individual serving sizes, in state of the art vendor facilities. Recipe SOP: Frozen bottle has developed recipes that have very simple SOP’s and had all the sauces, and some materials have at least 9-14 months of shelf life. Minimum Finalisation at Outlet: Frozen bottle has minimum finalisation at outlet level resulting in standardisation; reduce skill set, low wastage and quick preparation. Turnaround Time: Frozen bottle turnaround time for every shake is not more than 45 seconds. Tie up with leading supplier: Frozen bottle has tied up with leading suppliers for bulk purchases, the supply of the best quality items and favourable commercial terms. Lower Food Costs: Minimal processes needed at each store level resulting lower in wastage Lower Employee Costs & Attrition: Eliminates the need for and dependence on highly skilled staff at each outlet Better Inventory Management: It allows greater visibility and control into the flow of goods from the manufacturer of outlets. Integrated Supply Chains:  More Efficient and better equipped to deal with Geographic and Demand Expansion. Investment and Capex for Frozen Bottle Franchise Model Stand Alone Up to 250 Sq ft Stand Alone Up to 350 Sq ft Stand Alone Up to 500 Sq ft Mall Up to 200 Sq ft Area Requirement Up to 250 Sq Ft Up to 350 Sq Ft Up to 500 Sq Ft Up to 200 Sq Ft Frontage 12 ft + 12 ft + 12 ft + 12 ft + Kitchen Equipment w/o stone Rs.600000 Rs.600000 Rs.600000 Rs.600000 Kitchen Equipment with stone Rs.700000 Rs.700000 Rs.700000 Rs.700000 Interiors with TV & Microwave Rs.1300000 Rs.1550000 Rs.1750000 Rs.1300000 Electrical Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Software & Hardware Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Interiors design & site engineer Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Franchise Fees Rs. 600000 Rs. 600000 Rs. 600000 Rs. 600000 Franchise Fees with Stone Rs. 800000 Rs. 800000 Rs. 800000 Rs. 800000 Opening Marketing Expense Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Signage and graphics Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Rs.100000 Royalty 8% or Rs.40000 8% or Rs.40000 8% or Rs.40000 8% or Rs.40000 Investment without stone Rs.3000000 Rs.3300000 Rs.3600000 Rs.3000000 Total Investment with stone Rs.3300000 Rs.3600000 Rs.3900000 Rs.3300000 FAQs What is Frozen Bottle? Frozen Bottle is a popular Indian dessert chain known for its thick milkshakes, ice creams, waffles, and other desserts.

Dowry is a social evil in society that has caused unimaginable tortures and crimes towards women and polluted the Indian marital system. Dowry is payment made in cash or kind to a bride’s in-laws at the time of her marriage. Today the government has come up with many laws (The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961) and reforms, not only to eradicate the dowry system, but also to uplift the status of the girl child by bringing in many schemes. However, owing to the social nature of this problem, the legislation has failed to produce the desired results in our society. Impact of Dowry System Gender Discrimnation: Due to the dowry system, many a times it has been seen that women are seen as a liability and are often subjected to subjugation and are given second hand treatment may it be in education or other amenities. Affecting Career of Women: The larger context for the practice of dowry is the poor presence of women in the workforce, and their consequent lack of financial independence. The Poorer sections of society who send their daughters out to work and earn some money, to help them save up for her dowry. The regular middle and upper class backgrounds do send their daughters to school, but don’t emphasize career options. Many Women End Up Being Unmarried: An uncountable number of girls in the country, despite being educated and professionally competent, remain endlessly unmarried because their parents cannot fulfil the demand for pre-marriage dowry. Objectification of Women: Contemporary dowry is more like an investment by the bride’s family for plugging into powerful connections and money making opportunities. This renders women as merely articles of commerce. Crime Against Women: In some cases, the dowry system leads to crime against women, ranging from emotional abuse and injury to even deaths. Factors affecting dowry legislation in India Social Factors Since receiving and giving dowry is a criminal act, it already makes the administration of judiciary a challenging job, especially when there is less social support in society related to it. Usually, there exists no one to witness the harassment and unnatural death except the family, and none of them gets ready to give statements because of either involvement or family pressure. Meanwhile, there exist neighbours who either witness or doubts about the dowry harassment or death, but they also do not come in front because of relations