Category Archives: Business & Economy

Foundation for secretariat complex laid in Amaravati

About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion
New beginnings: Chandrababu Naidu laying the raft foundation for the Secretariat and HoD office complex. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR
New beginnings: Chandrababu Naidu laying the raft foundation for the Secretariat and HoD office complex. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu set the ball rolling for the construction of the permanent Secretariat and Heads of Departments complex by laying the raft foundation at Kondamarajupalem on Thursday.

The event marks a major milestone in the capital city project a few months ahead of the general elections. The complex, designed for four towers of 40 floors each and another with 50 floors, will be the first permanent structure in the administrative city in 1,375 acres.

A massive 57,000 cubic metres of concrete will go into the foundation for the towers, the tallest of which will rise 225 m. The uniqueness of the foundation is the that entire volume of 11,000 cubic meters of concrete per raft would be poured non-stop for 72 hours. A raft foundation comprises large concrete slabs evenly spread under the entire buildings against the conventional strip and trench footings. The project cost is estimated at ₹3,500 crore and is being implemented by L&T, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group and the Nagarjuna Construction Company.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Thullur (Guntur District) / December 28th, 2018

Citizens gear up for two-day Kondaveedu fete

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, Sports

Plans for trekking and boating facilities, a walking track, zoological park and colourful lightings have also been proposed in an attempt to attract more tourists to the Kondaveedu fort.

Guntur :

The State government has decided to hold the two-day Kondaveedu festival from February 2. Plans for trekking and boating facilities, a walking track, zoological park and colourful lightings have also been proposed in an attempt to attract more tourists to the Kondaveedu fort.

Keeping this in view, the government has spent Rs 60 crore on the development of the fort and Rs 35 crore for construction of the ghat road leading to it. Collector K Sasidhar said the administration would begin preservation works at the fort which was in good condition despite being centuries old.

“Temples, mosque, military camps and three tanks on the hilltop will also be renovated,” he said. Phase three works of a 670-metre road connecting historical sites in the area has also begun.

Civil Supplies Minister P Pulla Rao, who visited the fort on Tuesday, said, “Plantation of one lakh medicinal and other plants at Kondaveedu will be done on December 30,” and directed forest officials to remove wild plants before December 25.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / December 12th, 2018

NRI’s passion to encourage jute cultivation

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nri's / Pio's
Srinubabu Gedela, NRI, addresses farmers’ awareness programme at Rajam in Srikakulam district.
Srinubabu Gedela, NRI, addresses farmers’ awareness programme at Rajam in Srikakulam district.

Huge demand for material in paper and textile industries too, he says

A U.S.-returned NRI and PULSES CEO Srinubabu Gadela wages a war against plastic saying it is ruining the health of the people and the wealth of the farmers with the huge drop in jute production in the backward Srikakulam district. He has been organising meetings for the last few months to make farmers to go back to jute. He says sufficient availability of raw jute would lead to revival of all the closed industries.

Dr. Srinubabu, who hails from Allena village of Burja mandal, completed his post doctorate from the Stanford University and started Omics Interantional Private Limited to facilitate free access of journals for researchers. Later, he established the Pulses Group, a health informatics and health care services in Hyderabad. Dr. Srinubabu, who is not content with his achievements, is keen on enhancing the income sources of farmers by guiding them in the usage of the latest technology and information in agriculture. He has been conducting training programmes for youngsters to become entrepreneurs.

“Thousands of farmers and labourers have fallen victims with little demand for jute cultivation and closure of many industries in Rajam, Bobbili, Vizianagaram and other places. The revival of jute production and processing would certainly minimise the usage of plastic covers and bags. There is huge demand for jute material in paper and textile industries too. That is why I am suggesting the farmers to go back to jute cultivation which is sure to generate more income and employment.”

Ambedkar University Vice-Chancellor Kuna Ramjee said the University would sign an agreement with the Pulses Group in training PG students in a systematic way. “Youngsters from poor families and Telugu medium can also do wonders if they work hard and develop new ideas. That is why we requested its chairman to take up special training programmes and help the PG students to get jobs in reputed firms and start their own industries,” said Dr. Ramjee.

Felicitated

Minister for Human Resources Ganta Srinivasa Rao felicitated Dr. Srinubabu for coming forward to serve the native district. “We should do something for our native places. It will certainly make other well-settled NRIs to utilise their knowledge and wealth to benefit the backward areas,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / K. Srinivasa Rao / Srikakulam – December 11th, 2018

Strawberry fields in Visakha agency beckon tourists

Agriculture, Business & Economy

This year, farmers are experimenting on developing a mother plant growing fruit, instead of getting strawberry plants from Pune.

