ESIC PROPOSING TO SET UP “SOCIETY” IN EACH STATE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL DUES OF ITS MEMBERS, SAYS ITS DG AT PHD CHAMBER

Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is working on the proposal to set up a Society in each state of the country to help its beneficiaries avail of all their legitimate reimbursement of their medical bills without chasing the state agencies as these delays and sometimes throttle their legitimate dues, according to its Director General, Mr. Raj Kumar.

In addition, the Corporation is also preparing to take its board’s approval to hire private medical practitioners and doctors to provide medical facilities to its members in ESIC’s doctors’ starved hospitals not only in big townships but also proposing to extend this facility in un-served and under-served areas to give primary health care to the ESIC members, he further pointed out.

While addressing a Seminar on Employees’ State Insurance under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, Mr. Kumar informed that the his Corporation is contemplating with an idea to open up Societies under the Society Act in all State Capitals so that the proposed Society are mandated with teeth to entertain all ESIC reimbursement issues to intended beneficiaries since the Corporation has been receiving complains that State agencies take hell lot of a time to process the reimbursements and sometimes even throttle them.

“For this purpose, the ESIC would be writing to all State Governments including the Centre to make a provisioning to this effect so that reimbursement issues relating to medical ailments of all its members are not subjected to states’ budgetary exercises and other such bureaucratic routes.  With the proposed society in place, it will be their responsibilities to transfer the reimbursement amounts to beneficiaries with due diligence and the State agencies play virtually no role in reimbursement cycle”, said Mr. Kumar.

Mr. Kumar admitted that most of the ESIC hospitals are shortages of doctors and hiring their services with due governmental approval would give the corporation a mechanism to hire competent doctors on contractual basis and provide better services to its beneficiaries in large towns where ESIC hospitals are even operational.

Gradually, this service would also extended to under-served and un-served locations in which ESIC beneficiaries are working for industry so that the avail of medical consultancy under category of primary health care, he further added.

Former President & chairman Industrial Relations & HR Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Ravi Wig in his remarks, urged the government to frame a separate mechanism for construction workers to avail of ESIC benefits and facilities since the sector is largely different and engages workers for shorter time.

Among others who were also spoke on the occasion comprised Insurance Commissioner, ESIC, Mr. Arun Kumar; Co-Chairman, Industrial Relations & HR Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Bharat Singh Mehta and Head-Industrial Relations, PHD Chamber, Mr. R K Joshi.

IP IS THE KEY FOR ANY SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: NRDC AT PHD CHAMBER

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday organized a National Conference on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Leveraging IPR ecosystem for startups and Academia in which CMD, National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), Dr. H Purushotham said that IP is the key of any social and economic development and informed that NRDC is providing licensing of technologies and innovations to startups especially for MSMEs in India and abroad in the field of bio-technology, chemical, agriculture, engineering and food.

Mr. Purushotham said that startups should make maximum use of incubation centres to minimize the risk of their innovation which give exclusive rights to startups for a certain period of time and emerge as a leading platform to trade patented knowledge for commercialization in MSMEs and other segments of industries.

According to him, the NRDC is assisting inter-ministerial board of DIPP for startup India mission and working as a facilitator for implementing startups and offer its services to them for free of cost.

President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan suggested that government should support for venture capital and other types of risk financing through tax incentives and offer special financing arrangements including state guarantees for research activities particularly in the early stages of development.

He also suggested that a better co-operation and access to government-supported research centres including universities also is a useful step that could be taken to promote innovation by SMEs and a central clearinghouse a "one-stop shop", for information related to national programmes to support SMEs should also be set up.

President, National Intellectual Property Organisation, Prof. T C James said that SMEs need user-friendly patent offices with lower cost, streamlined procedures climate for R&D would be improved if regulatory and administrative burdens were reduced.  Government should come forward to support for basic education, financial assistance with SME training, and promoting greater co-operation and exchanges between business and universities.

Among other speakers who emphasized the need for technology transfer in the emerging world for MSMEs in more than a documented form consisted Dr. S K Jain, Dept. of Management Studies, IIT Delhi; Dr. Rubina Mittal, Co-Chairperson, Education Committee, PHD Chamber and its Director, Dr. Jatinder Singh.

SUMMIT ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE, SLATED FOR JAN 19/18 UNDER AEGIS OF PHD CHAMBER

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be organizing a day-long first ever mega “India Electric Vehicle Summit” here on January 19, 2018 to promote and propagate as well prepare industry for a massive roll out of electric vehicles on Indian roads and highways that aims at to finding a suitable replacement for fossil fuel driven automobiles which is a major cause to fermenting the air pollution as per current estimates.

The Summit is being supported by the Ministry of Heavy Industry which under the guidance of the Prime Minister Mr. Modi is committed for converting all vehicles in India to electric mode in next 13 years in which India CSR Network will also be a co-organizer with PHD Chamber.

In a statement issued here today, President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan said, “the time is now ripe for embracing new vision and technology for greener mobility for better tomorrow. The day long summit (leadership talk, panel discussion, and exhibition) will focus on sustainable mobility drive amid growing air pollution problem and fossil fuel demand and will be addressed by various regulators, technocrats and captains of Auto and ancillary industry”.

To initiate and move forward towards low-carbon transport ecosystem, the Summit is also designed as a national forum for Electric Vehicle manufacturers, visionary automotive leaders as well as policy makers, innovators, researchers and strategists from around the world to leverage their collective strengths and exchange their information, innovation and knowledge.

