Category Archives: Business & Economy

Ravva JV donates Rs. 2 cr. as part of CSR

Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features

Cairn India Ravva JV has contributed Rs. 2 crore to the East Godavari district administration for undertaking development works in S.Yanam and Uppalaguptham mandals as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Ravva Installation Manager K. Srihariprasad Reddy handed over the cheque for the amount to Joint Collector R. Mutyala Raju at his office on Friday. Cairn India operates the Ravva Oil & Gas field on behalf of a Ravva Joint Venture consisting of ONGC, Videocon Industries Ltd, Ravva Oil Singapore and Cairn India. Since inception, Ravva JV has been actively supporting the community infra-structure development and disaster management initiatives by the district administration.

Mr. Srihariprasad Reddy said that Ravva JV had been extending financial aid to the development fund maintained with the Collector.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Corrrespondent / Rajahmundry – January 10th, 2014

Institute of Science fetes botanist who found coal in Andhra

Business & Economy, Records, All

Nagpur :

The finding of 3000 million tonnes of good quality coal reserve in Andhra Pradesh a few months back by Omprakash Sarate, a scientist from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany in Lucknow, continues to bring appreciation and laurels for this botanist who originally hails from Nagpur.

Since Sarate did his doctoral research in the Institute of Science in palaeopalynology and coal petrology, the Institute felicitated him on Monday for his finding that has brought not just the Chintalapudi district in Godavari valley on the coal map of the entire country. He was honoured by the Institute director R G Atram on behalf of Alumni Association of the Institute and the Botany Society. He had been working in all the lower Gondwana formations of Wardha Valley and Godavari valley coalfields.

Sarate later told TOI that the AP government picked up the finding of coal reserve from his publication in the Journal of Palaeontological Society of India in December 2013. The government noticed the finding in September this year after which it got an independent survey done and was delighted to realize the size and quality of the reserve. “For AP, it is a jackpot as most of the coal reserves of undivided Andhra Pradesh were in Telangana region that is now a separate state,” he said.

Sarate’s study found good quality coal within 500m depth from Somavaram in Krishna District to Rajamundry in east Godavari district. The quality of Chintalapudi coal as compared to the Ramagundam and Talcher was better, especially its calorific value was much higher. Most of the coal is located between Aswaraopet, Chinthalapudi and Jangareddy Gudem fall in West Godavari district. The reserves are good for thermal generation as well as for steel plants.

Explaining palaeopalynology, Sarate said 10m of grass trough in a region generally got converted into 1m of coal got converted into carbon only due to bacterial and fungal activity. This initially must have resulted in brown coal and on compaction got converted into lignite that metamorphosed to coal. All this coal is about 260-270 million years old and was formed due to cold and humid conditions prevailing in the area.

Since these are deep seated deposits there could be even coal belt methane at the bottom. It will be possible to extract them only through underground mining.

Dr Surekha Kalkar, head of botany department, gave introductory remarks and introduced the guest. Atram explained how a particular kind of pollen grain can form the basis of presence of coal. Former Institute director M T Bharambe, M R Thosar, president of Alumni Association and Prof P S Jakhi, Incharge and secretary of the association also spoke . Roshani Singh, secretary of Botanical Society, conducted the programme.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Nagpur / by Snehalata Shrivastav, TNN / December 30th, 2014

Andhra Pradesh to get Rs 475 crore from World Bank arm for rural project

Business & Economy, Nature, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

An arm of the World Bank  will lend Rs 475 crore ($75 million) to the Andhra Pradesh Government for implementing a rural growth project.

The fund from International Development Association (IDA) will be used for implementing the Rural Inclusive Growth Project (RIGP), aimed at enhancing agricultural incomes of small/marginal farmers and ensuring increased access to services related to health, nutrition, sanitation and social entitlements, a senior official said today.

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RIGP will target small and marginal farmers in 5,000 villages in the state. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu recently discussed the project with a team of officials from the World Bank.

It will focus on increasing economic opportunities for small and marginal farmers, especially from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and develop a network of social enterprises for food, nutrition and sanitation, he said.

The project would help the State government in creating an enabling policy framework across sectors through the seven missions it has established.

A targeted 2.5 lakh small and marginal farmers would be supported under the RIGP to increase their incomes by at least 50 per cent by enhancing productivity and improving their access to markets, the official said.

Investments would be made to improve access to services in the areas of health, nutrition, water and sanitation to boost human development by increasing coverage and effectiveness of social safety net programmes, he said.

About five lakh households, particularly those belonging to SCs and STs, would benefit from this.

“Community-led approach will be followed under RIGP to improve access to water and sanitation services in the targeted villages adopting.

“Saturation mode will be adopted so as to cover all households and rural institutions like schools, anganwadis (childcare centres) and health centres and help them achieve open defecation-free status,” the official added.

source: http://www.articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> Collections> Farmers / PTI / December 26th, 2014

AP’s Kashmir to get facelift by winter-2015!

