What has changed from October 1?
Physical copies of DL and RC not required
Vehicle owners can now drive with only a valid soft copy of driving license and registration certificate. An information technology portal is being set up to digitise documents including driving licenses and e-challans. Vehicular documents can be maintained on online portals like Digi-Locker or mParivahan.
Drivers can use mobile phones for navigation
In an amendment made to the Motor Vehicles Rules, drivers can now use their mobiles for route navigation in a manner that it doesn't disturb their concentration
No free LPG connection
The process of getting a gas connection for free, under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), has ended. The Union cabinet had approved an extension till end-September for availing free cooking gas cylinders under PMUY
RBI's new credit and debit card rules
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued new guidelines to secure debit and credit cards. Card users will now be able to register opt-in or opt-out of services, spend limits, etc. for international transactions, online transactions as well as contactless card transactions
5% tax will be levied on foreign fund transfer
Any amount sent abroad to buy foreign tour packages, and every other foreign remittance made above 7 lakh will attract TCS unless tax is already deducted at source. The same tax rate, of 5%, will be enforced across both segments
New health insurance rules
Changes in health insurance cover may cause a rise in the prices for premium health services. While COVID-19 has now been included in the plans, 17 chronic illnesses will not be covered under the new rules
Sweets sellers will need to display 'best before date'
Sweets shops will now have to declare the best before date of non-packaged or loose sweets, under guidelines set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
Television sets likely to be costlier
Open cell panels will now attract a 5% import duty. The government is keen to expand domestic production capacity for open cell panels so that imports can be curbed, as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative
Blending of mustard oil with other cooking oils banned
Blending of mustard oil with any other edible oil has been banned by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
New Tax Collected at Source (TCS) regime
The new TCS provision requires an e-commerce operator to deduct 1% tax on sale of goods and services. The Finance Act 2020 widens the scope of TCS provisions to cover the sale of goods, sale of overseas tour packages and overseas remittance of funds under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme