Bp october 2013

E
The Paradise Unexplored
d Situated at the foothills of the great Himalayan Range, the place has been a
attraction for
since time immemorial. She is
i mysteriousnatural beauty, travellerswildlife, immaculate tea gardens,blessed with
unspoiled
teeming
stupendous
biodiversity, rich culture and warm, beautiful people. Assam has enormous potential
t and prospect to attract tourists at a large number. Undeniably, tourism has the
economy of
o potential to boost up the of time, trendthe State alone. changed and now a days,
With the passage
in tourism has
tourists do not confine their travelling experience merely to the traditional visits
r of Historical and Natural destinations. Some of the modern types of tourism
i which tourists these days opt for are- Health Tourism, Sports Tourism, Adventure
Tourism, Business Tourism(MICE), Rural Tourism, Farm Tourism, Tourism related
Tourism,
a to Fairs and Festivals and most recently Monsoon Tourism, Gastronomygo a long
Polar Tourism, Space Tourism etc. No doubt, Assam Tourism has to
reach
but she has
l way tobe one this leveladded featureevery potential (if not all). Here, Tea Tourism
could
another
to the State tourism.
Tourism is a State subject; it is the duty and responsibility of the government
to transform the Potential into Productivity, which could have an enduring impact
on the positive socio-cultural-economical change of the State. Ironically, we
have been witnessing a quite contrary picture. It is really our misfortune that we
are still unable to foresee the outcome if the State could properly be projected as
tourists’ destination; we are blessed but we are not sensed. Most importantly, the
commoners would have been greatly benefited had things properly been done.
Home-stay is one example through which they can generate income; this concept
is successfully implemented in Orcchaa, Madhya Pradesh.
Today tourism is the largest service industry in India with a contribution
of more than 6.23% to the national GDP and providing about 9% of the total
employment. India witness more than 6 million annual foreign tourist arrivals
and about 600 million domestic tourist visits. It is expected to generate US$275.5
billion by 2018 from this sector.
Some States are there in India, economy of which is mostly dependant
upon Tourism. Himachal Pradesh is one such State; Kerala is gradually becoming
one of the most sought destinations by tourists, Gujrat is being succesfully promoted
getting associated Megastar Amitabh Bachan as its brand ambassador. On the
contrary, inspite of the fact that this part (Norteast) of the country has much more
potential and resources to attract tourists, no proper inititiative is taken yet.
All the hurdles negating the execution of plan into action can effectively be
overcome if the government shows a noble intention and take proper action; and
yes, we the People have to show our bonafide interest upholding our rich and
adoring social and cultural heritage irrespective of cast, creed, religion, sex,
community etc. Then only we shall be able to create an Investment friendly and
Tourists affable environment.
On 27th September, the World Tourism Day was observed worlwide but
few people were aware of this. What there is in Assam for tourists is nowhere in
the world. We are going to celebrate the Durga Puja in this Month; preparations are
all ready. Likewise, plenty of other Fairs and Festivals of unique nature are celebrated
in Assam round the year, which could be one another attraction for tourists.

Editor: Bikramaditya Dutta Kakoti

Contents...
Kickstarting the growth
trajectory
–1
The Land Acquisition
Act, 2013
–3
9, 000 rural youths in
Assam to be trained and
employed
–5
Exim bank organized
round table on “Promoting
horticultural sector in the
NE”
–6
NRL 144 cr., OIL 3589.34
cr. & Assam Govt. earn
2368.23 cr.
–9
BD’s shortest ever insulin
syringe needle launched in
India
–18
Datanet India launches
Geospatial Election
Analysis
–18

Executive Editor: Madhurjya D. Konwar

Bureau Chief- Kalyan Gogoi ! Chief Co-ordinator ( Delhi ): Arup Jyoti Gogoi ! Co-ordinator (Kolkata): Rudra Pratap
Choudhury ! Special co-ordinators : Jasho Rabi (Shillong), Lithung Tungsha (Kohima), Madhurjya Saikia (Duliajan), Tanmoy
Saikia(Mizoram), L.M.Sarkar(Agartala) ! Finance and Planing : Dipayan Borah ! Advisor : Pranjal Dutta (Legal) ! Design &
Grapics : Nitul Kr. Dutta
Address : Guwahati Office– Bhangagarh, Anil Nagar, by lane no2, House no-1, Pin-781003, Guwahati (Assam) ! Delhi
Office– A-12, 2nd floor, Kalkaji, New Delhi- 110019
e-mail : businesspositive123@gmail.com
Mobile : 9954223870, 9508708837

ENABLING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

KICKSTARTING
THE GROWTH TRAJECTORY
T he economy of Assam has shown
an improved performance over the last
10 years, thanks largely to the exemplary
growth seen in Agriculture, coupled with
the growth in Industry. The growth in
these sectors resulted in a consequent
growth of the services sector. The
resurgence of the Industrial sector was
driven largely by the policy initiatives
of the Central and state government, and
improvement in Law and order
perception. The agricultural growth it has
been seen historically has its limitations
in growth and additional employment
generation. Service sector, Industries and
Entrepreneurship activity can only drive
beneficial job creation in the state. An
enabling environment has to be created
to make entrepreneurship successful, and
that should encourage more and more

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BUSINESS POSITIVE

Mr R S JOSHI
Chairman, FINER
people from the state in becoming job
creators rather than Job seekers.
Over the last couple of years
following a global recessionary trend, a
slowdown has been witnessed in the
Indian Economy, which was partly as a
result of global factors and also largely as
a result of Policy delays and inaction,
effecting investor confidence and
Entrepreneurial success. The trend has
been witnessed in Assam too, even though
the state has one of the most attractive
Central and state policies in vogue, which
should, normally, drive a substantial part
of fresh investment into the state.
Industrial Policy

October-2013

A perusal of the data and on going
through the reasons thereof we can
illustrate the issues as under
The North East industrial investment
promotion policy 2007, and Industrial
Policy of Assam 2008 have been effective
in attracting investments and promoting
entrepreneurship in the state. The efficacy
thereof however has ebbed, because of
issues, disused later. Currently only the
North east, in addition to Jammu and
Kashmir have such a attractive Industrial
policy support from the Central
government in the country, which should
have naturally opened the floodgates for
flow of Investment in the region.
The NEIIPP 07 will expire in
March 2017, and the Assam Industrial
policy of Assam shall expire in
September 2013. While we are given to
understand that the state has religiously
set out to announced a fresh policy, the
need for extension of NEIIP 07, is

already being felt. It was the efforts of
our Chief Minister and Members of
parliament of the region, that the NEIP
1997 was extended in 2007. We request
the CM and the MP’s to initiate efforts
so that the extention of the same is done
beyond 2017 also.
ISSUES IMPEDING
ENTREPRENUERSHIP AND
INDUSTRIALISATION
FINER feels that The economy of the state
continues to depend much on agriculture.
FINER feels that farmer’s interest must
be given TOP PRIORITY and their well
being must be ensured. Land which is used
for Agriculture should not be diverted to
other purposes, until and unless major
public interest is involved. Enterprises,
Industries concern particularly MSME also
need to be given due consideration.
The single largest issue impeding
investments is, non availability of Land
for Industries and entrepreneurship.
(a) The classification of Land and
updating of Land records had been done
decades earlier, and not much work
thereon has been done in the last many
years. A large chunk of Land that has
been classified as Agriculture has
historically been land on which
cultivation has never been possible.
(b) There is a restriction imposed
of transfer of private patta Lands
classified as Agriculture, even though it
is otherwise unsuitable for any

agricultural activity, impacting the
fundamental right of people in the state
to own / Sell / Purchase and transfer
personal property. This restrictions have
been imposed not based on any
legislation to the effect but based on
Bureaucratic orders.
(c) Land not suitable for
Agricultural Activities, barren land,
denudated and degraded lands, have to
be converted to Land for any Non
Agricultural entrepreneurship activity.
This is essential not only as per the land
laws, but also under the Securitisation
and Reconstruction of Financial Assets
and Enforcement of Security
Interest Act, 2002 (SARFEISI), without
which banks are unable to lend any
money for any entrepreneurial activity.
The banks have of late been
implementing the provisions very rigidly,
and in absence of conversion of land from
Agricultural (under which lands not
suitable for Agriculture also have been
classified), to Non agricultural (be it for
setting up of Educational institutions,
Hospitals, or rest houses, warehouses for
Agricultural produce, Agro based
Industries, small scale or tiny Industrial
activities, medium scale Industries,
commercial establishment or even
development of residential townships etc.
(d) Governmental Industrial estates
in areas where Industries / entrepreneurial
activity can come up have no space, and

