FEMA became an act on June 1st, 2000 and is applicable to all parts of India as well as branches and agencies outside India owned by Indian residents. FEMA aims to facilitate external trade and payments while preventing misuse and conserving foreign exchange resources. It replaced the more restrictive FERA as a civil rather than criminal law, though special provisions allow for imprisonment for holding large amounts of foreign exchange illegally. RBI administers and implements FEMA and its rules and regulations which are laid before parliament. FEMA governs foreign exchange transactions, foreign direct investment in India, overseas direct investment by Indians, and penalties for non-compliance.