Lucknow: The contract to supply 15 lakh laptops to the Uttar Pradesh government has been awarded by the state authorities to Hewlett Packard India.
One of the biggest such contracts ever, the state cabinet at a meeting on Wednesday awarded the Rs 2858.70 crore contract to supply 15 lakh units of laptops, to HP India, which quoted the lowest price at Rs 19,058 per laptop inclusive of taxes and duty.
The UP Electronics Corporation, MD, Prabhat Mittal who managed the bidding process said that while HP India quoted the lowest rates, HCL with its bid of Rs 21,883 was the second lowest.
The winning company has been mandated to supply 5 per cent of the total order within 60 days of signing the agreement, with an increased quantity being supplied every subsequent month. The company would complete the supply of 15 lakh laptops in seven months after the date of agreement.
Mittal said that the laptops would be delivered at the Tehsil block level in each district by the company and they were working towards starting distribution of laptops to students in a months time.
It was the Samajwadi Party's poll manifesto promise to give free laptops and tablets to all class 12 and class 10 pass outs respectively which was seen as the game changer in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls in March last year.
The promise helped the Samajwadi Party ride to power on popular support by youths and Akhilesh Yadav become the Chief Minister on 15 March 2012.
Since then the large size of the order had forced the government to keep shifting the biding dates as IT companies expressed problems in supplying laptops in such large numbers.
The bidding process for supplying tablets to the UP government is still underway and government officials say that they were hopeful of finalising the contract by February end.
Success in my Habit
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Bilateral Co-Operation Understanding in Water Resources Development and Management with Government of Rwanda
New Delhi: India and Rawanda have singed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral co-operation in Water Resources Development and Management. From Indian side it was Union Water resources Minister Shri Harish Rawat while from Government of Rawanda it was Dr. (Mrs.), Agnes M. KALIBATA, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources who were the signatories in a function held here in New Delhi yesterday.
The MoU specifies various areas of co-operation with focus on planning, design and implementation of marshland and hillside irrigation, watershed management, water governance, and training and capacity building of farmers and functionaries in the water sector.
It is also proposed to promote Joint Ventures between the private entrepreneurs of the two countries through mutual facilitation of investment procedures and for working out mechanisms and modalities for funding and technical assistance. The MoU provides for setting up a Joint Commission which would follow up the implementation of this MoU.
The objective of this co-operation is to realize the goal of achieving food security in Rwanda and thereby to promote further the already existing friendly relations between the two countries.
The MoU specifies various areas of co-operation with focus on planning, design and implementation of marshland and hillside irrigation, watershed management, water governance, and training and capacity building of farmers and functionaries in the water sector.
It is also proposed to promote Joint Ventures between the private entrepreneurs of the two countries through mutual facilitation of investment procedures and for working out mechanisms and modalities for funding and technical assistance. The MoU provides for setting up a Joint Commission which would follow up the implementation of this MoU.
The objective of this co-operation is to realize the goal of achieving food security in Rwanda and thereby to promote further the already existing friendly relations between the two countries.
Multi Screen Media launches video-on-demand service
New Delhi: To cater to the fast growing online consumer base, Multi Screen Media (MSM) launched its video-on-demand service Sony LIV on Tuesday.
Apart from enabling the audience to view current shows, Sony LIV also gives them a chance to watch the previous episodes of their favourite shows. It also offers shows from its archives. “In addition to episodes of all-time favourites such as Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, Kkusum, Heena, Boogie Woogie, Movers & Shakers, Office Office, LIV will go back 17 years and also showcase a large archive of movies and special events such as Stardust and Filmfare Awards,” it said in a statement.
Man Jit Singh, CEO, MSM, said LIV was aimed at providing entertainment on the go for young India. With the launch of this user-friendly and interactive application, LIV aims to change the way this nation consumes entertainment, he said, and claimed the platform was great for brands to enhance their engagement and interaction with young consumers. The Sony LIV application is available globally for free, online on sonyLIV.com and for download on major App stores – iTunes and Google Play.
Apart from enabling the audience to view current shows, Sony LIV also gives them a chance to watch the previous episodes of their favourite shows. It also offers shows from its archives. “In addition to episodes of all-time favourites such as Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, Kkusum, Heena, Boogie Woogie, Movers & Shakers, Office Office, LIV will go back 17 years and also showcase a large archive of movies and special events such as Stardust and Filmfare Awards,” it said in a statement.
Man Jit Singh, CEO, MSM, said LIV was aimed at providing entertainment on the go for young India. With the launch of this user-friendly and interactive application, LIV aims to change the way this nation consumes entertainment, he said, and claimed the platform was great for brands to enhance their engagement and interaction with young consumers. The Sony LIV application is available globally for free, online on sonyLIV.com and for download on major App stores – iTunes and Google Play.
Texas Instruments centre in Delhi
New Delhi: Texas Instruments (TI) has launched a Centre of Excellence at Netaji Subash Institute of Technology (NSIT), Delhi. This is the first centre for embedded product development that TI is setting up in any educational institution in India.
It will promote design of embedded products based on TI’s semiconductors. It will also promote design of educational solutions for teaching subjects on embedded systems.
The centre will conduct educational activities such as seminars and train-the-trainer workshops that will be open to teachers from other engineering colleges as well.
Dr. C P Ravikumar, Technical Director - University Relations, Texas Instruments India, said, “The centre will design products that are relevant to the Indian electronics industry and nurture talent in the area of embedded product design.”
It will promote design of embedded products based on TI’s semiconductors. It will also promote design of educational solutions for teaching subjects on embedded systems.
The centre will conduct educational activities such as seminars and train-the-trainer workshops that will be open to teachers from other engineering colleges as well.
Dr. C P Ravikumar, Technical Director - University Relations, Texas Instruments India, said, “The centre will design products that are relevant to the Indian electronics industry and nurture talent in the area of embedded product design.”
Lupin gets US nod for 7th oral contraceptive
Mumbai: Drug maker Lupin received final US approval for its oral contraceptive Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol, the seventh in the category, the Indian company said in a statement on Tuesday. The drug is a generic version of Watson Laboratories' Lutera.
Lupin has 32 more products filed for approval with the US Food and Drug Administration department in the oral contraceptive segment. "We plan a full cross section of products in the segment," said the company spokesman Shamsher Gorawara.
This is Lupin's first year of offerings in the segment, but it expects to clock over $100 million (Rs 538 crore) in the next financial year that begins in April, a company executive had said. Gorawara said the company does not give out segment wise revenue breakup.
The generic market for oral contraceptives is estimated at $1.2 billion (Rs 6,457 crore). Lutera had annual U.S sales of approximately $103.6 million (Rs 557 crore).
In the quarter that ended on September 30 Lupin reported consolidated revenue of Rs 2301 crore with net profit of Rs 290 crore.
Lupin has 32 more products filed for approval with the US Food and Drug Administration department in the oral contraceptive segment. "We plan a full cross section of products in the segment," said the company spokesman Shamsher Gorawara.
This is Lupin's first year of offerings in the segment, but it expects to clock over $100 million (Rs 538 crore) in the next financial year that begins in April, a company executive had said. Gorawara said the company does not give out segment wise revenue breakup.
The generic market for oral contraceptives is estimated at $1.2 billion (Rs 6,457 crore). Lutera had annual U.S sales of approximately $103.6 million (Rs 557 crore).
In the quarter that ended on September 30 Lupin reported consolidated revenue of Rs 2301 crore with net profit of Rs 290 crore.
Welspun Energy commissions 15 MW solar plant in Rajasthan
New Delhi: Welspun Energy Ltd has commissioned a 15-MW solar photovoltaic power project in Rajasthan, well ahead of time.
The $3-billion Welspun Group has been developing and operating power projects across India. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, it is operating 64 MW power plants.
