INDIA NEWSLETTER Indian Embassy, Vienna
Published by the Embassy of India, Vienna Year 9 • Issue 83 • August 2019
India's Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Regions are engines of growth for Make in India. India Newsletter. 1
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Digital Infrastructure as a Core Utility to Every Citizen
Governance and Services on Demand
Digital Empowerment of Citizens
Digital India programme is a flagship programme of the Government of India with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Find out more under:
www.digitalindia.gov.in
Infrastructure Development
Accelarate Manufacturing Growth
Focus on Skill Development
Sustainable Energy Sufficiency
Improved Business Environment
The Government of India has prepared a five-pillar strategy to drive India’s growth, which offers multiple avenues of collaboration and investments. Find out more under:
www.makeinindia.com
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UNION BUDGET 2019-2020 The Union Budget for the financial year 2019-20, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on July 5th, charted a detailed plan to achieve inclusive and sustainable development in the world’s fastest - growing economy ●Indian economy to become a US$3 trillion economy in the current fiscal ●India Inc. are the nation’s job and wealth - creators, says FM Sitharaman ●India requires investments averaging more than US$292 billion every year ●FDI in like aviation, media (animation, AVGC) and insurance can be opened The Union Budget for the financial year 2019 -20, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on July 5th, charted a detailed plan to achieve inclusive and sustainable development in the world’s fastest- growing economy. The Budget presented an progressive goal to achieve a US$5 trillion economy by 2024-25, compared with the current US$2.7 trillion. To achieve this, Government of India is targeting annual economic growth of 8 per cent over the coming years. This aims to establish India as the world’s third largest economy, compared with the current sixth largest position. India was the world’s 11th largest economy in 2013-14. Meanwhile, in the current financial year, Indian economy is expected to record a growth of 7 per cent, following a growth of 6.8 per cent in 2018-19. The Government plans to achieve this by boosting investment, especially from the private sector, in all sections of the economy.
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POSITIVE NEWS FLASHES
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India will this year overtake the UK to turn into the world's fifth greatest economy and is ready to surpass Japan to be the third largest in 2025.
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The government has allowed the foreign investment in insurance industry to 100 per cent from 49 per cent. This is to help the penetration of Indian companies in global market As per Fitch Ratings and bring profit to the in technology the Budget 2019-2020 investors suggestion of relaxing solutions. foreign investment limit in insurance intermediaries will India has supported lead to support distribution the progress of the emerging capabilities and enhance the electric vehicle (EV) international involvement, manufacturing by offering particularly from developed extensive fiscal incentives markets. and a favourable regulatory environment. There will Indian pharmaceutical income tax rebate on electric industry to see a growth of vehicle and custom duty 11- 13 per cent in fiscal year exemption on lithium–ion FY20. This growth is mainly cells. Makers of components due to increase in spend on such as solar electric healthcare and improvement charging infrastructure and in access. Growth can be lithium storage batteries and projected due to decrease in other components will be pricing pressure for US offered investment linked market, new dispatches and income tax exemptions under gain of market shares from Section 35 AD of the Income existing products. Tax Act, and other indirect tax benefits. India intend to raise as much as US$ 10 billion India has adopted from its first overseas fuel cycle' for sovereign bonds to reach its 'closed record of Rs 7.1 trillion (US$ recovery of Uranium and 104 billion) fiscal year FY20. Plutonium and recycling The government would them back to the reactor as according to the borrow in foreign currency to fuel, of State for finance deficit leading to Minister of Northease in pressure on local Development Eastern Region, Government market.
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of India.
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About 89 per cent of the family businesses in India expect growth in the coming two years, according to the ‘Family Business Survey 2019' by PwC.
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India's
manufacturing, engineering and infrastructure sector is expected to add 58,200 new jobs between AprilSeptember 2019.
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Workforce under contract employment in India grew at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3 per cent between 2015-18 to 3.3 million, according to a report by the India Staffing Federation (ISF).
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Beauty and wellness business in India have a market capability of Rs. 80,000 crore (US$ 11.12 billion) and can provide employment opportunities to lakhs of individuals. Under Ministry of skilled development and entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 2.0), youth can be skilled and gain employment opportunities India Newsletter • 6
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ANNOUNCEMENT FOR AUSTRIAN CITIZENS e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) for Austrian citizens The Government of India has extended e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) scheme to the citizens of Austria w.e.f. 26th February 2016. Under e-Tourist Visa scheme, citizens of Austria may now apply online (https:// indianvisaonline. gov.in/visa/ tvoa.html) to obtain the Electronic Travel Authorization for travelling to India. This facility is also available to the citizens of Montenegro. Queries related to e-TV; for any assistance call 24x7 Visa support center at +91-11-24300666 or send email to indiatvoa@gov.in.
Instructions for e-Visa
1. e-Visa has 5sub-categories i.e. e-Tourist visa, e-Business visa, e-Medical visa, e-Medical Attendant visa and e-Conference visa. 2. Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days. 3. e-Visa fee is country/Territory specific. 4. Applicant should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel. 5. Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India. 6. The validity of e-Visa (except e-Conference visa) will be 60 days from the date of arrival in India. 7. This facility is in addition to the existing Visa services. 8. e-Visa can be availed for maximum of three times in a calendar year i.e. between January to December. 9. e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas.
