Centre will set up “Advisory Board” to fix National Minimum Wages: JS Ministry of Labour & Employment

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Mr. R K Gupta on Wednesday stated that the government would constitute an Advisory Board to fix the National Minimum Wages for employees and such wages differ and vary sectorally as well as regionally across the country as per requirements, skills and nature of jobs with the enforcement of proposed Labour Code on Wages 2017.

Addressing an Interactive Session on Labour Code on Wages-2017 under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Gupta, however, clarified that the Centre has not at all fixed a National Minimum Wage for all employees as yet and reports appearing on Rs.18,000 per month minimum wages for employees are ‘incorrect’.

According to him, “the government would set up an Advisory Board after host of Parliamentary procedures are honoured and assign the task of fixing up the National Minimum Wages that will vary and differ as per requirements of skills and nature of jobs and even region wise.  The States and UTs will accordingly follow the Board’s decision for fixing of national minimum wages in their respective domain for employees which can be even above such wages but certainly not lower than the fixed limit by the Centre”.

Mr. Gupta, however, could not ascertain as to by when the proposed Advisory Board be set up by the government, clarifying that there will be quiet a few national minimum wages for different sectors and even for different regions.

Following enactment of Labour Code on Wages 2017 which is currently facing scrutiny from the Parliamentary Standing Committee, four labour laws relating to the Minimum Wages Act, 1948; the Payment of Wages Act, 1936; the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965; and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 would be subsumed in one Labour Code on Wages 2017 and that current inspector raj would turn into a facilitator regime to help industry comply the new Code.

Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Mr. Anil Kumar Nayak who also spoke on the occasion however said that with proposed Labour Code on Wages 2017, getting implemented harmonization will take place in entire labour sector which would be win-win situation for all stakeholders in this segment.

Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan presided over the Interactive Session saying that industry should be given hire and fire option under new Code whereas Chairman, Industrial Relations & HR Committee of the Chamber, Mr. Ravi Wig who moderated the Session said that the new Code should be made implementation oriented.

Among other who participated in the Session comprised Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Labour & employment, Ms. Anita Tripathi; former Additional Labour Commissioner, Delhi and Adviser in Ministry of Labour, Mr. Piyush Sharma; Co-Chairmen, Industrial Relations & HR Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. R P Singh and Mr. Bharat S Mehta and its Head, IR & HR Committee,  Mr. R K Joshi.

Time is opportune to plan housing for elderly: PHD Chamber

The time is most opportune to plan housing for elderly as the share of elderly population in India’s total population has increased from 5.6% in 1961 to 8.6% in 2011 and is estimated to reach to 10.7% in 2021, 12.4% in 2026 and 23.6% in 2050.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has organised a Report Release and Seminar on Senior Housing: A Sunrise Sector in India today 25th September 2017 at PHD House, New Delhi

The eminent speakers of the session were Dr. Ajay Dua, IAS (Rtd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Smt Suneeta Trivedi, Rtd. Member of the Postal Services Board , Shri M H Dalal, Founder and Chairman, Association of Senior Living India (ASLI) and Shri Ankur Gupta, Joint Managing Director, Ashiana Housing Limited.

While presenting the welcome remarks, Shri Rajeev Talwar, CEO & Whole –Time Director, DLF Ltd., Chairman, NAREDCO and Vice President, PHD Chamber stated that we have got a very good mix in India, a part of which is the demographic dividend and a part of the demography ageing group. It is necessary to recognize that senior citizens are a valuable resource for the country and create an environment that provides them with equal opportunities, protects their rights and enable their full participation in society. Going ahead, senior housing would appropriately meet the needs of elderly population and will promote their welfare and livelihood aspects.

Dr. Ajay Dua, IAS (Rtd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India shared his expectations from Senior Housing sector in India. He stated that we are getting a new perspective into a sector, which is bound to be growing. Getting new policies formulated for the sector will provide good options for developers. He emphasized on the point of affordability and stressed the role of Government in promoting the senior housing sector to meet efficiently the demands of elderly population in the country.

Shri M H Dalal, Founder and Chairman, Association of Senior Living India (ASLI) gave a brief presentation on global and domestic overview of the Senior Housing Sector. In his presentation he stated that today India has 120 million seniors which is almost equal to entire population of some countries. He added that the demographic shift and changing in caring for the elderly points to a huge potential market in India.

Shri Ankur Gupta, Joint Managing Director, Ashiana Housing Limited shared his experience as a developer and opined that there is a need to better understand the senior living in India and it should be taken seriously in the times to come. He also emphasized that the Government of India should lay more emphasis on senior housing in terms of land availability throughout the country and make senior housing attractive for developers by giving some kind of benefits on GST or RERA.

Remarks on the Importance of Senior Housing sector in India were given by Smt Suneeta Trivedi Rtd. Member of the Postal Services Board. While appreciating the report, she stated that the survey report is quite an eye opener. She added that we have been talking about the social stigma attached to senior living and to which she do not agree that it is a social stigma. In overall, she stated that senior housing is an important subject and should be given utmost importance by the developers and government in the coming times.

Highlights of the survey based report on Senior Housing: A sunrise sector in India prepared by PHD Research Bureau on were presented by Dr. S P Sharma, Chief Economist, PHD Chamber. In his presentation he gave a brief overview on the Indian economy growth story, overview on India’s elderly population and shared the findings of survey on Senior Housing sector in India undertaken by PHD Research Bureau. Dr Sharma highlighted the finding of senior housing survey analysis and briefed the audience that as per the findings of the survey, the size of the senior housing sector is estimated to reach from US$ 1.26 billion in 2016 upto US$ 7.7 billion by 2030 on account of conducive framework in our country.

PHD CHAMBER ORGANIZES CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION ON DESTINATION CIS ON THURSDAY

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized 1st International Conference & Exhibition on Destination CIS on the Theme of Strengthening the Strategic Partnership here today to further strengthen the bilateral trade with India and CIS countries on sectors such as food security, tourism and film tourism, healthcare and the like.

The participants comprised Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Jalov Mirzosharif; Ambassador, Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mrs. Samargiul Adamkulova; Minister counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Sahmil Sultangozhin with other diplomats of CIS countries.

During the Conference, Principal Director, PHD Chamber, Mr. Yogesh Srivastav mentioned that with global dynamics changing every second, India and CIS have remained partners from time immemorial. But even after 25 years of cordial relationship, economic cooperation has not been very encouraging with total trade with CIS countries contributing less than 2% to India’s total trade. In the wake of global protectionism policies being implemented by the western economies coupled with the saturation of their markets, it is important the India and CIS look at each other with greater optimism and get over the traditional hindrances of language, visa, logistics and communication. The programme aims to understand the CIS economies in a newer light that paves way for Strengthening the Strategic Partnership we share with them.  He also emphasized that for commitment of government of India to have a strong economic relations since Prime Minister of India has visited six countries of CIS in 2015.

Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Jalov Mirzosharif pointed out that a very high potential sector for generating income and employment as both India and the CIS countries offer scenic beauty, beautiful landscapes and varied cultural attractions. Tourism also serves as a bridge to facilitate greater people to people connects.

To boost this two-way tourism, it is important to strengthen the entire supply chain i.e visa regime, air connectivity, accommodation, aggressive marketing, amongst others. The session aims to educate the participants about this new sector for cooperation and for the decision makers to understand the issues faced by tourists, said Ambassador, Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mrs. Samargiul Adamkulova and she also presented a beautiful movie of her country to showcase the potential and legacy of Kyrgyz Republic.

Mr. Srivastav emphasized that that CIS countries are looking towards India as a source of investment, innovation and host of other similar complimentaries so that India and CIS region come more closer both economically and socially and cement their ties as per potential available with the two.

