AGRI MINISTRY AGREES FOR NEW POLICY ON COLD CHAIN, ALSO PROMISES TO AUGMENT ONION STORAGE CAPACITIES IN MAHARASHTRA, MP & ODISHA, SAYS ITS JS

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare on Tuesday agreed to evolve a new National Policy on Cold Chain to provide direction for the long term approach for holistic infrastructure creation in both agri and horticulture products.

Making the aforesaid announcement at a National Conclave on “Strengthening of Farm-to-Consumer Cold-Chain Infrastructure” under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Mission Director, MIDH, Dr. Shakil Ahammed also added that the proposed policy would be evolved in due course of time in necessary consultations with all concerned stakeholders including the Chamber of Commerce such as PHD Chamber.

In Addition the Joint Secretary also declared saying that the Centre has decided to expand the capacities of storages facilities for onion in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and even Karnataka to ensure minimum wastages on onion in view of its recent production in which farmers had to virtually throw away their onion produce in the absence of storage facilities in certain pockets of Maharashtra and even Karnataka.

Dr. Ahammed informed that capacity expansion for storages facilities in the State of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra would be respectively done to an extent of 38,000 tonnes, 6,800 tonnes and 12,000 tonnes although, he gave no time limit for the job.

Elaborating on the new National Policy on Cold Chain for agri and horticulture products, Dr. Ahammed indicated that the focus of the government of the day would be productivity and quality of the produce of both agri and horti products and that the policy for storing the agri and hori items would be designed keeping in view the two aspects of agri and hori produce so that the farmers do not loose on their produce and the consumer gets the best of the price in the entire supply value chain of the marketing of agri and hori produce.

During the occasion a Report on ‘Doubling Farmer’s Income by Strengthening India’s Cold Chain 2016’ was released jointly by President, PHD Chamber, Dr. Mahesh Gupta; CEO & Chief Advisor, National Centre for Cold-Chain Development, Mr. Pawanexh Kohli; Counsellor for Agricultural Affairs, Regional Economic Service, French Embassy, Mr. Cedric Prevost; Chairman, Roads, Ports & Other Infrastructure Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Ashish Mohan Wig and Secretary General, PHD Chamber, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal along with its Director, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta.

The report highlights that as per latest estimates 1219 cold stores are either permanently closed  or not available and the total number of functional cold stores is 5367, amount to a total storage size of 26.85 million tonnes.   Therefore, a new National Policy on Cold Chain is called for accompanying host of incentives and tax holiday schemes so that investors flock in to create such infrastructure as is required to plug wastage in agri and horti products.  It adds that seamless cold chain infrastructure is essential for doubling the incomes of farmers by 2022 as enunciated by Prime Minister Modi.

GST LEGISLATION LIKELY TO BE PASSED BY RAJYA SABHA IN FORTHCOMING PARLIAMENT SESSION: ADDITIONAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF FINANCE

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Ajay Tyagi on Wednesday said that the government of the day was making all out efforts and trying its best to create consensus for the smooth passage of GST and hoped that the upper house of the Parliament would be able to pass the legislation in the forthcoming session of the Parliament.

With this move, the government would be able to create a uniform market for all goods and services in the country and among other sectors that would gain out of it would be the agriculture sector also in which multiple distortions exist as of now despite it being a state subject, he emphasised.

Addressing a Seminar on National Agriculture Market under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Tyagi further pointed out that bringing about uniformity in taxation and other areas of economic engagement is one of the prime objectives of the Modi government. 

With the passage of much talked about GST, the distortions in goods and services would disappear but it would also make sure that multiple taxations including variant mandi taxes be rationalize after GST is enacted as it would also facilitate to bring about a placement of single national agriculture market in the country to enable the farmers to obtain the maximum gains of their produce.

Speaking on the occasion Executive Director, Commodity Derivatives Market Regulation, Department of SEBI, Mr. S K Mohanty said that national agriculture market for which the government of the day has made a beginning would be conclusive in due course of time as efforts are afoot to integrate over 500 mandis in the country through electronic mode.

Among other who spoke on the occasion demanding integration of agriculture market in India in a fashion so that all its stakeholders are equitably benefited include President, Commodity Participants Association of India, Mr. Shiv Kumar Goel; Chief Mentor, Commodity Participants Association of India & Chairman, Globe Capital Market Ltd., Mr. Ashok Aggarwal; Advisor, National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, Mr. Ramseshan; President, & Whole Time Director, Multi Commodity Exchange, Mr. P K Singhal; Chairman & Managing Director, SMC Investments & Advisors Ltd, Mr. D K Aggarwal and Co-Chairman, Commodity Exchange Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. B K Sabharwal.

DCW CALLS FOR A “FORUM” OF A UNION HOME MINISTER, HIS DEPUTY AND LG & CM OF DELHI TO REVIEW WOMEN SAFETY & SECURITY IN DELHI

Chairperson, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Ms. Swati Maliwal on Wednesday blamed lack of coordination between Centre on the one hand and NCT of Delhi as one of the prime causes for increase in crime and atrocities against women in National Capital, seeking creation of “FORUM” consisting of Home Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh and its MOS Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Delhi Leitunent Governor and its Chief Minister along with Chairperson DCW to look into such cases for their expeditious disposal.

Addressing a Conference on Challenges and Issues regarding Safety & Security of Women in Delhi under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Ms. Maliwal said that the DCW has already mooted a suggestion to this effect to the Union Home Ministry and the Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi including its LG at her recent meetings with these authorities.

According to her, the Centre and NCT of Delhi lack proper coordination on many front due to variety of reasons and the coordination missing between the two on the issue of women safety and security has been leading to increase in crimes and even atrocities such as rapes against women in terms of registering FIRs against culprits for which the suggested answer could be setting up of the FORUM as recommended by DCW.

This FORUM should meet at least twice in a month to review the progress on the women safety and security in and around Delhi and instruct the authorities concerned to take faster action against those that indulge in such heinous crimes and make sure that the culprits are brought to book through faster dispensation of justice, pointed out Ms. Maliwal.

Speaking on the occasion, former Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs. Sheila Dikshit sought efforts to alter our existing mindset against females so that a balance is brought out in the upbringing of male and female child as the current bias against female child in Indian society is one of the causes of its neglect which later on amounts to their under development.

Among other who spoke on the occasion comprised Special Commissioner, Delhi Police, Mrs. Sundari Nanda; President, Janwadi Mahila Samity, Mrs. Maimoona Abbas Mollah; Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka; Chairperson, Women & Child Development Committee of the Chamber, Mrs. Anuradha Goel and its Board Members Mrs. Madhulika Mehta, Mrs. Priya Hingorani, Mrs. Promila Girotra and others.

INDO-UAE GULF INVESTMENT SUMMIT – 2016 TO BE HELD AT DUBAI ON MAY 24 UNDER AEGIS OF PHD CHAMBER

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with Brands Academy will be organizing a day long INDO-UAE GULF INVESTMENT SUMMIT – 2016 on 24^th of May at Dubai to promote bilateral trade between India and Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) in areas such as infrastructure, construction, renewable energy and oil and gas among others.

The Summit will also explore prospects for expansion and diversification of trade opportunities that already exists between India and GCC nations for enhancing their scope for future so that basket of two way trade is widened and broad-based by showcasing the business strengths of the respective countries during the summit.

‘It is for the first time in recent history of any chambers of commerce and industry associations in India that the PHD Chamber has taken such an initiative to organize such a conference at this scale and that too at a place in Dubai from where the potential of GCC could be well explored to promote and cement business interests of India Inc with its counter parts in multiple sectors as identified above’ said the Vice President of the Chamber Mr. Anil Khaitan.

The Summit assumes a special significance since it is being held following a recent visit of Indian Prime Minister to Dubai on his way back home from USA and other countries in which he had specially laid and emphasis for closer economic and trade related corporation between India and Middle East given their potential and history of mutual respect.

According to the PHD Chamber, the conference also assumes a significance in view of the fact that India has emerged as the new frontier of investment opportunities, especially with the new initiatives by its government to facilitate trade and investment, encourage the investment institutions of UAE to raise their investments in India, including through the establishment of UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund.

According to estimates, with this fund in place, it is expected that the trade basket of India and GCC would be reaching a target of USD 75 billion in due course of time for rapid expansion of next generation infrastructure, especially also in railways, ports, roads, airports and industrial corridors and parks.

Among the prominent corporate entities that will participate in this conference comprise National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Dubai Investments PJSC, ADS Securitues LLC,Finance House, Gulf Capital Pvt. JSC, Abu Dhabi Financial Group (ADFG), MASDAR INVESTMENT LLC, Noor Capital, Royal Capital Real Estate Investment, Mesirow Financial (Abu Dhabi), ALMAL Capital, Dubai Shariah Asset Management, SHUAA Capital, Dubai International Capital LLC, Emirates NBD, Al Habtoor Leighton LLC, Al Geemi & Partners Contracting Co. L.L.C (AGP), Al Manader Roads & Building Contracting L.L.C, ACCIONA Infrastructure, ADMAK General Contracting Company W.L.L, AECOM, Al Fahjan Est, Noor Al Sahara General Contracting L.L.C, EMARAT,Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC),Crescent Petroleum, Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Petroleum Operations Ltd, Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd., Dolphin Energy Limited, International Petroleum Investment Company IPIC and the like.

Ease of doing business rated at 4.6/10: PHD Chamber Survey

Majority of the respondents have rated the improvement in ease of doing business at 4.6/10 in a survey conducted by PHD Chamber on the completion of two years of new Government.

Though the respondents unanimously felt that there has been some improvement in the sentiments for doing business, still there is a long way to go for a visible change to be seen and felt at the ground level, said PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry in a press statement issued here today.

More than 2000 responses were received from various businesses including micro, small, medium and large enterprises.

While some parameters have been observed to have attained a good score from the respondents, including an improvement in the availability of adequate infrastructure (5.6/10) and improvement in investor friendly environment (5.4/10), yet survey points towards the urgent need for speedy reforms.  

There is significant improvement in the bureaucracy and a score of 5.2/10 has been obtained in this parameter. They are aware of changes in the policy environment and are serious to implement the policies.

Ease of Doing Business so Far

Parameters	Score
Improvement in availability of Physical Infra	5.6
Improvement in investor Friendly Environment	5.4
Improvement in awareness of Bureaucrats	5.2
Improvement in availability of utilities	5.2
Improvement in availability of Finance	5.2
Improvement in simplification of Taxation	4.8
Improvement in the interface with Bureaucracy	4.2
Improvement in procedural bottlenecks	4.0
Improvement in Factors of Production	3.3
Improvement in reduction in Transaction Costs	3.1
Average Score	4.6

 Source: PHD Research Bureau

However, improvement in interface with the bureaucracy (with a score of 4.2/10) is still not according to the expectations of the respondents.

There has been improvement in the availability of utilities including water, power, fuel and telecom. However, respondents unanimously felt that the government has to go a long way to improve the distribution of utilities and a score of 5.2/10 has been assigned to this indicator.

The availability of credit, once considered a major hurdle in the ease of doing business has seen some improvement and has been given a score of 5.2 by the respondents. However, the businesses, especially MSMEs face problems in procuring credit from banks.

The survey found that companies still face issues while dealing with tax authorities and settling tax disputes. The implementation of the GST is awaited with the utmost anticipation. Majority of the respondents have expressed their annoyance at the lack of timely implementation of the GST and have desired its operation with immediate effect, said PHD Chamber.

The regulatory and procedural bottlenecks still remain a major concern and have not been able to reduce the time taken in the entire lifecycle of the business; the respondents have assigned a score of 4 to the indicator. It has been suggested that regulatory setup should facilitates the smooth and efficient functioning of businesses and markets.

The survey points out that there has been no significant improvement in 4 factors of production such as availability of land and the labour laws have not yet been simplified. There is still no clarity on the Land Acquisition Policy.  Transaction costs still remains a major challenge for most businesses.

The survey has suggested the implementation of GST with immediate effect and ground level improvement in factors of production.  Rationalizing the interest rate scenario is the need of the hour as our costs of borrowings are still significantly higher as compared with advanced, emerging and developing economies, said the industry body.

Few respondents said that, Inspector Raj still persists in the economy which needs to be addressed at the earliest.

PHD Chamber suggest the speedy implementation of reforms and work towards speedy passage of pending reform bills that maximizes benefits for workers, businesses and economy.