have long waiting list. This has jacked up
the prices of private converted lands, as
supply has been artificially restricted.
These private converted land prices have
become so high that any Industry or
Entrepreneurial activity automatically
becomes either unviable or unable to
locate. Creation of governmental
infrastructure for Industrial estates is
welcome but it takes times. Till that the
government should enable setting up of
private entrepreneurship on self acquired,
private patta land. In this land that is not
amiable for agriculture and has remained
uncultivated for a period of time needs to
be allowed for sale and class conversion.
(e) The State has an opportunity
which is present till March 2017, when
the NEIIPP 07 shall expire, as there are
all chances that the NEIIPP 07 policy may
not be renewed at all. Our fears emanate
from the fact that the “Freight subsidy
scheme 2013” has been notified for a
period of 5 years with a sunset clause,
wherein it has been mentioned that the
scheme which is on from 1971 in different
forms shall necessarily end on the expiry
of 5 years. Further, similar policies akin
to the NEIIP 07 have not been extended
for Bhuj, Uttaranchal and Himachal
Pradesh after expiry of their term. We thus
need to take the advantage of NEIIPP 07
for the states entrepreneurs and for
enabling gainful activity. Political efforts
should also be initiated so as to create an
conducive atmosphere for the further
extension of the period of NEIIPP 07.
(f) While on the subject of
Importance of Land for economic
activity, our attention is also drawn to
the writings of Nobel Laureate Dr.
Amartya Sen, who had said that
“prohibiting the use of even very fertile
agricultural land for industries is
ultimately self- defeating. Industry is
based near cities, rivers, coast lines,
expressways and other places for logistical
necessities, quality of life for workers, cost
of operations and various reasons. he
suggested that that even though the land
may be very fertile, industrial production
generates many times more than the
value of the product produced by
agriculture. (Continued on page 13)

BUSINESS POSITIVE October-2013

2

The Land
Acquisition Act - 2013
Right to Fair Compensation and
Transparency in Land Acquisition,
Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill,
2013 or the land acquisition bill has
become a law after President Pranab
Mukharjee gives his assent to it on 28th
September, 2013. The Bill was passed on
29 August 2013 in the Lok Sabha and on
4 September 2013 in Rajya Sabha. The
Bill has provisions to provide fair
compensation to those whose land is taken
away, brings transparency to the process
of acquisition of land to set up factories
or buildings, infrastructural projects and
assures rehabilitation of those affected.
This legislation has been eagerly sought
by both industry and those whose
livelihood is dependent on land. Out of
the 235 members who voted on the bill,
216 backed it while 19 voted against it.
The Bill will replace the Land Acquisition
Act, 1894, a nearly 120-year-old law
enacted during British rule.
The bill establishes regulations for
land acquisition as a part of India’s
massive industrialisation drive driven by
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BUSINESS POSITIVE

public-private partnership. The bill was
introduced in Lok Sabha in India on 7
September 2011.The bill will be central
legislation in India for the rehabilitation
and resettlement of families affected by
land acquisitions. The Bill has 115 clauses.
Purpose and scope
The Bill aims to establish the law on land
acquisition, as well as the rehabilitation
and resettlement of those directly affected
by the land acquisition in India. The scope
of LARR 2011 includes all land
acquisition whether it is done by the
Central Government of India, or any State
Government of India, except the state of
Jammu & Kashmir.
The Bill is applicable when:
" Government acquires land for its own
use, hold and control, including land for
Public sector undertakings.
" Government acquires land with the
ultimate purpose to transfer it for the use
of private companies for stated public
purpose. The purpose of LARR 2011
includes public-private-partnership
projects, but excludes land acquired for

October-2013

state or national highway projects.
" Government acquires land for
immediate and declared use by private
companies for public purpose.
Background
The Government of India claims there is
heightened public concern on land
acquisition issues in India. Of particular
concern is that despite many amendments,
over the years, to India’s Land Acquisition
Act of 1894, there is an absence of a
cohesive national law that addresses :
" fair compensation when private land is
acquired for public use, and
" fair rehabilitation of land owners and
those directly affected from loss of
livelihoods.
The Government of India believes
that a combined law is necessary, one that
legally requires rehabilitation and
resettlement
necessarily
and
simultaneously follow government
acquisition of land for public purposes.
Definition of ‘land owner’
The Act defines the following as land
owner:
" person whose name is recorded in the
register of the concerned authority
" person who was assigned land by the
government under any of its social
development initiatives

" person who hold rights under India’s
The Scheduled Tribes and Other
Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition
of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
" person who has been granted such right
by an order of the Court
Limits on acquisition
LARR Bill 2011 forbids land acquisition
when such acquisition would:
" cumulatively exceed 5% of multi-crop
irrigated area in any district in any state
of India, or
" cumulatively exceed 10% of singlecrop net sown area in any district in any
state of India, if the net sown area in that
district was less than 50% of the total area
of the district
Even below these threshold,
LARR 2011 requires that wherever multi
crop irrigated land is acquired an
equivalent area of culturable wasteland
shall be developed by the state for
agricultural purposes. These limits shall
not apply to linear projects. LARR 2011
illustrates linear projects with examples
such as railways, highways, major
district roads, power lines, and irrigation
canals.
Highlights of the Act
Following are the highlights of the Land
Acquisition Bill:
" Payment of compensations that is up
to 4 times the market value in rural areas
and 2 times the market value in urban
areas.
" To address historical injustice the Bill
applies retrospectively to cases where no
land acquisition award has
been made.
" No law can be acquired in
Scheduled Areas without the
consent of the Gram Sabhas.
" No one shall be
dispossessed until and unless
all payments are made and
alternative sites for the
resettlement
and
rehabilitation have been
prepared.
" Compensation to those
who are dependent on the
land being acquired for their
livelihood.

" In cases where PPP projects are
involved or acquisition is taking place for
private companies, the Bill requires the
consent of no less than 70 per cent and 80
per cent respectively (in both cases) of
those whose land is sought to be acquired.
" To safeguard food security and to
prevent arbitrary acquisition, the Bill
directs States to impose limits on the area
under agricultural cultivation that can be
acquired.

outline the resettlement and rehabilitation
entitlements to land owners and livelihood
losers, which shall be in addition to the
minimum compensation per Schedule I.
The market value of the proposed
land to be acquired, shall be set as the
higher of:
" the minimum land value, if any,
specified in the Indian Stamp Act, 1899
for the registration of sale deeds in the
area, where the land is situated; or

Compensation
Clause 26 of LARR 2011 defines the
method by which market value of the land
shall be computed under the proposed law.
Schedule I outlines the proposed minimum
compensation based on a multiple of
market value. Schedule II through VI

" the average of the sale price for similar
type of land being acquired, ascertained
from the highest fifty per cent of the sale
deeds registered during the preceding three
years in the nearest village or nearest
vicinity of the land being acquired
LARR 2011 bill proposes that the
minimum compensation be
a multiple of the total of
above ascertained market
value plus a solatium.
Specifically, the current
version of the Bill proposes
the
total
minimum
compensation be:
" At least four times the
market value for land
acquired in rural areas;
" At least two times the
market value for land
acquired in urban areas.
– Business Positive Bureau

BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

4

B ASIX Academy for Building Lifelong Employability
Limited (B-ABLE), one of the most respected names
in the skill building sector and the Employment
Generation Mission Assam (EGM), an autonomous
body which provides self- employment to the
unemployed and additional work for the under-employed,
signed a decisive Memorandum of Agreement (MoU)
recently in Guwahati, Assam. Under this partnership,
B-ABLE will identify and train 9,000 students belonging
to rural areas within a period of three years and provide
opportunities of employment in the retail and business
processing outsourcing (BPO) sectors. With Assam
attracting new investment and business interests, skill

9,000 rural youths in
Assam to be trained and
employed in the retail
and BPO sectors
development undoubtedly becomes important so that
the local population is able to realize their aspirations in
terms of sustainable livelihood.
Sushil Ramola, Managing Director and CEO of
B-ABLE, and a social entrepreneur at heart, says,
“B-ABLE today is playing a vital role in skill
training to bottom of pyramid population, thereby
providing a real time connect between the job
providers and job seekers. We aim to impart skills
that lead to lifelong and gainful employment and
a profitable entrepreneurial venture, in various
industries and service sectors across India.”
B-ABLE plans to open eight centers
which would be fully residential in nature
with state-of-the-art infrastructure in
Sonitpur, Kamrup, Nagaon, and
KarbiAnglong districts. As of now, two
centers have already started being
operational in Nagaon and the city of Tezpur,
and 200 students have already been enrolled
into the program. B-ABLE is currently on
look out for infrastructure and other facilities
to open the centres in Kamrup and
KarbiAnglong. Under the project, B-ABLE
will provide free boarding and lodging
facilities to the students under this program.

