SIPCOT kick-starts acquisition process. In some sense, they have been hugely successfull in pro-actively acquiring land. They create land banks and improve infrastructure before industries even look for land. This also prevents from realty prices shooting up before acquisition process.

---------------------


KANCHEEPURAM: The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamilnadu (SIPCOT) and the Kancheepuram District Administration have classified the 1,200 acres to be acquired for industrial purpose at Orgadam and Chennakuppam villages in Kancheepuram district into seven categories. It also announced the rates to be paid by SIPCOT for each category.

A total of 977 acres will be acquired in the first phase of which 444 acres is agriculture land and 327 acres of approved layouts.

Landowners have been directed to submit their consent letters along with photocopies of all the documents relating to their property to the Tahsildar, Land Acquisition Office, SIPCOT Orgadam Extension Project, 39-A, CSI School Lane, Nehru Street, Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram district, on or before May 7, 2007 either by registered post or courier or through special messenger or in person.

Disclosing this to reporters here on Friday, Collector Pradeep Yadav and SIPCOT District Revenue Officer D. Munuswamy said scrutiny of documents submitted would be completed within a month and registration of sale deed would commence at the Sub-Registrar Office, Wallajahbad, immediately. Payment to the landowner would be made through a crossed cheque as and when the registration process was completed, they said.

While Rs.20 lakh an acre would be offered to agriculture land abutting main roads, Rs.16 lakh an acre would be offered to agriculture land located in interior places with approach road. The offer had been pegged at Rs.14 lakh an acre for agriculture land located in interior places without access road.

Residential areas have been classified into approved and unapproved layout areas. While Rs.2.50 lakh per ground would be offered to approved layouts abutting the main roads, Rs.2 lakh per ground would be given to approved layouts situated in interior places.

Unapproved layout


For unapproved layouts the offer amount had been pegged at Rs.1.75 lakh per ground if located near the main road and Rs.1.50 lakh per ground if located in interior areas.

Guideline value


Rates offered by SIPCOT for acquisition of lands had been arrived after taking into consideration the data relating to recent land registration transactions carried out at the Sub-Registrar Office, Wallajahbad, the guideline value and the market value of the lands.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/21/stories/2007042101160300.htm

Wireless case study links Stanford with Chennai

CHENNAI: Brovis Wireless Networks, a Silicon Valley-based firm, with product development headquarters in Chennai, is the subject of a new case study in Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP). The case study represents first of its kind for STVP, says the company's press release, citing Tom Kosnik, Consulting Professor in the Management Science and Engineering Department at the Stanford University. "Although one or two previous studies have fo cused on the WiFi/WiMAX industry, none has honed in on the Indian subcontinent and other emerging markets. The case study focuses on how entrepreneur driven technology ventures can leverage globalisation and be successful."
Brovis leverages 'the US for knowledge platform, India for R&D and knowledge workforce, and Taiwan for contract manufacturing,' explains Muthu Logan, CEO of the company. Born in India, Logan did MS and MBA from the University of Texas. He founded Brovis in mid-2003 with 'a vision of providing affordable broadband to the masses.' Products include Wi-MAX and Wi-Fi based BWA (broadband wireless access) systems. "Brovis has 600 deployments all over the world and has shipped more than 4000 systems," notes the release. "With most number of commercial Wi-MAX deployments in the world, t he Indian telecom industry is all set to witness prolific growth in coming years," it foresees. STVP (http://stvp.stanford.edu), located within Stanford University's School of Engineering, aims at building 'a world-class program dedicated to accelerating high-technology entrepreneurship research and education for engineers and scientists worldwide. '

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/34216012.htm

The Tamil Nadu government will request the Union government to develop Colachel as a major international container transhipment hub port, 'since this project requires huge investment'. It has also sought Central support for preparing a detailed feasibility report. Sethusamudram Corporation Ltd would be the consultant for preparing detailed feasibility and detailed project reports to develop the port, Vellakoil M P Saminathan, minister for highways told the State Assembly on Tuesday.

Moving the demand for grants for his department, the minister said in the Policy Note on roads, bridges, minor ports and shipping, that the government was planning to develop a common user green field port at Cuddalore for the use of all the industries in the region through public-private partnership. ''For this purpose, the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board has appointed UTI Bank and RITES Ltd as technical assistance provider. They have prepared the initial screening report, draft bid document, draft concession agreement and time schedule for the implementation of the port project.

Cuddalore Power Company has proposed to set up a 1,320-MW thermal power plant at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore at Thiyagavalli village in Cuddalore district. For importing the required 3.5 million tonnes of coal, a jetty at a cost of Rs 325 crore also would be set up.

Tamil Nadu Maritime Board has given in-principle approval to Goodearth Shipbuilding Ltd to establish a captive shipbuilding yard at a cost of Rs 1000 crore in Cuddalore.

At Kattupalli near Ennore, Tidco proposes to float a special purpose vehicle along with a private entrepreneur to develop a shipbuilding yard at a cost of about Rs 1,000 crore, the minister said.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=162192

^^
Have any idea why Singapore and Colombo remain as major container transhipment ports?.Is it because of higher draught or they are in the major Sea route?

Good show by automobile, IT sectors: CII survey

Special Correspondent

Double-digit growth rate in Oct 2006-March 2007 period Shortage of skilled labour and higher raw material costs concerns industry

CHENNAI: The information technology and automobile industries in Tamil Nadu have registered an impressive performance with double-digit growth during the October 2006-March 2007 period, according to a survey conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - Southern Region.
While the IT industry increased its revenue by 25 per cent, the automobile and auto component industry registered an 18 per cent growth in production, according to the Bi-annual Industry Monitor Survey. The IT sector's profit margins increased by 20 per cent during the period and it was expected to sustain the pace in the next half year too. The expected revenue increase is up to 35 per cent during April - September 2007, a press release here said.
With a lack of skilled manpower becoming a serious issue, industry leaders have suggested that a curriculum be framed in tune with industry needs.
In the automotive and auto components industry, exports witnessed a growth rate of 21 per cent and employment levels by around 9 per cent. During the next six months, the production and sales were expected to increase up to 15-20 per cent. Exports were expected to increase by around 20-25 per cent.
The textile industry witnessed a growth rate of 12 per cent while exports achieved a growth of 18 per cent. In the next half year, the industry was expected to increase its production and sales by 14 per cent and 15 per cent. Shortage of skilled labour and higher raw material costs were some of the concerns of industry. The chemicals and fertilizer sector experienced a growth rate of 15 per cent in terms of production and 16 per cent in terms of sales.
Capacity utilisation
Exports recorded an excellent growth of 40 per cent during this period, which in turn resulted in a whopping capacity utilisation level of 10-15 per cent. The industry was expected to increase its production and exports at 11 per cent and 30 per cent during the April - September 2007 period. Increase in raw material cost and operational expenditures were some of the concerns for the industry.
The sugar industry witnessed an increase in production and exports to the tune of 11 per cent and 15 per cent. The industry's demands included a reduction in the excise duty on molasses and reforms in indirect and direct taxes.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/26/stories/2007042614520300.htm

The Tamil Nadu government will request the Union government to develop Colachel as a major international container transhipment hub port, 'since this project requires huge investment'. It has also sought Central support for preparing a detailed feasibility report. Sethusamudram Corporation Ltd would be the consultant for preparing detailed feasibility and detailed project reports to develop the port, Vellakoil M P Saminathan, minister for highways told the State Assembly on Tuesday.
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=162192

If they bring an Internationa Airport in the proximity esp. at Kanyakumari it will be a good move.

`Create rainforest park in Valparai'

M. Gunasekaran

VALPARAI: With the State Government actively planning to promote Valparai a major tourist attraction of the region, a team of wildlife biologists stationed in the tea town have come out with a suggestion that a rainforest park be established showcasing native and rare species of Anamalais.
"Rainforests in the Valparai region still has a variety of wildlife species which are found nowhere else in the world. Many people may not be aware of the richness of rainforest wealth," says Sankararaman and Anandakumar of Nature Conservation Foundation.
Pollachi Sub-Collector Vijay Pingale says 17 acres belonging to the Public Works Department have been identified to establish a park as part of tourism development programme.
Despite many attractions, the hill station does not have a place to keep the tourists for a day or two. The park was aimed at addressing the lacunae, he adds. "None of the tourist places in India has a rainforest park. Setting up one at Valparai will make this place a distinctive one for tourists, says Mr. Sankararaman. Many do not know that Valparai has a large number of black dammar and ironwood trees. Rainforests are treasure houses of many endemic and endangered wild species. Currently, rain forests are in a fragmented form because of plantations, Mr. Anandakumar says.
Mr. Pingale says the proposal will be examined by the authorities. The Wildlife Warden of the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Santuaty and National Park, K.R. Varadharajan, doubts whether the native species would attract tourists.
It would take several years for creating such a park. Mr. Sundararaman, however, cites the success of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in South Africa.
It is world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora. It grows only indigenous South African plants.
Wildlife biologists say authorities should not uproot any species in the forests for establishing a park.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/26/stories/2007042600820200.htm

The Tamil Nadu government is seeking to revive the proposed SEZ project at Nanguneri in Tirunelveli, the foundation stone for which was laid six years ago. The state government, which has moved the Centre for an early clearance by the commerce ministry, is keeping its fingers crossed for a quick closure.

"We hope to get the approval by May 9 when the Board of Approval (BOA) is scheduled to meet. The construction work would begin subsequently. One by one various state proposals are being given due attention," sources close to the developments added.

One other major hurdle that appears to have been overcome is that US-based INFAC group, the main promoters, have been able to rope in the AMR group of Hyderabad as a new partner. Alongside, formalities to attain the multi-product status has also now been completed, sources told ET.

Conceived in 2001, this SEZ in a backward district was the pet project of the former union commerce and industry minister, late Murasoli Maran. The foundation stone for it was laid with much fanfare during the previous DMK regime.

However, the project was put on the backburner during the subsequent AIADMK regime. Political compulsions apart, the project hit a roadblock when the US-based INFAC, the main promoter, was unable to achieve financial closure. Subsequent efforts to bring in a Kolkata-based promoter also fell through.

INFAC jointly promoted the SEZ along with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Company (TIDCO) through a special purpose vehicle, Advanced Technologies Manufacturing and Assembly (ATMAC).

The US group has managed to bring in the new partner after completing the process of acquiring 400 acres of the 2,500 acre multi-product specifications.

"The master plan has been completed by the Jurong Town Corporation of Singapore," the sources said, adding that an investment of over Rs 600 crore would be needed to create the infrastructure.

Noting that the surge of investments into Tamil Nadu has prompted the government to revive the stalled SEZ project, sources said the SEZ, about 500 km from Chennai, once operational, would have a dedicated telecommunication infrastructure, including a fibre optic network, digital switching and a satellite earth station.

The SEZ would house light engineering firms, precision engineering companies, pharma majors and electronic hardware and chip design manufacturers and is also expected to attract major hi-tech industries and those promoting clean environment technology.http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Policy/TN_moves_to_revive_Nanguneri_SEZ/articleshow/1968240.cms

Reliance Retail establishing manpower training centre
Expects to need 20,000 sales staff in TN

Chennai April 27 Reliance Retail, which expects to take in 20,000 sales staff at its shops in Tamil Nadu alone in the next few years, is all set to open its `manpower training centre' in Chennai soon.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/04/28/stories/2007042800752100.htm

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Policy/TN_moves_to_revive_Nanguneri_SEZ/articleshow/1968240.cms

Hope this becomes a reality. It is one of the first 2 SEZ's concieved by the late Maran after the Chinese trip.

^^
Conceptual plan for Nanguneri SEZ by Jurong International.

According to the conceptual master plan, the industrial sector will include ready-built factories (RBFs), custom-built factories (CBFs), units of multi-national corporations, science, business and hi-tech or information technology parks.

In the utility sector, there will be water and sewage treatment plants, power plants or sub-stations, telecommunication centres etc. Roads conforming to international standards will be laid within the SEZ. Trees, shrubs and flowers will find a place in the landscaping.
Apart from landed housing, medium-rise and high-rise apartments will be constructed for employees and officials.

Amenities

The amenities to be provided in the SEZ will include a convention centre, meeting and conference facilities, hotels, trade offices, banking and postal services, training facilities to upgrade workers' skills, management development centre, food and retail outlets, world-class medical centre, information centre and library, an international school, kindergartens and crèches.

Apart from offices for IT or telecommunications-enabled services, the commercial sector will have dining, retail and entertainment facilities. Recreational services will have clubs, community centres, tennis courts, swimming pools and a golf course. The hillocks on this sprawling land will be developed further to make the entire premises more attractive. :)

Land utilisation pattern

The land acquired for the SEZ will be developed in the following pattern: industrial purpose - 28.30 per cent; residential - 23.20 per cent; commercial - 2.70 per cent; custom check-point - 0.90 per cent; institutional - 3.40 per cent; sports and recreation - 9.30 per cent; reserve site - 2.40 per cent; green/open space -11.50 per cent; pond - 3.40 per cent; utilities - 3.50 per cent and roads - 11.40 per cent.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/18/stories/2007011809200400.htm

I've uploaded a few pics from Sriperumbudur taken by BRF member Laks, in a new gallery on my site: Sriperumbudur SEZ (http://surajsphotos.fotopic.net/c1266009.html).

Township mania catches up with other parts of TN
:cheers:
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CHENNAI: Two mega townships with world-class facilities will be set up in Coimbatore and Kancheepuram at an estimated cost of Rs. 20,000 crore.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by S. Ramasundaram, TIDCO Chairman and Managing Director, on behalf of the State, and Khater Massaad, Chief Executive Officer of the Ras al Khaimah Investment Authority, on behalf of the Government of Ras al Khaimah (UAE), in the presence of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi here on Saturday.

Golf course


The Coimbatore project will come up on 1000 acres and will have an Information Technology Special Economic Zone supported by an integrated feeder township. The township will also have a golf course, shopping malls, resort hotel, health spa and single and multiple family homes matching up to international standards.

The township, expected to be completed in five years, will have about 5 million sq.ft of IT space and is expected to generate employment for over 50,000 persons.

Marina project


The 500-acre Kadalur Marina project in Kancheepuram district will have water sports, leisure entertainment, high-end residential facilities and a world-class golf course. It will provide employment to over 15,000 people. Land for projects is being purchased directly by the promoters.

Electricity Minister N. Veerasamy, Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathi, Finance Secretary K. Gnanadesikan, and Industries Secretary Shaktikanta Das were present.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/29/stories/2007042904060400.htm

Repeat post from Chennai thread ..
TN's software exports race past Rs 20,000-crore mark in 2006-07..
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1990148.cms?epape

Manipal Hospital to foray into TN's healthcare scene

KARNATAKA-based Manipal Hospital has made its maiden entry into Tamil Nadu's booming healthcare scene. The mega brand has entered into a 25-year lease arrangement with Providence Speciality Hospitals, Salem, to which Manipal would lend its management expertise.
The less-than-one-year-old 150-bed Providence Hospitals in the tier-II city of Tamil Nadu will be rechristened as Manipal Hospital and operated by Manipal group. "We have been expanding the chain of hospitals in view of the surging patient population from the adjoining state," Manipal Hospital new business opportunity senior VP Harinarayan Sharma said, adding the arrangement materialised, following its scouting efforts in places like Salem, Coimbatore, Madurai and Chennai.
The group has a mirror-image arrangement in Vijayawada , where Soumya hospital has been renamed as Manipal Hospital. "The design and plan of Providence suited our requirements . The hospital needs doctors and infrastructure like a cathlab. A big brand like ours can bridge the gap, as our aim is to upgrade skills and equipment as and when required ," he added.
"We will sink our teeth into it. Owing to our name and repute , finding fresh talent and doctors will not be a problem," he said, adding that it was a monthly payment arrangement , when asked about the financial details.
Providence Speciality managing director T Gnanasekaran, after signing the pact with the Manipal Group on Friday told ET, "The tertiary care facilities are not available to the people of this town. We have been looking for bigger groups to formalise a joint venture that would be mutually beneficial."


http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Business__IT/Manipal_Hospital_to_foray_into_TNs_healthcare_scene_/articleshow/1972149.cms

India taps into wind power

India is the world's fifth largest producer of wind energy, and gets moderate winds during the monsoon period between the months of April and October.
Remote, exposed hilly areas in southern India and the central peninsula region have been identified as good places to set up wind farms.
While most of them are based in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, one of Asia's largest wind farms is based in the Satara region of western Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6612943.stm

Actually TN is the biggest producer of wind energy in India, but this article shows importance to Maharastra. Also worlds biggest wind mill producer is based in Chennai. ( NEG Micon http://www.vestas.com/vestas/global/en/)

http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/03/stories/2007050310550500.htm

...A private tyre factory would come up in Alathur block with an investment of Rs.1,000 crore.
He said that a sum of Rs.100 crore had been sanctioned for setting up a ring road in Perambalur.

Under the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund programme, basic amenities would be provided in Ariyalur municipal limits at an expenditure of Rs.11.20 crore, and in Perambalur town on an outlay of Rs.7.56 crore.

The Collector, Anil Meshram, who presided over the function, said that with the steps for the implementation of massive programmes, including the Jayamkondam Lignite Power Project, the district would register rapid industrial development in the near future.

...

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/05/03/stories/2007050301031300.htm

Coimbatore May 2 Construction work on the integrated textile park under the Central Government-aided scheme of integrated textile park (SITP) project being promoted in Karur is likely to be started in two months.

"We expect the first instalment of upfront capital subsidy of Rs 4 crore to be released by the Centre over the next few days. Once this is made, we may start the groundbreaking working at the project site," said Mr M. Sivakannan, Chairman of Karur Textile Park Ltd, the special purpose vehicle company promoting the Rs 100-crore park.

He told Business Line that the company has already acquired 110 acres for the integrated park project, which is located 10 km off Karur on the Karur-Madurai national highway.

The company has appointed IL&FS as management consultant for the project. It has set an 18-month timeframe for completing/commissioning the project.

The park proposes to have about 200 weaving machines.

There are 45 members who have invested in the project, which is intended to be developed as a modern textile park exclusively for manufacture of home textile products.



The park is likely to see a cumulative investment of around Rs 300 crore.

Repeat post from Chennai thread ..
TN's software exports race past Rs 20,000-crore mark in 2006-07..
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1990148.cms?epape

Any news feed about the present ranking of TN in IT export in India? Chennai seperately?

More infrastructural development in Kodaikanal

Dindigul, May 3. (PTI): The hill station of Kodaikanal would receive a face lift after its infrastructural facilities were developed at a cost of Rs 1.4 crore, Dindigul District Administration officials said on Wednesday.
According to officials, the Bryant Park would be further developed and a tank would be dug to set up a musical fountain in the park. Another fountain would be set up at Bharatha Matha Park and more flower plants would be raised. Besides the existing 752 varieties of rose plants, 126 new varieties would be grown this year.
The glass room has been renovated by introducing new plants and modern toilet facilities would be provided at a cost of Rs 32 lakh. More lights would be installed to make the park more attractive, officials said. The Kodaikanal hill station was overflowing with foreign tourists, they added.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/004200705030310.htm

Sericulture development activities to be taken up in TN

Chennai, May 3. (PTI): Sericulture development activities to the tune of Rs 15 crore will be taken up in Tamil Nadu with the State and Central Governments sharing the expenditure, State Minister for Khadi K Ramachandran informed the Assembly on Wednesday. This included the cultivation of mulberry on an additional 10,000 acres to the existing 25,107 acres, he said replying to the discussion on demands for grants for the Sericulture Department here.
Construction of rearing sheds and establishing multi-end reeling units will be taken up as part of the development works, he added. "The Central Silk Board has given sanction to establish one Automatic Reeling Unit at Gobichettypalayam at a cost of Rs 2.8 crore, and the Board will grant a sum of Rs 50 lakh for this purpose," he said.
Further, revival of closed units in the Government, co-operative and private sectors and expansion of existing units was also proposed, he added. Announcing a Health Insurance Scheme Cover for Artisans in the handicraft sector, Ramachandran said the premium amount of Rs 200 will be shared by the LIC Social Welfare Development Fund (Rs 100), Government of India (Rs 60) and the Tamil Nadu Government (Rs 40). "Artisans covered under the scheme will be eligible for Rs 30,000 in the case of a natural death and Rs 60,000 in the case of an accidental death," he said.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/004200705030313.htm

L&T-Mitsuibhishi-Toshiba combine considering Coimbatore for their green field Super Critical Power plant manufacturing facility as per Sun TV. The actual Tamil word used is ' Uthesam'!

Murugappa Group joins the $2-billion revenue club
K.T. Jaganathan

Chennai, May. 8: The Murugappa Group is the latest to join the $2-billion revenue club. The Group has reported a turnover of Rs.8,446 crores for 2006-07, up by 15 per cent over the previous year. The profit before tax (PBT), at Rs. 649 crores, has grown by 10 per cent. A. Vellayan, Vice-Chairman and Director (Strategy), said though the Group had breached the $2 billion revenue-mark, he ``is not satisfied with the top line growth of 15 per cent.'' Going by PBT yardstick, however, ``the performance was reasonable,'' he added.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, he termed 2006-07 as a `year of mixed fortune for the Group.'' Ideally, the Group should have grown more than double the GDP (gross domestic product), he felt.
According to him, the unsatisfactory growth in top line was caused by a couple of factors. In the case of fertilizer, New Delhi was neither increasing the MRP (maximum retail price) nor disbursing the subsidy in time. With interest rate going up, this was having its own impact on the Group. Mr. Vellayan said the Group had an outstanding subsidy claim to the tune of Rs.500-600 crores from the Centre, he added. Mr. Vellayan wanted the fertilizer subsidy to be revisited to include micronutrients into the scheme. The current subsidy scheme depended heavily on cheaper urea. In this context, he said the subsidy scheme should take into account soil-specific fertiliser after due process of testing.
He also informed presspersons that it had become increasingly un-remunerative to produce sugar in the State. In this context, he pointed out that ``most sugar units in the State are selling below cost.'' Mr. Vellayan called for fresh policy thinking on the part of the State Government, which allowed export of molasses, blending of ethanol with petrol and grant of export subsidy. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Governments had adopted proactive policies on the sugar front, he said.
Answering a range of questions, Mr. Vellayan said the Group had drawn up a Rs.1,000-crore capital expenditure programme for the current year. During 2006-07, the Group's capex was Rs.480 crores. Out of the Rs.1,000-crore capex plan, the investment by EID Parrys would be around Rs.350 crore, Carborundaum Universal Rs.150 crores, Tube Investments Rs. 300 crores, Coramandel Fertilizers Rs.100 crores and Godavari Fertilizers Rs.100 crores. The financial services business would spend around Rs.100 crores. The Group's investment in Uttranchal would be around Rs.150 crores - around Rs.25 crores by Carborundam and Rs.125 crores by TI Diamond Chain and Tubes.
To a question, Mr. Vellayan said the Group would meet 50 per cent of the fund needs from internal resources. The rest would be funded through the debt, which would be a combination of rupee loan and cheaper ECB (external commercial borrowing). On the sugar business, the Vice-Chairman said the Group was confident that the branded sugar would contribute to around a quarter the Group's sugar business three years hence. Currently, it contributed just about five per cent of the revenue from sugar business, he added.
http://www.hindu.com/holnus/006200705081717.htm

Titanium - Di - Oxide Project

In the aviation sector, L&T in February signed a MoU with Boeing for "joint exploration of business opportunities".

Boeing also added that they are looking to outsource manufacturing of Titanium parts used widely in Aircrafts. A few years back, JJ Govt. announced that Tata's will be setting up a Rs 1600 crores ,60,000 tpa Titanium-Di-Oxide manufacturing plant in Tuticorin-Thirunelveli Dist. Not heard anything of it afterwards! Any updates.

The land acquisition and environmental clearance processes are in progress. The production is expected to start sometime in the middle of 2008.

http://www.tatasteel.com/company/investments_TamilNadu.asp

Titanium - Di - Oxide Project



Boeing also added that they are looking to outsource manufacturing of Titanium parts used widely in Aircrafts. A few years back, JJ Govt. announced that Tata's will be setting up a Rs 1600 crores ,60,000 tpa Titanium-Di-Oxide manufacturing plant in Tuticorin-Thirunelveli Dist. Not heard anything of it afterwards! Any updates.



http://www.tatasteel.com/company/investments_TamilNadu.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

JAMSHEDPUR, MAY 8 : Tata Steel, which is awaiting clearance from the Tamil Nadu government for around 1,000 acres it requires for setting up a titanium dioxide plant, has said it might go for production of titanium as well if the situation demands.
"The company will have to decide, there is nothing sacrosanct," said Dr S Asokan, chief of Titania business, Tata Steel.

After completion of prospecting and feasibility study on its titanium project, Tata Steel has now applied for the mining lease for a 55-sq km area.

"The moment the Tamil Nadu government agrees to it, we will start the land acquisition process, and will start commercial production within two years," Asokan said. "The company does not envisage any major problem in acquiring land as it is located in a backward area," he added.

The steel major's titanium project, to be carried out in two stages initially, needs an investment of around Rs 2,000-2,500 crore. It includes erection of a desalination plant as the source of water for the project.

During the first phase, the company plans to extract ilmenite, while titanium dioxide will be derived in the second phase.

Asked whether the company will be interested in extracting titanium, Asokan said, "We've not frozen metal extraction, our plan is to go for the metal ultimately."

"If you want to be competitive, you need to produce economically," said the Titania chief, adding that though power was a major cost component, one could reduce cost by being innovative.

Though extensive research, by way of pilot projects, is going on across the world, there has not been any breakthrough yet in terms of finding a cheaper technology for producing titanium which will be commercially viable as well.

Corus, a Tata Steel entity now, has already been into supplying a wide range of metal solutions used in major commercial and military aerospace projects. It can help augment the steel major's efforts at producing titanium metal, sources said.

Prices of titanium, available generally as titanium sponge and ingot, are on the rise worldover during the last three years. The metal, also referred to as 'future steel', is both lighter and stronger than steel, and is used in a variety of critical applications, including aerospace.

Defence sector PSU Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd (Midhani), which produces around 300 tonnes of titanium annually, is the only commercial producer of the metal in India.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=163617

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070509/asp/business/story_7753021.asp

New Delhi/Calcutta, May 8: Six states have submitted expressions of interest for PCPIRs, which are proposed production hubs comprising petro-chemical, chemical and petroleum units.

The states that are interested in these hubs are Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, Union chemicals minister Ram Vilas Paswan said while unveiling the petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals investment region (PCPIR) policy.

"The moment the Tamil Nadu government agrees to it, we will start the land acquisition process, and will start commercial production within two years," Asokan said. "The company does not envisage any major problem in acquiring land as it is located in a backward area," he added.

The steel major's titanium project, to be carried out in two stages initially, needs an investment of around Rs 2,000-2,500 crore. It includes erection of a desalination plant as the source of water for the project.

During the first phase, the company plans to extract ilmenite, while titanium dioxide will be derived in the second phase.

Asked whether the company will be interested in extracting titanium, Asokan said, "We've not frozen metal extraction, our plan is to go for the metal ultimately."

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=163617

If i remember correctly the MoU for this Tata Steel Titanium Dioxide Project was signed in June 2002 during the JJ period. Why is the government delaying or not acting fast when Tata is so much eager to get on with the project. When many of the projects in Chennai get started in a super fast mode, why is the government slow that too on a project in backward region.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070509/asp/business/story_7753021.asp

New Delhi/Calcutta, May 8: Six states have submitted expressions of interest for PCPIRs, which are proposed production hubs comprising petro-chemical, chemical and petroleum units.

The states that are interested in these hubs are Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, Union chemicals minister Ram Vilas Paswan said while unveiling the petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals investment region (PCPIR) policy.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.deccan.com/home/homedetails.asp#State%20to%20get%20first%20petro%20complex

The TN government staked claim for the first time to set up the PCPIR at Cuddalore and Karnataka wanted to have it in Mangalore
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Good decision to locate the project in Cuddalore as Chennai / Ennore is getting saturated.

If i remember correctly the MoU for this Tata Steel Titanium Dioxide Project was signed in June 2002 during the JJ period. Why is the government delaying or not acting fast when Tata is so much eager to get on with the project. When many of the projects in Chennai get started in a super fast mode, why is the government slow that too on a project in backward region.

In my opinion, TN is generally slow compared to other neighbouring states. If we take the example of petro hub, AP already has most of the land in pocession and all set to get the first hub this year. TN needs to be aggressive in this new economy. The telecom SEZ's near Chennai was fast because of Maran. We need more Marans from the state to speed up projects.

Italian Company Andaldo Caldaie in collaboration with GB Engg. plans green field Boiler Manufacturing unit in TN. Has acquired 17 Hectares of land at Tuticorin and production expected to start by year end.

The Textile Ministry has estimated that TN will absorb Rs 60000 crores in investment during the 11 th plan period and will become $ 40-50 Billion Industry.

TNPL to invest Rs 45 cr on a Mini Cement plant to utilise byproducts.[Lime sludge and fly ash] near their Newsprint plant.

TNPL to develop 0.5 Million Sq ft IT park at Ambattur.