Effective Implementation of GST with Corporatization of DISCOMS could push India over 8% Growth: Junaid Kamal Ahmad

The efficient and effective implementation of GST coupled with faster and precise corporatization of electricity DISCOMS on lines of CONCOR and similar pro-active reformative measures undertaken in India’s agri sector could lead India to a growth trajectory of over 8% in near future, according to India Country Director, South Asia, World Bank, Mr. Junaid Kamal Ahmad.

Addressing members of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Ahmad also said that the internal integration of Indian economy would be so efficient and effective that it would stoke India’s growth provided its implementation with sufficient investments on logistics is carried out with firm commitment, led by the State machinery with private participation of the industry.

 Secondly, the way India has been advancing on its renewable commitments, the day is not too far when this sector would also contribute significantly to accelerate India’s growth provided DISCOMS and other similar services are coporatized to improve India’s domestic deliveries at least on lines of CONCOR, he felt.

Mr. Ahmad also prescribed that agriculture in India is a stress sector and the best remedy to fructify economic gains from this would be to ensure a shift in current crop sowing patterns from traditional ones to cash crops that can be cultivated with disruptive technologies and using irrigation technology.

India would have to ensure that it gradually transforms its agriculture sector from water guzzling crops as water is one sector which has already become stressed in the developing world such as India, Bangladesh and Nepal as these countries would have to find out ways and means to regulate their ground water consumptions.

The Meeting was presided over by the President of the Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka in which its Sr. Vice President, Mr. Anil Khaitan was also present with Director, Mr. Debjit Talapatra.

Majority of States laagered in ease of doing business despite encouragements from Centre: Dr. Jitendra Singh at PHD Chamber’s Chief Secretaries’ Conclave

Minister of State (IC), Ministry of DoNER, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday observed that despite pro-active Center’s policies on both social and economic front including all possible encouragements to States and UTs for improving ease of doing business from Union government, most of these have failed to march on it as per its aspirations as a result a few of them have been acknowledged as investment and investors friendly states barring a State like Maharashtra and the like.

Addressing Chief Secretaries’ Conclave : Making New India by 2022-Role of States under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Dr Singh asked the top bureaucracy that was present on the occasion from across the states to take note of it and be instrumental in bringing about transformational changes in ease of doing business in their respective states as it is the top bureaucracy rather than polity that can ensure better use of doing business to make India an industrial hub with spurring up Make in India as well as make for India.

The Minister called upon the top layer of bureaucracy present at Chief Secretaries’ Conclave here to desist from saying “Yes Minister” to their respective polity to continue to be in their good books and make a shift in their approach and stand by insisting on “No Minister” if any economic, social and other political decisions do not conform to the interest of States in terms of its economic and social uplift.

Dr. Singh expressed disappointments over poorer improvements on ease of doing business in States, lamenting that the issue has not been picked up with required pace by vast number of states and UTs and the bureaucracy and the polity need to pull up their socks  on this front so that States and UTs attract investments and create jobs with increased economic activities and stoke Make in India though some States and UTs have definitely responded on the subject with pro-active measures.

“Since I am also incharge of Department of Personnel, I wish to bring it to the attention of the nation that at recently passed out civil services professionals from Lal Bahaduri Shastri Academy, Mussoorie for the year 2017 over 75% leading luminaries in the lot was drawn from leading medical and engineering institutions, which force me to think and air my views that engineering and medical professionals ought to take up jobs of start up ventures as is being promoted under current regime.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO, NITI Aayog, Mr. Amitabh Kant emphasized saying that India would have to grow at the rate of 9-10 per cent for three decades to emerge a leading economy of the world for which States would have to improve ease of doing business otherwise the Centre would name and shame them for their better and poorer performance on this front.

Among the top bureaucracy that had gathered on the occasion from different States consisted of Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Rajiv Kumar, who said that the state government would torn its physical secretary into e-secretariat from January 2018 to faster facilitate industrial proposal for their quicker implementation whereas Chief Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh, Mrs. Sakuntala Gamlin held that with faster infrastructure development in the state, it would soon become an attention to investors and invited PHD Chamber to open up its office in the State.

