Friday, November 19, 1999
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B U S I N E S S | Friday, November 19, 1999 |
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WB evolves new strategy Plan to increase phone density in
rural areas |
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Shortfall in Plan resources likely ‘Overhaul administrative
machinery’ Haryana kharif production falls Function cancelled SBP honours Kargil victims
families Zee Net services Hi-tech PF centre |
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Economic bills to get top priority NEW DELHI, Nov 18 (PTI) — A batch of economic legislations including Insurance, anti-Money Laundering, Foreign Exchange Management and Patents bills along with the politically controversial measure to give 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies will be given top priority during the winter session of Parliament. This was decided at a meeting Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan had with Secretaries of all Government departments early this week to decide on the legislative business during the three-week-long session, sources said. The decision is in tune with the Government’s thinking on giving a thrust to second generation economic reforms during its second tenure. While Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) bill, Foreign Exchange Management bill and Securities Laws bill were introduced during the first session after the elections, the Government could not table the Prevention of Money Laundering bill. All these measures have been given top priority “A” category in the legislative business for the coming session. On the political side, the Constitution Amendment bill providing for women’s reservation, which is yet to be introduced, also gets top billing. However, the Government is apparently soft pedalling the sensitive issue of creation of small states by downgrading priority for legislations for creation of Uttarakhand, Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand placing them in ‘B’ category. There is a heavy agenda of legislative and non-legislative business including over 100 bills for introduction and transaction during the session but only important ones have been placed in the top category. The business for the session also includes financial items including voting and discussion on supplementary demands for grants general and railways for 1999-2000. There will also be resolutions for constitution of a new railway convention committee and adopting the recommendations of the 1988 committee relating to rate of dividend for railways during 1999-2000. The proposal for giving
statutory status to the Central Vigilance Commission
(CVC) is likely to suffer further delay as the bill for
this purpose has been placed in ‘B’ category.
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Patents Bill in winter session NEW DELHI, Nov 18 (PTI) — Commerce and Industry Minister Murasoli Maran today said four Intellectual Property Rights related Bills including Patents (Amendment) Bill to allow product and process patenting would be introduced in the winter session of Parliament starting later this month.He, however, admitted that there were some problems with regard to the Patents Bill, which he hoped would be resolved through political consensus. “We have to introduce these Bills in the coming session of Parliament. But the Patent Bill is the problem and we will consult all political parties to evolve a consensus,” Maran said at the Economic Editors Conference here. The Patents (Amendment) Bill along with Trade Marks Bill Designs Bill and Geographical Indications Bill will enable India to discharge commitments under the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. The minister said the Patents (Amendment) Bill would provide for both product and process patenting in the country. As per the existing Patents Act, only process patenting is allowed in the country. Maran said India would have to amend the Patents Act before 2000 as per the TRIPS Agreement as we have already lost the case in this regard in Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) at Geneva of the WTO. India also lost the appeal against the ruling of DSB, Maran added. Maran said the
Government was still in the process of writing the draft
Patents (Amendment) Bill. |
WB evolves
new strategy CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — The World Bank with 33 projects dealing with agriculture and rural development in India has evolved a new strategy consistent with the national agenda chalked out by New Delhi. It emphasises on sustainable development and continuity even after a project is completed. The primary focus being agriculture, water and rural development as key components of poverty alleviation. The World Bank while providing finance and technical knowhow is keen that its projects are fully consistent with country assistance strategy goals and promote sustained management by the community in the process benefiting poorest of the poor. The projects, henceforth, should be cost-effective in use of the investment resources. Moreover within the project parameters or area of operation there shall be coordinated and integrated approach by all agencies pursuing similar schemes aimed at social net-working for proper impact. For all this to happen what is needed is that beneficiary states must ensure timely release of funds to the projects and there should be continuity in respect of project directors. No project should be made to suffer on account of funds or time over run. These views were expressed by World Bank consultants in Chandigarh in connection with the "launch workshop" on the second phase of the integrated watershed development project (hills) spread over five states (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir) which are contiguous with the