PHD Chamber Celebrates SARGAM-2017

‘PHD SARGAM 2017’ –  A unique evening of music and dance was organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry at the PHD House, New Delhi today with a sole purpose to pull and yoke the Chamber’s staff together with its leadership, comprising the President, Sr. Vice President, Vice President, members of its Managing Committee and the Secretary General in a bid to establish a complete harmony in their working relationship without any conflict of class conscious. The busy Industrialists, usually seen in Corporate Boardrooms, presented a completely different aspect of their personas as solo or duet singers and dancers.

The other objective of such a gala evening was also to bring out the best of the talents of secretariat including the members of industry in the field of art and fine arts for perfect and harmonious relationship between their two branches and that too with a sense of utter closeness in a completely informal atmosphere.

This provided for shyness and inhibitions make a way and all participants including audience struck a complete cord with one another as each one sang a song of their choice and even perform dances solo and in togetherness.

The evening was presided over Ms. Anuradha Goel, Chairperson, PHD Family Welfare Foundation in which a large number of PHD constituents participated with its President, Gopal Jiwarajka singing a duet with his spouse, Neetu Jiwarajka..yeh raaten, yeh mausam, nadi ka kinaraa, yeh chanchal hawa.. and its Sr. Vice President Anil Khaitan performing a solo Krishna Bhakti dance, recalling “Lord Krishna’s many a Tribute” relating to Bhakti Sangeet. The Secretary General, PHDCCI, Saurabh Sanyal enthralled on guitar, singing Kishore Kumar oldie...Aanchal ke taley..main le ke chaloon, ek aisey gagan ke taley..jahan guum bhi na hoon, aansoo bhi naa hoon, bus pyaaar hi pyaar miley..

 Ms. Karuna Shriram, Board Member, Women & Child Development Committee, PHDFWF anchored the show to perfection.​

RAILWAYS SEEK PRIVATE PARTICIPATION FOR ITS TRANSFORMATION AT PHD CHAMBER

Member, Rolling Stock, Indian Railways, Mr. Ravindra Gupta on Wednesday invited Indian industry to partner with railways for its complete transformation as the new government has a firm commitment to catapult railways in host of its operations beginning from railways safety to refurbishment of coaches and wagons including laying of new railways lines.

Addressing a 4th Global Rail Convention-2017 under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Gupta said that close to 6,000 coaches would be refurbished with retrofitting which offered huge opportunity for Indian Inc. to enlist its participation with railways as it involves thousands of crores of investments.

Likewise, new and additional railway lines would be added to the existing network of the railways which also offers tremendous opportunities for private sectors to take part with railways, emphasized Mr. Gupta

He was specific in making mention of Swachh Bharat initiative of Indian railways, pointing out that annually it spends close to Rs.1800-1900 crore on cleanliness of railways and its stations as its water bills alone range between Rs.750-800 crore per annum.  This also provides huge opportunity for private sector to partner with railways, added Mr. Gupta.

Executive Director Finance (RM), Railway Board, Ms. Namita Mehrotra in her remarks pointed out that safety and expansion of railways have undergone massive changes in the last two and half years after the new government has taken over.

The railways would spend Rs.131 lakh crores alone on its safety in next few years as also make huge investments on creating dedicated freight corridor in which trains carrying goods would run with efficiency and their cost of operations would be minimum so that goods transportation becomes cheaper and reasonable.

Ambassador of Czech Republic, Mr. Milan Hovorka; Minister Counsellor & Deputy to the Ambassador of France, Ms. Claire Thuaudet offering the expertise of their respective countries for efficient uplift of Indian railways at economic cost.

Among others who also spoke on the occasion comprised Member, Engineering, Railway Board, Mr. A K Mittal; President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka and its Chairmen of Railways Committee, Mr. Sandeep Aggarwal and Industry Affairs Committee, Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal including its Secretary General and Director, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal and Mr. Yogesh Srivastav.

NHAI TO SET UP CONCILIATORY COMMITTEE TO SETTLE HIGHWAYS DISPUTES IN 30 DAYS, SAYS ITS CHAIRMAN

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to constitute a high powered conciliatory committee, consisting of its senior functionaries to resolve various cases relating to construction of national highways in recent past, according to its Chairman, Mr. Y S Malik.

