writingonblog uncensored: Highlights of Union Budget 2013-14:

writingonblog uncensored: Highlights of Union Budget 2013-14:: Miscellaneous     For housing loans limit till Rs 25 lakh – additional Rs 1 lakh exemption for 2013-14 for first time loan takers     Dive...

Highlights of Union Budget 2013-14:

Miscellaneous

    For housing loans limit till Rs 25 lakh – additional Rs 1 lakh exemption for 2013-14 for first time loan takers

    Divestment target of Rs 40,000 crore

    Rs 50,000 cr tax free bonds to be allowed by select institutes

    Inflation indexed Bonds and NSCs to be issued

    SMEs to enjoy benefits for 3 years after they outgrow category

    Fiscal deficit contained at 5.2%; target set at 4.8%

    Direct benefit transfer scheme – 11 lakh have received benefits directly to bank accounts

    Revenue deficit estimated at 3.3%

    Seek same support of everybody to navigate the Indian economy through crisis

    Global economy has slowed from 3.9% to 3.2%

    Not unaffected what happens in the world

    Current year CSO has estimated growth at 5% and RBI at 5.5% - below India's potential growth rate of 8%

    No reason for gloom or pessimism

    Only China and Indonesia are growing faster than India

    In 2013-14 only China will grow faster than India

    Indian economy growing below potential of 8%

    Goal of higher growth leading to inclusive and sustainable growth

    Plurality and diversity lead to inequitable distribution which needs to be addressed

    Women, SCs/STs and other backwards need to be included

    Need to create economic space and achieve socio-economic objective

    New Fiscal Consolidation measures undertaken to achieve 5.3%

    Current Account Deficit major worry

    CAD due to higher coal, oil and gold imports

    We have to find 75 bn dollar to finance current account deficit

    No solution but FDI, FII, ECB to bridge CAD

    Achieving high growth is not a novelty and beyond our capacity

    Without growth there will be no development and inclusiveness

    UPA govt believes in inclusive development with emphasis on improving human development index

    At present economic space is constrained

    India doesn’t have the choice between welcoming and spurning foreign investment

    Development must be sustainable and must have democratic legitimacy

    The battle against inflation must be fought on all fronts

    Our battle has brought down headline inflation to 7% and core inflation to 4%

    Wisdom lies in finding current level of govt expenditure

    Faced with huge fiscal deficit no choice but rationalise expenditure

    We have retrieved some economic space

    Sufficient funds to each ministry and departments

    One overarching goal of the budget is to create opportunities for youth

    Estimated expenditure Rs 1490925 lakh cr; Revised Rs 1430825 lakh cr

    Planned expenditure will be 29.4% more than previous; all projects to be fully funded

    Onus on ministries to completely projects in timely manner

    Rs 41561 cr for SC sub plan

    Rs 24500 cr to ST sub plan

    The funds for sub plan cannot be diverted

    Rs 77236 cr for child budget

    Rs 200 cr for gender equality

    Maulana Azad education foundation corpus gets Rs 160 cr more

    Rs 110 cr for dept of disable welfare

    Rs 37330 cr to ministry of health and family welfare out of which new national health mission to get Rs 21239 cr

    Rs 4727 cr for medical education, training

    Rs 1069 cr to department of ayush

    Rs 1650 cr to AIIMS like institutions

    Rs 65867 cr to HRD ministry

    Rs 27258 cr for Sarva Siksha Abhiyan

    Rs 3983 cr for Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan

    Rs 13215 cr for mid-day meal scheme

    Rs 17700 cr for children care and education

    Rs 15260 cr for clean drinking water

    Rs 1400 cr for water purification/ clean arsenic

    Rs 80195 cr for MNREGA, Indira Awas Yojna, NREGS

    PMGSY II to benefit states like Haryana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka

    Rs 14800 cr for JNNURM

    Foodgrains production will be 250 mn tonne

    Earned Rs 138403 cr due to agri exports

    Rs 27049 cr for agri ministry

    New scheme for rural road development

    Rs 500 cr for crop diversification

    The avg growth of agri was 3.6%

    Agriculture to get over Rs 3000 cr

    Green Revolution in eastern India has been a remarkable success – Rs 1000 cr to these states

    Original Green Revolution states to get Rs 500 cr for crop diversification

    Watershed management to get Rs 5387 cr

    Rs 7 lakh agri credit target

    National Institute of Biotic Stress Management for addressing plant protection at Raipur, Chhattisgarh

    National Livestock Mission to be launched in 2014 for which Rs 307 cr allocated

    National biotech centre at Ranchi

    National food security bill gets Rs 10000 cr towards incremental cost

    Rs 50 cr for FPOs

    Equity grants of Rs 10 lak per FPO

    Rs 1000 cr for eastern Indian states

    Rs 55 lakh cr needed for infra including private funds

    Infra Debt Funds will be encouraged; 4 already floated

    Rs 25,000 cr raised by institutions as tax free bonds in 2012-13

    WB help to be taken for NE states to be connected with Myanmar

    Godowns to be constructed with help of panchayats

    USD 1 trillion investment in infrastructure

    47% of the cost will be shared by private sector

    Infrastructure debt funds will be encouraged

    4 IDFs have been registered with SEBI

    To allow some institutions to raise money through tax free bonds to the total of Rs 50000 cr

    Rs 5000 cr for construction of warehouses

    Regulatory Authority to oversee road projects

    Zero CD for semi conductors/ electronics

    First time Rs 12 lakh income limit increased from Rs 10 lakh for MF s

    Rajiv Gandhi Equity scheme raised Rs 2 lakh cr

    Rs 5000 cr to NABARD to finance construction of warehouses, silos, cold storages

    New regulatory authority for road sector

    3000 km of road projects in some states will be awarded in first 6 months of 2013-14

    Cabinet committee on investment to take up more projects

    FM to approve Rs 50,000 cr tax-free bonds in FY14; moving on to infra, he says CCI is the answer to all policy hurdles

    New instrument to save savings from inflation called as Inflation Index Bonds details of which will announced in due course

    Seven new cities on Delhi-Mumbai corridor

    Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor to be developed

    Preparatory work has started for Bengaluru Mumbai Industrial Corridor

    Two new ports - in Sagar in WB and one in AP

    New outer harbour at Tuticorin through PPP

    5 inland waterways have been declared as national waterways, one more announced in Assam

    Natural gas pricing policy would be reviewed

    5 MMTPA terminals will be fully operational

    Non-tax benefits to be made available to MSMEs after they graduate to higher units

    Textile tech upgradation to get Rs 2400 cr

    Handloom workers to get working capital at concessional rates

    SIDBI gets Rs 500 cr

    Standing council of experts in ministry finance to analyse competitiveness of Indian financial sector