NEWS ARTICLES Total, EDF Renewables to develop 700 MW solar power projects in India: Business Standard ----------------------------------
Total, one of the world’s major integrated oil & gas company along with French energy group EDF Renewables, will develop 700 MW of solar power projects in India through their joint subsidiary EDEN Renewables India. In a public statement, Total Eren and EDF Renewables announced signing of four 25year long term Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), for four solar power projects totaling 716 MWp of installed capacities in northern India. These projects have been
awarded to EDEN Renewables India, their solar photovoltaic equally owned joint venture in India, it said. With a planned production of nearly 1,200 GWh per year, these solar PV projects will generate the energy required to meet the annual electricity needs of 1.1 million Indian households. The construction is due to start by the end of this year and commissioning is expected towards the end of 2020, said the company. “These large-scale projects are a lever for local economic development, they enable us to strengthen our presence in India and consider new projects in this country which represents
a strategic market for EDF Renewables. These landmark projects fit perfectly with the EDF Group’s Cap 2030 strategy of doubling its renewable energy capacity in operation between 2015 and 2030 in France and worldwide,” said Frederic Belloy, Executive Vice President, International Operations at EDF Renewables. EDEN Renewables India has been building and operating solar projects jointly owned by the two partners in India since 2016. It currently has 207 MW of projects in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. India Newsletter. 7
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Bajaj Finserv reports flat net profit growth in Q1; total income rises 40%: Hamsini Karthik, BS -----------------------------------
Bajaj Finserv — the holding company of Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company (BAGIC), and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company (BALIC) — reported a 40 per cent year-on-year increase in income to Rs 12,272 crore in the June quarter (Q1). The company’s net profit at Rs 845 crore, however, increased by only 2 per cent year on year as a few one-offs provisioning expenses in BAGIC and BALIC impacted the overall numbers. Bajaj Finserv’s stock shed 3.9 per cent on Thursday to close at Rs 6,783 apiece on the BSE. BAGIC’s underwriting result was affected by losses from cyclone Fani, which hit India’s east coast during the June quarter. The life and general insurance businesses were also hit by impairment costs on account of default by Dewan Housing Finance (DHFL) on a part of commercial paper dues. Therefore, while BAGIC and BALIC recorded premium growth of 17 per cent and 35 per cent to Rs 2,843 crore and Rs 1,837 crore, respectively, their profits were adversely impacted by provision for impairment on their holdings of DHFL’s fixed income securities. Consequently, BAGIC’s profit after tax fell by 38.6 per cent to Rs 210 crore as against Rs 291 crore a year ago. It recorded an impairment provision of Rs 76
crore representing 60 per cent of the outstanding amount in respect of fixed income investments in DHFL. Hit by Fani cyclone, claim ratio shot up to 72.8 per cent in Q1 versus 65.7 per cent last year. However, combined ratio rose from 90.2 per cent last year to 103.1 per cent in Q1FY20 and solvency ratio as on June 30 stood at 249 per cent, well above the minimum regulatory requirement of 150 per cent. The impact of impairment on account of DHFL’s instrument was more pronounced in BALIC. Net profit fell over 57 per cent to Rs 62 crore as against Rs 146 crore a year ago as the life insurer set aside Rs 126 crore towards DHFL’s fixed income instruments. Solvency ratio, though, remained strong at a 790 per cent as on June 30, well above the regulatory requirement of 150 per cent. BALIC’s total investments in Q1 rose by 9 per cent year on year to Rs 57,860 crore. Comparatively, Bajaj Finance’s numbers were strong, though the near-term demand outlook didn’t seem encouraging. Total income grew by 47 per cent year on year to Rs 5,808 crore in Q1, while net profit expanded to Rs 1,195 crore, up 43 per cent year on year. Assets under management (AUM) stood at Rs 128,898 crore in Q1, posting year-on-year growth of 41 per cent. This includes Rs 21,745 crore of its housing finance business – Bajaj Housing Finance. However, the quarter saw a huge spike in provisioning expenses, which rose by 70 per cent to Rs 551 crore compared to last year. Gross non-
performing assets (NPA) ratio also increased from 1.39 per cent a year ago to 1.6 per cent in Q1. Bajaj Finance’s management has turned cautious disbursing fresh to segments such as digital product financing, small and medium enterprises (SME) loans and consumer durable loans in select regions.
World Bank retains India's growth rate for FY19-20 at 7.5 per cent: PTI -----------------------------------
Washington: India's economy is projected to grow at 7.5 per cent in the next three years, supported by robust investment and private consumption, the World Bank has forecast, in some good news to the new Indian government. The bank in its Global Economic Prospects release said that India is estimated to have grown 7.2 per cent in fiscal year 2018/19, which ended March 31. A slowdown in government consumption was offset by solid investment, which benefitted from public infrastructure spending. As against a growth rate of 6.6 per cent in 2018, China's growth rate in 2019 is projected to be dropped to 6.2 per cent and then subsequently to 6.1 per cent in 2020 and 6 per cent in 2021, the World Bank said. With this, India will continue to retain the position of being the fastest growing emerging economy. And by 2021, its growth rate is projected to be 1.5 per cent more than China's 6 per cent. The World Bank's report came as a good news for India days after Data from Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed that India's India Newsletter • 8
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economic growth slowed to a five-year low of 5.8 per cent in fourth quarter of 2018-19, pushing the country behind China. The decline in the economic activity has been attributed by the CSO to steep decline in growth in agriculture and manufacturing sectors. According to the World Bank, growth in India is projected at 7.5 per cent in Fiscal Year 2019/20 (April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020), unchanged from the previous forecast, and to stay at this pace through the next two fiscal years. "Private consumption and investment will benefit from strengthening credit growth amid more accommodative monetary policy, with inflation having fallen below the Reserve Bank of India's target, it said. Support from delays in planned fiscal consolidation at the central level should partially offset the effects of political uncertainty around elections in FY2018/19, it said. The World Bank said that India's urban consumption was supported by a pickup in credit growth, whereas rural consumption was hindered by soft agricultural prices. On the production side, robust growth was broad-based, with a slight moderation in services and agricultural activity accompanied by an acceleration in the industrial sector. Weakening agricultural production reflected subdued harvest in major crops on the back of less rainfalls, it said. Services activity softened mainly due to slowing trade, hotel, transport, and communication activity.
From Accenture to IBM, IT hiring set to gain pace with 25,000 openings: Business Standard ----------------------------------
After a lull in hiring by the IT industry seen during the election period, recruitment seems to have picked up in June, as around 25,000 openings have come up from major software services companies. “Accenture has close to 6,600 openings, whereas it stands at close to 2,800 for IBM. Despite the negative news flow, Cognizant has around 5,000 new openings,” said a person familiar with the recruitment process of major IT firms. “Similarly, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has more than thousand openings in the contractual hiring space.” Another person in the know said most of these openings are for lateral hiring for people with 4-6 years of experience. “The total number of openings, including tier-II firms, is around 25,000. Most of these are lateral job opportunities for people trained in both new age as well as traditional skill sets,” said a senior executive of a recruitment agency. During the last financial year, most Indian IT companies had ramped up hiring, anticipating an uptick in demand. For instance, the aggregate employee addition by the top three Indian IT services firms in FY19 jumped close to seven times, given these companies went into an overdrive of hiring fresh talent as well as rebadging employees of client organisations. TCS, Infosys, and Wipro
together added a net 64,805 (after taking into account the attrition) employees in the financial year ended March 2019, when compared to an addition of 9,864 in FY18 and 48,350 in FY17. However, during the election months of April and May, there had been a substantial drop in hiring. “Hiring was subdued during pre-election months as the managements of IT companies were waiting for certainty in policy direction. With the formation of a new government, the uncertainty is behind us, which can be seen as a factor behind the current uptick,” said Supaul Chanda, business head of recruitment firm TeamLease Digital. “The ramping up of projects after initial agreements could be another reason for this pickup in hiring.” Apart from these factors, replacement hiring is another major driver. “There is 7-10 per cent staff mobilisation every year, after the announcement of annual increments, given that employees leave owing to discontentment over salary hikes,” said Chanda. Apart from hiring on a company's payroll, which is for permanent positions, even contractual hiring has picked up in recent months. “Not only recruitment for permanent staffing, but even contractual hiring has gone up. Earlier, while IT firms were looking for contractual staff in the 2-4 years of experience range, engineers with 4-8 years of experience are also comfortable with contractual employment nowadays,” said the TeamLease executive. India Newsletter. 9
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India, EU hold highlevel talks on migration, mobility: ANI --------------------------------
India and the European Union (EU) on held the fifth high-level dialogue on migration and mobility (HLDMM) and discussed steps aimed at realising the full potential of "further strengthening" cooperation in the key areas. Sanjiv Arora, Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) and Paraskevi MICHOU, Director General (Migration and Home Affairs), European Commission co-chaired the talks, according to a statement put out by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Besides the two delegations led by the co-chairs, the dialogue was attended by heads of mission and other representatives of the diplomatic missions of EU Member States in New Delhi, who were invited as observers for the first time. "The discussions at the 5th India-EU HLDMM were held in a highly friendly and constructive spirit, and encompassed a wide
range of issues of mutual interest in the context of migration and mobility along the India-EU corridor," the statement said. The programme was held under the Technical Support Project for undertaking collaborative activities in the framework of the Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM) between India and the EU and its member states, signed on March 29, 2016, the statement further said.
HAL delivers Chetak helicopter to Indian Navy: IBEF --------------------------------State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) delivered a Chetak helicopter to the Indian Navy, with the latest communication and navigation systems, said the defence behemoth on Wednesday. "The documents of the chopper were handed over to Commodore Vikram Menon by our helicopter division general manager S. Anbuvelan at our facility," said the city-based aerospace major in a statement.
Secretary (CPV and OIA) delivers his address at the inauguration of India-EU Seminar on 'Sharing of Good Practices on Migration Governance' in New Delhi.
The Navy signed a contract with HAL in August 2017 for 8 Chetaks to be delivered by August 2020, with the first two by August 2019. "The helicopters are fitted with the systems developed indigenously. We will also provide support to the copter fleet," said HAL Chairman R. Madhavan on the occasion. The company, however, did not mention the cost of the naval order for supplying the 8 choppers in the statement. "It is an honour to receive the first helicopter one month ahead of the delivery schedule. We are aware of the vital role Chetak plays in our aviation," said Menon. HAL's helicopter complex chief executive G.V.S. Bhaskar said the company had revived the Chetak production line after upgrading it with the latest technologies. "We will deliver the seven helicopters by August 2020 as scheduled," he added. The company has been rolling out Chetaks over the last 5 decades under licence from France-based Eurocopter or Airbus Helicopters. The Navy uses the multiutility Chetaks for communication operations spanning passenger transport), cargo/material transport, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, aerial survey and patrolling, emergency medical services, electronic news gathering, anti-hijacking, offshore operation and underslung operation. HAL has till date produced over 350 Chetaks and delivered 80 to the Navy. Presently, 51 Chetaks are in operation with Navy. India Newsletter. 10
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FORUM FOR INDIAN SCIENCE DIPLOMACY Digitisation of Health: Initiative by AYUSH and MeitY
IISc & BT collaborate Cybersecurity
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AI4Bharat launched by IIT-Madras
Heart Attack diagnostic device by IITHyderabad
Ministry of AYUSH has signed an MOU with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India for digitisation of AYUSH leading to transformation in health care at all levels. Under the collaboration, MeitY will provide high quality technical support to the AYUSH Ministry in order to achieve the objective of digitisation of the health sector
Collaboration between the Tata Trusts and Gates Foundation in Agriculture --------------------------------
India Agritech Incubation Network (IAIN), which is envisioned as a network of incubators across India to promote innovations for smallholder farmers, will be set up as a collaborative project between the Tata Trusts and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The first hub for IAIN is planned to be set up at IIT Kanpur and innovative solutions with a focus on affordability, accessibility, efficiency and user experience will receive incubation support for 12-24 months. The initiative aims to support around 60 enterprises with technology and business incubation, impacting 50,000 farmers in the next five years.
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Telecom giant BT and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have started a new phase of UK-India joint research with the opening of a new collaborative research centre in Bengaluru. The new BT India Research Centre (BTIRC) will join BT’s network of collaborative research facilities around the globe,including centres in Northern Ireland, China, the US, and the UAE.The BTIRC will operate multiple research tracks, focused primarily on artificial intelligence, mobility and software engineering technologies for use in BT’s strategic programmes, products and services. Future areas will include cybersecurity innovations.
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An online platform AI4Bharat has been launched by IITMadras in a bid to accelerate innovation in the field of artificial intelligence. It would help build solutions to local problems in agriculture, health care and other sectors and will also mentor students to use AI for creating impactful solutions. The initiative aims at creating a community of 100 selected AI experts and 50 domain experts.
IOT and Data science to aid farming communities An MoU has been signed between the Kerala State IT Mission and Cisco to bring benefits of digital technology to farming communities in Kerala. The collaboration is part of Country Digitisation Acceleration programme and will provide access to data storage of the farming data of paddy and prawns also would run analytics to extract insights on crop yields, weather patterns, plant disease pattern, moisture content and forecasting. Establishment of Village Knowledge Centres is also envisioned as part of the programme, for knowledge delivery and providing better access to e-learning and advisory services to the farming and fishing communities.
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Scientists from IIT-Hyderabad have designed a microfluidic device that can help in early diagnosis of heart attack. The team has successfully integrated the microfluidic device with chitosan-coated nickel vanadate nanospheres to enable rapid detection and better sensitivity. Results of the research study are published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry B. India Newsletter. 11
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MAKE IN INDIA OIL & GAS INDUSTRY Investments: According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Policy (DPIIT), the petroleum and natural gas sector attracted FDI worth US$ 7.018 billion between April 2000 and March 2019. Following are some of the major investments and developments in the oil and gas sector:
The oil and gas sector is among the eight core industries in India and plays a major role in influencing decision making for all the other important sections of the economy. India’s economic growth is closely related to energy demand; therefore the need for oil and gas is projected to grow more, thereby making the sector quite conducive for investment. The Government of India has adopted several policies to fulfil the increasing demand. The government has allowed 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in many segments of the sector, including natural gas, petroleum products, and refineries, among others. Today, it attracts both domestic and foreign investment, as attested by the presence of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and Cairn India.
Market Size: India is expected to be one of the largest contributors to nonOECD petroleum consumption growth globally. Oil imports rose sharply to US$ 87.37 billion in 2017-18 from US$ 70.72 billion in 2016-17. India retained its spot as the third largest consumer of oil in the world in 2017 with consumption of 4.69 mbpd of oil in 2017, compared to 4.56 mbpd in 2016. India was the fourth-largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) importer in 2017 after Japan, South Korea and China. LNG imports increased to 26.11 bcm in 2017-18 from 24.48 bcm in 2016-17. Gas pipeline infrastructure in the country stood at 16,226 km at the beginning of February 2019.
- In September 2018, the Government of Gujarat selected Energy Infrastructure Limited (EIL), a subsidiary of the Netherlands-based Energy Infrastructure Butano (Asia) BV, to set up a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal at Okha with an investment of Rs 700 crore (US$ 104.42 million). - Foreign investors will have opportunities to invest in projects worth US$ 300 billion in India, as the country looks to cut reliance on oil imports by 10 per cent by 2022, according to Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is going to invest Rs 17,615 crore (US$ 2.73 billion) on drilling oil and gas wells in 2018-19. - As of March 2019, Brookfield is going to acquire Reliance Gas Transportation Infrastructure, now known as East West Pipeline (EWPL) India Newsletter. 12
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for Rs 13,000 crore (US$ 1.80 billion).
planning to invest Rs 70,000 crore (US$ 9.97 billion) to expand the gas pipeline network across the country. In September 2018, Government of India approved fiscal incentives to attract investments and technology to improve recovery from oil fields which is expected to lead to hydrocarbon production worth Rs 50 lakh crore (US$ 745.82 billion) in the next twenty years.
Oil and Gas Clusters, India
Government Initiatives: Some of the major initiatives taken by the Government of India to promote oil and gas sector are: - The Government of India is planning to set up around 5,000 compressed bio gas (CBG) plants by 2023. - Government of India is
- State-run oil firms are planning investments worth Rs 723 crore (US$ 111.30 million) in Uttar Pradesh to improve the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) infrastructure in a bid to promote clean energy and generate employment, according to Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. - A gas exchange is planned in order to bring market-driven pricing in the energy market of India and the proposal for the same is ready to be taken to
the Union Cabinet, according to Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. - The Oil Ministry plans to set up bio-CNG (compressed natural gas) plants and allied infrastructure at a cost of Rs 7,000 crore (US$ 1.10 billion) to promote the use of clean fuel.
Achievements: Construction of around 13,500 km long gas pipeline is under way, at the end of 2018. Under City Gas Distribution (CGD) network, 86 Geographical Areas constituting 174 districts in 22 States/ Union Territories are covered As of December 5, 2018 more than 58.3 million connections have been released under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
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Indian Oil and Gas Industry- Latest News & Developments
Rosneft's Nayara begins fuel retail expansion in India: Livemint --------------------------------
Russian oil giant Rosneft-led Nayara Energy is expanding its fuel retail network, nearly two years after the company acquired Essar Oil’s assets, including its fuel retail outlets. Rosneft in August 2017 bought Essar Oil for $12.9 billion and later renamed the company Nayara Energy, which now operates a 20million-tonnes-a year oil refinery at Vadinar, Gujarat. "As the fastest growing pan-India private fuel retail network, we are expanding retail presence at an extensive pace. Today we have more than 5,000 fuel retail outlets in the country and we plan to increase the network to over 7,000 by 2020," said B. Anand, CEO, Nayara Energy. With this expansion, Nayara will retain its tag of the largest private fuel retailer in the country. Reliance Industries trails Nayara with around 1,372 fuel retail outlets followed by Shell which operates over 120 fuel retail stations in the country and has acquired land for another 150, which are under-construction. Shell plans to open 1,200 retail stations across India over the next ten years. RIL along with partner BP Plc plans to jointly set up 2,000 petrol pumps in India over the next few years.
Nayara is also investing $850 million to expand its Vadinar refinery to foray into the petrochemical business. In the first phase, the company plans to set up a 450,000-tonnes-per annum polypropylene plant. Polypropylene is used in applications, including packaging for consumer products, plastic parts for various industries including the automotive industry and textiles etc. The unit is targeted to be completed by 2022-end.
Eight core sectors grow by 5.1% in May; sharp revision in April numbers: IBEF -------------------------------
The growth rate for the Eight core sectors ( for April 2019 has registered positive growth of 6.3 per cent from 2.6 per cent announced before predominantly because of upward corrections underway of coal, unrefined petroleum, steel, bond and power. After the updated numbers, the development rate would be most elevated over the most recent ten months. Last time it was in July 2018, when these parts developed by 7.8 per cent. "The most noteworthy upward modification of 17.2 per cent has been in the generation of steel for April 2019. "This incorporation has
essentially affected the development rate of steel forthe long periods of April 2019 and May 2019.During April-May, the eight segments developed by 5.7 per cent contrasted with 4.4 per cent in a similar period a year ago.