Tidco to ink pact with GSPC and Gujarat Petronet for Gas exploration and Distribution after Reliance scheme is cleared by Centre.

TN women make the fine cut..

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/CompaniesA-Z/Corporate_Trends/TN_women_make_the_fine_cut/articleshow/2020315.cms



And thanks folks for update on Titanium plant.:)

TN plans Rs 1,300-cr export centre for electronic goods

The Tamil Nadu Government will set up an export centre for electronic goods. This will come up on 285 acres of land at Oragadam, to the west of Chennai, and will attract an investment of Rs 1,300 crore.

Announcing this in the Assembly today, the Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, who also holds the industries portfolio, said that the centre to be set up by the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu, a government agency, would create 23,000 jobs.

It would be in the vicinity of a high tech centre set up in Sriperumbudur, where companies such as Motorola, Dell, Samsung and Foxconn are putting up plants.

He said that the growth centre in Perundurai promoted by the Corporation would be expanded on another 1,250 acres.

An export centre for engineering goods such as pumps, motors and forgings would come up on 250 acres in Perundurai.


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/05/09/stories/2007050903362100.htm

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Carlsberg_A-B_wont_say_cheers_to_buys/articleshow/2030237.cms

Similarly, A-B, makers of Budweiser beer, could go in for greenfield projects in Maharashtra and probably in Tamil Nadu.

hell yeah!! :righton:

i hope Budweiser comes to TN!!

Budweiser is one of the most terrible beers that I've tasted. Even though I won't buy their product, I welcome the revenue they will bring.

Rs 77-crore sanctioned for road works in TN

The Tamil Nadu Government has approved execution of 28 road works in the State at a cost of about Rs 77 crore.

This follows the administrative sanction received from the Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways for carrying out the works with financial assistance from the Central Road Fund.

An order issued by the Highways Department Secretary, Mr K. Allaudin, said that the Government had accorded financial approval for Rs 77.70 crore for implementing the 28 works for a total length of 216.6 km. The Chief Engineer (NH) was asked to give technical sanction for the works within a period of 3 months from the date of administrative approval and the project should be completed within 24 months.


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/05/15/stories/2007051504902100.htm

A monitoring committee to inspect ongoing works in Tamil Nadu under the direct control of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi will be formed in the state.

The committee would visit all the districts to elicit the opinion of people on various ongoing projects and initiate action to expedite the works, besides ensuring quality, an official press release here said today.

It will be headed by T V Somanathan, secretary for planning and development and will have another officer of IAS rank and a District Revenue officer.

The Committee would act under the guidance and instructions of the Chief Minister, the release added. (Agencies)

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B352B9863-E625-4226-BAAF-A39AA2D4C015%7D&CATEGORYNAME=Chennai

Waterless, but odourless Urinals..

Can we ponder why our Technical Institutions never ever do research and development on such crucial necessities, cost effective, but suiting our need?

http://www.hindu.com/pp/2007/05/12/stories/2007051200140900.htm

Budweiser is one of the most terrible beers that I've tasted. Even though I won't buy their product, I welcome the revenue they will bring.

I agree..Heineken is a lot better.

MP

TN CM announces setting up of new greenfield airport (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/businessline/blnus/14221801.htm)


The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr M Karunanidhi on Tuesday announced for setting up of a new greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur and Tiruvallur taluks, apart from the expansion of the existing airport at Meenambakkam.

The expansion of the existing airport would be taken up at Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Kerugambakkam and Tharapakkam in Sriperumbudur taluk, Mr Karunanidhi told reporters here today after a resolution to this effect was adopted at a meeting of the legislativ e party leaders held at the Secretariat.

While the greenfield airport would come up on 4,820.66 acres, expansion of Chennai airport would be carried out on 1,069.99 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore, he said.

Mr Karunanidhi said that the work for both the expansion and the greenfield airports would be entrusted to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The government would provide suitable compensation to 947 households in these areas and also rehabilitation them.

The rehabilitation would be done in the first phase of the expansion work itself, he said.

The Chief Minister said all the parties, including the PMK, MDMK and the DMDK, had supported the resolution. However, the opposition AIADMK did not support the resolution. Mr D Jayakumar, who represented the AIADMK at the meeting, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister ''to reconsider the proposal as people in certain places have raised objections to the project.''

Mr Karunanidhi said land acquisition was estimated to cost Rs 1,000 crore. The construction would need an investment of another Rs 1,000 crore, he said.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/05/23/stories/2007052301060200.htm

On possible location, sources said that Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat are on the radar.

http://dipp.nic.in/fdi_statistics/india_fdi_index.htm

STATEMENT ON RBI’S REGION-WISE (WITH STATE COVERED) FDI EQUITY INFLOWS1 (from January 2000 to March 2007)

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/4894/fdiku9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It is interesting to not that almost 48% of the FDI are generated around Mumbai and Delhi

^^ . Can anyone explain whether the numbers for mumbai or delhi indicate the investments made in mumbai/delhi region exclusively or it includes the investments made elsewhere, but the company has a corporate office in mumbai or delhi and as a result the FDI goes to mumbai/delhi.How does this work.

ETA Star ties up with TN for township project

ETA Star Property Developers Ltd has entered into an agreement with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (TIDCO) to set up a special economic zone for information technology and an integrated township near Chennai.

According to an official press release, the joint venture company, ETA Startech City Pvt Ltd will invest Rs 3,750 crore for the 350-acre township with a 50-acre IT-SEZ to come up in neighbouring Kanchipuram district.

ETA Star is a part of the Dubai-based ETA Ascon, a Rs 16,000-crore group with interests in civil construction, infrastructure, real estate, shipping, automotive industry and building maintenance.

The project is to be implemented over three years with 175.30 lakh sq ft of built up space in the township with apartments, row houses, bungalows, shopping mall, car park, hospitals, schools, hotels and service apartments. The IT-SEZ will generate over 50,000 jobs.


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/05/26/stories/2007052601681900.htm

Tamil Encyclopedia for agriculture

Coimbatore, May 27 (PTI): Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is in the process of preparing an "agricutural encyclopedia" in Tamil, considering the history of farming in the State.
The prime aim of this assignment was to popularise the technologies of agriculture and allied disciplines among the farming community, students and the public, university sources said.
The work would be carried out as a collaborative venture with Tamil University, Thanjavur and this "milestone" effort would be of immense help to all the readers to understand the basic ideas and importance of agriculture, they said.
A standard accepted format for easy understanding by the readers would be adopted while preparing the encyclopedia, since subjects covered include agronomy, oilseeds, millets, agricultural engineering, home science, forestry, biotechnology, soil science and mircobiology.
A steering committee comprising university scientists to monitor the activities related to preparation of encyclopedia has been formed, the sources said.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/015200705271340.htm

Reliance begins exploratory activities in Cauvery Basin

2D seismic survey of the block completed
Water depth is around 1,200 metres
Area of the block is 14,325 sq km

After striking success in the Krishna-Godavari Basin, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has decided to move further south towards the Cauvery Basin for hydrocarbon discoveries. The company started drilling activities in its deepwater block located in the northern part of Cauvery Basin on May 15....

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/05/27/stories/2007052703090100.htm

We discussed about TiO2 project in Tirunelveli dist a few weeks ago. Remember the proverb 'the Palm fruit fell as a sparrow sat over it'... The TN cabinet today cleared 6000 acre, Rs 2500 crores Tata project.Good going!

State prefers MoU route for power generation projects

Tamil Nadu to reiterate its position at Chief Ministers' meet
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State has received 36 applications
Production of 46,000 MW planned
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CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu is to reiterate its position, at the Chief Ministers' conference on power sector to be held in New Delhi on Monday, for allowing execution of power generation projects through the Memorandum of Understanding route. Arcot N. Veerasamy, Power Minister, told The Hindu that the State received 36 applications, proposing production of 46,000 megawatts (MW).
"Our country even now requires one lakh MW more. To achieve this, the projects on the MoU route have to be taken up," the Minister said, alluding to the 16th Electric Power Survey's demand projects of over 1 lakh MW additional generation capacity to be added by 2012 to bridge the gap between demand and supply. [At the Power Ministers' conference in November last, Mr. Veerasamy articulated the State's position on the issue.]
The Union Power Ministry has called the conference to discuss a host of issues, including accelerated capacity addition, energy conservation and ensuring greater competition. When pointed out that the Electricity Tariff Policy did not permit the MoU route for development of independent power projects, Mr. Veerasamy said that when P.V. Narasimha Rao was Prime Minister (1991-96), his Government allowed power projects on the MoU route. He wondered why it should not be allowed now, pointing out that Mr. Rao was also from the Congress.
The Electricity Minister noted that after 60 years of independence over 1 lakh villages remained to be electrified. As for other issues to be taken up, the State would seek the Central support for power evacuation. The private sector expressed keenness on taking up transmission projects in the State. "We require Rs. 10,000 crore. We may ask Rs. 5,000 crore from the Centre," Mr. Veerasamy said.
Noting that the Ultra Mega Power Project would come up in and around Tirukuvalai in Nagapattinam district, the Minister said it would be established by the NTPC. Already, a few rounds of discussions had been held. The capacity of the proposed plant would be 4,000 MW. A minor port would be set up and the State Government would enter into an MoU with an Irish company.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/28/stories/2007052805650400.htm

Success story of rain water harvest at Viruthunagar

http://i15.************/6c626wp.jpg

www.dinamalar.com

Five Handloom Export Zones to come up in TN

Chennai, May 29 (PTI): Five Handloom Export Zones (HEZs) are being established in Tamil Nadu as part of initiatives to promote exports in the sector, Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Commerce said. While the State Government would provide infrastructure and land for this, the Centre will provide Rs 60 lakh for each of the clusters, he told reporters here today.
The five HEZ's will come up in Nagercoil, Virudhunagar, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai and Nagapattinam, he said. The first HEZ would be commissioned in Nagercoil by October this year. "The HEZ's would provide new focus for export of handloom and more jobs domestically," Ramesh said. Also, three new studios to improve designing are being established at Karur, Panipat and Kannur in Kerala, which are the three main handloom export centres in the country, he added. Ramesh pointed out that in 2002-03, handloom exports were US$ 540 million and current data was unavailable since the exports were integrated into different categories since 2003. "I have spoken to the Finance Ministry officials today to have a separate classification code for handloom, which would make it easy and convenient to generate data of handloom exports. This should be done by next year," he said.
On leather industry, Ramesh said Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar would be focus areas for the Council of Leather Exports (CLE). "CLE has decided to extend all support to these states to develop value-added leather products," he said. The next meeting of CLE would be held in Srinagar as part of this initiative, he added.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/006200705291968.htm

Heritage Tourism and Eco-Centric Resorts

Auromatrix Hotels ,the master franchisees for Days Inn Hotel is entering the space with three new projects under the "SPARSA" brand.

The 40 rooms Sparsa at Thiruvannamalai will be thrown open in July '07. It will have meditation hall,spa,rejuvenation centre, private plunge pool, and multi faceted 'Indian experience' !.

The Sparsa at Kanyakumari will have 50 rooms and

40 Sparsa villas will be built at Pitchavaram.

The management hopes to attract IT/ITES crowd besides Foreigners. ET

French companies probe investment chances

"Indian investments in France, now standing at $58 million, need to be increased" "Indian investments in France need to be increased"

CHENNAI: French companies have planned a lot of business activities in Chennai, including exploring investment opportunities, Jean Louis Poli, Trade Commissioner, Embassy of France, New Delhi, said on Wednesday. Several French business delegations would visit the city soon to take this interest further, he said at an interactive meeting on `Indo-French Trade Relationship and Opportunities Ahead,' organised by the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chennai.
Tamil Nadu offered a lot of opportunities in food processing, and Chennai was emerging as India's automobile capital. All of this triggered a lot of enthusiasm about French businesses. Along with the U.S., Japan, China and Russia, India was being given top priority in trade by the French Government, he said.
India was one of the 15 most privileged trading partners of France, and the areas of potential cooperation were water management, power and biotechnology, said Joelle Rayet, Consul-General, Embassy of France, Puducherry.
The French had invested a total of $750 million in India, while Indian investments in France were only $58 million. This needed to be enhanced, she said. France was India's fifth largest trading partner in the European Union, which was also the second most important destination of India's exports, Somindra Hazari, executive committee member, SICCI, said.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/31/stories/2007053103970500.htm

`Consider Belgium a hub to distribute products in Europe'


TIRUPUR: A Liege-based Belgium Trade and Investment Agency delegation that came here on Tuesday to highlight the logistic and warehousing facility in Belgium told exporters to consider Belgium as a hub to distribute their products across Europe. "The cost of land and warehouse is cheap in Liege compared to other countries in Europe. It will save transportation cost as travelling time is less from Liege to all the European cities. We give a lot of incentives to the investors in Wallonia region," said Philippe Delcourt, Trade Commissioner South East Asia, Wallonia Trade and Foreign Investment Agency.
Mr. Delcourt suggested that the exporters create a common warehousing facility in Liege to distribute their garments across Europe. They could well avoid intermediary agents and own the entire supply chain. Michel Kempeneers, Head Liege Officer, Wallonia Trade and Foreign Investment Agency, said the Liege airport was inexpensive with easy access to major European cities and ports. "We have chosen your region because we are not looking for big multinationals. We look for partners because we need your new international dynamism and you also need our know-how, experience in logistics and European distribution and markets," he said. Mr. Kempeneers said Belgium had highly productive workforce with a capacity of adaptability and flexibility. He said by controlling the distribution in Europe, Indian companies could not only bring their own brands to the market but also increase their turnover by climbing in the value chain.

Welcoming the initiative by the Belgium delegation, Tirupur Exporters' Association president A. Sakthivel said the exporters were willing to have a warehousing facility in Europe.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/31/stories/2007053108960300.htm

TNHB goes for green buildings

Energy and water efficient features to keep cost in check

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The concept will incorporate energy and water efficient features
The Board will build a multi-storey office complex at SAF village in Koyembedu
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CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Housing Board will go in for green building by incorporating features that are energy and water efficient and will help to keep the cost in check , Managing Director M. Rajaram said on Saturday.
Addressing reporters here, Mr. Rajaram said the green building concept, which had caught up in the last five years, would make use of light-weight concrete material, heat-resistant glass, solar energy, thermal comfort, rainwater harvesting, glass-filled gazing and reflective coating. These features would result in less consumption of power and water.
Architectural design
The Board was planning to construct a multi-storey office complex, incorporating all these features, at SAF village in Koyembedu. The architectural design was being finalised. The complex would be given for government, corporations and private concerns, he said.
Cellular concrete plant
The Board would take over the cellular concrete plant at Ennore, which remained closed for the last 15 years. The plant would make cellular concrete using fly ash. The Ennore thermal plant had agreed to supply fly ash free of cost. Earlier, he inaugurated a seminar on "green building," organised by the Board and the Confederation of Indian Industries, Hyderabad.
Pleasing environment
S.C. Kumar, Advisor, CII, said awareness of green buildings was growing. They would reduce the energy cost by 40-50 per cent and water consumption by 30-40 per cent. They would use recycled and reusable materials. The green house buildings would provide a pleasing environment for employees, which in turn would improve their productivity. The day was not far-off when it would become an economic necessity for builders to adopt the concept.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/03/stories/2007060313190700.htm

Shipment of Train Engines to Angola from Chennai

http://i13.************/6c40m4w.jpg

Hogenakkal water scheme may be extended to Vellore district


Tirupattur: As Vellore district starves for water due to frequent monsoon failure, the State Government has called for a feasibility report to extend the proposed Hogenakkal Joint Water Supply Scheme to augment the drinking water supply to the entire district, Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin said here On Tuesday.
Inaugurating the Andiyappanur Reservoir Project near Tirupattur, Mr. Stalin said that the proposed Hogenakkal Joint Water Supply Scheme was initially meant to solve the drinking water problem in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts. There had been lot of representations from various circles requesting for extension of the scheme to the Vellore District. The State Government would call for a feasibility report.
Based on the report, the project would be extended to Vellore district. Mr. Stalin said that the State Government was determined to implement the scheme. At present the Government was waiting for funds from Japan. Bank officials from Japan had surveyed the scheme. The State Government would not hesitate to fund the project, if financial assistance from Japan was not available.
Stating that the DMK always stood for providing basic facilities to rural areas, Mr. Stalin said that he was determined to sanction funds for Underground Drainage Network to all the municipalities and corporations. The State Government had so far achieved various milestones. The All Village Panchayats Anna Marumalarchi thittam and All Town Panchayats Anna Marumalarchi Thittam were feathers to its cap.
The scheme aimed at providing basic civic requirements in all village panchayats and town panchayats. The Government, in its budget, had allotted Rs.2,500 crore to provide basic civic requirements to12, 618 village panchayats. Last year alone, the Government had allotted Rs.508 crore to provide basic civic requirements in 2,540 village panchayats. For the current year, the Government would spend Rs.607 crore covering 2,634 village panchayats.
In Vellore district, 150 village panchayats had been covered under the scheme at an estimated expense of Rs.20 lakh per village panchayat last year. A total of 2,681 development works were under various stages of completion. Similarly, for the current financial year the district administration had identified 150 more village panchayats to implement the scheme for which Rs.30 crore had been allotted.
Referring to the All Town Panchayats Anna Marumalarchi Scheme, Mr. Stalin said that during the current financial year the Government would spend Rs.50 crore to provide basic civic requirements to 140 town panchayats. Five of them were in the Vellore district.
Making a particular reference to distribution of colour television sets, he said even though the AIADMK criticised the scheme, the grassroots workers of the party were the main beneficiaries.
The Government spent lot of time and energy to scrutinise and finalise global tenders received to purchase the television sets. . At present 25-lakh television sets had been purchased. Each MLA constituency would get 10,000 sets. Public Works Department Durai Murugan said that the foundation stones for various reservoir projects were laid only during the DMK regime.
Mr. Durai Murugan said that the ambience of the Andiyappanur Reservoir site would be improved to make it as an affordable tourist spot for the residents of Tirupattur and Vaniyambadi. Further, the project would benefit farmers of Vaniyambadi and Tirupattur taluks.
T. Venugopal, Tirupattur MP, T.K. Raja, Tirupattur MLA, and Dharmendra Pratap Yadav, District Collector, also spoke.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/07/stories/2007060705040600.htm

TPL to set up $ 110-million petrochemical plant in Singapore
K.T. Jaganathan

Chennai: Taminadu Petroproducts Ltd. has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that its subsidiary company in Singapore is planning to set up $ 110-million petrochemical plant in Singapore to manufacture 1,00,000 MT of normal paraffin.
TPL, through its subsidiary, will pick up 51 per cent eqity in the proposed venture. Kuwait Finance House and Singapore's Economic Development Board will take up 44 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively.
A deal to this effect was signed on June 4 in Singapore, says a company notification to the BSE. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, and the Prime Minister of Kuwait, Mr. Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Availability of kerosene and reliable electricity have been cited as the reasons for setting up the unit in Singapore.
Negotiations are in advanced stage with the Singapore Refining Company for a deal to supply kerosene, according to the notification. Half the normal paraffin to be produced in Singapore will be exported to the company's plant in India while rest will be sold in the open market.
The demand for normal paraffin is expected to increase considerably and industry sources estimate that there will be a shortage of 2,00,000 MT each year till 2010 in South-east Asia and Asia-Pacific.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/006200706071651.htm

Pamban bridge to join elite club?

Railway officials to seek World Heritage Site status
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It is 2.06 km long and has 146 spans
A major attraction for tourists
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RAMANATHAPURAM: The Pamban Railway Bridge, the longest and oldest railway bridge across the Palk Straits, may soon join the list of World Heritage Sites along with the Nilgiris Mountain Railway (NMR) and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), as Railway officials have started collecting data for approaching the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to get the special status. The UNESCO declared the NMR and the DHR World Heritage Site in 2005 and 1999 respectively.
Built in 1913
The Pamban Railway Bridge, which connects the mainland with the Rameswaram Island, was constructed in 1913. The 93-year-old bridge is one of the major attractions for tourists visiting from all over the country.
It is 2.06 km long and has 146 spans. The bridge was constructed at a time when technology was primitive.
According to the railway records, the stones used for the bridge were brought by rail from a quarry 270 km away and sand from 110 km away. The viaduct was built in just 18 months. Nearly 5,000 tonnes of cement, 18,000 cft of crushed metal, 2,600 tonnes of steel and 80,000 cft of boulders were used for constructing the bridge.
The openable part is undoubtedly the star attraction of the bridge. It is named after Scherzer, who designed and executed it. It opens whenever ships want to pass the bridge. The Railway officials are of the view that it deserves the status of World Heritage Site.
J.P. Batra, Chairman, Railway Board, who inspected the bridge a few days ago, told The Hindu that he had discussed the issue with officials. "We need to check whether this bridge is the only one of its kind in the railway system in the world," he said.
It is not that the bridge escaped nature's fury. But it had withstood the 1964 cyclone that ravaged Dhanushkodi. Though several girders were washed away, the Indian engineers made it operational within a short time. Now, engineers have successfully completed the broad gauge conversion on the existing bridge by strengthening it but without altering the basic structure.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/11/stories/2007061102121300.htm

Port competition reaches subcontinental proportions

COLOMBO PORT is facing increasing competition from Indian facilities.

The southern ports of Chennai and Tuticorin are gearing up with plans to become major container transhipment hubs, with Ennore (near Chennai) to join them. Vallarpadam in Kerala is to have an international container transhipment terminal. Colachel in Tamil Nadu is being considered for a container terminal. And Tuticorin plans to have a new outer harbour with major focus on container handling.
Colombo Plans
Against this backdrop, the Colombo port, which is among the top 40 container ports world-wide, is investing over Rs 2,500 crore on a new outer deepwater harbour. It plans to become a major maritime hub in the region. Colombo, till recently the dominant port in the region, is facing increasing competition from Indian facilities, which are getting more container volumes thanks to the economic growth. Now, Colombo handles around 3 million TEUs against its capacity of 3.7 m TEUs. At the current growth rate, the port will reach full capacity by 2010.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority, through a funding from the Asian Development Bank, plans to construct a new outer deepwater harbour enclosed by new breakwaters to handle the next generation ships. The project will abut the current Port of Colombo.
The construction of the basic infrastructure will be followed by the building of three terminals in stages. The first terminal will be constructed as public-private enterprise on build-own-transfer basis, according to information available on the SLPA web site.
The proposed Colombo Port Expansion Project will be designed to accommodate vessels with an overall length of 400 metre, beam of 55 metres and draft of 16 metres. Each of the four terminals will have a capacity to handle 2.4 million TEUs per annum.
The Colombo port lies at the centre of the main east-west shipping route, which links the Asia-Pacific region with Europe and North America. Further, the short transit time to India creates an opportunity to access the expanding markets of the Indian subcontinent.
Port of Colombo had established its position as the dominant transhipment port for the Indian subcontinent by the mid-1990s. Its container traffic rose from 0.6 million TEUs in 1990 to 1.7 million TEUs in 1997. However, after 1997, Colombo entered a period of stagnation with traffic remaining at 1.7 million TEU per annum until 2002.
Indian cargo
The expansion at the Colombo port will not affect the Indian facilities, according to experts such as Mr N. K. Raghupathy, Chairman, Tuticorin Port Trust. The total container traffic of 5.4 million TEUs in 2006-07 at Indian ports is expected to grow at 12 per cent per annum the next few years.
This will taper off to 9 per cent in 2010 and 7 per cent after 2015. This forecast is based on "export growth predicted by authoritative forecasting bodies" and marginal additional container penetration. India handles 5.4 million TEUs, while China handles over 40 million TEUs. With the Indian economy booming and with no signs of China's growth abating, huge opportunities exist for transhipment of containers in South Asia. Tuticorin aims to reach the status of a regional transhipment hub by 2011-12, says Mr Raghupathy.
"I believe that Colombo, Tuticorin, Chennai, Vallarpadam, Vizhinjam and Colachel will all have their share of the transhipment traffic. The infrastructure creation at Tuticorin, Colachel or Vallarpadam is not only with 2011-12 in mind but also to meet the demand several years ahead." As per the National Maritime Development Programme of the Centre, India's container throughput will more than triple by 2011-12 from 5.5 million teus in 2006-07.
With 27 container berths (of about 300 m length each) available in the country, huge additional capacity for handling containers needs to be developed in major or non-major ports.
As Mr Raghupathy said: "The question is not whether there will be enough cargo, but whether there will be enough infrastructure to handle the country's cargo. Additional container handling capacity can come up only in the south in addition to the west and north-west."

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/11/stories/2007061100830600.htm

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/13/stories/2007061304070100.htm

.....The instrument transformer plant will see an investment of over Rs 100 crore and will employ around 300 people. This is the company's third manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu and the ninth in the country.

The Hosur plant is expected to produce high voltage instrument transformers up to 800 kV and medium voltage transformers in the 145-245 kV range. It will also manufacture line traps up to 800 kV capacity and condenser bushings for power transformers up to 400 kV......

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=24315

Tractor and utility vehicle manufacturer Sonalika Group will invest Rs 700 crore in the next three years on expanding capacities for tractor manufacturing and also for launching a new sports utility vehicle (SUV).

The company currently sells the Rhino multi-utility vehicle.

"We are looking at setting up a green field manufacturing plant in south India. We have written to the governments of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for the purpose," L D Mittal, chairman, Sonalika Group, said.

The new plant will see an investment in the range of Rs 250-300 crore which will have an annual capacity of about 40,000 units. The company will also invest Rs 150 crore to hike capacity at its existing plants to 80,000 units.

Mittal said the company has already started investing Rs 200-250 crore in developing a sports utility vehicle. The SUV will be launched after two years.

The company today launched an upgraded version of its MUV Rhino Rx, which is priced between Rs 5.85 lakh and Rs 6.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

State signs MoU with U.S. firm for setting up unit at Oragadam

Sanmina-SCI Corporation’s project on 100-acre site will provide jobs for 4,000
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sanmina-SCI Corporation, the U.S.-based electronics manufacturing company, to set up its unit in the hi-tech industrial centre at Oragadam with an investment of Rs.225 crore.
The MoU was signed by President Sanmina-SCI Corporation Hari Pillai and Industries Secretary Shaktikanta Das in the presence of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at the Secretariat.
The investment for this project was likely to rise to Rs. 315 crore and Sanmina-SCI’s spare parts manufacturers were expected to set up their units in the State, an official release said.
The Sanmina-SCI Corporation’s project to be set up on a 100-acre site would provide direct employment for 4,000 persons, besides generating indirect employment for 6,000 persons, it added.
Second hardware unit
The Chief Minister announced in the Assembly on May 8 that a hi-tech industrial centre would be established at the SIPCOT complex in Oragadam, the release recalled. This was the second computer hardware development centre to be established near Chennai. The Central Government had recently given its sanction for this centre, the release said.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/20/stories/2007062071410400.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/21/stories/2007062154850400.htm

Ranking reveals to what degree policies, institutions support economic freedom

CHENNAI: For the second time in a row, Tamil Nadu has been ranked first in the composite Economic Freedom Index (EFI). Gujarat occupies the second slot.

The yet-to-be-published annual EFI ranking for 2006 by The Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies (Rajiv Gandhi Foundation) in association with Friedrich Naumann Stiftung (FNSt) showcased the degree to which policies and institutions were supportive of economic freedom in the States.

During 2006, Tamil Nadu excelled over other states in 26 parameters. While ranking 20 states based on different parameters, utmost importance was given to size of the government, legal structure and security of property rights, access to sound money, freedom to trade and regulation of credit, labour and business.

Speaking on the theme ‘Tamil Nadu and Economic Freedom’, a conference organised by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, FNSt and TANSTIA-FNF service Centre, here on Wednesday, Faculty of Management Studies Delhi, Simrit Kaur detailed how Tamil Nadu scored over others to move from fifth place in 2004, while Gujarat continued to occupy the second place.

P.D.Kaushik of RGICS said all states had improved their ranking. Most of them showed marked improvement in terms of legal structure and security of property rights. But they remained heavily regulated.

According to the study, the amount spent on public administration by Tamil Nadu was low. The ratio of property recovered against property stolen very high; violent crime to total crime the least and regulation of business was less than the national average. Unorganised labour force was low compared to the percentage of organised labour. Power shortage was relatively low as power demands were met. Tamil Nadu ranked fourth in literacy and third in Human Development Index.

Studying the Index in a different context, State Planning Commission Member R. Srinivasan said it was generally understood that higher the taxes and public expenditure, lower was the economic freedom. “Tamil Nadu with its large non-farm sector was bound to have a high tax – State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP) ratio. In a harmonised tax system, reduction in tax rates to reduce tax ratio was also not possible. Hence, the higher tax ratio in Tamil Nadu could not be interpreted as less economic freedom. Rather, it facilitated higher social sector expenditure, increased human capabilities and reduced poverty, malnourishment and hunger.”

“The low size of unorganised labour force is construed to contribute to the economic freedom. But what is missing here is the absence of cartelisation, price fixation and asymmetric information in the market that are expected to reduce consumers’ freedom of choice,” he added.

nice avatar senty!!

