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Gopalpur port declares financial closure, decks cleared for all-weather port

By our correspondent

Bhubaneswar, May 13: Orissa’s Gopalpur Port is all set to become all-weather port by the end of next year with the required investment of Rs 1400 crore tied up.

Announcing the financial clsosure for the first phase of the all weather direct berthing deep-water facility, Gopalpur Port Ltd (GPL) managing director Mahimananda Mishra said here on Monday evening that the consortium led by Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, State Bank of India, State Bank, of Travancore, Dena Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Union Bank, Union Bank, Indian Bank and UCO Bank will fund to the extent of Rs 848.78 crore.

GPL has signed the laon agreement with the consortium on Monday.

The estimated cost of the first phase of the project is pegged at Rs 1,400 crore with the rest of the funds to be raised by promoters and internal accruals. For the first time, the largest infrastructure financer India Infrastructure Finance Corporation Ltd has participated in a project in Orissa.

The GPL will construct breakwaters with at least three or four berths to handle large vessels with associated material handling equipment, stockyards, warehouses and railway infrastructure in Phase-I.

Environmental clearance for the project is under process of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and is likely to be handed over soon.

“We expect the necessary clearances in the next 45 days and look forward to completing the first phase work in 18 months. GPL has already started the process of awarding contracts,” Mr Mishra said.

The port after full development will handle 25 million ton of cargo.

Jointly promoted by a consortium between Orissa Stevedores Limited (OSL) and Sara International Limited (SIL) and operational under a concession agreement from the state government, the port currently has an anchorage facility and remains open from September to May.

GPL Director Charchit Mishra told that the port handled five million ton of cargo during the last shipping season 2009-10 up by 90 per cent over 2008-09.

The port directly employs 4,500 persons and has revitalised the local economy of the area, he said.

Orissa aims at Rs 2500 crore mining revenue in 2010-11 fiscal

By Pabitra Senapaty
Bhubaneswar, April 21: Buoyed by consistent growth in mining revenue earning in recent years, the Orissa government has set an ambitious target of Rs 2500 crore for the 2010-11 fiscal, 900 crore more than the 2009-10 figure.
As against Rs 1600 target in 2009-10, the state earned Rs 2014 crore.
Similarly, in 2008-09 the state got Rs 1380.52 crore against the Rs 1250 crore target.
In 2007-08 and 2006-07, the mining revenue achievement figures were much more than the targets.
However, in 2005-06 fiscal the state had failed to meet its Rs 860 crore target. It got only Rs 805 crore.
Speaking to reporters here, steel and mines minister Raghunath Mohanty said the rise in revenue earning was possible because of increase in production by mineral based industries.
“The recession did not much affect the growth of the mining sector in Orissa. Several new steel industries in Orissa were made operational, thus greatly contributing to the state exchequer,’ Mr Mohanty said.
He added that the recent rise in metal prices in the world market had also added to the increase in mineral revenue earning.

NALCO contributes Rs.14.33 crore

By Saibalini Samal

Bhubaneswar, April 15; As a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), NALCO has been making significant contribution in the development of Koraput where the Company’s Mines and Refinery are located.
The Company has been assigning major thrust towards periphery development activities. Besides, creation of infrastructure in the surrounding villages for communication, education, health care and drinking water gets priority in the periphery development plans of the Company.
Recently, NALCO contributed Rs. 14.33 crore for development works in Koraput district. A cheque for the purpose was handed over to Shri R.P. Patil, Collector, Koraput by Shri A.K. Srivastava, CMD, NALCO, on April 13, at Damanjodi, in the presence of Shri Sanjeev Panda, DIG, (Southern), Shri B.L. Bagra, Director (Finance), Shri P.K. Padhi, Director (P&T) and Shri P.K. Mohapatra, Executive Director (M&R), NALCO.
The major portion of the amount will be spent towards development of periphery villages adjacent to Mines & Refinery Complex. In a meeting held between the senior officers of NALCO Management and the District Administration, Koraput, a mutual consensus has been drawn for extending maximum cooperation for carrying out these developmental works in the district.
While reaffirming that the money will be utilized for completion of 94 on-going development projects, along with some more new projects adjacent to M&R Complex, in Koraput District, Shri. Patil, Collector, Koraput has assured NALCO authorities that “the good-work will be visible on ground within some months in adjacent villages located within 5 KM radius of Mines & Refinery Complex”. Further, he has also assured about the modalities to be completed soon for setting up a Hospital and an ITI near Damanjodi.
On this occasion, other top officials of NALCO’s Mines & Refinery Complex, including Shri B.N. Mohanty, GM(AR), Shri R.P. Swain, GM(H&A), Shri P.M. Prakash, GM(O&M) and Shri G.S. Mohapatra, DGM(Admn) were also present.

