Vizag discussions

[s.yogendra]

GVMC plans free parking lots

To overcome the parking space crunch in the city, GVMC is planning to open free parking lots in vacant sites.

“Such sites are being identified to open them up for parking. If owners co-operate vacant land exemption will be given for such sites,” Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu told reporters on Monday.

read more: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle2671146.ece

[s.yogendra]

Vizag port’s cargo traffic touches 48 m tonnes

The Visakhapatnam port handled 47.9 million tonnes of cargo till the end of November during the current financial year as against 43.9 million tonnes during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of four million tonnes

read more: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...ry-and-economy

[s.yogendra]

Naval Day Celebrations at Visakhapatnam

[s.yogendra]

Naval war exercises leave people spellbound

The display of three-dimensional warfare capability of the Indian Navy from the picturesque beach road of the city enthralled thousands of weekend revellers on Sunday.



read more:- http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle2687889.ece

[S Chigurupati]

VUDA to have new office complex

VUDA proposes a new premises for its exclusive office accommodation in an area of 2,030 square metres available adjacent to the existing building at Siripuram junction.

Vice-Chairman Kona Sasidhar said the new office accommodation would be a role model for construction activity with state-of-the-art architecture and technical aspects. Green Building concept would be adopted in the construction of the new office complex. In response to VUDA's call for expression of interest from architects for designs for the new building, nine firms from Nagpur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Visakhapatnam submitted proposals. A committee of experts has been formed to scrutinize and finalise the design for the new building.

A meeting was held on Thursday to conduct the preliminary screening of the proposals submitted by the firms. While addressing the expert committee and the representatives of the firms, Mr. Sasidhar said VUDA intended to act as a leading force in implementation of building guidelines and the new building should showcase it. The new premises has been proposed with grand entrance, space for all wings of VUDA, information kiosks, digital library, spacious parking, user-friendly amenities to visitors, measures for energy efficiency etc. The expert committee would take up two-stage scrutiny to finalise the architect. The Chairman of AP Chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects D.T. Vinod Kumar is the chairman of the expert committee.

Head of the Department of Architecture, Andhra University, G. Viswanadha Kumar, senior Professor of Economics R. Sudarshana Rao, senior architect Y. Narasimha Rao, and VUDA Chief Engineer I. Viswanatha Rao were among the members. VUDA Chief Urban Planner R.J. Vidyullatha is the member- convener.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/ind...jan-15/459780/

Visakhapatnam airport is likely to get its first international flight from January 15. After expanding the existing airport, the Airports Authority of India has created all facilities like customs and immigration to handle international passengers.

Air passengers of this region currently depend on other airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad for international services, said Varada Reddy, president of Air Travelers Association of India.

Initially, Air India would operate its international flight from Vizag to Dubai via Hyderabad from January 15. During the last calendar year, 750,000 passengers used Vizag airport, of which about 30 per cent were international passengers. This year the number is set to touch over 900,000, KS Rao, director, Vizag airport, told Business Standard. At present, 38 domestic flight services operate from the airport daily.
In view of the increase in air passengers from here, the government has sanctioned another aerobridge, which will cost the airport Rs 3-4 crore, Rao said.

The airport now has two aerobridges with provision for four aerobridges. The civil aviation ministry has given in-principal approval to start the second international flight service from Vizag to Singapore via Madurai from March 2012, Reddy said.

International airlines like Silk Airways and Air Arabia have evinced interest in starting flights from Vizag.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/11867172.cms

VISAKHAPATNAM: Two more flights would be available for air passengers from next month as Indigo Airlines is planning to commence its operations from the port city. Indigo will launch Chennai-Vizag-Bhubaneswar-Kolkata flight on March 7. The flight would land at Vizag at 8.35 am and the return service from Bhubaneswar would land at 2.40 pm before flying off to Chennai. Another flight on Delhi-Hyderabad-Vizag-Hyderabad-Delhi sector is set to operate from March 7. With this, the flight services from Visakhapatnam airport will reach 40 a day.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle2927957.ece

Canara Bank Chairman-cum-Managing Director S. Raman has said that women from Andhra Pradesh were leading the Self Help Group (SHG) movement in the country and the local SHG women in 100 per cent loan recovery.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, he said that the local SHG women would be projected as role models for their counterparts. The Canara Bank considers lending to SHG women as the most viable proposition in view of their track record in repayment of community and individual loans.