The company won three projects worth 50 MW capacity at the auction under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, and has completed the first. The remaining two projects of 15 MW and 20 MW are close to completion, the company said, adding that the entire 50 MW capacity would be commissioned in the coming weeks, much ahead of their contractual schedule of February 26, 2013.
“During the auction, 27 bidders were awarded projects to be implemented in various parts of the country. Welspun Solar AP Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Welspun Energy, emerged as the only successful bidder for the 50 MW capacity, the maximum capacity allowed to a single bidder,” said an official.
The 50 MW solar projects would reduce carbon emissions to the extent of 78,000 tonnes annually. The projects are situated in Phalodi Tehsil of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan.
“The three solar projects are expected to generate total electricity of 90 million kWh in a year,” the company said in a statement.
Welspun had quoted a tariff of Rs 8.14/ unit for the first 15 MW unit. The 50 MW projects are set to produce energy enough to light up 2.5 lakh homes.
The company has also won a 130-MW solar PV project in Madhya Pradesh, which will be the largest solar project to be developed by any company in India. The project would be commissioned by end of 2013, the company said.
The company is also developing 2,000 MW thermal plant in Madhya Pradesh; 660 MW plant in Maharashtra; 200 MW solar plant in Rajasthan; 100 MW solar power plant in Gujarat and 100 MW solar power plant in Madhya Pradesh.
Over the next three years, the company expects to generate 6,000 MW of thermal power, 500 MW of solar power and 500 MW of hydro power.
The $3-billion Welspun Group has been developing and operating power projects across India. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, it is operating 64 MW power plants.
The company won three projects worth 50 MW capacity at the auction under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, and has completed the first. The remaining two projects of 15 MW and 20 MW are close to completion, the company said, adding that the entire 50 MW capacity would be commissioned in the coming weeks, much ahead of their contractual schedule of February 26, 2013.
“During the auction, 27 bidders were awarded projects to be implemented in various parts of the country. Welspun Solar AP Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Welspun Energy, emerged as the only successful bidder for the 50 MW capacity, the maximum capacity allowed to a single bidder,” said an official.
The 50 MW solar projects would reduce carbon emissions to the extent of 78,000 tonnes annually. The projects are situated in Phalodi Tehsil of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan.
“The three solar projects are expected to generate total electricity of 90 million kWh in a year,” the company said in a statement.
Welspun had quoted a tariff of Rs 8.14/ unit for the first 15 MW unit. The 50 MW projects are set to produce energy enough to light up 2.5 lakh homes.
The company has also won a 130-MW solar PV project in Madhya Pradesh, which will be the largest solar project to be developed by any company in India. The project would be commissioned by end of 2013, the company said.
The company is also developing 2,000 MW thermal plant in Madhya Pradesh; 660 MW plant in Maharashtra; 200 MW solar plant in Rajasthan; 100 MW solar power plant in Gujarat and 100 MW solar power plant in Madhya Pradesh.
Over the next three years, the company expects to generate 6,000 MW of thermal power, 500 MW of solar power and 500 MW of hydro power.
Energy & Petroleum Minister of Niger calls on MoS Petroleum Smt. P. Lakshmi
New Delhi: Smt. P. Lakshmi, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas has said that India will soon send a delegation of experts to Niger for exploring possibilities of cooperation between two countries in the hydrocarbon sector. Responding to the proposal of her counterpart Mr. Foumakore Gado, Minister of Energy & Petroleum of Niger, at a meeting here today, Smt Lakshmi said Indian companies are interested to choose exploration blocks and invest in the oil Marketing infrastructure of the country. She also offered to provide training by PSUs like ONGC, GAIL, IOC to the Niger’s hydrocarbon sector personnel.
Mr. Gado invited Indian delegation of experts in the oil & gas sector to provide them technical expertise in the hydrocarbon value chain. He welcomed Indian companies to invest in exploration blocks and other oil & gas sector activities.
Mr. Foumakore Gado led a high level delegation of Niger at the meeting, which included Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Transport and chairman & Finance Commission of Niger.
