Think India Foundation

India gets a solar plant in 100 days

A 5 MW solar PV project has recently been commissioned in 100 days - in the Rawra village near Jodhpur, in India’s northern desert state of Rajasthan.

The project has been established by Mahindra Solar One, a leading solar power developer in the country and a joint venture between the US $14.4 billion Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) group, based in Mumbai, and Kiran Energy Solar Power Pvt. Ltd, also from Mumbai. Pursuing the foundation of over 100 MW of large grid-connected projects over the next 2 to 3 years, the company says it aims to be at the forefront of the solar revolution in India by playing a significant role in solar power generation.

The Rajasthan plant is part of the Indian Government’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) and Mahindra Solar One has already won 50 MW of solar projects in JNNSM Phase 1B. Read more

Source : renewableenergyfocus.com

'CCI scrutiny of foreign takeovers may not be effective'

New Delhi : Ministry of corporate affairs is exploring possibilities of amending the Competition Act to exempt deals in the sector from the current turnover and deal size thresholds

The government’s attempt to strike a balance between public health concerns and need for foreign direct investments (FDI) by empowering the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to monitor all foreign takeovers of Indian drug firms may have no impact. Experts feel all domestic takeovers, irrespective of the turnover, deal size or the status of the acquirer, need to be brought under strict scrutiny. Read more

Source : business-standard.com

Is Sonipat-Kundli region another Gurgaon in the making?

With realty prices soaring in Delhi in recent years, action is shifting to the suburbs and the satellite towns. Affordable property prices, proximity to the metro city, enhanced infrastructure and the availability of spacious residential and commercial spaces are the key factors driving the growth of these towns and suburbs.

And one such fast-developing region is the Sonipat-Kundli region in Haryana. In fact, the Sonipat-Kundli region has developed so fast in the past few years that some industry observers have already started viewing this region as the next Gurgaon in the state. Read more

Source : articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com

Housing conundrum: FICCI report on urban infrastructure reveals uncomfortable truths

In 2001, about 286 million persons were living in urban areas of India and it was the second largest urban population in the world. According to the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India, the urban population in India over the next 25 years is expected to grow 38 per cent and become 534 million in 2026. Furthermore, as per the Census of India, 2001, 640 cities/towns in 26 States/Union territories have reported slum populations. 

Andhra Pradesh has the largest number of towns (77) reporting slums followed by Uttar Pradesh (69), Tamil Nadu (63) and Maharashtra (61). As many as 42.6 million people lived in slums in 2001. This constitutes 15 percent of the total urban population of the country and 22.6 percent of the urban population of the states/union territories reporting slums. Read more

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com

No movies on Feb 23 as cinemas to shut

MADURAI: Movie buffs hoping for a silver screen outing on February 23 might have to reschedule their programmes. Theatre owners in Madurai have decided not to screen films on the day, as part of a nationwide strike call given by the Film Federation of India, protesting against the introduction of a 10.3 per cent service tax for exhibitors by the Centre from this fiscal.

Theatre owners, already reeling under heavy pressure due to various factors like poor audience turnout, rising costs of film exhibiting and power cuts, say the service tax would completely make the industry unviable. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

CII awards 27 firms for environment best practices

HYDERABAD : The Confederation of Indian industry, through CII-Shohrab Godrej Green Business Centre (GBC), presented the Environmental Best Practices Awards for 2012 across different project categories and segments on Friday.

Green methods: Representatives of the achiever firms cheer at the Environmental Best Practices Awards 2012 function in Hyderabad on Friday. — Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

Twenty seven short-listed companies have achieved an annual recurring saving of Rs 54 crore, the findings of the entire survey leading to awards revealed. Read more

Source : thehindubusinessline.com

Builders feel investor heat, bite buyback bullet

Some are funding it from internal accruals, while many want to avoid the put option

Mumbai : Thursday was a big payday for Deutsche Bank (DB), which ended its tumultuous relationship with the Mumbai-based Lodha Group. For DB, the exit was a windfall — a neat 55 per cent profit in four years.

