ग्रामीण क्षेत्रीय समिति के अध्यक्ष एवं उपाध्यक्ष के पदों के लिए नामांकन दाखिल

 नई दिल्ली,19 मई,ब्यूरो।पूर्वी दिल्ली नगर निगम के ग्रामीण क्षेत्रीय समिति के अध्यक्ष के महत्वपूर्ण पद के लिए आज भाजपा के  धर्मेंद्र सिंह तथा उपाध्यक्ष के लिए भाजपा की ही सु अनीता शर्मा ने अपने-अपने नामांकन निगम सचिव कार्यालय में दाखिल किये। नामांकन दाखिल करने की आज अन्तिम तिथि थी। इन पदों के लिए चुनाव 25 मई को उद्योग सदन, पटपड़गंज में होने वाली ग्रामीण क्षेत्रीय समिति की बैठक में होंगे।

 इन पदों के लिए इनका निर्विरोध निर्वाचित होना तय है चूंकि इन पदों के लिए लिए किसी अन्य ने अपना नामांकन दाखिल नहीं किया है।  

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नरेला-बवाना में कूड़े से बिजली बनाने का संयत्र’ जून के पहले सप्ताह में होगा शुरु

नई दिल्ली,19 मई,आकाश द्विवेदी।उत्तरी दिल्ली के महापौर, डा. संजीव नैयर ने स्थायी समिति के अध्यक्ष,  मोहन प्रसाद भारद्वाज, सदन के नेता,  विजय प्रकाश पाण्डेय, स्थायी समिति के नामित अध्यक्ष,  प्रवेश वाही, निगमायुक्त,  प्रवीण गुप्ता तथा अन्य विभागों के उच्चाधिकारियों के साथ नरेला-बवाना सेनेट लैण्डफिल स्थल पर विकसित किये जा रहे कूड़े से बिजली बनाने के संयत्र का निक्षण किया।

                                संयत्र का निक्षण करने के साथ-साथ उन्होंने इसकी कार्यप्रणाली के विषय में विस्तृत जानका हासिल की। इसके उपरांत महापौर,  नैयर ने बताया कि इस संयत्र को आगामी माह के पहले सप्ताह में नागरिकों को समर्पित करने की आशा है। जो कि देश की इस प्रकार की बड़ी परियोजनाओं में से एक है। उन्होंने बताया कि यहां पर लगाये गये संयत्र से प्रतिदिन 1300मिट्रिक टन कूड़े का निपटान कर उससे 24 मैगावाट विद्युत उत्पन्न की जायेगी। अभी तक जो भी कूड़ा यहां डाला जा रहा था उससे आर.डी.एफ. में तैयार कर रखा हुआ है। जैसे ही यह प्लांट विद्युत बनानी प्रारम्भ करेगा, यह ईंधन के रूप में उपयोग में लाया जायेगा जिससे कूड़े के निपटान में काफी सहयोग मिलेगा तथा निकटवर्ती क्षेत्रों में इससे आने वाली दुर्गन्ध तथा दिखने वाले कूड़े के ढ़ेर से भी निज़ात मिलेगी।

                अध्यक्ष, स्थायी समिति  मोहन प्रसाद भारद्वाज ने बताया कि यह प्लांट प्रधानमंत्री के स्वच्छ भारत मिशन तथा शहर के कूड़े के समूचित निपटान की दिशा में अत्यन्त महत्वपूर्ण है। उन्होंने बताया कि नरेला-बवाना सैनेट लैण्डफिल साइट को पूर्णतः आधुनिक रूप में विकसित किया गया है जिसमें कूड़े से वातावरण को किसी भी प्रकार की हानि से बचाये रखने की पू सावधानियां बरती गई है। इसके साथ ही इन व्यवस्थाओं को और भी सुदृढ़ किया जायेगा। उन्होंने बताया कि प्लांट के प्रारम्भ होने से लगभग यहां पर निपटाये गये कूड़े का 8. से 85 प्रतिशत कूड़ा पू तरह से निपटाया जा सकेगा जिससे खाद व बिजली बनाई जायेगी जोकि ठोस कूड़े के प्रबन्धन में एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम है। यह परियोजना निगम के साथ रामकी ठोस कूड़ा प्रबन्धन कम्पनी के सहयोग से भागीदा में कार्यान्वित किया है।