The CMD observed that the SHG women were ushering in a silent economic revolution through the success of their movement Women had already proved themselves as good home managers and their efficiency and house hold experience is reflected in the self help movement, he added.

Canara Bank had given Rs. 1,000 crores for the women groups in the State and Rs. 150 crore in the district in the 2011-12 financial year. The bank succeeded in recovering Rs. 2,100 crore from the non-performing assets last fiscal and was expecting to recover Rs. 2,400 crores in the current year. Asked to comment on the impression that the SHG women were using the loans more for redeeming themselves from the clutches of private money lenders and less for economic activity, he replied that the suggestion was partly true. Later, Mr. Raman also participated in a meeting with SHG women organised by the bank at the Andhra University Assembly Hall. He formally launched the bank linkage of 1600 women groups spread in the nine coastal districts of Andhra involving 16,000 women with a credit amount of Rs. 30 crore. He gave away cheques to the women groups on the occasion.

Canara Bank deputy general manager S. Krishnan, in his report on the bank's performance, said that 104 branches were operating in Visakhapatnam circle with a total registered business of Rs. 5,323 crore inclusive Rs. 2,667 crore deposits and advances to the tune of Rs.2,656 crore. Out of the total advances, Rs. 2028 crore was for priority sector and Rs.1,310 crore for agriculture and Rs. 542 crore for medium and small industries. The bank was instrumental in the formation of 37,236 groups in the state, he said.

Mr. Raman also inaugurated the new circle office in the city.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle2967610.ece

As Visakhapatnam is gearing up for the international flight operations from its airport from March 25 to Dubai, the low budget carrier —Indigo — is likely to introduce Vizag-Singapore-Vizag flights from April.

The introduction of this route would immensely help the people in the coastal Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining Chhattisgarh and Odisha belts as they can catch connecting flights to the U.S and Australia/New Zealand from Singapore by going via Visakhapatnam instead of travelling all the way to Chennai or Hyderabad to catch an international flight.

According to Rajya Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology T. Subbarami Reddy, the initial glitches in the operation of the international flight from Visakhapatnam to Dubai by the national carrier Air India had been sorted out after he took up the matter with the Defence, Home, Civil Aviation and the Director of Intelligence Bureau on Monday and Tuesday.

“Now everything is clear and the first flight to Dubai from Visakhapatnam will be flagged off on March 25 by Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh at Visakhapatnam,” Mr. Reddy said.

As there are a lot of investments made in the steel city and the adjoining districts, with the help of the Singapore government, the direct flight to Singapore might be useful in bringing in more investments to the north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Reddy said he had plans to bring the Singapore Prime Minister to Visakhapatnam during his next visit to India adding that he had had a meeting a few days ago in this regard with the Singapore High Commissioner for India Karen Tan.

Presently, the administrative control of the Vizag airport, including the air traffic control, comes under the Indian Navy's air station INS Dega and the integrated new terminal of the airport was inaugurated on February 20, 2009.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...le2994228.ecev

All municipalities must endeavour to achieve service level benchmarks defined for local bodies, Project Director of Andhra Pradesh Municipal Development Project Katamaneni Bhaskar has said.

Addressing a workshop for municipal commissioners, engineers and public health officials of four districts here on Tuesday, he said the bench mark has 28 indicators- nine each for water supply and sewerage, eight for solid waste management and two for storm water drainage.

All civic bodies must try to achieve them by providing 135 litres per day per head of treated water, sewage treatment duly linking toilets and 100 per cent solid waste management. Visakhapatnam Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu said while maintaining service levels, officials should be ready to accept responsibility without passing the buck.

Regional Directors P. Ashajyoti and Rajendra Prasad, GVMC additional commissioners S. Krishna Murthy, K. Ramesh and P. Poornachandra Rao and civic officials from the North Coastal and East Godavari districts participated.

[Gudavalli]

Vizag abounds with medicinal plant

Kalmegh, a herbal plant known by its scientific name as Andrographis Paniculata of Acanthaceae family, is one of the 32 medicinal plants in high demand all over the world. The plant is abundantly found in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts. The rich potential of the medicinal resource could not be tapped until recently for want of technical know-how and absence of market linkages. Locally it is also called as ‘neelavemu and adavi mirchi'.