86 per cent Ujjwala beneficiaries return to take 2nd refill: PTI -------------------------------Petroleum Minister Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan said in the Lok Sabha that around 86 per cent recipients of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), under which free LPG connection were given, have returned to buy the second cylinder. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have authorized more than 9,000 LPG distributorships to make LPG easily accessible and distributed to customers in last five years. OMC have notified that of around 86 per cent of PMUY beneficiaries who are benefited and has been at least one year old have returned for second fill. PMUY beneficiaries are applicable for subsidy that is directly transferred into their bank account under PAHAL scheme. The minister also said according to a study there has been 20 per cent reduction in cases of chest congestion in the country after the implementation of PMUY.
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INDIA - AUSTRIA NEWS Sh. Aniket G. Mandavgane, FS(P & C) & Commercial Representative attended the inauguration ceremony of the office of an Indian company RACL Geartech Gmbh at Kremsmuenster, Austria on Friday 12 July 2019. RACL is an auto component manufacturer listed on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) supplying engine and transmission components to diverse clients across the globe since 1987. RACL manufactures drive train parts for Tractors, Two Wheelers, Electric Cars, Three Wheelers, Cargo Vehicles, Light and Heavy commercial vehicles, collectively manufacturing more than 5 millions gears a year, and having a turnover of around USD 32 million. About 40% of RACL's business with Europe is with companies based in Austria like KTM & BRP Rotax, BMW. While RACL Geartech GmBh presently has set up a front office/ support office for customers to provide after-sales support, in later years, they plan to offer warehousing services and subsequently, some kind of manufacturing presence in Austria. The Inauguration ceremony saw participation from RACL Directors, officials from local Chamber of Commerce Office and RACL's clients like KTM, BRP-Rotax and BMW. FS(P&C) informed the gathering of the opportunities in automobile and auto-component sector in India and the expertise of Indian companies in this sector, while assuring the companies of providing any assistance required.
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INDIAN STATE ECONOMIC PROFILE DELHI Delhi is one of the fastest growing states of the country. At current prices, the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Delhi increased at a CAGR (in Rs) of 12.41 per cent between 2011-12 and 2018-19 to reach Rs 7.80 trillion (US$ 108.06 billion). The per capita GSDP (in Rs) increased a CAGR of 10.30 per cent between 2011-12 and 2018-19 to Rs 402,173 (US$ 5,574.12). Growth was driven by the expansion of the services sector. Banking and insurance, real estate, trade, tourism and communications were driving the progress in the state. The location advantage, policy incentives and infrastructure in the state support investments in sectors such as IT/ITeS, banking and financial services industry (BFSI), small scale industries (SSI) and tourism activities. The new Industrial Policy for Delhi 2010-21 aims to provide a conducive environment for knowledge based and hi-tech IT/ ITeS industries in Delhi.
Total merchandise exports from Delhi were US$ 8.71 billion in FY18 and have reached US$ 9.46 billion in FY19. Delhi has a large skill base. 30 per cent of the workforce is qualified for occupations such as engineering, medicine, law, and consultancy. Among all the states, Delhi has the largest share of skilled workforce, making it suitable for knowledge-based economic activities such as IT/ITeS, designing, R&D and financial services. The government is also encouraging activities allied to industries, such as consultancy, information technology, training of skilled manpower through vocational training programmes and entrepreneurial development programmes. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), FDI inflows in Delhi, including part of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, stood at US$ 84.64 billion from April 2000 To March 2019.
Major initiatives taken by the government to promote Delhi as an investment destination are: ► The national capital received 29.11 million domestic tourist and 2.74 million foreign tourists in 2017. ► State Level Export Promotion Committee (SLEPC) has been constituted to draw export policy and action plan and approve infrastructure projects for financial assistance under Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied activities (ASIDE) scheme of the Central Government. ► The Delhi government has set up a Business Facilitation Council (BFC) to facilitate single-window clearances from various departments for establishing industrial enterprises in a time-bound manner. ► According to the Delhi 2021 Master Plan, special emphasis has been laid on improved solid-waste management policies.
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INDIAN TRADE FAIRS INTERESTED IN VISITING A TRADE SHOW IN INDIA? In case your company is interested in visiting a tradeshow/B2B event in India, be it one listed here or another one that came to your attention, get in contact with us via comm1.vienna@mea.gov.in to get more information about possible assistance/subsidies.
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GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
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Mumbai (July 17) • Hyderabad (July 19) Chennai (July 22) • Bangalore (July 24) Kolkata (July 26) • New Delhi (July 28).