The Chamber is of the view that India, being one of the largest and booming economy, this is high time to exchange the ideas on how Indian automotive sector can contribute towards accomplishing India’s vision and priority of replacing conventional vehicles to electric vehicles by the year 2030.

The forum will bring key stakeholders of the emerging electric vehicle market to put their views on key challenges, concerns, and opportunities as well as their agenda on Electric Vehicles.  Forum provides comprehensive overview on the electric automobile industry in India. This would also provide useful reference for drawing up new plans, reviewing trends and also in evolving marketing tools and strategies.

Delegates will interact with like-minded firms and stakeholder and discuss important aspect of electric car and two wheelers, commercial vehicle opportunities and trends etc. The summit allows electric vehicle companies to optimize their presence among stakeholders.

The summit is also aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goal of taking actions in providing clean energy and to the Paris Declaration on Electro-Mobility and Climate Change & Call to Action that calls for a commitment as stated, "With varying mandates, capabilities, and circumstances, we commit to advance our work individually as well as collectively wherever possible to increase electro-mobility to levels compatible with a less-than 2-degree pathway.”

INDO-HUNGARY BUSINESS INVESTMENT FORUM SET UP AT PHD CHAMBER

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday set up Indo-Hungary Business Investment Forum following signing of an MoU, which intends to enhance business and economic ties between the two.

It also aims at identifying supplementary possibilities for promotion and development of business partnership between the two countries.

The MoU was signed by Vice Presidents of the two organizations Mr. D K Aggarwal and Mr. Andras Rev in the presence of Ambassador of Hungary to India, Mr. Gyula Petho; Chairman, International Affairs Committee for Europe, PHD Chamber, Mr. Mohit Jain; Chairman, Art & Culture Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Sandeep Marwah and its Secretary General and Principal Director, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal and Mr. Yogesh Srivastav.

The Forum will provide an excellent opportunity to both the organizations to explore business avenues in each other country and discover better channels for trade and joint ventures in the field of IT, Pharmaceuticals, power equipment, auto-components and food processing.

After signing the MoU, Mr. Aggarwal emphasized that both India and Hungary need to recognize and promote development and diversification of economic and commercial cooperation between the two on equally mutually advantageous basis.

The Ambassador of Hungary to India Mr. Gyula Petho said this would boost the business ties between India and Hungary and give assistance to settle business disputes, arising out of commercial, economic and industrial interactions, between legal and natural persons of India and Hungary through amicable methods of arbitration.

Mr. Marwah in his address reaffirm PHD Chamber connect with Hungarian Art & Culture and assured that he would mount a delegation to Hungary to strengthen bilateral ties in the area of art and culture.

TIES inevitable in boosting India’s export competitiveness: PHD Chamber

Improvement in India’s logistics cost would be crucial to enhance its trade facilitation measures, improve its competitiveness in international markets and a significant boost to economic growth, said Mr. Anil Khaitan, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Improvement in logistics hold huge significance as every 1 percentage point reduction would add USD 10 billion in the GDP of the country, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

Indian exports lose their competitiveness due to their huge logistics costs. Logistics costs comprise of 14% of GDP in India while in EU 10% and in the USA 8%, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

India’s score on trading across border parameter has improved from 57.6 in 2017 to 58.5 in 2018. However, the cost to export and import due to documentary compliances, excluding the insurance cost and informal payments, remained the same at USD 91.9 and USD 134.8, respectively, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

India should work towards reducing trade costs by providing highly effective and connected transport services, port facilities, communications, energy, financial services and business legislations, added Mr. Anil Khaitan.

Robust infrastructure segment is a vital ingredient in rising export performance. Infrastructure is a major sector that propels overall development of the Indian economy. In order to maintain a high growth trajectory of exports, we require state-of- the art infrastructure, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

Enhancing the efficiency of projects under Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) is crucial for up scaling export growth and competitiveness, which will push India’s export performance in a highly competitive world, he added.

I believe the TIES should de-centralise decision making to state governments to facilitate more and more investments in infrastructure and enhance exports, he added.

Going ahead, it is imperative for officials to streamline the project processing mechanism under TIES and ensure time bound completion of the same, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

We should improve our infrastructure by encouraging more and more Public-Partnership Projects (PPP) for infrastructure, which is built rapidly and is of utmost quality, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

The value of PPP projects have declined from INR 53,248 crore in 2011-12 to INR 12,400 crore in 2016-17 whereas number of projects declined from 52 to 9 during the same period, he added.

We should work hard to reduce trade costs with our major trading partners like we have done with the UAE. India’s total trade cost with UAE has reduced from 103% in 2005 to 56% in 2014, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

To enable a speedy mechanism, focus should be on decentralizing the decision making to state governments and thereby, facilitating more and more investments in infrastructure and enhance exports, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

The states should be encouraged to nominate projects encompassing development of minor ports, and regional airfields for the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) scheme for enhanced regional connectivity and thereby increased reduction in costs of logistics to facilitate exports, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

I believe that TIES is in fact just the right scheme to achieve this with the help of a collaborative and calibrative approach for creating focused export infrastructure and first mile and last mile connectivity, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

Rise in inflation rate short lived: PHD Chamber

Rise in inflation rate of CPI and WPI is majorly because of the temporary factors stoked by the food articles primarily vegetables, said Mr. Anil Khaitan, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a press statement issued here today.

Inflation is not a major worry at this juncture as Government is making lots of efforts for the smooth supply of food articles, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

We have bumper kharif crops and the constraints in the perishables are temporary, added Mr. Khaitan.

CPI inflation increased to 3.6% in October 2017 from 3.3% in September 2017. Also, WPI inflation increased to 3.6% in October 2107 from 2.6% in September 2017.

We don’t expect that the rise in inflation rate is sustainable ; the average inflation should remain below 4% for the current financial year, said Mr. Khaitan.

Reconsider Ban on Industrial Activities till 14th of November, Urges PHD Chamber to NGT

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to reconsider its ban on industrial activities in NCR until 14th of November, as its order has serious implications on the industrial activities in NCR which will not only amount to loss of productivity as well as employment.

The PHD Chamber has pointed out that all industrial activities in and around NCR are happening with NOCs obtained from the department concerned and all of a sudden imposing a ban on such activities is not at all justified even until 14th of this month.

The chamber is of the view that pollution is a serious menace which needs to be tackled with collective enthusiasm and holding industries responsible alone for contributing to pollution levels is somehow untenable said the President of the PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan.

Therefore, the Chamber has appealed to all relevant authorities in the NCR to strike a balance in their approach so that industrial activities are not disrupted particularly those that operate and conform to the established norms as per the NOCs given to them and at the same time environment and ecologies are protected sufficiently and adequately.

ECO-SYSTEM IS CALLED FOR TO PROMOTE RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: PHD CHAMBER

President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan on Friday urged the government to create an eco-system to promote rural entrepreneurship and innovation with sufficient financial and digital literacy for rural populace to arrest and restrict the rural migration into cities and metros.

“Instead of recklessly articulating and asserting for working capital as well as term loan for perspective rural entrepreneurs, the focus should be on financial and digital literacy as gullible rural entrepreneur cannot manage his term loan on his own to start of his or her ventures”, argued Mr. Khaitan while delivering his key note address at a Convention & Exhibition on Rural Entrepreneurship & Innovation under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The rural folks entirely dependent on agriculture is roughly estimated at 60% with its contribution to national GDP weighing at a meagre 14 per cent amply suggests huge productivity loss in the absence of eco-system that needs to be placed urgently in the statutes so that benefits are drawn out of it to promote and seed in the spirit of rural entrepreneurship, felt Mr. Khaitan.

According to him, “political and economic will” needs to be re-generated within the system that is primarily responsible for promoting and intensifying rural entrepreneurship in the proposed eco-system so that economic and social transformation is attained through agri and horti products that are available and grown in plenty in diverse landscapes of this country as the systems that are already in place to promote rural entrepreneurships have hardly served the intended purpose which needs to be revisited with new eco-system.

Around 15 rural entrepreneurs and startups took part in the exhibition showing and displaying the skills of the rural spirits during the occasion from diverse parts of the country.

Among others who were present on the occasion an endorsed the views expressed by Mr. Khaitan consisted of Co-Founder, School of Inspired Leadership, Mr. Yogesh Andlay; Director and CEO, International Agriculture Consulting Group, Mr. Dinesh Chauhan; Journalist, Mr. Ajay Kumar; Chairman, Innovation Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Deepak Pahwa and its Director, Dr. Jatinder Singh.

Effects of demonetization still persisting : PHD Chamber

The effects of demonetization are still persisting as demand in the economy is still lacklustre and business firms are still not enthusiastic in production process said Mr. Anil Khaitan, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a press statement issued here today.

Though demonetization of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 currency notes has completed one year today, the industries have still not recovered fully from the aftermath of unearthing 86% of the total currency, said Mr. Khaitan.

We appreciate the efforts of the government to stamp out black money from the system, restrict terror funding, curb corruption, integrate informal economy into formal economy and to move towards less cash society, said Mr. Khaitan.

However, demonetization drive has impacted the businesses directly or indirectly in terms of impact on demand and sales. The impact of demonetization is majorly seen on small businesses as they are highly driven by cash transactions, said Mr. Khaitan.

PHD Research Bureau, the Research Arm of PHD Chamber conducted a survey of 214 business firms covering 10 key sectors of the economy from MSMEs and large enterprises operating in different states to assess the impact of demonetization in the last one year.

The key sectors surveyed include Agro and food processing, Auto components & automotive, Construction & Real Estate, Drugs & pharmaceuticals, FMCG, Gems & Jewellery, Handloom and Handicrafts, Leather & leather products, Steel and tourism.

                             

It has been observed that 65% of the firms across all the sectors surveyed have registered a decline in their sales post demonetization. Also, owing to less purchasing power, demand has not yet picked up fully in the economy.

The survey revealed that 61% of the business firms across all sectors have reported a decline in turnover post demonetization due to low production and lower demand.

Majority of the respondents (56%) have reported an increase in the transaction costs particularly at the time of implementation of demonetization due to delays involved in payments.

Further, the impact of demonetization has been more on contractual workforce than full time employees as the contractual primarily daily wage workers have to be paid in cash which had impacted their employment in almost all sectors surveyed.

Nonetheless, demonetization had a positive impact on the use of digital transactions as there has been a considerable increase (57%) as consumers prefer digital payments over cash post demonetization.

Going ahead, it is essential to revive demand to give a boost to industry thereby refuelling the economic growth to higher trajectory in the coming times, said Mr. Khaitan.