:D

TN windmills resume after a day's halt

Over 3,400 MW of wind power generation came to a stop on Friday with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board asking windmill owners to stop generation. This was due to a fall in demand because of a drop in day temperatures.

Windmill owners said that the generation was restored on Saturday night but they lost about a crore of rupees an hour in terms of power generation lost.

Officials at TNEB, while not willing to talk about the wind power situation, said that the demand in Tamil Nadu has dropped by about 1,000 MW in the last two days. Earlier, the summer heat had pushed the demand for power to peak levels. The total installed power generation capacity is 10,098 MW.

The TNEB would now be able to use its surplus power to supply to the deficit States.

Ideal conditions

According to the Indian Wind Power Association, the electricity board had said that the frequency in the grid had exceeded 50.3 cycles during the week indicating that the total power generation in the State is more than the distributed load.

According to association sources, the order came at a time when the wind conditions were ideal for full generation. At the main productions centres in Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari the wind conditions are around 12-30 metres a second. Such conditions last only for about five-six months a year.

Windmill owners need to make the most of such a situation but lost nearly Rs 1 crore an hour now — on 3,400 MW total wind power capacity. The TNEB pays them Rs 2.70 a unit.

Though the TNEB has committed that it would take the power, whenever there is a surplus, wind power takes the hit first. While coal and water used to generate thermal power and hydel power could be stored for use later, wind once lost would mean complete loss for the owners.

`Supply to deficit States'

The association has suggested that the Board explore the options of supplying surplus power to other States. It has said that the surplus could be used to repay the power bought from Haryana and Punjab, during summer. (The TNEB had bought 300 MW power between February and May to make up for the summer demand and is to return 315 MW in the four subsequent months.)

The association has also said that TNEB could sell electricity to other power-deficit States, such as Maharashtra.http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/25/stories/2007062503641500.htm

TN will have 11 ‘Evening Courts’ from July 5

Monday June 25 2007 00:00 IST
CHENNAI: As many as eleven `evening courts' will come up in Tamil Nadu from July 5 to dispose of cases pertaining petty offences. They will function for two hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on all working days.
While Chennai will have four such courts, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli will have two each and Madurai, Trichy and Salem will have each one.
In Chennai, three courts will be inaugurated in Egmore Metropolitan Magistrate Court and one at Saidapet Magistrate Court. Magistrates and staff for ‘evening courts’ will be deputed on a turn basis every week.
A three-judge committee of the High Court, comprising Justice Dharmarao Elipe, Justice A C Arumugaperumal Adityan and Justice M Jayapual will monitor the functioning of the evening courts.
“We are inaugurating evening courts on a trial basis. These courts will be more like the mobile courts functioning in the city as they will only deal with cases which can be disposed by imposing a fine on the offenders/violators.
“We hope that outcome of evening courts' functioning and performance can be a main factor while taking a decision on introducting shift system in lower courts,” said a senior judicial officer in the High Court.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070624104322&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&

TN windmills resume after a day's halt
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/25/stories/2007062503641500.htm

This is ridiculous when the country has huge short fall. The Central Electricity Authority should have a computerised information on generation/demand live and should have systems in place to divert excess available to deficit region at a predetermined price per unit.

BTW, foundation laying ceremony for Thirukuvalai Thermal plant planned for next month. [Irish connection]

This is ridiculous when the country has huge short fall. The Central Electricity Authority should have a computerised information on generation/demand live and should have systems in place to divert excess available to deficit region at a predetermined price per unit.

BTW, foundation laying ceremony for Thirukuvalai Thermal plant planned for next month. [Irish connection]
We need more pumped storage power plants.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/26/stories/2007062652680500.htm

It has identified the success story of each State

PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG and IIM-B have been roped in for a study
Focus will be on skills development, affirmative action, promotion of sustainable cities

CHENNAI: As part of its plan to enable the southern States to achieve sustainable growth, the Confederation of Indian Industry will come out with an independent vision statement in January.

For this, the CII has identified the success story of each State so that it could be replicated by the others. It includes Tamil Nadu’s success in promoting Tier-II and Tier-III cities, Andhra Pradesh’s rapid strides in agro and agro-based products, Kerala’s growth in medical tourism Karnataka’s example of encouraging innovation and Puducherry’s livelihood enhancement. Consulting firms such as PriceWaterhouseCoopers (Tamil Nadu), KPMG (Kerala) and IIM-B (Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka) have been roped in to prepare a study that will involve all sections of society and will be applicable to all States, irrespective of the party in power. The CII will interact with its members, politicians, the media and schoolchildren before giving a final shape to the study.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, CII Southern Region Chairman and RPG Enterprises president and CEO Pradipta K Mohapatra said the rivalry among the southern States no longer existed. The southern region was ahead of others, so the focus was on going forward than comparison. Right now, the stress was on “Building People, Building India.”

According to Mr. Mohapatra, the main theme of the CII-South Region for 2007-08 will be, ‘The Southern Quantum Leap Forward’. The focus will be on skills development and employability, affirmative action, promotion of sustainable cities and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Referring to Tamil Nadu’s success in promoting Tier-II and Tier-III cities, he said: “Four years ago, no one believed us when we said Coimbatore and Madurai would be the next IT destinations. The export earnings from Coimbatore are $250 million and would reach $1 billion soon. A private builder is developing 1.2 million sq ft. of IT space in Madurai, and more than 50 per cent of the space has been lapped up by 10 firms. Madurai has the capacity to employ 10,000 software engineers.”

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/27/stories/2007062702342300.htm

Chennai June 26 The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, will unveil over 2,500 MW of power projects proposed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) on July 2 during its golden jubilee celebrations, according to the Electricity Minister, Mr Arcot N. Veerasamy.

Speaking to newspersons on TNEB's plans, he said that the projects to be unveiled are: North Chennai Thermal Power Station of 500 MW (a joint venture with NTPC); Mettur Thermal Power Station (500 MW); Kundah Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (500 MW) and Tuticorin Thermal Power Project (2x500 MW) - a joint venture with NLC.

It would take at least 30 months for these projects to be completed.
In addition, Tamil Nadu's share from the 2,000 MW Koodangulam atomic power station, expected to go on stream next year, would be 806 MW.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/27/stories/2007062702342300.htm

We see so much news on new power plants proposed, etc., - but not much in terms of improving the distribution and utilization efficiency. Do someone have any updates on any reforms taking place in that side. I am of the opinion that if we can improve the efficiency of utilization, transmission and distribution, we can avoid building couple of power plants. Recently, the Victorian state in Australia has mandated that every household/industrial unit, to have online meters that feed info to the authorities the consumption data. they plan to use this to take decision, like if a unit crosses a specified limit, then it will auto cut-off for a period, etc., - its time we started looking at such reforms.

We see so much news on new power plants proposed, etc., - but not much in terms of improving the distribution and utilization efficiency. Do someone have any updates on any reforms taking place in that side. I am of the opinion that if we can improve the efficiency of utilization, transmission and distribution, we can avoid building couple of power plants. Recently, the Victorian state in Australia has mandated that every household/industrial unit, to have online meters that feed info to the authorities the consumption data. they plan to use this to take decision, like if a unit crosses a specified limit, then it will auto cut-off for a period, etc., - its time we started looking at such reforms.
We also need to have peak/off-peak rates to reduce non-essential peak-time power consumption to reduce load on the power grid, which leads to blackouts/brownouts.

We as citizens need to be honest. The T&D loss in Tamil Nadu is 18% and at Delhi, it is 30-40%. Dishonesty level in North seems to be quite high. There is news that reduction of T&D loss by 1% will result in a saving of Rs 150 cr.

No one bothers about Power factor improvement. Most agri pump sets manufactured will hardly have 0.8 pf. People get 3*10 Amps connection to home and load them three times. Energy audit is hardly practiced in Industries.. So lots need to be done collectively.

http://www.chennaionline.com/

New Delhi, June 27: With better job opportunities and higher wages, states like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra are witnessing rapid urbanisation in comparison to Bihar and Assam which are least urbanised, a UN report said today.


"Urbanisation is happening due to natural rate of population growth statically coupled with the increase in the rate of migration in these states," UNFPA (India) representative Nesim Tumkaya said after the release of the report 'State of World Population 2007'.


In India, Tamil Nadu tops the list of the major states with 43.9 per cent of the total population living in urban areas followed by Maharashtra (42.4 per cent) and Gujarat (37.4 per cent), according to the report.

On the contrary, only 10.5 per cent of the population are residing in urban areas in Bihar while 12.7 per cent population in Assam and 15 per cent population in Orissa are living in urban areas, the report said quoting Census 2001.


India's rate for urbanisation is faster than the world and by 2030 it will be 2.5 per cent against world's 1.9 per cent, the report predicted.


Observing that migration from rural to urban will continue, the report said, the move is "driven by actual or expected opportunities to improve quality of life".


Dwelling on the "pull" and "push" of migration, the report said poverty and hunger, marginal land holdings, lack of basic amenities and unemployment force the people to move from rural to urban areas, expecting better income and job opportunities and standard of living. (Agencies)

http://www.chennaionline.com/

In India, Tamil Nadu tops the list of the major states with 43.9 per cent of the total population living in urban areas followed by Maharashtra (42.4 per cent) and Gujarat (37.4 per cent), according to the report.

I guess, sometime ago TamilNadu was standing second to Maharastra. This is a very healthy sign for TamilNadu for many other reasons.

The following report gives the inflation levels at major TN cities for the year 2006/07 in comparision with 2005/06 figures.

S.No-City-Inflation 2006-07(2005-06)in %

1. Chennai-3.6(3.5)
2. Coimbatore-5.9(2.1)
3. Madurai-3.1(2.8)
4. Salem-5.8(1.5)
5. Trichy-1.8(6.3)

While all the cities have seen increase in inflation rate, Trichy has seen a drastic decrease. Coimbatore has an alarming level of inflation rate increase, closely followed by Salem.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Article/2007/06/28/004/28_06_2007_004_002.jpg

Any reasons to why Coimbatore and Salem have seen such an artificial price rise while Chennai has only changed marginally ?.

I guess, sometime ago TamilNadu was standing second to Maharastra. This is a very healthy sign for TamilNadu for many other reasons.

Could be 5 years back. AFAIK, TN was the most urbanised state for the last 2-3 years.

I guess, sometime ago TamilNadu was standing second to Maharastra. This is a very healthy sign for TamilNadu for many other reasons.

It is not going to stop there. By 2015 TN is going to reach urbaization rate of 70-75%( which is comparable only to western world) and be the most urbaized state in India. But if you look at the current state of Affairs in TN, things are not very promising. No major initiative is being taken to improve urban amenites in Cities like Chennai, MDU, CBE etc. Even getting a new airport or a Metro in Chennai is an uphill task. Forget about second tier cities.
Without the right infrastructure, TN's urbanization is just a nightmare as we will finally end up with more bigger villages like Chennai

Chennai, June 30 Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS), one of the country’s larger infrastructure developers, plans to put up a 4,000 MW coal-based power plant in Tamil Nadu. The project would most probably come up at Cuddalore, sources in Tamil Nadu Government confirmed to Business Line on Saturday. The project could cost anywhere between Rs 16,000 crore and Rs 20,000 crore, it is learnt.

It is understood that the plant would run almost entirely on coal imported from Indonesia. The IL&FS project is one the largest among the clutch of ‘merchant power projects’ that the Tamil Nadu Government wants the industry to set up merchant power projects in the State. Merchant power projects are those that sell power to the buyer offering the best price, as opposed to selling to a committed, long term, buyer for a fixed tariff.

For example, the proposed ‘ultra mega power projects’ would sell electricity at a fixed tariff.

Recently, in an informal chat with Business Line, the Tamil Nadu Power Minister, Mr Arcot Veeraswamy, had said that the Government would like to see 10,000 MW worth of merchant power plants set up in the State. In addition, the Gove rnment wants another 10,000 MW of ‘MoU route’ power projects, where the state electricity board would buy the power.

It is understood that eight companies have expressed interest in putting up the merchant power plants, including IL&FS. Among those who have expressed interest are GEA Energy Systems, jewellers Kirtilal Kalidas & Co and the Chennai-based Surana group.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/01/stories/2007070151100500.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/01/stories/2007070154740400.htm

The Tamil Nadu Government on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cadbury India Limited (CIL) to promote cocoa cultivation under contract farming.

The MoU was signed by Horticulture Commissioner Jagmohan Singh Raju and Associate Vice-President (Cocoa Operations), CIL, K.P. Magudapathy, in the presence of Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugam here at a seminar on multi-disciplinary agriculture organised by the Agriculture Department.

Cocoa grows best in coconut groves as it needs shade. About 50,000 acres are expected to be brought under cocoa in the State during the next five years.
The MoU projects an additional income generation of Rs. 80 crore a year for coconut growers of the State.

It is not going to stop there. By 2015 TN is going to reach urbaization rate of 70-75%( which is comparable only to western world) and be the most urbaized state in India. Without the right infrastructure, TN's urbanization is just a nightmare as we will finally end up with more bigger villages like Chennai

Well said KVS. Without getting the right infrastructure it is of no use. Statistically it can be an acheivement, but on the ground it will be a different story. Still it is not too late to get it right and be a model state for the rest of the nation.

http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/20654/

Nod for three power projects (http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/10/stories/2007071060010500.htm)


Three power projects of 2,500-megawatt capacity have received environmental clearance.

The 500-megawatt Kundah pumped storage hydroelectric project, the 1000-megawatt, coal-fired thermal power project, a joint venture, at Ennore and the 1000-megawatt thermal power project, also joint venture, at Tuticorin have been cleared by the Union Environment and Forest Ministry, according to a source in the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. While the NTPC is the other partner in the Ennore project, the Neyveli Lignite Corporation is the other promoter in the Tuticorin project. Though there are a few issues to be sorted out, the source is hopeful of having them settled early.

The process of selecting the executing agency for the Ennore project is nearing completion. The NLC will go ahead with the floating of bids for the Tuticorin project on getting approval from the Centre. In the case of the Kundah project, the approval of the Central Electricity Authority is expected anytime, after which the TNEB will float tenders, the sources say.

The TNEB is hopeful of getting environmental clearance for the additional unit project in the Mettur thermal power station. As this year’s southwest monsoon is vigorous in its early phase, the storage of hydel reservoirs (excluding the Mettur) is now equivalent to 1,815 million units. On the corresponding day last year, it was 1,495 million units.

The sources say the rain in the last two weeks in the catchments has increased the storage sharply. On Monday, the reservoirs recorded an inflow of 47 million units against 25 million units a year ago.

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jul132007/national2007071212527.asp

Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu bagged the first and second places respectively.

New flyover coming up in Karur with six lanes (http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/14/stories/2007071451270300.htm)


The road traffic scene in Karur is all set to shift to a higher realm with the commencement of work on a new flyover on Thirukampuliyur Road junction.

Keeping in mind the future needs of an expanding population, the new flyover would sport six lanes .

Participating at a ceremony, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Project Director, M. Thangamani, said that the Union Minister for Shipping and Highways, T.R. Baalu, has instructed that all road over bridges, flyovers and bridges should be made six lane paths to meet future traffic demands.

In two decades

The National Highways could be made four lane carriageways or even six lanes highways in the next couple of decades.

Based on that, the new flyover coming up on the Thirukampuilyur Road junction would be modelled as a six-lane fly over, Mr. Thangamani said.

Important spot

Pointing out the importance of the particular spot where the new flyover was to come up, Mr. Thangamani said that from the junction four-lane National Highways would branch off to Dindigul and Namakkal, while the expanded highway to Coimbatore and the existing highway to Erode split at the spot.

The existing roundabout would give way to the flyover, he added.

V.C. Subramanyan, Project Manager of Madhucon Projects, that execute the work, said that the National Highway 7 stretch measuring 69 km between Karur and Dindigul would be converted into a four-lane road and would have, besides the new flyover at Thirukampuilyur, two major bridges across the Kodaganaru, 18 minor bridges, 12 under passes and 108 culverts.

The whole project, including the road works, bridges etc. was estimated to cost Rs. 330 crore and was scheduled for completion by April 2009. “But we hope to finish at least six months ahead of the slated time,” Lt. Col. Subramanyan said.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/14/stories/2007071451500100.htm

The success of Krishna Godavari Basin is most likely to be carried forward by Reliance Industries Ltd in its first exploratory venture in the Cauvery Basin. If initial indications are anything to go by, the company is expecting good prospects in its deepwater block located in northern part of the Cauvery Basin.
RIL had moved further south into the Basin in search of hydrocarbons in May and initial testing in the block has shown encouraging results, sources told Business Line.
The company had started drilling two wells in the Cauvery Basin block CY-DWN-2001/2. “Drilling activity in one of the wells has been completed and currently testing phase is going on,” sources said.

Once the tests are completed, the results would be sent for third party audit, and thereafter the company would inform the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), they added.

According to industry experts, testing is taken up only when there are indications of hydrocarbons in the well.

RIL had deployed two rigs in the block –— Deepwater Frontier and Actinia.

It had shifted the rig from the Krishna Godavari Basin. The rig Deepwater Frontier has completed the drilling activity and currently testing is taking place.

RIL is the operator of the block. Initially it was holding 90 per cent participating interest, with Hardy Exploration & Production (India) Inc holding the rest.

Subsequently, Hardy pulled out and RIL now holds 100 per cent interest. RIL officials maintained that it was still premature to predict the prospects from the block.




The area of the block is 14,325 sq km. The Cauvery basin underlies the South-Eastern coast of India and the North-Eastern coast of Sri Lanka. According to experts, it is a passive margin rift basin and several small oil discoveries in the onshore blocks have been made, the first of which began production in 1986.

State-owned ONGC has already tested success in the Cauvery Basin.

In 2006-07 ONGC had produced 0.38 million tonnes of oil and 900 million standard cubic metres of gas from its Cauvery assets.

http://www.livemint.com/2007/07/17011656/RIL-gets-lucky-for-third-time.html

Mumbai: Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) has reported a major gas find for the third time in 2007—this time in the southern-most basin on the country’s East Coast, the Cauvery-Palar Basin off the coast of Tamil Nadu.
With this, the company has found gas in all the three major basins on the East Coast where it is prospecting for oil and gas.
Confirming that the company had reported a new gas find, V.K. Sibal, the Director General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), said that he had “received a notification from Reliance Industries that they have struck oil and gas in one of the Cauvery Basin blocks”.
However, he refused to give further details of the find. An RIL spokesperson, too, refused to comment on the development.
According to people close to the development and who did not wish to be identified, RIL’s gas find in the Cauvery-Palar Basin is said to be in the region of 20 trillion cubic feet (TCF), bigger than the company’s find in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin where reserves have been pegged at 11.4 TCF by independent surveyors and ratified by DGH, the oil and gas regulator.
State-owned firms such as Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd and Oil India Ltd, which have exploration blocks in the basin, have reported gas finds, but these are in the region of a few billion cubic feet in terms of reserves.
RIL has already reported gas finds in the Mahanadi basin on the East Coast, and off the the Saurashtra coast in the last six months. While it has reported around 8.3TCF of reserves in its find in the Mahanadi basin, the Saurashtra find is yet to be quantified.
RIL has four blocks in the Cauvery–Palar basin with a total acreage of 41,770 sq. km. In March this year, RIL sought a two-year moratorium from DGH on exploration work in three of the blocks, citing a shortage of oil rigs; it simultaneously sought an extension of the first phase of exploration on the fourth one.
RIL currently has three rigs operating on the KG basin for which it is paying aggregate daily rental of $2.5 million (Rs10.1 crore). One of these rigs has been moved to the Cauvery Basin.
Mint had reported on 15 July that RIL was exploring a tie-up with Chevron Corp. to undertake exploration in the Cauvery-Palar blocks.
P.M.S. Prasad, president of RIL’s oil and gas business had told Mint then that the blocks were located in “ultra-deep” waters of around 2,000ft and that the company lacked the technology required to extract oil and gas from such depths.

http://www.livemint.com/2007/07/17011656/RIL-gets-lucky-for-third-time.html

According to people close to the development and who did not wish to be identified, RIL’s gas find in the Cauvery-Palar Basin is said to be in the region of 20 trillion cubic feet (TCF), bigger than the company’s find in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin where reserves have been pegged at 11.4 TCF by independent surveyors and ratified by DGH, the oil and gas regulator.


Coolio!!!!!!! :banana:

Now how would TN benefit from this? Will we be supplied most of the gas or any job/investments?

Coolio!!!!!!! :banana:

Now how would TN benefit from this? Will we be supplied most of the gas or any job/investments?

common guys,
control yourself! it is not official yet. I think we should wait for the official news rather than jumping in joy, hearing rumors. Moreover I dont think TN has any rights over the gas since the find was made in deepwaters. Reliance would most likely pipe the gas to MH or Gujarat, while allocating a part of the gas to TN's industrial and domestic needs. Nonetheless, if the above news turns out to be true, it will be a big image booster for TN. Some of the Petrochemical/power majors who consider TN to be a non-entity would take a serious look.
Well ( sighs..) Its all in the hands of almighty.

^^ Its official now.

MUMBAI: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on Tuesday announced a significant oil and gas discovery in its first well in deep waters of the Cauvery Basin, in the East Coast of India.

This is the first time a hydrocarbon discovery has been made in the Cauvery deep-water basin.

“The success of the well CY-III-D5-A1 in the exploration block CY-DWN-2001/2 (CY-III-D5) marks the beginning of a new vistas for exploration in this basin. This well is located in a water depth of 1,185 metres and is drilled to a target depth of 4,081 metres and terminated in the crystalline basement,” P.M.S. Prasad, CEO, Reliance Petroleum, said.

The well encountered a clastic reservoir with gross hydrocarbon column of around 150 metres in Cretaceous section.

The presence of oil and gas with condensate has been confirmed by several tests including Modular Dynamic Tester (MDT) and Drill-Stem Testing (DST).

During DST the well produced 31 million standard cubic feet of gas with 1,200 barrels of condensate per day from the main zone, said Mr. Prasad, adding, “Another zone tested below the main zone produced around 550 barrels of oil per day with one million standard cubic feet of gas.”

This discovery, namely ‘Dhirubhai-35,’ has been notified to the Government and the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.

The deep-water block CY-DWN-2001/2 (CY-III-D5) located in the Cauvery Basin, with an area of 14,325 sq. km., was awarded to RIL under the bidding round of NELP III. RIL holds a 100 per cent participating interest in this block.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/18/stories/2007071856491800.htm

^^ Its official now.



http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/18/stories/2007071856491800.htm


http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/RIL_puts_Cauvery_basin_on_hydrocarbon_map/articleshow/2212193.cms

“The Krishna-Godavari basin only flowed gas, whereas Cauvery flowed oil as well as gas. It will be difficult to compare both, but it is a good discovery. The estimates could only be ascertained after drilling more wells in this block.

The find is significant as it adds the vast Cauvery basin to India’s hydrocarbon map and raises the possibility of more finds as companies, including RIL, pour more men and money into the search.

IT parks: TN forms panel (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/19/stories/2007071951832100.htm)


The Tamil Nadu Government has set up a a nine- member committee under theChief Secretary, Mr L.K. Tripathy to supervise the infrastructure development for IT parks in tier II cities in the state.

The Secretary, IT, Mr.C.Chandramouli would be the convener and Mr C. Umashankar, MD, ELCOT, would be its member secretary.

The Tamil Nadu Government has already sanctioned Rs 30 crore for the provision of infrastructure in these IT parks.

An order issued by the IT Department said that the ELCOT Managing Director had brought to the attention of the Government that the sites chosen for IT parks in Madurai, Tirunelveli, Salem, Tiruchi and Coimbatore were located outside the city or in the periphery. Most of them do not have roads, power , water and telephone.

If the IT parks were to be commissioned soon, the formation of a committee would help in the supervision of the infrastructure development.

The Government had already sanctioned Rs 30 crore for infrastructure within these IT Parks through Assistance to States for Infrastructure Development for Exports.

The IT parks in Tier-II cities required decent access roads from the nearby township area and also nearby habitations.

Plan for providing adequate water supply to the IT park area was to be made.

The capacity of the power sub-station has to be increased to provide adequate and quality power supply. The Government has accepted the proposal of MD, ELCOT.

GMR bags Rs 500-cr Tidco project (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/20/stories/2007072051961000.htm)


The GMR Group has bagged the Rs 500-crore project for development of the multi-product SEZ at Hosur in the bidding called for by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (Tidco).

According to sources in the know, GMR will promote a special purpose vehicle jointly with Tidco, the State-run industry promotion agency, to implement the multi-product SEZ. Tidco is likely to take an 11 per cent stake in the equity.

GMR Infrastructure Ltd handles the infrastructure projects within the GMR group. The company will handle the land acquisition directly through negotiations with the landowners. The SEZ is expected to come up on an area of 2,600 acres. The SEZ in Krishnagiri district, is about 90 km from the New Bangalore International Airport coming up at Devanahalli.

GMR Infrastructure promotes a range of infrastructure projects in roads, airports, ports and power through special purpose vehicles. The group has interests in agri-business through GMR Industries with sugar and related areas being the main focus.

It may be recalled that the Tidco had called for bids for both Perambalur and Hosur SEZ. The Perambalur SEZ was awarded to GVK Power and Infrastructure Ltd, which signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu Government earlier this month.

It has promoted GVK Infratech Pvt Ltd, a special purpose vehicle and wholly owned subsidiary to implement the project. Tidco is also in the process of implementing multi-product SEZs at Nanguneri and Ennore.

Reliance to build 3 highways in TN
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jul202007/national2007071913924.asp
... Reliance Energy Ltd (REL) on Thursday signed Concession Agreements with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for building three national highways, totalling 400 kms on NH-7, in Tamil Nadu on Build-Operate-Transfer basis.

REL clinched the deal, worth Rs 2,320 crores, through competitive bidding for the four-lane national highway projects under the National Highways Development Programme (NHDP) Phase IIIA in the southern state...

The projects awarded include a high-traffic density corridor from Salem to Ulundurpet, Trichy to Dindigul and Trichy to Karur...

The Salem-Ulenderpaet (NH68) project, having a length of 136 km... connects Coimbatore/Kerala to Chennai and eastern parts of Tamil Nadu. This corridor also connects NH7 from Bangalore side to Pondicherry and other eastern parts of TN.
cool. NHAI is doing good work.
URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/20/stories/2007072055120600.htm
Highways Minister reviews works
CHENNAI: Minister for Highways and Ports M. P. Saminathan on Wednesday reviewed the progress of schemes being implemented by his department with the Secretary and other officials.

Mr. Saminathan told the officials that Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had sanctioned Rs. 729 crore under the integrated road development programme for upgrading highways in the State. In the current year, the department decided to convert all single-lane highways in 16 districts into double lane.

In the first phase, highways in Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Coimbatore and Salem districts would be taken up. Reviewing the progress of planting saplings for avenue trees on highways , the Minister said they should be properly protected to make the programme a success.

Plan to promote industries in Tier-2 cities, south Tamil Nadu

R.K. Radhakrishnan

Funds allocated for infrastructure

Expansion of airports being pursued

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government will encourage new industries to come up in Tier-2 cities and in south Tamil Nadu to ensure uniform development across the State.
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, in an interaction with The Hindu on Thursday, said the Government had set apart sufficient funds for developing infrastructure in Tier-2 cities as well as the industrially-backward south Tamil Nadu.The Nanguneri industrial park was one of the many places which could be looked at by industrialists, he said.
Though not much work was done after the announcement of the development of an industrial park there, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government had focussed its energies on improving facilities in the area. These efforts would ensure that infrastructure was in place at an early date, he said, adding that the problems of low voltage were being addressed seriously.
“Once the 10,000 transformers are in place and the planned sub-stations are operational, we will have no voltage problems. We are at it,” the Chief Minister said when asked about supply of quality power to industries.
Road network
The road network was being given attention simultaneously so that there could be no problem in the transport of finished goods from industries. Also, in consultation with the Centre, expansion of airports in Tier-2 cities was being actively pursued. In fact, the State had an integrated plan to develop infrastructure across Tier-2 cities and the improvements were being closely monitored from Chennai by a committee headed by the Chief Secretary. These facilities would be in place soon and hence there was no need for industries to concentrate around Chennai, he said.
In fact, the Chief Minister talked about the need for industries to move to Tier-2 towns when the new team of office-bearers of the Confederation of Indian Industry made a courtesy call on him at the Secretariat early this week. They too agreed with his views that dispersing the industries across the State would ensure that the fruits of development reached all sections across the State.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/22/stories/2007072258390100.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/22/stories/2007072259560300.htm

Evacuation of wind energy generated from wind mills in Coimbatore district will be almost 100 per cent now as the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has created the requisite additional infrastructure.

A 200 MVA sub-station at Ponnapuram (near Dharapuram), four feeder stations and the required transmission lines are some of the works completed during the last six months at a total cost of about Rs. 39 crore to achieve this.

The Indian Wind Power Association organised a function here on Saturday to felicitate the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board for the steps taken to improve wind energy evacuation in the district.

At the function, the chairman of the board, Hans Raj Verma, assured the wind mill operators that investments in the State would yield better returns as Tamil Nadu had the potential for wind energy generation and the board would provide adequate infrastructure for evacuation of the energy generated.