5

BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

The duration of the course is three months and the
minimum eligibility criterion has been kept as 10th standard
pass and above to be able to enroll for the training
program. In addition to the courses of retail marketing
and BPO, the students will also be exposed to basic
spoken English, computer, and soft skills to enhance their
professional competence and match market requirements.
The batch has been kept within 30-35 students, so that
proper attention and care can be given to the learning
and coping requirements of each of the students. After
the successful completion of the training, the students
will be provided placement assistance in retail outlets and
BPOs within and outside Assam. B-ABLE has the vision
that every youth should be able to earn Rs. 60,000 per
annum. In 2012, B-ABLE successfully piloted a similar
program wherein 100 unemployed youths of the North
Eastern Region including Assam were trained on retail
and sales marketing. The initiative was run under Youth
Employment Scheme of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan,
an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Youth
and Sports, Government of India, placed more than 80%
students with average salary of 60,000 per annum.
MirnalKurmi from Sonitpur district was sitting
unemployed in his remote village. He belongs to a poor
farming family with an annual income of less than
20,000, because of which he and his brother could not
study beyond high school. He heard about B-ABLE
from a close friend and registered for the program. After
three months of training, he was placed with SSN
logistics. Currently, he is working as a junior supervisor
and earning INR 11,800 per month. “I have two
assistants working under me. I am very happy that I
have been able to save INR 25,000 which I want to
spend judiciously for my family members back home,”
shares a beaming Mrinal.B-ABLE has touched many
lives and has helped youths like Mrinal aspire for
employment and a chance to be financially independent.

Maruti Suzuki joins
hand with AGVB
M

Exim bank organized round table on
E

xim Bank, in collaboration
with National Horticulture
Board, organised a Round
Table Meet at NEDFi House
Conference
Hall
on
September 2, 2013, on
“Promoting Horticultural
sector in the “North Eastern Region”. India is the second largest producer of
both fruits and vegetables globally, after China, accounting for 14% and 12%,
respectively, of global production. However, despite the large production base,
India’s share in global exports of horticulture products (fruits, vegetables, and
processed fruits & vegetables) is low. India’s export of horticulture is US$ 2.7
billion (1.3% of global exports) as compared to China’s exports of US$ 18 billion
(9% of global exports). With the strong production that India has, we need to
strategise towards doubling India’s exports to around US$ 5 billion in the next 2/
3 years. This would call for measures to enhance the external orientation of the
sector, reduce production losses and improve price realization for Indian farmers.
According to the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Exim Bank,
Mr TCA Ranganathan, with the potential of the North East Region in horticulture
products, the objective of the Round Table is to facilitate detailed discussions
between reputed large Indian corporates active in the agri and horticultural
sector and the stakeholders in the North East region. This, in turn, would facilitate
drawing up a roadmap for sustainable production while also identifying avenues
to create markets and linkages for farmers and entrepreneurs from the region.
Eminent experts and speakers who participated in the Round Table include:
Prof. Ashoke K.Dutta, member of Governing Board, North Eastern Council,
and former Director, IIM Shillong, and Mr L B Sinate, member of the National
Horticulture Board. Resource persons from reputed Indian companies including
Jain Irrigation, Godrej Agrovet, ITC- Agro Business Division and Emami Group,
participated in the Round Table and shared their expertise and suggestions
with the stakeholders. The Roundtable involved detailed discussion on issues
and topics including: cluster cultivation; linkages between production, processing,
value addition and markets; infrastructure requirements, among others, which
would contribute to the overall development of the horticultural sector in the
region. Exim Bank, through its comprehensive range of finance and advisory
services, endeavours to enhance productive capacity and entrepreneurial
development in the North East Region, while also facilitating and financing
export activities in the region. The Round Table on Horticultural sector is part
of the Bank’s overall endeavours in the Region.

“PROMOTING
HORTICULTURAL
SECTOR IN THE NE”

aruti Suzuki, the leading
automobile manufacturer company of
India has entered into a preferred
financier tie up agreement for car loan
with Assam Gramin Vikash Bank, the
largest rural bank of North East. A
memorandum of Understanding has
been signed on 18th September, 2013
between both the organizations,
here, in Guwahati. Mr Anyndya Dutta,
Regional Manager of Maruti Suzuki
and Mr S. Sankar Singh, Chairman
of AGVB have signed the
agreement on behalf of both the
organizations. Other dignitaries
present on the occasion were, Mrs
Sharmistha Chatterjee, GM, AGVB,
Mr Satya Narayan Sahu,GM,UBI,
Regional Managers and branch
Managers of AGVB, Maruti Dealer
owners of Assam.
With this tie up, the AGVB which
has the highest numbers of branch
presence in Assam and is known for
rural development & commercial
funding has entered into passenger
car finance in Assam. This will help
the Maruti customers in Assam in
getting car loan in attractive rate with
low down payment from the rural bank
at almost all the nook and corner of
Assam. Currently, Maruti is having
26 sales outlets and 131 service
workshops in Assam. Although
Maruti is tied up with many
nationalized public sector banks and
private sector banks, 40% of its sales
is coming only from rural market.


BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

6

In

the past, the transition
from
homemaker
to
sophisticated
businesswoman was not
that easy. But gone are
those days, women across
the globe are now coming
forth to the business arena
with ideas and thereby not
only starts business but
carries it on successfully.
Meenakshi Mahanta, an
Assamese
Lady
Entrepreneur paved her
way into a great success
story braving away
all the obstacles and
blockages, which
are so common in
industrial sphere. In
2004,
Mrs.
Mahanta, along
with a few energetic
Partners ventured into manufacturing
business. The new venture was
christened as “North East Powerline
Industries” which has been
manufacturing Kirloskar Green
Acoustic Generator within the range
of 5 KVA to 625 KVA since the day
of its inception. The manufacturing
business was started at 8th mile, GS
Road, Baridua, Ri-bhoi Dist.,
Meghalaya. The Kirloskar Oil Engine
Ltd., Pune had granted the license and
status of original Equipment
manufacturer on compliance with the
norms of the Central Pollution Control
Board, Ministry of Environment of
Forest, Govt .of India. It gained

the deft command of
Meenakshi Mahanta will
certainly be able to
achieve the target and in
fact, even more in the
future.
The
firm,
“Powerlin Group of
Industries” manufacturing
and selling Kirloskar
Green Diesel Generator
within the range of 5 KVA
to 625 KVA is an ecofriendly generator with
constant guidance from
Kirloskar Oil Engine
Limited, Pune and
Central Pollution
Control
Board.
Being assisted by
an
excellent
technical team and
having a good
network of dealers
and business groups, it has been able
to satisfy the customers; Post Sales
Customer Care Service through nine

Kirloskar, Illuminating
power predicament Northeast
–the person behind this

7

BUSINESS POSITIVE

positive response from the Customers
gradually and earned goodwill within
a very short span of time. Alongside,
the company received support
from govt. public undertakings
and semi govt. organizations.
In the initial year i.e. 200405, the industry manufactured
and sold 228 nos. of Kirloskar
Green Diesel Generator
(KGDG)
sets.
The
overwhelming response paved
the way to establish one another
new manufacturing unit at
Naltali, Nagaon district at the
inventiveness of Mrs. Mahanta and
started manufacturing product in
2009-10. In the meantime, the
firm had been renamed as
“Powerline
Group
of
Industries” with its sales
office at Khanapara. During
2012-13, it sold a record nos.
of 927 generator sets and the
Company now sets a high
target to achieve during the
current fiscal. With the kind
of support it gained and
popularity of the brand
achieved, the industry under

October-2013

nos. of service Dealers in the NorthEast India has made the service far
better. It is worth mentioning that the
industry has opened employment
opportunities to more than 200 local
people directly and about 300 people
indirectly. Apart from this, the
company undertakes many Corporate
Social Responsibilty Programmes
such as medical check up, consumer
store that provides uniform, shoes and
other necessary items, taking initiative
in organizing Puja and other
occasional and yearly events in a
grand style etc.