Principal Secretary-cum-Resident Commissioner, Karnataka, Mr. Nilaya Mitash emphasized that the State is launching massive reforms in all segments of economic activities particularly education and higher education.

Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Punjab, Mr. Rakesh Kumar Verma who also spoke on the occasion disclosed that Skill University would come up in the Punjab to integrate its youth to all that what is happening across the world on skill fronts.  Whereas Secretary, Skill Development-cum-Technical Education, Odisha, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh informed that Odisha would produce skills that would need no monitoring and mentoring. Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Assam, Mr. Ravi Capoor was of the view that ever since the new government has come in to place, Assam and the entire northern eastern has been witnessing greater Philip in infrastructure which would finally link India to ASEAN.

Those that represented industry on the occasion consisted of President, Sr. Vice President, Vice President, Chairman, SDC and Secretary General of PHD Chamber Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka, Mr. Anil Khaitan, Mr. Rajeev Talwar, Mr. Sharad Jaipuria and Mr. Saurabh Sanyal.

Bullet train project to enhance economic opportunities: PHD Chamber

While complimenting India and Japan on decades old strong economic and business linkages and significant milestones year after year, said Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bullet train project will be a game changer for India’s infrastructural growth story.

This breakthrough is going to provide an all-round economic opportunity including state-of-the-art infrastructure, boost to employment opportunities for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workforce, enhancement to foreign investment and enhanced business activity, said Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka.

Based on strong complementarities and growth prospects going forward the trade between two nations has the potential to reach USD 20 billion by 2022.

The total trade between India and Japan has increased from mere USD 6.13 billion in 2005-06 to USD 13.64 billion in 2016-17. India’s exports to Japan increased from USD 2.46 billion in 2005-06 to USD 3.83 billion in 2016-17; and India’s imports to Japan increased from USD 3.68 billion in 2005-06 to USD 9.81 billion in 2016-17.

India’s exports to Japan are majorly focused on consumer goods (36.6%). On the other hand, being a capital intensive and abundant nation, Japan’s exports to India majorly focused on capital goods (46.1%). This clearly describes the characteristic India being a relatively more labour-intensive nation is exporting more consumer goods to Japan, added Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka.

Japan has recently overtaken UK to become the 3rd biggest investor in Indian market. The FDI flows from Japan has accumulated to USD 26.2 billion during April 2000 – June 2017, which is nearly 8% of India's overall FDI during this period. In addition, with promised FDI worth USD 35 billion by Japan by 2020, India can enhance its infrastructural capabilities towards new high, said Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka.

In the past decade, Japanese FDI into India has mainly been in automobile, electrical equipment, telecommunications, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Further, the presence of Japanese companies in India has been steadily and substantially increasing, added Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka.

The proposition to establish high speed bullet train by Japan in India will surely enhance India’s development prospects comprehensively and holistically. India’s inordinate and skilled human capital highly aligns with the technological capabilities of Japan in creation of employment opportunities and boost in the economic activity, said Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka.

The bullet project covering the Mumbai – Ahmedabad corridor will not only expand the business activity around the zone but also the employment opportunities in the coming years, said Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka.

It is imperative for both the nations to comprehend on the favourable complementary scenario and intensified business to business and people to people relationship and reinforce the same in the coming times, added Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka.

Going ahead, growth prospects for business, trade and development between two countries seems to be very promising and sustainable in the coming years. Both nations should continuously engage in discussions related to mitigating bilateral trade issues, defence ties, renewable energy, skill development and other vital areas, said Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka.

As India is moving ahead as the top leader in growth of its economy, the establishment of such strong relationship with Japan will surely flourish India’s development story to a new high and sustain the growth momentum for the coming years, added Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka.

Last but not the least, India and Japan has a very promising future going forward as fundamentals are creating complementarities and opening of new avenues for a sustainable growth, said Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka.