The foreign exchange acquired for any purpose has to be used within 60 days of purchase. In case it is not possible to use the foreign exchange within the period of 60 days it should be surrendered to an authorised dealer.

Under the Scheme, the Reserve Bank permits ADs Category - I , ADs Category - II and FFMCs to enter into agency or franchisee agreements at their option for the purpose of carrying restricted money changing business i.e. conversion of foreign currency notes, coins or travellers' cheques into Indian Rupees.

A franchisee can be any entity which has a place of business and a minimum Net Owned Funds of Rs.10 lakh. Franchisees can undertake only restricted money changing business.

An AD Category-I Bank / AD Category-II / FFMC, as the franchiser, is free to decide on the tenor of the arrangement as also the commission or fee through mutual agreement with the franchisee. The Agency / Franchisee agreement to be entered into should include the following salient features:

1. The franchisees should display the names of their franchisers, exchange rates and that they are authorised only to purchase foreign currency, prominently in their offices. Exchange Rate for conversion of foreign currency into Rupees should be the same or close to the daily exchange rate charged by the AD Category – I Banks / ADs Category - II / FFMC at its branches.

2. The foreign currency purchased by the franchisee should be surrendered only to its franchiser within 7 working days from the date of purchase.

3. The maintenance of proper record of transactions by the franchisee.

4. The on-site inspection of the franchisee by the franchiser should be conducted at least once a year.

Ans. A person resident in India is free to make any payment in Indian Rupees towards meeting expenses, on account of boarding, lodging and services related thereto or travel to and from and within India, of a person resident outside India, who is on a visit to India.

The RBI will allot the bids under the non-competitive segment to the aggregator or facilitator which, in turn, will allocate to the bidders.

The Banking Ombudsman may award compensation not exceeding ₹ 1 lakh (₹ One Hundred Thousand) to the complainant for mental agony and harassment. The Banking Ombudsman will take into account the loss of the complainant's time, expenses incurred by the complainant, harassment and mental anguish suffered by the complainant while passing such award.

This will be notified at the time of announcement of the specific auction for which non competitive bids will be invited.

Savings bank account cannot be opened in the name of Government Department/ Government Scheme, excepting in respect of deposits of Government organizations/agencies listed below: Primary Co-operative Credit Society which is being financed by the bank. Khadi and Village Industries Boards. Agriculture Produce Market Committees. Societies registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 or any other corresponding law in force in State or a Union Territory. Companies governed by the Companies Act, 1956 which have been licensed by the Central Government under Section 25 of the said Act, or under the corresponding provision in the Indian Companies Act, 1913 and permitted, not to add to their names the word "Limited" or the words "Private Limited". Institutions other than those mentioned in clause (i) above and whose entire income is exempt from payment of income tax under Income-Tax Act, 1961. Government departments/bodies/agencies in respect of grants/ subsidies released for implementation of various programmes/ schemes sponsored by Central Government subject to production of an authorisation from the respective Government departments to open savings bank account. Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA). Self-help Groups (SHGs), registered or unregistered, which are engaged in promoting savings habits among their members. Farmers’ Clubs - Vikas Volunteer Vahini - VVV.

Under the automatic route, a company does not require any prior approval from the regulatory authority for setting up a JV/WOS abroad.

Ans : Domestic/offshore institutional investors, specially insurance and pension funds can invest through units and bonds issued by the IDFs.

• Not as of now.

• The work on web-based platform for primary auction is, however, underway and as and when the same is completed, investors will be able use the same for participating in the primary auction of G-Secs including IIBs.