^^ then i pray to god that she comes in power :)

Yeah but I said she would be laying foundation stones. Whether the projects themselves are completed will be a question mark.

The CPM has started playing the Mamata game and is opposing a railway project in Howrah by organizing land losers. Mamata is trying to act like a saint and saying if people don't want she will not build a rail factory there. On the other hand Mamata's men are opposing the airport project in Andal.

Mamata has talked about creating lakhs of railway jobs and she promises a railway job to anyone she wishes as if the railways are her personal fiefdom. It's been many months, but I wonder how many youths of West Bengal have received railway employment.

Mamata has been in politics for ages. Except for violence she has not contributed much to West Bengal. Throwing out the Tatas is the latest feather in her cap.

Pro Mamata newspapers are trying to project her as the new improved messiah with humane feelings about the poor and even portraying her dunking of Kolkata mayor as some kind of childlike (rather than childish?) prank.

The only thing good about Mamata is that she makes the CPM shiver and the CPM leadership loses its wit whenever she takes them on. The CPM has no clue on how to handle her. They have tried bad mouthing her, calling her a liar etc etc. But the more they say so, the people seem to like Mamata even more. It shows you that the CPM is run by a bunch of morons (especially the ones in Delhi).

:lol:

Between pompous politburo run party and Mamata didi's party, a lot of people would rather vote for her party than a party run by communist fundamentalists and inflexible people like Prakash Karat.

She has single handedly smashed all the bhadralok political rules of Bengal and is representative of Bengal's lower level muscle powered street politics. That's what makes her immensely popular.

That's my personal opinion though. And I could be completely wrong.

I found this PDF prepared by WBDIC.Fantastic information in this,a must read.

Gives all information regarding infrastructure,industries investments regarding bengal and also vis-a-vis other states and the pictures also doesnt look all that bad!

And probably every other statistic you can think off!

http://www.wbidc.com/images/pdf/annual_report/annual_report-09-10/Statistical.pdf

Yeah but I said she would be laying foundation stones. Whether the projects themselves are completed will be a question mark.
.......................................
That's my personal opinion though. And I could be completely wrong.

i think due the cat fights between the top two political parties the state will suffer... they should just learn from orissa and bihar... if they do not take any immediate steps then WB(minus kolkata) will be far more backward that orissa and bihar and will be the lowest in our country :ohno:

and believe me bengalis deserve a lot more i have myself seen how hard working they are

and the above post by avishar proves this
in the last 19yrs only Rs50k crore of investments have come into the state
and i feel very embarrassed to tell that around 1 lac crore investments ONLY IN TOURISM IS EXPECTED IN VIBRANT GUJARAT

even posco's orissa steel plant is Rs 52k crore size :bash:

Kolkata: Central power utility NTPC will take over the proposed Katwa mega thermal project and a greenfield power project in Santaldih from cash-strapped state power utility West Bengal Power Development Corporation (WBPDCL).
NTPC is also open to taking over existing units of Santaldih Thermal Power Station. Santaldih, one of the oldest power projects in Bengal, has a capacity of 980 MW. It has four units of 120 MW and two units of 250 MW each. NTPC is planning to set up two super critical units of 800 MW each in Katwa. Total capacity of Katwa TPS would be 1,600 MW. For Santaldih, NTPC is discussing with WBPDCL for 1,320 MW (660X2) project.
Katwa and the greenfield expansion in Santaldih was initially conceived as a joint venture with WBPD and a central pow utility. Both NTPC a Bhel were in fray f the project.
The newly appointed chairman & MD of NTPC, Arup Roychoudhury said that it has already signed power purchase agreement with the state government for Katwa. “As per the agreement, state will get 50% of the power from Katwa. Other states in eastern region will get 35% and 15% will go to central grid,” he said. The central power utility wants to complete the project in fast track. “It has strong balance sheet to raise resources,” he added. The total investment in Katwa would be Rs 9,600 crore with debt equity ratio of 70:30, the equity required for the project is close to Rs 2,900 crore.
Later, NTPC director commercial, I J Kapoor said that t w ould pay to PDCL whatever nses it h as inred so far for Kat-NTPC officials d that it requires 1,100 acres for Katwa. “As far as we know 387 acre land has been acquired for the project. The rest will be acquired by NTPC. We have to apply for environmental clearance and coal linkage for Katwa,” the official added. On Santaldih, NTPC CMD said that it is open to taking over existing units along with the greenfield project. “We are in talks with state government. We’ll discuss the issue in the next 2-3 days,” he added.

Looks like this project is on track.Hopefully they have solved all the land disputes.

Kolkata: Construction work for the Rs 6,000-crore Panagarh plant of Matrix Fertliser & Chemicals has started and is expected to be over by 2012, state industry minister Nirupam Sen said.
“Construction work has started for the 500-acres Matrix plant in Panagarh. This is a capital-intensive industry as it’s a gas-based fertiliser plant. It would require coal-based methane (CBM) gas. They (Matrix) will get the gas in 2012. We are expecting by that time they will be able to finish construction work,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar organised by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
The company is owned by Nishant Kanodia. It would use CBM gas from the nearby Raniganj field operated by the Essar group.
Sen said two international companies are planning to set up units in Panagarh in Burdwan district and have approached the state government. Sen declined to name the companies as they are yet to finalise the deal. But he said both the companies are in renewable sectors.
Regarding the approach road to Panagarh, which is narrow, he said: “There is a plan to do bypass road. The land for bypass has been identified and acquisition is on. WBIDC is acquiring land. After acquisition we will hand over the land to NHAI.”
Sen said the government is planning industrial park in few places of the state and land has been acquired for those. “We are doing industrial parks in places like Panagarh (1,500 acre), Durgapur (500 acre), Purulia (2,500 acre), Naihati (100 acre) and Kharagpur (1,100 acre). We have our own land in these places. The lands are in our possession.”

Good to see a big ticket investment off the ground.Government should use these existing industrial parks to allot land for industries so as to avoid land disputes in fresh land acquisitions.

Throwing out the Tatas is the latest feather in her cap.


No no no. the latest is throwing the mayor in the pool :lol:

i think due the cat fights between the top two political parties the state will suffer... they should just learn from orissa and bihar... if they do not take any immediate steps then WB(minus kolkata) will be far more backward that orissa and bihar and will be the lowest in our country :ohno:

and believe me bengalis deserve a lot more i have myself seen how hard working they are

and the above post by avishar proves this
in the last 19yrs only Rs50k crore of investments have come into the state
and i feel very embarrassed to tell that around 1 lac crore investments ONLY IN TOURISM IS EXPECTED IN VIBRANT GUJARAT

even posco's orissa steel plant is Rs 52k crore size :bash:


How much are the actual industrial investments in the various states? Not the hype and hoopla.

Posco is the biggest foreign investment in India, so it is good for Orissa as well as West Bengal because it adds to eastern India economy.

No no no. the latest is throwing the mayor in the pool :lol:

Yes. that's a new feather in her cap. ABP reported that in another incident (not sure when exactly) she acted as if she was checking the water pressure of some pump at some inauguration ceremony and then turned on the water with full force on her chelas and drenched them.

Meet our new Chief Minister - Miss Mamata the Prankster.

:lol:

How much are the actual industrial investments in the various states? Not the hype and hoopla.

Posco is the biggest foreign investment in India, so it is good for Orissa as well as West Bengal because it adds to eastern India economy.

ORISSA

List Of MOU's signed by state govt. from 2001-2010 in only steel,auto,aluminium,titanium,cement and refinery sectors (http://www.teamorissa.org/MoU%20Projects-Updated%20as%20on%206th%20May%202010.pdf)

even if 10% of this materialises(which is a very very low figure) then also it comes out to be Rs 44k crore

and for all the sectors from 1999 to 2008 click here (http://www.teamorissa.org/Orissa-GDP%20&%20Investment%20Trend%20till%202008.pdf)

this clearly shows the difference between orissa and WB.

JHARKHAND

signed MOU's in last six yrs for Rs 3 lac crore investments and out of 70 MOU's production began in 13 cases and 30 are on different stages of development and rest have not make any progress so far source (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100617/jsp/jharkhand/story_12574104.jsp)

List OF MOU signed by jharkhand govt. in last 8yrs (http://jharkhand.gov.in/DEPTDOCUPLOAD/uploads/13/D200813070.pdf)

CHHATTISGARH

in last 10yrs MOU's for large projects worth Rs2 lac crore were signed but some of them were cancelled(Rs 20k crore)

list of alive MOU's (http://cg.gov.in/departments/sipb/List%20of%20MoUs%20-%20Alive.pdf)

:lol:

She got a great power. She can even throw a whole airport to bay of Bengal and a whole nuclear power plant to orrisa..

She can even throw a whole airport to bay of Bengal

:lol:

Yes. that's a new feather in her cap. ABP reported that in another incident (not sure when exactly) she acted as if she was checking the water pressure of some pump at some inauguration ceremony and then turned on the water with full force on her chelas and drenched them.

Meet our new Chief Minister - Miss Mamata the Prankster.

:lol:

may be she is still an adolescent :ohno:

ORISSA

this clearly shows the difference between orissa and WB.

JHARKHAND

CHHATTISGARH



Investments in Orissa and Jharkhand will have a positive effect on West Bengal. So it's good news.

Meanwhile today's ASSOCHAM statement on West Bengal gives hope:

Bengal a lucrative investment destination

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bengal-a-lucrative-investment-destination/724981/2

Many business and industrial projects may have hit roadblocks in Bengal but it seems that the chambers of industry have not lost confidence in the state. A survey conducted by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has concluded that the Left Front-ruled state is a lucrative destination for investments in the country.

West Bengal, the study stated, attracted a total investment proposal of Rs 5,77,904 crore till September, 2010. In the same period the country received investment proposals of Rs 1,04,93,601 crore.

Of the total investment proposals, 73 per cent has come from private sector and the remaining 27 per cent from government.

The state’s share of total investment undertaken by different governments in the country is 3.7 per cent and in terms of investments by the private sector, Bengal’s share is 6.7 per cent.

“West Bengal is a well established, matured economy. The trade off between equity and efficiency issues has affected growth of economy in the past. However, the state has the potential to achieve double digit growth rate by exploiting complementarities between its social and economic strengths,” said the new ASSOCHAM president, Dilip Modi.

The study also pointed out the problems of land acquisition that has hit many projects. It, however, added that despite such hurdles, Bengal’s position of being the sought after investment destination is an encouraging trend.


The survey stated that nearly 50 per cent of the investment proposals are in different stages of implementation and 48.3 percent of investments are in the announcement stage. Implementation of projects involving 1.5 per cent of total investment is stalled due to various reasons, the survey said.

The survey also stated that there has been a balanced development of all the sectors of the economy.

This strategy is expected to help the state reduce dependency on agriculture, add value to primary sector products and augment sources of revenue for the state, it added.

Another article (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Assocham-boost-to-investment-plans-/articleshow/7102261.cms) adds this


According to the study, the manufacturing sector has got major share (39.3%) in total live investment. This was followed by electricity (33.5%), services (20.2%) and real estate (5.5%).

^^ are they talking of this yr only? and if yes then can i get figures for other states since this is just 6.7% of private sector proposals

wait i found investment proposals in Q1(FY from april to june)

click here (http://www.assocham.org/prels/shownews.php?id=2589)

The percentage change in the implementation rate during the first quarter of the current fiscal has been the highest in the state of Uttar Pradesh (64). This was followed by the states of Haryana (40), Kerela (32), Orissa (18), Uttarakhand (18), Karnataka (10). The states of Tamil Nadu (9), Jammu & Kashmir (9), Bihar (7), Maharashtra (6), West Bengal (4), Andhra Pradesh (3), Assam (1), Gujarat (1), Jharkhand (1) have registered single digit growth rates

though WB is low but still above AP,GJ(this may be due to the large investment proposals and even 1% of GJ implementation could be more than WB) and we are only left with jharkand.

The statewise breakup of investment under implementation as on June ’10 (Rs. Crores) has been Maharashtra (666065), Orissa (498190), Gujarat (487361), Andhra Pradesh (478612), Tamil Nadu (334960), UP (326356), Haryana (318488), West Bengal (288109), Karnataka (279033), Jharkhand (173008), Chhattisgarh (167557), Madhya Pradesh (165848), Kerela (126223), Punjab (115683), Rajasthan (84955), Bihar (59339), Jammu & Kashmir (44339), Himachal Pradesh (43928), Uttrakhand (38869), Assam (36124)

this shows WB has seen improvement in proposals but they need to increase their implementation rate

SO this shows that though the proposals are large but implementation rate is very low... hope MAMATA improves this

SO this shows that though the proposals are large but implementation rate is very low... hope MAMATA improves this

Isn't Mamata responsible for some of the non implementation of projects?

:)

The rate of implementation (% share in total live investments) as per June 2010 in prominent states, has been the most in Haryana (81.5) followed by UP (70.6), Assam (65.9), Maharashtra (61.7), Punjab (60), Andhra Pradesh (58.5), Himachal Pradesh (56), Jammu & Kashmir (53.1), Kerala (51.9), Bihar (50.5), West Bengal (49.4), Tamil Nadu (47.7), Orissa (44.3), Chhattisgarh (40.6), Madhya Pradesh (40.2), whereas states like Uttrakhand (39.1), Gujarat (38.9), Rajasthan (34.7), Karnataka (32.7) and Jharkhand (28.2).

Isn't Mamata responsible for some of the non implementation of projects?

:)


i meant when she comes in power ;)

Photo cc soumen_mukherjee29 (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/44771834)

Durgapur IT park?

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/7180/44771834.jpg

Didn't quite get the joke - is this something that she has actually done, or just an allegory?

No no no. the latest is throwing the mayor in the pool :lol:

Didn't quite get the joke - is this something that she has actually done, or just an allegory?

you are falling behind Fred.

:lol:

Yeah she actually pushed the mayor of Kolkata into the swimming pool. And the pro Mamata media went ga ga over it and want the voters to believe that this is her inner child (hence innocent) at work.

:lol:

Just think Sonia Gandhi pushing the President of India into the swimming pool.

Crisil rates Bengal best MSME performer in E India

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/crisil-rates-bengal-best-msme-performer/418488/

Despite the fact that West Bengal might have an anti-industry image after the Singur and Nandigram episodes, a recent study by credit rating agency, CRISIL, has revealed that in Eastern India, the state is the best performer in terms of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Moreover, it hosts the maximum number of MSMEs in the region. The study, conducted among 10,000 MSMEs, compares the performance of enterprises in three key areas — business strength, management competence, and financial soundness.

“Enterprises based in West Bengal appear to be performing better, followed by Jharkhand. Businesses in these states are in a robust position and have demonstrated a superior ability to overcome risks emanating from product, customer, and geographic concentration,” the report said.

An analysis of entities engaged in the steel and steel-related products and engineering industry said, “West Bengal stand out for their performance in business strength and management competence, whereas there are areas of improvement on parameters pertaining to financial performance.”

On management competence, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand are closely tied up with each other, whereas Orissa clearly lags behind the other states. On financial soundness, Chhattisgarh emerges as the leader followed by West Bengal.

“Kolkata is an important industrial hub in eastern India, and therefore, a key market where industry best practices should be highlighted.” said Yogesh Dixit, head of CRISIL Ratings, during an MSME chief executive officers’ conference in Kolkata on Wednesday.

:lol:
happened for real

Just think Sonia Gandhi pushing the President of India into the swimming pool.

:lol:

Just think Sonia Gandhi pushing the President of India into the swimming pool.

Read this article from The Telegraph (Dec 14, 2010): http://epaper.telegraphindia.com/TT/TT/2010/12/14/ArticleHtmls/14_12_2010_021_041.shtml?Mode=1

MB going the US and UK eeeesshhhhhtiiillllleeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....

Videocon has changed the contour of its proposed Rs 15,000-crore steel and power project in Bengal after three years of futile wait for land and coal mine.

The company has decided to delink the power plant from its steel facility and shift it from Jamuria near Asansol to Maithon on the Bengal-Jharkhand border.

Videocon — owned and managed by the Dhoot family — now wants to develop an independent power plant based mostly on imported coal.

It has signed an agreement with West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd (WBSEDCL) to sell the power.

The company plans to tap its mine in Indonesia to fire the plant besides applying for a linkage from Coal India Ltd.

The power plant will require around 1,200 acres, which the company wants to acquire on its own. It has zeroed in on a relatively arid plot. The facility will also have an easy access to water with the Maithon dam and reservoir nearby.

The company hopes the new arrangement will expedite the steel and power project for which it had signed an agreement with the Bengal government in October 2007.

Since then, Videocon had not been able to proceed with its plan.

Coal India had objected to the site chosen for the 3-million-tonne steel facility and the 1,200 mega watt power plant, arguing that there was coal beneath the surface.

Bhushan Steel, Shyam Steel and Vedanta have also faced the same problem.

“We feel that by separating the steel and the power projects, the requirement of land will go down in Jamuria. Consequently, we can realign the area for steel plant keeping in mind Coal India’s feedback,” Gautam Sengupta, eastern head of Videocon, said.

The company had wanted 3,200 acres initially and 4,200 acres in the second phase. After delinking the power plant, 2,000 acres will be sufficient for the first phase.

In Jamuria, the company has received the state government’s approval to buy and hold ceiling surplus land.

Imported coal

Bengal had promised Nachan coal block to Videocon once it’s allocated by the Centre.

However, the Centre has not given any block to Bengal since December 2007.

By seeking coal linkage directly from CIL and using imported coal for the power plant, Videocon may be able to reduce the level of risk associated with the more lucrative part of the business.

It has proposed to sell the entire power to the state grid, which, in turn, will supply to the steel plant when it comes up.

Sengupta said Videocon was working on a power purchase agreement with the state government that was expected to be completed within the next two months. A clarity on the price and the quantity of power to be sold will emerge after that.

Power plants usually prefer to have two components — low rate fixed tariff with state grid and merchant sale (trading) on spot basis at a higher rate.

The company is not dropping its demand for the Nachan block. “It may be difficult to survive only on imported coal. We need a captive coal block for long-term survival of the steel and the power plants. What we have done is to salvage Videocon’s investment proposal in Bengal for the time being,” Sengupta said.

Source: The Telegraph (http://telegraphindia.com/1101218/jsp/business/story_13316265.jsp)

Bharati Shipyard defers West Bengal plan


Bharati Shipyard said today that the company’s plan to set up a ship-building yard, in tie up with Apeejay group, at Geonkhali in East Midnapore district of West Bengal, has been postponed till the middle of next year due to the present economic and political situation in the state.

“We have delayed our plans to begin work on the project for a few months, till mid next year due to the change in global shipping scenario and certain political conditions. However, the firm is in the process of acquiring nearly 400 acres. Some of which are privately acquired and discussions are going on for the rest,” said Partho Burmon Roy, director, Bharati Shipyard. He said the project was supposed to start work by mid-2010, will be operational before 2014.


The proposed project, a 50:50 joint venture between Apeejay Shipping Ltd and Bharati, required 500 acres, but the land acquisition process ran into trouble as a aftermath of the Singur and Nandigram agitation.

“We are confident about this venture, and there are plans to review the product portfolio. Earlier, the project was for large cargo vessels. Now, we are looking to develop it for engineering intensive ships,” he said.

The company’s plan to set up a ship-building unit and an ancillary unit at Dhamra and Chandipur in Orissa are on track, he said. “We need about 900 acres for the ship-building unit and 500 acres for ancillary. Talks for land acquisition is going on with the state government,” he said.

The total cost of both the projects was expected to be around Rs 2,000-2500 crore. “We are expecting this to escalate by nearly 10 to 15 per cent. The land requirement for Geonkhali project has also been increased to 550 acres,” Roy added.

Bharati already has a ship-building facility in Kolkata, for which it has invested Rs 50 crore.

SOURCE : http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/bharati-shipyard-defers-west-bengal-plan/418811/

Kolkata Port Plans to Increase Capacity

Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT), which has handled around 3344 vessels among the Major Port Trusts in 2007-08, is taking up a number of projects under the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) for augmenting its capacity and has recently commissioned two new berths No. 2 and 13 at a cost of approximately Rs. 87.00 crores.

Kolkata Port, in order to maintain the channel depth, is intensifying its maintenance dredging works. It is constrained by the problems relating to the draught availability in view of the siltation of the channel on River Hooghly. In case it is allowed to do dumping of the dredged material at the shore itself, the productivity of the dredgers would go up substantially as they would not have to go to distant dumping sites for dumping the dredged material.

The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T. R. Baalu today reviewed the working and performance of the Kolkata Port Trust.

He also asked the authorities to improve the draught at the Port.

It was disclosed during the meeting that the Feasibility Report of the Diamond Harbour Container Terminal Project is completed. The construction of Container Handling Jetties at Diamond Harbour is being planned in terms of the recommendations of the High Powered Committee set-up by the Ministry.

This would enable vessels to avail of higher draught in the navigable channel and also result in reduction in freight costs and turn-around time of vessels.

SOURCE : http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2010/12/20/india-kolkata-port-plans-to-increase-capacity/

Singapore links biz to elections Kolkata

KOLKATA: Long-term foreign investments will elude Bengal till next year's Assembly elections. This was the message from Singapore foreign minister George Yeo on Monday.

Asked if Singapore was planning investments in the state, Yeo said: "Bengal is having elections soon. I think people will wait for the elections to be over before they make any long-term decisions." He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an interactive session organised by Aspen Institute in association with CII.

Yeo stated his country looks for places with conditions favourable for business.

Asked if the visa office shut for four years now would be reopened, he said: "I have not looked at this for some time now. But as the numbers grow, we are bound to review it. We are looking at more business and tourists."



Read more: Singapore links biz to elections Kolkata: - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Singapore-links-biz-to-electionsKolkata/articleshow/7135978.cms#ixzz18j7RNv2m

^^Post this in Kolkata economy thread!!!

Vibgyor to set up second facility at Dankuni (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/vibgyor-to-setsecond-facility-at-dankuni/419108/)

In order to increase its production capacity, Kolkata-based two-wheeler manufacturer Vibgyor Vehicles will set up its second facility at Dankuni in West Bengal by the first quarter of next financial year, a top company official said in Kolkata on Tuesday.

“We are planning to start work on our second facility at Dankuni by the first quarter of FY12. Through this, we want to increase our sales to 1.5 lakh units by next fiscal. In 2010-11, till now, we sold about 22,300 units and expects the figures to touch 35,000 by March,” said Mrigen Banerjee, chief executive officer, Vibgyor Vehicles, on the sidelines of the Eastern India launch of 125 cc bike Hunter. During the last financial year, Vibgyor sold about 10,550 units.
Vibgyor Vehicles, which was started in 2009 is the flagship company of Vibgyor Allied Industries Ltd, already has a factory at Dhulagori in West Bengal. The firm has brands like Gallop, Hunter, Persona and Shark under its portfolio. “We have charted out a roadmap for the first three years with an investment of Rs 660 crore. Moreover, to expand our presence, we will start manufacturing bases in Lucknow and also in the Western part of the country by next financial year,” Banerjee said.

“Out of the 1.5 lakh units that we want to sell, we will export 20 per cent to Bangladesh, Nepal and Africa. Our current export volume is around 3,000-3,500 units per year,” he added.

The group had exported 500 units to Bangladesh last year and the first consignment to Nepal will be delivered by January. It has a showroom in Senegal and is mulling options to export products to Africa soon.

Vibgyor has plans to launch a varient of its 100 cc bike Gallop by early next year, a 150 and 200 cc bikes each and a scooter.

“By the end of this financial year, we will expand our dealer network to 150, from the current 110. Moreover, it will again be doubled to 300 by end of the next fiscal,” said Partha Chatterjee, general manager of Vibgyor Vehicles.

Hunter will be sold at a price of Rs 40,990 in Kolkata (ex-showroom).

Labour shortage hits jute mills in West Bengal

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/labour-shortage-hits-jute-mills-in-west-bengal/419288/

After sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh, it’s now the turn of jute mills in West Bengal to reel under shortage of labour. This has forced many jute mills to reduce their production hours and go for production cuts.

The 52 working jute mills in West Bengal employ around 400,000 workers and the labour shortfall is about 30 per cent.

The workers are more interested in getting engaged in different government schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other alternative sources of income like employment in real estate and security services. Workers do not even bother losing jobs if a mill closes down. Some mills in Hooghly are closed for the past four months and the workers are not bothered as they have found alternative jobs locally,” said an industry source.

“Mill owners will have to change their old attitude towards workers and stop exploiting them and behave like industrialists. They behave like mercantilists and feudal lords. Unless the babu culture is destroyed, the jute mills will not survive,” said a jute union leader.

Manish Poddar, chairman of IJMA, declined to comment.

Under the MGNREGA scheme, the daily payment is also as low as Rs 150-160.

However, for other industries like real estate and security services, the payment is higher than Rs 300 per day depending on the nature of job. The jute industry is not covered under the Minimum Wages Act as it is governed by the tripartite agreement.

The jute mills in West Bengal produce 90 per cent of the country’s jute goods. The industry can produce 2.3 million tonnes jute goods.

The jute industry, with a turnover of Rs 8,000 crore, has had a very small compounded annual growth rate of around two per cent in the past 10 years.

FieldFresh Foods expands contract farming to East India

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/food/fieldfresh-foods-expands-contract-farming-to-east-india/articleshow/7139265.cms

As it looks to widen product portfolio of its fresh fruits and vegetables, FieldFresh Foods today said it is expanding its contract farming to east India to source pineapples from there.

The company, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and Philippine's Del Monte Pacific , said it has partnered with farmers in Siliguri (West Bengal) for pineapples.

"We have recently starting engaging with farmers in Siliguri to source pineapples from 25 acre farmland. Another area of focus is banana, for which also the company is roping in farmers," Bharti Enterprises Vice Chairman and Managing Director Rakesh Bharti Mittal told PTI.

At present, most of the FieldFresh branded products are sourced from farms at Ludhiana, J&K, Punjab, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in the south.

The company currently sells fresh vegetables and fruits- primarily baby corn, sweet corn, apples in international and domestic markets.

:ohno::bash:
Russians eager to quit Haripur


AGAIN WE ARE GOING BACK 20 YEARS

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lP2m862e5Hw/TRN26RRbmJI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/-6nU7h3ZgR8/s512/haripur.JPG

Source : Times of India (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIKM/2010/12/23&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00506&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T)

^^

At least one of the villagers of Haripur is pretty well dressed in trendy clothes. Or is he the keeper of the "herd"?.

Union Minister of State for Rural Development Sisir Adhikari is vehemently opposed to this plant because he thinks that it is a populated place and the land is agricultural. The "greens" have as usual said that this is harmful for the "ecology".

Haldia warriors talk as verdict looms
SAMBIT SAHA
Calcutta, Dec. 23: The sparring promoters of Bengal’s showcase project Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd are back at the negotiating table to sort out their long-standing ownership dispute, two persons with direct knowledge of the deal being worked out said.

Representatives of the Chatterjee Group and the Bengal government have met several times in recent weeks to thrash out an explicit understanding that state agency West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation will exit in favour of Purnendu Chatterjee.

Industries minister Nirupam Sen confirmed the talks. “We are ready to sell but the state’s interest has to be kept in mind. The issue is how and when we will get the money.”

The heightened activity comes at a time the court case pitting the state against Chatterjee has reached the last lap. The Supreme Court has completed hearing both parties.

Expectations are that the verdict will be given in early 2011, deciding who occupies the driver’s seat in Bengal’s biggest industrial venture that makes polymer used in plastics and chemicals.

Sources privy to the development said the two sides were trying to work out a method to value the company in a transparent manner. With Assembly elections round the corner, the government is keen that the price must stand up to public scrutiny.

One of the big four international accounting firms could be entrusted to do the valuation to keep it above board.

This is not the first time the partners are talking a deal. In January 2005, Chatterjee shook hands with Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the Writers’ Buildings on taking management control. Seven months and at least 50 meetings later, the attempt fizzled out as Chatterjee failed to mobilise funds.

The state scrapped the agreement and Chatterjee went to the Company Law Board, kicking off a five-year legal dispute. In the meantime, Chatterjee made several overtures to reopen the dialogue but the talks have gained momentum only now with the verdict, holding the threat of breaking the back of one of the parties, looming. “Chatterjee is showing lot of seriousness,” said a source.

Sen recalled the unsuccessful attempts at resolving the dispute and wondered if it would be possible to do a deal before the verdict. Legal experts said it was possible to present a settlement even after a hearing had been completed.

Chatterjee did not return calls or reply to a text message left on his mobile.

The government holds 51.67 per cent in the company while the Indian Oil Corporation and Tata Sons own 8.19 per cent and 2.46 per cent, respectively. Chatterjee holds 37.68 per cent, according to the registered records, but has disputed the shareholding pattern.

IOC unveils Rs 3,000 cr hydrocraker unit in Haldia

Country's largest oil marketing company Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) on Saturday unveiled a Rs 3,000 crore hydrocracker unit in Haldia in the eastern state of West Bengal. The Maharatna company also upgraded its refinery in Haldia by adding additional capapcity of 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa).

The once-through hyrocraker unit (OHCU) will produce high grade BS -III and IV diesel. The OHCU includes a hydrocraker unit of 1. 7 mmtpa, a hydrogen generation unit of 75 mmtpa, a sulphur recover unit and a revamped 4 mmtpa crude distillation unit (CDU). IOC has spent Rs 2,869 crore for the project. The good quality fuel from this unit will be supplied to eastern and southern states.

Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, while unveiling the project at the refinery complex in Haldia, said India is emerging as a major hub for producing petroleum products. "The country garnered $30 billion from exporting petroleum products in the past one year. Our refinery capapcity was only 0.25 mmtpa at the time of independence, today it stands at over 184 million metric tonne (MMT)," Mukherjee said.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora urged Mukherjee to extend government's support to the oil sector by continuing petroleum subsidies. Mukherjee said that the pricing of petroleum products in the country is reviewed at the highest level. Since, the global crude oil prices have shoot up to the level of $90 per barrell, government will take a review and decide on retail price of diesel, kerosene and domestic cooking gas.

Deora said that an empowered group of ministers (eGoM) will meet at the end of this month to decide on petroleum products price. Currently, the three state-owned oil companies -- IOC, BPCL and HPCL -- incur a loss of more than Rs 6 on every litre of diesel, around Rs 275 on each 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder and more than to Rs 17 on every litre of kerosene. The fedral government in the country controls the price of important fuels to protect the consumer from burden of price increase. The three companies are estimated to loss close to Rs 70,000 crore in the complete financial year for selling products below market price.

source (http://www.mydigitalfc.com/petroleum/ioc-unveils-rs-3000-cr-hydrocraker-unit-haldia-083)

Mega Projects In West Bengal listed in Bengal Calling (http://bengalcalling.blogspot.com/2010/12/mega-projects-in-west-bengal.html).

quarterly IT reports:

http://www.itwb.org/3rd%20Quarter%20Newsletter%202010/3rd%20Querter%20News%20Letter%20.pdf

Status: Planning
Promoter: Associated Pigments Limited
Project Name: Industrial Batteries Manufacturing Unit
Cost: Rs. 750 million
Location: Panskura, dist. East Midnapore, West Bengal.
Current Status: As of December 2010, work on the project is under planning stage.

Source: India New Projects (http://indianewprojects.wordpress.com/2010/12/31/associated-pigments-plans-to-set-up-industrial-batteries-manufacturing-unit-with-an-investment-of-rs-750-million-in-west-bengal/)

The flyover, connecting the Bypass to VIP Road, which will be unveiled on January 6
The Left Front government will unveil this week two key infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving road connectivity.

On January 6, chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee will inaugurate the flyover that links the EM Bypass with VIP Road. The day after, cabinet colleague Asok Bhattacharya will throw open a road connecting Birati and Sodepur, on the northern fringes of the city.

Experts in urban traffic and transportation said the two projects, conceived years ago, will open a smooth corridor between the southern and northern fringes — via the EM Bypass, VIP Road and Jessore Road.