It is a herb used in siddha and ayurvedic medicine for multi-clinical applications.

Kalmegh grows erect to a height of 30 to 100 cm in moist and shady places. The slender stem is dark green. It is an erect annual herb extremely bitter in taste in all parts of the plant body. It is native to India, China and Southeast Asia. The square stem has wings on the angles of new growth and is enlarged at the nodes while the small flowers are borne on a spreading panicle. It is widely cultivated in Asia. The above ground parts are collected in the fall. The genetic variability of the species has been examined. The plant is known in north-eastern India as Maha-tita, literally “king of bitters” and also known as Buhi-neem meaning ‘neem of the ground' since the plant, though being a small annual herb, has a similar strong bitter taste as that of large neem tree.

It is known for its exceptional ability to protect the liver, brain and heart, the three major organs that embody the body, heart and spirit complex of shaman ritualistic medicine.

Recent findings indicated that the application of Kalmeg properties resulted in shortened duration and reduced symptoms of cold. A mere 3-6 grams of the dried herb when used daily, showed a marked reduction in cold symptoms whether eaten raw or made into tea. The plant extract also has anti-typhoid and anti-fungal properties and is also reported to possess anti-hepatoxic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties to mention a few. Its general use as an immuno-stimulant agent in upper respiratory tract infections and HIV infection and decoction of the plant as a blood purifier is also well known. The herb has been primarily used for liver complaints and to reduce fevers in the traditional medicines of India and China as well as for bitter tonic properties. The potential of andrographolides as an anti-cancer agent is being investigated. Recently 3,160 kg of Kalmegh had been procured and sold to Bangalore based firm, Natural Remedies Private Limited, by Adavithalli Girijan Mahila MAC society of Chintapaka village in Ananthagiri mandal in the district.

The tribal farmers could get Rs.27.50 per kg. The society is planning to give bonus to the Kalmegh collectors. Kovel Foundation, an NGO was instrumental in the training of tribal people in scientific collection and processing packaging practices and on harvesting and post-harvesting practices.

[Gudavalli]

Swine flu screening centres to come up in Vizag Agency

Suspecting the spread of the swine flu in tribal areas of the district, medical and health department officials geared up to set up swine flu screening centres at Araku Valley and Paderu.



Suspecting the spread of the swine flu in tribal areas of the district, medical and health department officials geared up to set up swine flu screening centres at Araku Valley and Paderu.

Swine flu has been creating panic in Visakhapatn-am district for the past few weeks and chances of spre-ading to tourism spots like Araku Valley and Paderu in the district are high.

District medical and health officer, G. Savithri, said that many tourists fr-om AP, Odisha and West Bengal have been thronging Araku Valley and Pade-ru to beat the summer which would give scope to spread swine flu at those areas. In Visakhapatnam district, six swine flu scree-ning centres have been functioning, including five, under the city limits and one at Anakapalle. Now the medical and health officials ready to set up the swine flu screening centres even in the tribal areas.

District swine flu coordinator, LBSH Devi, said the H1N1 virus has turned act-ive in the last week of Mar-ch and has been spreading in April due to climate change. There are chances that the H1N1 virus will spread further in the city and others parts of the district. Devi said they supplied medicines for both categories of swine flu if it spreads in tribal areas.

Before setting up the swine flu screening centres at tribal areas there is urgent need to appoint chest physicians.

So far six swine flu confirmed cases have been reported in the district and a 23-year-old pregnant woman of Gajuwaka area died of the disease recently.

[Gudavalli]

Heritage lovers revisit the ancient glory of Vizag

GVMC Commissioner says the greatest heritage in the world is the Indian family system

It was an enlightening evening not only for students but also the guests, who attended the World Heritage Day celebrations organised jointly by The Hindu and Pollocks School in association with Visakha Museum on Wednesday.

