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| Bajaj Electricals unveils range of microwave ovens, air cooler Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Bajaj Electricals Limited has unveiled wide and stunning range of air coolers and microwave....more
Parliament’s approval NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Parliament today gave its approval to supplementary demands of grants relating to railway budget 2000-2001 and the relevant.....more Govt allays fears of NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Government today allayed fears of dumping of electronic goods from China saying imports from China constituted....more Indian diamonds NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Maintaining its scintillating performance this year, the gems and jewellery industry has emerged as a major....more |
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Cement
industry in NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Reeling under the pressures of low demand, excess supply and low prices cement industry ended the year with abysmally low .....more
5000 agri-clinics to NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Government has announced a proposal to set up 5000 agri-clinics and agri-business centres annually which would give a......more Study for extracton JAIPUR, Dec 22: A study has been launched for extraction of Coalbed Methane (CBM) from lignite deposits in western Rajasthan mainly with the object of generating power using CBM. .....more Citizens alliance asks Govt
NEW DELHI, Dec 22: A citizens alliance of environmentalists, trade unionists, social workers and representatives ...more |
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Bajaj
Electricals unveils range of microwave Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Bajaj Electricals Limited has unveiled wide and stunning range of air coolers and microwave ovens for the first time in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Talking to mediapersons here last evening, Mr G P Satsangi, Vice-President, North, Bajaj Electricals Limited said that the pricing feature of coolers and ovens is most competitive. "Inspite of competition from the Multi-National Companies (MNCs), our price is very affordable and suits the commonmen", Mr Satsangi said and informed that in the microwave ovens there are nine models and the maximum price limit is Rs 14900 and minimum limit is of Rs 6,000. Informing about the range of Bajaj air-coolers, he said that these coolers are exclusively designed for hot Indian conditions and also dominated by the most stringent quality control norms. The models of coolers are—Desert Cooler DC 2000, Mini Desert Air Cooler MD 2000, Double Blower Air Cooler DB 2000, Mini-Personal Cooler PC 2000. He claimed that there is no match for the Bajaj’s microwave ovens and coolers as these are designed with latest technology. About the company, he said Bajaj Electricals Limited (BEL) is a part of Rs 6000 crore Bajaj Group which is in the business of steel, sugar, two wheelers and three wheelers besides an impressive range of consumer electrical products and industrial luminaries. He said that Bajaj Electricals has 20 branch offices and 4 regional offices spread in different parts of the country besides being supported by a chain of about 600 distributors, 2500 authorised dealers, over 60,000 retail outlets and over 200 service franchises. He further informed that company’s current sales turnover is racing ahead closer to Rs 400 crores and hoped of achieving target of Rs 1000 crores in the coming year. "The company is looking forward for a very high market share to become the market leader", the Vice-President, North, Bajaj Electricals Limited said, adding the company is also planning to introduce a new product range of gas-stoves, steam iron and food processor. The Bajaj Electricals Limited is poised to continue the tradition of trust and offer the real value for the customer money alongwith its distributors M/s Mahavir Radios, Residency Road, Jammu. Among others who were present on the occasion included Mr Ravinder Bhandhari, Deputy General Manager and Staff Members of Bajaj Electricals Limited, Chandigarh and Mr Sanjay Jain of Mahavir Radios. |
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Parliament’s
approval to demands of grants NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Parliament today gave its approval to supplementary demands of grants relating to railway budget 2000-2001 and the relevant appropriation bill with the Rajya Sabha returning it without any discussion. The bill was moved for consideration by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan requested the members to give their approval to the bill without any discussion in view of paucity of time. His views were endorsed by Mr Pranab Mukherjee (Cong). Two other financial bills, which were moved by Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, were also returned by the Upper House. The bills were the appropriation bill, which authorises payment of funds out of the consolidation fund for the financial year and the bill to further amend the Finance Act, 2000 and Income Tax Act, 1961. (UNI) |
