Saturday, August 31, 2013
writingonblog uncensored: Heavy rainfall expected in Western Tamil Nadu
writingonblog uncensored: Heavy rainfall expected in Western Tamil Nadu: Chennai: Heavy rainfall is expected in Western Tamil Nadu especially in hilly areas of Coimbatore, Erode, Theni and Nilgiris in the next ...
Heavy rainfall expected in Western Tamil Nadu
Chennai:
Heavy rainfall is expected in Western Tamil Nadu especially in hilly areas of Coimbatore, Erode, Theni and Nilgiris in the next 48 hours as the upper air cyclonic circulation over Sri Lanka has moved to Comorin area, according to regional meteorological department here.
Regional Meteorological centre, director S R Ramanan said due to this phenomenon moderate to rather heavy rain would occur at many places in Tamil Nadu over Vellore, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindugal, Karur, Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivagangai and Virudhunagar districts of Tamil Nadu.
Light to moderate rain would also occur at a few places over remaining districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Isolated heavy rain may occur over hill ranges of Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours
Interestingly, the city is likely to be partly cloudy with rain or thundershower likely to occur in some areas during evening or night.
Meanwhile, Gobichettypalayam in Erode district recieved 110 mm of rain followed by Shoolagiri in Krishnagiri (100 millimeter of rain), Thali (Krishnagiri Dist) 80mm, Rayakottah (Krishnagiri Dist) 70mm, Hosur (Krishnagiri Dist), Thalavadi (Erode Dist) and Ennore AWS (Tiruvallur Dist) 50mm each.
1.6 km pedestrian skywalk near Chennai Central to get green light in next HCC meeting
Chennai:
The 1.6 km-long pedestrian skywalk proposed on Poonamallee High Road connecting Chennai central is likely to be cleared during the next heritage conservation committee meeting.
CMDA sources said the site of the skywalk, which would help connect pedestrians to more than 10 different points including Chennai Central, Moore Market Complex, Madras Medical College, Southern Railway head quarters and Government General Hospital, was inspected by the Heritage Conservation committee along with other department officials on Tuesday.
CMDA sources said that the proposal for the skywalk would be discussed with other stake holders like government hospital, metro rail who are involved in the project before being discussed during the next heritage conservation committee meeting.
“We are going to hold a coordination committee meeting with all the departments involved in the next few days before deciding on the project,” CMDA sources said.
Interestingly, the proposal has already got the nod of Southern Railways. Sources said the proposal would ease the movement of pedestrians in the crowded stretch.
TN has 1.7 crore uninsured population
Chennai:
Life Insurance Corporation has set a target to reach out
to nearly half of the 1.7 crore uninsured population in Tamil Nadu, according
to LIC zonal manager T Sidharthan.
Addressing
a press conference here along with regional manager (marketing) M Ravichandran
and other officials, Sidharthan said that there are 2.5 crore uninsured
population in Krala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry and LIC is planning to reach
out to 50 per cent of these population.
Ravichandran
said that in Tamil Nadu the target is to spread the awareness to about 50 per
cent of the population while the target this year is to cover 50 lakh
population.
“Till
now, we have attained 25 per cent of the target and we will be able to attain
the target of 50 lakh by the end of February next year,” said Sidharthan.
Interestingly,
this comes in the wake of LIC celebrating its 57th anniversary on
Sunday. Interestingly, LIC is still the frontrunner in the industry despite the
entry of various private players for over a decade.
Sidharthan
said that during 2012-13, LIC sold 367.82 lakh policies, commanding 83.24 per
cent of the market share of new policies issued and its total first year
premium income was pegged at more than Rs 76245.64 crore, which is 71.25 per
cent of the market share.
In
pension and group schemes, new lives insured were 304.61 lakh under
conventional business and 132.24 lakh lives under social security schemes. He said
during the last financial year, 183.63 lakh claims amounting to 74077.84 crore
were settled in 88.08 per cent of non-early death claims were settled in 15
days of intimation. The outstanding maturity claims ratio is as low as 0.53 per
cent and the outstanding death claim ratio is as low as 1.04 pc.
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Corporation to crack down on officials for...
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Corporation to crack down on officials for...: Chennai: Chennai Corporation is planning to crackdown on officials for failing to collect property tax from the traders in Koyambe...
Chennai Corporation to crack down on officials for failing to collect property taxes from Koyambedu traders
Chennai:
Chennai Corporation is planning to crackdown on officials for failing to collect property tax from the traders in Koyambedu market.
The city corporation says that only 472 traders owning shops in Koyambedu wholesale market are paying property taxes after Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority handed over the shops to the traders.
The mayor said that after CMDA handed over the shops to the traders, property taxes were calculated and an order was issued to 2,098 of the 3,194 shopkeeprs.
Interestingly, only 472 traders paid the property tax properly while not a penny was forthcoming from other shopkeepers.
But the failure lies with Chennai Corporation not assessing how much property tax 1,096 shops have to pay.
Mayor Saidai duraiswami said during a council meeting that the property tax has to be collected.
The blames lies with Chennai Corporation’s revenue department officials. They have yet to assess the property tax to be paid by the trader.
“As they have failed to assess the amount of property tax to be paid by the trader, an enquiry is being conducted in the department to ascertain why no effort has been taken to collect the property tax,” said Duraiswami during the corporation council meeting.
The mayor vowed to initiate action against the erring officials. “We are conducting an enquiry into the issue. Based on it, action will be taken against the erring officials,” he added.
He said that Chennai Corporation is working towards retrieving the outstanding property tax amount. “We are also planning to initiate legal actions to retrieve the property tax,” said Duraiswami.
He also said that there is no property tax waiver or reduction for commercial buildings located in corporation area.
Meanwhile, the mayor said that he would also initiate action against traders who are subletting their premises. “We will be confiscating their licence besides the shop will be locked and sealed,” he said.
The Koyambedu market is also plagued by other problems including some of the shops deviating from the original structure plan. Some are having their office as well as cold storage inside the shops. Interestingly, as per Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s rules it is illegal to have cold storage within the 8 km radius if the government owned cold storage is functioning there. “But nearly 40 to 50 cold storage are illegally functioning in the A and H block,” says an official on condition of anonymity.
writingonblog uncensored: TN planning three agro-processing corridors in sta...
writingonblog uncensored: TN planning three agro-processing corridors in sta...: Chennai: In a bid to enhance the growth of food processing industry in Tamil Nadu, the state government is planning to set up ...
TN planning three agro-processing corridors in state
Chennai:
In a bid to enhance the growth of food processing
industry in Tamil Nadu, the state government is planning to set up three
agro-processing corridors in the state.
Delivering the inaugural address of Confederation of
Indian Industry’s Foodpro 2013 Exhibition and Conference on Technologies for
Value Added Food Product Development, State agriculture secretary Sandeep
Saxena said that the state will be setting up the corridors in Madurai-Thoothkudi
belt, Coimbatore-Dindugal belt and Kanchipuram-Villupuram belt.
He said the state government is working towards making
the farmers a stakeholder in the food processing industry in a bid to ensure
inclusive growth. “The government can act as a facilitator between growers and
producers,” he said.
Saxena said that the state government will bear 25 per
cent of equity share of farmers in the agro-processing industry in a bid to
make them a stakeholder in the sector. He also sought more investment from the
private sector to realise the goals of the 2023 Vision document.
The exhibition was inaugurated by state Agriculture Minister
S Damodaran.
Australian trade commissioner Michael Carter said that
Australia has a strategic intention for direct collaboration with Tamil Nadu in
fishing, aquaculture, dairy farming and horticulture.
He also said that Australia is keen on making the Tamil
Nadu coast the hub for lobsters and yellow-fin tuna.
“We already had discussion with the state government,”he
said. Interestingly, the yellow fin tuna project is also being tried out in
neighbouring Kerala.
During the conference, CII experts from food processing
industry also interacted with the media. Piruz Khambatta, chairman of national
committee on food processing and managing director of Rasna Private Limited
said that agro food processing sector could help combat the inflation. He said
while the prices of fruits and vegetables have gone up, the processed food
prices have been more or less the same.
He said the processed food market is growing by 14 to 15
per cent and is more than 66,000 crore. However, these figures does not include
the small and medium size companies and the unorganised sector.
While welcoming the foreign direct investment in food
processing sector, Khambatta also expressed CII apprehensions about foreign
companies dumping goods in Indian market. Some of the products they dumped were
expired goods. Due to our intervention, the government has passed an order than
any imported goods should have a residual life of 60 per cent.