and not getting involved in police and all. It is essential to know that many young women can be saved from an unnatural death, harassment and cruelty if they have been offered help on time. In India, there lies a lot of social pressure and due to which many parents ask their daughters to stay with the in-laws despite getting tortured for dowry. If we overcome this social stigma, there is a lot of scope in making India dowry free. Police and enforcement of laws against dowry It is the duty of the police to act as a shield between people and wrongful acts done with them. Police are there to help the general public in whatever way possible. But unfortunately, the image of police is still not very good in the eyes of the general public, and they are scared of them. Also, it is believed that the attitude, practices and perception of police often led to a reduced likelihood of the successful implementation of laws. There are widespread allegations that have been made by the public, such as they reach very late at the crime spot, damaging the evidence in recording the first information reports (FIR), Carrying the investigation in less proper manner and turning dowry deaths into suicides etc. Treating violent against women a regular family affair and being unwilling to register case is a situation that makes such cases result worst. In Bhagwant Singh v. Commr. Of Police Delhi, 1983, Honourable Supreme Court of India held that there is a noticeable difference between the actual incidents of unnatural deaths and the ones that are initiated by the police. The police registers are not maintained and not been produced before the magistrates. Also, the frequent change in investigation officer affects the cases and this lead to a less effective judicial administration to dowry. Of course, things are always heard by both sides. Police have their own set of explanations, including unsatisfactory state of affairs, inadequate evidence due to independent witnesses, and contradictions between the substantial piece of evidence and recorded statements of connected people. In such cases, forensic evidence is most helpful, as it is better if forensic experts are bought to the site of occurrence to see the victim and examine her.  Judiciary In a number of cases, Honourable Supreme Court expressed an anguished view about dowry deaths of young brides. In the case Virbhan Singh v. State of UP, 1983, about increasing dowry deaths in India, the Apex Court held that such evil crimes whenever proved, then stringent punishment must be imposed on the criminals. In a case Samunder Singh v. State of Rajasthan, 1987, the Supreme Court said that anticipatory bail could not be processed in the cases of bride burning and dowry deaths. At trial level only, some dissatisfaction happened by certain court assumptions like a person with 100% burn not fit for dying declaration. If on behalf of harassment victim some other reported matter the matter not reported which creates a lacuna in Indian legal system.    Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 Enacted on 1 May 1961, the Dowry Prohibition Act was implemented to prevent the dowry system from India. Under the Act, giving and receiving dowry is strictly prohibited in the country. A dowry under the ActAct includes goods, property or money given by either party in a marriage, by the parents or any of the party, or anyone else in connection with the marrying parties. It is the first national legislation related to dowry in India. The dowry prohibition act was amended twice in the year 1961. It was done to widen the meaning of the term ‘dowry’ and for enhancing

For Indians, the reverence they have for gold is beyond its market value. Now there are ways to own gold without its inherent risks or bearing making and wastage charges. Sovereign Gold Bonds are one such alternative offered by the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Here, you can own gold in ‘certificate’ format. Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme was launched by Govt in November 2015, under Gold Monetisation Scheme. Under the scheme, the issues are made open for subscription in tranches by RBI in consultation with GOI. RBI Notifies the terms and conditions for the scheme from time to time. The subscription for SGB will be open as per following calendar. The rate of SGB will be declare by RBI before every new tranche by issuing a Press Release. Budget 2024 updates: The indexation benefit on long-term capital gains is not available when SGBs are sold or transferred after 12 months of the purchase date. What is a Sovereign Gold Bond? The Government of India introduced the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) in November 2015 under the Gold Monetisation Scheme to offer an alternative investment to physical gold. Over the years, the market has witnessed a considerable decline in the demand for physical gold. SGBs not only track the export-import value of the asset but also ensures transparency at the same time. SGBs are government securities and are considered safe. Their value is denominated in multiples of grams of gold. SGBs have witnessed a significant increase in investors, with it being considered a substitute for physical gold. If you are looking to purchase an SGB, all you have to do is approach a SEBI-authorised agent or broker. Once you redeem the bond, the corpus (as per the current market value) will be deposited into your registered bank account.  