Mr. Gado invited Indian delegation of experts in the oil & gas sector to provide them technical expertise in the hydrocarbon value chain. He welcomed Indian companies to invest in exploration blocks and other oil & gas sector activities.
Mr. Foumakore Gado led a high level delegation of Niger at the meeting, which included Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Transport and chairman & Finance Commission of Niger.
Tata starts making Jaguars in Pune
Mumbai: To make its cars more affordable for Indian buyers, Mumbai-based Tata Motors has started assembling the Jaguar XF at its new facility in Chakan near Pune.
This has allowed the company to offer the luxury saloon at Rs 44.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), pitting it directly against the BMW 5 series and the Mercedes Benz E Class.
So far, the Jaguar XF was imported from the UK as a fully-built unit. The car was launched in the country in 2010 for Rs 48.37 lakh. However, subsequent increases in import charges led to a rise in its prices.
The Jaguar XF is Jaguar Land Rover’s second model to be assembled in India.
In May 2011, the company started manufacturing the Land Rover Freelander 2 at the Chakan assembly plant. Jaguar XF models manufactured at Chakan would have the 2.2-litre diesel engine; this is the first time such engines would be available in the Indian market.
Rohit Suri, vice-president, Jaguar Land Rover India, said, “Our best-selling models in India are the Land Rover Freelander 2 and the Jaguar XF, and this has driven the move to build these products locally. We are delighted to offer this car as a locally-built product with a new engine for this market. This would enable us to provide our customers with a wider choice of competitively priced models.”
A company statement said the Jaguar XF also had other variants---with a three-litre V6 turbocharged engine (peak power of 275 hp) and a five-litre supercharged V8 engine (peak power of 375 hp).
The car features an array of upgrades available as standard features such as rear view camera, TV tuner, navigation system, optimised audio and navigation controls, front passenger seat away, touch screen, gear-shifting paddles, full-size spare wheel, electric sunroof and rear screen electric blind.
This has allowed the company to offer the luxury saloon at Rs 44.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), pitting it directly against the BMW 5 series and the Mercedes Benz E Class.
So far, the Jaguar XF was imported from the UK as a fully-built unit. The car was launched in the country in 2010 for Rs 48.37 lakh. However, subsequent increases in import charges led to a rise in its prices.
The Jaguar XF is Jaguar Land Rover’s second model to be assembled in India.
In May 2011, the company started manufacturing the Land Rover Freelander 2 at the Chakan assembly plant. Jaguar XF models manufactured at Chakan would have the 2.2-litre diesel engine; this is the first time such engines would be available in the Indian market.
Rohit Suri, vice-president, Jaguar Land Rover India, said, “Our best-selling models in India are the Land Rover Freelander 2 and the Jaguar XF, and this has driven the move to build these products locally. We are delighted to offer this car as a locally-built product with a new engine for this market. This would enable us to provide our customers with a wider choice of competitively priced models.”
A company statement said the Jaguar XF also had other variants---with a three-litre V6 turbocharged engine (peak power of 275 hp) and a five-litre supercharged V8 engine (peak power of 375 hp).
The car features an array of upgrades available as standard features such as rear view camera, TV tuner, navigation system, optimised audio and navigation controls, front passenger seat away, touch screen, gear-shifting paddles, full-size spare wheel, electric sunroof and rear screen electric blind.
DTDC scales its global presence, enters Australia and Kuwait through joint venture
New Delhi: DTDC scales its global presence, enters Australia and Kuwait through joint venture
DTDC Courier and Cargo Ltd., India's premier express courier company, has expanded its presence in the APAC and Middle-East regions by entering into Australia and Kuwait.
The Australian venture will be handled jointly by DTDC and Fast World Express Pty Ltd wherein DTDC has 34 per cent of holdings. The Kuwait venture will be handled by Kuwait Bayarek General Trading and Contracting Co. W.I.I. who is the Master franchise. With this DTDC's global footprint goes up to 16 countries providing services to over 240 international locations.
In addition to Sydney and Melbourne as principal centre for service, DTDC will gradually extend their services to Brisbane, Auckland and Perth through further Master Franchisees recruited under DTDC Fast World Express Pty Ltd.
