The Hindu Business Line : Wednesday, November 08, 2006

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
KSIDC sets up Web portal
Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) has set up an Internet portal to strengthen ties between industry and research institutions in the State. The Web site More

NRIS
More banks hike FCNR, NRE deposit rates
Lakshmi Vilas Bank has effected an upward revision in its FCNR (B), NRE and RFC deposit scheme with effect from November 1. The revision though has been negligible under the NRE and RFC deposit scheme. The interest rate for FCNR (B) ... More

SOCIAL SECURITY
EPFO defers decision on interest rate
The Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), which met here on Tuesday, deferred a decision on the interest to be paid to the subscribers for the financial year 2006-07. The ... More

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
New tech from US co Silicon Images
The US-based Silicon Images Inc is preparing the ground to introduce its High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) technology in the Indian consumer electronics market. HDMI technology provides an interface between any audio or video source, ... More

COURTS/LEGAL ISSUES
Airport bids: SC rejects Reliance appeal
Upholds award to GMR Infrastructure, GVK Industries More

ECONOMY
NCAER pegs GDP at 8.2 pc for 2006-07
Agriculture, industry and services are projected to grow More

Centre resorts to tariff value to fight inflation
Effective duty for importers lower More

EXCISE AND CUSTOMS
Starch makers seek ban on maize exports
The All-India Starch Manufacturers' Association has demanded a reduction in import duty on maize and ban on its exports. It said production was likely to be lower this year than in 2005-06. Addressing a press conference here, the association's ... More

FOREIGN TRADE
Belgium looking towards India for investment
The Belgium Government is looking to more Indian companies investing in that country. "Belgium is the third largest country of investment for India. Last year, Indian companies invested $4 billion in our country," said Mr Vincent Van ... More

India, Italy to focus on commercial links
India and Italy have resolved to focus efforts at reinforcing stronger commercial links in areas covering textiles, garments, leather goods, auto components, gems and jewellery by combining Italian strengths in design and technology with India's ... More

INFRASTRUCTURE
Frontier Lifeline to promote `medical bioscience park'
Frontier Lifeline Hospital of Chennai intends to promote a `National Medical Bioscience Park' over a 360-acre land at Elavur village, north of Chennai. The park is expected to attract over Rs 2,000 crore of investments from various companies ... More

Singapore keen on investing in industrial parks
Singapore companies were looking for alternative investment destinations to China and Vietnam. More

PETROLEUM
ONGC, Hinduja ink MoU for E&P business
ONGC and Hinduja Group on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to form joint ventures to pursue global opportunities in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and linked exploration and production (E&P) business. According to a statement issued by . More

Expert highlights inefficient use of energy in Kerala
Efficiency of energy use - petroleum fuels, power and other renewable sources - in Kerala is deplorably low despite tremendous improvements that have taken place world over. It is estimated that there exist a saving potential of 30 per ... More

Ethanol blended petrol to be priced at Rs 21.5/litre
Distilleries to start supply with immediate effect More

POWER
Govt plans to tap Gulf funds for power sector
The Union Government proposes to tap the cash-rich West Asian countries for investments in power and other infrastructure projects in India. Major PSUs in the power sector such as NTPC Ltd, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd and the ... More

NTPC may pick up stake in TELK
TELK upgradation expected to cost Rs 150 crore More

TAXATION
`Advocates can correspond with sales tax authority'
An advocate enrolled under the Advocates Act, 1962 is entitled to appear before any authority, other than the Special Tribunal, under the Tamil Nadu General Sales Tax Act,1959, the Madras High Court has held. This decision was delivered upon a ... More

PERSONAL PRODUCTS
FMCG cos festival sales surge on gift packs
Cash in on new marketing strategy, changing trend More

TERRORISM
Mockery of law, travesty of justice
If, pursuant to what is so obviously a travesty of justice, Saddam is executed, it will be nothing but an outrageous act of judicial murder, and a mockery of rule of law. More

EDUCATION
CSB inter-collegiate quiz
As part of its 87th Foundation Day celebrations, the Catholic Syrian Bank will organise an all Kerala inter-collegiate quiz competition on banking, commerce and management at the CSB Staff Training College, Ernakulam on November ... More

ADAG to set up IT institute in Bengal
`Research benefits must reach the masses' More

Business English Certificate course
Students in the arts and science colleges in Tamil Nadu can now write Business English Certificate examination offered by the Cambridge University, UK. According to an official press release, the Tamil Nadu Government has ... More

CARS
Auto firms may hike prices soon
Car makers seem all set to implement a fresh round of price increases soon. While Maruti has already indicated that it would be reviewing its prices in January, Hyundai too has stated that it is looking at a price hike in the ... More

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Scientists back ISRO's manned mission plans
An Indian manned space mission appears possible in the coming decade; ISRO's proposal got an overwhelming thumbs-up at the first brainstorming session of scientists here on Tuesday. Studies that ISRO quietly made over the past four years put ... More

CINEMA
Telugu film sector imposes curbs on dubbing movies
Reprieve for those who have already bought rights More

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
FIPB clears way for Guardian Ind's 100 pc arm
Not to hurt partnership with Modi Rubber, says company More

RURAL DEVELOPMENT
`The human being is bigger than a profit-making entity'
I am bringing in another business category. The business to do good to people without any expectation of taking profit. So profit is not why I do business; I do it because it touches people's lives and helps people. MR MUHAMMAD YU NUS, MANAGING DIRECTOR, GRAMEEN BANK More

Community technology learning centres to impart IT skills
Aimed at the rural populace to empower them to earn a livelihood More

LABOUR REFORMS
Move to rope in BLF workers under minimum wages purview
Even the minimum wages stipulated for agriculture workers are not paid to those working in tea estates owned and operated by small growers. More

EVENTS
Stanza unveils new collection
Stanza, the apparel division of Pokarna Ltd, launched its new collection at the Lakme Fashion Week held last week. The collection, designed for the upcoming wedding season and Summer `07, features shirts that vary from dramatic ... More

INCOME TAX
Greater tax compliance could mean lower taxes
Attitudinal change brought on by moderate and stable rates: Chidambaram More

EXPORTS & IMPORTS
Bamboo cultivation: A viable alternative
Emerging as a major commodity with export potential More

Centre keen on marketing of diversified jute products
Value-added products hold 25 pc of total exports More

Brandix imports sewing machines
Brandix India has received the first consignment of 100 sewing machines through the Visakhapatnam port, imported from Hong Kong, and they are to be installed at the company's temporary training centre at Pendurthi near here, ... More

Pepper export subsidy to continue
The WTO compatible export subsidy for pepper and pepper products will be allowed on first come first served basis till March 2007, as the shipments as on November 1 stood at 11,000 tonnes as against the set target of 20,000 tonnes. The ... More

VENTURE CAPITAL
`Small is beautiful' fund invests in energy projects
`small is beautiful' (SIB), a Rs 231-crore private equity fund on Tuesday announced investments in three companies engaged in power generation amounting to Rs 51crore. SIB has invested in KVK Energy & Infrastructure Ltd, Hyderabad for its ... More

NATURAL CALAMITIES
Patil tours flood-affected areas, promises all help from Centre
Central team to assess damage, fix quantum of relief More

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES
AIMS to set up mega ISM project in Kochi
The Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) is coming up with a new mega project for the Indian System of Medicine (ISM) here with the support of the Central Government. AIMS, run by the Matha Amritanandamayi Mission with a super-speciality ... More

STANDARDS & BENCHMARKS
Panel on CNG quality norms to submit report in 3 months
Norms to address the concerns on quality discrepancy More

ECONOMIC OFFENCES
Prevent fertiliser hoarding, Paswan urges States
Rabi season urea demand pegged at 127.08 lt More

Smuggling of historical items
Additional policemen were rushed on Tuesday to sites identified as protected and prohibited by the Archaeological Survey of India [ASI] at Gour in West Bengal's Malda district, the citadel of the Bengal Sultanate between the 14th ... More