Interestingly, Khambatta expressed over the introduction
of Goods and Services Tax which he said would result in increase in the cost of
all processed food. He said government should not levy any tax on processed
food.
More than
150 exhibitors from across the globe are participating in the three-day Confederation
of Indian Industry's (CII) 10th edition of the Indian Food Processing &
Food Technology Fair - Foodpro 2013.
Friday, August 30, 2013
BSNL to provide 3G data connection to all its customers
Chennai:
From
this September, BSNL postpaid customers will get enhanced speeds of 3G without
any speed restriction, blurring the demarcation between 2G and 3G speeds.
A
BSNL spokeswoman said that BSNL has rationalised the post paid data plans with
effect from September 1.
In
view of this all the existing 2G and 3G postpaid data plans will be withdrawn
and customers are requestred to submit option form for the new data plans,
viz., 1GB, 2GB, 5 GB and 10GB depending on their usage pattern.
The
rates for these plans are Rs.125, 225, 501 and 901 respectively. The charge for
additional data usage over and above the free data limit will be only 1 paise
per 10 kb.
Customers
are requested to submit their option form without fail. If no option is
submitted, BSNL will put the customers in suitable plan. More details can be
had from www.bsnl.co.in or
call centre on 1503.
writingonblog uncensored: DMK councillors evicted from council meeting
writingonblog uncensored: DMK councillors evicted from council meeting: Mayor says malaria cases dwindling Chennai: Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraiswami vacated the DMK councillors from the Chennai Corpor...
DMK councillors evicted from council meeting
Mayor says malaria cases dwindling
Chennai:
Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraiswami vacated the DMK councillors from the Chennai Corporation council meeting after they failed to heed to his pleas and continued to disrupt the proceedings by demanding his reply on issues of mosquito menace and sewerage issues.
The proceedings came to a stand still when the DMK members demanded reply from Duraiswami on reports alleging the rise in mosquito menace in the city. The mayor asked them to be patient and said the issue would be discussed after the question hour of the council meeting.
When the DMK members failed to heed to his request, the mayor then ordered them to vacate the premises. Later DMK councillors lead by the opposition leader Subash Chandra Bose alleged that they were not allowed to speak about the mosquito menace and sewerage issues in the council meeting.
The mayor later clarified that malaria cases in the city have come down while citing the figures. He said that the report that there was rise in malaria cases in Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Teynampet, Kodambakkam and Adayar was untrue. He said that till August the five zones have reported only 187 cases as against 673 last year.
He also said that across the city, 3,100 malaria cases were reported this year when compared to 4,053 last year.
Later, during the meeting, the Mayor informed the council that Chennai Corporation has recommended to open fair price vegetable shops in all the 200 wards. The recommendation has been send to state food and civil supplies department.
He also said that the city currently has 193 graveyards and taking into consideration, the space and usage, these graveyards would be gazetted and ascertained. Those that are not in use will be closed and steps are taken in this direction.
In the recently extended areas of Chennai Corporation, the number of graveyards will be brought down and depending upon necessity, steps will be taken to regularize the employees. With regard to privately managed graveyards, housed in private land, the corporation could not take over the graveyard, he added.
Factfile:
1. A total of 75 resolutions were passed today
2. Chennai corporation said that Koyambedu traders can’t be exempted from property tax
3. A proposal is sent to government to provide electricity board connection only to trade licensed establishment
Malaria facts:
Chennai Corporation
Year total no cases
2007
8923
2008
8086
2009
5423
2010
5728
2011
5655
2012
4053
2013
3100
]
Malaria status in five divisions
Divisions 2012 2013
Tondiarpet 65 19
Royapuram 182 61
Teynampet 135 37
Kodambakkam 98 39
Adayar 193
31
Total 673 187
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Corporation to enhance city’s green carpet...
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Corporation to enhance city’s green carpet...: Chennai: The city’s green carpet is set to double as Chennai Corporation has set an ambitious target of increasing it from 5.5 per...
Chennai Corporation to enhance city’s green carpet
Chennai:
The city’s green carpet is set to double as Chennai Corporation has set an ambitious target of increasing it from 5.5 per cent to 11 per cent this year.
A resolution that was passed by Mayor Saidai Duraiswami on Thursday during the Chennai Corporation Council meeting held here also set an ambitious target of increasing the green cover in the city to 25 per cent in the next three years. According to international norms, the green cover in the city should be 33.3 per cent.
The project is part of the 65th birthday celebrations of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
Interestingly, the plan is to plant 6.5 lakh saplings of each Red Sandal, Papaya, Palmyra and Nochi across the city and homes. Duraiswami said a sapling of Red Sandal will be given to each independent house having a garden besides coming out with ‘Own a tree’ policy for those wanting to plant a sapling in the Corporation open spaces.
The resolution also stated that initially 6.5 lakh palmyra trees would be planted across 749 km of water bodies. This will be further expanded to 20 lakh saplings. This will help prevent soil erosion. Similarly, 6.5 lakh saplings of Nochi would be planted across water bodies to curb the mosquito menace.
Similarly, in a bid to curb dengue, 6.5 lakh papaya saplings will be provided to students in government, corporation and private schools.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
writingonblog uncensored: Fresh attempt at Sinhalisation of Mannar region?
writingonblog uncensored: Fresh attempt at Sinhalisation of Mannar region?: Chennai: Fresh allegations of Sinhalisation of Mannar district in Sri Lanka, which predominantly holds Tamil population, surfaced ag...
Fresh attempt at Sinhalisation of Mannar region?
Chennai:
Fresh allegations of Sinhalisation of Mannar district in Sri Lanka, which predominantly holds Tamil population, surfaced again with a Tamil group claiming it has a leaked document which exposes alleged ethnic cleansing.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, coordinators of May 17 Movement Thiru Murugan, Arul Murugan and Umar claimed a leaked official document signed by government agent or district secretary of Mannar M Y S Deshapriya lays bare the alleged intentions and actions of genocidal government of Sri Lanka.
"The document directs the officials to take immediate and effective action -- a time frame of one week --- to identify 500 Sinhalese families for the explicit purpose of relocation to the traditional Tamil area of Mannar. This is ethnic cleansing and structural genocide in no uncertain terms," said Thiru Murugan while releasing the document to the press.
Interestingly, the document was released at a time when United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay is on an official visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Sri Lankan Government.
A factsheet released by Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation on July 22, 2008 had noted that 7650 Tamil families (approximately 32,000 people) from Mannar were forced to flee to Killinochi by the Sri Lankan army. At the end of the war, the released figures revealed that only 471 Tamils are being held in internment camps. "The fate of 98.5 pc of Tamils who had lived in defacto state of LTTE is unknown," Thiru Murugan said.
Urging the international community and the United Nations to take this as crucial reveltion of ground reality, they demanded an independent investigation on the issue.
Eureka Forbes says water survey is based on consumer perceptions
Chennai:
After strong criticism by Chennai Metro Water, Eureka Forbes on Wednesday said that the survey that claimed 80 per cent of diseases in the city are caused by unhealthy drinking water, is purely based on ‘consumer perceptions' and is not to offend any organization, body or individuals involved.
In a statement, Eureka Forbes said the study ‘Kya Aapka Pani Beemar Hai’ was strictly carried out to highlight the teething troubles that consumers might be facing with respect to water.
The sole objective of the water audit was to map the causes and reasons affecting families and individuals across India due to increasing levels of water contamination and unavailability of safe, healthy drinking water, the statement added.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
writingonblog uncensored: CII to host 10th esition of Foodpro in Chennai fro...
writingonblog uncensored: CII to host 10th esition of Foodpro in Chennai fro...: Chennai: More than 150 exhibitors from across the globe will participate in the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) 10th edition...
CII to host 10th edition of Foodpro in Chennai from Aug 30
Chennai:
More than 150 exhibitors from across the globe will participate in the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) 10th edition of the Indian Food Processing & Food Technology Fair - Foodpro 2013 from August 30- September 1, at Chennai Trade Centre here.
The expo will focus on the current trends in food processing industry, showcase innovation through modern technology, build brand and create awareness - with its cross-over concept covering food processing, packaging, storage and retailing with a process orientation and cross sector approach
Participants from Australia, China, Denmark, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Sweden and UK will be showcasing innovations in food processing and related technologies.