    13 PSU banks to get Rs 14000 cr in 2013-14 as capital infusion

    All cooperative banks to be brought under CBS

    All PSU banks to have ATMS at their premises

    India’s first women bank as a PSU bank with Rs 1000 cr as initial capital

    New fund for urban housing to get Rs 2000 cr

    All towns with a population of 10000 or more will have a branch of LIC and one general insurance company

    Group insurance schemes to be available for teachers, nurses

    RSBY to be extended to rickshaw, autorickshaw, sanitation and mine workers

    Rs 50 cr for textile ministry for apparel park

    Rs 6000 cr for Rural Housing Fund

    SEBI Act amendment under consideration

    Investor with stake less than 10% will be taken as FII; more than that it will be taken as FDI

    New scheme to encourage waste to energy projects

    Clean and green energy is a priority

    KYC of banks sufficient for insurance

    Debt segment to be set up in Exchange

    Rs 800 cr for Ministry of Non Renewable Energy

    Hope Insurance and Pension Bills are passed soon

    Rs 6000cr for Rural Housing Fund

    Banks can act as insurance brokers

    Defense expenditure at Rs 2 lakh cr appx

    Rs 6275 cr for science and tech ministry

    Rs 5580 cr for dept for atomic energy

    Rs 100 cr each to AMU, BHU, Tata Institute of Social Sciences Guwahati, INTACH

    National Institute of Sports Coaching in Patiala

    Rs 532 cr for post offices to undertake banking activities

    Rs 5880 cr to DAE

    Over 800 FM channels will be auctioned

    Gadar memorial in San Francisco to be upgraded

    Donations to academic institutions and R&D to be treated as CSR

    Mutual Fund distributors can now become members of Stock Exchange

    Nirbhaya Fund for women’s security at Rs 1000 cr

    Insurance, Provident Funds can trade directly in debt segments of stock exchanges

  


 Personal Tax

    No changes in personal Income Tax slabs or rates

    Surcharge on super rich

    Surcharge of 10% for income of Rs 1 cr or more per annum for one year

    10% surcharge to be applicable for individuals, HUFs, firms and entities with similar tax status

    Surcharge increased from 5% to 10% on domestic companies whose taxable income exceeds Rs 10 crore per year

    1% TDS for property sale worth more than Rs 50 lakh; agri land exempt

    Tax credit of Rs 2000 on incomes between Rs2-5 lakh

    5.5% tax to GDP ratio for direct tax

    4.5% tax to GDP ratio for indirect tax

    Tax administration reform commission to be set up to strengthen the system

    Our tax to GDP ratio is very low

    Should reclaim 11.9% Tax-GDP ratio in short-term

    There are 42,800 persons in the country who admitted to a taxable income exceeding Rs 1 cr per year

    Donations to National Children's Fund will be eligible for 100% tax deduction

    Long-term infra bonds also eligible for tax deduction; additional Rs 1 lakh deduction for home loans

    TDS on value of immovable property as transaction on immovable properties are usually undervalued

    Extends tax cuts benefits to Rupee Infrastructure Funds

    Educational Cess to continue at 3 %

    Securitization Trust income to be exempt

    Tax on royalty and fees for technical services to NRIs increased from 10 percent to 25 percent.

    Permissible premium rate of life insurance policies increased from 10% to 15% for persons with disability and certain ailments

    Contributions to schemes of Central and state govts similar to Central Government Health Scheme, eligible for exemption under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act

    Corporate Tax

    CTT on non-commodities futures at 0.1%

    Surcharge on DDT doubled to 10%

    A final withholding tax at the rate of 20 percent on profits distributed by unlisted companies to shareholders through buyback of shares

    Indirect Taxes

    No change in peak rate for CD non-agri products

    Eco friendly concessions to be prolonged till 2015

    Leather and goods duty reduced to 5%

    Luxury cars import duty at 100%

    Yachts duty at 25%

    Luxury motorcycle duty at 75%

    No change in customs duty of 10%

    No change in excise duty or service tax

    Precious, semi-precious duty reduced

    Luxury motor vehicles to be taxed more

    Baggage rules to permit bringing jewellery duty free limit raised to Rs 50000 for males and Rs 1 lakh for females

    Tax on SUVs increased from 27% to 30%; taxis exempt

    Excise duty on set top box increased

    6% duty on mobiles costing more than Rs 2000

    Excise on service tax on all air-conditioned restaurants

    Handmade carpets exempt for excise duty

    Increase in excise duty on cigarettes by 18%

    Excise on readymade garments reduced

    Excise on Service Tax defaulters from 1-10-2007 can submit tax without being penalised or interest charged

    Advocates need for GST


  

writingonblog uncensored: Second edition of Vision 2023 document ready

writingonblog uncensored: Second edition of Vision 2023 document ready: C Shivakumar Chennai: The second edition of Vision 2023 document has been prepared and would be announced by the stat...

Second edition of Vision 2023 document ready

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The second edition of Vision 2023 document has been prepared and would be announced by the state government soon, according to one of the brains behind the document.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Vision Tamil Nadu: Sustainable Infrastructure Development organized by Confederation of Indian Industry, managing director of ICRA Management Consulting Services Raghutamma Rao told Express on Tuesday that the second edition of Vision 2023 would be focusing on 300 projects.

He said the second document would focus on detailed sector reports besides project profiles. It will be a detailed roadmap which will delve on each sector where investment will be channelised to help realize state achieve the Numero Uno position in next 10 years. Interestingly, the government is also going to prepare the third and final document of Vision 2023. This would focus on implementation roadmap.

“These include the kind of reforms needed, how to attract foreign direct investment and others etc,” he added.

He said the government has already formed Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board, which would monitor the projects under the second vision document. The government has proposed to invest Rs 15 lakh crore to realize Vision 2023 formulated by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Rao said that the government would be taking up 25-30 projects in education sector under the Phase II of Vision 2023. He said the government is well financially to realize the dream.

Interestingly, the Vision document addresses the inter-play amongst three key components of development, namely -- What should be the long term growth objectives of Tamil Nadu?;What are the inputs required in terms of infrastructure, investments and policies?; and what should be the targeted output mix in terms of economic income, sectoral composition and pace of growth besides looking at how should the benefits be distributed in society and what should be the balance between development and environment.

Earlier delivering the special address, Rao said that the state is focusing on achieving a growth of 22 to 23 per cent in manufacturing growth which is essential to absorb the excessive labour, including the migrants from other states.

The official said the document would also have a special focus on the farm sector, helping farmers partner with industry in increasing the yield of their land.

