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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
14-March, 2017 17:12 IST
Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) Bill, 2017

Commerce & Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha on 14th March, 2017 to declare the FDDI as an Institution of National Importance (INI).

The objective of the proposed legislation is to facilitate and promote teaching, training and research in all disciplines relating to design and development of Footwear and leather products and to enable FDDI to emerge as Centre of Excellence meeting international standards.

The Footwear Design & Development Institute was established in 1986 with the objective of providing trained human resource and assistance to the sector. FDDI has pan-India presence with campuses at Noida, Kolkata, Chennai, Fursatganj (UP), Rohtak (Haryana), Chhindwara (M.P) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) equipped with state of art academic facilities and infrastructure. New campuses at Hyderabad, Patna, Ankleshwar (Gujarat), Banur(Punjab) and Guna (M.P) would also start functioning shortly.

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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
14-March, 2017 15:55 IST
14.66 lakh tonnes of pulses procured towards building the buffer stock

As per the Working Group Report on Foodgrains-Balancing Demand & Supply During 12th FYP of Niti Aayog the projected demand for pulses during 2016-17 is estimated to be around 24.61 million tonnes while the estimated production of pulses is 22.14 million tonnes, thereby implying higher demand than domestic production.

The Government has approved creation of buffer upto 20 lakh tonnes of pulses. As on 08.03.2017, around 14.66 lakh tonnes of pulses have been procured or contracted for imports towards building the buffer. The Government has contracted imports of 4.06 lakh tonnes of pulses towards building the buffer stock. The prices of pulses fluctuates daily as well as over season. While approving the bid for imports, Price Stabilization Fund Management Committee (PSFMC), inter alia, compares offer rate with prevailing domestic rate and bids are generally approved for import when the rate offered are lower than prevailing domestic prices of that pulses.

Government has approved engaging a professional Buffer Stock Management Agency (BSMA) for efficient management of the buffer stock including procurement, storage, maintenance and liquidation of the stock as per Government directives from time to time. The agency for designing and managing the bid process has been selected. Contract for appointment is being finalized.

This information was given by Shri C.R. Chaudhary, the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.


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Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
15-March, 2017 14:27 IST
Sale of Non-Operational Units of CCI

As far as CCI is concerned, non-operating units of CCI are to be disinvested first as a part of strategic disinvestment of Cement Corporation of India Limited.

Niti Aayog has recommended for strategic disinvestment of Cement Corporation Of India. To start with all seven non-operating units that is 1) Mandhar, 2) Kurkunta, 3) Nayagaon, 4) Charkhi Dadri, 5) Delhi Grinding Unit (DGU), 6) Adilabad & 7) Akaltara and the non-commissioned unit of Bhatinda are to be divested first and thereafter disinvestment of operating units is to be taken up.

The Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) has identified five units for disinvestment in the first Phase namely 1) Mandhar, 2) Kurkunta, 3) Bhatinda, 4) Nayagaon, 5) Charkhi Dadri and the legal issues relating to DGU, Adilabad & Akaltara need to be sorted out. The process of appointment of Transaction Advisor, Legal Advisor and Asset Valuer has been started by CCI as per direction of IMG.

The mode of sale shall be as per the guidelines of Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).

The units being considered under disinvestment at present are closed and workers are not there.

The amount expected as sale proceeds shall be known after asset valuation of non-operating units.

This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha today.

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Training pilots in Delhi: Airbus to set up flight simulator at IGI airport
Aerospace giant Airbus will set up its India headquarters and the country's first full flight simulator to address the growing demand of trained pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) announced on Thursday.

The GMR Group-led DIAL said in a statement that it has signed a land licence agreement with Airbus for a period till March 31, 2036 for the purpose.

"Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd, a GMR led consortium, announced that it has signed a land license agreement with Airbus for setting up India's first full flight simulator at the Aerocity - Terminal District of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport," the statement said.

"On the 1.11 acre of land, Airbus will also establish its India Headquarters within the same development," the statement added.

DIAL said it has received the initial security deposit and advanced development charges (ADC), and will also receive an annual license fee from this license.

"Airbus India had decided to open its full flight training centre here, keeping in mind the growing requirements of its customers as Delhi is a key base for most of the airlines -- Air India, Indigo and Vistara," it added.
http://www.business-standard.com/ar...-simulator-at-igi-airport-117031601294_1.html
 
Hungry baby gets milk on train after SOS tweet
India's railway ministry is receiving praise on social media after it acted on a tweet from a train and provided milk to a hungry baby. Anagha Nikam was travelling by rail when she spotted a mother trying to find milk for her baby daughter. She tweeted to the ministry and asked for help, and milk was provided at the next station. The ministry is known for being proactive on Twitter, and has helped many distressed passengers in the past. Ms Nikam's Twitter communication with Konkan Railway, a division of Indian Railways, happened on 12 March, but the story came to light after the ministry tweeted about it on Thursday. She was travelling in the Happa Express in the western state of Maharashtra when she used social media to seek help for the family.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-39288247

Conference addresses trans-Asia rail connectivity through India, Iran, Turkey
A multi-nation conference on trans-Asia connectivity has opened in New Delhi to explore the possibility of a rail freight service connecting India with Iran and Turkey, Iran’s PressTV news agency reported on March 15. The two-day event brings together railway and custom officials from Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, and India along with government officials, policy-makers and experts. Indian Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu addressed the conference, highlighting the need for rail connectivity for the development of the region. While the event is focused on strengthening cross-border railway transport within South and Southwest Asia, it is complementary to a wider effort to develop an intercontinental route which is believed to transform economic patterns between Asia and Europe. The railway would link up with the North-South Transport Corridor, which aims to connect Russia, Iran and India. Both projects could loop up with China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative which seeks to revive the ancient Silk Road, making each of the connections even more feasible. For China, these integrated transport networks provide a counterbalance to US “pivot” to Asia, while Russia seeks to expand economic ties with India after blocking food imports from the European Union. For Iran, the route offers a buffer against future pressures after the country came under the most intensive Western sanctions over its nuclear program between 2011 and 2015. Earlier this month, Iran and Azerbaijan inaugurated a 10 km rail link – one of the missing final pieces of the North-South Transport Corridor which is about to be completed this year after 17 years. Iran and Azerbaijan are both eager to establish themselves as regional transportation hubs between Asia and Europe, while other countries across Asia are trying to tap into these emerging networks.
http://www.timesca.com/index.php/ne...a-rail-connectivity-through-india-iran-turkey

Suresh Prabhu for rail connectivity with neighbouring nations
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today pitched for rail connectivity with neighbouring countries to boost trade and eliminate poverty in the region.

Highlighting the need for physical connectivity with neighbours for trade growth, he advocated work on rail link from Kathmandu to Delhi and Kolkata shortly.

"Asia is going to be the next futre growth centre of the world. Asia being the large continent, it is going to be very interesting to see how all countries of the region participate in the growth," Prabhu said while inaugurating the global conference on transcontinental rail connectivity here.

Organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in coordination with the Railways Ministry, the conference aims at taking forward the proposed railway transport connectivity in South and South-West Asia.

Considered to be a major boost for trade and economic development of the Asia Pacific region, a trans-container goods train from Dhaka to Istanbul covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey is being considered by Indian Railways along with neighbouring countries.

However, Prabhu said there is also a need to have political understanding for achieving physical connectivity for economic growth.

"It is a very interesting idea to bring rail connectivity in South and South West Asia... and to have this, proper political understanding is a prerequisite," he said.

Even if we work on this idea, it will ensure benefit of the region, he added.

The two-day conference will explore the way forward to establish rail connectivity from Dhaka to Istanbul.

"We already have rail connectivity with Dhaka. We will have an international agreement for this to go up to Istanbul," he said.

Prabhu said, "Connectivity and integration of trade bring about huge economy growth. Integration of market can happen through trade policy and other means like investment. But unless you bring in physical connectivity trade potential cannot be realised."

On Indian Railways' plan, he said, "We want to start with our neighbouring countries first, like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan. We have decided to connect all our neighbours. We already have some and wherever there is a need we will work it out."

On Nepal, he said, "We must ensure there is a connectivity between Kathmandu and New Delhi and Kathmandu and Kolkata."

Prabhu said GDP will grow through expansion of rail network.

"We are also working in a big way in Sri Lanka in the rail sector. This will pave the way for connecting the entire world through railways. It will benefit the country in eliminating poverty. Development will pick up."

On Pakistan, he said, "With Pakistan, we already have rail connectivity. We are working very actively in Bangladesh.

"In Myanmar, we are already working. That will ensure the important missing link between South-East Asia and India. It will happen through Myanmar."
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/bu...tivity-with-neighbouring-nations-2151177.html

Indian Railways to send officers to IITs, IIMs for advanced research and studies
It's time for the railway babus to take lessons at countries premiere engineering and management institutes to enhance their skills.

The Indian Railways will be sending its 20 officers from various services to IITs and IIMs for rail-related research and advanced studies.

"Fellowship scheme for railway officers has been introduced at central and state universities and centres for excellence, like IITs, IIMs and IIS," said a senior railway board officer.

He said a scheme for encouraging railway employees to acquire higher qualifications at Master's level in IITs, IIMs and institutes of repute will also be introduced.

The IR has issued a notice for admission for MTech programme for 20 railway officers from the disciplines of civil, mechanical and electrical engineering.

An official said the training programme will also be opened for officers in railway PSUs, like IRCTC, IRCON and others.

Services of professional agencies would be used for evaluation of railway-training programmes. A policy has been framed in this regard, the official added.

According to sources, the railways will be spending nearly Rs 5 lakh for each of these officers during their two years of course.

AIMED AT UPDATING OFFICERS' SKILLS

"In keeping with the need to maintain pace with fast-changing transport environment and need for innovation and modernisation, the railway board has decided to update and upgrade the professional and technical knowledge and skills of the railway officers by enrolling them into academic programmes in premiere technical and management institutes in the country," said a communication from the railway ministry to all railway training institutes.

Sources said the Master's degree in Engineering will be helpful in improving the passenger safety standards in the railways as well as improving the overall train operations.

Focus will be on upgrading the tracks, signalling and electrification system on the railway tracks so as to improve punctuality and speed of the trains. This assumes greater significance in wake of the railways introducing high-speed rail network in the country.

The Indian Railways had signed an MoU with University of Mumbai in April last year for setting up a centre for railway research. A railway ministry official said an academic services agreement was signed with Beijing Jiaotong University, China, for training of 100 officers of various departments in heavy-haul technology.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...ficer-training-reserach-studies/1/906040.html

Indian Railways gets milk to hungry baby on train after passenger's SOS tweet
Indian Railways is winning praise for its swift response to a train passenger’s SOS tweet about a hungry baby on a train.
Anagha Nikam was traveling on the railroad and after seeing a mother trying to find milk for her child, tweeted the Indian railway ministry to ask for help. Milk was provided at the next station for the baby girl.

The ministry is known to be active on Twitter, helping other passengers in the past. It has 2.39 million followers on the social network, often going on “tweet storms” to provide information about the country’s rail lines and providing updates on progress. It also uses the platform for customer service, replying to riders inquiries or complaints.

Ms Nikam communicated with Konkan Railway, a division of Indian Railways about the mother’s need on March 12. The Ministry subsequently tweeted an article about the exchange.
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/03...baby-on-train-after-passengers-sos-tweet.html
 
I was told that pakistan stock market is the best performing on this site by every PDF pakistani.
Might be possible from other angles. There are various ways by which a share market valuation is done.
 
With 7 Advance Features, Mumbai Local on Your Way
Mumbai railway stations are under tremendous make over in last 2 years. Apart From rush, Mumbaikar’s are getting relief through new bridges, sky walks connecting with railway bridges, CCTV cameras and new ATVM machines for getting ticket without standing in long queues.

Now Mumbai Will Get Another relief Through Advance Local Trains Which are Under Construction In Chennai. These Locals Trains are having too many advance features in term of Technology and Looks.

1. Solar Power: At the top of Coaches There is a Solar energy Equipment Installed. so these Local will no Longer be Connected with Overhead Wires
2. TV Screens: Now you will be getting Bored as we will be having Television Screens on Every Coaches. These Screen will Give you Information About Next Station, On Which side Platform is Coming and Off course Some
3. Wi-FI Facility: We already have Wi-fi Facility In many Express Trains like satabdi express, Maharajah Express. Now These Wi-fi with Updated Features based on Tower to Router Technology has been Installed.
4. Long Coaches: Coaches will be joined as in Mumbai’s AC Local. 2 Coaches will be Joint as 1 and each Coach Length will be 1.5 times Higher than Existing Coaches in local trains.
5. LED Lights: Theses LED Lights will not only Save Energy But also are cheaper and they made in India. There will 60 Lights In Every Coaches
6. Charger Facility: At every Corner of local there is Charger Facility with 20 Charger Points with Mobile Lock Technology. Mobile Lock is a Machine Which will keep your Phone safe from others. This will be a 4 Digit Digital Locker System.
7. Warning Signals: Railways has been Investing Big for safety Purpose. So Finally Local Trains are Equipped with ILSR System which are Russian Technology. This System Will give Warning Messages When Any Other Train comes On same Track Within 250 Meter Distance.
http://www.thecitytruths.com/with-7-advance-features-mumbai-local-on-your-way/

MMRDA plans to extend Metro-IV route from Wadala to GPO
The 32-km long Metro-IV (Wadala and Kasarvadavli via Ghatkopar and LBS Road), will be extended up to GPO in South Mumbai via Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) land on the eastern waterfront. In January, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had floated tenders for an elevated corridor worth Rs 14,549 crore for Metro-IV. Metropolitan commissioner U P S Madan said, "A feasibility study is being undertaken to extend the Metro from Wadala to GPO on P D'mello Road. The corridor will pass via the MbPT land."

