Category: Business

Oman-based ATTE Pvt Ltd was keen to invest in JK’s marble, granite industry: Stakeholders

Srinagar: Government’s failure to revalidate lease for extraction of marble and granite in favour of private players, has cost the state a foreign deal worth Rs 500 crore.

President, Chamber of Marble and Granite Industry, Abdul Majid Khan said that an Oman-based ATTE Private Limited, had in 2013 shown keen interest to invest in the granite and marble industry of Jammu and Kashmir.
The company, according to Khan, had proposed to send a team of its engineers to the areas in the state where the granite and marble minerals are found.
Khan said after working out all the details and agreeing on all the nitty-gritty, the chamber had signed an MoU with the world renowned company for exploitation of these resources.
“The MOU envisaged technological collaborations between the local stakeholders and the company while requiring the latter to facilitate marketing of our products on international and national markets,” he said, adding that the company had also agreed to train “our manpower.”
“Following the signing of MOU, an expert team of the company headed by its CEO visited Kashmir and Ladakh. However, the team had to return disappointed after the government failed to renew the leases in our favour.”
“The team was impressed by the quality of granite and marble available here,” he said, adding that the Oman-based company had agreed to invest Rs 500 crore for developing mines using latest technologies.
“Besides, they proposed to adopt few marble industries in the state and market their products in the Middle East countries,” he said.
Khan said the MoU was grounded because of the reluctance of the state government to renew the lease.
He said the chamber even approached Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with a plea for renewal of the leases. “But nothing happened. Neither did the CM act not any other minister came to our rescue,” he alleged.
President, Federation Chamber of Industry Kashmir, Muhammad Ashraf told Greater Kashmir that marble and granite industry has been totally neglected by the state government.
“It is a labor-oriented sector which can help create thousands of jobs in Kashmir. But unfortunately the authorities seem least interested to develop the industrial sector in Kashmir. They only make hollow promises and issue rhetorical statements,” Ashaf alleged.

Srinagar: J&K Bank today said its role as implementing agency for common service centres, a Ministry of IT, Government of India’s Project for National e-Governance Plan was limited and defined. In a statement here today the bank said it had offered its services to act as Service Centre Agency for the implementation of Ministry of IT’s CSC Project just be a facilitator and employment generator in the state. “Having done its bit by identifying Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), extending financial assistance to them and providing infrastructure for establishment of CSC, read Khidmat Centres, the Bank has assisted VLEs turn their Centres into functional service outlets,” it said. “The Bank also provided services like documentation of loan proposals, besides awarding, to many CSCs, Business Correspondent status to multiply their revenue receipts,” it said.“The CSC owners need to understand that Project is primarily related and even subservient to the progress on e-Governance front. More the progress on this front, more will be the services that CSCs can handle and provide, and consequentially more revenues. And what is critical is that this is the area where J&K Bank cannot help,” it said. “The VLEs ought to understand the project in its entirety and the job roles assigned to various stakeholders of the project including Service Designated Agency (SDA)-State Government of J&K, Service Centre Agency -J&K Bank, Common Services Centre Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC-SPV)-Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, GoI, and Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE),” it said. “J&K Bank’s role in the project is limited and well defined.  Technically speaking bank’s role as Service Centre Agency is confined to develop, design, build, rollout and establish the CSCs,” it said. “Pertinently, as and when the revenue support funds are released by the Service Designated Agency (SDA) of the Project, J&K Bank has immediately disbursed the same to VLEs despite the fact that revenue support would otherwise accrue to the bank. This is done at the behest of the J&K Government, with the objective to ensure sustenance and success of the project and the VLEs. However, if the revenues are not forthcoming, there is nothing J&K Bank can do in this regard,” it said.

Srinagar: Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company, introduced its Night Store – a first of its kind store that will enable customers to buy never before value for money offers on their prepaid mobile for internet usage. It also introduced local night calling from 12 midnight to 6am. According to company statement, customers can now enjoy irresistible rates for 2G, 3G and local Airtel-to-Airtel calls by just dialing *129# or calling 129 or logging on tom.airtel.in/night. “Customers can select from a bouquet offers with benefits including unlimited local A2A calling at just Rs 7 or unlimited internet on 2G at just Rs 8 and many more. What’s more….customers can also enjoy free unlimited access to Facebook. So what are you waiting for, call 129 right away and make the most of your night catch ups.”

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 24 per cent increase in plum production in 2013-14. Last fiscal the total plum production has been recorded at 10,777 MT in the state, which is up by 2,095 MT from 8682 MT in 2012-13.

The increase in the production has brought some good dividends to the farmers and orchard owners in the state.
As per the Horticulture department a good number of farmers in the state are shifting to plum farming and availing for themselves various schemes of the department.
Horticulturists in the state opine that after apple, it is now plum cultivation which has picked up in recent years.