On the macro economy,  barring exports growth, of the seven basic indicators, the industry body said that there is significant improvement in six indicators including growth of GDP, Inflation, Industry growth, FDI inflows, foreign exchange reserves and stock market indices.

Going ahead, the IMF has projected India to grow at 7.5% in 2016. According to the Economic Survey 2015-16, India’s long run potential GDP growth is projected to be about 8%-10%.

The Economy So Far

Sr. No.	Indicators	2013-14	2015-16
1	Gross Domestic Product (GDP)/Gross Value Added (GVA)	6.3	7.3$
2	Inflation
	CPI	9.5^	4.9^
	WPI	5.9^	-2.5^
3	Industry Growth	5.0&	8.8$
4	Exports Growth (%)	4.6	-15.8
5	FDI Inflows (US$ mn)	24,299	29, 443*
6	Foreign Exchange (US$ mn)	3,04,223	3,60,176
7	BSE SENSEX	23905#	25,653#

INDIA WILL TAKE 3-5 YEARS TO DEVELOP SOFTWARE IN LOCAL LANGUAGE- ICT ADDITIONAL SECRETARY

Additional Secretary Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications and IT Mr N Sivasailam on Tuesday indicated that it would take India close to 3 to 5 years to develop software in local languages for mass communication and application, given the size of the country and its intricacies though internet penetration has been growing.

Speaking on the occasion of World Telecommunication Day –ICT Entrepreneurship for Social Impact under aegis of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr Sivasailam hoped that sufficient and skillful entrepreneurship would emerge in India in due course of time to undertake the job of software development in multiple local languages .

 According to him, a lot has happened in the India’s telecom sector in the last couple of years which need to be appreciated widely including availability of the mobile phones at large scale but the internet penetration has yet to happen at intended peace for which efforts are being intensified.

Application of it and telecommunication services in India’s education and health sector also need drastic improvement and with the help of Industry, the government would make it visible and more pronounced, pointed out the additional secretary.

Principal integrated Financial Advisor Ministry of Defence Mr. Savitur Prasad in his remarks felt that India needed work at war footing to give results for Make In India project of the Prime Minister and gradually with a faster pace shed its dependence on equipment imported from various countries.   

According to him, India’s manufacturing of most of ICT components and equipment even for Defence Sector is still largerly import driven and if India has to progress at a speed on par with economies of scale, it has to move accordingly.

Among others who spoke on the occasion appreciating the progress that India made in the recent past in the field of Telecommunications and ICT comprised Sr. Vice President PHD Chamber Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka, its Vice President Mr. Anil Khiatan and Chairman Entertainment and Media Committee of the Chamber Mr. Rakesh Gupta including Mr. Sandeep Agarwal, Chairman (North) Telecom Equipment & Services Export Promotion Council.

DIGITAL INDIA SHOULD PROMOTE INVESTMENTS IN SOLUTIONS SOFTWARE: PHD CHAMBER

Education Solutions Technology Framework Conclave organized here today by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry demanded that digital India should have sufficient policy initiatives so that investments are encouraged in finding solutions through software development by various governments in partnership with industry.

The conclave was unanimous in its opinion that investments in making available the hardware such as laptops and PCs for students at secondary level by governments such as UP and Tamil Nadu was a good initiative but in its second phase the policymakers at various level should also ensure software’s with solutions for various problems. 

This would integrate technology with education for equipping students with sufficient skills and make them employable as technology would remain a tool and it should be used and applied for seeking solutions for which public investments are essential, held the conclave.

Inaugurating the Technology Framework conclave, the Joint Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of HRD, Mr. Maneesh Garg said that digital India which would ensure availability of internet to Indian masses in their interior landscape is a programme that would achieve the intended objective by 2019.

According to him, one of the objectives of the digital India programme is to impart skills to students for making them employable as the futuristic goal of the modern education at secondary level is one such in the absence of which 80% of the traditional jobs would disappear in times to come.

Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan in his welcome remarks emphasized the need of technology application by one and all through a tool method so that initial education is amalgamated with emerging technologies for attaining the desired objectives.

Among others who participated in the conclave consisted Vice President, Sales & Marketing Group and Managing Director, Intel South Asia, Ms. Debjani Ghosh; Chairman, Education Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Amit Gupta; Sr. Secretary, PHD Chamber, Dr. Jatinder Singh.