“The flyover will enable all VIP Road-bound vehicles from the Bypass to avoid the clogged Hudco crossing near Ultadanga. It will be a boon for airport-bound vehicles from the south,” said a senior engineer of the CMDA, the implementing agency for the flyover.

The flyover spans 1,290 metres and has been built at a cost of around Rs 72 crore over two-and-a-half-years. The construction began in July 2008. Mackintosh Burn is the contractor.

The initial project cost was Rs 49 crore and the deadline 18 months. The cost shot up as work stretched beyond 18 months, with the state government bringing the project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission to raise 35 per cent of the funds from the Centre.

“We have received only around Rs 13.3 crore from the Centre, against the Rs 25 crore that was due, and the rest has been borne by the state,” said a CMDA official.

The 4km road that urban development minister Bhattacharya will unveil on January 7 will connect Birati to Kalyani, via Sodepur. The artery, laid at a cost of Rs 14 crore, will open a link for vehicles heading deep north from the airport via Jessore Road.

“Once the road is opened, vehicles heading for Sodepur or Barrackpore from the airport will have an easier ride bypassing convoluted and congested roadways,” said a transport department official. “With the number of vehicles growing at 4.5 per cent a year, the new road will lessen the load on the busy Jessore Road.”

Insiders say connectivity between Birati and Sodepur will improve in the next few months after the CMDA converts the Kalyani Expressway, which connects Kalyani to Sodepur via Barrackpore, into a four-lane corridor. “Around Rs 35 crore has been sanctioned for the project, which should be over by mid-2011.”

Source: The Telegraph (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110103/jsp/calcutta/story_13367596.jsp)

Singur locals ask Tatas to set up plant, offer support
Press Trust of India, January 4, 2011 (Singur)

The locals of Singur have assured Tata Motors of full cooperation for setting up a plant, prompting the industrial giant to consider meeting the representatives in this regard.

Tata Motors has indicated it will meet Representatives of landlosers who had given land for Tata's Nano manufacturing plant before the company withdrew from the state in 2009 following violent local protests. They were seeking higher land price besides other demands from Tatas.

"I can call on you during one of my visits to Kolkata," Tata Motors Vice President (Govt Affairs and Collaborations ) AS Puri said in his response on December 9.

He was responding to a letter by president of the Singur Shilpa Vikash Unnayan Committee, Uddayan Das, apprising him of the locals' changed attitude towards Tata's enterprise.

Das had written to the Tata Motors on November 11, saying the situation has undergone a change since then. He had said that while the company's assessment that the situation at Singur was not favourable as yet for industrial activity was true, "this was correct to some extent till December 2009."

However, Das said, the situation had changed since then and the people of Singur would now support and cooperate for renewed industrial activity.

"We never thought that inspite of completion of 85 per cent of total project work, you would take such a painful decision to close the (Nano) project", he wrote.

The response of Tatas' has kindled rehabilitation hopes among members of committee of land-losers formed by the CPI(M) after the exit of Tata Motors' Nano project from Singur in Hooghly district more than a year ago.

He said that the people of Singur wanted Tata Motors to do something on the acquired land, which could be a car project or something else and sought a meeting with the company to explain the current scenario there.



Read more at: http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/singur-locals-ask-tatas-to-set-up-plant-offer-support-133703?cp

End of a decade; a new beginning for West Bengal?

The year started with a requiem. The death of West Bengal's former chief minister, and long-time CPI(M) helmsman, Jyoti Basu, was a precursor to a calendar that would feature profuse political wrangling, unprecedented violence and the typical uncertainties surrounding a state in transition.

Bengal Inc., too, mirrored the slide, with Kolkata-based firms losing the fight to acquire prized entities, both domestic and international, while the clambering over Singur led to nothing tangible again, since all stakeholders rather wait for the hustings in 2011.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief, and Union Railway minister, Mamata Banerjee, began the year courting controversy as she refused to attend Basu’s funeral, despite Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina returning to India days after a state-visit to pay her respects.

But the millions who gathered on the streets of Kolkata on January 19 for the last glimpse of India’s longest serving chief minister kept returned to the wide boulevards of the city's centre intermittently, albeit holding other flags.

Among those was the floral motif of the TMC, which signalled its ability and intent after winning the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections, seen by many as the bellwether for the Assembly elections expected early this year.

Preceding that resounding victory in June, though, was the sanguinary train accident involving the Jnaneshwari Express that led to the death of at least 141 passengers, and set the stage for intense political pettifoggery days before the Corporation polls.

The bickering over blame was incidental, but the Jnaneshwari mishap was a telling example of the pervasive threat posed by the Naxal revival in West Bengal.

Sabotage of the rail tracks by the insurgents was cited as the primary cause of the accident.

Not that the state was not at war already. In restive West Medinipur district — at the heart of the Naxal movement in West Bengal — 24 paramilitary personnel were killed in February after insurgents lay siege to a camp at Sildah, prompting a visit from Union home minister P Chidambaram.

India's worst internal security threat, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the Naxal organisation, continued its harassment of the administration, although small victories were won as the movement’s brass, including Sidhu Soren, was eroded.

The old-school of the ultra Left, too, was left one man short. 78-year old Kanu Sanyal, who along with Charu Majumdar led the Naxalbari uprising, was found hanging at his residence in March.

Bloodshed also found its way into the mainstream political realm with renewed gusto, as the incumbent CPI(M) and the impatient TMC tussled over turf. Khejuri, Raina and many other such erstwhile Left bastions burnt as a fresh power structure was attempted at being established.

With months to go before the most decisive elections in West Bengal for over a decade, the stakes are understandably high.

Bengal Inc.
It was largely hit and miss for business in West Bengal. With the stupor over Singur yet to dissipate, industry retained its conservative stance towards the state, even as the slowdown dissolved and the national economy pushed towards 9 per cent gross domestic product.

The only possible aberration was Infosys Technologies, India's second largest information technology (IT) company, which finally got land in the state.

This, after decisions and scams ranging from high land prices and Vedic Village fiasco delayed entry by almost six years.

In November, finally, West Bengal housing minister, Gautam Deb, allocated 50 acres to the company at a cost of Rs 75 crore for a campus in Rajarhat. The allocation was made the same day on which the letter seeking land from Infosys arrived.

Little else changed in the state's sunrise IT sector, apart from the constant threat posed by omnipresent politically-backed bandhs.

The rest of the good news was on the back of corporate legacies.

Tobacco-to-hotels-to-FMCG major ITC, headquartered out of the graceful Virginia House in Kolkata's Chowringhee, celebrated its centenary year; a journey from a single product company to one of India’s largest multi-business corporate enterprises in the private sector.

And then, there was state-run Coal India (CIL), the world's largest coal miner, which got itself listed on the bourses for Rs 15,000 crore, the country's biggest initial public offer to date.

The Kolkata-headquartered company will now find itself playing in the global league, as it looks to bridge growing shortfall in domestic production through acquisitions of international coal assets.

Of those who tried, but failed last year, Pawan K Ruia was possibly the most ambitious. The chairman of the Rs 3000 crore Ruia Group made a surprise bid for South Korea's beleaguered Ssangyong Motors, though he lost out to fellow countryman Anand Mahindra, who forked out Rs 2105 crore for the automaker.

Less predictable was Emami's unsuccessful battle for Ahmedabad-based Paras, which was eventually acquired by the UK's Reckitt Benckiser Group. But that's not to say Emami had a dull year; its Zandu Balm made headlines for more reasons than one.

With Brand Buddha — the eponymous term that described a time when Ratan Tata wanted to build cars in Singur — well and truly dead, West Bengal now awaits a new paradigm.

But the past will challenge the new government at Writers' Buildings, whosoever it might comprise no less than the insecurities of crafting a revival.



Source : http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/enda-decadenew-beginning-for-west-bengal/420295/

[B] Bengal Inc.
It was largely hit and miss for business in West Bengal. With the stupor over Singur yet to dissipate, industry retained its conservative stance towards the state, even as the slowdown dissolved and the national economy pushed towards 9 per cent gross domestic product.

As per state claims (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Singur-setback-not-the-last-word-Buddhadeb/Article1-643122.aspx) last year has seen actual industrial investment of over Rs 9000 crores.

What are the estimates for WB's growth?

The only possible aberration was Infosys Technologies, India's second largest information technology (IT) company, which finally got land in the state.

Little else changed in the state's sunrise IT sector, apart from the constant threat posed by omnipresent politically-backed bandhs.



So nothing else positive apart from land allotment to Infosys happened last year in the field of IT?

As per state claims (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Singur-setback-not-the-last-word-Buddhadeb/Article1-643122.aspx) last year has seen actual industrial investment of over Rs 9000 crores.

What are the estimates for WB's growth?



So nothing else positive apart from land allotment to Infosys happened last year in the field of IT?

^^I thought TOI and Telegraph were competing with each other when it came to shoddy, sarcastic and inconsistent reporting but looks like Business standard and Hindu Business line have joined the bandwagon:lol:

^^I thought TOI and Telegraph were competing with each other when it came to shoddy, sarcastic and inconsistent reporting but looks like Business standard and Hindu Business line have joined the bandwagon:lol:

:lol:

^^I thought TOI and Telegraph were competing with each other when it came to shoddy, sarcastic and inconsistent reporting but looks like Business standard and Hindu Business line have joined the bandwagon:lol:


When it comes to reporting something positive about West bengal, all the media stand on the same side of the court !!

DPSC shifts power project to Purulia

Srei Group owned DPSC, one of the oldest power companies in India, will set up the proposed 480 MW power project at Raghunathpur in Purulia. It may be noted that DPSC had earlier identified 100 acres near Dishergarh in Burdwan.
However, it has been learnt that the land identified was not enough for the proposed project. Sources said that the state government would hand over letter of allotment for 155 acres to DPSC on Wednesday. “Total investment for the project would be over 2,500 crore,” sources said. Incidentally, DPSC board had cleared the proposal for the power project earlier this year. The current generation capacity of the company is 42 MW compared to a peak demand of over 125 MW. It buys 80-90 MW power from other utilities.
“It is now distributing only 140 MW. But with little bit investment and infrastructure it can distribute up to 600 MW. This will change the shape of the company,” sources added. Incidentally, DPSC has a distribution area of over 600 square km in Asansol-Durgapur belt. It has over 800 circuit km of overhead cables and 200 km underground cables.
A consortium comprising Srei Infrastructure and India Power Corporation (IPCL) became the new owner of DPSC in January 2010. The consortium paid 171.85 crore for 57.17% (24 lakh shares) stake of Andrew Yule group and insurance companies in the power utility. Later, it bought over the entire 32% stake of Descon in DPSC through open offer. TNN

State sets poll pitch with land allotment

With Mamata Banerjee breathing down its neck with her railway freight corridor proposal to industrialists, the state government can’t afford to delay the land allotment process to some steel and engineering companies that chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has been showcasing for all these days.
Sensing the unease among some of the big names — Jai Balaji, Shyam Steel, Adhunik — that have been kept in the waiting for the last one year, after arranging a part of the land promised to them, state industry minister Nirupam Sen is in a hurry to clear the backlog. The apparent reason is that these companies did not go for land registration because they held that a project on part of the promised land was not bankable.
This has prompted the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) to work overtime and allot over 1,250 acres of land at Raghunathpur in Purulia, Kharagpur and Naihati in North 24 Parganas to different industrial groups for steel and engineering projects.
The move is likely to end the uncertainty over the bigticket investments in the state. The steel companies were going slow because of stringent lease clauses of state government. “They were not getting funds from banks,” sources said.
The state industry minister Nirupam Sen will hand over the letter of allotment to different companies on Wednesday. It is learnt that WBIDC would allot land to nine companies. These are Jai Balaji, Shyam Steel, TIL, DPSC, Megatherm, Radics, Mittal Ferro, JKL Bearing and Wimplus.
“The proposed investment in these projects would be 23,000 crore,” added sources. It would hand over letter of allotment for additional 325 acres to Jai Balaji and 600 acres to Shyam Steel in Raghunathpur. WBIDC handed over 1129 acres to Jai Balaji so far. Out of 1129 acres, 750 acres was given two years back in December 2008. The remaining portion was handed over in 2009. It may be noted that Jai Balaji was planning 5 million tonne steel, 3 million tonne cement and 1,215 MW power project at Raghunathpur in Purulia with an investment of Rs 16,000 crore.
Shyam Steel had proposed 1.2 million tonne steel plant with an investment of 3,600 crore in the first phase. The government had earlier offered 350 acres to Shyam Steel. WBIDC would offer 110 acres to TIL and 10 acres to Megatherm in Vidyasagar Industrial Park in Kharagpur for engineering project. DPSC would get 155 acres for power project in Raghuinathpur. “Other projects are small and land would be offered at Rishi Bankim Shilpyadan in Naihati,” sources added. TNN

Good find rupakd...so many positive news @ one shot.Just see the amount of investment..23K crores..that is enormous...Waiting to see Jai Balaji and other steel biggies starting their operations soon....

Any update on the Jindal steel plant @ Salboni ???

State sets poll pitch with land allotment

TNN

Same news but without a journalist's "personal" views and masala opinion presented as "news". From TOI but sourced from PTI

WB govt hands over nearly 1,200 acres lands to 13 companies

PTI, Jan 6, 2011, 05.13pm IST

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/WB-govt-hands-over-nearly-1200-acres-lands-to-13-companies/articleshow/7230001.cms



West Bengal government on Thursday handed over nearly 1,200 acres of land to 13 companies in three industrial estates across the state.

Three companies, DPSC Limited, Jai Balaji and Shyam Steel were given 155, 325 and 610 acres, respectively, in Raghunathpur Steel & Allied Industrial Park in Purulia.

For Jai Balaji, the state had already handed over 1,130 acres earlier.

Tractors India, Megatherm Transmission and Distribution were given 104 and 10 acres respectively in Vidyasagar Industrial Park in Kharagpur.

In Sahachowk Industrial Area in Kharagpur, Mittal Ferrocast and Radix Electrocast were given 11.92 acres and four acres, respectively.

Five other companies were given land in Rishi Bankim Shipaudyan in Naihati (North 24 Parganas) and Salt Lake.

One company was given space at Manikanchan SEZ in Salt Lake.

State Industry Minister Nirupam Sen said at the hand over ceremony that total investment which would be made in all the projects would be around Rs 23,195 crore and would generate direct and indirect employment to 41,000 people.

He said that the state industry department had developed the Bengal model for land acquisition and compensation.

Under the model, the landowners, share-croppers and agricultural workers would get suitable compensation and rehabilitation package.

23000 Cr? Thats cool :cheers:

^^more importantly.
employment to 41000 :cheers:

And even after all of this some newspaper will still shed tears about how the Singur loss has caused new projects to "dry up" in the state,and the only thing positive was the allocation land to infosys!

Singur locals ask Tatas to set up plant, offer support
Press Trust of India, January 4, 2011 (Singur)

The locals of Singur have assured Tata Motors of full cooperation for setting up a plant, prompting the industrial giant to consider meeting the representatives in this regard.

Tata Motors has indicated it will meet Representatives of landlosers who had given land for Tata's Nano manufacturing plant before the company withdrew from the state in 2009 following violent local protests. They were seeking higher land price besides other demands from Tatas.

"I can call on you during one of my visits to Kolkata," Tata Motors Vice President (Govt Affairs and Collaborations ) AS Puri said in his response on December 9.

He was responding to a letter by president of the Singur Shilpa Vikash Unnayan Committee, Uddayan Das, apprising him of the locals' changed attitude towards Tata's enterprise.

Das had written to the Tata Motors on November 11, saying the situation has undergone a change since then. He had said that while the company's assessment that the situation at Singur was not favourable as yet for industrial activity was true, "this was correct to some extent till December 2009."

However, Das said, the situation had changed since then and the people of Singur would now support and cooperate for renewed industrial activity.

"We never thought that inspite of completion of 85 per cent of total project work, you would take such a painful decision to close the (Nano) project", he wrote.

The response of Tatas' has kindled rehabilitation hopes among members of committee of land-losers formed by the CPI(M) after the exit of Tata Motors' Nano project from Singur in Hooghly district more than a year ago.

He said that the people of Singur wanted Tata Motors to do something on the acquired land, which could be a car project or something else and sought a meeting with the company to explain the current scenario there.



Read more at: http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/singur-locals-ask-tatas-to-set-up-plant-offer-support-133703?cp


Are the friggin' kidding? NO one will got to Singhur after all that hullaballoo!!

Are the friggin' kidding? NO one will got to Singhur after all that hullaballoo!!

There is always the great backup plan - Indian Railways can set up some factory as soon as Mamataa gets charge of this land and scraps the lease with Tatas and hands it over to Indian Railways minus her pet 400 acres which she can redistribute amongst her partymen.

^^ Well said! Wish WB had choices like Nitish Kumar for salvation! Its either the Commies or the crazy lady!

To use smart-grid technology.

Pratim Ranjan Bose

Kolkata, Jan. 9

West Bengal hopes to be the country's first State to have smart-grid technology in place to pinpoint theft of power or unauthorised consumption on a real-time basis.

According to the State Power Secretary, Mr Malay De, to supervise the entire project, to be rolled out in the State in two-three years, the West Bengal Government will appoint Singapore Power Ltd as “super consultant”.

A firm agreement in this regard will be signed in a week. The entire project is estimated to cost Rs 300-350 crore.

Pilot project

To start with, the State distribution utility — West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd — will enter into an agreement this month with a US-based technology provider to carry out a pilot project in a South Kolkata locality having nearly 50,000 subscribers consuming 45 MW of power.

Though the cost of the pilot project has not been disclosed, it is learnt that a major venture capital in the country's power sector will finance the initiative.

The technology provider will supply the equipment and run the same during the project period.

The benefits

Dubbed the largest such pilot run in the country so far, the project will implement SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) based systems enabling the utility to introduce real-time basis meter reading of every customer; remote controlled connection and disconnection of supplies for all; and pinpoint any loss of power either at the consumer level (by way of bypassing the meter) or en route to customer (by way of “hooking” as it is commonly referred to).

The biggest benefit for the customer is introduction of an “efficient load-management” system.

“Currently, we shed load based on a preset roaster with instructions passed on to nearly 3,000 distribution points over telephone.

“Many a times the gap between the real-time power supply and demand scenario leads to longer hours of load-shedding in vast areas even though the supply situation might not have required so,” Mr De said.

“In the new system — which is computer controlled — we can identify exact demand points even on a consumer level and disconnect the supply or keep shedding loads on rotation between neighbourhoods. The end result is each locality will remain without power for shorter duration,” he added.

Lower tariff

The Ministry is also planning to introduce technology whereby even domestic consumers can be offered the benefit of lower tariff during non-peak hours. Such a facility is now offered, in very crude form though, to industrial customers.

“We foresee a situation where a domestic subscriber may take connections on pre-paid basis in an effort to keep his costs limited.

“By a consumer level remote controlled system we may even regulate the consumption of each appliance he or she is using,” Mr De said.

He, however, added that such appliance level control will need a change in regulatory framework.

A recent report by PwC India pointed out the urgent need for change in regulatory framework to switchover the smart-grid technologies, both for efficient supply and demand side management.

Biyani's Future Group on expansion mode in Bengal

Kishore Biyani controlled, Future Group which is also India’s largest retailer is all set to make a marked expansion soiree in West Bengal over the next three years.

“We are looking at increasing the number of Big Bazaar stores from the present 18 to 30 and the number of Pantaloons stores to eight from the current five”, said Manish Agarwal, general manager, sales and merchandising, Future Group. The group is also looking at expanding presence across formats and stores in the eastern region overall, given that the region has always figured high on the Future list of priorities, said Agarwal.

“Overall in the eastern region, the idea would be expand the number of Big Bazaar stores from the present 30 to over 50 and Pantaloon stores from the present 7 to at least 14 in the next three years”, said Agarwal.

Bengal remains the major thrust areas for this expansion followed by Orissa and Jharkhand. Future is also planning a foray to Bihar soon, a state marked by a resurgence of political stability, Agarwal said.

Kolkata, which has remained a priority centre for Future Group is also all set to get three more Pantaloon stores by the festive season in 2011. The group has finalised locations for Madhyamgram, Lake Mall and Jessore Road.

The group’s flagship company, Pantaloon Retail (India) Limited operates over 5 million square feet through 400 stores in 40 cities.

Expansion of ‘Fashion at Big Bazaar’ Format
The country’s largest retailer which plans of containing its expansion to opening outlets within malls more than standalone stores, is also looking at expanding the ‘Fashion at Big Bazaar’ format in the city.

At present, only one such store exists in Mani Square. This will be trebled to 3 stores by the end the next fiscal said, Agarwal.

“The format has seen a lot of success in the city, and we see a scope for further expansion on the back of this success. Two new fashion specialty Big Bazaar stores will be opened in Kolkata by the end of March 2011”, Agarwal said.

Some of the Future Group’s formats are inclusive of Pantaloons, Big Bazaar, Food Bazaar, Home Town, EZone, Depot, Health & Beauty Malls and online retail format, futurebazaar.com. Business Standard

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Ministry of Railways and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), a central Government PSU under Ministry of Steel, here today, for setting up of a new Rail Axle Manufacturing Factory at New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. This comes in pursuance of announcement made by the Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee, in the Railway Budget 2010-11 regarding setting up of such a factory to achieve self-sufficiency in axle manufacturing and eliminating present dependence on imports. The foundation stone for this project was laid by Mamata Banerjee in September 2010 at New Jalpaiguri. The 300 crore project will manufacture and supply rail axels for BOX N wagons and others to meet the growing requirement of Indian Railways.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Member Mechanical, Railway Board, Shri Sanjeev Handa, Member Electrical, Railway Board, Shri Sudesh Kumar, Member Engineering, Railway Board, Shri A. P. Mishra and Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Government of India, Shri P.K.Misra. Shri Sanjeev Handa and Shri P.K.Bishnoi, CMD, RINL exchanged the MoU. The signatories to MoU included Shri Santosh Sinha, Director Mechanical Engineering (Works) on behalf of Ministry of Railways and Shri S. K. Polouse, Executive Director (Projects) on behalf of RINL.

The new Axle manufacturing plant will be set up at New Jalpaiguri on Railway land to be leased to RINL for 30 years. RINL shall invest 100 per cent equity for this project. Ministry of Railways will provide assured off-take of 20,000 axles per annum. M/s. RINL shall also be permitted to manufacture other products in addition to the rail axles.

The project shall have state-of-art axle forging and machining facilities for manufacturing of rail axles. The axle manufacturing unit is expected to be commissioned and start production within two years.

Five bids for new Haldia cargo operation, selection by Jan-end

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/five-bids-for-new-haldia-cargo-operation-selection-by-jan-end/421174/

The Kolkata Port Trust has received bids from five consortiums for installation of a floating cargo handling facility at Haldia.

ABG-LDA Bulk Handling & ABG Infralogistics, Five Star Logistics & Sea Port Logistics, International Seaports (Haldia) Pvt. Ltd. & PFS Shipping, Jakhau Salt Company & Core Minerals and ABC India & Esskay Shipping have put in bids.

“We are evaluating the technical parameters of the five bidders. By the end of this month, the project will be awarded,” M L Meena, chairman, Kolkata Port Trust, told Business Standard.

Haldia is 100 km south of Kolkata, but is part of the Kolkata Port complex. It was developed as a major trade port for Kolkata, intended mainly for bulk cargo.

The new facility will improve the performance of Kolkata port but also pose a competition to Dhamra port in Orissa.

Presently, a large number of Haldia-bound vessels anchor at Sagar and the cargo is transported to and from Haldia by barges. Due to draft restrictions at Haldia, these operations will grow, once the floating facility starts operations.

The public-private partnership project, valued at around Rs 25 crore, is expected to be completed by August 2011.

According to experts, if Kolkata Port manages to increase its operational efficiency, it will have some impact on the business handled by the nearby Dhamra port, a non-major private one.

“The new floating cargo handling facility will pose competition to about 20 per cent of Dhamra cargo, especially cooking coal imports,” said Vishwas Udgirkar, senior director, Deloitte.

The Dhamra Port Company Ltd is a 50:50 joint venture of Larsen & Toubro and Tata Steel, located between Haldia and Paradip, both major ports.

CNG revolution in Durgapur-Asansol

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/CNG-revolution-in-district-towns/articleshow/7108719.cms

In district towns like Asansol and Durgapur, a silent revolution is taking place.

Vehicles in this industrial belt have been switching to CNG en masse, courtesy coal bed methane (CBM) that is being extracted here. Nearly 90% of autos in Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA) area have switched to CNG without a push from government. More significantly, a larger number of taxis, cars and even buses have switched to CNG. "This happened without any subsidy from the government. Had we got subsidies like those given in Delhi, the result would have been completely different," said Malay Saha of GEECL. The CNG price in ADDA is Rs 30 per kg.

"We alone converted over 100 autos, apart from other automobiles in last few months. The demand is high despite many odds. If the price would have been competitive like that of Delhi, the conversion rate would have been much faster. But CNG has taken the area by a storm. There is a beeline for conversion,"said Chinmoy Chakraborty, a automobile technologist who runs a conversion centre in ADDA.

"I am getting 40 km per kg of CNG," said Binod Gond, proud owner of a new CNG vehicle. Gond took the risk of buying the CNG auto rickshaw after much calculation. "Now, in Asansol, everyone either wants to buy a CNG auto or to convert his into a CNG one." But Gond's auto is yet to get a registration number. Unlike the LPG auto, there is no subsidy either from the auto-manufacturers or from the government. The cumulative subsidy is Rs 12,000 for LPG autos.


In 2008, the West Bengal government granted mining lease for commercial sale of coal bed methane (CBM) or CNG from Raniganj to Great Eastern Energy Corporation Limited (GEECL). GEECL has now laid pipeline till Durgapur from Asansol after laying pipeline from its gas-gathering station at Raniganj to central gas station at Asansol.

"Now we have signed a franchise agreement with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), besides the one with IOCL for supplying CNG to end users," a senior GEECL official said. But BPCL sources said that they would focus the Durgapur market for time being.

According to transport economist Arun Rudra, CNG would have been a major relief for the entire city on a number of accounts. Firstly, it is cheaper (Rs 39 per kg; and 1 kg of CNG = 1 and 1/2 litres of petrol or diesel) compared to petrol and diesel. Secondly, CNG would let a larger number of vehicles comply with the high court order for cleansing ambient air.

In fact, the supply of CNG has cleansed the ambient air of both Durgapur and Asansol to a large extent. A lot of vehicles, particularly, almost the entire autorickshaw fleet have shifted to CNG mode, said a BPCL official.

^^Wow!!!

CNG revolution in Durgapur-Asansol

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/CNG-revolution-in-district-towns/articleshow/7108719.cms

The same Company has signed a lease aggrement with TN Govt. to exploit CBM in the Delta region last month. So from WB experience, lease to supply can be expected in two years.

What is the estimated reserve in Asansol region and how long it will last?

Rs 30 per kg is comparable to delhi's price of Rs 29 per kg

The same Company has signed a lease aggrement with TN Govt. to exploit CBM in the Delta region last month. So from WB experience, lease to supply can be expected in two years.

What is the estimated reserve in Asansol region and how long it will last?

clicky (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=69279839&postcount=38)

Essar Oil starts gas production from Raniganj CBM block

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/oil--gas/essar-oil-starts-gas-production-from-raniganj-cbm-block/articleshow/7259821.cms

Essar Oil today said it has started gas production from its Raniganj CBM block in West Bengal and will achieve peak output in 2-3 years.

"Essar has begin production and sale of CBM gas," Essar Oil COO Prem Sawhney said, speaking at the 9th Petro India conference here.

The company is producing 90,000-100,000 million standard cubic meters per day of gas from below coal seams (coal bed methane) in the Raniganj block in West Bengal.

The Raniganj coal bed methane (CBM) block will touch a peak output of over 3 million standard cubic meters per day in 2-3 years, he said, adding production from the block will last 15 years.

Essar Oil is investing USD 300 million for CBM gas production.

Sawhney said the company plans to drill 500 wells over 2-3 years.

The gas is sold to a local fertiliser plant at USD 4.2 per million British thermal units.

The company had last year signed production sharing contracts (PSCs) for four CBM blocks it had won under the recently concluded fourth round of auction. It now has five CBM blocks to produce gas from below coal seams.

The Raniganj block in West Bengal has in-place resources of 4.6 trillion cubic feet (tcf) and recoverable resources of around 1 tcf. In the Rajmahal block, one of the four areas for which Essar signed a PSC last year, the in-place resources have been e stimated at 9.5 tcf, with recoverable resources of 4.7 tcf.

Sawhney said currently five CBM blocks (with different companies) in the country -- Raniganj East, Raniganj South, Jharia, Sohagpur West and Sohagpur East, are currently producing 0.15 mmsmcd and output is expected to reach 7.4 mmscmd by 2013.

Mamataa Magic continues to bless Bengal

Mamata Banerjee Lays Foundation Stone for AC Container & Bogie Manufacturing Factory

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=68995

The Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee laid the foundation stone for AC Container & Bogie Manufacturing Factory at Budge Budge near Kolkata in West Bengal today. This comes in pursuance of announcement made by the Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee, in the Railway Budget 2010-11 regarding setting up of such a factory with a view to mitigate the farmers’ plight and save agricultural produce worth crore of rupees from perishing.

This new AC Container & Bogie Manufacturing Factory will be set up at an estimated investment of Rs. 59.3 crore. This factory will manufacture air conditioned containers on a demand driven basis and 600 FIAT bogie frames per annum on a regular basis. FIAT bogies provide superior riding quality, higher safety and have low maintenance requirements. This will facilitate Indian Railways’ plan of switching over from manufacturing of conventional steel coaches to LHB type stainless steel coaches with FIAT bogies by augmenting such bogie frame manufacturing facility. Setting up of this manufacturing facility will allow Budge Budge unit to serve as a launching pad for AC containers. At the same time, it will improve Indian Railways’ bogie manufacturing capacity and help in bridging the gap between manufacturing capacity and requirements of FIAT bogies.

The work for this factory will be executed on turn-key basis by RITES, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways. An area of approx. 3.5 acres has been identified at Budge Budge to set up the bogie manufacturing works. RITES has already initiated action to execute the work expeditiously in co-ordination with Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala and Eastern Railway.

^^ Well said! Wish WB had choices like Nitish Kumar for salvation! Its either the Commies or the crazy lady!

The commies in the state have changed a lot in the last decade. The changes obviously don't find a place in the national media which mostly focusses on the commie rhetoric. They have quietly rolled back many of their useless policies in the state (opposition to English, opposition to private engineering colleges, opposition to private health care, opposition to FDI). But unfortunately Buddha doesn't get credit for that because the media has decided that he is the villain of the piece. That he wanted to do something good for Bengal is ignored and also ignored is the fact that he changed the course of the commies from being all rhetoric to as practical as possible.

And the crazy lady is trying to do more for Bengal as Railway Minister than Nitish managed to do for Bihar as railway minister. So she will be just fine if she becomes CM of Bengal. The media makes her look like a crazy joker (and sometimes we find her strangely funny). But she seems to be an honest person with interests of Bengal in heart although some of her methods and policies seem a bit too ultra leftish. If she can dump her ultra left partners (same old rhetoric) and fake intellectuals, it will be good for the state.

The only thing that is not good right now is the bloodshed going on in the state. The commies and the crazy lady need to work together (even if they hate each other) and stop the violence.

I think this is the Haldia Sports City u/c. Besides one section of the stadium you can also see a few highrise blocks u/c to the right.

uzHzvn1DsUg

http://wikimapia.org/6806637/Haldia-International-Sports-City

Website

http://www.shristihousing.com/haldia-international-residential.php

Shristinagar - Asansol

from the Shristinagar brochure (http://www.shristihousing.com/)

render

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8144/shristinagarasansol2.jpg (http://img407.imageshack.us/i/shristinagarasansol2.jpg/)

photo

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/5509/shristinagarasansols.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/i/shristinagarasansols.jpg/)

^^ this is simply amazing! clean and green with good designs (except for that grill on balcony (lower right corner). i hope no one else puts grills.

