West Bengal - Economy and Project Developments [Archive] - Page 15

debayanlahiri

June 14th, 2012, 10:00 AM

Tourists visiting Digha may soon be able to drive right down into the sea at a cluster of artificial islands. This isn't any dream. A project on similar lines was discussed between officials of ArcelorMittal and the Mamata Banerjee government at Writers' Buildings on Monday.

Urban development minister Firhad Hakim, finance minister Amit Mitra, irrigation minister Manas Bhuniya, mayor Sovan Chatterjee, and senior officials of the departments were present at the meeting, where ArcelorMittal made a presentation. While officials are tightlipped about the project, there is excitement in the corridors of power as ArcelorMittal is a big name. It is a company that in 2010 had revenues of $78 billion and crude steel production of 90.6 million tonnes, representing about 8% of the world's steel output.

The plans for Digha may be modelled on the Palm Jumeirah — an artificial archipelago that was created by reclaiming land from the Arabian Sea. Creating an island or a group of islands is usually done through land reclamation — a process of creating new land from ocean, riverbeds or lake. The land reclaimed is called reclamation ground or landfill.

An official of ArcelorMittal said that the company had supplied steel for Male airport in the Maldives where the entire runway was made using the "sheet piling" technology.

The official said, "All of them are relevant for West Bengal. In Digha, the technology can be used not only for shore protection, but to create a cluster of islands. We are discussing many things."

The issues will be followed up in subsequent meetings. Officials said it will be in the public-private-partnership model, where the state will facilitate clearances and the company will do the construction.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/ArcelorMittal-likely-to-build-islands-off-Digha/articleshow/14104574.cms

AbhishekDatta

June 16th, 2012, 07:15 AM

AOT-OgIu5bQ

Rajarshi77

June 16th, 2012, 07:46 AM

^^interesting concept.. lets see wht happens

NiladriG

June 29th, 2012, 08:02 AM

Found this graph from www.wbidc.com

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/3208/bardiagraminvestment.jpg

NiladriG

June 30th, 2012, 05:20 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-29/kolkata/32472049_1_mgnrega-workers-gram-panchayats-maoist-hit-blocks

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee's priority region may be Jungalmahal, but her government has not succeeded much in implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in the Maoist-hit blocks of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura.

A few months ago, the chief minister had announced that her government was aiming doubling the 100 days' work to 200. Earlier she had also said at a public meeting at Lalgarh that her government would make achieve at least 60 days of work to beneficiaries under the MGNREGA. According to reports available with the panchayat and rural development department, 23 blocks of Jungalmahal have put up a poor show vis-a-vis MGNREGA. Various gram panchayats in the region have provided less than 10 days of work.

The pet scheme of the UPA envisages the provision of 100 days of employment at minimum wages to each rural household.

Reports have revealed that only 143,863 household have been given employment so far against the projected figure of 215,795. In the Jhargram sub-dividion, which has been most affected by the Left wing extremism over the past three years, no MGNREGA scheme has been allotted at Aguiboni village. The average number of man-days per family at other locations up to March 2012 was: Bundgora (20), Chandri (15), Chubka (18), Dudkundi (35), Lodhasuli (12), Manikpara (22), Nedabahara (20), Pataimul (9), Radhanagar (22), Sapdhara (35), Sardiha (22) and Salboni (30). At Chchira gram panchayat in Jamboni block, only nine man-day have been provided. Patina and Barakhakri gram panchayats of Nayagram block have failed to reach out to tribals with MGNREGA.

NiladriG

June 30th, 2012, 05:23 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120630/jsp/bengal/story_15674361.jsp

The IAF wants to convert Panagarh, now an airstrip largely used for emergency landing, into a permanent airbase by the end of 2013.

“We want to start full-fledged operations in Panagarh by the end of next year,” Air Marshal S. Varthaman, the air officer commanding-in-charge of the Eastern Air Command said today on the sidelines of an event at the Barrackpore airbase in North-24 Parganas. “We have all the necessary infrastructure, including land. It should not be a problem.”

Once Panagarh becomes fully operational, it will not only bolster the IAF’s operations in the east but also serve as an important base from where mid-air refuelling could be carried out, sources said.

The Eastern Air Command inducted a Mi-17 V5 helicopter at the Barrackpore air base, the first IAF aircraft that comes fitted with third-generation night-vision goggles (NVG) and a Bambi bucket fire-fighting system to take up any civilian or military challenge.

The Russian-made aircraft, according to Varthaman, would be able to pick up three-and-a-half tonnes of water from any reservoir in the bucket, which remains suspended below, and air-drop it over any area affected by fire.

Suncity

June 30th, 2012, 09:17 PM

Bengal witnessing good growth in service tax collection

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Bengal-witnessing-good-growth-in-service-tax-collection/articleshow/14465716.cms

Going by the indication, the combined collection of service tax, excise tax and customs duty could be more than Rs 25,000 crore from Kolkata circle, which would be Rs 5,000-5,500 crore more than 2011-12.

"The collection of service tax will be definitely much better this year following the new service tax regime from July 1. The excise collection is also good," he added. He was talking to reporters after an interactive session with the members of MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The service tax and central excise commissioner said that there was a growth of 37% in the service tax collection from Bengal in 2011-12 which was one of the highest in the country. "The total collection was Rs 3,200 crore which is good," he added. The tax experts feel that the figure should be double this year with introduction of new areas under service tax. In the excise front, the state had registered a growth of 25% in excise tax collec-tion. "The collection of excise tax was Rs 7,500 crore while customs duty was Rs 7,600 crore," he added. The total service tax collection in India was Rs 97,000 crore in 2011-12 from Rs 64,000 crore in 2010-11. It may be noted that the state government is hoping to cross Rs 30,000 crore revenue collection mark from state taxes this year.

NiladriG

July 2nd, 2012, 05:40 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Coastal-areas-of-Bengal-to-be-revamped/articleshow/14605648.cms?

The Digha Shankarpur Development Authority is working on several plans to develop the civic infrastructure of the coastal areas of Digha, Shankarpur and other places.

The projects proposed to be undertaken by the authority in the current year are the widening and strengthening of Digha Bypass Road from the junction of Digha Contai Road, construction of the road connecting Digha with Shankarpur through the Ghersai mouza, strengthening and widening of the Northern Bypass Road, a survey of all the landed property owned by the authority, installing decorative lights from Chaulkhjola upto the Orissa border and construction of LIG and MIG flats. Also the authority will set up its branch offices at Tajpur and Mondarmoni.

Also the authority is working on to promote the tourism potential of Digha, Shankarpur, Tajpur and Mondarmoni. An integrated coastal zone management programme has been undertaken. The programme includes beautification of the coastal areas with the assistance of the World Bank. The authorities will be working on solid waste management, developing and revamping the existing drainage system and overall beautification of the beaches.
The authority has already completed a few important projects like installing streetlights from Digha Contai Road to Digha Mohana and installing decorative streetlights from Digha Bypass to New Digha through Foreshore Road and repairing some important road links like the Foreshore Road to Sea Beach at New Digha.

Recently, the Mondarmoni mouza has been included in the planning area of the authority as part of promoting tourism in the coastal areas. The authority had earlier engaged RITES for preparing a detail project report for developing the tourist spots within the planning area of the authority.

NiladriG

July 2nd, 2012, 05:44 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Land-formalities-hold-up-Katwa-power-project/articleshow/14538684.cms

West Bengal power minister Manish Gupta, who participated in the debate for the power department budget on Saturday, said that the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) will start construction work on the Katwa power project as soon as the process of land transfer gets completed.

NTPC which needed 1,000 acres for the project had purchased 500 acre on their own, but they would need clearance under section 14Y of the state land reforms act for holding agricultural land in excess of 25 acres. Since the plots were in small parcels, the process of completion of 14Y formalities would take some time. Also, another 500 acres which had already been acquired by the state government would be handed over to NTPC, for which the latter would pay the state government Rs 200 crore.

The state would soon have 1,850MW of installed capacity, Gupta said. The construction of two units at Sagardighi, of 500 MW capacity each, was expected to be completed by 2014-15.

Gupta said the government did not have control over power tariff as this was determined by the state electricity regulatory commission. Some states had a power tariff lower than that in Bengal as these states had a scheme of subsidy on power tariff. In Andhra Pradesh, the subsidy amounted to nearly Rs 1,000 crore, he said.

Rajarshi77

July 4th, 2012, 11:47 AM

West Bengal could have two jute parks, one each in Burdwan and North Dinajpur districts, by the end of 2012, an official said Monday.

"We are expecting that at least by the end of this calendar year, wecould have two jute parks in the state," Jute Commissioner in the central textiles ministry and National Jute Board Secretary Atri Bhattacharya told reporters on the sidelines of an event, organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata.

http://www.smetimes.in/smetimes/news/global-business/2012/Jul/03/bengal-to-have-two-jute-parks-by-this-year627585.html

Rajarshi77

July 4th, 2012, 11:52 AM

The Kolkata Port Trust has received 30 bids for developing the 20-million-tonne second dock complex at Haldia.

The dock complex is expected to be complete and operational by the end of 2013-14.

Referred as Haldia Dock II (commonly called Shalukkhali), the new dock system will be set up through the public-private partnership at an estimated investment of Rs 2,000 crore. According to KoPT sources, some of the bidders, who have submitted request for quotations, include a consortium of Transstroy-OJSC, Vadinar Oil Terminal Ltd, Megha Engineering, Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure, Gammon India, JSW Infrastructure and Jindal ITF.

Short-listing of candidates for the next round of bidding (request for proposals) is expected to begin soon.

“We hope to shortlist the prospective candidates by September this year. Concession agreements are expected to be signed end of this fiscal,” the acting Chairman of Kolkata port, Mr Manish Jain, told Business Line.

According to Mr Jain, the new dock complex will be developed in two parts – Haldia Dock II North and Haldia Dock II South.

Each part will have two berths, one mechanised and the other multipurpose.

Berths will have a capacity of around five million tonnes.

The port authorities have obtained around 160 acres of land from the state government for setting up the port, officials said.

Kolkata port will invest nearly Rs 450 crore to set up a 10 km rail network and marine infrastructure within the port.

Land for setting up the rail connectivity is to be provided by the Haldia Development Authority (HAD) – the urban local body in the region - soon.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3598814.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

AbhishekDatta

July 5th, 2012, 04:23 AM

West Bengal to get two new jute parks this year

July 04, 2012 (India)

It is proposed to set up two new jute parks in West Bengal, a state to the east of India, by close of the current year, Jute Commissioner in the Central Textiles Ministry and National Jute Board Secretary, Mr. Atri Bhattacharya, has said.

The two parks would be set up at Shaktigarh in Burdwan district and Raniganj in North Dinajpur district of the state, the official said while speaking on sidelines of an event organized in Kolkata by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce.

The two jute parks in West Bengal would form part of the four parks that the Textile Ministry intends to set up under the Jute Technology Mission.

The other two parks – to be set up in Silchar in Assam and Purnea in Bihar – are also expected to go functional by end of the current fiscal.

Establishment of these four parks would entail an initial infrastructural investment of about Rs. 500 million, Mr. Bhattacharya said.

He said that India achieved good jute production last year, owing to favourable weather and availability of seeds. However, delayed rains are likely to negatively impact the current year’s production, he added.

Normally, jute sowing commences by March-end and goes on till May-end. Hot and humid weather with rains at regular intervals are a pre-requisite for jute cultivation.

As West Bengal has not received adequate rains till now, jute production is likely to be impacted this year, he said.

http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=112984

SamitB

July 6th, 2012, 02:39 PM

Kolkata Port plans captive barge jetties for Haldia belt (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/kolkata-port-plans-captive-barge-jetties-for-haldia-belt/479567/)Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) would soon bring out an expression of interest (EoI) to build captive barge jetties for large-scale industries in West Bengal’s industrial belt of Haldia.

The Haldia region accounts for major projects like South Asian Petrochemicals, Indian Oil Corporation, Exide, Shaw Wallace, Tata Chemicals, Haldia Petrochemicals, Mitsubishi Chemicals and Hindustan Unilever.
“A lot of industrial players in the state were looking for dedicated captive jetties, and had approached us. Within a few months, we are going to publish an EoI for captive barge handling jetties along the riverside, outside Haldia’s dock gate. Companies like Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Haldia Petroche-micals, Tata Metaliks, Hooghly Metcoke, NTPC and JSW are bringing a lot of cargo through the port. The EoI will identify a few,” said KoPT Chairman Manish Jain.

According to Haldia Development Authority officials, the region has seen an investment of about Rs 50,000 crore in recent years. The riverine port has two dock systems — Kolkata Dock and Haldia Dock Complex. “Once the jetties are in place, these industrial units can plan their cargo movements accordingly. The ship detention time would also come down, and this could save costs for these companies,” Jain said.

KoPT also plans to come up with a second complex at Salukkhali, near Haldia, with an investment of Rs 2,000 crore. “On June 22, we received about and it would be completed by 2013-14,” Jain said. The port is scheduled to add capacity of 100 million tonnes by 2017. This would involve an investment of Rs 15,000 crore. On the port’s plan, D P Patra, executive chairman, MCC PTA India Corp (Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group), said, “This is a positive development. We are looking forward to this, and will be able to comment in detail after looking into its feasibility.”

NiladriG

July 6th, 2012, 06:31 PM

The Kolkata Port Trust has received 30 bids for developing the 20-million-tonne second dock complex at Haldia.

The dock complex is expected to be complete and operational by the end of 2013-14.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3598814.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

Very good news. :cheers::banana::cheers:

NiladriG

July 10th, 2012, 07:21 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Love-in-Tokyo-Bengals-second-biggest-FDI-pact-today/articleshow/14790206.cms

It may be a bad acronym politically in present-day Bengal, but FDI is keeping the state's hopes of an industrial revival alive.

Maharatna steel major SAIL will sign a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Japanese steel giant Kobe Steel in Tokyo on Tuesday for its proposed Rs 1,500-crore iron ore nugget project in Durgapur - the second-biggest Japanese foreign direct investment in Bengal after Mitsubishi Chemicals' MCC PTA project in Haldia.

Industry experts said this is for the first time an MoA for a Bengal project will be signed in Japan. Union steel minister Beni Prasad Verma, steel secretary DRS Chaudhary, joint secretary (steel) U P Singh, SAIL chairman C S Verma and other senior officials of SAIL and the top executives of Kobe Steel will be present. A joint venture company - SAIL-Kobe Iron India Pvt Ltd where both partners will hold equal equity - has already been incorporated. The proposed plant will have a capacity to produce 0.5 million tonne of iron nuggets per year.

SAIL chairman C S Verma discussed this project with chief minister Mamata Banerjee during his last visit to Writers' Buildings when SAIL signed an MoU with Burn Standard for a wagon component facility at Jellinghum in East Midnapore.

Kobe Steel is one of Japan's leading steelmakers and a major supplier of aluminium and copper products. The Kobe group's business empire includes wholesale power supply, machinery, construction machinery, real estate, electronic material and other businesses. Founded in 1905, the over Rs 1.3-lakh-crore group is one of the largest metal companies in the world. Numerous consolidated and equity-valued companies in Japan, the US, Europe and other Asian countries make up the group.

A SAIL official claimed the Durgapur plant would only be the second instance of such a plant being set up anywhere in the world. While the new plant will come up at the Alloy Steel Plant in Durgapur, Kobe Steel had earlier set up a commercial project using ITmk3 at Minnesota in the US. The new iron-making technology - Itmk3 - will be used to make iron ore nuggets, which can be used in electric arc furnaces.

"The new project is likely to consist of one ITmk3 iron-making plant and associated facilities. It is learnt that about 80% of the iron ore required for the plant will be from SAIL mines while the remaining 20% will be sourced from dumps," a source in SAIL said.

The ITmk3 technology is the latest generation iron-making technology where high-quality, environment-friendly iron nuggets are produced by using iron ore fines and non-coking coal. Iron nuggets are an ideal steel-making and ironcasting feed material.

NiladriG

July 11th, 2012, 05:41 PM

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/didi-showers-r-100-cr-sop-on-jalpaiguri/972988/

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said her government will sanction Rs 100 crore for the overall development of Jalpaiguri district.
On the first day of her four-day visit to North Bengal on Tuesday, the CM held a review meeting with Jalpaiguri district administrative officials and instructed them to expedite development works. She personally reviewed the progress of the schemes taken up by the local administration.

The government will spend Rs 18 crore on strengthening, repair and expansion of road network.

Rs 50 crore will be sanctioned to develop tourism in the district.

Three multi-specialty hospitals will be built in the Shilapata forest area besides building modern villages at an expense of Rs 4 crore.

A sports complex will be built at a cost of Rs 19 crore in

Jalpaiguri town and an indoor stadium in Alipurduar.

Two film cities would also be set up — one each in Jalpaiguri and Siliguri.

Besides 100 upper primary schools, two ITI colleges and a new polytechnic college would also be built, the CM announced.

In Banarhat, a Hindi college would come up, while in Raiganj and Dhupguri areas, two colleges would be built. :applause:

NiladriG

July 11th, 2012, 05:54 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Speed-up-North-Bengal-projects-CM-Mamata-Banerjee/articleshow/14813476.cms?

With an eye on the simmering tension in Dooars and Terai where development has taken a back seat since long, chief minister Mamata Banerjee gave a wake up call to the bureaucrats asking them to finish the ongoing projects fast.

"Complete all ongoing projects, as fast as possible. Concentrate on how best you can provide benefit to the people. Tell me what type of problems you are facing ," the CM said on Tuesday while taking a meeting of district officials, from the district magistrate to the block development officers.

Mamata also stressed the poor plight of the tea garden workers "Those working in the tea garden belt should think how the government can provide relief to the poor tea garden workers," the CM said in the meeting. She announced that her government has already planned to distribute patta of land for the garden workers to assure their shelter. "I have spoken to land and land revenue department officials and asked to find out land to accommodate garden workers," said Mamata. Her announcement on the eve of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) election is significant as the majority of garden workers are Adivasi people who opposed GTA's expansion in the foothills. Adivasi Vikash Parishad leader Birsa Tirkey welcomed his announcement. "It was a long pending demand from our end," said Tirkey.

Like the hills, she announced to set up three multi speciality hospital and three medical college hospitals in PPP model for better health service of the district. "Apart from these existing hospitals at Alipurduars and Birrpara will be upgraded," said Banerjee. She also promised a Hindi college at Banarhat and a second campus of North Bengal University. The CM allotted funds for several colleges and school upgradation.

Mamata gave a patient hearing to the block level officers and district magistrate Smaraki Mahapatra who narrated how common people are facing problem to get different government relief schemes. "In order to get financial aid from different heads, people will have to open different accounts in post office, which is time consuming and causes harassment to the people," said a BDO. CM soon noted down the problem and asked Mukul Roy to take up the matter at the appropriate level.

District officials also complained about the rural electrification projects that have been pending in the district.

At the same breath, Mamata announced to lay the foundation stone of another long waiting project Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta high court on August 18. "I will come again on August 18 for circuit bench inauguration," said Mamata Banerjee.

The one-and-a-half-hour bumpy ride from Bagdogra to Jalpaiguri town was enough embarrassment for the CM on Tuesday. Mamata gave vent to her anger and summoned the officer of the National Highways Authority to explain what went wrong with the repair work.

"I am annoyed with the condition of the national highways. I have been repeatedly requesting the Union government to take care of the roads. But they are reluctant. I personally told the Prime Minister, my MPs have raised the issue with the Union road transport minister, but the situation did not change. As the national highways is not under our jurisdiction, we can't repair it. But it is affecting the people. At any point of time, there could be a major accident," the CM said after the meeting.

Sensing the CM's mood, north Bengal development minister Gautam Deb announced that the Trinamool Congress will launch an agitation against the NHAI authorities.

According to officials of Union road transport ministry, NH-34 has been taken over by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the agency is turning the road into a four-lane highway. Similarly, a part of NH-31, which is marked as NH-31(D) has been undertaken by NHAI for four-lane. The rest of the national highways are under National Highway Division of state PWD. Though the central government funds the repair and maintenance of the road, the work is implemented by the state. "Last week, Union road transport ministry sanctioned Rs 28 crore for the repair work of National Highway 31C, between Madarihat and Hasimara, when state PWD secretary Ajit Bardhan went to Delhi for funds," said an NHAI official.

amibangali

July 12th, 2012, 07:52 AM

Can anybody point me to the status of much hyped projects by government
a) Garia -Bangaon Elevated Road
b) Uttarpara Filmcity
c) Cooch Bihar airport
Also there was news about the proposal of following projects , Any update on current status
a) Volkswagen car factory
b) L & T power plant.
c) L & T infotech Campus is West Bengal

Rajarshi77

July 12th, 2012, 03:21 PM

The Hiranandani Group has drawn up plans to invest about Rs 3000 crore to set up four-million-tonne (mt) liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Haldia.

http://business-standard.com/india/news/hiranandani-to-invest-rs-3k-cr-for-haldia-lng-terminal/480215/

NiladriG

July 14th, 2012, 06:38 AM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120714/jsp/frontpage/story_15727905.jsp

At least three large public-sector projects with a total investment of Rs 14,600 crore are stuck because the Mamata Banerjee government has not published the rules to free up land.

The projects are NTPC Ltd’s 1,600MW plant at Burdwan’s Katwa, Balmer Lawrie’s logistics hub at Dankuni in Hooghly, and Power Grid Corporation’s 765kV substation near Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri.

In April, the government passed the West Bengal Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, 2012, to allow industrial establishments to hold land above the ceiling of 24.8 acres as mentioned in the West Bengal Land Reforms Act, 1955. The amendment also exempted more industries from the land-ceiling rule.

Three months on, nobody in the government — apparently oblivious to the delay’s impact on projects awaiting the “14Y clearance” for buying ceiling-excess land — has any clue about when the rules will be made public.

“Normally, the process should not take more than a month and a half. We don’t know why it is taking so long,” said a source, adding that the draft notification of rules that the government started working on earlier this month now lies with the judicial department for vetting.

Last month, commerce and industries minister Partha Chatterjee had narrated to industrialists what the government had done to facilitate new projects and highlighted the amendments to 14Y, promising “prompt” processing and sanction.

A senior official of a central PSU said prospective investors could get a clear picture of the amendment only after going through the rules.

NTPC, which has been trying since December 2010 to start work, has been waiting since February for the amendment to become operational so that its application to buy around 550 acres can be cleared.

The project, already two years behind schedule with a cost escalation from around Rs 9,000 crore to over Rs 10,000 crore, faces a hit of another Rs 100 crore from the land clearance delay.

Balmer Lawrie has proposed a Rs 80-crore multipurpose logistics hub on 58.5 acres it wants to buy directly in Dankuni. Although the ambit of the type of projects under 14Y has been widened, it still does not cover multipurpose logistics hubs.

“The Balmer Lawrie project is stuck for clearance because of the uncertainty over the definition of such a logistics hub. We’ll need a fresh proposal from them but we can’t even ask for one till the rules are finalised,” a government official said.

The Power Grid substation that will draw power from all the northeastern states and Bhutan for distribution in the eastern region is to be built for Rs 4,500 crore over 180 acres. :ohno:

NiladriG

July 15th, 2012, 05:17 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120714/jsp/siliguri/story_15727595.jsp

Mamata Banerjee’s outburst on the bad condition of highways in north Bengal today triggered an emergency meeting between officials of the National Highways Authority of India and PWD minister Sudarshan Ghosh Dastidar at Writers’ Buildings.

The Telegraph had reported how all through her 45km journey along NH31D on Tuesday, the chief minister had complained about the bumpy, bone-jerking ride.

Sources in the state secretariat said she later called up the state PWD minister and told him to do something about the condition of national highways across the state.

“We do send proposals to the Centre to repair the national highways and send in grants for repairing state highways. But too much time is consumed in processing the proposals. Also the money spent is much less than required,” said Ghosh Dastidar, after the two-hour meeting with NHAI officials.

In the meeting, several national highways that needed immediate repairs were listed.

The list included the 235km NH31C connecting Galgalia in Bengal to Bijni in Assam, the 147km NH31D, parts of NH31 passing through Bengal, 60km of the NH35 running from Barasat to Petrapole and NH60 on the Bengal-Jharkhand border.

“The chief minister was annoyed when she saw the condition of the roads. People have to go through the trauma of travelling on these roads every day. This is not acceptable,” said Ghosh Dastidar, who added that NH60 has become accident-prone and needed immediate repair.

The minister said NHAI officials promised him “full co-operation” in repairing the roads. “We told them to send us the proposals. We will expedite the process and get the roads repaired as soon as possible,” said C. Khandaswamy, the director-general of NHAI.

Back-of-the-envelope calculations during the meeting have shown that around Rs 319 crore would be initially required for the repairs.

“This money will be given entirely by the Centre as it is the repair work of the national highways that we are talking about,” said a senior officer of the PWD department.

Ghosh Dastidar also said that beautification of a 91km stretch from Nandakumar to Digha is one of Mamata’s “dream projects” and that the government has appealed to the NHAI to take charge of the project.

“We have asked them to submit the proposal. We will sanction it,” said Khandaswamy.

Though the road from Nandakumar to Digha is actually a state highway, it will be treated as a national highway and will be repaired accordingly by the NHAI, a senior PWD official said.

The Hataniya bridge in South-24 Parganas will also be similarly treated and the NHAI has promised to shell out Rs 180 crore for its repair work.

NiladriG

July 16th, 2012, 03:39 PM

http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=416867&catid=73

For quicker augmentation of the faulty distribution mechanism often blamed for blackouts in the state, the state power department is shifting its focus to a comparatively new type of power sub-station that takes half as long to build as a conventional one.
A gas-insulated substation (GIS) can be ready in about six months, while its conventional counterpart ~ an air-insulated sub-station (AIS) ~ takes a year. Given this, GIS sub-stations are considered an ideal option for West Bengal, where citizens often suffer power cuts despite surplus generation.
“Our present power-generation capacity is 4,933 megawatts and the average peak-hour demand is pegged at around 4,500 megawatts," said state power minister Manish Gupta.
"Going by our assessment of the demand scenario, we are capable of meeting the further increase in demand for at least the next year. But despite this, people in the state are sometimes witnessing power cuts and low voltage because of lapses in the distribution mechanism," he said.
"To address this problem, we have decided to streamline the supply network and construct more 33/11 kV power sub-stations as soon as possible. For this, we have asked the state-owned power distribution companies to go for GIS sub-stations, which become ready in six months and are also more efficient," he said. At present, the state has only one GIS sub-station ~ a 400 kV version at the Purulia Pump Storage Scheme. In the 2012-13 fiscal year, the power department has set a target of constructing 18 new 33/11 kV substations. Work has already started on a GIS sub-station for the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company at Barrackpore in North 24-Parganas. Two more GIS substations are being constructed by the West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Company at Bagnan in Howrah and in Murshidabad. Another is planned for Cooch Behar.
To the advantage of the power department, a GIS sub-station needs only a quarter of the land required for an AIS substation. "This is because, in an AIS sub-station, the busbars and equipment terminations are installed in an open ground with specified gaps in between and this increases the land requirement," a senior power department official said.
"Whereas, in the case of a GIS sub-station, all major equipment ~ such as isolators and breakers ~ is housed in a compact metal case with sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas playing the role of the insulating medium. This reduces the land requirement by about three-quarters,” the official said.
While about one acre land is needed for a 33/11 kV AIS substation in the state, the GIS sub-station requires only 25 decimals. The cost of building a GIS sub-station, however, is higher (Rs 5 crore), than the cost of building a conventional AIS sub-station (Rs 4 crore).

AbhishekDatta

July 20th, 2012, 09:31 PM

JSW Energy's profit down 97%

The company has decided not to aggressively pursue a few power projects planned earlier---the 1,320-Mw project in West Bengal, the 660-Mw project in Karnataka and the 1,620-Mw project in Jharkhand. “Presently, these are not being pursued aggressively, as clarity is awaited on various issues impacting the power sector,” the company stated.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/jsw-energys-profit-down-97/481035/

Suncity

July 21st, 2012, 04:18 PM

Bengal's growth rate higher than nation's: Mamata

http://india.nydailynews.com/politicsarticle/cd15b44515fd80b68c945a9b0a051242/bengal-s-growth-rate-higher-than-nation-s-mamata

Dismissing claims that West Bengal did not have a proper atmosphere for investment, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday said the state's growth rate was above the national growth rate.

"Many people say that our state does not have a proper atmosphere for investment and industries. It is not true. In the last one year, we have managed to have investments worth Rs.1 lakh crore," said Banerjee.

She also said that the growth rate of the state was well above the national rate.

"We are having a growth rate which is currently higher than the national growth rate. The national growth rate in 2011-12 is 14.3 percent but our state is having a growth rate of 15.1 percent," she said.

Suncity

July 21st, 2012, 04:20 PM

Mamata Banerjee gets largest slice of govt's Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana funds pie

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mamata-banerjee-pmgsy-fund-west-bengal-roads-jairam-ramesh/1/209479.html

In 2004, the ministry had targeted 2.25 lakh kilometres of which 1.64 lakh km had been cleared. In 2009, the government had put a stop to all upgradation and it is now that work on the remaining 80,000 km will commence.

In what many might see as an attempt to placate the mercurial Trinamool Congress, West Bengal has the largest share among all the states, with an entitlement of 10,000 km, followed by Orissa (9,000 km), Assam (8,000 km) and Jharkhand (7,000 km).

Suncity

July 21st, 2012, 04:23 PM

MoA signed between SAIL (India) and Kobe (Japan) for Setting Up Steel Plant in India

http://investinindia.com/news/moa-signed-between-sail-india-and-kobe-japan-setting-steel-plant-india-12c3

India’s largest steel maker Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) & Kobe Steel of Japan have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at Kobe’s headquarters in Tokyo today for setting up a 0.5 million tonne per annum iron nugget making plant using Kobe’s patented ITmK3 technology at SAIL’s Alloy Steels Plant in Durgapur, West Bengal, India. As per the agreement, SAIL and Kobe Steel will be entitled to equal share of production from the plant for captive use.

The agreement was signed by SAIL Chairman Shri C.S. Verma and Kobe Steel President & CEO Mr. H. Sato in presence of the Union Minister for Steel, Shri Beni Prasad Verma, the Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Shri D.R.S. Chaudhary and other senior officials from the Ministry of Steel and SAIL. Several senior officials of Kobe Steel were also present on the occasion, including Executive Vice President & Board Representative Mr. Jun Tanaka, Senior Managing Director Mr. Kawasaki and Director & Head of Iron Unit Division, Mr. Kazuyuki Tanaka.

AbhishekDatta

July 25th, 2012, 01:41 AM

Work at Salboni project to begin by August: West Bengal Commerce & Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee

KOLKATA: West Bengal commerce & industries minister Partha Chatterjee on Tuesday announced that work on the Rs 35,000 crore steel project at Salboni in West Bengal proposed by JSW Steel will 'restart' from August.

"There has been no construction at the site since 2007. The deliverables have been worked out and a new time frame for the project completion
has also been worked out. The new agreement will be signed on August 9." Chatterjee said at the 84th annual general meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce held in Kolkata.

Incidentally, JSW Steel had signed the development agreement with the Left Front government in January 2007 and was handed over possession of the land a year after.

"JSW apart, the state government is also planning to rework the agreement with 'a few other' industrial units. Their schedules need to be redone and we are finalising that at present," he added.

Meanwhile the state government is working on an ambitious plan to upgrade 4,500 km single lane state highway to double lane. "We have formed State Highway Corporation Ltd for the work. A consultancy firm has been appointed for that and they will submit report within three months. Such an infrastructure project will boost the logistics support in the state," said Amit Mitra, finance minister, West Bengal. Six more airports are also being planned keeping the future growth prospects in mind.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods/svs/steel/work-at-salboni-project-to-begin-by-august-west-bengal-commerce-industries-minister-partha-chatterjee/articleshow/15124165.cms

AbhishekDatta

July 25th, 2012, 02:03 AM

Concor plans to set up 3 logistics parks in Bengal

KOLKATA, JULY 24:
Container Corporation of India Ltd, a public sector unit under the Ministry of Railways, plans to set up three logistics parks in West Bengal at an estimated investment of Rs 150 crore. This is part of the company’s plan to set up 15 such hubs across the country.

According to Mr Sanjay Swarup, Group General Manager of Concor, the corporation has identified land at Durgapur in Burdwan district, Dankuni, in Hooghly district, and Siliguri in North Bengal, for developing these multi-modal facilities. One such park will require nearly 100 acres of land. These parks will have facilities like warehouses, container yards and cold chains under one roof.

“The land acquisition process is on for these parks. While the Railways will provide the land at Durgapur and Dankuni, we are in talks with the West Bengal State Government for land in Siliguri,” Mr Swarup said here on Tuesday. He was addressing a seminar on logistics organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3678859.ece

ppatra

July 25th, 2012, 06:50 AM

With over 43,000 jobs generated in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector between April 2011 and up to February 15, 2012, West Bengal has emerged as a front-runner state to facilitate growth in the SMEs sector, apex industry body ASSOCHAM said today.

I would say a very +ve news fro WB in industry front after long time... I hope they can do at these rate for next 5 years. A few big ticket projects should also get done by that time..