We look forward to revival of GDP growth in the coming quarters as anticipated at 6.7% (real GVA) for the current financial year 2017-18 by RBI in its latest fourth bi monthly monetary  policy statement 2017-18 released on October 4, 2017

DIAL ASKS TO PROVIDE SPACE IN DELHI AIRPORTS FOR HELI SERVICES IN BIGGER CITIES SUCH AS DELHI, GHAZIABAD, NOIDA & GURGAON, SAYS MR. CHOUBEY AT HELI EXPO INDIA-2017 UNDER PHD CHAMBER

Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Mr. Rajiv Nayan Choubey on Saturday asked Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) to explore possibilities for air travellers to avail of helicopter services to connect them nearer their homes in cities such as Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad and the like instead of taking to road travels by taxis since the government is gearing up to provide the air commuters with regional connectivity through helicopter and smaller aircrafts.

The suggestion was mooted at 1st Heli Expo India 2017 under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today by Mr. Choubey who was delivering his key note address on the occasion which was presided over by Minister of Tourism, Uttarakhand & Chairman, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Mr. Satpal Maharaj in which the CMD, Pawan Hans, Dr. B P Sharma and Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. D K Aggarwal were also present.

Mr. Choubey said, “I have asked DIAL to explore possibilities for providing space for helicopters at well within Delhi Airports so that heli services are launched for providing direct connectivity to air travelers so that these avail of such facilities and reach their respective destinations through air routes and within much shorter time instead taking to land routes that takes longer and is cumbersome also given the traffic congestion”.

Minister of Tourism, Uttarakhand & Chairman, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Mr. Satpal Maharaj in his remarks urged the Centre Government to encourage and optimize air travel through helicopter services in hilly states and northern eastern parts of the country as also provide subsidies for spare parts manufacturers of heliports enabling medical and disaster management functions efficiently and at cheaper cost in such difficult terrains as exist in hilly part of the country.

In his welcome remarks Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. D K Aggarwal said that there is a need for all stakeholders to engage and collaborate with policy makers to implement efficient and rational decisions that would boost India’s civil aviation industry. With the right policies and relentless focus on quality, cost and passenger interest, India would be well placed to achieve its vision of becoming the third-largest aviation market by 2026.

Chairman, Civil Aviation Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. K. Narayana Rao in his address said that wider recognition of the benefits of enhancing air connectivity & of the aviation industry, while facilitating a stronger partnership between regulators and the aviation industry is the focus which can make India a vibrant and natural crossroads for global aviation.

Among others who were also present on the occasion comprised Prof Mehtab Alam, Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Jamia Millia Islamia University; Mr. Rahul Sharma, Secretary Tourism, Govt of Jharkhand; AVM  B S Krishna Kumar, Indian Force; Mr. J S Rawat, Joint DGCA, Directorate General of Civil Aviation; Co-Chairmen, Civil Aviation Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Bhupesh Joshi and Mr. Vipin Vohra including Secretary General, PHD Chamber, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal and its Principal Director, Mr. Yogesh Srivastav.

VP ASKS CIVIL AVIATION MINISTRY TO EVOVE STRINGENT NORMS FOR AIR SAFETY AT AERO EXPO INDIA-2017 UNDER PHD CHAMBER

Vice President of India, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to evolve stringent security related norms for aviation sector to completely plug of any possibility of air traffic accidents and make sure that such norms also succeed in ensuring total air safety for entire air and cargo traffic.

He also asked the government to substantially reduce gaps between scheduled and non-scheduled air lines as also make sure that the idle airports become efficiently operational with expanding regional connectivity.

Inaugurating 2nd Aero Expo India 2017 under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Naidu observed that demonetisation and GST would ultimately expand the economy exponentially in course of time and push it to many many trillion economy.

“The issue of air safety and completely accident free air traffic should be restored with stringent norms in place so that flying and cargo movements are optimised though the government has taken the twin issue with utmost sincerely but lot more needs to be done on this front so that accidents in civil aviation become a thing of past”, said the Vice President adding that the Modi government is eliminating red tape replacing them with red carpet.

The another issue on which the Vice President of India made his observations emphatic, emphasizing that the hiatus between scheduled and non-scheduled air lines needs to be bridged for further expansion of the civil aviation industry which has already grown at 26.6 per cent year on year adding that India and its economy is in for dollar’s trillions and trillions size.

With reforms such as demonetization and GST, the Indian economy would not only leap frog towards digitalization and cashless economy but also make it an economy without an element of black money into it.

In his welcome remarks, President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan pointed out emphasizing that though the government of the day is pushing structural reforms and that civil aviation industry has been growing at a double digit rate, the government needs to become more active and pro-active to further push for the scheduled second generation reforms.

Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Rajeev Talwar in his remarks asked the government to put up cargo airport in a State of Haryana and Rajasthan and make preparations to create at least two international airports in each state and UTs.

Among others who were present on the occasion consisted of Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. Ashok Gajapathiraju Pusapati; Minister of State, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Mr. Jayant Sinha; Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. D K Aggarwal and its Chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee, Mr. K Narayana Rao, Co-Chairmen, Civil Aviation Committee of the Chamber Mr. Bhupesh Joshi and Mr. Vipin Vohra including its Secretary General and Principal Director, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal and Mr. Yogesh Srivastav.

UNATTENDED REGULATIONS IN AVIATION SECTOR WOULD GO OFF, SAY RAJU & SINHA AT AERO EXPO INDIA-2017 UNDER PHD CHAMBER

Whereas Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr. Gajapathi Raju Pusapati on Thursday assured India Inc. stating that the remaining regulations relating to civil aviation sector would be done away with and further streamlined, his colleague in the Ministry, Mr. Jayant Sinha made a prognosis that air traffic would be intensified for large segment of Indian populace even to an extent of between 20% to 40%  which currently is estimated at more than 3%.

In terms of growth and expansion, the civil aviation sector as already reached at levels that of railways and telecom and our objective is to exceed and surpass even the established milestones in the sector as 20 crore passenger have already travelled by air as per recent estimates, Mr. Sinha emphasized.

Speaking on the occasion of 2nd Aero Expo India 2017 under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Ashok Gajpati Raju who spoke briefly, however, added that regulations and procedures that are still found to be uncalled for would be done away with as the current regime is pro-active in terms of policy orientation for win-win situation for each stakeholder in the civil aviation sector.

Mr. Sinha, however, informed that draft regulations for drones have already been finalized by the government as per which their applications would be for sectors far and wide that include not only e-commerce but also agriculture, monitoring of all sorts of products and process pipelines including exploring possibilities for launching air rickshaws for travelling smaller distances.

According to him, the draft regulations for drones will not gulp down e-commerce job but convert e-commerce delivery boys on motor bikes currently into pilots and engineers.  This is how the government foresees the futuristic developments in Indian civil aviation space, concluded Mr. Sinha.

In his welcome remarks, President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan complimented the government  for broad basing and expanding the civil aviation sector but asked that many more pro-active steps need to be taken so that India becomes a hub for civil aviation sector.

Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Rajeev Talwar in his observations felt that a great deal of possibilities exist for further expansion of civil aviation sector and hoped that the government would address all issues that will lead to the expansion of the sector.

Chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee of the Chamber, Mr. K Narayana Rao who also spoke on the occasion demanded that funds should be made available for diversification of the civil aviation sector at lower interest rates which would also attract and further facilitate FDIs in it.

File a Petition in SC to Review its Ban on usage of Pet Coke and Furnace Oil, asks PHD Chamber to the Govt.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has appealed to the government to file a review petition before the Supreme Court so that it reviews its decision, imposing a ban on usage of Pet Coke and Furnace Oil in States of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana from today onwards.

In Press Statement issued here today, President, PHD Chamber, Mr Anil Khaitan said, “the MSME segment is highly concerned and aggrieved by the order passed on 24th October 2017 as this sudden ban giving only seven days time for industry to make alternate arrangements (earlier the Hon’ble Apex Court had given time up to 31st December 2017) will certainly impact the working of industry in NCR Region particularly MSMEs such as Bakery, Laundry, Hotels, Milk Chilling Plants, Health Services,  Agro and Food industry who are in the manufacturing of various products and services and are having small boilers”. 

According to Mr. Khaitan, “in the absence of alternate measures, this is the final nail in the coffin of the MSME who is already fighting for survival because of slow down in economy and the ban will render lakhs of workforce jobless and closure of thousands of small and medium scale industries”.

Therefore, the President of the Chamber has advised the Ministry of Environment as well as Central Pollution Control Board to jointly file the review petition before the Supreme Court urging the apex body to review its decision so that relief is served to the concerned stakeholders.

Simplification of FOREX market crucial for promoting international trade and investments: PHD Chamber

While deliberating in the Open House Discussion on Impact of recent economic and regulatory developments on Indian forex market, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Anil Khaitan said here in a press statement that regulation of forex market is necessary in the interest of the people who are in forex market and running their businesses with foreign exchange.

Mr. Khaitan suggested that corporates must cover themselves and should not expose their companies to huge financial risks because of forex fluctuations.

Reforms in the foreign exchange market is a dynamic process and needs to be harmonised with the evolving macroeconomic environment.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized an Open House Discussion on Impact of recent economic and regulatory developments on Indian forex market on 31st October 2017 at PHD House, New Delhi.

The eminent experts of the Open House Discussion were  Mr. R S Ratho, Chief General Manager, Financial Markets Operation Department, Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai and Mr. Vikas Jaiswal, Assistant General Manager, Foreign Exchange Department, Reserve Bank of India, New Delhi.

Photo caption from left to right: Mr. Anil Khaitan, President, PHD Chamber, Dr. S P Sharma, Chief Economist, PHD Chamber, Mr. D K Aggarwal, Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. R. S. Ratho, Chief General Manager, Financial Markets Operation Department, Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai, Mr. Vikas Jaiswal, Assistant General Manager, Foreign Exchange Department, Reserve Bank of India,New Delhi and Mr. Shyam Poddar, Managing Committee Member, PHD Chamber

Mr. D K Aggarwal, Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Shyam Poddar, Managing Committee Member, PHD Chamber and Dr. S P Sharma, Chief Economist, PHD Chamber were also the part of discussions.

Deliberations on the newly introduced Global Foreign Exchange Code of Conduct were undertaken. The benefits of the Global Foreign Exchange Code were apprised to the participants for the effective functioning of the foreign exchange market to promote trade and investments globally.

Rationalization is a continuous process and it has to be tandem with the current environment, therefore, several endeavors have been taken from time to time at regulatory front for the facilitation of the stakeholders involved in the forex market.

All the experts unanimously felt that there is no one to one correlation in the real world and one factor does not influence the overall functioning of the forex market.

Going ahead, keeping in view lots of developments in foreign exchange market for the simplification of operating procedures and ease of hedging the risk, it is necessary that to minimize the volatility vis-à-vis global economic developments as forex market is crucial for promoting international trade and investments in the country.

PHD Chamber hails robust improvement in the ease of doing business

While appreciating the efforts of the government for the improvement in Ease of doing business in India, Mr. Anil Khaitan, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that we have every potential to improve in our tedious and traditional business processes which hamper the functioning of the businesses and promotion of economy.

Improvement at 100 th level is not a surprise for us as our government was doing a lot to make it a better country to do business, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

India’s ranking has improved from the level of 130 th in 2017 to 100 th in 2018, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

The improvement in the eight parameters is tremendous as reforms across the board have resulted in fruitful outcomes in the starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

The improvement in these parameters has pushed India’s ranking to the higher level. India was the only economy in South Asia to become the top improver in ease of doing business, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

Also, the implementation of Bankruptcy and Insolvency code, 2016 has improved the ranking of India on resolving insolvency parameter from 136 th in 2017 to 103 rd in 2018, added Mr. Anil Khaitan.

The robust reforms undertaken by the Government on the infrastructure and logistics front has improved the trading across borders, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

We are proud that our country has improved more than 30 points in the Ease of Doing Business, he said.

Going ahead, we look forward for further improvement in the Ease of Doing Business as the GST is not factored in as the cut of date for Ease of Doing Business Ranking 2018 was June 2017, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

We strongly believe that government will continue its serious efforts for the future improvement in Ease of Doing Business and we look forward at India’s ranking below 50 th in the coming years, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

We need to focus on more reforms in getting the electricity connections and registering property, said Mr. Anil Khaitan.

Anil Khaitan, Rajeev Talwar & D K Aggarwal have respectively taken over as President, Sr. Vice President & Vice President of the PHD Chamber

Chairman of SNK Corp., Mr. Anil Khaitan, CEO & Member of Board of Directors of DLF, Mr. Rajeev Talwar and CMD, SMC Investments and Advisors’, Mr. D K Aggarwal have respectively taken over as President, Sr. Vice President and Vice President of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry following conclusion of its 112th Annual Session.

Prior to becoming the President of the Chamber, Mr. Khaitan who is an MBA from IMI, Geneva with diversified business experience in Jute, Paper, Pharmaceutical, Copper and Steel Industry apart from the international operations was its Sr. Vice President.

Mr. Talwar is a post graduate and a graduate from St. Stephens College, Delhi University, started his career in 1976, as a Banker with State Bank of India as a Probationary Officer. In the year 1978, he was selected for the Indian Administrative Service.  During his tenure as an IAS officer from 1978 to 2006, he held many important and critical positions in the Central & State Governments as well as Union Territories.   Before taking over the charge of Sr. Vice Presidency of the Chamber Mr. Talwar was its Vice President.

Mr. Aggarwal who has been elected as the Vice President of the PHD Chamber is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and has more than 20 years of experience in equity and commodity broking and arbitrage.

DISINVESTMENT OF HOTEL ASHOK & SAMRAT IN DELHI ON HOLD DUE TO SECURITY SENSITIVITIES: DR. MAHESH SHARMA AT PHD CHAMBER

Minister of State-Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma on Thursday made it abundantly clear that dis-investment of Hotel Ashok and Hotel Samrat will be kept on hold on account of issues relating to security as these two properties surround the Prime Minister House.

Speaking at 112th Annual Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Dr. Sharma, however, added that 15 other such hotels run by the government would be disinvested as scheduled as the government of the day holds that it is not its job to run businesses.

The Minister was categorical that the disinvestment of properties relating to Hotel Ashok and Hotel Samrat would stay put on hold due to security reasons as the Prime Minister House is located nearer to these two premises.

Dr. Sharma also emphasized that India would have to preserve its cultural diversities including complexities and make sure that economic development is carried out without hurting the ecological sensitivities.

Developmental projects would not face unnecessary and uncalled for environmental and ecological regulations but at the same time, regulations would not loose their strength and teeth if these confront with ecological and environmental sensitivities.

In his welcome remarks, President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka laid a stress urging the minister that balance should be maintained between the economic developments and ecology so that developmental projects take off and executed without any controversies.

Sr. Vice President and Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan and Mr. Rajeev Talwar in their respective remarks praised the initiatives of the government of the day for preservation of Indian culture which had played a unique role for ages to maintaining balance between environment and ecology on the one side and economic development on the other.  Secretary General, PHD Chamber, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal was also present on the occasion.

ONGC, BOSCH INDIA & DR. PRATHAP C REDDY ARE AMONG THE AWARDEES OF PHD ANNUAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2017

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Bosch India Ltd. and Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospital re the awardees of PHD Annual Awards for Excellence 2017 for its outstanding contribution which were given away today by the Jury present at the Award Ceremony - Mr. P K Malhotra, former Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice; Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder Sulabh International and Mrs. Meera Shankar, Former Indian Ambassador to United States during the 112th Annual Session of the Chamber.

Good Corporate Citizen Award was won by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) whereas the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Welfare was given to Bosch India Ltd.

ONGC established in the year 1956 is involved in the business of oil and natural gas exploration in India. The Corporation promote education especially amongst children as well as elders as they strive for providing basic education for all and eradicating illiteracy.  ONGC also provides financial support to several hospitals for upgradation of facilities and for construction purposes with its Mission UJALA project envisages eye screening of 50,000 children in government schools in NCR under National Blindness Control Programme.

Bosch Limited won Award for its significant contribution under its community welfare initiatives ‘BRIDGE’ (Bosch’s Response to India’s Development and Growth through Employability Enhancement) Programme under which they provide short term training with 100% placement assistance to underprivileged youth in the age group of 18-25 years to bring them into the mainstream.

Outstanding Business Woman Award was given away to Ms. Sujata Arora, Founder and Director, HireIndians Infotech for her contribution in the field of software and mobile application development and has made significant contribution for community development including initiatives for the upliftment or marginalised society. Ms. Sujata has also launched free car pooling service by the name ‘poolmycar.in’ and e-commerce women fashion marketplace by the name of ‘bollywoodkart.com’.

Distinguished Entrepreneurship Award won by Mr. Rakesh Agarwal, Managing Director, Purbanchal Laminates.  Mr. Agarwal started his journey of entrepreneurship in Gandhidham, Kutch, Gujarat in 1997 with a capital of Rs.1 crore which increased to Rs.245 crore in the year 2017.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred to Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospital as the architect of modern Indian healthcare.  The innovative insurance project of Rs.1 a day that he introduced decades ago in his native village has been adopted in multiple ways across the country and created the platform for the government of India’s Universal Health Insurance Programme for the below poverty line population.  He is the recipient of Padma Vibhushan in 2010 and Padma Bhushan in 1991 among many other prestigious recognitions.

PHD Chamber Annual Awards for Excellence were instituted in 1997 to recognise Indian businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals for their outstanding achievements, contributions in select areas and to promote corporate and individual initiatives in economic, social and educational areas.

BONDS TO BE RAISED TO FINANCE ROADS & HIGHWAYS PROJECTS: GADKARI AT PHD CHAMBER

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari on Thursday declared, disclosing that the NHAI would shortly tap capital market to raise bonds as also generate resources through private placements and other such portfolios to fund roads and highways sector to completely transform the national economy for higher growth.

Inaugurating a 112th Annual Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Gadkari also announced emphasizing that prevailing interstate water disputes are in for resolve in next few months with consultative approach and 150 projects, relating to cleansing of Ganga would be awarded by March 2018.

In addition, the Minister also indicated further rationalization of taxes as also assured India Inc. that remaining inconveniences pertaining to GST and a few problems still persisting on account of demonetization would be addressed for good in next three months by the government of the day.

“Foreign and domestic investments for building roads and highways infrastructure would follow naturally because of the pro-active infrastructural policies of the government.  In the meanwhile, the NHAI is preparing to raise bonds worth lakhs of rupees by way of taping the capital market as also efforts are on to generate funds from other such portfolios.  This is being done to make sure that funds are raised to support and finance roads and highways without any delay”, said the Minister.

According to him, “policy decisions are being finalized to run bikes and even tractors including heavy vehicles on bio-ethanol generated from resources including rice and wheat stubble.  Also efforts are on to make landing arrangements of aeroplanes and smaller aircraft on water bodies that can also take off and land on surface”.

Elaborating on prevailing interstate water disputes, the Minister was categorically confident that such disputes would be sorted out even between Punjab and Haryana and other parts of the land as 70% of river waters of various rivers go waste and guzzled by the seas, added the Minister pointing out that on this front a consultative approach is paying off which dividend.

The Minister also invited PHD Chamber to join hands with the government and take part in all its innovative schemes to make sure that their benefits are percolated down to all stakeholders in an equitable manner.

In his welcome remarks, President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka emphasized that policies should be made that can enlist the industry’s participation with the government on equal footing and consultations between the two should be seamless so that hitches and glitches do not exist in policies that have long term ramifications.

Among others who were present on the occasion comprised Sr. Vice President and Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan and Mr. Rajeev Talwar including its Secretary General, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal.

NEW PROCESSES ON CARDS IN RAILWAYS FOR IMPROVED EFFICIENCIES: LOHANI AT PHD CHAMBER

Chairman, Railway Board, Mr. Ashwani Lohani on Thursday announced that railways would shortly undergo massive structural and processes reforms to strengthen its networks and bring in efficiencies to embark on the path of accelerated growth.

Speaking at 112th Annual Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Lohani also stressed that consolidation and growth would simultaneously happen in railways with aforesaid structural and processes reforms which unfortunately were neglected in the past.

However, with government’s special focus, not only safety issues relating to railways have picked up a great momentum but also accelerated pace of reforms is being generated well within the railway board to make sure that new processes are put in place and newer innovations brought in to make railways a competitive organization to take on its counterparts on roads and airways, he said.

The Railway Board Chairman suggested that the best way to bring in efficiencies in railways would be through generating competitive spirit within the organization which has already begun to happen but refused to subscribe the idea that penalties are the ideal way to remove inefficiencies.

Secretary, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, Mr. Yudhvir Singh Malik who also spoke on the occasion, however, emphasized that logistics have been neglected in the past and now to improve logistics, the department of Commerce has been activated by the government and in due course of time India would begin to see the impact of better logistics to drastically curtail the growing logistics cost in India on account of which industry has to pay barely.

Principal Economic Advisor, Department of Economic Affairs, Mr. Sanjeev Sanyal in his remarks emphasized that the focus of regulatory mechanism in the new government is not towards centre oriented and that it is driven towards states where actions lie.  He proposed the sequencing of reforms which are vitals for good regulations.

Among others who were present on the occasion consisted of former Presidents of PHD Chamber Mr. Ashok Kajaria, Mr. Sandeep Somany and Dr. Mahesh Gupta including its President, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka and Secretary General, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal.

WITH RETURN TO POWER, INC WOULD MAKE MSMES AS IMPORTANT PILLAR IN ECONOMIC POLICY MAKING, RAHUL GANDHI AT PHD CHAMBER

Vice President, Indian National Congress and Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Mr. Rahul Gandhi on Thursday promised to India Inc. particularly its MSME segment saying that with INC forming the government, it would make India’s MSME segment an important pillar and give it sufficient space in its economic policy making.

Speaking at Valedictory Session of 112th Annual Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Gandhi also committed that the primary focus of the future Congress government would be to initiate adequate decentralization of powers with giving enough representation to youths and youngsters in the policy making.

Describing GST and Demonetization, as Modi made disaster (MMD), Mr. Gandhi assured the members of the PHD Chamber that Indian National Congress would keep on exerting sufficient pressure on the government of the day to make necessary corrections in GST rates and even slabs to make it user friendly.

According to him, GST and Demonetization have caused sufficient pains and pangs to the people of this country including Indian industry and GST particularly let to new computerized licence raj which needs to be reframed with corrections and corrective measures.

He also slammed the Modi government for its exclusivity, blaming it with concentration of power only at one place and that it the Prime Minister Office which has led to breach of trust and the government has lost the faith of Indian people and its industry on the government of the day because of its exclusive element, the concentration of which rests with one man and that is Prime Minister of India.

MSMEs can create tremendous jobs with a focused approach, today only 450 jobs are created in India as compared with 15000 jobs in China per day, he added.

In the valedictory session among other who represented industry comprised the President of the Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka and its Sr. Vice President and Vice President, Mr. Anil Khaitan and Mr. Rajeev Talwar including its Secretary General, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal.

Anil Khaitan is the new President of the PHD Chamber

Mr. Anil Khaitan, Chairman of SNK Corp. has taken over as the new President of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today following conclusion of its 112th Annual Session.

He is a MBA from IMI, Geneva and has diversified business experience in Jute, Paper, Pharmaceutical, Copper and Steel Industry apart from the international operations.

Prior to becoming the President of the PHD Chamber which has been set up way back in 1905, Mr. Khaitan was its Senior Vice President and is deeply engaged and associated with various industrial activities for decades with deep industrial and economic insight within him.

He is also holds various offices such as Member of World Presidents’ Organization, Institutional Member of AIMA & DMA and Director-Board of Studies, AIMA.

For him life is a continuous journey and he aims to achieve excellence in each sphere of life.

PHD Chamber organizes ‘Gata Rahe Mera Dil’ a Musical Evening in the Capital

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry conferred Lifetime Achievement Award to well known Bollywood celebrity Sharmila Tagore. Special Award was conferred to Muzaffar Ali for his outstanding contribution to promote and propagate arts, fine arts and literature, in a Musical Evening ‘Gata Rahe Mera Dil’ with the luminaries from the world of entertainment at Siri Fort Auditorium on Tuesday.

During the occasion, the Chamber also gave away various Awards to Journalist & Bollywood Singers and host of other personalities to recognize their respective works.

The Awards were given away by Dr. Jatinder Singh, Union Minister & Manoj Tiwari, MP & President Delhi BJP in the presence of eminent Judges and Legal Luminaries along with PHD Chamber’s President, Sr. Vice President and Vice President, Gopal Jiwarajka, Anil Khaitan and Rajeev Talwar including its Chairmen, Mukesh Gupta, Rakesh Gupta and Co Chair Arshad Shawl & Priya Hingorani and PHD Chamber’s Secretary General, Saurabh Sanyal.

The evening included pulsating musical performances by singer Usha Mangeshkar, Kavita Seth, Sukhmani Lamba, Ankit Tiwari, Rahul Vaidya, Akriti Kakar, Prem Bhatia and Meet Brothers among others.

PHD Chamber hits the Century with its 100th MoU with an International Chamber of Commerce

A high-level business delegation of Indian EPC companies, led by Mr. Ranjeet Chaturvedi, Chairman, International Affairs Committee for Middle East and Africa, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, India visited Kuwait on 22-23 October 2017. The delegation represented various sectors such as Infrastructure, Mining, Oil & Gas, Transport, Water & Sanitation, Energy, Civil Construction and Housing.

On 23rd October 2017, Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed an MoU, in the presence of Mr. Sunil Jain, Ambassador of India to Kuwait, to strengthen India-Kuwait bilateral relations and foster business cooperation. The MoU was signed by Mr. Ranjeet Chaturvedi, Leader of the delegation and Chairman, International Affairs for Middle East and Africa, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Tareq Bader Salem Al-Mutawa, Board Member, Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This is the 100th MoU of PHD Chamber with an International Chamber of Commerce.

Subsequent to the signing of the MoU, B2B meetings were held between companies of both sides and opportunities in projects worth US$ 5 billion were discussed.  

Mr. Tareq Bader Salem Al-Mutawa, in his welcome remarks, emphasised on India being an important trading partner of Kuwait and highlighted the Development Plan of Kuwait which exceeds US$ 110 Billion with more than half of the amount being targeted for major projects in sectors such as Oil, Infrastructure, Transportation, Ports, Health, Education and Housing.

Mr. Sunil Jain, Ambassador of India to Kuwait, who spoke on the occasion, stressed on the historical deep-rooted economic relations between India and Kuwait and hoped that this MoU would open a new chapter in our business ties with Kuwait, further opening greater avenues for the Indian businessmen for establishing joint ventures and facilitating technological transfers and enchancing cooperation beyond Oil & Gas Sectors.

In his remarks, Mr. Ranjeet Chaturvedi thanked the KCCI and mentioned that the composition of the Indian delegation was of EPC companies and together with Kuwaiti companies a new chapter in Project Development Partnership can be written. In addition, he stressed that the member companies of PHDCCI across various sectors can play a significant role in the Kuwaiti growth story and Kuwaiti companies can also benefit from the Make in India, Smart Cities and other initiatives of the Indian Government. He also mentioned that partnership between Indian and Kuwaiti companies must not be limited to Kuwait and India but also to other emerging countries across the globe.