The Hindu Business Line : Thursday, December 14, 2006

Nasscom for I-T waiver for NRIs outsourcing jobs
The Natioanl Association of Softaware and Services Companies (Nasscom) has recommended a slew of measures for the Indian IT sector in its pre-budget memorandum. To boost the BPO industry as well as remove the concerns of non-residents, the ... More

NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY
New products from Ammini Solar
The Thiruvananthapuram-based Ammini Solar Pvt Ltd has launched two new products; a solar lantern and a solar-powered uninterrupted power supply system. Speaking at the launch function in the city, the State Industries ... More

AUTOMOBILES
`Robust supply chain vital for auto cos'
Will help ease margin pressures More

ENVIRONMENT
Ministry working on system for monitoring projects compliance
Having come out with a revised system (on September 14) for getting environmental clearance for projects, the Ministry of Environment and Forests is working towards evolving a system for monitoring the projects for compliance, Dr G.V. ... More

EXCISE AND CUSTOMS
CBEC acts against fictitious invoices
The Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI) has arrested Mr Dinesh Sharma for issuing fictitious cenvatable invoices and passing on about Rs 7 crore duty credit without actually delivering any duty paid goods. An official ... More

FOREIGN TRADE
Chambers spell out steps to boost Indo-Japan trade
For India to penetrate the Japanese market, there is an imperative need to diversify exports focusing on value-added products, according to FICCI. More

British Trade Office to offer more facilities
With about 115 companies already having links with Britain, the newly-opened British Trade Office is all set to offer more networking opportunities. The Pune facility would be engaged in market research to offer tailor-made reports to the UK ... More

HEALTH
AP to launch medical helpline
The Andhra Pradesh Government has roped in a not-for-profit organisation run by Satyam Computer Services to launch a toll-free helpline for health-related issues. People can call 1056 for advice on maternal health, and child and neonatal ... More

INFRASTRUCTURE
Andhra Bank signs MoU with India Infrastructure Finance
Andhra Bank on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) to lend further impetus and purpose to its infrastructure financing activities. The public sector bank has deployed about ... More

Japan keen to take part in rail freight corridor project
Modalities of tie-up yet to be worked out More

PETROLEUM
Gas-related gyan for accountants
With the trend of high crude prices expected to continue in the short to medium term, natural gas will be more cost competitive than liquid fuels. — MR ANISH DE IS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, TRANSACTION ADVISORY SERVICES (SPECIALIST - OIL & GAS), RNST & YOUNG. More

ONGC may rope in Shell, Total as partners in Nigerian blocks
OMEL may sign pact for exploration block in Turkmenistan More

PLASTICS
Kerala Cabinet nod for curbs on plastics
Plastics less than 50-microthin thickness to be banned More

POWER
Power Finance files for IPO
Power Finance Corporation Ltd has filed the draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India for its proposed initial public offering of shares. The issue size is 117,316,700 equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash at a ... More

Minister refuses doles to make good KSEB loss
The Electricity Minister, Mr A. K. Balan, has ruled out a hike in power tariff just to make good the annual loss of Rs 120 crore accumulated by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) from the predecessor Government's decision to peg down the ... More

SunTechnics ties up with Cauvery Kalpatharu bank
SunTechnics, a leading system integrator for renewable energies and the flagship company of the Conergy Group, has tied up with Cauvery Kalpatharu Grameena Bank (CKGB), for retail funding of environmental friendly energy solutions. CKGB has over ... More

`Govt ready to clarify doubts on power project'
Will soon meet fishermen on the issue: CM More

TAXATION
Pune aims at Rs 8,000-cr tax collection
Pune, which recorded tax collection of Rs 6,700 crore during last fiscal, is targeting Rs 8,000 crore this fiscal. It has collected close to Rs 4,600 crore by November end, Mr Santosh Datta, Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax, told ... More

SSI
F-Secure ties up with VSNL
Package for SME customers More

Small industries training scheme
Small Industries Service Institute (SISI), here is organising a month-long training programme on `Chemical and Instrumental Analysis', starting from December 20, at the institute. Educated, unemployed youth, existing employees in ... More

RADIO/TV
HBO lines up blockbusters to sustain growth
HBO is confident of continuing its growth of 15 to 20 per cent in 2007 with a line up of blockbusters to be premiered on television next year. "The number one position is not etched in stone," said Ms Shruti Bajpai, Country Manager, HBO South ... More

EDUCATION
ISE sets up training institute
To solve the demand-supply mismatch for trained people in the capital markets and financial services sector, Inter-connected Stock Exchange of India (ISE) today announced the setting up of a training institute in Hyderabad. Alongside, ISE ... More

ICAI plans to offer package degrees
In talks with varsities to co-operate on a broader spectrum More

CARS
Greater role for third-party logistics in automotive industry seen
Providing end-to-end supply chain services More

FOODS & FOOD PROCESSING
Uniform 4% VAT on basic processed foods sought
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries on Wednesday urged the Finance Ministry to consider a uniform VAT of 4 per cent on all basic processed foods, nil or low excise duty on food grains, condiments and spices, fruits and vegetables along ... More

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
FICCI state council to hold meeting with TNEB officials
An interactive session with officials from Tamil Nadu Electricity Board is to be held here on Thursday. The meet organised by the Tamil Nadu State Council of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry will be attended among ... More

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Meet stresses role of photonics in tech
Photonics will play an important role in development of medical, sensing, telecommunications and Defence technologies, said experts participating in Photonics 2006, a four-day international conference that began today. The conference is a joint ... More

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
South Korea's Mando gets nod for design centre at Noida
"Country will become a hub for high-level designing for the manufacturing sector." More

RURAL DEVELOPMENT
4 Shefexil projects cleared for 100 pc Central aid
Creating more rural employment More

HUMAN RESOURCES
Japan's ageing population and India's opportunity
India, with its vast pool of skilled service providers would be ideally placed to provide services across a range of sectors. India would therefore like Japan to facilitate the movement of such service providers across borders More

TRADE & LABOUR UNIONS
Nationwide strike today
The central trade unions, including AITUC, CITU, AICCTU, HMS and others, would observe a nationwide strike on Thursday. The participants also include various independent sector-specific trade union federations, while INTUC has opted to remain out ... More

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
15 nominations shortlisted for Innovations 2007
"What is a successful model for clinical research in the rural setting? What can be done if we can harness the energy of children playing in the park? Can natural products be dried quickly at room temperature in a non-destructive manner? What ... More

EXPORTS & IMPORTS
Apt time to lift ban on sugar exports: Pawar
Govt open to suggestions of decontrolling industry More