INSERT INTO `events` (`id`, `title`, `short_desc`, `long_desc`, `registration`, `reg_link`, `image`, `slug`, `status`, `deleted`, `start_date`, `end_date`, `start_time`, `end_time`, `sector_id`, `region_id`, `priority`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(124, 'Revamping the Future Indian Cold Chain\r\n  Industry: Innovation', 'Thank you for having this very Important Webinar, as we all know that India is the 2nd world largest\r\n  group in fruits and vegetables but we have a substance in Meat and Poultry in the recent research\r\n  report in the cold chain Industry in this sector 13 to 15% growing CAGI and set to reach 47, 000\r\n  Crore by 2022.', '<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>1. Smt. Poonam Malakondaiah, IAS\r\n  Special Chief Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Co Operation\r\n  Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>2. Shri. Chiranjiv Choudhary, IFS\r\n  Commissioner of Horticulture, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 3. Dr. BNS Murthy, CEO & Advisor, NCCD,\r\n  Department of Agriculture, Co Operation & Farmers Welfare.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 4. Shri. Sudhir Kumar Jannawar, Chief General Manger,\r\n  NABARD Regional Office, Andhra Pradesh</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>5. Shri. Gubba Kiran, CEO\r\n  Gubba Cold Storage</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>6. Dr. B Madhusudana Rao, M.V.Sc., Ph.D.\r\n  Principal Scientist, ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Technology\r\n  Visakhapatanam, AP.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>7. Dr. Giridhar Kirshana, M.Sc (Ag), Ph.D.\r\n  Registrar, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agriculture University, Guntur, AP</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>By Smt. Poonam Malakondaiah, IAS, Spl. Chief Secretary, Department of Agriculture and\r\n  Co Operation, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you for having this very Important Webinar, as we all know that India is the 2nd world largest\r\ngroup in fruits and vegetables but we have a substance in Meat and Poultry in the recent research\r\nreport in the cold chain Industry in this sector 13 to 15% growing CAGI and set to reach 47, 000\r\nCrore by 2022. But it is not only the food product and also Bio Medical and Manufacturing which is\r\nanother key driver for the growth of Cold Controller of Supply Chain and also the trend that are\r\nactually driving growth of Supply Chain in India as well are may be consumer behavior and more\r\nconsumers are moving towards and that is getting preserved and this is getting promoted in\r\nConsumers and changing by the modern trade Super Markets. Which organize the food retail\r\ndemand Chain. Similarly the farmers are also now moving towards cultivation of fruits and\r\nvegetables which give them better deals and remunerative values. So moving to Agriculture and\r\nallied sectors, in these types of behavior consumer work and Farmer is also driving the\r\nrequirements of cold stores closer to the to the farms and farmers and in India predominant\r\nIndustry being Agriculture and farming the need on developing the supply Chain with focus on\r\nTemperature control and is highly disorganized interior base and completing with infrastructure and\r\ncold chain transport is equally important. We are aware that the Indian&apos;s present cold chain\r\npositioning as a very high share of single commodity cold storages particularly in Agriculture Sector.\r\nThere are also challenges in cold storage transport facilities and there is challenge in high initial\r\ninvestment paneling is covered with inadequate enabling Infrastructure like Road, Water Power\r\nSupply as well as drainages near to the farms and in the interior where actually the fruit and\r\nvegetable production is happening. In addition to this, there is also lack of awareness about\r\nhandling temperature sensitive goods and the challenge to an immediate need and an urgent need\r\nfor not only having network of modern multi chamber cold storage and cold transportation\r\ninfrastructure and also having safety with global standard of quality enhancing efficiency and\r\nInvestment and also need to create a reformed and trained work force to handle this. It is very\r\nimportant and very sensitive Industry move forward and we also assist it&apos;s impact on environment\r\nso that the climate foot prints of these activities remain well and within in the margin that would\r\nenable the long term sustainability. About Andhra Pradesh we are is 1 of the India&apos;s Largest\r\nconsumer foods and third largest producer of agriculture according to the Top Market report and</p> \r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>cold