Wooddies, Furnishing Homes
T he first thing that goes to an
empty room is furniture. However,
for the city dwellers who live in
small spaces, first there has to be
made emphasis on planning,
functional design and effective use
of space. Millions of furniture styles
available in the market put
homemakers in a baffling state in
making a right choice that will suit
her home perfectly. At the time when
everybody is conscious about using
furniture which is ecologically
friendly, durable and of superior
quality, city’s new addition of
furniture showroom, “Woodies”
could be a trustworthy destination
for city dwellers since it offers
furniture 90 percent of which is
made of quality materials, such as
wood, metal, glass or its
combination. To add more feature,
they provide imported decorative
items, centre tables, etc. too, though
it is only 10 percent of their total
collections. In their own factory,
they also make customized designs
according to customers’ demand.
Within a short period, Woodies
has been able to set new benchmarks
in the industry by offering
contemporary designs for corporate
offices, commercial complexes,
hotels, farmhouses, residential
complexes and guesthouses. Sofa
sets of all kinds, dining sets, centre
tables, side tables, wardrobes, multi
utility cabinets, bookshelves, and
even workstations for offices are
available there. Furnishing items like
wallpapers, mattresses are also can
be found in the same shed. It provides
furniture that suits every pocket. With
its huge collection starting from
budget to highly luxurious furniture,
“Woodies” is committed to fulfil the
requirements of every customer. It
also offers furniture on Equated
Monthly Instalment (EMI) basis,

which makes their products easily
accessible for a wide range of
customers giving them relief at the
time of financial pressure, mostly at
the time of marriages, when people
are often, get overburdened.
“Woodies” believes in offering
quality not only in products, but
maintains quality in management,
service and all linked chain that

contribute to their success. It ensures
customers with consistent production
of high quality furniture and
guarantees a reliable, efficient
service always. One can rely on this
showroom as it provides perfect
finish, customised furniture that
reflects rich heritage, traditional and
contemporary designs, and plenty
of alternates to choose.

The Employees Provident Fund Organization is constantly making
efforts to bring better service, transparency and enforce provisions of
the Employees Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1952
and the schemes framed there under. Taking one step further towards
online settlement of the claims, the Organization has also started online
registration of digital signature of the authorized signatories for online
submission of transfer claims for transferring the Provident Fund
Accumulation of the employees when they change jobs. Details
instructions are provided in at Online Transfer Portal (OTP) through
EPFO website www.epfindia.gov.in. A
helpdesk number 18001-18005 (toll free) has
also been provided to respond to the queries
of the employeesemployers. Employees can
now register themselves in the “MEMBERS
PORTAL” and view or download member
passbook which shows the contributions
deposited by the employers. They can also
view the status of the claims through the
‘KNOW YOUR CLAIM’ status provided in
the website. But what the heartening fact is
that most of the establishments of North-East
are not willing to provide this constitutional
right of the employees i.e. Provident Fund.
According to S K Sangma, Regional P.F.
Commissioner, North-East Region from
April 2013 to July 2013 show cause notices
were served to 239 establishments for non deposit of Contribution.
Another 100 establishment too served with show cause notice for non
production of Records. For non deposit of contribution and non
production of records employers can be punished with imprisonment
extending up to one year. Within the same period EFPO, Guwahati has
issued 50 notices under Section 7A for assessment of dues. Major
establishment against whom the notices were issued are 1.Assam State
Transport Corporation, 2. Rhino InfoTech Pvt ltd, Guwahati, 3.
Desting HR Solutions, 4. Seven Security Force, Imphal, 5.Ozone
Ayurvedic, Guwahati, 6. Horizon Security Service, Guwahati,
7.Imphal Municipal Council, Imphal,8. Dimapur Municipal Council,
Dimapur 9. Loktak Development Authority, Manipur, 10. BGS, SGSSoma JV, L akhimpur etc.

The
sorry
Tale of
Provident
Fund in
NE

BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

8

Smile soars in oil...

NRL 144 cr., OIL 3589.34 cr. &
Numaligarh Refinery
FY13 net profit at Rs 144 cr.
N

umaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL)has
registered a net profit of Rs 144 crore
with a total sales turnover of Rs 8,753
crore for financial year 2012-13.
Addressing the Annual
General Meeting held on 6th septeber
,here , in Guwahati NRL chairman
and managing director of Bharat
Petroleum Corporation Limited
(BPCL), RK Singh said the refinery’s
net worth has risen to Rs 2,757 crore
as on 31 March 2013. The total
dividend to be paid by NRL for last
financial year to its shareholders—
BPCL, Oil India Ltd and Assam
government—was 10 percent,
amounting to Rs 73.56 crore. Assam
government shall receive Rs 9.08
crore as dividend for its equity of
12.35 percent in NRL. The company
has contributed Rs 748 crore to the
Central exchequer, while its
contribution to the state exchequer
was Rs 280 crore.
On the physical front, even
within prevailing
constraints of
lower
crude
availability, crude
oil processing
was maximised to
the
extent

9

BUSINESS POSITIVE

possible and by the end of the year,
2,478 TMT (thousand metric tonnes)
crude throughput was achieved, he
said. NRL went on to record 91.11
percent distillate yield, which was the
highest amongst PSU oil refineries in
the country, while specific energy
consumption—a mark of energy
efficiency in operations—was limited
to the level of 59.7 MBN. On the
safety front, the refinery has
completed over 11 years of
operations without any loss time
accident and for its safety
management systems, NRL has been
awarded the Shrestha Suraksha
Puraskar 2012 by the National Safety
Council, Singh added. On marketing
front, Singh said, out of 2,410 TMT
of petroleum products
marketed
by
the
company, 22 per cent
were sold within North
Eastern region while
balance 78 per cent was
sold outside, with the

October-2013

bulk, aggregating to 85 per cent,
being sold to BPCL.
In order to sustain profitable
operations on a long term basis, the
company is actively pursuing its
refinery expansion plans to increase
its capacity from 3.0 MMTPA to 9.0
MMTPA.
Simultaneously, sourcing and
transportation of imported crude oil
through a pipeline from Dhamra Port
in Odisha is being arduously
pursued, he said. The capacity
expansion of the refinery is expected
to address the challenges that NRL
faces such as sub-economic size of
the refinery and inadequate
availability of crude oil in the North
East, Singh said. The estimated
investment in the refinery expansion
and the associated crude oil pipeline
project would be about Rs 14,000
crore. Expenditure on plan projects
during the year was Rs 161 crore
with the Wax Project, involving a cost
of
Rs
577
crore
under

Assam Govt. earn 2368.23 crore
implementation and scheduled for
completion during the current
financial year. In order to supply
petrochemical grade Naphtha to
Assam Gas Cracker Project, a
Naphtha Splitter project at a cost of
Rs 87 crore under the non-plan head
has been completed.
NRL has invested a sum of Rs
127 crore towards 10 percent equity
in Brahmaputra Cracker and
Polymer Limited, which is
implementing the prestigious Assam
Gas Cracker project. The meeting
was attended by NRL managing
director Dipak Chakravarty and
other members of the Board.

OIL earns
3589.34 crore
Oil India Limited, country’s second
largest national oil and Gas Company
in terms of total proved plus probable

OIL AGM held in Duliajan.

Photo : Surajit Gogoi

oil and natural gas reserves, held its 54th
Annual General Body meeting at its
Field Headquarters, Duliajan.
In his address to the
shareholders, Chairman and Managing
Director, Shri S K Srivastava said that
fiscal 2012-13 was a year of significant
achievements for the Company as its
annual gas production achieved highest
ever total production at 2639.21
MMSCM. Production of
Crude
oil
and
Condensate(including JV
Share) was 3.701 MMT. Main
reason of shortfall in crude oil
production during FY13 was
direct,
indirect
and
consequential losses arising out
of a number of unforeseen
problems many of which were
beyond the control of the
Company.
The turnover of the
Company was the highest so
far and stood at Rs 9947.57
crore as against
Rs
9863.23 in the last fiscal, while
the Profit after Tax touched a
new peak of Rs 3589.34 crore
- an increase of 4.13% percent

over the previous year. As a result, the
Company declared dividend at 300%,
Shri Srivastava said. Improved financial
performance has helped OIL to
increase its net worth to Rs 19212 crore
as against 17721 crore during the
previous fiscal.
The CMD also pointed out that
this achievement was in spite of having
provided subsidy discounts to the tune
of Rs 7892.17 crore as compared to
7351.77 crore during corresponding
period of 2011-12 to Oil Marketing
Companies to compensate for their
under recoveries in line with
Government policy. The subsidy has
affected the PAT of the Company for
the year under review by Rs 4481.74
crore.
Speaking on OIL’s successful
effort in maintaining an increasing trend
in crude oil and gas production over the
last few years, he identified the following
measures as the reasons to OIL’s
success: Prioritization of development /
infill drilling; debottlenecking of
production infrastructure and flow lines;
work over of wells / well stimulation and
servicing; Improved Oil Recovery
(IOR)/Enhanced OIL Recovery (EOR)

BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

10

and new discoveries brought on
production early. Speaking about OIL’s
highest ever production and sale of
natural gas of 2639.21 MMSCM and
2080.23 MMSCM respectively during
the year, Shri Srivastava informed that
the Company is working towards
building up its gas production potential
from current 7.2 MMSCMD to a level
of 10 MMSCMD in the North East by
drilling of non-associated gas wells and
workover of shut-in gas wells and
adoption of the new well completion
technology. The Gas produced from the
Company’s Jaisalmer field is supplied
to RRVUNL through GAIL (India)
Limited’s pipeline for generation of
electricity. The existing gas supply
agreement to the customer is 0.7
MMSCUMD and actions are in hand
to revise the same for additional supply.
Shale/non-conventional oil /gas
has emerged as an area of interest.
Shale Gas Policy is being formulated by
the Government of India and as and
when the bidding rounds are announced
OIL will actively participate in the same.
The Company shall also continue to
pursue Shale oil / Gas opportunities
overseas. OIL also has one CBM block
in the North East with M/s Dart Energy
Ltd, who will act as the operator. Work
is in progress in the block as per work
programme. LNG is another area
where the Company is actively trying

11

BUSINESS POSITIVE

to enter into.
Giving a review
of the overseas
activities of the Oil
India Limited, Shri
Srivastava said that the
Company now has
overseas presence in
eight countries, with
acreage of 33657 Sq
kms expansion plans
for
developing
discovered fields there.
Sri Srivastava
informed that OIL
along with Indian Oil
Corporation Limited
(IOCL) have jointly
acquired 20% and 10%
respectively in Carrizo
Oil & Gas Inc’s (“Carrizo”) liquid rich
shale assets in the Denver – Julesburg
( D-J) Basin in Colorado, USA. The
acquisition became effective from 1st
October, 2012. OIL has formed 100%
wholly owned subsidiaries in Texas,
USA in the name of Oil India (USA)
Inc. OIL acquired approx 12,300 net
acres of the asset and subsequently
added additional area of 1953.067 acres
during current year.
In Areas 95/96 in Libya
(comprising of 5 Blocks), where
Sonatrach is the operator, and the
Company has 25% Participating

October-2013

Interest (PI) Well No 1 was spudded in
December 2012 and discovery was
made with the well producing 3050 bopd
of light oil(44.5 API). In the third well
also we have encountered over 400 ft
of gas pay in tight sand. 3D seismic is
also being carried out in the 3rd phase
of the MWP and over 1000 Sq Km data
acquired.
In Gabon, in Shakthi Block, where
OIL is the operator, a discovery has been
made in the third well that we drilled.
This well encountered two prospective
zones. On testing the 2nd sand, the well
produced oil and gas. This is the first
discovery of OIL in an overseas venture
as an operator and we have reasons to
celebrate. In Yemen, physical activities
in the block area had been badly
affected due to political crisis in Yemen.
With improvement in the ground situation,
Work programme has been resumed by
the operator. 2D Seismic acquisition of
350 line km and 3D of 245 Km2 and its
processing has also been completed in
Block 83. The operator M/s Medco
Energy has initiated preparation for
Seismic acquisition in Block 82. In
Nigeria the JV the block license has been
converted to mining lease OML 142.
After conversion to OML, OPL area has
been reduced to 1,295 Sq km.
(Cont. on page 17)

th

Guwahati ranked 11
in online shopping
M yntra.com, India’s leading online fashion portal,
conducted a study recently that highlighted the
growing prominence of online shopping among the
youth in Guwahati. This study ranked Guwahati 11th
among the top 15 cities in India for online shopping.
The other cities were Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai,
Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad,Jaipur,Goa etc.
Ashutosh Lawania, co-founder, Myntra, said,
“Youngsters today are extremely fashion conscious
and tech savvy. In Guwahati we have seen the
same sentiment. Online shopping gives them a
platform to access the best international and Indian
brands at affordable prices with the convenience of
shopping from anywhere. Guwahati and Assam
have always been known to be loyal markets and
we are seeing them quickly emerge as a strong
retail market for Myntra.com” The growing
popularity of online shopping has been catching up
in other cities of Assam as well. There has been a
steady increase in the number of online shoppers
from Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Sivasagar and Tinsukia in
the past few months. The study also
reveals that Myntra.com receives
around 350-400 orders per day
from Assam. Ashotush
further added, “In Assam
a man prefers to
shop for smart

casuals and footwear while women
prefers to shop for western and ethnic
wear online. Brands like Puma, Nike,
Duke, Shree and Myntra.com’s in
house brands Roadster,Dressberry
and Anouk are preferred by shoppers here.”
The study further stated that over 68%of shoppers
on Myntra.com are men while women account for
32%.The average age of these shoppers is 25 years, which
is similar to national average age of shoppers on
Myntra.com. Catering to the growing demand from this
region, Myntra also opened its delivery centre in Guwahati
and offers services to over 50 different locations using
third party couriers .Other states covered in this regions
are Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.
Myntra has been constantly striving towards
enhancing its customer experience while shopping online.
According to the recent ComScore report , Myntra ranked
first for having the highest percentage reach of 17.1% in
India for the last month.The portal offers a wide range
of prominent brands from across the globes that are
exclusively available for Myntra customers. The
portal also offers innovative features such as
product exchange facility
where its logistics team
delivers the new item
and takes back the
returned product in a
single, hassle free
process.


BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

12

Cont. from 2

KICKSTARTING THE GROWTH

He goes on to add that the history of industrialization and global
distribution of industry hubs, show that the location of great
industry, be it Manchester, London, Munich, Paris, Pittsburgh,
Shanghai or Lancashire, these were all on heavily fertile land.
In Assam, there is a vast potential to even develop Land
which is not otherwise suitable for Agriculture for
Entrepreneurial activity and enterprise. That is being inhibited,
and that needs to be rectified.
(g) FINER had collected from its members and contacts
a list of Industries and enterprises which are awaiting Land
purchase - sale permission / Land conversion to start activity.

Some of these units had works started which were impeded
because of the inability of Banks to disburse loans. Some had
started with own funds, but are unable to expand. Investment
potential of more than Rs. 2000 crs involving a potential
employment of more than 5500 direct and 16000 indirect has
been collected.
h) Finer requests the government to enable creation of
Industrial hubs in and around major cities of the state. As per
the Industrial Intentions filed with the government more than
80% of the IEM’s filed has been in the district of undivided
Kamrup. Another hub can be created in upper Assam around
the cities of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia based on the oil and gas assets
present there. Major investments have come around the city
owing to its presence of social infrastructure and connectivity.
This should be leveraged and the issues that impede the
development of this area,
FINER LAUDS THE STATE GOVERNENT FOR
ENABLING LAND CONVERSION FOR MEGA
INDUSTRIED
As per the Department of Revenue and D.M. office
Memorandum No. REGN.85/2009/189 dated 5th of August
2013, the state government has in public interest decided that
land which has not been cultivated for last 10 years may be
transferred for Non - Agricultural purposes after reclassification
by the deputy Commissioner. This has been allowed for