Inaugurating a Conference on Arbitration norms for Infrastructure Sector under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Malik also announced that this committee would consist of three Chief General Managers of NHAI with a mandate to settle such disputes following  approval from Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs and is likely to take a shape in next one month or so.

“With the three-member committee coming into existence, the aggrieved contractors and stakeholders can approach the committee and seek solutions of their disputes and conflicts in national highways projects which involve investment worth thousands of crores”, informed Mr. Malik.

According to him, “in the recent past, 436 arbitral awards have been pronounced in BOT project of NHAI.  151 arbitral cases have been resolved whereas 199 are pending at various stages.  Of 151 cases that have been resolved include 25 through Supreme Court, 16 High Courts, 39 via single bench of High Court and 4 were settled at the level of District Courts whereas in 67 cases, NHAI accepted arbitral awards”.

DG, Directorate General of Married Accommodation Project (DGMAP), Maj. Gen. Sanjeev Jain, who also participated on the occasion emphasized that the current methodologies of award of contracts for infrastructure projects particularly, roads, highways and even housing carried host of loopholes which need to be plugged as these encourage inefficiencies in implementation of such projects.

In his welcome remarks, Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan demanded faster execution of highways projects as it is through roads and national highways, India is integrated for higher economic activities and still higher economic growth.

Among others who participated on the occasion comprised Chairman-Society of Construction Law, India & Director-India, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, Mr. Ratan K Singh; Chairman-Roads, Ports & Other Infrastructure Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Ashish Mohan Wig and its Director, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta.

POST GST CHHATTISGARH WOULD BE HAPPIEST STATE AS IT WOULD DRIVE CONSUMPTION: AMAR AGRAWAL

The economic and social uplift of Chhattisgarh would be much more pronouncing and promising post GST as its government will continue to promote policies, leading to its people’s increased per capita income and consumption, according to Minister, Commerce & Industries and Public Enterprises Commercial Taxes Urban Administration and Development, Chhattisgarh, Mr. Amar Agrawal.

Addressing an Interactive Session on Credible Chhattisgarh under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, the Minister disclosed that the state would not insist on higher compensation package from Centre post GST as its focus on increased per capita income coupled with higher consumption would automatically lead to much higher revenue generation, Chhattisgarh being staying put a manufacturer state.

Mr. Agrawal also assured the investors including the members of the PHD Chamber gathered on the occasion that the overall law and order situation in the newly carved out state is quite peaceful barring a few districts in the State that are on its periphery where naxals and maoist are bit active and that intense efforts are on to eliminate threats to law and order arising from such elements.

“Overall the law and order situation is completely satisfactory for the industrial and economic uplift of the State as a result, Chhattisgarh has attracted volumes of investments from across the country and even beyond its boundaries in the last 17 years and the state would make it that it receives the best business ranking in terms of implementation of government policies from centre and the world bank whenever the ranking on implementation front is announced as in Ease of Doing Business in Chhattisgarh, it is already far ahead than most of other business friendly states”, said Mr. Agrawal.

In his welcome remarks, President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka emphasized that Chhattisgarh which has been rated as one of the most advanced states for industrialization since its inception will continue to establish mile stones that would be emulated by the remaining states.

Among others who spoke on the occasion comprised Chairman, CSIDC, Mr. Chhagan Lal Mundra; Director, Department of Commerce & Industries, Chhattisgarh, Mr. Kartikeya Goel; Chairman and Co-Chairman, Chhattisgarh State Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Veenu Jain and Mr. Shashank Rastogi including its Secretary General, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal.

With completion of 4-lane highway from Dimapur to Kohima and beyond, food processing units in Nagaland in for great times: M K Mero

Nagaland sends proposal to Centre for mini food park with 90% subsidy from Centre : Additional Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department

Commissioner and Secretary, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Nagaland, Mr. M K Mero on Friday forecast that by 2020 the cold chain facilities across the Nagaland will have great prospects with completion of 4-lane national highway starting off from Dimapur towards Kohima and beyond as also by then the State would have lot of power.

Inaugurating Outreach Awareness Programme on Cold Chain under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Mero regretted that with very poor road connectivity and poorer power supplies, the state has not been able to process its horticulture produce such as banana, papayas, pineapple, chilly, ginger and host of other which result in their 45% post harvest losses.

