by rakesh | Jul 18, 2008 | India News
The kerosene lanterns in the rural areas will be replaced on large scale soon. A solar lantern, which is commonly used for lighting purposes, can save about 50 liters of kerosene in a year by replacing a kerosene lanterns. Addressing leading solar lantern manufacturers of the sector at the ministry today, Shri Vilas Muttemwar, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy discussed the expansion plans for large scale introduction of solar lanterns for replacing kerosene in the rural areas.He explained that the better quality of light of a solar lantern would also help the children in their education and encourage productive works apart from avoiding health hazards associated with the poor quality light and the pollution due to burning of kerosene. The Government can save kerosene subsidy by providing solar lanterns, he added.
The representatives of the industry assured that the Indian photovolatic industry is fully geared to take up this challenge. The industry can supply up to 4 million solar lanterns in a year and is totally committed to support the initiatives taken by the Ministry in this regard. Various issues relating to manufacturing, distribution, after sale services and product quality etc. were also discussed. The representatives reaffirmed that the quality of the product developed in the country has better quality of light and reliability. The switch over from kerosene lamp to solar lanterns by rural people will be very smooth.
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by rakesh | Jul 17, 2008 | India News
Cabinet has today approved the setting up of eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and at Indore in Madhya Pradesh at a total cost of Rs. 6080 crores (@ Rs. 760 crores per IIT) for 6 years period, and consequently approval for forming of Societies for creating legal entities for the new IITs. Academic sessions are going to commence in 6 new IITs starting from 23.7.2008. The IITs of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat are going to commence their classes for about 120 students each for B.Tech programmes through temporary campuses located near the place where the IIT campus is likely to be built. These 3 IITs of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat are going to be mentored by the IITs of Madras, Guwahati and Bombay, respectively. The three IITs of Rajasthan, Punjab and Orissa are going to commence their classes in the campuses of their mentor IITs at IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi and IIT Kharagpur, respectively.
The Cabinet has also approved the creation of 30 faculty posts per year in the first three years of establishment of each of the new IITs and have also specifically approved the post of a Director in each of the new IITs in the grade of Rs. 26,000 (fixed) and a post of Registrar in the grade of Rs. 16,400-22,400 for each of the new IITs. The Cabinet has also decided to raise the grade of all existing IIT Directors from Rs. 25,000 (fixed) to Rs. 26,000 (fixed).
The balance of two IITs at Indore in Madhya Pradesh and the IIT in Himachal Pradesh are likely to commence their sessions from the next academic year of 2009-10. All the State Governments have identified about 600 acres of land for the location of the new IITs. In case of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, Govt. have accepted the site recommended by the State Govt. and in the rest of the cases, the Site Selection Committee will inspect the offered sites in due course and will give its recommendations to the Ministry.
With a view to ensure good effective coordination as well as maintenance of excellence in the new IITs also, pending selection of regular Directors for the IITs, it has been decided that the Directors of the mentor IITs will work as Directors of the mentored IIT and the Chairman of the Board of Governors (BoG) of the mentor IIT will also be the Chairman of the BoG of the mentored IIT.
With the creation of new IITs, high quality technical education will become accessible to more bright students as now hardly two percent of about three lakhs students who appear in the Joint Entrance Exam of IITs can get admission in them. The new IITs will also facilitate the increased output of high quality Engineering and Science graduates, postgraduates and Ph.D.s; Teachers for Engineering and Science subjects at College/University level and R&D and Intellectual Property generation in Engineering and Science.
Cabinet also approved in principle approval for taking over the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University – a constituent unit of the Banaras Hindu University, a Central University, its conversion into an Indian Institute of Technology and integrating it with the IIT system in the country.
It would also address State/Region specific technology related problems of States/UTs situated in the IITs’ Zones.
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by rakesh | Jul 16, 2008 | Travellers look
Shri K.C.Jena, Chairman, Railway Board and ex-officio Principal Secretary to the Government of India inaugurated the renovated New Delhi Rail Yatri Niwas, India’s first Ginger Rail Yatri Niwas here today. The renovated Rail Yatri Niwas developed by Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and the Roots Corporation Limited (RCL), stands tall sparkling new at the Ajmeri Gate side of the New Delhi Railway Station in new earthly hues and shiny warm reds. This hotel was originally built in 1988 as part of Indian Railways efforts to offer hotel rooms to the railway passengers at reasonable prices.
The property was taken over by IRCTC in April, 2005 with a mandate to upgrade it on PPP basis. Keeping its ultimate objective of world class service at affordable prices in view, IRCTC allotted the task of renovating and operating the hotel on PPP basis, for 15 years, on open tender basis. This task was taken up by M/s Roots Corporation Limited, a 100% subsidiary of The Indian Hotels Company Limited.
The hotel was stripped to its bare shell and renovated in a period of 9 months with an investment of about Rs. 10.5 crores to offer the customers 109 SMART BASICS rooms and a plethora of additional facilities. A guest at the hotel now has a choice of well fitted orange and blue theme rooms with LCD TVs, posturepedic mattresses, anti allergy pillows, tropical duvets, Smart Bev Tea Coffee Maker, complimentary bottles of water and an access card to enter the room.The hotel also offers a gymnasium and a meeting room for the convenience of its guests.
Additionally, it will offer 24 x 7 restaurant, that will offer an array of food from across India and different parts of the world. A book store for catering to a traveler’s intellectual appetite and a Travel Desk for their local site seeing and travel needs are also being made available as a part of offering. There will further be, a 24 x 7 medical store.
The rooms will be offered at an incredible price of Rs. 1199/- inclusive of taxes. Fifty per cent of the rooms will be offered at Rs. 999/- per room per night inclusive of taxes. This hotel will also have four bedded rooms where each bed will be offered at Rs.250/- for a night.
In addition to being in the heart of the Central Business District of the Capital, it is extremely well connected with other parts of the capital located as it is virtually above the Delhi metro station. Rail travelers can call on the Toll Free Number 1800 2093333 OR 011 – 66633333. Bookings can also be made through an email at reservations@gingerhotels.com
by rakesh | Jul 4, 2008 | India News
Rojgar Samachar Now Available on Line A website has been launched in Hindi to cater to the needs of those seeking jobs, the website www.rojgarsamachar.gov.in has been launched by Employment News weekly newspaper, which is a unit of the Directorate of Publications...
by rakesh | Jul 3, 2008 | Business
This was stated by Shri V N Kaila, Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance, while addressing a Conference organized to mark the 60th year of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, here today. He said that there are definite benefits of accrual accounting that cannot be ignored. The decision makers can know the full cost of services they are providing, and this would result in better resource allocation, better management of assets and liabilities. Overall, it would create a desirable measure of the complete financial health of the Government, Shri Kaila added.
Speaking about the issues involved in transitioning to the accrual system of accounting, Shri Kaila said that there are various factors that have created a demand for a transition to accrual system of accounting, such as the changing information needs of the decision makers, the implications of the FRBM Act, outcome oriented budgeting, etc. Stating that the Government at present follows the cash basis of accounting, he added that the developments in information technology and the accounting profession have brought about changes that may assist in this transition.
The CGA is the principal advisor to Government of India on all accounting matters, and is responsible for maintaining the Chart of Accounts used by the Union and State Governments, as also the administration of Receipt and Payment Rules, and maintaining the exchequer control through the Officials of the Indian Civil Accounts Organisation. Since its creation over three decades ago, the Civil Accounts Organisation has achieved prompt payments and settlements of claims, timely rendition of all accounting information to the stakeholders. This has resulted in greater transparency, accountability and thus a greater confidence in the public.
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by rakesh | Jun 26, 2008 | Science & Technology
A new study using this information may solve one of the biggest remaining mysteries in the solar system: why does Mars have two strikingly different kinds of terrain in its northern and southern hemispheres? The huge crater is creating intense scientific interest.
The mystery of the two-faced nature of Mars has perplexed scientists since the first comprehensive images of the surface were beamed home by NASA spacecraft in the 1970s. The main hypotheses have been an ancient impact or some internal process related to the planet’s molten subsurface layers. The impact idea, proposed in 1984, fell into disfavor because the basin’s shape didn’t seem to fit the expected round shape for a crater. The newer data is convincing some experts who doubted the impact scenario.
“We haven’t proved the giant-impact hypothesis, but I think we’ve shifted the tide,” said Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna, a postdoctoral researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.
Andrews-Hanna and co-authors Maria Zuber of MIT and Bruce Banerdt of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., report the new findings in the journal Nature this week. Artist concept of the Mars Global Surveyor.
A giant northern basin that covers about 40 percent of Mars’ surface, sometimes called the Borealis basin, is the remains of a colossal impact early in the solar system’s formation, the new analysis suggests. At 5,300 miles across, it is about four times wider than the next-biggest impact basin known, the Hellas basin on southern Mars. An accompanying report calculates that the impacting object that produced the Borealis basin must have been about 1,200 miles across. That’s larger than Pluto.
“This is an impressive result that has implications not only for the evolution of early Mars, but also for early Earth’s formation,” said Michael Meyer, the Mars chief scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
This northern-hemisphere basin on Mars is one of the smoothest surfaces found in the solar system. The southern hemisphere is high, rough, heavily cratered terrain, which ranges from 2.5 to 5 miles higher in elevation than the basin floor.
Other giant impact basins have been discovered that are elliptical rather than circular. But it took a complex analysis of the Martian surface from NASA’s two Mars orbiters to reveal the clear elliptical shape of Borealis basin, which is consistent with being an impact crater.
One complicating factor in revealing the elliptical shape of the basin was that after the time of the impact, which must have been at least 3.9 billion years ago, giant volcanoes formed along one part of the basin rim and created a huge region of high, rough terrain that obscures the basin’s outlines. It took a combination of gravity data, which tend to reveal underlying structure, with data on current surface elevations to reconstruct a map of Mars elevations as they existed before the volcanoes erupted.
“In addition to the elliptical boundary of the basin, there are signs of a possible second, outer ring – a typical characteristic of large impact basins,” Banerdt said.
by rakesh | Jun 19, 2008 | Entertainment
This is a unique convention in that Guinness Book of World Records is sending a delegation to record the event. Over 2500 dancers will perform ballet on the largest stage ever.
This massive convention will be attended by about 2,500 performers flying into California from different parts of the world — Russia, Europe, Australia, Singapore, most states of the US and India. The objective of the convention is to enable Kuchipudi dance form to get an international status and introduce Kuchipudi stalwarts from India on a single platform.
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The inauguration will be marked by a carnival, “Kuchipudi Shobha Yatra,” in the streets of Cupertino to be led by its Mayor Dolly Saldoval, with several festive statues brought from Kuchipudi village. Several senators, mayors, and members of Congress will also participate.
In reverence to the “teacher-disciple” tradition followed in imparting the Kuchipudi dance form, the first day will be marked by “Guru Pujotsavam (honoring teachers),” where renowned Kuchipudi exponents like Pasumarthi Gopalakrishna, Vempati Chinasatyam and Vedanta Satyanarayana Sharma will be honored.
Registration counters located at De Anza College will open on June 20th, marking the grand opening of the event. More information about the event can be obtained at the website http://kuchipudi.siliconandhra.org/.
by rakesh | Jun 19, 2008 | Business
Brazil, Russia, India and China-collectively known as BRIC — represent the next great growth curve for both the mobile and interactive marketing industries. Home to over 40% of the world’s population, the BRIC countries form the core of an emergent global middle class that will number over 1 billion people by 2015. eMarketer projects that the BRIC countries will account for over 1.7 billion mobile phone subscribers by 2012 and expects over 680 million subscribers to access the mobile Internet.
Mobile Usage Metrics for BRIC, 2012 (millions and % penetration)
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Mobile will be the primary interactive screen for this new generation of consumers, and no major advertising agency can pitch a global brand without referencing its BRIC assets and capabilities, especially those in China and India. Likewise, the largest global telecommunications companies have bet a large amount of their future growth on sales to BRIC-based mobile operators.
“Mobile is the Internet for an increasingly large and attractive consumer segment — an important distinction for marketers to keep in mind,” said John du Pre Gauntt, senior analyst and author of the new report, “Mobile BRIC: Extreme Growth Ahead.”
“As these huge populations within BRIC accumulate disposable income, they are poised to form interactive relationships with local and global brands primarily through the mobile phone,” he added. “With PC and broadband penetration far below that of mobile, marketers and mobile operators find themselves in uncharted territory.”
Five of the world’s 10 largest cities are located in BRIC, along with four of the five top markets for new mobile subscribers. Rapid growth in entertainment and media consumption in the BRIC countries is important for marketers looking to interact with mobile consumers.
BRIC countries also have extremely high levels of prepaid mobile service — often more than 75% of the entire mobile customer base. As a result, there are far more opportunities for marketers to subsidize or sponsor part of basic mobile services such as voice minutes, text messages and even some mobile Internet access.
Even in 2008, the rate of mobile Internet use in the BRIC countries is either comparable to or above that of the US and Western Europe. For many of these markets, debates over whether mobile is an extension of or a substitute for the Web have little relevance — the mobile phone is the Web for millions, and soon hundreds of millions, of people.
by rakesh | Mar 30, 2008 | Business
(i) ITR-1 – For Individuals having salary and interest income and no other income.
(ii) ITR-2 – For Individuals and HUFs, having income from any source except from business or profession.
(iii) ITR-3 – For Individuals and HUFs being partners in firms and not having proprietory business or profession.
(iv) ITR-4 – For Individuals and HUFs having proprietory business or profession.
(v) ITR-5 – Combined Form For return of income and fringe benefits for Firms/AOP/BOI.
(vi) ITR-6 – Combined Form for return of income and fringe benefits for Companies.
(vii) ITR-7 – Combined Form for return of income and fringe benefits for Charitable / religious trusts, political parties and other non- profit organizations.
(viii) ITR-8 – Stand alone form for return of fringe benefits for persons who are not liable to file return of income but are liable to file return of fringe benefits
The return of income has to be filed by using the applicable form without any annexure (except for Form ITR-7) so as to facilitate electronic filing.
E-filing initiative of the Department has been received well and for Assessment Year 2007-08 over 20 lakh E- Returns have been filed, out of which more than 64% E-
Returns have been filed voluntarily by the tax payers. In terms of the taxes paid, these returns account for over 65% of total taxes collected.
Electronic filing of returns for assessment year 2008-09 is compulsory for corporate tax-payers and for firms liable to tax audit u/s 44AB. These tax-payers may either file their return electronically under digital signature or may transmit the data of the return electronically and thereafter submit a one page verification Form which contains a summary of the return transmitted electronically.
All other categories of taxpayers (other than charitable trusts, institutions, etc.) will have the option to file the return in a paper form or electronically, as mentioned above, or in a bar-coded return form.
The new forms will be available on the Income Tax Department’s website http://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in .The Government would urge taxpayers to use the e-filing option, since it will help the Department to serve them better.
SK/LK/30.3.08
by rakesh | Feb 25, 2008 | Rajasthan
– Revenue Surplus for the second consecutive year. Fiscal deficit reduced
– Equal emphasis on physical and social infrastructure of the state
– Focus on education, health and women’s development
– All inter-state border check posts to be abolished from May 1, 2008
– 50 % reservation for women in all Panchayati Raj institutions
– Minimum wages for unskilled, semi skilled and skilled workers raised by one third.
The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt Vasundhara Raje, who also holds the finance portfolio, today presented an upbeat budget for Rajasthan for the year 2008-2009.