                                    परियोजना के अध्यक्ष,  डी.बी.एस.एस.आर. शास्त्री ने   परियोजना की कार्यप्रणाली के विषय में विस्तृत जानका दी तथा बताया कि उन्होंने इस परियोजना को प्रारम्भ करने के लिए दिल्ली के प्रदुषण नियंत्रण समिति को आवेदन कर दिया है। उन्हें आशा है कि शीघ्र ही इसकी अनुमति प्राप्त हो जायेगी और वे इस परियोजना को शुभारम्भ कर दिल्ली के नागरिकों के हित में प्रारम्भ कर देंगें।

                              इस अवसर पर निकटवर्ती ग्राम से कुछ निवासियों ने कई बार प्लांट से बदबू आने की शिकायत महापौर से की, जिस पर महापौर ने परियोजना संचालकों से अधिक से अधिक वृक्ष लगाने तथा बदबू की रोकथाम के लिए कूड़े पर कैमिकल इत्यादि के नियमित छिड़काव के लिए निर्देश दिये।

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Rising outbound Indian tourists heading towards Malaysia, S'pore, Thailand, Dubai: ASSOCHAM paper

Aggressive tour operators offering packages for as low as Rs 25,000-Rs 30,000 combined with rising aspirations of the upper middle class families to travel abroad has led to a robust increase of 29 per cent in outbound Indian tourists this summer with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai and Maldives emerging as the top and affordable destinations for the better-offs, an ASSOCHAM study has pointed out.  Excessive heat in most parts of the country, particularly in the North, coupled with attractive packages for nearby countries like Dubai, Singapore, Thailand ,Malaysia, Europe etc are wooing the well-off middle class to opt for such destinations, highlights the ASSOCHAM Tourism Development Council (ATDC) paper.Despite the economic slowdown and currency fluctuations, India’s outbound tourism market has increased by 29% this year as compared to last season (20%), reveals the associated chamber of commerce and industry of India (ASSOCHAM) findings.The ease of travelling has also gone up- right from hotel booking, airlines booking and transfers from and to hotels are all available on a click of a button", said Mr D S Rawat ASSOCHAM Secretary GeneralThe tour packages are available as low as Rs 25,000-30,000 for outbound trips. In fact some of the overseas destinations like Thailand are working out cheaper than the domestic destinations like Kerala for Delhiites, tempting the families to go abroad for holidays, adds the paper. The sectors like aviation and tour operators are doing brisk business this summer season.  According to the paper, international tourist destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Maldives, China and South Africa will be Indian travellers’ favorites this summer.

European countries, which for long remained favourite for tourists from India are being replaced by cheaper destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore etc. interest in cruise packages too has increased. Honeymooners enquire about Morocco, Spain, Portugal and prefer Kenya for wildlife etc, adds the paper.

The growth in the Indian travel and tourism industry is driven by a combination of rising income levels and changing lifestyles, development of diverse tourism offerings, and policy and regulatory support by the government authorities, said Mr. Rawat.

India is one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in the world, said Mr. Rawat. India offers enormous potential for future growth in outbound travel. Whether to meet a relative settled abroad, a shopping trip, a global sport event or just for leisure, Indians are increasingly travelling abroad. Personal and Official Travel for holiday/ leisure, business are the most significant contributors for growing outbound travel.

As per the prior estimates, India will account for 50 million outbound tourists by 2020. While business travel and holiday dominates outbound volumes, people are also opting for niche products like sports tourism, luxury travels, honeymoon packages and cruises.

Countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Mauritius and Egypt are also seeing an increase in influx of Indian tourists. Increased promotional activities by travel agents will further drive outbound departures to many new destinations in the years to come.