"The agriculture sector continues to be the largest sector in the country employing 58pc of the population. Food processing sector has become a catalyst for the development of Indian Agriculture and is of enormous significance to India’s development owing to the vital linkages and synergies that it promotes between the two pillars of our economy, industry and agriculture" said B Santhanam, Chairman, CII – Southern Region.
writingonblog uncensored: Ports across Tamil Nadu on high alert
writingonblog uncensored: Ports across Tamil Nadu on high alert: Chennai: The ports in Tamil Nadu are on high alert following an alert from the Intelligence Bureau of a terror threat from terrori...
Ports across Tamil Nadu on high alert
Chennai:
The ports in Tamil Nadu are on high alert following an alert from the Intelligence Bureau of a terror threat from terrorists in Pakistan, who had plans to infiltrate to South India through Sri Lankan waters with the help of their fishermen.
The security in the three ports was reviewed by Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan who instructed the three chairmen to take all precautionary measures and be on alert.
Speaking to Express, Chennai Port Chairman Atulya Mishra said security has been beefed up at entry of exit and entry routes of Chennai port with extra deployment of security personnel at each entry or exit point from both land and sea sides to prevent any untoward incident.
Moreover, Central Industrial Security forces and Marine Commandos have also been directed for patrolling in the respective areas round the clock. CISF Intelligence Wing have also been geared up to liaise with local agencies to collect advance information, shipping ministry said.
“We are also monitoring the movements of ship in the vicinity of port,” Mishra, who also attended a high-level review meeting of the state government to chalk out a strategy following the terror alert, said.
Mishra also said that marine police stations across the coast are also doing regular patrolling.
Meanwhile, V O Chidambaranar Port has taken all proactive measures to counter the threat in conjunction with Coast Guard, Marine Police, and Local Police. “Considering the Prevailing Security threat, the Port has stopped entry of public in to the Port,” VOC port spokesman said. Ennore port officials also told Express that security has been beefed up at the port entry and exit points.
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai region has highest number of patents filed...
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai region has highest number of patents filed...: Chennai: Chennai region has the highest number of patents filed in India and it accounts for 30 to 35 per cent of the total patents fil...
Chennai region has highest number of patents filed in India
Chennai:
Chennai region has the highest number of patents filed in India and it accounts for 30 to 35 per cent of the total patents filed last year, according to Controller general of patents, designs and trademarks and registrar of geographical indications Chaitanya Prasad.
Talking to reporters after addressing a seminar on ‘Public Awareness Building on the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks’ organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Tuesday, he said that Chennai region has been topping during the last two years when it comes to the number of patents filed.
He also said the number of applications for registeration of trademarks being received by the Indian Intellectual Property Office has been increasing every year. As per 2012 World Intellectual has been increasing 12 per cent year on year.
Chennai region has the highest number of patents filed in India and it accounts for 30 to 35 per cent of the total patents filed last year, according to Controller general of patents, designs and trademarks and registrar of geographical indications Chaitanya Prasad.
Talking to reporters after addressing a seminar on ‘Public Awareness Building on the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks’ organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Tuesday, he said that Chennai region has been topping during the last two years when it comes to the number of patents filed.
He also said the number of applications for registeration of trademarks being received by the Indian Intellectual Property Office has been increasing every year. As per 2012 World Intellectual has been increasing 12 per cent year on year.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
writingonblog uncensored: Now Australian stamp of approval for online vocati...
writingonblog uncensored: Now Australian stamp of approval for online vocati...: Chennai: Now students undertaking vocational courses could get an Australian stamp of approval to enter the job markets worldwide. ...
writingonblog uncensored: Flawed water surveys a gimmick by private agencies...
writingonblog uncensored: Flawed water surveys a gimmick by private agencies...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Chennai Metro Water has expressed concern over private agencies trying to instill false fear among the residents...
Flawed water surveys a gimmick by private agencies to instil fear and promote products, says Metro Water
C
Shivakumar
Chennai:
Chennai Metro Water has expressed concern over private agencies trying to instill false fear among the residents over the quality of water in the city while trying to promote their products by coming out with flawed surveys.
Hitting out one such survey carried out by Eureka Forbes and GFK Mode that claims 80 per cent diseases in the city are caused by unhealthy drinking water, Metro Water officials said the study is flawed and is more of a marketing gimmick than an indepth study of the city’s water issues as a whole.
The study ‘Kya Aapka Pani Beemar Hai’ has claimed that the city is reeling under severe water contamination severely affecting the health of residents. It also claims 80 per cent diseases in the city are water borne Of these cough, cold and fever constitute 68 per cent of the water borne diseases, the study states.
Metro Water officials said that the study fails to differentiate between water borne and air borne diseases. “It is total nonsense. They say that cold and cough are water borne. These diseases are air borne and spread through what is called droplet infection. These are not water borne. If they cannot distinguish between water borne and air borne diseases they are incompetent to talk about water,” a Metro Water official said.
“Water borne does not mean water supply is bad. It only means that diseases are being spread through water. Source of contamination can come from unclean practices like not washing hands, not storing water properly to unhygienic practices to unclean cooking. This is totally commercial interest masquerading as public interest,” the official said.
Even the sample size is also being questioned by Metro Water. “The sample size is mere 193 households and the study claimed to have come out with hard-hitting facts is nothing but observations without any scientific basis. The campaign is for allegedly creating a scare and promoting a particular product. Eureka Forbes should be sued for making false claims under the advertising standards,” the official added.
Interestingly, of the cities surveyed by Eureka Forbes – GFK, 54 per cent of respondents feel Chennai’s water is safe to drink when compared to cities like Bangalore (39 pc), Lucknow (40pc), Pune (40 pc), Kolkata (46pc), Mumbai (43pc) and Delhi (61pc).
Metro Water official also questioned the samples stating that the Total Dissolved Solids level in city’s water is high. He said TDS level upto 500 is okay. If the water does not have TDS then it is unpalatable, he added.
Chennai Metro Water has expressed concern over private agencies trying to instill false fear among the residents over the quality of water in the city while trying to promote their products by coming out with flawed surveys.
Hitting out one such survey carried out by Eureka Forbes and GFK Mode that claims 80 per cent diseases in the city are caused by unhealthy drinking water, Metro Water officials said the study is flawed and is more of a marketing gimmick than an indepth study of the city’s water issues as a whole.
The study ‘Kya Aapka Pani Beemar Hai’ has claimed that the city is reeling under severe water contamination severely affecting the health of residents. It also claims 80 per cent diseases in the city are water borne Of these cough, cold and fever constitute 68 per cent of the water borne diseases, the study states.
Metro Water officials said that the study fails to differentiate between water borne and air borne diseases. “It is total nonsense. They say that cold and cough are water borne. These diseases are air borne and spread through what is called droplet infection. These are not water borne. If they cannot distinguish between water borne and air borne diseases they are incompetent to talk about water,” a Metro Water official said.
“Water borne does not mean water supply is bad. It only means that diseases are being spread through water. Source of contamination can come from unclean practices like not washing hands, not storing water properly to unhygienic practices to unclean cooking. This is totally commercial interest masquerading as public interest,” the official said.
Even the sample size is also being questioned by Metro Water. “The sample size is mere 193 households and the study claimed to have come out with hard-hitting facts is nothing but observations without any scientific basis. The campaign is for allegedly creating a scare and promoting a particular product. Eureka Forbes should be sued for making false claims under the advertising standards,” the official added.
Interestingly, of the cities surveyed by Eureka Forbes – GFK, 54 per cent of respondents feel Chennai’s water is safe to drink when compared to cities like Bangalore (39 pc), Lucknow (40pc), Pune (40 pc), Kolkata (46pc), Mumbai (43pc) and Delhi (61pc).
Metro Water official also questioned the samples stating that the Total Dissolved Solids level in city’s water is high. He said TDS level upto 500 is okay. If the water does not have TDS then it is unpalatable, he added.
Now Australian stamp of approval for online vocational courses
Chennai:
Now students undertaking vocational courses could get an Australian stamp of approval to enter the job markets worldwide.
This comes in the wake of India-based CEO Skill Foundation Private Limited signing a memorandum of understanding with Australasian Academy of Mentoring and Coaching (AAMC) Training Group, a wholly Australian owned Registered Training Organisation that delivers certified training across a number of industries both within Australia and internationally, to certify the courses.
The online courses that would have AAMC stamp of approval that include retail, banking, credit management, financial services and occupational health and safety, said S Deenadayalan, director of CEO Skill Foundation Private Limited, who signed the agreement with Jeff Mazzini, managing director of AAMC.