When CPM came to power..for the first 8-10 years,they did some good work for the state.People used to say .. "What Bengal thinks today,India will think tomorrow".
But after that,they felt that they were the only rulers of West Bengal and stopped development and started gundabazi !! All funds for development went in the pockets of CPM cadres...They started winning elections @ gunpoint.
At that time there were no strong opposition.But now , for the last 5-6 years,when Buddha and his capable ministers is trying to do something good for the state,Mamataa and her partners emerged as a strong opposition party.People of WB is not at all dis-satisfied with the way Buddha & co. has worked but they are retaliating with the violence that CPM showed between 90s and 2k.
IMO, Buddha-Nirupam-Goutam-most of d present ministers are far more better than Jyoti basu-Subhash kaku-former bulk of ministers.But I must say Buddha & co. are a bit unlucky and facing the heat for the wrong-doings of their ancestors !!!!!!:bash:

More goodies;

What do they mean by "modern" ? As opposed to primitive coolie system in Indian Railways?


Modern Luggage Trolley Service Inaugurated by Mamata Banerjee at Howrah Station

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=69015

The Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the modern luggage trolley service at Howrah station to assist senior citizens and women passengers in boarding and alighting from coaches along with their luggage comfortably, today i.e. 12th January 2011. The service has been launched as a pilot project for a period of one year and will be handled by uniformed attendants called ‘Rail Yatri Sevaks’. The service will be run in collaboration with State Bank of India and passengers will be charged only Rs 35/- for this unique passenger friendly facility. The trolley can be booked in advance over a telephone number to be specified by the Railways. This service marks the fulfillment of the one of the Budget announcements made by the Railway Minister in her Railway Budget 2010-11.

The Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee also flagged off a special exhibition train “Vivekananda Express” showcasing the life and philosophy of the great spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda from Howrah station today. This train is a tribute from Railways on the occasion of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekanand. This exhibition train will cover important stations of the country, taking the message of religious harmony and unity to the masses.

Also on the occasion, the Minister of Railways laid the foundation stone for Archery & Table Tennis Academy. This comes as a sequel to her earlier announcement for setting up of such academy with a view to provide appropriate facilities for the sportspersons of different disciplines. By establishing an Archery academy in Kolkata, Indian Railways will achieve the twin objectives of providing world class training facilities to our existing sportspersons as well as tapping into the vast talent resources available in the eastern region of India

In addition, Mamata Banerjee, also flagged off three new express trains, namely Sealdah - Rampurhat Intercity Express, Howrah – Suri Express and Shalimar – Baripada Intercity Express, on the occasion.

^^ Hope passengers don't have to pull this one: :tongue3:

http://www.stompers.com/india/12i.JPEG

Cool development. I think many such townships are coming accross other places like Haldia, Burdwan, Siliguri, Durgapur etc..:cheers:

Shristinagar - Asansol

from the Shristinagar brochure (http://www.shristihousing.com/)

render

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8144/shristinagarasansol2.jpg (http://img407.imageshack.us/i/shristinagarasansol2.jpg/)

photo

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/5509/shristinagarasansols.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/i/shristinagarasansols.jpg/)

Rural growth story scripting new chapter

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/rural-growth-story-scripting-new-chapter/articleshow/7265072.cms

The rural India growth story is spreading with governments’ stimulating measures and increasing reach of marketers helping laggards such as Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh outpace bigger markets like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra in rural sales growth.

Madhya Pradesh reported 22% growth in rural sales during January-September 2010, up from just 7% growth a year earlier, according to market research agency The Nielsen Company. Sales growth in Karnataka went up to 29% in 2010 from 8% a year ago.

“A bigger shift from agri-business and increased accessibility to smaller towns is helping us take our products in places where penetration was not thinkable few years ago,” said Saugata Gupta, consumer business division CEO of Marico , the maker of Parachute hair oil and Saffola cooking oil.

West Bengal, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Orissa reported 15-29 % year-on-year growth in rural sales during January-September , contributing to more than 26% of total rural sales in the country, according to Nielsen data.

In contrast, rural sales growth rate halved in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra , which between them account for 28% of the country’s rural market.

Now, smaller states are fast catching up. Companies and experts attribute this to a host of macro-economic factors such as better infrastructure, farm-loan waivers and improved income levels that are stimulating activities in weaker states.

“All signs point to a stronger and more perceptible impact of governmental stimulus in these states,” The Nielsen Company vice-president Prashant Singh said.

^^ Hope passengers don't have to pull this one: :tongue3:

http://www.stompers.com/india/12i.JPEG

:lol: looks like an old pic. One look at the bus jutting out on the left and I am ready to :puke:

Gee Pee in talks for tech sharing

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/gee-pee-in-talks-for-tech-sharing/articleshow/7280557.cms

Gee Pee Infotech , a 300-crore low-cost cellphone maker, plans to enter into technology partnerships with Chinese and Taiwanese wireless chipset suppliers - Spreadtrum, LongCheer and MTK - as it finalises plans for a 1000-crore cellphone manufacturing unit near Kolkata .

"We are in advanced discussions with Spreadtrum, Long Cheer and MTK to ink technology sharing pacts. They will help us design and assemble the cellphones at our proposed telecom park in West Bengal. We are yet to take a final call on whether the chipsets will be sourced from all three or just a single supplier," said Bijay Agarwal , managing director and founder of Kolkata-based Gee Pee Infotech.

As per ABP, Vedanta has given a new proposal to WB Govt for establishing an aluminium unit in Raghunathpur. This new proposal could bring an investment of Rs 10,000 crores. Vedanta's earlier Rs 20,000 crore investment proposal in Bidhanbag area has been stalled because of Coal India's objections.

Airport city in Durgapur to create 90,000 jobs

NEW DELHI: The country’s first airport city, Durgapur Aertropolis , a Rs 10,000-crore project, will create 90,000 jobs over the next 8-9 years. The promoter of the project, Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Ltd (BAPL), is also looking to construct a MRO facility for narrow-bodied aircraft by 2013. “Over the next 8-9 years, the airport city will have a residential population of 68,000 persons, 90,000 visitors from catchment areas like Asansole and Raniganj, and will create 90,000 jobs," BAPL CEO Subrata Paul told ET.

The airport-city project aims at combining infrastructure and urban development together , he added. The greefield project will be spread across 930 hectares that will include a 220 hectare industrial and IT park, a logisitics hub and a 263 hectare township. The total land required for the project is about 2,300 acres.

The first phase of the project till June 2012 will cost . 600 crore. This includes putting up of social infrastructure like hospitals, educational institutes and shopping malls by the end of this year.

“We are in talks with Apollo for setting up a hospital, Taiwanese companies for setting up the IT Park and Singaporean hospitality chains to set up a hotel. Talks with developers are also on for housing projects, an educational institute and a shopping mall to attract traffic, “Paul said. Hard investments on all these are expected to come by year-end , he added.

The greenfield airport complex with a capacity of half a million passengers, expects to see traffic of 350,000 in its first year of operations, as the first flight takes off from the facility in June. The airport would have a 2,800-feet long runway to accommodate aircraft like Boeing B-737 s and Airbus A-320 s. It can be extended to 3,300 feet to meet the needs of larger aircraft. BAPL is currently scouting for a South-East Asian partner to build a maintain-repair-overhaul (MRO) facility for narrow-bodied aircraft like Boeing 737, Airbus 320 and 319s.

Construction of the MRO is expected to be complete by 2013. "For any company to set up their initial MRO operations in the Aerotropolis region an investment of . 30 crore would be required,” Paul said.

According to sector experts, India will be the largest aircraft purchaser in the next five years and currently, planes go to South-East Asia for maintenance. "We have enough land, infrastructure and are geographically well positioned to cash-in on this opportunity. We'll also look to cater to business jets later,” Paul added.

A plan to create a logistics hub to support the MRO is also in the works. BAPL is also trying to create a Free Trade Warehousing Zone, from where airline companies can easily access spare parts. Changi Airport Group (CAG), which has also developed an aerotropolis in Singapore, holds a 26% stake in the project. TNN

http://www.durgapurcity.co.in/

New Durgapur IT park
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5104/itparkdurgapur.jpg

The Shrachi Renaissance Township is taking shape in Burdwan. From Google Earth Jan 2010.

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7643/burdwantownshipggl.jpg (http://img225.imageshack.us/i/burdwantownshipggl.jpg/)

http://www.durgapurcity.co.in/

New Durgapur IT park
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5104/itparkdurgapur.jpg

thanks Saraf.
it looks nice

Rs 250-cr medical hub to come up in Burdwan

The Camelia group will set up a medical hub at Bud Bud in Burdwan. The construction work has already started. In the first phase the group has invested Rs 250 crore to set up the hub. The medical hub will consist of a medical, dental and a nursing college.
Plans are on to set up a 500-bed hospital at the medical hub in the first phase and to increase the number of seats to 750 in future.
Mr NR Datta, chairman and managing director of Camelia Group, said they are planning to start their first MBBS course from June 2011 if they get the nod from the Medical Council of India (MCI).
Till now they have got all the required certificates from the state health department and are awaiting clearance from MCI.
Dr AN Biswas, director, medical division of Camelia Group, said students wanting to enter the college will have to sit for a separate examination and 15 seats would be reserved for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) students. The medical college will initially start with 100 seats. In the first phase around 20 doctors would be recruited.
A team of officials from MCI visited the campus last year and sent a list of questionnaires regarding the size of the land and asked whether they were setting up the medical hub in an agricultural land.
The land has been directly purchased from farmers at about Rs 10 lakh per bigha and the proposed medical hub will be set up in a 100-bigha area. The medical hub is expected to generate 1,000 direct employment and 3,000 indirect recruitment.
The group is also planning to provide specialised courses in various fields of medical sciences and they are in talks with some of the national and international universities for running such courses. The Statesman

Jai Balaji ties up steel funds

City-based Jai Balaji Industries has reached financial closure for its steel and power projects at Raghunathpur in Purulia.

Jai Balaji will raise Rs 1,230 crore as debt from a consortium of banks led by the State Bank of India. It will arrange another Rs 640 crore as equity.

The capital will be used to build a 0.3 million tonne steel facility and a 70 mega watt (MW) power unit over the next two-and-a-half years.

Jai Balaji had initially envisaged a 5 million tonne steel plant and a 1,215MW power unit. Accordingly, the Bengal government had allocated land and coal mines to the company.

It had plans for a 2 million tonne plant and a 400MW unit in the first phase, which has now been whittled down.

“A child is born and it will grow up. We will build what we have promised,” a company official claimed when it was pointed out that Jai Balaji was doing only a fraction of what it had planned.

The company had received the first tranche of plot (750 acres) from the state in 2008. It received another 350 odd acres in a year’s time and 300 acres two weeks back.

At present, Jai Balaji is planning a 2 million tonne iron ore beneficiation plant, 1.2 million tonne pellet plant, 660,000 tonne pig iron plant, 300,00 tonne electric arc furnace and a 70MW waste heat recovery plant.

Besides, a private railway siding suitable to handle large amounts of raw material such as iron ore and coal will be built now. The Telegraph

DVC plans

http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/DVC_to_hike_capacity_by_1500_MW/186554.html

According to sources, one unit of 500 MWat the Greenfield power plants at Durgapur in West Bengal is expected to be operational at full load by March 2011. The plant isscheduled to be fully operational by end 2012.

The second 500 MW unit at the second phase of the Mejia TPS in Bankura district of West Bengal is expected to be fully operational either by the end of this month or early February.

The commissioning of the 2 X 600 MW Raghunathpur TPS is running substantially behind schedule. The project uses Chinese equipment. The EPC contract for Raghunathpur was awarded to Reliance Energy in December 2007.

Pranab Mukherjee sees more potential in this new land port than the Petrapole (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrapole)-Benapole land port.

India, Bangladesh inaugurate land port to boost trade

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-Bangladesh-inaugurate-land-port-to-boost-trade/Article1-653519.aspx

India and Bangladesh on Saturday opened a key joint land port at the northwestern tip of Banglabandha bordering Phulbari of West Bengal to boost bilateral trade. The Phulbari-Banglabandha land port was opened at a cross border ceremony attended by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Bangladesh's Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury.

Two trucks carrying cotton from Bangladesh entered India, while three stone laden trucks from India crossed the border into Bangladesh, reports said.

Mukherjee termed the relations between the two countries as historic and said both Bangladesh and India have been working to cut trade deficit.
He said that the Phulbari-Banglabandha land port has more potential than Benapole-Petraploe as it is very close to Siliguri, the gateway to northeast India, Nepal and Bhutan.

With the opening of trade through the port, the finance minister said mills and factories will be opened in the region to create employment.

Shale gas reserve found near Durgapur

The country's first shale gas reserve has been found over a 200-km stretch at Sarpi village near Durgapur this evening. The find was confirmed after ONGC officials saw fire billowing from a well, dug up in the village, which is about 14 km from Durgapur town.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, in all likelihood, will formally announce the discovery of the much-awaited fuel on Republic Day. The reserve was found at a depth of 900 metres around 8.30 this evening and a new technology, known as hydro fracture of rock bed technology, was used to get the fuel, said ONGC officials. They said the shale gas reserve stretches from Durgapur to Hazaribagh in Jharkhand. “We have learnt after tests in the USA that the reserve will continue to supply CNG for 50 years uninterruptedly. The shale gas contains elements like methane, ethane, propane and butane, said Dr PK Mahato, site in-charge of ONGC.
The ONGC's pioneering project, having technological collaboration with a US- based drilling major, was flagged off on 21 September. Schlumberger Solutions, a US-based company, was assigned to help drilling for Rs 11 lakh per day as drilling cost to expedite the work. Test drilling of the shale gas project was completed in the last week of December. kanchan siddiqui. The Statesman

Asia's first shale gas pool found near Durgapur (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Asias-first-shale-gas-pool-found-near-Durgapur/articleshow/7364812.cms)

Debajyoti Chakraborty , TNN, Jan 26, 2011, 06.53am IST


DURGAPUR: The potential answer to the world's energy woes, lying buried under 1770 metres of hard rock in the Damodar basin, has finally been unearthed.

ONGC scientists have found an "unlimited reserve" of shale gas, touted as the low-cost, eco-friendly fuel of the future with vast untapped resources, at Sarpi on the outskirts of Durgapur at a site spread over an area of 1250-1300 sq km.

The Sarpi deposit is Asia's first, and the only tapped shale gas reserve outside North America, making it the focal point in India's pursuit of green energy. The ONGC, which began its exploration of the Damodar basin last September in India's first such experimental project, hit upon the gas source late on Monday while drilling its first rig.

On Wednesday, R S Sharma, the CMD of ONGC, is likely to submit a report on the discovery to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Sources said it was likely that the PM would make the announcement on Republic Day itself.

Centre to take call

P K Bhowmik, director of ONGC, inspected the shale gas site on Tuesday and was satisfied with what he saw. The commercial exploitation of the gas field will, however, be the Centre's call. Shale gas can be used as CNG and, owing to its vast resources, can significantly reduce the cost of natural energy if extracted and produced in huge quantities. In the US, which has tapped and commercialized shale gas with huge success, the cost of natural gas has come down. Washington and Ottawa work together for commercial production of shale gas, which is available in huge quantities in North America.

Dr Prafulla Kumar Mahato, site in charge and senior ONGC scientist, told TOI he was excited about the potential of Sarpi. "I hail from Purulia and studied at IIT, Kharagpur and the discovery in my own state is exciting. More than 100 rigs will be drilled. The socio-economic scenario of the area will change. The demand for shale gas is huge in the global market," he said. Shale gas is found under shale or slate rocks, which are about 500 to 700 metres deep, in Durgapur. "We have imported machineries from Schlumberger Solutions of USA and entrusted them to do the first rig," Mahato said.

Coal India in multi-billion dollar plan to diversify into oil

State behemoth Coal India Ltd (CIL) is all set to diversify into the cash-rich oil sector and has sought the government’s permission to set up a multi-billion dollar coal-to-liquid (CTL) project in India in a joint venture with South African major SASOL. SASOL, which already has a tie-up with Tata group for developing another CTL facility in India, has one of the largest CTL facilities in the world.
In a recent letter to the coal ministry, CIL has sought the allocation of Deocha-Pachami coal block in West Bengal, which has huge coal reserves to the tune of 19 billion tonnes of coal.

The move follows the visit of coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal to the world’s largest CTL facility set up by SASOL, official sources said . According to COL, on an average, the Sasol plant at Secunda in South Africa converts 100,000 tonnes of coal into 160,000 barrels of liquids each day, meeting roughly 27% of the oil requirements of South Africa.

“Besides it (SASOL’s plant) produces a whole range of coal chemicals. The unit is so profitable that in even in fiscal year 2009 after the global financial crisis, it recorded a turnover of $15.2 billion, earnings of $1.5 billion and an return on equity of 17%,” CIL informed the ministry while forwarding its proposal to set up a similar CTL facility in India.

According to CIL, the coal requirement for a similar facility in India will be huge — to the order of 40 million tonnes per annum.

“Considering a 50-year life of the plant (Secunda plant, Sasol is already 60 years old), a block size of over 2 billion tonnes reserve is required for supply of coal on a long-term basis to the plant,” CIL said in the letter.

The Deocha-Pachami coal block, according to CIL, has so far not been considered for mining because of a thickbed of overlaying hard rocks. Earlier, NMDC had come forward to join hands with CIL for setting up a large coal mine in the area, ofiicials said.

“The West Bengal government has also shown its interest to participate in the joint venture with a minority stake. It is proposed that the allotment of this block under government dispensation to CIL/NMDC joint venture with minority share holding for Bengal government or its nominated institution, be considered expeditiously for setting up a large CTL Plant,” CIL said in its letter.

The SASOL experience, it said, has demonstrated the relevance of such a facility in enhancing energy security along with a hedge against extreme volatility of global oil pacts.

“It would also lead to industrial rejuvenation of the eastern part of the country, which is known to remain backward in industrialisation, compared to other regions,” CIL said.

source (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Coal-India-in-multi-billion-dollar-plan-to-diversify-into-oil/Article1-654997.aspx)

if this materializes then this could contribute a lot to WB tax collections :cheers:

Didi's pro people plan of building at least 15 hospitals in the state are stuck because of the Health Ministry

Mamata upset as Health Ministry ‘cold-shoulders’ her hospital plan

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110123/main6.htm

As ‘Didi’ prepares to present her second rail budget ahead of the crucial West Bengal elections, a major initiative announced by her last year to set up a chain of hospitals on the railway land has failed to take off. Reason: Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and his team have “shown little interest” in pursuing the project even as the Rail Ministry has earmarked the land for the hospitals.

In her budget speech last year, Mamata had announced among much fanfare that the Rail Ministry had joined hands with the Health Ministry to set up 522 hospitals and diagnostic centres at railway stations and nearby localities

The minister had also said that the Railways had signed an MoU with the Health Ministry to set up these hospitals. The plan also included tie-ups with leading institutions like the CMC, Vellore and the AIIMS for 15-odd multi-speciality hospitals in her home state. It was also envisaged that the facilities would be open to the general public in rural areas since it would not be feasible to set up hospitals for a handful of the railway staff.

One year down the line, the MoU remains a mere piece of paper. Upset at the cavalier manner in which his leader’s pet project has been treated, Trinamool Congress leader and Minister of State for Health, Dinesh Trivedi, has written to Azad complaining that the Health Ministry had shown no urgency in the implementation of the plan.

More details here (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110123/main6.htm)

Damodaran in Bengal health foray

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110128/jsp/business/story_13501264.jsp

Glocal Healthcare Systems — a firm promoted by former Sebi chief M. Damodaran — has zeroed in on Bengal to kick off a chain of low-cost hospitals in India.

The company, which has raised money from global venture capital funds such as Sequoia, will build eight hospitals in as many districts.

The sites include Bankura, Birbhum, Burdwan, East Midnapore, Nadia, Purulia and Murshidabad. “Sonamukhi in Bankura and Dubrajpur in Birbhum are finalised and land has been shortlisted for the rest,” Sahabat Azim, another promoter of Glocal Healthcare, said.

Each hospital will have 40 beds and cost around Rs 2.5 crore. The first hospital is scheduled for inauguration in July. “Bengal will be our pilot project and about 40 lakh people will benefit from it,” he said. According to him, Glocal aims to provide comprehensive healthcare, which is both modern and affordable, to the large rural population.

Camellia to set up medical hub in East

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/camellia-to-setmedical-hub-in-east/422214/

Camellia Group, which provides services in education, hospitality, industry, real estate and aviation, has announced its foray into the medical sector by setting up its first medical hub in Eastern India.

The total investment for the project is estimated to be Rs 250 crore.

The medical hub named Camellia Institute of Medical Science & Research will have a 500-bed super-speciality hospital and is expected to generate employment for about 500 people in a phased manner. It will have medical, dental and nursing colleges.

“We are focusing on the rising demands in the healthcare space and aiming to transform BudBud near Burdwan into a preferred medical hub.

Another foundation stone, a Indo Nepal rail link and more trains for West Bengal


Mamata lays foundation stone of signalling component unit

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article1137196.ece

Mamata Banerjee today laid the foundation stone of Rail Electronics Signalling component unit here and also flagged off the New CoochBehar-Malda Town DEMU train.

Ms. Banerjee said a sum of Rs 127 crore has been earmarked for the Rail Electronics Signalling component unit which would be set up here.

She said the New CoochBehar-Malda Town DEMU train would be of immense help to the people of CoochBehar, Jalpaiguri and Malda districts.

The railway minister said as per the demand of the people of CoochBehar district, the Guwahati-New Delhi Garib Rath would have a halt at New CoochBehar station.

She also said that work on the New Maynaguri-Jogbani railway line would be completed soon.

After the function here, Ms. Banerjee left for Siliguri and Jalpaiguri where she would flag off three long distance mail/ express trains New Jalpaiguri-Amritsar weekly express, New Jalpaiguri-Chennai central weekly express and New Jalpaiguri-Darbhanga weekly express.

She would dedicate upgradation of wagon maintenance and stabling facility at New Jalpaguri.

Another foundation stone, a Indo Nepal rail link and more trains for West Bengal


Mamata lays foundation stone of signalling component unit

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article1137196.ece

Other projects first be completed or started then we can think or even dream of other projects.
Praying for E-W Metro with finger crossed.

Yet another plan

Coal India in multi-billion dollar plan to diversify into oil

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Coal-India-in-multi-billion-dollar-plan-to-diversify-into-oil/Article1-654997.aspx

State behemoth Coal India Ltd (CIL) is all set to diversify into the cash-rich oil sector and has sought the government’s permission to set up a multi-billion dollar coal-to-liquid (CTL) project in India in a joint venture with South African major SASOL. SASOL, which already has a tie-up with Tata group for developing another CTL facility in India, has one of the largest CTL facilities in the world.

In a recent letter to the coal ministry, CIL has sought the allocation of Deocha-Pachami coal block in West Bengal, which has huge coal reserves to the tune of 19 billion tonnes of coal.

The move follows the visit of coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal to the world’s largest CTL facility set up by SASOL, official sources said . According to COL, on an average, the Sasol plant at Secunda in South Africa converts 100,000 tonnes of coal into 160,000 barrels of liquids each day, meeting roughly 27% of the oil requirements of South Africa.

“Besides it (SASOL’s plant) produces a whole range of coal chemicals. The unit is so profitable that in even in fiscal year 2009 after the global financial crisis, it recorded a turnover of $15.2 billion, earnings of $1.5 billion and an return on equity of 17%,” CIL informed the ministry while forwarding its proposal to set up a similar CTL facility in India.

According to CIL, the coal requirement for a similar facility in India will be huge — to the order of 40 million tonnes per annum.

“The West Bengal government has also shown its interest to participate in the joint venture with a minority stake. It is proposed that the allotment of this block under government dispensation to CIL/NMDC joint venture with minority share holding for Bengal government or its nominated institution, be considered expeditiously for setting up a large CTL Plant,” CIL said in its letter.

TIL to raise Rs 250 crore for expansion

http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=012511080029

TIL Ltd today said it will raise up to Rs 250 crore as equity through private equity or institutional placement to part finance their greenfield project at Kharagpur, West Bengal.
"We would raise Rs 250 crore from QIB or private equity to meet our capex plans for expansion," TIL chairman and managing director Sumit Mazumdar told PTI.
"We will either go for private placement or QIB and the process would be completed in the next three to four months," he said.

TIL was constructing heavy equipment plant in Khargpur that would cost around Rs 200 crore in the first phase and was expected to be commercially operational by July 2011.

"Eventually, the optimum investment will go up to Rs 500 crore once we set up four types of equipment manufacturing facilities in the next three to four years," Mazumdar said.

Yet another plan

Coal India in multi-billion dollar plan to diversify into oil

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Coal-India-in-multi-billion-dollar-plan-to-diversify-into-oil/Article1-654997.aspx

see post 2090 :)

see post 2090 :)

:)

I should have posted this one instead

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/CIL--NMDC-to-join-hands-to-set-up-coal-to-liquid-plant/743406

Good news?

More seats for engg, medical

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/More-seats-for-engg-medical/articleshow/7375562.cms


There is good news for West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination aspirants. Depending on the final decision by the All India Council for Technical Education ( AICTE) and Medical Council of India ( MCI), more than 1,000 seats may increase for both engineering and medical courses from the 2011 session.

"This year, we have around 10,000 more applications. Last year, there were 1,20,000 applicants compared to 1,30,000 this year. The current number of engineering seats in West Bengal is around 28,500," said chairman of the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations (WBJEE) board, Siddhartha Dutta.

or bad news?

Fear of quality dip in doc double
- State decides to raise MBBS seats by 1,000

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110128/jsp/calcutta/story_13498154.jsp

Bengal is aiming to almost double the number of doctors graduating every year without caring to find a cure to the chronic illness plaguing medical education: lack of teachers and training.

The chairman of the West Bengal State Joint Entrance Examinations Board, Siddhartha Dutta, said 1,000 MBBS seats would be added to the nine medical colleges from the next academic session in accordance with a proposal from the Medical Council of India.

Those familiar with the way medicine is taught in the state baulked at the idea, saying that raising the number of seats in such a hurry would mean producing 1,000 more poorly trained doctors.

“More postgraduate seats hasn’t yet solved the shortage of teachers in medical colleges. The state is still 20 per cent short of the requirement,” said a senior official of the health department.

The structure of the medical course is also blamed for the lack of quality.

After four-and-a-half-years of studying, an MBBS student needs to do a year of compulsory internship.

But a one-year stint as a member of the house staff is optional till a student completes two years of postgraduate specialisation.

“The inherent drawback of this system (common to all medical colleges) is that a student who gets selected for a particular postgraduate course without spending time in the wards might discover later that he or she is not interested in it. That’s dangerous,” said an associate professor at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.

Surgical gastroenterologist Sanjay De Bakshi, a member of the examination board for postgraduate surgical degrees in the UK, said proper training and guidance was the key to producing good doctors.

“After becoming a graduate, a medical student in the UK has to take a two-year pre-registration foundation course. Hospitals have an in-house assessment system and counsellors to help students decide what area of specialisation they should pursue,” De Bakshi added.

The one-year internship in Bengal is more of a time to prepare for yet another entrance exam than to gather hands-on experience.

“Most interns are more keen on cracking the entrance test for postgraduation than working in the wards. I don’t blame them; the fault lies with the system,” a professor said.

Google Earth has updated Burdwan imagery

Two townships are taking shape in this city

Bengal Ambuja Ulhas Township

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/7643/burdwantownshipggl.jpg (http://img534.imageshack.us/i/burdwantownshipggl.jpg/)

Bengal Shrachi Renaissance Township

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7103/burdwantownshipshrachig.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/i/burdwantownshipshrachig.jpg/)

HGSL to set up its second centre in Bengal at Siliguri

http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4867700

Encouraged with its success in Durgapur in West Bengal, Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd (HGSL), the BPO arm of the multi billion Dollar Hinduja conglomerate, has decided to set up the state''s second centre at Siliguri.

West Bengal Information Technology Minister Debesh Das today handed over a Letter of Intent for three floors at the Siliguri IT Park to the company Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Partha De Sarkar.

The minister and the company CEO later said the operations would begin with the launch of the Siliguri IT Park soon. "The HGSL would like to start its operation in Siliguri immediately," they said.

While the minister lauded the company for contributing to the growth and development of the state''s economy, the company CEO described Durgapur, their first BPO centre in the state, as "front runner of their growth story".

Set up in 2007, the Durgapur has provided employment opportunity to 2200 people, Sarkar said.

The Rs 5 crore Siliguri centre would create employment opportunity for 1,000 people, he said adding there was a possibility that the company might set up one or two more centres in the state.

The HGSL at present has 30 centres globally with 20 of them in India and the rest in UK, US, Canada, Mauritius and Philippines.

In India, the HGSL is operating from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala, Sarkar said.

The houses look 1-2 stories high.. poorly spaced and overall looks underdeveloped from top. They could have planned something more grand in the land they got. Poor execution in my opinion.

The houses look 1-2 stories high.. poorly spaced and overall looks underdeveloped from top. They could have planned something more grand in the land they got. Poor execution in my opinion.

and who would have bought these "Grand" houses .. this is not Mumbai Bro .. not even Kolkata .. Its Burdawan and a small city and definitely not very rich !!

Burdwan has great potential as a major urban center. Recent Google earth picture shows the old city did not change much including my ancestral neighborhoods. But near Burdwan Medical college some new buildings have come up. Latest Google earth pictures are high resolution , you could even see cars on the Damodar bridge!

Bengal Port may bid for KoPT''s Dimond Harbour terminal (http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4876929)

The MKJ Group co-promoted Bengal Port may bid for the proposed Rs 1200 crore Dimond Harbour port facility by Kolkata Port Trust.
"Bengal Port will bid for the upcoming port facility of KoPT''s Dimond Harbour project in PPP model. If DP World does not agree then I will bid for the project with other partners," MKJ group chairman M K Jalan told PTI.
"We have a number of other global players ready for the Dimond Harbour project," he said.
Bengal Port was formed to build a private mini port at Kulpi that failed to take off in the last seven years.
There are three partners of Bengal Port-- MKJ group, DP World and West Bengal government.
There had been differences over agreement between KoPT and Bengal Port on sharing cost for dredging and pilotage, a sources in the Ministry of Shipping said.
The major hurdle for the Dimond Harbour terminal was resolved after the Defence Ministry agreed to transfer about 43 acres at Diamond Harbour to Kolkata Port Trust to enable the port authorities to go ahead with the proposed terminal project and in return the port authorities will provide 31.5 acres at Roychowk on the Hooghly river to Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers.

Apparently a certain Union minister from the state has no time for this project. Just another example of how petty, useless politicians create more troubles than solve problems

Kulpi Port in choppy waters

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Kulpi-Port-in-choppy-waters/articleshow/7413163.cms


Kulpi Port, a minor port in South 24 Parganas, conceived in 1994 is yet to take off. Interestingly, global logistics giant DP World is partner in both the projects. It holds 44.5% in Bengal Port, the operating firm of the proposed Kulpi Port. The rest is with Keventer group and WBIDC. Total investment in Kulpi would be Rs 1,200 crore and would require 700 acres. It was supposed to have 12 jetties.


The shareholders' agreement for Kulpi Port was signed in August 2004 but then it was delayed due to several objection from Kolkata Port Trust. The draft agreement for Kulpi Port was finalised in May 2008 in the presence of the Union shipping secretary. Now, Keventer Group has alleged that KoPT has given go-ahead to Kulpi port but the Union shipping ministry is going slow on this project for reasons not known. Keventer chairman M K Jalan said that it has approached Union minister of state for shipping Mukul Roy for speedy implementation of the project but he is not paying attention. "We have fixed a meeting with Roy on November 30 last year for giving a final presentation. Top executives of D P World came from Dubai for giving the presentation. But the meeting was postponed. Since then we could not meet the minister. This is unfortunate that the minister does not have time for such an important project."

Kolkata based Keventer will invest Rs 400 crores in various projects, but West Bengal will only get Rs 25 crore project

Keventer expansion

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/keventer-plans-rs-400-cr-expansion/423895/

Indian foods major, Keventer is set to invest Rs 400 crore in setting up new food processing facilities across Gujarat, Karnataka, Bihar and West Bengal. Construction at all four projects is slated to begin by the end of this fiscal.