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Govt allays fears of electronic goods dumping from China NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Government today allayed fears of dumping of electronic goods from China saying imports from China constituted miniscule percentage and assured all steps were being taken to ensure imports do not enjoy unfair advantage over domestically produced goods. "Out of total imports of Rs 3224 crore from China during April-September this year, the value of electronic goods is Rs 515 crore," Minister of State for Commerce Omar Abdullah said adding "the domestic production of electronic goods is of the order of Rs 30,000 crore." "The total imports from China constitute, on an average, less than 3 per cent of the total Indian imports," he told Rajya Sabha. The growth rate of imports from China has been negative three per cent in 1996-97, 62 per cent in 1997-98, 3.5 per cent in 1998-99, 25.6 in 1999-2000 and 30 per cent during April-September this year, he said making a statement on a calling attention on the subject. He, however, said the designated authority has initiated anti-dumping proceedings against dry batteries and toys, adding in case any other segment of the Indian industry affected by dumping from China or any other country files a petition, the designated authority will take appropriate action. Also Government was closely monitoring the imports and all necessary steps to safeguard the interest of domestic industry were being taken, the minister said, adding the centre was "fully alive" to the situation and was taking every possible step to prevent dumping of goods. (PTI) |
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Indian diamonds dazzle world market NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Maintaining its scintillating performance this year, the gems and jewellery industry has emerged as a major forex earner with exports scaling a new high of $8.025 billion during 1999-2000, a growth of 30.11 per cent over the previous year. India consolidated its position further in the international diamond market by supplying over 80 per cent of processed gems, imported in rough form, largely from Africa. The diamond sector not only improved its world market share from 50 per cent to 55 per cent in terms of value but in terms of carats and pieces exported, it continued to be way ahead with a share of 80 per cent by caratage and 90 per cent by pieces. The industry grew by 14 per cent to $US 3,565.3 million during April to September this year as compared to $US 3,208.14 million for the corresponding period last year. The performance in the last fiscal surpassed even the highest expectations as also the target of $6.716 billion set for the year. The cut and polished diamond segment registered a 10.43 per cent growth with exports touching US $ 3,169.7 million during the first six months of the current fiscal as against $ 2,870.12 million till September in the previous fiscal. The millennium bug had the consumers shift their preference to light and studded diamond jewellery from conventional heavy weight gold jewellery. Gold jewellery exports were identified as a thrust area and suitable policies were continuously evolved to ensure 30 per cent annual growth. The industry players said the millennium market did bring in the much-awaited sheen to the industry, however, it only did wonders for the diamond sector. Impressed by India’s expertise even Russia signed an agreement with New Delhi for processing of rough diamonds from the CIS nations. It was a mixed bag for the domestic industry as a whole, experts said. The union budget 2000-01 which announced sops in the form of lower basic customs duty rates (from 40 per cent to 15 per cent) on raw materials like platinum and non-industrial diamonds was welcomed. But dilution of tax sops under section 80 HHE - with 20 per cent of exports profits proposed to be taxed in first year, 40 per cent in second and so on till the sops are phased out - were not accepted by them as they felt that it would dent their bottomlines. Though platinum imports account for a mere 0.12 per cent of the net imports of the industry, it witnessed a 4-fold rise during the year. Export earnings in gold jewellery also rose by 18.32 per cent from $US 212.29 million to $US 251.2 million, while for coloured gemstones, the value of total export was $ 81.17 million as compared to $ 64.4 million during the April to September 2000. (PTI) |
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Cement industry in abysmally low growth NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Reeling under the pressures of low demand, excess supply and low prices cement industry ended the year with abysmally low growth with shadow of cartelisation even as consolidation through mergers and acquisitions gained momemtum. As the industry focussed on consolidation, the year saw some of the major acquisitions with Gujarat Ambuja Cement company acquiring stake in Tata Group’s Associated Cement Companies (ACC) and DLF Cements, Grasim taking over Indian Rayon, Sri Digvijya Cements and Dharani Cements and French Multinational Lafarge taking over TISCO’s Cement Plant and Raymond Cement. Following Lafarge, the year saw multinationals like cement Francais, an Italcementi Group Company come into strategic 50:50 joint venture (JV) with KK Birla Group’s Zuari Industries for further acquisition in South India. Chennai-based India Cements also negotiated terms and conditions for setting up a JV company either with multinational companies Blue Circle or Cemex. It was believed that the JV proposal envisaged a 51 per cent stake for the MNC partner and the remaining for India Cements. Buoyed by sops given to the housing sector and a general pick-up in economic activity, Cement demand had outstripped its supply last year as a result of which producers ended up adding excess capacity during the year. The price scenario for the cement industry continued to be subdued due to oversupply and low demand. To add to the woes of the sector there was temporary ban on construction activity in the drought stricken states like Gujarat which had adverse impact on cement prices. The