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| Ricoh Copiers leading in India Ricoh Co. Ltd. Japan, a 14 billion US dollar (Rs. 75,000 crores) corporation, is a leading global manufacturer.....more Workshop
on Pollution Awareness at Gangyal Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 11: Chairman J&K State Pollution Control Board (PCB), Mr P Patnaik has stressed on more coordination between the....more HC asks
JDA to re-auction Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 11: Justice T S Doabia of the State High Court has directed Jammu Development.....more Ch
Mohammed Hussain Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI Dec 11 : Minister of State for Revenue, Choudhary Mohammed Hussain.......more |
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ASSOCHAM chalks
out plan to boost industrialsation NEW DELHI, Dec 11: In a bid to promote economic growth, an apex industry body has recommended amendments in the tax-provisions concerning inter-corporate dividends and tax-relaxation for industries in backward areas and the construction-sector........more Power Ministry chalks TIRUCHIRAPALLI, Dec 11: India’s annual per-capita power consumption of around 350 kwh is the lowest in the world, despite the installed power capacity registering an impressive increase from 1362 mw to over one lakh mw since independence....more Japan to send economic , Dec 11: Japan will soon send a mission to India to identify new areas of economic cooperation between the two countries.... ...more Guidelines for intl BANGALORE, Dec 11: Government would finalise guidelines for international long distance voice traffic.....more |
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Workshop
on Pollution Awareness at Gangyal Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 11: Chairman J&K State Pollution Control Board (PCB), Mr P Patnaik has stressed on more coordination between the industrialists and PCB to keep the environment pollution free. Mr Patnaik was the chief guest at a workshop on Pollution Awareness in Industry organised by Jammu Branch of National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) Ltd at Gangyal Industrial Sector this afternoon in collaboration with Directorate of Industries and Commerce, J&K State PCB and Association of Small Scale Industries. He said as citizens of this state we have to take maximum steps to check pollution and hence the industrialists and PCB should work together. Terming the workshop as a grand success, he said such workshops are meant for interaction where the issues are deliberated so that we can better understand each other. He was referring to the questions raised by different industrialists regarding the problems being faced by them from PCB in getting the No Objection Certificates (NOCs). Mr Patnaik said industry has to progress for the development of the society but at the same time it is our duty to save the environment. Supporting the views of Mr A K Shingla, Environment Specialists on Environment Audit he said though it is a new subject but it is necessary for every industry to make industry environment friendly. He also stressed on organisation of such seminars so that the industrialists will improve their financial ratio. He said purchasing of pollution control devices is must for the industry and while framing the project report it is very well written in the report that what kind of devices are to be installed. He said some industries install the affluent treatment plants while others the pollution control devices. But later these do not run forcing the Department to issue notices. Agreeing with the views of industrialists that pollution will be there where the industry exists, he said "still we have to put a limit to it". He said no doubt there are sufficient laws in this regard and new are being enacted but there is lack of implementation. Stressing that industrialists and PCB officials have to understand each other for better results, he asked them to identify those officials who harass you. He also suggested that the industrialists can take the benefit of common treatment plants. Quoting the renowned environmentalist Mr M C Mehta who has said that the anti pollution agencies are not working in J&K, he maintained that if the law is implemented strictly then the problems will be grave. Earlier Mr M S Beg, Director Industries and commerce gave a detailed lecture on pollution in industry concerns and policy. He suggested for the healthy growth of industry the Pollution Control Board should take the industry friendly steps. He also suggested an advisory role of the PCB and in this connection an Advisory Committee to be constituted which would guide the unit holders in tackling the pollution problems, in addition the Board being only a regulatory body. The procedural awareness and documentation of consent mechanism for issue of NoC was explained by Mr J N Sharma , Environment Engineer of the Board. Speaking on the occasion, Mr A K Shingla stressed on environment audit. Pollution control is not a liability but a process he said, adding "If we check pollution we save industry". He said normally the pollution control devices are designed and if the system is efficient we can save our money. Industrialist K R Dogra while speaking on the occasion said the problems of pollution in Jammu are mostly due to the generators and mini-buses. He expressed concern over the problems being faced by the industry through the hands of PCB in seeking the NoCs etc. He while asking the Department to be cooperative said the PCB has to give suggestions regarding the installation of pollution control devices. Mr Anil Suri, president Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA) made a dig at PCB for not implementing the Government orders issued from time to time. He said 65 industrial units have been exempted by the Government from seeking NoCs in 1999. But these orders are not being implemented. He said residential colonies are coming up in organised areas where industry exists and this should not be allowed to happen as such a trend will pose a threat to the existence of industry. The welcome address was given by Mr A K Bhan Accounts Officer NSIC while Mr A K Verma, Branch Manager NSIC in his key note address highlighted the importance of environment on human beings and society as a whole. He further appealed the Chairman PCB to expedite the issue of consent to SSI units who seek registration under Government purchase programme of NSIC, enabling them to participate in tenders at all India basis. Mr V C Sharma Managing Director SICOP also attended the workshop. A lecture on environmental Awareness- a managerial approach was given by Mr R C Chopra, Director SISI. Other speakers included Mr A K Wadhera, president ASSI. |