Former chairman of ICICI bank Narayanan Vaghul hailed the Vision 2023 document. He said the Vision 2023 could be realized through efficient action and ability to execute it. These include speedy clearances of land, getting adequate raw materials and a bureaucracy free from red tape, he added.

He said India has been harping on development of infrastructure since the new economic policy was announced. “Still after two decades, we have not been able to develop our infrastructure. India has everything from finances to skilled manpower but red tape thwarts the nation’s development,” he added.

Sangeeta Prasad, convenor of Physical Infrastructure Panel CII Tamil Nadu and chief executive officer of Mahindra World City Developers also spoke during the occasion.

writingonblog uncensored: UNIDO project brings in new lease of life to 140 S...

writingonblog uncensored: UNIDO project brings in new lease of life to 140 S...: Chennai: One hundred and forty small and medium enterprises in the state and city benefited from the 3.5 million euros from United...

UNIDO project brings in new lease of life to 140 SME units

Chennai:

One hundred and forty small and medium enterprises in the state and city benefited from the 3.5 million euros from United Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) consolidated project for SME Development in India.

UNIDO cluster development senior expert for Consolidated Project for SME Development in India Hemant Verma said the project, which is promoted by Italian and Indian governments and implemented by UNIDO focused on skill upgradation and business development through capacity building and bringing in international best practices besides technology upgradation through developing readiness for collaborative and investment opportunities besides financial self reliance through innovative cooperative mechanism based on mutuality.

Verma said the project initially targeted units in footwear and leather clusters in Ambur, Ranipet and Vaniambadi besides auto components sector  in Ambattur.

He said during the project implementation it was realized that MSMEs in the clusters need support in upgrading their social and environmental performance to help them get increasing attention not only in domestic market but in the overseas buyer community as well. As a result, the consolidated project added Social Aspects component to address issues pertaining to environmental performance, occupational health and safety and various social compliances concerning women employee and child labour etc.

He said Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers and Exporters Association (IFLMEA), Indian Shoe Federation (ISF) and Ambattur Estate manufacturers Association (AIEMA) were identified as partner associations in the respective clusters of leather, footwear and auto component.

writingonblog uncensored: Industry seeks tax cuts

writingonblog uncensored: Industry seeks tax cuts: Chennai: Tax cuts, increased infrastructure spending in urban areas and concessional excise duties for small cars are some of t...

Industry seeks tax cuts

Chennai:

Tax cuts, increased infrastructure spending in urban areas and concessional excise duties for small cars are some of the expectations of the city-based traders, auto manufacturers and real estate developers from Union budget. 

The real estate sector in the city feels the Union budget should focus on increased infrastructure spending in the urban areas in order to unlock the value of neglected and hidden land assets in these areas.

T Chitty Babu, chief executive officer of Akshaya Pvt, Ltd said this would enable more holistic growth for the real estate markets in our over-burdened metros and allow the demand for housing to spread over a larger canvas.

He also said that more tax benefits on housing loans would benefit the sector.  

He also said that the budget should reduce high cost of borrowing. “Currently interest rates charged by the banks to developers and home buyers are high and need to be brought down. A reduction in the base rate is necessary to help banks lower their lending rates,” he added.

He also said the budget must consider the fact that the Indian real estate sector generates countless jobs across its various verticals. “By granting it industry status, the government would enable the sector to access debt lending at better interest rates and reduced collateral values,” he added.   

 He said the budget should make provisions for subsidized construction materials for low-to-mid-income housing, and rationalized license fees and other government levies.

 “One of the key concerns the real estate sector has been facing is the inordinate delay in sanction of approvals. Provision of single-window clearance for real estate development projects is the need of the hour,” he added.

R Sethuraman, director-finance and corporate affairs, Hyundai Motor India Ltd said that the government should provide concessional excise duty structure to small cars. He said the excise duty on small cars needs to be reduced to 10 per cent besides reduction in duty structure for big cars to 24 per cent against the current rate of 29 per cent.

He also said that the government has recently announced an increase of diesel price by 50 paise per month to bring down the price difference between petrol and diesel. “Some talks are going on to impose specific duty on diesel cars. This will be double whammy for the consumers and will affect the passenger car industry badly. Diesel cars now come with most advanced technologies and are fuel efficient & environment friendly. The consumption of diesel by passenger cars is miniscule (just one per cent of the total consumption). Hence, in the interest of the industry, the government should not impose additional duty on diesel cars,” he added.

Tamil Nadu Vanikar Sangankalin Peramaippu president A M Vikkramraja said he wanted the tax free income to be raised from rs two lakh to Rs five lakh. He also demanded the service tax which is now 12.8 per cent be reduced to five per cent. He also said that the taxes on essential commodities should be abolished. He also called for a single point tax instead of value added tax which is levied at multiple points. He also opposed the implementation of Goods and Service Tax.

writingonblog uncensored: Industry cheers and jeers for rail budget

writingonblog uncensored: Industry cheers and jeers for rail budget: Chennai: There was a mixed reaction to the railway budget as industry and traders hit out at hike in freight charges while welcoming the bu...

Industry cheers and jeers for rail budget

Chennai:

There was a mixed reaction to the railway budget as industry and traders hit out at hike in freight charges while welcoming the budget announcements of a rail link from Gunduvancheri to Sriperumbudur industrial area and port connectivity between Karaikal and Peralam.



The industry also pointed out that some of the announcements were unrealistic especially the announcement of introducing 100 plus new trains while the railways has yet to complete the numerous projects announced during the last four years.



M Rafeeque Ahmed, president, Federation of Indian Export Organistions (FIEO) stated that an increase in freight rates up to five per cent and the possibility of imminent hike in freight due to increase in fuel costs as per the dynamic freight policy announced would add  on to the cost of inputs or business at a time when there is a general slow-down in the economy with GDP levels plunging to a decade low of 5 per cent. This may also add to inflation, a prime concern for the government, he added.



Tamil Nadu Vanikar Sangankalin Peramaippu president A M Vikkramraja demanded the rollback of freight charges which was hiked by nearly six per cent across the board. “This would result in inflation and rise prices of essential commodities,” he said.



Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry secretary general K Saraswathi said that the proposal of introducing hundred plus new trains in the backdrop of the current punctuality of the railways being around 60 per cent is a matter of concern.



She said the railway minister could have allocated the scarce resources towards completing the numerous projects announced in the last four years. She said this has escaped the minister’s attention.



Saraswathi said that the announcement of fifth and sixth railway line between Chennai Central and Basin Bridge and rail link connecting Gunduvancheri to Sriperumbudur industrial area besides port connectivity between Karaikal and Peralam, a long pending demand, was a welcome step.



She also welcomed the concept of freight surcharge but wished it was extended to passengers as well. “Cross subsidization ultimately results in higher charges payable by common man and this anomaly needs urgent remedy,” she added.



