NCDC given freedom to go for direct financing

NEW DELHI, Nov 23: The National Cooperative Development Corporation has been given the freedom to go for direct financing with the passage of the NCDC Act amendment bill in Parliament, Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh said today.

Presiding over the 55th general council meeting of the NCDC, he said the amendments, among other things, would facilitate the NCDC to provide funds directly to cooperatives without Government guarantee on providing adequate security by the borrowers. Elaborate guidelines for direct fuding have been formulated, he added.

Mr Singh, referring to the growth rates envisaged in the national agriculture policy, said there had to be an increase in value addition from the present estimated levels of seven per cent to 30-35 per cent and processing to a level of around ten per cent as against two per cent.

In order to encourage such value addition, he mentioned the various steps taken by the Central Government such as exemption of fruits and vegetables from excise duty, created of export oriented zones, food parks, special technology mission and export processing zones and called upon the cooperatives to seize these opportunities.

Stressing the need for quality control and standardisation to face competition in the post-WTO regime, the minister asked the NCDC to focus on efficiency upgradation and institutional development of cooperatives.

He pointed out that the NCDC was already tying up its schemes and programmes with subsidies available under the CIS scheme for cold storage being implemented by the NHB and the DMI’s storage scheme besides subsidies available from various other departments and ministries.

Referring to the NCDC’s annual report for 2001-2002, which was the main agenda of the meeting, Mr Ajit Singh, who is the president of the NCDC general council, noted that during the period, the corporation had sanctioned projects with financial assistance of Rs 1,003 crore, registering an increase of 23 per cent over the previous year.

By March 31 this year, NCDC has cumulatively provided funds valued at Rs 6,582 crore for cooperative development programmes in the country.

Minister of State for Agriculture and vice-president of NCDC council Hukumdeo Narayan Yadav said, in the coming years, financial strengthening and discipline would form the base of NCDC’s enlarged role. It would henceforth be able to provide funds for products of industrial cooperatives and for notified services.

Reduction in its lending rates by 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent would also make NCDC’s lending portfolio more competitive, he added.

Mr J N L Srivastava, secretary (agriculture and cooperation) cautioned that inspite of amendment of the multi-state cooperative law and changes in respective cooperative acts by many state governments, the state will still have an enabling role to play and must not withdraw totally from the cooperative sector.

NCDC Managing Director P K Mishra said in the present competitive scenario, efficient cooperative form of organisations was the only answer to protect small farmers and weaker sections. He also referred to a new scheme of "NCDC award for cooperative excellence . The biennial award, for one primary level cooperative from each state, carry a cash prize of Rs 50,000. (UNI)

Rudi makes a strong pitch for reforms

NEW DELHI, Nov 23: From being a source of funds for fighting elections in the past, the contractors have become partners in progress, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Rajiv Pratap Rudi said today.

"This change has come about in the last few years. The Government now sees construction industry as a partner for growth. Things are changing on the Government side but the process has to be speeded up," the minister said here at the award function of Overseas Construction Council of India.

Making a strong pitch for labour reforms and disinvestment, he said those opposing them speak only for the workers in the organised sector.

"Nobody talks about more than 30 crore workers in the unorganised sector as they do not have a voice. On the other hand the workers in the organised sector have better standard of living, unions and others to take up their case," the minister said.

He said that there was a dire need for labour reforms. "If we want the industry to compete we have to give it a free hand in deciding its needs and operate," Mr Rudi said.

He called upon the construction industry to develop partnerships and synergies with foreign firms to gain experience and realise their potential. The minister also stressed the need for use of more machinery in the construction sector. "In the last 30 years very little attention was paid to this aspect of the construction industry but now Government has withdrawn customs duty for re-importation of equipment and machinery and had simplified procedures for companies executing projects abroad," Mr Rudi said.

He said that the Indian construction industry had bid for over Rs 10,000 crore worth of projects overseas last fiscal but their success rate was 20 per cent. "You should be more aggressive in foreign forays and consultancy and construction firms must work in tandem to secure international projects," Mr Rudi told the representatives of the industry.

"The industry should take advantage of Government programmes like focus Latin America and Africa and explore these markets besides concentrating on Middle East, our traditional market," the minister said.

He said that project exports from India had touched Rs 1434 crore in the last fiscal, recording a growth of 5.4 per cent year-on-year.

Voltas Ltd won the award for maximum contracts secured and maximum foreign works secured in new areas. Ircon International Ltd was awarded for maximum turnover from foreign contracts, maximum foreign business attempted and maximum foreign exchange earned and repatriated to India.