  

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BADI DOOR SE AAYE HAI COMPLETES 500 EPISODES!

SAB TV’s popular show, Badi Door Se Aaye Hai recently completed 500 episodes and has set a benchmark. Since its inception in 2014, the show has managed to entertain its viewers with a hilarious set of characters put into even more hilarious situations.

Badi Door Se Aaye Hai connects with all audiences because of its clean entertaining values and the utter simplicity of its characters. It is a story of an extraterrestrial family who come to earth with an aim to find their eldest and lost son, named 2015, whom they have been searching for on many planets. It chronicles the life of the alien family who come to live in Sunshine Colony and the unique and funny members of this colony.

Sumeet Raghavan who plays Vasant Ghotala in the show says, “I am really very happy that our show has successfully completed 500 episodes. It’s a big thing for any show to be on air consistently for 2 years. I give total credit to my writers and the team as I feel; it is not really an easy task to generate comedy content continuously. It’s a risky affair which we as a team have managed to deliver.”

The delighted J.D. Majethia producer Hats Off production mentioned, “ Badi Dooor Se Aaye Hai has completed 500 episodes and we are celebrating this milestone with a celebration on sets. Aatish and I would like to thank the entire cast and crew of the show who have worked towards making this show a success and of course our audiences who have showered us with love and acceptance. We hope to keep our audiences entertained in the future too.”

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Urgent Dismissal of J&K Govt. essential for National Integration

Addressing a large meeting at Jantar, Prof.Bhim Singh called on nationalist forces particularly the youth in the country to join hands to work out an alternative to communal and sectarian forces who are working to sabotage secular and democratic institutions.

The Panthers Party also appealed the electorates in the five states which shall witness electoral battle next week to defeat the sectarian, corrupt and communal forces so that India continues its blossoming towards real freedom justice and equity at all levels.

He appealed to the youth in particular to support the political parties and the candidates which stand for complete integration of the country so that the small obstacles and hindrances like Article 370 are flooded away with the tempest of real freedom and democracy.

Prof.Bhim Singh also congratulated Shri Harish Rawat, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand for winning the battle in support of democracy and rule of law in Uttarakhand. He appealed all the nationalists, secular, democratic and all parties who stand for one Flag and one Constitution for the entire country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

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Last day of Smart Cities Expo 2016,Visitors attracted towards Electric Vehicles showcased at Expo

New Delhi, 13th May, 2016: Given the urgent need to combat rising pollution levels in India’s big cities, Lohia Auto showcased India’s first concept e-three wheeler at Smart Cities Expo 2016 held at Pragati Maidan. In large number people visited at Lohia Stall to have a look of Electric three Wheeler.

Lohia Auto is a pioneer in the electric vehicles segment, and aim of making India’s first Electric Three Wheeler is to developed as a futuristic mode of local travelling within the smart city. Besides, Lohia Auto also showcased new models of electric rickshaw & utility electric vehicles designed for delivery van & garbage collection etc.  For individual local rides Lohia has showcased lithium ion electric scooter as well.

According to Mr. Ayush Lohia, CEO Lohia Auto Industries, “Smart Cities doesn’t mere bricks and concrete buildings but it is the smartly integrated facilities. We at Lohia Auto industries are keen to be a stake holder in this smart city movement as smart mobility provider. Our entire electric vehicles range existing and futuristic will be designed to best fit in last mile connectivity for Smart cities. “

He said, with the showcasing of their new range of e-vehicles, the aim is to further boost safety, comfort, convenience and last-mile connectivity by providing safe & cost effective transport solutions. “At the same time, we aim to do our bit to safeguard the environment and bring down emission of harmful fumes in the country.” Added Mr Lohia.

 So far, three wheelers either run on diesel or compressed natural gas. The shift to e-three wheelers will go a long way in curbing emission of harmful gases. The three-wheeler comes equipped with 5.7 KW motor and has the capacity to seat 3 passengers.