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HC asks JDA to re-auction site for Amusement Park Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 11: Justice T S Doabia of the State High Court has directed Jammu Development Authority (JDA) to re-auction the site for setting up of the Amusement Park here. While allowing the petition challenging the allotment of the Amusement Park in the city, the Court directed that in that re-auction, respondent— M/S Regency Amusement Limited would also be eligible to take part. Since the respondent has set up the project, therefore, in the event of contract going to another person, the respondents would be then at liberty to remove the installation or in the alternative, JDA would indicate in the tender notice the value of the installations, and any body taking over the project in the new bid, would have to pay that much money also, the Justice directed, adding that in that case, that money would be given to M/S Regency Amusement Limited. The court, however, ordered that the order be not implemented upto December 31, 2001. As respondent is running the business for public entertainment, the respondent would continue to run the business till some alternative arrangement is made, the court further directed. The Justice directed that in case alternative arrangement goes to another person, the money spent by M/S Regency Amusement Park would have to be compensated by the person who offers the highest bid. Advocate Sunil Hali appeared for the petitioner JK Amusement Parks while’s Senior Advocate Parmod Kohli with Advocates PN Raina and Vishal Goel represented the respondents. The JDA in 1993 had issued a notification inviting applications from reputed firms for setting up of Amusement Park on 40 kanals of land in the heart of the city. The proposal was changed and venue shifted without any notice. Upon this, the petitioner challenged the same, while’s M/S Regency Amusement Limited contested that case on the ground that the petitioner had earlier filed petition and was dismissed as withdrawn, as such this petition was also liable to be dismissed. However, the Court observed that the earlier petition which was dismissed as withdrawn, would not stand in the way of the present petition. |
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Ch Mohammed Hussain
inaugurates Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI Dec 11 : Minister of State for Revenue, Choudhary Mohammed Hussain today inaugurated Sterling Infotech, Computer Education Centre at Rajouri. Sterling Infotech is an authorised training centre of the Centre of Electronic Design and Technology of India, an autonomous scientific society under Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India. Sterling Infotech in Rajouri has been launched by two young entrepreneurs Javed Iqbal Choudhary and Rajan Suri. With the opening the Sterling Infotect, Computer Education Centre, youth of the Rajouri can get advanced computer training in this hilly backward district. After inaugurating the institute, Ch Mohammed Hussain inspected the centre. He was given details of courses being offered by the centre. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Hussain said that in this present era of information technology, young generation should adopt IT as a field to excel. "The educated youths instead of eyeing on Government jobs should adopt Information Technology field as it is very difficult to provide Government job to each and every educated youth", he said, adding "in this era there has been wide scope for the computer literate persons". He said that with the facility of computer one can easily contact his relatives and friends at far off places through Internet and added that due to internet facility gap between the countries has been reduced. He also informed the gathering about various schemes being framed by the Government for providing computer related education to the young generation. Congratulating management of the computer centre, Mr Hussain hoped that this institute will provide modern computer education to the youth of Rajouri district. He advised the students to avail the opportunity. DIG Rajouri, Mr S S Bijral, SSP Rajouri, Mr Munish Sinha, Youth NC leader, Mr Zulifkar Ali Choudhary, academicians and prominent citizens of the Rajouri attended the inaugural function of the computer centre. Residents of the Rajouri town in general and youth in particular expressed their gratitude towards young entrepreneurs for opening advanced computer centre at Rajouri town. |
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ASSOCHAM chalks out plan to boost industrialsation NEW DELHI, Dec 11: In a bid to promote economic growth, an apex industry body has recommended amendments in the tax-provisions concerning inter-corporate dividends and tax-relaxation for industries in backward areas and the construction-sector. In a representation to the Finance Ministry, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has said amendments in the tax provisions for inter-corporate dividends are needed to avoid multiplicity of dividend tax levy. A 100-per cent dividend tax on profits distributed by domestic companies was introduced as a corollary to exemption of such dividend income declared or distributed by such companies, ASSOCHAM said here in a release today. A domestic company whose profits comprises such dividends income will again be subject to dividend tax on the amount distributed by it by way of dividends, it added. The Chamber feels that in order to promote industrialisation and encourage economic growth in the industrially backward states specified in the eight schedule, full tax holiday for the first five years and thereafter 25 per cent (35 per cent in the case of a company) deduction from profits for a further period of five years (seven years in the case of a co-operative society) is granted to the industrial undertakings in these states. However, the period of setting up of the industrial undertakings ends on March 31, 2002. As the country has not yet recovered from the full effects of recession, it is suggested that the period be extended by five years, the chamber said. The Government has been giving thrust to the housing sector to bridge the shortage of housing as well as boost the economy of the country. And for this, various tax concessions and concessional loans for construction of houses have been announced, it said. In view of utmost importance of building housing projects, the artificial restrictions provided in the Sub-Section (10) of Section 80(1)B needs to be reviewed. The condition that the housing projects should be approved before 31st March 2001 and completed before 2003 should be removed, it added. Similarly, ASSOCHAM feels the restrictions on the incentives given by way of deductions to channelise the funds in the housing sector only hamper the fulfillment of the stated objects. As there is no change in circumstances and good housing projects continues to be the need of the country, the above restrictions may be removed to attract the fresh investment in housing sector. As regards, incentives for investment in the national highway projects, the chamber has stated that prior to April 1, 2000 Section 54 (E) A and 54 (E) B of Income Tax Act exempted long-term capital gains from taxation if invested in specified bonds, debentures, shares of a public company or units of mutual funds, for investing in the infrastructure sector. The Finance Act 2000 with effect from April 1, 2001 replaced 54(E) A and 54(E) B by Section 54(E)C, restricting this exemption to bonds of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the National Authority of India (NHAI) so as to channel funds to rural development and road sectors. The NHAI implements all the road projects through private participation, but private corporate bodies are unable to raise the requisite funds, either through the banking system or from the capital marketing, as perception of road projects are perceived to be high-risk, low return, capital intensive and with long gestation projects. To encourage and induce private investment in the road sector, securities in the nature of bonds, debentures, (redeemable, transferable, convertible), equity and/or preference shares issued by corporate bodies specifically for undertaking road projects of NHAI, should also be under Section 54(E)C. The proposed extension does not in any way dilute the benefit to NHAI since the funds would be used exclusively for the same purpose. (UNI) |
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Power Ministry chalks out
blue-print to curb TIRUCHIRAPALLI, Dec 11: India’s annual per-capita power consumption of around 350 kwh is the lowest in the world, despite the installed power capacity registering an impressive increase from 1362 mw to over one lakh mw since independence. According to the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), people in most of the villages have no access to electricity. Its end users like households, farmers, commercial establishments and industries are being confronted with frequent power-cuts and erratic voltage. To address these issues in a time-bound manner, the union ministry of power has chalked out appropriate strategies besides preparing a blueprint, NTPC Director (Projects) T Sankaralingam said here. Pointing out that inadequate capacity left the country plagued with power shortages with total energy shortage during 2000-2001 being 39,816 million units, he told UNI that projections were being made in the 16th electric power survey to have over one lakh mw additional generation by 2012 to bridge the gap between demand and supply. The Ministry of Power has taken a comprehensive and realistic review of the various power projects so as to prioritise those which could be commissioned in the tenth and eleventh plans. Based on this review, a capacity addition target of 46,500 mw has been tentatively fixed for Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) under the Ministry of Power. At the state level, the State Electricity Boards (SEBs) and private sector will add about 41,800 mw. For optimal development of the electricity energy, an integrated approach, including capacity addition through nuclear and non-conventional energy has been adopted. The capacity addition targets of 6400 mw through nuclear power and 10, 700 mw by non-conventional resources have been fixed for the period up to 2012, Mr Sankaralingam added. Compared to the high utilisation of hydro potential in countries like Norway (58 per cent), Canada (41 per cent) and Brazil (31 per cent), the utilisation was only 17 per cent in India. The Power Ministry has therefore worked out various strategies to fully exploit the country’s hydro potential of 1,50,000 mw. As the payment security measures have not yielded the desired results, the ministry has taken steps to set up an alternative payment security mechanism. An experts committee has been constituted to identify the source of funds, including Government funding, multi-lateral and bi-lateral assistance, institutional financing, market borrowings, internal resources and private investment, he informed. To accelerate rural electrification, the ministry has taken up a number of other specific measures including strengthening of the rural distribution