Nalco registers record 4.3 lakh tonnes metal production

By Saibalini Samal

Bhubaneswar: National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco), a Navratna public sector unit under the Union ministry of mines and India’s leading manufacturer and exporter of alumina and aluminium, has achieved the highest-ever metal production of 4.31 lakh tonnes in 2009-10, against the previous best of 3.61 lakh tonnes in 2008-09, with 19.4 per cent increase.

Similarly, Nalco’s alumina refinery at Damanjodi has recorded the highest-ever production of 15.92 lakh tonnes of alumina hydrate against the previous best of 15.90 lakh tonnes in 2005-06, with capacity utilization of 101.05 per cent.

“Despite external hindrances at the beginning of the fiscal, the company’s bauxite mines at Panchpatmali Hills of Koraput, achieved the highest-ever production, with 48.79 lakh tonnes against the previous best of 48.54 lakh tonnes in 2005-06, with capacity utilization of 101.64 per cent,” an official release issued here April 3 said.

The release added that in spite of acute coal shortage and severe power fluctuations, the PSU's captive power plant, which feeds to the smelter plant at Angul, achieved the highest-ever power generation of 6295 million units against the previous year’s 5541 million units, up by 13.6 per cent. The previous best of 5968 million units was recorded in 2006-07.

Besides, Nalco has achieved the highest-ever domestic metal sale of 2.89 lakh tonnes, surpassing the previous highest of 2.71 lakh tonnes in 2008-09, with an increase of 6.5 per cent. The company also registered the highest-ever metal export of 1.47 lakh tonnes against the previous year’s export of 82,314 MT, recording an increase of 78.5 per cent. The the previous best of 1.33 lakh tonnes was recorded in 2004-05.

Tata Steel resettlement colony records zero infant mortality rate

By Jyotismita Panda

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 13: Tribals living in a resettlement colony in Orissa’s Kalinga Nagar have recordedzero infant mortality rate in the last five years.

Constant focus on proper antenatal, natal; post natal care, new born care and immunization havecontributed to this major achievement.

According to reports, the tribals resettled by Tata Steel, have benefited mainly from the awarenessdrive carried out the steel major and basic healthcare facilities made available to them by the steel major.

Among 92 child births last year only two child were delivered with low birth weight i.e., less than2.5 kg and there was not a single death.

Amongst more than 300 babies delivered in last five years only one death occurred due to congenitalanomaly, according to a company spokesman.

Around 2500 people live in four Tata Steel Parivar colonies since 2005. Tatas have been providing free medical care to the 800 rehabilitated families from the beginning. The Company has been taking special

cared of pregnant women and new born babies.“It is ensured that all the deliveries are institutional. After the delivery at least two post natal

checkups are done. The mother is counseled about proper new born care and exclusive breast feeding for six months is propagated. Hundred percent immunization coverage is done among the children and growth

monitoring is done till the age of six years. Early detection and treatment of respiratory illness,diarrheal diseases etc are done,” the spokesman asserted.

As most of the displaced families belong to the tribal communities and literacy levels are lowadditional care is taken to remind them about their EDD (expected date of delivery) 15 days before the

EDD to facilitate institutional delivery in time.In India approximately 1.72 million children die before reaching their first birth day. At present the Infant Mortality rate is 69 per thousand live births in Orissa comparison to 53 in India

Orissa to revive 1690 sick industries
By Pabitra Senapaty
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 3: The Orissa government is keen to revive some sick industries that have potential to achieve turnarounds. In fact, a process in this regard has already been started, industry minister Raghunath Mohanty told the Assembly on Wednesday.
Replying to a query by Nationalist Congress Party member Amar Prasad Satpathy, the minister said of the 1690 sick industries identified, 667 had already been revived through capital infusion by various institutional lending agencies, including the state-owned Orissa Finance Corporation.
“At least 667 sick units have already been revived and applications for seven other units are pending for approval. The government has dismissed revival applications of 1016 industries on feasibility ground,” Mr Mohanty said.
Replying to another question by BJD member Raghuram Padal, the minister said the state government had provided support and incentives to at least 86,658 unemployed youths to set up small-scale industries under a special self-employment drive and the Central-sponsored Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme.
Meanwhile, the state Assembly witnessed a heated exchange between the ruling BJD and Opposition Congress members over the leasing out of land on Puri-Konark marine drive to Anil Agarwal promoted Vedanta University Project (VUP).
Stating that the land given to the VUP had nearly 10.80 lakh metric tonnes of thorium deposit, the Congress members urged the state government to cancel the memorandum of understanding signed with the Foundation.
“Thorium is a strategic mineral. The government must cancel the MoU so as to protect transfer of this resources to a private organization,” Congress member Santosh Singh Saluja said.
Higher education minister Debi Prasad Mishra, however, said since the Foundation was given only surface right over the land, there was no opportunity for the organization to exploit the minerals.
“The VUP has been given only surface right. If the version of the Opposition members with regard to thorium deposit is correct, the Union government – as per the Article 297 of the Indian Constitution – would take the land to its control,” Mr Mishra observed.
Revenue minister Surya Narayan Patra also echoed in similar line. “There is no possibility of the land being misutilised for any other purpose other than building a university there,” he said.

Allmineral GmbH of Germany sets up JV in India

By Our Correspondent

Bhubaneswar, July 16: Allmineral GmbH & Co. K.G; a Germany based major global player in mineral beneficiation technology, has entered into a joint venture agreement with Kolkata-based Jyotirmoyee International Private Ltd (JIPL) for setting up a plant in Orissa.The JV will offer “complete mineral beneficiation solutions” for installations in the country as well as markets in South East Asia.“The Allmineral Asia - the 50:50 JV Company, is aimed at capitalising on the opportunity and future potential of mineral beneficiation in the entire South East Asian region,” JIPL managing director Sabyasachi Mishra told this paper on Thursday.

Allmineral GmbH had earlier entered the Indian markets in 2005 through a technological tie-up with Hari Machines Limited (HML) for manufacturing a range of beneficiation equipment at Rajgangpur in the state. Under the joint venture agreement, HML, which has promoted JIPL, will undertake the manufacturing of proprietary equipment, while Allmineral Asia, the newly set up company, will attend to all the customer enquiries, orders, project management, commissioning and after-sales-service.“Over last four years, Allmineral in association with HML, has made deep in-roads in the mineral beneficiation market in the country and has emerged as a leading mineral beneficiation solution provider”, said Ing Heribet Breuer, the chief executive of the German financial and technical partner and the chairman of the new Indian joint venture.

It has bagged almost all the major iron ore beneficiation projects in India, among some of the large plants handled being of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (11 million tpa), BRPL of Stemcor Group (4 million tpa) and Essar Steel (8 million tpa), he said.Allmineral provides complete solutions - from concept to commissioning. It also manufactures key beneficiation equipments like dry jigs, wet jigs and fluidized bed separators. The Duisburg-based company has already expanded its presence in Europe, India, Australia, South America, the USA and South Africa. It also has strategic tie-up with GAUSTEC, Brazil, for manufacturing and supply of new generation WHIMS worldwide.

In the coal sector too, Allmineral has successfully executed more than 15 dry coal beneficiation plants and two wet coal beneficiation plant for various DRI Plants in the Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

IFFCO starts commercial trade of phosphoric acid

By Manoj Kar

Kendrapara, July 13: Paradip-based Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has embarked on commercial trade of phosphoric acid.The fertilizer-manufacturing plant since its take over from Oswal chemical and fertilizer limited in 2005 has turned surplus with regard to phosphoric acid production.Recently the IFFCO’s Kandla unit has become the first buyer of phosphoric acid, Mr D V Suri, IFFCO advisor (personnel and administration), said on Monday.

With this, the Paradeep plant will operate at higher load and this will improve financial viability of Paradeep Unit in present competitive fertilizer sector, Mr Suri said For export of Acid, IFFCO Paradeep has put in place 6-km long pipeline from plant site to the jetty along with necessary pumping arrangement.