The extension will be 8km long and cost per km is estimated to be Rs 300 crore for elevated and Rs 750 crore for the underground portion. A call on whether the extended corridor will be elevated or underground or both will be taken after the feasibility report is submitted. Madan said, "The extension has been planned as the MbPT plans to revamp the port land to draw a large number of visitors to this part of the city on the eastern waterfront."
If the proposal is found to be feasible, there will be two Metro corridors operating from the southern most part of the city. While Metro-IV will cater to commuters from the eastern suburbs, Metro-III will cater to the western suburbs.


In November, MbPT appointed a consortium which designed the Sabarmati waterfront to prepare the master plan to revamp the eastern waterfront into a hub of tourism, recreation and entertainment under the self-financing model through the commercial exploitation of land.

The consultant will start the work on the draft master plan for a 550 ha area within six months. Of these, 300 ha of land is available but the detailed master plan for 165 ha will be ready in nine months. MbPT wants the consultant to create a landmark site for the city of Mumbai and India, with plazas, shopping arcades, pedestrian and a bicycle-friendly environment. The entire revamp is proposed to be carried out on land where non-port activities are undertaken i.e. north of Ferry Wharf.


"Since it is being carried out under the self-financing model, we will have to monetise land so that another Central Business District (CBD) can come up on the lines of BKC," an official said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...dala-to-gpo/articleshow/57658019.cms?from=mdr
 
Adani Ports to develop 3rd phase of Mundra Port for Rs 6,000cr
Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd will invest Rs 6,000 crore for the development of third phase of Mundra Port.

The upcoming capacity expansion of Mundra Port, touted as one of the top multi-purpose ports in the country in terms of traffic held, would lead to employment generation for 600 people, sources said.


A token MoU to this effect was signed in the presence of Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

Essar Ports too plans to develop port facilities along the Gujarat coast at an investment of about Rs 10,600 crore, a move that is expected to result in employment generation opportunities for 1,000 people.

A slew of MoUs signed here today also include one by West Cost Liquid Terminal — an SPV of Shapoorji Paloonji Group — which intends to invest Rs 1,200 crore for development of LPG and Liquid Storage Terminal at the greenfield port location of Chhara (District Gir Somnath).

This project, said state officials, will be an important contributor in increasing LPG reach in the Northern, Western and Central parts of the country, for domestic cooking fuel segment by enabling the LPG imports.

In the roads and building sector, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) intends to invest Rs 13,000 crore to create Vadodara-Talasari six-lane expressway.

The move is expected to improve the connectivity between Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

In the areas of water supply, Classic Network has outlined plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore for development of a water supply project entailing employment for 1500 people.

In addition, Solar Sewage Basic Infrastructure is planning to invest Rs 5,000 crore for undertaking Sea Water desalination project on BOOT basis, a project that would provide employment to nearly 600 people in the State.

The Vibrant Gujarat summit has been a hub of business activities over the last three days, with captains of the industry announcing massive investments into the state.

At the high-profile inauguration of the event by the Prime Minister on January 10, global as well as Indian business leader announced plans to invest in areas such ports, automotive, IT, renewable energy, water, cement, amongst others.

"Companies like Boeing, Airbus, Adani Group, and large numbers others have shown tremendous interest in investing in the state," J N Singh, Chief Secretary, Gujarat Government told PTI.
http://www.business-standard.com/ar...undra-port-for-rs-6-000cr-117011200825_1.html

Gujarat coastal economic zones in the works
The three Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) proposed in Gujarat will have facilities related to petrochemical, apparel, automobile, marble furniture, cement and maritime. A consultant will be appointed within a month to prepare a detailed master plan for CEZs in the region.

Under the larger Sagarmala Programme, there are plans to have 14 CEZs at different locations across India, of which three will be in Gujarat at Kutch, Saurashtra and South Gujarat (Suryapur).

"The industrial clusters proposed to be developed in these three CEZs will be related to petrochemical, automobile, cement, etc. The perspective plans were also prepared for these CEZs," reads the tender document inviting request for proposal (RFP) for preparing the master plan.