second half of the year saw a pick up in demand and rise in prices to the tune of Rs 40 per bag. However, the sudden rise in prices was termed ‘artificial’ and a result of formation of cartel for which cement companies are now facing an inquiry by the Directorate General of Investigation and Registration (DIGR). Recognising the role of cement industry in the overall growth process, the Government has announced setting up of a task force to look into the issues relating to demand, supply and prices prevailing in the industry. The Government has also decided in principle to utilise the funds available under the or creating a technology fund to help the industry in strengthening its technology base. It has instituted an Infrastructure Development Finance Company incorporating both public and private participation and set up a high level task force to consider among other measures maximising the use of cement in the country. Currently, the per capita cement consumption stands at 97 kg, much below 250 kg world average. Exports touched over four million tonnes accounting near about four per cent of the total production and it is a bit less than last year. This was largely attributed to economic problems in South East Asia. The industry expects to reach a target of eight million tonnes by 2002. (PTI) |
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5000 agri-clinics to be set up annually: Nitish NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Government has announced a proposal to set up 5000 agri-clinics and agri-business centres annually which would give a comprehensive package of services to farmers besides educating them on the ill effects of excessive use of chemical pesticides. "Under the proposed scheme, an agriculture graduate can establish an agri-clinic or business centre at a unit cost of Rs five lakhs or a group of a maximum five persons could set up a poly-clinic for an amount of upto Rs 50 lakhs," Agriculture Minister Nitish Kumar said here. Government would give a 25 per cent subsidy and arrange 65 per cent loan preferably through NABARD for this, while traders would give a 10 per cent margin money, he said at the 37th annual session of Pesticides Association of India (PAI). The scheme, which also provides five per cent extra assistance to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, would soon be placed before the cabinet and was likely to be made part of the budgetary provisions. These clinics, he said, would provide a whole range of services to the farmers like soil testing, seeds, pesticides and fertilisers. "It will also cover fisheries, foodgrains storage, aquaculture and equipment manufacturing." Cautioning against excessive use of chemical pesticides, he said the industry should concentrate on exports. "I am happy that domestic use of chemical pesticides has declined but export has gone up. Export should be increased further", he said. (PTI) |
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Study for extracton of
coalbed methane JAIPUR, Dec 22: A study has been launched for extraction of Coalbed Methane (CBM) from lignite deposits in western Rajasthan mainly with the object of generating power using CBM. The Coalbed Methane Research and Development Project, funded by Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB), was launched near Barmer early this week, an official spokesman said today. The project has been initiated after the State Directorate of Petroleum analysed vast data obtained from multinationals and other sources to identify lignite occurring at depths between 200 and 1600 metres spread over large areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer districts in western Rajasthan, he said. Proposing the study for possible extraction of CBM from lignite seams the directorate submitted a research and development scheme to the OIDB for a grant of Rs.12 crore. It got a grant of Rs 4.27 crore from OIDB for the first phase of the project under which drilling will be undertaken in Barmer and Bikaner districts to carry out seismic surveys. Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad, will carry out lignite sampling and analysis of CBM, the spokesman added. (PTI) |
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Citizens alliance asks Govt to stop closure of SSI units NEW DELHI, Dec 22: A citizens alliance of environmentalists, trade unionists, social workers and representatives of small scale associations today asked for an immediate stop to closure of SSI units by the Delhi Government until accurate and up-to-date data on actual polluting units was prepared. "The Government is closing down even the non-polluting units under the garb of shutting down polluting SSI units," environmentalist Vandana Shiva said here. She said the main motive of the Government appeared to be to provide a market to the multi-national companies at the cost of closure of SSI units. Citing instances of wrongful closure she said plastic moulding units in Srinagar had been shut down even though they did not manufactures plastic. "We urge the Government to initiate a participatory process for designing a new master plan, she said, adding that the Supreme Court should immediately halt the closure of non-polluting units and identify and stop the real polluters. Speaking on the occasion, president of the Laghu Udyog, Bharati Sudarshan Sareen said that the Delhi Government had gone back on its earlier assurance that a personal hearing would be given to every unit found guilty of causing pollution. He said the members of the association will tomorrow court arrest against the wrongful decision of the Government. (PTI) |
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