R Subramanian, president of Hindustan Chamber of Commerce said the budget was a lacklusture one. However, he hailed the budget announcement of setting up a new “Railway Energy Management Co’, to tap solar energy to use for 1000 level crossing.



He said the budget aims at stabilizing its own financial position and gradual progress to technology, long-term safety and to improve passenger amenities.



R Sethuraman, director-finance and corporate affairs, Hyundai Motor India said that the dynamic fuel surcharge (Fuel Adjustment Component) proposed in railway budget will result in a freight change twice a year.

“Rail transportation of cars will therefore become progressively more expensive as we are likely to see an upward revision in diesel prices,” he added.

Confederation of Indian Industry and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry have welcomed the budget. The emphasis of the railway minister on financial viability and fiscal discipline of railways is reassuring and a welcome direction. Financial discipline, safety and passenger amenities are inherent to the health and the minister has paid due attention to each”, said Chandrajit Banerjee, director general of CII. With fuel prices getting deregulated, linking of freight rates to increase in diesel prices is the correct direction to take and CII commends the Government for taking this step, he added. FICCI said that the key to moving forward would be execution of the projects announced by the railway minister in his budget speech. This year’s rail budget reflects the difficult economic scenario and contains several proposals which, if implemented, would set a growth multiplier in motion.


“Even though the record of PPP in railways has been far from encouraging so far, it is imperative that greater private investments are infused into this sector. In order to realize the target of Rupees 1 lakh crore through PPP route during the 12th Five Year Plan, it is necessary that specific project-wise targets be set up and monitored,” FICCI added.

writingonblog uncensored: Work on Japanese satellite township to be complete...

writingonblog uncensored: Work on Japanese satellite township to be complete...: C Shivakumar Chennai: The Rs 3,500 crore Japanese industrial township near Chennai would be completed by 2014, according to director...

Work on Japanese satellite township to be completed by 2014

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The Rs 3,500 crore Japanese industrial township near Chennai would be completed by 2014, according to director general of Japan External Trade Organisation Shinya Fuji.

Fuji told Express on the sideline of a seminar on ‘Tamil Nadu – A Potential Investment Location for Automotive Related Industry’ organized by Confederation of Indian Industry here on Tuesday that almost 1,500 acres of land in the Old Mahabalipuram Road has been acquired for Omega Satellite township project. “We are short of few acres of land and hope it would be acquired soon,” he added.

He said work on the satellite industrial township would begin once it gets Environment Inpact Assessment clearance from the government.

He said work is also on to provide infrastructure facilities for the township. He said the newly opened Nemelli desalination plant would provide 20 MLD of water to Japanese township.

The agreement to set up the township was signed between Tamil Nadu industrial investment facilitating agency, the Guidance Bureau, Ascendas and a Japan consortium comprising Mizuho Corporate Bank, JGC Corporation, a programme management contractor and investment partner. 

Interestingly, this also comes in the wake of more and more Japanese companies vying to invest in the state particularly Chennai as it gives the Japanese firms access to port.

The growth of automobile sector in Chennai has also been one of the prime factors which has forced many global firms to target Chennai. Interestingly, Japan has been keen to have a share in the growth of automobile sector in Chennai. This could also be seen in the keenness of 55-member delegation of small and medium enterprises in Japan from 46 automobile industries vying to understand the business requirements in Chennai.

Soichi Yoshimura of JETRO told reporters that the focus is to create investment environment suitable for Japanese SMEs in Chennai and also across the country. Interestingly, Japanese Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) director of Financial Cooperation Division Masashi Iwanaga is expected to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for third round of talks on continued cultural cooperation with Tamil Nadu. He also vowed Japanese help in developing the infrastructure of the state.

M Velmurugan, executive vice chairman of State Guidance Bureau wooed the Japanese SMEs to invest in Tamil Nadu stating that many global auto majors have set up plants in Chennai. He said BMW is planning to set up its third plant in Chennai and Hyundai is planning to set up a third plant in the city. He said in the next four to five years Chennai will become the world’s largest auto corridor.

Joseph Ravi, state additional director of directorate of industries and commerce and  L Ganesh, former chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry and chairman of Rane Group also spoke on the occasion

writingonblog uncensored: Vodafone unveils strategy to drive growth in wirel...

writingonblog uncensored: Vodafone unveils strategy to drive growth in wirel...: Chennai: Vodafone Business Services (VBS), the enterprise arm of Vodafone India, on Tuesday unveiled its strategy to drive growth thr...

Vodafone unveils strategy to drive growth in wireline services

Chennai: Vodafone Business Services (VBS), the enterprise arm of Vodafone India, on Tuesday unveiled its strategy to drive growth through a strong foray in wireline services.

With the introduction of a suite of offerings for businesses, in the wireline space, VBS is all set to move beyond mobility solutions. VBS is targeting approximately 20 per cent of its enterprise revenue coming from wireline services over the next five years.

Vodafone, despite being the latest entrant in the wireline space, has with effective benchmarking deployed state-of-the-art tools and technologies to manage their offerings.

Vodafone’s wireline services are backed by a robust network infrastructure, comprising of 120,000 km of strong fibre backbone, over 350 PoPs across 130 cities and an ISO 27001 certified Network Operations Centre (NOC) for 24x7 performance management. This robust network provides enterprises high-speed and secure links between its offices across geographies (India and overseas) and respond to customers in the evolving paradigm of digital communication.

Speaking to the media, Naveen Chopra, Director - Vodafone Business Services said, “Having built a robust infrastructure over the last three years, we are now looking at wireline services as a key revenue driver for Vodafone Business Services. With our suite of offerings in this space, we are now a total communication services provider in the true sense. This is going to be one of our strategic priorities at VBS and we are expecting that it will contribute over 20 per cent towards our enterprise revenues over the next five years.”

The wireline services suite is a part of the total communication solutions, over and above the mobility and M2M services. This bouquet of integrated wireline services for businesses will ensure uninterrupted and secured communication and will especially empower Indian enterprises to keep pace with the evolution in digital communication.

Some of the key services offered by VBS under wireline umbrella include Private Leased Circuits (National and International), MPLS based Virtual Private Network (VPN), Internet Leased Lines, Office Wireline Voice, Toll Free Services, Audio and Video conferencing Services.

Jaya urged to intervene in Gail row

Chennai:

Chemical Industries Association has urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to help resolve the row over Gas Authority of India Limited’s (Gail) liquefied natural gas project in the state by calling a meeting of Gail authorities and local farmers.