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Global Housing Technology Challenge- India (GHTC-India) Global Housing Technology Challenge- India (GHTC-I) intends to get the best globally available innovative construction technologies through a challenge process. It aims to demonstrate and deliver ready to live-in houses in minimum time and minimum cost with high-quality of construction in a sustainable manner. This challenge seeks to promote future potential technologies through Incubation support and accelerator workshops, in order to foster an environment of research and development in the country. The process flow chart of GHTC- India is summarized as below:
www.ghtc-india.gov.in India Newsletter• 21
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The office of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to Government of India in partnership with East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) invites proposals from technology partners for recovery of land at Ghazipur open dump site in New Delhi by demonstration/ implementation of technology for amelioration of the landfill waste. Multiple technologies may be selected for implementation at the Ghazipur Landfill site, operating in parallel to address the landfill challenge in a multi-pronged fashion. Pilot demonstration units will be set up in the land adjacent to the landfill and the waste from the landfill will be provided to each pilot project. The implementation of the pilot demonstration project provides an opportunity for companies across the world to validate technologies in real-time conditions. The RFP is in a partnership mode; the advantage of partnering with the Government of India for technology deployment would allow access and exposure to the Indian market and conditions. Link to the Request for Proposal http://psa.gov.in/rfp/ For any further information please contact the following person under intimation to this Embassy: Shailja Vaidya Gupta Adviser (Scientist 'G') Department of Biotechnology Ministry of Science and Technology Block-2, CGO Complex, Lodi Road New Delhi - 110 003, India. Ph: +9111 24363748 email: shailja@dbt.nic.in
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Indian Embassy, Vienna
INVEST INDIA The Investors Desk of the Make in India Campaign The national investment promotion agency, provides handholding and facilitation services for attracting investments, including: Following up on approvals from Government departments/ agencies on behalf of the investor and the investing community. Providing handholding facilitation services from the point of arrival to the point of departure, including land/site identification and entry procedure advisory. Interacting with all States in a Hub & Spoke Model and providing investors with State policies relating to land/labour/capital and investment.Fixing meetings/ appointments between investors and different Government departments/agencies. The team of domain and functional experts provide sector- and state-specific inputs, and handholding support to investors through the entire investment cycle, from preinvestment decision-making to aftercare. Invest India assist with: ■ Market strategy ■ Business plan advisory ■ Location identification ■ Expediting regulatory approvals ■ Facilitating meetings with relevant government and corporate officials ■ Initiating remedial action on problems faced by investors
Contact Information
Mr. Anmol Bansal +91 9821 897 017 (Direct) anmol.bansal@investindia.org.in +91 11 2419 0300
www.investindia.gov.in
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Indian Embassy, Vienna
TOURISM
Tamil Nadu
KAPALEESWARAR TEMPLE, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is the eleventh largest state in India by area, sixth-most populous state according to the Human Development Index in 2011 and is the second - largest state economy in India after Maharashtra. Its official language is Tamil, which is one of the longest surviving classical language in the World. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu has all segments of Tourist attractions which invite tourists. It has cerulean mountains, silver waterfalls, verdant vegetation, sandy beaches, mammoth monuments, timeless temples, fabulous wildlife, scintillating sculptures and reverberating rural life. It has picturesque spots, continuing heritage, cultural confluence and aesthetic magnificence. Tamil Nadu has five UNESCO declared world heritage monuments viz. Mamallapuram monuments, Brihadeeswarar Temple – Thanjavur, Brihadeeswarar Temple – Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Airavatheeswarar Temple – Darasuram and Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Tamil Nadu has four international airports at Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Coimbatore. It has well connected railway and roads. The major tourist centres are Chennai, Kancheepuram, Mamallapuram,
Vellore, Thiruvannamalai, Chidambaram, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Coimbatore, Yercaud, Madurai, Rameswaram, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari etc. can be visited in Tamil Nadu. Places to visit in Tamil Nadu: CHENNAICalled the ‘Cultural Capital of India’ for its deeprooted traditions and age-old heritage, Chennai also has a young heart. It has grown into a charming city within a span of just over 350 years. Gaining recognition when, in 1639, Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, agents of the English East India Company, acquired a strip of land, called Chennapatnam on lease from the Vijayanagar King. Fort St. George that serves as the Government Secretariat today, was built to set up a factory serving as a nucleus for British settlements. The city was known as Madras till 1996 and later renamed as Chennai. Spread over 200 sq km with the Bay of Bengal on the east, the city is the gateway to the rest of South India. OOTYReputed as a modern urban hill town built in a traditional colonial style, the town of Ootacamund, also known as Ooty is located at an altitude of 2,240 meters. It is not hard to exaggerate on its stunning natural beauty, India Newsletter. 24
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revealing radiant blue skies and green Nilgiri hills. It’s the highest mountain peak in the southern India region. This queen of hills has the most breathtaking landscape you would ever lay your eyes on! Lively walking trails, tea plantations and sultry dark chocolates, Ootacamund offers two of the world’s most spectacular wonders: best tea gardens and oil extractions. That said, there’s plenty to surprise the first time visitors, and plenty more for you to want to visit again. KANYAKUMARIIt is also known as Cape Comorin, Kumari and Kumari Munai. This is a ‘rocky mainland‘ on the Indian Ocean in the State of Tamil Nadu and located at the Southern Most tip of the Indian Subcontinent. Many call it KOODAL meaning it is situated at the Confluence of three oceans Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Kanyakumari is popular because it is the only places on earth, where you can see the Sun Rise and Sun Set from the ocean. It is the only place in India where one can enjoy the unique spectacle of Sunset and Moonrise simultaneously on full moon days. It is even more special and spectacular on Chitra Paurnami [full moon that occurs in Apr-May] when one can view both the sun and the moon facing each other on the same
horizon, a rare sight of unique grandeur, which seems to happen by prior arrangement. COIMBATORECoimbatore, an ancient city, was the capital of a small tribal village, Kongunad, before the 2nd century AD until it was brought under Chola control in the 2nd-3rd centuries AD by Karikalan, the first of the early Cholas. Among its other great rulers were the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara kings. When Kongunad fell to the British along with the rest of the state, its name was changed to Coimbatore. Today, Coimbatore (Kovai in Tamil) is a commercial city of considerable importance; it is home to over 60 spinning and weaving mills and textiles is its main industry. It is also well known for motor sports with regular events being held at the Kari Motor Speedway. TIRUPPURTiruppur is one of the most popular industrial cities of South India which makes it accessible by air, rail as well as road.The city is home to many iconic temples especially the Konganagiri Hill Temple, Sivanmalai Temple, Thirumuruganpoondi, TirupurTirupathi Temple, Sukreeswarar Temple andMettuparaiVinayagar Temple.
INDIA PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE ONLINE
www.indiaperspectives.in
India Perspectives Magazine
I
ndia Perspectives, the flagship magazine of the Ministry of External Affairs. The magazine is printed in 16 languages and goes to 170 countries, disseminating interesting information about India’s rich culture and tradition. For a copy of the magazine, mail us at: poip@mea.gov.in
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GUIDE FOR TRAVELLERS - BAGGAGE RULES
Printed at: Viba Press P. , 9810049515
APP
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INDIA-AUSTRIA BY AIR
TOURIST HELPLINE
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YOGA, BOLLYWOOD DANCE AND HINDI CLASSES AT THE EMBASSY
■ The Embassy of India invites Yoga enthusiast for free yoga classes at the Embassy. The classes are organized in various categories and are conducted by Ms. Neelam Vats, Yoga Teacher at the Culture Center, Kaerntner Ring 2, Vienna.
■ Free Hindi learning class are held every Monday, 18.30 hrs. at the Culture Center of the Embassy at Kaerntner Ring 2, Vienna.
■ Free Bollywood dance classes are held every Tuesday from 18.00-19.00 hrs. at the Culture Center of the Embassy at Kaerntner Ring 2, Vienna.
■ For further information regarding the Yoga class timing's and Hindi learning classes kindly visit Embassy's website or write an e-mail to : tic.vienna@mea.gov.in
■ For more information on Bollywood classes kindly send an e- mail to ccl.vienna@mea.gov.in
INDIAN EMBASSY LIBRARY
■■ The Embassy’s library is opened daily from 10 am to 1 pm without appointment. ■■ Our collection contains more than 2000 titles in dozens of categories. ■■ For appointments outside the opening hours or other inquiries, please contact us under info.vienna@mea.gov. in or 015058666 44 ■■ Download our latest catalog of books under indianembassy.at/pdf/EmbassyLibrary.pdf
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Indian Embassy, Vienna
NOTICE BOARD EMBASSY’S LIBRARY ■■ The EMBASSY’S library is open DAILY from 10am to 1pm without appointment. ■■ For a complete list of books available in our library, visit our website www.eoivienna.gov.in. ■■ For scheduling an appointment outside the opening hours, please contact the information assistant under info.vienna@mea.gov.in or 01 505 8666
BUSINESS CENTRE ■■ The EMBASSY’S Business Centre is opened DAILY from 10am to 1pm. ■■ For scheduling an appointment outside the opening hours, please contact the commercial wing under the contact given below.
■■ Marketing Assistant: comm1.vienna@mea.gov.in or 01 505 8666 31
STUDENTS WELFARE OFFICER ■■ Mr. Aniket Govind Mandavgane, First Secretary in this Embassy has been designated as Officer to look after welfare of Indian Students in Austria and Montenegro.
■■ His contact details are: 0043 1 505 866 and comm.vienna@mea.gov.in
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS GOES MOBILE ■■ Avail services : passport, visa, consular assistance ■■ Ask your Minister : on the go, anytime, anywhere ■■ Follow your PM : on his visits abroad ■■ Find the nearest Indian Mission/Post : for emergency consular assistance ■■ Be informed : about India’s Foreign Relations on the move and form your own opinions ■■ Know more : about how to undertake Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and Haj Pilgrimage ■■ Download and watch : pictures & documentaries on India ■■ Play and Personalize : what you need, when you need ■■ Share and contribute : your views, pics & suggestions Ministry of External Affairs proudly presents “MEAIndia” – an integrated smart app for mobile and other hand held devices ‘MEAIndia’ is now available for download on App Store and Google Play Store.
FACEBOOK & TWITTER ■■ Our Facebook and Twitter pages target the India-Austria community and covers subjects such as Business, Culture, Embassy News, India-related events and programmes in Austria, and much more.
■■ We have reached the 16000 followers mark on Facebook! ■■ ‘ Like’ our facebook page and be the first to know!
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INDIA NEWSLETTER
Disclaimer: Most of the Information collected in our Newsletter is through secondary research and Embassy of India, Vienna is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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