Of Rs 400 crore, the company will invest Rs 150 crore in Gujarat, Rs 120 crore in Bihar and Rs 105 crore in Karnataka.

West Bengal, where the group is headquartered will get the least of the expansion pie, Jalan said, attributing this to the paucity of land in the state, along with the problems that have occurred in the past when land for industry has become a point of debate.

“Bengal has a standing problem where land is concerned, both in terms of availability and policy on acquisitions. In all other states on the other hand, we have land already in possession”, said Jalan.

The Bengal tasting centre which is to be complete by March will be formed as a 50:50 joint venture (JV) between Carso and Keventer.

PS: all the pics have been taken by me
Tamluk - Mecheda SH w-i-p for widening and making it dual-carriage 6 laned road. here we go with the pic:
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2932/image0968.jpg

this could the total width of the remaining portion of the road, but still wonder what role has flyash to play here?
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/7007/image0969.jpg

No clue regarding this concrete part, but about 100mts from this point it led to road constructions, the land was being levelled with earth!
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3227/image0970.jpg

now this part ready and was up and running...oops open to traffic
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4126/image0972.jpg

some more w-i-p pics!
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3888/image0973g.jpg

Though this part of the road was ready still this road was not open to traffic!
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6300/image0974.jpg

On the entire strech of road only this part was having guardrail, however, installation of guardrail was on!
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/9427/image0976.jpg

other than this 'vano' (a common public vehicle in E. Midnapore)there was no other vehicle running on this track!
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/4808/image0977.jpg

Not sure whether to laugh, cry or be puzzled

Mamata says land not needed for Kulpi

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110205/jsp/bengal/story_13539597.jsp

Mamata Banerjee has opposed land acquisition for the Kulpi port proposed by the state government and suggested an alternative plan.

Laying the foundation stone for the second dock of Haldia port to be developed at Shalukkhali, Mamata today said ports could be developed without acquiring land.

“The state government wants to acquire 3,000 acres for the project. We will not allow land acquisition. Technology is available, under which land is not required for building ports,” Mamata said.

The railway minister was referring to the land-reclamation” technology”.

CPT chairman M.L. Meena explained the technology in relation to a deep-sea port the trust is developing on Sagar Islands in public-private partnership. “The technology has been used in Singapore, China and European countries. A spot has been identified at Sagar where dredging material will be dumped in a receptacle. We will develop 2,000 acres for the port at the site,” Meena said.

However, it is not clear if the technology to be used for the large sea port at Sagar will be suitable for a small port at Kulpi since it will be along a river.

However, even 16 years after the conception of the project, no land has been acquired so far. M.K. Jalan, chairman of Keventer Group, said he was against forceful acquisition as well. “I am for political consensus in Kulpi. I don’t want another Singur there,” he said.

^^ She is right. Why do we need land for a port? We need water..

CIL, NMDC to join hands to set up coal-to-liquid plant (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cil-nmdc-to-join-hands-to-set-up-coaltoliquid-plant/743406/)

Arguing for hedging against extremely volatile global crude prices, two navratna mining giants, Coal India Limited and National Mineral Development Corporation have decided to form a consortium in setting up a Coal To Liquid (CTL) project at an estimated expenditure of nearly Rs 15,000 crore in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.


The move comes close on the heels of a recent visit by Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal and CIL top brass to South Africa, where they saw the positive impact being created by the world’s oldest CTL plant being run by Sasol in the country’s Mpumalanga province. The liquid fuel generated have provided 27 per cent energy security to the African nation. “In a recent letter CIL Chairman Partha S Bhattacharya has offered to partner with NMDC to jointly execute a CTL project in the Deora-Pachami coal block in West Bengal’s Birbhum district,” Jaiswal told The Indian Express. The West Bengal government has sought a minority partnership in the proposed venture, he said.

^^ She is right. Why do we need land for a port? We need water..

where will the containers be dumped then???....on her head???:nuts:

Its not that what mamata is saying is stupid,she is talking about land reclamation of the river edge in Kulpi.Tons and tons of material is dredged on a periodic basis to maintain the draft near haldia which can be used to build a port,especially container docks on this reclaimed land.There is indeed a port like this in china and there are numerous airports all over the world that have been built on reclaimed land.However not sure this can be replicated at the mouth of a river since currents are quite strong.

Also building a port in this way is more expensive but for a land starved state like ours,it might be quite effective.Technology is pretty much available of the shelf.

But why is she laying foundation of haldia dock?Is that connected to the railways?

Its not that what mamata is saying is stupid,she is talking about land reclamation of the river edge in Kulpi.Tons and tons of material is dredged on a periodic basis to maintain the draft near haldia which can be used to build a port,especially container docks on this reclaimed land.There is indeed a port like this in china and there are numerous airports all over the world that have been built on reclaimed land.However not sure this can be replicated at the mouth of a river since currents are quite strong.

Also building a port in this way is more expensive but for a land starved state like ours,it might be quite effective.Technology is pretty much available of the shelf.

But why is she laying foundation of haldia dock?Is that connected to the railways?

What she is saying is possible with lots of funds. And it is not a stupid idea although an expensive idea. If she can enable it and the Kolkata port trust which cannot manage itself can build this project, it would be great news.

However her solution is not really the solution for the private Kulpi port. She basically wants to prevent the Kulpi project from coming up.

On a separate note, what will the politicized bunch of environmentalists say to this new land reclamation proposal? They and the TMc are so much for environment that they don't want Nayachar to be industrialized. Nayachar is basically nature's way of land reclamation. And here we have man mad reclamation which will be industrialized and contribute to pollution.

Kerala, West Bengal top MNREGA chart

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Left-states-top-MNREGA-chart/H1-Article1-657824.aspx

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is showing better success of creating assets — ponds or roads — in the two Left ruled states.

Against 68 lakh works taken up this fiscal, only 3.1 lakh — under 5%— are completed so far (latest as per MNREGA site). The works range from digging water harvest pits to building rural roads.

The mammoth target, ministry officials say includes a huge spill over of work — at various stages, some yet to start — from previous years and a result of less than 50% achievement in 2009-10 and 2008-09.

“Works are planned at village level and their completion depends on availability of workers,” said Vilasrao Deshmukh, rural development minister.

But against the national average of 4.63%, the two Left-ruled states Kerala and West Bengal are topping the work charts with 31% and 20.3% of their works done till now.

“Success of Kerala and West Bengal is not surprising as they have got strong gram panchayats — the back bone of the scheme,” a ministry official said.

Perfect tie in Madhyamik

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110202/jsp/calcutta/story_13520844.jsp

An equal number of male and female candidates will write this year’s Madhyamik, a record the authorities are showcasing as a milestone in achieving gender equality in education.

The secondary examination, held by the state school education department, starts on February 23. Around 10 lakh examinees, the highest in Madhyamik history, will take the test.

Last year, a little more than 49 per cent of the examinees had been girls.

“This is the first time an equal number of male and female examinees will write Madhyamik. It’s an achievement as the trend indicates that more girls are attending secondary schools than ever before,” said Anjan Sengupta, who took over as president of the state secondary education board on Tuesday.

His predecessor, Mamata Ray, was recently appointed as pro vice-chancellor (finance) of Calcutta University.

Sengupta attributed the rise in number of girl candidates to the state government’s “successful implementation” of the Sarva Shiksha Abhijan and efforts to check girls dropping out of schools in rural Bengal.

Girls outnumber boys in Madhyamik in several districts

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Girls-outnumber-boys-in-Madhyamik/articleshow/5597914.cms


It's a record this time, with girls surpassing boys in enrolling for this year's Madhyamik examination, beginning on February 23.

In the Kolkata region, that comprises six districts including Kolkata, Nadia, Howrah, Murshidabad, South and North 24-Parganas, the number of girls taking the exam is 1,79,614, compared to 1,74,416 boys. "Girls outnumber boys in Murshidabad, Howrah and in the two 24 Parganas. It is an incredible achievement. There is a remarkable decrease in the number of dropouts. Consciousness has increased among parents that education means empowerment. It is indeed astounding to see that even in Murshidabad, the number of girls enrolling for the exam is higher than boys," said president of West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, Mamta Roy.

"Students have realised that education is the only weapon for earning social recognition and economic stability in the family. The Sarvashikshya Abhijan was started a few years back. It took some time to reap the effects of the policy. Now, we can experience the benefits," Roy pointed out.

The land dilemma continues...


No land for NSG base in West Bengal, elite unit may move out

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/no-land-for-nsg-base-in-west-bengal-elite-unit-may-move-out/567571.html

The Centre's decision to position the elite NSG 'black cat' commandos in Kolkata to deal with any possible terror attack has come to a nought with the West Bengal government expressing its "inability" to the Home Ministry to provide suitable land for the base. The West Bengal government's stand stifled efforts of the last two years of the Home Ministry and NSG officials who have been regularly touring the state as part of the plan to establish a 300-acre regional centre there.Disappointed by the turn of events, top sources said the Centre was mulling moving out a 90-acre NSG hub already existing in Kolkata to another state.

The governments of Assam and Jharkhand have expressed willingness to station the troops and provide almost 300 acres of land for the regional centre with the capacity of almost 5000 commandos and having extensive training infrastructure, they said.

^^ Who gives a damm about NSG hub? People of west bengal should care more about hypothetical railway projects around their villages?

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Siliguri IT Park u/c..

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Pranab Mukherjee distributes first batch of LIC-Aadhaar UID Cards in West Bengal

http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Pranab-Mukherjee-distributes-first-batch-of-LIC-Aadhaar-UID-Cards-in-West-Bengal/5075674604

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee launched the LIC-Aadhaar Project of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) at Raghunathganj under Jangipur Sub Division of Murshidabad District West Bengal. LIC-Aadhaar Project is the implementation of UID Project of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) wherein LIC is delivering Unique 12-digit Identity – “Aadhaar” Numbers to the Indian residents.

96 per cent people have got Voters ID in West Bengal: EC

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4841467

Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) have been given to as many as 96 per cent of voters in the poll-bound West Bengal, a top election official said here today.

At a function to observe the first ''National Voters'' Day'', state Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta said though the voters'' list had been released, additions can be made to it before election to include those whose name was left out.

Those who were left out can still include their names by filling up form no - 6, 7 and 8 and submitting it to the respective authority, he said, adding "We will try to include their names in the voters'' list before the election".

Gupta said there were six lakh new voters out of the total 5.6 crore.

"However, the number of new voters make up only 25 per cent of the total number of youths who are in the age group of 18 to 20," Gupta said.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates 5,000th rural branch of SBI in Murshidabad town (http://calcuttatube.com/finance-minister-pranab-mukherjee-inaugurates-5000th-rural-branch-of-sbi-in-murshidabad-town/140999/)


Kandi (West Bengal), Feb 7 Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday inaugurated the 5000th Rural Branch of State Bank of India (SBI) at Kandi town of West Bengal’s Murshidabad district.

The branch is at Sagardighi Railway Station on-line from Mohan Bagan Ground in Kandi where he also inaugurated 13,333rd Branch of SBI at Kandi Bus Stand and 22,222nd ATM of State Bank Group.

Following the decision of the Ministry of Finance, of covering every village in the country with a population of 2000 and above with banking services, SBI has set itself a challenging task of covering 12,421 such unbanked villages by March 2012 under its Financial Inclusion Plan(FIP).

The SBI said it aims to cover 5357 unbanked villages upto March 2011 of which 2017 villages with population of 2000 and above have already been covered till 31 January 2011.

On this occasion, loans were disbursed at the auspicious hands of Mukherjee to beneficiaries under various rural and agriculture development schemes of the Bank like Kisan Credit Cards (10,001 loans, Amounting Rs.35.00 crs), SHG Credit linkage (1,001, Amount Rs.4.00 crs), DRI (501 loans, Amount Rs.0.50 crs), Educational loans ( 51 loans, Amount Rs.1.00 crs), Housing Loan(No :101,amount : Rs 5.00 crs and loans under SME (No. 101, Amount Rs.54.50 crs).

SIFY (http://www.sify.com/news/dhaka-siliguri-bus-service-proposed-news-national-lcfqOgjgjaa.html)
Dhaka-Siliguri bus service proposed

Bangladesh has proposed to West Bengal Government to open the Dhaka-Siliguri bus service, as both the countries have agreed on having a multi-modal connectivity.

India has also suggested rail service from Radikapur border of Uttar Dinajpur in West Bengal to Dinajpur town of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India Tariq Ahmad Karim today met West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Ashok Bhattacharya at Writers' Building and took up the matter.

Bhattacharya confirmed about the latest moves to open the Dhaka-Siliguri bus service.

Karim had visited Siliguri recently, and requested the West Bengal Government to take initiative to implement the proposal.he West Bengal's Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister, however, said that he would discuss the matter with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, was present during the meeting. By Salim Reza (ANI)

CESC to invest Rs 3,000 cr in 600Mw Haldia projects (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/cesc-to-invest-rs-3000-cr-in-600mw-haldia-projects/424738/)

RPG Enterprises flagship CESC will invest Rs 3,000 crore in its 600MW thermal power projects at Haldia in West Bengal.

Work was scheduled to be completed by March 2014 and there would be two units of 300MW each, CESC vice chairman, Sanjiv Goenka said.“We have finalised the bids for boiler turbine generator (BTG) and balance of plant (BOP) for our Haldia power project. BTG goes to Shanghai Electric and BOP to Punj Lloyd,” he added.The bids will be awarded by March this year.


“For the BTG the lowest quote comes from Shanghai Electric, that is 2.14 crore per MW. And for the BOP the lowest quote is from Punj Lloyd, which is 1.99 crore per MW,” Goenka said.

BOP includes cooling towers, chimney, ash and coal handling systems, air-cooled heat condensers and others while BTG is part of the main plant package.

The coal linkages for the plant has also been finalised as it would import 30-40 per cent while the rest will come from Eastern Coalfield.

CESC is also seeking to raise up to Rs 1,000 crore from private equity (PE) players for Haldia Energy (HEL) which is the holding company for three power projects including that of Haldia.

The power major is talking to eight overseas firms for the PE infusion for two 600Mw projects at Haldia in West Bengal and Chandrapur in Maharashtra, respectively, and another 1,300 Mw plant at Talcher in Orissa. “We are in talks with eight overseas firms. We hope to finalise this by April this year,” CESC vice chairman said.

Goenka, however, was reluctant to divulge the names of the PE firms. He also said that progress at Chandrapur Power Project in Maharastra was satisfactory.

“We are happy with the work progress at Chandrapur power plant. We are 11 days ahead of schedule there.” he said.

Assocham proposes 17 clusters in Bengal (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110210/jsp/business/story_13562146.jsp)
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) has proposed to partner the Bengal government to develop 17 industrial clusters at an estimated cost of Rs 400 crore.

After releasing the study “Cluster Development for Inclusive Growth in Bengal”, Assocham general secretary D.S. Rawat said, “The total amount required to provide basic and essential infrastructure to these clusters will be about Rs 400 crore, which could be mobilised through public-private partnership. Once operational, it will contribute additional 10 per cent revenue per annum to the state exchequer.”

The clusters will accommodate about 1,000 units and provide direct and indirect employment to 4 lakh.

“We met the chief minister with our proposal and he has shown keen interest in the project. He has also asserted that any help required from the state government will be forthcoming,” Rawat said.

Assocham has proposed the clusters at Barjora, Khejuri, Bargachia, Mansinghapur, Hantal, Sahadatpur & Jagat, Uhaynarayanpur, Domjur, Alipurduar, Mogra, Nathungram, Metiabruz, Tiljala, Topsia, Phoolbagan, Daspara, Ahiritola, Taltala, Lenin Sarani, Bowbazar, Kalighat, Matiary, Nabadwip, Ranaghat, Jhalda, Purulia, Begunkodar & Tansi, Kalyanpur, Purandarpur and Dhopagachi.

Rawat said about 90 per cent of industries in Bengal were micro- small- and medium-enterprises, employing around 25 lakh.

There is a need to connect the clusters via the Internet to sustain their development.

The e-cluster model facilitates speedy co-ordination among members, entrepreneurs and customers.

Assocham moots 17 new clusters on PPP model in West Bengal (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article1200041.ece?homepage=true)



The Associated Chamber of Commerce (Assocham) has suggested setting up of 17 inter-dependent clusters for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on public–private partnership (PPP) model to ensure inclusive growth in West Bengal.

The association has pegged the cost of the clusters at Rs 400 crore.

“Setting up these new clusters will increase the State's revenue by 10 per cent while it is expected to create direct employment for around five lakh people,” Mr D.S. Rawat, national secretary general of Assocham said while releasing a study paper, ‘Cluster Development for Inclusive Growth in West Bengal', here on Wednesday.

According to the report, many of the SMEs are using obsolete technology, thereby losing their competitiveness to large-scale enterprises. To avoid this, setting up of an inter–dependent model, where one cluster can buy goods from another, has been suggested. The model has been named e-Cluster model.

A database consisting of necessary details including the products offered by other clusters should also be set up.

The report also suggests that future clusters come up on PPP model where the Government acts as a facilitator in providing land while private players act as financers for the SMEs.

Currently, only 43 clusters located in the state are recognised by the Centre while there are 6,500 such clusters across the country.

The Assocham report suggests that the State government set up a statutory body like the Cluster Development Authority for utilisation of funds and overall development of SMEs.

The new clusters to be set up include ones for fishing hooks, textile and handicrafts, locks, textile and auto component, artificial and real jewellery, readymade garments, bell/metal utensils, dal mills, handtools, surgical instruments, wood products and mechanical engineering equipments.

Kolkata office

Assocham will set up its first office in Kolkata by March this year. Initially, the association will operate from a rented premises and later move onto its own one in Salt Lake. Land for setting up its own premises has already been obtained.

NTPC signs PPA with Bengal govt for 1,600-Mw project (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ntpc-signs-ppabengal-govt-for-1600-mw-project/418179/)

NTPC, the state-run power producer, signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the West Bengal government yesterday for a thermal unit it will be setting up at Katwa (Bardhaman district).

“From the plant, 50 per cent of power will be allocated to the state government, 15 per cent to the ministry of power and 35 per cent to all other constituents in the region. We have no plans to sell it on a merchant basis,” said Arup Roy Choudhury, chairman and managing director.
“The total investment for the 2x800 Mw Katwa project will be Rs 9,600 crore, roughly around Rs 6 crore per Mw. Discussions are also going on for a greenfield (new) project at Santaldih (Purulia district),” he said.


The CMD said NTPC had lined up 17 projects for next year and would be able to add another 5,500 Mw of capacity by the end of 2011-12.

“By the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan (March 2012), our target is to become a 40,000-Mw company. We also have an ambitious plan for the 12th Plan period, as our target is to add a capacity of 25,000 Mw by the end of that plan period,” he said.

Regarding the company’s coal mining plans and the ongoing row on ‘go and no-go areas’, Choudhury said, “Among six coal blocks allotted to us, only one has fallen under the no-go area. We have approached the government regarding this and believe the issue will be solved soon.” It plans to import 12 million tonnes next year.

On the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India that NTPC had fallen short of a target to add capacity of 22,430 Mw in the five years ending March 2012, the company said it would have added 13,000 Mw of capacity by March 2012, much above the target of 9,220 Mw set for the period by the Planning Commission.

Kolkata: It could be the final nail in the coffin of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s industrial dream. Bengal stands to lose investment worth 60,000 crore because it cannot supply several major steel projects with coal and might ask companies to fend for themselves.
This couldn’t come at a worse time for the beleaguered Left Front government because assembly elections are barely two months away.
“What can we do? The Centre is not giving us new blocks. We shall tell them (the companies) to look for
coal from other sources,” said industries minister Nirupam Sen on Wednesday. Subrata Gupta, MD of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, said they might have to tell the companies to import coal.
Sen may wring his hands in despair, but the state has brought this crisis on itself by the shoddy handling of coal blocks allotted to it, say sources. Big firms like Videocon and Vedanta Group have reacted strongly to the “fend-for-yourself” advice, saying they would shift their projects out of Bengal if the state fails to allot the promised coal blocks. It will
be a huge embarrassment for the state government in election season.
The coal ministry has indicated it isn’t happy with progress (whether mining has started or not, how much has been mined) in the six Bengal coal blocks — Trans Damodar, Kulti, Ichhapur, Sitarampur, Jagannathpur A and Jagannathpur B. Coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal had written to the CM in November, seeking to know the status of these coal blocks. At that time, the state’s application for eight new coal blocks was pending with the Centre. It still is. COAL CRISIS We may shift to Orissa, says Videocon
Kolkata: The state government has so far given coal blocks to JSW Bengal Steel and Jai Balaji Group.
The companies that are yet to get coal blocks say they will rethink the projects. Sources in Videocon said that the state government hasn’t yet told them that the company would not get coal blocks. “But if it does, we will shift our project to Orissa. The Bengal government had signed an MoU with us in November 2008, promising 40% of the Nachan (coal) block in Burdwan’s Raniganj. We planned our project on the basis of that. It is not viable for us to go ahead with the project if we do not get captive coal blocks,” the official said. Videocon had proposed over Rs 16,000 crore investment in a 3-million-tonne steel plant and a 1,200MW power project in Asansol.
Sources say the state government had promised to allot the remaining 60% of the Nachan block to Vedanta and Kalyani Steel (Bharat Forge).
A Vedanta spokesperson said allocation of coal blocks is necessary for the project. “Power is a key raw material for smelting. Without captive blocks, the project is difficult,” he said. Vedanta group has proposed Rs 20,000 crore investment to set up a 6.5 lakh tonne aluminium smelter.
Besides these two mega projects, the state had promised the Rangamati block to Shyam Steel and Kunur block to Shyam Sel and Abhijeet Group.
The state dug itself into a trap, says economist Dipankar Dasgupta. “It shows the lack of coordination and prudence in the state government’s industrialisation effort,” he said, worried whether the “lack of vision” would change if there were a change in the government.
Economist Sugata Marjit feels that the state government had a tendency of signing MOUs too early. “They completely overlooked the problem of coal in order to showcase industrialisation. There is a political factor as well between the Centre and state,” he said.
The president of Indian Chamber of Commerce, Jayanta Roy, also feels that it exposes the lack of vision in the state industrialisation process. “It will be unfortunate if Bengal loses such big investments,” said president of Bharat Chamber, Pavan Poddar. Visa Steel chairman V Saran pointed out that coal is the only advantage that Bengal offers. “Otherwise nobody will invest in steel here.”

What exactly is the problem?I cant understand it.

Centre says its not happy about the progress of blocks alloted to the state,state says centre is not giving them blocks.Why cant the state allot this Nanchan block to the companies?Centre is not allowing?

What exactly is the problem?I cant understand it.

Centre says its not happy about the progress of blocks alloted to the state,state says centre is not giving them blocks.Why cant the state allot this Nanchan block to the companies?Centre is not allowing?

Distribution of coal is under centre's jurisdiction and state government has only a say in it and state can't allot coal blocks to private companies . It can allot coal block to companies but first it must secured that block from the centre . The problem with bengal is that centre hasn't allot a single coal block to bengal after dec 2007 and that's why many steel projetcs are feeling the heat in the state . This is a problem not only in bengal but also across India .The recession has hit the mining industry subsequently hitting steel projects thus delaying exploration of mines . Thus the centre is very clear that the mines alloted to the state must be explored first before allotting other blocks . I think if jai balaji and jindals start mining operation then centre might allot few more to the state or fi mamata comes to power she could easily influence the centre to allocate more mines in the state.

Solar Power Plant in Jamuria

Photo cc wbgedcl

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Wind Farm East Mednipur

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Keventer and Carso Group to set up a commercial lab (http://www.fnbnews.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=29250&sectionid=1)


Saturday, February 12, 2011 08:00 IST

Keventer Group has tied up with a French Company ‘Carso Group’ to import an innovative food testing laboratory in the country. The laboratory, Carso India Lab Pvt. Ltd, will be set up at Barasat in West Bengal by Edward Keventer Life-Science, a Keventer Group company.

The laboratory in Barasat will be testing samples of food, water, beverages, meat,poultry, fish, fruits, vegetables, tea, spices, condiments, spices, snacks, confectioneries and several agricultural products for commercial usage.

“The lab will have the facilities to comply with global standards,” said M K Jalan, chairman of Keventer Group.

Keventer had already set up integrated cold chains at Barasat in North 24 Parganas. Jalan said, “We collect 100 tonnes of fresh fruits and vegetables daily via collection centres and supply them to the leading food chains like Reliance, Aditya Birla Group, Metro Cash & Carry and the Future Group.”

The laboratory will be operational by November 2011.The seven acres land is located inside the integrated food processing unit developed by Keventer in the northern border of Kolkata. It’s a 50:50 joint venture between the two companies. The management of the laboratory will be done by the French company. The company is targeting around 1.5 lakh to 1.8 lakh samples testing per year. The project is initiated under the “setting up/upgradation of food testing laboratories” scheme, which is partially funded by the ministry of food processing industries.

The group is planning to invest in projects worth Rs 400 crore across West Bengal, Bihar and Karnataka. The investments in various processing units would include Rs 150 crore for mushroom, sesame seeds and ready-to-eat foods in Gujarat. In Karnataka, the company will be joining hands with Kishore Biyani’s Future Group to build a Rs 105-crore processing unit for fruit-pulping and value-added food. Another Rs 120 crore will be spent for setting up a processing unit for starch, glucose and dextrose (dextrorotatory form of glucose).

Carso Group was established in 1992. It owns more than 30 laboratories in the world. The Carso Group is a leading provider of analytical services in France on waters and environmental analysis, food and feed analysis, occupational in health building and industries, genetic identifications and testing and cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

While Keventer is a food processing major manufacturing fruit-based products for Parle and Apeejay. The company also has a strong presence in dairy products especially in milk and ice-cream marketed through Metro Dairy, which is a joint venture with the West Bengal government.

Goenka, however, was reluctant to divulge the names of the PE firms. He also said that progress at Chandrapur Power Project in Maharastra was satisfactory.

“We are happy with the work progress at Chandrapur power plant. We are 11 days ahead of schedule there.” he said.

good news for my chandrapur . Another plant added to the already huge number of plants existing there.:banana:

Destination Durgapur (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110213/jsp/calcutta/story_13575701.jsp)

A soot-filled industrial town dons a glass-and-chrome look as brands and biz make a beeline to cash in

Mall call:
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Junction in Durgapur’s City Centre gets ready to ride the food-fun wave. Pictures by Anindya Shankar Ray

Like every year, Sujoy and Sinjini have planned a romantic day out to celebrate their relationship “anniversary”. This year is extra special, thanks to Sujoy’s new job at a swanky bank and the plum offer that Sinjini has landed during campus placements. The day starts with breakfast at Flurys. The morning shop stops include Lee and Sony Centre. A snacky lunch at KFC later, Sujoy and Sinjini head for the Tata Motors showroom to pick out their first car. The evening is spent at Café Coffee Day and the dream day rounded off at an INOX plex watching Dhobi Ghat.

A sweet love story yes, but what’s so special that makes it to a Sunday paper? Sujoy and Sinjini live not in Calcutta, but 182km away, in Durgapur.

Come March, Sujoy can even take his girl to Mainland China, indulge the bookworm in him at Crossword or amble among the racks at Shoppers Stop… all within 10 minutes of home and office.

Already two malls old, Durgapur is set to welcome a giant shop stop — Junction mall, developed by Bengal Shrachi, at City Centre, the new heart of the industrial town.

The mall commands an impressive 2.5 lakh square feet in floor space and another 1 lakh square feet in basement parking. On offer is the what’s what of big-ticket retail, from Pantaloons, Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Reebok, Nike, Adidas, Benetton, Lee, Levis, Bata, Rene…. Toss into the melting pot F&B options like Mainland China, Machaan, Haka, KFC, Subway, plus a 300-seater food court offering a clutch of cuisine, and you have the making of a food-and-fun revolution.

“We want Junction to be a complete destination mall, where the customer’s every need is satisfied. We will even have an Apollo clinic on the premises, along with the Tata Motors outlet and a two-wheeler showroom,” said Sidharth Pansari, one of the developers and the franchise owner of the Crossword bookstore chain. Junction will have its own Crossword, stocking over 40,000 books.

The developers have pumped in around Rs 110 crore and the investment on the part of the retailers is Rs 150 crore-plus.

Why Durgapur?

Calcutta girl Srijeeta Bagchi, who completed her BTech from Dr BC Roy Engineering College in 2004, wouldn’t know Durgapur if she visited it now.

“When I went to Durgapur in 2000, I was crestfallen seeing the small town I would have to call home for four years. There was next-to-nothing in terms of recreation. It’s a pleasant surprise to know that Durgapur will get a Mainland China and its own Crossword,” she said.

In the past five years, Durgapur has acquired a new entertainment landscape and a whole new lifestyle. There are two malls — Suhatta and Dreamplex — and another on the way, a nightclub (at Citi Residenci hotel), various eat-out options and brands like Baskin-Robbins and Habib’s, apart from residential hubs like the Bengal Ambuja complex and neat apartment blocks in the Bidhannagar area.

Rahul Todi, the managing director of Bengal Shrachi, is bullish on Durgapur. For more than one reason. “Durgapur is an industrial town and steel and steel-related industries have revived in the past seven to 10 years. Durgapur has also positioned itself as a regional educational hub. Students may not have huge spending potential but they sure love to eat at food courts or watch movies at plexes,” smiled Todi.

From a mall’s point of view, these factors make Durgapur “prime property”.

The collieries of the Asansol-Raniganj-Durgapur belt is another catchment area that’s rich, that too in liquid cash.

Pansari pointed out that Durgapur was fast becoming a shopping destination for residents of Burdwan town, Asansol, Raniganj and Panagarh. “People come to Durgapur to shop from Bolpur, which is a 45-minute drive away, and even Dhanbad, which is an hour and 45 minutes by road. Most of these people would have gone to Calcutta earlier.”

National Highway 2 or Delhi Road, as it is still called, has changed the way outsiders look at Durgapur. The Volvo and Mercedes Benz luxury buses plying between Calcutta and Durgapur make “a world of difference”, says Neha Sharma, a marketing executive at Bengal Shrachi, who travels frequently between Calcutta and Durgapur to oversee the making of Junction mall.

Old residents say malls are altering the aspirations of the people here and living the good life is no more reserved for the occasional trip to Calcutta. Pansari, on the other hand, says Junction mall was born out of Durgapur’s growing aspirations, bringing us to the classical chicken-and-egg situation. Not that anyone minds, as long as everyone has Kentucky Fried Chicken to munch on!

CHICKEN AND EGG:
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A family at the newly-opened KFC outlet

KFC was opened a month back and is already doing “more business” than the Rajarhat City Centre outlet. It’s easy to understand why. “The moment I saw the billboard announcing that KFC has opened in my town, I couldn’t wait to try it,” gushed Class XII student of Durgapur Girls’ High School Deblina Kundu, eagerly waiting for her order of Chicken Popcorn, which she knows from “ads on TV”.

For Soma Sinha, it made more sense to set up her business in office automation products (photocopy machines, boardroom equipment etc) in Durgapur than in Calcutta, which has a much more competitive market. “Durgapur is growing fast and I wanted to cash in on the opportunities available here,” said the 40-year-old.

Her mother, 65-year-old Kabita Sinha, is happy that her daughter has been able to stay on in the town she grew up in and can even zip around on her two-wheeler without a worry about safety. “We couldn’t imagine leaving the house alone when we were young,” said the lady who first came to Durgapur in 1962.

Boom by the book

The Durgapur resident’s spending power is rising steadily, with multinational and public sector banks setting up their regional headquarters in and around the City Centre area, tech firms cropping up in Bidhannagar and the private education sector booming here, there and everywhere.

Anik Ray, an electrical engineering student at the Durgapur Institute of Advanced Technology and Management (DIATM), rattles off the names of 10 tech and business schools in the vicinity. Nearly 15,000 students flock the town, their youthful desires and demands altering the socio-economic dynamics of the place. Many come from the Northeast, Bihar, Jharkhand and from all over Bengal. A spurt in colleges also means a spurt in jobs. And more business for Soma Sinha.