A strawberry farm at Rajapakala in Lambasingi | Express
A strawberry farm at Rajapakala in Lambasingi | Express

Visakhapatnam :

As the city is getting colder with foggy mornings, the tourist season has arrived. Lambasingi in Visakha Agency with its rich strawberry fields, is beckoning tourists. On weekends, hundreds of people are thronging the fields to pluck the ripened strawberry fruits. This year, farmers are experimenting on developing a mother plant growing fruit, instead of getting strawberry plants from Pune.
Farmers in Chintapalli mandal started growing strawberries two years ago after getting plants from Pune. Buoyed by the good yield and profits, they continued cultivation of strawberries in the Agency. As the fruit plant requires a cool climate to grow, the Agency has proved to be an ideal place for strawberry cultivation.

The strawberry fields have become a major attraction for tourists. Some tourists are actually visiting Lambasingi to enjoy plucking the fruit and taking beautiful pictures.  Guntapakala and Rajapakala in Lambasingi have become tourist spots. Normally,  the saplings are brought from Pune in September.  The plants start yielding fruits from November.  The season continues till January.

“We are achieving good results in cultivation of strawberries. The average yield of fruit per plant last year was 600 grams. This year there is a slight delay in fruit ripening due to weather conditions. The plants need 5-15 degree Celsius temperature to yield quality fruit. After harvesting, the packed boxes of strawberries are sent to  Vizag,” said Bhaskar Raju of Teja Organ Berries in Rajapakala.

About 25,000 saplings are raised in one acre. The plants developed using tissue culture, are priced at `15 each. “We set a target of reaping 1 kg of fruit from each plant this year. On an experimental basis, we have developed a mother plant (second generation) from old plants, which helps us save money on buying plants from Pune. As we have achieved good results, we want to expand the experiment with the present plants,” Raju told TNIE.

Tribals are also being encouraged to take up cultivation of strawberries, which needs investment. Meanwhile, the government is providing subsidy on plants and other material to tribals. The ITDA has plans to provide saplings and support to the interested tribals in cultivation of strawberries. Thousands of tourists visit Lambasingi during winter season. The tourists are allowed to pluck the fruit in strawberry fields and drop the produce in baskets. A few fruits are given to tourists to taste them. A 200 gram box of strawberries costs `50-80. The tourists are evincing interest in purchasing fresh fruit, which ensures remunerative price to farmers for their produce.

“We have come down to Lambasingi to pluck strawberries, which is quite exciting. It is good that we can taste strawberries while plucking the fruit just like being in our own farm,” said Swarna of Vizag.

Cultivation of more exotic fruits in offing

Apart from strawberries, the farm also has dragon fruit, raspberry, mulberry and passion fruit plants. As a tourist attraction, cultivation of more exotic fruits is being taken up in Visakha Agency. Farmers who want to experiment, are likely to reap the fruits by next season.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Sri Lakshmi Muttevi / Express News Service / December 03rd, 2018

Three more national awards to Andhra Pradesh power sector

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

He received the award at SIECC (Surat International Exhibition and Convention centre) held in Surat.

Vijayawada :

The sustained efforts of AP  power sector in providing 24X7 quality and reliable power supply to  consumers have earned three more national awards, adding up to more than 105 national awards won till date.

The State has been conferred the top investment-friendly and infra excellent State in sustainable energy and power, while APGENCO has been awarded as the best performing utility in power generation by Enertia Foundation during the Enertia Award-2018  held in Gujarat on Sunday.

Principal Secretary (IT), CMD APTRANSCO and MD APGENCO K Vijayanand has been awarded prestigious Lifetime Yeomen Contribution to Power, Energy, and Renewable sector in Andhra Pradesh and public sector at large.

He received the award at SIECC (Surat International Exhibition and Convention centre) held in Surat.
The jury for Enertia Awards- 2018 has praised APGENCO for its relentless efforts in sustaining as the best power generation company with an installed capacity of 6813 MW, hydel-1797 MW and solar power with a capacity of 5.426 MW.

They also appreciated AP’s initiatives in adopting global technologies in power generation at par with advanced countries.Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and  Energy Minister K Kala Venkata Rao congratulated Vijayanand for the lifetime achievement award.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / December 03rd, 2018

An IT company with ‘special’ agenda

Business & Economy, Science & Technology
A process executive of Virtual Guard Services training the physically challenged in Visakhapatnam.
A process executive of Virtual Guard Services training the physically challenged in Visakhapatnam.