On account of this, the farmers of the State of Nagaland stay put economically exploited and highly under utilized and as soon as the new infrastructure will come up in next few years, the food processing potential of the state will multiply and result into win-win situation both for farmers and end consumers, he said.

“By 2020, it is expected that the work on 4-land road connectivity will have been completed as also the power situation improved, Nagaland expects host of food processing units coming on both sides of the new highway which will transform its horticulture sector that is currently languishing on account of poor facilities”, he added.

Additional Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Nagaland, Mr. L Houchalie Viya, earlier speaking to the members of the PHD Chamber, however, informed that the government of Nagaland has forwarded a proposal to the central Ministry of Food Processing Industries that it cannot set up mega food parks in the state because of certain constraints.

On the contrary, the State has asked the Centre to come out with mini food parks schemes as these would be suitable for smaller states such as Nagaland.  In the proposal, already sent to the government, it has urged the Union Government to create 90% of central subsidy element for the State of Nagaland whereas it will contribute 10% of the total cost of the mini food parks, which should come up with an investment of Rs.20 to Rs.25 crores, said the Additional Secretary, he further explained that in mini food parks, 4-5 processing units should be made permissible as against 30 such processing units that are necessary in the mega food parks.

According to him, the Centre is inclined to support this initiative of the state because it will suit the requirements of the smaller state and amount to benefiting its farmers, their produce and even the end consumers.

The Outreach Awareness Programme on Cold Chain was presided over by Director, PHD Chamber, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta in which Director, Department of Horticulture, Nagaland, Mr. N Amos and Deputy Director, MSME, Nagaland, Mr. Tali Longthar also participated among others.

Constant Policy Revision is a call of the day for skilling given the emerging dynamism of industry: Hamid Ansari

Vice President of India, Shri . M Hamid Ansari on Wednesday tendered a terse advise to the government, stressing that it should constantly revise its policies in terms of skilling its people, given the dynamic nature of industry requirements.

Delivering the Valedictory Address at a Conference on Skilling India for Global Competitiveness under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Shri Ansari was emphatic in asserting “given the dynamic nature of the industry requirements, our policies would need constant revision to keep them relevant and effective for skilling our people at a scale with speed and quality”.

He, however, added “initiatives like formation of sector skill councils and formulation of the national skills qualification frameworks, among others, came about between 2009 and 2014.  The National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 takes those initiatives forward.  The launch of new initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and the very ambitious ‘Skill India’ initiative, that aims to train about 30 crore people by the year 2020, are much needed efforts.  These initiatives would, however, need an inclusive approach to succeed, with special focus on the 800 million or so citizens who remain at the bottom of the pyramid”.

The Vice President further emphasized reminding industry that the government faced three major challenges in the task of providing adequate skill building opportunities for its people comprising quality, numbers and perception.

In his welcome remarks, President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka said that skilling should happen in a way so that its byproduct becomes employable in all verticals of industry in suitable consultation with all sections of industry.

Among others who spoke on the occasion comprised, Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan; along with its Chairman, Skill Development Committee, Mr. Sanjeev K Duggal and Secretary General, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal.

Normal Monsoon to Boost Rural Demand, Manufacturing and Economy: PHD Chamber

The normal monsoon forecast by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is encouraging as normal monsoon behavior helps not only the agriculture sector but also boosts rural demand and manufacturing sector said Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

We expect economy to grow at around 8% with a good growth in the agriculture sector, manufacturing sector and steady growth of the services sector said Mr. Jiwarajka.

Our exports have shown a good growth number in the recent months and we look forward for growth to continue in the coming months too, he said.

The IMD has predicted normal rainfall during the 2017 southwest monsoon season for the country as a whole is likely to be 96% of the long period average (LPA) with a model error of ±5%, said Mr. Jiwarajka.

Our country is still considered as agrarian economy and is largely dependent on the monsoon behavior in a particular year as a substantial part of the agricultural produce comes from the monsoon fed crops, said Mr. Jiwarajka.

So good monsoon is always considered as a big boon to India’s economy and helps in increasing agricultural output, he said.

However, we need to focus on minimizing the wastages by augmenting storage capacities, modernizing or upgrading the godowns, said Mr. Jiwarajka.

ROAD TAX WILL NOT BE SUBSUMED IN GST: NAJIB SHAH

Former Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs, Mr. Najib Shah on Tuesday clarified that road tax that the automobile owners and possessors have been paying to the government will not be subsumed in GST and that it would have to be paid off as usual.

 Addressing the Managing Committee Members of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Shah disclosed that GSTN systems would work with utmost efficiency and hoped that the new network system will not tumble in its intended purposes.

However, to make it completely foolproof, the GSTN would be undertaking trials for effective and efficient tax collections so that their system never fail post GST in terms of tax collections and their accuracy, said Mr. Shah.

He was responding to a query raised by one of the members of the PHD Chamber who wanted to know that when such a new taxation system is being placed for services should have at least a few prior trials to ensure accuracies in its functioning.

Mr. Shah in the meanwhile, suggested to the industry that it should hurry up in submitting all its legitimate concerns to GST Council about rules and regulations so that their addressal is found out earlier to the best of the satisfaction of industry.

The meeting was presided over by the President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka, assisting him in the chair were its Sr. Vice President, Vice President, Immediate former President and Secretary General, Mr. Anil Khaitan, Mr. Rajeev Talwar, Dr. Mahesh Gupta and Mr. Saurabh Sanyal.

GSTN A PERFECT PORTAL FOR DATA SECURITY POST GST, SAYS ITS CEO

CEO, GSTN, Mr. Prakash Kumar on Tuesday assured industry a completely foolproof security protection of its data and tax related information with total stability and backup facility, stressing that only the tax payer and concerned tax officer would have access to information submitted to GSTN portal by tax payers post GST.

Addressing members of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry at an Interactive Session with GSTN on Registration, Payment, Returns & Refunds under GST here today, Mr. Kumar further emphasized that even functionaries of GSTN would not have any access to tax related information of tax payers after GST is enforced and that tax payers should rest assured on the front of data protection.

“Such has been the arrangement made in GSTN for protection of data security with best available tools and technologies of the time and that no leakage or even tampering is almost impossible on data and information submitted to GSTN portal”, said Mr. Kumar.

Until recently 56.5 lakh of tax payers across the country have enrolled themselves with GSTN portal, informed Mr. Kumar adding that in State like Karnataka  92.9% of tax payers have already registered with the portal and all other states including UT are making good progress for seeking registration.

So far as payments of taxes post GST are concerned, the tax payers would have full liberties to pay off their indirect taxes through RTGS and NEFT channel with their own bank accounts and that no separate accounts are needed to deposit the taxes as the GSTN portal would accept tax payments from any account and any bank that the tax payers hold on, he pointed out.

In his opening remarks, President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka sought security of data protection of tax payers and any compromise on that would prove counter productive and defeat the purpose of the paperless taxation.  He, however, exuded confidence that such a situation would never arise in view of emerging technologies and foolproof tools.

The Conference presided over by Chairman, Indirect Taxes Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Bimal Jain who emphasized that GSTN business processes such as registration, payments, return etc. prototype should be made available to trade so that industry can prepare for GST from July 1, 2017.

Co-Chairman of Indirect Taxes Committee, PHD Chamber Mr. N K Gupta also participated in the interactive session among others.

INVEST IN RURAL BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY FOR WIDER IMPLEMENTATION OF GST, SAYS PHD CHAMBER STRESSING THAT GST RATES FOR INSURANCE BE PEGGED AT 12%

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday urged the government to invest so much of money in broadband infrastructure and its availability to over 600 districts in the country as multiple business communities in and around them are facilitated for smooth GST implementation following its smooth passage in the Parliament.

The Chamber which organized a Seminar on “Implementation of GST in Insurance Industry” here today also recommended to the GST Council that given the wider mass appeal of insurance and the focus of the government to rope in farmers and Aam Aadmi well within its ambit, the GST rate for insurance be pegged at 12% and even lower.

Presiding over the Seminar, the Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan emphasized that broadband connectivity is an issue in the rural landscape where industries are operational and that now GST has become a reality, its smooth implementation could happen provided adequate broadband availability is ensured in every nook and corner of the country.

This, according to him would need lot of investment with a time tag because industry expects GST implementation from July 1st, 2017, which could happen without any hitch with sufficient internet connectivity since GST would be a paperless taxation.

The PHD Chamber also demanded that insurance is quite a sensitive sector in which multiple stakeholders would have participation including those of farmers and vulnerables, therefore, the GST Council should be so sympathetic as to keep GST rates on insurance at 12% and if possible even below.

Former Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs, Mr. S K Goel who inaugurated the Seminar urged the industry to submit its concerns relating to GST rates as also the ways and means through which it should be implemented to GST Council so that their addressal becomes timely before the rates are finalized.

Chairman, Indirect Taxes Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Bimal Jain in his remarks clarified that GST registration would have to be multi-locational given its nature and supplies of goods and services since it would be a destination based consumption tax.

Leading Author, Books on Indirect Taxes and Corporate Laws, Mr. V S Datey and Co-Chairman, Insurance Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. S K Sethi also participated in the Seminar.

SUBJECT ALL BISCUITS TO LOWEST SLAB OF GST: FBMI

Federation of Biscuit Manufacturers of India (FBMI) on Thursday urged the GST Council to subject biscuits to the lowest slab of Goods and Services Tax with a fair, simple and equitable approach, given its mass consumption appeal.

Keeping  all biscuits   at the lowest taxation slab of GST regime would be in line with other good policy initiative undertaken by the government of the day such as ease of doing business and a liberal FDI policy to attract new investors in food processing sector in India and encourage existing businesses to expand, argued the FBMI.

The Federation which is an affiliate of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry further contended that a higher GST rate, even for a segment of biscuits, would impact demand in entire value chain.

It would also result in cutting down on procurement of raw materials by biscuit manufacturers which would adversely impact farmers across India.  Lower demand will also negatively impact investments, exports and employment in the food industry.

The Federation also pointed out that with 93% of the food basket comprising basic food, which is proposed to be exempt or taxed at lower GST rate, taxing the remaining 7% that comprises processed food items at higher GST rate will not be in the interest of fairness and simplicity, the basic goals of GST.

It also holds that discrimination of food products, on the basis of their being branded or un-branded, premium or non-premium, will not only be against the principles of efficiency and equity, but will also lead to classification disputes and complex record-keeping and compliance system.

In addition, the FBMI is of the view that GST regime can reach its optimum efficiency in tax collection, by expansion of tax base within biscuit industry at lower merit rate and not by taxing a section of the consumers at higher rates at the cost of others.

Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, Niti Aayog launched PHD Chamber’s Trade and Investment Facilitation Services (TIFS) Portal

Mr. Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, Niti Aayog launched PHD Chamber’s Trade and Investment Facilitation Services Portal today and said that TIFS is a unique online programme which will cater to business queries on the spot and would pave the way for a boost to trade and investment flows in India.

While launching the Trade and Investment Facilitation Services (TIFS), Shri. Gopal Jiwarajka, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said  that the portal is to make India a USD 100 billion investment destination in the next 5 years and to enhance India’s foreign trade trajectory to the level of USD 1500 billion by 2022.

TIFS under the auspices of PHD Chamber will provide a single window information system and facilitate the flow of trade and investments in India, said Mr. Jiwarajka. 

TIFS is a vital component for international trade and investment community and is envisioned to facilitate firms across the globe for trade and investments in India while simultaneously meeting India's rapidly growing appetite for new markets to enhance trade and investments, said Mr. Jiwarajka. 

TIFS is an information and advisory hub to provide requisite and detailed information to facilitate national and international business firms to invest in India; advising them on prospective business opportunities in India in general and in States and promising sectors in particular, he said.

TIFs will be very useful in reducing the time and hassle involved in appraising fruitful investments in the continuously changing economic ecosystem for the global investors. The portal is a single point-one-stop reference for existing and potential investors from around the world, he added.

With the launch of TIFS, we envisages US$ 1000 billion merchandize trade (exports and imports) and US$ 500 billion services trade (exports and imports) per annum in the next five years, said Mr. Jiwarajka.

TIFS will play a three dimensional role as an information center on all national and regional/local regulations and clearances, providing facilitative advisory services to help overcome key obstacles and strengthen key positive enablers for enhanced trade and investments and effective networking with relevant Indian and overseas agencies, said Mr. Jiwarajka.

Overall, TIFS will be different from various programs currently in force in the sense that the origin of PHD Chamber is from the states, from the grassroots and ultimate destinations of all investments are also states. Also, as majorly of the facilitation part is required by small and medium enterprises and again we have very good strength that our 70% members are from MSME sector, said Shri Gopal Jiwarajka.