NiladriG

July 25th, 2012, 05:15 PM

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/kolkata-port-keen-to-use-land-commercially/979154/

Kolkata Port Trust is planning to use the land owned by the company commercially to generate revenue, said Trust chairman Manish Jain on the sidelines of a discussion organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
“The current land policy does not allow us to use the land which we have for any ‘commercial gain’. But nevertheless we have prepared a proposal for initiating certain commercial projects. We have earmarked certain locations in and around Kolkata, mainly Diamond Harbour Road and Strand Road,” Jain said without elaborating what kind of projects they would be. He also said a transloading project in Haldia outer terminal I was in the pipeline.

“It will result in reduction of overall logistic cost, utilising the fully-laden Panamax /capsize vessels and unload/load them to a single point, low turnaround time of mother vessels by dispensing with the existing system of two port handling. There will also be low railway freight as well as better availability of rakes for the industries,” he added.

Talking about port facility at Diamond Harbour, he said a dedicated container terminal at Diamond Harbour was recommended by a high-powered committee set up by the ministry.

NiladriG

July 25th, 2012, 05:17 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120725/jsp/bengal/story_15768967.jsp#.UBANw7Qe4k8

The government is likely to sign the land-lease agreement with JSW Bengal Steel for the Rs 35,000-crore steel and power plant at Salboni in the second week of August.

“Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has seen the matter and cleared it. I am going to Salboni around August 8-9 for the event,” industries minister Partha Chatterjee said at the annual general meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce today.

Apart from an agreement for a 189-acre land parcel the WBIDC will lease out to the company, the state and the Jindals will also sign a supplementary development agreement detailing the compensation package, timeframe for the project and default clauses.

It is unclear whether Mamata will attend the event. :cheers:

Rajarshi77

July 26th, 2012, 01:11 PM

^^ What event. To celebrate lease signing! When will be the goddamn project starting?

AbhishekDatta

July 27th, 2012, 10:45 PM

ITC to invest Rs 500 cr in food, logistics hub in West Bengal
Press Trust of India

Kolkata: Diversified conglomerate ITC Limited would invest around Rs 500 crore for setting up an integrated food and logistics hub at Uluberia in Howrah district in West Bengal.
ITC chairman YC Deveshwar said that the hub would come up on 57 acres of land in the area, for which the company was in the process of getting the land.
The food and logistics hub would not only serve West Bengal but the neighbouring states as well, he told reporters after the company's AGM on Friday.

"There were some legal issues involved in getting the land. The company had been waiting for four to five years. It is good that the government has supported in getting the issues resolved.
ITC was also expanding the Kolkata hotel ITC Sonar.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/itc-to-invest-rs-500-cr-in-food-logistics-hub-in-wb/275436-7.html

another source: (http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2012/07/27/399--ITC-trying-to-fast-forward-Rs-25-000-crore-investment-plan-.html)

ITC trying to 'fast forward' Rs.25,000 crore investment plan

The diversified conglomerate is hopeful of getting possession of a 39-acre of land in West Bengal soon for setting up food factories. It could not get its possession because of legal tangles. It has already got a land of 18 acres.
"The government has allotted us 18 acres of land in Bengal. We are hopeful of getting another piece of land of 39 acres. These two together will constitute an integrated food factory and integrated logistic hub. Total investment will be Rs.500 crore," Deveshwar said.

from TOI

ITC plans to invest Rs 1K cr in Bengal

KOLKATA: ITC chairman Y C Deveshwar has hailed the state government for helping the conglomerate to resolve a dispute over 40 acre near Uluberia, which was allotted to the company in 2008. The company is planning to invest over Rs 1,000 crore for setting up five manufacturing facilities in the state. The former Left government had offered 39 acres to the company in 2008 for setting up food processing unit but the land was litigated.

The ITC chairman told reporters that it is preparing to start work on the 18 acre in Uluberia food park. "Another 39 acre, we have asked for integrated food facility and logistics park. We have got the plot at Panchla near Uluberia. There was some dispute about the land. Now it has been almost resolved. The state government is cooperating with us," he added.

ITC has sought 40 acres additional land from the state government for its proposed Rs 500 crore food processing project in Bengal. It may be noted that WBIDC had handed over 18 acres for the project to ITC last year.

Earlier, Deveshwar said, "We have asked for 40 acres more because the existing plot is too small for a big plant," he added. ITC executive director K Grant later said that it is looking at more production units for food business in Bengal. "We have seen few locations including one near Bolepur," he said.

According to him, majority of the projects for the proposed Rs 25,000 crore investment of ITC would be in FMCG. "At the current moment, over 40 projects large and small are in various stages of implementation across the country and the majority of this is in FMCG," he added.

AbhishekDatta

July 27th, 2012, 11:49 PM

Road map ready for Sagar port

New Delhi, July 27: The Union shipping ministry is set to sign a state support agreement with the Bengal government for the Sagar port on August 1, and the cabinet may vet the project by September 30.

A PMO statement said work had already begun on the two new ports in Andhra Pradesh and Bengal.

A special purpose vehicle (SPV) would be formed to implement both the projects, with the Centre holding 74 per cent equity and the respective state governments holding 26 per cent. The SPV will then bid out the project on a private-public-partnership basis.

The Sagar port is one of the various infrastructure projects for which the PMO released a road map today.

In July, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had identified shipping, civil aviation and railways for infrastructure push.

The government said the ministry of shipping would form a steering group to oversee the progress of the ports, including finalising the structure of the SPV, monitoring the bidding process, preparation of documents and award of concessions. The move is aimed at a time bound implementation of the project.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120728/jsp/business/story_15781735.jsp#.UBML_2FfHSg

NiladriG

July 28th, 2012, 05:41 AM

Road map ready for Sagar port

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120728/jsp/business/story_15781735.jsp#.UBML_2FfHSg

That's really good news, I hope it gets implemented within a the time frame :cheers:. In the meantime rail and road infra needs to be in place. With PMO pushing for this project, I hope state Govt. also does it's bit and doesn't drag things.

NiladriG

July 28th, 2012, 05:44 AM

^^ When will be the goddamn project starting?

Bhogoban jaane. :ohno:

samrat_m

July 28th, 2012, 12:06 PM

ITC to invest Rs 500 cr in food, logistics hub in West Bengal
Press Trust of India

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/itc-to-invest-rs-500-cr-in-food-logistics-hub-in-wb/275436-7.html

another source: (http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2012/07/27/399--ITC-trying-to-fast-forward-Rs-25-000-crore-investment-plan-.html)

from TOI

As expected, ITC's priority & commitments for Bengal is well known. Great going. :cheers:

Rajarshi77

July 28th, 2012, 07:57 PM

Three cheers for ITC

debayanlahiri

July 28th, 2012, 08:49 PM

http://i45.tinypic.com/6rpzk9.jpg

Source: http://epratidin.in/Details.aspx?id=9168&boxid=1456200

AbhishekDatta

July 29th, 2012, 05:32 PM

Govt nod to coal-linkage to Railway power plant
Avishek G Dastidar : New Delhi, Sun Jul 29 2012, 01:38 hrs

After keeping the matter hanging for almost a year, the Centre has finally given the green signal for coal-linkage to the Railways biggest power project, the 1320 MW thermal power plant in West Bengal — a pet project of Trianmool Congress chief and bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Union Coal Minister Shriprakash Jaiswal and Railway Minister Mukul Roy had a meeting earlier this week and finalised the long-pending commitment, without which, the ambitious project had been left stuck for a year.

“We will send a letter of commitment to the Railways in a week and the supply will start as and when they require,” Jaiswal told The Indian Express.

Roy has sought around 6.8 million tonnes per annum of coal on an urgent basis. As per the project documents, the plant requires around 92 tonnes of coal per hour for continuous generation in two units of 660 megawatts each.

Focused on completing projects promised by Mamata as Railway Minister, Roy had also written to Jaiswal in May but the it did not yield anything back then.

The approval to the coal linkage now, finally, is being viewed in the context of renewed friendship between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress after the Presidential poll in which Trinamool Congress supported UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee.

The plant, situated in Adra, West Bengal, is being built in a joint venture with the state-owned power major NTPC.

Once complete, the plant is expected to help Railways take a quantum leap in self-reliance in terms of its power needs to run trains.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/govt-nod-to-coallinkage-to-railway-power-plant/980873/

NiladriG

July 29th, 2012, 07:23 PM

Govt nod to coal-linkage to Railway power plant
Avishek G Dastidar : New Delhi, Sun Jul 29 2012, 01:38 hrs

Very good news. :cheers:

Rajarshi77

August 3rd, 2012, 08:00 AM

With an eye on the coming panchayat elections, the state government is taking the road to development, quite literally. The state public works department is now looking at construction of nearly 1,800 km of rural roads in 11 backward districts. It has, in fact, decided to spend a whopping Rs 1473.94, under the centrally-sponsored Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), to build only rural roads and bridges. Under the project, 141 big and small roads and seven bridges will be constructed.

The 11 districts that have been identified under the BRGF are Bankura, Birbhum, Dakshin Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, Malda, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Murshidabad, Purulia, South 24-Parganas and Uttar Dinajpur.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/West-Bengal-govt-to-construct-1800km-of-rural-roads-in-backward-districts/articleshow/15323933.cms

NiladriG

August 4th, 2012, 05:39 PM

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/land-acquisition-stalls-nh-projects/983755/

At a time the West Bengal government is at loggerhead with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for maintenance of national highways in the state, virtually all major projects of NHAI are on hold due to land acquisition problems.
NHAI reports accessed by The Indian Express reveal that the land acquisition process for a meagre 13.32 per cent of the total land required by the authority in Bengal is complete. But NHAI is yet to have any of the land in its possession, even though it has completed the distribution of compensation for 236.183 hectares.

The land required for five major NHAI projects including NH 34, NH 31, NH 31D, NH 6 and NH 2 is 1,771.642 hectares in 12 districts — North Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24-Parganas, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, Howrah, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Burdwan. According to the reports, the state government issued notification in 2010-11 for 1,191.099 hectares.

The projects, however, are on hold for a year.

The NHAI — which fixes the compensation packages for land owners after discussion with the local administration and according to the current price of the land — disbursed the compensation to the land owners in these 12 districts for 236.183 hectares. However, the national agency is yet to get any land in its possession for implementing the projects.

“We have paid compensation for 236.183 hectares, but we are yet to get any land in our possession. The state government has issued notification for 1,191.099 hectares but we are yet to receive estimates for the compensation amount,” said a senior official of NHAI.

D Jyoti

August 5th, 2012, 04:07 PM

http://imageshack.us/content_round.php?page=done&l=img31/6763/top50l.jpg

List of top 50 cities in India as per the latest India Cities Competitiveness Index 2012. Kolkata and Asansol are the two West Bengal Cities to in this list. In the last ten years, Kolkata has jumped from 8 to 5 whereas, Asansol has jumped from 55 to 41.

THIS IS AMAZING......... WEST BENGAL DEVELOPING!! Hope, Durgapur and Siliguri too to come in this list very soon.........

NiladriG

August 5th, 2012, 07:27 PM

Rajarshi77

August 6th, 2012, 07:47 AM

Do a google for India Cities Competitiveness Index 2012. You will get it.

kolkatarocks

August 9th, 2012, 07:46 AM

Check this out (interview with SUBRATA PAUL on BAPL)

http://www.bengalaero.com/data/swf/newsclippings/BAPL_population_density_magnets.pdf

NiladriG

August 11th, 2012, 06:22 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120811/jsp/siliguri/story_15841438.jsp#.UCaGC53ib0w

The north Bengal development department has decided to repair and broaden parts of a road running parallel to NH31D, given the highway’s pitiable condition, so that commuters between Siliguri and Jalpaiguri have an alternative route available.

“The NH31D, one of the key national highways in north Bengal, is in a pathetic state. Even the chief minister has reprimanded the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for it. Nothing much has been done so far by the NHAI and we have no clue when the four-laning of the road — as part of the East West Corridor project connecting Gujarat with Assam — will start,” said Khageswar Roy, the Trinamul MLA of Rajganj in Jalpaiguri.

The state government cannot do much about NH31D as it is in the NHAI’s ambit of maintenance. But it’s potholes and undulations have become a cause of daily hardship for people in two of north Bengal’s key towns who have to take the road every day.

“We cannot afford to sit idle and watch people facing inconveniences for the bad road and then criticise us,” Roy said.

The alternative road starts near Salugara off NH31 and skirts Siliguri.

The road runs through Ambari and Belacoba and merges with NH31D at Gosala More on Jalpaiguri’s outskirts.

“Considering the distance and slow movement of traffic, it would take at least 20 minutes less. One can reach Siliguri from Jalpaiguri and vice versa in about 40 minutes,” Gautam Deb, the north Bengal development minister, said today.

As of now, small vehicles, and sometimes buses, ply this route. It is narrow in some stretches and needs repair in some other parts.

“We need to widen the entire stretch and develop a full-fledged state highway to facilitate smooth movement of traffic,” Deb said.

The minister said Rs 15.5 crore would be spent to repair and widen the 11km eastern Bypass — from Salugara to Sahudangi railway crossing — which is a part of the alternative route.

On this stretch, lights would be installed on both sides.

“We intend to build an underpass at the Sahudangi level crossing. Vehicles often get stuck here because of trains. Next, the 12km stretch from Sahudangi to Ambari, would be widened, followed by repairs on another 5km stretch till Belacoba,” Deb said.

“The final portion, around 15km or so, from Belacoba to Gosala More on Jalpaiguri’s outskirts, would be developed by the state PWD,” the minister said.

The plan to build an alternative road, Trinamul insiders said, has been taken up by Deb’s department to meet one of the principal demands of his voters as well as those of Khageswar Roy.

“The Dabgram-Fulbari and Rajganj Assembly seats, represented by Deb and Roy, comprise the entire Rajganj block and thus the entire damaged stretch of NH31D,” a Trinamul source said.

“Local people encounter inconveniences, suffer injuries and their two-wheelers and cars get damaged every day because of the bad condition of NH31D.”

Roy, the Rajganj MLA, when asked why the Congress leaders have been silent on this, said the party wanted to create a hindrance to Trinamul during the panchayat polls.

“Congress leaders, who are aware that the road conditions would be a major issue in the panchayat polls, are sitting idle, instead of taking up the NH31D issue with the Union surface transport ministry and the NHAI,” he said.

“Their intention is to let us down during the rural elections.”

The decision to build the alternative road has also brought cheers to residents of both towns, particularly daily commuters.

“We are relieved to hear that a parallel road would be built and maintained by the state as we don’t know when the NH31D would be repaired or widened to a four-lane highway,” said Shyamal Saha, a bank employee and Jalpaiguri resident who commutes to Siliguri every day.

“Also, during the widening work on NH-31D, traffic congestion can be avoided as many vehicles can take the alternative route then.”

Suncity

August 11th, 2012, 06:48 PM

Suncity

August 11th, 2012, 06:51 PM

Source: http://epratidin.in/Details.aspx?id=9168&boxid=1456200

I think the journalist made up some of the stuff that is being attriibuted to the ITC chairman. Business leaders always try to be politically correct in front of the media. Then of course I noticed the link. This newspaper is like Ganashakti.

:lol:

amibangali

August 12th, 2012, 07:51 AM

Junglemahal tribals set to revive autonomy demand

Inspired by the newly-formed Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA), where people of the Darjeeling hills are given more financial and administrative autonomy, the tribals of Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore districts of West Bengal, are planning to launch a fresh agitation demanding autonomy.
Contd..

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270531/junglemahal-tribals-set-revive-autonomy.html

Rajarshi77

August 12th, 2012, 08:05 AM

The Trinamul has been leading the opposition to road widening and gained popular votes. The CPM is also picking up the same tactics as it is now in opposition. Thus many highway expansion projects have been stalled in the state.

NHAI is also not repairing road stretches.

It is ultimately the people of the state who are suffering.

Sun. We think they are suffering. But they only have selected these politicians. While doing so they were fully aware of their policies. So rather than saying politicians don't want roads to be built I think it is the people of Bengal who are opposed to new roads, metros, power plants and factories.

AbhishekDatta

August 23rd, 2012, 11:52 PM

USE wants to move Nayachar power project to new site
Difficulty in obtaining clearances from Central authorities cited as the reason for putting the project on hold
Romita Datta, romita.d@livemint.com

Universal Success Enterprises Ltd (USE), the former partner of Indonesia’s Salim Group for now-aborted projects in West Bengal, has written to the state government saying it wished to move its proposed power plant from Nayachar island in East Midnapore district to a new site for quicker implementation.

The reason it cited for putting the Nayachar project on hold, which now appears to be a “jinxed island”, according to USE chairman Prasoon Mukherjee, is difficulty in obtaining clearances from the Central environment authorities.

USE wants around 700 acres in Purulia district for its proposed power plant, according to Partha Chatterjee, West Bengal’s commerce and industries minister. The state government has agreed to allot land in a vacant industrial park owned by its arm West Bengal Industrial Development Corp. Ltd to allow USE to immediately start construction, he said.

It takes years for power plants to obtain clearances from the environment authorities, particularly if proposed to be set up in coastal areas, said Mukherjee, adding that if the state government allots land elsewhere to expedite the project, “USE will be happy to move it to a new site”.

Nayachar was initially offered to USE by West Bengal’s erstwhile Left Front government as the site for a now-aborted chemical hub. The original site for the project was Nandigram in the same district. But because of protests from locals, which eventually led to the killing of 14 people in police firing in March 2007, the proposed chemical hub had to be moved to Nayachar.

Mukherjee claimed it resulted in cost escalation, estimated for him by Jurong Consultants at $2 billion, and asked the state government to compensate USE by allotting land for commercial development elsewhere in the state.

USE has interest in real estate development as well—it is the partner of competing construction companies Unitech Ltd and DLF Ltd for projects in West Bengal. USE got into a similar arrangement recently with the Shapoorji Pallonji group to jointly pursue various projects in the state.

West Bengal, however, refused to allot more land to USE to compensate for cost escalation. Eventually, Mukherjee fell out with the state administration—the erstwhile Left Front government towards the end of its term last year took legal steps to terminate its agreement with USE.

The agreement, however, survived the change of political guard—the project, though, changed in accordance with the wish of Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal’s chief minister. Instead of a chemical hub, USE agreed to build a power plant and an eco-tourism hub at Nayachar.

Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had offered to turn Nayachar into an exclusive enclave for Japanese expats working in the state in a bid to attract investments from their country, but that, too, didn’t materialize.

Meanwhile, a revised agreement for USE’s proposed projects at Nayachar was signed earlier this year, but the state government didn’t make it public. It envisages viability gap funding by way of allotment of land at concessional rates elsewhere in the state, according to government officials, who did not wish to be named.

Following the revised agreement, the state government has allotted 97 acres to USE at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district, they said, adding that it isn’t immediately clear whether the state government will seek to modify the agreement again if the power plant is moved to Purulia. Under the revised agreement currently in force, USE is to receive around 250 acres more, according to state government officials.

Chatterjee said the proposed power plant at Nayachar is not being shelved—USE will continue to pursue it, but because it is taking time to obtain clearances for it, the company is being offered another site for building a power plant immediately, he added. So, for now, Mukherjee gets to keep the land earmarked for the power plant Nayachar as well.

Mukherjee said that he has tied up coal for the project;finance, too, has been committed by potential lenders. However, he admitted that hewas no longer seeking equity investors for the project immediately.

http://www.livemint.com/2012/08/23213829/USE-wants-to-move-Nayachar-pow.html?atype=tp

AbhishekDatta

August 25th, 2012, 07:11 PM

Shapoorji Pallonji and Company interested in infrastructure projects in West Bengal

Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited has expressed interest in investing in infrastructural projects in West Bengal.
KOLKATA: Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited has expressed interest in investing in infrastructural projects in West Bengal.

Company managing director Shapoor Mistry said in a letter to Finance minister Amit Mitra that the company would go through normal bidding process for investment.

Mistry had met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee here on August 1.

Identified areas of interest comprised power plant (hydro, thermal and gas), deep sea port, commodity terminal, road, highway and expressway on build, operate, own (BOO) basis.

The company also expressed interest in investing in solar voltaic plant, hospital, recreational complex, housing, IT park, water treatment, aerospace and defence.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/shapoorji-pallonji-and-company-interested-in-infrastructure-projects-in-west-bengal/articleshow/15697672.cms

Rajarshi77

August 26th, 2012, 03:17 AM

Suncity

August 27th, 2012, 01:15 AM

NiladriG

August 27th, 2012, 06:46 AM

USE wants to move Nayachar power project to new site
Difficulty in obtaining clearances from Central authorities cited as the reason for putting the project on hold
Romita Datta, romita.d@livemint.com

USE is a useless organization, they are more interested in getting land at throwaway prices rather than building any industries.

AbhishekDatta

August 28th, 2012, 12:23 AM

Bengal power plant fails to get MoEF panel’s approval

Avishek G Dastidar : New Delhi, Tue Aug 28 2012, 03:42 hrs

The Union Environment Ministry’s expert appraisal committee has objected to West Bengal’s Super Critical Imported Coal Based Thermal Power Plant at Nayachar Island, saying that it stands on ecologically fragile ground.

For the Mamata Banerjee government, the objection to this project near Haldia in East Medinipur district brings bigger worries because West Bengal has announced plans to set up an industrial park and an eco-tourism hub in the same region.

Following a site inspection, a sub-group of the appraisal committee found that the location is a tidal estuarine island which is vulnerable to erosion from tidal waves. Also, there appeared to be mangroves in the vicinity, which was earlier not included in the report about the location.

The sub-group, headed by ecologist CR Babu, formulated a detailed report outlining the environmental contentions and submitted it to the appraisal committee. The committee has now given the project proponents a chance to counter the report based on technical facts.

“The site is unsuitable for the plant. Although we were always reluctant to give the project proponents terms of reference for a preliminary study, it was more or less clear that the site has a fragile ecosystem,” said a committee member.

The 1320 MW power plant, with plans to go up to 1980 MW, was conceived in 2008 and involves a massive investment of up to Rs 12,000 crore.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bengal-power-plant-fails-to-get-moef-panels-approval/994155/

rupakd

August 30th, 2012, 07:38 AM

Texmaco to revive food and logistics park project

Texmaco Infrastructure and Holdings, a part of Adventz group (formerly part of KK Birla group), is expecting to revive its food and logistics park project in Sankrail this fiscal with an investment of around Rs 400 crore. Company chairman S K Poddar, son-in-law of late K K Birla, told reporters after the annual general meeting that they are in touch with the state government regarding the project.
“We have 141 acre land in Sankrail area where we intend to set up a food and logistics park. The land is under acquisition notice for which we have a stay (order) form the high court but we have been in touch with the state government who are very keen in promoting this project in the state,” said Poddar.
According to him, this piece of 141 acre land is adjacent to the Sankrail rail station which makes it an ideal location for a food and logistics park. “West Bengal does not have any such park so it would be advantageous for the state. And many logistics company and food processing firms have shown interest in this project so there won’t be much issues on this project,” he added.
Poddar said the current state government’s policies are very positive and with their help this project would kick start soon. Meanwhile, Wagon maker Texmaco Rail & Engineering, another firm of the Adventz group, is planning to enter into EMU coach manufacturing this fiscal.
“EMU manufacturing has been catching our attention and the project is expected to be commissioned in this fiscal at our Sodepur unit,” added Poddar. TNN

roy2010

September 7th, 2012, 07:22 AM

The Hindu : NATIONAL /
ANDHRA PRADESH :
RINL begins work on axle plant in
WB
Today's Paper» NATIONAL» ANDHRA
PRADESH
VISAKHAPATNAM,September 6, 2012
Special Correspondent
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited launched
work on Rs.278-crore RINL RAIL axle
manufacturing plant at New Jaipalguri in
West Bengal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
Bannerjee inaugurated the work of
Uttarbanga RINL RAIL axle manufacturing
in the presence of Railway Minister Mukul
Roy.
RINL Director (Finance) P. Madhusudan,
Railway Board Member (Mechanical) Kesab
Chandra, General Manager of North
Frontier Railway R.S. Virdi and other senior
officials participated.
An RINL release issued here stated that the
unit would manufacture and supply rail
axels for box and wagons and others to meet
the growing requirement of Indian
Railways.
The Railways has selected RINL to set up the
State-of-the-art axle plant considering its
technological strengths in special grades of
steel for decades.
The axel plant will have the facility of
forging and heat treatment of about 50,000
numbers forged axles per year.
It may be recalled that RINL signed a
Memoradum of Understanding with
Railways in 2011 to set up an axle
production facility at New Jalpaiguri.

http://m.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article3864739.ece/?maneref=http://www.google.co.in/m?q=the+hindu+6th+sept+news+on+rinl+rail+axle+plant&client=ms-opera-mini&channel=new

AbhishekDatta

September 12th, 2012, 08:54 PM

ABP is reporting that ABG Group which runs does bulk handling for two berths at Haldia docks has threatened to leave West Bengal They have alleged union harrassment and non cooperation by the Haldia port authorities. Trinamool, CPM and Haldia port authorities have denied the charges. Trinamool has blamed CPM and CPM has blamed Trinamool.

However HBL has a slightly less sensational news article

ABG Infra may pull out of berth operations at Haldia

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3824634.ece
some update on this:

Kolkata port, ABG Haldia reach deal
OUR BUREAU

KOLKATA, SEPT. 12:
Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) and ABG Haldia Bulk Terminals (AHBT) have agreed to arrive jointly at a solution to the vexed issue of latter’s under-utilisation of berths at Haldia.

KoPT had moved the Calcutta High Court last week after AHBT last month threatened to stop operations of its two berths at Haldia, unless the port authority committed minimum guaranteed tonnage for handling.

“We (ABG and KoPT) have agreed to bring in a mechanism for optimum utilisation of these two berths within the ambit of our agreement,” Manish Jain, Chairman of KoPT, told Business Line on Wednesday.

Gurpreet Malhi, CEO of AHBT, said in a statement that both have come to an agreement “to maximise utilisation of the equipment.”

The terms of the agreement followed the High Court, Malhi added. The key terms included that all vessels carrying dry bulk cargo arriving at Haldia Dock Complex (HDC), “shall necessarily be allocated to berth nos. 2 or 8 (of AHBT).” However, if both berth nos. 2 and 8 are engaged in ship-shore operations (or vice-versa), the next arriving vessel may be allocated to berths other than the berths 2 and 8, according to AHBT statement.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3889265.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

anan355

September 19th, 2012, 04:28 PM

Although industrialists want to invest in the state, they have largely been deterred thanks to the state government’s policy against acquiring land on their behalf. “The state doesn’t need big industrialists who will set up their industries by capturing fertile land and evicting people,” said
state water resources minister Soumen Mahapatra, echoing Mamata Banerjee and Partha Chatterjee, at the inauguration of a cement factory in Lodhashuli in Jhargram, West Midnapore, on Tuesday.

“I want the plant to grow and work with the people,” said industries minister Partha Chatterjee, via text message. He was unable to make it to the inauguration due to a meeting at Town Hall in Kolkata.

Soumen Mahapatra inaugurated the Roofers Group’s cement plant at Khasjangal in Lodhashuli. “There are many problems in the area, and the previous government did not take steps to solve them. But our chief minister has a vision for the development of the entire area, and it includes industries as well,” said Mahapatra, adding, “There are vast tracts of barren land in the area, near the Jharkhand border, and we appealed to industrialists to set up their factories in the region and our government will help them.”

The water resources and development minister talked about the numbers of industrialists from outside the state who has expressed interest in the state. “We already received proposals worth R80,000 crore in investments in various sectors. We are looking to ensure that investors are not harassed. As our government has said, industry and agriculture will work side-by-side, and we will not support industry in fertile, agricultural land. But we will entertain those who would like to set up their industries on barren areas, like the Roofers Group cement factory in Lodhashuli,” Mahapatra said.

The current plant has been renovated by the Roofers Group, and is not a new factory. Nabab India Pvt Ltd has constructed the plant as Khasjangal in 2006, and the Roofers Group took over the 14-acre area, investing about R100 crore on the project.

“We have businesses in reality estate, infrastructure and hotels, and it is our first cement plant. In the future we hope to bring more industries and units to Jangalmahal. We had decided to invest in the area after the call from the government,” said Anjan Banerjee, president, Roofers Group.

Source (http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/R100-crore-cement-plant-inaugurated-at-Jhargram/Article1-932329.aspx)

Rajarshi77

September 20th, 2012, 12:20 PM

JSW Steel may reconsider its decision to set up a 10 million tpy integrated steel plant in West Bengal, as India’s central government has withdrawn a captive coal block allocated to it in the eastern Indian state.

“How can we set up the steel plant if the coal block is de-allocated? We have invested a lot of money for the end use of the coal blocks,” JSW Steel joint md Seshagiri Rao told Metal Bulletin. Rao said that the coal block is integral to the setting up of the plant. The company has yet to receive any official communication from the government on the de-allocation of the Gourangdih ABC coal block, he said. The coal block had been allotted to a joint venture between Himachal EMTA Power and JSW Steel to set up a thermal power plant in July 2009.

AbhishekDatta

September 20th, 2012, 03:58 PM

Rajarshi77

September 21st, 2012, 09:13 AM

This is all because state govt. didn't support them...they should have gone to center and ask for special relief even if there is ghotala...corruption is okay as long as there is investment...:lol:

Didn't get you! Where did I say it is happening because of state government? It was meant as an update in Projects & Development of WB.

Pl don't colour everything with politics.

NiladriG

September 21st, 2012, 09:32 AM

Now the coal block allocation has been cancelled. Bad luck for the state.

rupakd

September 22nd, 2012, 07:58 AM

Tata co buys off land for project

Kolkata: The land acquisition for Tata Motors plant at Singur is a history now.
However, the episode seems to have taught a lesson to one of its group cos — Tata Metaliks. The subsidiary of Tata Steel didn’t take the land acquisition route for one of its projects. Instead, the company has bought 22 acres directly from the owners at Kharagpur in West Midnapore to set up a captive power plant and a coke oven unit.
This is also in line with the declared policy of Mamata Banerjee government for industrial land. Banerjee has repeatedly said that it is not in favour of government acquiring land for industry. Harsh K Jha, MD of Tata Metaliks, told reporters after the firm’s AGM, that it has bought the land near the fence of its existing pig iron unit. “It was not a problem to buy the land,” he added. The firm has 200 acres in the existing pig iron project.
According to him, total investment for the new project would be over Rs 120 crore. It is setting up a 12 MW captive power plant and a 1.2 lakh tonne capacity coke oven plant.
He said the company would implement the project through build, operate and transfer model. “Tata Metaliks does not want to invest in these projects. We have identified two partners for setting up power plant and coke oven unit. The agreement will be finalized soon,” he added.
Incidentally, the company had entered into an agreement with Global Coke last year for the coke oven plant. However, it was later terminated.

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

NiladriG

September 23rd, 2012, 06:12 AM

http://www.anandabazar.com/23south1.html

ফের আটকে গেল ৩৪ নম্বর জাতীয় সড়ক সম্প্রসারণের কাজ।
শনিবার উত্তর ২৪ পরগনার বারাসতের আমডাঙায় জমি পরিদর্শন ও মাপজোকের কাজে গেলে জাতীয় সড়ক কর্তৃপক্ষের প্রতিনিধিদের বাধা দেন বাসিন্দা ও দোকানিরা। বেলা ১১টা থেকে প্রায় দেড় ঘণ্টা রাস্তা অবরোধও করেন তাঁরা। জেলার পুলিশ সুপার সুগত সেন বলেন, “মাপজোকের কাজে যাতে সমস্যা না হয় সে জন্য পুলিশি ব্যবস্থা রাখা হয়েছিল। এক জায়গায় অবরোধ হলেও পুলিশ তা তুলে দেয়।” ততক্ষণে অবশ্য জাতীয় সড়ক কর্তৃপক্ষের প্রতিনিধি এবং ইঞ্জিনিয়ারেরা ফিরে গিয়েছেন।
কলকাতা থেকে উত্তরবঙ্গ, ৩৪ নম্বর জাতীয় সড়ক সম্প্রসারণের কাজ দীর্ঘদিন ধরে পড়ে রয়েছে। কাজ শুরুর জন্য বিভিন্ন রাজনৈতিক দলের পাশাপাশি স্থানীয় জনপ্রতিনিধিদের নিয়ে জেলা প্রশাসন ও জাতীয় সড়ক কর্তৃপক্ষ কয়েক বার বৈঠক করলেও জমি অধিগ্রহণ নিয়ে সমস্যা মেটেনি। জমি চিহ্নিত করে কোন কোন জমি অধিগ্রহণ করা হবে, সম্প্রতি তার নোটিস দেন জাতীয় সড়ক কর্তৃপক্ষ।

এ দিন জাতীয় সড়ক কর্তৃপক্ষের প্রতিনিধি ও ইঞ্জিনিয়াররা জমি পরিদর্শন করে খুঁটি পুঁততে যান। কিন্তু বারাসতের শুড়িপুকুর থেকে নদিয়ার জাগুলিয়ার আগে প্রায় ২০ কিলোমিটার রাস্তার দু’পাশের দোকানি ও বাসিন্দাদের নিয়ে তৈরি ‘ভূমি ও ব্যবসা রক্ষা কমিটি’ কাজে বাধা দেয়। সন্তোষপুর, কামদেবপুর এলাকায় কিছু খুঁটি উপড়ে ফেলা হয়। বাসিন্দা ও দোকানিদের বক্তব্য, ক্ষতিপূরণের পরিমাণ আগে তা জানাতে হবে। তা না হলে রাস্তা সম্প্রসারণের কাজ করতে দেওয়া হবে না। জেলা প্রশাসনের বক্তব্য, ১৬টি মৌজায় কাজ চললেও এখানেই বারবার বাধা আসছে। এখানেও সরকারি নিয়ম মেনে ক্ষতিপূরণ দেওয়া হবে। কিন্তু জমি মাপজোক করতে না দিলে সেই ব্যবস্থা হবে কী ভাবে? এ ব্যাপারে তৃণমূল পরিচালিত আমডাঙা পঞ্চায়েত সমিতির সভাপতি কালিদাসী প্রামাণিক বলেন, ‘‘এ দিন সাধনপুর, আদহাটার মতো এলাকায় মাপজোকের কাজ ভালই হয়েছে। আমিও সেখানে ছিলাম। কিন্তু পরে শুনেছি কয়েক জায়গায় বাধা দেওয়া হয়েছে। ক্ষতিপূরণ নিয়ে আন্দোকারীদের দাবি সঙ্গত। তবে রাস্তার কাজও তো বন্ধ হতে দেওয়া যায় না। সব দিকই বিবেচনা করে দেখা হচ্ছে।”

AbhishekDatta

September 23rd, 2012, 07:25 AM

Didn't get you! Where did I say it is happening because of state government? It was meant as an update in Projects & Development of WB.

Pl don't colour everything with politics.

dhuusshh..absolutely not for you buddy...just a sarcastic comment...

NiladriG

September 24th, 2012, 07:41 PM

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/bengal-among-9-states-to-get-more-sarva-siksha-fund/1006941/

Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are among the nine states that will get enhanced Central share under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan programme, with the Planning Commission approving a proposal to this effect. All the nine states have literacy levels less than the national average states and therefore will be getting funds in the ratio of 75:25 as against the existing ratio of 65:35.
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will also be included along with the northeastern states where funding is in the 90:10 ratio, HRD Ministry officials said.

The proposal has to be vetted by the National Development Council before coming into effect.

The average national literacy level as per the 2011 census stands at 74.04 per cent, whereas literacy level of Bihar is 63.8 per cent and Uttar Pradesh is 71.7 per cent. Orrisa has 65.9 per cent literacy rate, while Rajasthan has 67.1 per cent, Jharkhand has 67.6 per cent and Madhya Pradesh has 70.6 per cent. Several states, including Bihar and UP, had been clamouring for enhanced Centre’s share arguing that they are unable to pump their share of resources for the programme.

SSA is the government’s flagship programme for achievement of universalisation of elementary education in a time-bound manner, as mandated by the 86th Amendment to the Constitution, making free and compulsory education to children of 6-14 years age group a fundamental right.

The programme seeks to open new schools in those areas which do not have schooling facilities and strengthen existing infrastructure through provision of additional classrooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grants.

Expenditure under the SSA increased to Rs 38,000 crore in

2011-12 from Rs 32,000 crore in 2010-11 and Rs 21,000 crore in 2009-10.

Since its introduction in 2000-01, nearly three lakh

elementary schools have been opened under SSA and 20 lakh teachers’ posts have been sanctioned.:cheers:

AbhishekDatta

September 25th, 2012, 03:11 AM

moved to tourism thread

NiladriG

September 25th, 2012, 07:14 PM

Militant unionism doesn't pay anymore.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/275-port-workers-to-be-sacked-at-Haldia/articleshow/16537153.cms?

In a move that is likely to result in more trouble at the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) from Tuesday, Haldia Bulk Terminals (HBT) Pvt Ltd announced its decision to retrench 275 workers. HBT is a special purpose vehicle of the LDA-ABG consortium, set up for mechanised handling of cargo at berths 2 and 8 at HDC. The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) management termed this decision as rash and warned that its patience is running thin.

"We had communicated to HBT (vide memo no. MTO/G/422/Pt-XIX/1520/Sep 24, 2012) not to take any steps that may result in a law-and- order crisis at the port. In fact, we have written to all stakeholders, including public representatives, requesting them to remain patient and help us in resolving the crisis. The crisis is due to an economic slump that has affected the volume of cargo at all ports. In the past, we received cooperation from our stakeholders. However, in the last few days, we have witnessed a possible effort to create trouble. Unfortunately, our patience and resilience seems to have been misread as weakness. We are exploring all options and once they are exhausted, we shall be forced to take an ultimate decision that may not fare well for the state," a KoPT official said.

In a mailed communication, HBT CEO Gurpreet Malhi informed on Monday: HBT had decided to right-size its workforce with the retrenchment of 275 personnel w.e.f 24th September 2012. It may consider hiring or outsourcing suitable additional workforce in the future if the volumes increase. However it will look at hiring employee profiles which are not restrictive to only single function so that the workforce is agile to handle operations with optimal productivity. All dues and benefits for these employees have been cleared in full compliance with Indian laws and regulations."

KoPT is planning a stakeholders' meet at Haldia on Thursday to work out a solution. An emergency board meeting will be convened on Friday to take a call on what steps, if any, need to be taken to sort out the issue.

HBT started operations at HDC from 2011. Recently, Malhi claimed that his company wasn't getting to handle sufficient cargo at berths 2 and 8 and threatened to pull out. After arbitration proceedings, KoPT decided to give preference to the two berths for incoming ships. However, even before a berthing policy could be formulated, the companies handling cargo at the other berths raised a hue and cry and claimed that workers would lose jobs. This led to a crisis with workers' unions starting an agitation. KoPT officials, however, claimed that the handling agents never met them to sort out the issue.

"We are maintaining watch over the situation. I would not like to comment at this moment," said KoPT chairman-in-charge Manish Jain.

AbhishekDatta

September 27th, 2012, 01:14 AM

NTPC plan to fit plant to plot

MEGHDEEP BHATTACHARYYA
Calcutta, Sept. 26: The NTPC is working on a revised plan to set up its 1,600MW thermal power plant in Burdwan on a plot that is half of what it requires.

The Left government had made available 556 acres of the 1,100 acres needed for the project in Katwa. But the Trinamul government asked the utility to either set up the plant on the 556 acres or acquire the remaining land itself.

“The NTPC is willing to work on the 556 acres it already has for the project…. Work should begin in a year or so,” power minister Manish Gupta said in the Assembly today.

The PSU had worked out that it would need 1,100 acres on the basis of the formula that 0.7 acre is needed to produce 1MW.

The NTPC wrote to the government three months ago expressing its inability to purchase land directly.

“We are trying to reduce the land requirement for the project from 0.69 acre per MW to 0.38 acre per MW by decreasing the size of the ash pit by around 400 acres and that of the coal storage facility by around 100 acres. We are also thinking of vertical expansion,” an NTPC official said.

According to sources, the NTPC is thinking of utilising ash that could be outsourced for use in the cement industry, which would reduce the land requirement for storage by around 70 per cent.

“If we can utilise the ash and store less coal, we could make do with 556 acres. We will request the government to acquire around 12 acres more for railway connectivity and water storage,” the NTPC official said.

“If we get the clearance after making a formal proposal, we could begin work next year and finish the project by 2015, a year behind our revised deadline,” he added.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120927/jsp/bengal/story_16023614.jsp#.UGOLz42PUwE

Rajarshi77

September 27th, 2012, 06:37 AM

NiladriG

September 27th, 2012, 06:52 AM

http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=424622&catid=73

State Power Minister Manish Gupta said in the Assembly today that National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) will begin working on the thermal power plant at Katwa within a year.
Replying to a question from CPI-M MLA Shahjahan Chowdhury, Mr Gupta said that 556 acres of land acquired by the previous government had already been handed over to NTPC. But NTPC failed to buy an additional 550 acres land from people, so it has decided to set up two 800 MW units on the 556 acres of land which has already been handed over.
The minister said Unit V of Bandel was being renovated for Rs 652 crore, of which Rs 482 crore would come from the World Bank and the state will pay 26 per cent. He said discussions are underway with a German bank for the renovation of Kolaghat Thermal Power Plant units 1-3 .
Mr Gupta, however, said that a 500 MW thermal power unit which is supposed to come up at Bakreshwar is not feasible at present, because of the lack of a JBIC loan.
Congress MLA D P Roy said Power Grid Corporation has agreed to buy land from farmers for Rs 30 lakh per acre.
Mr Roy said Power Grid has agreed to set up a thermal power plant on 180 acres of land at the cost of Rs 4,500 crore in two moujas in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. :cheers::cheers:

rupakd

September 27th, 2012, 02:32 PM

http://imageshack.us/a/img259/3651/51362052.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/259/51362052.jpg/)

http://www.projectsmonitor.com/ELECTRICITY/bgr-wins-boiler-mandate-for-power-project

AbhishekDatta

September 27th, 2012, 11:14 PM

NTPC denies WB govt's Katwa project claims
Probal Basak & Shine Jacob / Kolkata Sep 28, 2012, 00:09 IST

Hours after the West Bengal government announced that Maharatna major NTPC has bowed to its policy on land acquisition and decided to set up Rs 9,600-crore Katwa project in 556 acres, the company’s chairman denied the claim saying it as “impossible”.

Early on the day, West Bengal Power minister Manish Gupta had announced in the state assembly that NTPC was ready to set up the power plant in 556 acres, compared to 1,030 acres earlier. Last month, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal had even denied the request of the power major to acquire land for them, forcing the firm to reconsider its shelved plan of purchasing land directly for the 1,600 mega watt (2 X 800 MW) project for the first time.

“If you are talking about a 500 MW plant, it is possible. We need atleast 0.7 acres on an average with atleast 1000 acres of land for a 1600 MW project. Otherwise, where will we dispose the ash. As off now, we have asked the state government to help in acquiring atleast 250 acres of additional land,” said Arup Roy Choudhury, Chairman and Managing Director, NTPC.
Choudhury added that the project is possible in 556 acres only if the firm depends completely on imported coal. “We need more land as Indian coal has 50 per cent ash content.

While the state government claimed that the power major will set up plant in 556 acres, sources even said that the firm may go for technical restructuring of the project. Sources even claimed that the firm’s engineering team has given the green signal for setting up the project in a squeezed land, while it would need only an additional 12 acres of land now for railways siding and water treatment.

West Bengal Power Development Corporation (WBPDCL) had acquired 556 acres during the Left regime. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision to stay away from land acquisition for industrial projects prompted NTPC to buy remaining land directly for the proposed thermal power project at Katwa in Burdwan.

The company failed to directly purchase the land without government intervention.

source: BS

NiladriG

September 28th, 2012, 07:03 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Purulia-to-get-1000MW-power-facility/articleshow/16582355.cms

The state power secretary on Thursday said West Bengal will see an investment of Rs 3,700 crore in the power sector over the next five to six years. This includes an investment of Rs 2,500 crore for the second pumped storage in Purulia.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Energy Conclave organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Malay De said: "With a capacity of 1,000MW, this will be the second pumped storage station in Purulia. A project report is being prepared." He spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the Energy Conclave organized by Confederation of Indian industry.

State-run power utility West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd ( WBSEDCL) has already got land for this project. De said such a project will require 100-150 acres. "In case more land is needed, we will take it from the state government. No private land will be required for this," he said.

If everything goes according to the schedule, construction work will start by 2014 and the project is expected to be commissioned by 2019. Once complete, this will be the largest pumped storage station in the state.

If everything goes according to the schedule, construction work for the 1,000 MW pumped storage will start by 2014 and the project is expected to be commissioned by 2019. :cheers:

niljee

September 28th, 2012, 07:23 AM

NTPC denies WB govt's Katwa project claims

source: BS

Now they are resorting to blatant lies.

Rajarshi77

September 28th, 2012, 07:49 AM

NiladriG

September 28th, 2012, 06:32 PM

Now they are resorting to blatant lies.

I guess they don't have any option left but to do some bluffing. :lol:

AbhishekDatta

September 29th, 2012, 03:42 AM

Prasoon group may get SSI land
28 September 2012

The Shyam Steel Industries have been sitting on the plot of land for nearly two years now but
have failed to establish a coal-linkage yet. The project is not being shelved because of non-cooperation by the state government
statesman news service
KOLKATA, 28 SEPT: The state government is contemplating reallocation of a 650-acre plot of land at Raghunathpur, Purulia, to the Universal Success Enterprises Group of Mr Prasoon Mukherjee for building thermal power plants.
The plot was originally allotted to the Shyam Steel Industries (SSI) by the former Left Front government for setting up a steel plant with an annual production capacity of 1.1 million tonne.
The development comes after Shyam Steel Industries wrote to the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation last month, saying it wanted to surrender the land, as banks were not willing to finance the project. Several banks, reportedly, denied backing the proposed steel plant as the project does not have a coal-linkage.
“They (Shyam Steel) have been sitting on the land for nearly two years now. But they failed to establish a coal-linkage yet and have not undertaken any physical activities at the site in all these months. Hence, it is not true that the project is being shelved due to non-cooperation by the state government,” state industries minister Partha Chatterjee said today.
“The Universal Success Group has sought 700-acres of land for building thermal power plants at Raghunathpur. We have decided to allot them the required land and the Shyam Steel's plot could be a part of it. The state Cabinet will soon take a final call,” he added.
If the state government takes this call, it will be the first such case in Bengal's recent industrial history where land allotted to one industry will be reallocated to another.
The state government, however, will have to pay back the Rs 28 crore that Shyam Steel had paid for the long-term lease of the 650-acre plot. The plot was allotted to them by the former government on 13 February 2011 and an investment of about Rs 3,000 crore was proposed.
Sources said following the Coalgate scam, Shyam Steel is not seeing any possibility of getting coal-linkages for the Raghunathpur project other than through auction. This has turned the project unviable for them.

http://thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=424884&catid=42

AbhishekDatta

September 29th, 2012, 03:49 AM

Bengal Cabinet approves 2 deep sea port proposals

KOLKATA, SEPT 28:
West Bengal Commerce and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee on Friday said that the State Cabinet approved the proposals for two deep sea ports.

These ports are proposed to be developed at Sagar and Rasulpur (East Midnapore).

“Our Cabinet has cleared proposals for two deep sea ports in the State,” Chatterjee told reporters while addressing the 158th annual general meeting of Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Minister pointed out that the State Government recently introduced single window clearance facility for investors.

It has also begun filing of documents through electronic route to ensure transparency, he added.

Chatterjee added that the Government has also identified land for development of IT hubs in tier-II and tier-III cities.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3946277.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

Rajarshi77

September 29th, 2012, 07:01 AM

Bengal Cabinet approves 2 deep sea port proposals

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3946277.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

Fishermen may oppose this. Port will hamper fishing and large vessels will eat into the business of small boat men. :nuts:

Suncity

September 29th, 2012, 07:31 AM

Fishermen may oppose this. Port will hamper fishing and large vessels will eat into the business of small boat men. :nuts:

Plus environmentalists will oppose this. They will claim that marine life will die.

And one just has to send this news to Medha Patkar. She will surely rush in to save Bengal's prisitine environment.

NiladriG

September 29th, 2012, 07:40 AM

Bengal Cabinet approves 2 deep sea port proposals

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3946277.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

I have been hearing about the deep sea port since ages, will it ever materialize?

Samrat

September 30th, 2012, 04:43 PM

No industrial development in Bengal since Mamata came to power: Narayanasamy

PTI | Sep 30, 2012, 05.40PM IST

Hitting out at Mamata Banerjee, UPA minister V Narayanasamy has said that there has been no industrial activity in Bengal since the TMC chief came to power.

CHENNAI: Hitting back at West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her criticism of UPA government's policies, Union minister V Narayanasamy on Sunday alleged that no industrial activity has taken place in her state or jobs created since she came to power.

"After Mamata Banerjee came to power in West Bengal, there is no industrial development and no jobs were created. A state cannot remain like that.... The Centre cannot remain like that," the minister of state in PMO told reporters at the airport here.

"Centre has to march forward for the purpose of fulfilling the wishes and aspirations of the people", Narayanasamy said on the eve of Trinamool Congress' demonstration in Delhi to protest the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail, an issue on which it has withdrawn support to the UPA.

Banerjee had alleged on Saturday that "Looting is on in the name of aam admi and reforms".

"Reforms are meant to usher development for the people. Now-a-days, the trend is whenever any anti-people decision is taken, it is taken in the name of reforms," Banerjee had said in her post in Facebook.

TOI - 30.09.2012

soumyajyoti

October 1st, 2012, 07:12 AM

Rajarshi77

October 1st, 2012, 07:19 AM

I wonder where the hell, USE is going to get coal from? If they import from Indonesia or buy through e-auction the price of power produced would be several notches higher.

Absolutely correct. Unless they own some coal mines abroad importing coals doesnt make economic sense.

AbhishekDatta

October 1st, 2012, 06:33 PM

I guess from day 1 itself they have import plan as far as coal is concern...universal crescent power has already secured some deals for coal import and based on that they tried to secure loans and PE funding...

AbhishekDatta

October 1st, 2012, 06:39 PM

I have been hearing about the deep sea port since ages, will it ever materialize?

deep sea port is not a quick fix...couple of months ago only central cabinet fast tracked the project and its now approved by state cabinet...thats the begining..

normally it takes around 6-7 yrs just for the reclaimed land to solidify.. so u have to hear it for some more years to come...

Rajarshi77

October 2nd, 2012, 07:33 AM

I have been hearing about the deep sea port since ages, will it ever materialize?

We take 10 years to build a flyover. To build a deep sea port we will need atleast a century!

NiladriG

October 4th, 2012, 05:57 AM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121004/jsp/frontpage/story_16050806.jsp#.UG0IpE3Mgk8

A Bengal agency has shelved plans to widen state highways after the government’s hands-off land stand cast an ambiguous cloud on its public-private partnership (PPP) policy.

The West Bengal Highway Development Corporation (WBHDC) had engaged Rites, a central engineering consultancy, to carry out a pre-feasibility study before inviting investors to maintain and develop five state highways in the PPP module. This was to be the first phase of a project to improve and develop 19 highways.

The survey, however, will not explore the requirements and opportunities for widening five highways — SH2, SH3, SH4, SH5 and SH12A — that were laid about 40 years ago, sources said.

“The agency will look into the opportunities of drafting in private investors to re-lay and strengthen the existing two-lane roads in the PPP module. The matter of widening the roads will not be explored during the study as land is not available alongside the existing roads,” a senior WBHDC official said.

The PPP policy is silent on the availability of land for projects. Such ambiguity usually gives governments room for manoeuvre on public purposes but the Bengal government’s repeated assertions that it would not acquire land for any private company have made the task of convincing investors all the more difficult.

The WBHDC, the highway development entity, decided against exploring the road-widening opportunities for now after realising it would be a Herculean task to persuade private investors to buy land directly.

“Primarily, it has been found that the existing state highways do not have excess land alongside the roads as land was acquired some 40 to 45 years ago when the concept of four-lane roads hardly existed in this part of the country,” a PWD official said.

A state official said some prospective investors feared that direct acquisition of land would push up the cost. “During informal conversations, some interested investors said they would have to spend around Rs 3 crore to develop every kilometre of the existing roads. If they need to buy land for widening the road, the investment could be around Rs 9-10 crore for each kilometre. They said it will be tough to recover the investment in a short period,” the official said.

Infrastructure experts feel that if widening of the roads is stalled, finding investors interested solely in maintaining the roads will be tough.

“The investors will pump in money only if they are sure of good returns. If the roads are not widened, the investors will be deprived of the opportunity to recover the investments on time. Once a road is widened, the traffic volume increases, which ensures returns,” a city-based infrastructure veteran said.

The volume of traffic on NH2 and NH6 has increased after the lanes were converted to four from two. “Before 2001, when NH6 was converted into a four-lane highway, about 12,000 passenger cars used to ply on the highway daily. Now more than 40,000 passenger cars ply on NH6 daily,” an official of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said. “This is why the NHAI has decided to widen NH6 further and add two more lanes.”

A state government official said the NHAI could widen its roads because a large portion of the land was acquired some 15-20 years ago. “Only about 1,400 hectares have to be acquired. But we don’t have that option,” the state official said.

Another all-too-apparent fallout of failure to widen the state highways will be perpetual traffic snarls. “Once these roads are upgraded, more vehicles will ply on the roads, which would lead to regular traffic snarls. If the situation continues for some time, many vehicles will start avoiding the road, resulting in loss of revenue for the investors,” the expert said.

A senior official at Writers’ Buildings conceded that a similar situation unfolded on NH2 near Panagarh in Burdwan. “A stretch of 3.5km on NH2 in Panagarh could not be converted to four lanes following an agitation by landowners. As a result, regular traffic jams are taking place on that stretch. Now, many Burdwan-bound vehicles are opting for NH2B that goes to Burdwan via Bolpur, avoiding NH2,” he added.

However, PWD officials are still hopeful of drafting in private partners for road maintenance as the government, allergic to user charges, has approved collection of toll tax in the PPP module.

The infrastructure experts pointed out that if private promoters were drafted only to maintain the 19 state highways, all of which are two- lane, it will not help the state improve road connectivity and attract investments in backward areas. :ohno:

Deb_S

October 4th, 2012, 06:26 PM

West Bengal’s ambitious plan to turn its port town of Haldia into a Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) is all set to be formally buried at Thursday’s cabinet meeting with the Centre moving to pull out of the Rs 93,000-crore project.

Although the Centre’s move comes less than two weeks after the Trinamool Congress withdrew support to the UPA government, the decision has its origins in a terse four-line letter from the Mamata Banerjee government dated February 8 that said the state was not interested in pursuing the project, initiated by the previous Left Front government.

“The Government of West Bengal has decided to develop an industrial park, power plant and an eco-tourism park on the Nayachar Island in Haldia, Purba Medinipur district. The state government will, therefore, not develop the project under the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petroleum Investment Region policy of the Government of India,” the letter said.

The PCPIR project would have been the fourth in the country after the three under way in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It was proposed by the Communist government of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and most approvals had been secured in the final months of UPA-I. The formal agreement between the Centre and the state was, however, signed in October 2009.

Under this pact, the state government pledged to invest Rs 48,180 crore while the Centre agreed to put in Rs 2,108 crore. The project entailed a massive physical infrastructure investment of over Rs 18,000 crore to build roads, railways, air links and port connectivity.

The PCPIR was to also have generated about 10 lakh jobs, 4 lakh of which would have been directly linked to the project. The project was to be spread across 250 sq km with about 49 sq km on the Nayachar Island.

However, the Trinamool government was disinterested in the project from the start. According to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the new state government “stopped attending all review meetings”.

Following the February 8 letter, the ministry made it clear that it had “no option but to withdraw” from the project if the state was not keen on implementing it. As a result, after months of inter-ministerial consultations, the government has concluded that it found “no cogent reason to pursue the setting up of a PCPIR in West Bengal”.

Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rs-93000-cr-haldia-petrochem-hub-set-to-be-axed/1011665/0)

Deb_S

October 4th, 2012, 06:33 PM

amibangali

October 4th, 2012, 08:13 PM

Some news about investment scenerio in West Bengal

West Bengal’s investment Miss-fortunes touch new low
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/273775/west-bengals-investment-miss-fortunes.html

Report mocks Mamata’s claim
http://thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=417991&catid=35

The articles are 2 month old but I don't see any major investment declaration after that. The report was being published when TMC was part of UPA

Rajarshi77

October 6th, 2012, 06:32 PM

West Bengal lag behind in creating new foodgrain storage space

As the government’s once again grapples to create additional storage space before paddy procurement starts in full swing, its ambitious programme to create an additional over 18 million tonnes of storage space seems to have made insufficient progress in Jharkhand and West Bengal, the two eastern states, which produce significant quantities of paddy.

The progress has also not been very impressive in Gujarat, Kerala and Uttarakhand.

According to data, provided by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) till August 31, 2012, not a single completed warehouse has been handed over in West Bengal despite the government granting approval for creation of 156,600 tonnes of storage space in the state under the Private Enterprise Guarantee (PEG) scheme.

The data showed that in West Bengal, tenders have been floated for construction of just 29,600 tonnes of storage space, mere 19% of the total sanctioned capacity, while none has been completed as yet. Officials are hopeful that as construction is going on for this 29,600 tonnes space, some quantity would surely come on board by December 2012.

In Jharkhand, too, of the 175,000 tonnes of storage capacity approved by a high level committee, construction of just 40,000 tonnes is in progress. However, the saving grace in case of Jharkhand is that almost 35,000 capacities for which construction is in progress are expected to be completed by December 2012.

http://business-standard.com/india/news/west-bengal-jharkhand-lag-behind-in-creating-new-foodgrain-storage-space/189376/on

Deb_S

October 6th, 2012, 06:46 PM

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government plans to earn around Rs 700 crore a year more through organisational restructuring of the excise and registration of stamp duties departments, State Finance Minister Amit Mitra said.

After a meeting of the West Bengal cabinet here today, Mitra told reporters that the government has decided to restructure both the excise and registration of stamp duties departments.

He said that restructuring of the excise department was last done in 1968.

Mitra said that cost to the government for reorganising the department would be around Rs 2.70 crore, while income would increase by Rs 300 crore each year.

The revenue from the department is around Rs 2,100 crore. The objective is to create more revenue through preventing evasion of duties and sales of illicit liquor.

Regarding the registration of stamp duty department, the restructuring cost would be Rs 3.5 crore, while extra revenue of Rs 400 crore would accrue to the government.

The purpose behind restructuring the department, last done in 1993, was to expedite the registration process, he said.

Source (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance/west-bengal-government-to-earn-rs-700-crore-more-from-excise-stamp-duty-departments/articleshow/16698459.cms)

Suncity

October 10th, 2012, 05:26 AM

Haldia industries

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Speed-up-projects-CM-tells-Partha/articleshow/16745564.cms

On Tuesday, Mamata inaugurated the second PET resin plant of Dhunseri Petrochem and Tea and a logistics park set up by the Apeejay Group in Haldia and urged entrepreneurs to consider cultivation of sunflower in the state with the help of local farmers. The second PET resin plant had been set up at a cost of Rs 400 crore and makes the group the largest such producer in the country. while the investment in the logistics hub was Rs 200 crore.

She also inaugurated JVL Agro's new edible oil plant at Haldia - its first investment in eastern India.

"There is nearly Rs 50,000 crore worth of investments lined up - have of it in Nayacharalone were the work will start soon. Haldia will soon have its own IT hub and industrial hub. This is a people's government and whatever we do is aimed at their interests. But there are some people who obviously don't want it," Partha Chatterjee said.

Subhendu Adhikari said, "The 600MW CESC plant will be operational by 2014. The Haldia Development Authority (of which he is the chairperson) is trying to develop the infrastructure on a war footing. You've seen the roads being renovated, we are also developing the sewerage system. The pollution index is low now and will be brought down further."

Suncity

October 10th, 2012, 05:31 AM

Apeejay widens Kulpi scope

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121010/jsp/business/story_16072935.jsp

: Bengal Shipyard, the joint venture between Apeejay Surrendra Group and Bharati Shipyard, is looking to restructure its Rs 2,000-crore port project at Kulpi from a shipbuilding facility to a marine cluster.

“We are looking to set up a marine cluster at Kulpi. We have 550 acres in our possession. The cluster will include shipbuilding, repair, steel fabrication, unloading and loading facilities, logistics and ancillary,” Apeejay Surrendra group chief Karan Paul today said on the sidelines of the joint inauguration of a logistics park by the Apeejay group and the commencement of the second plant of Dhunseri Petrochem and Tea.

He said the decision to expand the project was taken to achieve a quicker financial closure.

However, the project is yet to receive clearance from the shipping ministry and the Calcutta Port Trust. “The state government is happy with the project, but we have to work with the other agencies to get the approval. Once the clearance comes, we will start work,” Paul said.

The project is likely to require about a year to achieve financial closure. Kulpi will have a better draught than Haldia and will be able to handle large vessels.

Apeejay Infralogistics, a joint venture between Apeejay Surrendra and the UK- based Eredene Capital, today also inaugurated the first phase of its logistics park in Haldia. Involving an investment of Rs 100 crore, the first phase is spread over 45 acres, with 24 acres earmarked for container freight station that will handle 4,000 containers.

Rajarshi77

October 10th, 2012, 09:51 AM

Apeejay widens Kulpi scope

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121010/jsp/business/story_16072935.jsp

Cheers to Karan Paul!! :cheers:

saptarsi

October 11th, 2012, 08:45 PM

JVL Agro Industries announced that Mamata Banarjee, chief minister of West Bengal inaugurated its`s new 1200 MTPD edible oil refinery plant situated at Haldia, West Bengal on Oct. 09, 2012.

This is the biggest and technologically most advanced plant of the company. Further, this project is expected to contribute and strengthen the position of the company in the national edible oil sector and enhance the presence of the company in the Northern, Eastern, Northeastern and Central region markets of India.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till Oct. 10, 2012, 0.00% compared with the Sensex`s 4.86% rise. It underperformed the market in past one quarter, 0.00% as against 5.75% rise in the Sensex.

Shares of the company gained Rs 0.41, or 2.58%, to trade at Rs 16.30. The total volume of shares traded was 6,584 at the BSE (11.30 a.m., Thursday).

Source: http://www.myiris.com Never seen this site before!! (http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/storyShow.php?fileR=20121011114131102&dir=2012/10/11)

Deb_S

October 12th, 2012, 08:41 AM

Promoters:Public Works Department, West Bengal
Cost:Rs. 5.00 Crore
Industry:Road
Stage:Planning
Project Type:Modernisation
Capacity:17 kms Completion Date:N.A.
District:Cooch Behar (West Bengal)

http://www.infrawindow.com/project-images/1344235641_road-upgradation-in-coochbehar-dinhata.jpg

The project involves upgradation of Coochbehar-Dinhata road from 7.00 km to 24.00 km in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal.

AbhishekDatta

October 13th, 2012, 12:26 AM

Rural polls in sight, govt expedites port project

KOLKATA: Smarting under growing investor weariness, the Mamata Banerjee government has prioritized the big-ticket deep sea project and may shortlist Amma Lines Ltd, the flagship company of the Mumbai-based Meka Group, for its implementation. Amma Lines has been partnering with the Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Logistics for setting up the Rewas Port in Maharashtra.

The chief minister, sources said, wants to launch the port project ahead of the panchayat polls to silence those questioning her resolve to generate jobs. At least 1,000 people could be employed here, directly and indirectly.

With the state Cabinet clearing the deep sea project, the government now finds it convenient to respond to the proposal sent by the group earlier this week because majority of the land, the most contentious subject in the Trinamool-run Bengal government, is already vested. There is room for land reclamation to rule out acquisition even by the private player.

Around 800 acres of vested land at Rosulpur, near Haldia in East Midnapore, will come handy for the project. The rest may be purchased directly by the Meka Group.

According to officials, it was more practicable to choose Amma Lines not only because of its reputation as a developer of private ports but since the company has already carried out a techno-feasibility study for the project in Bengal. It was about to sign an agreement with the erstwhile Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government in 2010. The proposed investment at that time was Rs 6,000 crore.

Sources said the deep sea port is in the offing with some ancillary units. As per the already conducted techno-economic feasibility study, the port would have a draft of 17 to 18 metre to accommodate 50,000 to 60,000-tonne ships.

Sources also said Amma Lines CMD Vijay Papa Rao wants to meet state industries minister Partha Chatterjee soon. Rao is already familiar with the Bengal government. In its earlier proposal, the company was looking at a Rs 1,500 crore initial investment and had planned four berths, two of which would be container and the other two bulk berths.

The commerce and industry department has also proposed upgrading the two-lane state highway connecting Haldia and Contai to a four-lane one for the upcoming project.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Rural-polls-in-sight-govt-expedites-port-project/articleshow/16790279.cms

AbhishekDatta

October 13th, 2012, 08:34 AM

To get Centre’s nod, govt reworks Nayachar project

Fresh look CRZ norms to be abided, power plant may be shifted out

The Trinamool Congress government is paying heed to the objections raised by the Ministry of Environment and Forest on its ambitious Rs 26,000 crore project in Nayachar. Accordingly, the state government has asked the promoters of the project — the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) and the New Kolkata International Development (NKID) — to rework the plan so as to get the environmental clearance.

The new approach comes after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s visit to the area earlier this week when after reviewing several projects, she had accused the Centre of “trying to subvert industrial development” in the area on environmental reasons.

Following her party’s decision to walk out of the UPA government over the issue of FDI in retail, she had slammed the Union government for “dilly-dallying on sanctioning projects” for the region.

However, the state government has now realised that to make the project a reality it has to make certain changes, among which meeting the criteria laid down by Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Act.

“The entire area of Nayachar island that falls under CRZ Act is about 19,000 acres. As per the Act, one cannot do any construction within 500 metres of the sea coast. So, we are leaving that area, which amounts to about 5,000 acres. We will go ahead with our project in the remaining area of 14,000 acres. Our Chief Minister has publicly said that no one can prevent development of Nayachar as it will generate a lot of employment opportunities. Mamata has told us categorically to go whole hog on this,’’ said Suvendu Adhikary, chairman of Haldia Development Authority and Trinamool MP from Tamluk.