The first ship has been loaded on July 12 with export of 8000 tonnes of acid. It is now planned that export will be doubled from next month.“This is a major achievement since the unit started operating in 2005 and the complete project has been commissioned in record time of six months,” Mr Suri added.

He also claimed that the plant has been revamped to international standard with special emphasis on pollution control mechanism. The four-year-old plant has now achieved near-100 per cent capacity utilization.To make the unit further financially viable, it has started exporting power to the state grid. Besides, IFFCO has also commenced producing hydro-fluosilicic acid from industrial waste on a commercial basis, Mr Suri added.

Steel ministry writes OMC for long-term supply arrangement with small, medium industries

By Jyotismita Panda

Bhubaneswar, July 13: The Orissa steel and mines ministry has mooted an idea of long-term supply arrangement with small and medium steel and iron industries.

“The steel ministry has written a letter to the Orissa Mining Corporation to explore the possibility of long-term supply arrangement with the industries which do not have captive iron ore mines,” steel and mines secretary Ashok Dalwai said here on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Dalwai said although the steel industry in the world felt the heat of recession, India and China were unaffected by it and maintained their growth momentum by achieving an 8 % growth.

“In fact, we in Orissa have also seen positive growth in steel output. There are indications of a turnaround by the last quarter of 2010 and stabilization by 2013,” he said.

Paradip Port signs concession agreement for iron ore terminal

By Sudhir Ranjan Dash

Bhubaneswar, July 1: Paradip Port Trust (PPT)on Wednesday signed concession agreement for construction of iron ore terminal on build-operate and transfer (BOT) basis with Blue Water Iron Ore Terminal Private Limited (BWIOTPL), a consortium of three companies.

The agreement was signed between PPT chairman K. Raghuramaiah, and Harindar Pal Singh Banga on behalf of BWIOTPL in presence of Union minister of shipping G. K. Vasan and other senior officials shipping ministry, an official release issued here on Wednesday said.

As part of the public private partnership (PPP) mode of the Union government, PPT had floated global tenders for construction of deep draught iron ore berth on BOT basis. Five bidders were short-listed, including the successful bidder BWIOTPL, a consortium of Noble Group Ltd, Gammon Infrastructure Projects Ltd and MMTC for this port sector BOT project.

The iron ore terminal will be developed by the concessionaire at an estimated cost of Rs 506.30 crore. Paradip Port will provide supporting facilities like dredging of channel and berth, railway lines and back-up area at an estimated cost of Rs 85.05 crore. Besides, the Port will also incur an expenditure of Rs 20 crore towards shifting of CISF complex and Rs15 crore towards upgradation of Electrical reception facilities in order to facilitate implementation of the project.

“On completion of the iron ore terminal, capacity addition to the Port will be 10 MTPA. Since the dredging of the channel is in progress and the depths at the proposed channel and berth will be 17.1 meters, it will facilitate handling of cape size vessels up to 1,25,000 DWT. The concessionaire has offered a revenue share of 36.802 per cent to the port during the concession period of 30 years,” the release said.

The concessionaire will complete the construction of the project facilities within 36 months from the date of award of concession. This is the first project under PPP to be implemented in the port sector as per the new Model Concession Agreement (MCA) approved by the Cabinet and the tariff has been fixed up front by TAMP, it added.

PPL overcomes recession blues, records Rs 173.25 crore profit,Plans to invest Rs 400 crore on expansion

By Sangram Sahoo

Bhubaneswar, June 28: Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL), a former public sector unit now run by the K.K. Birla Group, has drawn up an ambitious Rs 400-crore expansion plan to increase its production capacity.The expansion programme – which is in drawing stage now - will be completed in the next three to four years, enabling the plant to achieve a production capacity of 20 lakh metric tonnes.
Speaking to reporters here, PPL managing director S.S. Nandurdikar on Sunday said the fiscal 2008-09 was watershed year for both the phosphatic fertilizer industry (PFI) as a whole and so also for

PPL managing director Mr. S.S. Nadurdikar (centre) addresses a press meet in Bhubaneswar on Sunday (Photo-Piusha Mohanty)

Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL) because of the major change in the pricing policy introduced by the Union government with effect from April 1, 2008. The prices of DAP and all individual nutrients were fixed on import parity basis rather than earlier cost based approach. In a way, therefore, this was a major change making Indian companies face global competition, he observed.

