Sunday, March 12, 2017

National Foundation for Corporate Governance (NFCG)

With the objective of fostering a culture of good governance, the National Foundation for Corporate Governance (NFCG) has accredited forty Seven premier Indian Institutions/Organizations as National Centers for Corporate Governance. These centers conduct seminars, workshops conferences, directors’ orientation programmes etc. for promoting good corporate governance practices and also carry out research work in this field. More than 250 events have been organized and 30 research works completed under the aegis of NFCG, besides publication of compendium on corporate sector and inclusive growth. The research report of the foundation, which include subject such as the role of independent directors, CSR, corporate governance in energy sector, reforms in banking sector etc. have also been hosted on its website for the benefit of the Stakeholders.

The objectives of the National Foundation for Corporate Governance (NFCG) set up in 2003, as per the trust deed, are given as under.

(a)    To provide a platform to deliberate issues relating to good corporate governance as the key to sustainable wealth creation;

(b)   To sensitize corporate leaders on the importance of good corporate governance, self- regulation and directorial responsibilities- statutory, social and environmental;

(c)    To stimulate and to facilitate exchange of experiences and ideas between corporate leaders, policy makers, regulators, law enforcing agencies, non-government organizations and voluntary agencies with a view to developing a framework for corporate governance reforms in the context of liberalization and globalization;

(d)   To provide research, training, practice, building, standard setting, advocacy, rating, monitoring, recognition and related support in the field of corporate governance;

(e)    To provide financial or any other assistance directly or indirectly for activities which seek to promote corporate governance including research and training;

(f)    To develop strategies that enhance value for all stakeholders and ensure long term benefits to the shareholders and the society at large;

(g)   To establish and deepen links with organizations in various parts of the world which promote corporate governance for exchange of ideas and for collaborative actions, projects and programmes;

(h)   To institute national awards and recognitions for excellence in corporate governance and develop a system of corporate governance rating;

(i)     To collaborate and to support, directly or indirectly, the initiative of any individual, group, organization or institution in promoting corporate governance;

(j)     To develop a code of best practices for corporate governance taking into consideration the international examples and to promote its voluntary adoption by the corporate bodies;

(k)   To prepare, print and publish any papers, periodicals or newspapers, books or leaflets either on its own or in collaboration with other persons/ entities through print or other media and to contribute to any papers or periodicals to disseminate information and knowledge in the area of corporate governance;

(l)     To facilitate, promote, commend and collaborate on the proposals from individuals, associations and organizations for funding by national, international and multi- lateral organizations as also industry- associations, regulators and governments;

(m) To provide advice, consultancy and technical and managerial support to the beneficiaries of the Trust’s programmes through a network of advisors drawn from the industry and institutions of excellence; and

(n) Other related objects.

BHIM app

The Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app has been launched on the iOS platform after its successful launch on android platform. On iOS it is currently supporting over 35 banks
and is currently available in Hindi and English BHIM app on iOS also has a limit of Rs 10, 000 per transaction and Rs20, 000 in a day for transfers through the bank account.

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved 'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan' (PMGDISHA) to make 6 crore rural households digitally literate.

PMGDISHA is expected to be one of the largest digital literacy programs in the world. Under the scheme, 25 lakh candidates will be trained in the FY 2016-17; 275 lakh in the FY 2017-18; and 300 lakh in the FY 2018-19. To ensure equitable geographical reach, each of the 250,000 Gram Panchayats would be expected to register an average of 200-300 candidates.

Digital Payment of Salaries

The Lok Sabha has passed the Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017 on 7th Feb 2017, which allows for digital payment of salaries or through cheque. The bill will now go to Rajya Sabha and following its passage in the upper House, the amendments will be notified.

The move will enable employers to pay wages of less than Rs.18,000 a month by cheque or digitally to bank accounts, besides in cash, by doing away with the requirement of employees' written consent for the same.