Australian Consulate general for south India David Holly said that Australia is working to provide expertise to India in bridging the skills gap. “The next wave of memorandum of understanding would be focusing on skills education,” said Holly highlighting Australian government’s keenness to help the Indian government achieve target to provide skills based training to 500 million youngsters by 2023.
Holly said that this MoU comes in the wake of National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF), Ministry of Human Resources Department’s ambitious project, which aims at creating a pool of skilled professionals by inculcating vocational education into conventional education.
Interestingly, AAMC is also planning to work with Central Board of Secondary Education and All India Council for Technical Education, said Mazzini. “We will be signing an MOU with in this regard by first week of September,” said Mazzini.
“The MoU will make us skill knowledge partner from Australia,” said Mazzini. Interestingly, AAMC is already working with the Gujarat government in offering its solutions in framing the content as well as offering expertise in subject matter classification.
Deenadayalan said the MoU with AAMC would help the corporation as well as government school students who would be nurtured with the skills. Although the vocational skills training cost around Rs 4,000 to Rs 35,000, Deenadayalan said that most of its is being borne by the companies themselves. “First we go to the companies and find out what their requirement is then we provide the skills training to the students,” he said.
Currently, the MoU with AAMC is focused only on manufacturing sector and BPOs but in the future the aim is also to reach the rural parts of India and particularly rural banking. “We are also planning to come out with rural banking models,” says Mazzini, whose firm has a presence in 50 countries. Interestingly, with the massive change in technology even the vocational courses are also undergoing changes. “We are always talking to the industry to keep our students abreast of the recent development and satisfy the need of industries,” said Deenadayalan.
Monday, August 26, 2013
writingonblog uncensored: NIIT Technologies appoints Sudhir Chaturvedi as Ch...
writingonblog uncensored: NIIT Technologies appoints Sudhir Chaturvedi as Ch...: Chennai: NIIT Technologies, a leading global IT solutions organization has announced the appointment of Sudhir Chaturvedi as its Chief Ope...
NIIT Technologies appoints Sudhir Chaturvedi as Chief Operating Officer
Chennai: NIIT Technologies, a leading global IT solutions organization has announced the appointment of Sudhir Chaturvedi as its Chief Operating Officer. Sudhir joins NIIT Technologies from Infosys where he last served as Senior Vice President and Head of Financial Services Americas Business Unit. In this newly created position Sudhir will be responsible for sales & delivery worldwide for Technology and Business services.
Speaking on the appointment, Arvind Thakur, CEO NIIT Technologies said, “The Company is preparing for its next phase of growth with an eye to scale business to a billion USD annually. Sudhir’s induction would bring fresh perspectives and enhance leadership bandwidth to execute on our next phase of growth”.
Sudhir, 43, has rich and varied experience of over 20 years across geographies and industry segments. In his 13 year stint at Infosys he played a leadership role in the company as EMEA Retail Head, EMEA Sales Head, and Europe Manufacturing Vertical Head, before moving to the US as Financial Services Business Unit Head. Sudhir has also worked at Ernst & Young in the UK, and with AF Ferguson and Ogilvy & Mather in India.
“It is a huge privilege for me to join one of the best known global technology brands. The company has experienced strong growth over the last three years led by its strategy to sharply focus on select industry segments and clarity in vision to be the first choice. I look forward to working with the team to execute our next phase of growth”, said Sudhir Chaturvedi.
Speaking on the appointment, Arvind Thakur, CEO NIIT Technologies said, “The Company is preparing for its next phase of growth with an eye to scale business to a billion USD annually. Sudhir’s induction would bring fresh perspectives and enhance leadership bandwidth to execute on our next phase of growth”.
Sudhir, 43, has rich and varied experience of over 20 years across geographies and industry segments. In his 13 year stint at Infosys he played a leadership role in the company as EMEA Retail Head, EMEA Sales Head, and Europe Manufacturing Vertical Head, before moving to the US as Financial Services Business Unit Head. Sudhir has also worked at Ernst & Young in the UK, and with AF Ferguson and Ogilvy & Mather in India.
“It is a huge privilege for me to join one of the best known global technology brands. The company has experienced strong growth over the last three years led by its strategy to sharply focus on select industry segments and clarity in vision to be the first choice. I look forward to working with the team to execute our next phase of growth”, said Sudhir Chaturvedi.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
writingonblog uncensored: Chennaites to wait longer for Metro rail elevated ...
writingonblog uncensored: Chennaites to wait longer for Metro rail elevated ...: Termination of contract hits April 2014 deadline C Shivakumar Chennai: Chennaites will now have to wait longer for the elevated stretch ...
Chennaites to wait longer for Metro rail elevated project to be completed
Termination of contract hits April 2014 deadline
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Chennaites will now have to wait longer for the elevated stretch to be completed as the project is likely to be delayed with the termination of the contract of Lanco Infratech Limited due to delay in execution of work on the stretch between Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) and Chennai airport.
The revised deadline for finishing the elevated stretch was April 2014 but with the termination of Lanco’s contract, it won’t be possible to meet this deadline as work in the stretch is likely to delayed, metro rail sources said.
Interestingly, the biggest headache for Chennai Metro Rail will now be to find a new contractor. And officials feel this could take nearly three to four months time. “This also depends how good the agency is when it comes to executing the work,” a metro rail source said.
Metro rail officials told Express that the contract was terminated due to inordinate delay by the company in executing the work. The company was awarded the contract for Rs 178.94 crore in August 2011 for the construction of the elevated stretch between OTA and Chennai airport.
“They should have completed 80 to 90 per cent of work by now but they managed to complete only 30 per cent,” a metro rail official said.
Interestingly, in a further blow to metro rail, Lanco has started legal proceedings over the termination of contract. This is cause of concern as legal wrangles could also further delay the project.
Metro Rail officials said now the biggest challenge is to find some quick solutions so that the work on the stretch resumes. Interestingly, this comes at a time when Chennai’s first metro rail, that was imported from Brazil, is set to undergo test run in the 800 metre test track by the end of this week or next month.
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Chennaites will now have to wait longer for the elevated stretch to be completed as the project is likely to be delayed with the termination of the contract of Lanco Infratech Limited due to delay in execution of work on the stretch between Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) and Chennai airport.
The revised deadline for finishing the elevated stretch was April 2014 but with the termination of Lanco’s contract, it won’t be possible to meet this deadline as work in the stretch is likely to delayed, metro rail sources said.
Interestingly, the biggest headache for Chennai Metro Rail will now be to find a new contractor. And officials feel this could take nearly three to four months time. “This also depends how good the agency is when it comes to executing the work,” a metro rail source said.
Metro rail officials told Express that the contract was terminated due to inordinate delay by the company in executing the work. The company was awarded the contract for Rs 178.94 crore in August 2011 for the construction of the elevated stretch between OTA and Chennai airport.
“They should have completed 80 to 90 per cent of work by now but they managed to complete only 30 per cent,” a metro rail official said.
Interestingly, in a further blow to metro rail, Lanco has started legal proceedings over the termination of contract. This is cause of concern as legal wrangles could also further delay the project.
Metro Rail officials said now the biggest challenge is to find some quick solutions so that the work on the stretch resumes. Interestingly, this comes at a time when Chennai’s first metro rail, that was imported from Brazil, is set to undergo test run in the 800 metre test track by the end of this week or next month.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
writingonblog uncensored: United Nations declares 6 April as International D...
writingonblog uncensored: United Nations declares 6 April as International D...: New York: In a consensus action on Friday, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 6 April the International ...
United Nations declares 6 April as International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
New York:
In a consensus action on Friday, the UN General Assembly
adopted a resolution proclaiming 6 April the International Day of Sport for
Development and Peace.
By its terms, the Assembly invited States, the United
Nations System, relevant international organizations, civil society,
international, regional and national sports organizations, as well as all other
relevant stakeholders, to observe and raise awareness of the International Day.
Further by the text, the Assembly stressed that the costs of
all activities arising from the resolution’s implementation must be met from
voluntary contributions, subject to the availability and provision of voluntary
contributions for that purpose.
Vuk Jeremić ( Serbia), President of the General Assembly,
described the resolution as “historic”, emphasizing that the significance of
sport in improving an individual’s character and a society’s welfare could be
traced back to the dawn of civilization.