The exhibition of pictures of ‘ancient town', taken in the pre-Independent era and the early years of Independence, gave heritage-lovers a glimpse of the ancient glory of Visakhapatnam. The picture of the aesthetically built houses and the architectural splendour of the ancient buildings on the Beach Road, launch of ‘Jala Usha' and visits of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore and The Mahatma passing by Visakhapatnam in a train were some of the rare pictures on display which are sure to leave a lasting impression on the visitors, particularly the students.

Addressing the students on the occasion, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu said that the greatest heritage in the world was the Indian family system and values. The strength of India lay in its vast human resources and youth were its greatest asset. “We worship trees and wildlife and nature and do not harm even snakes, under normal circumstances”. He spoke of the man-made heritage structures as also the natural formations like ‘Erramatti Dibbalu'. He called upon youth not to ask what the country has given to them but to think of what they could do for the nation. He recalled the contribution of The Hindu in promoting the spirit of nationalism in the pre and post Independent era.

A retired professor of History and Archaeology of Andhra University Kolluru Suryanarayana recalled the contribution of foreigners like Max Mueller, Sir Arthur Cotton and C.P. Brown to the upholding and preservation of Indian culture and traditions.

Referring to various archaeological evidences, he said that Visakhapatnam was a part of Kalinga empire and was originally not a part of Andhra.

The Buddhist heritage sites that were found in and around the city and district bear ample testimony of the importance of the region as a centre of trade.

Though all the history books refer to the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 as the ‘First war of Indian Independence', a Sepoy Mutiny, which took place in 1780 in Visakhapatnam was the ‘First war of Indian Independence' and this was mentioned in the British Records.

INTACH member Sohan Hatangadi gave a presentation on “A brief introduction to India's heritage', INTACH member Prasad spoke on “INTACH and its objectives and activities” and INTACH member Kumar spoke on ‘Vizag – down memory lane'.

Visakha Museum Curator Patrudu, Regional General Manager of The Hindu T.V. Suresh, Pollocks School Correspondent Sandeep and Vice Principal Rajini Chitra participated.

Earlier, an ‘awareness walk' was flagged off by the Deputy Inspector General (Visakha Range) Soumya Mishra. She impressed upon the participants to safeguard India's rich and varied heritage, which has stood the test of time.

[Gudavalli]

Tap removal plan draws flak

Thousands of city residents, who mainly depend on public taps for drinking water, are now worried over officials’ plans to remove them in the city to check the water misuse besides promoting 24x7 water supply scheme. Officials maintain that all alternative measures are being taken to render justice to such people.


Thousands of city residents, who mainly depend on public taps for drinking water, are now worried over officials’ plans to remove them in the city to check the water misuse besides promoting 24x7 water supply scheme. Officials maintain that all alternative measures are being taken to render justice to such people.

Government had annou-nced a house tap connection at Rs.1,225 for every below-poverty-line (BPL) family with a white ration card. However, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) did not succeed in implementing it.

Officials tried to give connections for an initial payment of Rs.200 with remaining payments on instalment, but this too failed in 2009.

Officials now wanted to complete the project before elections to the corporation in a couple of months.

“They could not implement the project due to corporators who objected to it on several occasions. This is the right time to finish the works before they come to power. Vizag will be the first city in the state if it succeeds in implementing the 24x7 water supply scheme in full swing by removing public taps,” a senior official felt.

Speaking to this newspaper, Telugu Desam city president and former corporator Kona Tata Rao said that the corporation was spending nearly 16 per cent of its funds on water supply works, but failed to check misuse of water.

[Gudavalli]

Unveiling Vizag

Though the city of Visakhapatnam had been passed through many times before, never had it occurred to me that this industrial city is also a destination of tourist interest and has quite a few sights of its own. It was a discovery of sorts when we actually landed there recently, on a small tour of the district and its surroundings.

Visakhapatnam, known as Waltair in colonial times, and Vizag for short, is an upcoming metropolis, home to many an industrial giant and dominated by an expansive natural harbour. With a few pristine beaches dotting the city, it is no wonder that Vizag is nicknamed “Goa of the east.”

As if to familiarise us with Vizag as a beach city, we were taken to the Rushikonda Beach Resort, one of the best options for accommodation, some 14 km off the city. The resort is built on Rushikonda Hill, overlooking the beach in such a way that all of its 57 rooms have balconies with a lovely view of the sea. Having reached by late evening, the balcony view was all we could have a taste of on the first day.

