Category Archives: Business & Economy

Marriages in Hyderabad help cut-flowers bloom

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Bangalore, JULY 23:
Cut flowers prices have increased by 10-15 per cent in the last two months at the International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB). Flower prices are higher in Bangalore due to demand from Hyderabad.

Prices of cut-flowers in June-July trade between Rs 2 and Rs 2.50 for a stem.

“In Karnataka, Ashada (June-July period) is considered inauspicious to perform marriages or any other ceremonies; this saw poor sales of cut-flowers,” said Dr G. Shankara Murthy, General Manager, IFAB.

“Normally, not many weddings take place in the State during Ashada and prices fall by 50-60 per cent,,” he said.

Though Ashada is observed in Andhra Pradesh, too, this time there has been an extended marriage period.

Some non-resident Indians had performed marriages for their children to meet the visa deadlines. Again from next week, the marriage season begins.

IFAB Ltd is a joint venture company, set up by the Karnataka Government with the private exporters, to conduct regular auctions and promote floriculture exports from the State.

The marriage and festival season, which begin from July-end in South India are expected to result in increased demand again, the IFAB official said. The demand for flowers such as roses, tulips, gerberas and orchids extends up to November, except during the cyclone season when sales and production fall sharply.

Dr Jayaprakash Rao, General Secretary, South India Floriculture Association, said: “The start of the marriage and festival season in South India is expected to push up prices of cut flowers by 15-20 per cent this year due to dry weather in the State.”

The flower growing belt of Doddaballapur and Hosur area near Bangalore has been partially affected due to deficient monsoon.

Mr Rao said: “Some floriculture units are facing severe water shortage and are forced to depend on fast depleting ground water to maintain their farms.”

Karnataka’s cut flower production is estimated between 9 lakh and 10 lakh stems.

Of this, around two lakh enter the IFAB auction platforms and the rest are traded in unorganised markets.

anil.uthehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry & Economy> Agri-Biz / by Anil Urs / July 23rd, 2012

New motorbike launched

Business & Economy

Deputy Transport Commissioner A. Mohan launching ‘Bajaj Discover 125 ST’ motorcycle in Vijayawada on Monday. /  Photo: By Arrangement / The Hindu

Bajaj Auto has introduced a 125 cc motorcycle in Varun Bajaj in Vijayawada. Deputy Transport Commissioner (DTC) A. Mohan released the Bajaj Discover 125 Sports Tourer (ST) vehicle on Monday.

Bajaj Auto has introduced a 125 cc motorcycle in Varun Bajaj in Vijayawada. Deputy Transport Commissioner (DTC) A. Mohan released the Bajaj Discover 125 Sports Tourer (ST) vehicle on Monday.

Mr. Mohan along with Varun Motors executive director P.V. Satyanarayana and director Prabhu Kishore presented the keys to the first five customers at the showroom.

Speaking on the occasion, the DTC said the new motorcycle which gives a sporty look is a fuel efficiency two-wheeler, as the maximum speed is 105 km. The specially designed ‘anti-vibration’ frame ensures enjoyable ride on all terrains.

Both self and kick starter facility was given for the motorcycle with 10 litre fuel tank capacity, he said.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / July 17th, 2012

State Bank group opens financial literacy, counselling centre

Business & Economy
Hyderabad, JULY 13:

The State Bank group has opened a financial literacy and credit counselling centre at Citizen Service Centre, Tank Bund, here.

The centre, headed by an experienced/retired officer, would offer free counselling in person or over telephone/email on aspects such as calculation of interest on deposits, advances or loans, nomination facility, customer rights and fair practice codes, preparation of debt restructuring plans and service charges.

State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of India and their sponsored regional rural banks in Andhra Pradesh had earlier established a joint society called ‘Runa Viveka Aacharana’ with its headquarters at head office, State Bank of Hyderabad here, to establish financial literacy and credit counselling centres (FLCCs).

According to the Reserve Bank of India’s model scheme, lead banks will have to open FLCCs in district headquarters, mandals and towns in a phased manner.

With this opening of new centre, the State Bank group had completed the target of setting up FLCCs in 12 lead districts in which it was operating, the released added.

nagsridhu@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry & Economy> Banking / by The Hindu’s Bureau / July 13th, 2012

Secunderabad Cantonment Board to promote rainwater harvesting

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

Hyderabad:

The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) will follow in the footsteps of Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) and construct rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures in its jurisdiction. Though the RWH structures should have been in place before the arrival of monsoon, the SCB officials claim it is never too late to start a good initiative.

“We have experienced severe water crisis this summer. The HMWS&SB could not supply the assured quantity of water to us. Adding to the problem, groundwater in the Cantonment area also got depleted. Of 200 borewells in the Cantonment area, 150 have dried up completely,” an SCB water works official told TOI.

“In view of the recent experience, we felt the need for construction of rainwater harvesting structures. Initially, we will educate and encourage citizens to construct RWH structures by distributing pamphlets containing information on how to build them,” the official added.

Initially, the SCB would spread awareness about the concept in 100 residential colonies in Mahendra Hills, Trimulgherry, Bowenpally, Bolarum and Marredpally. “We will give technical assistance to construct RWHs. The residential association has to bear all the expenditure for construction of RHW on their premises,” added.

A proposal would also be moved to make RWH structures mandatory either at the time of new water connection or sanctioning building plan. The proposal would be tabled before the next Cantonment Board meeting to be held shortly, the official said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / July 11th, 2012

City gets multi-purpose fire tender

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Firemen presenting a demonstration of Multi-Purpose Fire Tender, after the launch of the new vehicle at Swaraj Maidan in Vijayawada on Sunday. / Photo: V.Raju / The Hindu

District Fire Officer V. Srinivasa Rao said the new vehicle is having capacity to contain 4,500 litres of water, 600 litres foam and 250 kg of dry chemical powder.

The Fire Department has got the first multi-purpose fire tender for the city. MP Lagadapati Rajagopal and MLC Ilapuram Venkaiah inaugurated the new vehicle at Swaraj Maidan here on Sunday.

MP sprays water

Mr. Rajagopal drove the fire tender and sprayed water by operating the hose pipes in the ground.

Speaking on the occasion, the MP said the multi-purpose vehicle is very much essential in the city as many multi-storeyed buildings have come up in Vijayawada.

NOC

The owners of the apartments, offices, shopping malls and educational institutions should follow fire safety norms and obtain ‘No Objection Certificates’ from the fire personnel, he said adding that the government is planning to strengthen Fire Department by sanctioning more funds.

Capacity

District Fire Officer V. Srinivasa Rao said the new vehicle is having capacity to contain 4,500 litres of water, 600 litres foam and 250 kg of dry chemical powder.

Multi purpose fire tender can put off oil, electrical and normal flames, and is also equipped with hydraulic cutter and expanders, the DFO said.

Assistant District Fire Officer B. Narasimha Rao, Station Fire Officers B. Srinivasa Rao, C.H. Suryaprakash, Mahender Rao and other staff participated.

Later, the fire personnel presented a demo on operation of the new vehicle.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff  Reporter / July 09th, 2012

Stone laid for waterfront project at Bhavanipuram

Business & Economy

VGTM UDA Vice-Chairman G.S.R.K.R. Vijay Kumar explaining Vijayasiri riverfront development scheme to MP Lagadapati Rajagopal in Vijayawada on Saturday./  Photo: V. Raju / The Hindu

A multi-storeyed recreation centre with an aquarium to be developed

The foundation stone for “Vijayasiri”, the waterfront development project of the Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority (UDA) in Bhavanipuram was laid by MLC Ilapuram Venkaiah here on Saturday.

The UDA has prepared a plan to develop and beautify 6.5 acres of land near the Pushkar Ghat area at an estimated cost of Rs. 40 crore.

Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal, Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu and Vijayawada East MLA Vellampalli Srinivas participated in the programme.

Minister for Municipal Administration M. Mahidar Reddy, who was supposed to lay the stone, was conspicuous by his absence.

The Minister reportedly gave dates to UDA officials for the programme and postponed his visit half a dozen times.

The UDA officials however went ahead with the programme under pressure from those who donated land for the development of the project. About 25 people donated 40 per cent of the land required for development of the project.

The Minister for Secondary Education K.Parthasarathi also failed to turn up.

Addressing the media after the function the Vijayawada MP said that UDA was also approaching the Centre for funds. A multi-storeyed recreation centre with an aquarium would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crore on a private public partnership basis.

ROPE WAY

A rope way and suspended bridge to Bhavani Island have also been proposed.

WATER SPORTS

On completion of the project water sports like parasailing, water scooters and jet skis would also be introduced, Mr Rajagopal said.

About various clearances required for the project Mr Rajagopal said UDA was not going to wait for them as further delay might result in the donors taking back their lands.

The MP was however confident that the UDA waterfront project was “viable” and that the Centre would grant funds for it.

UDA vice-chairman G.S.R.K.R.Vijay Kumar and other UDA officials were present.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / July 08th, 2012

Free fodder saves drought-hit cattle

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment

The free fodder centres, set up by government, have come in handy for farmers in Anantapur district, where most wells have dried up and the depleting water table has made hand pumps empty.

The free fodder centres, set up by government, have come in handy for farmers in Anantapur district, where most wells have dried up and the depleting water table has made hand pumps empty.

It would have been a disaster for farmers had not government provided their cattle with free fodder for the last two months.

Fodder centres at Penukonda, Madakasira and Pennahobilam are currently accommodating over 25,000 cattle. In all, 4,469.98 metric tonnes of fodder were supplied to the three fodder centres, according to officials.

Meanwhile, the Shirdi Sai Global Trust has been providing mid-day meals to farmers who come with their cattle to the Penukonda fodder centre.

Farmers were also provided with meals at the Madakasira fodder centre under the aegis of minister for revenue N. Raghuveera Reddy’s family.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Regions> Anantapur / by DC Correspondent / Hindupur (Anantapur) / July 05th, 2012

More facilities soon at Dundigal academy

Business & Economy

Air Chief Marshal N.A.K Browne during the graduation parade at IAF Academy in Dundigal near Hyderabad on Saturday./  Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

Will the modernisation initiatives of Indian Air Force (IAF) have an impact on Hakimpet Air Force station?

If the plans fructify, the stage two training being given to trainee pilots in Hakimpet now could be shifted to Deesa in Gurajat.

“This is is a long term plan. Three to four years down the lane, the stage two training would be shifted to Deesa. The proposal is pending with the government for approval,” Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K Browne said here on Saturday.

The IAF is also planning to set up an exclusive simulator building, modernise the hangers at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, abutting Hyderabad.

Squadron strength

“There is a need to increase the squadron strength from 34 to 42. We need more pilots, technicians and more officers to fly the new aircraft that would be inducted into IAF in the coming years. To achieve this, training facilities at Dundigal academy have to be improved,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after reviewing a passing out parade at Dundigal.

Recently, the government allotted Rs.130 crore for improving infrastructure and other facilities at the academy. Presently, the academy has a capacity to train 485 cadets and IAF plans to increase the capacity to 750 cadets very shortly, he said

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / July 01st, 2012

Minnie Mathew is Andhra Pradesh chief secretary

Business & Economy, Leaders

Hyderabad:

1976 batch IAS officer Minnie Mathew was on Saturday named as the chief secretary to succeed Pankaj Dwivedi upon the latter’s superannuation. Mathew is currently chief commissioner of land administration, a post by convention considered as the CS-in-waiting, and will be head of the AP bureaucracy till her superannuation in February 2013.

Until Friday, there was much speculation that Dwivedi may be given a three-month extension and that Mathew could become the chief secretary even after that. However, for a change, the state government headed by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy struck to the seniority principle and appointed Mathew.

During Dwivedi’s tenure of over a year-and-half as the chief secretary, the AP bureaucracy has seen its worse phase in the state’s history. While two officers were jailed on various charges including criminal conspiracy, two others were booked in various cases being probed by the CBI. And at least a dozen other IAS officers were questioned with regard to various land allotments and other decisions of the YS Rajasekhara Reddy government.

And after the Supreme Court issued notices to 8 IAS officers in the Jagan disproportionate assets case along with six ministers of the YSR cabinet, the state bureaucracy saw for the first time a major confrontation between the political leaders and the officers on the issue of who should be held accountable for the decisions of the state government.

Mathew, who will have about 8 months of tenure as the chief secretary, will inherit all the problems being faced by the bureaucracy from Dwivedi. While two of the officers, B P Acharya and Y Srilakshmi, are still in Chanchalguda Jail, the process of questioning several other officers by the CBI in the various cases being probed by the investigative agency will continue.

And there is the spectre of some more IAS officers being booked by the CBI. Governance and ensuring that the revenue-earning departments continue to perform well would be other important tasks ahead of Mathew. “These are testing times for the bureaucrats, especially in Andhra Pradesh, and babudom would require their head to lead from the front. The coming months will unveil whether Mathew is upto the task,” said an officer.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Ganesh S. Lakshman, TNN / June 30th, 2012

Hyderabad warms up to SME Mentor

Business & Economy

An enthusiastic audience greeted presenters at SME Mentor Growth Series seminar in Hyderabad. The event, which attracted, the top SME CEOs, from the Hyderabad belt, saw presentations by Vodafone, Religare Finvest and Dell.

The session was opened by George D’Souza, vice president – Content solutions, Moneycontrol.com, who talked about the various hurdles that owners of small and medium enterprises have to cross in taking their companies from good to great companies.

Srinath Nalluri, GM – enterprise business, of Vodafone, discussed enterprise solutions, launched by Vodafone. He clearly and patiently answered queries from the audience on even simple issues of whether a toll-free number was independent of a Web site.

On the finance front, Religare Finvest’s Sameer Nanda, zonal business head – Andhra Pradesh, was served a volley of questions from the audience on issues of SME balance sheet evaluation, specific business financing, as well as regulatory affairs. Nanda deftly explained the various benefits of finance from Religare.

The event was attended by over 60 CEOs of SMEs from Hyderabad and represented key industry segments of IT, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and education.

source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / Home> News> Events /  by SME Mentor / June 25th, 2012