CIVIL PENALTY FRAMEWORK
Expensive flights, struggling airlines: Why India's airfare crisis has no easy fix for passengers
India's proposed new airfare framework would require airlines to submit fare structures to the DGCA a month in advance, amid festive-season fare spikes of up to 68% on major domestic routes. Rising fuel costs, limited capacity and airline failures complicate efforts to protect passengers from steep price increases.
UK raises illegal work fines to £60,000: Indian gig workers, students and tech firms face stricter right-to-work checks
The UK government has increased the fines for illegal working and made it tougher for gig platforms and subcontractors. This change impacts Indian students, migrant workers, IT companies, and other businesses by enforcing stricter checks on work rights and pushing for more use of digital immigration records. Showing a big shift in immigration policy.
GST Council may scrap arrest provisions, fast-track refunds with 90% automatic payout
The upcoming 57th GST Council meeting on October 7 is set to unveil transformative proposals that could reshape GST regulations. Key suggestions may involve the abolition of arrest clauses related to GST, simplified refund procedures for exporters, and adjustments to the prosecution threshold. Furthermore, small taxpayers could benefit from late fee waivers and quicker registration.
GST 2.0's next move: Council may scrap officers' arrest powers, raise prosecution bar to Rs 5 crore
The GST Council is weighing changes to GST enforcement, including ending officials' arrest powers and shifting to court-ordered arrests. Criminal prosecution may be limited to cases involving more than Rs 5 crore, while routine disputes over GST interpretation could be handled through civil penalties and kept outside criminal courts.
Govt proposes tougher penalties for petroleum offences, decriminalises licence breaches
The Indian government has proposed amendments to the Petroleum Act, aimed at decriminalizing regulatory breaches. Violations of petroleum licence terms may incur civil penalties instead of criminal charges, promoting a more administrative approach. However, serious offences related to public safety will still face criminal prosecution under existing laws. The draft amendments outline significant penalties for various violations, including severe fines and imprisonment.
India to mandate facial scans for airport staff, fast-track full-body scanners after Flydubai incident
India will make facial recognition mandatory for airline and airport employees and expedite full-body scanner deployment at eight major airports as part of tighter aviation security measures. BCAS said airport entry passes will be digitally controlled, while civil aviation officials said scanners have reached three airports and will soon be installed at five more.
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Can you earn rental income by letting out your flat on Airbnb for homestay? What homeowners need to know as similar case sparks protests in a Ghaziabad housing society
If someone is found running a homestay or Airbnb-like service in your society, what can you do? Legally, the society’s first step should be a written notice to the owner, pointing to the specific byelaw being broken and backed by evidence. If the owner still doesn't stop, the RWA's real recourse is a civil suit for an injunction.
From borrowed rules to a bespoke rulebook: Can IFSCA create an international market conduct regime?
The IFSCA announced on August 25, 2026, the implementation of new market abuse regulations, which will replace existing SEBI guidelines for the GIFT-IFSC securities market. These regulations are designed to comprehensively combat insider trading and manipulation, employing international language and a unified coding system. The true measure of their effectiveness will become evident with future enforcement initiatives.
Revised TV, radio rules ease some industry concerns but leave OTT, sports uplinking issues unresolved
The revised draft rules for television, radio and associated services address some industry concerns but leave questions over OTT, FAST and open-internet services unresolved, media executives said. Broadcasters are also examining penalties, authorisation renewal provisions and requirements for temporary live sports uplinking. The ministry has invited comments by October 2.
Two more Air India pilots fail drug test after Phuket-Delhi flight incident
Two more Air India pilots failed preliminary drug tests following a recent incident. Air India mandated psychoactive substance screening for all its pilots after a previous positive test. The captain of the Phuket-Delhi flight claimed prescribed sleeping pills caused his positive result. Over 400 pilots have undergone this new internal safety testing process.
Air India makes psychoactive substance testing mandatory for pilots after Phuket incident
Air India now mandates psychoactive substance testing for all pilots. This new internal measure enhances safety protocols beyond DGCA requirements. Previously, the airline followed DGCA rules for random testing of personnel. The Phuket incident prompted Air India to tighten its internal safety checks.
Centre asks Air India to ‘take responsibility’ after Phuket-Delhi flight scare; orders tighter dope checks: Report
The government has warned Air India to “take responsibility” for safety after the August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight scare and ordered DGCA to tighten aviation personnel’s drug-testing rules. The regulator has been asked to expand mandatory testing and impose tougher penalties for genuine drug violations while allowing more chances in medicine-related positive tests.
Broadcasters wary as TV services face telecom-style rules
New draft rules propose telecom-style regulation for broadcasting services and internet-delivered television. Broadcasters worry about expanded definitions and stringent penalties under the Telecommunications Act. They also object to mandatory public service programming and content code compliance for authorisations. The proposed rules could restrict direct broadcasting through broadcaster apps and websites. These changes come as the sector faces shifting audience preferences and revenue pressures.
Congress calls new FCRA rules 'draconian', seeks rollback
The Congress party has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to retract new Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act rules. These regulations impose stricter controls on NGOs and minority-run bodies, demanding detailed disclosures on activities and spending, with increased penalties. The party criticizes these measures as an attempt to micromanage and financially burden the voluntary sector, urging the government to allow civil society groups to operate freely.
No jail for honking or smoking in metro: How Jan Vishwas Bill 2026 ends imprisonment for everyday violations
The Jan Vishwas Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha. This legislation aims to decriminalize minor offenses across many central laws. It replaces jail terms for small regulatory lapses with fines and warnings. This move promotes ease of doing business and living for citizens and businesses. The bill ensures a graded enforcement approach.
New Labour Code 2025 brings big relief: Faster action on unpaid salary & workplace disputes
New Labour Codes 2025 bring significant changes. Offences punishable by fine only can now be compounded. This allows employers to pay a set amount, avoiding lengthy legal battles. Employees can receive unpaid dues faster. This reform aims for quicker dispute resolution and better compliance, balancing worker and growth needs.
France hits disruptive air passengers with fines up to €20,000 and flight bans
France has implemented strict new rules for unruly passengers on flights. Fines can now reach twenty thousand Euros. Passengers may also face flight bans for up to four years. These measures aim to ensure safety and deter disruptive conduct. The French Civil Aviation Authority will manage a database of incidents.
DGCA took punitive action against AI Express for non-compliance with airworthiness directive: Mohol
The DGCA took punitive measures against Air India Express officials after discovering non-compliance with an EASA airworthiness directive concerning Airbus A320 engines. Penalties included cancellation of the Quality Manager's approval, a warning letter and fine for the Continuing Maintenance Manager, and a substantial penalty for the Accountable Manager.
Parliamentary panel suggests AI-driven stringent airfare regulation mechanism, more teeth to DGCA on pricing
A parliamentary panel suggests an AI-powered system, 'AirPrice Guardian,' to monitor and regulate airfare trends. The proposed framework aims at curbing exorbitant pricing through predictive analytics and introduces 'Airfare Vigil' app for citizens to report fare anomalies. The panel also recommends empowering the DGCA with quasi-judicial authority to enforce penalties on exploitative practices.
Singapore central bank fines JPMorgan $1.8 mln over misconduct by relationship managers
Singapore's central bank fined JPMorgan Chase S$2.4 million for failing to prevent and detect misconduct by its relationship managers, who provided inaccurate information to clients over 24 bond transactions, charging them more than the agreed rates. JPMorgan admitted liability, refunded overcharged fees, and improved its controls and processes.
DPIIT working on 100 rules to decriminalise minor offences
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is working on about 100 rules and laws to decriminalise minor offenses, promoting ease of doing business. This initiative is part of the second edition of the Jan Vishwas bill, which aims to modernize India's regulatory framework by reducing criminal provisions across various departments.
Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024: Building the runway to aviation growth
The Bill significantly amplifies the powers of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), making it the primary regulatory authority in the Indian aviation sector. The DGCA will have increased jurisdiction over various aspects of civil aviation, including aircraft design, manufacturing, maintenance, operations & airworthiness.
ET Explainer: How complaints will be dealt with under Telecommunications Act
The Telecommunications Act 2023 introduces an enhanced online grievance redressal system to expedite dispute resolution between telecom companies and consumers. Here’s an ET Explainer on the key players and how the grievance redressal system will work.
Decriminalisation of Companies Act: Decoding the COVID economic relief
Historically, corporate India has suffered the rigours of a strict penal regime for violations and non-compliances under the erstwhile Companies Act, 1956, a...
Government has proposed amendments to companies law, says Finance Minister in Budget speech
The corporate affairs ministry, which is also helmed by Sitharaman, would be seeking amendments to the Companies Act, 2013, to decriminalise various offences following recommendations from a high level committee last year.
Decriminalise 46 more offences under cos law, says panel report
The committee has suggested amendments to 46 penal provisions, "so as to either remove criminality, or to restrict the punishment to only fine, or to allow rectification of defaults through alternative methods", an official release said. The proposals are aimed at further de-clogging of the criminal justice system in the country.
Report on CSR violation being fast-tracked
The panel - headed by corporate affairs secretary Injeti Srinivas has suggested that the government classify offences under CSR provisions as civil breaches, attracting monetary fines.
Government extends timeline for comments on data privacy till January 31
SC in a judgement on August 24, 2017 declared right to privacy a fundamental right, a far-reaching verdict that could impact a range of life choices of Indians, including food habits and sexual orientation.
Link fine to company's global turnover for data breach: Panel
Among various options to calculate penalty, the panel has provisionally suggested that the "highest form of deterrence in relation to civil penalties may be where a per day civil penalty is imposed.
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