Centre eases intercorporate investment norms, trims debt-equity cap on buyback
The cabinet on Wednesday removed several restrictions put on the ability of corporates to make either loans or investments in other companies, including their own subsidiaries. Minor changes have also been made in the provisions relating to buyback of shares by corporates.

RBI set to tighten bank disclosure norms
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is tightening disclosure norms on the lines of the Narasimham committee recommendations. Banks are being forced to disclose the maturity pattern of loans and advances, investment securities, deposits and borrowings.

Government tables patents amendment bill
The government introduced the Patents (Amendment) Bill, 1998, in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The Bill seeks to grant exclusive marketing rights (EMRs) in the fields of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals.

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