In an appeal to the chief minister, the secretary of Chemical Industries Association N S Venkataraman said that the delay in GAIL’s LNG pipeline project in the state is a cause for concern but at the same time the farmers should be heard and their misgivings should be allayed to ensure smooth completion of the pipeline project at the earliest.

He said the farmers are not against the project but are opposing the move to lay the pipeline through the farmlands. “GAIL has obliged to farmers of Kerala by laying the pipeline along the 30 km stretch of National Highways after they protested against the GAIL move to have the pipeline pass through their field. The farmers want similar measures should be taken in Tamil Nadu,” the association said.

The association said that GAIL authorities have failed to anticipate such issues while designing the pipeline route earlier and their lack of planning is glaring, Venkataraman added.

“While GAIL claims that all steps have been taken to ensure the safety of pipeline, the apprehensions of the farming community have not been allayed about the long term impact on their livelihood,” he added.

The 310 km GAIL pipeline between Kochi and Bangalore runs through Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts. The pipeline is expected to pass through around 136 villages in seven districts in Tamil Nadu. “The project can promote economic and industrial growth in a substantial way in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka by facilitating investment in several natural gas based projects, using natural gas both as feedstock for downstream industries and as fuel for much needed power projects,” he adde

writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu govt backs Vandalur-Ennore Port rail l...

writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu govt backs Vandalur-Ennore Port rail l...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Tamil Nadu government has urged Ennore Port to examine connecting the port to southern Tamil Nadu through th...

Tamil Nadu govt backs Vandalur-Ennore Port rail link

C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu government has urged Ennore Port to examine connecting the port to southern Tamil Nadu through the existing southern railway line at Vandalur which would benefit the entire state.
Sources told Express that a high level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary was held on February 12, which discussed Ennore Port’s proposal to use 22-metre strip of land across the Outer Ring Road for rail link between Ennore Port and Nemilichery. During the meeting the state has also asked Ennore Port to examine the feasibility of forming two tracks that should facilitate passenger and goods traffic.
The state government felt that Ennore Port has only proposed to provide rail linkages from Nandiambakkam to Avadi and they should also examine connecting the port to southern Tamil Nadu through the existing southern railway line of Vandalur.
Interestingly, Ennore Port has put forth in its proposal that the rail route would provide connectivity between Ennore and Mumbai, Bangalore and the rest of the state. It further stated that the rail link has potential to connect the industrial hub of Sriperumbudur and Oragadam.
The proposal by Ennore Port comes as it plans to expand its cargo capacity from 30 million tonnes to 66 million tonnes per annum.
The Outer Ring Road was evolved as part of the recommendations of first master plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area to relieve the traffic congestion in the city by connecting the national highway in Chennai Metropolitan Area. The 62.3 km long outer ring road connects NH 45 (GST Road) at Vandalur, NH 4 (GWT Road) at Nazarathpet, NH 205 (CTH Road) at Nemilicherry(Thiruninravur), NH 5 (GNT Road) at Nallur and TPP road at Minjur.

Sources said during the meeting it was also discussed that if the land reserved for rail system put into use for freight traffic will affect the passenger transit. Following which Ennore Port was asked to examine the feasibility of forming two tracks, which should facilitate passenger and goods traffic.

Box:

--  After Ennore Port Limited (EPL) Board’s in principle approval, EPL forwarded the proposal to Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Government of Tamilnadu on November 2012

-- The state government discusses the project during a high level meeting chaired by chief secretary on February 12, 2013

--  After approval by State Government, the proposal will be forwarded to Ministry of Railways under the participative models for rail-connectivity and capacity augmentation projects

--- The land portion of state government is likely to be converted and treated as equity.

The expected Rail Traffic from Ennore Port in ORR Proposal:

TNEB Coal evacuation to Mettur -7 rakes per day.

Non-TNEB Coal evacuation - 5 rakes per day.

Iron Ore Inward - 6 rakes per day.

Container Terminal (under proposal) - 11 rakes per day.

Expected 29 rakes for one way direction. Rakes per day on both direction is 58 rakes.

The need for rail connectivity:

Connects directly the Ennore Port to the hinterlands of Mumbai, Karnataka, Kerala and south & west Tamil Nadu.

Avoids the heavily congested Chennai city rail route. Thus provides unhindered and seamless freight movement connectivity.

Future possibility of connecting the industrial hubs of Sriperumbudur and Oragadam.

Augmentation of the proposed Chennai-Bangalore Industrial corridor.

Rail portion of the ORR corridor will be put to use immediately.

Socio-economic development of the entire stretch along the corridor in Tiruvallur & Kanchipuram districts

writingonblog uncensored: After CFL, Union govt focusing on LED bulbs to sa...

writingonblog uncensored: After CFL, Union govt focusing on LED bulbs to sa...: Chennai: After the successful campaign of replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs), the Union government ...

After CFL, Union govt focusing on LED bulbs to save power

Chennai:

After the successful campaign of replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs), the Union government is now focusing on encouraging the use of  light-emitting diodes (LEDs), according to Union Power secretary P Uma Shankar.

Speaking during a Bureau of Energy Efficiency Roundtable on Attaining Energy Efficiency and the Way Forward for IT Industry at IIT research park here on Saturday, Shankar said the government would provide two crore LED bulbs to households across the country.

He said that two crore families in India don’t have access to electricity and government would be providing them with power under the rural electrification programme. He said under the programme two crore LED bulbs would also be provided.

He said LED bulbs would be a game changer in reducing lighting loads. Interestingly, LED light bulbs use only 2-17 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL). LED bulbs used in fixtures inside the home save electricity, remain cool and save money on replacement costs since LED bulbs last so long. Small LED flashlight bulbs will extend battery life 10 to 15 times longer than with incandescent bulbs.

Interestingly, LED bulbs are expensive but the government is trying to create a huge market demand through its rural electrification programme and set up manufacturing facilities, which will push down the prices.

Interestingly, the Union government is also planning to make it mandatory to have star rated agriculture pumps. “There is a need to change the inefficient pumps with efficient ones. The wasteful consumption could be avoided if there is proper pricing of power in agriculture sector,” Shankar added.

He said that the Union government has identified eight industrial sectors and has set a mandate to reduce specific use of energy. “Under the programme, we are targeting 400 units of these sectors to cut down on power consumption by five per cent. The programme is a mandatory one and industries failing to abide by it will face penalties. Those companies which comply and reduce power consumption would honoured with energy saving certificates,” he added.

Shankar, who is an alumni of IIT Madras, said that the Power ministry under the five year plan has budgetary support for energy efficiency and is keen on working with IIT Chennai in this regard.

writingonblog uncensored: Metro Water plans for third desalination plant alo...

writingonblog uncensored: Metro Water plans for third desalination plant alo...: Chennai: The city is likely to get third desalination plant at Pattipulam village, which is four kilometers away from Nemelli desal...

