The Hindu Business Line : Monday, May 31, 2004

INVESTMENTS
A good opportunity for investors
The UPA, in my opinion, will follow reformist policies. Bluntly stated, it does not have much of choice in this regard. This fact will slowly sink into the markets. More

ECONOMY
Wages of unemployment
More than failing the farmers, the NDA fell because unemployment became excessive. But tackling rural and urban joblessness requires a broad-spectrum approach that goes beyond ideological purity. Needed are less simplistic and more comprehensive solu tions to engineer both economic growth and full employment simultaneously, says P. V. Indiresan. More

FICCI submits action plan to spur economic growth — Wants manufacturing sector to get push
THE Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has submitted an action plan to spur economic growth in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, disinvestments, labour and education to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan ... More

PETROLEUM
Gas price: De-regulation brooks no delay
The removal of price and distribution controls on domestic natural gas brooks no further delay if the suppliers of gas — both domestic and imported — are to get an impetus to augment supplies to the level of projected demand and help achi eve full energy security. More

PHARMACEUTICALS
Drug industry keeps fingers crossed on pricing policy
AS the new Government's Common Minimum Programme (CMP) gradually plays itself out - the mention of the P-word with regard to health has fuelled the pharma industry's fears on drug pricing. The issue evokes intense emotion, leading players ... More

POWER
CESC will get additional Rs 69 cr in arrears
THE RPG-controlled power utility CESC Ltd will get Rs 69.1 crore additional revenue on account of collection of arrears on power bills for 2002-03 and 2003-04. Taken together with the requirement for the current fiscal, CESC's revenue ... More

TEXTILES
Textile players keen on exit policy for labour
Prof Chandrashekhar said there were many parties pushing for legal provisions that would allow a high degree of casualisation. This was driven by manufacturers keen to maintain large profits and competitiveness by reducing labour costs. In the long r un, he said, workers would lose out. More

Denial of Cenvat duty credit to TN textile producers revoked
IN a significant ruling, the Central Board for Excise and Customs (CBEC) has restored status quo ante for availing of credit of the Cenvat duty paid on inputs used in the fabric manufactured by independent textile weavers supplying to major ... More

CIGARETTES
`Quit smoking' must start at workplace
THE `World No Tobacco Day' on May 31 is of special significance to the Health Ministry. It will be a month since the tobacco legislation came into effect. While officials in the Health Ministry are happy that the large hoardings dotting the ... More

RADIO/TV
Jaipal Reddy favours cess to support Prasar Bharati
FAVOURING a consensus approach to create a statutory authority to serve as an independent regulator for convergence or the broadcasting sector, levying cess to support Prasar Bharati Corporationand harnessing the power of the radio are among the ... More

AIR-CONDITIONERS & REFRIGERATORS

ISHRAE chapter in Kochi

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
CII study shows increase in positive confidence
THE Business Confidence Index (BCI) of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the period April-September this year shows that there is an increase in the positive confidence amongst the domestic industrial community. In a statement, ... More

TOBACCO
Warning logo no major problem for cigarette cos — Beedi, gutka makers say changing design difficult
AFTER the ban on advertising of tobacco products, the next big challenge is arriving at a consensus on the new packaging design. Different manufacturers have expressed divergent views on how to accommodate the `Tobacco Kills' line and the ... More

MINING & QUARRYING
AP mulls separate mining zone
THE Andhra Pradesh Government is considering the creation of a separate mining zone in the State aimed at facilitate better prospecting and mining the large untapped potential of the sector. The State Minister for Mines and Geology, Ms Sabitha ... More

GENDER
L'Oreal announces scholarship for women
L'OREAL, for the second consecutive year, has announced the `L'Oreal India Scholarships for Young Women in Science 2004', to encourage young women to pursue a career in science. Each scholarship consists of a maximum amount of Rs 2,00,000 ... More

RURAL DEVELOPMENT
'Banks must provide funds for rural development'
THE Managing Director of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard), Mr Y.S.P. Thorat, has said that commercial banks in India are flush with funds, and the challenge before them is to convert the money into rural development ... More

LABOUR REFORMS

Kerala SSI call for labour reforms

EXPORTS & IMPORTS
Sales tax on DEPB credit — Exporters advised to approach State Govts for exemption
THE Commerce Ministry has advised the exporting community to approach State Governments individually to ensure that sales tax is not imposed on sale of Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) credit. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is ... More

Drop in readymade garments exports to US
EXPORTS of readymade garments (RMGs) from the country registered a modest decline of 0.82 per cent in dollar terms during the first four months of the calendar year as compared to the corresponding months of 2003 by fetching $1,970.1 million on a ... More

TOURISM
Central grant for tourism projects in Malabar area
THE Centre has sanctioned Rs 7.79 crore for the development of a tourism circuit in the Malabar region. This grant is expected to give a boost to Kerala Tourism's efforts to promote Malabar as a tourist destination. According to a tourism ... More