The Government of India, in a notification dated November 09, 2020, has amended the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. This order brings films and audio-visual programmes made available by online content providers, and news and current affairs content on online platforms, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Source: http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/223032.pdf
The Central Government has notified and published the Patents (2nd Amendment) Rules, 2020 on November 4, 2020 which further amends the Patents Rules, 2003. The scope of amendment extends to changes in Rule 7 and principal rules for Table I of the First Schedule and Rule 24C(5) of the Patents Rules, 2003.
Source: http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/222947.pdf
By way of General Circular No. 30/2020 dated September 28, 2020 the MCA has extended the operation of the Companies Fresh Start Scheme 2020 until December 31, 2020 owing to COVID-19 pandemic related disruptions. The Companies Fresh Start Scheme provides companies a one-time relaxation towards payment of additional fees for defaults in relation to statutory compliances (viz. any belated filings). Additionally, the said scheme, which came into force on April 1, 2020, provides inactive companies an opportunity to pay the normal fee and have their status declared as dormant.
Source: http://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/Circular12_30032020.pdf ; http://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/GeneralCircularNo.30_28092020.pdf
The MCA passed the LLP Settlement Scheme 2020 taking note of the rise in defaults by LLPs in filing their relevant document(s) on March 4, 2020 and therefore providing a one-time relaxation towards payment of additional fees in relation to such default(s). The LLP Settlement Scheme 2020 sought to condone delay in complying with statutorily filing and came into force on March 16, 2020 until June 13, 2020. However, by way of General Circular No. 31/2020 dated September 28, 2020 the MCA has extended the operation of the said scheme until December 31, 2020 owing to COVID-19 pandemic related disruptions.
Source: https://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/GeneralCircular06_04032020.pdf; http://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/GeneralCircularNo.31_28092020.pdf
The Supreme Court has admitted an appeal wherein it will examine whether educational institutions and universities would be subject to Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The appeal was filed by the students of Vinayaka Mission University, Salem against the decision of National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), wherein it was held that educational institutions didn’t impart services, and accordingly were not covered under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.