The company has also showcased its first lithium ion battery electric two wheeler “OMA STAR LI” at the smart city Expo 2016. Charging time of this model will be less than three hours compare to other eclectic Scotty charging time which is 6 to 7 hours, also battery life cycle will more than 1000 cycles.

Lohia Auto Industries is an automobile division of Lohia Global founded by visionary Late Mr. N.K. Lohia. Lohia has diversified operation in various sectors like Automobile, Handicraft Export, Retail Warehousing, Real Estate, Brass coil manufacturing etc.

Headed by dynamic entrepreneur Mr. Ayush Lohia, Lohia Auto Industries was established in the year 2008 with an objective to provide clean, efficient, reliable and affordable inner-city & rural transportation. In the highly cluttered automobile market, company has carved a niche for itself with electric scooters. Keeping in mind the energy security of the country, Lohia Auto has launched five models till date which are OMA, OMA star, DX, FAME & GENIUS and electric three wheelers 'HUMRAHI' & NARAIN (Passenger and loader both). Lohia Auto also launched with its brand of Diesel/CNG Three wheelers 'HUMSAFAR' in both segment i.e. Passenger and Cargo for Domestic and Exports market.

 The company has a manufacturing unit based out of Kashipur, Uttrakhand with capacity to produce 100000 units/Year of 2 Wheeler & 3 Wheeler. In addition it has in-house production of various key components and also houses ultra modern R&D department which provides and ensures innovative, highly efficient & durable electric vehicles to meet the ever growing demands of the domestic and international markets. Lohia Auto Industries has been associated with SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) and is also one of the founder members of SMEV (Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles). It is the only company registered with UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).

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Micro irrigation can help increasing productivity by 30 to 100%,Can help saving water up to 50-70-%says FICCI-TSMG Report

NEW DELHI, 13 May 2016: Right usage of water is becoming increasingly important given the fact that India currently supports nearly 17.84% of the world population, with 2.4% land and 4% of water resources. At the same time, monsoons are also becoming erratic. The resultant is alarming fall in ground water levels placing at risk, the national food security mission. Plasticulture - the use of plastics in agriculture, horticulture, water-management, food grains storage and related areas, provides an answer to this challenge. It can play an important role in facilitating judicious usage of water. It is estimated that appropriate applications of micro-irrigation technologies can result in water saving up to 50-70-%.

There is therefore a need to encourage the Plasticulture sector to enable it to realize its potential and contribute to the national economy. Application of micro irrigation can help in increasing productivity by 30 to 100 per cent with significant saving of water. Fertilizer use efficiency is also enhanced.

According to a FICCI -Tata Strategic Management Group (TSMG) report on the potential of plasticultre in India, India is at a crucial juncture when it needs to tackle the issue of food security by optimizing the use of resources, which traditionally has been taken for granted. Plasticulture is a viable solution for India, to launch 2nd Green revolution. The paucity of water, lower productivity and inefficient use of fertilizer leading to higher carbon footprint can all be taken care by efficient use of Plasticulture.

On the demand side, awareness about the possible benefits and subsidies available could help in the adoption of technology.

On the supply side, effort needs to go in creating the awareness through demonstration, build credibility by post-installation management, technology advancement to bring down the capital cost and develop viable bio-degradable alternatives thereby improving the productivity while reducing the carbon footprint.

The report notes that the Government needs to create an environment by promoting the Plasticulture by easy and efficient sanction of subsidies and promoting investments by allocating a share of agriculture budget to R&D. It is important to leverage the knowledge bank, which exists in the Indian institutes and tacit understanding of extension services today, to develop tailored solutions as per the local conditions and while also incorporate learning from other economies. The concentrated effort would ensure that the growth rate remains sustainable in following years, as the current penetration level are quite low. With a systematic industry approach supported by policies and government, a second Green Revolution could be triggered.

