This January newsletter covers categories of updates relating to labour, corporate, environment and industry related laws. The notification of the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023; replacement of the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 by the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023 and the notification of the Offshore Wind Energy Lease Rules, 2023 are some of the important updates covered in this newsletter.

Central / State Labour Laws updates 

Due date for payment of Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund contribution

The last date for payment of contribution is 15th January, 2024 and delay in payment of contributions will attract penal interest and initiation of legal proceedings.

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Corporate Laws updates 

Company penalized for non-disclosure of compliance with POSH Act

In a recent order, the Registrar of Companies, Karnataka penalized a company and its directors / key managerial personnel for non-disclosure of compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

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Company penalized for non-display of name board at the premises

The Registrar of Companies, Karnataka penalized a company for not displaying the name board of company at the premises and not disclosing its telephone number, fax number (if any), e-mail id and website (if any), on its letter head, as prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013.

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Penalty for delay in submission of Form DIR-12

The Registrar of Companies, Madhya Pradesh penalized a company and its officers for delay in filing Form DIR-12 after the expiry of thirty days of appointment of a women director.

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Environment Laws updates

The Water Purification System (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2023

The rules cover the responsibilities of the manufacturer / user of domestic water purification system and commercial water purification system. It will come into force from 10th November, 2024.

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Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023

The Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules replaced the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 with effect from 1st December, 2023.

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Online portal for management of E-Waste – CPCB

An online portal - https://eprewastecpcb.in/ has been developed in accordance with the provisions of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 for producers, manufacturers, recyclers and refurbishers of e-waste.

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Industry Related Laws updates

Civil Aviation (Height Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations) Second Amendment Rules, 2023

The amendment has been made under Rule 9A of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Height Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations) Rules, 2015.

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The Offshore Wind Energy Lease Rules, 2023

The OffshoreWwind Energy Lease Rules have been notified by the Ministry of External Affairs to regulate the leasing mechanism of offshore areas towards development of offshore wind energy projects.

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Introduction of web portals in regional languages - FSSAI

This new advancement is aimed at enhancing the user’s experience for local food businesses and allowing them to easily connect with the FSSAI's online compliance portal i.e., FoSCoS. 

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Reactivation of Auto-Rejected Licensing / Registration Applications - FSSAI

The FSSAI has permitted Food Business Operators (FBOs) to self-reactivate their applications that were auto-rejected due to non-response to the queries of the authority within the stipulated timeline on the FoSCoS portal, subject to conditions prescribed in the Order. 

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Special Economic Zones (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2023

The amended Rules permit demarcation of a non-processing area for a business engaged in Information Technology or Information Technology Enabled Services Special Economic Zone, subject to prescribed conditions.

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Miscellaneous Law updates

Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023

The Guidelines issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns will apply to all platforms, systematically offering goods or services in India, advertisers and sellers.

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Amendment of Carbon Credit Trading Scheme 2023

The Amendment focuses on an offset mechanism to permit non-obligated entities to register projects for accounting greenhouse gases emission reduction or removal or avoidance for issuance of Carbon Credit Certificates.

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Contributors to the newsletter:

• Prasanta Kumar Sahu, Partner
• Rajan Dubey, Associate Partner
• Rashmi Vinod, Consultant
• Sangeetha Sembieyan, Consultant
• Karishma Singh, Associate