Bangalore: Globals ITeS has signed a pilot project to implement cloud computing in 30 schools in Zimbabwe.
As a part of this project, Globals ITeS, a subsidiary of Globals Inc, will implement an outbound Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) solution along with an education management information system that will be delivered through the cloud.
Initially, through this system, all teachers and other school members will get an automated call on their mobile phones through which they will be required to enter the requisite data pertaining to number of students attending schools or status of initiatives adopted by the school.
Growing issues with regard to transparency such as staff absenteeism prompted the school to adopt a solution like this. “Mobile phone penetration in Zimbabwe is high. Couple this with inconsistent power supply and Internet connectivity issues in Zimbabwe, this kind of a solution will help in addressing the challenges that the government faces in their education sector,” Mr Suhas Gopinath, CEO & President of Globals Inc.
This pilot will be implemented for six months after which based on the impact study; it will be rolled out in another 400 schools. According to Mr Gopinath, this kind of solution can be extended to government schemes in India, which, through the cloud can monitor subsidies granted to farmers or mid-day meal schemes.
Success in my Habit
Thursday, March 29, 2012
TVS Group acquires UK auto component wholesale firm
Chennai: The TVS Group on Tuesday announced the acquisition of a majority stake in UK-based Universal Components for Rs 100 crore, as part of its expansion plans. It has also re-branded Multipart, its existing supply chain solutions brand in Europe, into TVS Supply Chain Solutions.
The group has acquired 90 per cent of Universal Components through a special purpose vehicle, TVS Europe Distribution UK, formed by group companies, Srichakra Tyres and Associated Autoparts, said TVS Logistics Services MD R Dinesh.
The acquisition was funded by internal accruals, he added. “We would utilise Universal Components’ marketing expertise and best practices in our businesses in India and other Asian markets. It would also help us to have wider coverage of parts to distribute in the after-market,” said Dinesh.
Universal Components is a wholesale distributor of commercial vehicle parts and accessories in Europe.
The group has acquired 90 per cent of Universal Components through a special purpose vehicle, TVS Europe Distribution UK, formed by group companies, Srichakra Tyres and Associated Autoparts, said TVS Logistics Services MD R Dinesh.
The acquisition was funded by internal accruals, he added. “We would utilise Universal Components’ marketing expertise and best practices in our businesses in India and other Asian markets. It would also help us to have wider coverage of parts to distribute in the after-market,” said Dinesh.
Universal Components is a wholesale distributor of commercial vehicle parts and accessories in Europe.
India proposes joint venture to make 500 drugs in Russia
New Delhi: India has proposed joint ventures with Russian pharmaceutical companies to manufacture 500 drugs in Russia and supply them to markets in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Responding “positively” to the suggestion by the Indian Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister, Mr Anand Sharma, during a bilateral meeting, the Russian Minister of Economic Development, Ms Elvira Nabiullina, said, “ joint ventures are good idea. Pharma sector is a good example where we can cooperate.”
Russia will soon “provide a list of 500 drugs (mostly generic and strategic).” Of these, 75 per cent is currently imported by Russia. Russia has also agreed to give information on the volume of production required in respect of 57 strategically identified medicines, official sources said.
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have recently formed a new customs union pact. If the proposal for joint ventures becomes a reality, Indian companies manufacturing these drugs in Russia will be able to access the markets in all the three countries, they said.
Diamond Supply
Mr Sharma also asked Ms Nabiullina to help in early conclusion of a pact for long-term supply of rough diamonds from the Russian diamond major Alrosa and its precious minerals repository Gokhran to India's Hindustan Diamond Co and MMTC.
India also wants Gokhran to invite MMTC and Hindustan Diamond Co to take part in their sales. The Russian Minister said she would look into the matter, the sources said.
Responding “positively” to the suggestion by the Indian Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister, Mr Anand Sharma, during a bilateral meeting, the Russian Minister of Economic Development, Ms Elvira Nabiullina, said, “ joint ventures are good idea. Pharma sector is a good example where we can cooperate.”
Russia will soon “provide a list of 500 drugs (mostly generic and strategic).” Of these, 75 per cent is currently imported by Russia. Russia has also agreed to give information on the volume of production required in respect of 57 strategically identified medicines, official sources said.
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have recently formed a new customs union pact. If the proposal for joint ventures becomes a reality, Indian companies manufacturing these drugs in Russia will be able to access the markets in all the three countries, they said.
Diamond Supply
Mr Sharma also asked Ms Nabiullina to help in early conclusion of a pact for long-term supply of rough diamonds from the Russian diamond major Alrosa and its precious minerals repository Gokhran to India's Hindustan Diamond Co and MMTC.
India also wants Gokhran to invite MMTC and Hindustan Diamond Co to take part in their sales. The Russian Minister said she would look into the matter, the sources said.
'Made in India' chopper cabin ready to take off
Chennai: The first ‘made in India' helicopter cabin is ready to take off in the global skies. Manufactured by the Tata group in Hyderabad, the cabins have been fitted in the helicopters manufactured by the US-based Sikorsky.
“We need to just add cockpit and tail to the cabin, and the helicopter is ready to fly,” said Air Vice-Marshal (Retd) Arvind Walia, Regional Executive, India & South Asia, Sikorsky. The company is part of United Technologies.
The helicopter with cabin from India has been fitted into the S-92 helicopter of Sikorsky. It is to be delivered in the next few days to a global customer. “I do not know who the customer is,” he said.
Sikorsky operates two manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad. The Tata Advanced Systems is a helicopter cabin making venture with the Tata Group. In this, it owns 26 per cent stake.
The other company is Tara Aerospace Systems, which manufactures helicopters components. Around 5,000 components manufactured by Tara are fitted into the cabins, he said.
Expansion
Mr Walia said that company has asked the Tatas to increase production to three cabins a month in 2013 from the present two.
In India, Sikorsky has so far supplied six ‘executive transport' category helicopters to some of the commercial establishments in Mumbai. It has also supplied a helicopter to the Maharashtra Government. It is in talks with large offshore drilling companies, he said.
The company has also evinced interest in co-production of 200 helicopters along with the Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd. If selected, the next stage will be Request for Proposal, he said.
“We need to just add cockpit and tail to the cabin, and the helicopter is ready to fly,” said Air Vice-Marshal (Retd) Arvind Walia, Regional Executive, India & South Asia, Sikorsky. The company is part of United Technologies.
The helicopter with cabin from India has been fitted into the S-92 helicopter of Sikorsky. It is to be delivered in the next few days to a global customer. “I do not know who the customer is,” he said.
Sikorsky operates two manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad. The Tata Advanced Systems is a helicopter cabin making venture with the Tata Group. In this, it owns 26 per cent stake.
The other company is Tara Aerospace Systems, which manufactures helicopters components. Around 5,000 components manufactured by Tara are fitted into the cabins, he said.
Expansion
Mr Walia said that company has asked the Tatas to increase production to three cabins a month in 2013 from the present two.
In India, Sikorsky has so far supplied six ‘executive transport' category helicopters to some of the commercial establishments in Mumbai. It has also supplied a helicopter to the Maharashtra Government. It is in talks with large offshore drilling companies, he said.
The company has also evinced interest in co-production of 200 helicopters along with the Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd. If selected, the next stage will be Request for Proposal, he said.
Haryana transmission project commissioned
Kolkata: KT Transco Pvt Ltd (JKTPL), a 51:49 joint venture between Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd and Techno Electric and Engineering Co Ltd, has commissioned a 400KV intra-State power transmission project in Haryana.
According to Kolkata-based Techno Electric, the project was ready a fortnight ago in a record 16 months from the financial closure.
The project, a public-private partnership initiative of the Haryana government, is the first ever transmission project to get viability gap funding support from the Central government.
JKTPL was awarded the project in May 2010 by Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL) on a DBFOT basis for a concession period of 25 years, extendable by another 10 years.
JKTPL will receive terminal value equivalent to 60 months revenue at the end of 25th year of concession period, in case the concession period does not get extended to 35 years.
HVPNL is the first State utility to promote this kind of a PPP in power transmission.
The Rs 444-crore project has been financed through a mix of debt and equity -- debt at Rs 276 crore and the equity of Rs 76 crore. The grant of Rs 92 crore has been extended by the Central Government. The project will ensure a sustainable income flow of Rs 4.5 crore to the company as a unitary charge payable per month.
The 400 KV Transmission System comprises of double circuit quad moose line extending from Jharli to Kabulpur, Rohtak (35 km) and Kabulpur to Dipalpur, Sonepat (64 km) with two sub-stations of 400/220 KV each at Rohtak and Sonepat.
The transmission network is designed to facilitate evacuation of 2,400 MW of power and will initially transmit 1,320 MW (2 x 660 MW) of power from Jhajjar Power Plant in Haryana.
According to Kolkata-based Techno Electric, the project was ready a fortnight ago in a record 16 months from the financial closure.
The project, a public-private partnership initiative of the Haryana government, is the first ever transmission project to get viability gap funding support from the Central government.
JKTPL was awarded the project in May 2010 by Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL) on a DBFOT basis for a concession period of 25 years, extendable by another 10 years.
JKTPL will receive terminal value equivalent to 60 months revenue at the end of 25th year of concession period, in case the concession period does not get extended to 35 years.
HVPNL is the first State utility to promote this kind of a PPP in power transmission.
The Rs 444-crore project has been financed through a mix of debt and equity -- debt at Rs 276 crore and the equity of Rs 76 crore. The grant of Rs 92 crore has been extended by the Central Government. The project will ensure a sustainable income flow of Rs 4.5 crore to the company as a unitary charge payable per month.
The 400 KV Transmission System comprises of double circuit quad moose line extending from Jharli to Kabulpur, Rohtak (35 km) and Kabulpur to Dipalpur, Sonepat (64 km) with two sub-stations of 400/220 KV each at Rohtak and Sonepat.
The transmission network is designed to facilitate evacuation of 2,400 MW of power and will initially transmit 1,320 MW (2 x 660 MW) of power from Jhajjar Power Plant in Haryana.
Applexus Technologies sets up office in Sharjah
Thiruvananthapuram: Applexus Technologies, a leading provider of IT services and solutions, has opened an office in the West Asia.
Applexus specialises in next-generation SAP, .NET, JAVA and mobility services.
It has its headquarters in the US and global delivery centres in India, including at Technopark here.
Regional HQ
The Sharjah office will serve as the regional headquarters to MENA (Middle East-North Africa), said Mr Nagarajan Anantharaman, Chief Executive Officer.
He will lead efforts to increase awareness and adoption of Applexus services in the region, a company spokesman said.
The focus will be on organisational engagement, strategic partnerships, marketing, sales and general operations.
“There is a huge opportunity in the MENA region,” Mr Nagarajan said.
Applexus looks forward to engaging with enterprises to make them more productive and successful, he added.
Having a presence in the region is vital as the company wants to provide relevant support for growing the customer base.
Mr Nagarajan has been Vice-President and Head of Wipro Arabia, leading and overseeing its growth from inception of the business.
“This will add immense value to Applexus' ventures in the West Asia,” Mr Sam Mathew, Managing Director, said.
Applexus has a growing number of clients in the region across multiple industry verticals, he added.
Applexus specialises in next-generation SAP, .NET, JAVA and mobility services.
It has its headquarters in the US and global delivery centres in India, including at Technopark here.
Regional HQ
The Sharjah office will serve as the regional headquarters to MENA (Middle East-North Africa), said Mr Nagarajan Anantharaman, Chief Executive Officer.
He will lead efforts to increase awareness and adoption of Applexus services in the region, a company spokesman said.
The focus will be on organisational engagement, strategic partnerships, marketing, sales and general operations.
“There is a huge opportunity in the MENA region,” Mr Nagarajan said.
Applexus looks forward to engaging with enterprises to make them more productive and successful, he added.
Having a presence in the region is vital as the company wants to provide relevant support for growing the customer base.
Mr Nagarajan has been Vice-President and Head of Wipro Arabia, leading and overseeing its growth from inception of the business.
“This will add immense value to Applexus' ventures in the West Asia,” Mr Sam Mathew, Managing Director, said.
Applexus has a growing number of clients in the region across multiple industry verticals, he added.
India's Onshore Wind Energy potential is 3000 GW: Study
A study is pegging Indian potential for wind energy at 3,000 GW. It claims that the potential for wind energy utilisation with the prevalent technologies is far in excess of earlier estimates by Center for Wind Energy Technology (CWET). The Centre estimated Indian wind energy potential at 49,000 MW and increased to 100 GW subsequently.
"Scientific and research work carried out by Indian wind industry expert Jami Hossain has inspired scientists at Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (LBNL) to challenge assessments of the Chennai based government agency CWET, on the potential for wind farms in India. Hossain in his paper, published in the international renewable energy journal Renewable Energy, presented his findings on the assessment for potential for windfarms using Geographical Information System Platform," read a media statement issued by World Wind Energy Association (WWEA).
In the paper, Hossain assessed the potential at around 2000 GW, which has now been confirmed by the LBNL study which sees the total onshore wind potential of India between 2000 and 3000 GW.
Commenting on the development, WWEA secretary general Stefan Gsanger said, ""These findings have significant policy implications for India as every unit of electricity generated from wind not only saves oil and coal but also prevent emissions of CO2 and other environmentally dangerous gases. Unfortunately India is not the only country where the wind potential has been underestimated by far." He added that recent studies and national targets from China, Denmark or Germany - and now from India - have demonstrated that wind could cover the whole electricity demand of these countries.
"Many more countries should update their wind potential assessment, based on real data, in order not any more to underestimate the potential contribution of wind power to the national energy supply," said Gsanger.
Hossain stated that they have tried to further refine and improve figures based on competing uses of land in the country but with the continued improvement in technology, the onshore potential is indeed very high compared to what was assessed earlier. "The gross under estimation by CWET has prevented the policy makers and the planning bodies in the country such as the planning commission and Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in recognising wind energy as a major and possibly mainstream source of wind energy," said Hossain.
"Scientific and research work carried out by Indian wind industry expert Jami Hossain has inspired scientists at Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (LBNL) to challenge assessments of the Chennai based government agency CWET, on the potential for wind farms in India. Hossain in his paper, published in the international renewable energy journal Renewable Energy, presented his findings on the assessment for potential for windfarms using Geographical Information System Platform," read a media statement issued by World Wind Energy Association (WWEA).
In the paper, Hossain assessed the potential at around 2000 GW, which has now been confirmed by the LBNL study which sees the total onshore wind potential of India between 2000 and 3000 GW.
Commenting on the development, WWEA secretary general Stefan Gsanger said, ""These findings have significant policy implications for India as every unit of electricity generated from wind not only saves oil and coal but also prevent emissions of CO2 and other environmentally dangerous gases. Unfortunately India is not the only country where the wind potential has been underestimated by far." He added that recent studies and national targets from China, Denmark or Germany - and now from India - have demonstrated that wind could cover the whole electricity demand of these countries.
"Many more countries should update their wind potential assessment, based on real data, in order not any more to underestimate the potential contribution of wind power to the national energy supply," said Gsanger.
Hossain stated that they have tried to further refine and improve figures based on competing uses of land in the country but with the continued improvement in technology, the onshore potential is indeed very high compared to what was assessed earlier. "The gross under estimation by CWET has prevented the policy makers and the planning bodies in the country such as the planning commission and Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in recognising wind energy as a major and possibly mainstream source of wind energy," said Hossain.
Tax information exchange pact signed with Argentina
New Delhi: India has signed a tax information exchange agreement with Argentina. This is the tenth such pact in the past three years.
This pact with Argentina would enable Indian tax authorities to obtain specific information, including banking related, on tax evasion cases.
The other such pacts signed by India are with the Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jersey, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Liberia and Macau.
The tax pacts with Argentina, Jersey, Guernsey, Liberia and Macau have not yet entered into force, the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
India has also entered into new double taxation avoidance agreements with Colombia, Ethiopia, Lithuania, Uruguay and Estonia. These, too, have not yet entered into force, Mr Mukherjee said.
He said that India had renegotiated double taxation avoidance pacts with Australia, Nepal and Norway, but all these had not come into force.
On information from the French Government regarding accounts in one of the Swiss banks, the Minister said that although the tax had not been assessed or demand raised yet, some persons had paid taxes of Rs 181 crore so far.
Action in accordance with the provisions of direct tax laws, including levy of penalty and initiation of prosecution, is taken in all such cases after the assessments are completed, he added.
German connection
With regard to information from the German Government regarding Indian taxpayers' accounts with LGT Bank in Liechtenstein, Mr Mukherjee said assessments had been made against 18 individual cases, being beneficiaries of the said trusts/entities. Out of these 18 taxpayers, one had passed away. Prosecution has been launched against the other 17 taxpayers.
He said the total assessed income stood at Rs 39.66 crore and a total demand of Rs 24.26 crore was raised in these cases. Penalty proceedings for concealment of income have been separately initiated in all these cases.
This pact with Argentina would enable Indian tax authorities to obtain specific information, including banking related, on tax evasion cases.
The other such pacts signed by India are with the Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jersey, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Liberia and Macau.
The tax pacts with Argentina, Jersey, Guernsey, Liberia and Macau have not yet entered into force, the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
India has also entered into new double taxation avoidance agreements with Colombia, Ethiopia, Lithuania, Uruguay and Estonia. These, too, have not yet entered into force, Mr Mukherjee said.
He said that India had renegotiated double taxation avoidance pacts with Australia, Nepal and Norway, but all these had not come into force.
On information from the French Government regarding accounts in one of the Swiss banks, the Minister said that although the tax had not been assessed or demand raised yet, some persons had paid taxes of Rs 181 crore so far.
Action in accordance with the provisions of direct tax laws, including levy of penalty and initiation of prosecution, is taken in all such cases after the assessments are completed, he added.
German connection
With regard to information from the German Government regarding Indian taxpayers' accounts with LGT Bank in Liechtenstein, Mr Mukherjee said assessments had been made against 18 individual cases, being beneficiaries of the said trusts/entities. Out of these 18 taxpayers, one had passed away. Prosecution has been launched against the other 17 taxpayers.
He said the total assessed income stood at Rs 39.66 crore and a total demand of Rs 24.26 crore was raised in these cases. Penalty proceedings for concealment of income have been separately initiated in all these cases.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Gammon Infra wins Rs 935 cr order from NHAI
MUMBAI, MAR 26:
Gammon Infrastructure Projects has bagged a contract from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for four-laning a national highway in Haryana at an estimated cost of Rs 934.93 crore.
“The company has received the letter of award for the four laning of ... Yamunanagar—Saha—Barwala— Panchkula section of NH—73 in Haryana from the NHAI on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) toll basis,” it said in a filing to the BSE.
The concession period of the project is 22 years, including a construction period of 2.5 years.
“The project cost, as estimated by NHAI, is Rs 934.93 crore. The company will receive a grant of Rs 279 crore during the construction period of the project,” the company added.
The company said further that it has signed two concession agreements with the NHAI for two different road construction projects in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh respectively.
The project in Andhra Pradesh is for six-laning of the Vijayawada—Gundugolanu section of NH 5, while the project in Bihar for four laning of Patna—Buxar stretch of NH 30.
Shares of the company ended at Rs 14.90 apiece on the BSE, 9.96 per cent up from the previous close.
Keywords: National Highways Authority of India, stock movement, four-lane road projects,
Gammon Infrastructure Projects has bagged a contract from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for four-laning a national highway in Haryana at an estimated cost of Rs 934.93 crore.
“The company has received the letter of award for the four laning of ... Yamunanagar—Saha—Barwala— Panchkula section of NH—73 in Haryana from the NHAI on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) toll basis,” it said in a filing to the BSE.
The concession period of the project is 22 years, including a construction period of 2.5 years.
“The project cost, as estimated by NHAI, is Rs 934.93 crore. The company will receive a grant of Rs 279 crore during the construction period of the project,” the company added.
The company said further that it has signed two concession agreements with the NHAI for two different road construction projects in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh respectively.
The project in Andhra Pradesh is for six-laning of the Vijayawada—Gundugolanu section of NH 5, while the project in Bihar for four laning of Patna—Buxar stretch of NH 30.
Shares of the company ended at Rs 14.90 apiece on the BSE, 9.96 per cent up from the previous close.
Keywords: National Highways Authority of India, stock movement, four-lane road projects,
Lavasa launches second township
MUMBAI, MARCH 26:
Lavasa Corporation has announced the launch of Mugaon, the second township to be built at Lavasa.
Mr Rajgopal Nogja, Group President, HCC, said, “Dasve and Mugaon, the first two towns are part of the planned Phase 1 development which has been cleared by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. Dasve, the first town is completely sold out and, for Mugaon, we have a long waiting list.”
Lavasa Corporation has resumed construction after the environment clearance was given by the Ministry. Mr Nogja presented the keys of an apartment to the 100th citizen of Lavasa.
The Mugaon development, across 2,400-acre, will comprise residential, education, business and commercial spaces.
Over 2,000 apartments, ranging from 550 sqft to 2,000 sqft will be built over four years. The sqft price varies from Rs 3,550 to Rs 3,950.
Mugaon will also be connected to Lonavala through another approach road and a tunnel is being built for the purpose, the company said.
Lavasa Corporation has announced the launch of Mugaon, the second township to be built at Lavasa.
Mr Rajgopal Nogja, Group President, HCC, said, “Dasve and Mugaon, the first two towns are part of the planned Phase 1 development which has been cleared by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. Dasve, the first town is completely sold out and, for Mugaon, we have a long waiting list.”
Lavasa Corporation has resumed construction after the environment clearance was given by the Ministry. Mr Nogja presented the keys of an apartment to the 100th citizen of Lavasa.
The Mugaon development, across 2,400-acre, will comprise residential, education, business and commercial spaces.
Over 2,000 apartments, ranging from 550 sqft to 2,000 sqft will be built over four years. The sqft price varies from Rs 3,550 to Rs 3,950.
Mugaon will also be connected to Lonavala through another approach road and a tunnel is being built for the purpose, the company said.
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