Kolkata: The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), has zeroed in on Ladakh as the probable destination for the world’s largest solar telescope. Work is likely to begin by the end of this year.
The 2-metre class state-of-the-art National Large Solar Telescope built by IIA at an expected cost of Rs 150 crore is planned for completion in 2017.
According to SS Hasan, former director, IIA, the organisation had initially zeroed-in on three sites – Hanle and Merak near Ladakh’s Pangong Lake or Devasthal near Nainital in Uttarakhand.
The proposed telescope, which will be used to observe the Sun during the day needs long hours of sunshine and clear visibility conditions.
“It took us over four years to finalise the site. We hope to complete the project by 2017,” Hasan told reporters on the sidelines of the plenary session of the 100th Indian Science Congress.
The device will help Indian scientists carry out “cutting edge research” aimed at studying the Sun’s atmosphere.
Hasan said further, the back-end instrument will be constructed in India while night-time instruments will come from Germany. Apart from the IIA, which is the nodal agency, the other institutes involved in the project include Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Inter-University Centre.
Currently, the world’s largest solar telescope is the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope having a diameter of 1.6 metres. It is located in Kitt Peak National Observatory at Arizona in the US.
Success in my Habit
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
12th Plan doubles allocation to science, tech Ministry: Reddy
Kolkata: Union Science and Technology Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said on Friday that the Centre’s allocation for the Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Ministry has been doubled for the 12 {+t} {+h} Plan period.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of ‘Children Science Congress’ as part of the 100 {+t} {+h} Indian Science Congress here, Reddy said, “In the 12 {+t} {+h} Five-Year Plan, the combined planned allocation for science and technology and earth sciences has been nearly doubled from Rs 33,000 crore in the previous Plan period.”
New policy
Commenting on the newly announced Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, the Minister said the policy would lay stress on innovation.
According to him, there is a need for integrating science, research and innovation to develop valuable technologies.
Doctoral fellowship
“We have also initiated a PM Doctoral Research Fellowship in partnership with industry. Already 30 (such) fellowships have been awarded to doctoral students,” Reddy added.
“The country today has over 700 R&D, technical and development centres of the top global companies, employing over 1.5 lakh scientists and engineers.
“This confidence of global majors in our youth has given fillip to some of India’s best and talented young technocrats to become first generation technopreneurs,” Reddy said.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of ‘Children Science Congress’ as part of the 100 {+t} {+h} Indian Science Congress here, Reddy said, “In the 12 {+t} {+h} Five-Year Plan, the combined planned allocation for science and technology and earth sciences has been nearly doubled from Rs 33,000 crore in the previous Plan period.”
New policy
Commenting on the newly announced Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, the Minister said the policy would lay stress on innovation.
According to him, there is a need for integrating science, research and innovation to develop valuable technologies.
Doctoral fellowship
“We have also initiated a PM Doctoral Research Fellowship in partnership with industry. Already 30 (such) fellowships have been awarded to doctoral students,” Reddy added.
“The country today has over 700 R&D, technical and development centres of the top global companies, employing over 1.5 lakh scientists and engineers.
“This confidence of global majors in our youth has given fillip to some of India’s best and talented young technocrats to become first generation technopreneurs,” Reddy said.
Net Direct Tax Collections Figures for April-December 2012-13 Up by 13.70 per cent
New Delhi: Gross Direct Tax collections during April-December of the Financial Year 2012-13 was up by 8.01 percent and stood at Rs. 4,28,278 crore as against Rs. 3,96,530 crore in the same period last year. While gross collections of Corporate Taxes showed an increase of 4.94 percent and stood at Rs. 2,83,170 crore as against Rs. 2,69,850 crore during the same period last year. Gross collections of Personal Income Tax was up by 14.57 percent and stood at Rs.1,44,376 crore as against Rs.1,26,012 crore during the same period last year.
Net Direct Tax collections was up by 13.70 percent and stood at Rs. 3,68,322 crore, as compared to Rs. 3,23,956 crore in the same period in the last fiscal.
Growth in net collection of Wealth Tax was 1.55 percent and stood at Rs.656 crore as against Rs.646 crore during the same period last year, while growth in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) was (-) 12.46 percent and stood at Rs.3,294 crore as against Rs.3,763 crore during the same period last year.
Net Direct Tax collections was up by 13.70 percent and stood at Rs. 3,68,322 crore, as compared to Rs. 3,23,956 crore in the same period in the last fiscal.
Growth in net collection of Wealth Tax was 1.55 percent and stood at Rs.656 crore as against Rs.646 crore during the same period last year, while growth in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) was (-) 12.46 percent and stood at Rs.3,294 crore as against Rs.3,763 crore during the same period last year.
DM Healthcare to invest Rs 2,300 cr in Kerala
Kochi: DM Healthcare, a leading healthcare conglomerate in West Asia and India, has firmed up plans to invest Rs 2,300 crore in Kerala over a period of three years. Of the total investments, the group has earmarked Rs 1,100 crore this year.
This includes Aster Medcity in Kochi at an investment of Rs 500 crore, DM Wayanad Medical College and WIMS Hospital at a cost of Rs 250 crore, a 200 bed super speciality hospital in Kannur at an investment of Rs 100 crore.
Speaking to Business Line on the sidelines of the Global Healthcare Summit, Azad Moopen, Chairman, DM Healthcare, said the group aims to reach people across geographies with the objective of making quality healthcare accessible to people in the countries of its operation. DM Healthcare is currently present in four GCC countries and India with a network of 150 establishments, offering diverse and comprehensive healthcare facilities.
Referring to Aster Medcity in Kochi, he said the first phase of the project is on track for commissioning during the second half of this year. The first phase includes a 550 bed Core Hospital with 9 Centres of Excellence (COEs) in various super-specialties like Cardiology, Ortho, Oncology etc.
The 40-acre Medcity campus will have a 500 seat medical convention centre, a 4-5 star hotel etc. A high-end residential facility of about 1.5 million square feet is also planned.
The addition of nearly 3,000 beds to the existing 750 beds in Kerala under DM Healthcare’s operations through Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences is likely to provide direct employment opportunities for at least 12,000 people, he added.
On the Wayanad project, Moopen said he is trying to address the healthcare requirement by setting up a Medical College with 700 bed hospital in 50 acres in this backward district with poor medical care facilities.
This includes Aster Medcity in Kochi at an investment of Rs 500 crore, DM Wayanad Medical College and WIMS Hospital at a cost of Rs 250 crore, a 200 bed super speciality hospital in Kannur at an investment of Rs 100 crore.
Speaking to Business Line on the sidelines of the Global Healthcare Summit, Azad Moopen, Chairman, DM Healthcare, said the group aims to reach people across geographies with the objective of making quality healthcare accessible to people in the countries of its operation. DM Healthcare is currently present in four GCC countries and India with a network of 150 establishments, offering diverse and comprehensive healthcare facilities.
Referring to Aster Medcity in Kochi, he said the first phase of the project is on track for commissioning during the second half of this year. The first phase includes a 550 bed Core Hospital with 9 Centres of Excellence (COEs) in various super-specialties like Cardiology, Ortho, Oncology etc.
The 40-acre Medcity campus will have a 500 seat medical convention centre, a 4-5 star hotel etc. A high-end residential facility of about 1.5 million square feet is also planned.
The addition of nearly 3,000 beds to the existing 750 beds in Kerala under DM Healthcare’s operations through Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences is likely to provide direct employment opportunities for at least 12,000 people, he added.
On the Wayanad project, Moopen said he is trying to address the healthcare requirement by setting up a Medical College with 700 bed hospital in 50 acres in this backward district with poor medical care facilities.
DM Healthcare to invest Rs 2,300 cr in Kerala
Kochi: DM Healthcare, a leading healthcare conglomerate in West Asia and India, has firmed up plans to invest Rs 2,300 crore in Kerala over a period of three years. Of the total investments, the group has earmarked Rs 1,100 crore this year.
This includes Aster Medcity in Kochi at an investment of Rs 500 crore, DM Wayanad Medical College and WIMS Hospital at a cost of Rs 250 crore, a 200 bed super speciality hospital in Kannur at an investment of Rs 100 crore.
Speaking to Business Line on the sidelines of the Global Healthcare Summit, Azad Moopen, Chairman, DM Healthcare, said the group aims to reach people across geographies with the objective of making quality healthcare accessible to people in the countries of its operation. DM Healthcare is currently present in four GCC countries and India with a network of 150 establishments, offering diverse and comprehensive healthcare facilities.
Referring to Aster Medcity in Kochi, he said the first phase of the project is on track for commissioning during the second half of this year. The first phase includes a 550 bed Core Hospital with 9 Centres of Excellence (COEs) in various super-specialties like Cardiology, Ortho, Oncology etc.
The 40-acre Medcity campus will have a 500 seat medical convention centre, a 4-5 star hotel etc. A high-end residential facility of about 1.5 million square feet is also planned.
The addition of nearly 3,000 beds to the existing 750 beds in Kerala under DM Healthcare’s operations through Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences is likely to provide direct employment opportunities for at least 12,000 people, he added.
On the Wayanad project, Moopen said he is trying to address the healthcare requirement by setting up a Medical College with 700 bed hospital in 50 acres in this backward district with poor medical care facilities.
This includes Aster Medcity in Kochi at an investment of Rs 500 crore, DM Wayanad Medical College and WIMS Hospital at a cost of Rs 250 crore, a 200 bed super speciality hospital in Kannur at an investment of Rs 100 crore.
Speaking to Business Line on the sidelines of the Global Healthcare Summit, Azad Moopen, Chairman, DM Healthcare, said the group aims to reach people across geographies with the objective of making quality healthcare accessible to people in the countries of its operation. DM Healthcare is currently present in four GCC countries and India with a network of 150 establishments, offering diverse and comprehensive healthcare facilities.
Referring to Aster Medcity in Kochi, he said the first phase of the project is on track for commissioning during the second half of this year. The first phase includes a 550 bed Core Hospital with 9 Centres of Excellence (COEs) in various super-specialties like Cardiology, Ortho, Oncology etc.
The 40-acre Medcity campus will have a 500 seat medical convention centre, a 4-5 star hotel etc. A high-end residential facility of about 1.5 million square feet is also planned.
The addition of nearly 3,000 beds to the existing 750 beds in Kerala under DM Healthcare’s operations through Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences is likely to provide direct employment opportunities for at least 12,000 people, he added.
On the Wayanad project, Moopen said he is trying to address the healthcare requirement by setting up a Medical College with 700 bed hospital in 50 acres in this backward district with poor medical care facilities.
500 MW solar power park to be set up in Chitradurga
Mumbai: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is interested in solar power, and his interest in alternative energy has provided a major boost to Indian solar operators in the private sector.
American Energy Holdings, a company controlled by Berkshire Hathaway, has acquired two solar photovoltaic power plant projects in California from SunPower Corporation. American Energy is to shell out over $2 billion for the sale, construction and operation of the projects by SunPower.
As a private solar player said, “India's solar power sector was very popular with private equity players in 2012. More operators are looking for funds to carry out their expansion plans.”
India has over 40 private solar players such as Tata BP Solar India, Sun Technics Energy Systems, Bharat Heavy Electricals, Moser Baer, Premier Solar Systems and Maharishi Solar Technology, amongst others.
Officials said several States are rushing to install solar power to meet growing energy demand.
500 MW solar plant
For instance, in Karnataka, the State Government has decided to construct a 500 MW solar power complex in Chitradurga district, instead of the Bijapur district.
Neighbouring Maharashtra too is expanding its solar power generation activities Vidarbha, Khandesh and Marathwada regions. Talks have also progressed with regards to a solar power plant in Osmanabad in Marathwada region.
In the case of Karnataka, the decision to relocate the planned solar park was taken following widespread opposition to the plant in Bijapur. In September 2012, the government had announced plans for the project that was meant to include private sector investment.
To be constructed in several phases starting with 100 MW capacity in the first phase, the solar park is part of Karnataka's plans to add 4,300 MW of renewable power capacity in the coming two years.
The solar park is to also provide all infrastructure facilities to private investors interested in setting up their solar power panels, with a facility to evacuating power into the grid.
Though States such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan already have a solar energy policy in place, officials added that much more needs to be done to ensure that the country's installed capacity of 1,047 MW of solar power in November 2012, goes beyond the 2,000 MW capacity by March 2013.
American Energy Holdings, a company controlled by Berkshire Hathaway, has acquired two solar photovoltaic power plant projects in California from SunPower Corporation. American Energy is to shell out over $2 billion for the sale, construction and operation of the projects by SunPower.
As a private solar player said, “India's solar power sector was very popular with private equity players in 2012. More operators are looking for funds to carry out their expansion plans.”
India has over 40 private solar players such as Tata BP Solar India, Sun Technics Energy Systems, Bharat Heavy Electricals, Moser Baer, Premier Solar Systems and Maharishi Solar Technology, amongst others.