network. The objective is to complete electrification of 62,000 villages by 2007 and 18,000 remote villages through renewable source by 2012. The ministry is taking steps for making the use of fly-ash mandatory for construction of road and buildings including Government buildings. Plans are afoot for introduction of super critical and clean coal technologies to generate power with maximum efficiency and minimal pollution. The annual losses of SEBs had reached about Rs 26,000 crore, the sources said that due to this the boards were unable to make full payment to the cpsus for purchase of power and coal. This has resulted in accumulation of more than Rs 40,000 crore, the official said. There has been major shortcomings in meeting additional capacity targets during the seventh and ninth five years plans. To avoid them in the tenth and eleventh plans, a comprehensive project monitoring and control system has been put in place. While special emphasis has been laid on monitoring of projects at pre-implementation stage, the central power generating companies under the Power Ministry were being asked to add 43 per cent of the total required capacity as against a contribution of 23 per cent during the ninth plan, he added added. (UNI) |
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Japan to send economic mission to India TOKYO, Dec 11: Japan will soon send a mission to India to identify new areas of economic cooperation between the two countries. This assurance was given by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to his Indian counterpart Atal Behari Vajpayee here yesterday. Vajpayee, in a statement before leaving for New Delhi, said the Japanese Premier assured him of the importance his country attaches to strengthening economic ties with India and added that two countries agreed to identify new areas for expansion of this cooperation. The Prime Minister recalled that before leaving for Japan, he had mentioned that "the two main pillars of future India-Japan relations would be our economic cooperation and our strategic convergences". He said the joint declaration signed last night between New Delhi and Tokyo "confirmed that this is a shared perception of India and Japan". Vajpayee said the declaration "sets out the common perspectives of both our countries on a wide range of bilateral issues and global challenges". Japan has also offered India assistance for projects to clean up the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. "We have welcomed this offer and suggested a joint committee to examine all aspects of this", Vajpayee said. Vajpayee said during his interaction with senior representatives of Japanese business and industry in Osaka and tokyo, he conveyed India’s resolve to continue reforms. "We conveyed India’s continued commitment to its second-generation reforms and outlined our future economic targets and priorities. We also assured them of our determination to address the procedural, administrative and legal obstacles experienced by Japanese investors", Vajpayee said. The Prime Minister said the two sides agreed on regular interaction between the foreign, defence and finance ministers of the two countries as also between ministers dealing with economic matters. He said the two countries also agreed to enhance defence exchanges. On the issue of terrorism, Vajpayee said, "we condemned terrorism and agreed that it cannot be justified wherever, whenever, and for whatever reason". He said the annual comprehensive security dialogue decided between India and Japan will also include a dialogue on counter-terrorism. "Japan shares our conviction that the fight against global terrorism has to be comprehensive and sustained, with the objective of total elimination of terrorism everywhere", he said. On Afghanistan, Vajpayee said India and Japan had "virtually identical perspectives". "We agreed to cooperate closely with each other on the reconstruction of post-Taliban Afghanistan. India will participate in the international conference on Afghanistan being convened in Tokyo next month", he said. Vajpayee said India and Japan had agreed to work together "for an equitable distribution of the benefits of globalisation". "With India’s developmental experiences and Japan’s strong tradition of development assistance, there are obvious synergies between our countries on this", he said. The Prime Minister said the two sides agreed that the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year should be celebrated in a fitting manner. "We are setting up a joint committee to work on this", he said. (PTI) |
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Guidelines for intl long distance to be finalised BANGALORE, Dec 11: Government would finalise guidelines for international long distance voice traffic this month, Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications, Shyamal Ghosh, said here today. The Government had already received recommendations in this regard and guildelines for internet telephony were also being finalised so that the sector could be opened up as early as possible after April one next year, Ghosh, said, addressing a four-day regional seminar on e-commerce. Ghosh, who is also Chairman of Telecom Commission, later told reporters that internet telephony could not be opened up before April one next year, since the VSNL had monopoly over international voice traffic till then. International data traffic was opened up earlier, he said. About tariffs after the opening up of internet telephony, he said the matter came under the purview of the regulator but added that he expected two kinds of tariff — premium and non-premium. Ghosh favoured imposing tax on e-commerce transactions, noting that for a developing country, basic revenue for development projects came from taxes. He said while IT act of 2000 provided for regulation of internet, in the wake of September 11 terror attacks in the US, perhaps self regulation of internet should be encouraged. (PTI) |
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