The MD said the year also saw in the first eight-nine months a huge increase in the phosphatic fertilizer prices as also the input prices. Equally, there was downfall in the prices in the later three to four months, - a trend that continues even till today because of global recession.

“In 2008-09 alone the price of DAP shot up from 500 USD/MT to 1300 USD/MT and dropped to 400 USD/MT. Production planning therefore became far too complex and very risky. A number of fertilizer companies faced problems of carrying a high cost inventory of raw materials and finished products in a declining market,” Mr Nandurdikar said.

He added that despite adverse conditions, PPL managed to notch up a turnover of Rs 5114.44 crores with profit after tax of Rs173.25 crores.Among the intermediary products, sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid production was recorded at 6, 36,710 MTs and 2, 37,005 MTs, respectively, he informed.PPL recorded a total production of 10.22 lakh MTs of DAP and complexes in 2008-09. Of this, DAP’s share was alone 4, 70,155 MTs. In addition to 10.15 lakh sale of its own manufactured products and 5, 70,332 MTs of gypsum, PPL sold 1, 29,733 MTs of imported Muriate of Potash (MOP),” Mr Nandurdikar informed. Senior officials of the company - S. Acharya, J.P. Bargale, R. Raghunathan and R. Basu were also present in the press conference.

ICICI Lombard wins prestigious Golden Peacock Eco-Innovation Award

By Our Correspondent

Mumbai, June 27: ICICI Lombard General Insurance, the second largest company in the health insurance space, has received the Golden Peacock Eco-Innovation Award - 2009 for their weather insurance product.The company introduced text messaging service for contract farmers to update them about the weather conditions during sowing to the harvesting cycle.

ICICI Lombard has been making constant improvement to the weather insurance package over the past three seasons to suit the contract farmers’ needs. The unique features of the product include current weather data being sent via text messages in order to keep the farmers updated about the climate. In some of the areas, farmers were able to prevent major frost losses and were also able to save on irrigation cost because they got timely weather forecast.

To get reliable data, ICICI Lombard has tied up with the Indian Meteorological Department to obtain the latest weather reports and historical charts. Independent third party weather stations have been set up in the districts which are covered under this project. ICICI Lombard also engaged in product education distribution to ensure that farmers understood weather insurance and loss prevention. Dissemination of data and advisories also helped the farmers to understand the exact nature and scope of the risk they faced.

The award was presented to Mr Pranav Prashad, Head Rural and Agriculture Business, ICICI Lombard at a special awards function during the Global Convention on Climate Change, at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, an official release said.

Tata Teleservices launches commercial operation in Orissa

By Jyotismita Panda

Bhubaneswar, June 27: Docomo, the GSM brand of Tata Teleservices Limited, on Friday announced the commercial launch of its operations in Orissa.

The company's next-gen GSM service has started its aggressive back-to-back roll-out plan, setting up services in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Orissa, covering a total of 20,847 towns and villages in one swoop.

Tata Docomo’s pan-India service roll-out will be completed this year, with south Indian circles going live first, followed by circles in the east, west and northern regions, company sources said.

“Keeping in view the century of trust associated with the House of Tata, we are launching the concept of "fare being fair." From today, Tata Docomo subscribers will now be able to enjoy the benefits of ‘pay-as-you-use’ at only one paisa per second for all voice calls across India,” Mr AK Sardana said.

The company has earmarked an investment of $2 billion for its pan-India GSM network roll-out, Mr Sardana added.

Tata Docomo also announced the introduction of the pay-as-you-use advantage for many of its value-added services, including all its voice portals, 24-hour music, cricket commentary and voice chat.

The company also announced that there will be a free missed call alerts service to all customers. In addition, Voice Mail on Tata Docomo will be totally free for all subscribers with no burden of monthly rentals, no deposits, and no retrieval charges, company sources claimed.

Fenesta enters Orissa to expand its pan-India reach

By Sibananda Dash

Bhubaneswar: Fenesta Building Systems, India’s leading windows company and a division of Rs 3,000-crore DSCL group, has entered Orissa with its latest range of world class UPVC windows and door systems especially designed for high-rise dwellers.

The company has also extended its pan-India retail foray to the state with Bhubaneswar as the latest addition to its list of operational cities.

The initiative, according to Sandeep Mathur, business head, Fenesta Building Systems, - is a part of company's business strategy for establishing direct contact with its end-users through a chain of retail outlets, which have currently been set up in select metros and mini metros.

Speaking on the company’s plans, Mr Mathur said Fenesta was appointing dealers across the country, including all major cities of Orissa to increase its retail reach. These dealers would set up exclusive showrooms, which would display the entire range of Fenesta windows including sliders, casements, tilt and turn, bays and combination windows.

“Besides, Fenesta is simultaneously expanding its retail network to various other Tier II cities in India. By the end of this year, it hopes to be present in over 50 cities across India,” Mr Mathur informed.

Fenesta has also adopted the popular 'shop-in-shop' concept for marketing its windows. The company has decided to tie-up with various players operating in the home improvement fold in Bhubaneswar and adjoining cities, Mr Mathur added.

“Changing home windows is a hot new idea in home improvement and renovation. Fenesta windows are an ideal fit for extreme climate. They can be fitted with a unique monsoon proof solution and can withstand high velocity winds. Fenesta blend has been engineered to withstand extreme heat and do not fade or discolour over the entire lifespan of a building. Fenesta’s exclusive sales outlets in Bhubaneswar will help us immensely to take our UPVC windows brand closer to the end customer,” Mr Mathur said.

Priced in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 700 per square foot, Fenesta UPVC windows offer a number of benefits over conventional wood, aluminum and steel windows. Some of these benefits, that greatly improves quality of life, are noise and dust proof: silicon sealing and multi point locks.

Ease of use the windows allows ample ventilation and sunlight in the house. These windows do not require paint or polishing and are therefore maintenance free.

Changed political equations bring no cheers to Posco project
Priyadarshini Mohapatra

Bhubaneswar: Posco-India, which has proposed to set up a 12-million-tonne steel plant in Orissa with an investment of Rs 52,000 crore has little to cheer about the new political equations taking place in the state. Although the CPI, one of the main opponents to the project, has of late developed good relationship with the ruling BJD, - the party has clarified that it would not budge from its earlier stand on the Korean the steel project.

“Our association with the ruling BJD in Orissa does not mean that we will be mortgaging our basic principles and ethics. We will oppose the project as long as it does not comply with our demands,” CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan told reporters here on March 15. The CPI, which has been opposing the project since the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Orissa government in 2005, is demanding shifting of the project site and resisting displacement of the local people. The South Korean company had announced to finish the first phase of its proposed 12-million-tonne steel plant by 2011. The project, however, has been delayed by over two years as the ground reality in the state does not back up the steel major's expectations.

The steel company, which plans to set up the country’s largest foreign direct investment project (Posco proposal is the largest FDI proposal received by India so far) at Paradip in three phases of 4-million module each along with captive port at Jatadhari river mouth, - is also facing opposition to its land acquisition bid at Paradip. Originally, Phase I was to take off in 2007 and go operational in 2010-12. Similarly, Phase II was scheduled to be completed three years after completion of Phase I and Phase III will be commissioned within three years after Phase II. But its plan has gone awry with the opposition in both the plant area and the proposed mining site. Posco-India, however, has something to smile with the Orissa government recently recommending the promised iron ore mines to the South Korean steel major for the second time.

However, it will be tough task for the company to mine iron ore from Kandadhar with both the Congress and the BJP opposing the mining project.

Orissa Govt. keen on Rs 5,000-cr KVK power project
Upasana Routray
Bhubaneswar: The Orissa government is working overtime to see the proposed Rs 5,000-crore KVK Nilachal Power Limited through. Construction work for the 1050-MW power project coming near Athgarh in Cuttack district is being planned to be started soon as the land acquisition process is nearing its completion.

“We are trying to address the technical problems and legal hurdles to ensure that this project sees the light of the day and contributes to the industrialisation process launched by the Orissa government,” says state energy minister Suryanarayan Patra. The minister adds that the government is working on a full-proof formula that will require the company to implement the project in a more “transparent” and “responsible” manner. The minister’s assertion rekindles the hope about the fruition of the project where the scam-ridden Maytas was a partner until recently.

The KVKNPL president Ram Chandilya – replying to queries by the state government - has clarified that KVK Energy and Infrastructure Limited (KEIL) would be the sole promoter of the proposed power plant by buying back Rs 45 crore shares held by Maytas Infra Limited (MIL) in KVK Nilachal power plant. The company's shareholding in the KVK Nilachal is already over 51 per cent. KVK Nilachal first signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Orissa government on September 26, 2006 for 600 MW plant, which was later enhanced to 1200 MW through the supplementary MoU signed on October 17, 2008.

In the revised proposal, MIL has been kept out and KEIL has raised its equity from the earlier Rs 255 crore to Rs 459 crore, while strategic investors will put in Rs 441 crore of equity, adding up to total equity of Rs 900 crore. The debt component is pegged at Rs 3,600 crore pegging the debt-equity ratio at 4:1. In January, the state government had sought details from the promoter about the exposure of Maytas in the project. KVK Nilachal also has cancelled the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contract awarded to Maytas, and is in the process of roping in another company for the job.

Khimji’s new showroom at 621 Sahid Nagar dazzles in glory

Sambadena Routray
Bhubaneswar: Khimji, Orissa’s most trusted jewellery store in the city capital, which was recently relocated at 621 Sahid Nagar, is dazzling in glory with enviable range of collections. This showroom has now become the cynosure of jewellery lovers.

Enjoying the confidence of the customers for over a decade, Khimji has created a brand name for itself in the Orissa jewellery market. Considering the growing demand for more variety in jewellery, Khimji has opened a bigger store with more retail space, greater range of products and more comfort for the customers. Keeping pace with the changing trend, it has also come up with some new brands and collections. The new store has exclusive segments for gold, diamond, silver and platinum jewellery for fashion lovers. Khimji’s new grand store was inaugurated by Mr Bhaskar Niyogi, GM, the State Bank of India, (LHO).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Niyogi said, “I am pleased to see this kind of jewellery outlet in the heart of the city.” He believes that this showroom will be able to satisfy the customers who hunt for variety as well as purity in jewellery. Smartly decked up in green glass and Steel sheets, the imposing building aptly named as Khimji Towers covering a retail area of 5000 sq ft on each floor will offers the customers much more than they would have expected from any jewellery outlet, says Mr Sumeet Khimji, director, Khimji.

Besides exquisitely carved golden jewellery, Khimji has enticing range of diamond, jewellery from the most reputed brands like Nakshatra, Asmi, Ira, Adora, D’Damas, Arisia and Ciemme. Moreover Khimji has also introduced diamond jewellery from Gili for the first time in Orissa. Khimji’s new store also has a wide range of platinum jewellery, silver jewellery and artifacts including exclusive corporate gifting items in silver. The new store also has exclusive segments dedicated to fashion accessories including luxury watches, fashion jewellery, branded wallets and other accessories. For the first time ever in Orissa, Khimji has introduced writing instruments and accessories from Mont Blanc, watches from Timond, men’s stainless steel jewellery from Devotie and 24 K gold jewellery from Bangkok based Prima Gold. It has also a separate kids’ jewellery section.

Tata Indicom Samsung Super Hero colour FM handset @ Rs 1800

Debasmita Biswal
Bhubaneswar: Tata Teleservices Limited, India's fastest growing pan India telecom service provider, has recently launched Samsung Super Hero Colour FM Handset bundled with life validity starter pack at Rs 1800 only.

The offer is valid for all new prepaid subscribers of Orissa.

The pack comes with twin benefits for the prepaid subscribers. First, the prepaid subscribers can avail free talk-time of 1200 minutes for making both STD and local calls valid for four months. The second benefit is the bundled Go Easy starter pack that offers life time validity. Prepaid subscribers of this category will be able to make all local Tata to Tata calls at just 25 paise while calls to other network mobile will be charged at 75 paise per minute.

All STD calls will be charged at Rs 1.50 per minute.

While launching this offer, Mr. Kapil Sharma, COO, Orissa Circle, Tata Teleservices Limited, said, "At Tata Teleservices, we always listen to our customers and their valuable feedback which encourages us to design and offer products and services that suit their needs. We are pleased to launch sleek cool looking handset; a handset that has both style and features and within budget of a common man."