Officials said several States are rushing to install solar power to meet growing energy demand.
500 MW solar plant
For instance, in Karnataka, the State Government has decided to construct a 500 MW solar power complex in Chitradurga district, instead of the Bijapur district.
Neighbouring Maharashtra too is expanding its solar power generation activities Vidarbha, Khandesh and Marathwada regions. Talks have also progressed with regards to a solar power plant in Osmanabad in Marathwada region.
In the case of Karnataka, the decision to relocate the planned solar park was taken following widespread opposition to the plant in Bijapur. In September 2012, the government had announced plans for the project that was meant to include private sector investment.
To be constructed in several phases starting with 100 MW capacity in the first phase, the solar park is part of Karnataka's plans to add 4,300 MW of renewable power capacity in the coming two years.
The solar park is to also provide all infrastructure facilities to private investors interested in setting up their solar power panels, with a facility to evacuating power into the grid.
Though States such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan already have a solar energy policy in place, officials added that much more needs to be done to ensure that the country's installed capacity of 1,047 MW of solar power in November 2012, goes beyond the 2,000 MW capacity by March 2013.
Dr Reddy’s launches Finasteride tablets in US
Hyderabad: Pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd has launched Finasteride tablets, a bioequivalent generic version of Propecia (Finasteride) tablets in the US market. The tablets are used for treating male pattern hair loss.
Dr. Reddy’s Abbreivated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Finasteride has been awarded a 180-day period of marketing exclusivity in the US on January 2, 2013, the Hyderabad-based company said in a release.
The Propecia tablets brand had US sales of approximately $136 million for the most recent 12 months ended in October 2012, according to IMS Health.
Dr. Reddy’s Abbreivated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Finasteride has been awarded a 180-day period of marketing exclusivity in the US on January 2, 2013, the Hyderabad-based company said in a release.
The Propecia tablets brand had US sales of approximately $136 million for the most recent 12 months ended in October 2012, according to IMS Health.
Manmohan unveils new policy to raise R&D spend
Kolkata: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today unveiled the country's new Science, Technology and Innovation policy at the inaugural session of the Centenary Celebrations of the Indian Science Congress.
The policy plans to trigger an “ecosystem for innovative abilities” and achieve gender parity in science technology and innovation activities. “It seeks to accelerate the pace of discovery, diffusion and delivery of science-led solutions for serving the aspirational goals of India for faster, sustainable and inclusive growth,” a release said.
Some of the key features of the policy include making careers in science and research attractive, enabling conversion of research and development output with societal and commercial applications, among others. One of the aims of the policy is to raise the gross expenditure in research and development to 2 per cent from the present one per cent of the GDP in this decade by encouraging enhanced private sector contribution.
It will seek to increase the number of full time equivalent of research and development personnel in India by at least 66 per cent of the present strength in five years.
Increasing accessibility, availability and affordability of innovations especially for women, differently-abled and disadvantaged sections of society is also a focus area of the policy.
Some of the key mechanisms for implementation of the policy include facilitating private sector investment in research and development, promoting establishment of research and development facilities on a PPP-basis, aligning venture capital and closing the gaps in translation of new findings at the grassroots and commercial space.
To establish the implementation of the policy, the Department of Science and Technology will establish a 'policy implementation group' to “expeditiously operationalise the proposals within the next two years”.
The policy plans to trigger an “ecosystem for innovative abilities” and achieve gender parity in science technology and innovation activities. “It seeks to accelerate the pace of discovery, diffusion and delivery of science-led solutions for serving the aspirational goals of India for faster, sustainable and inclusive growth,” a release said.
Some of the key features of the policy include making careers in science and research attractive, enabling conversion of research and development output with societal and commercial applications, among others. One of the aims of the policy is to raise the gross expenditure in research and development to 2 per cent from the present one per cent of the GDP in this decade by encouraging enhanced private sector contribution.
It will seek to increase the number of full time equivalent of research and development personnel in India by at least 66 per cent of the present strength in five years.
Increasing accessibility, availability and affordability of innovations especially for women, differently-abled and disadvantaged sections of society is also a focus area of the policy.
Some of the key mechanisms for implementation of the policy include facilitating private sector investment in research and development, promoting establishment of research and development facilities on a PPP-basis, aligning venture capital and closing the gaps in translation of new findings at the grassroots and commercial space.
To establish the implementation of the policy, the Department of Science and Technology will establish a 'policy implementation group' to “expeditiously operationalise the proposals within the next two years”.
Tourism Minister Calls for Strengthening of Ties with Vietnam
New Delhi: Union Tourism Minister Shri K Chiranjeevi has said that Vietnam is a pillar of India’s Look East Policy and India gives high priority to strengthening our engagement with Vietnam both bilaterally and within the framework of ASEAN. Addressing a seminar on Trade and Investment organized by the Embassy of India in Hanoi today in coordination with Ministry of Industry and Trade and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry the Minister said, “ We stand ready to add more content to our ‘Strategic Partnership’, especially in economic, commercial, defence and security, scientific and technical and cultural fields.” While emphasising on bilateral trade Shri Chiranjeevi said; “We have set a target of US$100 billion for ASEAN India trade by 2015. The ASEAN India FTA in goods and the conclusion of negotiation on the ASEAN India FTA in services and investments have laid the foundations for an ASEAN India Free Trade Area, comprising 1.8 billion people and a combined GDP of US$3.8 billion.”
The seminar was attended by Mr. Phung Tan Viet, Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Danang, Mr. Hoang Van Dung, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Chairman of Vietnam National Tourism Administration and representatives of about 150 Vietnamese companies.
The Tourism Minister also had a bilateral discussion with the Chairman of Vietnam National Tourism Administration Mr.Nguyen Van Tuan. During the discussion, the Minister said that the potential for cooperation between the two countries in tourism is very big and proposed that government authorities of both the countries should give the lead to promote the cooperation’s among tour operators in both Vietnam and India. He requested Vietnam to introduce a good package for film making delegations from India so that they can come and shoot films about Vietnam. He invited the Vietnamese delegation to participate in the Indian International Tourism Mart which will be held later this month in Guwahati.
The seminar was attended by Mr. Phung Tan Viet, Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Danang, Mr. Hoang Van Dung, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Chairman of Vietnam National Tourism Administration and representatives of about 150 Vietnamese companies.
The Tourism Minister also had a bilateral discussion with the Chairman of Vietnam National Tourism Administration Mr.Nguyen Van Tuan. During the discussion, the Minister said that the potential for cooperation between the two countries in tourism is very big and proposed that government authorities of both the countries should give the lead to promote the cooperation’s among tour operators in both Vietnam and India. He requested Vietnam to introduce a good package for film making delegations from India so that they can come and shoot films about Vietnam. He invited the Vietnamese delegation to participate in the Indian International Tourism Mart which will be held later this month in Guwahati.
Monday, January 7, 2013
KEC International bags orders worth Rs 1,511 cr
Coimbatore: KEC International, an RPG Group company, has secured orders worth Rs 1,511 crore in transmission, power system and cable businesses in India, Oman, Nepal and the Americas.
In India, it has secured two orders from Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL).
A Rs 286-crore order is for the supply and erection of a 800 kV HVDC transmission line in Chhattisgarh on a turnkey basis.
Another order worth Rs 386 crore is for the supply and erection of a similar line in Chhattisgarh. In addition, the company has also got a Rs 43 crore order for power and telecom cables.
In Oman, KEC has secured a Rs 602-crore order for design, supply and erection of a 400 kV transmission line from Sur to Izki grid station on a turnkey basis. The order is from Bhawan Engineering Company, Oman. The line is for the Oman Electricity Transmission Company.
In Nepal, KEC has got a Rs 131 crore order for the supply and erection of a transmission line and substation.
SAE Towers, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the KEC, has secured orders worth Rs 63 crore for the supply of lattice towers and poles to Brazil, Mexico and the US.
In India, it has secured two orders from Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL).
A Rs 286-crore order is for the supply and erection of a 800 kV HVDC transmission line in Chhattisgarh on a turnkey basis.
Another order worth Rs 386 crore is for the supply and erection of a similar line in Chhattisgarh. In addition, the company has also got a Rs 43 crore order for power and telecom cables.
In Oman, KEC has secured a Rs 602-crore order for design, supply and erection of a 400 kV transmission line from Sur to Izki grid station on a turnkey basis. The order is from Bhawan Engineering Company, Oman. The line is for the Oman Electricity Transmission Company.
In Nepal, KEC has got a Rs 131 crore order for the supply and erection of a transmission line and substation.
SAE Towers, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the KEC, has secured orders worth Rs 63 crore for the supply of lattice towers and poles to Brazil, Mexico and the US.
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