Category Archives: Science & Technology

Agricultural research gets gender transformation approach

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

Empowering women smallholder farmers overcome the unique hurdles they face in the semi-arid tropics, and thus securing the future of food production and the economic growth in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, was among the key messages at the Asia Regional Planning Meeting of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).

The meeting held at the ICRISAT headquarters in Hyderabad, acknowledged the significant contributions made by women smallholder farmers and the transformative role they play in dryland agriculture. “The efforts of ingenious and resourceful women smallholder farmers are helping us in our mission to achieve prosperous, food-secure and resilient dryland tropics. They have always been at the forefront in fighting poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation. It is upon us to work with and provide them with scientific innovations and solutions to help increase the productivity of their crops and their incomes, while improving the resilience of their lands and livelihoods,” ICRISAT Director General Dr William D Dar said.

“ICRISAT now adopts a gender transformative approach in all its research for development activities in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Our interdisciplinary teams of scientists, with guidance from gender specialists, will methodically assess the women smallholder farmers’ control over resources and explore more opportunities for value addition to their services. Our aim is to achieve real gender equality and thereby significantly help empower women,” Dr Dar added.

Present during the meeting were two new gender specialists to be based in West and Central Africa  (WCA) and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) to complement the gender specialists based in its headquarters in India, for enhanced and active gender integration into agricultural research for development.

“This Regional Planning exercise helps us to ensure that ICRISAT’s research is aligned with the CGIAR Research Programs on Dryland Cereals and Grain Legumes that we are leading, as well as with all the five other CGIAR Research Programs we are involved in. But more importantly, it serves as a guide for us to make sure that we are still focused on the right questions, that we are relevant to the smallholder farmers, particularly women, and that we have strategies, tools and technologies in place for maximum impact,” said Dr CLL Gowda, ICRISAT’s Deputy Director General for Research, in his welcome remarks.

The meeting attended by over 100 ICRISAT scientists and senior staff mainly from its headquarters in India, and some from its WCA and ESA regional offices, consisted of a review of past research for development activities, as well as brainstorming and interactive sessions to help identify new areas of research and opportunities for scaling out improved technologies and tools.

ICRISAT’s 2014 work plans for Asia were drawn up and the way forward was mapped out with focus on inclusiveness – gender integration; working with and bringing in the concerns of smallholder farmers; enhancing their participation and engagement in the institute’s research for development activities; and working along the Inclusive Market-Oriented Development (IMOD) framework to give smallholder farmers access to scientific innovations and connecting them to markets.

Dr Deborah J Delmer, Chair of the Program Committee of the ICRISAT Governing Board, led a brainstorming session during the meeting on ‘Integrating genetic engineering with genomics for crop improvement, with social science and natural resources perspectives’. The technical deliberations stressed on the importance of a better integration of social science and natural resources perspectives in modern biotechnology, to maximize its potential applications in crop improvement and the betterment of farming systems in overcoming the serious challenge of feeding the rapidly growing world population in the future.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Syed Akbar, TNN / February 18th, 2014

Govt to give couples another shot at parenthood

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Science & Technology

Visakhapatnam :

After a spate of population control and family planning measures pushed the total fertility rate (TFR) in Andhra Pradesh (1.8 births per woman) well below the national average of 2.7 births per woman, the state government has now reversed gears and is focusing on population stabilization policies and spacing of children.

Taking this endeavour a step ahead, the state department of health and family welfare has mooted proposals for sanctioning two centres in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam to carry out specialized recanalization surgeries to reverse family planning operations.

“We have proposed setting up of recanalisation centres in Secunderabad (Gandhi Hospital) and Visakhapatnam, utilising this financial year’s National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) funds for infertile couples or those who want an issue after losing their child.

It’s a microsurgery and needs high amount of expertise,” said state joint director of family welfare Dr Ch Jayakumari.

The latest proposals come even as the proposal to set up three infertility clinics in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Kurnool for below the poverty line (BPL) childless couples, which was mooted in 2012, failed to make much headway.

Many couples, who have undergone family planning surgeries like tubectomy or vasectomy, are changing their minds due to various reasons.