25 physically challenged graduates land jobs with VGS

His joy knew no bounds when Kondapu Appala Reddy has been told by his friends that an IT-enabled services (ITES) company wants to recruit physically challenged graduates as its employees.

“I had my own doubts but I was jubilant when I got selected for the job under a pilot project launched in March, 2018 with just two employees,” Mr. Reddy, a deaf and dumb youth in early 20s who did M. Com.

He says the warmth with which he was greeted by other employees of the Visakhapatnam-headquartered firm — Virtual Guard Services (VGS) — was really very touchy.

Same is the feeling of Sagi Pavan Kumar Varma, who did MCA. “I almost lost hope of getting a decent job. However, on knowing about VGS’ commitment to provide livelihood to physically challenged unemployed youth, I applied for it and subsequently got the offer letter,” he says.

“Being a challenged person became hindrance for my getting a job. However, VGS management gave me an opportunity to prove myself that I am an able person just like others. Now my confidence level has gone up and my family is very happy that I have become financially independent,” he points out.

A dream come true

The company has so far provided jobs to 25 persons, including 14 speech and hearing challenged. All of them never dreamt that they could find jobs in an ITES company located at Tech Hub on the compound of Tech Mahindra.

VGS is the Indian arm of Pro-Vigil, an American company offering video monitoring and surveillance on real-time basis for clients in the United States and the United Kingdom. It also offers services like auto dealer and parking lot security to detect theft of tyres, tailgates and even vehicles, monitoring revenue audit, quality audit, IT and software maintenance support to its clients.

‘No easy task’

For training the special employees is no easy task. Process trainer Taninki Sreevani says she is very happy with the response from their new employees and all of them are performing well after undergoing special classes on how to rise to the occasion on their job requirements.

VGS has its R&D unit in Hyderabad. It has about 400 employees in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam units.

VGS Centre Head Kishore Dasari has told The Hindu that the organisation conceived idea to act differently by extending its support in the form of permanent jobs to physically challenged youth under CSR to prove the fact that they are as abled as others provided they are given the right support and training.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States / by Santosh Patnaik / Visakhapatnam – November 28th, 2018

Four young engineers turn innovators, develop solar electric auto

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

The vehicle which can travel at a speed of 55 kmph,  is on par with commercial autos in the market in many aspects. The maintenance cost of the zero-emission auto is bare minimum.

Image used for representational purpose only.
Image used for representational purpose only.

Srikakulam :

Four mechanical engineering graduates have developed a solar electric auto-rickshaw. Instead of opting for jobs in automobile industries after completion of their engineering course, the quartet decided to set up their own automobile unit to be self-reliant. Vavilapalli Uday Kiran, Sasapu Vasudeva Rao, Majji Chanti Babu and Karanam Parthasaradhi launched their pilot project in the name of Vajra Motor Works in Srikakulam a few months ago.

They designed the solar-cum-battery operated auto in just 15 days and launched it in the district on a pilot basis. The quartet claimed that it took only three days for them to make the solar electric auto.
The dual-mode auto runs on solar power in daytime and battery power is used at night. The auto can travel a distance ranging from 110 to 160 km with three-hour charging of battery.  It can carry a load of up to one tonne and accommodate seven persons.

The vehicle which can travel at a speed of 55 kmph,  is on par with commercial autos in the market in many aspects. The maintenance cost of the zero-emission auto is bare minimum.

Highlighting the salient features of the eco-friendly solar electric auto, Uday Kiran says, “It costs Rs 440 on an average to run a diesel auto for a distance ranging from 110 to 160 km. The operation cost of the solar electric auto for the same distance is not more than Rs 40. If the government extends support to our innovative project, employment can be generated for mechanical engineering graduates in the district. We have already explained our innovative project to the officials concerned seeking the support of the government to expand it.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by G. Ramesh Babu / Express News Service / November 13th, 2018

GCC to open 21 outlets at IOC fuel stations

Business & Economy

They will be run by youth from Agency

Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) has entered into an agreement with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) for opening of GCC outlets in major IOC fuel stations located in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Guntur and other cities and towns and in the twin cities in Telangana.

In all, 21 such franchisee outlets will be opened by the end of this month. These outlets would be run by fresh MBA graduates from remote Agency areas of Andhra Pradesh.

MoU between GCC and IOC was signed by T. Baburao Naidu, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of GCC, and Rahul Bharadwaj, Executive Director of IOC, in this regard on Saturday.