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Manufacturing Sector to Slowdown in Q-1: FICCI Survey Marginal Reduction in Interest Rates Not Enough to Prop up Investments: FICCI Survey

New Delhi, 13 May 2016: FICCI’s latest Quarterly Survey on Manufacturing indicates slowdown in manufacturing sector’s growth for the Quarter 1 (April-June 2016-17). The survey had earlier indicated revival in the manufacturing activity in Q-4 of 2015-16, which seems to be slowing down in Q-1 now. The percentage of respondents expecting higher growth in Q-1 2016-17 has gone down to 53% as compared to 60% for Q-4 (Jan-March 2015-16). The percentage was 55% for Q-3 2015-16.

FICCI’s latest quarterly survey gauges the expectations of manufacturers for Q-1 (April-June 2016-17) for thirteen major sectors namely textiles, capital goods, metals, chemicals, cement and ceramics, electronics, auto, leather & footwear, machine tools, food, tyre, paper and textiles machinery. Responses have been drawn from 308 manufacturing units from both large and SME segments with a combined annual turnover of over ₹4 lac crore.

The outlook on the basis of FICCI Manufacturing Survey for Q-4 of 2015-16 was more optimistic than in the current quarter. While the bleak export outlook is responsible for this less optimistic outlook for manufacturing production in first quarter of the current financial year but there have been several other factors that have contributed to this bleak outlook like poor demand conditions, unstable roadmap for various sectors leading to uncertainty, high interest cost etc.

In terms of order books, only 38% respondents have reported higher order books for the quarter April – June 2016-17 which is less than that of previous quarter (44%).

Quarter	% of Respondents Expecting Higher Production in the Quarter  vis-à-vis Respective Last Year’s Quarter
Q-1 (2016-17)	53%
Q-4 (2015-16)	60%
Q-3 (2015-16)	55%
Q-2 (2015-16)	63%
Q-1 (2015-16)	44%
Q-4 (2014-15)	52%
Q-3 (2014-15)	50%
Q-2 (2014-15)	62%
Q-1 (2014-15)	50%
Q-4 (2013-14)	56%
Q-3 (2013-14)	52%
Q-2 (2013-14)	48%
Q-1 (2013-14)	35%
Q-4 (2012-13)	36%
Q-3 (2012-13)	45%
Q-2 (2012-13)	44%
Q-1 (2012-13)	46%
Q-4 (2011-12)	36%

                                                                                          Source: FICCI Survey

Capacity Addition & Utilization

In terms of investment, for Q-1 2016-17, 75% respondents as against 68% respondents in previous quarter reported that they don’t have any plans for capacity additions for the next six months implying slack in the private sector investments in manufacturing to continue. Here again, uncertainty in the policies, poor demand conditions, high cost of borrowing, delayed clearances and cost escalation are some of the major constraints which are affecting the expansion plans of the respondents.

The current average capacity utilization as reported in the survey for the total manufacturing sector is around 74% for Q-4 which is less than the capacity utilization indicated in the earlier survey i.e. Q-4 2014-15 when it was around 77%.

Table: Current Average Capacity Utilization Levels As Reported in Survey

Sector	Average Capacity Utilization (%) in Q-4 2014-15	Average Capacity Utilization (%) in Q-4 2015-16
Auto	75	78
Capital Goods	65	71
Cement	65	80
Chemicals & Fertilizers	87	87
Textiles	82	79
Electronics & Electricals	70	75
Food	65	70
Leather & Footwear	68	57
Metals	70	68
Textiles Machinery	60	60
Tyre	80	80
Paper*	NA	87

                                                                                                          *NA: Not Available Due to lack of response from the sector

However, in some sectors, average capacity utilization has improved while in others it has almost remained same in Q-4 of 2015-16 as was in Q-4 of 2014-15. Capacity utilization has improved in cement, food, capital goods and electronics sector. On the other hand, in sectors like Chemicals, textiles machinery and tyres capacity utilisation has remained same.

Inventories

Inventory levels remain high with 76% respondents carrying either more or same levels of inventory as their average inventory levels as per the survey. However, this is lower than previous quarter, where 88% respondents reportedly carried either same or more than their average levels of inventory.