Toyo Engineering India Ltd was awarded for maximum foreign exchange earned and repatriated to India in the area of overseas service contracts. (UNI)

UB group gets high ranked 5th in world liquor marketers list

MUMBAI, Nov 23: The UB group has been ranked the fifth largestdistilled spirit marketers worldwide for 2001, according to ‘Impact’, a global news and research journal published from London.

The ‘Impact’, a niche market publication, has compiled a list ofthe top 10 distilled spirit marketers worldwide for 2001, whoaccount for a combined total depletions of 319.5 millions ofnine-litre cases.

Accordingly, the Bangalore-based company figures at the fifthrank and accounts for depletions of 26 millions of nine-litre cases,a world share of 4.3 per cent.

The includes owned and agency brands, while excludes low-proofcocktails and spirit mixers containing less than 7 per cent alcoholby volume and traditional spirits, according to the ‘Impact’.

Apart from the UB group, the others in the top-five list ofimpact are: Diageo, based in UK, ranked first with depletions of93.2 millions of nine-litre cases accounting for 15.5 per cent ofglobal share, pernod ricard (France-45 mln cases-7.5% share) rankedsecond, Allied Domecq Spirits and Wine Ltd (UK-43.6 mln cases-7.2%share) third rank and Bacardi Ltd (Bermuda-34.2 mln cases-5.7%share) fourth rank.

The other five spirit marketers in the ‘Impact’ list are SuntoryLtd of Japan (6th), Jim Beam Brands Worldwide Inc (7th),Constellations Brands Inc (8th), Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide,(9th) all US companies and V S Vin Spirit AB of Sweden (10th).(UNI)

Industrial Training Institute inaugurated

SHIMLA, Nov 23: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister PremKumar Dhumal today inaugurated an Industrial TrainingInstitute (ITI) at Samirpur in Hamirpur district set up by private-sector by JP Group of Industries.

Speaking on the occasion, Dhumal underscored theimportance of technical education in the changing scenario allover the world and said his Government had given attentionto that.

He said nine ITIs had been opened in the state during thelast 2-3 years in private sector and his Government openedover 17 ITIs.

Chief Minister appreciated the the JP Group of Industriesfor its efforts towards socio-economic development of thestate.

He noted that the 300 mw Baspa Hydel Project beingdeveloped by JP Industries was likely to be completed byMarch, 2003.

He said 1,000 mw Karchham-Wangtoo hydel project wasalso being constructed by the group. (PTI)

G-20 veers around India’s new ODA proposal

NEW DELHI, Nov 23: India today mooted a new approach to Official Development Assistance (ODA) making it contributory for all countries, instead of assistance being a dole from the rich to the poor countries, which found wide acceptance at the ministerial meeting of the Group of 20 (G-20) countries here.

The proposal was mooted by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Bimal Jalan in one of the sessions and was discussed among the members. The contribution by each country would be in proportion to its capacity to pay.

Addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the two-day conference, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh said the discussions focussed on globalisation, crisis prevention, financing of terror and development and aid.

India handed over the chairmanship of G-20 to Mexico which will hold the fifth ministerial meeting in 2003.

On India’s initiative in stopping financing of terror, Dr Jalan said that while ‘hawala’ would continue to be illegal, India would encourage alternative non-banking channels for transfer of funds from abroad such as through post office.

IT conference to be held in Patna

PATNA, Nov 23: The Union Government would hold the first ever two-day national conference on informational technology in Patna from December 23.

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Sanjay Paswan told newsmen here that Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Pramod Mahajan will inaugurate the conference.

Keeping all factors and requirements of the rural mass in mind, it was felt that Bihar was the fittest place to hold the mega conference, which would also be attended by Chief Ministers of states well equipped in the field of information and technology and Government officials in the field of it.

Public representatives, including legislators, would also participate in the conference.

Dr Paswan regretted that North India lagged behind in taking advantages of IT and said the ministry would develop it in Bihar for which educational institutions and universities were being selected.

He said many ambitious plans related to establishment of media labs in five universities in the field of education, land record computerisation and flood management system under the disaster management plans were being initiated in the state.

He hoped the action plans would help alleviate problems in the extremist affected areas and improve the living standards of the rural mass in general.

Dr Paswan announced to provide free IT facilities to the public representatives, research scholars and others and with this the right to information would be achieved. (UNI)

France offers ATRs to India, pushes for airbus sales

NEW DELHI, Nov 23: France is lobbying hard to sell medium capacity, 50-seater ATR (Avions De Transport Regional) planes to India besides pushing for the airbus range of the aircraft.