“It is evident that the central government is playing a mischief. But now that we are accepting the CRZ norms and they should not have any problem in granting clearance,’’ Adhikary said.

Sources said the government is planning to shift the proposed power plant from Nayachar to Raghunathpur in Purulia district to allay the Environment Ministry’s concern. However, Adhikary said that he was not aware of such a proposal.

“I have no information regarding this. I will go ahead in accordance with the advice of the Chief Minister,’’ he said.

Officials of Commerce and Industries Department said Prasun Mukherjee of NKID has been called for consultation.

The previous Left Front government had entered into an agreement with NKID under Salim Group of Indonesia on July 31, 2006 to build among other things a chemical hub at Nandigram in East Midnapore district.

Following protest by the farmers over land acquisition in Nandigram, the PCPIR (Petroleum, Chemicals and Petro-chemicals Investment Region) project was shifted to Nayachar, a year later. However, the Trinamool Congress which was then in opposition protested against the setting up of a chemical hub at Nayachar.

Five months after the Trinamool came to power in the state, an agreement was signed on November 3, 2011 by state government, the NKID, the WBIDC, the Prafulla Chandra Roy (PCR) Chemicals and Universal Success Ltd for the development of Nayachar island.

It also sent an application to the Central government requesting for cancellation of the status of PCPIR and granting environmental clearance.

While the Union Cabinet has accepted the first application cancelling the PCPIR status, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has not taken a decision on it and had expressed certain reservations.

As per the project plan for Nayachar island that was laid down by Commerce and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee in the Assembly, the total initial investment will be Rs 26,000 crore.

While Rs 12,000 crore will be spent on power plant, Rs 12,000 crore will be on an industrial hub and Rs 2,000 will be on tourism project. For the first annual lease rent for the land, a cheque amounting to Rs 59, 94, 610 lakh has been received by the state government from the PCR Chemicals this year.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/to-get-centre-s-nod-govt-reworks-nayachar-project/1016200/0

Deb_S

October 14th, 2012, 04:24 AM

Deb_S

October 14th, 2012, 04:27 AM

KOLKATA: The Bengal government's standing committee on infrastructure development and industry on Saturday approved investments to the tune of Rs 6,050 crore by four companies in the manufacturing sector.:banana: The companies are Power Grid Corporation, SPS Steel and Power Ltd, ACC Cement and Ankit Metals and Power Ltd.:cheers:

Industries minister Partha Chatterjee said after the meeting the group of ministers responded positively to the applications of the four companies for setting up industrial units in the state. "We are also reconsidering the application of Sobha Ispat," Chatterjee said. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee presided over the meeting at Writers' Buildings.

"We have already said that the government will not acquire land forcibly. But the government will always encourage those who have land and who want to set up industries here. We have been saying that if the projects are acceptable to the chief minister, all applications to set up industries will be approved," Chatterjee said.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/West-Bengal-clears-investments-of-Rs-6050cr-by-4-firms/articleshow/16805155.cms)

Finally after a long long time read a really good news about Bengal, felt so nice..:cheers:
Kisi ki nazar na lage...:ohno:

anan355

October 15th, 2012, 07:50 AM

KOLKATA: The Bengal government's standing committee on infrastructure development and industry on Saturday approved investments to the tune of Rs 6,050 crore by four companies in the manufacturing sector.:banana: The companies are Power Grid Corporation, SPS Steel and Power Ltd, ACC Cement and Ankit Metals and Power Ltd.:cheers:

Industries minister Partha Chatterjee said after the meeting the group of ministers responded positively to the applications of the four companies for setting up industrial units in the state. "We are also reconsidering the application of Sobha Ispat," Chatterjee said. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee presided over the meeting at Writers' Buildings.

"We have already said that the government will not acquire land forcibly. But the government will always encourage those who have land and who want to set up industries here. We have been saying that if the projects are acceptable to the chief minister, all applications to set up industries will be approved," Chatterjee said.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/West-Bengal-clears-investments-of-Rs-6050cr-by-4-firms/articleshow/16805155.cms)

SPS Group had proposed to set up the steel plant in Bankura during Bengal Leads 2012. Good that it is shaping up. Its a Rs. 2000 core project. The company is building a 110 mw power plant, a pelletization plant with a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum, a coke oven plant with a capacity of 0.5 mt per annum and an iron ore beneficiation plant with a capacity of 1.7 mt per annum.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-11/kolkata/30615307_1_bilateral-trade-coke-oven-plant-steel-plant

NiladriG

October 15th, 2012, 01:35 PM

SPS Group had proposed to set up the steel plant in Bankura during Bengal Leads 2012. Good that it is shaping up. Its a Rs. 2000 core project. The company is building a 110 mw power plant, a pelletization plant with a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum, a coke oven plant with a capacity of 0.5 mt per annum and an iron ore beneficiation plant with a capacity of 1.7 mt per annum.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-11/kolkata/30615307_1_bilateral-trade-coke-oven-plant-steel-plant

First let investment materialise, lot of proposals come which gets stuck after sometime. What about the land requirement? Is the land already with the state govt?

anan355

October 15th, 2012, 06:33 PM

First let investment materialise, lot of proposals come which gets stuck after sometime. What about the land requirement? Is the land already with the state govt?

As far as I remember SPS already has the land.
I think all these 4 companies are going for direct purchase of land like what Tata Metalliks did in Kharagpur.

AbhishekDatta

October 15th, 2012, 09:27 PM

:dunno::coffee:
NTPC denies WB govt's Katwa project claims
Probal Basak & Shine Jacob / Kolkata Sep 28, 2012, 00:09 IST

Hours after the West Bengal government announced that Maharatna major NTPC has bowed to its policy on land acquisition and decided to set up Rs 9,600-crore Katwa project in 556 acres, the company’s chairman denied the claim saying it as “impossible”.

Early on the day, West Bengal Power minister Manish Gupta had announced in the state assembly that NTPC was ready to set up the power plant in 556 acres, compared to 1,030 acres earlier. Last month, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal had even denied the request of the power major to acquire land for them, forcing the firm to reconsider its shelved plan of purchasing land directly for the 1,600 mega watt (2 X 800 MW) project for the first time.

“If you are talking about a 500 MW plant, it is possible. We need atleast 0.7 acres on an average with atleast 1000 acres of land for a 1600 MW project. Otherwise, where will we dispose the ash. As off now, we have asked the state government to help in acquiring atleast 250 acres of additional land,” said Arup Roy Choudhury, Chairman and Managing Director, NTPC.
Choudhury added that the project is possible in 556 acres only if the firm depends completely on imported coal. “We need more land as Indian coal has 50 per cent ash content.

While the state government claimed that the power major will set up plant in 556 acres, sources even said that the firm may go for technical restructuring of the project. Sources even claimed that the firm’s engineering team has given the green signal for setting up the project in a squeezed land, while it would need only an additional 12 acres of land now for railways siding and water treatment.

West Bengal Power Development Corporation (WBPDCL) had acquired 556 acres during the Left regime. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision to stay away from land acquisition for industrial projects prompted NTPC to buy remaining land directly for the proposed thermal power project at Katwa in Burdwan.

The company failed to directly purchase the land without government intervention.

source: BS

NTPC super critical thermal plant to use 32% less land
Monday, 15 Oct 2012

The Economic Times reported that NTPC, India's biggest power generator is designing a new layout for a 1,600 MW super critical thermal plant that will require 32% less land.

NTPC said that the new design would reduce land requirement for generating 1MW of power to 0.47 acre from the current 0.7 to 0.8 acre. Thus, it would be possible to build a 1,600 MW power plant on just 750 acre against 1,100 acre needed now.

Mr Arup Roy Choudhury chairman of NTPC said that "We are working on a new layout for a critical thermal power plant and we intend to use it at the Katwa power project in West Bengal. Here we already have 556 acre. Another 200 acre is all that we need for the 1,600 MW plant."

Another executive at the power generator said that all the major plant components can be set up on the land NTPC already has but, the company would require right of way for transporting water from the Bhagirathi River. Besides, land would be needed for setting up a railway link for carrying coal to the plant. This would be about 20 acre of contiguous land.

Some company executives said NTPC would, however, save on land required for the fly ash pond, switch yard and the coal stock yard. These three components occupy bulk of the land in traditional power plants.

While the area stipulated by the Central Electricity Authority for storing fly ash is about 450 acre, the new plant layout would use just about 200 acre for it.

NTPC executive said that "This, however, assumes that the entire fly ash generated by the plant can be sold off or taken away for other use within a short period and it will be generated in a form that will not lead to air pollution."

Source - The Economic Times

http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/NTPC_super_critical_thermal_plant_to_use_32_percent_less_land/287667.html

NiladriG

October 17th, 2012, 06:59 AM

deleted

rupakd

October 17th, 2012, 07:01 AM

Network Industries yet to achieve financial closure

Network Industries which is planning to set up a cotton yarn unit with a capacity of 60,000 kg per month at Bauria in Howrah district of West Bengal, has not yet achieved financial closure for the project. The project which will also include 12 MW rice husk based captive power unit is estimated to cost Rs 450 crore. The company is planning to fund the project through a debt equity ratio of 2:1. According to the available information the process of land acquisition has been completed and the company is waiting for necessary approvals.

The company is presently has a manufacturing unit at Tirpur in Tamil Nadu. The company, belonging to Kolkata-based Jhawar family, manufactures both inner and outer wears.

http://www.projectsmonitor.com/TEXTILE/network-industries-yet-to-achieve-financial-closure

anan355

October 17th, 2012, 07:14 AM

:dunno::coffee:

NTPC super critical thermal plant to use 32% less land
Monday, 15 Oct 2012

The Economic Times reported that NTPC, India's biggest power generator is designing a new layout for a 1,600 MW super critical thermal plant that will require 32% less land.

NTPC said that the new design would reduce land requirement for generating 1MW of power to 0.47 acre from the current 0.7 to 0.8 acre. Thus, it would be possible to build a 1,600 MW power plant on just 750 acre against 1,100 acre needed now.

Mr Arup Roy Choudhury chairman of NTPC said that "We are working on a new layout for a critical thermal power plant and we intend to use it at the Katwa power project in West Bengal. Here we already have 556 acre. Another 200 acre is all that we need for the 1,600 MW plant."

Another executive at the power generator said that all the major plant components can be set up on the land NTPC already has but, the company would require right of way for transporting water from the Bhagirathi River. Besides, land would be needed for setting up a railway link for carrying coal to the plant. This would be about 20 acre of contiguous land.

Some company executives said NTPC would, however, save on land required for the fly ash pond, switch yard and the coal stock yard. These three components occupy bulk of the land in traditional power plants.

While the area stipulated by the Central Electricity Authority for storing fly ash is about 450 acre, the new plant layout would use just about 200 acre for it.

NTPC executive said that "This, however, assumes that the entire fly ash generated by the plant can be sold off or taken away for other use within a short period and it will be generated in a form that will not lead to air pollution."

Source - The Economic Times

http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/NTPC_super_critical_thermal_plant_to_use_32_percent_less_land/287667.html

I am wondering if this person Mr. Arup Roy Choudhury, chairman of NTPC, is a sane or an insane fellow. No wonder why our PSUs execute things so inefficiently when the boss himself confidently gives conflicting statements within a short span of time.

AbhishekDatta

October 17th, 2012, 08:49 PM

:popcorn:

AbhishekDatta

October 17th, 2012, 08:52 PM

Bengal govt decides to sell its 40% stake in Haldia

Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Wednesday formally announced that it will sell its 40% stake in Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) through an auction.
A government order to that effect will be issued soon, the state’s commerce and industries minister Partha Chatterjee said on Wednesday.
However, the Calcutta high court in a recent order asked the state government and The Chatterjee Group (TCG), HPL’s other promoter, to maintain status quo until all outstanding disputes being heard by it are resolved.
This means that though the state government may start preparing for the stake sale, it will not be able to conclude the transaction without the court’s clearance.
TCG and the state government have been fighting legal battles for at least seven years over control and ownership of HPL. Disputes arose from the aborted transfer of the state’s stake to TCG.
The state will honour TCG’s first right of refusal on its shares, according to the minister. TCG, which owns 41% in the firm, will be given an opportunity to buy the shares held by West Bengal Industrial Development Corp. Ltd but it will have to match the price offered by the highest bidder, said Partha Chatterjee. He is also HPL’s chairman.
HPL’s managing director Sumantra Choudhury said he hadn’t yet received a copy of the said Calcutta high court order, but he was confident that it will not affect the state government’s plan to sell its stake. Choudhury wants the state government to expedite the stake sale because HPL’s finances are in a shambles and the management is struggling to keep its plant running.

HPL is struggling to cope with acute working capital shortage and mounting losses. Banks have said they wouldn’t lend to the firm, which is currently indebted to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore, unless a strategic investor was brought in.

A panel of ministers headed by West Bengal’s finance minister Amit Mitra recently advised the state government that it should wash its hands of the beleaguered firm. For almost a year, the state government has been saying that it will sell its stake in HPL through an auction, but it is only now that a formal decision has been made.
TCG last month wrote to the ministerial panel opposing the proposed auction. It said there was no provision under HPL’s articles of association to determine the valuation of the state government’s stake through competitive bidding.
The minister’s statement to the media on Wednesday indicates that its views have been rejected by the state government.

With a formal notification being issued, TCG now has the option of moving court to stall the proposed sale of shares, but according to HPL’s former managing director Partha S. Bhattacharyya, the company is unlikely to survive another protracted legal battle. Bhattacharyya said so in a formal note to HPL’s board several months ago.
A spokesperson for TCG wasn’t immediately available for comments.

http://www.livemint.com/Companies/Vjp6RxX2UYTBFjyUmCF9FN/Bengal-govt-decides-to-sell-its-40-stake-in-Haldia.html

Deb_S

October 19th, 2012, 07:25 AM

http://www.indiablooms.com/big_images/7720_mamata.jpg
New Delhi, Apr 10 (IBNS) The Annual Plan for the year 2012-13 for West Bengal was finalised here on Tuesday at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The plan size has been agreed at Rs. 25910 crore.

In his comments on the performance of the state, Ahluwalia appreciated the efforts to improve plan utilisation with focus on inclusive growth. :dunno:

He said more focused attention was needed to improve social infrastructure. Attention was drawn to regional disparities and it was pointed that a significant part of the state is relatively more backward economically, and also tends to be less advanced in term of human development.

He said the commission was willing to participate in State’s effort of expediting development process and offered to partner in pilot projects in the infrastructure sector so as to have demonstrative impact.

Ahluwalia said the commission was working on finalising 12th plan and would welcome suggestions from the State Government on initiatives needed to improve effectiveness of the centrally sponsored schemes.

He said health and education would continue to have focus during the plan. Need to explore PPP model in development of social sector was also stressed.

The state government was appreciated for the priorities outlined in the draft 12th plan and it was appreciated that science and technology was being taken as a driver for socio-economic development.

On the economic front it was noticed that the Gross State Domestic Product (GSPD) at the constant (2004-05) prices increased from Rs. 208656 crore in 2004-05 to Rs. 340234 crore in 2011-12. In terms of GSDP growth rate the State has shown upward trend except 2008-09 and 2010-11. :okay::cheers:

Overall, the growth rate which was 6.29% in 2005-06, it increased to 7.06% in 2011-12. The per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) increased from Rs. 22649 in 2004-05 to Rs. 34229 in the year 2011-12.

The growth rate of agriculture and allied sector showed an upward trend ranging between 2% to 6% except 2008-09 where it was negative i.e. -2.21%. The growth rate in industry was uneven. Even the growth in service sector has not shown any dramatic change over the period of time and it stagnated at 9%-10%.:bash:

Briefing the Commission on the development strategy of West Bengal, Banerjee said that despite financial constraints the state has grown at a rate of 11.76 per cent.:lol:

She said her government was aiming at inclusive growth with sustainable development so as create adequate employment opportunities and food security to all. Improving agriculture would be a major priority of the State Government and it would aim at achieving four per cent growth through enhanced irrigation and flood control capacity.

She said efforts are on to rebuild industrial sector for which focus is on skill development and infrastructure development.

She said development of social and infrastructure is on the top priority of the government and private sector is being encouraged to join in this effort of the Government through public private partnership route. In the rural development target is to reduce poverty to 25-28 per cent from 43 per cent.

Rate of payment under MGNREGA has been raised to Rs 135 per day.

At least 65 lakh BPL household will be covered under the scheme.

The state government has requested Government of India to include three more districts in the central list of backward districts so that development in these districts can be funded under BRGF.

She said 75 new schools with residential facility are being set up.

On development of Sundarban, she said the proposal includes connecting every island to be connected through fast, safe and affordable boat service. All inhabited centres to be connected with good roads and bridges. :okay:

Source (http://www.indiablooms.com/BusinessDetailsPage/2012/businessDetails100412e.php)

anan355

October 20th, 2012, 01:12 PM

Kolkata: The state standing committee on industry on Friday cleared competitive bidding process for selecting private partner for the proposed deep sea port in Rosulpur,35 kms away from Haldia.It has entrusted West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC),the nodal agency for industries,to conduct the bidding process.

Some leading shipping as well as construction companies had evinced interest in this much-talked-about deep sea port in last six-seven years.These include Mumbai-based Meka Group,Essar Shipping,Shapoorji Pallonji,Singapore-based Universal Success Enterprises (USE).However,state commerce and industries minister Partha Chatterjee on Friday told TOI that it would pursue a transparent process to induct a partner in this public-private-partnership (PPP) model for the deep sea port project.Everything will be done through competitive bidding.The selection will be based on merits, he added.

The proposed deep sea port will be constructed largely by reclaiming land from sea.According to Chatterjee,WBIDC will appoint a transaction adviser for the bidding once the festive season is over.We have empanelled nine transaction advisers.One will be selected after Diwali, he added.The transaction adviser will select a partner through three stage bidding process.
There will be request for participation (RFP) followed by technical and financial bids.We shall float global tender for RFP, sources said.

Chatterjee said land acquisition will not be required for the proposed port as there is more than 800 acres vested land in the area.There will be land reclamation from sea as well by dredging sands from the bed.This is why this location was identified.The draft of the port will be 16-17 metre, he added.
Meka Group,the joint venture partner of Reliance Industries in Rewas Ports Ltd in Maharashtra,had conducted a technofeasibility study during the left regime in 2010 for the deep sea port.According to the study,the total investment required for the port would be Rs 6000 crore in two phases for setting up the deep sea port.It had estimated a land requirement of 3,000 acres for the port.The Rasulpur port would have enough draft to handle 50,000-60,000 tonne cargo,which Haldia cannot handle with its present draft.

This port will reduce logistics cost for the entire east and north-eastern states, Chatterjee added.There will be four berths,two of which would be container and the other two bulk berths at the proposed deep sea port.The commerce and industry department has also proposed upgrade of the two-lane state highway connecting Kolkata with Haldia and a four-lane one from Haldia to the upcoming project.

Source (http://mobilepaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=25&sectid=edid=&edlabel=TOIKM&mydateHid=20-10-2012&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Kolkata&edname=&articleid=Ar02502&publabel=TOI)

Deb_S

October 25th, 2012, 11:01 PM

New Delhi, Oct 24:

Proposals worth over Rs 392 crore for 29 minority districts in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand have been approved by the Empowered Committee for multi-sectoral development programme in the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Of the 29 district plans that were approved for the 12th Plan period, 16 were from Uttar Pradesh, nine from West Bengal and four from Jharkhand, according to an official release here.

The minority districts in U.P. that stand to gain are Pilibhit, Moradabad, Sambhal, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Balrampur, Barabanki, Bareilly, Bijnor, Budaun, Lucknow, Rampur, Shahjahanpur, Shrawasti, Siddharth Nagar, J.P. Nagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad and Hapur.

In West Bengal, the plans were approved for Birbhum, Burdwan, Murshidabad, Nadia, Uttar Dinajpur, South 24 Parganas, Cooch Behar, North 24 Parganas and Dakshin Dinajpur. In Jharkhand, the districts whose plans were cleared are Sahibganj, Simdega, Pakur and Khunti.

The two districts whose proposals were not approved are Bahraich from U.P. and Sirsa from Haryana.

Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/plans-worth-rs-392-cr-cleared-in-bengal-jharkhand-up/article4028190.ece)

NiladriG

October 28th, 2012, 07:39 AM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121028/jsp/frontpage/story_16131304.jsp#.UIzEYcXMgk8

Central power utility NTPC has asked the Bengal government to acquire land for its project in Katwa, a request that reopens a chapter closed by Mamata Banerjee at a time the equations have changed in Delhi.

The company had last month decided to somehow fit the 1,600MW thermal power plant into the 556 acres it was allotted during Left rule after the Mamata government refused to help it acquire “even an inch of land” in June 2011. Ideally, the project needs 1,100 acres.

However, the power company has now realised it “cannot make do with less than 700 acres” if it has to clear the Centre’s environment guidelines and the state’s own feasibility assessment, a senior NTPC official told The Telegraph.

Bengal was “informally” requested for around 150 acres a few weeks ago and “we are awaiting a response”, he said.

“NTPC officials have almost decided not to pursue the project unless the state arranges some more land,” a power sector source said.

If the Katwa project is shelved, it is unlikely to have any immediate impact — a testimony to the grim state of affairs in a Bengal that is “power-surplus” because of the paucity of industry that needs energy.

The twists and turns of the Katwa project also reflect the tumult in Bengal over industrialisation.

The project was conceived in 2006 during the Left’s industrialisation drive whose success would have raised the demand for power. It was handed over to NTPC in December 2010 after state-run generation utility WBPDCL was hobbled by a funds crunch and resistance from Trinamul-backed Katwa landowners.

But with the new government failing to bring private industry, mainly because of its hands-off land policy, the demand for power has fallen and Mamata doesn’t need to worry about raising generation capacity. Even the promises of investment by Central PSUs are unlikely to materialise, given Trinamul’s exit from the UPA.

“When the WBPDCL is generating 500MW below capacity (because of low demand) in October, long before winter’s onset, the chief minister doesn’t need to yield to the NTPC. But lack of growth in power demand is not something a state should be happy about,” a bureaucrat said.

In September, NTPC had decided to reduce the land requirement by 500 acres by shortening the ash pit from 600 acres to 200 acres and cutting the coal storage facility by 100 acres, a Writers’ source said. But though this was a possibility “on paper”, it would not have passed the state’s feasibility assessment, he added.

“Without an ash pit of at least 400 acres, the Union environment ministry’s clearance too would have been hard to get,” the source said.

NTPC sources said the utility had considered sending out the ash for use by the state’s cement factories to reduce the land requirement for the ash pit. But to dispose of even half the 32 lakh tonnes of ash the plant would have generated annually, the utility would need to find cement units with manufacturing capacity of 50 lakh tonnes a year.

“The annual cement production in Bengal is 80 lakh tonnes, and there is no scope for absorption of such a huge volume of ash from a new source,” a state bureaucrat said.

Power department experts said sending the ash to other states, or to Bangladesh for use in brick-making, by road or waterways would have been shot down by the Union environment ministry because of potential environment hazards.

Power minister Manish Gupta, who had said last month that NTPC was willing to work with the land it had and work would begin next year, was unavailable for comment. NTPC sources said work could begin next year if the state cooperated and finish by 2015, a year behind the revised deadline. :ohno:

Deb_S

October 28th, 2012, 09:41 PM

Amit to showcase Bengal in London

KOLKATA: The Mamata Banerjee government is making all efforts to hardsell Bengal. Come November 6 and state finance minister Amit Mitra will be off to London to attend the investors' round table summit to showcase the business and tourism prospects of Bengal. The minister will be accompanied by industrialists.

State tourism secretary Vikram Sen said the round table meet was being organized by the UK-India Business Council. "Not only business, other prospects of the state like tourism, infrastructure and IT will be showcased in the meet," he said.

The tourism department has in fact started preparing a number of tourism packages to attract visitors. One of the packages will centre round river Ganga. Under this, guest houses will be built at Gangasagar and initiatives will also be taken to promote river tourism from Burdwan, Bishnupur, Bankura and Purulia. A map is being prepared to this effect which will throw light on how Ganga can be used to develop tourism, said a tourism department official.

Besides, the authorities are also working on introducing single-window clearance for tourism, in coordination with the forest and municipal affairs departments, to deal with complaints against unregistered hotels. A 200 -room five-star hotel is set to come up in Darjeeling.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Amit-to-showcase-Bengal-in-London/articleshow/16986581.cms)

NiladriG

November 1st, 2012, 07:04 AM

WB Singured again!!!

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121101/jsp/frontpage/story_16146502.jsp#.UJIAWsXMgk8

Private cargo handler Haldia Bulk Terminals (HBT) has announced its decision to pull out, yanking back into the foreground the “Singur syndrome” that has been clouding the Bengal government’s efforts to attract job-generating projects.

The judiciary is now expected to play a decisive role in bringing closure to the Haldia controversy with the Calcutta Port Trust (CPT) rejecting the termination of the contract by HBT.

A settlement may or may not be reached eventually. But the pullout announcement a day after chief minister Mamata Banerjee declared that “nothing happened” in Haldia became a lightning rod for a debate on the industrial environment in Bengal.

The HBT announcement came days after its three employees were allegedly taken away from a flat at gunpoint and packed off from Haldia.

HBT, a joint venture between shipping and port player ABG Group and LDA of France, today informed Calcutta High Court of its decision to terminate the 10-year contract with the CPT to handle cargo in two berths at the Haldia port. Eight years of the contract are remaining and HBT had invested Rs 160 crore in installing six mechanised cranes and earth-moving equipment.

The project initially threw up 725 jobs — largely under local political pressure — but 275 workers were laid off last month as volume of business slumped because of the downturn and amid suggestions that cargo-handling was being diverted to a company with ties to Trinamul. Around 350 employees remain on the roster at the time of the pullout announcement.

HBT today blamed the “ever-worsening” law and order in Haldia for terminating the contract.

The CPT declined to accept the termination letter and asked HBT to report to work. Port chairman Manish Jain threatened to slap a penalty on HBT for loss of business.

Lawyers said the ability to prove sufficient ground for termination would decide if a fine would have to be paid. The court will now decide if there was sufficient ground — a parallel with the Singur case that has now reached the Supreme Court.

Justice Sambuddha Chakrabarty of Calcutta High Court said he would hear the Haldia case on November 2.

Although the profile and the sweep of the Tata Motors’ abandoned project in Singur and the Haldia venture cannot be compared, the circumstances that led to the flashpoints are marked by the alleged use of force and political blessings.

“That (the abduction) was the last nail on coffin. We have been working under threats anyway. But it is now impossible to work anymore. How can I ask my people to go to Haldia if I cannot go myself?” asked Gurpreet Malhi, the chief executive officer of HBT.

However, industries minister Partha Chatterjee said: “ABG (the parent company of HBT) did not have any agreement with the state government. Ask the port authorities. We are aware of what industrialists think of Bengal.”

Such a neutral stand in public and eventual behind-the-scenes persuasion could have helped resolve the issue. But Trinamul leaders chose to dictate terms.

The chief minister compounded the problem when she asserted yesterday that “nothing happened”, only to add in the next breath that “I do not know the details”.

HBT today sought the court’s permission to remove the heavy equipment but the CPT said it would not allow that. The port also threatened to float a fresh tender if HBT did not start work.

CPT sources said HBT was a “crippled child from birth”, saying it quoted extremely low and uneconomical rates to win the contract. (The bidder who quotes the least price to handle cargo bags the tender.) “It would have pulled out anyway,” a CPT official added.

Industry sources said if that indeed was the case, the government should have ensured that it did not play into the hands of the company by allowing Trinamul to interfere and gifting HBT an excuse with wide implications for the image of the state.

HBT chief Malhi said the company lost Rs 60 crore in the past two years — a possible reflection of the low quotes. But other company sources said ABG was known to quote low rates and make profits from higher volumes: they cited an example in Vizag where the high volume surpassed the estimates of initially sceptical port officials and helped ABG post profits.

When the pie shrank in Haldia, probably because of the downturn and the mining freeze, allegations surfaced that entrenched players were being favoured. The entry of Trinamul, keen to shore up support after the civic poll blow in Haldia, changed the complexion of the dispute and has now boomeranged.

soumyajyoti

November 1st, 2012, 07:56 AM

Flight of industrialists out of the city is not at all acceptable, particularly becasue of the kind of impression of the business climate that it creates.

However my personal opinion is it is wrong to correlate Singur with what is happening at Haldia. Singur was a different proposition that had the potential to change the industrial map of Bengal, HBT moving out is certainly not of the same magnitude or concern.

However, it is bad.

NiladriG

November 4th, 2012, 07:29 AM

Amit to showcase Bengal in London

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Amit-to-showcase-Bengal-in-London/articleshow/16986581.cms)

Showcase what? Poverty, unemployment and how to drive out businesses quickly. :nuts:

NiladriG

November 4th, 2012, 07:31 AM

Ma, mati manush er circus, oops "sarkar"

http://imageshack.us/a/img10/308/04zzhaldiabig.jpg

NiladriG

November 4th, 2012, 06:00 PM

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/mamata-govt-ignored-port-authoritys-cries-for-help/1026553/

When Haldia Bulk Terminals (HBT), promoted by ABG-LAD, announced its decision to pull out of Haldia dock on October 31, the West Bengal government brushed it off as a dispute between the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) authority and a private cargo handling firm. Steering clear of the issue, state commerce and industries minister Partha Chatterjee said the state government was not bothered about the exit as it was on the right path to industrialisation. :nuts:
But documents accessed by The Sunday Express show that the KoPT authority had sought the state government’s intervention in the matter. On September 7 this year, KoPT acting chairman Manish Jain sent a letter to then chief secretary Samar Ghosh stating: “We need intervention of the state government at appropriate level to address their (HBT) issue of large work force and local law and order problems, as any disruption to the smooth operation of the port at these two berths will also affect many steel and allied industries and power plants in the hinterland.”

Jain further wrote: “Apart from causing colossal loss (financial and goodwill) to the port and the port users, this may also cause law and order problems inside and outside the port area. Besides, it may lead to diversion of cargo to other ports due to non-availability of alternate mechanised facilities at Haldia Dock Complex.”

But the state government failed to respond, and HBT pulled out of Haldia. The Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) has already lost business to the tune of over Rs 15 crore, even if one takes into account a minimum handling of 20,000 tonnes of cargo for the period of closure from mid-September in berths 2 & 8 — the two mechanised berths operated by HBT.

Jain marked a copy of his letter to local MP Suvendu Adhikari also. While there was no response in this regard, The Sunday Express also has documents that show how Adhikari intervened in the port authority’s endeavour to allot more cargo to HBT as per its demand.

In a letter to the KoPT authority on September 20 this year, a senior port manager noted: “At about 09.46 hrs, the hon’ble MP Sri Suvendu Adhikari had called the undernamed over mobile phone and wanted to know the reasons for berthing of M V Nanos (a ship carrying coking coal) at berth 8, when the importer has opted to work the vessel under the non-mechanised system... at berths other than 2 & 8. He has also stated that he will not tolerate such action of the HDC and will take action to put a lock at Jawahar tower office and also gherao Chiranjabpur office. He also stated that even if the cargo is unloaded from the ship, he will not allow a single truck of cargo to move out of the port...”

The direction was clearly to allot the ship to the other berths, which are operated by Ripley & Company, owned by the family of Swapan Sadhan (Tutu) Bose, a former Trinamool Congress-backed Rajya Sabha member. His son, Srinjoy, is a sitting Rajya Sabha member backed by the TMC.

Many such instances contributed to the present crisis at the Haldia Dock Complex, which is now battling closure. The dwindling revenue and falling draught level also played a role.

The cargo volume has shown a sharp decrease from 44 million tonnes in 2007-08 to 31 million tonnes in 2012. During the same period, profits fell from Rs 432 crore to Rs 89 crore.

Under these circumstances, the HBT’s mechanised operations appeared to be the most productive option, as is evident from a comparison of the operational profiles of the two companies.

HBT (ABG-LDA joint venture)

Was engaged in 2009 through a tender process, their bid was Rs 75 per tonne of cargo (combined average of berths 2 & 8). The users of these berths are charged as per the rates fixed by the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP).

The TAMP-approved tariff at berths 2 & 8 is Rs 227 (Rs 152 for KoPT, Rs 75 for HBT) per tonne of dry bulk cargo. This amount was being realised by KoPT from users like SAIL, Tata Steel, NTPC. KoPT was earning the highest revenue from the two berths.

Since starting operations in September 2010, HBT-operated berths registered the quickest loading/ unloading time for vessels. For port users, it almost eliminated payment of demurrage, thereby reducing their costs.

Ripley & Company

Operates under licence issued as per “administrative arrangement” based on absolute discretion of the port without any qualification criteria. Issuance of such licence is not backed by any law or regulation approved by the central government. Under the Major Port Trust Act (MPTA), there is no provision for such “arrangements”.

Income from bulk cargo is much lower. For example, at the manually-operated berth 4B which Ripley operated, KoPT earned Rs 65 per tonne of cargo from the users. Hence, more cargo to berths 2 & 8 would have meant more revenue for KoPT. Ripley charges importers and exporters directly and raises about Rs 200 crore from its onshore operations at about eight berths per year. This revenue is not shared with KoPT.

The average loading/ unloading time for vessels at manually-operated berths was three-four days on an average. The demurrage for one day at the port is Rs 15 lakh. So, it made more business sense for users to opt for berths 2 & 8, but there was pressure on the port authority to allot vessels to the other berths.

Despite several attempts, Bose’s other son, Shoumik Bose, who is in charge of operations at Ripley & Company, could not be reached for his comments.

But a company executive, Prashit Sinha, when asked about the revenue-sharing with the port authority, said it did not have any truck with KoPT. He said Ripley was a clearing and forwarding agency working under customs licence and on behalf of the principals. “The company charges the importers and exporters for the service it provides,” he added.

KoPT acting chairman Manish Jain, meanwhile, declined to comment on cargo handling operations in berths other than the two where HBT operated. When asked about KoPT’s arrangement with Ripley & Company, Jain said: “I will not comment on anything other than cargo handling operations at berths 2 and 8.” He also did not comment when asked if manual cargo handlers share revenue with KoPT.

SarafIndian

November 4th, 2012, 07:05 PM

Ma(tha)mota..

NiladriG

November 8th, 2012, 03:07 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/UK-experts-in-Kolkata-to-bail-out-Haldia-port/articleshow/17136041.cms

The internationally acclaimed HR Wallingford, a UK-based organisation involved with the development of the Bristol Deep Sea Container Terminal and a mega port facility on Kuwait's Boubyan Island, has been engaged to study the Hooghly River and suggest measures to increase the draught in the navigation channel leading to the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC).

This is a measure taken to keep the port facility in the state viable for a further 15 to 20 years.

The eight-member team, comprising experts in river training, dredging, morphology and river modeling is expected to submit its report by the end of this year or the beginning of January 2013.

It will be on the basis of this report that the Centre will decide whether to release the nearly Rs 1,000 crore required for the long-awaited River Regulatory Measures (RRM). In 2010, WAPCOS, a public sector undertaking, had submitted a report on the RRM required to improve the draught at HDC. A study was also conducted by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune.

"When we submitted the report to the Centre, officials desired another opinion from an international body. This was when HR Wallingford was engaged by WAPCOS to review the report and make further recommendations, if required. A work order was issued in August. Experts have already visited several parts of the river and sought records from us. Recently, a two-day meeting was also convened at CWPRS. Now, two experts have come to Kolkata to discuss matters with us. They met officials from the marine and hydraulic study department and the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) chairman," an official said.

Richard Nicholas Bray, who is an expert on maintenance dredging and Tim Chesher from Wallingford also visited Haldia over the weekend and conducted inspections. On Thursday, the development advisor (ports) from the Planning Commission is expected to visit Kolkata and meet the two experts. This meeting is crucial as it is the Planning Commission that will need to give its consent before funds are released for dredging the Hooghly.

"The report is still not ready and they have sought data for the last 30-40 years from us. From what we have gathered, the experts believe that for a large estuary like the one that exists at the point where the Hooghly meets the Bay of Bengal, the key to tackling the crisis is to maintain alignment with nature. This is where the data will come in handy. It will tell the experts how we have tinkered with the river system over the years and the response that we got. The report will be based on our proposed projects at Sagar and Shalukkhali. Once the report is ready, we will propose short-term and long-term measures to the Centre," the official added.

Given the condition of the navigation channel, Cape-size vessels can't enter HDC with full loads. Some of the cargo has to be discharged at ports like Visakhapatnam or Paradip before the ships are in a position to enter HDC. :cheers:

NiladriG

November 9th, 2012, 06:00 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Port-trust-may-blacklist-Haldia-Bulk-Terminals/articleshow/17150760.cms

The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has already started the process of claiming damages from Haldia Bulk Terminals (HBT) Pvt Ltd for what officials call 'abandonment' of the contract to handle cargo at berths 2 and 8 of Haldia Dock Complex (HDC). KoPT may also take steps to blacklist the company.

The port management has already sent notice, informing the company of its decision to encash the performance guarantee of Rs 4crore. In the days to come, KoPT will take legal steps to seek damages that may go up to Rs 1,000 crore, chairman in charge Manish Jain said on Thursday.

According to him, this decision - that was taken at an emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees - won't clash with proceedings in Calcutta High Court. When it reopens after vacation, the high court is likely to hear an application by KoPT, praying that the court set a deadline for HBT to resume work at the two berths. Should it fail to maintain the deadline, KoPT should be allowed to terminate the contract, the application prays.

"We have already taken legal opinion and the decision we took on Thursday won't clash with court proceedings. We have already informed HBT that they have 'abandoned' the agreement.

We have also started the process of retendering for handling operations at berths 2 and 8. The notice will be issued on Friday. We will also take steps to blacklist the company.

We will initiate steps for arbitration proceedings. Steps are already on to evacuate cargo from berths 2 and 8 that belong to SAIL and Tata.

At the Board of Trustees meeting, the three-man committee set up to decide on royalty arrangement with cargo handlers has also been urged to expedite the matter," Jain said.

With regard to retendering for berths 2 and 8, KoPT hopes that the 'Letter of Intent' will be issued by December. Work by the new agency should start by the first week of March, 2013. Till then, steps are being considered to handle gearless vessels, cargo from which used to be discharged by HBT. Talks are already on with Tata Martrade International Logistics Ltd (TMILL) to carry out mechanized handling at berth 13. TMILL already carries out mechanized handling at berth 12.

"We have already sought a date-wise ship movement plan from importers. On Monday, we will also be holding a trade meet in Kolkata to discuss the situation with trade and industry. The process is already on for mechanization of berth 4B. Friday is the last date for submitting quotations. We believe that Mobile Harbour Cranes should start operating there by the end of January," Jain added.

KoPT, meanwhile, has also taken steps for perennial use of the Eden Channel that would allow ships with larger parcel loads to call on HDC. Though the Eden or Western Channel was opened in 2011, it couldn't be used during the foul-weather season (between March and September) as pilots didn't agree to board the vessels in inclement weather conditions in the exposed area. "A sub-committee was set up under Capt Subhas Kumar, former deputy chairman of Chennai Port Trust, to find a solution. The sub-committee decided on Thursday that pilots will now board the ships from Paradip where most ships normally berth before calling on Haldia. This will take place twice a month between March and September. If the pilots are satisfied, the frequency will be increased," said Capt A K Bagchi, director (marine), KoPT. :cheers:

NiladriG

November 10th, 2012, 04:51 PM

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/agriculture-growth-target-8/1029591/

Economy Govt drafts plan to boost farming, allied sectors with Central fund.
To boost the state’s economy, the Trinamool Congress government has set up an ambitious target of 8 per cent growth rate in agriculture and allied sectors for the next fiscal year. The current growth rate in agriculture is a mere 2.6 per cent.

A draft proposal prepared by the Agriculture Department on the ways to achieve the target has been submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

To achieve the target, the state government is banking heavily on the funds released by the Centre under the Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) programme. so far, the state government has received Rs 269 crore under BGREI.

“It is not possible to ensure 8 per cent growth in agriculture sector alone. Therefore we are taking allied sector together with the agriculture sector. Horticulture, food processing, fisheries industries will be given priority to achieve the growth target,” said an official of the agriculture department involved in the preparation of the draft.

According to the official, 65 per cent population of the state are either directly or indirectly involved with the agriculture sector which contributes only 16 per cent to the state gross domestic product (SGDP).

“The target has been fixed to enhance the income of the peasants,” the official added.

However, the state's growth in agriculture and allied sector is far less compared to Gujarat, Maharashtra and other states. Both Gujarat and Maharashtra have achieved 10 per cent growth in agriculture and allied sector for which the contribution of agriculture to the SGDP has increased manifold over the past few years.

As per the proposal, funds will be used for improving crop yield by providing better quality seed to the farmers. “At a time when fertilizer prices are soaring following decontrolling of the prices of fertilizer other than urea, we are planning to provide 25 per cent of total requirement of fertilizers free of cost to the marginal farmers. Almost 95 per cent of the entire farming community are marginal farmers,” the official added.

Another target area of the government will be on increasing the production of aromatic rice. The state's annual rice production is something around 150 lakh tonnes.

The draft also lays emphasis on increasing the state’s total land under irrigation, which is currently at 67 per cent. “The irrigation system has not improved significantly in the last few years. Now, emphasis will be given to bring more land under irrigation,” the official said.

Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India was launched by the Centre in 2010-11 in the seven states of east India — Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orrisa, eastern UP and West Bengal — so that agriculture productivity is reasonably enhanced and stabilised in these areas.

Initially, Rs 400 crore was allocated to the programme. In 2011-12 Union budget , another Rs 400 crore was added allotted.

anan355

November 11th, 2012, 12:15 PM

Source (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_mamata-banerjee-appeals-to-industrialists-to-invest-in-west-bengal_1762744)

Mamata Banerjee appeals to industrialists to invest in West Bengal

Pointing to the fund crunch facing West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday asked industrialists to invest in the state without giving any credence to 'wrong publicity' in the media.

"Invest in West Bengal as the industrial scenario is good in our state. Do not give credence to wrong publicity against our government," Banerjee said at a 'Bijoya Sammilani' in her first interaction with city industrialists after the exit of Haldia Bulk Terminal from Haldia port.

Stating that she was against forcible land acquisition and favoured peaceful co-existence of industry and agriculture, Banerjee said "for the industry, we have land. We have a land bank and a power bank. We have set up e-governance."

Agro-based industries could be set up on 500 acre.

"We have land at Sankrail, Haldia. At Goaltore, we have 1,000 acres where 500 acres can be earmarked for manufacturing industries," she said, adding a cabinet committee on infrastructure has been set up.

Listing investment proposals cleared by the government, she said "many proposals have been cleared. Jindal's land proposals have been cleared as also many others."

Urging industrialists to submit their proposals to the government, Banerjee said "you can come up with proposals for joint venture, PPP model."

She drew attention to the possibility of promoting tourism, cultural tourism, and tea tourism in the state.

"Tourism can be promoted further in the Sunderbans, Digha and Sagar Islands.

She announced an eco-tourism park on 400 acre at Rajarhat in North 24 Parganas district would be inaugurated on December 28.

Industrialists Sanjiv Goenka, Harsh Neotia, Kurush Grant (ITC executive director), C K Dhanuka and Tata Ryerson Managing Director Sandipan Chakraborty were present at the get-together at a posh south Kolkata address.

Criticising the Centre for imposing an embargo on setting up new industries at Haldia, Banerjee said "we have repeatedly requested them to lift the embargo but they are not listening."

She announced formation of a small committee, headed by Sanjiv Goenka, to plead with the Centre for lifting the embargo at Haldia.

Slamming a section of the media, Banerjee said "there is bad propaganda from different quarters and vested interests. But I can't bulldoze any media house."

On her stiff opposition to entry of FDI in retail, she said "why should Wallmart take away retail business? Why not you? I want to encourage you to take your products from Bengal and India to the world.

"We are not against foreigners doing business. I have no quarrel. But I want to protect interests of farmers whose livelihood will be at stake," she said.

She also also told industrialists not to give money to political agents and said "if you have problems, you let us know."

Referring to the 'legacy of financial bankruptcy left by previous Left Front government', she said "we have been managing our finances from our own resource generation. We have not received a single paise from the Centre and we don't have the money power."

anan355

November 11th, 2012, 12:20 PM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Stars-shine-down-on-Kolkata/articleshow/17175348.cms)

It couldn't possibly have got bigger, better or glitzier for a star-starved Kolkata audience. Bengal has never seen Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Mithun Chakraborty sharing the same dais. If that was not glamorous enough, Katrina Kaif and Anoushka Sharma lent oodles of oomph to the inauguration of the 18th Kolkata International Film Festival.

The dais had other important actors, yesteryear stars and directors who had enthralled audiences for years. But on a starry Saturday evening at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, they were overshadowed. Not just by the Bollywood stars, but also by chief minister Mamata Banerjee who conducted the grand show in her own inimitable style, darting from one end of the stadium to another and delivering a spontaneous, trademark speech that oozed confidence in the state's artistic as well as business potential.

"Bengal has the potential to turn into a home for international cinema," Mamata declared. "We can act as a bridge between Hollywood, Bollywood and Tollywood. I am proud of Tollywood and it has been doing very well. Our government plans to set up three film cities in the state. It's important to invest in the entertainment business for it's now in focus," said the chief minister.

She was quick to latch on to the opportunity to hardsell Bengal. "Bengal has the potential to turn into a destination for the world. Come and invest in Bengal. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Sunderbans are smiling. Amader chhlemeyera parbe, parbe, parbe. Lorbe, Lorbe, Lorbe," (Our boys and girls can do it. They will fight it out.) Mamata thundered.

A clutch of Tollywood legends shared the stage with Shah Rukh, Amitabh and Mithun. Actors like Madhabi Mukherjee, Sandhya Roy, Haradhan Bandyopadhyay, Dipankar De and Ranjit Mallik were present. Eminent directors and artists like Goutam Ghose, Sandip Ray and Dwijen Bandyopadhyay were seated on the dais as well.

NiladriG

November 11th, 2012, 04:07 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-10/kolkata/35033862_1_haldia-dock-complex-hbt-kopt

There is finally some good news for the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) that has been combating sliding cargo handling figures ever since Haldia Bulk Terminals (HBT) Pvt Ltd suspended operations at berths 2 and 8.

From Friday, power major National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Ltd commenced transloading imported thermal coal from a vessel anchored at the Sandheads in the Bay of Bengal, nearly 232 km from Kolkata. Not only will this bring down costs for NTPC and provide additional fuel to increase capacity at its power plants at Farakka and Kahalgaon, the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) estimates that it would be succeed in handling nearly three million tonnes of additional cargo by the end of 2012-13. This should offset the fall in cargo suffered due to cessation of work at the two berths by HBT.

KoPT's profit figures may not improve, though, as it would not be able to earn the royalty that HBT paid. But at least, the port facility would be able to meet its commitment to trade and industry. In October, NTPC had attempted to transload nearly 74,000 tonnes of thermal coal from the MT STX Mutiara at the Sandheads. The operations had to be stopped due to a technicality. The cargo handler was not using marine barges for the operations as per the guidelines of the Directorate General of Shipping. The ship finally sailed for Dhamra with its load as HDC doesn't have the required draught.

On Friday, transloading started from the MV Western Ehime that arrived with 56,435 tonnes of thermal coal from Indonesia. It will be transloaded to smaller vessels that will go to the Sagar Island. Another round of lighterage operations will take place there and the coal will be loaded on barges that will sail for Haldia. From Haldia, the coal will move by rail to the power plants. When marine barges can be arranged, there won't be any requirement for the second round of operations at Sagar Island.

"KoPT had suggested to importers that they get their cargo transloaded from vessels at the Sandheads to expedite the process and lower costs. NTPC has agreed to this. From 2013, they will move an additional three million tonnes of coal per year directly by barge to Farakka. M/s Coal and Oil, Dubai, has a contract with NTPC to send 1.5 million tonnes of thermal coal. Nearly 70% of this will be moved through Haldia. The MT STX Mutiara and the MV STX Energen will be at the Sandheads in mid-December. Another 3-4 Panamax vessels are scheduled to arrive for the next round of operations," a KoPT official said.

Port officials believe that transloading is the future of the Haldia Dock Complex as the draught in the navigation channel doesn't allow large vessels to enter with a full load. Transloading is possible at the Sandheads during the fair weather season (between October and February). KoPT also made efforts to carry out transloading at Kanika Sanda along Odhisa's coast but this was challenged by the Odhisa government and the matter is pending in the Supreme Court. The West Bengal government has become a party in this matter.

AbhishekDatta

November 11th, 2012, 07:02 PM

SAIL may buy stake in new port at Sagar Island
Firm looks to save on logistics costs by owning a new port planned by the Union govt near its plants in West Bengal

SAIL chairman C.S. Verma. SAIL imports about 10 million tonnes (mt) of coking coal a year to fire its steel plants and the commodity is shipped mostly through ports located in Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Haldia ports. Photo: Ramesh Pathania/Mint
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Bangalore: Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), India’s biggest state-run steel maker, may buy an equity stake in a new port planned by the Union government at Sagar Island in West Bengal, as the state-owned firm looks to save on logistics costs, two company executives said.
SAIL currently imports about 10 million tonnes (mt) of coking coal a year to fire its steel plants and the commodity is shipped mostly through ports located in Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Haldia ports.
“SAIL is looking at various options, including taking a stake in a berth, owning an exclusive berth or a port. Buying a stake in the planned port at Sagar Island could be one of the options. The quantum of stake to he held will depend on various factors,” one of the two SAIL executives said. He requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

http://www.livemint.com/Companies/rMAC9Upj5LC00d4OSY4EpK/SAIL-may-buy-stake-in-new-port-at-Sagar-Island.html

AbhishekDatta

November 12th, 2012, 12:19 AM

Shale catch seen big in Bengal

R. SURYAMURTHY

New Delhi, Nov. 11: Shale gas reserves in Bengal’s Ranigunj are estimated at close to 50 trillion cubic feet.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121112/images/12busgas.jpg
Comparative figures are unavailable, but a quick reference can be made to the natural gas discovery made by Reliance Industries in the Krishna-Godavari basin.

Initially, the natural gas reserves in Reliance’s Krishna-Godavari block were put at 11.5 trillion cubic feet, which were considered high. However, the estimates have been scaled down to 3.10 trillion cubic feet because of “unforeseen geological surprises”.

ONGC had found the gas in the Ranigunj area in early 2011, and the PSU’s pilot study has come up with the estimates now.

The pilot study actually assessed the availability in both Ranigunj and North Karanpura in Jharkhand.

“The estimates are based on a pilot study involving the drilling of four wells — two each in Ranigunj (Damodar Valley) and North Karanpura area in Jharkhand. Most of the gas was found in the Damodar valley with only 1.5 tcf in North Karanpura. So, it (Karanpura) is not considered prospective,” a senior ONGC official said. If the estimate for Karanpura is 1.5tcf that for Ranigunj is about 46.5tcf.

Officials said more tests would be done in the area using other technical parameters to estimate how much can actually be developed commercially.

Shale gas is natural gas, or methane, trapped in layers of hard rocks called shale that are found thousands of metres below the earth’s surface. A process known as hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, is used in its extraction, under which water mixed with chemicals are blasted into a well to break the rocks and release the gas.

Shale gas production requires large tracts of land as it involves horizontal drilling.

There are concerns that this technology can have negative impacts on the environment such as groundwater contamination and air pollution.

A recent report by America’s Energy Information Administration has estimated that India has 290 trillion cubic feet of shale gas in-place reserves with a technically recoverable resource of 63 trillion cubic feet for four of the 26 sedimentary basins it studied.

Upstream regulator, the Directorate General of Hydro carbons, has identified six basins — Cambay, Assam-Arakan, Gondwana, KG onshore, Cauvery onshore and Indo Gangetic basins — for shale gas exploration.

Officials in the petroleum ministry said they were studying the comments and suggestion from the industry and others on the draft shale gas policy released earlier this year.

“We will consult other ministries, including environment, and plan to move a cabinet note in January and expect to conduct the auction for shale gas blocks in the next fiscal,” officials said.

The draft policy has suggested royalty and production-linked payments to the government for shale blocks.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India had earlier criticised the profit sharing mechanism in the existing New Exploration Licensing Policy as it encouraged operators to inflate costs.

Shale gas contributes to nearly 17 per cent of the total gas production in the US. Although many other nations are pursuing shale gas, commercial success has been limited to the US and Canada, an ONGC official said.

The unconventional gas has hugely influenced the US energy market, significantly reducing the country’s dependence on imported LNG. It can also help India to bolster its energy security.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121112/jsp/business/story_16186414.jsp#.UKAx-W_WISE

Rajarshi77

November 12th, 2012, 01:31 PM

Cigarette to hotels conglomerate ITC Ltd is negotiating for a five-acre plot in the mega food park coming up at Jangipur in Murshidabad district for a food processing unit, an official of the mega food park said today. "ITC had inspected the land some three-month back and the feedback is positive for a five-acre plot at the food park," Jangipur Bengal Mega Food Park Ltd Managing Director Amirul Islam said here.

Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce on mega food parks, Islam said ITC was already conducting training and advisory services for farmers there. However, when asked for details, an ITC spokesman said, "I am not aware".

ITC had earlier announced an investment of around Rs 500 crore for setting up an integrated food and logistics hub at Uluberia in Howrah district in West Bengal. "There were some legal issues involved in getting the land. The company had been waiting for four to five years. It is good that the government has supported in getting the issues resolved," ITC Chairman YC Deveshwar had said at the last AGM.

Recently, ITC had tied up with city based Keventor Agro group for manufacturing its 'Yippee' noodles brand in the city.

AbhishekDatta

November 13th, 2012, 03:46 AM

State clears six industrial projects
12 November 2012

KOLKATA, 12 NOV: A day after the Opposition party criticised the state government of being a no industry government, state Industry and Commerce Minster Partha Chatterjee said at Writers' Buildings today the projects of six companies that require to hold more than 24 acres of land have been cleared.
He said they were cleared as the owners ensured bank loans and added that another 16 projects which require more than 24 acres of land will be cleared soon.
The amendment of Section 14 Y of the West Bengal Land Reforms Act, 1955 allowed entrepreneurs to hold more than 24 acres of land.
Mr Chatterjee said the Trinamul-led government has received 222 proposals from entrepreneurs for setting up projects and the commerce and industry department is studying them for clearance. He said the Left Front government had received 4,710 proposals from entrepreneurs during their tenure of which only 833 were implemented.
Criticising Opposition party leaders for politicising the industry and development issue, he said "jokers" only understood circus and they have no intellect to realise the current of development. He said six projects will be implemented which will create huge employment opportunity in the state.
Mr Chatterjee said Mr Sanjay Budhia, owner of the Patton tank will set up a logistic and industrial park in Uluberia on 56.12 acres of land and around 750 people will get jobs there. Ultra Tech Cement Company will invest Rs 331 cr at Chanditala in Hooghly which shall employ around 1,000 people. Ankit Integrated Steel Plant will invest Rs 1,048 cr at Chatna in Bankura where 1,000 people will be recruited. ACC cement will invest Rs 700 cr in Kharagpur, creating job opportunities for 5,000 and SPS Ispat will invest Rs 500 cr at Mejia for 15,000 people. Jindal Steel Works will invest Rs 20,000 cr for producing 3 million ton steel.
Mr Chatterjee said more than 3 lakh people will get jobs if the state government clears all other projects.
He said a large number of projects in Haldia were not cleared as the Union Ministry of Environment Department did not give clearance and a different team of the chamber of commerce led by Mr Sanjiv Goenka would visit New Delhi for urging the Central government for the clearance of the environment department to implement those projects.

http://thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=430635&catid=42

AbhishekDatta

November 14th, 2012, 07:48 PM

Bengal’s Cabinet may approve Kulpi port this week

KOLKATA, NOV. 14:
Bengal Shipyard’s proposed Kulpi port project may get West Bengal State Cabinet’s nod this week.

Bengal Shipyard is a fifty-fifty joint venture between Kolkata-headquartered Apeejay Surrendra Group and Bharati Shipyard of Mumbai. The venture proposed to invest nearly Rs 2,000 crore in the river port near Kolkata.

“Bengal Shipyard had submitted the project report and details of the required land for the proposed Kulpi port to the Commerce and Industries Department. We have approved the project and sent the details to the Land and Land Reforms Department,” Commerce and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee told Business Line.

According to Chatterjee, Bengal Shipyard has sought about 300-350 acres of land (in addition to the 550 acres) for the project. “[It is under] active consideration of the State Government,” he said.

R.D. Meena, Principal Secretary of State Land and Land Reforms Department, was not available for a comment on the development. Apeejay Surrendra Group Chairman Karan Paul had last month said the State Government was “happy” with the progress of the project. The company has recently restructured the project from a mere port facility to “marine cluster,” including shipbuilding, repair, steel fabrication, unloading and loading facilities, logistics, and ancillary operations. Bengal Shipyard has already acquired 550 acres for the project, Paul had said.

Bengal Shipyard is also awaiting approval from the Ministry of Shipping. The project, conceived in 2008, was proposed to come up at Geonkhali in East Midnapore district. But the company was forced to shift it to Kulpi following agitations over land acquisition.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/bengals-cabinet-may-approve-kulpi-port-this-week/article4095389.ece

AbhishekDatta

November 19th, 2012, 04:43 PM

Bengal earmarks land for 57 MSME clusters

Kolkata : The West Bengal government has earmarked land for 57 micro small and medium enterprise (MSME) clusters out of the targeted 112 to be set up in the state, Finance Minister Amit Mitra said Monday.

"The focus will be on small and medium enterprises as they are labour intensive and income generative. We will do the largest number of clusters in India," Mitra said at the annual general meeting of the Bharat Chamber of Commerce here.

"Fifty-seven clusters have been identified. Land is available. Our target is to set up 112 clusters of small and medium enterprises, which are labour intensive, tax generating and IT-based," he said.

The minister hoped that Kolkata would become a major centre for trade once the two deep-sea ports to be developed in Rosulpur and Sagar in South 24 Parganas district, come up.

"The whole movements of traffic in all eastern catchments area will undergo a radical change (after the two ports become operational). ASEAN countries will choose us as the hub for all the eastern and middle-eastern regions. Kolkata will become a major centre for trade," he averred.

On state finance, Mitra said he was confident of meeting the tax revenue target of Rs.31,000 crore from state taxes this fiscal as tax revenue collection during the first half of the financial year registered a 35 percent growth compared to the same period last fiscal.

The state government had collected Rs.25,000 crore revenue from taxes during 2011-12. "Revenue collection stood at Rs.14,176 crore in April to September this year. During the same period last year, Rs.10,428 crore had been collected," Mitra said.
http://twocircles.net/2012nov19/bengal_earmarks_land_57_msme_clusters.html

Rajarshi77

November 19th, 2012, 06:23 PM

Bengal earmarks land for 57 MSME clusters

http://twocircles.net/2012nov19/bengal_earmarks_land_57_msme_clusters.html

Focusing on MSME is a great strategy. There is so much problem of land in WB. MSMEs doesn't require huge amount of land and is labour intensive. They also don't require huge amount of capital which is hard to come by in these times of slowdown.

anan355

November 24th, 2012, 12:24 AM

For the first time ever, the Bengal government will float global tenders to invite strategic partners of international repute to rejuvenate the ailing West Bengal Film Development Corporation (WBFDC) and Technician Studio, one of the oldest film studios of Asia.

There will be global expression of interest for three proposed film cities as well to "make Bengal the most sought after entertainment hub after Mumbai", say sources.

WBFDC, which was set up almost half a century ago, has produced many classics of maestros like Satyajit Roy and Ritwik Ghatak on behalf of the state government. It has the distribution rights of films like Pather Panchali, Sonar Kella, Hirak Rajar Deshe and Jhaar (Utpal Dutta). It used to run two cinemas - Chaplin (former Minerva) and Ahindra Mancha - and has a colour processing laboratory, Rupayan. WBFDC has 2.5 acres in Sector V for new project development.

The corporation went almost defunct in the late '90s. The Left regime tried to induct partners to rejuvenate it and PWC conducted a study in 2007 but the process was stalled.

Technician Studio - where Satyajit Ray shot a portion of the iconic 'Pather Panchali' - is also in a very bad shape. The existing floor will be revamped and a new floor built. "We plan to make WBFDC and Technician Studio a one-stop shop for films. There is lot of scope to diversify the activities of WBFDC," said an official.

Sources say the information and culture department is working overtime to draw up a masterplan to "upgrade and restructure cultural infrastructure". "The film and entertainment industry has great potential in Bengal. Most of the technicians in Mumbai are from Bengal. So we can use our expertise for our state. There is huge potential for cultural tourism as well," said an official.

According to sources, I&C has already started asset mapping. It has 18 important assets including Technician Studio, Nandan, Rabindra Sadan, WBFDC, Charukala Kendra among others.

Department secretary Nandini Chakraborty said: "We have taken up a challenging job and it needs a lot of effort and attention to complete these projects."

was incorporated in sixties as West Bengal Colour Film and Sound Laboratory and later rechristened as WBFDC.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Global-help-sought-to-turn-Bengal-into-a-film-hub/articleshow/17330171.cms)

Suncity

November 24th, 2012, 12:38 AM

Singur, Singur everywhere..

Land heat on airport city

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121124/jsp/bengal/story_16233947.jsp

Over 300 villagers who had not accepted compensation for land acquired for the airport city project in Andal today blocked NH2 and demonstrated outside the block development office demanding higher prices for their plots.

“The Left government had acquired around 2,380 acres. Around 480 landlosers from whom 562 acre were acquired did not accept cheques. We demand that the new government either return our land or pay us compensation according to the current market rate. The government will also have to pay five years’ wages at one go to over 2,000 farm labourers who became jobless after the acquisition,” said Manoj Roy, a Trinamul activist in Andal.

A delegation of the Krishak Khetmajur Sangram Committee, which has Trinamul, Congress and SUCI supporters as members, submitted a deputation to the BDO in support of their demand.

Around 11.30am, a procession led by committee convenor and SUCI leader Dona Goswami arrived at the Andal crossing and blocked the highway for nearly half an hour. They lifted the blockade following a request from police.

The agitators then went to the Andal BDO’s office and shouted slogans against Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited (BAPL), the promoter of the Rs 10,000-crore project.

BAPL has said it hopes to finish constructing the airport by the year-end and then apply for DGCA permission.

Asked about the delayed project, industries minister Partha Chatterjee said on the sidelines of an interactive session in Calcutta: “We are in the process of resolving the issues. We are talking to them (BAPL). We are asking them to sign certain things which are in the process.”

Suncity

November 24th, 2012, 12:40 AM

Singur Singur everywhere..Another Krishi Jomi Rokkha Committee

Loba seeks govt role in land talks

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121124/jsp/bengal/story_16233944.jsp

Representatives of the Krishi Jami Raksha Committee and Loba residents today demanded the involvement of the state government in land dealings with DVC-Emta Coal Mines Ltd.

Committee members and residents, who are demanding more price for land being acquired for a mining project, today met the Birbhum district magistrate.

“We understand that we will not get proper compensation from DVC-Emta without the intervention of the state government. We spoke to the DM about our demand,” said Joydeep Majumdar, the secretary of the committee.

DM, J.P. Meena said after the session: “I convened the meeting to listen to their demands. We will try our best to solve their problem.”

The DVC-Emta Coal Mines Ltd, a joint venture between the public sector DVC and the private sector Emta, will mine coal to feed the power projects of the utility.

On November 6 this year, villagers clashed with police who went to Loba to recover an earthmoving machine that was held back by villagers who had stopped work in December last year demanding higher prices for land that is being directly purchased by the DVC-Emta from them.

anan355

November 24th, 2012, 01:16 AM

The government has estimated the value of land and scrap machines of the eight closed units of Fertiliser Corporation of India Ltd and Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation Ltd at Rs 5,582.19 crore.

The valuation has been done by Project and Development India Ltd (PDIL), a central public sector enterprise, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikant Jena said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha said.

"...The valuation has been certified by the government registered valuer," he said.

As per the data, the total value of Fertiliser Corporation of India Ltd (FCIL) Sindri is estimated at Rs 1,796.09 crore, FCIL Ramagundam (Rs 411.36 crore), FCIL Talcher (Rs 273.73 crore), FCIL Gorakhpur (1,101.91 crore) and FCIL Korba (Rs 497.37 crore).

The three closed units of Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation Ltd (HFCL) at Barauni, Durgapur and Haldia have been valued at Rs 247.39 crore, Rs 706.27 crore and Rs 548.07 crore, respectively, according to figures tabled in the House.

The government had last year approved revival of eight closed units of FCIL and HFCIL subject to the condition that Board of Industrial and Financial Restructuring proceedings be expedited and changes, if any, be placed before the Empowered Committee of Secretaries for a final decision.

Jena also said the estimated value of Namrup I plat of Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Ltd (BVFCL), which is lying closed, is estimated at Rs 20.75 crore.

There is a proposal to set up a brown field ammonia urea plant (Namrup IV) in this vacant land, he said in the reply.

The estimated value of its ammonia-I plant, which is not in operation has been fixed at Rs 11.70 crore by M/s Kohli Associated, New Delhi, approved valuers, the Minister added.

Jena said the estimated valuation of scrap of machines and equipment of the closed ammonia-urea plant at Fertiliser and Chemicals Travancore, Cochin division, at Rs 26.29 crore has not been accepted by the board as it feels that the plant has been undervalued.

"Government contemplates gainful utilisation of the land and assets lying idle by setting up a minimum 1.27 million tonnes per annum urea plant at each of closed units of HFCL and FCIL, besides any other permitted industrial activity," Jena added.

Source (http://durgapur.west-bengal.news.in/news-20121123-3627-Govt_values_8_closed_units_of_FCIL_HFCL_at_Rs_5582_19_cr_Economic_Times.html)

anan355

November 24th, 2012, 01:40 AM

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9231/londong.png

Source (http://www.bartamanpatrika.com/content/rajya.htm): Bartaman, 24th November, 2012

English Translation:

For a real good english version of this clipping and may be for some more detailed news, please take a look at the following 2 entries from the PS Blog

http://principalsecretarysblog.blogspot.in/2012/11/city-of-london-and-cityuk.html (http://principalsecretarysblog.blogspot.in/2012/11/uk-india-news-from-london.html)

http://principalsecretarysblog.blogspot.in/2012/11/uk-india-news-from-london.html

(http://principalsecretarysblog.blogspot.in/2012/11/uk-india-news-from-london.html)

anan355

November 24th, 2012, 01:51 AM

The Centre has cleared the proposed port facility at Salukkhali/Rupnarayanchak in East Midnapore. The location is a few kilometers north of the existing Haldia Dock Complex (HDC). This will allow Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) to seek Requests For Proposals (RFPs) from companies interested in investing in the project that will be built on a public-private partnership basis. Fifteen companies, including Shapoorji Pallonji, Adani, Jindal, Gammon India and Concast-Hyundai had responded to the Request For Qualifications (RFQs) sought by KoPT.

"The proposed port facility is being called Haldia Dock - II North and South. The estimated cost for the North complex will be Rs 821.4 crore. For the South complex, it will be Rs 886.1 crore. Once the Letter of Intent (LoI) is issued, it will take about three years to complete the port facility. By then, we shall also lay dedicated tracks from Basulia-Sutahata to the new port," said AK Bose, manager (railways), HDC.

KoPT envisages that each of the complexes will be able to handle 11.7 million tonne per annum. Each will have a multipurpose berth and a mechanized one. The mechanized berths will have grab unloaders, stackers, reclaimers and wagon loaders. Most importantly, all four berths will be outside the port confines. Ships calling on HDC or other impounded dock systems need to negotiate lockgates. This restricts movement. The draught at Salukkhali is about 9 metres. This is sufficient for ships as well as barges that will be used for transloading at the Sandheads.

"We have already received 163 acres from the government. We have asked for 17 acres more for the railway link. The acquisition process has already started.," Bose said.Some of the cargo may also be moved through inland waterways. CESC is building a power plant close to the new port facility. While some of the cargo will move to this (2X300 MW) plant, a lot more may be moved in barges to Budge Budge, officials believe. The Haldia Development Authority (HDA) has already cleared a 35-metre wide rail corridor from Basulia-Sutahata to the power plant. The port will also use this corridor for its rail link. The additional 17 acres required is for the link from the power plant to the port.

Even if there is some delay in acquisition of the 17 acres, the port can start functioning. According to sources, a tripartite agreement has been reached between HDA, CESC and KoPT for use of the existing rail link up to the power plant. KoPT is quite upbeat about the clearance obtained from the Centre. After all, this port facility will come up solely through the KoPT initiative.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Decks-cleared-for-Haldia-Dock-II/articleshow/17344578.cms)

anan355

November 24th, 2012, 11:06 AM

Over three years after it was closed, the government today approved the proposal to reopen Kanchenview Tea Plantation in Darjeeling Hills, under lock since the estate manager was allegedly assaulted by workers.

"The previous discord between the administration and workers that had hindered the reopening has now been cleared. So the government has given the green signal to officially re-start work and provide all benefits to the workers," Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labor Union president P T Sherpa said.

The tea garden had been closed since May 8, 2009, after the manager was assaulted by workers.

Once Kanchenview is reopened, the only Darjeeling tea plantation closed will be the Ringtong Tea Garden, under lock since 1996 when a fire broke out.

A wing of the GJM had alleged that the owner owed liabilities of more than Rs five crore and demanded all 944 workers to be re-allocated.

"We will soon schedule a meet with the district magistrate of Darjeeling regarding Ringtong," Sherpa said.

Darjeeling has 87 tea estates, covering an area of 21,750 hectares, which produce the world-famous Darjeeling tea, making up three per cent of India's total tea production.

Last year, the European Commission granted Protected Geographical Indication status to Darjeeling tea, meaning that teas from other regions cannot be sold under that label in Europe, making it the first Indian product to get PGI status.

Source (http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/state-nod-for-reopening-closed-tea-estate-in-darjeeling/76707/)

anan355

November 24th, 2012, 01:25 PM

he cash-strapped West Bengal government plans to unlock idle land in prime locations, owned by various state-run transport agencies, to raise needed revenue.

The state Cabinet has approved a proposal in this regard to sell or lease land in the city and neighbouring areas, lying idle with four state-owned transport agencies — Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC), South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) and West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC).

If all goes well, the state government could be able to raise as much as Rs 3,000 crore, sources said. The four transport bodies have already filed details on their land holding. The transport companies jointly own 139 acres in the city and adjacent areas, of which about 60 per cent is idle, said a top official in the state transport department.

According to sources, although the valuation is yet to be done, the state transport department has informed the state Cabinet that Rs 3,000 crore could be raised.

“Apart from 18-20 acres in Neelgunj depot in North 24 Paraganas, the idle land mostly is in the city's prime locations. For example, CTC has about two acres of surplus land in Gariahat, which alone can earn Rs 100 crore. So, the government can hope to raise over Rs 3,000 crore by offloading about 80 acres of land with an average price of Rs 40 crore per acre,” said the transport department official. The land is being identified in 33 locations across the city and neighboring areas, he added.

Of the four transport agencies, CSTC has the largest chunk of about 89 acres, followed by CTC which owns 33 acres. SBSTC and WBSTC , on the other hand, have nine and eight acres, respectively. “The entire eight acre of WBSTC is in the Salt Lake area, where the market price is over Rs 60 crore per acre,” the official pointed out.

West Bengal transport minister Madan Mitra, however, refused to share details of the plan. “The government is providing a subsidy of Rs 600 crore annually to all the transport corporations. This cannot go on. There is a proposal to revive the transport sector, including commercial utilisation of surplus land. However, before that, we are working on merger of CSTC, CTC and WBSTC.”

The transport department has proposed a merger of the three companies, which the government argues, would bring down the operational costs.

The process for merger has already been being initiated, as a part of which, employees in the three transport companies will be offered the voluntary retirement scheme.

Source (http://business-standard.com/india/news/west-bengal-to-raise-rs-3000-cridle-govt-land/493303/)

Suncity

November 24th, 2012, 11:12 PM

Bengal to set up industrial township in Purulia

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/bengal-to-set-up-industrial-township-in-purulia/article4130411.ece

The West Bengal government plans to set up an industrial township at Raghunathpur in Purulia district of the state, Firhad Hakim, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister said today.

Hakim said 5,000 acres of land had been identified at Raghunathpur for the township which would have industrial units, housing societies, schools and hospitals.

The government is carrying out a survey of the area at the moment, Hakim said here.

Basic infrastructure like roads, water and power supplies would be provided by the government.

Suncity

November 24th, 2012, 11:14 PM

Industrial township at Purulia

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Industrial-township-at-Purulia/articleshow/17354805.cms

If all goes according to plan, Raghunathpur in Purulia may soon boast of an industrial township. The state government is planning to set up an industrial township at Purulia's Raghunathpur.

State urban development minister Firhad Hakim said on Saturday that the state government was already working to have a land use and development control planning (LUDCP) of the area.

"Survey work has started. We have plans to set up an industrial township there," the minister said.

Raghunathpur has around 2,000-acre of land. According to plans, the township with residential areas will come up outside the industrial clusters. The area has around 2,000 acre of land, both vested and private. According to plans, it will be an industrial township with residential areas outside the industrial clusters.

"It will be unlike Rajarhat where land was acquired by the government. Here, there are vested and private land that has to be bought," the minister said.

Once the township comes up, the area will be connected to states like Jharkhand through a highway. A toll system may also introduced for vehicles that make use of the highway

. Besides, the township will help generate more jobs and improve the socio-economic condition of the area.

The state government is also considering options of extending the jurisdiction area of Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA) up to Raghunathpur for this purpose. "The entire plan is at a preliminary stage," said Hakim

anan355

November 25th, 2012, 02:05 AM

West Bengal government, reeling under a massive debt burden, on Saturday suggested the Centre could consider a term loan of 20 years, debt restructuring and a 3-year moratorium on interest payment to help the state tide over its financial problem.

Finance Minister Amit Mitra said, however, that the state government will "not beg" for financial aid.

"I assume that the new Finance Minister is busy with his own issues. We are not going to beg to anybody," he said, adding the estimated debt burden was about a whopping Rs two lakh crore.

Centre can consider 20-year term loan, debt restructuring: Mitra

However, Mitra said the Congress-led government at the Centre, from which Trinamool Congress withdrew support, could "at least consider a term loan of 20 years".

He also said debt restructuring and a moratorium period of at least three years on interest payment could also be considered by the Centre.

The state government has targeted to collect about Rs 31,000 crore in revenues in current fiscal without raising tax rates, he said at the India International Trade Fair here.

The 13th Finance Commission has identified West Bengal, along with Kerala and Punjab, as the debt-stressed states. "West Bengal's debt:GDP ratio is almost double of the other two states. So, the Centre should at least consider West Bengal (for debt restructuring)," Mitra said.

Centre can consider 20-year term loan, debt restructuring: Mitra
Maintaining that tourism and ports were the main sectors where the state was seeking investments, the Minister said the tourism department had identified 207 acres of land for destination development and identified land for a proposed Giant Wheel in Kolkata on the lines of the London Eye.

"Land, identified at an attractive location, would be offered to a private sector partner selected through the public-private partnership (PPP) framework," Mitra said, adding the project worth about Rs 600 crore would be offered for bids by December-end.

On the issue of land acquisition, he said the state has created a land bank and some land was already available.

On attracting investment for port development in the state, Mitra said "we are constructing two ports and both will be developed in PPP mode." The port projects are being constructed at Rasulpur and Sagar Island.

About the investment atmosphere in the state, he said "there is a major change that is taking place. If the state government's initiatives are implemented, there will be structural changes."

A number of corporates were keen on investing in West Bengal as they see "new energy" in the state. "They feel Kolkata has a good potential, good human capital and a government which has no (ideological) baggage."

"We are not drawn by ideologies that are totally confused. ... The state has energy and leadership with honesty and integrity. Today, corruption is the buzzword across the country in many places in politics but not in West Bengal," the West Bengal Minister said.

Among the initiatives to attract investments to be implemented from the next fiscal, the state government would provide the facility of paying taxes like stamp duty, motor vehicle tax, land revenue and VAT through net banking or a debit card.

"e-tendering is being made compulsory. Ten departments will adopt e-tendering of all government projects. E-tendering cannot be manipulated," he said.

Source (http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/centre-can-consider-20-year-term-loan-debt-restructuring-mitra_812632.html)

AbhishekDatta

November 25th, 2012, 02:27 AM

^^ :cheers:

anan355

November 25th, 2012, 09:18 AM

Ambuja Cement will set up two more units — in Howrah and Hooghly — with an approximate investment of Rs 550 crore, state industry minister Partha Chatterjee said today.

The Howrah unit will start operation in December while the Hooghly unit will be set up later.

Dismissing the concerns of the industrial community, which received a jolt following the HBT pullout from Haldia, Chatterjee said the business environment in West Bengal was very good and more and more industries were coming to the state.

Ambuja Group will set up its second unit at Sankrail and a third near Bandel Thermal Power Plant. The business group has purchased 80 acres of land at Bandel for constructing the cement unit.

“The company’s first unit at Sankrail is now producing 1.5 million tonne cement per year. Once the second unit is commissioned here, production will go up to 2.4 million tonne per annum,” Chatterjee said.

The Bandel unit, which will be built at a cost of Rs 225 crore, will produce 0.6-0.9 million tonne cement per annum.

Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ambuja-to-set-up-two-more-units-in-state/1027436/)

AbhishekDatta

November 25th, 2012, 03:44 PM

Y1tpMkXkRos

Suncity

November 25th, 2012, 03:53 PM

Mr Amit Mitra speaks about proposed investment in West Bengal

1. Deep sea port by State at Rasalpur in ppp model
2. Deep sea port by Centre at Sagar in ppp model
3. 1000 kms of roads to be built by State Highway Authority
4. Tourism project at Gajoldoba about 25 kms from Siliguri. Rs 2500 crores proposed investment in a 207 acre plot owned by tourism department. Will have five star and three star hotel and a golf course. Apparently this spot caught Mamata Banerjee's attention when she was passing by.
5. A 600 crore tourism project in Calcutta
6. 400 crore tourism project in Sonada, Darjeeling which will include cottages
7. 300 crore resort and industrial project in Kunjanagar, Jalpaiguri

EFwEHUNJSuo

AbhishekDatta

November 25th, 2012, 06:40 PM

DVC plans 1,000 mw solar power plant over water canal network
By KR Sudhaman Nov 25 2012

Firm finds way to avoid land hassles, system to be 15% more efficient
Taking cue from Gujarat, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) proposes to set up solar power plant atop 2,494 kilometres long network of canals that has the potential to generate up to 1,000 mw green solar power.

Gujarat has shown the way with the commissioning of the world’s first one mw canal top solar power plant in Mehsana district over 750-metres stretch of canal in February this year.

Setting up solar power plant atop water canal eliminates the need for land acquisition and water evaporation from the canal that is quite high in India with sunshine for nearly 300 days in a year. DVC told a parliamentary panel last week to begin with 15 mw capacity canal top solar photovoltaic plant at DVC canal, Burdwan in West Bengal, was planned.

http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/dvc-plans-1000-mw-solar-power-plant-over-water-canal-network-586

NiladriG

November 26th, 2012, 06:12 AM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121126/jsp/frontpage/story_16241521.jsp#.ULL5I-TYg6U

The Bengal government’s hands-off land policy is no longer an esoteric issue with long-term implications.

It has acquired a “here-and-now” immediacy on long stretches in north Bengal, affecting the everyday life of countless ordinary people, hampering the economy-sustaining tourism and tea operations in the region and stirring a cauldron of social unrest that feeds on a feeling of neglect.

Consider the statistics:

Of the 879km of national highways passing through north Bengal, at least 370km are in poor condition and need urgent repair, according to state public works department (PWD) officials.

Vast stretches of roads spread across six districts, including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, are virtually unnavigable because some belts cannot be widened for lack of land.

Over 1.72 crore people are affected because of the failure to complete repairs.

The condition of roads is primarily held responsible for accidents that caused over 100 deaths in a little over six months.

Besides life, the sources of livelihood have also been hit. Tea and tourism are getting affected because of the slow movement of vehicles and regular damage to them.

Unlike south Bengal, where the rail network is more extensive, the north depends largely on roadways for transport.

The perception of neglect is already stoking the embers of civil unrest. In August, common people joined hands with transporters to mount roadblocks in Jalpaiguri and stage demonstrations on the outskirts of Siliguri.

Over several weeks, The Telegraph spoke to many government officials, transporters, contractors and residents of the region to get to the bottom of the problem that affects people every single day.

Policy paralysis

Almost the entire stretches of NH34 and NH31D, maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in north Bengal, need urgent repairs but land acquisition is standing in the way.

The two highways have to be converted from two lanes to four lanes because the volume of traffic has gone up. Four-laning means widening the road, which requires land.

When a two-lane road takes more than 15,000 passenger cars daily, it has to be converted into a four-lane highway, according to NHAI calculations.

Two years ago, around 12,000 vehicles were found plying on NH34 daily, which led to a decision to widen the two double-lane north Bengal highways built 15 to 20 years ago. A four-lane highway can take up to 40,000 passenger cars a day.

The NHAI had started a project to four-lane the highways two years ago but the state government, under the Left as well as Trinamul, could not arrange for land.

The NHAI says it needs 1,760 hectares to widen the national highways across the state, including NH34 and NH31D. It has so far been given possession of only 34 hectares –— a meagre 1.93 per cent of the requirement.

Specifically, NH34 requires 826.67 hectares and NH31D 504.03 hectares to be converted into four-lane highways. An official said no land had been handed over for these two highways till August-end.

The earlier government had notified a declaration to acquire 1,270 hectares two years ago. “But the Left government did little to take possession of the land by announcing compensation for the landlosers,” said an official at Writers’. The then government was spooked by the stiff resistance from Trinamul which had transformed land into a lightning rod in Bengal.

Disquiet in the hills also played a role. Mamata has managed to bring peace to the hills but not land for widening roads.

A senior NHAI official said: “We are ready to start the projects as soon as land is made available to us. But it is tough for us to get funds sanctioned for repairs for the interim period.”

Maintenance mess

The NHAI official’s comment touches upon a ripple effect of the land lock and an economic factor associated with repairs. As the project to widen the highways ground to a halt, no significant maintenance could be undertaken over the past two years, officials said.

A PWD report on two other roads — NH31 and NH31C — gives a description of the outcome of lack of maintenance. “No thorough work has been taken up in this portion during last six years except some patchwork. Existing hard crust (black top surface) is unable to withstand the gradually increasing traffic load,” says the report.

Some PWD officials said the Union ministry concerned wanted to focus on widening roads and was not keen to provide funds to maintain two-lane roads.

Kshiti Goswami, PWD minister in the erstwhile Left government, said: “Delhi had repeatedly informed us that they were ready to widen roads while denying funds for repairing two-lane highways. If we have to keep the national highways in good condition, we have to go for widening the roads. This is the future and it is unavoidable.”

According to officials at Writers’, two-lane roads are maintained by the PWD in the state and no toll is levied on these roads. “That’s why the Union ministry has little interest in investing money on maintenance,” said an official.

When the roads are converted into four-lane ones through concessionaires, they are allowed to levy toll. “Once they start collecting the toll, the concessionaires are liable to maintain the roads for a particular period, say 15 to 20 years,” said an official.

“For this, the NHAI has to be given land — the most precious commodity in Bengal now. The problem has to be solved if the state wants to go forward,” Goswami said.

Sudarshan Ghosh Dastidar, the PWD minister in the new government, said he was aware of the problem. “We have to find a solution. We will look for an alternative where roads cannot be widened owing to resistance from the land owners,” Ghosh Dastidar said.

Ticking away

Another ripple effect is also in the making and will kick in if NH34 and NH31D are eventually widened. “The impact would be felt on many roads in the region and they will also have to be widened. If the state does not change its policy, the road network is bound to collapse there,” said a PWD official.

He explained: “Once NH34 is converted into four lanes, the number of cars is estimated to go up to 30,000 a day. The additional vehicle load will have to be shared by highways like NH31 and NH31C as Assam-bound vehicles will use these roads.”

Perceived apathy

A regional element too has crept up on the infrastructure problem.

Ever since the Left lost the Lok Sabha polls in 2009, the lameduck government had stopped pushing for funds for north Bengal projects. “From 2009-10, the average funds sanctioned under the annual plan for north Bengal were less than Rs 100 crore while the requirement was much more,” an official said.

Senior PWD officials said that successive governments had never pushed north Bengal projects ahead of those for south Bengal.

“This is perhaps because the southern part of the state produces more powerful leaders than the north. Asok Bhattacharya was the only powerful minister in the cabinet from the north when the Left was in power. Now Gautam Deb is the sole powerful leader from the north in the cabinet,” said an official.

Over the last five years, south Bengal has received an average Rs 150 crore every year for repairing roads while the figure for north Bengal never crossed Rs 80 crore a year. “In 2011-12, south Bengal received Rs 215 crore while north Bengal got only Rs 13 crore,” the official added.

Not that road-widening projects in the south have not been hit by the land scare — repairs for a 300km stretch of NH34 that falls in south Bengal are also stuck. But all the key national highways (NH2, NH6, NH41, NH60) in south Bengal have already been converted into four-lane roads. :bash:

anan355

November 27th, 2012, 12:04 AM

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/9977/81384186.pnghttp://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6290/75068090.png
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/6503/69683260.png

Source (http://www.anandabazar.com/27raj1.html): ABP , Twenty Seventh November, 2012

Translation:

CM Mamata Banerjee and Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra is doing the followup on the projects declared in last 1.5 years in various parts of Bengal.
Land Acquisition is an issue. But the main problem seems to be the fund crunch. Not only the earnings of the govt is not enough to pursue the projects, but in many cases, other sources of funds like the Backward Region Grant Fund from Central Govt or the loan money from NABARD has not arrived on time and that is the major cause of the delay.

anan355

November 27th, 2012, 12:19 AM

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/6857/94659418.png

Source: Pratidin
Translation:
2nd investment happened in Aero City in Andal. ARDEX Endura (INDIA) Pvt. Ltd ( a collaboration between German construction chemical giant ARDEX and Raheja group) is taking up 3 acres of land. Investment size will be 10 crores and employment generation will be 200+. This is the second chemical plant of the company after their first venture in Bangalore.

The first investment that had happened in Aero city a few months back was by US firm P and H Mining Equipment who have taken up 24 acres of land.

anan355

November 27th, 2012, 12:51 AM

Ardex Endura enters West Bengal

The unit will come up on a 3-acre plot in Sujalaam Skycity, India’s first Greenfield Aerotropolis, being developed by BAPL in the Asansol Durgapur Planning Area (ADPA).

AEIPL is a market leader in the (tile-fixing) adhesive, flooring, water proofing and allied products’ market and this manufacturing unit marks the group’s entry into eastern India.

AEIPL’s project in Sujalaam is scheduled to start from the month of June/July 2013.

The entire project will require investment of an estimated Rs 10 crore approximately and will offer employment to around 60 people directly and 150 people indirectly, in the first phase.

The capacity would be doubled over a period of 3-5 years, based on the current trends of growth witnessed in the eastern part of the country.

Commenting on the development, Gopinath Krishnan, Managing Director of Ardex Endura, said, "We have 2 plants (in Bangalore, Karnataka and Baroda, Gujarat) and 29 branches across India."

"We selected Sujalaam Skycity for setting up our first manufacturing unit in Eastern India, as the Industrial and Logistics hub being created here will enable us to not only address the West Bengal market but also the entire Eastern India markets like Bihar, Orissa and the North eastern states."

Speaking on the association, Subrata Paul, CEO, BAPL, said, "This will not only further enhance the industrial climate of the region, but also benefit West Bengal as a whole; while showcasing the potential of this region to other investors."

The Skycity or Aerotropolis is located near the industrial belt of Asansol-Durgapur, which is 180 kms away from Kolkata.

The project will consist of a domestic airport taking up around one third of the area; and an Industrial & IT park, Logistics hub, Residential precinct and health & education institutions covering the rest of it.

Source (http://www.indiablooms.com/BusinessDetailsPage/2012/businessDetails261112j.php)

anan355

November 28th, 2012, 12:23 AM

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7196/10835923.png
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/3613/93412592.png
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/6565/45720860.png
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6818/15751249.png

Source: Anandabazar, 28th November,2012
http://www.anandabazar.com/28raj2.html

Translation:
Due to lack of presence of core sector industries in the state, students graduating in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation Engg branches have no other option but to move out of state in search of jobs. Singur and ABG fiasco have added momentum to this.

anan355

November 28th, 2012, 12:25 AM

^^

I think till Mamata changes land acquisition policy, ABP is going to come up with many such negative news. Mass exodus in search of jobs is a 3 decade old phenomenon in Bengal .

anan355

November 28th, 2012, 10:08 AM

In a bid to announce setting up of the Meghnad Saha Atomic Energy Institution during her December 3-4 visit to the district, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has asked the district magistrate to look for about 100 acres. Experts feel the announcement will help the Trinamool Congress strengthen support base ahead of the panchayat polls.

Talking to TOI, district Trinamul Congress working president Arup Chakraborty admitted that the chief minister on Monday told the DM to scout for about 300 bighas on Monday. "It is her dream project but I don't know its exact details. We have received information on a large portion of vested land and the DM and our party leaders went on a recce. We found the land to be around 600 bighas, situated in Ardhagram-Valui Manar Char near Mejia. No acquisition is needed if we zero in on the land," he said.

Chakraborty also said that the chief minister will lay the foundation stone of SPS Group's Rs 5,000-crore integrated steel plant project near Mejia during her two-day visit. Besides, on December 4, Mamata will lay the foundation stone of an agricultural college in Chatna. At Gogra, she will lay the foundation stone of a super-speciality hospital. Later in the day, she will also address a gathering at Onda.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Mamata-orders-land-hunt-for-Bankura-project/articleshow/17395705.cms)

anan355

November 28th, 2012, 10:13 AM

Perhaps....This can be related to the reporting that ABP did a few days back related to the pathetic condition of highways......

The finance department on Tuesday cleared Rs 70 crore for the PWD to execute several road projects in the districts, mainly Jangalmahal and North Bengal.

The PWD had earlier placed a proposal of Rs 250 crore for execution of various road and infrastructure projects. Sources in the PWD said work will be done in phases and the total amount required to implement all projects according to plans has been pegged at Rs 1,000 crore.

Besides road and infrastructure, work on railway overbridge projects and those under the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) be carried out on a priority basis. Part of the Rs 70-crore fund cleared on Tuesday may also be used for these projects.

Though the state government has a March 2014 deadline for projects under the BRGF scheme, the government wants to finish off as much work as possible before the panchayat elections slated for next year.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to visit Jangalmahal this weekend in order to hold administrative meetings with officials of the Purulia and Bankura district administration and review the progress of work.

On Mamata's last visit to these districts, she had instructed officials to not only complete projects within the stipulated time but also keep a constant check on the social welfare schemes. Ahead of her visit, the district officials are hence in a mad rush ensure that the documents are in place and a report card on the progress of work ready.Though some of the projects were running slow, PWD officials said that the pace had gained momentum now and work was going on in full swing.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/PWD-projects-get-a-boost-govt-clears-Rs-70-crore/articleshow/17395662.cms)

DFan

November 28th, 2012, 10:26 AM

Hello everyone,

I am a new joiner.I have been following this forum for quite a long time.found the discussions interesting.

DFan

November 28th, 2012, 10:29 AM

^^

I think till Mamata changes land acquisition policy, ABP is going to come up with many such negative news. Mass exodus in search of jobs is a 3 decade old phenomenon in Bengal .

Please go through this link :

http://www.epaper.eisamay.com/Details.aspx?id=1068&boxid=3141546

http://www.epaper.eisamay.com/epapermain.aspx?queryed=9&eddate=11/26/2012

Looks like govt has shifted little bit from earlier stand regarding land acquisition.Not sure how far this is true.

NiladriG

November 28th, 2012, 01:31 PM

2nd investment happened in Aero City in Andal. ARDEX Endura (INDIA) Pvt. Ltd ( a collaboration between German construction chemical giant ARDEX and Raheja group) is taking up 3 acres of land. Investment size will be 10 crores and employment generation will be 200+. This is the second chemical plant of the company after their first venture in Bangalore.

The first investment that had happened in Aero city a few months back was by US firm P and H Mining Equipment who have taken up 24 acres of land.

The aerotropolis seems to be progressing well when other projects are going slow. The airport work is also going strong. Hope this can bring some much needed investments into WB. :cheers:

NiladriG

November 28th, 2012, 01:32 PM

Hello everyone,

I am a new joiner.I have been following this forum for quite a long time.found the discussions interesting.

Welcome to SSCI. :cheers:

NiladriG

November 28th, 2012, 01:33 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/PWD-projects-get-a-boost-govt-clears-Rs-70-crore/articleshow/17395662.cms

The finance department on Tuesday cleared Rs 70 crore for the PWD to execute several road projects in the districts, mainly Jangalmahal and North Bengal.
The PWD had earlier placed a proposal of Rs 250 crore for execution of various road and infrastructure projects. Sources in the PWD said work will be done in phases and the total amount required to implement all projects according to plans has been pegged at Rs 1,000 crore.
Besides road and infrastructure, work on railway overbridge projects and those under the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) be carried out on a priority basis. Part of the Rs 70-crore fund cleared on Tuesday may also be used for these projects.
Though the state government has a March 2014 deadline for projects under the BRGF scheme, the government wants to finish off as much work as possible before the panchayat elections slated for next year.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to visit Jangalmahal this weekend in order to hold administrative meetings with officials of the Purulia and Bankura district administration and review the progress of work.
On Mamata's last visit to these districts, she had instructed officials to not only complete projects within the stipulated time but also keep a constant check on the social welfare schemes. Ahead of her visit, the district officials are hence in a mad rush ensure that the documents are in place and a report card on the progress of work ready.Though some of the projects were running slow, PWD officials said that the pace had gained momentum now and work was going on in full swing.
The PWD on Tuesday got clearance of Rs 70 crore out of Rs 250 crore from the finance department to execute several road projects in the districts.
The PWD had earlier placed a Rs 250 crore proposal to the finance department for clearance to start off and execute various road and infrastructure projects. Work is to be executed in phases and the total amount that will be required to execute all projects according to plans will be around Rs 1.000 crore.
Highly placed officials said that the finance department has cleared Rs 70 crore and the PWD will use the money to execute several road projects in the districts, mainly in Jangalmahal and North Bengal. Work of executing projects under the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) and some railway overbridge projects will be executed. Though the BRGF scheme projects are scheduled to be completed by March 2014, the government wants to finish off as much work as possible by the time the panchayat elections are held next year.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled for a two-day Jangalmahal visit this weekend from December 2 to hold administrative meetings with officials of the district administration of Purulia and Bankura and to review the progress of work. This will be the chief minister's fifth Jangalmahal visit.
There is a mad rush among the Purulia and Bankura district administration to see and ensure that everything is in place and a report card is ready on the progress of work before the chief minister's visit. During her last visit in Jangalmahal, the chief minister asked the government officials to implement work and complete projects within time and also instructed to keep constant check to see that the social welfare schemes like distribution of ration cards and kishan credit cards for the BPL listed families are being done properly. The chief minister also emphasised to improve the 100 days work programme.
The CM have held meetings with BDOs and district magistrates at Writers' Buildings where these issues were stressed upon.
The chief minister in her previous visits to the Jangalmahal districts have stressed on improving the health care system. Among the infrastructure projects that the PWD is executing in Purulia are the upgradation of Deben Mahato hospital where a sick new born care unit is being set up and the first floor is having a vertical extension. A blood bank and a sports academy is coming up in Bankura's Khatra. The government has set a October - November 2013 deadline to complete all these projects.
Though some of the projects were running slow due to administrative and other reasons, PWD officials said that the pace had gained momentum now and work is going on full flow. :cheers:

anan355

November 30th, 2012, 01:08 AM

The Kolkata Port Trust will go ahead with the proposed capacity expansion at Haldia dock despite a slump in cargo volumes and controversy over cargo handler Haldia Bulk Terminal's exit.

"We are moving ahead with capacity augmentation and issue the Request for Proposal (RFP) in a month for the Haldia Dock II project where we plan to add 23.4 million tonne capacity," KoPT manager ( Railway) A K Bose told PTI.

"We have already received 15 offers from major companies and consortiums like Adani, Essar, Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure, Gammon IndiaBSE 2.85 %, JSW Infrastructure, a consortium of Transstroy-OJSC, Vadinar Oil Terminal Ltd and Jindal ITF...", he said.

"Though there is some slowdown in cargo but with the upcoming projects in the eastern side, we need to argument capacity to meet the demand of the future," he said.

The existing dry bulk capacity of Haldia dock is 18 million tonnes and according to projections in 2019-20, the demand for capacity will be for 40 million tonnes.

The estimated Rs 1,700-crore expansion involves two projects comprising HDC-II north and HDC-II south at Salukhali at Haldia, close to the existing Haldia dock.

Each HDC-II north and South will have two berths each with one multipurpose and another mechanised.

The project will be executed under a PPP (Public-private partnership) model.

KoPT has already received the go-ahead from the public private partnership appraisal committee (PPPAC) for the model concession of the project.

KoPT has obtained nearly 160 acres of land for the project from the state government.

Source (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/shipping-/-transport/kolkata-port-trust-for-capacity-expansion-at-haldia-amid-cargo-gloom/articleshow/17401106.cms)

anan355

December 1st, 2012, 12:55 AM

The hills of Darjeeling have always been synonymous with tea. Separating tea from Darjeeling or Darjeeling from tea would seem completely impossible. But things are on the path of change as the North Bengal Development Authority has decided to grow coffee in the hills of Darjeeling and has assigned Coffee Board of India to conduct a feasibility study in the hills.

Manoj Agarwal, secretary, North Bengal Development Authority, who will meet Coffee Board officials next week, said: “The objective behind starting coffee cultivation in the region is to promote it as a suitable commercial and eco-friendly activity among the tribals so as to benefit them economically.”

An area of about 1 hectare has been identified in Kalimpong sub-division and Kurseong sub-division where the feasibility study will be conducted by the Coffee Board. After the feasibility study report is found to be positive, work on the plantation will begin in the area. Officials of the Coffee Board said that it would take around seven months to conduct the feasibility study.

P K Dutta, joint secretary, Coffee Board of India, said the plan is in a nascent stage. “We have shown eagerness to cultivate coffee in the hills and North Bengal Development Authority has given us a nod to carry forward with our study,” he said.

Under the 12th Five-Year Plan, the Centre has planned to increase the cultivation area under coffee in north eastern states, especially in North Bengal. An analysis of the 11th Plan revealed that 1,351 hectares have been covered under coffee cultivation as against the plan target of 1,850 hectares.

Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-tea-slopes-of-darjeeling-an-experiment-with-coffee/1037886/)

anan355

December 2nd, 2012, 01:26 AM

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/3594/84998088.png
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4843/16434736.png

Source: Bartaman, 2nd December, 2012

Translation:

This is related to NH-34 expansion. NHAI is willing to pay extra to convince the land owners.

A major part of the land acquisition issues have been resolved from Krishnanagar to Dalkhola ; however problem still persists for the
stretch between Barasat and Krishnanagar for a stretch of around 30 KM. Current rule is to pay 30% extra over the market price for land acquisition. In case that becomes a hindrance, NHAI is willing to pay extra.

Sumanb

December 3rd, 2012, 10:28 AM

All reports talk about the stretch between Barasat and Krishnanagar and the problem in that stretch (in fact the problem is betwen Barasat and Kalyani). What about the stretch between Airport and Barasat?

AbhishekDatta

December 3rd, 2012, 05:25 PM

not sure if this was posted before..

India: Government OKs Kolkata Port Trust Expansion Program
Posted on Dec 3rd, 2012

The Government has approved Kolkata Port Trust’s Rs 1,700-crore expansion program, according to Exim News Service.

http://d1j01gsz6hg963.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Government-OKs-Kolkata-Port-Trust-Expansion-Program.jpg?2bf7cb
This capital development plan includes the construction of Haldia Dock-2 (North and South) with four jetties which should have the capacity to handle 11.7 million tonnes of cargo per annum.
“We will shortly float the request for proposal (RFP) following which the technical and final bids will be floated,” stated a senior KoPT official, and added that the new facility would be capable of handling the 13.5-metre long Panamax vessels.
The project will be executed under a PPP (Public–Private Partnership) model.

source: Dredging Today

AbhishekDatta

December 3rd, 2012, 05:35 PM

Silk Park to come up West Bengal’s Malda district

December 03, 2012 (India)

A new Silk Park will come up in Malda district of West Bengal, a state in eastern India bordering Bangladesh, Prasanta Bhattacharyay, Small Scale Industry and Textile Commissioner, has announced.

The Silk Park would be set up on an 18-acre area at Madhu Ghat, located at a distance of about 10 km from Malda.

The land, where the proposed park is to be set up, belongs to the Department of Sericulture. Earlier, there was filature unit at the same place and silk spinning was carried out, but the unit is now closed.

The Planning Commission has already sanctioned Rs. 390 million for setting up the Silk Park, Mr. Bhattacharyay said.

source:fibre2fashion

anan355

December 4th, 2012, 07:44 AM

Tender Subject:

CONSTRUCTION OF SHEDS, STRUCTURES, WATER SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT, SEWERAGE, DRAINAGE, ROAD, TRACK, TELECOMMUNICATION, POWER SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT, GENERAL ELECTRICAL WORKS AND SUPPLY, ERECTION & COMMISSIONING OF MACHINERY & PLANT IN CONNECTION WITH SETTING UP OF CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR WAGON PROTOTYPING AT KHARAGPUR WORKSHOP, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Opening Date: 2012-10-15
Closing Date: 2012-12-06
Closing Time: 17.00 PM
Summary:

CONSTRUCTION OF SHEDS, STRUCTURES, WATER SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT, SEWERAGE, DRAINAGE, ROAD, TRACK, TELECOMMUNICATION, POWER SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT, GENERAL ELECTRICAL WORKS AND SUPPLY, ERECTION & COMMISSIONING OF MACHINERY & PLANT IN CONNECTION WITH SETTING UP OF CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR WAGON PROTOTYPING AT KHARAGPUR WORKSHOP, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Source (http://www.rvnl.org/tender/view_tender_detail.php?tid=507bbf2ec79e2)

anan355

December 4th, 2012, 07:57 AM

Private equity firm Matrix Partners has invested a little over 30 crore in Kolkata-based Enhance Aesthetic and Cosmetic Studio, signaling rising investor interest in ventures that provide specialised health and wellness services.
Matrix will take a 30% stake in the privately-held company that provides hair transplant, weight loss and cosmetic enhancement as well as dermatology facilities across four centres.

The year-old venture, founded by Dr Manoj Khanna, has a roster of celebrity clients such as sports commentator Harsha Bhogle and film actor Govinda.

"We plan to use to this capital to add around 20 centres across the country over the next three years," said Dr Khanna, whose company is clocking revenues of around 25 crore.

For Matrix, this latest deal follows an investment of around 30 crore in Mewar Orthopaedic Hospital last month.

While healthcare is high on the radar of risk capital investors, it is the single speciality chains offering specialist care in ophthalmology, dentistry, general surgery and maternal healthcare that are now bagging the most funding.

"Better outcomes for patients and better financial outcomes for investors are the two things that are making day care interesting for us," said Avnish Bajaj, managing director at Matrix India.

This year, risk capital investors have pumped in over $1 billion in the healthcare sector across 40 deals, a three-fold increase from the corresponding period in 2011 when $311 million was invested across 31 deals, according to research firm Venture Intelligence. Day care chains offer quicker discharges and customised service.

Source (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/fashion-/-cosmetics-/-jewellery/matrix-partners-invests-30-cr-in-kolkata-cosmetics-company-enhance-aesthetic/articleshow/17472466.cms)

anan355

December 4th, 2012, 08:07 AM

Essar Oil has shown interest in setting up its third coal-bed methane (CBM) project in the Asansol-Ranigunj belt in West Bengal, state's Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee said on Monday.

The company would invest Rs 5,200 crore for the project, Chatterjee told reporters here.

He asked company representatives who met him to furnish a proposal and submit it to the government.
Chatterjee said Saroj Poddar of Texmaco had also called on him during the day for a food processing unit at Sankrail in Howrah.

He said cement major ACC was ready with its plant in the state and it was expected to be inaugurated during the month.

Source (http://zeenews.india.com/business/news/companies/essar-oil-has-shown-interest-in-setting-up-project-in-bengal_65591.html)

niljee

December 4th, 2012, 01:09 PM

Tata Hitachi aims to make Bengal plant a global hub

KHARAGPUR: Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery Company, a joint venture of Tata MotorsBSE -0.28 % and Hitachi Construction Machinery, is aiming to make its West Bengal plant an export hub for its cost effective construction equipment for developing markets across the globe.

"Currently we are exporting around two per cent of our total production or around 300 units annually. The Kharagpur plant would be the export hub for the neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka and other developing regions like Africa and the Middle East," Mitsuhiro Tabei, vice-president and executive officer of Hitachi Construction Machinery Company of Japan, said today.

The Kharagpur plant is operating at just 35 per cent capacity due to slowdown in construction equipment market and is hoping for better capacity utilization if export of low cost equipment picks up.

"This plant will be the factory to the world," Tata Hitachi Managing Director Rana Sinha said here at the unveiling of company's new name. It was earlier called Telcon.

Tata Hitachi has a total capacity of producing 15,000 construction equipment units annually from its three plants located in Jamshedpur, Dharwad and Kharagpur.

The Kharagpur plant, spread across 250 acres, has the capacity to produce 6000 units annually comprising excavators, wheel loaders and dump trucks, sources in the company said.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods/svs/engineering/tata-hitachi-aims-to-make-bengal-plant-a-global-hub/articleshow/17478584.cms

NiladriG

December 4th, 2012, 07:05 PM

AbhishekDatta

December 4th, 2012, 10:47 PM

Innovative approach helped TWL in acquiring land in West Bengal
Titagarh will acquire 450 acres for a Rs.1,200 crore shipyard, reviving a project that has been a non-starter for 15 years
Manish Basu
First Published: Tue, Dec 04 2012. 11 57 PM IST

Kolkata: In West Bengal—a state notorious for controversies over land acquisition—Titagarh Wagons Ltd is to acquire at least 450 acres on its own to build a Rs.1,200 crore shipyard, reviving a project that remained a non-starter for almost 15 years.
If things go according to plan, the project will be implemented in three-four years. To gain immediate entry into the shipbuilding business, Titagarh Wagons acquired Corporated Shipyard Pvt. Ltd for an enterprise value of around Rs.20 crore. In fiscal 2012, the shipyard took in Rs.35 crore in revenue and posted a net profit of around Rs.80 lakh, according to Titagarh Wagons chairman J.P. Choudhary.
The company has adopted a unique model for acquiring land: an apolitical group has been formed for collective bargaining that combines people from whom land is to be bought and retired government officers hired to negotiate with them to build a consensus on the project.
Choudhary said some 2,000 landowners have already agreed to sell land for the project, which is now awaiting clearance from the state government’s land and land reforms department for acquisition of land in excess of 24 acres —the ceiling on landownership under West Bengal’s laws.
Titagarh Marines Ltd (TML), a unit of the wagon manufacturer, is to build the shipyard at Kulpi, 70 km from Kolkata in South 24 Parganas district. Of the 450 acres required for the project, at least 400 are under the ownership of private individuals. The land, though, isn’t very productive, yielding only one crop a year.
“We took the landowners into confidence from the beginning,” said Chayan Mukherjee, who retired as an additional director general of police and is helping TML with land acquisition. “We have adopted an innovative model, but for any company to buy land directly from landowners takes time.”
Among those assisting him are retired government officers such as Balaram De and Nalini Halder. They have worked in various departments of the state government and their understanding of local issues has made it easier for TML to negotiate with landowners, according to Mukherjee. “We have not faced any problem so far,” said Choudhary.
Several companies in West Bengal have abandoned projects because the state government refused to buy land for them, and several others failed to buy land on their own. If this model succeeds, it could be adopted by others looking to make investments in the state.
Direct negotiation with owners appears to be a better alternative to brokers, said Jogoranjan Halder, a lawmaker from Kulpi.
As long as there is no coercion, the local administration will support the project, said Kartik Mondal, head of the local village council.
“We are happy with the price that the company is paying,” said Basudeb Mondal, president of the landowners’ bargaining forum. He has already sold three acres and is awaiting state government clearance to sell another 12 acres for the project.
“Because the land in question isn’t very productive, we are likely to earn much more from bank deposits than from the crop,” said Chandrashekhar Halder, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) sympathizer and the secretary of landowners’ committee.
TML is also planning to set up a smaller shipyard at Kankinara in North 24 Parganas district at an investment of at least Rs.200 crore, Choudhary said. This will be built on land that belonged to a mothballed paper mill. Stup Consultants Pvt. Ltd—a French project consultancy—is advising TML on the Kankinara project.

http://www.livemint.com/Companies/9Z4JryBLj9915KLM95jVPM/Innovative-approach-helped-TWL-in-acquiring-land-in-West-Ben.html

NiladriG

December 5th, 2012, 03:51 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/German-investments-in-the-offing-for-West-Bengal/articleshow/17485882.cms

Bengal can expect some fresh overseas investments soon, with the German ambassador to India Michael Steiner coming to Kolkata to discuss with chief minister Mamata Banerjee areas where German investors can fit in.

As part of the preparatory meeting, a 20-member delegation led by German consul-general Rainer Schmiedchen on Tuesday held a two-hour meeting with state finance minister Amit Mitra to discuss about prospects for the new investors. Mitra told reporters that he tried to make clear before the team the state's focus and how it's creating clusters for different industries. However, Mitra made it clear that the government is handling the land issue very delicately and for that it would prefer the investors to go to Bankura or Purulia where barren land can be used for industry.

Bernhard Steinruecke, director general of Indo-German chamber of commerce, said that they were focusing on sectors like mining, steel and even automobile. Moreover, there were discussions on improving quality of vocational training, as the state is lagging in trained manpower. The government is keen on German ties is planning to have ties with Germans

to improve skills, Mitra said. I Sen of Indo-German chamber of commerce said that perception about Bengal is changing and more interaction will help bring in new investments.

Rajesh Nath, MD, VDMA-India, (federation of German machinery manufacturers) said that during the interactive session, Mitra told them how he had improved the revenue scenario in the state and about the new initiative in Bengal

. "He also discussed about setting up manufacturing industries on Kalyani industrial plot," Nath said. He added that food processing is going to be a key sector, where German investors can participate.

At present, many German companies are in the city to attend the mining fair. and for that they were eager to get a feel of the policy of the government.

N Sreenivasan, who represented German firm Wurth, said that people in Kolkata are lapping up new cars and for that last month, 14 Porsche cars were sold in the city.

German consul-general Rainer Schmiedchen said that in order to assist the Indian businessmen to stay longer in Germany, they were planning to grant business visa ranging from three to five years. Earlier, visa with restricted period was granted to the business community.

NiladriG

December 5th, 2012, 08:36 AM

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/sops-shower-for-rural-bankura/1040713/

With panchayat elections drawing close, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced a slew of projects aimed at wooing the rural population of Bankura district. At a rally in Bankura’s Onda, she announced several projects ranging from supplying drinking water to villages to setting up of bus terminals and industrial training institutes.
“When we came to power, there was no water in Bankura. I had instructed Public Health Engineering Minister Subrata Mukherjee to implement a water supply project. Today, we are inaugurating the Rs 1,100 crore water supply project under which safe drinking water will be supplied to 18 lakh people in 14 blocks and two municipalities. This is the difference between our government and the earlier one,” she said.

The Chief Minister also announced free power to farmers saying the hike in diesel prices has affected agriculture. “Farmers are unable to cultivate their land because of lack of money. The government has decided to provide power connections to the farmers free of cost. The subsidy will be given to them through Kihan Credit Cards,” she said.

She also said financial help to the tune of anything between Rs 10,000-45,000 will be given to poor farmers to help them purchase farming equipment.

She said her government has taken a number of projects aimed at strengthening healthcare and education infrastructure in all the districts of the state.

Multi-super specialty hospitals will be set up and funds have been provided for improving the road infrastructure in Bankura, she said. In every block there will be one Industrial Training Institute and 20 bus terminals, she added. Eight model schools will be constructed and fair price medicine shops will be opened, she said.

Mamata, who had earlier accused the Centre of not providing any monetary assistance to the cash-strapped state, said the financial health of the state was like that of a poor man trying to marry off his daughter.

“One rupee earned by the government is being spent to service the Rs 2.5 lakh crore debt left by the erstwhile LF govt. But we have not begged for money and we are implementing all the projects in the state on our own financial strength against great odds,” she said, and urged the party leaders to be with the people.

Mamata visits Loba, slams cops

Nearly a month after the villagers of Loba in Dubrajpur in Birbhum clashed with police, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday visited the village and slammed the police for conducting the operation of retrieving the earth-moving equipment that triggered the violent clash on November 6.

She blamed the “CPM elements” and agents of the mining company for the violence in which 33 people, including 27 policemen, were injured. Villagers had alleged that the police had opened fire on them, a claim rejected by the government.

“I have earlier said that we were kept in dark about the operation. I ordered the transfer of all the police officers” Banerjee told the villagers.

She assured the villagers that her government “will never acquire land forcibly”. “It is your land and you have the right to sell it to anybody you want and at any price you want. If you do not want to sell your land, then do not give. This I can assure you that the government will not do anything,” she said.

Significantly, villagers had claimed that local Trinamool leaders were playing role of the agents of the mining company for acquiring the land.

However, Banerjee claimed, “The land acquisition process for the mining company took place during the Left Front rule in 2009. Banerjee added that there are land sharks moving in the area and she advised the villagers to be aware of them.

NiladriG

December 6th, 2012, 04:15 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/217crore-compensation-paid-for-National-Highway-widening/articleshow/17498919.cms

A meeting of the state level coordination committee (SLCC) has revealed that Rs 217 crore has so far been paid as compensation to land losers, who have given up land, for widening National Highway 34. Of the five districts that NH-34 covers, land losers in four districts The sum was paid to land losers in four districts that NH-34 covers- Malda, Nadia, Murshidabad and North Dinajpur - have received compensation. - of the five districts that NH-34 covers.

North 24 Parganas, the fifth district, is yet to receive any compensation.

The meeting, held at the Writers' to discuss the land problems hitting the widening of the 433-kilometre highway, was chaired by chief secretary Sanjoy Mitra. was held at Writers' Buildings on Wednesday to discuss land trouble that was affecting work on widening the 433 kilometer highway.

The NHAI officials, district magistrates of five districts and senior officials of PWD, land, forest and power departments, attended the meeting.

"Work is on and 20 to 30% of the project is already complete in the districts. Some problems still exist on the highway's stretch from Barasat to Krishnagar, but those are being sorted out. The government is telling land losers that they will be paid a high compensation," said a senior official.

Of the compensation allocated to the four districts, Malda got the highest amount of Rs 112 crore, followed by Nadia, that got Rs 68 crore, Murshidabad Rs 19 crore and North Dinajpur Rs 18 crore.

For the remaining land, that needs to be handed over to NHAI, a compensation adding 30% on of solacium the present market price, including 12% interest, will be given.

Also, the stretch of NH-31 from Ghoshpukur to Salsalabari near the Assam border will be widened into a four-lane highway and the distance of the highway will also be cut by about 70 kilometres. "The length of NH-31 stretch from Ghoshpukur to Salsalabari will be cut to 155 kilometres. NH-34 now connects to NH-31 at Dalkhola. By shortening the distance and constructing a four-lane bypass, a direct four-lane connectivity can be developed from Kolkata till Assam," officials said.

The NH-2 and 6 stretches, that presently have four lanes each, will also be widened into 6-lane highways. Underpasses will also be constructed on these stretches.

Rajarshi77

December 6th, 2012, 09:47 AM

After sinking so much money I think NHAI will try their level best to complete the project.

anan355

December 7th, 2012, 11:56 PM

The state government is making all efforts to strengthen its business ties with UK. In order to attract investors from the country, it has set up a task force that will interact with UK-India Business Council and ensure investors do not face any problem.

On Thursday, the Business Council CEO Richard Heald accompanied by British deputy high commissioner in Kolkata Sanjay Wadhwani met chief minister Mamata Banerjee and finance minister Amit Mitra to discuss investment opportunities in the state.

In the meeting, the business team said they were willing to invest in long-term projects like sea port and riverbank beautification. Besides, they also expressed interest of investing in education, health and IT sectors. The West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation has also signed a consent letter with the Business Council so that the two can work together in various projects.

In January, another team of delegates will visit the city to finalise investment projects.

Bengal government in order to draw investment from UK based companies has set up a task force for interacting with UK-India business council so investors do not face any problem. The CEO of the business council Richard Heald met the Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accompanied by British deputy high commissioner in Kolkata Sanjay Wadhwani to discuss about British firms investment opportunities in and around Kolkata.

Last month Bengal's urban development minister Firhad Hakim had been to London to interact with the British government's UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), to identify possible areas of co-operation between UK and Bengal. UKIT helps UK based companies to reach out to overseas lands. The UKTI had made a survey in various Indian cities and had found Kolkata to be the best place for investment.

On Thursday the British team discussed about joint-venture projects in the city. The UK business team stated that they are willing to invest in long term projects and for that they discussed with the CM and finance minister Amit Mitra. The state is willing to take their help and for that West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation signed a consent letter with the UK-India Business Council so that the two can work together in various projects. In January another team of business delegation is coming to the city to finalise investment projects in Bengal.

The team had expressed interest in investment in setting up sea port, river bank beautification. Even they are willing to go for direct investments in setting up new cities, transport infrastructure, education, health and IT sectors.

Bengal government has already discussed with the Thames River Association so that the city's riverfront can be improved and people can walk along the river bank.

Already there are talks to develop the city's river bank and revitalize the port area for commercial use. Mamata Banerjee had repeatedly reiterated that she wants to convert the city's riverfront and make it alike Thames. For that already the beautification project has started in the city. Even the state is looking for some British companies for its financial hub in Rajarhat. They discussed that the financial hub can be viable if there is a proper legal environment, a low tax regime and low cost proposition. The Rajarhat financial hub can be a perfect destination for the foreign financial companies as Kolkata has got a good talent pool of professionals and low real estate prices.

The British officials also discussed about how they can participate in upgrading the Rajarhat and similar satellite townships. The British delegates also appreciated the state's initiative to set up the eco-park at Rajarhat on a 480 acre plot.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Task-force-to-interact-with-British-investors/articleshow/17513724.cms)

anan355

December 9th, 2012, 03:05 AM

I am going to post 3 different newspaper reports on same thing. Pan IIT Conference.
I think ABP has only 1 point across all its reports....unless Govt starts acquiring land....nothing is going to happen....
Then I wonder....do they even send reporters to different events to get coverage....
They might be sitting in a room and churning out stories.....at the end of the day....ABP is not reporting .....they are only sharing opinion...

anan355

December 9th, 2012, 03:11 AM

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/6002/63759966.png
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http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/7828/26720558.png

Source: http://www.anandabazar.com/9raj1.html,
Date: 9 TH december, 2012

anan355

December 9th, 2012, 03:14 AM

Here goes the TOI Report on same PAN-IIT Conference

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee didn't float dreams to win hearts. Instead, she showcased Bengal as it is with its prospects and problems that touched the 600-odd IIT alumni who have listened to international stalwarts such as Hillary Clinton, Bill Gates and Manmohan Singh in the previous meets.

"You must have heard about Bengal from several corners. We live in a democracy where there are diverse views and opinions. I need not tell you about them. You know better than me. Yet, let me tell you what our government is doing," the chief minister said while addressing the Pan IIT Global Conference 2012, at Science City on Friday.

In a bid to allay fears about the poor work culture in Bengal, the CM said that there has been a dramatic change in the work culture scenario in the state. "You would be happy to know that mandays lost in Bengal due to strike has come down drastically from nearly 68 lakhs in 2009-10 and 66 lakh in 2010-11, to only 60,000 in 2011-12. During ongoing 2012-13, such loss of mandays is reportedly around 5,000," the CM said.

Her candid speech had the desirable impact on the audience. Boston Pledge and Partha S Ghosh and Associates chairman made way to the dais to congratulate the chief minister for her 'inspirational speech'. "Her speech was practical and philosophical as well. I have never seen anyone giving such emotional speech in a dignified way. She acted like a true statesman when she appealed for investment not only for Bengal but for other eastern states also," Ghosh added. Krishna Khanna chairman and founder of India 1st or Subrata Ghosh of M N Dastur were equally impressed.

Mamata didn't make any tall claims. She took to her "small is beautiful" theory to showcase Bengal with its Darjeeling Tea, Nakshi Kantha, Baluchari, leather goods from Santiniketan, premium mangoes and other technical sectors such as animation, film cities, cultural complex, tourism, textiles and many more. The chief minister made a fervent appeal to the gathering to lobby for Bengal. "Please help us attract investment here. Bengal is a small state but small is beautiful," she said.

Apart from the six products that have qualified for the Geographical Indication (GI) from the world community and the WTO, the CM announced that a new IT policy is on the cards that will facilitate the way for a couple of IT hubs and hardware parks. While talking about infrastructure, the CM informed that the government has already set up the West Bengal Highway Corporation to develop the road network on the lines of the Golden Qaudrilateral Project. Mamata also announced her government's plans to set up airports across the state apart from the new airport terminal in the city.

Describing Bengal as a power surplus state, the CM said that the government was setting up land bank to solve land problems for industry. Mamata took the opportunity to mention that the state's SDP growth has been greater than the national average and its revenues have grown by 35% between April and September this year.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/CM-hardsells-small-yet-beautiful-Bengal/articleshow/17528655.cms):

anan355

December 9th, 2012, 03:20 AM

Here goes the BUsiness Standard Report on PAN-IIT conference:

West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra, while speaking at the conference's second day, portrayed the growth figure of the state in various sectors.

"We have jumped on the overall from 17th position last year to 6th position," Mitra said besides once again pointing out the huge debt burden the Mamata Banerjee government "inherited" from its Left Front predecessor.

He said in the field of education, Bengal has jumped from 17th position last year to third in the country.

"In case of governance, we have jumped from tenth position to the second position in the country," the minister said.

He claimed the state has conducted the largest tax reform "ever conducted in the country".

"No state in the country has dematerialized VAT certificates...what you get back is a dematerialised VAT certificate that the government has introduced in the sector. No connection with any bureaucrat in the process is required," Mitra added.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said his state would be the destination for investment in India.

Inviting IITians, he said: "You all are the rising stars. I am welcoming all to invest in the state and be our knowledge partner."

Projecting the development in the state's agriculture sector, he said it had recorded a growth of 6.4 percent.

"Chhattisgarh is the first state to guarantee Right to Food," he said.

On power sector, the chief minister said Chhattisgarh was the only one that had zero power cust.

Assuring the entrepreneurs that in the coming years the state would ensure that there would not be any power cuts, Raman Singh said: "We want to have the best physical infrastructure in the country in the next 10 years."

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said his state "is already a very bright star in the West".

Highlighting the development story of Goa, Parrikar, who is an IITian, said, "Our health parameters are comparable with the West. The infant mortality rate has almost touched nearly single digit."

He said the state has 100 percent broadband connectivity

"We have computer penetration comparable to Singapore...We have almost 98 percent mobile penetration," Parrikar added.

More than 1,000 overseas participants from the US, Britain, Canada, Singapore and Australia, as also the Middle East, have congregated for PanIIT, being held in Kolkata for the first time.

Over 3,000 delegates, including policy makers, consultants and planners from both the public and private sectors, are participating in the event.

Source (http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/ians/news/bengal-goa-chhattisgarh-compete-to-woo-investment-at-paniit/90676/)

anan355

December 9th, 2012, 09:36 PM

PSU power major NTPC Sunday said it is optimistic of finding a "middle path" solution to the stalled 1,600 MW project at Katwa in West Bengal's Burdwan district as the state government is "keen" to see that the project takes off.

"We are optimistic that some solution will surely come out from our discussions with the West Bengal government," National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) CMD Arup Roy Choudhury told reporters on the sidelines of PanIIT here.

The Rs.9,600-crore project has failed to take off as it would need about 1,030 acres, of which West Bengal Power Development Corporation (WBPDCL) has already acquired 575 acres.

But according to the state-run power firm, 550 acres is "not sufficient" for the 1,600 MW project as it needs land for the ash pond and the colony.

Earlier, NTPC had for the first time decided to buy land directly from farmers. However, owing to hurdles in the involvement of middlemen and the high prices quoted by farmers, the company decided against it.

Following this, the company urged the state power department to acquire land for it. The state government, however, did not respond to it as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took a decision to stay away from land acquisition for industrial projects.

Choudhury, who Saturday held talks with the state power department officials on the fiasco, said the company was now willing to look into different options to see that the project takes place but ruled out the possibility of shifting of the Katwa project.

"We are willing to look at our alignment, we are willing to re-look at the way we have done the layout of the plant. We are open to split locations for the project if we get separate land for ash pond and colony," he said.

"There is also a possibility that we can do a smaller capacity plant if we can fit it into the given land (550 acre)," the CMD said.

On his meeting with the government, he said, "There were certain things that we had discussed in the meeting (on Saturday). Both sides have decided that they will closely look at this project."

Initially, the project was scheduled to be set up by WBPDCL. However, after protests by the Trinamool Congress-backed 'Krishak o Khet Majoor Bachao Committee', an association of farmers who lost land to the project, it was handed over to NTPC in 2008.

Later, a memorandum of understanding for power purchase was signed with the then Left Front government in the state.

Source (http://india.nydailynews.com/business/b5486dbffa10f4a76700c69c9594dcbf/ntpc-hopeful-of-solution-to-stalled-katwa-project)

anan355

December 9th, 2012, 10:44 PM

It will be a thing to watch whether Govt can manage to get this amount of agricultural land for this project. At this point in time, acquiring 4300 acres of agricultural land seems to be an outright dream.I dont know on what basis is the irrigation minister confident.

But if the govt can get this done, not only the agricultural productivity will increase ( because of the vast potential irrigation catchment area of 52,800 hectares), it will also be able to augment the drinking water supply in many towns of Bankura.

However good news is that the long pending irrigation project of Keleghai - Kapaleshwari has started after a prolonged delay.

Surface water irrigation has been pretty neglected in Bengal for decades at a stretch. We relied too much on groundwater extraction and that has resulted in arsenic menace across the state.

Source: Bartaman, 10th December, 2012

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anan355

December 10th, 2012, 01:17 AM

anan355

December 10th, 2012, 01:39 AM

Not sure whether this will lead to increase in fish production, but yes, this is another step in boosting the revenue of the cash strapped Govt.

Translation:

Govt Decides to substantially increase the lease rentals for the various ponds and tanks given out to individuals for fish cultivation. 42000 hectares is the total amount of water bodies under the ownership of WB Govt and the later is also going to mandate the production from the water bodies.

Current lease holders will have the first right of refusal for the increased lease rent , in case of which lease ownership will be decided through auction.

Source

Anandabazar, 10th December, 2012
http://www.anandabazar.com/10bus2.html

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anan355

December 10th, 2012, 08:06 AM

The West Bengal Highway Development Corporation (WBHDC) has suggested to Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) to come up with a draft policy in line with the state’s existing stand on land acquisition, for the five state highways it has been assigned to survey for further development on the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
“We have proposed to the RITES authorities to suggest the draft policy before framing the report on the feasibility study they are conducting, to the board of directors and to the state government,” said B Konar, WBHDC director (technical).
The suggestion was made during a presentation on the first inception report of RITES submitted to the WBHDC and its follow-up for development of the project on December 1.
The central government enterprise, RITES, has been outsourced to check the status of state highways and to study the financial viability of the PPP model in design build operate and transfer mode for further development. It has submitted an inception report in September. According to sources at RITES, the state government does not have the updates on the five state highways stretching over 1079 kilometres across 10 districts in the state.
“Some of the stretches have been extended. In some places, there is habitation along the road and the concerned municipality is collecting taxes from the occupants in some places. We said at the last meeting that the land would have to be acquired by the state government so that the existing highways may be extended to four and six lanes,” said an officer in the survey team of the RITES. The agency plans to chalk out a detailed and long-term route map for development of highways.
To the WBHDC board officers, acquisition of land for extension of roads is a distant proposition for the government. “We will have to place the draft policy with the government for final approval. We have conveyed that it should be according to the state’s existing policy. We will cross-check the technical side of the survey report,” said Konar.
WBHDC officials have told RITES that they should frame their study for a short or mid-term development where land acquisition for the four of six lanes is next to impossible.

http://portal.thebengalpost.com/article_images/WBHDC-seeks-land-policy-in-line-with-state-stand--50892871355070072graphic.PNG

“We have told them that we need to develop the highways in existing two lanes and develop the riding quality. Long-term planning may not be viable because the government might change the toll tax policy one day,” a PWD official said.
Sources at Writers’ Buildings said nine other agencies on Wednesday evinced interest in conducting feasibility study for the 14 other state highways.

http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/WBHDC-seeks-land-policy-in-line-with-state-stand--50892871355070072

anan355

December 10th, 2012, 08:08 AM

NiladriG

December 10th, 2012, 02:12 PM

Rajarshi77

December 10th, 2012, 03:01 PM

I think the state policy is whoever wants to acquire land has to acquire it directly. The state government will not acquire land and hand over to the interested parties.

anan355

December 11th, 2012, 06:00 AM

I think the state policy is whoever wants to acquire land has to acquire it directly. The state government will not acquire land and hand over to the interested parties.

Your justification seems logical.....perhaps thats the policy....But then WBHDC can float bonds and start raising money directly from the market , do the acquisition and build the road and later collect toll.....What is the problem?

debayanlahiri

December 11th, 2012, 06:52 AM

^^^^

I really cannot understand what is the policy of the state govt regarding roads? Do they have any policy at all?

If they have plans of no acquisition, then how is the acquisition for NH-34 happening or how is the Kalyani Expressway getting widened?

The State Government has always, and will continue to acquire land for public projects.

The non-acquisition policy is for private projects and the govt is encouraging the private players to acquire land directly from land owners.

debayanlahiri

December 11th, 2012, 06:53 AM

NHAI have paid a lot of money as compensation. State govt. has not done anything.

NH-34 is a NHAI project. However, land has to be acquired by the State and handed over to NHAI.

Kalyani Expressway is a State Highway and NHAI has no role in its expansion.

debayanlahiri

December 11th, 2012, 06:54 AM

I think the state policy is whoever wants to acquire land has to acquire it directly. The state government will not acquire land and hand over to the interested parties.

...if it is for a private project.

For all public projects, State will continue to acquire land.

anan355

December 11th, 2012, 07:35 AM

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Source: Bartaman, 11 th December, 2012
http://www.bartamanpatrika.com/content/rajya.htm

Translation: State Govt Plans Intensive Therapy Unit ( ITU) every 50 km in the state. In the first phase 30 such ITUs are being planned in the district hospitals. This will entail an expenditure of Rs. 150 crore. ITUs are going to be accompanied with HIgh Dependency Unit (HDU) everywhere.

NiladriG

December 11th, 2012, 07:43 AM

niljee

December 11th, 2012, 03:25 PM

ITC to invest Rs 3,000 cr in Bengal over next 4 years
Hotels, hospitality, FMCG may be focus areas

Kolkata, Dec 11:
ITC is willing to invest nearly Rs 3,000 crore in Bengal over the next four years, the company’s Chairman Y. C. Deveshwar said here on Tuesday. He, however, did not specify the areas in which his company was willing to invest.

The ITC chairman had earlier in the day met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Speaking to reporters at Writers’ Buildings, Deveshwar said: “In the next four years we will invest Rs 3,000 crore in the State.”

According to company officials, ITC’s investments would be in sectors such as hotels and hospitality, consumer goods (including food), IT as well as expansion of its existing businesses in the State.
ITC-Infotech

To a specific question regarding the availability of land for ITC-Infotech, the fully-owned IT subsidiary of the group, Deveshwar said the matter was being looked into by the State Government.

Bangalore-based ITC Infotech has fully-owned subsidiaries in the UK and the US and an office in Kolkata. The company offers IT services and solutions across industry verticals such as banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, manufacturing, travel, hospitality, transportation and logistics, and media and entertainment.

ITC had earlier applied to the West Bengal Government for land so that they could set up shop here. At a meeting with State Commerce, Industries and IT minister Partha Chatterjee in August last year , ITC Infotech had expressed willingness to shift its engineering design and technical divisions here subject to availability of land.

The State Government is said to have identified 15 acres in the satellite township of Rajarhat, on the eastern fringes of the city. “We are awaiting directions from the State Government in this regard,” an ITC official said.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/itc-to-invest-rs-3000-cr-in-bengal-over-next-4-years/article4188328.ece

anan355

December 12th, 2012, 09:12 AM

German ambassador to India Michael Steiner on Monday indicated that if the state government wanted to attract investments , it had to open up to the world and be proactive in creating a favorable condition so that the investors could repose faith in local administration. Steiner, along with a German delegation, met chief minister Mamata Banerjee at Writers' Buildings on Monday and discussed opportunities for business in the state.

Coming out of the meeting, the German diplomat told media that his team had found the chief minister very energetic and impressive. "German companies are eager to invest in the state. West Bengal needs to open up to the outside world. I encouraged the chief minister to realize the realities of the global market," he said.

To drive home his point, Steiner gave an example of Siemens. "There are many fields where cooperation with West Bengal could be very fruitful. There are areas like food processing, vocational training, higher education and so many other areas," he said.

The ambassador also said that the German industry had proved its excellence in areas like urbanization, development of infrastructure and energy efficiency. "The distance between Berlin and Kolkata, which is about 7,000 kilometers, is not a factor now with improved communication. More important is the proximity in temperament. You have the quest for inclusive growth. I have talked to the chief minister about the German industry's willingness and she readily agreed," he said.

Steiner mentioned that if land was available and adequate infrastructure was in place, then investments can flow into any state. "If one is proactive and a favorable condition is being created, investments will come," he said.

According to the team, the German industry was keen to invest in various sectors in the state like food processing.
Only last week, a 20-member German delegation, led by German consul general Rainer Schmiedchen, held a meeting with state finance minister Amit Mitra at the state secretariat to discuss prospects for new investors. A mining exhibition was held last week where the German business delegation had participated.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Germans-seek-security-to-invest-in-Bengal/articleshow/17566612.cms)

anan355

December 12th, 2012, 09:20 AM

The state health department has decided to build a multifunctional superspeciality hospital (MFSSH) at Islampur in North Dinajpur district. State library minister and Trinamool Congress MLA of Islampur Abdul Karim Choudhury made the announcement. According to Islampur Subdivisional Hospital sources, the hospital buildings would be completed by the end of 2014 or early 2015.A team of senior officials recently visited the site of this proposed hospital.
Choudhury, said: “Our chief minister Mamata Banerjee has development dreams for Islampur and it has been proved by the sanctioning of the MDSSH at Islampur. Not only would it be for people in the same area, all people of the district would get proper treatment in the MFSSH.”
Samarjit Sengupta, subdivisional officer (SDO) of Islampur, said that in the upcoming year in the first period, the MFSSH buildings would be started. “We have already identified the land for the MFSSH in Islampur. Using funds from the Backward Region Grant Fund, the hospital building would be constructed,” he said.
According to sources, there is some land of the health department in Islampur and the MFSSH would be built here.
An official of the district health department said: “The final project cost has not been sanctioned yet. However, roughly we have an idea — Rs 6 crore to Rs 7 crore would be spent for the facility in Islampur. All modern treatment facilities would be accommodated in that hospital.”

Source (http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/State-govt-to-build-superspeciality-hospital-in-Islampur-349109371355238646)

Sumanb

December 12th, 2012, 10:11 AM

Multifunctional superspeciality hospital (MFSSH) in 6-7 crores - what entity will be that?

Sumanb

December 12th, 2012, 10:14 AM

^^^^

I really cannot understand what is the policy of the state govt regarding roads? Do they have any policy at all?

If they have plans of no acquisition, then how is the acquisition for NH-34 happening or how is the Kalyani Expressway getting widened?

State Govt will not acquire any land be it private or public if they sense that this might create trouble. The party has come to power on that sentiment and will not try to spoil that.

anan355

December 12th, 2012, 01:20 PM

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7866/26757112.png

Source: Pratidin, 12th December, 2012
http://sangbadpratidin.in/pratidin/kolkata.php

NiladriG

December 12th, 2012, 03:45 PM

Source: Pratidin, 12th December, 2012
http://sangbadpratidin.in/pratidin/kolkata.php

That's good, but actually we need more hospitals in districts rather than in Kolkata. Ideally we should have a multispeciality hospital in every district with smaller hospitals under its command. Video conferencing will help to solve a number of cases without the need to bring the patient to the main hospital. This will alleviate much of healthcare issues in WB.

anan355

December 12th, 2012, 04:15 PM

NiladriG

December 12th, 2012, 05:47 PM

True....very true....

One of the key signs of a developed economy is affordable healthcare at cheap rate at a nearby location.....

But investment in Kolkata is also needed..... For ages we have been to South India....let us get some medical tourists

Yes medical tourism is another boost to the local economy. But main thing is to first establish a chain of multi speciality hospitals across WB. It can be done under PPP mode.

anan355

December 12th, 2012, 09:14 PM

Land acquisition and entry tax on goods in West Bengal continue to haunt industry captains.

A memorandum by the MCC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (formerly Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce) on the proposed roadmap for industrialisation in West Bengal has posed the uncomfortable questions of land acquisition and entry tax yet again.

The memorandum has been submitted to State Commerce and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee and MP Saugata Roy. Roy is also the advisor to the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on issues of Industry and IT.

The Chamber has suggested that the State re-look its hands-off land acquisition policy where the State will not acquire land, while levy of entry tax be set-off (adjusted) against payment of value added tax (VAT) for industries to remain competitive.

According to the memorandum, the Chamber has suggested that the State government assist industry in land acquisition, even if it is for a “certain percentage”.

Moreover, sales by land-owners should be treated as their final approval for use of land and having a separate ‘consent letter’ from the one who loses land be done away with. The State had recently asked those acquiring land to get consent letters from those losing it. Equally important for industrialisation is that the State does away with land ceiling norms or they might consider raising the ceiling limit for land held by private companies to around 150 acres. Clearances too should be provided faster, the Chamber suggested.

The other issue that the Chamber has raised is granting of special economic zone status so that tax relief can be given thereby making local industries more competitive. Land revenues too should be brought down.

On the issue of entry tax on goods coming into the State — for sale, consumption and use — the Chamber has pointed out that the taxes have increased raw material costs, thereby leading to an increase in production cost. It has also impacted the competitive strength of all industries.

The tax, if levied, should be adjusted (set-off) against payment of value added tax (VAT).

Relaxation of taxation should also be made on goods which are used for making export products or on those imports where customs duty has already been paid.

Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/west-bengal-govt-asked-to-review-land-acquisition-policy-vat/article4192307.ece?ref=wl_opinion)

anan355

December 12th, 2012, 10:56 PM

CMC to fence film city plot

The Calcutta Municipal Corporation has decided to immediately fence the 240-bigha plot earmarked for the film city planned in Uttarpara.

The decision was taken on Tuesday at a meeting attended by municipal commissioner Khalil Ahmed, Serampore sub-divisional officer (representing the Hooghly district administration) Joyoshi Dasgupta, Uttarpara-Kotrung Municipality chairpersons Aditi Kundu and Dilip Yadav, and Uttarpara police.

About 15 brick kilns illegally operate from the plot despite a six-month-old order from the district authorities to vacate the area. Most of the firms and agencies that had submitted expressions of interest for the film city have lost interest in the project as they are not sure that the CMC would be able to remove encroachers from the plot.

The municipal commissioner entrusted the work to the municipality. The city civic body will foot the bill.

“We have asked the local municipality to submit an estimate of investment involved in walling up the area. An amount of Rs 16 lakh has been lying with the municipality with which they can start the work,” said Ahmed.

He had called the “emergency meeting” after a directive from the chief minister’s office on Monday to take “immediate step” for taking possession of the land earmarked for the film city, said a source.

Mamata Banerjee was supposed to lay the foundation stone for the project in August. The programme had to be cancelled at the last moment as the CMC failed to get the plot vacated.

It was also decided at Tuesday’s meeting that corrugated tin sheets would be used instead of bricks to fence the plot to keep expenses in check.

Source (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121212/jsp/calcutta/story_16306006.jsp#.UMj86ax9LXQ)

rupakd

December 13th, 2012, 10:16 AM

Ankur Urja’s Ferro Alloy project delayed

Ankur Urja’s 36,000 MTPA ferro alloy plant at West Bengal is delayed by nine months and will be commissioned in May 2013. According to original schedule the plant should have gone on stream by August 2012. However, the company has not given any specific reason for the delay. The project which is coming up at Bankura will produce ferro manganese, silico manganese and ferro silicon. The project is estimated to cost Rs 59.7 crore and will be financed at a debt-equity ratio of 1.33:1.

http://www.projectsmonitor.com/NONFERRO/ankur-urjas-ferro-alloy-project-delayed

anan355

December 13th, 2012, 11:05 PM

Finance minister Amit Mitra on Thursday inaugurated a “model” registration office at Alipore that aims to provide prompt and improved service through the use of technology.

The refurbished office, for those who buy land and houses in and around Regent Park and Bansdroni, is equipped with an advance queue management system, comprising a token dispenser unit, a master token display, counter display units and a supervision control computer.

The system is expected to manage queues efficiently to provide relief to over 500 people who visit the office daily, said Mitra. This would enable people to get a deed registered in a day, eliminating long queues, the minister added.

“As part of our government’s emphasis on e-governance, we will gradually introduce the new system in all 240 registration offices in the state,” said Mitra.

The government hopes to achieve a 25 per cent growth in the revenue of Rs 80 crore generated from the Alipore office, said a source.

Source (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121214/jsp/calcutta/story_16313180.jsp#.UMpLGKx9LXQ)

anan355

December 13th, 2012, 11:12 PM

The state cabinet on Thursday approved land allotment procedure and guidelines to bring transparency in price fixation and allotment of land to investors.
“There was no transparency in land allotment and price fixation during the previous Left Front government. In the 40th cabinet we have approved the land allotment policy and guidelines and also one time intensive assistance for farmers in agricultural sector,” said Partha Chatterjee, state minister for industry and commerce flanked by other senior ministers at Writers Buildings after the cabinet meeting.

He said that according to the policy allotment of land to industry majors like ITC, Maruti and 12 other small and medium investors was approved today. The land allotment policy and guidelines were framed so that investors would not face any harassment.

According to sources, under this policy, West Bengal Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBIDC) and IIDC and other corporations would publish the details of the land which they want to allot in the public domain for at least one month.

After that, the highest bidder will be selected and they will be asked to give details about their projects including development initiatives, employment generation, measures to arrest pollution and their backgrounds. Finally, the transaction adviser will categorise the investors after going through the project details and price offered for land.

The list of the investors will then be forwarded to the cabinet sub-committee on industry and infrastructure to take the final decision. The land will leased out for a maximum period of 99 years and all the terms and conditions would be maintained.

Sources also revealed that, for commercial purposes, land would be allotted to the highest bidder through auction.

However, in special cases in the interest of the state or development of the backward region there would be relaxations but that should be supported with justification before the sub-committee on infrastructure.

For internal transfer of land there would be a committee headed by the chief secretary, who will monitor the land transfer process. The cabinet also decided to give Rs 8,000 to farmers under one-time incentive assistance scheme for converting their diesel pump-sets into electric ones.

Chatterjee said that the farmers would be given Rs 8,000 for setting-up electric pump-sets, besides they will be given Rs 10,000 to Rs. 45,000 for procuring power-tillers, tractor-tillers, power-reaper and other machinery used in agricultural sector. It has been decided to encourage farmers and to increase the production in the agricultural sector, said Chatterjee.

The cabinet also approved the setting up of Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) on 100 acres of land at Kalyani. Three companies- Coal India, Rolta and JSW have been selected through expression of interest for setting up IIIT in Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Sources in the Industry department said, ITC will set up their IT parks on 15 acres of land between Infosys and Wipro at Rajarhat which will generate 5,000 direct and 25,000 indirect employment. ITC has also been allotted 40 acres of land in Panchla and 18 acres of land in Uluberia for setting up other projects like food-processing. State education minister, Bratya Basu said that the cabinet has also decided to introduce general transfer policy for school teachers in government aided schools.

“The School Service Amendment Bill will be brought in the next Assembly session, which will enable school teachers to apply for transfer to their nearest location. After the application the applicant will be transferred according to the posting and vacancy available in the school near his/her home,” said Basu.

Source (http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/State-govt-okays-land-allotment-procedure-and-guidelines--475866841355417110)

anan355

December 13th, 2012, 11:18 PM

And now a report on the same topic by Telegraph.... see the negative tone and it does not even mention about all the investment proposals cleared as well as the IIIT news.... ITC infotech is just given 2 lines at the end

Money alone can’t buy industrial plot
Investor record & job chances to be checked

The Bengal government has unveiled a policy to auction state agencies’ plots to industry but included clauses that can deny allotment to the highest bidder.

Announcing that the cabinet today approved the policy, industries minister Partha Chatterjee said: “The highest bidder for a commercial plot will be given the land. But in case of land parcels meant for industrial purpose, offering the highest price would not be the only condition to get the plot.”

Chatterjee said the government would consider several other criteria such as the track record of the investor and employment opportunities the project would generate before allotting the land parcel.

“The new land-allocation policy has been framed to bring transparency in the land allotment process. During the Left Front tenure, there was no transparency,” the minister said.

The announcement, however, created confusion as Chatterjee did not spell out the process to evaluate the criteria.

“There is a lot if subjectivity in the entire process, which may result in favouritism. If an investor who has quoted the highest price is rejected without the government citing a proper reason, it would further dent Bengal’s appeal as an investment destination,” a Writers’ official said.

The government’s hands-off land acquisition policy has already hit its industrialisation plans hard.

Although Chatterjee has claimed that investment proposals worth over Rs 1.09 lakh crore have reached the government in the past 18 months, the rate of implementation of the proposals has been a matter of concern.

In the new allocation policy, agencies such as the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) and the West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBIIDC), which have land available for industrial or commercial use, will put the information in the public domain and invite bids from investors.

“The expression of interest will be on websites for at least a month,” Chatterjee said.

While inviting bids for the land parcels, agencies such as the WBIDC and the WBIIDC will announce a floor price.

“After getting the bids, the agencies will look into all the other factors, such as the quantum of investment, nature of industry and its employment potential,” Chatterjee said.

Using such parameters to assess the potential worth of a project will be incomplete unless the government develops a model by assigning proper weightage to each parameter, an official said.

“Unless the investors are told in advance about the model, there will always be an element of subjectivity, which will add to the confusion,” the official added.

Plot for ITC

The cabinet today cleared allotment of 15 acres to ITC Infoctech in Rajarhat to set up its first unit in the state.

Source (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121214/jsp/bengal/story_16315513.jsp#.UMpLrqx9LXQ)

AbhishekDatta

December 14th, 2012, 03:59 AM

anan355

December 15th, 2012, 01:03 AM

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/4775/96900801.png
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/9572/74270253.png

Source: Pratidin, 15th December, 2012
http://sangbadpratidin.in/pratidin/national.php

I looked at Today's Anandabazar and Telegraph.
Could not get this news.
Can anybody send me a link, in case I have missed.
In case, they are not publishing; isnt this a total negative attitude?

AbhishekDatta

December 15th, 2012, 08:38 AM

Suncity

December 15th, 2012, 12:41 PM

Rajarshi77

December 15th, 2012, 02:55 PM

^^meeting business houses frequently is good..but everyone should be very cautious about these chitfund papers... they are equally, i guess even more dangerous...they will take a second to say otherwise moment it hurts their business..

It is a disaster in making. People have been raising funds with out proper approvals and repayment ability . :ohno:

Sumanb

December 15th, 2012, 03:54 PM

Rajarshi77

December 15th, 2012, 04:14 PM

I read some where probably Ei Somoy that CM said that it was a house full presentation and some industrialists didn't have place to sit. But what she probably missed is how many of them will actually invest in the state.

AbhishekDatta

December 15th, 2012, 05:43 PM

follow up from the same news group:

quite passionate presentation must say...she must continue such meetings...these are good even if there is no immediate results...

Ht1PDQAqMQE

Stranger99

December 15th, 2012, 08:49 PM

Didi had nothing new to say about land.

FMgv4lBvDHk

She is still asking investors to purchase land directly in case it is not available from the land bank. All she will do is give "approval" to purchase.

Let all those industrialists and investors who are in agreement with the above policy step forward and do actual investments in Bengal by buying land themselves. Let them set an example if they agree that there is no samsya with the new policy.

Is she mad?? or Insane!! She kept doing the same thing without addressing the concern raised by the chamber of commerce multiple times. Can she realise of whats happening around - everything has already Gone...Starting from Nano,Singur then from Infosys to HariPur NuclearPowerPlant, From thermal power of Katoa to NayaChar petroChemical; Jindal er karkahnao bishbao jale. Only inauguration & proposal....no policy, no innovative thinking.No real investment, rather scrapping all the previous projects just for the sake of political gimmick. Even the extension of national highway is also stuck becasue of so called Bhumi Rakhkha Bahini of TMC.No land acquisition is possible. Its already a disaster. The entire state is near to bunkruptcy & she is still lecturing:bash:

SarafIndian

December 15th, 2012, 08:55 PM

^^ Yap. West Bengal is no special. Industries would just go to Orissa (already happening)..

anan355

December 15th, 2012, 09:49 PM

She is still asking investors to purchase land directly in case it is not available from the land bank. All she will do is give "approval" to purchase.

Let all those industrialists and investors who are in agreement with the above policy step forward and do actual investments in Bengal by buying land themselves. Let them set an example if they agree that there is no samsya with the new policy.

Sun, I did not expect this from you at least. :)

I just looked at last 4 pages upto page 183. That coincides with last 1 month only i.e upto November 13th and this is I could compile from the last 4 pages. These are the companies agreeing to invest with land either purchased directly or from the land given by the state.

Can you please revisit?

============================================

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=98275698&postcount=3728

ITC Infotech in Rajarhat –15 Acres
ITC Plant in Uluberia- 18 acres
ITC Plant in Panchla – 40 acres

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=98143093&postcount=3703
NTPC agreeing for smaller piece of land

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=98223029&postcount=3720

Alchemist Group – Rs 500 crore investment in healthcare sector

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=97956217&postcount=3688
Essar Oil and Texmaco

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=97979987&postcount=3691
Titagarh Wagons shipyard project buying 450 acres of land directly from farmers

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=98021510&postcount=3694

NH-34 work progress

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=97664842&postcount=3663
Ambuja plant in Howrah and Hoogly through direct purchase.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=97719400&postcount=3670

Ardex Endura investing in Aerotropolis

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=97272695&postcount=3647
Patton Tank logistic and industrial park in Uluberia on 56.12 acres
Ultra Tech Cement Company plant in Chanditala Hoogly
Ankit Integrated Steel Plant Chatna in Bankura .
ACC cement plant in Kharagpur
SPS Ispat Steel Plant at Mejia

=============================================

anan355

December 16th, 2012, 01:10 AM

Taking infrastructural development a step further, the state government would soon sign an MoU with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a loan of Rs 3,000 crore for a proposed North-South Corridor connecting Morgram in Murshidabad and Mechhogram in East Midnapore. The corridor would pass through Arambagh and Burdwan as well and the MoU is to be signed in January next year.

“ADB authorities have already sanctioned a grant of Rs 5 crore for the feasibility for building the proposed corridor connecting Haldia,” said PWD secretary A Bardhan, adding that the state government has a plan to develop Haldia as the next industrial hub in the state.

Although the central government has placed on hold the industrialisation of Haldia over environmental factors, the state government has a plan to continue the infrastructural development connecting Haldia till the north.
According to sources in the PWD, the proposed road would connect NH-34 and NH-6 over its total 230-km stretch. They also indicated that traffic moving towards Haldia through NH-34 would be diverted through these corridors for further access to the new industrial sector whereas vehicles from all over the country moving through Jharkhand would get faster access to Haldia through NH-6.

“The ADB authorities have assured us that they would prepare the detailed project report for the proposed corridor and the secretary, PWD, would sign the MoU for the loan with approval from the state finance department in the presence of central government authorities in Delhi in January 2013,” said a PWD official.
Sources in the PWD also said that the ADB authorities would conduct a study on this corridor before preparing the detailed project report starting from March next year.

It has been decided that ADB would conduct the study and prepare the detailed project report for the corridor, which may cost nearly Rs 3,000 crore.
State highway development authorities would help ADB officials in preparing this report.

Source (http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/Govt-to-sign-MoU-with-ADB-for-road-project-29748001355587070)

anan355

December 16th, 2012, 01:55 AM

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/4268/73603441.png

Source: Bartaman, 16th December 2012

Translation: Sue to switchover to "One-Time Mode", Govt is expecting a big surge in revenue collection from the Transport department.

anan355

December 16th, 2012, 10:46 AM

Pratidin report contained little more details than the Bartaman Post. So giving the link of another article on the same topic.

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3366/36482112.png

anan355

December 16th, 2012, 10:55 AM

The state government has decided to amalgamate sick dairies with the Mother Dairy Project following profits achieved by the new government.

“Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is very happy with the performance of Mother Dairy. We have already ordered for amalgamation of Burdwan Dairy with Mother Dairy. Subsequently, we are processing the other dairies for amalgamation in phases,” said animal resource development minister Nur-e-Alam Chowdhury following a high level meeting at Writers’ Buildings on Friday.

It has also been decided that the government would procure milk from producers by increasing prices by `2 in both flush and lean seasons.

Mother Dairy, a public-private initiative, recently crossed the breakeven mark leaving behind a monthly subsidy of `7 crore. “The chief minister has congratulated us and with the performance of Mother Dairy, she is very hopeful about its further flourishing,” said Chowdhury.

The state government has six dairies, namely Haringhata, Belgachia, Krishnagar, Burdwan, Central Dairy in Kolkata and Durgapur.

The Burdwan Dairy has amalgamated with Mother Dairy. The minister has indicated that in the proposed amalgamation, only Haringhata Dairy would be excluded because it would be modernised in a different initiative as it is a heritage dairy. Animal resource department sources confirmed that these government dairies are still sustaining huge losses daily.

The minister also said that in the last one-and-a-half years, Mother Dairy has achieved strong margins in sales of diversified products like ice-cream, probiotic curd, ghee, paneer, packaged bottle water and other products. “If the chief minister did not pressure us for not increasing the price of milk, we would not be able to achieve this goal,” said Chowdhury.

It is the sole reason that the animal resource department has succeeded in increasing the minimum support price for milk producers across the state. The producers sell milk to 3,800 cooperative societies and in turn, the milk is consumed by the dairies through 13 milk producers’ unions in the districts. The increased price would help 2.5 lakh milk producers in the state.
The total production of milk received by all government and non-government dairies is 10.5 lakh litres a day. Since 60 per cent of the total milk produced in the state is used for confectioneries or sweetmeat shops, the remaining 40 per cent is left for the dairies, triggering a deficit of four to five lakh litres a day. The producers would get Rs 18 for a kg of milk from May 16 to August 15, and Rs 19 for the rest of the year.

With the success story of Mother Dairy, the state government is taking a joint initiative to increase the number of milk booths in and around the city. “We are approaching the housing department for a small piece of land so that a parlour may be opened and production can increase,” added Chowdhury. The dairy authorities have already passed a plan to set up new milk booths in Barasat, Sonarpur, Diamond Harbour, Narendrapur, Maheshtala and Budge Budge.

With instructions from chief minister Mamata Banerjee, vegetables are already being sold from 52 booths for a reduced price jointly with the food processing and horticulture department.

Source (http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/Govt-to-integrate-sick-dairies-with-Mother-Dairy-106132271355502717)

anan355

December 16th, 2012, 11:13 AM

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/9881/58188270.png

Source (http://eisamay.indiatimes.com/--/articleshow/17634574.cms)

Translation:

State Govt is going for another round of fresh loans to give the DA to state Govt Employees. This loan is going to be taken by issuing bonds. Though the revenue has increased, however the expenses has increased manifold. Half of the unplanned expenditure is being spent on salaries and pension amount.

WB govt has to shell out higher interest rate because of the fiscal position of the state, In last 1.5 years, around Rs. 32000 crores of new loan has been taken by the state govt.

anan355

December 16th, 2012, 11:39 PM

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/9205/67836877.png

Source: Pratidin, 17th December, 2012
http://sangbadpratidin.in/pratidin/westbengal.php

Translation:
Eastern Railways is going to construct a flyover / ROB near Chuapur in Baharampur. This will reduce traffic snarl. Total estimated project cost is 33 crores. Construction is going to start on a priority basis soon.

anan355

December 16th, 2012, 11:42 PM

Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union minister of state with independent charge of power, visited Raghunathpur in Purulia district on Sunday. Scindia came to lay the foundation stone for the second phase of a thermal power project which would be operational under the aegis of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).
In his brief inaugural speech, Scindia claimed that in the 12th Five Year Plan, the Indian government had set a target of generating 90,000MW of electricity.

http://portal.thebengalpost.com/article_images/Scindia-lays-foundation-of-DVC-thermal-project-412997871355674163Scindia-dec.PNG

On Saturday afternoon, around 2,000 local residents who lost their land for setting up the project organised a protest to attract the notice of the minister to their plight. The oustees through their protest let the central minister know that they had been deprived by DVC in terms of compensation for their land. They also demanded that they had not been given any jobs till date as promised by DVC at the time of acquisition of the land for project.
“I must talk with the DVC management regarding the plight of the landless. We should keep in mind that DVC has a long track record of commitment to social and corporate responsibilities to enhance the level of infrastructure and local economy in their project areas. I am very proud to declare that I have come to Raghunathpur with a power generation project that would pump in `10,000 crore and that would surely better the socio-economic status of the backward place,” said Scindia.Scindia landed in Raghunathpur by helicopter from Kolkata and returned by the afternoon. Union minister of state in charge of urban development Deepa Das Munshi accompanied him on his hurricane visit.

Source (http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/Scindia-lays-foundation-of-DVC-thermal-project-412997871355674163)

anan355

December 16th, 2012, 11:46 PM

Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) expects to commission the first unit of Ragunathpur thermal power unit in Purulia district of West Bengal by March next year, an official said.

“The initial date for commissioning of the first unit was November 2010, but due to non-availability of water we could not start the unit,” chief engineer of Ragunathpur thermal power station (RTPS) JK Singh said.

However, he said recently the water connectivity work has begun for a 10-km pipeline from Panchet dam to the plant site.

The project has been delayed by 18 months due to problems in land acquisition. The second unit of the first phase is expected to be commissioned in the middle of 2013, Singh said.

The first phase of the thermal power project consists of two units of 600 MW each. The project is yet to acquire 400 acres of land for rail corridor and township from the state government out of the total 2,098 acres needed for the 2520MW thermal power project.

The entire project is due to be completed by 2017. “Rural Electrification Corporation is likely to finance bulk of the Rs 6,300 crore loan for the second phase of the plant,” DVC chairman RN Sen said.

The financial closure of the Rs 9,089 crore project is expected soon. DVC aims to add 3520 MW in the 12th Plan period to become 10,729 MW company by 2017.

Source (http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/DVC-expects-to-start-Purulia-plant-244594671355670353)

anan355

December 16th, 2012, 11:54 PM

Fearing the impact of climate change and spiralling energy costs, the country is gearing up to implement measures to curb emission growth.

The government has pledged to cut carbon intensity, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of economic output, by around 25 per cent by 2020, from 2005 levels.

Like other states, West Bengal too has taken steps by thinking and acting green. The state has identified a need to design a climate-friendly industrial policy to promote sustainable development.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the British deputy high commission, Kolkata, the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) and West Bengal Pollution Control Board have undertaken a project to frame fiscal instruments for climate-friendly industrial development in West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.

The project’s objective is to help West Bengal and other states adopt appropriate fiscal instruments by 2013 to mobilise low carbon investment and facilitate low carbon industrial development.

The project, which is being funded by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Prosperity Fund India programme, has already allotted around Rs 30 lakh to Eunomia (a data analysis institute), Jadavpur University and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for organising seminars and R&D.

It has been estimated that formulation of a proper fiscal policy for climate-friendly industrial development in the state can generate annual revenues of around Rs 400 crore for West Bengal and more than $19,000 million by 2030.

“The objective is to create a financial reallocation model, where the money generated from within the economy will finance targeted green activity through performance-based criteria,” says Abraham G Stephanos, vice-chairman, environment sub-committee, CII.

The fiscal instruments will help the states to in reducing carbon dioxide footprint per unit of power consumption and, thereby, attract more foreign investments and funds.

A cost-benefit analysis for the shortlisted instruments has been done. Sectors shortlisted under the project are power, industry, incentives for waste heat recovery in sponge iron and other industries, construction, waste management and renewable energy.

It has been estimated, that around 190 million tonne greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 2030, if a proper fiscal instrument is implemented. The state can then monetise the amount of reduced emission by the process of carbon trading.

Carbon trading or emissions trading or cap-and-trade is a market-based approach used to control pollution providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions. The buyer has to pay a charge for polluting, while the seller is being rewarded for having reduced emissions.

Moreover, there is a proposal to levy green cess on conventional producers of power at a rate of Rs 0.2 / kWh (kilowatt-hour), that would generate Rs 400 crore, annually for the state. The amount is almost one per cent of state revenue receipts.

“We have analysed that implementation of the fiscal instrument will not put any additional burden on state budgetary expenditure. In fact, it will generate around 30 per cent of the costs of the state’s Climate Change Action Plan,” said Dominic Hogg of Eunomia, which is involved in developing cost-benefit analysis models for the project.

The committee has come up with low carbon refunding schemes for the power and other industries. For the power sector, it has suggested imposing a cess or surcharge based on the carbon content of input fuel used by the plants and to incentivise improved power generation from per unit of carbon.

For other industries, it has recommended a cess or surcharge on electricity used, refunding the net revenue to the industry on criteria of profitability and to incentivise improvements on profitability per unit of electricity use.

Source (http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/Green-money-304601211355670740)

anan355

December 18th, 2012, 01:52 AM

CM Meets industrialists in Delhi : 3 different reports by 3 different groups

Lets first go to Telegraph Report

Mamata Banerjee drew only a handful of big-ticket business surnames to her Delhi durbar and one left midway after raising the unpalatable FDI in retail in what was interpreted as a “walkout”.

About an hour into the interaction at the new Banga Bhavan complex in Chanakyapuri, Sunil Munjal of the Hero Group suggested that the Trinamul Congress review its opposition to FDI in multi-brand retail as it would help farmers in Bengal. He also referred to the land problem.

Munjal, the joint managing director of Hero MotoCorp, added that the state should identify 100 important projects, monitor them constantly at the highest level and showcase them as success stories.

“I wish you all the best,” Munjal told Mamata.

“I wish you all the best in your business, too,” Mamata replied. It was around 7.15pm.

A little later, Munjal left and the programme continued for another half an hour.

While leaving, Munjal told waiting reporters — the event was a closed-door affair — that the Hero Group had no plans to invest in Bengal at the moment. “I came here because she invited me,” Munjal said.

The organisers of the show insisted Munjal had informed them in advance that he had another programme and would have to leave at 7pm — the scheduled closing time.

But a source close to Munjal said late tonight: “You can call it a walkout if you must. Somebody had to tell it as it is. Many kept saying they had problems but, in the next breath, they were showering praises.”

Asked about Munjal’s FDI statement, Rajan Bharti Mittal, who is spearheading the Bharti Group’s joint venture with Walmart for retail and who took part in the interaction today, said: “She said she needs more time to understand things like this and it can’t happen in a forum like this.”

Munjal and Mittal were among some of the big names at the meeting that otherwise largely drew second-rung business representatives. Some of the other standout names were Atul Singh, president of Coca-Cola India, Pratap C. Reddy, chairman of Apollo Hospital, and Naina Lal Kidwai, country head of HSBC. Apollo has operations in Bengal and Kidwai is also Ficci president.
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Atul Singh, president of Coca-Cola India, Pratap C. Reddy, chairman of Apollo Hospital, and Naina Lal Kidwai, country head of HSBC--- are second rung business representatives?

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“We explained our government’s stand on industry. It was a very good discussion. People had misconception about Bengal. They have been cleared,” Mamata said after the meeting.

Several participants later applauded her “sincerity” but added it was too early to say if investments would flow in.

Ajit Gulabchand, the chairman of construction major HCC, said the meeting went off well but added that business could not be held hostage to politics.

“You have to create a predictable atmosphere for business to thrive. If there is a policy, no one is going to change it, nobody is going to pass a retrospective act or going to stop implementation of a project. Without that, who will invest?” Gulabchand asked without making a direct reference to Singur.

“I liked her passion. But I want to see the implementation on the ground,” he added.

An insider said at least two participants pointed out that it was difficult to get any job done in Bengal and the state’s image needed correction.

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So Telegraph had insiders among the second rung business leaders in a closed door meeting. :lol::lol:

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“The CM explained that her government has been in place for just about 18 months and she had many priorities,” the source said.

Trinamul MP Derek ’Brien later described the event as “the most important meeting in the party’s history”.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121218/jsp/frontpage/story_16331750.jsp#.UM-7rKyHUY4