Exports

Export outlook for manufacturing continues to have the downward trajectory in Q-1 2016-17 with the proportion of respondents expecting higher exports in the quarter further falling. The proportion of respondents expecting higher exports in Q-1 2016-17 is 36% which is much lower than 41% in Q-4 2015-16.

Hiring

Hiring outlook seems bleak in manufacturing in coming months as over 80% respondents in Q-1 2016-17 as compared to around 76% in Q-4 2015-16, are not likely to hire additional workforce in next three months.

Interest Rate

Interest rate paid by the manufacturers seems to have moderated in the last few months, however it remains still high. The rate ranges from 6% to 15% as per the survey with average interest rate at around 11.4% per annum as compared to 11.8% average reported in the previous survey.

Sectoral Growth

Based on expectations in different sectors, the Survey pointed out that ten out of thirteen sectors were likely to witness low to moderate growth (less than 10%). Three sectors namely, capital goods, electronics & electricals and auto are likely to witness strong growth of over 10% in Q-3 2015-16.

Table: Growth expectations for Q-1 2016-17 compared with Q-1 2015-16

Sector	Growth Expectation
Capital Goods	Strong
Auto	Strong
Electronics & Electricals	Strong
Chemicals and Petro-Chemicals	Moderate
Textiles and Technical Textiles	Moderate
Machine Tools	Moderate
Paper	Moderate
Food Products	Moderate
Cement and Ceramics	Moderate
Tyres	Moderate
Textiles Machinery	Low
Metals & Metal Products	Low
Leather and Footwear	Low

   Note: Strong > 10%; 5% < Moderate < 10%; Low < 5%

  Source: FICCI Survey

Production Cost

The cost of production as a percentage of sales for product for manufacturers in the survey has shown some moderation as 47% respondents reported that it has come down vis-à-vis last year as against 50% respondents reported so in the previous survey.

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Agriculture output can be increased by ~INR 68,000 Cr by using Plasticulture applications – FICCI-TSMG report

NEW DELHI, 13 May 2016: A  National Conference on potential of Plasticulture in India on the theme “Role of Plasticulture in Next generation Agriculture” was inaugurated by Shri Hukmdev Narayan Yadav, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture & Farmers Welfare here today. He also released Knowledge and Strategy Paper prepared by FICCI and Tata Strategic Management Group (TSMG), a leading & largest Indian owned management consulting firm.

The report “Unleashing the potential of Plasticulture – Need of the hour” highlights the importance of adopting various Plasticulture methods and how it will play a critical role in order to bring further prosperity to the Indian agricultural sector. TSMG estimated that the agriculture output can be increased by ~INR 68,000 Cr by using Plasticulture applications in all pre and post-harvest requirements.

The Conference was jointly organized by FICCI and Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India, Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture of Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India. TSMG is the  Knowledge & Strategy Partner of this conference.

Hukmdev Narayan Yadav, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in his inaugural address, discussed the potential of plastics in agriculture and business opportunities present in the sector.  He highlighted the benefits of Plasticulture in farming methods and post harvesting techniques and truly believes that Indian plastics industry should promote sustainable development by investing in technologies that protects environment and stimulates growth while balancing economic needs and financial constraints.Sanjeev Chopra, Additional Chief Secretary & Principal Secretary - Agriculture, Government of West Bengal referred to applications of plastics in agriculture and has the potential to transform Indian agriculture to bring in the "Second Green Revolution" if tapped to its maximum potential.

Avinash Joshi, Joint Secretary (Petrochemicals), Department of  Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Government of India while detailing the positive role being played by the Indian plastics industry, as also various steps being taken by the Govt. to facilitate the growth of the sector, advised for focus to sustainable growth. The   industry would need to set targets for bringing in   efficient technologies  and for this the industry must invest more in R&D.  

Shakil P. Ahmed, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Government of India in his address focused on the significant progress in the adoption of Plasticulture techniques in the last decade.  He also discussed about the  greater use of plastic in agriculture can also help to a great extent to achieve up to fifty percent of the intended targets in Agriculture.Krish Iyengar, Executive Director, National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Agriculture &  Horticulture (NCPAH) also pointed to the  huge unrealized potential of further growth of plastic industry , as indicated by the present very low per capita consumption level in the country.  Sujoy Choudhury , General Manager ( Petrochemicals )  Marketing , IOCL discussed about how  the   plasticulture  is  going   to   play  a  dominant  role  in  horticulture development of the  country.  This is of special significance in view of the decision of Government of India to double the horticulture production in the country in the next five years. Hence the  role of plasticulture applications - micro irrigation,  and  mulching on one  hand and  protected cover  cultivation  on  the  other is going  to  be very critical in the  coming years.

 Manish Panchal, Senior Practice Head - Chemical & Energy, Tata Strategic Management Group, said, “The increasing population is raising concerns on the food security in India thereby putting a pressure on the agricultural sector to increase the production levels with limited resources by improving efficiencies and reducing wastages. Government should make the micro irrigation mandatory for all those crops which are water guzzling crops”

 Vinay Mathur, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI   pointed out the dwindling quality and the availability of water resources and importance of adopting Plasticulture for ensuring sustainability of the agricultural practice. He added that the Report on “Unleashing the potential of Plasticulture – Need of the hour”, jointly undertaken by FICCI and TSMG highlights  the approach required by the key stakeholders including the government and the regulatory bodies to be able to harness the plastics opportunities  in agriculture and provide a much needed thrust to a second green revolution Representatives from the Government of India (Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and Department of Agriculture & Cooperation), the State Government, private industry players along with large number of farmers who are important beneficiaries of plasticulture, were present in this conference

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AAP MLAs running extortion rackets, LG should order high level inquiry so that culprits could be punished

 Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, Sh. Vijender Gupta today alleged that many Aam Aadami Party (AAP) MLAs are running extortion rackets.  They are forcing shopkeepers, industrialists, wholesalers etc. falling within their respective Constituency to give weekly payoffs to avoid harassment.   AAP Government is creating character of weekly extortion in Delhi.  It has created fear psychosis amongst traders.  He urged Lt. Governor to order a high level inquiry into the developing practice of extortion.  If it is not nipped in bud, it will have serious repercussions on Delhi’s trade and business culture.

  Gupta was addressing a Press Conference at BJP Headquarter at Pant Marg where BJP MLAs Sh. Om Prakash Sharma and Sh. Jagdish Pradhan were also present. He told that the double character of AAP MLAs has been exposed before the public.  He gave an instance of Adarsh Nagar Constituency.  The ration shop owners alleged that the area MLA has been demanded Rs. 20,000/- per month from them.  His henchmen are threatening the shopkeepers that their license will be confiscated and shop closed.

 The Adarsh Nagar Constituency comprises 33 ration shops.  As many as 30 shopkeepers got rid of the extortion by giving a cheque of Rs. 3100/- per head.  The payment can be verified from the concerned bank.  The shopkeepers which did not concede to extortion were threatened by Food & Civil Supplies officials with notices for not opening the shop in time, not writing information on notice board, not distributing ration to all eligible ration-card holders, not giving cash memo etc.  The idea is to cow them down into submission.

 The traders of Bhajan Pura Tanki Road market have complained to him that AAP MLA is pressurizing them for giving huge donation every month.  The shopkeepers who are not willing to oblige, are being threatened with consequences.The extortion racket is flourishing in Azad Pur Fruit & Vegetable Wholesale Market (Mandi).  It has resulted in fear amongst the shopkeepers.  A complaint has already been lodged with Lt. Governor. It may be recalled that police is already investigating the matter of Kondli Vidhan Sabha where the PA of MLA Manoj Kumar was involved in extortion. Gupta urged the shopkeepers, industrialists and general public not to fear from AAP MLAs and workers.  They should lodge complaint either with police or with BJP leaders so that culprits brought to book and Delhi does not develop of character of extortion.        

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