S. Ashok Kumar, General Manager (marketing) of Girijan Cooperative Corporation, V. Ramana Rao, Chief General Manager of IOC(retail sales), Jayabheer Mishra, Deputy GM (retail), IOC, and M. Gopal, Senior Manager (retail) of IOC were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – November 03rd, 2018

Walmart India opens first store in Visakhapatnam

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion

The ‘Best Price’ store in the city has integrated with the e-commerce and will facilitate the needs of all kinds of stores such as general stores, hotels, restaurants, houses, and the like.

Visakhapatnam :

Walmart India has opened its first B2B Cash and Carry store in the city, with the inauguration of ‘Best Price’ store, fourth in Andhra Pradesh and 23rd in the country on Wednesday.

“We are planning to expand Walmart with seven more stores in Andhra Pradesh which would be opened in Tirupati, Kurnool, Kadapa, Nellore, Kainada, Vizianagaram, and the second store in Visakhapatnam,” Krish Iyer, Walmart India CEO, said.

The ‘Best Price’ store in the city has integrated with the e-commerce and will facilitate the needs of all kinds of stores such as general stores, hotels, restaurants, houses, and the like. The Walmart will ensure convenient payment options, door-step delivery services which leads to create over 2,000 jobs locally (directly or indirectly), said the CEO.

Iyer further said that the company will invest to develop supply chain and to ensure growth of small and medium manufacturers in the State. Local clusters would be formed to outsource coconuts, melons, red chilli, vegetables, and other agriculture produce directly from the farmers to avoid middlemen. While the farmers get the double price of the produce, but, the price for customers would be best, he said.

Walmart earmarked $4 million in order to improve market access for small scale farmers in the State. The vision is to develop a chain with fruits and vegetable farmers and providing them access for training and more productive crop varieties, said the CEO.

He said the Best Price store will have over 5,000 items on display which include a wide range of fresh, frozen and chilled food items, fruits and vegetables, dry groceries, personal and home care items, hotel and restaurant supplies, apparel, office supplies, electronic goods and other general merchandise items.

Krish Iyer said that they have signed an MoU with Girijan Co-operative Corporation (GCC) to source Araku coffee and other products. He said four of the seven proposed stores would start functioning from next year. Whereas for other stores land still have to be identified which will take three to four years. He revealed that their focus is now on tier II and tier III cities. Punjab has the highest number of Walmart stores now and by next year AP will dislodge Punjab by having more stores, he said.

He said “we got good support from the State government and hence we are expanding our activities in the State.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Business / by ANI / November 01st, 2018

Blazing a trail for organic cotton farming

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nature, World Opinion
Marci Zaroff, an American and founder-CEO of MetaWear.
Marci Zaroff, an American and founder-CEO of MetaWear.

An American decides to use blockchain technology to promote ‘ECOfashion’

Setting a trend, she has become an ambassador for eco-friendly textiles. Meet Marci Zaroff, who after completing her specialisation in business management from University of California, Berkeley, coined the term ‘ECOfashion’ by promoting various lifestyle brands.

The American, who is the founder-CEO of MetaWear, a leading sustainable fashion manufacturer, has now decided to use blockchain technology in Andhra Pradesh from sowing seeds to the final product to prove genuineness on organic cotton-growing. She also has plans to replicate it in China, Turkey, Pakistan and Africa in future through partner-NGOs. She is involved in promoting cultivation of organic cotton in various parts among marginalised sections mainly women and tribal people through Chetna, an NGO in Telangana, Odisha, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and Grameena Vikas Kendra in Andhra Pradesh.

During the past one and half decades, through Chetna, 2,500 tonnes of processed cotton was procured and supplied to 30 popular brands in the United States. The value of cotton was put at $5 million. The value of final product was in the range of $30 million to $40 million.

In Andhra Pradesh, she is supporting the launch of a pilot project involving 250 tribal farmers in Gummalakshmipuram in Vizianagaram district.

Expansion plan

Ms. Zaroff has plans to expand it to over 15,000 farmers in five years. During her recent visit, she told The Hindu that they wanted to sequestration of 80,000 to 160,000 tonne of carbon by 2022.

She said implementation of eco-friendly best practices would not only benefit the farmers in getting higher yield but also reduce cost of operation and ensure climate resilient cotton farming.

Ms. Zaroff said the total organic cotton produced in India was 59,470 tonne during 2016-17 growing season. India is on top in the world in organic cotton production followed by China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Tajikistan.

“We have been successfully selling T shirts, neckwear, legging, bedding, summer clothes and undergarments through various brands by associating at various stages of supply chain be it retailer, branding and stockists,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Santosh Patnaik / Visakhapatnam – October 23rd, 2018