Archive for April, 2008
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
India has formulated a National Urban Transport Policy with the focus on ‘moving people – not vehicles’. Although urban transport is purely a State subject the need for a National policy was felt as several key enactments were administered by the Centre and several key agencies were under the Central Government. The Policy aims to set a framework for state level policies and strategies.
The Kochi Metro had been approved in principle as also the Chennai Metro. The Delhi Metro extension phase II to Noida and Gurgaon had also been approved in principle. The viability gap funding for Hyderabad Metro has also been approved in principle. Metro projects are also being taken up in Mumbai and Kolkata besides Bangalore. The central government is providing funds for Metro projects and also viability gap funding for specific transport projects.
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Posted in Infrastructure | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
India has a scheme to delineate outer limits of continental shelf extending beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone being implemented by Ministry of Earth Sciences. The outer limits of the continental shelf have to be established by acquisition of geophysical data through bathymetry and through seismic reflection and refraction.
The scheme involves acquisition, processing and interpretation of geophysical data for determination of the water depth, foot of slope and sedimentary rock thickness followed by the preparation of India’s submission to the United Nations with necessary documentations. The acquisition, processing and interpretation of geophysical data has been completed and the documentation for the submission is in the advanced stage of completion.
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Posted in Policy | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
ndia Meteorological Department (IMD) presently operates a network of 10 Cyclone Detection Radars and 29 Storm Detection Radars. One Cyclone Detection Radar is located at Paradip and one Storm Detection Radar at Bhubaneswar. Under modernization of observations and forecasting facilities of IMD (Phase-I), 12 nos. of Doppler Weather Radars (DWR) used in forecast of severe weather events are being procured for installation at various places of the country. With these, complete coastal belt of India including Orissa would be covered. One of the 12 Doppler Weather Radars is planned to be set up at Paradip in place of existing Cyclone Detection Radar.
A total amount of Rs. 920 crore has been approved by the Cabinet for the modernization phase I of IMD that includes commissioning of the 12 Doppler weather radars.
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Posted in Environment | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
Moneybookers, one of Europe’s largest online payment systems, today revealed the movement of money out of the country by migrants working in the UK. Foreign workers living in the UK are typically sending GBP200 per month to their friends and relatives back home, although this figure rises to GBP550 for French migrants.
As the debate about the costs and benefits of immigration continues to intensify as a key political battleground, the study by Moneybookers provides an interesting insight into the flow of money out of
the country. Moneybookers has almost 5 million customers and is extremely popular with migrant workers as it is quick and easy to set up an account while providing extremely competitive rates for secure international money transfer services - only 1% or EUR0.5, whichever is less.
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Posted in Europe | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
Professor Rick Trainor, President of Universities UK and Principal of King’s College London, is leading a delegation of UK University Vice Chancellors to India to discuss collaborations on the massive expansion in India’s Higher Education Institutions under the XI Five Year Plan.
The visit follows the Bilateral Summit meeting between the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in January 2008. At the Summit, the two Prime Ministers agreed to actively promote links between British Universities and the premier educational institutions in India including collaborating on the establishment of one new Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), one new Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), and one new Central University.
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Posted in Education | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
Emerging economies represent important growth areas for multinational companies. Among other factors, growth, economic reforms and deeper integration of those countries into the world economy have provided development opportunities for established multinationals, as well as for a new generation of global players. Yet, emerging economies pose distinctive challenges that require considerable changes for companies worldwide.
In this context, Fundacao Dom Cabral (Brazil), Moscow School of Business - Skolkovo (Russia), India School of Business (India) and Fudan University (China) launch today, during the Five-Diamond Conference Cycle in New York, an innovative international executive program focused on emerging economies. (more…)
Posted in Education | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
Speaking at an interaction on India-Colombia: Opportunities for Trade and Investment, organized by Confederation of Indian Industry on Monday in New Delhi, H E Luis Guillermo Plata, Minister of Trade, Industry & Tourism, Colombia, said the economic relations between India and Colombia have a great potential. He said the two countries are discussing bilateral investment and double taxation treaties. Calling for closer ties with India, Mr Plata said the Colombian private sector looks forward to greater involvement with India and Indian partners. He underlined the need for greater interaction between India and Colombia.
He pointed out the fact that as India is growing at a fast clip, (more…)
Posted in Policy | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has stated that the Commodity Transaction Tax (CTT) will render commodities markets unviable and therefore should be withdrawn.
In addition, the Chamber in a representation to the Finance Minister has sought withdrawal of 5% hike in short term capital gains tax, excise levy on bulk cement imposed in 2008-09 budget and reduction of 4% across the board excise duty for SMEs.
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Posted in Industry | No Comments »
Monday, April 28th, 2008
The Supreme Court today dismissed and refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation filed against the use of the name “Royal Challengers” for the Bangalore team in the Indian Premier League matches.
The Public Interest Litigation had been filed on the ground that the name ‘Royal Challengers’ and the use of the logo and phrase ‘game for life’ indirectly promotes the liquor brand “Royal Challenge”. It was also prayed that ‘Royal Challengers’ be restrained from participating in the Indian Premier League matches or play under a different name.
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Posted in Cricket, Law | No Comments »