Shivalik hills. The project cost is $ 193 million (1999-2005). TNS talked to Dr Hamdy M. Eisa, Principal Agriculturist, Rural Development, South Asia; Ms Meena Munshi, Natural Resource Management Specialist, Rural Development Sector unit, South Asia (Task leaders) and Dr T.C. Jain, Senior Agricultural Specialist; all with the World Bank. While Dr Eisa and Ms Munshi are based in Washington, Dr Jain is in New Delhi. Dr Eisa said the World Bank was involved in funding projects related to irrigation, rehabilitation, revenue consolidation, commodity projects and overall uplift of the people in rural areas of India. The World Bank was, by and large, satisfied the way projects were implemented. Strict monitoring and mid-way appraisals helped apply correctives and remove bottleneck, if any. From experience the bank now wants that the demand and supply equation must be reversed and people given what they demand and not vice-versa, which will ensure their greater involvement and participation. Ms Meena Munshi said women turned out to be the key beneficiaries in the projects and often played an important role as agents of change. The bank, therefore, has in its folio "women empowerment" projects as well; Punjab being one of the beneficiary states. The aim, she said, was to generate work and income for the women, who were increasingly involved in household chores. The bank is equally keen that education must get priority. The projects were "commercial" activity for economic benefit. Beneficiaries must viewed them as such. Therefore, system of subsidies shall have to be phased out. The money, thus saved, be ploughed back into the societal system to enhance awareness and education. The World Bank now
ensure that the states first spend their share before
expecting reimbursement. For proper monitoring and
operation of projects, "community development
committees" are being set up in the project areas. |
Plan to increase phone
density in rural areas CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — An increase in the density of telephones, formation of a corporation called "(India Telecom" to replace the existing set-up, providing of Internet nodes at all district headquarters and increasing the numbers of cellular operators from two to four for each telecom circle, were among the major announcements made by Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Communications, while talking to media persons here today. Talking about plans to increase the density of telephones for every 100 persons, the minister said the target was to improve the ratio in both urban and rural areas. At present the density was 2.4 for every 100 persons in the country while it was 4.8 per 100 in Punjab and Chandigarh. The target was to increase it to seven per 100 by 2005 and 15 per 100 persons by 2010. For rural areas, Mr Paswan said the present density was a poor 0.6 per 100 persons. This would be increased to four per 100 persons by the 2010. In the villages, more than 50 per cent of the existing connections required replacement and the technology did not work properly. About expansion plans this year, he said, by March 31 the entire waiting list at state capitals would be cleared. Further on the expansion plans, he said committees had been formed to look into specific sectors. One committee would monitor telephone services in rural areas. Another committee would see how the very latest technology that was on a par with the world's best was provided in urban areas. The last committee would see which technology was usable in what area of the country. Yet another committee would give its report on November 30. For the future and a part of the new technology process the target was to have Internet nodes at all district headquarters across the country by March. In Punjab, this target would be achieved by January 26, Mr Paswan announced. Besides private participation would be invited to provide long distance telephone services that were presently a monopoly of the government sector. On having a corporation he said it would take one more year before all modalities like benefits to employees their working conditions and other related aspects were worked out. On cellular services he said each telecom circle would have four operators instead of the present set-up of two operators. Tamil Nadu and Bihar circles would the first to be part of the new policy. He said for the
allotment of STD/ISD public call offices (PCO's) the
business of having an allotment committe would be done
away with. Instead, four categories had been created for
the unemployed, the Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes,
handicapped and for retired defence personnel. |
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NEW DELHI, Nov 18 (UNI) — The Delhi High Court today issued a notice to LG Electronics of South Korea and its Indian subsidiary for realisation of $ 1.45 million (about Rs 6.3 crore) as damages to Onida Savak Ltd for breach of an agreement. The agreement on Fuzzy Logic technology for washing machines was signed in December 1994. The dispute arose in 1997 and the Supreme Court referred the matter to Paris-based International Chambers of Commerce (ICC), said Onida’s counsel Maninder Singh and Prathibha Singh. On August 31 this year,
an arbitral tribunal comprising Axel Baum, Michael
Mustill and Albert Jan Van Den Berg awarded $ 1,452,750
as damages to Onida. LG Electronics refused to pay the
amount. |