Couples generally undergo such surgeries after the birth of their second child as part of family planning operations, which also fetch them monetary incentives. As per the National Family Health Survey, more than 60% women undergo tubectomy, while just around 2-3 % men undergo vasectomy in the state.

Recently, at the King George Hospital (KGH), a 20-year-old woman from Padmanabham lost her newborn daughter to asphyxiation a day after she underwent tubectomy. In a fit of rage and grief, the husband G Naidu alleged that the proced

owever, the issue was resolved after the hospital authorities found the allegations false and assured the husband that a re-canalisation or ‘reverse procedure’ could be done after some days when the wife recuperates from her second Caesarian-section.

Like this couple, there are others, who want a recanalization done for various reasons, mostly after they lose their child.

Around 25 reverse family planning operations or recanalisations take place at KGH every year, which is the biggest state-run teaching hospital in north-coastal Andhra. Couples, who undergo a change of mind, months or years after performance of either tubectomy or vasectomy, usually come for these recanalisation surgeries.

Interestingly, there have also been a few former Maoist couples, who approached doctors in the hope of getting a reverse surgery done, said Dr P V Sudhakar, head, department of plastic surgery, KGH, and acting medical superintendent of the hospital.

“The primary reasons for recanalization include death of the first or second child due to ailments or accidents or when the spouse wants a child with a new partner following the death of or divorce from the first partner. There have also been a few cases of couples, who had undergone tubectomy or vasectomy when they were actively involved in the Maoist movement, changing their minds after surrender and seeking a recanalisation procedure to lead a normal family life,” added Dr Sudhakar.

According to doctors, the success rate of recanalization is around 80% but a lot depends on the time frame and expertise of the surgeons. “If it is done within six months to one year of family planning operations, the chance of success is quite high. This specialised surgery is done under magnification by experts from the genito-urology and plastic surgery departments,” said Dr Soma Raju, regional health director, north coastal Andhra.

“The greater the delay in taking up recanalisation after vasectomy, the greater the risk of antibodies developing against the sperm cells, reducing the sperm count. While, in the case of women, fibrosis and changes inside the fallopian tube obstruct the transport of the ovum, thereby rendering recanalisation ineffective,” averred Dr Sudhakar, who undertakes this highly skilful and specialised surgery at KGH.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhpatnam / by Sulogna Mehta, TNN / February 18th, 2014

AP govt unveils policy for life sciences sector

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The Andhra Pradesh government today unveiled an exclusive policy for the life sciences sector aiming at USD 13.5 billion market by 2019 with an emphasis on biotechnology, medical devices, bio-services, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

“This policy will lead to Rs 20,000 crore of new investment and skilled employment opportunity to 50,000 people besides augmenting exports to Rs 60,000 crore by 2019,” the policy that was unveiled during the inaugural session of ‘BioAsia-2014’ said.

The major initiative of the policy is to declare lifesciences sector as an industrial category with a set of steps that will ease compliance of procedures through single window system and provides power at industrial tariff which are hitherto being levied commercial tariff.

Providing uninterrupted power supply for life saving drugs is also one of the steps in the policy, it said.

As a part of infrastructure development, the policy envisages certain projects which are critical for the development of the sector under PPP mode such as Vivarium, vaccine testing facility, animal quarantine and bio-security facility, medical devices park, dedicated life sciences clusters in the form of Genome Valley, parks and institutions, it further said.

K Pradeep Chandra, principal secretary (industries), said that with initiatives mentioned in the policy, the state will become a major attraction for the life sciences industry in the coming years.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Hydreabad – February 17th, 2014

Chemical-free anti-rat solution being developed for Rlys

Science & Technology

City-based Hyderabad Science Society has said it is in the process of developing a new chemical-free technology to deal with the problem of rats and other rodents on the trains.

It uses high pressure compressed air mixed with sand to kill rats, HSS Director Sanjar Ali Khan said today.

Media reports about the rodent problem on trains prompted the organisation to take up this project, Khan said.

