The Hindu Business Line : Monday, January 23, 2006

`Weak' La Nina likely this year
THE International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) at Columbia University has assessed chances of a La Nina event occurring during January-March this year at 50 per cent. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ... More

BUDGET

Concern over TN Govt's `silence' over VAT
THE Tamilnadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed its "dismay and concern" over the absence of any mention of the value-added tax (VAT) in the interim-budget of the Tamil Nadu Government for 2006-07. While all States, including those ... More

Biotech sector wants IPR-savvy accreditation body — Presents 16-point charter to Finance Minister
THE biotechnology sector's pre-Budget wish-list this year has gone beyond the realm of mundane duty and tax reliefs. The concerns have international hues, seeking provision for an exclusive, IPR-focussed arbitration council or tribunal, apart ... More

ECONOMY

Social concerns, fiscal prudence to guide Budget: Chidambaram
SOUNDING upbeat on the economic growth rates achieved and the boom in investments, the Union Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, categorically stated that social concerns and fiscal prudence and responsibility would guide the coming Budget. ... More

FOREIGN TRADE

Dublin keen to export food & drinks to India — In talks for local distributors & exporters
IRELAND views India as a primary target for Irish food and drink industry with its reputation for being a food island that exports its rich food and drink products to more than 160 countries, according to Irish Food Board (Board Bia) Chief ... More

HEALTH

`Fed Amrita' service
KOCHI: Fed Amrita is a new service offered by Federal Bank in association with Amrita Institute of Medical Services (AIMS). The service, which was previously available only through Fednet, the Internet facility of the bank, has now been ... More

PETROLEUM

Petroleum products pricing — Oil marketing firms' balance sheets may be under strain in Q3 too
WITH time running out for reporting their third quarterly results, oil marketing companies (OMCs) may continue to be saddled with botched balance sheets as there has been little action from the Government on the petroleum products pricing issue. ... More

`Uncertainties over Kochi LNG terminal a cause for concern'
THOUGH Petronet LNG Ltd (PLL) has been reiterating that the proposed terminal here would be taken up as per schedule, some of the technocrats here have expressed concern over the delay in finalising SPA with suppliers of LNG. "We are all ... More

Access to Iran gas critical for energy security: Aiyar
ACCESS to Iran gas is very critical for achieving the energy security of the country, according to Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar. Talking to reporters here at the National Geophysical Research Institute ... More

TAXATION

Kerala Tax dept web site
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The revamped Web site of the State's commercial taxes department, www.keralataxes.org, has been inaugurated by the State Finance Minister, Mr Vakkom Purushothaman. The site ... More

RADIO/TV

Govt expects over Rs 20.7 cr from FM radio bidding
THE Government has said that it expects to garner over Rs 20.7 crore as entry fee from private players (in the second phase) bidding for FM radio in the Eastern Zone. The bidding for the second phase of private FM radio in 17 cities in the ... More

EDUCATION

Indo-German tech institute labs at Vizag
THE Indo-German Institute of Advanced Technology (IGIAT) in the industrial estate here will have a full-fledged production centre after completion and the total outlay for the project is Rs 25 crore, according to Mr D.J. Hahn, the programme ... More

`Techprop 2006' contest
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The last date for receipt for project synopsis for the `Techprop 2006' contest for identifying innovative ideas from engineering students from the South Indian States have been extended to January 31. The extended ... More

Learn to earn
Computer education does not always translate into jobs. But this initiative seeks to do IT differently. More

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

Ascendas renames IT park at Madhapur; begins work on phase V
BUSINESS space provider Ascendas India has announced the re-christening of its IT Park at Madhapur, Hyderabad as `The V' and inaugurated the Capella, which comprises phase 4 and is already fully occupied by IT companies. With the completion ... More

READYMADE GARMENTS

Garment park project initiated in Bengal
IN A bid to accelerate the growth of the garment, hosiery and apparel industry in the State, the Bengal Industrial Development Corporation has initiated a move to set up a garment park in the city in an area of over 8.78 acres. The project ... More

MINING & QUARRYING

APMDC must control bauxite mining: CM
THE Chief Minister Dr Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has said that National Aluminium Co Ltd (NALCO) should allow the bauxite mining lease to be in the name of AP Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) only for monitoring environmental and tribal ... More

DISINVESTMENT

Maharashtra Scooters pricing: `WMDC interests will be protected'
THE Government of Maharashtra does not consider the proposed divestment of majority holding in Maharashtra Scooters Ltd (MSL) a done deal yet and has resolved to protect the interests of Western Maharashtra Development Corporation (WMDC) on the ... More

BALCO stake sale: Govt hopeful of good return
THE Union Government expects to get a good return on the residual stake sale in BALCO (Bharat Aluminium Company), the Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, said hereon Sunday. The buyer, had a call option and he has exercised it, hence, there is ... More

WTO

India to be showcased at Davos meet
THE CII has formed a partnership to represent India at the forthcoming World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting, from January 25 to 29, in Davos, Switzerland. The "India Everywhere" project, which is the largest ever Indian participation at ... More

EVENTS

Budget session from Feb 16
NEW DELHI: The Budget Session of Parliament has been advanced by a week and will now commence on February 16. The session was to have begun on February 23. The sitting had been advanced in view of the impending elections in four ... More

Agenda for the week

Engagements

INCOME TAX

`No IT notice served on Amitabh in hospital'
THE Big B (Amitabh Bachchan), was not served any Income-Tax notice when he was in the intensive care unit in the hospital, Mr Chidambaram clarified on Sunday. It is true that the IT Department served two notices. Both these were sent to his ... More

Deposits exempt from TDS on interest — CBDT plans change in banks' reporting details
THE Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is considering doing away with the requirement to report to the Revenue Department all deposits on which interest has been paid without deduction of tax at source. This move would come as a major relief ... More