The Greeks had placed sport at the very centre of their identity by
establishing the Olympics Games some two and a half millennia ago, he said,
adding that war was forbidden during competition so that athletes and
spectators could travel safely to watch the events.
Indeed, the most important thing in the Olympics was not
winning but taking part and contesting well and nobly, he continued. In many ways, sport embodied humanity’s most
valiant characteristics as it required perseverance, discipline, fair play, and
honourable competition. Across the
globe today, sports programmes had been used to deliver HIV/AIDS prevention
messages, promote child and maternal health and further gender equality, he
said, adding that today’s resolution built on those initiatives by recognizing
sport as a unique way to attract, mobilize and inspire people around the
world. Sport could also serve as a tool
for development, he said, expressing hope that its inherent values would help
in defining the post-2015 development agenda.
He went on to pay tribute to the great athletes of the past,
whose achievements, character and moral fortitude had earned them a place of
distinction. More specifically, Jesse
Owens had defied fascist ideology with his victories at the 1936 Berlin
Olympics, he said as he also expressed deep admiration for the para-athletes
who defied disabilities and defeated negative stereotypes through sport. It was a powerful tool for peace and
reconciliation which caused ethnic, religious and economic divisions to fall by
the wayside, alongside prejudice, fear and misunderstanding, he stressed. “The stadium, the swimming pool, the dusty
local pitch — such sites are transformed into places where greatness is within
reach for all, where purity of endeavour is on full display, and where any
individual’s abilities can be seen and admired without reservation.”
Troubled global economy forcing firms to rethink on employment : HR experts
Chennai:
Uncertainty over global economy and changing business models worldwide due to technology innovation is forcing human resources managers to evolve new strategies to stay relevant.
Anita Ramachandran, founder and chief executive officer of Cerebrus Consultants while addressing the Le Vox Populi-HR Conclave 2013 organised by Loyola Institute of Business Administration stressed the need for human resource executives to speak the language of business.
She said human resources should move from being a strategic business partner to climb up the value chain and unify with business.
She said the human resources executive should have good understanding of business besides being able to speak the language of business. “The should be able to analyse data and take decisions based on it. She also highlighted about the Maruti Manesar violence and said that with the rise in militant trade unionism, industrial relations, which was losing its credibility post liberalization, is again going to play a significant role.
Interestingly, the issue was also highlighted by Vijaykumar Rangaraju, who is vice-president human resources, Polaris Financial Technology Ltd. Rangaraju, who is working on his book ‘Multiple Fragrances in the same room’, said that during the 1990s, the need for industrial relations professionals was coming down resulting growth of human resources professionals. He said the liberalization destroyed the need for labour unions and industrial relations management.
Interestingly post 2008 after the global economic downturn companies have been cutting in jobs or laying of workers that is resulting in discontent and rise in violence or protest in companies.
He also cited a telecom company in Chennai, which was embroiled in labour issues, and hit out at the failure of the personnel manager to handle the labour issues.
He also stressed the need for values in human resources so that the company could be profitable. Mark Trevor, senior consultant, organization, People and Change Practice, Pricewaterhouse Coopers said that values are important part of the company and the same time it is also linked to the profits the company is making. Highlighting the transformation of human resources, he said currently, the specialization matters less and what is more important is to manage the people.
Marian Pias, head research function, MarketMaker4 highlighted the relevance of human resources with the advent of social media. Interestingly, he highlighted the needs of younger generation, who prefer fun in workplace to be more productive.
He highlighted how firms are using social media sites to attract talent in the workplace. He also said that social human resources could make human resources defunct.
writingonblog uncensored: Troubled global economy forcing firms to rethink o...
writingonblog uncensored: Troubled global economy forcing firms to rethink o...: Chennai: Uncertainty over global economy and changing business models worldwide due to technology innovation is forcing human resources ...
Friday, August 23, 2013
writingonblog uncensored: ISF working to provide social security to two cror...
writingonblog uncensored: ISF working to provide social security to two cror...: Chennai: Indian Staffing Federation (ISF) is working on trying to provide social security apparatus to more than two crore workers...
ISF working to provide social security to two crore temporary workers
Chennai:
Indian Staffing Federation (ISF) is working on trying to provide social security apparatus to more than two crore workers who have not been included under the labour laws, according to president of ISF K Pandia Rajan.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a national conclave on ‘Freedom of employment and the role of governance in enabling this employment’ here on Thursday, Rajan, said that the solution is to go for organized flexi-staffing or temporary staffing so that the workers are covered under social security.
Rajan said that ISF is for dignity and security of employees. He said that as per a latest national survey, 13.9 million people got employed in 2011-12 of which a majority of jobs created was of low quality and in unorganized sector with little or no economic or social security and benefits.
He said ISF is looking at creating a conducive environment while focusing on the need for corporate governance practices for effective staffing that need to be practiced by the state, the companies and employees simultaneously.
Currently, India has 1.3 million flexi staff or temporary staff. Flexi-staffing is of different kinds. It could be either leased employees or contract workers. It also acts as a springboard for first-time job seekers. Currently, top two leading firms in this sector have earned revenues worth Rs 1,000 crore due to flexi-staffing, says Rajan, who is non-executive chairman of Ranstad India.
writingonblog uncensored: Depreciating rupee attracts NRIs to invest in Chen...
writingonblog uncensored: Depreciating rupee attracts NRIs to invest in Chen...: Chennai: The depreciating rupee may be a cause of worry for policy makers but it has proved to be an opportunity for non-resident Ind...
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Depreciating rupee attracts NRIs to invest in Chennai properties
Chennai:
The depreciating rupee may be a cause of worry for policy makers but it has proved to be an opportunity for non-resident Indians who find Chennai as one of the most favoured destination for property investment.
A survey conducted by Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India lists Chennai as the second most favoured property investment destination for NRIs due to the falling rupee.
Currently, the rupee has fallen by about 34 per cent against the US dollar since August 2011 and crossed 65 against the dollar.
The survey highlighted that Bangalore is the most favourite property investment destination for NRIs followed by Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Dehradun.
M Raghunathan, state secretary Builders Association of India, Tamil Nadu says that Chennai offers good investment platform for NRIs as the price movement here is constant when compared cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad. He said the growth in Chennai has attracted developers from New Delhi and Mumbai to invest in Chennai.
Interestingly, the Assocham survey of nearly 1250 real estate developers in Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Dera Basi, Mohali near Chandigarh, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahemdabad, Pune and Dehradun states that the Rupee's sharp dip against the US dollar has tempted non-resident Indians (NRI) to buy property. The study further states that realtors are expecting an increase of 35 per cent in business enquiries from the expatriates this year.
Interestingly, developers like ETA Star are looking to tap the NRI market with their latest luxury project launched in Chennai. S Yashoda, general manager sales and marketing, ETA Star Property Developers states that they haven’t received drastic number of queries from NRIs regarding their projects. “By the end of this month, we will be launching massive advertising campaigns to reach out to NRIs,” she says.
The enquiries from NRIs especially from the Middle-East, Europe, the US and Singapore for buying property in India have also risen by 20-25 per cent following the rupee's depreciation, says Assocham survey. The majority of real estate developer said the NRI traffic is coming primarily from the UAE or Gulf region, US, Singapore, Australia, UK, Canada, South-Africa etc. The demand is more for high-end properties and commercial buildings.
While it is not good news for people back at home, but for a non-resident Indian (NRI), this is definitely the best time to invest. At the moment any non-resident Indian buying a property in India can save around 20-30 per cent on his or her property value, states the survey.
N Ganesh Vasudevan, CEO of IndiaProperty.com said that with the falling rupee, realty market across the country has seen a revival in interest from the NRIs.
The direct correlation between the rupee value and purchasing power has enhanced their buying capacity by 20-25 per cent. If a buyer was looking for a property valued Rs one crore, now by spending the same amount he can increase his budget to Rs 1.3 Cr or reduce the loan component.
“This has increased the curiosity amongst NRIs which has lead to an increase in the number of enquiries and site visits. It’s also to be seen in the light of Chennai been one of the top performers in Real Estate market in past 8-9 quarters,” he added.
T Chitty Babu, chairman and chief executive officer of Akshaya PVT LTD said, “Indian real estate market has turned out to be a lucrative investment option for Non Residential Indians. As a result of the downtrend in the rupee value, many of them are now actively seeking residential property investment opportunities in India.
