ECONOMY
274 Central sector projects suffer cost, time overruns
AS many as 274 projects currently under implementation in the Central sector are suffering serious cost and time overruns that are delaying the benefits to be realised from these works that have employment and income generation ... More

ENVIRONMENT

EXCISE AND CUSTOMS
Money, backwards and forwards
IT happens often that a bonanza gets almost offset by a penalty. A similar situation threatened Maruti Udyog Ltd not long ago when the Excise Department demanded Rs 7.2 crore, and also levied a penalty of Rs 1 crore. This, when viewed against ... More

Implementation of SEZ scheme now put off to May 11
THE Finance Ministry has deferred the implementation of the much-touted Special Economic Zone (SEZ) scheme from May 1 to May 11, a day after the last leg of the four-phased general elections. Accordingly, any supplies from the domestic tariff ... More

FOREIGN TRADE
Korean trade teams to visit Chennai
THE Chennai-based Korea Trade Center, an arm of Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency, is hosting two trade delegations from Korea in Chennai on May 17 and June 7. The delegations would scout for buyers and collaborators. The delegation that ... More

MANAGEMENT
PMI chapter for Kerala
PROJECT Management Institute (PMI), the world's largest body of project management professionals, is opening its Kerala chapter here on Wednesday. The chapter is being sponsored by US Software and has membership of other organisations such as ... More

RADIO/TV
Chennai FM players complete an year on air
A 6 ft-by-6 ft card wishing Radio Mirchi on its first anniversary greets visitors at the radio station's office on the busy Anna Salai here. The red-and-green styled wall leading up to the main office is decorated with more such fan mails, an ... More

EDUCATION
Aussie group launches pre-MBA programme in Hyderabad
SYDNEY-based Campus Group International Education Services Global Inc (CGIES) has launched a pre-MBA programme titled `Global graduate preparation programme' (GGPP) for the undergraduates seeking admission to MBA programme in any of the US-based ... More

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION
Seminar on green building materials at Hyderabad
THE CII-Sohrabji Green Business Centre is organising a two-day seminar on `Green building materials and equipment' beginning May 6 here. "We are holding the seminar to create awareness among entrepreneurs and other stakeholders on green ... More

KNITWEAR & HOSIERY
Tirupur knitwear exports set to touch $1 billion
KNITWEAR exports from Tirupur are surging and if the performance in the first quarter of the current year is maintained, it may reach a new landmark by recording for the first time $1 billion in export earnings from export of non-quota items and ... More

TEXTILE MACHINERY
Steel handloom for coir geo-textiles wins award
THE Central Coir Research Institute (CCRI) of the Coir Board has won an award from the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) for developing an improved mild steel handloom `Anugraha' for weaving coir geo-textiles. According to Mr C. ... More

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Exhibition on `illusions' at BITM
THERE is nothing unusual in seeing oneself in a mirror, but it becomes an experience if one sees only one's back in the reflection. This, and other scientifically created "illusions" are on display at an exhibition here at the Birla Industrial & More

DISINVESTMENT
Sundram Fasteners in race for SN Corp
THE on-going PSU reforms programme of the Government of Orissa, overseen by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), seems to have picked up steam. The sick SN Corporation Ltd, which manufactured high tensile fasteners, has received five bids. ... More

IPR
Failure to provide adequate level of intellectual property protection — US puts India on priority watch list
The USTR has stressed on the need for improved enforcement against counterfeiting and piracy. More

INDUSTRIAL POLICY
Bengal Govt to ease norms for investments
THE West Bengal Government is planning to introduce simplified procedures for getting the necessary clearances for setting up units in the State, according to Dr Sabyasachi Sen, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department, Government ... More

EVENTS
Bid to project UK as investment destination
THE British High Commissioner to India, Sir Michael Arthur, is hosting a networking reception for inward investors here on Wednesday. A large number of existing and prospective Indian investors are expected to attend the evening function, ... More

EXPORTS & IMPORTS
`Shift to euro is tough choice for exporters'
EVEN though the euro emerged as the most preferred currency, after the US dollar, for billing by Indian exporters, the exporting community feels that a move to the euro as an alternative currency is a difficult choice on the ground. This has ... More

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES
Herbal products from Sahasraksha Vaidyashala soon
SAHASRAKSHA Vaidyashala at Ukkinadka in Kasaragod district of Kerala will introduce six herbal products to the market on May 6. Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, the Managing Director of vaidyashala, Dr Jayagovinda Ukkinadka, said that ... More

TOURISM
Mauritius keen on tie-ups to woo Indian tourists
IN an effort to attract more Indian tourists, Mauritius is looking at the possibility of launching one or two co-branded events in the Indian markets shortly. The Director of Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Dr Karl Mootoosamy, told ... More

Tourist traffic to Hong Kong up
THE SARS shadow seems to be slowly lifting. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Indian tourists and others are back to travelling to Hong Kong. HKTB on Tuesday announced that arrivals from India in March totalled 19,780, ... More

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