“To attract rats, we have prepared a special chamber and the moment a rat enters this chamber its movement is detected by an electronic circuit and there will be a sudden blast of sand mixed with high pressure air directed into the chamber which kills the rat instantly,” he said.

The system can kill four rats every minute, he added.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Hyderabad – February 16th, 2014

Bust cancer myths and live life, say doctors

Science & Technology

Visakhapatnam :

Utter the word ‘cancer’ and it immediately conjures up images of death in the minds of people. This misconception prevails, despite doctors’ assurance that in 85-90% of cases, cancers are curable if detected at an early stage. Quite relevantly, the worldwide theme for this year’s World Cancer Day (February 4) is ‘Debunking myths and misconceptions about cancer’.

Despite medical and surgical advancement in the field of oncology, the most common myth associated with cancer is considering it synonymous with death besides other myths and misconceptions related to the availability of treatment, cancer drugs and their side effects and so on.

Dr P Ravi Mohan, associate professor at Andhra Medical College (AMC) and consultant medical oncologist averred, “Patients and their families still can’t accept cancer as any other ailment. They should understand that cancer is very much curable if diagnosed and treated at an early stage. Even in advanced stages, certain types of cancer can be cured. They also think there’s no point taking proper treatment as death is inevitable and worsen the situation by visiting quacks. Thirdly, there’s a misconception among most people that cancer affects only the old. However, age is no determinant and even an infant, youngsters or centurions can be affected by cancer.”

Myths and misconceptions surround the mode of treatment and medicines too. For instance, it’s believed that all cancer drugs are costly, toxic and have tremendous side effects. However, only around 20-25% cancer drugs have some side effects and not all drugs are expensive. “Further, the myth that cancer is contagious prevails usually among rural people with limited literacy. Genetic predilection can be a risk factor in certain types of cancer but no cancer is contagious. Most patients, especially those of breast cancer, are also traumatised at the thought that the affected organ has to be removed if cancer strikes. But nowadays, with advanced medical and surgical procedures, it’s not required and even in case of partial removal, reconstruction can be done,” added Dr Ravi Mohan.

Summing up the misconceptions related to cancer, Dr Lalit Varadapande from Queen’s NRI Hospital said, “Patients feel there’s no need to talk about cancer, cancer displays no signs and symptoms, nothing much can be done about cancer and patients don’t have right to access proper cancer care. Awareness is the most important requirement so that early screening and diagnosis can facilitate treatment at stage one or two.”

As per recent data provided by the Indian Council for Medical Research, more than 10 lakh people are affected by cancer in India annually. In 2012, more than 5.55 lakh people have died due to cancer in India.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / by Sulogna Mehta, TNN / February 04th, 2014

Hyderabad boy Satya Nadella set to become Microsoft CEO

Business & Economy, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Nadella learnt technology at Microsoft, leadership at Begumpet school.

The third CEO in Microsoft’s 38-year-old history after Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer could be an India-born, two media reports said on Friday, citing sources familiar with the processes of selecting the new leader at the Redmond-based company.

If he is the chosen one, as Bloomberg was the first to report, Satya Nadella , a 22-year Microsoft veteran with leading roles in the Office and Bing search engine teams, will become the most powerful Indian-origin tech executive in the world.

Bloomberg also reported that the board was considering replacing Chairman Bill Gates with Microsoft’s lead Independent Director John Thompson.

People who know him well both professionally and personally say apart from his technological wizadry, what has struck them about Nadella is that he is a great team person. “Satya is extraordinarily humble and a great human being; so almost anybody who knows him has nice things to say about him. That is in contrast to many leaders today who have ‘sharp elbows’,” says Ravi Venkatesan, former chairman of Microsoft India.

The 46-year-old Nadella has not forgotten his roots and is connected deeply to Hyderabad where his parents (his father is a retired IAS officer) live. He and his wife did their schooling at the Hyderabad Public School in Begumpet and visit the city every year. In an earlier interview to an Indian publication, Nadella had talked about the leadership lessons he first learnt while playing for his school cricket team. Once when the team captain saw Nadella bowling quite ordinarily, he himself stepped in to give the team a much-needed breakthrough, and again threw the ball back to Nadella to bowl the next over.

“I will never forget that. What made him do that? Is this what they call leadership? These are the kind of questions I have since reflected on as I approach many of the things I do today leading teams,” Nadella had said.

Nadella, who has an engineering degree in electronics and communication from Manipal Institute of Technology, moved to the US where he earned a master of science degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin. He is also an MBA from the University of Chicago. He worked at Sun Microsystems before joining Microsoft in 1992. During these nearly 22 years, Nadella has held several positions, including senior VP of R&D for the online services division and VP of the Microsoft business division.

“He is one of the sharpest guys you will meet; he is very technical and very empathetic. He understands an exterior opinion which works in his favour as he is ready to learn from others,” says one of Nadella’s friends, requesting anonymity.

It is probably Nadella’s performance at the company that led to him being appointed as the head of one of the most key segments of the company — cloud and enterprise. According to several sources, Nadella was responsible for bringing the company’s database, Windows server and developer tools, to its Azure cloud.

Under his leadership, Microsoft’s cloud services’ revenue rose to $20.3 billion in June 2013 from $16.6 billion when he took over in 2011.

“He is an extremely well-rounded person; he has worked in the application business; he has worked in the Bing search business, led the server and tool business, and now he is in charge of all online and cloud engineering. More importantly, he is a strong technical person which is a good thing to lead a company like Microsoft,” says Venkatesan whose first engagement with Nadella happened when the latter was heading the Microsoft business division.

“Microsoft’s offerings have touched an entire generation of Indians, and it would be a moment of great pride for us to see an Indian take over such a prestigious post,” says Ravi Gururaj, chairman of Indian IT industry body Nasscom’s product council.

“I am sure it is his performance and delivery at the company that has brought him this far, and we wish him well.”

Microsoft is currently at a crucial point, as the company is moving away from its roots as a software-focused firm and moving towards hardware and internet-based services.

Experts say Nadella would certainly represent a conservative choice for Microsoft. He is a sharp, persuasive individual and can inject fresh life into Microsoft. But others say Nadella will not be the radical agent of change or the inspirational visionary that some investors and outsiders have been hoping for.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by Itika Sharma Punit & Bibhu Ranjan Mishra / Bangalore – February 01st, 2014

Satya Nadella: Hyderabad’s eagle takes flight

Business & Economy, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Hyderabad Public School. Located on Begumpet Road in Hyderabad, this is the school Satya Nadella, the newly appointed CEO of Microsoft, attended. The school’s emblem is an eagle and it prods its students to think of themselves as eagles and aim to soar high.

By winning the top job at IT behemoth Microsoft, Nadella has more than lived up to the school’s expectations. Nadella’s parents, who live in Hyderabad now, though palpably happy, did not wish to comment on the achievement. His father B. N. Yugandhar, a retired civil servant, confined himself to a “thank you.”

Those who have known the family attribute a lot of Nadella’s success to his upbringing. He grew up in an environment grounded in reality. C. Parthasarathy, Chairman, Karvy Consultants, who knows the family well, says: “This is really a proud moment, which is what all will say. But what is remarkable about this family is its high level of integrity, intellect and belief in hard work.”

“He has grown up in an environment where these attributes would have been re-emphasised from time to time,” adds Parthasarathy. “I think that helped him in his career. Parthasarthy is also closely associated with Hyderabad Public School and has been on its governing board.

Officials at Microsoft India were tight-lipped about the development. But they will all listen avidly when Nadella makes his address to Microsoft employees later today.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / IndiaToday.in / Home> Business> India / by E. Kumar Sharma, New Delhi / February 04th, 2014

Harlan Opens Hyderabad Hub

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

United States

Indianapolis, Ind.-based Harlan Laboratories, a contract research organization and provider of animals for testing, has announced its first research breeding facility in India in Hyderabad’s Genome Valley Alexandria Technology Park.