The member (generation), S.Arounassalame, said that efforts were initiated last September to create the required infrastructure. The works were completed with the support of wind turbine manufacturers and wind energy producers. By the end of December this year he was hopeful of completing the measures taken up in Tirunelvelli and Kanyakumari areas too to achieve complete evacuation of wind energy generated in those areas.
The chief engineer of the board, Coimbatore, S. Shanmuganandam, said with complete evacuation of the wind energy generated in this area, availability of power would improve. The capacity created now would also be able to take care of the new wind mills that were expected to be installed in the district in the next one year. Another sub-station of 200 MVA at Palladam was likely to be completed by this October.
The association chairman, P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, said wind mill installations saw significant growth during the last two or three years. Tamil Nadu had about 50 per cent of the total wind mill installed capacity of 7,113 MW in the country. Of the 3,476 MW installed capacity in the State, 1,373 MW was in Coimbatore district. Wind electric generators should operate to the maximum possible extent during the windy season. Only with adequate sub-station capacity and transmission line capacity could there be full evacuation of the energy generated.

The association secretary, S.V. Arumugam, appealed to the board to supply power at competitive price to the textile mills in the State as the textile sector was one of the largest consumers of power. Frequent power tripping was a major problem faced by the industry, he said.

The association vice-chairman, K. Kasthurirangaian, welcomed the gathering.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/28/stories/2007072850481000.htm

Govt will facilitate creation of physical, social infrastructure

Chennai, July 27 ‘Puliyancholai at the foot of Kolli Hills – the lush green forests, gushing streams and cascading waterfalls, so spectacular’. Something from a tourism brochure? Wrong. This is from a Tamil Nadu government brochure asking IT companies to set up units in the State.

With Chennai running full, the Government is pulling out all stops to lure IT companies into other parts of the States. Chennai cannot take any more load. Already 60 million sq ft of additional IT space, or as much as 47 Tidel Park buildings, is proposed to be created in the city.

This is in addition to the large number of campuses coming up in and around the city. Siruseri alone would have 78 campuses, justifying the 6,000-apartment township coming up there.

Tier-2 cities in focus

The burgeoning IT population has, literally and figuratively, reached the city limits — and the State Government wants to push IT companies into the interiors. But in this effort, it has come up against a chicken-and-egg situation.

IT companies are willing to go to tier-II cities but the problem is lack of social infrastructure. But then, schools and hospitals will not come up unless there are people.

In a bid to break the jinx, the State Government has plans to offer, to both IT companies and the rest of the ecosystem, the one sweetener — land.

“We are telling the IT companies, ‘come first and you will get the land cheap,” says Dr C. Chandramouli, Secretary, IT, Government of Tamil Nadu. The idea is to get one big anchor customer, then the rest will follow. Likewise, for schools and hospitals.

IT parks are coming up at Madurai (indeed, two there), Tiruchi, Tirunelveli and Salem. (Coimbatore, like Chennai, is full.) In each, a township is thrown in.

Take Madurai, for example. About 240 acres of land that belonged to Madurai Kamaraj University has been taken up for an IT park. Fifty acres of that is earmarked for a township that is to be developed by a private developer, under the PPP-model.

In Tirunelveli, the story is bigger. Apart from the 2,500-acre Nanguneri SEZ, the State Industrial Promotion Corporation of Tamilnadu is planning a 500-acre IT park, again 50 acres of which is for a township.

The southern districts are a huge catchment area for talent, notes Dr Chandramouli. Just around the five cities, there are 136 engineering colleges and 555 colleges for humanities. Students from these colleges are today seeking jobs in Chennai. Give them jobs locally, and they will stick.

Lower attrition rates is a big lure.

Dr Chandramouli says the Government would facilitate creation of both physical and social infrastructure — but are the fish biting?

Honeywell Technology has set up shop in Madurai. Allsec Technologies is putting up a 200-seat BPO in Tiruchi. “I looked for convent schools, rather than engineering colleges,” says Mr Adi Saravanan, Founder and President, Allsec. In his BPO business, communication skills are of the essence and “communication abilities are formed in schools, not in colleges.”

‘IT preferred over BPOs’

Mr Phaneesh Murthy, CEO & Managing Director, iGATE Global Solutions, an integrated consulting, technology and operations company, feels that it does not make much sense for an IT company to go interior, seeking cost savings. For an IT company, infrastructure costs are anyway low. Manpower costs may be lower in Tier-II cities, but attrition cannot be avoided, because a good techie will relocate for a better salary. However, for a BPO it is the reverse. Infrastructure costs are high and a typical BPO employee will not relocate.

But the State Government would be interested more in IT companies than BPOs. After all, the State is climbing up the value chain in IT exports. Even as Tamil Nadu’s software exports grew 47 per cent to Rs 20,083 crore in 2006-07 over Rs 13,615 crore in the previous year, the share of products grew to 6 per cent from 3 per cent.

Dr Chandramouli feels that the trick is to get one anchor customer in each upcoming park and the others will follow — as was seen in the case of Coimbatore.

He points out that once you create good infrastructure, users will come, as Mahindra & Mahindra found out with their Mahindra World City in Chennai. It is just that one has to have patience.

TN setting up electronic hardware park (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/28/stories/2007072852722300.htm)


The Tamil Nadu Government has positively responded to a plea of the electronics hardware industry for an exclusive 300-acre block of land.

The Special Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Industries Department, Mr K. Rajaraman, responding to the demand of the Consumer Electronics & Appliances Manufacturers’ Association (CEAMA) on Friday agreed that the Government could earmark a 300-acre portion of the 2,000-acres it plans to acquire at Cheyyar. Incidentally, a 250-acre SEZ for auto components is also coming up at Cheyyar.

At a seminar on ‘Electronics Industry in Tamil Nadu’ held here today, members of CEAMA expressed interest in setting up units in the State and sought the assistance of the State Government, mainly, in land acquisition. While the units have not yet firmed up investment plans, it is understood that there could be immediate investments of Rs 300 crore.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/28/stories/2007072859050600.htm

The Government has allotted Rs.15 crore for setting up of a rubber industrial park at Chenbagaramanputhur in Kanyakumari district.

The preliminary work for the establishment of park would commence at the earliest, said the Tourism Minister, N. Suresh Rajan.

The Minister along with the Collector, Dev Raj Dev, inspected the proposed site for the park on Friday. Later, he said that land acquisition would be completed within a month.

As the Government had already acquired 140 acres, the preliminary work such as land levelling and project implementation would be started soon.

Since rubber was a thriving industry in the district, as many as 135 small industrial units had registered themselves with the Government. Manufacturers of rubber gloves and rubber-based accessories, companies, which tread rubber for automobile tyres were among the units that would start functioning in the industrial park.

...

The Coimbatore Municipal Corporation has drawn up a draft plan for projects entail-ing Rs 748 crore for developing infrastructure in suburbs under the urban agglomeration component of JNNURM.
The corporation has appointed consultant to prepare an overall report on the project cost and outline of the project to be submitted to officials of three municipalities and 23 town panchayats. The report was recently submitted to concerned members.
The corporation, being the nodal agency for the suburbs also called peri-urban areas, has drawn up schemes for over Rs 3,000 crore under JNNURM.
The consultant also made a survey of local bodies and came out with a list of basic requirements such as underground sewers, drinking water, solid waste management, etc.
Out of the tentative outlay of Rs 748 crore, road works take the highest share of Rs 200 crore. The other schemes include drinking water supply (Rs 40 crore), underground sewers (Rs 174 crore), solid waste management (Rs 63 crore), storm water drains (Rs 60 crore), slum redevelopment (Rs 83 crore) and houses for slum dwellers (Rs 120 crore).
The municipalities coming under the urban agglomeration scheme are: Kavundampalayam, Kurichi and Kuniamuthur. The town panchayats are: Chinnavedampatty, Kalapatty, Saravanampatty, Vellakinar, Thudialur, and others.

Problems with local farm owners is forcing Suzlon Energy Ltd to shift close to 150 MW of new projects away from Maharashtra to Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the current financial year, according to Mr Tulsi Tanti, Chairman and Managing Director.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/28/stories/2007072852360100.htm

Last Year I came across a news item that Thuthukudi,Tirunelveli,Viruthunagar and Coimbatore districts topped in Secondary school performance in TN beating Chennai dist to 5th spot. I believe HR heads too notice such data and bookmark.

Current news to ponder...

In the past two months, Tata Consultancy Services recruited more than 7,500 students from colleges in Tamil Nadu. A.K. Pattabiraman, Head, Accreditation Process for Southern India, TCS, called it 'the single largest recruitment drive in a State by any company in India.' Of the 7,500 recruits, about 1,000 were from the affiliated colleges of Anna University; 800 from the Vellore Institute of Technology; 550 from SRM; and 340 from SASTRA. The rest were from the PSG College of Technology, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore Institute of Technology (all three in Coimbatore), RMK College of Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Rajalakshmi College of Engineering, and so on. Most of the students recruited belonged to colleges in tier II cities and small towns such as Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Sivakasi, Thuckalay, Vallam, Kavaraipettai and Srivilliputhur.

http://www.flonnet.com/stories/20070810511810300.htm

Can we conclude that quality of education in Southern and Western districts is quite high?

The Coimbatore Municipal Corporation has drawn up a draft plan for projects entail-ing Rs 748 crore for developing infrastructure in suburbs under the urban agglomeration component of JNNURM.
The corporation has appointed consultant to prepare an overall report on the project cost and outline of the project to be submitted to officials of three municipalities and 23 town panchayats. The report was recently submitted to concerned members.
The corporation, being the nodal agency for the suburbs also called peri-urban areas, has drawn up schemes for over Rs 3,000 crore under JNNURM.
The consultant also made a survey of local bodies and came out with a list of basic requirements such as underground sewers, drinking water, solid waste management, etc.
Out of the tentative outlay of Rs 748 crore, road works take the highest share of Rs 200 crore. The other schemes include drinking water supply (Rs 40 crore), underground sewers (Rs 174 crore), solid waste management (Rs 63 crore), storm water drains (Rs 60 crore), slum redevelopment (Rs 83 crore) and houses for slum dwellers (Rs 120 crore).
The municipalities coming under the urban agglomeration scheme are: Kavundampalayam, Kurichi and Kuniamuthur. The town panchayats are: Chinnavedampatty, Kalapatty, Saravanampatty, Vellakinar, Thudialur, and others.

What is the per capita spending per resident? How does it compare with the global standards?

The whole amount, services envisioned, completion period is all too small and too slow. Poor vision indeed! If you are going to argue that better something than nothing, you are kicking yourself in the rear - though that's pretty hard to do :).

MP

State betters its record in windmill energy production

Tamil Nadu has bettered its own record in windmill energy production, emerging as the national frontrunner for the third consecutive year.

This year, the State has produced 3,250 megawatts of wind energy, close to 50 per cent of the national production of 7,500 MW.

The State’s tentative gross potential is 5,200 MW, which works out to 20,682 million units of wind power. Out of a total of 63,038 million units of TNEB grid consumption for the year, roughly 7 to 8 per cent comes from wind energy.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/03/stories/2007080352800400.htm

Cement Consumption

The explosive growth of the construction industry could not have been predicted, said S. Bharathi, Director, Regional Labour Institute, in his inaugural address. In Tamil Nadu alone over the next two years, the daily requirement for cement was likely to touch 40,000 tonnes.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/03/stories/2007080360300400.htm

Reality check for IT parks in 2nd and 3rd tier cities:
http://www.elcot.in/elcot_landrequirements_list.php

Reality check for IT parks in 2nd and 3rd tier cities:
http://www.elcot.in/elcot_landrequirements_list.php

In contradiction to the brouhaha, as usual, everything is in the sad state. Gr8 goin MK. :(

This has been already posted in this thread I guess....however, there is an increase in investment in this particular project!

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200708061440.htm
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/GMR_plans_multi_product_SEZ_in_Tamil_Nadu/articleshow/2258728.cms

http://www.newkerala.com/july.php?action=fullnews&id=51437

Erode weaving park work may begin soon (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/08/stories/2007080850252100.htm)


Promoters of the Erode Hi-tech Weaving Park (EHTWP), the infrastructure company of the powerloom park, have identified a 40-acre land for the project at Thiruvachi Panchayat in Perundurai in Erode district.

The land registration for the proposed park project would be completed within a month and the building work at the project site would begin by next month end, according to Mr Ka Marappan, Managing Director of the EHTWP.

SITP Subsidy

The Union Minister of State for Textiles, Mr E.V.K.S. Elangovan, accompanied by the Tamil Nadu Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, Mr N.K.K.P. Raja; and the Chairman of the Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council, Mr M.S. Mathivanan, visited the proposed park site recently.

The park is being developed under the Central Government supported scheme of integrated textile parks (SITP). When completed, the project would have 70 textile units, which would account for an annual fabric production of 17 million metre with an export earning value of $30 million. The total investment covering the spinning, weaving, garmenting and knitting facilities to be created inside the park would be about Rs 128 crore.

The park promoters stand to get the SITP subsidy of Rs 18 crore from the Centre.

Park Project

The State Handlooms and Textiles Minister had assured that the State Government would extend 50 per cent concession on the stamp duty payable for the park project.

Mr Mathivanan had sought reduction in power tariff for the powerloom weavers from the Minister, who assured that he would take it up with the State Chief Minister for its implementation. The District Collector Mr Udhayachandran told the promoters that he would convene a bankers meet soon to impress upon them for funding the park project.

The EHTWP implementation rests with IL&FS, which is the designated project management consultancy under the SITP programme.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries India on Thursday said it has invested Rs 50 crore to set up a new plant in Tamil Nadu's (TN) Vellore district to double production capacity in gear cutting tools.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/businessline/blnus/27091610.htm

TN retail venture for horticulture products

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/TN-retail-venture-for-horticulture-products/209396/

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/10/stories/2007081054620400.htm

Chennai: Small scale export-oriented units will have 250 acres reserved for them in the Special Economic Zones coming up in Nanguneri and Ennore, according to a senior official of the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO).

“SIDCO had asked for 250 acres to be set aside [for small scale units] in these SEZs and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has given in-principle agreement. We have made the same request for all the new SEZs coming up in the State,” said the official.

TIDCO plans to set up at least 9 more SEZs across the State.

The official said a number of small pharmaceutical exporters from Alathur had expressed interest in setting up units in the reserved area at Nanguneri SEZ, which contains a pharma park. Small export-oriented manufacturers in the Guindy and Ambattur industrial estates were also considering the offer.

While Nanguneri is a 2600-acre multi-product SEZ in Tirunelveli district, Ennore is spread over 2560 acres near the Ennore port, north of Chennai in Tiruvallur district.

The official said small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would also get some space in the estates run by State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) for large manufacturers. SIPCOT had agreed to set aside 20 per cent of land in all its new estates for the use of SIDCO units. This had been a long-standing demand of SMEs, who felt it would improve their position as component suppliers for larger manufacturers.

However, this would not apply to existing SIPCOT estates, and therefore, the proposed SIDCO estate in Oragadam would not be possible, said the official. This was one of the 11 new estates that the Small Industries Ministry had proposed for 2007-08.

The first SIDCO estate in Dharmapuri district is set for development after the district Collector gave prior entry permission to the site in Kadahathur on Thursday. The estate, which will be a cluster of garment manufacturing units, will initially be set up on 10 acres in Kadahathur with 50 more acres available for development.

A 724 km-long road would be laid at a cost of Rs 2,119 crore with World Bank assistance to link eleven districts of Tamil Nadu, state minister for Highways, Vellakovil Swaminathan has said.

The works on the road, starting from Arani in Vellore district and ending at Tuticorin, would be completed by the end of 2008.

Speaking to reporters at Virudhachalam in the district yesterday, Swaminathan said the land acquisition for the road has already started with an initial fund allocation of Rs 44.50 crore.

The construction of Rs 19.95 crore Salem bypass road, Rs nine crore Vellar river bridge, Rs 3.21 crore Mani Muthar river bridge and a railway bridge over Salem bypass road at a cost of Rs 2.48 crore were underway, he said.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Infrastructure/Road_connecting_eleven_districts_of_TN/articleshow/2270866.cms

^^
From now on, the State Highways dept should benchmark the quality of Road Construction to that of National Highways and must give tender to only leading construction companies. No more Party handouts!!!!

Rs.54-crore development works at tsunami-hit Nagapattinam port under way, says Minister (http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/11/stories/2007081160730600.htm)


Development works being carried out at the tsunami-ravaged Nagapattinam Port at a cost of Rs. 54 crore with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was in full swing.

The works would be completed by February, well ahead of the stipulated time, said the Minister for Highways and Ports, Vellakoil Saminathan, here on Friday.

Talking to media persons after inspecting port development works such as construction of north and south breakwaters and other infrastructure facilities, the Minister said that the State Government was laying roads for a total stretch of 742 km at a cost of Rs.2,119 crore under Tamil Nadu Road Development Project.

The scheme covered 11 districts — Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin.

All the works would be completed by March 2009.

The Government spent Rs.49.50 crore for acquiring land for laying these roads.

Bypass roads

In places such as Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam, Sirkazhi, Chidambaram and Arani, the roads would be laid as bypasses. Railway over-bridges were being constructed at nine places.

The Minister for Dairy Development, U. Mathivanan, and senior officials from the Department of Highways and Ports, accompanied the Minister during his inspection of development works at the Nagapattinam port and road works.

Kumbakonam

The Minister inspected laying of Arni-Tiruvarur road on Thursday.

Talking to presspersons at Kumbakonam, he said that proposals worth Rs. 220 crore had been sent to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for construction of Neelathanallur-Madanathur bridge across Kollidam, Vangal-Mohanur bridge, Muttam-Manalmedu bridge, Paramakudi bridge across the Vaigai.

Rural roads

A sum of Rs. 180 crore has been allotted for improving rural roads to a distance of 2,700 km. Land acquisition has been completed for laying a 3-km bypass road linking Thiruvidaimaruthur road and Tiruvarur road around Kumbakonam.

The Central Government allotted Rs. 224 crore for improving coastal roads damaged by the tsunami in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Swaminathan added.

Traffic monitoring system for TN cities

A state-of-the-art monitoring system is to be set up in four major cities of Tamil Nadu, including this temple city, to regulate the ever increasing vehicular traffic.

The system would be implemented within the next few months in the cities of Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai and Coimbatore at a cost of Rs four crore, police said here.

The state government has already given the sanction for the project, under which high resolution monitoring cameras would be installed at important junctions.

Micro-chips would be used to monitor patrol vehicles and satellite global positioning systems would be utilised to control movement of police officials, they said.

The system would have TV monitors linked to cameras. The traffic police would be able to know the situation in various junctions by monitoring the same and also advice the people on the alternative routes in case of traffic jam on a particular road.

Traffic violators could also be monitored using the cameras and notices would be sent to their homes, they said.

It would also help monitor the movement of anti-social elements.

Police would have the fingerprints of the criminals on their computer along with their photographs and if they were spotted by the cameras, they could be rounded up.http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Traffic_monitoring_system_for_TN_cities/articleshow/2273439.cms

Gujarat is top investment destination...

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Gujarat_is_top_investment_destination/articleshow/2279238.cms

http://www.indeconomist.com/cover-story.htm

Should the local community be denied wide-ranging benefits through handsome compensation, relief and rehabilitation and the community of the fruits of investment, employment, technology, skills upgradation, exports and improved quality of life because some ill-advised groups want to practise political one-upmanship and play vote-bank politics?..............
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...
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Promise to make barren land bloom

The Tatas' promise to convert barren lands into arable lands is itself a great gift to a community living for ages with salinity.

Tata Titania envisages a three-stage production facility together involving an investment of Rs.2500 crore. The first stage involves mining and separation of metal from the mineral sands off the coast near Sathankulam, 80 km from Tuticorin. The second stage involves the production of synthetic rutile, a base material for pigments. The third stage is the production of titanium dioxide. The project is to be completed in six years from taking possession of the site of about 10,000 acres from the state government. The MoU also provides for the export of ilmenite. Titanium dioxide is used as pigment for plastics, printing ink, paper, paints and coatings. The technology will be indigenous for the first two stages.

The mineral sand contains ferrous oxide, titanium dioxide as also garnet used in the abrasive industry. Tata Titania will have capacity for a 100,000 tonnes of titanium dioixide. The older plant using the sulphate process of Travancore Titanium Ltd. has capacity for 40,000 tonnes.

Tata Titania will be a fully integrated project that will set up desalination facilities for converting seawater for processing and drinking water needs as also a captive power plant based on imported coal. Located 12 km from the seashore, the plant will fully comply with coastal zone restrictions unlike some of the existing units that violate CZR norms by operating on the seashore.

The project takes care of the environment and relief and rehabitation needs. A World Bank expert has been put in charge to implement R&R (R&R) schemes. Project authorities claim that in the 10,000 acres selected for the project, there was not a single dwelling unit, religious place or cemetery. Wetland accounted for less than 4 per cent of the total area (345 acres). Only 10 per cent of the sand mined will be converted into minerals and 90 per cent will help back-fill the mines. Thus there will be reusable land.

Promise to make barren land bloom Interestingly, sea water will not be used in the process. This means the soil, after processing, will be moist with good quality water. It is stated that the present barren saline land will be transformed to arable land… this will improve the quality of the land which is presently acidic and barren with sand dunes. An estimate claims that the present dry land will have 30 per cent moisture content. The aquefer will thus get recharged and the present barren land, not being used for cultivation, will get converted into arable land.

I welcome this approach seen now in the evolution of mining projects. Developed countries insist on the institutions entrusted with mining to leave the mined areas a better place. Sadly, in India slaughter mining was widely practised with little responsibility displayed even by large public sector companies to attend to the revitalisation of the areas mined. I remember visiting the Rheinbraun mines in Germany in the 1980s where the company, entrusted with the task of opening new mines that involved shifting rail lines and even the course of a river, undertook to leave the whole mined area a much more beautiful place than when it took over. It was mandatory.

The Tatas have a reputation to care. Their promise to convert the barren lands into arable lands in itself can be a great gift to a community living for ages with salinity.

Even if one job per acre is created for such transformation, the 10,000 acres of land can help create 10,000 jobs! Company authorities also pointed to more than 60 sq km of additional land available for mining in that area.

With politicians and other political pressure groups jumping into the fray, land prices in and around Sathankulam have hit the roof. VV Minerals, aided by the previous AIADMK government, acquired land at around Rs.10, 000 or less per acre. Prices went up in course of time to around Rs.27, 000 per acre. Today's demands are in excess of Rs.500,000 per acre! Obviously at such prices the entire project economics becomes unviable.

The involvement of the state in land acquisition is necessary. Otherwise a few intransigent elements and rivals can block some portions of land in the area selected and thwart the acquisition of contiguous plots that alone can ensure scientific and economical mining. Like the Maharashtra government, the Tamil Nadu government can also retain specialist companies like Feedback Ventures to design an equitable R&R package as also involve them in the implementation of the schemes. Unfortunately, in the highly personalised and leader-driven polity in Tamil Nadu, there has been too much play of the subjective element that comes in the way of adoption of transparent and fair practices. What logic can there be in attempting to block a project for which the MOU was signed more than 5 years ago by the very leader?

found this article in the industrial economist...

A 724 km-long road would be laid at a cost of Rs 2,119 crore with World Bank assistance to link eleven districts of Tamil Nadu, state minister for Highways, Vellakovil Swaminathan has said.

The works on the road, starting from Arani in Vellore district and ending at Tuticorin, would be completed by the end of 2008.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Infrastructure/Road_connecting_eleven_districts_of_TN/articleshow/2270866.cms

Anybody can post the details of the project???? Route map...?

Traffic monitoring system for TN cities

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Traffic_monitoring_system_for_TN_cities/articleshow/2273439.cms
Hello, big brother! Hope the government doesn't use it for any illegal surveillance. *crosses fingers*

Anybody can post the details of the project???? Route map...?

Land acquisition for road project nearing completion: Minister

Acquisition of land for laying roads to a distance of 742 km in 11 districts under a World Bank scheme has almost been completed, Highways Minister Vellakoil Swaminathan said on Thursday.

Out of the 392 hectares required for the project, 356 hectares have been acquired. As many as 4,972 out of 5,644 electric poles have been removed. Out of 130 transformers, 113 have been relocated, he told presspersons here.

Routes

The roads will be laid from Arcot in the north to Tuticorin in the south covering the districts of Vellore, Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Perambalur, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin. The project is estimated to cost Rs.2,118 crore, the Minister said.

From Nagapattinam to Tuticorin, the roads will run along the coast. They will be of high quality, spur economic development and benefit the ports.

Bypass roads

Nine bypass roads will be laid at Sirkali, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam, Thiruthuraipoondi, Arni, Polur, Thiruvannamalai and Vridachalam. Nine railway over-bridges will also come up.

Bridges

The Highways Department plans to construct 581 bridges at a cost of Rs.419 crore. Out of this, Rs.160 crore-assistance has been sought from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for the first phase. With financial assistance from the State Government, bypass roads will be constructed around Ettukudi in Nagapattinam district, Thanjavur and Thiruthuraipoondi, he said.

Mr. Swaminathan reviewed the progress of various highways projects with officials.

Minister for Commercial Taxes S.N.M. Ubayathullah; Secretary, Highways Department, K. Allaudin; Chief Engineer, Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project, Balu; Collectors C. Vijayaraj Kumar (Thanjavur), Shambu Kallolikar (Tiruvarur) and Anil Meshram (Perambalur); and Divisional Engineer, State Highways Department, Periyaraj participated in the review.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/17/stories/2007081758570300.htm

Anybody can post the details of the project???? Route map...?

http://www.tnhighways.org/tnrsp.htm

http://www.tnhighways.org/tnrsp.htm

Here is the complete one.
You can see phase I is from Nagapattinam to Tuticorin,
phase II is from Arcot to Thiruvaru.

http://tnrsp.com/rdmap.htm

Land acquisition for road project nearing completion: Minister



http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/17/stories/2007081758570300.htm

Wait a minute, I thought the Nagapattinam to Tuticorin is already in progress,
(supposed to be completed by 2008)
Did the contractors default on the work ? (L&T, IRCON)

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/05/20/stories/2005052004220400.htm
http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/06/stories/2005050614760800.htm

Wait a minute, I thought the Nagapattinam to Tuticorin is already in progress,
(supposed to be completed by 2008)
Did the contractors default on the work ? (L&T, IRCON)

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/05/20/stories/2005052004220400.htm
http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/06/stories/2005050614760800.htm

yes, Nagai to Tuti ECR road is in progress, few weeks backs dinamalar reported that the work is progressing at a fast pace

yes, Nagai to Tuti ECR road is in progress, few weeks backs dinamalar reported that the work is progressing at a fast pace

In the below link you can find more information on the progress of Ramanathapuram to Tuticorin ECR as per the dinamalar report.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13886666&postcount=323

Gujarat is top investment destination...

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Gujarat_is_top_investment_destination/articleshow/2279238.cms

I am optimistic.....:) . I think we need more petrochemical projects to increase our FDI...

Tamil Nadu continues to maintain its lead position in attracting highest number of projects. In 2007-08, 157 new projects were sanctioned in Tamil Nadu as against 124 in the previous year. Gujarat, however, is a distant fourth in the number game with 86 projects (95) while Maharashtra bagged a higher number of projects during the year.

I am optimistic.....:) . I think we need more petrochemical projects to increase our FDI...

Tamil Nadu continues to maintain its lead position in attracting highest number of projects. In 2007-08, 157 new projects were sanctioned in Tamil Nadu as against 124 in the previous year. Gujarat, however, is a distant fourth in the number game with 86 projects (95) while Maharashtra bagged a higher number of projects during the year.

Gujarat and AP has some big ticket petro chemical investements from Reliance and ONGC (is it official in kakinada) that boosts thier number

Even Orissa and Jharkand would be in better shape if they get all those steel plants.

TN should pushfor petrochemical hubs in Tuticorin/Cuddalore/Nagapatinam
areas along with Ennore.

TN formulates minor ports policy

The State Government has formulated a new minor ports policy under which the private sector would be invited to participate in developing them.

The policy covers 16 minor ports in the State and any other port that might be identified by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TNMB).

The Government hopes that with the development of new ports with modern cargo handling facilities, many of these ports would emerge as transhipment ports for handling cargo in international trade with countries such as Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Madagascar and South Africa.

The minor ports covered are Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Rameswaram, Pamban, Valinokkam, Kanyakumari, Colachel, Kattupalli, Ennore, Cheyyur, Thiruchopuram, Silambimangalam Shipyard, Thirukkadaiyur, Thirukkuvalai, Punnakayal, Manappad and any other port identified by TNMB.

In an order dated August 14, 2007, issued by the Highways Department, Mr K. Allaudin, Secretary of the department, said that along the nearly 1,000 km length of Tamil Nadu coastline, there were three major ports and 15 minor ports that handled about 13 per cent of the total import and export of India in 2005-06 amounting to 74 million tonnes.
Focus on productivity

The Government felt that there was vast scope for improving the productivity of the ports and apart from handling cargo, these could be used for coastal passenger traffic and activities such as leisure and water sports also could be introduced. All the ports were fair weather ports and the draft of these ports could be made deepened through dredging. The Government was of the view that the potential of these ports should be ‘jointly exploited with the private sector’.

The objectives of the minor port policy were to increase the share of Tamil Nadu in the export and import activities, in national and international trade and commerce, to decongest the at Ennore, Chennai and Tuticorin so as to improve their productivity,, to create sufficient infrastructure facilities to handle 25 per cent of the country’s total cargo in Tamil Nadu Maritime waters, to provide facilities to encourage ship building, repairing, breaking and manufacture of cranes and floating crafts and so on.http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/18/stories/2007081850790500.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/22/stories/2007082256810100.htm
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It is expected to house automobile, engineering component makers

It will come up on 265 acres


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


PERUNDURAI: Industry and business, and the local economy in general, in Erode and nearby areas have great news: the Union Government is about to approve the setting up of a special economic zone (SEZ) at the SIPCOT industrial complex here. According to informed sources at SIPCOT here, the government has formally approved the setting up of the SEZ. It will come up on 265 acres in the northern and northeastern part of the industrial estate. A formal notification is awaited. The total parcel is expected to be developed as plots of 5 acres, 3 acres, 2 acres and 1 acre. The area will be fenced. Roads and street lighting will be provided. Water supply will be extended.

The SEZ is expected to house units that make automobile and engineering components. There will be other engineering units handling non-hazardous activities.

The SIPCOT sources said that even before the formal notification of the SEZ, enquiries from industrial units in Chennai and Erode had come in. In the larger SIPCOT estate area, only 290 acres of the 2,600 acres remain unoccupied. The sources say the number of enquiries is growing by the day. Many of the enquiries have progressed to the stage of setting up new units. The industrial estate has textile processing houses, tanneries, plastic industries and knitwear houses, among other units. Asked about the possible impact of the SEZ on the economy of the region, M.P.A. Mahalingam, secretary of the SIPCOT industries’ association, said it would result in further growth of the region. “We will have more small scale industries, catering to the needs of the industries in the SEZ.”

More industries, he says, means more employment nad more purchasing power, resulting in the overall growth of Perundurai in particular and Erode district in general.

R. Mylsami, vice-president, Erode District Small Industries Association, says it is a welcome sign. “More industries means more opportunities for engineering graduates from traditional branches, who will stand to gain a lot,” he says.

Tamil Nadu to establish tourist desks at hospitals

New Delhi, Aug. 22 (PTI): With many hospitals in the state offering world-class medical facilities, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) will soon launch a website on medical tourism to guide people seeking treatment.
"People across the country and even from Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Britain come to Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai and Coimbatore, for treatment. TTDC will host a website to guide them about hospitals and places of tourist importance in the state," TTDC Managing Director M Rajaram told PTI. He pointed out that affordability is the prime factor for foreigners seeking medical treatment in Tamil Nadu.
"We discussed the issue with the health secretary and officials from the Indian Medical Association and the formalities are being worked out," Rajaram said.
The TTDC will also assist foreign tourists with visa clearances. The corporation will also soon establish tourist desks at private hospitals to guide patients and people accompanying them. "These desks will be managed by the hospitals with guidance from the TTDC," Rajaram said.
Most people who come to Tamil Nadu for treatment prefer to go in spiritual tourism too. "We will make special arrangements for patients and their family members to visit temples and other tourist spots at affordable rates," he said.
The TTDC also plans to launch a "Freedom Tourist Circuit" that will offer trips to birthplaces of freedom fighters and places of national importance, he said.

http://www.hindu.com/holnus/002200708221030.htm

Seven more textile parks by June next year (http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/23/stories/2007082361070900.htm)


Seven more textile parks, which comprise units engaged in weaving, spinning, sizing, knitting and readymade garment manufacturing, are to be set up in the State by June next year.

Being established with 40 per cent funding support from the Centre, the parks will provide direct employment to about 20,000 people and involve an investment of about Rs. 2,000 crore.

At present, the Netaji Apparel Park, Tirupur and the hi-tech weaving park, Palladam, are operational.

An apparel park at Irungattukottai, on the outskirts of Chennai, is scheduled to commence its production next month.

A processing park at Cuddalore, integrated textile parks at Madurai and Karur, a hi-tech weaving park at Kumarapalayam and one more at Perundurai will begin their operations in nine months, according to an official source.

A hi-tech weaving park at Erode has been proposed.

Though this has not yet been recommended by the State Government, the official says the Government will soon forward the case and this project too will materialise.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/24/stories/2007082452170400.htm

CHENNAI: The country is expected to attract investments worth $40 billion in the information technology sector in three years, A. Raja, Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, said here on Thursday.

After attending the first meeting of the State-level IT Task Force, which was chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at Secretariat, Mr. Raja, who is also the vice-chairman of the Force, told reporters that the State would get $ 8 billion–10 billion. The investments would be in the area of hardware manufacturing and other components.
He handed over to the Chief Minister a cheque for Rs. 2.75 crore, representing five per cent of equity of the Coimbatore TIDEL project.

Future vision

According to an official release issued after the 90-minute-long meeting, which was attended by leaders of the IT industry, the Chief Minister reiterated his Government’s vision to forge ahead in the information communication technology (ICT) sector and become a leader in IT software as well as hardware manufacturing segments.

Noting that the software exports from the State had crossed Rs. 20,000 crore during 2006-07, he said the IBM had just announced the establishment of its global delivery centre in Chennai.

Apart from a large number of IT-ITES (information technology enabled services) special economic zones being set up in the State, no objection certificates had been given for putting up 61 million square feet of IT space in the State.

To ensure that the fruits of the IT revolution were spread to other parts of the State, the Government set up IT SEZs at Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchi and Tirunelveli. It was taking special efforts to strengthen infrastructure in all the places, Mr. Karunanidhi said.

Inviting members of the task force to give their suggestions, the Chief Minister said their inputs would be reflected in the new ICT policy of the State. Among those present at the meeting were M. Anandakrishnan, former Anna University Vice-Chancellor, Gopal Srinivasan (Confederation of Indian Industry), S. Mahalingam (Tata Consultancy Services) and M.S. Ananth (Indian Institute of Technology).

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/24/stories/2007082452170400.htm

CHENNAI: The country is expected to attract investments worth $40 billion in the information technology sector in three years, A. Raja, Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, said here on Thursday.

After attending the first meeting of the State-level IT Task Force, which was chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at Secretariat, Mr. Raja, who is also the vice-chairman of the Force, told reporters that the State would get $ 8 billion–10 billion. The investments would be in the area of hardware manufacturing and other components.
He handed over to the Chief Minister a cheque for Rs. 2.75 crore, representing five per cent of equity of the Coimbatore TIDEL project.

Future vision

According to an official release issued after the 90-minute-long meeting, which was attended by leaders of the IT industry, the Chief Minister reiterated his Government’s vision to forge ahead in the information communication technology (ICT) sector and become a leader in IT software as well as hardware manufacturing segments.

Noting that the software exports from the State had crossed Rs. 20,000 crore during 2006-07, he said the IBM had just announced the establishment of its global delivery centre in Chennai.

Apart from a large number of IT-ITES (information technology enabled services) special economic zones being set up in the State, no objection certificates had been given for putting up 61 million square feet of IT space in the State.

To ensure that the fruits of the IT revolution were spread to other parts of the State, the Government set up IT SEZs at Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchi and Tirunelveli. It was taking special efforts to strengthen infrastructure in all the places, Mr. Karunanidhi said.

Inviting members of the task force to give their suggestions, the Chief Minister said their inputs would be reflected in the new ICT policy of the State. Among those present at the meeting were M. Anandakrishnan, former Anna University Vice-Chancellor, Gopal Srinivasan (Confederation of Indian Industry), S. Mahalingam (Tata Consultancy Services) and M.S. Ananth (Indian Institute of Technology).

that's pretty ambitious......... meaning about 40000 crores of investment.,....................the government and it's task force would have to work hard to ensure it....

External Affairs Ministry to open Branch secretariat in TN

Chennai, Aug. 24 (PTI): The External Affairs Ministry will open a Branch Secretariat here on Saturday paving the way for the Southern States to have better liaison and interaction with the ministry regarding external relations, foreign trade, Foreign Direct Investment and cultural exchanges.
The Branch Secretariat will be inaugurated by the External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi.
Addressing a press meet here Thursday, Sumathi Ravichandran, Regional Passport Officer, who will also be the Director and Head of the Branch Secretariat, said the facility was an important step in ensuring, inter alia, day-to-day interaction with the nine Consul Generals, two Deputy High Commissioners and 28 Honorary Consul Generals located in the city.
The Branch Secretariat will advise the State government on issues concerning promotion of overseas trade and investments, facilitate visits of foreign Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Consuls Generals to the state, facilitate meetings of visting Indian Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Consuls Generals with local officials as well as Chambers of Commerce on issues relating to trade investments, cultural exchanges and other such issues, she said.
Also, it will undertake outreach activities aimed at promoting understanding of India's foreign policy, facilitate political clearances for state government delegation visiting other countries and co-ordination with state protocol for the visits of foreign dignitaries to Tamil Nadu, Sumathi said. This is the third such office in the country, with the first two in Kolkata and Hyderabad.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/002200708240310.htm

GOLD temple near Vellore.
http://i18.************/6bx7l7b.jpg

'Golden Temple' consecrated

Vellore (TN), Aug. 25 (PTI): A grand 'golden temple', built near here by a 31-year-old godman at a cost of Rs 300 crore, was consecrated on Friday.
Described by him as a "gift to the mankind", the temple, situated in a sprawling 100 acre plot at Sripuram near here, had been made with 1.5 tonnes of gold and taken six years of toil by hundreds of craftsmen and artisans.
Cradled by mountains and located about 6 km away from Vellore in northern Tamil Nadu, the Sripuram or spiritual park where the temple had been built on an area of 55,000 sq.ft was conceived and designed by the godman, who is fondly called as 'Sakthi Amma' (powerful mother) by his devotees. The 'kumbabishekam' (consecration) ceremony was held in the temple premises early on Friday morning.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/004200708250345.htm

NTPC plans to enhance Ennore project capacity (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/27/stories/2007082750950200.htm)


Even as preparations for the foundation stone ceremony for the National Thermal Power Corporation’s 1,000 MW Ennore project on September 5 are under way, the public sector power producer is planning to enhance the capacity of the project by another 500 MW.

NTPC’s Chairman and Managing Director, Mr T. Sankaralingam, told Business Line that the addition of a third unit of 500 MW capacity would help bring down the overheads of the project.

The Ennore project, a joint venture with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, will be put up with an investment of Rs 5,200 crore. The project will include a 200 million-litres-a-day desalination plant. BHEL will supply the equipment.

Cheyyur plant revival

Meanwhile, the company also intends to revive the Cheyyur plant, with an enhanced capacity. The project was conceived close to a decade ago for a capacity of 1,000 MW, but now NTPC intends to take it up further, perhaps even as high as 4,000 MW.

Earlier, the project was put on the backburner upon objections on environmental grounds, but Mr Sankaralingam said that the Cheyyur project would not face any environmental issues.

He said that NTPC was also interested in setting up an ultra mega power merchant plant. (A merchant power plant is one whose generation is not tied into a long-term power purchase agreement.) He noted that for a large-sized merchant plant, it was necessary to start with an anchor customer. There could be some short-term and medium-term contracts and a part of the generation could be sold on spot basis.

Wind farm

Mr Sankaralingam said that NTPC was looking at the feasibility of setting up a wind farm in shallow seas. (If this happens, it would be the first in the country.) He said that NTPC would set up a 200-250 MW ‘park’, going up to 1,000 MW by 2017. The park could house plants based on other non-conventional fuels such as biomass, he said.

New Ooty trains worth 2 crore

http://i15.************/62qll48.jpg

Source: www.dinakaran.com

IT parks: ELCOT plans to involve private partners (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/28/stories/2007082850992100.htm)


The Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) plans to involve private partners for development of some of its information technology parks in the State.

The State Government gave its approval for the proposal recently, according to C. Uma Shankar, Managing Director of the ELCOT.

SEZ

He told The Hindu that sector-specific (IT and ITES) special economic zones (SEZ) were to be developed in Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchi, Hosur, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli.

In Coimbatore, the Corporation was developing its facility apart from allotting land to a couple of companies.

New proposal

With the new proposal in hand, it planned to develop 50 acres in the Madurai SEZ, 50 acres in Tiruchi SEZ and 400 acres in the Tirunelveli SEZ through private partners.

The Corporation could allot land to individual companies or develop its own facility too at these parks apart from the one through joint venture.

In Chennai, an IT park was planned on 199 acres and the entire project would be through a private partner.

Technical expertise

The partner would bring in technical expertise apart from financial input. The ELCOT’s share would come in the form of land.

A joint venture company would be formed with the private partner for each park to develop it.

“This will enhance IT development in the State by taking up more projects,” he said.

Infrastructure

Further, the partner would have expertise in the field and would also develop the social infrastructure such as houses and commercial space at the park.

These were the benefits in having the partners.

Different models could be considered for development through private partner.

The ELCOT would float tenders soon to select the partners, he added.

Intel to provide content to TN schools

Chennai, Sept 3: Intel Technology India will provide internet-based content to over 1,800 higher secondary schools for student learning and training of teachers.


An MoU to this effect was signed between the Tamil Nadu government and Intel today.


Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Intel chairman Craig Barrett and Intel India president Frank Jones were present during the signing of the MoU.


Tamil Nadu has over 1,800 higher secondary schools provided with computer lab infrastructure. Intel will assist the government in rolling out an education content framework that could enable accessibility of education content to the students and teach essentials for teachers of those schools.


The company and the government would work together to expand the network to scale the deployment to connect several schools, government offices and health centres in the state.


Intel would also donate 500 PCs to government schools and assist in WiMAX connectivity for 50 schools in towns with WiMAX base station infrastructure, a company press release here said.


The company had trained 18,000 teachers across 11,000 schools in 30 districts and would continue its teaching initiatives. It had also invested in a tele health centre project for affordable and accessibility of cardiac and ophthalmic care in Villupuram district to benefit over 2.85 lakh people.


Intel, along with its partners, is investing in the pilot tele health centre project for cardiac and ophthalmic treatment at the Tindivanam taluk hospital, the release added. (Agencies)

Source:
http://chennaionline.com/

Sipcot to set up leather SEZ

In a bid to attract new investments into the leather industry, the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (Sipcot) is proposing a sector-specific SEZ for the leather industry at Ranipet, about 120 km from Chennai.

The project, proposed over 260 acres of land, is expected to attract investments worth over Rs 500 crore from international and domestic leather companies.

http://business-standard.com/economy/storypage.php?tab=r&autono=296748&subLeft=1&leftnm=3

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/National_hydro_electricity_policy_soon_Shinde/articleshow/2340660.cms

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/102692.html

Thiruvallur, Sep 5 - Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde Wednesday laid the foundation stone for two thermal power plants near Chennai.

A national hydroelectric policy is on the anvil, the minister said at the function at Vallur village, about 20 km north of here.

India had the capacity to generate 150,000 MW of hydel power but actually generated just about 30,000 MW, he added. 'The policy will focus on changing rules to boost production of hydel power.'

Shinde announced Tamil Nadu will get two ultra mega power projects, each of 4,000 MW capacity, at Cheyyur and Marakkanam, about 100 km south of Chennai, during the 12th Five-Year Plan Period (2007-12).
'The Cheyyur port, capable of handling 30,000 million tonnes of coal, will be used as a common port by the two power stations,' the minister said.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited has received the order for installing steam generators and turbine packages at the Vallur power project in Thiruvallur district in north Tamil Nadu.

TOKYO: French automaker Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan Motor announced plans on Thursday to open a new business centre in Chennai next year that will employ more than 1,500 workers by 2010.

The centre, which will be a 50-50 joint venture between the two partners, will support the two automakers' global engineering, purchasing, design, cost management and information systems operations.

Renault, Nissan and Mahindra & Mahindra are also building a USD 902-million factory together in Chennai

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/Renault-Nissan_to_open_new_business_centre_in_India/articleshow/2344500.cms

Kollywood goes the corporate way

Move over independent producers. The big boys of the corporate world are here to play, says Sreedhar Pillai .

‘Corporatisation’ is the new buzzword in Kollywood as traditional one-man producers are being replaced by corporates. This has helped the industry become more systematic and accountable.
Like the Hollywood studio system, Tamil cinema is slowly but surely going the corporate way with companies such as Pyramid Saimira, GV Films, Adlabs, UTV, Moser Baer, Ayngaran International and Ashtavinayak getting into production, distribution and exhibition.
Independent production houses in Tamil are on the decline, and the survivors are becoming line producers (who take care of the nitty-gritty of production) for the corporates! Recently, the Anil Ambani-controlled Adlabs entered Tamil films in a big way, when they jointly produced and marketed Ajit’s Kireedam, with Suresh Balaji. Now Adlabs and Soundarya Rajnikanth’s Ocher Studio are jointly producing Sultan - The Warrior, featuring superstar Rajnikanth in an animated version, to which he lends his voice.
The biggest success story this year has been Pyramid Saimira, which has 250 screens in South India, mainly in Tamil Nadu. It distributed Prakash Raj’s path-breaking Mozhi all over Tamil Nadu and made it a huge success, and now another offbeat film, Parthiban’s Ammuvagiya Naan, has got a theatrical release, thanks to Pyramid.
Says P. S. Saminathan, managing director, Pyramid Saimira Theatre Limited (PSTL): “We are trying to run Tamil cinema like a corporate, and make cinema viewing a family affair. We are also trying to promote good cinema, for which we have created a separate company. It will produce films and provide content to our theatres.” Now that they control the screens, they can screen their own films which have been funded internally. Mozhi, a slow starter, picked up following goo d word-of-mouth publicity. They are hoping to weave the same magic with Ammuvagiya Naan, which has managed to get excellent reviews in the media.
Says veteran character artiste V. Natarajan, chairman, PSTL: “Today, we produce a dozen Tamil films, big and small, and veteran producers in the industry are doing the actual production on a day-to-day basis, as line producers. There is a growing audience worldwide for Tamil films and with newer markets and the growth of multiplexes, Tamil cinema has become a sunrise industry.” Last week PSTL snapped up the world rights of Vijay’s forthcoming big budget Diwali release Azhagiya Tamizh Mahan, for a record price from its independent producer ‘Swargachitra’ Appachan.
Says Mahadevan Ganesh, chairman, GV Films: “Our policy is to build, own and operate whether it is production, distribution or exhibition. At the moment, we own and operate 10 screens in Tamil Nadu. We are converting the famous Thangam theatre in Madurai into a multiplex, and have also signed up with another corporate to jointly develop a multiplex on the ECR.”
Radhika Sarath Kumar and her Radaan Mediaworks are on a roll as they are through with the production of their new Tamil film Kannampoochi Eanada, directed by Priya.V. Radaan has co-produced it with the Mumbai-based UTV motion pictur es.
The film will be marketed through Pyramid Saimira’s network of screens. Says Ronnie Screwala, managing director, UTV, who is producing the movie in Bollywood: “We are gung ho about South Indian cinema, especially Tamil and Telugu films, which, we feel, are well-received worldwide.” UTV and Radaan have two more films in Tamil to be directed by K. S. Ravi Kumar and Gautham Menon and are also remaking Selvaraghavan’s 7G, Rainbow Colony into Hindi with Selva h imself making a debut in Bollywood. Vivek Oberoi will play the hero.
“Meanwhile, home video major Moser Baer has opened two exclusive showrooms in Chennai, as they want to ease the restriction on the release of new Tamil films (six months to one year old!) on DVD. Says G. Dhananjayan, chief operating officer, Moser Baer: “At present, there is a two-year restriction on the DVD release of a Tamil film; we are trying to narrow it down as there is a huge domestic market for Tamil DVDs. We are also co-producing Prakash Raj’s Vellithirai and Poo, a film directed by Sasi, and another one with Bhagyaraj which will feature his son Santhanu as the hero.
K. Karunamoorthy’s Ayngaran International, a London-based distributor of Tamil films, has recently tied up with Eros Entertainment, an overseas distributor of Bollywood films. Ayngaran is producing two big movies in Tamil – one a Vijay starrer to be directed by Prabhu Deva and the other an Ajit starrer, directed by Raju Sundaram.
Says Madhavan, who is doing two films back to back for corporates: “Corporatisation is a welcome sign for the Tamil film industry which is becoming very professional. It adds a lot more credibility and box-office performance to a film. It also works to the advantage of an actor like me, as payments are prompt and we are able to wrap up a film in less than 90 days.”

http://www.hindu.com/holnus/009200709110340.htm

ELCOT e-governance project test successful

The Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) has successfully tested the first e-governance project on its open source software in Tier-I locations of the State for the Civil Supplies Department.

This was the first time ELCOT tested its 100 per cent open source tools, including open source software desktop systems in an enterprise environment, on TN State Wide Area Network (TNSWAN).

http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/11/stories/2007091152320400.htm

http://www.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/pr120907/pr120907_576.pdf:banana:

//

The Tamil Nadu government today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Caparo Engineering India for setting up a Rs 40 crore stamping unit at the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) park at Nilakottai in Dindigul district.

Caparo Engineering, belonging to the UK-based Caparo Group founded by leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, has proposed to set up the unit in 20 acre land in two phases.

About 400 people, 250 directly and the rest indirectly, are expected to get employment at the unit, and the operations are expected to commence by October 2009, an official release said today.

N Govindan, chairman and managing director, SIPCOT, signed the MoU with Sunil Pahilajani, managing director and chief executive officer, Caparo Engineering.

Govindan signed another MoU with L Ramkumar, president and director of Fenner (India), for a plant to manufacture belts (V-belts and timing belts) at the same park. The plant is likely to be operational soon.

http://www.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/pr120907/pr120907_577.pdf:banana:

http://www.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/pr120907/pr120907h.htm:banana:

^^ The above links will not work due to those smilies at the end, the following are the working links.

http://www.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/pr120907/pr120907_577.pdf

http://www.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/pr120907/pr120907h.htm

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7BD6BB1469%2DBFC0%2D433D%2DA0DC%2D738701C03FA4%7D&CATEGORYNAME=TAMNA

:banana:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/12/stories/2007091251732300.htm
:banana:

Tamil Nadu plans Taiwan Economic Zone near Chennai

The Tamil Nadu government is looking at creating a separate Taiwan Economic Zone near Chennai.

The zone, spread over 500 acres, is planned to attract investments from Taiwanese small and medium enterprises, according to Tamil Nadu industries secretary Shaktikanta Das.

Das said the state government was exploring possibilities of earmarking 500 acres for the proposed zone out of two locations in Tamil Nadu — Tidco’s SEZ in Ennore and SIPCOT’s industrial complex in Cheyyar.

The decision to carve out a separate Taiwanese zone comes on the heels of increased interest among Taiwanese companies to invest in India, particularly Tamil Nadu. Taiwanese entrepreneurs recognise India as a powerful economic opportunity and are keen to explore investment opportunities here.

“While the big Taiwanese companies are encouraged to come on their own, the state government is keen to facilitate investments from SMEs in Taiwan by creating a special zone,” Das said.

The Taiwan Economic Zone is expected to attract manufacturers of electronics and hardware components, light engineering products and footwear components. Investments to the tune of $700 million has so far flowed from Taiwan into India. Gross committed investments in Tamil Nadu are now almost $500 million.

A CII report points out that Taiwanese investments in India have the potential to touch $4 billion by 2010. While the larger Taiwanese companies are beginning to make their presence felt in India, it is the SMEs in Taiwan that needed handholding.

Direct air connectivity between Chennai and Taipei is also being proposed to facilitate trade, Das said.

Taipei World Trade Center Co Ltd executive vice-president Walter Yeh said that earlier, Taiwanese companies used to be more interested in expanding to China, Vietnam and Thailand.

Now, a number of Taiwanese companies are interested in coming to India owing to burgeoning domestic consumption.

Taitra (Taiwan External Trade Development Council) has opened a 2,400-sq ft Taiwan Trade Centre in Chennai to disseminate global trade information to Taiwan’s enterprises.http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?autono=298271&leftnm=3&subLeft=0&chkFlg=

Tamil Nadu's software exports grow 46 pc
(http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/Software/Tamil_Nadus_software_exports_grow_46_pc/articleshow/2377822.cms)


Software exports from Tamil Nadu crossed Rs 2000 crore, an increase of 46 per cent over the previous year, state chief minister M Karunanidhi said here Monday.

He was speaking at the seventh edition of Confederation of Indian Industry's ICT event, Connect 2007.

^^ a poorly written article .....:ohno: ...the standard of The Economic Times has dipped over the years..........the export figures for TN are 20000 crores and not 2000 crores as written in the article......also moserbaer plans to invest 20 billion rupees in chennai and not 2 billion as the article claims...........!

^^ a poorly written article .....:ohno: ...the standard of The Economic Times has dipped over the years..........the export figures for are 20000 crores and not 2000 crores as written in the article......also moserbaer plans to invest 20 billion rupees in chennai and not 2 billion as the article claims...........!


the Tabloid of India would do well to concentrate on quality rather than sleaze. don't know when they'll learn the lesson:ohno:

http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/19/stories/2007091953240300.htm

A 100 per cent export-oriented special economic zone (SEZ) for leather finished products is to come up in Mukundarayapuram near Ranipet.

It will be constructed on 260 acres out of the 559 acres on which Phase-III of the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) industrial estate is to be developed.
G. Ramajothi, Project Officer, SIPCOT, Ranipet, said on Tuesday that 496 acres patta land has been acquired by SIPCOT, while the remaining 63 acres, which constitutes poromboke land, is to be obtained from the government through alienation. A proposal has been submitted to the Commissioner of Land Administration through the Vellore Collector .

Mr. Ramajothi said the SIPCOT would be developing infrastructure before allotting plots to the prospective entrepreneurs.

The allotment would be based on the demand and employment potential, he said.

Out of the 631.15 acres of land acquired by the SIPCOT in the industrial estate in Cheyyar in Tiruvannamalai district, 275 acres has been allotted to the 100 per cent export-oriented Cheyyar SEZ Developers Private Limited. The company has also commenced the construction of a shoe unit .

he Tamil Nadu Government will set up seven different industrial zones, instead of the multipurpose SEZ, at Nanguneri in the southern Tirunelveli district.
An official release here said the seven industrial zones, spread over various fields, would come up in a 616 hectare area and these units would commence operations soon.
T
The release said an engineering industry in a 121-hectare area, automobile spare parts manufacturing unit in 110 hectares, electrical and electronics parts manufacturing facility in 107 hectares, drug manuacturing units in 185 hectares, industry providing logistics support in 70 hectares, IT industries in ten hectares and bio-tech industry in a 13-hectare area would be set up at Nanguneri.

It said that based on the recommendations of the Justice Rathinavel Pandian Committee, the Government had decided to set up a multipurpose SEZ at Nanguneri to improve the industrial wealth in the southern districts and for the benefit of the local people. The foundation stone was laid during the previous DMK regime.

As the previous AIADMK regime did not take steps to implement it, the DMK Government, which assumed office in May last year, had taken intense efforts to set up the SEZ at Nanguneri and was in the process of acquiring lands for this purpose.

With a view to setting up the industries soon, the Government had decided to set up seven different facilities instead of the multipurpose SEZ at Nanguneri, the release added.

http://www.newkerala.com/oct.php?action=fullnews&id=2671

http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/19/stories/2007091953240300.htm

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEB20070919142655&Page=B&Headline=TN+leather+units+looking+at+export+price+hike&Title=Business&Topic=0

CHENNAI: The leather industry in Tamil Nadu has reconciled itself to lower export growth this fiscal. Against the projected 14 to 15 percent growth, export expansion was only 8.5 percent in the first quarter.

The industry is, however, hopeful that a price increase of 3 to 4 percent in leather products in the future would enable it to compete against Chinese products and increase realisations.

"A nominal price hike will be able to retain clients as they cannot change markets overnight. But a higher price revision will make our products uncompetitive against Chinese leather products, which are lower priced," Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman of Farida Group and state council chairman of FICCI told this website's newspaper.

The Central Government's decision to increase in drawback rates by 2.5-2.8 percent had helped minimise the industry's losses by 2 percent since April this year. Meanwhile, the State Government will soon announce the setting up of a finished leather product Special Economic Zone at Ranipet, expected to be set up on 260 acres of land.

The tendering process for allocating places in the Leather Footwear Park coming up at Irungattukottai has also started. About five to six leather units are expected to be housed in the park initially.

Problems of tackling total dissolved solids to attain zero percent discharge from leather tanneries in the state are also expected to be addressed soon. Two common treatment plants, including reverse osmosis, will be commissioned by the end of this year in the Ambur-Vaniyambadi region, according to Ahmed.

Grants for the effluent treatment plants have been received under the Central Government's cluster development scheme with Rs 42 crore received as assistance from the Centre and Rs 30 crore pooled in by tanners. Ten more CTPs are coming up in the state at places like Dindigul and Ranipet at a cost of Rs 180 crore.

Ahmed said the State Government had written to the Centre for releasing 60 percent of the cost of the plants while the state government would be contributing 15 percent and the rest would come from tanners. The plants are expected to be commissioned within 18 months after release of the grant by the Centre.