According to a study, most of the NRIs in the US, show interest in investing in the Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad real estate market. Chennai is one of the major economic centers that contributes to the country’s global rise and has always been a very good potential for real estate investment. People living in the Middle East and other Gulf countries have displayed significantly higher interest in properties in South India especially in Chennai, he said.
"Akshaya having a branch office in association with Indian Trade & Exhibition Centre in UAE acts as a single point access to quality real estate opportunity in India (Chennai) for potential buyers and property investors. Depending on the increasing monetary rewards in terms of higher returns , NRI’s will continue to invest in the Chennai market," he added.
writingonblog uncensored: Human mission to Mars is doable, says US scientist...
writingonblog uncensored: Human mission to Mars is doable, says US scientist...: Cold Atom Lab likely to be launched in April 2016 Chennai: Human mission to Mars planet could materialize anytime in five to 15 years fr...
Human mission to Mars is doable, says US scientist
Cold Atom Lab likely to be launched in April 2016
Chennai:
Human mission to Mars planet could materialize anytime in five to 15 years from now, according to an American aerospace scientist working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Anita Sengupta, aerospace scientist of Jet propulsion Laboratory of NASA, who was part of the team that successfully landed the car-sized robotic rover 'Curiosity’ on Mars last year to explore Gale crater, did not rule out the possibility of human mission to Mars.
“The human mission to Mars is feasible and doable provided if we have the budget and technology. I hope it could happen in next five to 15 years,” Sengupta said.
The aerospace scientist, who was part of the team which designed the special parachute that soft landed the heavy 'Curiosity’ on Mars, said that for human mission there would be a need for a larger parachute which would require hypersonic and supersonic aerodynamic simulation.
Sengupta , who was in the city, as part of her outreach to inspire school and college students in the field of space, said that Curiosity is doing well. “Its final destination was to reach Mount Sharp in the Mars," She said.
The aerospace scientist, who is currently working as the project manager in the Cold Atom Laboratory Mission, an ultra-cold quantum gas experiment to be launched to the International Space Station by April 2016, said that her team intends to study coldest spot of the universe and also the state of matter called ‘Bose- Einstein Condensate,’ named after the great scientists Albert Einstein and Satyendra Nath Bose.
Cold Atom Laboratory will be a facility for the study of ultra-cold quantum gases in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS). It will enable research in a temperature regime and force free environment that is inaccessible to terrestrial laboratories. In the microgravity environment, up to 20 second long interaction times and as low as 1 picokelvin temperatures are achievable, unlocking the potential to observe new quantum phenomena. CAL will also be a pathfinder experiment for future quantum sensors based on laser cooled atom
Chennai:
Human mission to Mars planet could materialize anytime in five to 15 years from now, according to an American aerospace scientist working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Anita Sengupta, aerospace scientist of Jet propulsion Laboratory of NASA, who was part of the team that successfully landed the car-sized robotic rover 'Curiosity’ on Mars last year to explore Gale crater, did not rule out the possibility of human mission to Mars.
“The human mission to Mars is feasible and doable provided if we have the budget and technology. I hope it could happen in next five to 15 years,” Sengupta said.
The aerospace scientist, who was part of the team which designed the special parachute that soft landed the heavy 'Curiosity’ on Mars, said that for human mission there would be a need for a larger parachute which would require hypersonic and supersonic aerodynamic simulation.
Sengupta , who was in the city, as part of her outreach to inspire school and college students in the field of space, said that Curiosity is doing well. “Its final destination was to reach Mount Sharp in the Mars," She said.
The aerospace scientist, who is currently working as the project manager in the Cold Atom Laboratory Mission, an ultra-cold quantum gas experiment to be launched to the International Space Station by April 2016, said that her team intends to study coldest spot of the universe and also the state of matter called ‘Bose- Einstein Condensate,’ named after the great scientists Albert Einstein and Satyendra Nath Bose.
Cold Atom Laboratory will be a facility for the study of ultra-cold quantum gases in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS). It will enable research in a temperature regime and force free environment that is inaccessible to terrestrial laboratories. In the microgravity environment, up to 20 second long interaction times and as low as 1 picokelvin temperatures are achievable, unlocking the potential to observe new quantum phenomena. CAL will also be a pathfinder experiment for future quantum sensors based on laser cooled atom
writingonblog uncensored: Krishna, Veeranam boost city's water supply
writingonblog uncensored: Krishna, Veeranam boost city's water supply: Chennai: Water supply to the city has gone up to 600 million litres per day (MLD) following the release of 180 MLD of water from Veeranam ...
Krishna, Veeranam boost city's water supply
Chennai:
Water supply to the city has gone up to 600 million litres per day (MLD) following the release of 180 MLD of water from Veeranam and 700 cusecs of Krishna water from Kandaleru Dam in Andhra Pradesh.
Metro water sources said that following the lack of rainfall and dwindling water level in the reservoirs, Metro water was forced to reorganise water distribution in seven zones. These include Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Kodambakkam and Adyar.
“We have to cut the supply from 830 million litres per day to 550 million litres per day following the water levels dwindling in the reservoir due lack of rains,” Metro water sources said.
Now the water distribution has been augmented with the additional 180 MLD of water being supplied from Veeranam lake after the directive of Chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
“This has resulted in the city now getting 600 MLD of water, an additional 10 pc of what it was getting following the contingency measures to reorganize water distribution.
Metro water sources said that it has improved the supply of water in 25 per cent of city’s areas that had been facing shortages. The areas include Velachery, Besant Nagar, Tiruvanmiyur, Taramani, Kottivakkam, Alandur, Mylapore, Anna Nagar, Ayanavaram, Valasaravakkam, Saidapet, CIT Nagar, Vyasarpadi and Washermenpet.
Metro water sources said that this has also resulted in the decline of 30 to 40 per cent in the paid lorry water supply in south Chennai.
Water supply will be improved in Anna park, Royapuram, Poonga Nagar and Ambattur from August 22, Metro water sources added.
Metro water sources said that water supply to the city would be further increased depending upon the inflow of Krishna Water from Kandleru Dam, besides increase in water levels in Puzhal and Chembarambakkam reservoirs.
But the normal water supply hinges on the monsoon. “Everything depends on the weather god,” said the metro water source.
Water supply to the city has gone up to 600 million litres per day (MLD) following the release of 180 MLD of water from Veeranam and 700 cusecs of Krishna water from Kandaleru Dam in Andhra Pradesh.
Metro water sources said that following the lack of rainfall and dwindling water level in the reservoirs, Metro water was forced to reorganise water distribution in seven zones. These include Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Kodambakkam and Adyar.
“We have to cut the supply from 830 million litres per day to 550 million litres per day following the water levels dwindling in the reservoir due lack of rains,” Metro water sources said.
Now the water distribution has been augmented with the additional 180 MLD of water being supplied from Veeranam lake after the directive of Chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
“This has resulted in the city now getting 600 MLD of water, an additional 10 pc of what it was getting following the contingency measures to reorganize water distribution.
Metro water sources said that it has improved the supply of water in 25 per cent of city’s areas that had been facing shortages. The areas include Velachery, Besant Nagar, Tiruvanmiyur, Taramani, Kottivakkam, Alandur, Mylapore, Anna Nagar, Ayanavaram, Valasaravakkam, Saidapet, CIT Nagar, Vyasarpadi and Washermenpet.
Metro water sources said that this has also resulted in the decline of 30 to 40 per cent in the paid lorry water supply in south Chennai.
Water supply will be improved in Anna park, Royapuram, Poonga Nagar and Ambattur from August 22, Metro water sources added.
Metro water sources said that water supply to the city would be further increased depending upon the inflow of Krishna Water from Kandleru Dam, besides increase in water levels in Puzhal and Chembarambakkam reservoirs.
But the normal water supply hinges on the monsoon. “Everything depends on the weather god,” said the metro water source.
writingonblog uncensored: 1.6 km pedestrian skywalk near Chennai Central awa...
writingonblog uncensored: 1.6 km pedestrian skywalk near Chennai Central awa...: C Shivakumar Chennai: The 1.6 km-long pedestrian skywalk proposed on Poonamallee High Road connecting Chennai central is now befor...
1.6 km pedestrian skywalk near Chennai Central awaits heritage panel green light
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The 1.6 km-long pedestrian skywalk proposed on Poonamallee High Road connecting Chennai central is now before the Heritage Conservation Committee for clearance.
CMDA sources said the skywalk, which would help connect pedestrians to more than 10 different points including Chennai Central, Moore Market Complex, Madras Medical College, Southern Railway head quarters and Government General Hospital, would be inspected by the Heritage Conservation committee on Tuesday before deciding to give a green light to the proposal.