“Harlan supplies research models to more than 60 percent of the Indian research market and has a large concentration of customers in the Hyderabad-Bangalore region,” said Harlan global VP of business development Stuart Frith. Added VP of global commercial operations Joe Meyer, “Having a physical presence in the region will yield numerous benefits to our customers, including having access to a consistent supply of high-quality models and improved animal welfare.”

source: http://www.indiawest.com / IndiaWest / Home> News> Business> United States / by Richard Springer, Staff Reporter / February 02nd, 2014

Looking into minds wired differently

Science & Technology

This professor and medical superintendent of the Visakhapatnam-based Government Hospital for Mental Care (GHMC) has just become the first psychiatrist from Andhra Pradesh to be elected general secretary of the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS). In an interview with Sulogna Mehtaof TOI, Dr N N Raju throws light on the new Mental Healthcare Bill under consideration, the debatable issue of Electro-Convulsive Therapy, medical opinion about homosexuality which can have a bearing on the future of Article 377 that criminalizes homosexuality, and the societal and lifestyle changes triggering psychiatric ailments.

What are the highlights of the new Mental Healthcare Bill under consideration?

The Bill appears to be more complex. Under this, even general hospitals will have to take permission of a mental health review commission (MHRC) to treat physical ailments of patients displaying psychological abnormality. Earlier, psychiatrists used to decide on admission of a patient in the mental hospital under the instruction of a magistrate. As per the new Bill, a five-member MHRC, comprising just a single psychiatrist, judicial members, counsellors and psychologists, will decide and can override the sole psychiatrist. There’s also provision of advanced directive, whereby a person can give directions to the commission on the mode of treatment he or she would like to undergo if they become mentally ill in future. Decriminalizing suicide is a good move. However, the Bill is mum on who will finance the various programmes — states or Centre. Changes in administration of Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) or shock treatment are other areas it addresses.

Should ECT be banned for minors and be administered only under general anesthesia as the new bill suggests?

It’s a non-scientific decision to ban ECT for those below 18 years as the efficacy and safety of the 80-year-old practice has been proved even on children. Also, as per the new Bill, ECT has to be administered only under general anesthesia, which would increase the financial burden on the government as well as enhance the risk factor. There’s already a severe dearth of anesthetists in India. Also, without anesthesia, the mortality risk was just one in one lakh patients, while under anesthesia it will go up to one in 10,000.

Is homosexuality a disease or criminal offence?

Homosexuality is a grey area, entailing confusion and complexity, and black and white comments can’t be made on it. Globally doctors are divided on whether to label it normal or a deviation from the norm as genetics, environment and peer pressure contribute to it. However, homosexuals are not criminals, even though legally or morally they are considered wrongdoers. As of now, the IPS, consisting of around 5,000 registered psychiatrists, is working on finding out the majority opinion among psychiatrists regarding the classification and management of homosexuality.

What does forensic psychiatry entail?

Forensic psychiatry entails criminal and civil responsibilities. For instance, if a person with a mental illness commits a crime he can’t always escape the law citing the illness as a ground. He can be exempted from punishment only if he commits the crime without knowing what he was doing and without realizing the consequences of his act at the time of committing it. Civil responsibility refers to the capacity of such a patient to stand witness at a trial or write a ‘will’.

Are criminal minds wired differently?

It’s said that those displaying anti-social behaviour have a different brain structure and different kinds of neuro-chemicals work in the brain. Genetic predisposition also plays a role. However positron emission tomography (PET) scan done on criminals have been inconclusive and is still under research.

Why are mental ailments and juvenile crimes increasing in India?

Stress and lifestyle related diseases have gone up and as a result depression too. Breakdown of joint families and the lack of a trustworthy support mechanism along with lack of value education have aggravated problems, including anti-social behaviour among youngsters due to unfiltered exposure to internet and television.

Have social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter brought people closer or isolated them even more?

Online posts are more often not the true reflections of the feelings of individuals as people put up lot of inhibitions and pretences in the virtual world. True emotional exchange can take place only with real people and not on FB. It rather isolates people and the forced display of private emotions gives rise to depression in some or enhances the propensity to commit crimes, especially among youngsters.

Unlike abroad, a visit to a shrink or mental hospital is still stigmatized in India. Why?

The stigma is more to do with literacy and financial status of the individual. In India, mental ailments are associated with possession of evil or the consequence of sin or a curse due to illiteracy and hence stigma is more.

What will be your focus as IPS general secretary?

We will urge the government to focus on proper implementation of the National Mental Health Programme so that it benefits the grassroots. We are trying to convince the Medical Council of India to include psychiatry as a major academic subject in MBBS as it is currently clubbed with ‘medicine’. With one-third of physical ailments coming to general hospitals actually associated with some kind of psychiatric or psychological complications, general physicians or doctors of other disciplines also need to be trained in certain basic aspects of psychiatry. We are also trying to get mental ailments covered under some insurance scheme as well.

What is needed for the overall improvement of GHMC? Does Andhra require more mental hospitals in addition to the existing two in Vizag and Hyderabad?

We need medicines and manpower. The dearth of manpower, especially class IV staff and paramedics, is a serious cause of concern at GHMC. We would also need anesthetics facility if ECT under general anesthesia is made mandatory and new equipment like magnetic electro-therapy can be introduced in the government set-up. Rather than spending crores of rupees on new hospitals, the existing medical colleges and area hospitals should be strengthened in the districts with good infrastructure and manpower to treat mental disorders.

What about controversies surrounding clinical trials at GHMC?

Clinical trials are a must for any drug. There are guidelines but they should be more well-defined. Besides consent from legally acceptable relatives, the patient should be able to certify after understanding the nuances of the clinical trial and only then it should be conducted on him/her. Right now, no trials are underway at GHMC or the mental hospital in Hyderabad. Due to internal politics in government hospitals, such controversies and allegations are usually made.

What are the medical advancements in the treatment of severe psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolarism and acute depression?

There’s focus now on genetic engineering to know the wiring of the brain. Magnetic electro therapy, where magnetic waves are passed through the brain instead of electric shocks, is another new area of treatment and is less damaging. Newer and advanced drugs with fewer side effects are also being introduced.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / by Sulogna Mehta, TNN / February 03rd, 2014

Sembcorp To Buy 45% Stake In NCC-Gayatri Power Plant Project

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Singapore-based energy, water and marine group Sembcorp Industries has signed a conditional agreement to acquire 45 percent stake in NCC Power Projects (NCCPP), which is currently building a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Andhra Pradesh for a consideration of Rs.848 crore, reports said.

NCCPP is jointly owned by Gayatri Energy Ventures Ltd. (GEVPL) and NCC Infrastructure Holdings Ltd. (NCCIHL), a subsidiary of Indian conglomerate, NCC Ltd. (NCCL). Gayatri is Sembcorp’s project partner for another power plant in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

Sembcorp Group President and CEO Tang Kin Fei said, “With our first power project in India progressing well and on track for completion this year, we are now pleased to embark on our second power plant investment there. This acquisition will provide the opportunity for Sembcorp to increase our foothold in India’s power market, where we see opportunities for our business to grow significantly in the years to come.”

Once the deal materializes, Sembcorp will hold 45 percent of NCCPP, while the remaining 55 percent will be held by NCCIHL.

NCCPP’s upcoming plant is located on a site adjacent to Thermal Powertech Corporation India Ltd. (TPCIL), Sembcorp’s first power plant investment in India.

Presently, the NCCPP project is around 30 percent completed and it is expected to come on-stream in early 2016. 

The project has also achieved financial closure, with 75 percent of the project cost funded through long-term limited recourse rupee-denominated project finance loans and the remainder funded by shareholders’ equity.

The project will be fuelled by both domestic and imported coal. It already received a Letter of Allocation for its domestic coal supply from Coal India.

The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of conditions, including approvals from the relevant authorities and the lenders.

Additional conditional agreements would also be entered into giving Sembcorp the right and obligation to take an incremental 20 percent stake in NCCPP and an incremental 16 percent stake in TPCIL respectively, subject to and upon the respective projects having obtained requisite formal approvals by relevant authorities in India.

by RTT Staff Writer

source: http://www.rttnews.com / RTT News / Home> Business> Indian News / February 03rd, 2014