Special purpose vehicle formed for engineering cluster at Ranipet

http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/20/stories/2007092051590300.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/27/stories/2007092758420100.htm

Chief Minister Karunanidhi will release the policy next week

CHENNAI: A Cabinet meeting on Wednesday approved the new industrial policy that seeks to encourage fresh investment in the State even while addressing the concerns of those dependent on agriculture.

Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi will release the policy next week.

Officials told The Hindu that the policy was “comprehensive, broad-based and detailed” and included sunrise sectors as well as sectors that were not included in the earlier policy. The new policy was aimed at consolidating the gains made in the past year and would direct industrial growth in a manner that would create more employment and address the critical issues that the industry had pointed out.

Since May 2006, the government had signed 11 memoranda of understanding with Indian and foreign companies for setting up projects in the State.

This involved a total investment of Rs.11,083 crore and generation of direct and indirect employment for about 1.25 lakh persons.

The quantum of incentives given to some labour-intensive sectors had been increased with a view to attracting more such units to the State. Among the sectors expected to get a fillip include agro-industries, especially food processing.

“The Chief Minister had announced that an agriculture Special Economic Zone will be set up in the State. The policy has also addressed this,” an official said. The government would stick to the policy of not acquiring ‘wet’ agricultural lands for any industrial activity. Many of the concerns highlighted by allied political parties in the Democratic Progressive Alliance had been addressed, the official said. The policy had come up for approval at the last Cabinet meeting. During the exchanges, Mr. Karunanidhi felt that it needed some fine-tuning on a few critical issues.

The Cabinet set up a sub-committee headed by Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan to study in depth the matter and make changes. It was after this that the Cabinet gave the green signal on Wednesday.

http://www.livemint.com/2007/09/21003023/Dubai8217s-ETA-Star-bets-bi.html

New Delhi: Dubai-based ETA Star Group plans to set up power and cement projects in India, investing Rs7,336 crore.
“We are planning to set up a 1,200MW imported coal-based power project at an investment of Rs6,000 crore for which we are currently scouting for locations in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Once the project is ready, given the circumstances, we may also double its capacity,” said Hameed Syed Salahuddin, director, ETA Star.
Scaling up: Cement bags being loaded off trucks in New Delhi. ETA Star plans to invest $340 million in two cement plants, one each in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, with a total capacity of 3 million tonnes per annumThe company plans to become an integrated power generation company, and is in the process of acquiring coal blocks overseas to enter the coal import business in India.
The group has a presence in 21 countries, with a consolidated turnover of $4 billion (Rs15,960 crore) for the year ended 2006. All the projects will be undertaken by its subsidiaries.
The power generation project in India, also the group’s first, will be developed as a merchant power project and is expected to be completed by early 2008. The company also plans to build a ship terminal as a part of the project to receive the imported coal.
The project will require 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of coal, which the company will source from international markets as it already has a presence in coal trading.
“We will leverage our contacts with the coal mining companies to commit supplies for our power project,” Salahuddin added.
It also plans to acquire coal blocks and is at present in talks to secure them in Indonesia, Mozambique and South Africa.
“We plan to finalize our coal block plans within three months and will enter the coal import business in India on the back of our coal blocks. Once our power project is in place, we will also apply for coal blocks to the Indian government,” Salahuddin said.
The size of the market for imported coal for power generation in India is around 20mtpa. ETA will have to compete, among others, with LLC Dubai, PTC India Ltd, Adanis, Minerals and Metals Trading Corp. and Swiss Singapore.
Coal imports are projected to more than double to 40mtpa by 2012 due to a increase in demand of coal requirement for power projects. The overall coal requirement in the country is expected to go up to 544mtpa by 2012. Of this, only 482mtpa is expected to be available domestically.
The company is confident about its coal import plans as it already has a presence in the shipping business with 45 dry bulk carrier vessels in its fleet.
“A fully integrated company will have an advantage here. The imported coal consumption is on the rise due to less ash content in it as it helps in saving costs,” said Hitul Gutka, an analyst at India Infoline.
The company also plans to set up two cement manufacturing units, in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, with a total capacity of three million tonnes per annum at an investment of $340 million.
ETA already has a cement manufacturing capacity of 5mtpa.“We are presently doing an assessment of the lime stone reserves,” Salahuddin said.

http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/57E7635A433AA9DA65257363004E4559?OpenDocument

New Delhi, Sep 27 (PTI) In what could provide welcome respite to the domestic steelmakers, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found fresh iron ore reserves of more than 22 million tonnes in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The state-run company has found four blocks of iron ore in Namakhal blocks in Tamil Nadu having reserves of 14.03 MT of magnetite ore with Ferrous content ranging between 31 to 37 per cent, according to Mines Ministry sources.

GSI has also found 8 mt of iron ore in Sandur Schistbelt in Bellary district of Karnataka with Fe content of above 55 per cent.

Besides the GSI has also discovered good quality ore in Ghutang and Pahargada blocks in Kenduhar district of Orissa and at Aridongri and Chhattisgarh.

GSI discovered this ore during the last fiscal ending March 31 this year.

Moreover, the company had found two kimberlite pipes each in Mahaboobnagar and Anantpur districts of Andhra Pradesh during the period, they added. PTI

http://www.newkerala.com/oct.php?action=fullnews&id=6154

TN Govt's School Education dept has made all the text books on Class I to Class XII books available online at the below website:
http://textbooksonline.tn.nic.in/

The wesite looks very good and user-friendly. This is a very good initiative.

Post your feedback/appreciations to booksonline@tn.nic.in

RPP Constructions gets SIMA textile park contract (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/03/stories/2007100350441500.htm)


The preliminary engineering works contract for the Southern India Mills Association (SIMA)-promoted textile processing park project at Cuddalore SIPCOT industrial estate has been awarded and the work has commenced, according to SIMA.

The Rs 11.84-crore contract has been awarded to RPP Constructions.

The first phase of the Rs 450-crore processing park project is being implemented via a special purpose vehicle, the SIMA Textile Processing Centre, formed for the purpose.

Thanks for the info. Highly appreciable intiative indeed!!!

TN Govt's School Education dept has made all the text books on Class I to Class XII books available online at the below website:
http://textbooksonline.tn.nic.in/

The wesite looks very good and user-friendly. This is a very good initiative.

Post your feedback/appreciations to booksonline@tn.nic.in

TN Govt's School Education dept has made all the text books on Class I to Class XII books available online at the below website:
http://textbooksonline.tn.nic.in/

The wesite looks very good and user-friendly. This is a very good initiative.

Post your feedback/appreciations to booksonline@tn.nic.in

nice............

http://www.business-standard.com/compindustry/storypage.php?tab=r&autono=300069&subLeft=1&leftnm=1

.....The facility in TN would entail an investment of around Rs 20 crore and will come up shortly while the one to be set up in North India would take shape in about six months’ time, Jain Irrigation’s Managing Director Anil Jain told PTI here.

“This will help us to not only increase our capacity but also extend our footprint nationally,” Jain said.

The Maharashtra-based Jain Irrigation had recently set up one such facility in Hyderabad at an investment of Rs 30 crore.
.......

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Singapore_proposes_SEZs_in_India/articleshow/2428900.cms


NEW DELHI: Singapore has proposed to set up special economic zones in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra through property developer Ascendas, bringing FDI from the south east Asian economic powerhouse into India.

The two countries have already formed a Steering Committee to carry forward the proposals, one of which relate to setting up a 2,500-acre multi-product SEZ in the south.

"The proposals were discussed at the first meeting of the Steering Committee, which will take them further with state governments and other authorities," a senior Commerce Ministry official told PTI.

Singapore government-linked Ascendas has developed many industrial and IT parks in India, in addition to Singapore and China.

India and Singapore have operationalised a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, under which trade and investment have been significantly liberalised.

As a result of CECA, FDI inflow from Singapore has increased in the last two years. India has attracted FDIs of 578 million dollars from Singapore in 2006-07, compared to 275 million dollars in the previous year.

"Many Singapore-based MNCs are keen to come here in our SEZs. This will bring us more FDI," the official said.

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=28361

The company is also planning to have a local manufacturing plant by 2009-10 for which the company is in talks with the governments of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

TN to beef up infrastructure projects to boost tourism (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/07/stories/2007100750960500.htm)


The Tamil Nadu Government will speed up all the infrastructure projects to promote tourism in the State in a big way. “The master plan is ready to find the gaps in tourism infrastructure and to fill them up in the quickest possible time,” said the State Chief Secretary, Mr L.K. Tripathy.

He said the Government is keen on developing world-class facilities to keep pace with the growing tourism industry in the State. The Government will facilitate hoteliers to come up with good projects for those areas

http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/10/stories/2007101056101700.htm

Reliance Industries, which gave the nation its largest gas field, has discovered crude oil reserves in a block off the Tamil Nadu coast.

Reliance made a significant oil discovery in the very first well it drilled in the Cauvery basin block CY-DWN-2001/4, also known as CY-D5. “It is a medium-sized discovery,” a source familiar with the development said.

The well flowed about 600 barrels of oil a day during the tests. “The reserves are being ascertained,” the source said.

Reliance had won the CY-D5 block in the third round of auction under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP). The company had only last month announced an oil discovery in the deep water block KG-DWN-98/1 (KG-D4) located in the Krishna Basin. This was the first time an oil discovery has been made in the Krishna deep-water basin.

TN keen to develop Colachel port (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/12/stories/2007101250190700.htm)


Tamil Nadu is keen to develop Colachel as an international transhipment port, the State Minister for Highways and Ports, Mr Vellakoil Saminathan, told a delegation from New South Wales, Australia.

The Minister also discussed with the delegation about developing minor ports in the State and scope for private investments in ports. Mr Joe Tripodi, Minister for Small Business, Regulatory Reform, Ports and Waterways, New South Wales Government, expressed interest in bringing investment for port development in Tamil Nadu.

Colachel is close to the international shipping route. Steamers of around 15,000 tonnes can anchor at the port, which is now managed by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board.

Rs. 100 cr. earmarked for infrastructure in IT parks (http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/12/stories/2007101252220300.htm)


The State Government, which has decided to establish nine IT Parks across the State, has allocated Rs.100 crore for creating infrastructure facilities, such as roads, streetlights, drinking water, etc., in these software development zones.

“Of this sum, Rs.5 crore each will be spent for providing drinking water alone to each IT Park and another Rs. 12 crore earmarked for the construction of a road over bridge near Ilanthaikulam close to the ring road in Madurai where the ELCOT has planned an IT park,” Mr. Umashankar said while inaugurating the ‘SMExpressions 2007’, a conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University here on Thursday.

He said that the Government had decided to establish IT Parks at Chennai and Madurai (each two), Coimbatore, Hosur, Tiruchi, Salem and Tirunelveli with all ultra-modern infrastructure facilities and other amenities such as schools of international standard, star hotels, clubs and hospitals.

The State Government had planned to develop an IT Park with 10 million square feet at Perumbaakkam and Sholinganallur near Chennai on 200 acres at a cost of Rs.4,000 crore with infrastructure facilities of an ‘international township’, he informed.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200710112130.htm

Good work PMK!! You have done it again :bash:

Chennai, (PTI): Bowing to pressure from its ally, PMK, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu on Thursday night decided to drop its proposal to set up an "ultra mega power" project at Cheyyur in Kancheepuram district.

An official press release said that the hike in the land price was the reason for the decision.

The price ranged from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 40 lakh per acre in the area, it said.

PMK founder S Ramadoss had opposed the project on the plea that cultivable land was being acquired for the project.

The decision to drop the proposal was taken at a meeting convened by Electricity Minister, N Veeraswami, to review the progress in the implementation of ultra mega power projects in the state.

The meeting also discussed setting up of captive ports, and establishment of mega power projects in the state.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Highways Minister P Swaminathan and Chief Secretary, L K Tripathy.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200710112130.htm

Good work PMK!! You have done it again :bash:

Chennai, (PTI): Bowing to pressure from its ally, PMK, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu on Thursday night decided to drop its proposal to set up an "ultra mega power" project at Cheyyur in Kancheepuram district.

An official press release said that the hike in the land price was the reason for the decision.

The price ranged from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 40 lakh per acre in the area, it said.

PMK founder S Ramadoss had opposed the project on the plea that cultivable land was being acquired for the project.

The decision to drop the proposal was taken at a meeting convened by Electricity Minister, N Veeraswami, to review the progress in the implementation of ultra mega power projects in the state.

The meeting also discussed setting up of captive ports, and establishment of mega power projects in the state.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Highways Minister P Swaminathan and Chief Secretary, L K Tripathy.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/12/stories/2007101253960400.htm

An official said that after the latest decision, Cuddalore and Marakkanam would be the sites for the ultra mega power projects.

It's good that atleast in some instances like this the environment is being protected from irrepairable harm.... Afterall they were fertile lands...

Four minor ports coming up in State (http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/13/stories/2007101362550600.htm)


The State Government proposes to construct four new minor ports at Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Marakkanam and Tuticorin, the Electricity Minister, Arcot N. Veerasamy, has said.

Mr. Veerasamy said that the ports would support the Government’s proposal to set up power plants to produce an additional 30,000 megawatt.

A total of Rs. 1.20-crore investment would come for the sector from foreign and domestic private players. Besides, it would create employment opportunity for 60,000 people, the Minister said.

Tamil Nadu was the only State that had achieved self-sufficiency in power sector, Mr. Veerasamy said, adding that the State was selling 1,500 mw of electricity to Maharashtra and Punjab. Besides, the State had the distinction of having covered all villages with electricity though 1.25 lakh villages in the country were yet to have the facility.

http://www.business-standard.com/economy/storypage.php?tab=r&autono=301563&subLeft=1&leftnm=3

Land acquisitions for the long pending lignite-based power project at Jayankondam in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu is in full swing. Of the 10,000 acres earmarked for the project, the authorities have so far acquired about 8,000 acres from the general public, sources in the revenue department said.

The land has been acquired from villagers in Melur, Puthukudi, Thandalai, Kalathur and Kulathur, etc.

Besides compensation, landowners have been assured of proper rehabilitation. The authorities have planned about 2,500 dwelling units under the first phase at Edaiyaru and Wariankaval villages.

Two sub-courts at Jayankondam have been set up to settle the cases related to land acquisition.

According to officials, clearances for the project from the Ministry of Environment and Forest would be obtained within the next three months. The Jayankondam project comprises two 800-Mw thermal power plants. The plants will require an investment of Rs 6,750 crore for installation and about Rs 2,000 crore towards mining activities.

Officials informed that the second phase work, which involves acquiring 5,000 acres more for additional mining activities too had begun. In this phase, land will be acquired from villagers in Periyavalayam, Devimangalam, and Purancheri in Perambalur district.

The revenue department has also initiated the process of acquiring land for setting up a special economic zone in Perambalur district. The department has identified about 3,000 acres and offered Rs 3 lakh per acre to the owners.

This apart, owners who give up two acres for the SEZ, would get a free housing site and those offering four acres, will be given two housing sites.

The government has also promised a suitable job to each qualified member of the landowner's family in the SEZ, the official added.

Tamil Nadu is L&T’s first choice for port-cum-shipyard project (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/18/stories/2007101850600700.htm)


The engineering and construction major Larsen and Toubro has plans to invest Rs 3,000 crore on its proposed port-cum-shipbuilding project and Tamil Nadu is its preferred investment destination for the project.

“L&T has shortlisted both Tamil Nadu and Gujarat as project locations but we are very serious that South is our priority,” said Mr A.M. Naik, Chairman and Managing Director, L&T.

The L&T Chairman, present at the formal commissioning of new manufacturing facilities at its Coimbatore growth centre at Malumitchampatti near here on Wednesday, told Business Line that though the Gujarat Government was willing to give any amount of land or any location his organisation was keen to set up the project in the South due to its skilled workforce.

But in the event of any further delay in getting the project put on keel in Tamil Nadu, L&T would be left with no choice but to turn to Gujarat. “I hope by the first week of November we’ll know whether we will go forward here or not,” Mr Naik said.

L&T has set its energy on promoting the port-cum-shipyard project as a separate subsidiary that will be run outside its flagship, considering the global demand for shipbuilding capacity, especially in the sophisticated ocean going vessel manufacturing.

In the event of Tamil Nadu seizing this opportunity, the Rs 3,000-crore project will also spin off mass employment as it is expected to generate 5,000 new jobs.

Tamil Nadu is L&T’s first choice for port-cum-shipyard project (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/18/stories/2007101850600700.htm)


The engineering and construction major Larsen and Toubro has plans to invest Rs 3,000 crore on its proposed port-cum-shipbuilding project and Tamil Nadu is its preferred investment destination for the project.

“L&T has shortlisted both Tamil Nadu and Gujarat as project locations but we are very serious that South is our priority,” said Mr A.M. Naik, Chairman and Managing Director, L&T.

The L&T Chairman, present at the formal commissioning of new manufacturing facilities at its Coimbatore growth centre at Malumitchampatti near here on Wednesday, told Business Line that though the Gujarat Government was willing to give any amount of land or any location his organisation was keen to set up the project in the South due to its skilled workforce.

But in the event of any further delay in getting the project put on keel in Tamil Nadu, L&T would be left with no choice but to turn to Gujarat. “I hope by the first week of November we’ll know whether we will go forward here or not,” Mr Naik said.

L&T has set its energy on promoting the port-cum-shipyard project as a separate subsidiary that will be run outside its flagship, considering the global demand for shipbuilding capacity, especially in the sophisticated ocean going vessel manufacturing.

In the event of Tamil Nadu seizing this opportunity, the Rs 3,000-crore project will also spin off mass employment as it is expected to generate 5,000 new jobs.

Oh thats a great news for TN.

Let us hope Cuddalore, Nagapattinam or Tuticorin get that chance.....

Oh thats a great news for TN.

Let us hope Cuddalore, Nagapattinam or Tuticorin get that chance.....

Kattupally near Ennore is already finalized. The issue is around 1500 acres of land sought by L and T. TN govt has to confirm the land before Nov-1st week. If not, the project will go to Gujarat.

Kattupally near Ennore is already finalized. The issue is around 1500 acres of land sought by L and T. TN govt has to confirm the land before Nov-1st week. If not, the project will go to Gujarat.

Thanks.

Again major companies is eying Chennai only. If the project has gone to Cuddalore area. it would be more helpful to grow TN economy.

Even L&T will get less paid workers, less value land etc.,

Kattupally near Ennore is already finalized. The issue is around 1500 acres of land sought by L and T. TN govt has to confirm the land before Nov-1st week. If not, the project will go to Gujarat.

If L&T goes ahead with Ennore shipbuilding yard project, will the Government of India, Ministry of Shipping proposal for the same at Tuticorin become unfeasible ?.

If land is an issue at Ennore and L&T is simply but pressurizing TN government, then its better the state goverment can concentrate on developing the shipbuilding yard with the centre at Tuticorin. After all Ennore has the capacity of attracting far more investment in various other fields.

link to news..... (http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/24/stories/2007102461171200.htm)

Sorry for the digression!!! Not related to economy or infrastructure, but very much related to TN's Image and self respect

Apart from indicating overall performance in development indicators for the State, the latest round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) has also yanked Tamil Nadu off the list of HIV high prevalence States in India.

While reporting lower HIV prevalence rates overall, the NFHS has also put the prevalence rate in Tamil Nadu at 0.375 per cent, much lower than the National AIDS Control Organisation standard to qualify as a high prevalence State (over 1 per cent among ante natal women).

This takes Tamil Nadu off its long-held position as one of the six high prevalence States with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Nagaland.

Awareness


Simultaneously, it has also indicated greater awareness about HIV/AIDS among the 15- 49 years age group. While the figure is 98 per cent for men, the corresponding statistic for women is 94 per cent, a far cry from the abysmal 23 per cent recorded during the first NFHS in 1992-93. Expectedly urban areas show better awareness than rural centres.

Among other good news for Tamil Nadu is lower infant mortality (IMR) and total fertility rates. IMR, or the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births, has dropped from 68 during the first NFHS to 31 in the current survey. This is a further climb down from the NFHS-2 (1998-99) statistic of 48 per 1000 live births. The IMR has reached an all-time low of 23 in urban areas.

Experts point to the link between low IMR and an increase in institutional deliveries. According to NFHS-3, 90 per cent of all deliveries in Tamil Nadu are conducted in institutions. While the percentage of institutional deliveries has always been in the nineties range, in urban centres, it has climbed to the highest ever at 95 per cent. Significantly, in the rural areas as well, 87 per cent of deliveries are conducted in institutions. Good coverage of ante natal care too has been recorded.

Fertility rate


The total fertility rate has dropped to 1.8 and contraceptive use has gone up to 61 per cent among married women. The surprise component is that use of contraceptives is higher in rural areas (62 per cent) as against the urban centres (61 per cent).
The trends in vaccination coverage, however, provide the sobering effect, emerging as areas of concern. According to NFHS-3, the overall coverage of children between 12 and 23 months (those who have received all recommended vaccines), has dropped from 89 per cent during NFHS-2 to 81 per cent. In urban areas, it has dropped from 97 per cent (NFHS-2) to 78 per cent (NFHS-3) and once again, the rural areas have performed better, dropping only one percentage point to stop at 84 per cent coverage.

Again, while the percentage of underweight and stunted children has gone down to 33 per cent and 25 per cent respectively, the corresponding figure for children too thin for height has climbed up to 22 per cent from 20 per cent, indicating that intervention in this area has to be stepped up.

6,344 households interviewed


The NFHS provides information on population, health and nutrition in India and in each of its 28 States and one capital territory (Delhi).

It is based on a sample of households, which is representative at the national and State levels. In Tamil Nadu, over 6,344 households were interviewed, 5919 of the interviewees being women. Fieldwork for Tamil Nadu was conducted form April to July 2006 by the Gandhigram Institute of Rural Health and Family Welfare Trust, Tamil Nadu.

as far as hiv is concerned...........the awareness in tamilnadu is much higher than the national average..... a few months back i was posted in the STD department in my college .....i was surprised to find people very forthright about their sexuality...........................health awareness among women is rapidly increasing,which is one of the foundations of a strong society................credit must go to NACO and all the other NGOs who work hard to spread awareness among the people....

Chennai (PTI): The Tamil Nadu government is working on bringing out an agro-business policy, to enhance agri business as also increase income of the farmers in the state, Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister Veerapandi Arumugam said.

The policy was being formulated to help increase the current food processing from one per cent to ten per cent, value addition from seven per cent to 30 per cent, increase exports, reduce the disparities in prices for agro business products and stabilise it, he said.

He was speaking at a two-day international seminar on FICCI on food processing and agri business, "Farm to Fork" here on Saturday.

The Minister also said terminal markets would be created at Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai at a cost of Rs 200 each spread over 100 acres, where everything from the farmers end, processing and marketing activities would be undertaken holistically.

Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary L K Tripathy said the state government had recently cleared a proposal to set up a winery in the state.

According to Ramasundaram,Chairman, TIDCO, which is establishing the winery project, they were awaiting the policy before implementing the project which would be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore.

Surjit K Chaudhary, Secretary to the Department of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu government, said important factors like taking proper care of soil and soil healthcare, provision of quality, pedigree seed material, which was a big business opportunity, right management of quality work, plant protection and plant nutrition and post harvest management-- needed immediate attention for the industry to grow manifold.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/015200710272040.htm

http://www.livemint.com/2007/10/29162334/Tamil-Nadu-to-set-up-ICT-acade.html

The process of setting up the academy was in the advanced stage and a few companies had signed up to become partners.
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Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Government will set up an ICT Academy under public-private partnership to develop and maintain a world class ICT industry-related curriculum and content for students across the state, state IT secretary C Chandramouli said on 29 October.
The process of setting up the academy was in the advanced stage and a few companies had signed up to become partners.The partnership would include the State and Central Governments, industry and institutions, he said.
The academy, to function as a non-profit autonomous organisation, would develop curriculum and content to address gaps in specific technical as well as management areas. It would be made available to students and faculty through an online portal.
Specialised training to the faculty and industry-related training programme to students would also be provided. CII Chairman-ICT forum Subbu D Suramanian cited a study that only 25% of engineering students in India were employable on a national average and said creating industry-ready quality talent pool was a key challenge.
The proposal, which would require an initial investment of Rs20 crore over a period of three years, would become operational by mid-2008, he added. The setting up of an ICT Academy was one of the recommendations put forth to the Tamil Nadu government and the CII at the seventh edition of CONNECT, a premier ICT event, held in September this year.
It also recommended creation of a Science and Technology Task Force under a special Minister. The task force should include Ministers of Higher Education, IT, Industry and Agriculture, it suggested.

http://www.equitybulls.com/admin/news2006/news_det.asp?id=20885

Hatsun Agro Product Ltd has announced that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on October 30, 2007, inter alia, has taken the following decisions:

Honnali Dairy Milk processing unit with a capacity of 1 lakh liters per day is expected to commence operations by November 2007.

Processing facility at Madurai with capacity of 1 Lakh liters per day is expected to commence operations by January 2008.

It is decided to set up a 60MT / day Dairy Ingredient Plant in Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 60 Crores, and the plant is expected to be operational by August 2008.

Develop Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridor: Karunanidhi

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/01/stories/2007110158920100.htm

http://www.business-standard.com/economy/storypage.php?tab=r&autono=303027&subLeft=1&leftnm=3

Automobile and information technology (IT) industries in Tamil Nadu reported robust growth for the period April-September 2007, when compared with October 2006-March 2007 period, according to a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) survey.

The automotive and auto components industry in the state reported 5-10 per cent rise in production while sales and exports grew 10-12 per cent and 12.5-15 per cent respectively.

The capacity utilisation increased by five per cent and value of production rose 30 per cent, said a CII statement quoting findings of its bi-annual industry monitor survey.

The survey pointed out that the automotive and component industry in the state was faced with several challenges such as identifying suitable vendors, warehousing during excess production, rising interest rates and delay in clearance of ports.

The IT industry posted a growth of 25 per cent during April-September 2007, when compared with October 2006-March 2007 period. Overseas billings shot up 5-10 per cent and the profit margins rose 20 per cent.

The IT industry would post a high growth during the next six month period also. Employment capacity is expected to rise 40-45 per cent on the back of anticipated growth in demand for IT services and revenues.

The spurt in outsourcing is expected to result in a rise in overseas billing rates by 5-10 per cent, it stated.

The report also looked at the performance of the other key sectors such as sugar, chemical and fertilisers and textiles. The sugar industry of the state stabilised its performance during April-September 2007. The industry witnessed a rise in production and sales of 5-10 per cent and exports to the tune of 10 per cent.

Though the prices remained the same, the industry's profit margins increased 5-10 per cent on increased sales.

The textile industry in the state witnessed a decline in growth during April-September 2007. Production declined by 10-12.5 per cent, sales by 15-20 per cent and exports by 30 per cent.

Decline in the production rendered the capacity utilisation levels to come down by up to 20 per cent.

The industry is witnessing a downtrend, especially with the domestic suppliers, due to lack of skilled manpower and increasing labour cost.

Interest rate hike and currency fluctuation are affecting the growth of the textile sector.

The chemicals and fertilisers industry increased production by 5-6 per cent, while sales remained at the same level. Exports grew 5 per cent.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071102145209&Headline=TN+is+%E2%80%98most+urbanised%E2%80%99:+World+Bank&Title=Chennai&Topic=0

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu is the most urbanised state in the country, according to a World Bank study on urbanisation in India. Almost 44 per cent of the State is urbanised, followed by 42.4 per cent in Maharashtra and 37.4 per cent in Gujarat.

According to the study, the country’s urban population which was more than 288 million in 2002, will nearly double to touch 500 million by 2017, and the population living in urban slums, which was 41 million will go up to 69 million during the same period.

Though, at present less than a third of the country’s population lived in urban areas, they generated two-third of its gross domestic product (GDP) and almost 90 per cent of the government revenues. But the study pointed out that the increasing numbers migrating to cities in search of job opportunities have also brought with them a host of problems.

The problems include poor local governance, critical infrastructure shortages and major service deficiencies that include erratic water and power supply, and inadequate transportation and deteriorating environment.

The study pointed out that many governments in India lacked a modern planning framework and had building regulations that reduced the number of dwelling units available. Policy, planning, and regulation deficiencies were also leading to a proliferation of slums.

New industrial policy released :cheers:

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=29755

The Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi today unveiled the state's New Industrial Policy 2007, which apart from announcing new incentives to take investments away from Chennai to other districts of the state, also aims at doubling exports to reach $30 billion by 2011.

The policy outlines a Vision 2011 programme, under which the state will aim at creating an additional two million jobs by 2011, by when the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the GSDP (gross state domestic product) is expected to go up to 27% from the present 21% and the total exports of the state are expected to reach Rs 140,000 crore from Rs 66,856 crore ($14.5 billion) in 2005-06.

As per the new policy, the package of incentives, which are offered to the new manufacturing units, will be extended to the expansion projects by the existing companies in the state, a move aimed at supporting the local industry.