Such buybacks are rising. Indian real estate saw 14 such private equity (PE) exits, worth $457 million (around Rs 2,285 crore) in 2011. Of these, promoters bought out existing PEs or other financial sponsors in eight deals, according VCCEdge, the research platform of VCCircle. Read more

Source : business-standard.com

Ernakulam is hazardous waste capital of Kerala

KOCHI : Pesticides and metallurgical industries top polluters

Ernakulam district has emerged as the new hazardous waste capital of Kerala. The district is the top contributor to the amount of hazardous waste generated in the State, producing about 45,560 metric tonnes of hazardous waste annually.

Kerala generated about 71,050 metric tonnes of hazardous waste in 2009-10, according to the State inventory of hazardous waste generating industries prepared by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board. Read more

Source : thehindu.com

Farmers of Aurangabad oppose land acquisition

AURANGABAD: Farmers and activists affiliated to different social organizations joined hands on Thursday to oppose land acquisition by the government for the proposed Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, under which 10,000 hectares land would be acquired for setting up four mega industrial projects in the district.

"The activists have planned a meet at Bidkin, about 20 km from the city, on February 11 to chalk out the future course of action. Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar has been invited to address the meet", said Vijay Diwan and Subhash Lomte, members of the action committee. Thousands of affected farmers from Aurangabad and Jalna districts would attend the Bidkin meet, they said. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Expect Indian economy to pick up next year: India Inc

Disappointing! That is the word that you will hear from experts, economists, when you ask them about December index of industrial production (IIP). India's industrial production growth has slowed down sharply in December to 1.8% versus 5.9% in November, slowest pace in two months.

However, corporate India is hopeful that the industrial output will pick up ahead. According to them, global problems were weighing on the Indian economy. Since the global economy is improving now, they feel it will have spill over effect on India as well. Read more

Source : moneycontrol.com

Houses too can be built in factories

The National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy 2007 of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, rightly recognises the massive housing shortage, pegged at around 25 million dwelling units. It is also clear that most of this shortage lies in the low- and middle-income segments, where the affordability is limited and the demand is huge. The question that has been staring at our face for the last several decades is how to address this challenge.

Recently, Kamal Nath, the Minister for Urban Development was quoted urging the Delhi Development Authority to construct 2 lakh houses every year. That is a very laudable objective, but how are we going to do it? That is the question which needs to be addressed today. Read more

Source : indianexpress.com

Who's who to attend summit on changing Bihar

PATNA: Top honchos of various fields are expected to attend the three-day Global Summit on Changing Bihar, scheduled to open here on February 17.

To be inaugurated by Nepal PM Baburam Bhattarai, the summit will be spread over various sessions and workshops on themes like agriculture, health, industries, urban development, infrastructure, finance, tourism, education and socio-cultural renaissance. It is being organized by Bihar Foundation, Institute for Human Development (IHD) and Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI). Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Educating India’s 'Demographic Dividend': The Role of the Private Sector

The growth prospects of the Indian economy depend to a large extent on how the country tackles certain issues of intellectual capital today. The concern largely centers on the much-debated demographic dividend, or the rising proportion of working-age people in India. The recent One Globe 2012 "knowledge conference" in New Delhi emphasized the role that industry needs to play.

Some 54% of India’s 1.2 billion people are under the age of 25. The TeamLease Indian Labor Report 2009 estimates that 300 million will enter the labor force by 2025, and by then, 25% of the world’s workers will be Indians. The National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) is already grappling with the challenge of providing training and retraining to 500 million people by 2022. The non-negotiables to meet the challenge include fundamental education reform across primary, secondary and higher education, and significant enhancement of supplementary skills development. Read more

Source : knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu

The Turning Point is Not Far Away

The removal of uncertainty over 2G issues, subscriber-centricity and the beginning of market consolidation are likely to make the Indian telecom sector one of the most vibrant and dynamic industries across the world