Interestingly, the proposal has already got the nod of Southern Railways. Sources said the proposal would ease the movement of pedestrians in the crowded stretch.
Sources said that the decision was taken during the heritage Conservation Committee meeting held here on Wednesday.
Sources said that the Heritage Conservation Committee also overruled the objections over the first draft list of 67 sites. “There were two objections which were overruled,” sources said.
Interestingly, this means that the Southern Railways plan to tear down more than the century-old Royapuram Railway station is now unlikely to fructify. Built in 1856 during the colonial era by the then Madras Railway Company, Royapuram was the first station that initiated railway services in South India. The list prepared by CMDA has described it as Grade-1 heritage structure.
Sources said the draft list will be cleared for notification during the next authority meeting. The meeting also re-evaluated the grading of 15 buildings.
Sources also said that the committee gave clearance to construction of a building at St Bedes School in Santhome. The school is a heritage site as such the officials sought the clearance from heritage conservation committee, sources said.
writingonblog uncensored: Income Tax officials raid Indev group of companies...
writingonblog uncensored: Income Tax officials raid Indev group of companies...: Chennai: Income tax officials raided the offices of INDEV group of companies across the country. Income tax sources said that 15...
Income Tax officials raid Indev group of companies
Chennai:
Income tax officials raided the offices of INDEV group of companies across the country.
Income tax sources said that 15 permises of INDEV were raided in Chennai and 30 other offices across the country.
The searches, which were conducted by 45 teams to verify the doubts over tax evasion by the group, began around 8 am and is still continuing, sources said.
The searches are being carried out in the wake of similar operations being conducted against Meenakshi group of institutions, Namakkal schools and SRM Group of companies during June besides Lion Dates Impex Pvt Ltd, Saravana Bhavan chain of hotels and Adyar Ananda Bhavan last month.
The raid also comes in the wake of INDEV Logistics Pvt Ltd setting up its first Free Trade Warehousing Zone facility at J Matadee Free Trade Zone – SEZ , Mannur Village, Sriperumputhur Taluk, near Chennai. The firm is owned by Xavier Britto, Chairman of Indev Group. Indev currently employs more than 2500 staff across its facilities.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Lankan inmates in Chengalpattu go on hunger stir
Express News Service
Chennai:
Ten Sri lankan inmates of Chengalpattu Sri Lankan refugee
camp in Kancheepuram district on Wednesday went on an indefinite hunger strike
demanding their immediate release besides demanding to be transferred to open
camps.
Q Branch officials told Express that 10 inmates have gone on
strike from Wednesday. However, they refused to divulge any further details.
Interestingly, the refugees are are languishing in the camp
for several years. They have been picked by the Q branch for trying to smuggle consignments
to LTTE and some on the basis on suspicion.
The refugees, who had undertaken the fast, alleged that the
strength of inmates in the camp, which was set up in 1993, has been increasing
despite many refugees are being freed. Currently, there are 52 refugees, they
said. “Threen months ago they promised to free five inmates but instead of that
they bought in 10 more refugees in the camp.,” the refugees alleged.
The refugees said that they have urged several organizations
and they have remained passive to our demands of freedom. The Q branch
maintains that keeping a foreigner in the special camp to regulate his
continued presence under the section 3 (2) (e) of Foreigners Act, 1946 does not
amount to arrest or confinement.
The inmates on fast include Gandhi Mohan, Kandeepan,
Parameshwaran, Johnson, Suman, Ramesh, Sasidharan, Eashwaran, Balkumar and
Kalidas.
writingonblog uncensored: CII organises seminar on opportunities that lie ah...
writingonblog uncensored: CII organises seminar on opportunities that lie ah...: Chennai: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is organizing a three city seminar Series, Engaging China where it would speak on the oppor...
CII organises seminar on opportunities that lie ahead in China
Chennai: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is organizing a three city seminar Series, Engaging China where it would speak on the opportunities that lie ahead in China. These workshops will be organized on 26th August 2013 in Kolkata, 27th August in Chennai and on 29th August 2013 in Mumbai.
It’s essential to understand China’s 12th national five-year plan, which provides policy guidance to the economic and industrial development in the future years. To invest in China, it is important for Indian companies to understand the new investment environment and trends of foreign investment in China by taking advantage of all the tax incentives and the local financial subsidy arrangements. The session on "Profile of China" will help companies understand all the above and the practical experience.
Indian companies have an enormous, literally unprecedented, untapped opportunities awaiting to be harnessed in China in various sectors. In order to "Engage with China", Indian companies need to understand China from a different perspective. This would help the companies to develop well thought winning strategies, explains Supriya Banerji, Deputy Director General and Head (International), CII.
Speakers for each of these sessions are experts and well respected in their respective fields.Jeff Xu is Partner (Tax & Business Advisory Services) Shanghai Deloitte Ltd and an expert in this field. Mr. Mark Schaub has been in China since 1993.Steve has lived and worked in China for nearly 20 years. Mr Heiko Bugs started his career in Asia in 1994 working for a manufacturing joint-venture in South Korea. Dr G Venkat Raman is currently a faculty in Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode in the area of Humanities & Liberal Arts in Management since October 2010.
“China is in the process of transforming its economic growth model from export/invest driven to consumption driven model under the China’s new leadership. During the transformation process, China will create a new wave of opportunities in many industries (e.g. information technology, e-commerce, cloud computing and others) for both foreign investors and local investors, “explains Jeff Xu, Partner (Tax and Business Services) Deloitte Shanghai Limited
China is too BIG to ignore. For India and Indian business, China is simultaneously an opportunity, a collaborator and a competitor. Due to geography, demographics and nature of their economies the story of India and China interaction will be an important part of the history of this century. Even though economic growth in both countries is slowing and despite political complexities the investment and trade for the giant neighbor’s is likely to continue to grow rapidly. Indian business should make itself China savvy to capitalize on these opportunities says Mark Schaub, Partner, King and Wood Malleson.
The immense possibility in China to do business has necessitated ever growing interest of the corporate world in the unique ways in which Chinese conduct business. Being, in Martin Jacques' words, a 'civilizational state' Chinese business has very successfully incorporated some of its unique cultural strengths to carve out successful business practices. Any attempt to understand these practices should start from a deeper appreciation of the Chinese culture. This is bound to help Indians who have to deal with China in negotiating for successful business relationships explains Prof G Venkatraman, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Kozikode.
It’s essential to understand China’s 12th national five-year plan, which provides policy guidance to the economic and industrial development in the future years. To invest in China, it is important for Indian companies to understand the new investment environment and trends of foreign investment in China by taking advantage of all the tax incentives and the local financial subsidy arrangements. The session on "Profile of China" will help companies understand all the above and the practical experience.
Indian companies have an enormous, literally unprecedented, untapped opportunities awaiting to be harnessed in China in various sectors. In order to "Engage with China", Indian companies need to understand China from a different perspective. This would help the companies to develop well thought winning strategies, explains Supriya Banerji, Deputy Director General and Head (International), CII.
Speakers for each of these sessions are experts and well respected in their respective fields.Jeff Xu is Partner (Tax & Business Advisory Services) Shanghai Deloitte Ltd and an expert in this field. Mr. Mark Schaub has been in China since 1993.Steve has lived and worked in China for nearly 20 years. Mr Heiko Bugs started his career in Asia in 1994 working for a manufacturing joint-venture in South Korea. Dr G Venkat Raman is currently a faculty in Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode in the area of Humanities & Liberal Arts in Management since October 2010.
“China is in the process of transforming its economic growth model from export/invest driven to consumption driven model under the China’s new leadership. During the transformation process, China will create a new wave of opportunities in many industries (e.g. information technology, e-commerce, cloud computing and others) for both foreign investors and local investors, “explains Jeff Xu, Partner (Tax and Business Services) Deloitte Shanghai Limited
China is too BIG to ignore. For India and Indian business, China is simultaneously an opportunity, a collaborator and a competitor. Due to geography, demographics and nature of their economies the story of India and China interaction will be an important part of the history of this century. Even though economic growth in both countries is slowing and despite political complexities the investment and trade for the giant neighbor’s is likely to continue to grow rapidly. Indian business should make itself China savvy to capitalize on these opportunities says Mark Schaub, Partner, King and Wood Malleson.