Shortfall in Plan resources likely NEW DELHI, Nov 18 (UNI) — Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K.C. Pant today said there is likely to be a shortfall in Plan resources of both the Centre and States over the next two years of the Ninth Plan. Addressing the Economic Editors Conference here, Mr Pant refused to specify the quantum of the shortfall. He, however, said the targets will be met.Mr Pant was assisted in his replies by Planning Commission member Montek Singh Ahluwalia and other senior officials of the commission. Answering a query on the Centre’s move to get the States to sign MoUs for transitory fiscal disciplining, Mr Pant said the States need to put their house in order. Mr Pant agreed that Plan resources were being diverted to non-Plan expenses. In this contact, he said the Centre will initiate fiscal discipline in its own ministries too on issue such as unbridled recruitment and high administrative expenses. On hiking user charges, Mr Pant said hard decisions need to be taken. He said these decisions do hit certain vulnerable sections. Hoever, they were not taken then the very poor will be the worst affected. Mr Pant was asked to comment on a remark that in the case of North East 90 per cent of the resources which were intended to be a grant were misutilised if not misappropriated on this, he said the Planning Commission was seized of the matter which was a ‘serious issue’. Regarding declining
public investment in agriculture as also capital
formation, Mr Pant said there was need to increase
government spending in rural areas to eradicated poverty
and generate employment. |
Satyam Computers Ltd would make strategic investments in overseas software firms to help them translate ideas into products, but would be “guarded and cautious” in acquiring companies. “We would be extremely guarded in acquiring companies abroad. But, we have plans to make strategic investments in companies promoted by venture capital firms to help them translate ideas into products,” B Ramalinga Raju, Chairman of Satyam Computers told PTI here. He said growth through acquisitions was not a priority for Satyam Computers. “Outright acquisitions are ruled out unless there was high level of synergy on the prospective candidates,” he said. Satyam Computers would list its stocks on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange of U.S.A next year and was looking for the “right time” to go ahead, Raju said. The company has already appointed advisors for the issue but Raju declined to give details. Satyam Infoway, the internet arm of Satyam Computers recently completed successful listing on the Nasdaq, which saw the company’s shares rising from $18 to $60 in a matter of days. Zenith computer notebook: Zenith, today launched an internet accessible computer notebook, claimed to be the first global roaming notebook in the world. “Priced just below Rs 1 lakh (Rs 99,999), the notebook has the unique feature of accessing the internet from major business cities in 150 countries just at the cost of a local call,” Zenith Computers Ltd (ZCL) Chairman and Managing Director Raj Saraf told reporters here. Zenith has forged an alliance with Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) to offer the “global Internet roaming” service in order to provide its customers connectivity anywhere and any time across the globe, he said. Without this facility, which enables access from any country with single use name and password, one has to seek multiple net accounts and different ISPS, he added. Saraf claimed, “Zenith corporate notebook is one of the slimmest and lightest, all-in-one notebook computer featuring worldwide roaming and safe web-office for a professional on the move.” $100b for Y2K: The US government has pinned a staggering $100 billion price tag on the nation’s repair bills for the year 2000 technology problem, or $365 for each man, woman and child. For all that, the Commerce Department predicted the impact of Y2K computer failures on the economy would be merely “something like a tangled shoelace for a world-class marathon runner.” The report said America’s booming economy was sufficiently “stable, large and resilient” that failures — even those overseas — will not seriously affect the nation’s $ nine trillion gross domestic product. “Any glitches that pop up next year should not hurt our economic growth,” Commerce Secretary William Daley said. Hewlett Packard: U S computer-maker Hewlett Packard announced that company net earnings has jumped to $760 million in the fourth quarter, 7 per cent higher than the same quarter a year earlier. Earnings per share rose one cent to 73 cents, in line with market expectations, company official said. Sales gained 10 per cent in the fourth quarter to $ 11.4 billion. For the year, Hewlett Packard reported net earnings of $ 3.1 billion, up 16 per cent over fiscal 1998, yearly earnings per share climbed 18 per cent to $2.97. Sales on the year rose 7
per cent to $42.4 billion. — Agencies |
‘Overhaul administrative machinery’ NEW DELHI, Nov 18 (PTI) — Urban Development Minister Jagmohan today called for complete overhaul of the administrative machinary saying the bureaucracy needed to readjust to the altered environment. “The evils of bureaucratic sprawl, bureaucratic imperialism and bureaucratic casualness have been increasing. Of the 43 lakh civilians on the rolls of Central Government, only a few are engaged in creative and constructive work,” Jagmohan said at a seminar on “Quality in Government” here. Seeking “root and branch transformation” in bureaucratic systems, he said “all inadequacies show that time has come to take the administrative machiney to pieces and readjust it to the altered necessities and growing demands of the hour.” The institution of civil service had become somewhat barren causing much public anger and frustration, he said adding one rarely came across a person who had a positive experience about the administrative machinary. There had been huge time and cost over-runs with important infrastructure projects involving additional burden of Rs 34,000 crore, he added. Pointing to failure of bureaucracy to adequately respond to the rising menace of terrorism Jagmohan said out of the country’s 535 districts, 210 were afftected by either terrorism, ethnic strife or caste feuds. Jagmohan said, world was witnessing a management revolution but our in our offices most of the work was still being subjected to “tyranny of the routine and red-tape.” He said, one of the biggest failures “of the post-1947 India” was the inability to evolve an inspired ideology of work and infuse the institutions for governance and public service with its spirit. Honest, matured and well-informed leadership was essential for infusing spirit among the masses for constructive and creative work, he said. In its absence, the country was suffering from colossal casualness and corruption in public life, he said, adding the system had collapsed completely. On the declining quality of life in cities, the minister said illegal constructions were seen all over and land mafia had cropped up everywhere. Financially, urban
self-governments had become weak and many municipal
bodies had turned bankrupt, he added. |
Haryana
kharif production falls CHANDIGARH: If the unseasonal and excessive rains caused a big loss to kharif production in Haryana in 1998, it is their inadequacy and acute power shortage which have resulted in shortfalls in paddy, cotton and sugarcane targets this year although their production has exceeded last year’s levels. Although the results of crop cutting experiments are yet to be known, latest estimates put the kharif production in Haryana at just over 31 lakh tonnes against the target of 37 lakh tonnes. Rice production will be around 27 lakh tonnes against the target of 28.50 lakh tonnes and last year’s production of 24.25 lakh tonnes. The major shortfall in the current year’s kharif production targets has occurred due to the fall in bajra production which is estimated to be only 3 lakh tonnes against the target of 7 lakh tonnes because of the damage to the crop. Cotton production has been estimated to be about 11.50 lakh bales against the target of 12 lakh bales and last year’s production of 8.73 lakh bales. Similarly, sugarcane production will be around 8 lakh tonnes in terms of gur as compared to last year’s production of 6.88 lakh tonnes and this year’s target of 9 lakh tonnes. The area at 1.5 lakh hectares is almost the same as last years. What is causing concern is the affect of inadequate rains on rabi sowing and the worsening of power situation. Haryana has fixed the rabi production target of 127.50 lakh tonnes this year as against last year’s production of 121.23 lakh tonnes. Of this, Haryana had a record wheat production of 85.68 lakh tonnes in 1998 with area coverage of 21.88 lakh hectares and productivity of 39.16 quintals per hectare. Mr Naseem Ahmed, Commissioner, Agriculture told IPA that the wheat target for the current year had been fixed at 85 lakh tonnes with productivity planned at 39.53 quintals per hectare. The area under wheat is proposed to be 21.50 lakh hectares. The Chief Minister, Mr
Om Prakash Chautala, had directed that the requirements
of power for the agriculture sector should be met on the
priority basis. He said the gram production target for
the current year had been fixed at 4.10 lakh tonnes
against last year’s production of 2.95 lakh tonnes.
The Government hoped to achieve the target. —
IPA
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Function
cancelled NEW DELHI, Nov 18 — Punjab pavilion at the India International Trade Fair has cancelled Punjab Day celebrations this year due to the cyclone in Orissa. This was stated by Capt Randeep Singh Kamboj, administrator of the pavilion, here today. Meanwhile, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Minister of Defence Services Welfare and Cooperation, Punjab, visited the pavilion today. He said the pavilion
depicted the real picture and culture of Punjab and was
impressed with the models specially on Kargil and Khalsa
Heritage Memorial of Anandpur Sahib. |
SBP
honours Kargil victims families CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — The State Bank of Patiala , organised a cultural evening to celebrate the foundation day of the bank last evening at Patiala. Similar functions were also held at Bathinda and many other places in Punjab. Mr M Sita Rama Murti , Chief General Manager, of the bank was the chief guest. Mr Rama Murti honoured two families of the Kargil martyrs and presented them FDRs of Rs 60,000 each collected by the All- India State Bank of Patiala Employees Federation.MrN C Sharma, G M and Mr SS Sehgal DGM addressed the gathering. PANCHKULA: Mr A.K. Batra, MD, State Bank of Patiala presided over the function held at Panchkula to celebrate the ‘Foundation day’ of the bank. Mr J.R. Devgan, DGM of bank’s Haryana zone recounted the history of the bank right from its start in 1917. Mr Batra honoured the
important customers of the bank’s branches in and
around Panchkula. |
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MUMBAI, Nov 18 (PTI) — E-Connect India Ltd (ECIL), a subsidiary of Zee Telefilms Ltd (ZTL), envisages an investment of Rs 400 crore for its Internet service provider (ISP) business and plans to kick off services by March, 2000. ECIL will launch its
services in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, to be followed
by other metros in another six months, under the brand
name “Zeenext”, ECIL president Sunil Jasuja
said.The company will also provide portal services and
e-business, besides Internet services on cable network. |
Hi-tech
PF centre JALANDHAR, Nov 18 — A computer centre and facilitation centre were inaugurated by Mr M.L. Meena, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I, at its Sub Accounts Office here on Tuesday. Mr Meena, at a seminar
distributed annual statement of accounts for 1998-99
among the employers and their representatives. Papers
relating to pension were also handed over to the retiring
employees and widows.
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