At dawn, the real beauty of the place opened up. The vast stretch of blue sea spread out before us with a curved bay lined with gentle hills and profuse greenery. Enthralled by a stroll along the cool beach, we embarked on the sights we had marked out for the day.

We had discovered a well-defined Buddhist circuit in this part of the state. Nearby hills held ancient relics, stupas and viharas. The first hill we visited was Totlakonda. A welcome arch leads the way up the hill, and at the top, we explored a few abandoned small tanks used to store water.

A line of cells where the Buddhist monks resided has been reduced to the base. A large stupa stands in the centre, though dilapidated. Numerous flowers and birds of many varieties make the visit refreshing. We moved on to Bhavikonda, a similar site close by with remains of stupas and a mahastupa.

“Buddha’s jaw bone was excavated here,” remarked our guide, and is now kept in the museum at Hyderabad. After a quick visit to the pilgrim town of Simhachalam, famed for the Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple, we came back for lunch which, surprisingly, was not spicy.

The afternoon was spent visiting a couple of museums; a maritime museum named Visakha and the submarine museum Kursura, the only one of its kind in the country. There are some fine beaches here as well, but a tad bit too crowded. As evening was drawing to a close, we took the ropeway lift to Kailasagiri Hill, another enchanting spot in Vizag.

True to its name, the hilltop has the statue of Shiva-Parvathi. The several vista points here offer stunning panoramic views of the sea and the city.

The last day was marked to visit Sankaram, another historic site of Buddhist relics dating back to 1st century AD. Here, the Bojjanakonda hill, reached by a flight of steep steps, has a fine rock-cut temple with images in its niches. A huge ruining stupa is also found on top.

The
opposite hill with a collection of stupas that look like lingas has earned it the name of Lingalakonda.
Ross Hill, which is closer to the harbour, is actually a cluster of three little hillocks, where a temple, a mosque and a chapel exist. The views of the harbour and ships on the sea are eye-catching. After an enjoyable boat ride on the sea, we made it to the Dolphin’s Nose, a large rocky hill in the shape of a snout, extending into the sea.

It is this feature that has made the natural harbour possible and the shipping industry thrive. Driving back along the sea beaches to the comfort of the resort, the visit to Vizag culminated with a dinner overlooking the sea.

[Gudavalli]

‘MMTC bucked the trend and achieved 35% growth’

MMTC has been in the bullion trade since 1988 and over the years has transformed itself into one of the largest bullion importers in the subcontinent. As part of its commitment to bullion industry, MMTC hosted its first 'Festival of Gold' exhibition in 1994 in Delhi. While the Festival of Gold


exhibition in Delhi has become a biannual affair (around Akshay Tritiya and Diwali), MMTC has taken the Festival of Gold to other cities also such as Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai. Ved Prakash, Director, Marketing, MMTC, spoke to Hindustan Times on a range of issues. Excerpts:
How was MMTC's bullion business in 2011-12?
Overall MMTC achieved a turnover of approx. Rs. 45,000 crore in the bullion sector. Imports were reflective of market trends wherein during the period April-October 2011, there was phenomenal growth. After October 2011, due to weakening rupee against the dollar and economic factors related to Eurozone, imports were on decline. There was also customs duty hike in January 2012 followed by another hike in March 2012, resulting in lower off take of gold and silver by the industry.

What's the target for retail sales and growth in 2012-13?
Bucking the trend, MMTC's retail precious metals business has achieved around 35% growth in last fiscal. Growth has been substantial in retail sales of silverware, silver/gold medallions and gold jewellery. Exhibitions have contributed significantly to the value chain of MMTC. An ambitious growth target of over 25 per cent is planned for retail products during 2012-13 over the previous year's sales of around R650 crore.

Elaborate on the current scenario of high prices of gold versus strategy for growth consolidation in precious metals.
Post customs duty hike and low margins, MMTC is reviewing the consignment model for bullion. Efforts are concentrated on targeting corporate/institutional manufacturers and offering value added services. MMTC is also coordinating with its joint ventures for offering refined gold and silver bars in different denominations. In line with customer preferences, MMTC is also introducing coloured silver pendants with superior quality finish hitherto unavailable in Indian market.