DIATM math teacher Rajib Choudhury hails from Burdwan town. Taking up a teaching post in Durgapur makes more sense for him than a move to Calcutta (where he had lived briefly). “Durgapur has good facilities. If Calcutta is 100, I’d give Durgapur 70 or 75,” said Choudhury, in true math teacher style.

Very soon, Durgapur will have its own branch of Delhi Public School. One more reason for young couples to stay back. Manisha International School, which started two years back, has launched day-boarding facilities for kids of working parents.

When Metro visited Junction in January-end, an army of workmen swarmed the mammoth-yet-sleek building, busy with their last-minute nip-and-tuck mission. Donning a workman’s helmet, Pansari showed off the expansive premises, designed by Singapore-based architect Stephen Coates.

“Our emphasis was on a sense of space. There will be a lot of wide, open spaces in the mall, with daylight streaming in from the sides and the rooftop. Even the stores are large, around 3,000-4,000sq ft each,” he said.

The Calcuttan would feel at home in Junction, which is something like South City-meets-City Centre. While curved escalators connect the floors of the mall that rise in concentric ovals, the entrance is a smaller version of City Centre’s Kund area, where live performances are sure to become a huge draw. Junction will house three plexes, one of which can double as an auditorium with a stage.

It’s not all booming in destination Durgapur, though. “Commuting within Durgapur is one of our main problems. Taxis are available just at the railway station. What is the point of having night shows at a multiplex if you can’t return home after the movie?” wondered Esha Dutta, a senior lecturer in computer science.

Two-wheelers remain a rage in Durgapur, and so a two-wheeler showroom occupies pride of place among high-street retail stores on the ground floor of Junction mall.

Pollution is another peeve — not vehicular but industrial, with numerous steel and allied units, like sponge iron and alloys, dotting the area.

But for second-year engineering student Sudip Dey, a job at the revamped DSP (Durgapur Steel Plant) would be a “dream come true”.

Ten years back, this dream was only about reaching Calcutta and beyond.

Population of Durgapur catchment area: 8.57 lakh

■ Literacy: 75 per cent, against the national average of 59.5 per cent. Can be attributed to the number of educational institutes in the area.

■ Average income: Around 47 per cent of Durgapur households have a monthly income of more than Rs 9,000, as against 40 per cent in Calcutta.

■ Banking: Almost two-third of the residents living in the Durgapur Municipal Corporation area avail themselves of banking services.

■ Mall footfall: Average visitors on a lean day at Dreamplex mall is 3,000-3,500. It is 12,000-15,000 a day on weekends. At City Centre, Salt Lake, weekday footfall is about 20,000 and about 35,000 daily on weekends.

■ Not just window shopping: While Dreamplex enjoys an average conversion factor of 75 per cent to 80 per cent, a standalone retail store like the Raymond shop at Durgapur City Centre sees a footfall of 50 to 80 per day, with a conversion of 50 to 60 per cent.

■ Growing daily: The estimated market growth in Durgapur is comparable with Lucknow, and above Coimbatore and Kanpur.

* Source: Surveys conducted by retail brands and real estate developers in the last five years

Samhita Chakraborty Lahiri
What are your thoughts on the changing face of Durgapur? Tell ttmetro@abpmail.com

Great news about Durgapur indeed.
I had read in SSC only that some BPOs have also set up units there.
One of them is HTMT. can anybody throw any light on the IT / ITES developments in and around Durgapur?

I strobgly feel, if properly developed it can turn out to be a big Tier-2 IT destination like Pune or Coimbattore.

Great news about Durgapur indeed.
I had read in SSC only that some BPOs have also set up units there.
One of them is HTMT. can anybody throw any light on the IT / ITES developments in and around Durgapur?

I strobgly feel, if properly developed it can turn out to be a big Tier-2 IT destination like Pune or Coimbattore.

When Dr.B.C Roy planned Durgapour in fifties he had the vision to build a Poone like city within 150 miles from Kolkata. It was rightfully nick named as Ruhr of India since it had all the resources to be a major hub of steel/engineering industry. But uncontrolled Trade unionism and lack of initiative and interest by state govt. ruined that possibility. But this place could be a major center of a mixture of steel/IT/engineering/chemical industries if proper incentives are given. By then Durgapour will change from a blue color city to a mixed blue white red color city. Hinterland of Durgapour is the most prosperous agricultural district Burdwan. I am not surprised to see high purchasing capacity of this town 

^^ More news on booming burdwan..:cheers:

Waugh unveils project for 'Sports City' (http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/168976-waugh-unveils-project-for-sports-city)


Press Trust of India Last updated on Tuesday, 15 February 2011 14:49

Kolkata: Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh on Monday unveiled a project for construction of the 'International Sports City' to be built at a site in Burdwan district of West Bengal, about 100 km from here.

Unveiling the project at a five star facility here, the two-time captain of the World Cup winning Australian team said, "There has been significant changes in the sporting atmosphere and mindset of people in India in the last five years."

"Sports is becoming more important to Indians and especially after the IPL the young ones are getting hooked and looking out for opportunities in sports," Waugh said.

"The idea of building this sporting city is to utilise the huge untapped potential of India in the sporting arena.... Besides, this will also enable children of families living in the vicinity to focus on sporting activities," he said.

Asked whether he would take up the role of a coach for the youngsters at the proposed complex, Waugh replied that initially he would oversee the setting up of the facilities.

"Afterwards I might chip in for coaching if required," the Aussie star said.

Rahul Todi, Managing Director of Shrachi Group which is building the facility, said the International Sporting City project would be constructed at Renaissance township in Burdwan.

The township was being built by the leading real estate group in collaboration with Waugh-owned 'Sporting Edge' on 12 acres of land.

Todi said initially they had plans to make facilities for cricket and football, the two most popular games in the country, at an investment of Rs 12-13 crore.

Subsequently they would also add tennis, basketball, swimming and other events in the sporting city with an additional budget of Rs 15-20 crore.

"Besides children and youth from West Bengal, the youngsters from neighbouring states like Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa could avail the facility," Todi said.

Kolkata's Camellia Group to Set Up Healthcare Hub in the State (http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/201102/market21.shtml)



The Group plans to invest Rs 500 crores in this project in a phased manner

There is good news for medical education in West Bengal. The state’s bid to attract private investments in the medical education sector, has found a new taker.

Kolkata based Camellia Group, a leading player in education, hospitality, industry, real estate and aviation and cabin crew training, has announced its foray into the medical sector by setting up the first medical hub in Burdwan district of the state.

The proposed medical hub will be set up on 33 acres of land, off Durgapur Expressway at BudBud near Burdwan city.

Christened, 'Camellia Institute of Medical Science & Research', it will have a 500-bed super-speciality hospital which is expected to generate employment for about 500 people in a phased manner.

“We are focusing on the rising demands in the healthcare space and aiming to transform BudBud near Burdwan into a preferred medical hub. Till now, southern India was the most preferred medical tourist destinations, but the scene will change with the establishment of our Medical Hub,” claimed NR Datta, Chairman and Managing Director, Camellia Group.

The Group plans to invest Rs. 500 crores into the project in a phased manner.

It will have also have private Medical, Dental and Nursing Colleges attached to the Hospital. To start with, the Medical College will take 100 new admissions for its MBBS programme which will be gradually increased to post graduate level teaching and research.

“The West Bengal Government and the West Bengal Health University have already approved the proposal to set up the Medical Hub & College. We have also applied to the Medical Council of India for the necessary approvals,” said Dutta.

Dutta said the hospital would be operational by end of February and classes might start from August this year. Camellia has acquired a sick private hospital in the region and plans to revamp it.

The Dental College will offer Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme and gradually introduce Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) programme with specialisation in all branches of modern dentistry. It will start with 100 seats.

Camellia College of Nursing is another ambitious venture in the proposed hub. The Nursing College will offer programmes like General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), BSc. and MSc. programmes in nursing. The college will collaborate with nursing institutes abroad.

Dutta claimed that the availability of state-of-the-art medical facilities, including multi-specialty treatment, the hospital is expected to attract patients from adjoining states and countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal and neighbouring states of Bihar and Jharkhand.

The state’s only private medical college now is 'KPC Medical College' in the city's Jadavpur area.

The Telegraph reported that Bengal may soon get the country's first coal to liquid plant, which will produce clean oil and other chemicals from coal.

Following last month's visit to South Africa, where the world's largest coal to liquid manufacturer Sasol is based, coal minister Mr Sriprakash Jaiswal had asked Coal India Limited to identify a block and submit a proposal.

Mr PS Bhattacharyya chairman of CIL said that "Accordingly, we had sent a proposal to set up the project in Birbhum district where the Deocha Pachami block, having reserves of 19 billion tonnes could be allocated for the project."

The upper crust of the Deocha Pachami block consists of hard rock to a depth of 120 to 130 meters. Below that lies an 80 meter coal seam with an estimated reserve of 19 billion tonnes.

Mr Bhattacharyya said that "At present, Coal India doesn’t have the technology to mine the coal below the hard rock. However, NMDC has evinced interest to partner us for digging out the coal." She added that because of the character of the block it had not been earmarked for power projects.

CIL has proposed to form a JV with NMDC and the West Bengal Mineral Trading and Development Corporation for the coal to liquid project.

Mr Jaiswal said that "The ministry has received the proposal from CIL. We are examining it and a decision will be taken in the next few months. We are keen on CIL foraying into the CTL project."

The coal ministry is keen on the project to capitalize on the strong domestic demand for fuel, which is growing at over 8% per annum, and insulate the economy from the volatility in crude prices in the global markets.

Mr Bhattacharyya said that Sasol of South Africa is keen to pick up an equity stake in the proposed project. He added that "The proposed joint venture may have a fourth partner in the form of a foreign company, which will provide the CTL technology. We have seen Sasol. The company is making 160,000 barrels of oil and 130 different chemicals by burning 1 million tonnes of coal. However, we would like to see the technology of Lurgi of Germany as well before selecting the technology provider."

According to CIL's proposal, the project will require 40 million tonnes of coal per annum and cost around INR 45,000 crore.

In 2009, Jindal Steel and Power Limited and the TATA group were allotted coal blocks in Orissa for CTL projects, but they have not been able to make any head start so far. While the TATA group had partnered Sasol for a JV, JSPL is yet to take a call on the technology provider.

Kolkata, Feb 16 (PTI) Bengal Shipyard Limited, a 50:50 joint venture between Bharati Shipyard and the Apeejay Group, will start construction work on its proposed shipyard project in South Bengal in July.
"Let the socio-political scene in the state stabilise. We hope to start the project from July," Bharati Shipyard Managing Director Vijay Kumar said.
The project still faces hurdles over land acquisition, he said.
So far, we have not been able to acquire land for the project, he told reporters here last night.
The shipyard will require 500 acres of land. In addition to this project, the JV plans to construct another shipyard in Orissa, which will cover an area of 900 acres.
The two projects will entail an investment of Rs 2,000 crore, which will be shared equally by the promoters.
Commercial operations at the ports are likely to start from 2013.
Meanwhile, Bharati Shipyard sold two ice-class ships at its shipyard in Howrah for operating in the Baltic region.

Kolkata, Feb 16 (IANS) The European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) Wednesday signed an agreement with a trade body in West Bengal to enhance collaboration opportunities between Europe and India with special focus on the eastern part of the country.

'The agreement was signed between EBTC and Bengal Chamber of Commerce (BCC). EBTC also launched its centre here,' said EBTC director Poul V. Jensen.


'The centre will build synergies among the chambers of commerce of EU (European Union) members states and work together with the existing European business association in India and Europe. It will also interface between public policy makers and private players, raising awareness about existing European programmes in the field of science and technology as well as business and industry cooperation,' he said.


Daniele Smadja, ambassador and head of the delegation of the European Union to India, said: 'We expect the new centre to further foster links between European and Indian business as well as between science and technology with the view to promote the EU interests and respond to the demands of the Indian market. The centre will also promote sustainable clean technologies in India in general and in the eastern part of the country in particular.'


Jensen said the agreement will focus on clean technology transfer and development in the country.


Speaking at the conference on 'Perspective on Climate negotiations and Clean Technologies', Jensen said: 'Our partnership with BCC will be instrumental to address climate change mitigation efforts in business and industry as part of a business strategy of corporates by becoming environmentally sound, energy efficient and consuming less energy.'

SEARCH

Bharati Shipyard plans shipbuilding facilities in Bengal and Orissa
STEEL GURU (http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/Bharati_Shipyard_plans_shipbuilding_facilities_in_Bengal_and_Orissa/192016.html)

BL reported that Bharati Shipyard proposes to build more shipyards on the country's east coast

According to Mr Vijay Kumar MD of Bharati Shipyard, the company has six shipyards, five of them on the west coast and one on the east in Kolkata.

Mr Kumar said that "Depending on the availability of land, we would like to launch the proposed shipyards in West Bengal and Orissa.”

It might be noted that Bharati, together with Apeejay Shipping, has been planning for some time to build two modern ship building facilities on the east coast.

The Telegraph

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6122/22022011022033.jpg

West Bengal govt acquires land, quietly (http://www.livemint.com/2011/02/21205725/West-Bengal-govt-acquires-land.html?atype=tp)

The Left Front government in West Bengal is pushing hard to project the state as a born-again investment destination, keen to bury a recent past that saw some prestigious projects chased out by violent protests.

The eastern state is heading into a crucial election in a few months, which could threaten the three-decade reign of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM.

The state’s commerce and industries minister, Nirupam Sen, says West Bengal didn’t benefit from the bid five years ago to aggressively market itself as an investment destination.

“Instead, we should have quietly created an enabling infrastructure, which would allow investments to flow into the state seamlessly,” he said. “That’s what we are doing now—we have been able to acquire thousands of acres of land (for industrial projects) in the past two years without facing any resistance because we decided not to speak about it.”

Sen is a member of the politburo, the highest decision-making body of the CPM, which has ruled West Bengal for 34 years. As its term ends in a couple of months, the CPM faces its biggest electoral challenge from the Trinamool Congress.

The state’s main opposition party was routed in the assembly election in 2006 but made a mark soon after by leading a statewide movement against land acquisition for industrial projects.

Tata Motors Ltd, a casualty of this movement, decided to move its Nano small car project from Singur in West Bengal to Gujarat after the protests.

The state government has now acquired thousands of acres of land without having to deal with any opposition, Sen said. For the Rajarhat township in a Kolkata neighbourhood, the government has acquired nearly 7,000 acres of farmland for projects.

The problem wasn’t with the hype but with how the CPM controls the administration, said Abhirup Sarkar, a professor of economics at Kolkata’s Indian Statistical Institute.

“If the people of Singur were convinced that they would have secularly benefited from the economy that was to emerge with Tata Motors’ factory, they wouldn’t have opposed the project,” said Sarkar. “They opposed it because they knew only the committed supporters of the CPM would have benefited from it.”

The state government has adopted a new rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) policy, Sen said. Under this new compensation package for acquiring land, the price of land to be acquired is determined through “negotiation with occupants and not by the collector”, who would only go by the price stated in reported sales.

The state compensates even people who till land on tenancy as well as labourers under “a formula based on the price determined through negotiation”, said Sen.

Land owners can even benefit from any future appreciation in real estate prices on the completion of projects: People who hold at least an acre of land receive 10% of their holding in the form of “space in the developed property”; others get an annuity for five years.

Sen said the new policy is hugely successful but admitted that it “worked only because the state government is now acquiring land in areas where agricultural productivity is not as a high as in the fertile southern parts of the state” (where Singur is located).

Successive elections in the state in the past few years have shown that the CPM’s policies to promote industry alienated it from its traditional vote bank—the rural mass.

In a U-turn from its strategy ahead of the 2006 assembly election—when industrialization was the buzz word—the Left Front will push for faster agricultural growth if voted to power, said Sen.

Farm sector productivity in West Bengal is growing at 4-4.5% a year, whereas the national average is less than 0.5%, according to Sen.

But for chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, his government’s principal logic for focusing on creating jobs in manufacturing was that it was unable to ramp up farm sector productivity. Land holdings in West Bengal are small and farmers’ children aren’t keen to continue to till land, Bhattacharjee used to say until recently.

RfQ for new terminal at Kolkata Port

Kolkata Port Trust has invited RfQ [Ad/0038/PPP/RJ1/ 5954] for the construction of Outer Terminal- I, a multipurpose riverine jetty upstream of the third oil jetty at Haldia Dock Complex on DBFOT basis for a concession period of 30 years. The terminal will handle the incremental volume of dry bulk cargo at HDC arising out of trans-loading operations. The estimated cost of the project is 290 crore.

The scope of work involves all civil works related to the project for handling cargo including storage areas, railway tracks, roads, weigh bridges (rail and road), operational, administrative and welfare buildings, civic amenities, installation of various cargo handling equipment, railway sidings including transfer of cargo to and from berth, and electrical works connected with power distribution, illumination and operation of equipment in the area.

The last date of submission of bids is March 28.

Tractors India draws Rs 200 cr expansion plan

Leading manufacturers and marketers of cranes, popularly known as Tractors India Ltd (TIL) plans to introduce new products in the current year as part of its Rs 200 crore expansion plan. The company has so far invested Rs 150 crore in the first phase of the upcoming plant at Kharagpur, in West Bengal. The plant will roll out aggregate crushers & will be commissioned by mid-2011. TIL will invest Rs 50 crore in the Kolkata plant to ramp up capacity and be the first company to launch 70-tonne truck mounted cranes, which was so far being imported from China.

cc: The Statesman

Chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today appealed to the labourers ‘not to go on leave without notice on the eve of any festival'.
Addressing the ceremonial inauguration of a Food Park and a private biscuit factory of the park at Phansidewa in Siliguri, Mr Bhattacharjee made it clear that labourers should not stop work suddenly hampering the production of a factory.
“I was upset when the management of the biscuit factory informed me, during interaction, that the male workers, go on leave suddenly, without any prior notice, hampering the production of the factory. Women workers are better than them. It is my appeal to them not to go on leave on the eve of any festival,” he said.
The CM also expressed happiness over the allotment of most of the lands to the entrepreneurs out of 37.43 acres earmarked for the Food Park. The rest unalloted five acres land would be given to pine apple and orange processing units.
It may be noted that the state horticulture department and the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority jointly set up the Food Park here.
State urban development minister, Mr Asok Bhattacharya, who is also the chairman of the SJDA, said they were trying hard to acquire more land to expand the area of the Food Park.
“We are trying to set up pineapple and orange processing units here,” the chairman SJDA said.
Inaugurating the Siliguri IT Park at Matigara today, the CM said that the state had started setting up IT industries late when the other states had already achieved remarkable results.
“Though we have started late, the IT sectors are being developed not only at Sector-V in Salt Lake but also in other districts generating employment opportunities including Bantala, Nonadanga, Durgapur, Haldia, Kharagpur and Siliguri,” Mr Bhattacharjee said.
“The first phase of IT Park has been completed here. Various companies including one from Germany and another from America would start functioning here soon. The second phase of the IT park would be started here quickly,” he said.

cc: The Statesman

Chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today appealed to the labourers ‘not to go on leave without notice on the eve of any festival'.
Addressing the ceremonial inauguration of a Food Park and a private biscuit factory of the park at Phansidewa in Siliguri, Mr Bhattacharjee made it clear that labourers should not stop work suddenly hampering the production of a factory.
“I was upset when the management of the biscuit factory informed me, during interaction, that the male workers, go on leave suddenly, without any prior notice, hampering the production of the factory. Women workers are better than them. It is my appeal to them not to go on leave on the eve of any festival,” he said.



It is always better to hire women workers were possible. It empowers them and improves the family quality. Many male labourers waste earned money on drinks and then beat up their family members.


Inaugurating the Siliguri IT Park at Matigara today, the CM said that the state had started setting up IT industries late when the other states had already achieved remarkable results.
“Though we have started late, the IT sectors are being developed not only at Sector-V in Salt Lake but also in other districts generating employment opportunities including Bantala, Nonadanga, Durgapur, Haldia, Kharagpur and Siliguri,” Mr Bhattacharjee said.

The big question is why did they start LATE? It is time the Left in India (and not just CPM) dumped some of their silly ideologies and become more practical in economic matters. They opposed computers and computers are here to stay. They opposed mobile phones and mobile phones are here to stay. They opposed English and English is even stronger in today's global world. Smelling imperialist conspiracies in every darn thing is something the Left in India needs to quickly discard from its thought process.

It is always better to hire women workers were possible. It empowers them and improves the family quality. Many male labourers waste earned money on drinks and then beat up their family members.

The big question is why did they start LATE? It is time the Left in India (and not just CPM) dumped some of their silly ideologies and become more practical in economic matters. They opposed computers and computers are here to stay. They opposed mobile phones and mobile phones are here to stay. They opposed English and English is even stronger in today's global world. Smelling imperialist conspiracies in every darn thing is something the Left in India needs to quickly discard from its thought process.

yes even i would agree that. They are more sincere and committed to their work, attrition rate among women are also less compared to men!
But women also booze, be it english or desi!(city or village respectvly)

Regarding the Late part, CPM was always late, werent they???
Be it English being a second language from primary classes, or using computers in Sarkari offices!!, and then rectifying their mistake by simply saying 'bhul decision chilo', but they dint understand what problems they face in interviews (luckyly, being a pravasi i was saved), as everyone is not blessed with Sarkari jobs. Thats sad, taken the loads of knowledge that the state has!!
I dint know about the mobile phones part, but this much i know that JB was the first person to use a cell phone, when chatted with the then PM (either, VP Singh or PV Narsimha Rao, dont remember), for a minute or two!
why the Left were/is so p****d off (sorry i have no other adj for this) with the West!

why the Left were/is so p****d off (sorry i have no other adj for this) with the West!

Every ideology and religion needs villains. In case of the Indian Left, the so called "imperialist" powers are the villains.

:lol:

The big question is why did they start LATE? It is time the Left in India (and not just CPM) dumped some of their silly ideologies and become more practical in economic matters. They opposed computers and computers are here to stay. They opposed mobile phones and mobile phones are here to stay. They opposed English and English is even stronger in today's global world. Smelling imperialist conspiracies in every darn thing is something the Left in India needs to quickly discard from its thought process.

on what else are they going slow and, therefore, by definition, will be "late" soon in those areas?

-- design and architecture (all good institutes of design and architecture are in the west and the south; one in Delhi); but a big chunk of the faculty at the National Institute of Design are from Bengal. The design summit was held in Bangalore. NID has a branch in Bangalore. Probably, they think good design and architecture is for the bourgeoisie? They should have learnt from their communist brothers in Kerala -- home to the best rajmishtris, aesthetic construction ideas, and distributors of these materials. now hundreds of rajmishtris go to Kerala to learn the tricks of the trade. I read frequently how the classical lime and mortar structures of the heritage buildings are being "restored" by stupid cement mishtris.

-- Policy think tanks: most of the government and self-claiming policy think tanks are in and around Delhi. Now the South is slowly catching up in having think tanks that influence national policy. Where are the ones from Bengal that has a hand on the pulse of the country? (this category includes NGOs such as Janaagraha)

IOC to upgrade Haldia unit (http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/IOC_to_upgrade_Haldia_unit/191907.html)

Sunday, 20 Feb 2011


Indian Oil Corporation is set to pump in INR 4,000 crore to upgrade its refinery in Haldia. The board of the company is likely to give its final approval to a proposal to set up a delayed coker unit aimed at making the 7.5 million tonne refinery more profitable. The unit has enough land under possession to build the unit. It will take about three years to complete construction.

A DCU can improve the gross refining margins, the yardstick to calculate the profitability of a refinery, by converting low value residual products such as bitumen to lighter products of higher value (petrol, diesel or cooking gas).

A senior IOC official said that “A study has already been conducted. We are seeing now how the economics of the investment work out. Hopefully, the final nod from the board will come in the next 2 to 3 months.”

The fresh dose of investment comes close on the heels of the expansion of the refinery to 7.5 million tonnes from 6 million tonnes and the setting up of a hydrocracker unit for INR 3,700 crore late last year. The yield of the unit is likely to go up 5 to 6% when the DCU comes up.

IOC wants to expand the refining capacity to 9 million tonnes and build a petrochemical complex to produce paraxylene. But it requires additional land from the Calcutta Port Trust to carry out the job. It has requested for 100 acres, which is be part of the closed Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation.

(Sourced from THE Telegraph)

Infrastructure should be Priority for next Bengal government: Assocham
BUSINESS STANDARD (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/infrastructure-should-be-priority-for-next-bengal-government-assocham/426195/)

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) has said that for the next government in West Bengal, the priority areas should be physical and social infrastructure sectors as it will spur economic growth.

“The global economic downturn, tussle between government authorities and farmers over land acquisition besides worsening law and order have impacted economic activity in West Bengal,” said D S Rawat, Assocham secretary.

According to a report on West Bengal by the industry body, the state ranks second in the eastern region’s primary sector with 3.2 per cent cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) during 2000-01 and 2008-09 compared to Orissa’s 5.3 per cent, Bihar’s 1.6 per cent and Assam’s one per cent.

Meanwhile, in the industrial sector, the state showed an 8.2 per cent CAGR in the same period compared to Assam’s 7.5 per cent, Orissa’s 10.9 per cent and Bihar’s 13.8 per cent.

Regional comparison also shows 7.7 per cent CAGR in West Bengal’s services sector compared to Assam’s 7.3 per cent, Bihar’s 8.2 per cent and Orissa’s 8.7 per cent.

“The state must speed up decision-making on five proposals: steel plants proposed by the Jindal group, the Rs 10,000 crore Durgapur aerotropolis that combines an airport and a business park with the support of Singapore’s Changi Airports International, the Panargarh industrial park in Burdwan district that includes a steel plant, a petrochemical hub in Haldia district and investments information technology sector should be given priority,” Rawat said.

In the irrigation sector, investments have gone up by 206 per cent from Rs 1,170 crore to Rs 3,583 crore during the year to September 2010.

West Bengal has nearly 1,000 live investment projects involving investments of Rs 5.83-lakh crore and half of them are at various stages of implementation. Of these, 39.3 per cent are in manufacturing sector followed by 32.6 per cent in electricity, 19.8 per cent in services and 5.3 per cent in real estate.

on what else are they going slow and, therefore, by definition, will be "late" soon in those areas?

-- design and architecture (all good institutes of design and architecture are in the west and the south; one in Delhi); but a big chunk of the faculty at the National Institute of Design are from Bengal. The design summit was held in Bangalore. NID has a branch in Bangalore. Probably, they think good design and architecture is for the bourgeoisie? The

Most of India's prestigious national level institutes are managed by Central Government. The general policy is to spread out institues across different states. So there is a level of competition and politics in "allotment" or "establishment" of such institues to various states.

It is highly doubtful that the WB Government or any WB political party will oppose the setting up of a NID campus in the state.

The big question is, if a large section of faculty is from Bengal, why are they not "influencing" the institute to open a campus in Kolkata? Or are they mostly the "Banglar kichu hobey na" types?

-- Policy think tanks: most of the government and self-claiming policy think tanks are in and around Delhi. Now the South is slowly catching up in having think tanks that influence national policy. Where are the ones from Bengal that has a hand on the pulse of the country? (this category includes NGOs such as Janaagraha)

West Bengal also has many "think tanks" which are made of "self declared intellectuals". They don't want industrialization. They want all people to become farmers or jam-jelly makers. They don't want power plants. They don't want highways. The problem is people outside Bengal are not giving them much importance. Maybe they should shift to Delhi and spare Bengal their love.

Buddhadeb to inaugurate hardware hub at Sonarpur on Feb 25
MSN (http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4949557)

Kolkata, Feb 22 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee would inaugurate a hardware hub at Sonarpur in South 24-Parganas district on February 25 as per the state''s IT policy initiated in 2009.

Set up on 11 acres of land, the hardware hub would accommodate about ten companies, of which three companies have already been issued allotment letter, state''s IT Minister Debesh Das said announcing this.

The hub would create an employment opportunity for nearly 3000 people, Das said adding that the state government was having talks with some Taiwan-based companies to accommodate them here.

Besides, the state government was trying to set up a non-conventional energy centre at the SEZ near Durgapur, he said.

The state government has also forwarded a proposal by the Aerotropolis, which is planning to set up a comprehensive city at Andal in Burdwan city, to the Centre for setting up a solar valley at the same SEZ near Durgapur, Das said.

Project race to beat poll code

Source : TT

Feb. 22: Writers’ Buildings and Rail Bhavan are in a race to dole out largesse to Bengal before the model code of conduct kicks in with the announcement of election dates, expected in the first week of March.

Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee asked his colleagues at the cabinet meeting today to implement all pending projects by March 3, a senior minister revealed.

In Delhi, Mamata Banerjee gave Parliament the miss on a day the joint parliamentary probe was announced. She locked herself in her flat and later in her office to focus on the rail budget she will present on Friday, her last before the battle for change at Writers’.

The railway minister spent the day preparing for her evening meeting with finance minister Pranab Mukherjee to get budgetary support for the dozen big-ticket projects she is likely to propose for Bengal, sources said.

Mamata is not the only Bengal MP seeking the finance minister’s support for projects. In Parliament yesterday, a senior CPM MP was spotted making urgent calls to Asim Dasgupta, the Bengal finance minister, to clear a project in his constituency.

“I called to inquire about the project to extend drinking water supply to tribals in my area…. It is very important.… They are poor tribals…. Please see that it is cleared before the poll notification,” the MP was heard telling Dasgupta.

Before dialling the finance minister, the MP called two officials to track the position of the project. There is a mad race in Writers’ to get projects cleared before elections are announced, the MP said.

Today’s cabinet meeting in Calcutta approved the creation of 3,221 posts across departments, including health, higher education, municipal affairs, police and backward classes welfare.

“We shall absorb doctors, nurses in government-run hospitals, teaching and non-teaching staff in medical colleges and the higher education department and sub-inspectors and constables in police,” an official said.

The cabinet, which will meet next on March 23, has also approved jobs for Razia Khatun, the widow of Giasuddin Sarkar of Hooghly killed by dacoits in 2000, and Gayatri Das, the mother of Barasat boy Rajib who was murdered on February 15 by men harassing his sister Rinku.

Over 7,800 casual labourers working for 10 years in municipal bodies across the state were regularised. “We have been considering their regularisation for some time,” municipal affairs minister Ashok Bhattacharya said.

Opposition leader Partha Chatterjee questioned the decision of the “outgoing government, reeling under a debt of Rs 2 lakh crore”, to create 3,221 new posts and warned that all schemes being implemented in the run-up to the polls would be reviewed by the new government.

On the other side, the CPM MP was calling up officials in Rail Bhavan to get a list of pending railway projects in 2009-10. “I had sought the list some time back but they seem to be reluctant. Mamata is going on announcing projects and I want to show how many of her projects announced earlier are yet to take off,” the MP said.

Minimum wages

Bengal labour minister Anadi Sahu today announced that minimum wages for unorganised and agriculture sector workers would be raised from next month following a decision by the Minimum Wages Advisory Board, adds PTI.

^^only giving jobs???...what about the projects???...they should have been making mad rush now regarding project inagurations across the state!!!

DVC seeks urgent coal allocation for Mejia-II

Damodar Valley Corporation has sought the Ministry of Power's urgent intervention in the allocation of a tapering coal linkage for its upcoming 1,000- mw Mejia thermal power plant (phase-II) in Bankura district of West Bengal.

In a letter to the ministry, the project developer informed that Unit-1 of Mejia Phase-II had been commissioned and was expected to achieve commercial operation shortly. Unit 2 had also been synchronised and was scheduled to be commissioned next month. The utility requested the ministry to take up the coal linkage issue with the Ministry of Coal at the earliest to avoid any shortfall in coal availability to the units.