KASHMIR REGION
Data compiled by the Horticulture department show that the production of plums in Kashmir alone has gone up by 1880 MT to 8268 MT in 2013-14 from 6388 MT recorded in 2012-2013.
The data has been compiled for every district in the state.

DISTRICTS
It shows that in Ganderbal district as many as 26 hectares have been brought under plum cultivation last year. As per the report the total area under plum cultivation in the district has gone up to 178 hectares in 2013-14 from 149 hectares in 2012-13. “The production of the fruit in the district has increased by 91 MT from 1022 MT in 2012-13 to 1113 MT in 2013-14. “
As per the report in Budgam district the area under plum crop was 953 ha in 2012-13 which has now gone up to 963 ha and the production has increased from 1616 MT in 2012-13 to 1659 MT last fiscal.
In Islamabad (Anantnag) district the area under plum crop has increased by 20 ha as in 2012-13 the plum cultivable area in the district was 375 hectares which has swelled to 395 hectares in 2013-14. The production of the fruit in the area has witnessed steep increase from 1075 MT in 2012-13 to 2724 MT in 2013-14.
As per the report, the area in Pulwama district under plum crops in 2013-14 was 67 hectares. It was 59 hectares in 2012-13. The production has increased from 295 MT in 2012-13 to 338 MT last year.
In Kupwara district, the fruit production has gone up by 183 MT. The total production recorded in the district in 2012-13 was 369 hectares which has jumped to 555 MT in 2013-14. Similarly, the area under its cultivation has also increased from 41 hectares to 46 hectares in one year.
In Srinagar district the area under plum cultivation in 2013-14 was 251 hectares. In 2012-2013 it has increased to 249 hectares.  The production of plum in the district has increased from 663 MT in 2012-13 to 664 MT in 2013-14.
The area under plum crop in Bandipora district has increased from 24 hectares in 2012-13 to 25 hectares in 2013-14. The production has also increased from 42 MT to 52 MT.
However, the production in Kulgam district has decreased from 1287 MT in 2012-13 to 1145 MT last year. Contrary to trend in other districts, the area under plum crop in the district has shrunk to 205 hectares in 2013-14 as against 206 hectares in 2012-13.
In Shopian district the production has increased by 1 MT from 18 MT in 2012-13 to 19 MT last year. The area under its cultivation has not seen any change from 6 hectares.
In twin districts of Ladakh region the area under plum has decreased from 4 hectares in Leh and 5 hectares in Kargil during 2012-13 to 1 hectare each in 2013-14.
The production recorded in the two districts stood at 2 MT in 2013-2014.

JAMMU REGION
The Jammu region has witnessed increase in plum production from 2294 MT in 2012-13 to 2509 MT last year. The area under its cultivation in the region stands at 2623 in 2013-14 hectares which was 2566 hectares in 2012-14.
Deputy Director Horticulture, AH Lone said the plum farming was picking up in the state. “Plum farming has become profitable and local temperature suits its cultivation,” he said.
President, Parimpora Fruit Mandi, Bashir Ahmad said that plum is mostly exported to states like Punjab, Delhi and Mumbai.
“Our local demand for plum is not high and it is mostly exported to other states. But its short shelf life impedes its export to far-off places,” he said.

Srinagar: Tata Motors— India’s largest automobile manufacturer Wednesday launched All New Tata Aria MY-14, an upgraded version of its premium Tata Aria offering, in the domestic market.

In Srinagar, the car was launched at an impressive function at a local hotel today.

Speaking on the occasion, GN Baba, General Manager, Fairdeal Motors, authorized dealership of Tata Motors, said that Tata New Aria MY-14 will be available in 3 variants – top of the line Pride 4×4, Pleasure 4×2 & Pure LX.

The vehicle has a seating capacity ranging between 7 and 9 seats in front and side facing configurations. “The price of the vehicle has been fixed at Rs 9.99 lakh ex-showroom, Srinagar,” he said.
“The exterior design of this vehicle is very subjective. Indian reviewers have reported it as very attractive. It looks unmistakably a Tata. The Aria is spacious on the inside as is expected from a big crossover,” he said.
Tanit Obrai, Tata Motors Regional Cooperate Manager said: “The Tata New Aria MY-14 seeks to deliver added value to customers through substantial changes in the exteriors and interiors combined with improvements in drivability, ride, handling and comfort, besides an all New Varicor 2.2 L Engine delivering 15.1 KMPL mileage.”
He said the spare parts of the vehicle shall be available easily in market. “If you fail to have spare part on visiting showroom which makes your vehicle unable to run on road, the company will pay you Rs 1500 as compensation for each day, it reaches to you,” he said.
“The exteriors have been accentuated by new head and tail lamps and indicators on electrically operated ORVMs. The interiors have been refreshed to give the vehicle a completely new, contemporary look with a two tone theme complemented by a new faux wood centre console and new fabric upholstery,” he said.