MEHBOOBA LIKELY TO PROPEL J&K FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH: PHD CHAMBER

President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Mahesh Gupta on Mondaycongratulated and complimented Ms. Mehbooba Mufti on taking over the Chief Ministership of Jammu & Kashmir, exuding confidence that with she being at helm of affairs, the legitimate aspirations of the masses and entrepreneurs of the State will be realized.

Dr. Gupta added that Mehbooba being the first lady Chief Minister in the State will do her best to sensitize the administration of the State in such a manner as to sufficiently equip the people of Jammu & Kashmir with empowerment, especially its women segment – a long cherished desire of the State.

The President of the Chamber also hoped that the entrepreneurs and industry, particularly in its MSME sector will get an opportunity to industrialize the State for creation of capital, jobs and employment opportunity for the people of the State with pro-active and equitable industrial policies of the new government.

Wishing her all the very best, Dr. Gupta also promised the new Chief Minister with every possible support of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry including its affiliates industry associations and counterparts in the State to make sure that the State moves with prosperity and production and their twin benefits percolate down to its people for their inclusive growth.

Government’s move to allow 100% FDI in marketplace e-retailing gives level playing field to brick and mortar stores: PHD Chamber

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the government’s move to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in online marketplaces, which will not only give a relief to ecommerce companies but the conditions or clarifications have also given a level playing field to brick-and-mortar rival stores, said Dr. Mahesh Gupta, President, PHD Chamber in a press statement issued here today.

The Chamber also appreciates the Government’s move which has clearly indicated that the e-commerce companies should not offer predatory pricing and only play the role of facilitators said Dr. Mahesh Gupta.

The government has further clarified that FDI has been permitted only in companies following the marketplace model and not the inventory based model. The guideline further says that warranties and after-sales service will be provided by sellers and not the marketplace companies, he said.

Marketplaces can, however, provide support services to sellers such as logistics, warehousing, order fulfillment; call centres, payment collection and other services. They can also engage in transactions with sellers registered on a B2B basis, added Dr Gupta.

Another significant guideline says that no group company or seller on a marketplace can contribute more than 25% of the sales generated on the site, which will encourage transparent pricing in the industry. The move will be beneficial for the sellers as they will be able to get the complete benefit of pricing, he added. 

These guidelines clearly indicate the changing role that e-commerce marketplaces will play in the Indian market, he said.

“It is a major announcement which will pave the way for accelerated growth of the e-commerce as well as retail sector in India”, said Dr. Mahesh Gupta.

COMMANDANT, CRPF, YES BANK’S EXECUTIVE VP, JSL LIFESTYLE AND NAV JYOTI FOUNDATION GIVEN AWAY ASTITVA AWARD-2016 OF PHD CHAMBER

Commandant, CRPF, Ms. Indrani Yadav; Yes Bank Group Executive Vice President and Regional Head, North & East, Ms. Neerja Singh; Creative Head and MD, JSL Lifestyle Limited, Ms. Deepikka Jindal and Dr. Kiran Bedi of Nav Jyoti India Foundation were conferred upon with “Astitva Award-2016” for promoting women empowerment here on Thursday.

The Astitva Awards, constituted by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry were given away to the aforesaid awardees collectively by Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Vinod Aggarwal, Sr. Vice President, Vice President and Immediate former President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Gopal S Jiwarajka, Mr. Anil Khaitan and Mr. Alok B. Shriram and its Chairperson, Women & Child Development Committee, Ms. Anuradha Goel and Members of the Committee such as Ms. Priya Hingorani, Ms. Rajyashree Bajoria, Ms. Karuna Shriram with the Secretary General of the Chamber Mr. Saurabh Sanyal. 

Minister of Development Planning of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Mr. Rene Orellana was the Guest of Honour on the occasion who appreciated the Award giving ceremony, emphasising that to recognize women empowerment is an initiative of very high degree in developing countries such as India.

Dance Ballet on the occasion was performed by Padmashri Guru Shovana Narayan which won thunderous applauses from the audience present at the PHD House.

The Awards were given away to Ms. Yadav, Ms. Singh, Ms. Jindal and Dr. Bedi for their outstanding contribution in their respective areas of expertise for promoting women empowerment.

The main objectives of the Women and Child Development Committee of the PHD Chamber on whose behalf the Awards have been constituted include primarily for creating awareness to enhance the quality of life of women at work place as also to recognise the commendable initiatives undertaken by the organisations in this field. 

PHD CHAMBER WELCOMES REVISED BUILDING PLANS

President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Mahesh Gupta on Thursday welcomed the initiative of the Union Urban Development Ministry for releasing the unified building bylaws 2016 that would make approval of building plans in Delhi easier through a single window clearance.

Dr. Gupta complimented the government for revising the bylaws after a gap of 33 years, a move that would also amount to easing the conduct of business in the capital city as according to the newspapers reports, the single window clearance for building plans would mean that Delhi residents no longer should be running from one government agency to another to procure ‘no-objection certificate’.

“A single online integrated form for getting NOC from the local bodies for building plans would be a convenient way for each resident and it shows that the government would gradually remove such irritants that have existed in the statute book to make life easier”, said Dr. Gupta

HD Chamber Hails Delhi Budget, Focus On Socio- Economic Improvement Inspiring

While appreciating the budget presented by AAP, Dr. Mahesh Gupta, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that budget has rightly focused on socio-economic segment of the economy.

The slashing of VAT rates from 12.5% to 5% would go a long way in making items of daily use such as sweets, snacks and savoury items, all ready-made garments, e rickshaws, battery operated vehicles, hybrid vehicles and marbles cheaper, said Dr. Mahesh Gupta.

The allocation to education sector to the tune of Rs.10690 crores is an inspiring step and is expected to foster socio-economic growth in the national capital in the coming times, said Dr. Mahesh Gupta.

Access to clean water to every household by 2017 is encouraging as it is necessary for better health and sanitation, he added.

Allocation of Rs.152 crore proposed for realizing the dream of Late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is inspiring as it will skill youth for global competiveness, he added.

The state government’s commitment in fostering ease of doing business in Delhi is encouraging. The scrapping of 200 types of useless affidavits will go a long way to foster ease of doing business in the National Capital, said Dr. Mahesh Gupta.

NATIONAL WATER FRAME WORK LAW ON CARDS, CHAIRMAN, CWC

The government is moving with a faster pace to put in place a “National Water Framework Law” so that this precious resource is managed well optimally with the support of all states and union territories as its initial draft paper has already been sent out to all of them for their remarks, which are positive and encouraging, according to Chairman, Central Water Commission, Mr. G S Jha.

Addressing a “National Water Summit 2016” organized under the aegis of the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry here today, Mr. Jha observed that the proposed draft framework would have all the ingredients of the government national water policy as also intents of its attempts to provide for water security in view of evolving water paucity in the country.

‘’The  comprehensive draft on national water framework, which would be evolved with purely conciliatory approach in due course of time with states and union territories and help these manage their water resources since water is the state subject”, felt Mr Jha .

Though, he added that its contents have the support and endorsement of almost all stakeholders as managing water judiciously is becoming a challenge for each state, union territories and local governments.

However, Mr Jha did not prescribe a particular time limit by when the framework law would be implemented as progress on it is moving with a faster speed but hoped that t it would evolve into a document which would not only emerge as a guiding principle to manage water resources across the country but also help resolve inter-state water disputes in an equitable proportion.

According to him, the national water policy as also the proposed water security would be part of this framework and also provide for equipping the masses with minimum quantity of water consumption as and when this document achieved its constitutional validity in due course of time.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman Water and Solid Waste Management Committee of the PHD Chamber, Mr Gopal K Agarwal welcomed the declaration for proposed water framework with Senior Secretary, Dr Jatinder Singh who moderated the seminar endorsing his views.

Chamber Of Commerce Should Facilitate JVs: V K Singh

Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. V K Singh on Saturday emphasized that the role of Chamber of Commerce such as PHD Chamber should be to facilitate joint venture arrangements with overseas countries.

Inaugurating the Ambassadors’ Meet under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Singh said that the Chamber of Commerce have been playing a great role to enable the government to expand its linkages and that PHD Chamber one such.

He said “such initiatives are being taken note of by the government and it appreciates initiatives like this.  The Ambassadors’ Meet is one such programme that PHD Chamber has been organizing with great skill for the last couple of years and the government appreciates it”.

The Minister appreciated the gesture of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which donated wheel chairs, walkers and crutches to the government for the differently abled persons under its CSR initiatives.

Among others who participated on the occasion comprised President, Sr. Vice President, Vice President and Secretary General Mr. Mahesh Gupta, Mr. Gopal S Jiwarajka, Mr. Anil Khaitan and Mr. Saurabh Sanyal.