Further, DVC informed the ministry that the power project had been allocated two captive coal blocks, Barjora (N) and Khagra Joydev, by Eastern Coalfields Ltd, each with expected production capacity of 3 million tpa of coal supply. Environment clearance had been obtained for both these coal blocks. While there is no forest land in case of Khagra Joydev coal block, forest clearance for Barjora (North) coal block is under process at the state level. The mining lease for Khagra Joydev and for the nonforest land of Barjora (North) block has been granted by the West Bengal government.

As per the current status of the captive coal blocks, production is expected to start from 2011-12 though peak production may be reached two years later. Thus, DVC needs tapering coal linkage for Mejia Phase-II to the extent of shortfall in coal availability from the captive coal blocks.

Incidentally, tapering coal linkage for one unit of 500 mw was approved by the standing linkage committee of the coal ministry in January 2010. However, the ministry asked for the power ministry's recommendation for similar linkage for the second unit. In view of this, DVC has asked the power ministry to endorse tapering coal linkage for supply for 5 million tpa for phase-II of the project. The utility cautioned that if the linkages were not provided it would lose energy generation of about 22 million units per day from April onwards.

cc: IBN 7

The poll dates for WB elections have been announced with four states. While all the other states will be through with their polls by 13th April in WB polls would start from 18th April and will continue till 10th May. Polls would be held in 6 phases, while except Assam all other states would be having it in only One Phase!!! Results on 13th May.

BHEL bags Rs 3,220 cr order for thermal power project in WB

NEW DELHI: Power equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) today said it has won an order worth Rs 3,220 crore related to a thermal power project in West Bengal.

The order is for supply and installation of the main plant package for the Sagardighi Thermal Power Project Stage-II in West Bengal. The project has two units of 500 MW each.

In a statement today, BHEL said the order is worth Rs 3,220 crore and has been placed by the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Ltd ( WBPDCL )).

For this contract, BHEL's work would include design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of steam turbines, generators and boilers.

The company would also be responsible for Controls & Instrumentation (C&I), Switchyard and civil works for the main plant package.

"Significantly, even though Stage-I of the power project is equipped with Chinese equipment, yet the customer has reposed confidence in BHEL's capabilities by opting to source equipment from BHEL for the extension project," the firm said.

The order was won under the International Competitive Bidding process.

Shares of the company jumped nearly three per cent to Rs 2,058.50 on the Bombay Stock Exchange .

source (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/engineering/bhel-bags-rs-3220-cr-order-for-thermal-power-project-in-wb/articleshow/7602588.cms)

KOLKATA: The groundwork for the controversial nuclear power plant at Haripur will be complete in a year, and land acquisition for the project could begin by late 2012, said S K Jain, chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCI). In Kolkata to attend the "Frontiers of Science" convention, Jain said the plant was on course despite resistance that had stalled work in 2006.

Jain added that he was confident of being able to convince the locals that it would not be harmful to the environment or affect fishing activities in the coastal areas of East Midnapore. The project would, in fact, be a major boost to the local economy and help maintain an ecological balance that has been disturbed in the area, he claimed.

About 170km from Kolkata, the violence at Haripur, in fact, had preceded the violent agitation at Nandigram. Soon after a site inspection in November 2006, hundreds of villagers had blocked the entrance to Haripur and prevented government vehicles from driving into the area.

Around 650-700 hectares of land would be needed for the plant that will have six nuclear reactors. Each would have a capacity of 1000MW. "We need 18 months of activities before the first reactor comes up. Since we plan to begin work during the 12th plan period in 2013-14, we have not yet come to the land acquisition stage yet. But we must start acquiring by late 2012 if we have to stick to the schedule. We are confident of being able to go ahead," Jain added.

Members of the Haripur Paramanu Bidyut Prakalpa Pratirodh Andolan reacted angrily to the announcement. Convener Debashish Shyamal said they were not open to any dialogue or negotiation on the plant. "Unless the project is scrapped, we shall not allow any development project in the area. The plant would spell doom for fishing in the area and make 75% of the local population jobless," said Shyamal. He warned that a violent agitation would be launched if NPCI attempted to carry on groundwork in the area. "In 2006, we had stopped Jain when he tried to enter Haripur. This time, we will teach him a severe lesson if he tries to sneak in," Shyamal said.

NPCI, on the other hand, claimed to have made appreciable progress. Oceanography tests and collection of meteorological data for the plant are under way. "My people are working there. Except for geo-technical tests, all the other necessary groundwork have begun. There is a sentiment, a mob frenzy at work. But you must know how to address concerns and be reasonable. We have a track record of installing and operating reactors without affecting the flora and fauna and we are going to maintain that. There are certain apprehensions about fishing and we have already been telling the locals that though the sea temperature might rise marginally, it would aid fish production rather than wipe them out," explained Jain. Kodankulam in Tamil Nadu will soon have four nuclear reactors at a power plant which is being set up there, he said. "Construction on the first two has already started and though there have been demands for a better compensation package which is being looked into, locals have been extremely cooperative," added the NPCI chairman.

Asked if he expected resistance to land acquisition at Haripur again, Jain said a different approach would be taken this time. "We are ready to initiate a one-on-one dialogue with all the stakeholders once the elections are over. We shall try to dispel fears and the misconceptions," Jain said.

Veteran scientist and former director of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Bikash Sinha said the project could change the region for the better. "It has the potential to generate jobs for hundreds of talented people. So far as the environmental fears are concerned, I think they are highly exaggerated. Reactors have not interfered with the natural ecology anywhere in the country," Sinha said.

The project would have required far less land but for the "exclusion radius" which is mandatory around a nuclear plant in India. "The plant could have been built on a two-square-kilometre plot. But we need to keep a buffer zone for which we would need a lot more land," Jain said.

Read more: 2012 start to Haripur land acquisition - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/2012-start-to-Haripur-land-acquisition/articleshow/7615602.cms#ixzz1FVg5IoGb

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_lP2m862e5Hw/TW-bN-8AuNI/AAAAAAAAAYg/qyJ-fADYVNo/panagarh.png

This screenshot is taken from WBIDC website (http://www.wbidc.com/about_wb/panagarh_industrial.htm).

What struck me is the map of India!!! WB government seems to have ceded POK to Pakistan and Aksai Chin and Arunachal to China!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_lP2m862e5Hw/TW-bN-8AuNI/AAAAAAAAAYg/qyJ-fADYVNo/panagarh.png

This screenshot is taken from WBIDC website (http://www.wbidc.com/about_wb/panagarh_industrial.htm).

What struck me is the map of India!!! WB government seems to have ceded POK to Pakistan and Aksai Chin and Arunachal to China!

Whoever developed the website must be lazy or doesn't know the GOI rules regarding maps published from within India.

Let the anti Left newspapers like the Telegraph, Statesman or Bartamaan know. They will get some "issue" to fill up their pages.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110307/jsp/calcutta/story_13676492.jsp

SUDESHNA BANERJEE

Tourists headed for Bengal may soon be able to sample the signature Neemrana brand of heritage and hospitality in Bengal’s French connection: Chandernagore.

Francis Wacziarg, the co-chairman of the Neemrana chain of heritage hospitality addresses, was part of a French team led by consul-general Jean Louis Rysto that visited Chandernagore on Sunday to scout for properties that could be restored.

The Neemrana Group specialises in acquiring old properties of architectural value across the country and turning them into heritage hotels.

“We are present across India but we have nothing in the east. As the French had a key presence in Chandernagore, this can be a good starting point,” said Wacziarg, who landed in India as a student in 1970, “fell in love with the land in 10 minutes” and became an Indian citizen.

Some of the landmark Neemrana properties that Wacziarg has helped restore are the 15th century Neemrana Fort-Palace in Rajasthan and the Pataudi Palace in Haryana.

Wacziarg, a founder-member of Intach, has also joined hands with conservationists and restorers Vieilles Maisons Francaises (VMF). “Unesco has asked us to build a network of people keen on restoration across the world,” said VMF president Philippe Toussaint.
Francis Wacziarg at the French Cemetery in Chandernagore. (Sudeshna Banerjee)

They are in the process of registering a society called French Heritage in India, which aims to list French heritage properties in India and help in their renovation, if needed.

As the team scanned Chandernagore for properties on Sunday, the one that caught Wacziarg’s eye was a mansion called Gopalbabur Bari in Charmandirtala. “Spread over 96 cottahs, the house was constructed in the late 18th century for the ruler of Ramnagar and derives its name from an employee into whose hands it passed,” said Ujjwal Mondal, one of the oldest residents of the town.

Mondal and his Belgian wife Neline are helping Wacziarg identify heritage properties.

Also in the recce team was Indo-French heritage expert Jean Marie Lafont, who has been touring Murshidabad, Serampore, Bandel, Chinsurah and Chandernagore to “resurrect” the connection between Europe and India.

“If tourism has to spread, it has to shift to the countryside,” he said.

For Wacziarg, the goal is to have a base and “grow round that place like we did in Gujarat”.

But can decadent Bengal be preserved like other places?

“Traditionally India is a nation of builders, not preservers. When we started work on the Shekhawati havelis in Rajasthan that have walls adorned with frescoes, we had appealed to the owners of these houses who live mostly in Calcutta. Despite a letter from G.D. Birla, all we managed to raise from the community was Rs 150.”

But he is happy that Indians are now eager to preserve history.

Whoever developed the website must be lazy or doesn't know the GOI rules regarding maps published from within India.

Let the anti Left newspapers like the Telegraph, Statesman or Bartamaan know. They will get some "issue" to fill up their pages.

Even I have send email to concerned forumers and to all our moderators here, including you Suncity that there are people in indian skyscrapercity who are using distorted maps of India continuously for years now.

We all should help this person find the right set of maps for use otherwise it looks like as if we have just donated J&K to Pakistan. See ALL the posts in the thread below.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1174975

Even I have send email to concerned forumers and to all our moderators here, including you Suncity that there are people in indian skyscrapercity who are using distorted maps of India continuously for years now.

We all should help this person find the right set of maps for use otherwise it looks like as if we have just donated J&K to Pakistan. See ALL the posts in the thread below.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1174975

that thread is one of the most interesting and enjoyable threads i have visited. Marathaman has done (and is doing) a great job. however, i agree with you that a different map would have been better.

A study was undertaken for the assessment of tidal energy potential in the country. According to the study, there is an estimated potential of tidal energy of the order of 8000 MW in the country. This includes about 7000 MW in the Gulf of Cambay and 1200 MW in the Gulf of Kutch in the State of Gujarat and about 100 MW in the Gangetic Delta in the Sunderbans region in the State of West Bengal.

The Ministry sanctioned a demonstration project for setting up 3.75 MW capacity tidal energy power plant at the Durgaduani Creek in Sunderbans region to West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA), Kolkatta. The project is being executed by NHPC Ltd.

The State Government of Gujarat formed a Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) with public private partnership and sponsored a study for large scale exploitation of tidal energy across the coastline of Gujarat. One MoU for commissioning of 50 MW Tidal Power Project has been signed by M/s. Atlantis Resource Corporation (U.K.) and Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd., Govt. of Gujarat.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy considers providing financial incentives upto 50% of the cost to the State Government implementing Agencies for the development of tidal energy projects on cost sharing basis as technology demonstration projects in accordance with its R&D policy guidelines.

Land Allotment in Industrial parks (http://www.wbidc.com/images/pdf/news/land_allotment_28-feb-11.pdf)


Shri Nirupam Sen, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Commerce & Industries Department,
Govt. of West Bengal & Chairman, WBIDC allotted land in 4 industrial parks
developed by WBIDC to promote rapid industrialization in the state. Shri Sen handed
over Letters of allotment and Permissive Possession Certificates to 10 more
investors. Shri Dipankar Mukhopadhyay, Additional Chief Secretary, Commerce &
Industries Department, Govt. of West Bengal and Vice-Chairman, WBIDC, Dr. Subrata
Gupta, MD, WBIDC and Mr. S. P. Yadav, ED, WBIDC were also present at the
occasion.
4 industry units were allotted land in Raghunathpur Steel & Allied Ind. Park in
Purulia. Jai Balaji which had possession of 1455.02 acres received an additional
permissive possession of 180.61 acres. Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) received
65.02 acres of land for Rail cum Road corridor for DVC thermal power station.
Tantia Construction Ltd. was allotted 60 acres for wagon manufacturing plant. The
proposed investment of the unit would be Rs. 475 crores and would create a total
employment of 1500. OMM Sai Infra Holding Pvt. Ltd. was allotted 120 acres of land
for integrated logistics park. With a proposed investment of Rs. 455.50 crores the
project would create direct employment of 750 and indirect employment of 4500.
Land was allotted to Industry representatives from H&R Johnson (India) for a
ceramic manufacturing plant and Technopoli India (P) Ltd. for Steel Poles in
Panagarh Industrial Park. Panagarh Industrial Park’s proximity to coal bed methane
gas makes it advantageous to set up such plants. H&R Johnson (India) received 60
acres of land. The project with proposed investment of 136.60 crores would create
direct employment of 300 and indirect employment of 1500 people. Technopali India
(P) Ltd. which is a Joint Venture with the Technopoli Group of Italy received 35
acres of land. The Tecnopoli Group is a leading company in Europe in the fields of
public lighting, electric energy transmission and distribution, coating and renewable
energy. The unit with proposed investment of Rs. 173.16 crores and total
employment of 350 would manufacture steel poles. The unit would also be used by
the Tecnopali Group for exports to Africa and Middle East.
Siemens Vai Metal Technologies Pvt. Ltd. with one of the oldest units in West
Bengal received 20 acres of land in Vidyasagar Industrial Park, Kharagpur. The
project entailing proposed investment of Rs. 134.40 crores would manufacture high
precision equipment for the Steel Industry.
5 Modules in Phase II of Garment Park were also allotted to Sita Apparels, Prapti
Fashion (P) Ltd., Symphony Commotrade Pvt. Ltd., Reality Merchants Pvt. Ltd.

Land Allotment in Industrial parks (http://www.wbidc.com/images/pdf/news/land_allotment_28-feb-11.pdf)


Shri Nirupam Sen, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Commerce & Industries Department,
Govt. of West Bengal & Chairman, WBIDC allotted land in 4 industrial parks
developed by WBIDC to promote rapid industrialization in the state. Shri Sen handed
over Letters of allotment and Permissive Possession Certificates to 10 more
investors. Shri Dipankar Mukhopadhyay, Additional Chief Secretary, Commerce &
Industries Department, Govt. of West Bengal and Vice-Chairman, WBIDC, Dr. Subrata
Gupta, MD, WBIDC and Mr. S. P. Yadav, ED, WBIDC were also present at the
occasion.
4 industry units were allotted land in Raghunathpur Steel & Allied Ind. Park in
Purulia. Jai Balaji which had possession of 1455.02 acres received an additional
permissive possession of 180.61 acres. Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) received
65.02 acres of land for Rail cum Road corridor for DVC thermal power station.
Tantia Construction Ltd. was allotted 60 acres for wagon manufacturing plant. The
proposed investment of the unit would be Rs. 475 crores and would create a total
employment of 1500. OMM Sai Infra Holding Pvt. Ltd. was allotted 120 acres of land
for integrated logistics park. With a proposed investment of Rs. 455.50 crores the
project would create direct employment of 750 and indirect employment of 4500.
Land was allotted to Industry representatives from H&R Johnson (India) for a
ceramic manufacturing plant and Technopoli India (P) Ltd. for Steel Poles in
Panagarh Industrial Park. Panagarh Industrial Park’s proximity to coal bed methane
gas makes it advantageous to set up such plants. H&R Johnson (India) received 60
acres of land. The project with proposed investment of 136.60 crores would create
direct employment of 300 and indirect employment of 1500 people. Technopali India
(P) Ltd. which is a Joint Venture with the Technopoli Group of Italy received 35
acres of land. The Tecnopoli Group is a leading company in Europe in the fields of
public lighting, electric energy transmission and distribution, coating and renewable
energy. The unit with proposed investment of Rs. 173.16 crores and total
employment of 350 would manufacture steel poles. The unit would also be used by
the Tecnopali Group for exports to Africa and Middle East.
Siemens Vai Metal Technologies Pvt. Ltd. with one of the oldest units in West
Bengal received 20 acres of land in Vidyasagar Industrial Park, Kharagpur. The
project entailing proposed investment of Rs. 134.40 crores would manufacture high
precision equipment for the Steel Industry.
5 Modules in Phase II of Garment Park were also allotted to Sita Apparels, Prapti
Fashion (P) Ltd., Symphony Commotrade Pvt. Ltd., Reality Merchants Pvt. Ltd.

NTPC starts trial run of Farakka plant's 500 Mw unit (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ntpc-starts-trial-runfarakka-plant/s-500-mw-unit/128145/on)

Press Trust of India / New Delhi March 07, 2011, 20:16 IST


State-run NTPC today said it has started the trial run of the 500 Mw Unit-VI of the Farakka thermal power station in West Bengal.

The Farakka Super Thermal Power Station, located in Murshidabad, West Bengal, has an installed capacity of 1,600 Mw.

"The Unit-VI of 500 Mw of Farakka Super Thermal Power Station has been successfully synchronised on coal on March 7," NTPC said in a statement.
This power station has an approved capacity of 2,100 Mw.

NTPC has synchronised two units so far in the fourth quarter of 2010-11. The other was that of Unit-I of Sipat Super Thermal Power Station in Chhattisgarh, on February 18.

Even I have send email to concerned forumers and to all our moderators here, including you Suncity that there are people in indian skyscrapercity who are using distorted maps of India continuously for years now.

We all should help this person find the right set of maps for use otherwise it looks like as if we have just donated J&K to Pakistan. See ALL the posts in the thread below.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1174975

Since this is an international forum, Marathaman was advised by some moderators (after objections were raised by certain quarters) to use a map that met international realities rather than claims made by various nations.

India, West Bengal fish production:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/article1522672.ece

India’s fish production stood at 57.03 lakh tonnes in the first nine months of the current fiscal.

During the 2009-10 fiscal, the country produced 78.53 lakh tonnes of fish, according to government data.

During the 2009-10 fiscal, West Bengal produced 15.05 lt, Andhra Pradesh 12.93 lt, Gujarat 7.71 lt, Kerala 6.63 lt, Maharashtra 5.38 lt and Tamil Nadu 5.34 lt, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Arun Yadav, said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Foundation stone laid for dyke at Diamond Harbour

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has laid the foundation stone for a dyke on Muri Ganga river at Diamond Harbour in West Bengal. The dyke is required for reclamation of land to increase the draft at the proposed port at Sagar Island to 11-13 metres. The land reclamation project is estimated to cost 100 crore and will be completed in eight months.

Kolkata Port Trust and Indian Railways are likely to collaborate in a 2,000-crore, 4.5-km long rail-road connectivity project to the new port at Sagar Island, at the confluence of Muri Ganga river with the Bay of Bengal.

Rites Ltd is conducting the feasibility of the project and the report is expected to be ready in three months.

KoPT has already announced a plan to build a new port at Sagar Island at an estimated cost of 3,000 crore. Around 2,000 acres of land required for the project will be reclaimed from the sea. The port will have an initial capacity to handle 60 million tonnes of bulk as well as containerised cargo.

Ashoka Buildcon has been selected for updation of NH-6

Ashoka Buildcon Ltd has been selected as the preferred bidder for six laning of Dhankuni-Kharagpur section of NH-6 in West Bengal on DBFOT basis by NHAI under NHDPPhase V. The toll project starting from km 17.600 to km 129.000, covering 111.4 km, will have a concession period of 25 years. The estimated project cost is 1,396 crore.

The fate of several steel projects planned by Bhushan Steel, Videocon and Abhijeet group in a coal bearing region of West Bengal whose progress has been stuck because of Coal India’s opposition could finally see the light of the day.

Coal India, which had earlier objected to Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Ltd’s airport city project on the ground that it has been planned over coal deposits, has come to an understanding with the state government and also the project developers, according to which all the three parties would file affidavits in the court, an official of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) told DNA.

The project developer would file an affidavit saying that if it is found anytime in future that coal can be mined from these project areas in a commercially viable manner, then Coal India should be allowed to do mining.

Coal India, on its part, would file an affidavit saying it would make best efforts to bring in latest under-ground mining technologies that would leave the surface unaffected to the extent possible.

Following the filing of the affidavits by March-end, work on the stalled Rs10,000 crore project spread over 2,000 acres in Durgapur is likely to resume.

And with this, WBIDC, responsible for land acquisition for industrial projects in the state, would start perusing the steel projects of Bhushan, Videocon and Abhijeet group.

“After the affidavits are filed, it would be possible for us to proceed with the steel projects,” the official said.

Of these three steel projects, Bhushan Steel, which signed an MoU in 2007, has been most keen to pursue with the state government in acquiring the land and have already paid the entire advance money, the official said.

Following opposition from Coal India, Bhushan Steel had threatened to dump the two million tonnes integrated steel project in the state and look elsewhere for greenfield expansion.

Videocon’s plan is to set up a three million tonne steel unit while Abhijeet group’s proposal is for two million tonnes.

Coal India had earlier reasoned that the Durgapur-Asansol-Ranigunj area has reserves of around 4 billion tonnes of coal and that a major part of this deposit could never be mined if industrial projects are allowed to set up.

Promoters of the projects, and also the West Bengal government, staring at the possibility of losing investment of Rs50,000 crore, then asked Coal India to come up with definitive mining plan for these regions.

“Coal India need to state by when they plan to start extracting the coal buried beneath the land being given to projects like Bhushan Steel. Factors like the quality of coal and whether mining would be commercially viable also need to be addressed,” the WBIDC official said.

The fate of several steel projects planned by Bhushan Steel, Videocon and Abhijeet group in a coal bearing region of West Bengal whose progress has been stuck because of Coal India’s opposition could finally see the light of the day.

^^ wow! this is big!!

It is interesting to see how the political arm twisting by Coal India to stop development of industries in the state, is slowly decreasing with the rising expections of a change of guard in the state.

:nuts:

ye public hain sab janti hain ;)

IRS Q4 2010: Top 10 Dailies in West Bengal

http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/03/irs-q4-2010-top-10-dailies-in-west-bengal/

1) Anand Bazar Patrika, Bangla, 6.1 million AIR
2) Bartamaan, Bangla, 3.01 million AIR
3) The Telegraph, English, 1.06 million AIR
4) Sanbad Pratidin, Bangla, 1.03 million AIR
5) Ganashakti, Bangla. 0.77 million AIR
6) Aajkal, Bangla, 0.72 million AIR
7) Times of India, English, 0.66 million AIR
8) Uttar Bangal Sanbad, Bangla, 0.55 million AIR
9) Sanmarg, Hindi, 0.5 million AIR
10) Sanbad, Bangla, 0.25 million AIR

AIR = Average Issue Readership

mjunction in land row with West Bengal govt

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_mjunction-in-land-row-with-west-bengal-govt_1520007

Land for industry keeps landing West Bengal government in controversies.

mjunction services Ltd, an e-commerce company jointly owned by Tata Steel and SAIL, has said it has been offered land by the state government at the upcoming city of Rajarhat close to Kolkata at four times the price paid by tech giants Wipro and Infosys for the land given there.

“There is no transparent way for us to understand what is happening. We want to pay what others are paying. Today, finally we have been offered land at a price four times of what Wipro and Infosys have been allotted. And we say it’s a level playing field!,” Viresh Oberoi, managing director and CEO of mjunction, said addressing a meeting organised by Confederation of Indian Industry.

According to Oberoi, mjunction, after waiting for four years, has just been offered 2.5 acres at Rajarhat, also called Jyoti Basu Nagar, for Rs6 crore an acre. Wipro and Infosys were given 50 acres each there in 2010 for Rs1.5 crore an acre.Peeved at the offer, mjunction has initiated talks with the West Bengal government to bring down the price.

“We continue to be in discussion with them but are yet to get an answer,” Oberoi said. The company six months back moved to a new address, a 60,000 sq ft office at Godrej Waterside at the Salt Lake city, a facility which will run out of space over the next two years.

“Considering that we have been growing at a CAGR of 95% since 2001-02, we will run out of space at our current office in two years. That’s why we had asked for land for our own campus,” Oberoi said.

Oberoi resented that while West Bengal government makes all-out effort to bring in companies like Wipro and Infosys in the state, “home grown” companies like mjunction are being short-changed.

“You go outside the state to bring in these companies, yet here we are, home grown, and we don’t get a level playing field. Where is the transparency?”

mjunction in land row with West Bengal govt

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_mjunction-in-land-row-with-west-bengal-govt_1520007

^^this is very wrong on the part of the WB govt. :ohno:Hope the opposition party is not listening; they can well create a ruckus over cases like this.

mjunction in land row with West Bengal govt

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_mjunction-in-land-row-with-west-bengal-govt_1520007

m a bit confused, whose property is it anyways...Tata's or Oberoi's?

cc: TNN

Coulds of smoke hung in the air at Haldia town all through Monday with scary fireballs shooting out of the Haldia Dhansiri Petrochem and Tea Ltd since noon after a major fire broke out in the plastic manufacturing unit.Worse,the chemical tanks at a stones throw from the plastic godown are getting hot and may catch fire anytime.There has been no casualty though.
The fire broke out around noon while plastic granules were being carried to the plant.Fire officials said a short circuit had triggered it.Initially,company employees tried to fight the flames with outdated fire extinguishers,failing which employees of the neighbouring units came with whatever they had.According to locals,the fire engines reached an hour late.
When the fire tenders exhausted their own stock of water,firemen could not find source of water within the compound.They had to source water from the villages.
President of the employees union,Narayan Bhakta,blamed the management and the administration for negligence. We had asked them to make provisions for water tanks a necessity in chemical units.But they didnt pay heed, he said.

m a bit confused, whose property is it anyways...Tata's or Oberoi's?

mjunction is a joint venture of Tata and SAIL. Mr Viresh Oberoi is MD and CEO of mjunction.

ohh!!...got it!...its just the last name that clashes!!!...:lol:

^^this is very wrong on the part of the WB govt. :ohno:Hope the opposition party is not listening; they can well create a ruckus over cases like this.

There should only be a base/reserve price for land below which WBHIDCO shouldn't sell. Beyond the base price it should be able to ask for any price which it deems fit. Then of course there will be bargaining which is also fair as long as the price doesn't go below the reserve price. As long as the net money exchanging hands is documented (and not pocketed), there shouldn't be a problem.

People get different salaries even if they have the same designation.

The opposition's job is to oppose. The ruling party's job is to explain. If the ruling party cannot do its explanation, then obviously people will think it has something to hide. I think that the problem with CP(I)M is that it has adopted capitalist policies (which is not a bad thing) but is in contradiction to its ideology. So they do a real bad job of explaining their decisions what may be perceived as capitalist policies.

There should only be a base/reserve price for land below which WBHIDCO shouldn't sell. Beyond the base price it should be able to ask for any price which it deems fit. Then of course there will be bargaining which is also fair as long as the price doesn't go below the reserve price. As long as the net money exchanging hands is documented (and not pocketed), there shouldn't be a problem.

People get different salaries even if they have the same designation.

The opposition's job is to oppose. The ruling party's job is to explain. If the ruling party cannot do its explanation, then obviously people will think it has something to hide. I think that the problem with CP(I)M is that it has adopted capitalist policies (which is not a bad thing) but is in contradiction to its ideology. So they do a real bad job of explaining their decisions what may be perceived as capitalist policies.

^^Since the land required by Mjunction is low they do not have much of a bargaining power to reduce the price.

I would personally think that the difference between 1.5 cr and 6 crore is too much to ask far given that Wipro and Infy signed the deals less than a year back. Again if HIDCO sold all or most land parcels of 2-3 acre size at 6 crore/acre at around the same time in the same action area then it is probably ok.

German boost to Haldia plan

Amidst gloom there is a sweetener for manufacturing industry in the state. The proposed refinery project at Haldia by debt-ridden Cals Refineries is getting financial boost from Hardt GmbH of Germany. Cals Refineries is promoted by Spice Energy.
A top official of Cals said Hardt would infuse $324 million (over Rs 1,400 crore) capital in the company, which would expand the equity to $530 million (over Rs 2,300 crore). “Now, we have $206 million of equity which will go up to $530 million after this infusion,” he added. According to the official, Hardt would not pay in cash. It would supply refinery equipment to Cals and Spice would issue global depository receipts (GDRs) of $317 million to Hardt. “The deal is a mix of cash and equity. We have convinced Hardt to pick up equity stake in lieu of supplying equipment. We will also pay $100 million to Hardt towards cost of the equipment later. After this deal the equity requirement for the Haldia project will be tied up,” he added.
Spice has tied up over Rs 600 crore FDI from Kharafi Group Kuwait for Cals Refineries. The fund tie-up with the Kuwait group will be finalized by September 2011. “After this our equity base will be $680 million (Rs 2,800 crore),” he added.
Kharafi is a $5-billion (over Rs 20,000 crore) diversified group based in Kuwait City. Cals Refineries had signed an MoU with Haldia Development Authority (HDA) and WBIDC in March 2008 to set up a 20 million tonne per annum capacity refinery project in Haldia and Nayachar in three phases at a cumulative investment of Rs 20,000 crore.
The company has already got 400 acres in Haldia for the first phase of the project. The official said it is now preparing DPR for the Haldia project. “We hope that it will be ready by June and the fund tie-up will be ready by September,” he added. TNN

German boost to Haldia plan

Amidst gloom TNN

What gloom? Is it a mental condition of the journalists and editors?

cc: TNN

Coulds of smoke hung in the air at Haldia town all through Monday with scary fireballs shooting out of the Haldia Dhansiri Petrochem and Tea Ltd since noon after a major fire broke out in the plastic manufacturing unit.

Blaze at Haldia godown

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110315/jsp/bengal/story_13717266.jsp

A fire broke out at a warehouse in East Midnapore’s Haldia this afternoon, destroying large quantities of raw material.

Chandra Kant Dhanuka, the chairperson of Dhunseri Petrochem and Tea which owns the warehouse, estimated the losses at Rs 70-75 crore. “However, everything is insured,” said Dhanuka.

Steel Authority, Kobe in Talks to Consider Second India Plant

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-14/steel-authority-kobe-in-talks-to-consider-second-india-plant.html

Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), the nation’s second-largest producer, is in talks with Japan’s Kobe Steel Ltd. (5406) to consider building a second factory in India as demand increases from automobile and construction companies.

Steel Authority said last month it will form a venture with Kobe for a 16 billion rupee ($353 million) plant in the eastern city of Durgapur in West Bengal state.

SAIL plans Rs 14,337-cr capacity expansion in 2011-12

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-02/news/28649427_1_capacity-expansion-oxygen-plant-mtpa

State-run Steel Authority of India plans to invest Rs 14,337 crore for its capacity expansion in its existing five major plants next fiscal.

Rs 5,730 crore would be spent on modernaisation and expansion of Bhilai Steel plant in the terminal year of the 11th Five Year Plan.

SAIL's Rourkela facility would get Rs 2,619 crore, IISCO Rs 2,100 crore, Bokaro Rs 1,700 crore, Durgapur Rs 950 crore and the Salem facility Rs 100 crore among others.

SAIL has three alloy steel plants at Durgapur, Salem and Bhadravati in Karnataka. It proposes to invest Rs 25 crore in these three facilities next fiscal.

Mamata's Manifesto for Bengal

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/mamata%5Cs-election-manifesto-puts-stressindustry/429253/

Left Front slogan for 2006: “Agriculture is our foundation, industry is our future"
Mamata slogan for 2011: “Agriculture is our inspiration, industry is in our consciousness”

:cheers:

Works to be completed within the first 200 days after coming to power:

1) 17 clusters will be selected to be converted into “world class centres of excellence with focus on cooperation between enterprises and promoting economies of scale

2) enhance the ease of doing business for micro, small and medium enterprises by radically cutting back obstructive rules, regulations and permissions which are a source of harassment for the small entrepreneurs

3) the TMC would like to set up 300 Industrial Training Institutes (from the present 51) once it came to power.

4) initiate process of restarting closed public sector units in the state. Where PSUs cannot be revived, land will be used to set up new industries without compromising the rights of the workers.

5) will create a collaborative plan with Airport Authority of India for development of Kolkata airport making it comparable to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore airports. It will also announce in the first 200 days setting up of new airports at Malda, Coochbehar, Balurghat, Asansol-Durgapur, Medinipur, Birbhum and Sagar and up gradation of Bandore for making it an international airport.

6) In the health sector it would launch a programme for building a four tier healthcare infrastructure through revamping of Primary Health Centres, District Hospitals, Sub divisional Hospitals and Super Specialty Hospitals. It will adopt an appropriate policy for attracting private sector investments in healthcare. There will be at least one multi-facility hospital in each subdivision and 10 additional medical colleges in the state.

7) it would continue to resist the security centric approach of the Centre to neutralize the Maoist threat in Junglemahal.

8) It will also take up ambitious projects for infrastructure building program with focus on state highways, rural roads, ports (including deep sea port in Sundarbans), power, airports, waterways, dredging at Haldia, irrigation network etc.

9) It will also demand 50% share in the revenues collected by the Centre from the state in the form of income tax and corporate tax.

We will check back the status after 365 days.

:cheers:

West Bengal's vote-on-account stresses production hike

http://www.sify.com/finance/west-bengal-s-vote-on-account-stresses-production-hike-news-default-ldvw4jecgcg.html

The annual financial statement for the financial year 2011-12 and Left Front government's vote-on-account for the first four months of the fiscal was presented by Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta in view of ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in the state.

He said as a result of effective steps taken on the basis of land reforms, the rate of growth of gross state domestic product from agriculture in the state, according to the latest data, has increased noticeably to reach 5.9 percent in 2009-10. 'The total land distributed in this state up to Jan 15, 2011 has been 11.324 lakh acres and the number of farmers benefited has reached 30.449 lakh,' he added. Based on the recommendation of the expert committee (Dave Committee), the credit needed for agriculture and allied activities in West Bengal in the last year (2009-10) has been Rs.45,338 crore. The actual disbursement of credit in agriculture and allied activities, according to the latest available data, will be an estimated amount of Rs.12,915 crore in the current year. said the minister.

In the sphere of large and medium industries, despite several obstacles, the level of materialised industrial investment in the state has increased noticeably from Rs.8,493.43 crore in 2009 to Rs.15,052.23 crore in 2010,' Dasgupta said.

West Bengal presents Rs 3 -cr deficit budget

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/west-bengal-presents-rs-3cr-deficit-budget/429252/

The state government presented a Rs 3 crore limited deficit budget, against Rs 7 crore last year.

The state's accumulated debt burden fell from Rs 1.92 crore in the previous year to Rs 1.86 crore in the current year, though a marginal fall of just three per cent.

The total expenditure of the state has been at pegged at Rs 77,510 crore in the current year, against Rs 68,134 crore last year, a rise of about 13.8 per cent. This included, almost three fold rise in allocation for minority development and Madarshah eduction to Rs 310 crore in the current year and nearly doubling of allocation for a recently started land distribution scheme to Rs 40 crore. The total non-plan expenditure is pegged to increase to Rs 60,392 crore, a rise of 11.90 per cent over the last year.

Due to rise in revenue and less borrowing the state's fiscal deficit is projected to almost half in the current year to 3.9 per cent (6.2 per cent last year), and the revenue deficit is slated to be at 3.1 per cent (5.4 per cent). The loan to the GSDP ratio of the state has remained almost the same at 40.4 per cent, against 41.9 per cent last year.

The total revenue receipt for 2011-12 has been pegged at about Rs 64,000 crore, against nearly Rs 52,000 crore last year.

At the same time, under the receipts head, the total public debt is pegged at Rs 33,000 crore in 2010-11 budget estimates, against Rs 34,000 crore in the 2010-11 revised estimates.

Dasgupta said, tax collection had grown by more than 33 per cent during year. Also, employment generation would touch eight lakh on the back of 8.3 per cent growth in state domestic product, he said.

Mamata's Manifesto for Bengal

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/mamata%5Cs-election-manifesto-puts-stressindustry/429253/

Left Front slogan for 2006: “Agriculture is our foundation, industry is our future"
Mamata slogan for 2011: “Agriculture is our inspiration, industry is in our consciousness”

:cheers:



We will check back the status after 365 days.

:cheers:

we should make this post sticky for that matter :lol:

Jaya Shree Textiles set to expand

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/jaya-shree-textilesset-to-expand/427347/

Jaya Shree Textiles (JST), a part of Aditya Birla Group, is planning to increase the production capacity of its manufacturing facility at Rishra in West Bengal.

"With an aim to meet the market demand, we are planning to expand the production capacity of our Rishra facility, from the present annual capacity of 9 million metres to 14 million metres in the next two years," the sources close to the development told Business Standard, but avoided divulge the financial details.

Jaya Shree Textiles is the major linen brand manufacturing company in the country with integrated state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Rishra in Hooghly district in West Bengal.

This facility is well-equipped with the latest spinning, weaving and finishing system from Switzerland and Italy.

Websol Energy - Commencement of Commercial Production

http://money.oneindia.in/news/2011/02/22/webelslenrgy-commencement-commercial-pro-aid0096.html

Websol Energy Systems Ltd has informed BSE that the commercial production of 30MW. by the up-gradation of the earlier 10MW unit by adding new machines, has commenced w.e.f. February 21, 2011 at the manufacturing unit of the Company located at Falta Special Economic Zone, Falta, 24 Parganas (South), West Bengal. Now the total annualized production capacity of the Company stands at 60MW

Mamata's Manifesto for Bengal

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/mamata%5Cs-election-manifesto-puts-stressindustry/429253/

Left Front slogan for 2006: “Agriculture is our foundation, industry is our future"
Mamata slogan for 2011: “Agriculture is our inspiration, industry is in our consciousness”

:cheers:



We will check back the status after 365 days.

:cheers:

I can already see the interns from the IIMs possibly behind this manifesto :)

^^i hope that these things dont become a "nijhorer sopno vongo!"...:lol:

I can already see the interns from the IIMs possibly behind this manifesto :)

Why? Because of cut and paste?

:lol:

food for thought for the next government?

Industrialization had little impact on unemployment

The current industrialization drive of the West Bengal government has at best been able to scratch the surface of the unemployment problem facing the state revealed the figures presented in the Vote-on-Account speech of finance minister Asim Dasgupta and the Economic Review in the assembly on Monday.

The level of "materialized investment" of `15,052 crore in large and medium industries in 2010 created direct employment of 31,270 persons in 322 units and about twice the number in indirect employment, stated the Vote-on-Account speech. At the same time, the Economic Review revealed that the number of unemployed in live registers of employment exchanges in that year was 6.6 million.

From 1991 to 2010, the total number of units set up in large and medium sectors 2,531 of them could create direct employment of 298,000. It was estimated that the number of indirect employment was about twice the direct employment. As against this, 283,000 people registered themselves in employment exchanges in 2010.

The Vote-on-Account speech also revealed that in 2010, around 23,000 new small-scale units in the state created about 220,000 jobs, indicating a higher employment potential than large and medium units.

Talking to newspersons later, Dasgupta said currently the emphasis of the state government in the organized sector was on medium-scale industries rather than large ones as the former had greater potential for employment generation and also needed less land to set up. The government was planning a "model" for setting up medium industries surrounded by small-scale ones. Large industries would be encouraged only when these were needed as complimentary to the medium and small ones.

Dasgupta agreed that small-scale units had higher employment generating potential than large and medium ones. But he said the employment figures shown in his speech were complimentary, some employment in small scale sectors was being created because large units were coming up. He said employment exchange figures were not always dependable as people getting employment often did not deregister their names from the exchange list.

He said progress in the land bank scheme had helped in making land available for industry and "added new dimension in industrial development in the state."

Under the scheme, land in "relatively less fertile areas" are "purchased or acquired after several discussions with willing farmers at fair prices and with adequate compensation." Since 2008, a total of 8,100 acres had been made available for industry at Raghunathpur in Purulia, Panagarh in Burdwan and Naihati in North 24-Parganas.

CESC to double Balagarh capacity

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_cesc-to-double-balagarh-capacity_1523065

[B]RPG Group company CESC Ltd has decided to double the earlier planned capacity of its Balagarh thermal power plant in West Bengal from 660 mw to 1,320 mw.

The Balagarh project in the Hooghly district, which is targeted to be commissioned by 2016, would be set up at an investment of Rs6,800 crore, making it the single biggest investment in a power project by the Sanjeev Goenka-controlled CESC, according to a recent communiquè to investors by the company.

Conceived in 1994, the Balagarh project, planned to generate 500 mw, got shelved in 2001 despite getting funding approval from Asian Development Bank because of what was described by the company as a hostile environment consisting of factors like low upward revision in power tariffs and various objections raised by the state government against the nature of the project.

Sanjeev Goenka in 2010 said CESC was reviving the project with an investment of Rs3,200 crore for 660 mw capacity.

Mamata's Manifesto for Bengal

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/mamata%5Cs-election-manifesto-puts-stressindustry/429253/

Left Front slogan for 2006: “Agriculture is our foundation, industry is our future"
Mamata slogan for 2011: “Agriculture is our inspiration, industry is in our consciousness”

:cheers:



We will check back the status after 365 days.

:cheers:
I will daydream till 2015 for completing all the mentioned promise:lol:

NTPC's total capacity increases to 33694 MW (http://www.equitybulls.com/admin/news2006/news_det.asp?id=88952)



National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd has commissioned the Unit # 6 of 500 MW of Farakka Super Thermal Power Station on March 23, 2011 at 2:20 Hrs. With this, the total capacity of NTPC group has become 33,694 MW.

With the coming of unit # 6, the total installed capacity of Farakka Super Thermal Power Station has become 2,100 MW.

Shopper’s Stop gains 2%, opens 1 new store (http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Shoppers-Stop-gains-2-percent-opens-1-new-store./5111308818)

India Infoline News Service / 11:23 , Mar 23, 2011

The shares of Shopper’s Stop are currently trading up by 2%at Rs 336, with the opening of one new "Shoppers Stop" store at Durgapur.

ANDAL (BURDWAN): The land needed for this project was 2,345 acres more than twice the 997 acre acquired for the small car factory. Interestingly, while protest against farmland acquisition in Hooghly's Singur dramatically altered the state's political scenario, it was never a major factor in Burdwan's Andal, where a high-profile airport city is coming up.

Of the 2,345 acre land required for Aerotropolis, the land and land reforms department has already paid cheques to owners of 2,181 acres. Of this, 1,820 acres has been handed over to the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, that has in turn, been leased to Bengal Aerotropolis, the private party implementing the project. Work is under way on the 650-acre airport. Turnkey project contractor Simplex is now carrying out runway grading and vibro-roller compaction work. Concrete carpeting will begin before monsoon as will construction of the passenger terminal. The airport is set to take off towards the end of next year.

Why so? The question prompts one to delve deep into many issues such as how fertile the land is, the number of landowners and recorded bargadars who also have a claim on the compensation package for landlosers and wage labourers working on the land, and the acquisition process. What's more is the amount of compensation and the prospective benefits on offer.

Andal is not as fertile as Singur. The land here is not as fragmented as it is in Singur and Andal has a lesser number of bargadars attached to the land than those in Singur. Even then, the district administration did its best to arrive at a consensus with all the stakeholders, which was missing in Singur.

There's another factor that sets Andal apart from Singur: the differing psyche of people residing in the twin locales. Unlike Singur where landowners were not exposed to industry and only knew farming, Andal's residents had witnessed industrialization at Durgapur and Asansol with envy and rued the missed opportunities. Hence, when the airport city project came their way, the people grabbed it.

The prolonged negotiation backed by a general will of landowners to part with land for the project possibly worked out well. For the government issued a notice under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, expressing its intent to acquire land for a public purpose project, in December 2008, barely two months after Tata Motors was forced to shift the Nano mother plant to Gujarat following the agitation. Problems remain still with 100 out of 8,000-odd landowners who were required to sell land, yet to collect their cheques.

But that is different from the Singur situation. At Andal, nobody has complained that his piece of land was forcibly taken. Instead, they are bargaining for a better price.

"We are not against the airport or the township. But there is no justification in paying the same amount for a plot of prime land located next to the highway and another a kilometre off it," said Samir Pal, who has refused to collect cheques for plots acquired in Tamla and Andal mouja. Local SUCI leader and convener of Sara Bharat Khet Majdur Sangram Samity, Dona Goswami, is leading the fight for higher price. "The district administration will have to consider the demand of land losers," he insisted.

While SUCI has thrown its weight behind dissenting landowners, Trinamool Congress that led the anti-farmland acquisition agitations in the rest of the state with stunning political dividends, has stayed off it. At a public meeting, party chief Mamata Banerjee, whose indefinite fast drove the nail into the Nano project coffin, made it clear early on that if landowners did not mind the project, her party would have not interfere.

Minati Hazra, Trinamool Congress pradhan of Andal gram panchayat, echoed the sentiment of the leader. "If land losers give land on their own accord, we have no objection. What the party is against is forcible grabbing of land. That hasn't happened in the aero-city project at Andal where most of the land is either mono-crop or barren," she said.

Last year's drought further worsened the situation, leading to villagers willingly parting with the land for a deal that they believe is much more lucrative than the crop it can yield. That is a far cry from the three-four crop land in Hooghly's Singur that a section of farmers simply refused to give up.

"Had I grown paddy, I would barely have made around Rs 15,000 per acre. Even that was impossible this year due to lack of water. By selling 3 acre, I have received Rs 22.5 lakh that will yield an interest of over Rs 2 lakh a year. In addition, there is a handsome rehabilitation & resettlement package that we found extremely attractive," said Nripen Baksi, a retired Durgapur Projects Ltd employee who parted with land in Khandra mouja.

Haji Sheikh Muzaffar Hussain, who gave up 6 acre in Amlouka mouja, has also put bulk of the Rs 50 lakh he received in bank. The money enabled him to go on Haj last year and fulfil a lifelong dream. With the rest, he has purchased land in an area that is more fertile.

"It was becoming impossible to farm on the land. Retaining it was a headache. Prior to 1977, sharecroppers got a third of the produce while the landowner was entitled to the rest. But after the Left came to power, landowner received only a fourth of the produce with the sharecropping taking away the lion's share. In recent years, it has become difficult to even get farm labourers," said Hussain.

Primary school teacher Abed Ali, who received Rs 37.5 lakh for the land he sold in Amlouka mouja, cited another reason. "There are scores of jobless educated youths in our villages. Some of them will surely get an opportunity when the project takes shape," he said, adding that even unskilled workers from the neighbourhood were waiting for construction to begin in full swing to get engaged.

The biggest hurdle the project encountered was from Coal India Ltd (CIL) that wanted the project stalled citing underground coal reserve. After nearly a year's tussle, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over-ruled CIL's objections, paving the way for the project to go ahead.

Even Jibon Roy, who has refused the compensation cheque demanding higher pay, pushed for the project when he learnt about CIL's objections. "We don't want the area to turn into another mine with all the grime and crime that accompanies the coal trade," he said.

Of course, there was one crucial learning from Singur that WBIDC and project promoter Bengal Aerotropolis, too, put into use in Andal. And that was to engage with people and convince them it was a project worth giving up their land for.

"Our initial interactions with villagers began in 2007-end. We explained the project and screened animated videos that showed how we intended to transform this area. We also rolled out activities like weekly health camps, eye checkups, cervical cancer screenings; did up 10 schools in the neighbourhood, trained a member of each family so that they are able to acquire skills to make them employable. Later, we distributed over 10,000 leaflets detailing the R&R package," Bengal Aerotropolis general manager Kallok Seal said, adding that all political parties were taken into confidence.

The R&R package offered also had a unique land for land' element. Around 100 acres has been reserved within the project site for landlosers so that they can sell their developed plot when the value of land appreciates. "By reserving a portion of land within project area, we give them an opportunity to encash and realize the higher price at a later date," Seal said.

With a majority of locals embracing the project as their own, even Trinamool Congress has given it a thumbs up. The party election manifesto mentions the airport as a key infrastructure project that it would support if voted to power.

Raniganj industrialist Rajendra Prasad Khaitan and Emta Group director Biswanath Dutta is glad that both CPM and Trinamool Congress support the project, a rarity in a highly polarized situation

ANDAL (BURDWAN): The land needed for this project was 2,345 acres more than twice the 997 acre acquired for the small car factory. Interestingly, while protest against farmland acquisition in Hooghly's Singur dramatically altered the state's political scenario, it was never a major factor in Burdwan's Andal, where a high-profile airport city is coming up.



Henceforth, please add the link for the news source as per SSC rules.

:)

Mahabharat motors' Factory, Uluberia
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/7853/image1016.jpg

Raniganj industrialist Rajendra Prasad Khaitan and Emta Group director Biswanath Dutta is glad that both CPM and Trinamool Congress support the project, a rarity in a highly polarized situation

this was same even in Rajarhat (regarding the pvt projects), as contractors affiliated to all parties are kept satisfied (both in cash and in kinds!):lol:

Contai (Kanthi) Central bus Stand!! (trust me, better than Esplanade and Babughat)
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4088/image0967.jpg

Mecheda bus Stand (just a simple stoppage)
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/5818/image0979.jpg

Sahara's Mecheda Office u/c
http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/9605/image0978.jpg

@Soumyajyoti, your report is nicely recorded. But whoever wrote it forgot that 80% of land givers in Singur were voluntary. Nobody occupied their land forcibly. I could understand clear difference between Singur and Andal projects.

Aerotropolis: Controversy over individual packages

The Bengal Aerotropolis Private Limited (BAPL), a private agency engaged to help set up an aero city in Andal, today unofficially talked to some farmers who had refused to give land for the project. The state-owned West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), that has been acquiring land for the project, has also been accommodated as a 2 per cent share-holder in the proposed Rs 10,000crore-project.
The matter was kept a closely guarded secret. A section of Andal farmers has been posing threat to the project as they had refused to accept cheques and demanded higher price against their farmland. The BAPL authority invited 11 farmers on Saturday at Durgapur Municipal Corporation-owned "Mangalik" guesthouse and convened a meeting where leaders of the farmer’s movement Mr Manoj Roy, Mr Dona Goswami and Mr Ashok Ganguly were present.
Mr Kallol Sil, project manager of BAPL had convened the meeting and two other senior company officials were also present. Mr Ganguly said: “They tried to convince us by offering "additional amount" beyond the declared package which we refused to accept.” He added: “They were trying to break our unity by offering individual packages for a few of us.”
Dr Subrata Gupta, managing director, WBIDC said: “No individual package beyond the declared land acquisition package is allowed. The BAPL didn’t inform us about any such meeting or decision. We must be informed prior to any such commitment as WBIDC is disbursing fund against acquisition.”
Mr Sil, despite repeated attempts, didn’t pick up his cell phone. Mr Subrata Paul, CEO, BAPL said: “I was out of station and didn’t have any idea whether the local authority arranged the meeting with the farmers.”
SDO, Durgapur, Mrs Moumita Basu, told reporters that she would look into the matter and find out whether the project, where a government agency is a party, might involve individual packages ahead of the poll. Comments (0) The Statesman

Mr Modi has a new competitor!

Mamata investment "claims"

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5083398

Criticising Left Front Government for having no plans so far as industry in concerned, Banerjee said, "In the last one-and-a-half years as Railway Minister, I have brought one lakh crore investment in the state."

Aerotropolis: Controversy over individual packages

The Bengal Aerotropolis Private Limited (BAPL), a private agency engaged to help set up an aero city in Andal, today unofficially talked to some farmers who had refused to give land for the project. The state-owned West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), that has been acquiring land for the project, has also been accommodated as a 2 per cent share-holder in the proposed Rs 10,000crore-project.
The matter was kept a closely guarded secret. A section of Andal farmers has been posing threat to the project as they had refused to accept cheques and demanded higher price against their farmland. The BAPL authority invited 11 farmers on Saturday at Durgapur Municipal Corporation-owned "Mangalik" guesthouse and convened a meeting where leaders of the farmer’s movement Mr Manoj Roy, Mr Dona Goswami and Mr Ashok Ganguly were present.
Mr Kallol Sil, project manager of BAPL had convened the meeting and two other senior company officials were also present. Mr Ganguly said: “They tried to convince us by offering "additional amount" beyond the declared package which we refused to accept.” He added: “They were trying to break our unity by offering individual packages for a few of us.”
Dr Subrata Gupta, managing director, WBIDC said: “No individual package beyond the declared land acquisition package is allowed. The BAPL didn’t inform us about any such meeting or decision. We must be informed prior to any such commitment as WBIDC is disbursing fund against acquisition.”
Mr Sil, despite repeated attempts, didn’t pick up his cell phone. Mr Subrata Paul, CEO, BAPL said: “I was out of station and didn’t have any idea whether the local authority arranged the meeting with the farmers.”
SDO, Durgapur, Mrs Moumita Basu, told reporters that she would look into the matter and find out whether the project, where a government agency is a party, might involve individual packages ahead of the poll. Comments (0) The Statesman

^^this may snowball into a big issue - sprearheaded by the main opposition party i.e CPM after the elections!

Mr Modi has a new competitor!

Mamata investment "claims"

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5083398

:nuts:

For quite some time we have been hearing some "intellectuals" and politicians stating that the "government" should have nothing to do with land acquisition. But is there now a change of stand OR is this a misquote?

From Forbes India:

http://business.in.com/article/real-issue/west-bengal-elections-didi-at-the-gates/23672/1


Partha Chatterjee, the portly leader of opposition in West Bengal, says the party’s focus will be on information technology and services. The TMC continues to oppose forced acquisition of land which means it will not be easy to set up large factories.

“The size of land required for a plant will be decided by the government,” Chatterjee says.

WBSEDCL gets 7.5 lakh new customers for electricity in one month

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/wbsedcl-gets-75-lakh-new-customers-for-electricity-in-one-month/430122/

Around 7.5 lakh people have applied for new electricity connections to the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) in the month of February after the company drastically lowered its entry level cost for the new customers. Encouraged by the overwhelming response from the customers, the WBSEDCL is gearing itself to meet the sudden rise in demand for new connections which may touch to 15 lakhs by May.

"The response has been terrific. The present trend indicates that by May, 2011 we will be able to add another 30 lakhs to our present consumer base," says Anuran Gotha, the Director (R&T) of WBSEDCL. At present the total consumer strength of the WBSEDCL stands at 85 lakh.

The WBSEDCL has recently lowered its fees for new connections to attract mostly small enterprises and other households in rural areas. Earlier, the company used to charge the small enterprises for a new connection of 6 KW somewhat between Rs. 16,596 to Rs.40, 615, depending on the distance from the pole. Now, they will have to pay Rs.10, 000 only.

For the households, who want a connection of 0.2 KW will have to pay Rs.200 only instead of the earlier fee between Rs.3346 to Rs.4146 and for those who need a connection of 0.2 KW to 0.6 KW, will have to pay now Rs.400 only against the earlier rate of Rs.4131 to Rs.6032. Gotha admits that most of the new applicants are from rural areas and they are spread over throughout the state.

The WBSEDCL has also made a contingency plan to meet the rising demand of power in the state during the summer. Last summer, the state had to suffer a spate of power cut during the May-June as the WBSEDCL could not buy additional power because of the high cost in trading. This time the WBSEDCL has arranged to meet half of the rising demand through power-swap with states like Meghalaya, Tamilnadu, Delhi and Haryana. The rest will be bought in trading.

For quite some time we have been hearing some "intellectuals" and politicians stating that the "government" should have nothing to do with land acquisition. But is there now a change of stand OR is this a misquote?

From Forbes India:

http://business.in.com/article/real-issue/west-bengal-elections-didi-at-the-gates/23672/1

Hope it was misquoted by the news agency. If not whoever made this statement is a dickhead. :lol:

WBSEDCL gets 7.5 lakh new customers for electricity in one month

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/wbsedcl-gets-75-lakh-new-customers-for-electricity-in-one-month/430122/

this either means that most of the place, where WBSEDCL is present, either people hacked power connections or, there were no electricity!!:nuts:

For quite some time we have been hearing some "intellectuals" and politicians stating that the "government" should have nothing to do with land acquisition. But is there now a change of stand OR is this a misquote?

From Forbes India:

http://business.in.com/article/real-issue/west-bengal-elections-didi-at-the-gates/23672/1

No wonder why CM keeps on harping, "bideshi shokti", how much Forbes charged fro this??

Even they are potraying Suvendu Adhikary as a GENTLEMAN!!:rofl:

Didi’s SEZ ban leaves exporters in a quandary

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Didi-s-SEZ-ban-leaves-exporters-in-a-quandary/770019/

Mamata Banerjee’s manifesto announcement that she would not allow Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in West Bengal has left exporters in a quandary.

The Trinamool Congress manifesto mentions; “SEZ will not be allowed in Bengal,” but it doesn’t clarify whether it will put a bar on the new SEZ proposals, cancel all the 22 approved proposals, or make changes to the three functional SEZs -- Falta, Wipro and Manikanchan. Though SEZs are governed by central agencies, it requires a state nod and facilitation to set up one. West Bengal passed the SEZ Act in 2003 prior to the Centre’s SEZ Act of 2005.

HP Budhia, chairman, Patton International, said it’s not clear why the manifesto has a single line saying SEZ would not be allowed in Bengal without pointing out to the problems of having SEZs. Former Engineering Export Promotion Council chairman Rakesh Shah felt that Mamata Banerjee might have related her stand about SEZ to land-grabbing that was being carried out by a section of investors.

RP Sehgal, former president of the Institute of Indian Foundrymen, felt that this issue would have to addressed if Banerjee formed the government. “It seems that she will have a smart Cabinet to properly deal with such issues if she forms the government and we will make our representation to give her a real picture,” Sehgal said.

Sehgal said Banerjee’s plans might create a fresh roadblock to the 500-acres foundry park being developed at Howrah. It is expected to draw investment above R10,000 crore. An SEZ area within the park on around 125 acres is also proposed.

Mamata (UPA II) Magic in Ruhr of Bengal

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-27/kolkata/29194675_1_kulti-works-cpsus-iisco-steel-plant/2

Barun, Gopal and Prasun are among the thousands of central public sector unit (CPSU) employees whose lives changed dramatically over the last four to five years. With a series of CPSUs leading the turnaround in this Ruhr of India', the air of despair enveloping the entire belt during the last assembly elections in 2006 has given way to hope. And unlike the rest of the state where CPM accuses the opposition of derailing development, the party is steering clear of the issue in this industrial zone that has witnessed more development in the past five years than the entire state has in over a decade.

"Five years ago, all units except Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) were struggling to stay afloat. Vibrant townships in Burnpur, Kulti and Durgapur had turned into ghost towns. Companies like IISCO, Kulti Works and Burn Standard were floundering. Salaries were not being paid on time. Then the revival of CPSUs happened," recalled Bhaskar Kumar, an executive at IISCO Steel Plant (ISP).

Now with ISP undergoing a Rs 15,000-crore modernization and 15,000 workers, including foreign consultants, engaged at the site, banks and auto firms jointly line up every weekend to woo employees. "The morale of employees has gone up and lifestyle in the township has improved. The mood here has changed. People now wear branded clothes and drive luxury cars. There was no nightlife, with Burnpur Club as the sole haunt. Now, Galaxy Mall has come up and another will open shortly," said Bhaskar. Since 2006, residents of Burnpur have purchased 600 SUVs and MUVs. The daily market that was on the verge of a closure is now flourishing.

At Kulti, the transformation has been as stark. Once RITES and SAIL tied up to raise a wagon factory, real estate prices at Hill Colony, Lokenath Pally, Bidhannagar and New Colony around the project site escalated 300-400%. The Rs 120-crore investment will enable Bengal Wagon to manufacture 1,200 units a year and repair another 300 units. Trinamool Congress MLA from Kulti, Ujjwal Chatterjee, said a cement plant is also on the cards.

Though a majority of locals credit the revival of Kulti to Mamata Banerjee, CPM leader Sagar Chatterjee counters that Left MPs Basudeb Acharya, Bansa Gopal Choudhury and chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had lobbied hard for its reopening.

At Burn Standard, employees are confident about the future. Even CITU leader Nirapadha Majhi acknowledges that the takeover was a masterstroke by Mamata, but hastens to read out a list of union demands like pay parity and revision of retirement age from 58 to 60 years.

In Durgapur, BHEL, DVC and CIL are engaged in reviving MAMC, which shut down in 2002 after all employees took VRS. Renovation work is under way and production will begin shortly. Next door at Andal, 5500 workers have completed 70% of the work at the Rs 5,000-crore Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Plant. Land acquisition here was smooth.

Even the region's behemoth, Eastern Coalfields Ltd, (largest subsidiary of CIL that was planning to shut down 64 unprofitable mines and retrench 72,000 staff), has turned around. Some 80,000 employees will mine 3.2 million tones of coal this year from 90 mines; the improvement in performance has led to 20% hike in wages.

Durgapur, an emerging realty hub of the East

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/investment-world/personal-finance/article1594520.ece

The industrial township of Durgapur 171 km from Kolkata, is emerging the new real estate hub of the East. Big brands from Kolkata such as the Shrachi Group jostle for space to get a foothold here.

Market sources point out that on an average, investment in the region that includes IT parks, housing and commercial projects is expected to exceed Rs 10,000 crore.

Says Mr Rahul Todi, Managing Director, Shrachi: “It is beyond doubt that Durgapur holds a big potential. After Kolkata, Durgapur should be that Tier II town that should benefit the most from urbanisation.

Situated on the bank of the Damodar, it is surrounded by Asansol and Burdwan sub divisions in the west and the east while the districts of Bankura and Birbhum border it on the southern and the northern sides.

Promoted earlier as an industrial township, the region saw the first phase of developmentduring the last decade. In 2001, City Plaza was one of the first malls that came up in the township. It paved the way for a spurt in shopping malls.

This was followed by a private- public partnership project in the City Centre area by Bengal Shristi Infrastructure Development Ltd, a joint venture between the Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA) and Shristi Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. The project comprised a business centre, residential complex and a retail centre. The project brought in the Inox multiplex brand along with Big Bazaar. Major brands such as Reebok and One Dollar Shop followed. Several companies also set up their south Bengal regional offices in the complex.

“In a sense this was the first step towards the development of the region. We were confident of the area's potential,” Mr Sunil Jha, CEO, Bengal Shristi Infrastructure Development Ltd, told Business Line.

Following this there was a flurry of activities in the City Centre area that included the setting up of Suhatto mall and several hotels such as Ginger (now Rose Valley) and Peerless' Sarovar Portico. However, the real thrust came after the State government announced the setting up of the country's first airport city – Aerotropolis – near Durgapur. Aerotropolis, a Rs 10,000-crore project, is being developed by the Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited (BAPL).

The recent inauguration (of Shrachi's Junction Mall and its decision to set up a sports complex-oriented township has only cemented the area's reputation as the emerging real estate hotspot. Shrachi is scouting for additional land to set up residential and other commercial projects.

Developments relating to information technology too have been on the cards with the State government setting up an additional 56,000 sq feet facility for IT companies.

Says Mr Suparno Moitra, Regional Manager, National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom-East): “In another decade or so, we expect sustained IT development in the region. We look to some of the smaller companies to move ahead with BPO projects in the region.”

Interestingly, this phenomenon of big Kolkata-based developers going for land here has led to the skyrocketing of land prices in the township. In a span of five years, land prices in some of the areas have doubled.

Love and squalor

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Love-and-squalor/Article1-679717.aspx

Every morning, when the first rays of the sun try to cut through layers of smog above the monolithic chimneys around Asansol, Samir Mitra flips through newspapers. The 50-year-old theatre and television actor rarely looks for news. His attention is always fixed on property advertisements. Mit ra is looking for a home in Kolkata or its suburbs. After spending half his life in an industrial and business hub that is only second to Kolkata in terms of size, and probably development as well, the man wants to shift base.

“I want to escape from Asansol,” says Mitra, determination written all over his face. The most flourishing city in Bengal’s coal and steel belt, which incidentally was once compared to the Ruhr industrial belt in Germany, has almost everything the average citizen can ask for. But Mitra, like several other people, feels that four-lane roads, highrises, multiplexes, shopping malls and plush brands stores have taken the soul out of the city.

“We have everything. The city has grown over three decades. Businesses have flourished. People have money now. But art and culture have taken the hit. As part of the Theatre for Education project launched by a prominent NGO, I held workshops and acting classes at Lachipur brothel, one of the eight in Asansol. The sex workers and their children toiled hard for years. But people of Asansol were not interested. There was no audience.”

“Finally, I started working on a research project for Sangeet Natak Akademi. The job stated taking me away from this city for a few days every month. I started acting in theatre and television serials. Now, I want to settle in Kolkata,” said Mitra before he got down from the auto-rickshaw.

Sheikh Ismail, the driver, was raring to cut into the conversation all this while. He took off by narrating how he loves to drive the ramshackle three-wheeler to Chelidanga Chowk, along the new four-lane road, in the middle of the night. “This is the time I make some quick bucks because the giant Volvo buses arrive from Kolkata till midnight. The Volvo service was launched a year ago to augment the hourly service of government buses.”

National Highway 2 was widened as part of the Golden Quadrilateral project launched by the BJP government headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee. A bypass enables highway traffic to avoid congested areas of Asansol, Neamatpur, Kulti and Barakar. The air-conditioned Volvos and ordinary state government buses connect Asansol to Kolkata. The buses leave every 30 minutes and take around four hours to cover 224 km.

“But prosperity also brings along ill effects. Now, we have to pay more protection money to local hoodlums and the police. My family came from Bihar 42 years ago. My father was a wage labourer. But I started driving auto-rickshaws. My financial condition has improved over the years,” said Ismail, who lives with his wife and two children.

Though most residents are Bengalis, a large number of Hindi and Urdu-speaking people have also made Asansol their home. “We were among those who came here because of the industrial boom. But many became jobless when the Pilkington glass factory and Raleigh cycle factory closed down,” said Ismail.

Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) was the first locomotive factory in India, named after freedom fighter and lawyer Chittaranjan Das. CLW started operations on January 26, 1950, the day India became a republic. The first steam locomotive, Deshbandhu, the name by which Das was lovingly called by his countrymen was presented to the nation by the first President Rajendra Prasad.

Raleigh Industries started production of bicycles at Kanyapur near Asansol in 1949. Pilkington set up a glass factory in Asansol. Both downed shutters years ago. “Asansol is still growing,” said hotel owner Subrata Dutta, 49, “but in an unplanned manner.”

Dutta also volunteered to narrate the story of Asansol’s growth. And he started with his biggest grievance against the administration. “Durgapur, located just 45 km away, is such a planned city. All we have here is madness. We need some planning,” said Dutta. “Civic amenities are also lacking. There is shortage of drinking water. The drainage system is also not inadequate. The hotel industry is not doing well since people who come here prefer to stay in rented apartments.”

Day 2. The HT team hit the streets of Asansol, only to be astounded by the extravagant use of steel and concrete and the co-existence of highrises and shopping malls with shanties.

Srijan Developers and Avani Group, both Kolkata-based real estate companies, have built a shopping mall in the heart of the city. Big Bazaar, Eylex Multiplex with three screens of 750 seats each, have opened shop alongside giant showrooms of Reebok, Turtle and Himalaya Opticals.

Housing projects are a big hit in Asansol, a clear pointer to the growing economic solvency in the coal and steel belt. Sugam Park is one of the biggest housing projects, spread over 30 acres, with more than 1,100 flats in 27 eight-storeyed towers with modern facilities. Plots inside the complex will also be available for bungalows for those looking for exclusivity. The project site is at Kalyanpur Satellite Township Project (KSTP), the planned zone if Asansol, which is supposed to be a self-sufficient urban hub with all civic amenities.

Shristinagar, better known as New Asansol, is a green township spread over 100 acres with around 6,000,000 sqft developed for 5,000 families. It comprises premium residential apartments, group housing structures, plotted housing units, bungalows, row houses and commercial and retail area.

All this, however, has not changed anything for Amod Mondal who runs a tea stall near the Police Lines. The HT team was thirsty and Mondal appeared to be equally efficient in making tea and telling stories.

“My daughter is a Class 10 student. But I am planning to get her married. I cannot afford her books and school fees anymore,” said Mondal, who, quite ironically, lives with his wife and two daughters near the sprawling Big Bazar. The man somehow managed to get his three other daughters married. “I have to pay protection money to goons. And I have to pay the police who also ask for at least 150 cups of tea every day. Needless to say, they do not pay. I have to feed my family, pay extortion money and do business here. How is that possible? The city has changed over the years. But my life has not. I wish I had a proper job.”

Writer and playwright Shantimoy Bandopadhyay, 70, has seen it all happen before his eyes. “Asansol has become concrete jungle where real estate promoters and businessmen determine the course of development,” said Bandopadhyay.

Regretting the death of the Asansol’s culture. he said: “Nobody cares for art and culture. There are no book fairs of literature workshops. Once in a blue moon poets and writers get together on their own.” Bandopadhyay also rued that compared Durgapur or Kolkata, Asansol has less avenues for students going for higher studies.

West Bengal government in dire straits!!

KOLKATA: Reeling under the worst financial crisis the Left Front government has ever seen, state finance minister Asim Dasgupta is now trying to borrow not just from the markets, but from his own government's agencies — Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco) and the West Bengal Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (WBIDFC).

His department is already struggling to maintain its balance-sheet for the very first month of the new fiscal. The debit-credit equation seems to have gone completely haywire. The last resort for the government may be drawing from Hidco or WBIDFC.

A senior official at Writers' explained how bad the situation actually was: "The finance minister sent finance secretary C M Bachhawat to Delhi on Thursday on the pretext of seeking permission to borrow from the markets. But the bigger idea was to refuse the March-end payment to scores of contractors working for departments like PWD, irrigation, water investigation and so on."

With the finance secretary away, none of these payments could be made. But then, the finance minister had no intention of paying, said a source. By sending the finance secretary away, he has managed to keep aside `2,500 crore (due to contractors) for payment of salaries for March. The money will be disbursed by April 7.

But the million dollar question is: what happens after April 7? The government will need at least Rs 1,500 crore to meet the basic needs or minimum critical payments. What's more, contractors' payments cannot be put off eternally. Drawing overdrafts and borrowing from RBI (ways and means advance) will not solve the problem either — as per RBI rules, borrowings must be returned in 14 days.

The state finance minister — once a professor at the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology — is trying everything in the book, and outside, to keep the state machinery crawling. Sources said that he plans to seek funds of about `1,000 crore from WBIDFC and Hidco. An official said, "Chances are that the finance secretary, who is the chairman of WBIDFC, would refuse the money because the union finance ministry's nod is required for borrowing funds from state agencies to meet sundry expenses. The government will then turn to Hidco."

And Hidco may then be the one bailing out the bankrupt government — at least for the remaining days of April. Hidco chairman, housing minister Gautam Deb, said: "There is nothing wrong if money is borrowed from Hidco, which was formed at the behest of the government. We have enough funds to help the government if the need arises. For this, no permission is needed from the Centre."

Officials differed, though. "Such borrowings must be made known to the finance ministry. How can the government use funds generated from selling land at Rajarhat to meet its sundry expenses?" said a senior official.

By mid-April, the government hopes to get the centre's nod for borrowing, even though the state finance department sought to borrow in excess of the entitled `1,282 crore. On May 1, Bengal would get about Rs 1,000 crore by way of devolution of taxes and distribution grants by the centre. "But it will be extremely difficult to meet the crisis till April 30, precisely between April 7 and April 30," said an official.

West Bengal government in dire straits!!

The media really is into innovative speculation now a days. Katorokam Jalpona Kalpona based on "sources" and "officials". We will have to wait and see what really happens in this tricky situation.

Many "experts" and "columnists" are giving two difficult choices.

Increase revenue through taxation, but nobody likes taxes in an election year.

Reduce benefits and pay of govt employees, teachers etc. That wont go down well in an election year either with 1 million people getting their salaries from govt.

Unpopular decisions will have to be taken by the next government. Either people believe Asim Dasgupta's "gappo" about funds being used for social development and finances being in bad shape because of "step motherly treatment of West Bengal" (maybe partially true) or people dump his gappos and throw him out (even if they don't throw out the Left Front).

The media really is into innovative speculation now a days. Katorokam Jalpona Kalpona based on "sources" and "officials". We will have to wait and see what really happens in this tricky situation.


http://www.wbfin.nic.in/writereaddata/BudgetSpeech2011-2012.pdf

"3.6 Due to the increase in the State’s revenue
and less borrowing, the State’s of fiscal deficit,
revenue deficit and debt to GSDP will decline
noticeably from 6.2 per cent, 5.4 per cent and 41.9
per cent in the last year to 3.9 per cent, 3.1 per cent
and 40.4 per cent in the current year—thus
indicating development of a positive trend in fiscal
parameters. In addition, it is primarily due to this
increase in revenue, and mobilisation of other
resources, that it will be possible for the State

Government, after bearing the non-plan
expenditure, to enhance the total expenditure in the
State from ` 14,161.31 crore in the last year to `
17,117.91 crore in the current year, and the total
expenditure in the State from ` 68,134.04 crore in
the last year to ` 77,510.72 crore in the current
year (as already mentioned), and end the current
financial year with a limited total deficit of ` 3 crore.

3.7 On the basis of the prevailing average rate of
growth of the State’s own revenue, Central
devolution and Central grants, and without any
new scheme or new tax proposal, a preliminary
estimate of the total ..."


The media is speaking nonsense

Photo source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/investment-world/personal-finance/article1594520.ece)

The IT park in Durgapur. Photo:Sushanta Patronobish.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv214/SarafIndian3/BL03DURGAPUR_519325f.jpg

Credit curse for rural Bengal
Source : TT

Rural Bengal’s low credit intake can be linked to the ruling Left Front government’s land reform programme, according to Nabard. The state government has given land to many small farmers and agricultural workers, but this has limited the ability to borrow.

“Small landholdings and low credit absorption capacities of people in rural Bengal are reasons for low credit-deposit ratio in the state,” said N.S.P. Rao, chief general manager (Bengal) of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard).

The credit-deposit ratio of a state shows the percentage of deposits mobilised by banks that are lent to the people of the state. A state, which has a low credit-deposit ratio, actually funds the development of another state having a higher ratio.

“In Bengal, 95 per cent of farmers are small or marginal and account for 84 per cent of landholding,” Rao said. The state has a cultivable area of nearly 56.9 lakh hectares.

The Bengal government’s Economic Review 2010-11, tabled before the Assembly during the vote-on-account, shows that the credit-deposit ratio in rural Bengal is the lowest at 34.56 per cent compared with the rural areas of Gujarat (46.22 per cent), Maharashtra (74.03 per cent), Kerala (72.61 per cent), Tamil Nadu (95.56 per cent), Punjab (53.94 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (47.63 per cent).

The ratio in rural Bengal is much lower than the national average of 59.39 per cent.

“While land reforms undertaken by the Bengal government made marginal farmers and agricultural workers owners of land, it also led to large fragmentation of landholding. These fragmented, small landholdings not only limited the credit absorption capability of people, banks are also finding it difficult to lend,” a senior official of Nabard said.

The state’s aggregate credit-deposit ratio at 59.88 per cent is a tad better than Uttar Pradesh (41.85 per cent) but much less than the national average of 73.94 per cent.

Credit curse for rural Bengal
Source : TT

Rural Bengal’s low credit intake can be linked to the ruling Left Front government’s land reform programme, according to Nabard. The state government has given land to many small farmers and agricultural workers, but this has limited the ability to borrow.

“Small landholdings and low credit absorption capacities of people in rural Bengal are reasons for low credit-deposit ratio in the state,” said N.S.P. Rao, chief general manager (Bengal) of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard).

The credit-deposit ratio of a state shows the percentage of deposits mobilised by banks that are lent to the people of the state. A state, which has a low credit-deposit ratio, actually funds the development of another state having a higher ratio.

“In Bengal, 95 per cent of farmers are small or marginal and account for 84 per cent of landholding,” Rao said. The state has a cultivable area of nearly 56.9 lakh hectares.

The Bengal government’s Economic Review 2010-11, tabled before the Assembly during the vote-on-account, shows that the credit-deposit ratio in rural Bengal is the lowest at 34.56 per cent compared with the rural areas of Gujarat (46.22 per cent), Maharashtra (74.03 per cent), Kerala (72.61 per cent), Tamil Nadu (95.56 per cent), Punjab (53.94 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (47.63 per cent).

The ratio in rural Bengal is much lower than the national average of 59.39 per cent.

“While land reforms undertaken by the Bengal government made marginal farmers and agricultural workers owners of land, it also led to large fragmentation of landholding. These fragmented, small landholdings not only limited the credit absorption capability of people, banks are also finding it difficult to lend,” a senior official of Nabard said.

The state’s aggregate credit-deposit ratio at 59.88 per cent is a tad better than Uttar Pradesh (41.85 per cent) but much less than the national average of 73.94 per cent.

Nabard's stated mission is "Promoting sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural development through effective credit support, related services, institution building and other innovative initiatives."

If they are failing in that then they need to review their policies to help small and marginal farmers rather than bring out "reports". Let it come up with innovative initiatives for sustainable and equitable rural development.

What the Telegraph forgot to mention in its report maybe because it is trying hard to maintain its negativity.

Nabard's loan disbursement up 43% in Bengal

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/article1602822.ece

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in West Bengal saw a 43 per cent growth in loans to the State Government and financial institutions in 2010-11 over 2009-10.

NABARD also increased its lending to the central cooperative banks (CCBs) and regional rural banks (RRBs), operating in the State, by 58 per cent to Rs 855.09 crore.

Mr N.S.P. Rao, Chief General Manager of NABARD in West Bengal told reporters here on Tuesday that considering that 95 per cent of the farmers in the State are small and marginal, the re-financier enhanced its coverage.

NABARD sanctioned 78 new schemes for funding rural go-downs in the State. These will create an additional storage capacity of 83,375 tonnes. According to Mr Rao, NABARD has taken up around 22 animal husbandry projects.

In a pilot project in the farm sector, NABARD provided 175 mobile phone-based services to Farmers' Clubs through Reuters Marketing Link. Mr Rao indicated this would be scaled up this fiscal.

In 2010-11, NABARD's disbursement to the State Government under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) increased by 26 per cent to Rs 1,160 crore. In 2009-10, RIDF loans disbursed were Rs 922 crore. The projects taken up last year included improvement of rural connectivity, creating additional irrigational facilities and flood protection structures.

Nabard asks banks to lend 50k cr to WB's priority areas10 Mar, 2011,
http://m.economictimes.com/PDAET/articleshow/7668042.cms

The National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (Nabard) said banks should lend nearly 50,000 crore to the priority areas in West Bengal during 2011-12 to improve agricultural yield as well as the state's low credit-deposit ratio. Banks say this target is unrealistic as they are facing a depleting manpower.

"The targets are over ambitious," said United Bank of India chairman and managing director Bhaskar Sen.

Banks' CD ratio, an indicator to banks' efficiency in credit delivery, is 65% in West Bengal, significantly lower than the national average of 75%.

Mr Sen said banks have faced difficulties in providing credit in rural areas, given the state's infrastructure bottlenecks as well their own limitations in terms of manpower.

He said nearly half of bank employees are slated to retire in the next three years. Although banks have started hiring in a big way, the UBI chief said the new incumbents would not be equipped immediately to chase steep targets.

Nabard pegged the state's priority sector credit potential at 49,638 crore for the new financial year, a good 41% higher than what was projected for the current fiscal. It fixed the agriculture loan target 68% higher at 33,655 crore. Nabard said the jump in credit projections is a reflection of the budget announcement for extending green revolution to eastern India.

West Bengal is suffering from poor bank credit delivery and this has paved the way for money lenders and microfinance institutions to grow their business. Less than half (46%) of the state's estimated 50-lakh small and marginal farmers get bank loans even after 40 years of bank nationalisation.

A recent Nabard study has observed that agricultural yield gap in eastern states is the highest in the country and the lack of credit delivery is the reason behind it.

"Banks need to innovate to earn more profit from agricultural lending," said Nabard executive director AK Badyopadhyay, after releasing a focus paper on West Bengal on Wednesday.

Nabard said it has kept its targets higher in view of the state's untapped credit potential in the interiors. RBI chief general manager CD Srinivasan also termed the Nabard plan ambitious but said: "A lot of work needs to be done in West Bengal, be it in agriculture or MSME or the services sector."

West Bengal government in dire straits!!

I am yet to come across any report worth mentioning that why the West Bengal government is always in trouble meeting its expenses?

GSDP is growing at a steady pace year after year. May be its because that tax to GDP ratio is not high. I came across some reports some time back where they say its because a large amount of the workforce is in the unorganized sector and thats the reason.

Some say its because of the 10 lakh + workforce of state government.
I have been listening to this million plus workforce story for a pretty long time.
It should have been reducing with time as for a pretty long time I think the state government is not recruiting in large numbers.

Can somebody say what is/ are the reason(s) for the reason of the state government to be in financial troubles?

Can somebody say what is/ are the reason(s) for the reason of the state government to be in financial troubles?

I am guessing that some of the reasons could be the same as the Indian Government (35 lakh crore ?) and states like UP ( Rs 2.21 lakh crore) and Maharashtra ( Rs 2.31 lakh crore by the end of the financial year 2011-2012), Andhra Pradesh (Rs. 1.41 lakh crore projected for current fy).

The problem is everything in our media is politicized. So you never get a clear honest picture from any side. Most of the "experts" are also biased one way or the other. Moreover it is election time in West Bengal and the media wants to play the role of inspiring people to vote against the Left Front. So you never get any honesty from any columnist, expert of editorial board. On the other side you have the experts of Left front who crunch out all kinds of numbers to show that what the media is saying is partially BS. I am yet to see a clear unbiased picture of what is happening from anyside - especially something that we - the non experts can understand.

As far as the Left Front is concerned it states these issues (but who vouches for the truthfulness?):

1) micro savings schemes: Because of the Left's "social responsbility" policies of preventing people from falling into traps like Sanchayita, it encourages Micro Savings Scheme. West Bengal is probably number one in micro savings. In a a specific financial year if people save Rs 6,000 crores under micro savings scheme, and withdraw Rs.1,000 crores, then (6000crores-1000crores)= Rs. 5000crores is the net amount of debt generation under micro savings schemes. As bond papers of the micro savings schemes are provided by the central government, so essentially the burden goes to it. However according to the financial policy of our central government, the above said generation of debt is actually imposed on the corresponding state governments by the Central government. More than that, the state governments have to pay the rate of interest on this debt, which is 2% higher than that of the public rate of interest.

2) State government bonds which are usually purchased by the Public Sector Banks or by the Insurance companies

3) responsibility of paying salary and retirement benefit to all levels of teachers as well as the employees of the Panchayat and Municipalities. This is apart from State Govt employees. The Left claims that this is not done by many states. Increase in payscales decided by Central Govt pay commissions to counter inflation affects this amount as well.

NTPC plans in West Bengal ...

From ABP

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7130/adrapower.jpg (http://img217.imageshack.us/i/adrapower.jpg/)


NTPC and Indian Railways joint venture Bhartiya Rail Bijlee has started feasability studies for the proposed 1320 MW power plant in Adra. Work is expected to start once environmental clearances are received. The proposed investment is Rs 8000 crores. Indian Railways is providing the land. Most of the power will be used by Indian Railways.

NTPC has also taken over the Katwa power project from WBPDCL. Land acquisition by the WB Govt is nearing completion. The land required is 1035 acres. Proposed capacity is 1600 MW. West Bengal will get 800 MW, other eastern states will get 560 MW and the remaining power will go to the national grid.

FinMin rejects WB, Kerala & Punjab's plea to waive debt

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/finmin-rejects-wb-kerala--punjabs-plea-to-waive-debt/640935.html

The Finance Ministry has turned down the requests of debt-ridden states of Punjab, Kerala and West Bengal to bail them out by waiving their debts. A Committee headed by Expenditure Secretary has rejected the proposals of the states arguing that it would set a bad precedent and encourage fiscal mismanagement, sources said. He further revealed that rejection of the requests was communicated to the states early this week by the Committee. The states have been suffering on account of heavy debt liability and interest burden. According to the Reserve Bank data, West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab have outstanding debt liabilities of Rs 1.98 lakh crore, Rs 81,742 crore and Rs 73,794 crore respectively. These states have been asking for waiver of rural debt to give a boost to the farm sector and allied activities. The outstanding debt is 40.8 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product in West Bengal. The ratios are also high at 34.1 and 33.4 per cent in Punjab and Kerala respectively. Reeling under the pressure of debt, Punjab has been paying over Rs 6,000 crore annually as interest liability.Such higher payment is creating a fiscal situation where these states are not in a position to contribute matching funds for the flagship programmes and thus continuously registering low growth, the source said. The states have been arguing that unless bail out is worked out by the Centre, they would in no way be able to match aspirations of the Centre on development programmes. Debt liabilities of West Bengal and Kerala are more than revenue generated by the states and thus creates a situation where no solution is possible without waiver or restructuring of debt. The states are requesting that debt restructuring if not waiver was minimum requirement.

^^ hmmm.. 41% is not bad.. the amazing fact is that all these states are ruled by opposition!

^^ hmmm.. 41% is not bad.. the amazing fact is that all these states are ruled by opposition!

What is India's debt?

The news is saying Shoppers Stop have 4 stores in West Bengal. Shoppers Stop's website (http://corporate.shoppersstop.com/stores.aspx) is listing Siliguri, City Centre mall too. Including Siliguri the no of stores should be 5. Or probably Siliguri will be their next store in WB

Shoppers Stop gets stronger in West Bengal (http://www.indiaretailing.com/news.aspx?topic=1&Id=5508)


Department store chain Shoppers Stop has recently launched a store at Junction Mall in Durgapur. This is Shoppers Stop’s fourth store in West Bengal.

The 33,000 sq.ft outlet, spreads across three levels, offers customers an expansive retail experience. Emphasis is given to customer convenience with customer-friendly signage, spacious trial rooms, alteration desk, customer service desk with complementary gift-wrapping service and the 'First Citizens' members’ lounge, to name a few.

Speaking on the store launch, Govind Shrikhande, customer care associate & managing director, Shopper's Stop Ltd, said, “We already have a sizeable base of loyal customers at Durgapur, who travel to our nearby Kolkata stores. This existing catchment of customers is indicative of their desire for a superior shopping experience. We are positive that the citizens of Durgapur are equally excited about our entry as we are about providing them with an unparalleled shopping treat.”

With this launch, Shoppers Stop has 37 stores in 17 Indian cities.

What is India's debt?

though central govt's debt to GDP is around 28% but combined Central Govt+All the state govts debt(which is considered as India's Debt to GDP ratio) is around 55-60% which increased after the financial crisis(before 2008 it was about 46%)

cc: TNN

The sick neonatal care unit (SNCU) in Purulias district hospital has shown the way in reducing neonatal mortality rate (NMR).The unit brought down newborn death rate to almost 54% in the first year of its operation.Popularly known as the Purulia Model across the country,other states,too,want to replicate it.
Started as a research project in 2003 by Institute of Post Graduate Medicine Education and Research (IPGMER),Society for Applied Studies (SAS) and UNICEF,Purulia was chosen because of its adverse health and development indicators high infant mortality rate (IMR) that stood at 55.2% against the states 49% low female literacy and safe delivery rates.What started as a research project is now travelling to other states where IMR is high.
The success of the Purulia model is evident from the central governments plan to start SNCU in 6,000 districts of the country under NRHM.Starting from Andaman and Nicobar Islands,the Purulia model has gone to Alwar,Dosa and Bharatpur in Rajasthan and Hosangabad in Madhya Pradesh.More such units are coming up Bihar and Orissa.Doctors of IPGMER who pioneered the project are providing the know-how.
Neonatologists Amitava Sen and Dilip Mahalanabis of SAS,Pankaj Mehta of UNICEF and Arun Singh,who heads the neonatal wing at IPGMER,used to frequent the district hospital in Purulia before coming up with the unit.Right from structural planing to equipment,hygiene and manpower,the Purulia Model stands out.In a controlled environment,equipped with incubators,body warmers,multi-parameter monitoring system,oxygenators,intravenous drip system and infusion pump among other life-saving gadgets,the Purulia unit can give the corporate super-specialty hospital a run for its money.
Apart from the gadgets,maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene,the other crucial factor in ensuring success of the model was introducing newborn aides.These aides are trained extensively to take care of of the sick newborn, said Arun.
Local girls,who had passed classes X and XII,were trained on aspects like how to detect danger signals,keep the baby clean and warm,put them in the breast-feeding room after birth,teach mothers to handle the baby,cleanliness and maintenance of equipment.These girls are now a core part of the Purulia Model wherever it is replicated.
The model has also been adopted in states districts hospitals of Birbhum,Bankura,Raiganj,Coochbehar and Howrah.Invitations from Rajasthan,Madhya Pradesh,Orissa and Bihar to start the model have flooded IPGMER.The newly established newborn resource centre (NRC),the only of its kind in the country,at IPGMER is assisting in the emulation of the Purulia Model.The unit at Raisen in Madhya Pradesh is the latest to adopt the model.
We will start a video conferencing unit at NRC to stay connected to the other hospitals where SNCU has been started.Whenever there is a query,support or suggestion needed from us,we can assist them through video conferencing, said Arun.
IPGMER,that also has a state-ofthe art neonatal wing,also provides training of manpower from other states before they are engaged in SNCU.The video conferencing facility will also be used for imparting training in neonatal care.

Election silly season

TMC claims that in past two years 500 new hotels and 5 lakh jobs were created as a result of starting 5 trains in West Bengal.

Tourism to be engine of Mamata’s economic "recovery" plan

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/kolkata-calling-tourism-to-be-engine-of-mamatas-economic-recovery-plan/773861/4

with the tourism sector, Banerjee is expected to bring about a synergy with the railways and create tourism circuits – Tarakeswar, Kamarpukur, Bankura, Bishnupur and Mukutmanipur – which would boost the hotel industry and help mop up taxes for the state, said Parash Dutta, Trinamool Congress candidate from Jagaddal. In fact, five trains – Paharia Express connecting Siliguri and Digha, Tamralipta Express, Kandari Express and the Duronto Express connecting Howrah and Digha – have given a great boost to tourism in Digha, enabling 500 new hotels to come up and creating more than 5 lakh jobs in a period of two years, claimed Sishir Adhikary, Union minister of state for rural development.

Land Bank claims and counter claims

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/kolkata-calling-tourism-to-be-engine-of-mamatas-economic-recovery-plan/773861/3

Party insiders said Mamata Banerjee has completed the groundwork for creating a land bank and has set her sights on tourism, a sector that was off the Left Front government’s radar.

Debobrata Bandopadhyay, a former land reforms commissioner and one of the key members to carry out the Left’s much-touted land reforms but now with the Trinamool Congress, told FE that he had documented all records for Banerjee, enabling the creation of a land bank, and has earmarked 43,000 acres locked with 56,000 closed units in the state, 4,000 acres of Kolkata Port Trust land that can be leased out to the state government and another 3,000 acres in possession with the Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA), Haldia Development Authority (HDA) and the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority.

“A land bank with 50,000 acres can facilitate industrial investment and this can be done in 1,000 days,” Bandopadhyay said.

The CPI(M) is, of course, crying foul, claiming the land bank idea as its own. “I created a land bank in 1998 and all major industries that came to Haldia after 2000 got land from it,” said Lakshman Seth, former CPI(M) MP and also a former HDA chairman. "More than 7,000 acres have been given from the HDA’s land bank so far. Now we are down to 700 acres only,” Seth said. Bansagopal Chowdhury, CPI(M) MP and ADDA chairman, said the authority is currently acquiring 700 acres in Asansol, Mangalpur and Jamuria areas for its land bank and that it has sold at least 2,000 acres to various industries. “So what is new in a land bank?” Chowdhury said. “The present government has considerably progressed in land mapping and Mamata Banerjee will tell her tale riding on it,” Seth quipped.

If this gets built it will be good for WB and Jharkhand

Good roads top priority

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-30/ranchi/29367306_1_road-connectivity-arjun-munda-highways

Reiterating his government's commitment to improve road connectivity in the state, chief minister Arjun Munda said he was in regular touch with the Centre and agencies concerned for speedy execution of the projects.

The projects include construction of new roads and upgradation of existing ones and highways. He said the work on Ranchi-Haldia four-lane "super highway" will start soon, provided technical bottlenecks are addressed at the earliest.

He is scheduled to meet Union surface transport minister in New Delhi next week. "The Ranchi-Haldia Super Highway is an important project that will cater to the interests of the entire eastern region. A few technical glitches prevented the preliminary work to start on time. However, I will be in Delhi next week and take up this issue with the Centre," said Munda.

Dhamra-KoPT row turning into Centre-state battle

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/dhamrakopt-row-turning-into-centrestate-battle/773775/3

Dhamra Port’s battle with the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) on the proposed transloading issue to be launched in waters near the Orissa coast is turning into a Centre-state dispute with the Orissa government deciding to introduce a resolution in the assembly against KoPT extending its territorial limits.

A shipping ministry official told FE though the Orissa government has directed all its attacks to KoPT, it virtually comes on the Union government since the law ministry at the behest of the shipping ministry has issued the notification to save the ailing Haldia port (under KoPT) confronting draught constraints.

The notification issued in October last year allows KoPT to set up its R290-crore transloading facility at the Konica sandheads. This, the Orissa government says, will allow KoPT to encroach the deep sea area alongside the North Orissa coast, which include the notified limits of Bichitrapur, Subernarekha north, Bahabalpur, Inchudi, Chandipur and Dhamra port.

KoPT’s transloading facility at the Konica sandheads extends its limit 200 km south of Haldia covering 28,646 sq km.

Rakesh Srivastava, joint secretary shipping, told FE the ministry was not thinking in terms of withdrawing the notification and that the ministry was looking for an amicable settlement with the Orissa government.

“We are administratively addressing the issue and have requested the Orissa government to avoid legal entanglements. The law ministry has made clear that we are on a strong legal footing. So if the Orissa government resorts to legal action that would not help them,” Srivastava said.

In fact, Konica Sandheads is beyond 5 nautical miles off the coasts of Orissa and this becomes national waters. According to KoPT chairman ML Meena, KoPT is not claiming any exclusive rights on the waters surrounding Konica Sandheads. “The transloading facility will not obstruct ship movement of any of the proposed or upcoming ports,” he said.

“ It’s national waters and anyone can come and set up their facility here,” Meena stressed.

However, the Orissa government is far from convinced and is weighing all possibilities to get the notification withdrawn. An NGO Naba Nirman Parishad of Keonjhar has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) against KoPT but technically the onus for it doesn’t rest on the Orissa government or the Dhamra port despite being prompted by them.

Srivastava said the ministry has already held a meeting in March on the issue and will hold another in April whenever the Orissa chief secretary BK Patanaik gives time. “But there are fears that a sudden legal initiative by the Orissa government may put a stay order on KoPT’s initiative for setting up transloading facility and things may get delayed further,” KoPT officials felt.

Shipping Ministry's Haldia Plans

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_ports-to-be-expanded-in-billion-dollar-ppp-push_1526408

One of the major projects that will be taken up in the next fiscal is Haldia Dock 2 in Kolkata, which alone will require an investment to the tune of Rs2,000 crore, the official said.

“The port has already got 50 acres of land from the state government out of the 163 acres required for the
project. We will get the balance land also soon. The feasibility study of the project is likely to be over in a week. We will initiate the request for qualification procedures in the next month,” the official said.

Dock 2 will be constructed on the western bank of the river Hooghly. It will have a draft of nine metres, compared with seven metres at Haldia. The project will have four jetties having total capacity of 20 million tonne.

though central govt's debt to GDP is around 28% but combined Central Govt+All the state govts debt(which is considered as India's Debt to GDP ratio) is around 55-60% which increased after the financial crisis(before 2008 it was about 46%)

Thanks. Why do you think there are not many articles about that in general media (not referring to page 5 articles that nobody reads - but headlines on front pages)?

IQ CITY, DGP

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/9427/ad0030012.png