As per the plans prepared for Gujarat, automobile-related establishments would be at Sanand, petrochemical, apparel and cement hubs would be at Saurashtra, and maritime and marble cluster in Kutch.

Kandla and Mundra ports have been appointed as nodal agency for the project to develop CEZ and Coastal Economic Units (CEUs) in Kutch region.

"This project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Shipping through Indian Ports Association and has several aspects to it. The total area of CEZ is much more bigger than the size of Kandla Port," said Ravi Parmar, chairman, Kandla Port Trust.

For Kutch region, a total of 12 clusters have been identified having a total of 13,320.58 hectare land bank. The cluster size varies from 33.62 hectare to 2,175.80 hectare. Including Kandla Port, the total area under the project is 18,740.58 hectare.

"Even tourism, fisheries, community development will be part of the larger project," added Parmar.

For Saurashtra region, covering the districts of Junagadh, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad, Pipavav and Sikka are the nodal ports. Similarly, for the Suryapur region, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Valsad districts Dahej and Hazira are the nodal ports.

CEZs will be spatial economic regions comprising a group of coastal districts or districts with a strong linkage to the ports in that region. Whereas, CEUs will be specific industrial estate projects with a demarcated boundary similar to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridors nodes. The CEUs will house the industrial clusters or projects proposed within the CEZ.

Each CEZ will consist of multiple CEUs and more than one industrial cluster can be housed within a CEU. Within each industrial cluster, there can be several manufacturing units.

All these clusters will be closer to deep draught port under the 'Port-Linked Industrial Clusters'.

With the bidding process underway to prepare detailed master plan, either by later this month or early next month, an agency will be appointed for the same.

Once the CEZs and CEUs are established, they will generate employment opportunities in the coastal regions of Gujarat having presence of industries, apart from reducing logistics cost and saving time for the movement of exports and imports. Even the movement of domestic cargo through ports is expected to improve.
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-gujarat-coastal-economic-zones-in-the-works-2330754

One of the largest car carriers docks at Mumbai Port

One of the world's largest car carriers 'Hoegh Tracer' was docked at Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) on Wednesday morning to ferry around 6,000 cars from the recently-built offshore container terminal (OCT).

During this financial year, as on January, the MbPT has already registered a 21% increase in handling of vehicles from the port.

"About 6,000 cars will be exported on this Norwegian flagged ship – Hoegh Tracer. The new OCT facility has enabled phenomenal increase of vehicle handling by our port," said Sanjay Bhatia, chairman, MbPT.

Though it is among the largest ships, it will not ferry record number of vehicles from Mumbai. On August 6, 2016, 6,312 cars were loaded on a single ship.

With the deck space of 71,400 square metre and carrying capacity of 8,500 car equivalent units, this just-over-a-year-old Hoegh Tracer vessel is one of the world's largest pure car and truck carrier (PCTC).

As per the data available with DNA Money, last year 1.40 lakh vehicles were handled by the port and, 1.70 lakh vehicles of different automobile manufacturers were handled between April 2016 and January 2017. The figure of February and March is likely to take the growth beyond 25%.

Of the 1.70 lakh vehicles handled at the port during this fiscal, over 95% of them are export units manufactured in India.

Inside the MbPT, the OCT is now being used only for roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) services and not for other cargo, for which it was initially planned.

The OCT facility, which is 700 metre long and 58 metre wide with current draught of 10 metre and large storage area in the immediate backyard, has been getting car manufacturers like Volkswagen, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, General Motors, as well as biggest of the shipping lines like Hoegh Autoliners, NYK, Eukor, MOL, etc.

The Rs 1,200 crore worth OCT project, being jointly developed by Gammon Infrastructure-Dragados SPL (of Spain) is still incomplete due to want of funds. There are plans in the pipeline that may see MbPT putting the OCT project for rebidding. The existing consortium had bagged the project for a concession period of 30-years on Built-Operate-Transfer basis.

In June 2015, MbPT proposed an alternative use of the offshore container terminal for Ro-Ro operations after it wasn't possible to complete the first phase of the project. The first phase involves handling 800,000 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs).

Presently, the facility is being utilised by importers and exporters of automobiles and self-propelled equipment. The operations through Ro-Ro took off only on July 20, 2015.

Since its inception, over 100 vessels have berthed at the privately managed terminal and MbPT is getting 55% of the revenues from the Gammon Infrastructure-Dragados SPL consortium. The OCT project is likely to go for rebidding in the next couple of months.
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-one-of-the-largest-car-carriers-docks-at-mumbai-port-2331929

http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/...of-all-rides-is-here/articleshow/57303526.cms
 

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