What are your major plans for Akshay Tritiya 2012?
Gold is the central theme of Akshay Tritiya. Originating in the south, the culture and flavour of this festival has now a pan-India presence with familial and cultural binds being the unifying theme for celebrations of prosperity with gold and silver. The exhibition is being held at Hyatt Regency from April 21 to April 25, 2012. Jewellery from all regions of the country will be showcased here under a single roof. In line with customer preferences, new trendy fashion jewellery for the youth is an added attraction.

What is MMTC's focus in the retail sector?
We see a big opportunity to meet people's demand in the jewellery and bullion sector. We are expanding our footprints in some new terrains. Recently during Ugadi, we had our first Festival of Gold exhibition in Vizag that received tremendous response. Our customers have responded positively to our commitment to give them hallmarked products guaranteed for purity. We stand firm on this commitment. We will be opening around five more MMTC Jewels exclusive showrooms in Delhi/NCR and planning another showroom in Goa, as well as Vizag in the days to come. Through IPL, (Indian Potash Limited), two more showrooms are planned for Patna and Lucknow.

[Gudavalli]

CRZ: No checks on ground water usage

After authorities miserably failed to control the rampant use of ground water by various commercial establishments, star hotels, residential apartments, a group of local NGOs and voluntary orga-nisations approached the High Court and filed a public interest litigation (PIL) recently. The case that came up for hearing on Monday was posted after four weeks for hearing.

After authorities miserably failed to control the rampant use of ground water by various commercial establishments, star hotels, residential apartments, a group of local NGOs and voluntary orga-nisations approached the High Court and filed a public interest litigation (PIL) recently. The case that came up for hearing on Monday was posted after four weeks for hearing.

Meanwhile, the court also issued notices to around 30 respondents to give their opinion.

There are more than 100 apartments, around four-star hotels, beach resorts across the city in the coastline between Vizag port and Rushikonda.

Petitioners felt that commercial establishments and star hotels have taken up digging of borewells and extraction of ground water between the high tide line (HTL) to 500 metres in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone notification issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

They alleged that ordinary, natural wells along the coastline from Vizag port to Rushikonda have dried up and people are suffering for drinking water. Experts also point out that groundwater has been overdrawn in Vizag and there was no scope for recharge which was causing sea water ingress, and increasing salinity of gro-und water. “For the last six months, we have been making representations, bringing all these issues to the notice of Vuda, GVMC, tourism department and district collector. As they failed to take any steps, we had to approach the High Court,” said Mr Karajada Krishna of a Better City of Destiny & Economically Weaker Section Welfare Association.

In a recent communication by GVMC to one of the petitioners, it admitted that there are borewells dug against CRZ norms. After inspection, several notices were also issued to seize the borewells and the owners were instructed to take drinking water from the GVMC, paying necessary charges. Action would also be initiated as per the WALTA Act, said GVMC’s water supply superintendent engineer Surya Jyothi.

[Gudavalli]

India Inc puts its might behind innovations

It is a problem that confronts most steel makers, but few have been able to work round it. The one who has is Tata Steel. The Rs 29,396-crore steel major is piloting a technology at Vizag in Andhra Pradesh that will help it reduce wastage when it removes the ash content from coal mines. The issue can be put in perspective when the ash content in Indian coal is noted: it is almost 35 per cent, which makes it unusable as a raw material for steel. To tide over this problem, most steel makers import high-grade coal from countries such as Australia. Tata Steel, which was feted for its technology at the 2012 edition of Tata Innovista (awards that recognise innovations within the Tata Group), is looking to cut imports once it is commercialised in three to four years.

The Mumbai-headquartered company, whose largest plant is located at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, is not the only one to be devoting its attention to break-through technology of late. Information technology company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has rolled out a new software for farmers in Maharashtra and Gujarat that allows them to have easy access to information that counts, whether it is about the arrival of the monsoons, soil quality or pest control. Called Samriddh Krishi, TCS has collaborated with Tata Chemicals for the project, and the rollout, according to R Gopalakrishnan, director, Tata Sons, will be expanded over time.

Here is another example of clutter-breaking work: Tata Chemicals, the maker of Tata Salt, the largest table salt in India, has just launched an iron fortified salt. Now table salt is packed with iodine, which is a vital nutrient. But recognising that Indians also grapple with the problem of iron deficiency, the agro-chemical major tied up with the Hyderabad-based National Insitute of Nutrition to launch Tata Salt Plus this month. “This is the first time that an iron-fortified salt has been launched in India,” points out Gopalakrishnan.
The work that group companies within the Rs 4.15-lakh-crore (or $83-billion) Tata conglomerate are doing is part of a system that was put in place almost seven years ago. Recognising the need to harness creative ideas and solutions, the group formed a total quality management services division under holding company Tata Sons that, among other things, actively promotes innovations.

The group, which is eying a turnover of Rs 26 lakh crore (or $500 billion) by 2020, also instituted the Innovista Awards to help recognise good innovations. Besides this, the group also attempted to recognise those innovations that dared to try, basically ideas, which though attempted seriously, turned out to be failures.

The result of all this is a 28-fold increase in the number of entries from 2006 (the entries then were 101) to now. The participating countries have also expanded from one, namely India, to 25 including the US, UK, Europe, etc. But this is only one aspect of the culture of innovations that the Tatas have been looking to foster. Thanks to the emphasis on creative thinking, which is also part of the appraisal system of line managers, the ecosystem, says Gopalakrishnan, has seen nearly 6,000 ideas and 11,000 innovation projects over the last seven years. Of this, nearly 43 per cent has come from line managers working in Tata group companies abroad.

While the total R&D spends by the Tata group is just three per cent of its turnover at Rs 12,500 crore spread mainly across Tata Steel, Tata Motors and TCS, the group, says Gopalakrishnan, is counting on more companies to come up with clutter-busting work. The signs are visible: At the Innovista Awards this year, entries came from a total of 71 companies out of 91 that make up the group. The number of failures, which qualified for the Dare to Try category, also grew from 12 in 2006 to 87.

[Gudavalli]

Summer camps become money-spinners in Vizag

Institutions conducting summer camps for students are collecting exorbitant fees in the name of camps where nothing much is taught. The main aim of the institutions seems to be promoting self interests rather than recreation or skill upgradation of the children.

Institutions conducting summer camps for students are collecting exorbitant fees in the name of camps where nothing much is taught. The main aim of the institutions seems to be promoting self interests rather than recreation or skill upgradation of the children.

With the onset of summer. a variety of camps spring up, taking advantage of accommodation available as all schools and colleges are closed for more than a month. The very purpose of closing educational institutions is to provide respite and relief to teachers, students and office-goers. But many institutions conduct summer camps where orientation is given in the fields of sports, music, dance, yoga, spoken English, computer courses, and many more. There is no proper regulation of such institutes and no control over how they function, how much they charge, etc.

A spoken English coaching centre in the RTC complex area has been charging Rs.1,000-Rs.2,000 for a batch of 30- day coaching, said a resident of MVP Colony area.

Some coaching centres act as informal agents of a particular school or college.

[Gudavalli]

APIIC issues notices to six software companies

VISAKHAPATNAM, APRIL 30:
The AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has issued notices to six software companies which have failed to establish the proposed projects within the stipulated period.

Sources said the APIIC had cancelled sometime ago allotments made to four companies including Wipro at Rushikonda. Sources said 9.65 acres allotted to Wipro was cancelled for not grounding any work. The amount paid towards the land was also refunded.

For various reasons, it is said, the software companies are unable to start work on the projects at Rushikonda. Two hillocks have been set up apart for the software companies, but the infrastructural facilities are inadequate and the companies are reluctant to start operations there due to the lack of transport facilities and telecommunication facilities. Initially, the companies were told that the land would be sold to them outright, but subsequently they were converted to special economic zones. The two SEZs are plagued by a plethora of problems.

Even though the experience at Rushikonda was not very happy, the State Government proposed another IT SEZ at Gambhe eram village near the city. The IT Special Economic Zone was developed in 20.76 hectares for allotment after the Ministry of Commerce issued a notification in April 2009. Though provisional allotment letters were issued to six companies for setting up software units, none has come forward to take up work on the project.

Only a few companies such as Symbiosis have set up units at Rushikonda and fulfilled the obligation of providing employment to 100 persons for every acre of land taken from the Government.