New manufacturing units, both from new players and existing companies, to be set up in any other district other than Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram on investments exceeding Rs 250 crore over a period of three years will be eligible for a structured package of incentives to be decided on a case-to-case basis, with due weightage to investment, job generation and attracting further investments from vendors and ancillaries. In the case of Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram, the minimum investment limit will be Rs 350 crore.

Existing industrial units in existence for over 10 years in the state will be given suitable extra benefits for expansion projects over and above normal package of incentives, subject to investment amount.

In the case of electronic hardware units, the minimum investment limit will be Rs 150 crore within a period of three years for setting up the projects in other districts while the investment limit will be Rs 250 crore for projects in Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts.

New or expansion manufacturing projects with investments of over Rs 1,500 crore will be trated as super mega-projects and eligible for incentives over and above the normal incentive package. It is to noted that Tamil Nadu government had announced an ultra-mega integrated automobile projects policy for automotive projects investing Rs 4000 crore or more, a few months ago.

The policy also envisages raising the state to a position of pre-eminence innovation and high technology by offering subsidies. It also lay emphasis on improving the competitiveness and efficiency of SMEs and agro-based industries for increasing value addition and giving better income for farmers.

The other new initiatives announced include among others, development of industrial corridors of excellence, Nanotechnology industrial park, grass-root level and cluster-based skill development programmes and incentives for industrial infrastructure projects.

http://newspostindia.com/report-22118

With investors increasingly looking at Tamil Nadu as a destination, the state government plans to build a land bank to meet industries' needs.

In the state's new industrial policy Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi announced here Monday, the government said it would create a land bank of 10,000 acres across the state for setting up industrial parks over the next five years.

The state would also develop quality infrastructure, including social infrastructure, such as skill development centres, housing, business centres, restaurants, financial services, schools and hospitals.

The government will review and update the Tamil Nadu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act, 2005 and the Tamil Nadu SEZ Policy 2003.

Proposals for SEZs in industrially backward areas will be given priority to help balanced regional industrial development.

The new industrial policy states that private industrial parks shall purchase required land directly from landowners.

The private parks and SEZs shall, as far as possible, be on barren, non-irrigated and dry lands.

The government will not allow industrial park proposals involving more than 10 percent wetland.

According to the new policy, all approved industrial parks are eligible for industrial park infrastructure grant of Rs.20 million, provided the park is 50 km from Chennai and attracts at lest 20 new manufacturing units giving direct employment to 2,000 people.

The new policy stipulates that 10 percent of the area in new industrial parks promoted by State Industries Promotion Corp of Tamil Nadu Ltd (Sipcot) and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corp (Tidco) would be set apart for social infrastructure.

Similarly, 20 percent of area to be allotted in new industrial parks or SEZs, or expansion of existing ones promoted by Sipcot or Tidco will be reserved for small and medium enterprises (SME) including SME vendors to major industries in the same park.

A 2,000-acre nano-technology park will be developed by Sipcot to house hi-tech manufacturing in semiconductor foundries, chip assembly and testing, opto-electronics, solar cell technologies and nano-technology.

The proposed nano-technology park will have both SEZ and domestic tariff area zones.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/06/stories/2007110655210500.htm

Marine discharge scheme, a relief for dyers’

TIRUPUR: Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA) on Monday termed the New Industrial Policy, which was announced by the Chief Minister, as progressive and visionary. TEA president and member of Special Task Force for Industrial Development, A. Sakthivel, in a statement here said the policy has covered all industry sectors of Tamil Nadu with more importance to exports. The vision statement shows the interest taken by the Chief Minister on industry.

Mr. Sakthivel welcomed the announcement of marine discharge scheme to let off textile effluents into sea for Tirupur and other textile export clusters. He welcomed the separate chapter given for export promotion in the policy, in which export goal is fixed and export facilitation is given.

State Commissioner

The chapter stated that there would be a State Export Commissioner and a separate officer in District Promotion Cell and Industries Export Promotion Committee.

Mr. Sakthivel said that all the suggestions and requisitions made by all industrial leaders at Special Task Force meeting were included in the policy.

He said that importance was given for training and skilled workers, upgrade of ports and airports, mainly Coimbatore and Tiruchy.

A lot of incentives for those outside Chennai would help flourishing of industries in other parts of the State, Mr. Sakthivel said.

Jobs

The vision 2011 statement targets creation of two million jobs additionally and increasing the contribution of gross state product from 21 per cent to 27 per cent and upward exports to Rs. 1,47,000 crore. The vision emphasises Tamil Nadu rising to the position of pre-eminence, innovation and high technology.

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government is planning to link rivers within the State to divert surplus water to drought-prone regions.

A macro analysis has been done by the Public Works Department for taking up proposals to harvest flood water to dry basins.

The analysis gave priority to linking the Cauvery with the Vaigai not only to mitigate flooding in the Cauvery basins but also to provide water to dry districts such as Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar.

According to a proposal, the existing Kattalai bed regulator across the Cauvery near Karur will be converted into a barrage for flood water storage, regulation and better water management. For linking the rivers, a canal is to be excavated from the Kattalai barrage to Gundar, connecting Agniar, South Vellar, Pambar, Kottakariyar Vaigai River with Gundar in phases. The total length of the canal will be 255 km.

According to a PWD official, a study of the surplus details of the Mettur reservoir from 1975 to the present found that the reservoir surplussed in 15 years for five to 81 days.

Though the dependability is low at 45 per cent, diversion can be attempted even where there is sudden rainfall in the delta region and when there are pre-releases from the reservoir in the river. The pre-released flows in the river up to the regulator can be stored in the Kattalai barrage and can be diverted to the new canal.

The link will not only divert Cauvery flood waters, but also the waters of Ariyar and Koraiyar during the northeast monsoon to protect the Tiruchi and Srirangam towns. Karur, Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar districts will be benefited by the link, as there is a proposal to fill all tanks now fed through the existing anicut system with the diverted river water.

The official said the investigation work would have two phases. The first phase was for studying issues relating to construction of the barrage and canal excavation. The investigation, which is in progress, would be completed by March next year. The project cost of the first phase is likely to be Rs, 1,000 crore. In the second phase, study on the extension of canal would be taken up.

The scheme required 3,684 hectares of land. Of this 2,228 hectares was patta land, 1,416 hectares was poromboke and the balance was forest land, the official said.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/07/stories/2007110750390100.htm

CHENNAI: The Commissionerate of Handlooms and Textiles has constituted Handloom Export Zone (HEZ) in the State to enable handloom weavers to produce value added varieties based on market demand and to encourage the co-operative societies to do exportable products. As per the proposal, HEZ would come up in Nagercoil, Virudhunagar, Tiruvallur and Tiruvarur.

About 1,000 weavers in Nagercoil would be trained on turkey towel weaving, Virudhunagar weavers on furnishings, Tiruvarur weavers on silk fabrics and Tiruvallur weavers on viol materials for a period of six months. The scheme would be in operation for 12 months and would benefit 2,000 weavers. The beneficiaries in other three HEZ are 250 weavers each.

The Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) in association with the Commissionerate mooted the idea of setting up HEZ in those places that have large concentration of handloom weavers to upgrade their skill, to produce value added varieties and to export them.

“This would enable them to earn more than double their wages per day,” Handlooms and Textiles Commissioner, M.R. Mohan told The Hindu on Wednesday.

The Commissionerate would identify the handloom weavers in a particular cluster and provide training for 6 months. HEPC would help them to have marketing tie-up with exporters directly on the trained varieties and ensure orders for production.

“Right now, these weavers are earning Rs 75 - 100 a day and it might increase to Rs 150 - 250 a day for export material. The handloom export revenue from the State is Rs 800 crore, of which Karur accounts for Rs 500 - 600 crore through furnishing. Tiruchi accounts for Rs 200 crore through viol materials. We expect that this initiative would fetch the State additional revenue of Rs 100 crore,” he added.

Among the four zones, around Rs 404 crore is set aside for the Nagercoil project under Tsunami Project Implementation Unit, followed by Tiruvallur Rs 148 crore, Virudhunagar Rs 64 crore and Tiruvarur Rs 55.62 crore.

The Nagercoil project is coming up in four phases and the first phase for 250 weavers has already been approved. The funds for other three HEZ would come from the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).

“By implementing this project, the weavers will get uninterrupted employment and fetch more wages than that of the previous one. If this exercise succeeds, we will set up more HEZs in other districts,” he added.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/08/stories/2007110860821200.htm

Level of Urbanisation
Among all the States and Union territories, the National Capital Territory of Delhi is most urbanized with 93 percent urban population followed by Union territory of Chandigarh (89.8 percent) and Pondicherry (66.6 percent).

Among the major States, Tamil Nadu is the most urbanized state with 43.9 percent of the population living in urban areas followed by Maharashtra (42.4 percent) and Gujarat (37.4 percent). The proportion of urban population is the lowest in Himachal Pradesh with 9.8% followed by Bihar with 10.5 percent, Assam (12.7 percent) and Orissa (14.9 percent).

In terms of absolute number of persons living in urban areas, Maharashtra leads with 41 million persons which is 14 percent of the total population of the country. Uttar Pradesh accounts for about 35 million followed by Tamil Nadu 27 million.

http://www.urbanindia.nic.in/moud/urbanscene/levelofurbanisation/main.htm

On what basis Urban areas and rural areas are classified in Tamilnadu/India.

Any idea?

Level of Urbanisation
Among all the States and Union territories, the National Capital Territory of Delhi is most urbanized with 93 percent urban population followed by Union territory of Chandigarh (89.8 percent) and Pondicherry (66.6 percent).

Among the major States, Tamil Nadu is the most urbanized state with 43.9 percent of the population living in urban areas followed by Maharashtra (42.4 percent) and Gujarat (37.4 percent). The proportion of urban population is the lowest in Himachal Pradesh with 9.8% followed by Bihar with 10.5 percent, Assam (12.7 percent) and Orissa (14.9 percent).

In terms of absolute number of persons living in urban areas, Maharashtra leads with 41 million persons which is 14 percent of the total population of the country. Uttar Pradesh accounts for about 35 million followed by Tamil Nadu 27 million.

url]http://www.urbanindia.nic.in/moud/urbanscene/levelofurbanisation/main.htm[/url]

On what basis Urban areas and rural areas are classified in Tamilnadu/India.

Any idea?

Urban - people living in cities and towns (ie Municiapl corporation, municipality etc)
Rural- people living in village panchayats etc

Urban - people living in cities and towns (ie Municiapl corporation, municipality etc)
Rural- people living in village panchayats etc

i think there's more to it than just the location......!!!

Urban - people living in cities and towns (ie Municiapl corporation, municipality etc)
Rural- people living in village panchayats etc

I feel it should not be enough. It should be classified on the basis of:

1. Infrastructure in roads, rails
2. Hospitals
3. Schools and colleges
4. Literacy
5. Employment etc.,

Many of TN and AP towns does not have proper facilities mentioned above.

I am very much interested to get the points on what basis TN gvt classified 45% of its area as URBAN.

I am very much interested to get the points on what basis TN gvt classified 45% of its area as URBAN.

Its not area, the report only says that 43.9% of the population live in urban centres. Dont you think 3 crore people in TN will be living in urban ceters ?.

Its not area, the report only says that 43.9% of the population live in urban centres. Dont you think 3 crore people in TN will be living in urban ceters ?.

Thanks for clarification about the % of poulation.

Gujarat and AP were having more towns when compared to TN. I wonder why they are much back when compared to TN.

The following link gives the complete version of the TN govt industrial policy.

http://www.tn.gov.in/misc/industrialpolicy/industrialpolicy_e_2007.pdf

Manufacturing still limited to select states: Ficci

BS Reporter / New Delhi November 13, 2007



Only a handful of states are contributing to the growth of the Indian manufacturing sector, a study released by Ficci said today.

According to the study, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh accounted for 53.5% of the manufacturing sector growth in 2004-05. While Maharashtra’s contribution was the highest with 25%, Gujarat stood second with 15% followed by Tamil Nadu with 7.4% and Uttar Pradesh with 6.1%.

The study also found out that the top 10 states accounted for over 82% of
the manufacturing sector GDP in 2004-05, which was the same as the numbers recorded in 1997-98. "These facts point out that the manufacturing sector growth has primarily remained concentrated in a few top states and has not diversified state-wise over a period of time," the study said.

The study also observed that manufacturing activity was picking up in states like Orissa, Himachal Pradesh and Goa.

According to the study, the share of manufacturing in GDP of states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Goa was more than 15%, which was comparable to China and Thailand. Ficci, however, expressed concern over the slow rate of manufacturing growth, which was less than 3% between 1997-98 and 2005-05 in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. These states are among the top 10 contributors to the manufacturing sector.

According to Ficci, a high rate of growth in the manufacturing sector will be needed in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to sustain 12% growth in the sector during the 11th Plan period.


http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=30035

‘T.N. is powerhouse of German economy’

Staff Reporter

German Consul General highlights long-standing Indo-German partnerships

Informative volume: Roland Friedrich Herrmann, Consul General, Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chennai, (second right) releases the Indian Journal of Information Science and Services at the Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, on Saturday. S.V.Balasubramaniam, Chairman of the Bannari Amman Group of Companies receives the first copy —

SATHYAMANGALAM: Tamil Nadu has emerged as a powerhouse of German economy, Roland Friedrich Herrmann, Consul General, Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany, has said.

Addressing participants at a one-day ‘Workshop on Nanotechnology and the Society’, organized at the Bannari Amman Institute of Technology on Saturday, he said that in the recent past there had been many a cooperation between his country and India in which Tamil Nadu figured prominently.

Majority of the areas of cooperation were in science and technology, he said and added that the cooperation in those areas had been long-standing and there were classic examples for such partnership.

“The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, is one of the greatest examples of the collaboration,” he pointed out.

Referring to the recent visit of the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, Mr. Herrmann said her delegation consisted of the minister for science and technology, which underlined the importance given to cooperation in the area.

He also referred to the flagging off of the science train, which would travel to 57 cities and towns across the country, to reiterate his point.

Speaking on the occasion, S.V. Balasubramaniam, chairman of the Bannari Amman Group of Companies, said the Institute had been doing its best to collaborate with various German institutes.

“We are one of the few institutions in this area (Coimbatore-Erode) to take initiative to offer German language programme for the benefit of our students through the Goethe-Zentrum, Coimbatore,” he said.

“One of our students, B. Savitha, of Electronics and Communication Engineering Department was selected by the International Association for the Exchange of students for Technical Experiene, New Delhi, for a two-month internship in Microwave and Optical Communication at the University of Magdeburg, Germany, and she has successfully completed the internship.

On developments in nanotechnology, Mr. Balasubramaniam said, “Being the head of a diversified industrial group, I foresee nanotechnology as an enabling technology that has tremendous prospects in the areas of agriculture, chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, polymers and also in other areas.”

About the workshop, S. Mohan of Vereinigung der Rueckkeher aus Deutschland (VRD) or the German Returnees’ Association, said there were more than 200 members in the Association, who, under the organisation’s aegis organised seminars on topics relevant to the society.

Earlier, Principal of BIT, A. Shanmugam welcomed the gathering.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/18/stories/2007111853070300.htm

Tirupur, Erode to become municipal corporations

Special Correspondent

Coimbatore: The State Government, through separate Ordinances issued on Saturday, upgraded Tirupur and Erode municipalities to municipal corporations from January 1, 2008.

This was in conformity with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s announcement on September 15 this year, according to an official release.

Apart from the current municipal jurisdiction, the following areas will come under the new Erode Municipal Corporation: Periyasemur, Veerappanchattiram, Kasipalayam and Soorampatty (all Third Grade municipalities), B.P. Agraharam and Sooriyampalayam Town Panchayats and Thindal, Gangapuram, Ellappalayam, Villarasampatti and Muthampalayam Panchayats.

Expansion of the Erode municipal area was one of the resolutions passed as early as 1917 when E.V. Ramasamy Naicker was chairman of the municipality, the release said. According to the release, Tirupur held the top spot in knitwear export.

It was to provide further impetus to industrial growth in the region and infrastructure that the Tirupur Municipal Corporation was being formed.

Apart from the current Tirupur municipal area, the new Municipal Corporation would have jurisdiction over Velampalayam and Nallur (both Third Grade Municipalities), Chettipalayam, Mannarai, Thottipalayam, Andipalayam, Veerapandi, Murugampalayam, Neruperichal and Muthanampalayam village panchayats.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/18/stories/2007111859990800.htm

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/11/21/stories/2007112152880100.htm

Five private sector sugar mills in Tamil Nadu and three standalone distilleries have been allowed to expand their alcohol production capacities, according to sources in the know.

Apart from being the single largest distillery expansion permitted by the State Government in the last decade, the move is significant in that it will address two key issues for sugar mills, say industry sources.

.....

Through an order issued last week, the State Government allowed three distilleries linked to sugar mills and three stand-alone distilleries to increase their output by 30 kilolitres a day each.

The sugar mills are: Dharani Sugars and Chemicals Ltd, Sakthi Sugars and EID Parry (India) Ltd. The three stand-alone distilleries are Mohan Breweries and Distilleries Ltd, Southern Agrifurane Industries Ltd and Bhavani Distilleries and Chemicals Ltd.

Two sugar mills, Bannari Amman Sugars and Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals, have been allowed to expand their distilleries by 12.80 kl and 15 kl a day.

There are 14 distilleries in the State with the monthly output at about 1.5 crore litres a month.
This would increase to about 2.20 crore litres once the expansion comes on line.
The State Government has said in the order that the output from the distilleries is inadequate to meet the requirements.

Annual production of alcohol is over 19 crore litres with the estimates for the ethanol-blended-fuel programme – at five per cent blending – at about six crore litres a year.

Also, the Central Government has announced that the blending percentage would soon increase to 10 per cent.

...

But the programme did not take off because of concerns on availability of alcohol. In Tamil Nadu, the alcohol needed to produce Indian made foreign liquor is about 10-12 crore litres and mounting.

Higher revenues


According to official figures, in 2006-07, the revenue to the State Government from excise and sales tax on liquor grew by 23 per cent to Rs 7,473.62 crore against Rs 6,030 crore in the previous year.

The trend is holding in 2007-08, with the revenue for the four months between April and July being Rs 2,851.02 crore representing a potential income of more than Rs 8,500 crore for the year.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/11/21/stories/2007112150670200.htm

The company is now adding 2-lakh tonnes to its existing 65,000-tonne capacity and the new plant should go on stream in June 2008.

It is all the more important that Chemplast ensures availability of raw materials at all times and the company is undertaking a few plans to do just that.


Chemplast will come out with a rights issue by the end of the financial year, to raise Rs 160 crore, Mr Jayaraman said. This is to part-fund the Rs 520-crore Cuddalore project. A consortium of four banks has agreed to lend Rs 300 crore to the project. The rest of the funds will come from internal accruals.

Chemplast is also putting up a greenfield pipes project at Belgaum, Karnataka, at an investment of Rs 20 crore. The backward integration unit will manufacture PVC pipes out of the resin produced by the company.

Last year, Chemplast tookover a Chennai-based unit, Trubore, which produced PVC pipes. Trubore is an established brandname in the southern markets. Chemplast has since expanded the capacity of the unit from 15,000 tonnes a year to 33,000 tonnes, investing Rs 20 crore for that purpose.

TN govt. signs MoU with private hospitals

Chennai (PTI): The Tamil Nadu Government on Wednesday signed an MoU with 17 private hospitals in the state to perform heart surgeries for children belonging to indigent families.
As per the MoU, the State Government would extend a financial assistance of Rs 10,000 for closed heart surgery, Rs 30,000 for ordinary open heart surgery and Rs 70,000 for complex open heart surgery to be performed at private hospitals.
An official press release here said the number of children affected by heart diseases had been increasing due to changing lifestyle and food habits.Many children had been placed on waiting list to undergo surgery at Government hospitals.
Considering this, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had announced a scheme to fund immediate surgery for children, below 12 years, at private hospitals, the release added.
Accordingly, the MoU was signed with the private hospitals, including Sri Ramachandra Hospital and Apollo Hospital here, in the presence of Karunanidhi at the Secretariat here.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/004200711220324.htm

Local bodies all over India are not in a similar fashion. For example, In TN, there are town panchayats, ie, on a larger perspective it would be a panchayat, but it will be having a town look.

"Tamil Nadu is the first State to have introduced a classification in the status of local bodies as ‘Town Panchayat’which was planned as a transitional body between Rural and Urban Local Bodies"

http://www.tn.gov.in/dtp/.

This could be a reason by which TN has a sizeable urban population.

In Kerala, if you travel from Trivandrum to Trissur thro Kochi, you never get a feel of any rural area in between. But the only 'urban centres' would be the corporations and municipalities like Trivandrum, Attingal, Kollam etc. There would be a lot of intermediate towns which would be 'panchayats' or 'rural' in its classification. These places would be having even luxury hotels, but it would be a panchayat area. Best example is 'Kottarakkara' in Kollam dist which is a panchayat.

So even though Gujarat may have more 'municipalities', as per the classification of Town Panchayats, the total population termed as 'urban' could be more in TN.

Thanks for clarification about the % of poulation.

Gujarat and AP were having more towns when compared to TN. I wonder why they are much back when compared to TN.

^^

thanks for clarification and clearing by doubts.

So the Town panchayats of TN comes under Urban population. this contributes more for the urban population of TN. But all Town panchayats cannot be considered as urban areas :bash:, many of them lack in basic infrastruture.

Not sure how many of them will come into existence :dunno:http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/22/stories/2007112254410500.htm

....
Mr. Veeraswami said the State had so far granted permission to set up ‘merchant’ power plants with a capacity of 21,000 MW. The Government was considering applications for setting up of 9,000 MW plants.

These plants would come up on the east coast at Marakkanam, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Tuticorin providing employment to nearly 45,000 persons.
Listing out the initiatives to increase power generation in the State, Mr. Veeraswami said Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) would install 3,000 MW plants at North Chennai and Mettur while NLC would commission 1,000 MW plant at Tuticorin. The Government had donated land to the BHEL to set up 1,600 MW plant at Udankudi.

“The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government is making efforts to increase power generation considering the demand and industrial growth in future. Whenever the DMK comes to power, the State’s power generation infrastructure gets a fillip and all major power generation plants have been established during its rule,” Mr. Veerasamy said.

......

20 more engineering colleges in Tamilnadu. It will be controlled by Anna University at Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Tirunelveli.

At first, 1 engineering college will be opened at Panruti near Cuddalore.

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epapertamilmurasu/showxml.aspx?id=105390&code=17381

Already TN has more engineering colleges and seats than any other states. Now again seats will increase atleast by 10,000 in comings years.

Now more students are joining engineering when compared to other courses. :) Government has to think of creating such jobs for all the students. Scope of core engineering like Mechanical, Electrical has less scope in TN :bash: when compared to Maharashtra and Gujarat. We can see many Mech and electrical core engineers moving to Mumbai, Pune, Vast industries of Gujarat's and NCR for good job!!

TN gvt should wake up and start to create more jobs for those students. Otherwise, we can find mostly software engineers in TN in coming future.

Seven engineering colleges in 11 districts planned

Staff Reporter

Anna University to make quality education affordable

TIRUCHI: Anna University–Tiruchi (AU-T) has decided to start seven constituent engineering colleges spread over 11 districts in its jurisdiction with the objective of making quality education affordable to students belonging to rural schools.

The first of these proposed institutions would become functional at Panruti in Cuddalore district from 2008-09, offering six B.E. programmes _ Mechanical, Civil, Electrical and Electronics, Electronics and Communication and Computer Science Engineering, and IT_, Vice-Chancellor V. Ramachandran informed on Thursday.

The remaining colleges would be started in a similar way in subsequent stages in the districts of Perambalur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram, he said.

Largest share


Of the 20 such institutions that the Government has planned for the State through the four government technical universities, AU-T will have the largest share of seven colleges.

Anna University–Chennai and Anna University–Tirunelveli will have four constituent colleges each and Anna University–Coimbatore will have five.

With concurrence from the Department of Technical Education, the AU-T has extended its Faculty Development Programme (FDP) facilitating teachers to acquire M.E. qualification to faculty in polytechnic colleges.

The university has received 300 applications from polytechnic teachers from all over the State for the FDP that will commence in January 2008.

The FDP got operational from the start of the current academic year for teachers in affiliated engineering colleges.

To begin with, teachers in Computer Science Engineering department were facilitated to take up FDP and complete their post-graduation by fulfilling 67 to 70 credits under Modular-Based Credit Banking Scheme.

From January onwards, the FDP would encompass Structural Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Embedded System Technologies, Pervasive Computing Technologies, Communication System and Software Engineering as well.

The university was exploring possibilities for extending FDP for PG programmes for aspirants in corporate sector through e-learning mode, the Vice-Chancellor said, adding that henceforth, part-time B.E. would be offered in five areas: Mechanical, CSE, EEE, ECE, and Civil.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/24/stories/2007112455111100.htm

7 Colleges In 11 Districts???????How Come????

^^

Anna University - Trichy has 11 districts in its control. Out of 11 districts they are planning to start engineering colleges in 7 districts. Cuddalore dt will be the first to get engineering college under this scheme.

Hope this is clear!!

Local bodies all over India are not in a similar fashion. For example, In TN, there are town panchayats, ie, on a larger perspective it would be a panchayat, but it will be having a town look.

"Tamil Nadu is the first State to have introduced a classification in the status of local bodies as ‘Town Panchayat’which was planned as a transitional body between Rural and Urban Local Bodies"

http://www.tn.gov.in/dtp/.

This could be a reason by which TN has a sizeable urban population.

In Kerala, if you travel from Trivandrum to Trissur thro Kochi, you never get a feel of any rural area in between. But the only 'urban centres' would be the corporations and municipalities like Trivandrum, Attingal, Kollam etc. There would be a lot of intermediate towns which would be 'panchayats' or 'rural' in its classification. These places would be having even luxury hotels, but it would be a panchayat area. Best example is 'Kottarakkara' in Kollam dist which is a panchayat.

So even though Gujarat may have more 'municipalities', as per the classification of Town Panchayats, the total population termed as 'urban' could be more in TN.



Good Explanation Sudheesh!

Under JNNURM, only urban development is addressed. To utilise the funds under JNNURM, the panchayats nearer to the cities are made into urban (semi urban?) areas and are clubbed together with the city.

In Chennai, at present you have 2 areas under CMDA - Corporation area, Town Panchayats Area. Under the new Masterplan, this boundary is expanded and now we will have Corporation I Area, Corporation II (Suburbs) Area and Town Panchayat Area.

^^Thanks Kannan, after all it is a mutual learning experience in SSC, isn't it?

So in Chennai the urban area will now cover places like Sriperumbudur which is a town panchayat, isn't it?

http://www.newkerala.com/oct.php?action=fullnews&id=21383

^^Thanks Kannan, after all it is a mutual learning experience in SSC, isn't it?

So in Chennai the urban area will now cover places like Sriperumbudur which is a town panchayat, isn't it?

As per the Second Master Plan, the limits of corporation II will be Semmancheri on OMR, Kattan Kulathur on GST Road, Thandalam on Bangalore Highway and upto Ponneri on Kolkotha Highway.

The Greater Chennai may be upto Mahabs, MM Nagar, Kanchipuram, Gummidipoondi (or upto Andhra Border). Ratifcation by the concerned panchayats for this may take time.

The Sajjan Jindal-owned JSW group, with interests in steel, power and industrial gases, has chalked out an ambitious plan to expand its steel plant capacity and also start a power plant in Tamil Nadu at a total outlay of Rs 7,500 crore.



Addressing a press conference here, JSW Steel Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Sajjan Jindal, said the company proposed to double the capacity of its Salem-based Southern Iron and Steel Company (Siscol) from the present one million tonne at a total investment of Rs 3,000 crore. Siscol, which produces round and long products for construction and engineering applications, was recently merged with JSW Steel. The company was acquired by JSW Steel in 2004.

The company's plant at Mecheri in Salem would become the largest integrated steel facility in South India once the capacity was expanded. The expansion would be taken up involving an investment of Rs 3,000 crore.

However, the total investment of Rs 7,500 crore depended on Tamil Nadu Government's permission to grant iron-ore mining rights in Salem and Tiruvannamalai districts in the state and approval for setting up a 1,000 MW power plant. The company had announced its intention to invest Rs 700 crore in this project and start mining operations after two years recently.

Sajjan Jindal plans to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi later on Monday evening to finalise mining rights in the districts where 640 hectares and 340 hectares of land had been identified respectively. If the state government allowed mining, the company would set up a Rs 400-crore plant for segregating low-grade iron ore that remained unexplored in these districts.

The company would also seek approval from the Chief Minister for building a 1,000 MW coal-based power plant, to be set up preferably near the Ennore Port in North Chennai with an investment of Rs 4,000 crore.

http://sify.com/finance/equity/fullstory.php?id=14566710
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/JSW_Steel_plans_Rs_7500_cr_investment_in_TN/articleshow/2572458.cms

TN faces power crisis, seeks Centre's allocation...

TN Electricity Minister was bragging all these months about excess capacity/selling power to others/32000 MW plans for the future etc. He has egg on his face now. Actions speak louder than PR games!