Currently they are operational with a core management team of about 5-10 professionals mainly looking into sales. The entity will progressively offer same day delivery, pick-up and return services for vital shipments, 'Bullet Service' within 4 hours, pre-paid services.
The principle office for Kuwait is located in Farwaniya in Kuwait City. Other branches are planned in Al Ardya, Sabah, Al Salmiya, Al-Almadi and further expansion to Iraq. By June, Kuwait will be connected with all the 16 countries where DTDC has offices and rest of the 225 countries through their associates.
DTDC Courier and Cargo Ltd., India's premier express courier company, has expanded its presence in the APAC and Middle-East regions by entering into Australia and Kuwait.
The Australian venture will be handled jointly by DTDC and Fast World Express Pty Ltd wherein DTDC has 34 per cent of holdings. The Kuwait venture will be handled by Kuwait Bayarek General Trading and Contracting Co. W.I.I. who is the Master franchise. With this DTDC's global footprint goes up to 16 countries providing services to over 240 international locations.
In addition to Sydney and Melbourne as principal centre for service, DTDC will gradually extend their services to Brisbane, Auckland and Perth through further Master Franchisees recruited under DTDC Fast World Express Pty Ltd.
Currently they are operational with a core management team of about 5-10 professionals mainly looking into sales. The entity will progressively offer same day delivery, pick-up and return services for vital shipments, 'Bullet Service' within 4 hours, pre-paid services.
The principle office for Kuwait is located in Farwaniya in Kuwait City. Other branches are planned in Al Ardya, Sabah, Al Salmiya, Al-Almadi and further expansion to Iraq. By June, Kuwait will be connected with all the 16 countries where DTDC has offices and rest of the 225 countries through their associates.
Firms in hotel sector can now tap external commercial borrowings
Mumbai: Indian companies in the hotel sector (with a total project cost of Rs 250 crore or more), irrespective of their geographical location, have been allowed to tap the external commercial borrowing (ECB) route.
The ECBs will be for repayment of outstanding rupee loan(s) and/or for fresh rupee capital expenditure.
The Reserve Bank of India, in a notification, said the abovementioned companies are eligible borrowers under the ECB policy for repayment of rupee loans and/or fresh rupee capital expenditure.
As per the extant guidelines, only Indian companies in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, which are consistent foreign exchange earners, are allowed to go in for ECBs for repayment of outstanding rupee loan(s) taken from the domestic banking system and/or for fresh rupee capital expenditure.
In September 2012, the RBI had enhanced the maximum permissible limit of ECB for an individual company. The limit was set at 75 per cent of the average foreign exchange earnings realised during the immediate past three financial years or 50 per cent of the highest foreign exchange earnings realised in any of the immediate past three financial years, whichever is higher.
Prior to the enhancement, the maximum permissible ECB was limited to 50 per cent of the average annual export earnings realised during the past three financial years.
The maximum ECB by an individual company or group, as a whole, is restricted to $3 billion.
The ECBs will be for repayment of outstanding rupee loan(s) and/or for fresh rupee capital expenditure.
The Reserve Bank of India, in a notification, said the abovementioned companies are eligible borrowers under the ECB policy for repayment of rupee loans and/or fresh rupee capital expenditure.
As per the extant guidelines, only Indian companies in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, which are consistent foreign exchange earners, are allowed to go in for ECBs for repayment of outstanding rupee loan(s) taken from the domestic banking system and/or for fresh rupee capital expenditure.
In September 2012, the RBI had enhanced the maximum permissible limit of ECB for an individual company. The limit was set at 75 per cent of the average foreign exchange earnings realised during the immediate past three financial years or 50 per cent of the highest foreign exchange earnings realised in any of the immediate past three financial years, whichever is higher.
Prior to the enhancement, the maximum permissible ECB was limited to 50 per cent of the average annual export earnings realised during the past three financial years.
The maximum ECB by an individual company or group, as a whole, is restricted to $3 billion.
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