The French Trade and Commerce Minister Francois Louis made this offer to Indian authorities when he met Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh yesterday.

Mr Louis was here to attend the G-20 Finance Ministers’ meeting which concluded today. "We would encourage the Indian Government to buy French planes," he said.

The French minister also said France supports India’s stand on the issue of ‘geographical indications’ with regard to darjeeling tea, basmati rice and the like.

However, differences on the question of high level of agricultural subsidy in Europe, which India feels comes in the way of Indian agro exports to European Union, remained with both the sides.

On the ‘Delhi Communique’ of the G-20 meeting, Mr Louis made a forceful point saying globalisation could be successful only when the interests of the poor was taken care of. (UNI)

IFFCO phulpur unit bags FAI award

ALLAHABAD, Nov 23: The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Phulpur unit, has been selected for the prestigious Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) award for the best overall performance for nitrogen ammonia and urea plants for 2001-02.

The award will be presented at the FAI annual seminar to be held in New Delhi on December 16 next.

The Phulpur unit had also received FAI’s production performance award in 1994-95.

This unit is the world’s largest fertiliser complex based on naptha feed stock and annually produces more than 14 lakh tonnes of urea. (UNI)

Rabo India launches new division to fund water MGMT projects

MUMBAI, Nov 23: The Indian subsidiary of the Netherlands’ Rabobank has launched water division within its infrastructure operations to provide financial assistance to water resource management and related projects.

Launching the division here yesterday, Mr Rana Kapoor, Rabo India’s Managing Director said water resource management has become important in India and the company plans to take up a large number of projects by using the techniques adopted by Rabobank international in the Netherlands.

He said the company has formed a dedicated team for advising clients in developing water projects in India and would draw upon its international experience to provide comprehensive corporate and investment banking services.

"One of the key objectives of the water division would be to facilitate participation of Dutch firms in India’s water sector."

Stating that Rabo India will develop projects for sustainable utilisation of water resources, Mr Kapoor said the company would be involved in all its sub-sectors, including drinking water for urban and rural areas, water for industries, waste water treatment hydro-electric power generation and maritime transport.

Mr Kapoor announced the launch of the division in the presence of two Dutch ministers, Mr Joop Wijn, Minister of Foreign Trade and Mrs Agnes Van Ardenne, Minister of Development Cooperation. (UNI)

Supply chain management route to competitive markets

NEW DELHI, Nov 23: Companies can substantially reduce the cost of production with the help of a proper supply chain management.

"The ultimate core competency is to build a sound supply chain. The best practices are to forge partnerships with suppliers and have world class supply chain management systems," said Lt Gen D V Kalra, a senior faculty member of Institute of Supply Chain Management, while making the presentation at the seminar on supply chain management in automotive industry, organisd by PHDCCI here today.

By the year 2003, 60 per cent of supply chain management functionality would be provided outside the enterprises, he added.

Lt Gen Kalra said if a company did not design its supply chain properly, the ability of a company to put together its finest of partnership shall be put to test.

By working together across the supply chain the companies were able to pool talents and resources, yielding substantial gains in cost, quality, flexibility, system responsiveness and overall performance.

Mr. Anil K Virmani, Director, Institute of Supply Chain Management, said that supply chain was important because people needed to keep pace and cope up with the rapid technological changes taking place.

Healthcare organisations were able to reduce the supply costs by 2 to 6 per cent, shorten requisition to fulfillment cycles by 70-80 per cent, lower administrative costs by 73 per cent and reduce inventory costs by an average of 25 to 50 per cent by adopting the concepts of supply chain.

Dr. B P Dhaka, Secretary General, PHDCCI in his welcome address, stated that the major components of manufacturing cost were material, labour and the overheads. The cost of material cannot be reduced without compromising on quality the labour cost can be contained by outsourcing some of the manufacturing activity and components.

Similarly, it was the overheads cost where the industry can gain an edge by looking at various heads of expenses. "In this context, supply chain management has the most crucial role to play," he said.

Prof Vivek Kumar, Fore School of Management, said that the complex relationships between suppliers and customers, extending from the immediate channel partners to the extended supply chain links, provide umpteen opportunities to the companies for identifying links which can be profitably outsourced. Each link in the supply chain provides the organisation with an opportunity to evaluate the possibility of being outsourced subject to it not being technologically or economically unfeasible. (UNI)

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