Features of Sovereign Gold Bonds Eligibility Criteria Any Indian resident – individuals, Trusts, HUFs, charitable institutions, and universities – can invest in SGB. You may also invest on behalf of a minor. Issuance of Bonds Only RBI can issue SGBs on behalf of the Central Government, and they are traded on the Stock Exchange. It is issued in multiples of one gram of gold. Investors will receive a Holding Certificate for it. You can also convert it to Demat form. KYC Documentation You must follow the same (KYC) norms as when you buy physical gold. You must complete KYC by submitting copies of identity proof such as a PAN Card and address proof such as a passport, driving license or Voter’s ID card for verification. Capital Gains The interest on Sovereign Gold Bonds is taxable as per the provisions of the IT Act, 1961. In the case of SGB redemption, the capital gains tax applicable to an individual is exempted. Also, long-term capital gains generated are offered indexation benefits to an investor when transferring the bond from one person to another till 23 July 2024. The indexation benefits on capital gains are no longer available for SGBs transferred or sold after 23 July 2024.  Eligibility for SLR If banks have acquired bonds after going through the process of invoking lien, hypothecation or pledging, then they accounted for SLR. The capital a commercial bank has to maintain in gold, cash, and approved securities before offering credit to customers is called Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). Redemption Price The redemption price must be in rupees, based on an average closing price of gold of 999 purity in the previous three working days. Sales Channel The government sells bonds through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), and selected post offices, as may be informed. The trading of SGBs also occurs via recognised stock exchanges (National Stock Exchange of India or Bombay Stock Exchange) directly or through intermediaries. Commission The receiving offices shall levy 1% of the overall subscription amount as commission for the bond distribution. From this commission, they will share at least half with intermediaries (agents or brokers). Sovereign Gold Bond Maturity Period The maturity period of the sovereign gold bond is eight years. However, you can choose to exit the bond from the fifth year (only on interest payout dates).  Sovereign Gold Bond Price History The price history of SGB for FY 2023-24 is as follows: Series Month Price per Gram Series 1 June 2023 Rs. 5,926 Series 2 September 2023 Rs. 5,923  Series 3 December 2023 Rs. 6,199  Series 4 February 2023 Rs. 6,263  The price history of SGB for FY 2022-23 is as follows: Series Month Price per Gram Series 1 June 2022 Rs. 5,041 Series 2 August 2022 Rs. 5,091 Series 3 December 2022 Rs. 5,409 Series 4 March 2023 Rs. 5,611 The price history of SGB for FY 2021-22 is as follows: Series Month Price per Gram Series 1 May 2021 Rs. 4,777 Series 2 May 2021 Rs. 4,842 Series 3 June 2021 Rs. 4,889 Series 4 July 2021 Rs. 4,807 Series 5 August 2021 Rs. 4,790 Series 6 September 2021 Rs. 4,732 Series 7 October 2021 Rs. 4,765 Series 8 November 2021 Rs. 4,791 Series 9 January 2022 Rs. 4,786 Series 10 March 2022 Rs. 5,109 Sovereign Gold Bond Maximum Limit The value of the bonds is assessed in multiples of gram(s) of gold, wherein the basic unit is 1 gram. The minimum initial investment is 1 gram of gold, and the upper limit is 4 Kg of gold per investor (individual and HUF). For entities such as trusts and universities, 20 Kg of gold investment are permissible. Sovereign Gold Bond Maturity Redemption SGB 2016-17 Series I, issued at Rs. 3,119 on 5 August 2016, is up for final redemption in the first week of August 2024. These bonds are expected to receive at least 12% total returns.  Two Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) launched in 2016 have matured in 2024 and come up for final redemption. The SGB 2016 Series I issued on 8 February 2016 matured on 8 February 2024 after completing its 8-year bond period. The issue price of SGB 2016 Series I was Rs. 2,600 per gram, and the final redemption amount is Rs. 6,271 for each SGB unit.  The SGB 2016 Series II matured on 28 March 2024 (since 29 March 2024 is a holiday) after its completion of the