13

BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

Industries classified as MEGA INDUSTRIES project by the
state government. As per the Industrial policy of Assam 2008,
A MEGA INDUSTRY is a industry which has capital
investment in excess of Rs. 100 Crs, or generates a minimum
of 1000 regular employment.
While welcoming the state governments move, we would
also like to add that the small and the MSME sector has
generated the maximum employment in the state and these
Industries have the maximum potential in the state. Our chief
Minister has also accepted the role of the small and MSME
sector in the economy of the state and in creation of employment
and Entrepreneurship. State governments initiation in
removing the bottlenecks for this sector is required and
shall be heartily welcome.
RECENT INCREASE IN VAT RATE - A
retrograde step
After introduction of VAT in Assam, the VAT rate for
FIFTH SCHEDULE ITEMS was first increased from
12.5 % to 13.5% w.e.f. 31-10-2009, now further sudden
increase of rate from 13.5% to 14.5% w.e.f. 13-09-2013
appears to be unjust in the situation that there is economic
slow down and the market is already fighting with price
rise. This increase will add to cost and price rise and
additional burden of tax will make bigger hole in the
pocket of general public.
" Tax rates normally should be revised in the state
budgets. Mid term revision is not understandable.
" Govt. should concentrate and focus on widening of tax net,
revenue leakage and better tax administration, which will help
increase revenue substantially.
" Revision from mid of any month increases lot of accounting
and compliance problems.
" Moderate Tax regime results in better compliance.
" Inspite of slowdown, there is a reasonable growth in VAT
collection hence no need for knee jerk reactions.
ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY
FINER emphasises the role of Civil society and wishes to engage
with it in promotion of the cause of Entrepreneurship and
employment creation, particularly for first generation
entrepreneurs, and women’s entrepreneurs. One such issue
that impacts the cause of Entrepreneurship and employment
creation, particularly for first generation entrepreneurs, and
women’s entrepreneurs is the Menace of Bandh.
RESTORING PRIDE IN ENTREPRENUERSHIP
Entrepreneurship activity must be supported. Entrepreneurial
activity must be seen in positive light. If any wrong doing has
been done by any enterprise, the perpetrators need to be punished
as per Law. It’s important that any wrong doing of any isolated
individual is not seem as an generic activity, and efforts of
entrepreneurs need to be acknowledged.
Banking Issues
" Banking Issues remain intertwined with the issue of

Entrepreneurships and gainful activity. Banks in the country
have been going through a difficult phase, with rising
delinquencies and rise in level of NPA’s. The banks focus
had been drawn to the North East, on the back of the success
of the Central and state government Industrial policies. We
feel however, that, the momentum and ebbed and there has
been a Credit squeeze in place. A Major bank in the region
has put funding to MSME sectors, which earlier was under
the delegated power of local, regional and Zonal offices in
the state on hold and has subject it to prior approval of
Corporate office, thereby almost fully restricting funding
for the last couple of months. While we understand the
banks all India policy in light of extraordinary times, we
feel that exemption should be made for the North East,
where the MSME sector was just about germinating. Any
such bank action, if prolonged shall hamper enterprises in
the region.
" In view of the difficult business environment, more so
in the North east, rise in restructured Loans and NPA’s is
an inevitability. We appeal for relaxed norms for
restructured Assets and NPA’s for the North East.
" More and More banks should be encouraged to post their
best officers for short periods of one or two years to have a
stint in the North East, so that the enterprises in the region
get the advantage of trained and understanding staff who
have credibility and Importance in their respective
organisation. the region should not be made an avenue for
Punishment postings.
Chief Minister’s Economic Advisory Council : On line
of PM’s Economic Advisory Council, State of Assam must
have CM’s economic advisory council having representation
from stakeholders and FINER.
Tourism Policy of Assam : Expires on 30.09.2013.Need
to have a more attractive policy in place.
Need of the Hour : Stimulus measures, removal of the
large impediments in form of land, short term and long
term economic reforms, Big ticket PSU, Investment ,
Developing Infrastructure, monitoring mechanism need to
be in place.
STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF
UNITS GONE INTO PRODUCTION, INVESTMENT
IN PLANT & MACHINERY AND EMPLOYMENT
GENERATION AFTER DECLARATION
N.E.I.I.P.P.2007
YEAR

2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
TOTAL

Assam ranks fourth in
implementation of
investment projects.
Assam has surpassed

Gujrat
in
implementation of
investment projects!
Assam has the fourth
highest rate among all
the states of India with
regard
to
implementation of
investment projects.
This is revealed by an analysis of investment carried out
by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry
of India(ASSOCHAM).
ASSOCHAM said in a press release that Assam has
recorded the fourth highest rate of implementation of
investments at 72 percent. The press release mentionedWith over 82 percent of investment projects under
implementation, Haryana
has recorded the highest
rate of implementation of
investments
among
industrialized
states
throughout India. Jammu
and
Kashmir(81.4
percent), Punjab ( 79
percent ), Assam ( 72
percent ) and Chhattisgarh
(69 percent ) are among
the top five states that are currently witnessing a high
rate of implementing investment projects.
It said that investments worth over 69.5 lakh crore or
about 57 percent of the total investment of over 122 lakh
crore attracted from various private and public sources
are under implementation stage as on March 2013.
The study said that inadequate addressal of projects
induced displacement, failure of
NUMBER OF UNITS GONE INTO
INVESTMENT IN PLANT & MACHINERY
EMPLOYMENT GENERATION
EMPLOYMENT GENERATION
PRODUCTION
(RS. IN LAKH)
(DIRECT)
(IN-DIRECT)
implementation of resettlement
MICRO SMALL MEDIUM TOTAL MICRO SMALL MEDIUM
TOTAL
MICRO SMALL MEDIUM TOTAL MICRO SMALL MEDIU TOTAL
and rehabilitation policies,
1611 202
18
1831 4772.66 24300.6 12573.01 41646.27 1106
2653 7740 11499 442
2206 5517
8165
environmental
clearances,
1506 188
17
1711 3061.25 15586.7 8064.48 26712.43 1312
3146 9180 13638 524
2616 6543
9683
1477 184
17
1678 3426.73 17447.63 9027.32 29901.68 1230
2950 8607 12787 692
3455 8570 12717
bureaucratic delays, lack of clear
1168 146
13
1327 2929.51 14915.99 7717.46 25562.96
930
2229 6505 9664
491
2453 6135
9079
cut policies among other factors,
1130 141
13
1284 3181.14 16197.17 8380.33 27758.64 1334
3199 9335 13868 533
2660 6653
9846
have contributed to lower
1058 132
12
1202 2630.25 13392.25 6929.08 22951.58
838
2008 5860 8706
334
1670 4177
6181
7950 993
90
9033 20001.54 101840.3 52691.68 174533.56 6750 16185 47227 70162 3016 15060 37595 55671
implementation
rates
of
investment policies in India.
(Presented this in an interactive session with media held in Guwahati)
BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

14

Pact to expedite
farm mechanisation drive
T he

State Agriculture Department and the Assam Gramin Vikash Bank
(AGVB) have signed an MoU for expediting the ambitious farm mechanisation
drive in the State recently. The MoU is expected to go a long way in bringing
the farmers from poor economic backgrounds under the ambit of the farm
mechanisation drive.
The MoU was signed
in the Agriculture
Minister’s conference
hall in presence of
Agriculture Minister
Nilamani Sen Deka,
Agriculture Director
Dr Kabindra Barkakati
and AGVB Chairman
Sivshankar Singh, among others. The signatories were Amlan Baruah,
Secretary, Agriculture, Assam, and Sivshankar Singh. Minister Deka said
that the collaborative endeavour would benefit poor farmers who had not
been in a position to avail subsidised tractors or power-tillers, by bearing the
non-subsidised component of the cost. The Agriculture Department and AGVB
have agreed to work jointly for implementing the various schemes relating to
farm mechanisation. The poor farmers will now get loan from the AGVB to
bear the cost of the non-subsidised portion.

USA based Swipe Telecom, the fastest growing Tablet
PC brand in India has entered into the Eastern region.
Tollywood
superstar
Parno Mitra has launched
it
recently.
Swipe
Telecom is headquartered
in Palo Alto, California.
Within a short span of
over a year, Swipe Telecom has become the number
1 brand in many States of Western and Northern India.
The entry of Swipe Telecom in the region was
marked by Parno Mitra’s cameo at the launch of
MTV Slate by Swipe, India’s first Quad Core 3G
calling 7.85 inch Tablet PC. Priced at Rs 14,999
the MTV Slate by Swipe is the latest innovation
from Swipe Telecom and it is meant for the
connoisseurs looking out for high-performance
computing-on-the-go. Speaking on the occasion,
Shripal Gandhi, Founder & CEO, Swipe Telecom,
said: “It gives me immense pleasure to come here
and launch the operations at the hands of none other
than ParnoMitra. Consumers have deeply
appreciated Swipe innovations till date starting from
India’s first 3D to first calling Tablet to Swipe MTV

Now say goodbye
to long power-cuts
A

rise India Ltd. which is one of the
leading electronics and technology
manufacturers in the country,
understands the need of uninterrupted
power in the impending power outrage
of the summer season, and has
introduced its ‘Milestone’ range of
Home UPS Solutions to address the
need of the Home UPS consumers in
the country. Available in ratings
capacity of 250VA-12V, 475VA-12V,
700VA-12V, 900VA-12V & 1500VA24V; the Milestone Range of Home
UPS is a value-for-money device
providing rugged, reliable, customer
friendly & feature full solution to the
consumers. Pertinent to the needs of
the upcoming summer season with
impending power outrage, the
Milestone range delivers complete
battery charging solution while
helping in saving energy while
charging which is an industry first
feature, unmatched by any other
competitive UPS in the market.

series of innovations. I would say: East India, here we
come”. Commenting on the launch, the “Ranjana Ami
ArAshbona”
and
“Bedroom” star Parno
Mitra said: “I am
privileged to be a part of
this wonderful journey
filled with innovations.
Tablets are increasingly becoming all-pervasive in our
day-to-day life and I personally can’t live without one.”

Swipe Telecom enters
into the Eastern region

15

BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

LENOVO CELEBRATES
DURGA PUJA WITH
EXCITING OFFERS IN
EASTERN INDIA
Win gift vouchers worth upto Rs. 3000/-

Lenovo, the leading PC brand in India, has recently launched
event back in June 2013 called ‘Horizonext’ where
eight new models were simultaneously, either
showcased or launched.One among them was a special
edition model of the company’s flagship SUV, the
Safari Storme that got its first public premiere. Dubbed,
Tata Safari Explorer Edition, the special edition model
has today been officially launched in the country at a
starting price of Rs 10.90 lakh (ex-showroom,
Guwahati). The Special Ediiton model was presented
by Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor. On the outside, the
Special Edition model is seen
wearing ‘Explorer Edition’
signature decals, a front nudge
guard, Touchscreen Audio
System, new chrome garnish for
the projector headlamps and tail
lamps and new Explorer Edition
door visors. Furthermore, the
Storme Explorer Edition can also
be had with otter outdoor gear
options such as cycle carrier,
cargo basket and roof-mounted
canopy. The front is re-designed
for a more sharper face with a prominent mesh grille.
The bonnet is flatter and the edges sharper. Interiors
are spacious as usual. The large glass area adding to
the roominess of the cabin. The 2.2 Dicor engine has
been modified for efficiency and is now called Varicor.
Power and torque rating remain the same, it feels more
refined at idling and cruising revs. The Safari Storme
is much lighter now so is quicker picking up the pace.
Under braking it feels more capable but the inherently
high centre of gravity doesn’t help the stopping cause
in panic situations. But the real gem part of this car is
its off-road ability. The 4x4 system is a real one in this
car and can make little work of most tricky situation.
There is a 4H which you can shift on the fly and even
a 4L for really horrible off-road situations.

New
entry
into
the
market

an exciting ‘Durga Puja offer’ in the regions of West Bengal,
North East and Odisha.On the purchase of select Notebooks,
Desktops and All-In-Ones, customers get a ‘scratch and win’
card. This card allows them to win Big Bazar gift voucher
upto Rs.3,000/-. On purchase of select Tablets, customer gets
an USB OTG cable free. We are running a parallel ‘Back to
College’ offer where customers can avail multiple benefits.
On thepurchase of select Tablets, customer gets a 1 year
warranty worth Rs. 1000/-, absolutely free. What’s more?
Buying a Yoga (13") machine entitles customers for an e-voucher
from Thedostore.com worth Rs. 10,000/- and a Big Bazaar gift
voucher worth Rs. 3,000/- (as per Durga Puja offer).The special
scheme, which is valid till 10th October 2013, is available across
all retail outlets in West Bengal, North East and Odisha. Durga
Puja is the most awaited and auspicious festival in the eastern
regions and to add to the joy of the festive season, Lenovo is
offering plethora of gifts, so that customers canexperiencethe
whoopingrange of products that Lenovo prides in.

Mr. Sarat Kr. Jain, CMD of SM Group
Award and
Recognition

Indian automaker, Tata Motors had staged a mega

received the Achiever Award, 2013 in
the Busines Category from the former
honorable Governor of Meghalaya, Mr.
Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary. The Award
was conferred to him in an auspicious
event held at NEC auditorium, Shillong
on 13th April, 2013 on the occasion
of the Eastern Panorama.


BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

16

Cont. from 11

NRL144 cr., OIL 3589.34 cr.

A work program comprising acquisition of 2D and 3D seismic data, drilling of
three wells and establishment of production facilities have been planned up to March,
2014. Mobilisation of seismic crew and equipment has been completed. Line survey and
shot hole drilling works are in progress. Operator has finalized schedule for Seismic data
recoding. In Egypt the PSC signing for blocks is further delayed due to adverse geopolitical situation of the country. Civil unrest in the MENA region has affected operational
activities in some of the overseas assets of the Company. In the Project Carabobo – 1,
Venezuela consisting of Carabobo 1 North and Carabobo 1 Central blocks, the development
activities in the field are under progress. First oil production from the project has started
on 27th December 2012 from well CGO-005. Currently, average production from the
project stands at 1800 BOPD. In its endeavour to harness Unconventional Energy, OIL
commissioned a 13.6MW Wind Turbine plant at Ludhureva in Jaisalmer District in Rajasthan
in 2011-12. The Company successfully commissioned additional 54 MW Wind power in
Rajasthan during the financial year 2012-13. During the year OIL commissioned a 100
KW solar energy power project at Duliajan, Assam and one at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan also.
The Company has plans to take up larger projects in the ensuing financial year in both
Wind Power and Solar Power. OIL made a total of nine hydrocarbon discoveries in the
Upper Assam basin during the year. Seven discoveries were made in the same basin in the
previous financial year. Hydrocarbon reserve accretion during the year 2012-13 was 9.78
MMSKL (O+OEG) of oil and gas as against 9.54 MMSKL in the year 2011-12. The
Company has a strong oil and gas reserves base and as of March 31, 2013. The Company’s
3P reserves stands at approximately 1.35 billion barrels of Oil + OEG. The Company also
made its first discovery in an NELP Block as operator in Rajasthan. Heavy oil was discovered
in Block: RJ ONN 2004/2, Punam-1 well located to the North East of Baghewala structure
within the Bikaner Nagaur Basin. These discoveries have opened up new avenues which
reflect a significant growth potential.
As per government guidelines, OIL earmarks 2% of its net profit for CSR activities,
he said. Some ongoing CSR projects include Project Sparsh- mobile dispensary services
in OIL operational areas, Project Rupantar for creation and training of SHGs for livelihood
generation, Project Dikhya for improvement of computer literacy amongst school children
and improvement of adult literacy and Project IMR for reduction in Infant Mortality rate.
Plans are also on to take up a Dairy Project Kamdhenu in Dibrugarh district to provide
employment opportunities to youth of OIL’s operational districts of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia
and Sibasagar. Srivastava also informed that OIL was honoured with the “E&P Company
of the Year” by Petrofed in recognition of leadership in performance and production for
Oil and Gas in India and the Dalal Street award for Best Managed Navratna PSU, 2013.

Assam earns Rs 2,368.23 crore from oil
Assam has earned Rs 2,368.23 crore through royalty, Sales Tax and duties from ONGC
and OIL in the last fiscal year. In addition to this, Cess paid to the government of India
by ONGC and OIL on crude oil production of Assam was 2,241.36 crore.This is
revealed by Minister for Petroleum and Natural gas, Dr M Veerappa Moily in Lok
Sabha. Replying to a question by MP Joseph Toppo the Union Minister further informed‘In order to supplement exploration and production activities in Assam, the Centre has
awarded 19 exploration blocks, one discovered field and one coal bed Methane(CBM)
block through international bidding process. So far, cumulative investments to the tune
of USD 283 million have been made for exploration and development activities under
the Petroleum Sharing Contract (PSC) regime.’
The Minister also informed that the Numaligarh Refinery Limited has planned a
refinery expansion from 3 to 8-9 million metric tones per annum, which is envisaged
for processing of imported crude oil. Feasibility studies are in progress. Based on
preliminary estimates, investment in NRL’s refinery expansion and associated pipeline
for transporting imported crude oil is expected to be about Rs. 15,000crore.
– Business Positive Bureau, Guwahati-Delhi

17

BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

Dive
intoSonata’s
new Ocean
Series 2
Collection
In radical style, Sonata,
India’s largest selling watch
brand, from the stable of
TATA, has launched their
latest collection of
Ocean Series 2
watches.This
seriesis a
collection of
watches that is
inspired by water
sports and reflects all
the facets of the same.In
compliance with that notion,
Sonata has launched these
timepiecesto meet the needs
of all adrenalinelovers and
adventure seekers across the
country. This collection
comprisesbigger, chunkier
and bolder watches and
ispriced from Rs. 1299
onwards. The watches come
with higher water resistance
up to 10ATMpacked with
features likeELback light,
stopwatch, dual time, pacer
and comprises of 14 digital
and 6 analogwatches.These
time pieces are available at
World of Titan stores,
Shoppers Stop and leading
multi-brand outlets. Like all
other Sonata Super Fibre
watches, this watch is made
with Acrylonitrile Butadiene
Styrene (ABS) and
Polyurethane (PU) – materials
known for their high
durability. Each watch carries
a one year warranty and the
trust of the TATA Group.