In the last decade, India has witnessed a telecom revolution scripting a social as well as an economic transformation of the nation. With the revised National Telecom Policy to be announced in 2012 after 13 years, the year 2012 can be seen as the starting point of the second wave of growth for this sector. While market conditions will remain tough, the new policy is expected to bring regulatory clarity on several issues. The removal of uncertainty over 2G issues, subscriber-centricity and the beginning of market consolidation are likely to make the Indian telecom sector one of the most vibrant and dynamic industries across the world. The emphasis on providing localized services in rural sector through strategic tie-ups will be critical for bridging the digital divide. The focus will also be on indigenous manufacturing and creating intellectual property rights (IPRs) to promote economic health. Needless to say, innovation and rational voice and data tariffs across the sector will be of utmost importance for operators across the value-chain. Read more

Source : voicendata.ciol.com

Multi-storey industrial centre at Edayar

KOCHI : Complex will house light engineering, manufacturing units and garment makers

Kerala's first multi-storey industrial complex is nearing completion at the Edayar Industrial Estate near here. It is scheduled for inauguration in March.

Industry sources said that this was the first of a series of such facilities, which would be plug-and-play complexes, catering to the needs of non-polluting industries. Read more

Source : thehindu.com

Entrepreneurship can solve poverty, says Narayana Murthy

Kochi : India can solve its poverty only through entrepreneurship, said Infosys founder and mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy here on Tuesday.

N.R. Narayana Murthy.

He was speaking at a function, organised by DC Books on the occasion of the release of the Malayalam translation of his book ‘Better India, Better World.’ Read more

Source : deccanchronicle.com

Recycle industrial waste to generate revenue: experts

BANGALORE: A waste exchange mechanism for industries needs to be established in Karnataka. The goal is to reduce the adverse environmental impact of industrial waste disposal and generate economic returns through the promotion of resource recovery from industrial waste, said experts at the 'Sustainability: From strategy to growth' seminar organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Bangalore.

"Nanjangud industrial area is exchanging 40% of its wastage voluntarily. We are coming up with an idea of creating an online platform for industrial waste exchange," said Megha Shenoy, research director, Resource Optimization Initiative. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Water purification business attracts over Rs 500 crore in PE

The inability of the state to deliver on basic services has nurtured many a business: inverters and bottled water, to name just two.

A third one is beginning to flourish: water purification and waste-water treatment. As the state increasingly relinquishes these functions to the private sector, and even discusses the idea of privatising water supply, companies in this business are seeing a likely suitor: private equity (PE). Read more

Source : articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com

Boost financial instruments, discourage gold imports: Assocham

Mumbai : Encouraged by the government’s intention to categorise gold as a holding asset not to bring in circulation, the premier industry body Assocham has urged the government to encourage formal financial instruments to make the investment more productive. A senior government official had recently said that gold is a holding asset which increases massive strain on investible resources.

Terming the current gold import as huge burden on the balance of payments, Assocham’s secretary general D S Rawat said. Read more

Source : business-standard.com

'Lack of regulation hurting biotech sector'

Chennai/ Bangalore : Lack of proper regulatory framework, among other hurdles, the biotechnology (BT) industry is having to surmount, is affecting the sector and its growth. The government will have to move fast and speed up growth of the Indian BT sector as it has the potential to emerge as a leading sector, said Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw on Monday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day Bangalore India-Bio 2012, inaugurated in Bangalore on Monday, she said, “Only a proper regulatory framework would help realise these expectations. The regulatory system was necessary to provide support for innovation.” Read more

Source : business-standard.com

Study links polls to slump in real estate business

CHANDIGARH: A study focusing on election funding and cement consumption in at least 17 states of the country, including Punjab, has highlighted the role of black money in elections. The study, done by two Indian-origin US political scientists, has established how cement sales are linked to elections due to a deep nexus between politicians and real estate developers.

While electoral activity in Punjab ended recently and wait for results is on, the state has registered an overall slump in construction activity in the past two months. The authors of the study, Devesh Kapur of University of Pennsylvania and Milan Vaishnav of Columbia University, compiled information on the monthly consumption of cement and the timing of elections in India's 17 major states from 1995 to 2010. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Trai role crucial post-2G ruling

New Delhi, DHNS : The post–Supreme Court ruling on the cancellation of 2G spectrum allocated to telecom firms in 2008, the role of telecom regulator, Trai has become important on how it moves forward to restore investor confidence in the Indian market in allocating airwaves through the auction route.

One of the major objectives of Trai is to provide a transparent policy environment to the telecom sector. Read more

Source : deccanherald.com

Kalinga Nagar, Bolangir identified as probable manufacturing hubs in Orissa

Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar : Orissa has identified the Kalinga Nagar industrial cluster in Jajpur district and Bolangir in the economically backward KBK (Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput) region as probable locations for development of National Manufacturing and Investment Zone (NMIZ) envisaged under the National Manufacturing Policy of Government of India (GoI).

The proposed NMIZ needs to be developed on a contiguous patch of 5000 hectares of land as mandated by the policy. Read more

Source : business-standard.com

Healthcare sector will offer enormous growth opportunities

There are plenty of investment opportunities in the healthcare technology space but most have long gestation cycles and challenging business models

I for one was glad when we bid 2011 goodbye. There was hardly anything to be positive about in the year gone by, what with a scam a day, the rupee at an all-time high and our gross domestic product (GDP) growing the slowest among the Bric (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries. However, we are off to a much better start this year with some key verdicts from the Supreme Court on the 2G case that has sent a strong message that even powerful politicians and top business houses are not above the law. Additionally, the judgement in favour of Vodafone in the capital gains tax case is a positive development.  

In my interactions with my global investor friends, I notice their faith in the Indian judicial system is renewed and they are slowly back to feeling cautiously optimistic about India. As Raghuram Rajan, professor of finance at Chicago University’s Booth School of Business and economic adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said at Davos last week, we need to aim for at least 8.5-9% GDP this year and only then will we end up with 7-7.5%. Read more

Source : livemint.com

Equipment sourcing rule likely for IT, telecom

New Delhi : In an initiative that could prompt foreign telecom equipment majors such as Huawei, ZTE and Ericsson to set up base in India, the government is working on a Cabinet note to make it mandatory for all information technology (IT) and telecom public sector units to source 30 per cent of their purchases from domestic equipment makers.

Work on the note has started following a proposal by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the IT department. Read more

Source : business-standard.com

Sunny side up

The global job market may be in a turmoil as the economic slowdown forces companies to downsize, but some sectors will buck the trend.

Even as thousands are losing their jobs worldwide on deteriorating economic condition, there is a reason to cheer. Recession or no recession, one may fall ill and, hence, will need a doctor. An economic slowdown or not, one still needs education. Like it or not, business trips will always be part of the corporate world, and, hence, you need hotels to check in and flights to make it to your destination. In other words, at a time when the world is ridden with uncertainty, it is important that job seekers try and choose those sectors that are resilient to economic upheavals. Read more

Source : educationtimes.com

Home maintenance goes corporate

A slew of companies are trying to organize the home-focused services sector and bring in professionalism

Chennai : Banking on the growing purchasing power and busy lifestyles of urban, dual-income families, a slew of firms are now offering to help them run their homes, attempting to bring a measure of professionalism to a largely unorganized sector.

A call away: Prerna Bhutani,CEO of One Call India, interacting with her staff at her office in Tidel Park, Taramani, Chennai. By Sharp Image

While there’s no dearth of cook’s cousins or aunt’s office assistants who will repair a ceiling fan, wash the car and even fix software bugs, entrepreneurs are now seeing an opportunity to step in with streamlined services for affluent professionals who want to avoid the uncertainties of the informal ecosystem. Read more

Source : livemint.com

500 mn Indians need new homes over the next decade: FICCI

New Delhi: As many as half a billion Indians would need new homes in the country's various cities over the next decade, a requirement equivalent to all of China, North America and Western Europe put together, a report on Sunday said.

There is insurmountable pressure on civic infrastructure systems, a report said.

The report -- 'Urban Infrastructure in India' -- prepared by industry body Ficci said the country's population is slated to grow to 1.7 billion by 2050 and rapid urbanisation will add nearly 900 million people to Indian cities. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

BDA plans hi-tech zone to recover PRR costs

Bangalore,DHNS : In an apparent bid to recover the land cost of Rs 2,000 crore for the construction of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR), the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the State government are likely to deem one kilometre area around the 65-kilometre stretch as hi-tech zone.

Hi-tech zoning is the creation of a priority area for the establishment of industries like automobile, IT and other allied industries. Read more

Source : deccanherald.com

Ministry initiative to give rural youth jobs

New Delhi : With an aim to provide jobs to rural youth, the Rural Development Ministry is kicking off a Public Private Partnership initiative for value addition in non-timber forest produce in 60 Naxal-affected districts of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

“The projects in lac, gum, medicinal plants, tasar, bamboo and non-edible oil seeds like neem and mahua will maximise the return for the tribal engaged in collection of these forest products,” said Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh at an event on Friday. Read more

Source : dailypioneer.com

Make tourism a priority sector: Nirani

BANGALORE: Major and Medium Scale Industries Minister Murgesh Nirani on Friday said tourism should be made a priority sector in Karnataka. Speaking at the inauguration of UGC sponsored National-Level Seminar on ‘Karnataka as Global tourist Destination- Challenges and Opportunities’ here, he said efforts should be made to preserve historic monuments and flora and fauna. In fact, Karnataka has some of the best tourist locations in the country and it is important to attract foreign investment.

Capt Ganesh Karnik, MLC,said, “If one has to really promote tourism in Karnataka, they should first find out the weaknesses and come up with a solution to solve it. He added that a tourist from abroad who does not wish to spend exorbitantly for accommodation, would be appalled at the hygiene and maintenance of the place. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

Builders urge PMC to lift ban

PATNA: Days after Patna Municipal Corporation(PMC) imposed a ban on any further construction at the nine upcoming high-rises on the bank of Ganga, city builders on Saturday requested the municipal body to take back the ban. 

The chairman of Bihar chapter of Builders' Association of India (BAI), Manikant, said: "Such reports (about imposition of ban) have shown real estate industry in Bihar in a bad light." Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

2G verdict: Affected subscribers to turn to number portability, new SIM cards

PUNE: Rajat Upadhyay uses the mobile phone connection of a service provider that is at the receiving end of the Supreme Court's order of Thursday to cancel 2G licenses issued by the government after January 2008. However, he is not worried about the possibility of his connection going dead once the SC order is implemented. He says he will shift to some other operator and continue to use his connection.

Ankit Kulkarni is similarly not too bothered. He took a connection only last month and cannot change his operator for another 70 days or so, given the portability norms of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). But he plans to buy a new SIM card and remain mobile. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Good living needs good housekeeping

India has a dynamic and rapidly evolving real estate industry catering to the housing needs of a growing urban population. The choices available to buyers today range from plotted developments to apartments to group housing complexes.

An increasing number of real estate developers have graduated from selling not just a home, but one with a lifestyle attached. Most projects are marketed that way, and most home buyers are attracted to the spin. Read more

Source : indianexpress.com

Let water, not profits, flow

As a finite, life-giving resource, access to water must remain a fundamental right. The state, as custodian under the public trust doctrine, should uphold the right of the citizen to clean, safe drinking water. It is such a strong, rights-based approach that should underpin official policy on water in India. Many areas in the country are water-stressed, and there are simmering inter-State disputes on sharing river waters. The National Water Policy 2012, now published in draft for public comments, should ultimately take a holistic view of the issue. The draft text makes some references to the importance of water for people and Nature, but is disproportionately focussed on treating water as an economic good. Such an approach predicated on realising the costs that go into the supply of water can only distort access and prices in the long run, affecting less affluent citizens. To suggest, for instance, that the state should exit the service-provider role and become a regulator is only a step away from abandoning the equity objective. Private sector water services have clearly failed in many countries, including those in the global North, and local governments have taken over again. In the current year, for-profit private water companies in England are raising tariffs, while the publicly-owned service in Scotland is not. Just over a decade ago, water wars in Bolivia reversed privatisation moves. Evidently, private partnership imposes the burden of extra costs. Read more

Source : thehindu.com

Rise in telecom tariffs likely, say analysts

MUMBAI : There were wide ranging reactions from telecom sector analysts to the Supreme Court's verdict in the 2G case.

It is good news for established incumbent operators and in the short term there is likely to be some increase in tariffs, said Mr C.S. Benoy, Director, ICT Practice, Frost & Sullivan, South Asia and Middle East. Read more

Source : thehindubusinessline.com

MP Govt to lease out 700 hectares for tourism projects

Khajuraho : In a bid to attract and encourage private investment in the tourism sector in the state, the Madhya Pradesh government will lease out 700 hectares of land for tourism-related projects. The land will be leased through open competitive bidding for a period of 30 years. Speaking at the first Tourism Conclave organised jointly by Madhya Pradesh Tourism and FICCI at Khajuraho, Vinod Semwal, Principal Secretary - Tourism, Madhya Pradesh, and Pankaj Rag, MD, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corp., said that the state intended to engage private investors in a proactive manner.

Of the 700 hectares identified, Semwal said about 450 hectares will be earmarked for projects based on the PPP model. Regarding the poor state of roads connecting various tourist destinations, he said that the Public Works Department is working hard to improve the roads and is updating the Tourism Department on a day to day basis. He added that the government currently has various incentives for private investors, including luxury tax exemption for a period of five to eight years for new hotels. Read more

Source : travelbizmonitor.com

Hospitality majors use mobile apps to boost biz

Such apps help customers make hotel bookings, get directions using GPS navigation, check facilities and enjoy special offers

Hyderabad : Aiming to attract customers on-the-go, mobile applications (apps) and user-friendly mobile sites have become extremely important for hotels and restaurants.

In fact, many claim that mobile apps are opening up a whole new field by enabling bookings at the press of a button, especially for same-day stays. Such apps are an easy way for customers to book a stay, get directions using GPS navigation, check hotel facilities and can even be used to promote special offers using push notifications. With smartphone penetration reaching 10 million last year and Indian research company, IMRB suggesting that one out of three urban Indian internet user has access to a mobile phone application, the hospitality sector is eager to cash in on these latest technologies. Read more

Source : business-standard.com

HIEMA provides job training for aspirants

Mysore , DHNS : Deputy commissioner P S Vastrad inaugurated the first ever STEP-UP programme in the state at Hebbal Industrial Estate in Mysore recently. The programme had been organised by Urban Development Centre, District Industries Centre and Hebbal Industrial Estate Manufacturers’ Association (HIEMA).

STEP-UP is a part of Sahari Rozgar Yojana of the Central government and aims at training urban people in various vocations and skills to become financially independent. Read more

Source : deccanherald.com

Panel suggests setting up task force to speed up PPP projects

Proposes govt spending of Rs.5.6 trillion over 10 years; ombudsman to resolve issues arising during project execution

An expert group looking into ways to modernize the railways has recommended setting up a task force to expedite public-private partnership projects (PPP)involving investments of at least Rs.10,000 crore.

The person selected to head the task force should be at the level of the chairman of the Railway Board, the panel has recommended to the government. For smaller projects, it has suggested constituting a three-member committee to fast-track decision making. Read more

Source : livemint.com

Indian firm working to make diesel out of plastic waste

Mumbai: Time seems not too far when diesel would be extracted from plastic waste in India.

A Mumbai-based firm has drawn up plans to set up a plant to convert plastic waste into light diesel, calorific value combustible gas and carbon pellets. Read more

Source: daily.bhaskar.com

Nasscom: IT can improve healthcare in India

GURGAON: Information technology (IT) can make healthcare accessible and affordable to more people in the country, industry lobby the National Association of Software and Services Companies ( Nasscom) said here.  

Information technology (IT) can make healthcare accessible and affordable to more people in the country.

"IT can provide access to healthcare facilities. Also, it can have a positive impact on affordability and effectiveness of healthcare in India," Som Mittal, president of the IT-BPO sector apex body, said at the 'Health 2.0' conference here. Read more 

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com 

Union Budget 2012-2013: Hospitals not likely to get infra status

With the finance ministry coming under increasing pressure to raise resources in a slowing economy the demand by India Inc for conferring infrastructure status to hospitals in order to avail of tax concessions is not likely to come through in the forthcoming Budget .

Infrastructure status to hospitals would entitled them to tax exemption on their entire profit for 10 consecutive years.

A senior finance ministry official told Mail Today that "health like education comes in the social sector, so we cannot accord it infrastructure status at this point". Read more

Source : businesstoday.intoday.in

Franchising offers promise to start-ups in F&B space

One of the most promising ways to build a successful business in the food and beverage space is through franchising

The mushrooming of restaurants of varied hues, in nearly every corner of urban India, attests to the ease of starting these businesses. As other experts in this paper have written about, Indians are eating out at least once a month and appear to have a great preference for Indian food. Moreover, while fine dining restaurants are doing well in pockets, it is quick service restaurants that are doing roaring business, given the value for money that they offer. The good news for such businesses is that this opportunity is by no means confined to the metros alone but stretches to smaller cities. Read more

Source : livemint.com

Second industrial rubber park built in Tripura

India's second industrial rubber park has come up in Bodhungnagar in western Tripura to boost the country's elastic polymer industry.

The park, a joint venture between the Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC) and the Rubber Board, is the second of its kind in the country after the rubber park in Irapuram, Kerala. Read more

Source : smetimes.in

MNC's now prefer Noida over NCR; planned townships, access to Delhi cited as reasons

Noida has been seeing an increase in the number of multinationals setting up base here. This has resulted in a large-scale migration of skilled and unskilled workers to this place. Infrastructure has developed in tandem - wide roads, big commercial centres, and institutions - which have lifted the stock of this place among developers, end users and investors.

Noida has obviously benefited from the urban stress being faced by Delhi, which is under pressure from a lack of space, sky-high property prices, and a large population . The prominent developers who have helped in the growth story of Noida include Jaypee, Amrapali, Prateek Group, Gulshan Homz, JM Housing Ltd, Earth Infrastructures Ltd, Ajnara India Ltd, etc. Read more

Source : articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com

Finding the innovation key to million problems

From cars to vaccines, companies are busy introducing a slew of cost-effective products

India’s image in the eyes of the world undergoes a major shift in every 30 years or so. From Independence to the import of PL-480 wheat, it was one of abject poverty and utter helplessness — of a nation unable to feed itself. Read more

Source : mydigitalfc.com

78% of urban youth intake dietary supplement: Assocham survey

Bangalore: Due to easy availability of supplements, about 78 per cent of adolescents in urban areas of India consume at least one dietary supplement such as pills, energy drinks, steroids and high-protein, says a survey by industry body Assocham. 

"The statistics are shocking, as many children are becoming overly involved and obsessed by a wide variety of substances that promise to boost energy, appearance, performance, improved immunity and overall health even if it shortened their lives," it said in a statement. Read more

Source : financialexpress.com

Modi: Bihar to enhance renewable energy

The Bihar government is committed to work towards development of renewable energy (RE) and ready to provide various incentives to investors in this regard.

Deputy CM Sushil K Modi while releasing the report, ‘Empowering Bihar — Policy Pathway for Energy Access’, made this statement here at a function held under the banner of Greenpeace India. Read more

Source : eco-business.com

JK has vast potential in pharmaceutical sector: Slathia

Jammu (PTI) : The Jammu and Kashmir government today said the state has vast potential in pharmaceutical sector and pharma colleges will be opened to meet trained man power requirements of the industry.

"JK has vast potential for promotion of pharmaceutical industries which needs to be exploited optimally. Pharma colleges will be opened to meet the trained man power requirements of the sector," Industries and Commerce Minister S S Slathia said at a meeting convened here to device future strategies for promoting pharmaceutical industries in JK. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com