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=30540

Chennai, Nov. 26 The Tamil Nadu Government will consider hoteliers’ demand for relaxing floor space index (FSI) to enable the existing hotels to add more rooms in the same premises, announced the Minister for Tourism, Mr Suresh Rajan.

He spoke at the symposium on Strategies for the growth of hospitality industry and tourism in Tamil Nadu, organised here by the South Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association. The State Government would establish a university for music, a sculpture park in Mamallapuram at Rs 10 crore. And, to encourage investors to start heritage hotels by converting heritage buildings into good hotels, the Government has announced an incentive of 10 per cent of the total cost, subject to a maximum of Rs 1 crore, will be provided to entrepreneurs who venture into this arena, he said.

According to him, it has also provided a “huge budget allocation” to develop lesser known tourist destinations such as Yelagiri and Chinna Suruli. To make tourists stay in the State for a longer period, attractions such as night safari, butterfly park, helicopter tourism and cruise tourism have also been planned.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/11/27/stories/2007112751322300.htm

TN faces power crisis, seeks Centre's allocation...

TN Electricity Minister was bragging all these months about excess capacity/selling power to others/32000 MW plans for the future etc. He has egg on his face now. Actions speak louder than PR games!

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=30540

We expected the same would happen (probably 6 months back) and it was discusssed in this forum. TN is being hailed as power surplus state and in reality iit has not been. Hydro effficiency is very low. Thermal - No addition for long. Nuclear - Face saver. Only a part of TN benefits. Private Power plants is the only answer.

Apart from that quality of the power supplied is very poor. All the proposed IT parks if become operational will be hard hit because of this problem. 100% back up is there but it is too costly.

IT companies moving to Tier II and III cities will be considering this problem also.

We have suggested a town cooling system for OMR area, where at a centralised plant, power can be generated through HFO feedstock and the by product will be chilled water. Both the Power and chilled water (for A/C) can be centrally made and supplied via pipelines through the ducts (TNRDC). It will be a clean power and the IT Park developers can reduce their investments on 100% back up.

As an additional incentive, the HFO can be imported without duties and taxes as all IT parks are EOUs.

But who is listening?

Work on the World Bank-funded East Coast Road (ECR) project, which remained suspended for about a month following sharp showers in the coastal parts of the district, resumed recently.

Being a coastal belt with estuaries, rivulets and the Vellar, the major river of the district, the work involves construction of culverts and minor bridges at several places in the 36-km-long stretch. Work on construction of a minor bridge or culvert has been undertaken every couple of km between Kattumavadi and Kottaipattinam, about 70 km from here.

Authorities of the Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project (TNSRP), which is executing the Rs.2,160-crore project of laying the 742-km road from Arcot to Tuticorin, suspended the work as a vast stretch of newly laid and levelled earth on the ECR stretch turned slushy at places such as Kottaipattinam, Kattumavadi and Manamelkudi. The overflowing water from the culverts brought all work to a grinding halt.

The project, which started in February 2004, is expected to be completed by March 2009. Of the total outlay of Rs.2,160 crore, a sum of Rs.1,148 crore will be utilised to upgrade the ECR, TNSRP sources told The Hindu. The upgrading work includes strengthening of the earth and ensuring technical stability of the area to suit the huge volume of heavy vehicles. With the receding of rain water, work resumed last week, the sources said.

The project is being executed through meticulous planning, covering a stretch of 387 km between Arcot and Tiruvarur and 355 km between Nagapattinam and Tuticorin.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120250370100.htm

^^

Project should start soon. I think TN gvt has planned just for 2 lane on ECR. It will be great if they implement the project as 4 lane. This will help fast transportation from Cuddalore, Nagapattinam district to Chennai. But for Tuticorin the NH via Madurai will be shorter.

ECR for Rameshwaram, Tuticorin dts will boost the tourism in these districts.

CHENNAI: The industrial sector in Tamil Nadu faces a 33 per cent power shortage, according to the state arm of the Confederation of Indian Industry.

At a meeting with Industries Secretary M.F. Farooqui on Saturday, CII members from Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchi and Tuticorin presented their concerns.

“There is a spurt of new industries that add up to the additional demand of 600-700 MW in the State, resulting in the power shortage estimated at 33 per cent,” they said.

The industrialists said the problem could be addressed through better transmission and distribution systems, besides creation of additional installed capacity.

While free power could be given for farming, a proper metering system should be introduced.

Mr. Farooqui told the members that steps were being taken to add installed generation capacity. He said the government was introducing a merchant power scheme that would provide open access for private players to set up power plants and market it commercially.

The CII members also sought support from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to provide wheeling arrangements from generation plants to the State grid, and help independent captive power generators evolve bankable power projects, according to a CII release.

Infrastructure focus


The Industries Secretary said that enhancing the quality of infrastructure was the key focus of the State’s new Industrial Policy. The government was prioritising the development of a new international airport for Chennai, for which land had been identified. Steps were also being taken to develop select industrial corridors in the emerging manufacturing centres of Sriperambudur, Ranipet and Hosur

CII Tamil Nadu chairman Gopal Srinivasan urged the government to develop a Chennai-Mysore industrial corridor.

Daily 1 crore loss due power cut for power loom insdustries! Salem, Coimbatore, Erode, Nammakal, Karur and Madurai districts are getting affected due to this power cut!!

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epaperdinakaran/showxml.aspx?id=205688&code=19011

I think other than Kodankulam nuclear project, no other power project is under construction in Tamilnadu!! All other projects are still in papers. If wrong pls correct me.

TN is going to face some severe problems during summer!!

why doesn't TN try in recently started India Energy Exchange, many private guyz would sell excess power through IEX. They will officially start trading power by Jan 2008.

whatever present plans of building coal fired power plants are annonouced, power generation will only begin 3 years after construction begins. I only hope that Private Companies would execute their projects on time.

Koodankulam is under construction for more than 6 years and is supposed to be commissioned in 2007 end. Now NPC is hoping to start only in 2009.Additional Thermal power will be available only in 2012.JJ was in cozy comfort for 5 years with out any plans.

Power exchange price per unit next year may cross Rs 6.00.

TN Govt. shall think of installing 10 units of 100 MW each Gas Turbines, distributed across the state to overcome 1000 MW shortage. Since power consumption with the increased industrial activity is bound to increase 1000 MW every year, 3000-4000 MWs of power from Gas turbines is a must as a short term measure. When power from Thermal/Nuclear stations start flowing, these high cost Gas turbines can be kept for peak hour management.

NT Bureau | Wed, 05 Dec, 2007,01:38 PM
.
Enhancing the quality of infrastructure, development of select industrial corridors, thrust on agri-business, skills training are among the major focus areas of the New Industrial Policy of Tamilnadu, observed Industries Secretary M F Farooqui.

At an interaction with members of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Chennai and via video conference with CII members based at Madurai, Trichy and Tuticorin, he said that the features of the New Industry Policy were to enhance the quality of infrastructure, in terms of improving roads, ports, airports, telecom connectivity, and power.

.
He said that steps were being taken to add installed capacity of power generation in the State to strengthen the power situation and added that the government is introducing 'merchant power' scheme that provides open access for private players to set up power plants and market it commercially.

And the State government is giving more priority to the development of new international airport for which the land has been identified.

Farooqui said that government is keen to introduce a mechanism to measure administrative efficiency, which is the need of the hour, with certain deliverables and indicators such as time for project approval and to promote industrial growth and accountability.

In their interactions, members of the industry representing cross section of the industry urged the government to encourage home grown industries to become multinationals by helping them expand their business within the State and outside.

'The home grown industry may not need handholding or fiscal incentives. If government can gear up to promote the local industry to be globally competitive in textile, leather, engineering and automobile industry, it would directly and indirectly enhance wealth creation within the State,' said Rajiv Rai, former CII chairman.

The industry sought necessary support from the TNEB to provide wheeling arrangements from the generation plant to the State grid and help the independent captive power generators evolve bankable power projects.

There is a spurt of new industries that add up to the additional demand of over 600 to 700 MW of power in the State, resulting in the power shortage estimated to be at 33 per cent.

However, this can be substantially addressed through better management of grids and effective streamlining of transmission and distribution systems, apart from creating additional installed capacity.

Though free power could be given to agricultural use, a proper metering system should be introduced.

The industry in Chennai emphasised the urgent need to provide reliable and world class road connectivity to Ennore Port.

At present the 40 ft Ennore Expressway does not facilitate the speedy movement of transport.

The government should also take immediate measures to shift the handling of coal and ore from the Chennai Port to Ennore Port , which is a long pending plan, to create clean cargoes at Chennai port.

Participants from Madurai, Trichy and Tuticorin highlighted, among other issues, the need to ensure quality power supply, to introduce accelerated training programmes for skill development, and better road and port connectivity for the transportation high growth engineering products, facilities for IT development.

In his remarks, Gopal Srinivasan, chairman, CII, Tamilnadu, said that CII has set an ambitious target of achieving a 15-18 per cent annual growth for Tamilnadu. :banana:

He urged the government to take up the project of ‘Chennai-Mysore Industrial Corridor,’ which will go a long way in promoting the manufacturing and service sectors and conserve the valuable land banks, besides harnessing the availability of skills.

Over 50 members representing various sectors like automobile, auto component, logistics, textile, bio power, steel, small and medium industries attended the session

.
The visit of Netherlands high level business delegation to Chennai holds the key for overall development of both--Tamilnadu and Netherlands, observed Chief Secretary L K Tripathy.

Addressing a seminar organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in Chennai, he said that the purpose of the their visit is to strengthen bilatetal trade ties and to explore investment potential with India in general and Tamilnadu in particular. :banana:

.
Moreover, trade relations would go a long way in realising the vision for growth and development of Tamilnadu and the Netherlands, he said adding that the agreements between India and the Netherlands would serve as a comprehensive framework for economic cooperation.
The pact includes Air Services Agreement (May 1951), 1898 Treaty for the Mutual Surrender of Fugitive Criminals (effected in 1971) and Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation (February 1983).

Urging the Netherlands to explore the possibilities of taking advantage of India’s prowess in the field of science and technology, more so in the field of space technology, he said that India is by and large an agri-based country and it could utilise the advanced agricultural practices of Netherlands.

He said that the other sectors where there could be a cooperation include transport, telecommunications network, energy, rubber and related products, bio-technology and pharmaceuticals, gem and jewellery, leather products, education and HRD.

Expressing hope that the Netherlands would collaborate with Tamilnadu in creating an awareness about bilateral business opportunitieso besides creating useful link between India and the Netherlands, especially among small and medium companies of the City of Rotterdam, The Hague and City of Delft.
Vice Mayor of Economic affairs of Port and Environment of the City of Rotterdam Mark Harbers said that Netherlands has been in the centre of global trade and added that India and the Netherlands have immense potential for boosting business relations.

In this context he mentioned that the Netherlands enjoyed good port facility and served as a gateway to Europe. Netherlands was a hub for logistics.

He said that there was considerable rise in the bilatreal trade between 2000 to 2006 and pointed out that lot of Netherlands companies were already operational in India.

In contrast, several Indian steel companies have set up their shops in the Netherlands with petrochemical companies to be started soon.

Advisor to President of FICCI P Murari, chairman of FICCI Tamilnadu State Council Rafeeque Ahmed were present on this occassion.

^^ Please provide link to the source along with the post.

India -The Emerging Economic Power House of south Asia
‘By 2032, India will be among the three largest economies in the world’: Survey
News Agency of Kashmir 12/6/2007 12:19:22 PM

Kelvin Koul & Farooq Ganai / Dec 03 (NAK): The latest survey of the South Asia conducted by USA based organization FOSAAC reveals that the Indian economy is surging ahead and carving a new niche for itself, which is unique in the world.

The economy, survey said, is on an auto pilot mode, with fast emerging business and investment opportunities due to growing linkages both backward and forward within the economy and also with the outside world.

Today, India's remote and hilly areas including Jammu and Kashmir have passable roads, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), cell phone service and hotels. All this speaks of momentum and progress. India offers abundant opportunities to get rich quick.

Jammu and Kashmir which has sufficient potential for tourist attraction because of its topography and rivers, if developed, could become worlds leading tourist resort as it has been earlier-pre nineties. Gulmarg, Sona Marg, Pahalgam, Patnitop and other like places in the state are more beautiful than Asia’s Famous Hill Station located in Pakistan known as Co-Mury.

The investors from Multinational National Companies are keen to invest here but the government is not serious in welcoming them, no doubt it (government) has been talking about the foreign investments in the Jammu and Kashmir which is full of natural minerals deposits.

India has come a long way in the past few decades. Far from being a burden, democracy is India's biggest insurance against momentum being gained in the wrong direction. Thus, there cannot be reversals in economic reform. A gradual well studied approach towards liberalization would continue. There is a steady move towards full float of rupee.

The country is going through a transformation phase towards becoming a developed country.

The surging Indian economy is emerging as an economic power house and people now talking "CHINDIA", a term that refers to China and India together in general and their economies in particular, indicating the importance of the Indian economy in the global arena.

As the second fastest growing economy in the world, the Indian economy is displaying the ability and potential to sustain a higher growth trajectory of 8.5-9.0 per cent GDP growth per annum. Besides, indicators like greater outsourcing in fields like IT, auto-ancillaries, pharmaceuticals, strengthening rupee and a booming stock market, clearly reflect that India growth story is going strong. The growing mergers and acquisitions are enabling Indian companies to create a vital niche for themselves and is also opening out opportunities for foreign talent, thereby starting a new trend of reverse outsourcing.(NAK) courtesy news agency of kashmir

Source :

http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNT20071208105858&Title=TamilNadu+Page&lTitle=R%AAZLm&Topic=0&dName=No+Title&Dist=

:banana:

Source :

http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNT20071208105858&Title=TamilNadu+Page&lTitle=R%AAZLm&Topic=0&dName=No+Title&Dist=

:banana:

A target of 4 per cent annual growth projected for agriculture

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CHENNAI: The State Planning Commission has projected an outlay of Rs.85,000 crore for the XI Five Year Plan compared with Rs.43,000 crore for the earlier plan.

The draft report of the commission for the XI Five Year Plan was presented to its Chairman and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, by Vice-Chairman M.Naganathan at a meeting of the commission here on Saturday.

The commission has projected a target of 4 per cent annual growth in agriculture during the plan period. The allocation for agriculture and irrigation had been increased to Rs.11,100 crore from Rs.4,500 crore in the X Five Year Plan. Similarly, allocations had been substantially hiked for rural development, electricity, industries, roads and the social sector, which would include education, health, urban development and drinking water. While the fund allocation for agriculture is 9.18 per cent, it is a total of 43.04 per cent for the social sector. With a view to fulfilling the requirements of industries and the service sector, priority had been accorded for providing infrastructural facilities.

The allocations would be discussed at the National Development Council meeting to be held in New Delhi on December 19 and finalised, according to an official press release.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/09/stories/2007120959570500.htm

Gujarat top investment destination in India: Deutsche Bank
9 Dec, 2007, 1221 hrs IST, PTI

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NEW DELHI: Just a few days before the assembly elections begin in Gujarat, a leading international bank has named the state as the most attractive investment destination in the country.

In a latest research paper on infrastructure investment scenario in India, Deutsche Bank said that Gujarat offers the best investment potential among all the states and union territories in the country, measured on socio-economic and infrastructure factors.

The election-bound state is followed by Maharashtra, whose capital Mumbai is the country's financial nerve centre, and Delhi, the "economically powerful political centre of the country," the German bank said.

Delhi's strong investment potential also seems to have a bearing on adjacent states Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, both of which rank among the ten best states, it added.

"It seems that economic development and geographical proximity belong together, possibly also as a result of connecting infrastructure links," Deutsche Bank said.

The fact that all the top ten states - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana and Rajasthan - border each other vindicates the point, it noted.

The report titled "450 billion reasons to invest in India's infrastructure," prepared by its research arm Deutsche Bank Research, said that India's infrastructure has an enormous catch-up potential.



what happenned to tamilnadu.

Tamil Nadu, which has so far been luring industries with its USP of uninterrupted power supply, is on the verge of losing this advantage. An acute power shortage, which may see industries going without power for hours, and load-shedding/outages stare at residential users as well. According to official sources, the state government is hopeful of getting power from Assam, Haryana and the central pool to ward off an impending crisis. With no immediate power projects going live, the state is turning to hydel power generation from sub-Himalayan rivers to overcome the crisis. "It is the only hope for Tamil Nadu, as the country itself is facing 15% shortage in power generation", said state energy secretary, R Satapathy.

With an installed capacity of 10,000mw from the state, central and private sector power projects and 3,500mw wind power capacity, Tamil Nadu has been boasting of surplus power. It has been one of its major selling points for attracting fresh investments.

However, the situation has turned for the worse and the state has woken up to realise its precarious power position. The demand-supply gap is as wide as 1,300mw—the present availability is only 7,500mw while the demand is at 8,800mw. There has been substantial new industrial investments in the state in recent months, increasing the annual incremental demand for power to 700mw from 400mw.

The state electricity minister, Arcot N Veersamy, said the state electricity board would have met all the demand but for a few unprecedented hitches that resulted in short supply of 2,500mw. During April-November, wind power generators used to supply over 1,500mw to the state grid. Change in wind pattern dried out that source of power much earlier than usual. Floods in Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd (NLC) and maintenance closure also deprived the state of 500mw. To top it, there has been a shortfall of 500mw from the Central pool as well.

Satapathy said Koodankulam atomic power project was scheduled to be on stream in December 2007 and Tamil Nadu would have got about 1,000mw from that project. However, now the project is expected to be commissioned in December 2008, and would help make the summer of 2009 less harsh, he said.

The minister blamed the failure of the previous government in executing any major power project during its tenure. While the demand for electricity in Tamil Nadu has been growing at a rate of 400mw a year, and 4,000mw
during the last 10 years, fresh capacity addition has been only 531mw during the period.

Now, new power projects for a generation capacity of 4,100mw are proposed to be set up in the state to meet the increasing demand. The projects include the 500mw each expansion of Mettur and Kuntha plants, a 1,000mw project in Tuticorin and another 1,600mw joint venture of TNEB and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd in the same district.

The proposed 4,000mw ultra mega project by Reliance Power at Nellore near Chennai would also help Tamil Nadu as it would get 800mw from the project, expected to be commissioned in five-six years.

Since it would take a minimum of three years for at least some new projects to be operational, Veerasamy has been seeking the support of industrialists to meet the power shortage.

He suggested three options: to operate in night shifts, use captive gensets, (the state government would consider Vat exemption on furnace oil) and to work on Sundays, declaring weekly holiday on any other day. All India Manufacturer's Organisation, TN unit, has accepted the minister's suggestion.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Tamil-Nadu-set-to-lose-USP-of-uninterrupted-power-supply/248562/2

GMR plans to use the money from stake sale to expand power capacity by more than fourfold to 3,500 megawatts from 800 megawatts, invest in building a second terminal at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport at Istanbul, Turkey, buy coal mines in Indonesia and South Africa, construct roads locally and overseas and build a special economic zone in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Terdal said.

GMR plans to spend about 10 billion rupees in building a special economic zone in Tamil Nadu, invest additional 10 billion rupees each to build coal-based and hydro power plants in the country. It also plans to spend a similar amount on building roads locally and overseas.

``We are also examining options of nuclear energy and have formed a core group within the company,'' Terdal said. ``We may seek a foreign partner
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=avSmwirbvDSE&refer=india

Rajathi Merlin Projects Pvt Ltd will be investing Rs 1,000 crore in realty business in Tamil Nadu over the next 3 years. The amount would be financed through 50 percent equity and the balance through debt.

A 50:50 joint venture between Kolkata-based real estate developer Merlin Group and Chennaibased export company Rajathi Group, the Rajathi Merlin JV was announced in Chennai on Wednesday. The JV would invest 75 percent of the funds in residential complexes, including townships and housing projects and the balance in commercial complexes, Managing Director of Rajathi Merlin, Sushil Mohta, told mediapersons here on Wednesday.

The JV is expected to bring to the table the real estate experience and expertise of the Merlin Group and the knowledge of the Tamil Nadu market from the $ 100 million Rajathi Group.

"The JV company is planning to launch a couple of residential complexes next year, one of which is likely to be on 73-acres of land at Senthamangalam near Sriperumbudur, acquired by the Rajathi Group at a cost of Rs 55 crore," said CEO, Rajathi Group, Ashok RS.

The Group holds 18 acres of land on the Old Mahabalipuram Road, 14 acres at the SIPCOT Park in Sriperumbudur, 192 acres at Ocheri, 90 kms on NH 4, 63 acres in Pazhanthandalam near Tambaram and 30,000 sq ft in Kilpauk. Each land has involved an investment of about Rs 55 crore.

The SIPCOT land is likely to be spun off with a low income large volume studio apartments planned at Tambaram, each with a price tag of Rs 10 lakh.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEB20071212145320&Page=B&Headline=Rajathi+Merlin+JV+to+focus+on+TN+realty+biz&Title=Business&Topic=0

NEW DELHI: SRF, a market leader in the tyre cord business and refrigerant gases, plans to invest Rs. 257 crore in two separate projects. Approved by the company’s board on Monday, the first project entails the setting up of a second line of biaxially oriented polyester (BOP) films with a capacity of 27,000 tonnes at an estimated cost of Rs. 165 crore.

The project, according to a company statement, is being taken up in view of the excellent growth opportunities in packaging films business. On implementation, the capacity will increase to 55,000 tonnes.

The second project pertains to the setting up of a 15 MW wind energy unit to produce ‘green power’ in Tamil Nadu at an investment of Rs. 92 crore. The wind energy plant will meet the captive power requirements of SRF’s three units in the State under its technical textiles business (TTB).

To be implemented as a ‘clean development mechanism’ (CDM) project, it is expected to be commissioned by March next year.

TN plan to make state 'slum-free' by 2013

Chennai (PTI): The Tamil Nadu government planned to make the state 'Slum-free' by 2013 and was serious about removing encroachments, a top official said on Tuesday.
Slum-dwellers would be accommodated in 45,000 houses which the state planned to build, R Sellamuthu, Tamil Nadu Housing Secretary said at a Confederation of Indian Industry conference here.
Earlier, the CII unveiled a proposal at the conference to make Chennai a 'Megapolitan City' by redefining the Marakkanam, Arakkonam and Pulicat (MAP) region. The MAP would be a 'model city master plan' to be replicated in the rest of the world, the proposal said.
The proposal based on a study by the CII said Chennai is surrounded by many micro satellites or potential urban centres and MAP could be a solution to infrastructure problems, create more employment opportunities and affordable living conditions with world class amenities and guarantee increased revenue to the government.
It said MAP could help sustain ecology, develop a balanced ecosystem and protect the agriculture potential areas, increase GDP productivity, attract FDIs to the tune of about USD 15 billion and make the state No.1 destination for investments and employment opportunities in India.
Marakkanam is a panchayat town in Villupuram district, Arakkonam is a mid-sized town in Vellore district and Pulicat is a town in the Tiruvallur district. The MAP region will consist of other hubs like Kanchipuram, Maduranthakam, Sriperumbudur and Ennore, with each of them having four to five sub nodes connected to them. Each of these are to be linked by a major high speed corridor with eight to 10 lanes, and will also be linked by a metro rail system.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/004200712190320.htm

MRF (Madras Rubber Factory), the country’s leading tyremaker will set up a greenfield facility for two- and four-wheeler tyres to meet the growing demand in the country.

MRF’s Rs 500 crore facility will come up in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. The company is in talks with the state government for acquiring land.

A surging demand from automobile companies and a spurt in vehicle ownership in the country have led all leading tyremakers, including Bridgestone, Apollo Tyres, Michellin and Ceat Tyres, either to set up additional facilities or hike output.

According to a study, the vehicle production in India will swell to 4.4 million units by 2010 from the current 2.2 million.

The company is in the process of a Rs 600 crore brownfield expansion at all its six plants.

Koshy Varghese, vice-president, marketing, MRF Tyres, said, “We are carrying out capacity expansion at all our facilities. Besides, we are also setting up a greenfield unit in Trichy for two- and four-wheelers.”

By crossing the Rs 5,000-crore turnover this year, MRF became the first Indian tyre company to reach the landmark, registering a growth of 20 per cent compared with the last year’s numbers.

The new plant may also cater to the export markets.

“Although exports will remain a priority for us, we are worried about the appreciating rupee. The rupee has been affecting us and hence we have reduced our focus on it,” added Varghese.

Apollo Tyres, the second largest tyremaker in the country, has announced plans to set up a truck, bus and passenger car radial plant in Tamil Nadu.

The world’s largest tyre company, Bridgestone, may set up a radial facility for commercial vehicles.http://www.business-standard.com/compindustry/storypage.php?leftnm=1&subLeft=1&chklogin=N&autono=308128&tab=r

State to get Central University, IIM

Tamil Nadu will soon have a Central University and an Indian Institute of Management.

Acceding to a request from Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, Union Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh announced that the two institutes would be set up in the State.

Addressing presspersons here on Friday, he said that when Mr. Singh met him in New Delhi, he promised that the two institutes would be set up. Tamil Nadu does not have a Central University or an IIM.

Earlier, Mr. Karunanidhi had requested the Prime Minister to set up a Central University and an IIM in the State.http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/22/stories/2007122250390100.htm

http://www.business-standard.com/compindustry/storypage.php?leftnm=1&subLeft=1&chklogin=N&autono=308488&tab=r

Undeterred by its operations in Plachimada (Kerala) and Sivaganga (Tamil Nadu), and hamstrung by opposition from local communities and environmental activists, beverages major Coca-Cola is laying plans to increase capacity at its franchised soft drinks plant in Gangaikondan in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.

Coca-Cola India franchisee South India Bottling Company (SIBCL) planned to increase capacity at the Gangaikondan plant by 400-500 bottles per month (bpm), sources said.

The facility, which has been mired in controversy since it went into operations in 2005, has a production capacity of 1,000 bpm currently.

SIBCL declined to furnish details of the revenue sharing agreement with Coca-Cola India, which has been providing technical advice on machinery, water usage and chemical composition to SIBCL.

“Coca-Cola has seen its soft drinks market expanding over the past year, and hence, saw it fit to expand capacity further in Gangaikondan,” a senior executive at SIBCL said.

SIBCL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Chennai-based SVS Group.

The joint venture between SIBCL as a franchisee and Coca-Cola as a provider of technical know-how was set up in 2005 at an initial investment of Rs 28 crore in Gangaikondan village, 15 km from Tirunelveli in southern Tamil Nadu.

Since then, the soft drinks unit, set up at the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) Industrial Growth Centre, has absorbed a further Rs 48 crore in investments.

^^
bpm could be bottles per minute.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/26/stories/2007122655680100.htm

Their total capacity will be 10,140 MWs

All of them will be coal-fired thermal plants

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CHENNAI: The State Government has given permission for the establishment of five more power projects, with a total capacity of 10,140 megawatts (MWs), under the scheme of merchant power plants.

The proposed power plants will be coal-fired thermal plants. Marakkanam is identified as the site for two plants, while Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Manapad (in Tuticorin district) will have one plant each. About a week ago, the authorities issued letters of facilitation to the promoters of the five projects, according to an official.

A Mumbai-based company is going to put up the plant in Cuddalore while four companies, two each from Chennai and Hyderabad, are setting up the plants at the other places. From the date of issue of the letters, the projects are to be commissioned in four years.

[In respect of merchant power plants, promoters compete for customers and absorb the full market risk. There is no arrangement for power purchase agreements before the establishment of the plants, as done in the case of the conventional independent power projects. The risk of a merchant power plant is carried on the balance sheet of the promoter concerned].

With the latest instalment of five projects, the Government has given the nod for a total of nine projects having an aggregate capacity of 16,140 MW. One 1,000-MW project proposed in Cuddalore is under consideration of the authorities.

As in the case of the earlier projects, the Government has intimated to the promoters of the present set of projects that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board will be under no compulsion to buy power. Twenty five per cent of power produced by the plants will have to be sold to the Board if the State requires it. In such a case, the TNEB will float bids and opt for cheaper power.

Eventually, the transaction between the Board and the merchant power plant promoters will be subject to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission’s approval. When the merchant power plant promoters offer the power, the Board will also have the right of first refusal.

Two-level scrutiny

Prior to the issuance of the letters of facilitation, the proposals from the promoters are scrutinised at two levels. They are perused initially by a sub-committee of experts and later by a high-powered panel with the Chief Secretary as the chairperson. After the Board gives its green signal, the proposals are sent to the Government for the final action, explains the official.

Cuddalore - 2,000MW (UDI Infrastructure) + 1,000MW (Mumbai company)
Nagapatinam - 2,000MW (Tridem) + (Hyderabad/Chennai based company)
Tuticorin - 1,000MW Coastal Gen
Manappadu near Tuticorin - 1,000MW (Free City) + ???MW (Hyderabad/Chennai based company)
Marakanam - ????MW (Chennai Company)+???MW (Hyderabad company)

Total Capacity : 16,140 MW

Will be good if the plans fructify!!!

But don't find any big names who have the wherewithal to mobilise funds from stock market/pvt equity/banks etc. Shouln't become like Nagarjuna Refineries who exist in paper for the past 12 years, still trying to arrange funds.