The immense possibility in China to do business has necessitated ever growing interest of the corporate world in the unique ways in which Chinese conduct business. Being, in Martin Jacques' words, a 'civilizational state' Chinese business has very successfully incorporated some of its unique cultural strengths to carve out successful business practices. Any attempt to understand these practices should start from a deeper appreciation of the Chinese culture. This is bound to help Indians who have to deal with China in negotiating for successful business relationships explains Prof G Venkatraman, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Kozikode.
writingonblog uncensored: 20% off base fare of all AirAsia and AirAsia X fli...
writingonblog uncensored: 20% off base fare of all AirAsia and AirAsia X fli...: CHENNAI: Get 20 per cent off on the base fare of all AirAsia & AirAsia X flights when you book online, or through AirAsia Travel ...
20% off base fare of all AirAsia and AirAsia X flights!
CHENNAI: Get 20 per cent off on the base fare of all AirAsia
& AirAsia X flights when you book online, or through AirAsia Travel Shops
from Wednesday to August 25 for the travel period from 27th Aug to 11th Dec
2013.
The 20pc discount is applicable to the base fare of all
AirAsia flights with the flight code AK (Malaysia AirAsia), FD (Thai AirAsia),
QZ (AirAsia Indonesia), PQ (Philippines’ AirAsia), and D7 (AirAsia X) and will
enable travellers to take advantage of Air Asia’s wide network coverage,
covering over 85 destinations across 20 countries.
The discount is also applicable when guests book the
Fly-Thru service. Now fly from Chennai/Kolkata to Bangkok &
Bangalore/Chennai/Kochi/Kolkata/Tiruchirappalli to Kuala Lumpur for all in fare
as low as Rs 5,999.
Bookings for these 20pc discount are also available via
AirAsia’s mobile applications on iPhone, Android devices, Blackberry10, as well
as its mobile site mobile.airasia.com.
The mobile applications on iPhone and Android platforms are
now updated with the ‘Manage My Booking’ feature as well, where guests can view
all their bookings, check-in for flights, as well as manage add-ons such as
meals, seat selection, check-in baggage and sports equipment allocation,
purchase travel insurance and more.
Apart from the 20pc savings on seats throughout this
promotion period, travellers are also encouraged to pre-book their check-in
baggage allocation online as they will be able to save up to 66pc as compared
to checking-in their bags over the airport counter. Other value-added products
and services which guests can opt for when booking their seats include hot
meals on board, seat selection, travel insurance, comfort kit purchase and
sports equipment check-in allocation.
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai going the e-way for shopping...
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai going the e-way for shopping...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Two years ago nineteen-year-old Bipasha Adhikari brought a purple and white dress from Fashion and You for R...
Chennai going the e-way for shopping...
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Two years ago nineteen-year-old Bipasha Adhikari brought a purple and white dress from Fashion and You for Rs 700. After that there was no looking back.
The daughter of a government employee, Bipasha is now addicted to online shopping and spends Rs 1,500 every month buying dresses, bags and other accessories. “I don’t like to travel and hate crowd. Online shopping gives me varieties to choose from and also to privacy to shop,” says the third year economics student in Madras Christian College.
Bipasha browses Fashion and You, flipkart, yebhi.com, jabong for her shopping needs. Interestingly, her parents don’t shop online. “They prefer to go to malls or shop for shopping,’ she says highlighting the digital divide that is persisting among the younger and older generations.
However, this digital divide seems to be slowly being bridged with many older people also preferring to shop online.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited assistant general manager Vijayalakshmi Vijayan prefers to shop online. I prefer to buy shoes, watches, clothing accessories and gifts besides decorative items online.
Vijaya is fond of indiavarta from where she bought her first household decorative item for Rs 900. However, she does browse other websites like jabong as well as snapdeal, which caters to her shopping needs. Online shopping provides one the luxury of shopping from one’s home, she says.
But Vijaya is afraid of online transactions. I prefer to pay in cash once the product is delivered going in for online transactions,” she says. “I don’t want to share my bank account or any other details with online websites. I am not comfortable with it and feel it is not safe,” says Vijaya.
But few like Arun Kumar Gopinath, senior manager in Cognizant technology Solutions go in for online purchases. “I only do my shopping through e-bay,” says Gopinath, who made his first purchase eight years ago. “I bought a small kids computer for around Rs 300-Rs 500. I prefer only e-bay not only for quality but also quantity. In case you are not satisfied with the product, you can return it. This is not with other websites,” he says.
Gopinath enjoys online shopping and searches across various portals before zeroing in on a product. “First I would like to check on what price the product is available in US, Singapore or any other country, the reviews about it and then only I purchase it,” says the techie.
He spends anywhere about Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 a month. He says the products are about 50 per cent cheaper than the showroom price. “Last time I saw a top in a showroom which was priced Rs 3,000. The same toy I bought it for Rs 700 in e-bay,” Gopinath says.
Interestingly, it is the youngsters who are spreading the online shopping revolution in the cities.
Pushpita Chakraborty, a client servicing executive from a public relations firm says that her first online purchase was influenced by her friends in college. “During my undergraduation, I saw my friends purchasing products online,” says Pushpita who spends around Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per month. “The first item I brought was a handbag costing rs 1,400 to Rs 1,500 from from Jabong. I mostly prefer online transactions via debit cards, she says.
Pushpita says that online shoppers are increasing every day and the product availability is also at a rise. Interestingly, it is the youngsters like her who are slowly triggering a online shopping revolution in the city which is spreading silently.
List of 10 most preferred sites:
Indiavarta.com
Ebay.com
Jabong.com
Flipkart.com
Yebhi.com
Fashionandyou.com
Amazon.com
Inksuit.com
Shopnineteen.com
Myntra.com
(as given by shoppers)
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
writingonblog uncensored: BDL to supply Invar Anti Tank Guided Missiles to I...
writingonblog uncensored: BDL to supply Invar Anti Tank Guided Missiles to I...: Chennai: Bharat Dynamic Limited, Hyderabad (BDL), a Mini Ratna category company under Department of Defence Production signed a contract ...
BDL to supply Invar Anti Tank Guided Missiles to Indian Army
Chennai:
Bharat Dynamic Limited, Hyderabad (BDL), a Mini Ratna category company under Department of Defence Production signed a contract with Ministry of Defence for supplying Invar Anti Tank Guided Missiles to Indian Army.
The contract is worth about Rs 3000 Cr. The deliveries are expected to be completed over next five years.
Invar is a laser beam rider Anti Tank Guided Missile capable of being fired from T-90 tank. It has a range of 5 km. The missile can neutralize adversaries tanks fitted with Explosive Reactive Armour Protection. BDL has been manufacturing these missiles under technical collaboration with M/s Rosoboronexport of Russia.
writingonblog uncensored: 645 terrorists killed by army from 2010-13
writingonblog uncensored: 645 terrorists killed by army from 2010-13: New Delhi: A total of 645 terrorists were killed by the army from 2010-13, according to Defence Minister A K Antony. He told Parliament t...
645 terrorists killed by army from 2010-13
New Delhi: A total of 645 terrorists were killed by the army from 2010-13, according to Defence Minister A K Antony. He told Parliament that the army conducted 232 operations during the same period.
He also said that a total of 68 complaints were filed with National Human Rights Commission during the period of which 60 were investigated. Currently, eight cases are under investigation.
The number and details of encounters that have taken place across the country involving the Army during each of the last three years and the current year are as under:-
|
Year
|
Number of Operations conducted by the Army involving
terrorists.
| ||
|
2010
|
103
| ||
|
2011
|
39
| ||
|
2012
|
57
| ||
|
2013
(Upto 14th
August, 2013)
|
33
| ||
The details of
inquiries held in respect of NHRC reported cases are as under:-
|
Year
|
No. of cases received
|
No. of cases
Investigated
|
No. of cases
under
Investigation
|
No. of cases in
which punishment was awarded
| |||||
|
2010
|
20
|
19
|
01
|
Nil
| |||||
|
2011
|
19
|
19
|
Nil
|
Nil
| |||||
|
2012
|
25
|
22
|
03
|
Nil
| |||||
|
2013
|
04
|
Nil
|
04
|
Nil
| |||||
The details of
terrorists killed in operations conducted by the Army, are as under:-
|
Year
|
Number of
Terrorist
| ||
|
2010
|
329
| ||
|
2011
|
136
| ||
|
2012
|
127
| ||
|
2013
|
53
| ||
|
(Upto 14th
August, 2013)
|
| ||
Source PIB
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