Metro Water plans for third desalination plant along ECR

Chennai:

The city is likely to get third desalination plant at Pattipulam village, which is four kilometers away from Nemelli desalination plant along East Coast Road soon.

Metro Water Managing director B Chandra Mohan told Express that Metro Water is planning 200 MLD desalination plant which could be scalable to 400 MLD.

He said currently a detailed project report is being prepared by AECOM India Private Limited along with GHD Pty Limited, Australia, and Watek Engineering Corporation, USA. at Pattipulam which is four kilometres away from the Nemmeli plant.

A Metro Water source said the detailed project report would configure both 200 MLD desalination plant as well as 400 MLD desalination plant.

writingonblog uncensored: Nemelli desalination plant to quench thirst of 15 ...

writingonblog uncensored: Nemelli desalination plant to quench thirst of 15 ...: Chennai: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday inaugurated Nemelli desalination plant that will give the city additional 100 million ...

Nemelli desalination plant to quench thirst of 15 lakh people

Chennai:

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday inaugurated Nemelli desalination plant that will give the city additional 100 million litres per day (MLD) of drinking water to quench the thirst of 15 lakh people in south Chennai.

The Rs 871.24 crore plant built by V A Tech Wabag Limited in consortium with IDE Technologies in Israel is set up on an extent of 40.05 acre of land belonging to Alavandar Trust on East Coast Road at about 35 km from Chennai city in Nemmeli and Krishnan Karanai Villages in Chengalpattu taluk in Kancheepuram district. The land has been given on a lease to Metro water for a period of 30 years.

Speaking during the occasion Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department secretary K Phanindra Reddy and Metro Water managing director B Chandra Mohan said that 265 MLD of raw water from sea will be drawn by gravity by laying 1600 mm pipes for a length of 1000 metre and after undergoing reverse osmosis, 100 MLD desalinated water would be produced. After the sea water is converted to drinking water the brine would be released into the sea through a 650 metre long pipeline.

Reddy said the desalination plant would quench the thirst of 15 lakh people. He said the water would be supplied to residents in Velachery, Palipattu, Tiruvamiyur and IT corridor. The water will be supplied through the pumping stations at Nemelli, Akarai, Tiruvanmiyur and Velachery.

Metro Water engineers said the water would be supplied to the city from next month. Right now we are flushing the pipes after which the water would be supplied.

Interestingly, the Nemelli plant is more sophisticated than the Minjur desalination plant. “Minjur desalination plant was built on a conventional system while Nemelli is built using latest technologies like ultra filtration membrane and reverse osmosis membrane. The technology is such that it removes even the bacteria,” said a metro water engineer.

Metro Water said that operation and maintenance of the plant willl be done by VA Tech Wabag for seven years. It is believed VA Tech Wabag will be earning a revenue of Rs 70 crore a year due to this contract. Metro Water said even the cost of producing the drinking water in Nemmeli is cheaper than Minjur.

The government is currently buying 90 MLD of water a day from the Minjur desalination plant at an average cost of Rs 48.66 per KL (4.8 paise per litre of water) per day that includes water capacity charges (the cost for the facilities they have provided) as well as water variables (cost of treatment, manpower and chemicals. Metro water believes the cost of water in Nemelli would be Rs 21 per kilolitre.

How will Chennai Benefit from Nemelli

--    The desalination plant is expected to quench the thirst of 15 lakh south Chennaites

---    The water would be supplied to residents in Velachery, Palipattu, Tiruvamiyur and IT corridor

---    The cost incurred to produce one kilolitre of water from Nemelli is Rs 21 which is much lesser than Minjur desalination plant (Rs 48.66)

---    The opening of Nemelli plan is crucial following Veeranam lake, which supplements the water supply to city, nearly drying up

---   Cuurently, the city is dependent on four reservoirs – Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills and Chembarambakam which has nearly 4 TMC ft of water

---   Currently, the city supplies 830 mld of water a day

---    Metro water is also preparing to build a third 200 MLD desalination plant which could be scalable to 400 MLD

---   Currently, the city has secured supply of 200 MLD of water from two desalination plants

Salient features of desalination plant at Nemmeli

1. Nemelli plan will treat 265 million litres a day raw water to produce 100 mld of drinking water

2. The Nemmeli plant will treat Sea water total dissolved solids (TDS) which ranges from 36,200 to 41000 parts per million (PPM) to 500 PPM

3.  For drawing sea water 1600 mm dia High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE)  pipes are laid below the sea bed for a length of 1100 metre

4.  For discharging brine into sea, 1200mm dia HDPE pipes are laid below the sea bed for a length of 600 metres

5. Pre-treatment is done by means of back washable disc filters (30 sets) followed by ultra filtration (UF) membrane

6.  Sea water intake pumphouse has four pumps of 630 horse power each. b) Two pumps will be working and two on stand-by

7. Desalting is done by using reverse osmosis (RO) membrane

8.  Post-treatment using carbonation and re-mineralisation system

writingonblog uncensored: Lamborghini India hosts Track Day for auto enthusi...

writingonblog uncensored: Lamborghini India hosts Track Day for auto enthusi...:   New Delhi: Lamborghini India accentuated its India focus by hosting a Track Day at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Gr...

Lamborghini India hosts Track Day for auto enthusiasts at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC)

 

New Delhi:

Lamborghini India accentuated its India focus by hosting a Track Day at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida, by allowing speed aficionados to test drive the globally acclaimed Lamborghini Gallardo on the track.

The year marks the 50th anniversary of Lamborghini – a year of celebratory events and activities that will take place around the world. The launch of the new Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster marked the start of the brand's celebrations in India. Continuing with the 50 year festivities, the House of the Raging Bull today offered to the Indian auto enthusiasts a unique driving experience to test drive the Lamborghini Gallardo 550 and 560 models.

Speaking on the occasion, Pavan Shetty, Head of Operations, Lamborghini India said, “It is important to create awareness of the thrills of owning super cars. The Track Day event is an outreach platform that has been designed to provide auto enthusiasts in India an uncompromising driving experience thus helping them to connect with the brand. Such an initiative gives the brand’s aficionados a firsthand experience of Lamborghini’s supercars that embody pure power in the form of precision, performance, design, superior technology and elegance – qualities that have shaped this legendry brand.

The high-octane event also saw the company add two more Gallardo models for the Indian market; the new Gallardo LP 560-4 and the LP 570-4 Edizione Tecnica that adorn a new design that is even more aggressive, and more extreme.

The new Gallardo LP 560-4

The unique design with its razor-sharp lines is one of the key factors in its great success worldwide. Nearly 13,000 units have already left the Sant’Agata Bolognese workshop.

The Gallardo design has now been further accentuated in the new Gallardo LP 560-4. The new front end is characterized by triangular and trapezoidal forms – two shapes that are highly typical of the Lamborghini design language. Divided by diagonal elements in body color and in black, the overall look of the front end is broader and more forceful, giving it an even stronger bond with the road.

To complete the new look  larger air intakes have been created ahead of the front wheels and the new 19-inch  “Apollo polished” alloy wheels,  painted in matt black and featuring precision-machined spokes in polished silver.

Also new is the even more dynamic rear end design on the Gallardo LP 560-4. The triangle and trapezoid are, of course, the characteristic design elements here, too. The air outlet for the power unit now has now a wider surface area, which improves its thermodynamic efficiency. A new Style Package is available as an option and offers high-gloss black paintwork on the underside of the front spoiler, front and rear grilles and the transverse element of the rear trim to give the Gallardo LP 560-4 an even more powerful look.

The new Gallardo LP 570-4 Edizione Tecnica

With a more determined lightweight design, a focus on high performance and a purist look, the LP 570-4 Superleggera and the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante mark the very pinnacle of the Gallardo family. As Edizione Tecnica, they benefit from a further improved equipment level and an even more individual look. Features of the Edizione Tecnica include the fixed high rear wing, as well as brakes in carbon-ceramic technology. They combine low weight with outstanding fade resistance and durability. The power to weight ratio down to an outstanding 2,35 allows the car to be taken as one of the best references in the segment.

The Edizione Tecnica underscore sits very special look with three new exclusive optional color combinations, whereby the entire roof arch and front air intakes are painted in a contrast color.

The available shades are: Nero Nemesis (matt black) body with Arancio Argos (orange) pillars and front air intakes, Bianco Canopus (matt white) body with Arancio Argos pillars and front air intakes, and Arancio Argos body with Nero Nemesis pillars and front air intakes.

In addition to this, all the new Gallardo models can be customized to a virtually limitless degree with the exclusive and well known: “Ad Personam” Lamborghini program.

The new LP 560-4 and the Edizione Tecnica for the LP 570-4 Superleggera and Spyder Performante, underline – even in terms of design – the differences in mechanical and driving experience among the four-wheel drive versions of the Gallardo range.

In fact, beside the Gallardo four-wheel drive, the two-wheel drive Gallardo LP 550-2 in Coupe and Spyder format are still available. With its purist rear-wheel drive, it appeals to drivers that prefer a highly active and engaged driving style. The Gallardo LP 550-2 offers the unique design and performance of a Lamborghini in a simple and uncomplicated form.

The new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 is priced at Rs. 2.61 crores (ex-showroom Delhi) while the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Edizione Tecnica is priced at Rs 2.92 crores (ex-showroom Delhi). The new Gallardo models are all currently available at the Lamborghini dealerships.

Lamborghini officially entered India in 2006. Since then, India has shown a steady acceptance of the super car culture. Currently, Lamborghini India maintains a good growth momentum with a 21 per cent increase in sales in the year 2012. Worldwide deliveries of Lamborghini to customers in 2012 also grew by 30 per cent to a figure of 2,083 units.

writingonblog uncensored: Work on Chennai Metro Rail test track starts

writingonblog uncensored: Work on Chennai Metro Rail test track starts: First train to arrive on May end   C Shivakumar Chennai: A major road link to Koyambedu market has been closed as Metro rail begins ...

Work on Chennai Metro Rail test track starts

First train to arrive on May end  

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

A major road link to Koyambedu market has been closed as Metro rail begins work to lay a test track for the four rake train, which is likely to be stationed in the Rs 198 crore state-of-the-art depot by May end.

A metro rail spokesman said that the market road F and G has been handed over to metro rail for laying the 800 metre test track, electrical works and building a ramp.

He said the test track would be ready by May end so that the train can use it.

The road was one of the key access point to Koyambedu market and Poonamallee High Road. Koyambedu Market Management Committee sources said that an alternate road near the fire station has been opened for linking Koyambedu market and Poonamalee road.

“The B road is made two way so that it is easier for the vehicles to access the market as well as the Omni bus stand,” said a MMC source.

Meanwhile, Metro Rail has laid 4.8 km of tracks up and down in the elevated stretch between Koyambedu to Vadapalani and Ashok Nagar to SIDCO. The first train run of metro rail is expected during the first quarter of 2014.

Interestingly, the structure work for the administration building in Koyambedu has been finished. “the interior works are being carried out,” said the spokesman. The contract to design and construct metro rail  depot in Koyambedu is being undertaken by Larsen and Toubro at a cost of Rs 198.10 crore. The work includes earthwork filling and compaction with vertical drains and viaduct ramps to provide access to the depot from Koyambedu station, sources added.

Even the tunneling work is progressing at a rapid pace and till now the seven tunnel boring machines have drilled a distance of 2.1 km. He said the tunneling work from Nehru Park to Chennai Egmore, Shenoy Nagar to Tirumangalam, May Day Park to Anna Salai and Chennai central is progressing smoothly.

writingonblog uncensored: Planners express concern over lack of staff in DTC...

writingonblog uncensored: Planners express concern over lack of staff in DTC...: Chennai: Planners have expressed concern over the lack of three layers of top officials in the directorate of town and country planning ...

Planners express concern over lack of staff in DTCP

Chennai:

Planners have expressed concern over the lack of three layers of top officials in the directorate of town and country planning and urged the state government to use the expertise of experienced hands in Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.

Institute of Town Planners India, (ITPI) and Association of Professional Town Planners said that it is a matter of great concern that the directorate did not fill the sanctioned posts of additional director, joint directors and deputy directors for more than six months.

ITPI treasurer Balasubramanian said that the posts are vacant at a time when the directorate is preparing Master Plan for non plan areas worth 8,000 square km besides master plan and Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation study for Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Madurai and Trichirapalli corporations.

 He said the need of the hour is to utilize the services of experienced planners in CMDA instead of trying to promote or use the services of DTCP planners who hardly have five years of experience in preparing masterplan for Coimbatore and Madurai.

He said the existing officers (chief planners or senior planners) in CMDA could be sent on a deputation basis or shifted to DTCP to prepare the master plan, New town,  land pooling, detailed development plan and regional plan. Meanwhile, the lower level vacancies in CMDA with town planning qualification in the department may be promoted or the vacancies could be filled with adequate qualifications.

ITPI claimed there are only five qualified planners while the rest are diploma holders or graduates. “Qualifications should not be relaxed to appoint planners either in DTCP or CMDA as this will be detrimental to planning. Graduates would shy to take up town and country planning courses,” he added. He also said that diploma holders and BE should not be given plum posts by relaxing the qualifications. Work experience could be relaxed for those having planning qualification in department service.

 Balasubramanian said that CMDA has five chief planners and seven senior planners. “Many of them are wasted on area plans and giving approvals,” he said. “Their services are not used for qualitative work. For example a chief planner services could be used for policy level planning or preparation of New Town and Regional Planning” he added.

Association of Professional Town Planners president K M Sadanandh said that DTCP could also take the expertise of town planning associations following the shortfall of officials in DTCP. “We are going to urge the chief minister to look into the issue as this is crucial for helping realize the Vision 2023,” he added. Balasubramanian said that they have petitioned the state government several times earlier also regarding the shortfall of officials in DTCP. Interestingly, DTCP has a total strength of 801 officials but is currently functioning with only 411 (42 per cent) officials.

Government should relax the service rules to enable officials from CMDA to work on deputation in DTCP on an urgency basis as top three layers of posts are empty, the associations added. Justice Mohan committee also has recommended for creation of new urban development authorities in Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore and now with lack of planners, this seems a distant reality, the associations added.

writingonblog uncensored: National Competition Policy pending more than one ...

writingonblog uncensored: National Competition Policy pending more than one ...: Chennai: The National Competition Policy is pending more than a year due to lack of enthusiasm among the state governments, accordin...

National Competition Policy pending more than one year

Chennai:

The National Competition Policy is pending more than a year due to lack of enthusiasm among the state governments, according to Competition Commission of India member R Prasad.

Addressing a conference on ‘Competition law and its impact on Industry’ here on Wednesday, Prasad said that that if the National Competition Policy is implemented it would change the market philosophy and behavior of the government towards business.

The policy was initially drafted in 2007 as part of planning commission working group and was finalized in 2011.

Interestingly, the delegates at the conference also expressed concern over the lack of legislation in India against misleading advertisements. Prasad accepted that there is lack of legislation against misleading advertisement and stressed the need for enactment of law to cover unfair trade practices.

“There is no law against unfair trade practices. Any person can place misleading advertisement and could go scot free,” said Prasad.

He also stressed for the need for a competition law which could have the status of criminal procedure code. He also said that Competition Commission of India is looking into the case filed against state owned Arasu Cable TV Corporation for becoming a monopoly in conditional access system. Prasad said that a report from director general has come and within couple of months an order will be passed.

He also said that CCI is investigating actor-director Kamal Haasan’s complaint against Tamil Nadu theatre owners for allegedly restricting release of his film ‘Vishwaroopam.’

“The complaint by Kamal Haasan is being referred to Director General (DG) for investigation,” he said. 

Chairman of FICCI Tamil nadu State council M Rafeeque Ahmed, former Union revenue secretary M R Sivaraman and founder partner PSA Legal Counsellors New Delhi and Chennai Priti Suri also spoke on the occasion.

writingonblog uncensored: Slow-down hit Indian pharma sector vying for share...

writingonblog uncensored: Slow-down hit Indian pharma sector vying for share...: Chennai: Indian pharmacy sector is vying for a share in the Japanese pharma market which has a 30 per cent share in $950 billion global...

Slow-down hit Indian pharma sector vying for share in Japan, Africa market

Chennai:

Indian pharmacy sector is vying for a share in the Japanese pharma market which has a 30 per cent share in $950 billion global market, besides setting up a warehouse facility in Nigeria to penetrate the African market.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, director general of  Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) P V Appaji  said that government has launched a Brand India Pharma project to woo Japan open its pharma industry for Indian generic formulations.

Formulation, in pharmaceutics, is the process in which different chemical substances, including the active drug, are combined to produce a final medicinal product.

Currently, Indian pharmacy exports to Japan is worth $500 million. India exports $13.2 billion drugs annually and has set a target of $ 25 billion by 2016. “The initial target of $25 billion was set for 2014 but due to the global economic meltdown, the target has been pushed further to 2016,” he said.

He said the reason is that many of the countries depending on generic drugs are not getting the aid from developed nations who are hit hard by the economic crisis, he said. Interestingly, the exports of  Pharmexcil had grown by 33 per cent last year, he said.

Besides Japan, Pharmexcil is also targeting China. Appaji said that this year Pharmexcil is organizing iPHEX 2013, billing it as India’s own pharmaceutical show with support from Union ministry of commerce and industry from April 24-26. “We are expecting Chinese and Japanese drug regulators to attend the expo which will also include 500 business visitors including overseas buyers,” he added.

Bhavin Mehta, committee chief of iPHEX said huge business opportunities are expected to emerge during the event. “The presence of large drug regulators from overseas market will immensely help Pharmexcil and its members to promote the quality and affordability aspects as envisaged in Brand India Pharma Campaign.

Mehta also said Pharmexcil is planning a warehouse facility in Lagos in Nigeria. “The 3,000 square metre to 4,000 square metre warehouse will station generic branded pharma products. This is kind of a pilot project and if its successful we will be replicating the model in other countries also,” he added.

writingonblog uncensored: 10 killed in multiple Hyderabad blasts

writingonblog uncensored: 10 killed in multiple Hyderabad blasts: Two explosions took place opposite a movie theatre at Dilsukh nagar bus station in Hyderabad on Thursday. The first blast occurred aro...

10 killed in multiple Hyderabad blasts

Two explosions took place opposite a movie theatre at Dilsukhnagar bus station in Hyderabad on Thursday.
The first blast occurred around 7 pm near a tiffin centre opposite Venkatadri theatre and the second near Konark theatre. Both the theatres are about 500 meters from each other.
The injured were shifted to Yashoda Hospital at Malakpet and to the government-run Osmania Hospital.
Gory pictures of victims were seen. Others who were bleeding and injured were shifted to ambulances. There was a stampede-like situation with people trying to run for safety after the explosions.
The Andhra Pradesh police have said that 10 people have been killed and 15 people are injured. The casualties are set to rise.
Police are yet to ascertain nature of the explosions. They are checking if it was a gas cylinder blast or a bomb blast. The area has been cordoned off.
Eye witnesses said they heard two loud explosions. The cause of the explosions was not immediately known. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Ambulances and police vehicles have been rushed to the area. Andhra Pradesh put on high alert.
Sources say a NSG team will visit blast-hit Hyderabad.
Police said the bombs may have been placed in a cycle.
Union Home Secretary RK Singh said the NSG team is leaving by a BSF aircraft. A team of NIA hub stationed in Hyderabad has also rushed to the spot.
The previous major attack in Hyderabad was on August 25, 2007 when two blasts took place almost simultaneously.
The first blast was reported at a park and it was followed by another in a eating joint in Hyderabad.
Chief Minister N Kiran Reddy rushed to the blast site