Agriculture
Agro parks everywhere, but no space for grains
FOR an acutely investment-starved farm sector, the buzzword everywhere now seems to be `parks'. There is hardly any State Government today that is not talking about setting up `agri parks', `food parks', `food processing parks', `floriculture parks' and
the like, even while precious little is being done towards upgradation and modernisation of their existing crumbling mandi infrastructure.
Airlines
Talks with German aviation officials early next year
INDIAN and German civil aviation officials are to meet in Berlin early next year to discuss issues connected with bilateral air services agreements such as Lufthansa starting flights to Bangalore from Germany.
Banking and Finance
Decision on 100 pc FDI in NBFCs this week
THE issue of allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) sector will be taken up at a meeting in Mumbai later this week by the Government and the Reserve Bank of India.
IDBI to pick up 10% in Nepal development bank -- To offer expertise for fees
THE Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) is spreading its wings overseas to give a lesson or two in development banking to its counterpart in Nepal.
Chemicals
Chemcon 2000 begins today
OVER 400 research papers are slated to be presented at the 53rd annual session of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, which begins here on Monday. Christened Chemcon 2000 - Indian Chemical Engineering Congress 2000 - the theme of the four-day session
is: `The millennium challenge - Convergence in technological diversity'.
Corporate
German cos to take 16 pc in Dhunseri petrochem venture
ZIMMER AG of Germany along with two investment banking companies will pick up over 16 per cent of the equity of South Asian Petrochem Ltd (ASPET), promoted by the Calcutta-based Dhunseri group, which is putting up a Rs 450-crore PET resin project here. T
he foundation stone for the project was laid by the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
Economy
More indirect tax reforms on cards -- Sinha promises growth-friendly Budget
THE Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, has promised a ``far more growth-friendly'' Budget for 2001-2002 which would attempt, among other things, at furthering reforms on the indirect taxes front.
`DRT officers should be given more powers'
MORE powers must be given to presiding and recovery officers in debt recovery tribunals (DRTs), feels Mr Justice A.K. Srivastava, Head of Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT).
Foreign Trade
Govt mulling steps to curb dumping of paints
THE Union Government has taken a serious view of reports to the effect that sizeable quantities of cheap imported paints are being sold in the domestic market.
Insurance
`IRDA ready for changes to foster innovation'
THE coming months would set the direction, pace and the timeframe to conduct insurance business in an atmosphere of competition, and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) is ready to alter the current regulatory scheme to suit the cha
llenges and foster innovation in markets, Mr N. Rangachary, Chairman, IRDA, has said.
Policy
Move to check surge in fake goods -- Stiffer penalties under Copyrights Act mooted
THE Government is ``seriously considering'' amendments to the Copyrights and Trade Marks Act to deter the increasing incidence of manufacture and sale of counterfeit products in the country, the Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, Mr N.K. Singh, ha
s said.
Amended Patent Act before Budget session
THE Bill to amend the Patents' Act is likely to be ready before the Budget session of Parliament for 2001-02, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, has said.
States
Kairali Thoni
Kairali Thoni, the 17-lakh floating discotheque, promoted by the Kochi-based Thomas Inns and Resorts, adds a new dimension to the tradition of houseboats in Kerala.
ADB loan to develop coastal infrastructure
MANGALORE: The State Government has finalised the process of obtaining a Rs 1,000-crore loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the development of coastal infrastructure in 10 towns of coastal Karnataka covering all the major towns
in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.
`Higher education must be more dynamic'
CALCUTTA: Rapid obsolescence in the age of information technology has necessitated lifelong learning for both students and academia, according to Ms Jaya Debroy, Principal of Regional Computer Centre at the IIT campus here.
Luring investors Chautala style
IF cyber-savvy Naidu can hard-sell his State, Andhra Pradesh, with new-age jargons, can Mr Om Prakash Chautala, be far behind.
AP's proposal to develop MRTS close to finalisation
THE Andhra Pradesh Government's efforts to develop a viable Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) in order to de-congest the existing traffic systems and also facilitate faster commuting in the twin cities is very close to getting a final shape.
Tourism, answer to Kerala's woes: TCS
THE tourism sector offered one of the best alternatives to meet Kerala's objectives of reducing unemployment, kickstarting economic growth and distributing economic development throughout the State with minimal or no environmental setbacks, according to
a study by the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
Stocks
New takeover code by March: SEBI chief
A NEW takeover code, with `investor protection' as its pivot, would be in place by end-March, Mr D.R. Mehta, Chairman of SEBI, has said.
Taxation
`Remove duty on toothpaste'
THE Indian Soap & Toiletries Makers' Association (ISTMA), in its pre-Budget memorandum to the Government, has demanded the exemption of toothpaste from excise duty and complete removal of the 16 per cent special excise duty on toilet preparations.
Transport
CII's 11-point agenda to tone up Rlys working
THE Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has presented an 11-point reforms agenda and pointed out that the loss of market share vis-a-vis other modes of transport, lack of operational flexibility, especially in pricing, high costs, a huge pension liabi
lity and poor investment decisions have all affected the competitiveness of the Railways. According to CII, there is a need to redefine the role of Railways as a provider of efficient transport services and Indian Railways should be allowed to function o
n commercial lines.
Travel & Places
TAAI plans for golden jubilee celebrations
THE Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) is planning year-long celebrations to commemorate 50 years of its existence.