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Visakhapatnam  :

Lambasingi, often touted as the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh, will be developed as a tourist spot in the upcoming year as the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) in association with Union ministry of tourism has come forward to develop tourism projects at a cost of Rs 9 crore in the hamlet. The serene hamlet located in Chintapalli mandal of Visakhapatnam Agency sees temperatures go down as low as zero and sub-zero conditions during December-January every year.

As part of the facelift planned for Lambasingi, a resort will come up in an area of six acres at a cost of Rs 5 crore, and a botanical garden in an area of 37 acres at a cost of Rs 4 crore is also on the list. The APTDC recently sent a detailed project report (DPR) of the projects to the Centre, which has assured to financially support the corporation. The state government, on its part, has supported the project by converting the forest and tribal land and transferring it to the Tourism department to be used only for tourism development purpose.

The village, situated at a height of 1,000 metres above the mean sea level, with cold weather conditions (zero degree Celsius in winter and below 10 degree Celsius entire year), is an ideal spot for tourists. G Bheemasankara Rao, general manager for Visakhapatnam division of the APTDC, said the corporation took the decision of developing the area as a tourism spot because of the existing climatic conditions and tourist influx. The area is also famous for coffee and pepper plantations which are being cultivated since the British regime in the country. Coffee grown here is exported to other countries, including the USA, said a senior official from the Coffee Board of India.

“There is hardly any hut at Lambasingi, but are coming up very fast because of the scenic beauty of the place particularly in winter. So we decided to set up the two projects at a cost of Rs 9 crore. The state government has already given 43 acres of the tribal land to the tourism department. We are waiting for the centre’s fund which we may get in two months. Once the funds are released we will start ground works of the projects, which may be completed by next winter,” Bheemasankara Rao told TOI.

Apart from Lambasingi, the corporation has also selected two hot spots in Paderu, headquarters of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) of Visakhapatnam district, for tourism projects at a cost of Rs 8 crore. The corporation identified a five acres piece of land in Paderu for developing a butterfly park at a cost of Rs 3 crore, and establishing a resort in an area of six acres at a cost of Rs 5 crore in the same area. In addition to that, the corporation has also identified a beach spot at Revupolavaram near Nakkapalli to develop a resort along the beach at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / December 30th, 2014

Seventh kimberlite pipe discovered in Anantapur district

Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

The exploration was undertaken by NMDC and NGRI

A new kimberlite pipe has been discovered in the 2,300 sq. km. Kalyandurg’s cluster of Anantapur district, and is named KL-7, and is the seventh such in the area, reports say. The pipe may be a possible diamond bearing kimberlite pipe.

Exploration activity involving aerial surveys and remote sensing, and other analysis in the area was undertaken by experts from National Mineral Development Corporation (NMCD) and Hyderabad based National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), after having renewed their prospecting license, reports add.

According to scientists, the discovery unfolded when subsequent drilling was performed at a suspected kimberlite region, revealing the kimberlite pipe near Budik-onda in Anantapur district.

The scientists are further considering a further course of action to undertake additional explorations, reports add.

source: http://www.diamondworld.net / Diamond World / Home> News / by Diamond World News Service / December 26th, 2014 / Ref. 10976

AP launches project Ongole Bull

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Hyderabad:

The Andhra Pradesh government is rolling out a project to boost production of Sahiwal and Ongole bulls breed at a cost of Rs 6.52 crore with the Central assistance.

The project, which consists of Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT), will give a fillip to the growth of indigenous ‘Sahiwal cow’ and Ongole bull population in the State.  The Sahiwal or `Montgomery’ is largely bred in Montgomery, Punjab region of Pakistan. The Sahiwal are widely bred in India, Australia and Kenya.

The project has been taken up with the Central assistance of Rs 6.52 crore and the first phase of the programme has been taken up at the Frozen Semen Bull Station, Banavasi village, in Yemmiganur mandal of Kurnool district and the Progeny Testing Unit in Chittoor district.

According to a senior official in the Animal Husbandry Department, the department was tasked to identify the Sahiwal bull, a cross breed with Jersey cow, that was identified in Chittoor and a few other districts.  The project spread over a three-year period and is intended to identify 160 best bulls of Sahiwal-Jersey breeds.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home / by VRC Phaniharan / December 25th, 2014

GMR Group head GM Rao appointed Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation

Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders

Hyderabad :

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has appointed industrialist and GMR Group head Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao as the chairman of AP Skill Development Corporation.

Rao has the capability of changing the face of the state in skill upgradation, a state government release quoted Naidu as saying.

The state government has allocated a budget of Rs 700 crores for the skill development initiative and it plans to train about two crore people in 10 years.

Those imparted training would be given certificates at the end of the training session.

Training would be held in various sectors including mapping, construction and manufacturing.

At the mandal-level, training would be given in agriculture and allied activities, while at the district-level training would be given in garment-making, plumbing and others.

Besides, training would also be imparted in computer and software courses, healthcare and energy sectors at the regional (Rayalaseema, North Coastal Andhra and central Andhra) level, the release said yesterday.

Naidu suggested that people from Coastal Andhra be trained in marine, naval and shipping-related activities and industries.

The Skill Development Corporation would be launched before January 15, 2015 and the proposed skill development centres would become operational by 2016, Naidu added.

source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> ET Home> News> Politics and Nation / by PTI / December 17th, 2014

Naidu to host high tea in Guntur

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Leaders

Hyderabad :

On the eve of Christmas, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu is organizing a high-tea for the Christian community in Guntur. Normally, this event takes place in Hyderabad, but in tune with Chandrababu Naidu’s approach of hosting all official events in Andhra Pradesh, the first Christmas high-tea is being organized in Guntur, the district which is going to be the seat of power, said social welfare minister Ravela Kishore Babu.

“The who’s who of the Christian community from the town will be invited to the event that begins at 6 pm in a function hall. Later, the chief minister will address a gathering of the community in the local stadium,” Kishore Babu said.

Similar events in the districts are to be organized by collectors across the state.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / December 16th, 2014

Fire services department shifts to Vijayawada

About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

Vijayawada :

The fire services department will be Andhra Pradesh’s first department to move out of Hyderabad. The newly-built complex of the AP fire services will be inaugurated by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu here on Friday.

The new fire services headquarters has been built near the police control room in the city. Although the complex was initially designed to locate regional offices, it was later decided to make it the headquarters of the fire department after the bifurcation of the state. The new complex will house nearly 50 officials of various cadres, from director-general of fire services to field officers. The complex also has space for parking six fire-fighting vehicles.

Fire services DG Nanduri Sambasiva Rao said the work on the complex was completed in a record six months time. The DG, along with district collector M Raghunandan Rao and DCP Taqseer Iqbal visited the complex and inspected the arrangements for the CM’s visit late on Thursday night. Naidu will visit the Ungutur assembly constituency in West Godavari district in the morning and will reach Vijayawada by evening.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / December 12th, 2014

‘Canada Keen on Having a Slice of Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Pie’

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Vijayawada  : 

As Andhra Pradesh is gearing up to build a world class capital city, many infrastructure companies from Canada, who have expertise in the field, are keen to participate in upcoming projects in the state, especially in the capital region, Vijayawada

Sydney-FrankANDHRA14dec2014

Describing trade relations between India and Canada, Canadian consul general Sydney Frank shares his vision in expanding trade ties between India and Canada, in an exclusive interview with Sai Durga Gona.

Q. How was the bilateral trade between India and Canada?

At present the trade between India and Canada is 5.8 billion dollars and the aim is to increase it to 15 billion dollars by 2015. We will soon implement the signed agreement ‘CEPA’ (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) and talks are going on for another trade agreement ‘FIPA’ (Foreign investment promotion and protection agreement).  Engineering products were 43 per cent of the current Indian exports to Canada. Canada has eight trade and investment centres in India.

Q. What are the new trade plans in the Andhra Pradesh?

Well, yesterday I met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and discussed the plans. We are very much looking forward to link up with the companies in AP and to promote Canada. The Canadian pensions fund is already spending `1.5 billion especially to develop the infrastructure in India. Already many leading Canadian firms have expressed their willingness to offer their expertise in infrastructure, metro rail, logistics, engineering, real estate and other sectors and building smart towns and cities in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Vijayawada as the state already chalking out plans to build a world class capital in this region.

Q. What kind of support we can expect from Canada for Indian students?

The education sector had witnessed a four-fold increase in number of Indians studying in Canada during the last six years. We are planning to make tie-ups with the educational institutions in India, especially in AP, by providing opportunities for the students to study half of their higher studies in Canada like what we are implementing in Hyderabad and nealy 400 Canadian institutions are setting up facilities for students in India.

Q. Have you made any plans for young entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh?

Well, we recently started a programme ‘Start-up Visa’ for the budding entrepreneurs throughout India. Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program is the first of its kind in the world. With the Start-Up Visa, Canada is targeting a new type of immigrant entrepreneur who has the potential to build innovative companies that can compete on a global scale and create jobs. What one should do is to get the idea accepted by any of the designated Canadian organisation in India.

Q. So, have you made deals with any of the companies in AP?

Not exactly, we already discussed with the Air Costa and also trying to collaborate with a few more companies in AP. Even they are showing interest to link up with Canadian companies, as it was proved that Canada is the best country to invest or to do business with in the top seven countries in the world. Many of the companies in India already linked up with Canadian companies, as we are best in refrigeration and preservation of food. Even our company ‘MCCAIN’ is well popular in India for frozen food.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / December 11th, 2014