BD’s shortest ever insulin
syringe needle launched in India
help people to overcome their fear
and hence would ensure adherence
& compliance to their insulin
injecting treatment.”
Earlier this year, The Forum for
Injection Techniques India (FIT
India) recommended that there is no
medical reason to recommend
needles longer than 6 mm for

The new shortest ever BD Insulin
Syringe 6mm Needle preferred by
80% of patients worldwide
To help patients adhere to insulin
therapy, Becton, Dickinson and
Company (BD), a leading global
medical technology company, has
launched BD Glide™ 6mm Needle
with TBLTM technology, BD’s
smallest ever insulin syringe needle
in India.1,2 The needle has been
designed to improve patient comfort
and was preferred by 80% of patients
compared to current needle sizes. The
needle is 25% shorter than the
contemporary needles available in the
market. Clinical studies demonstrate
that shorter needles like the BD 6mm
syringe needles can effectively deliver
insulin to subcutaneous tissue (the
layer of fat below the skin)—the
recommended site for insulin
injections—while reducing the risk of
injecting into muscle3,4 (which can
increase the risk of hypoglycemia).
Speaking on the launch, Dr. Manas
Baruah, Director and Consultant
Endocrinologist, Excel Center said,
“Every day, I find my patients hesitant
to go for insulin treatment as they
needles & are intimidated by daily
injections; and patients who
experience injection-related pain or
embarrassment intentionally skip
insulin injections. This new
innovation of a shorter needle will

Datanet
India
launches
Geospatial
Election
Analysis

appropriate insulin delivery to
patients.5 This is due to the fact that
longer needles (8mm) have a higher
probability (15%) of causing an
intramuscular injection compared to
shorter needles (6mm reduces
probability to 6%) which can increase
the risk of hypoglycemia, a
potentially life-threatening situation.

Datanet India, which is over a decade old

ITeS company, has revamped and re-launched
its web portal www.electionsinindia.com in a
small ceremony. This web portal now offers
free access to summary results of all the
parliamentary and assembly constituencies in
India, since independence. Besides, the major
service now added is to provide geospatial
analysis of election results with the help of GIS
maps. Speaking on the occasion, Director of
the portal Dr. R.K. Thukral said, “In January
2013 we have established our in-house GIS Lab
and started analyzing election results up to
village and polling station level with the help
of GIS maps. Geographical Information
System or commonly called as GIS has traditionally been used as a tool in
several fields and one of these is location-based analysis of election results.
The GIS based analysis, on one hand, provides a relevant technology to analysis
the outcomes of elections so far as post-election analysis is concerned and, on
the other, provides the essential inputs for pre-electioneering processes &
strategic planning etc. The utility of GIS technology based election analysis
can also help monitoring various administrative management in elections.
However, this is very tedious and manpower-centric job but with our past
experience of data collection and its analysis, we have successfully prepared
certain reports which are unique in nature and perhaps the first of its kind in
India.” Dr. Thukral further briefed the media that ElectionsinIndia.com offers
easy to understand analysis reports with the features like, proper Mapping of
villages and towns under a parliamentary or state legislative assembly, for
post delimitation period 2008; Demographic Profile of a particular constituency;
Village and town–wise thematic maps showing various demographic attributes.
Electoral Profile of a particular constituency with time-series graphical
presentations; Village and town–wise thematic maps for various electoral
attributes., for example : distribution of winning, runner and parties at 3rd
position, estimated religion, schedule caste and schedule tribe dominated locations
and party-position therein, distribution of winning and runner parties in
locations showing above and below average polling percentage; Village and
town-wise, two-point vote difference and swing analysis supported with maps
and graphs; Polling station (Booth) level analysis, supported with graphs;
Supporting data sheets; Report in print and digital formats.

BUSINESS POSITIVE

October-2013

18

Celebration Time!!
With Durga Puja around the
corner it’s time to shop and treat
yourself with fashionable and
colourful outfits. WOODS (the
formal, fashion brand from the
makers of Woodland) brings to
you a whole new collection of
footwear and accessories for this
festive season to give you a
branded makeover.
The latest designer red hot stilettos
are a great option to team up with
both your contemporary and
classy outfit. To
enhance your
fashion quotient
further garb an
extraordinary
handmade bag
from Woods.
This Durga Puja
shop and celebrate in style with
Woods! The Product Price ranges
from Rs 2000 onwards and is
available at all Woodland stores.
About Woods: Woods, the formal
wear range from Woodland brings
an array of some of the finest
designs in semi-formal and formal
footwear for men and women.
Each of those has been designed in
sync with international fashion
trends and comes with the
Woodland promise of quality and
finesse. The bags have been
meticulously crafted from genuine
leather and every stitch has been
carefully put in place to ensure
flawlessness. The collection
comprises of specialized
handcrafted formal
shoes like the
Vintage
Brogues,
Oxfords
and
Derbys.

19

BUSINESS POSITIVE

Nokia Lumia
1020 to rock
Indian market
N

okia has launched its new flagship
smartphone, the Nokia Lumia 1020,
in India. The Lumia 1020 will be
available with retailers across the
country starting October 11, and Nokia
will only be revealing the
cameraphone’s price a day before that,
on October 10. The new Lumia 1020
comes in three colour variants: Black,
White and Yellow. Two accessories of
the Lumia 1020 have also been
announced for India, for which Nokia
has revealed the prices. The Nokia
Camera Grip will be available for Rs.

Titan
launches
SKINN
Perfumes

7,500, while the Wireless Charging
Shell will be available for Rs. 3,200.
The Finnish handset maker
had unveiled the phone at an event in
New York, in July. The Nokia Lumia
1020 comes equipped with a 4.5-inch
display which is almost the same size
as the one on the Lumia 920 and Lumia
925. The Lumia 1020’s display boasts
of a pixel density of 332 PPI. The
Nokia Lumia 1020 is powered by a
1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon
processor with 2GB of RAM and runs
Windows Phone 8. The USP of the
phone is its 41-megapixel PureView
camera sensor which offers Optical
Image Stabilization (OIS).

In a significant move, Titan Company Limited

widened its footprint in the personal lifestyle
segment with the launch of the SKINNTitan range of fine fragrances. The launch of
SKINNrange of perfumes follows the recent announcement of the company’s new
identity as Titan Company Limited. The selection of six scintillating perfumes bears
the hallmark of Titan, with the assurance of the TATA group. The combination of
the best fragrance expertise with one of India’s most trusted brands with products
manufactured in France,SKINN will redefine the Indian fragrance industry with its
product offering. Designed in-house and created by six world renowned Master
Perfumers including Harry Fremont , MichelGirard , Fabrice Pellegrin , NadegeLe
Garlantezecand the celebrated Alberto Morillas and Olivier Pescheux, these Frenchmade perfumes are the international interpretation of HIM and HER. It portrays
a young Woman’s sensuality in SKINNIMERA; herwarm seduction emittedby
Violets, Roses and Venezuelan Tonka Bean oils inSKINNNUDE;the womanly
charms and complexity defined by the Orange flower and Jasmine drizzled
inSKINNCELESTE. Made from Vanilla sourced from Madagascar,
SKINNEXTREME celebrates the sporty vitalityof a man whilst SKINNRAW
defines raw masculinity lend by the citrusy Bergamot & Mandarin and SKINN
STEELE is a Power trip of complex spices Pink Pepper, Pimento and Nutmeg.

October-2013

Bp october 2013

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