It is noteworthy that Smt Raje presented the state budget ahead of the Union Budget, underlining the strong fiscal performance of the state. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister, said, “In four years, our Government has significantly enhanced the physical and social infrastructure of Rajasthan. This year we intend to not just consolidate the progress we have made in the last four years but also set the pace for all-round development. We are proud to present an inclusive budget which provides a fillip to industry while taking due care of the economically weaker sections of the society.”
The highlights of the budget include approved plan expenditure for 2008-09 of Rs 15,248 crore, an estimated revenue surplus of Rs 1,183.14 crore (3.59% of revenue receipts) and fiscal deficit of Rs 5,266.91 crore (3% of GSDP).
Complimenting the state for its excellent performance, the CAG report for the year 2006-07 had recently noted that the state had achieved fiscal targets as laid down in the FRBM Act well before the timeline. The current year has ended in a revenue surplus of Rs 638 crore and fiscal deficit of Rs 3,970 crore which is 2.8% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
The key highlights of the budget for various sectors are as follows:-
Roads
. The target of rural connectivity under Bharat Nirman Yojana has been achieved one year in advance, making Rajasthan first such state in the country. Rural connectivity increased to 73%, higher than the national average of 65 %
. 9,096 panchayat headquarters out of total 9,188 gram panchayat headquarters connected with pucca roads.
Power
. Outlay for power section sector in 2008-09 at Rs 6,212 crore which is 40.74% of total plan.
. Installed power capacity raised to 6,395 MW and to further increase by 2,019 MW by the end of the current financial year.
. 4,916 feeders completed under the ‘feeder renovation programme’ leading to reduction of Transmission & Distribution losses by 9.37%.
. Focus on domestic electrification projects in rural areas.
Water resources
. Rs 50 crore provided for upkeep of old irrigation projects in 2008-09.
. Irrigation capacity exceeding one lakh hectares per year created in the last four years. A master plan will be prepared for an optimum utilization of available water which will provide irrigation for one lakh additional hectares.
Industry
. In an attempt to give a boost to the free movement of goods across the country, all inter-state border check posts to be abolished from May 1, 2008
. Budget of Rajasthan Mission on Livelihood raised from Rs 20.80 crore in 2004 to Rs 60 crore. Over one lakh youths equipped with employable skills.
. Four more animation academies to be established along with the academies of automotive design, draftsmanship and graphic design in 2008-09.
. Investment proposal exceeding Rs 500 crore in districts having no big projects will get customized package.
Medical & Health
. Medical facilities to be strengthened- Capacity expansion, new hospitals, new facilities in existing hospitals to be established
. Health Insurance schemes to be launched in all 33 districts of Rajasthan
Agriculture
. Additional state subsidy of 10-20% for drip irrigation schemes.
. Rajasthan Mission on Animal Husbandry has been established.
Women
. The reservation for women in all Panchayati Raj institutions will be increased from 33% earlier to 50 %.
. The budget has led to strengthening of various social schemes for women, BPL families, rural and urban development.
. All girls completing necessary agricultural education will be appointed as Agricultural Supervisors.
. Women’s hockey academy to be established in Ajmer next year.
Economically backward classes
. Launched the largest financial inclusion scheme connected to health insurance for all BPL families in the state – a novel scheme in which Rs 1,500 will be given to all the families covered under the health insurance scheme upon opening a bank account enabled with a smart card in the name of the female member of the family. This scheme will draw women across the state into the formal financial system and ensure they have access to credit, bank loans, etc. The scheme will be extended to groups like SCs, ST’s and farmers.
. The minimum wages for unskilled workers raised from Rs 73 to Rs 100.
. Honorarium of aanganwadi workers raised from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,600, Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for saathins and Rs 500 to Rs 800 for sahayikas.
Human Resources Development
. All government schools whose students get selected in the National Talent Scholarship Scheme will be awarded a prize of Rs 50,000 per student.
Taxes
. Simplification of tax procedures – computerization of commercial taxes department is underway. E-filing has been introduced since January 2008. E-refund to be available from August 2008.
. Harmonized system of nomenclature (HSN), followed worldwide as a standard, will be introduced for the betterment of the VAT system.
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