chain International Trade Administration. Around 25 to 30% what we produce ways to\r\nadequate cold chain infrastructure and 1% part of the losses in the current storage as well as in\r\ntransit. It is not only the fruits and vegetables we have a digital production of around 50 to 50.25\r\nmetric tons ranking 5th in India and also a study growth in Fish and Meat Industry in state of AP. We\r\nalso have 404 storage facilities that include fish and poultry efficient altering with installed capacity\r\nof 22.41 lakh Metric Tons and these are mostly used for storing Chilies and tamarind and also have\r\nfisheries storage pf 44 thousand metric tons per day and 5250 insulated vehicles on transport\r\nsector with 650 refrigerator vehicles. There is need to step up this and the existing sources of\r\nfunding for cold storage infrastructure and from 2011/12 has given infrastructure status and\r\nsubsidy is also there on cold storage budget cost and the key challenge is to bridge the gap in cold\r\nstorage ware housing capacity and only 25% of storage facility is available for food, vegetables,\r\nprocessed food and pharmaceuticals and 75% capacity is dedicated to 1or 2 crops in Chilies and\r\nTamarinds. AP Govt. has taken measures on the gaps to address by CM, and have Raith Baravasa\r\nKendra in every Village with 10732 Kendra in the state of AP which are handled by Agri &\r\nHorticulture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry graduates and this kind of man power we have is not\r\nthere in any other state. Now the govt. is producing large number of FPO&apos;S and will become very\r\nimportant component in handling this and this work force are well trained. The Raitha Baravasa\r\nKendra have major 3 pillars like knowledge capacity building 2nd is all farmers are connected to the\r\ninternet so can reach them through various modules with TV connectivity and iPad which is given to\r\nall the workers and next step is to train the farmers and how to produce the crops on the first level\r\nhandling of the crops which is called primary processing and also coming with multipurpose facility\r\ncenters which will have collection centers and also wet storage go downs and 400 places to start\r\nwith and cold storage go downs will be established at the Farm gate so at the large extent will fill\r\nneed of filling gaps of taking the cold storage to the Farm gate in agriculture is very crucial and\r\nsimilarly in Fisheries. Addition to this secondary processing centers are coming at 25 location in the\r\nstate of AP. And also coming up with 175 Aqua Hubs with cold storage facility with a refrigerated\r\ntransport system which will carry from farms to Aqua hubs to Aqua Hub retails and so the entire\r\nback end forth will be covered from farmers to the producers and all this are taken from Agri Infra\r\nFund and Large number of this Projects are funded by NABARD. Similarly bulk milk cooling units will\r\nalso come along with automatic mill collection Units al this are estimated with 3678 crores. And this\r\nwill give good network for the 9000 add villages in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Food processing\r\npolicy has recently released by AP govt. where the govt. itself investing in Infrastructure\r\ndevelopment at 25 location on plug and play model where investors can come to AP and start\r\nprocessing plants. In addition to this 170 crore program is there and a market called Janatha Bazar\r\nand this market has also have cold storage facilities as well as link to secondary process centers\r\nwhere all processing foods can come and also from aqua center to this Markets. AT 10,000 crores\r\ninvestment are coming 10, 600 locations and entire supply chain has large extent both in\r\nvegetables and fruits and also in Food Grains and also in Fisheries and Aqua from the govt. side</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>And all are worked closely with NABARD and other banker friends. And the universities are playing\r\nvery important role in this as back bone when the technologies are concerned and also happy to\r\ninform program will start by March 21 and will be able to complete in 24 months&apos; time and this\r\npoint of time these are the things are happening from AP Govt. Thank you.</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Sudhir Kumar Jannawar, CGM, NABARD, Regional Office, Andhra Pradesh</b></p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>We congrats ASSOCHAM for organizing this webinar on cold chain Industry, as a challenging subject\r\nand really thank you and making NABARD as its partner I his particular webinar. In the recent\r\neconomy service table department has highlighted the India&apos;s Agriculture sector has shown the\r\nresilience and growth rate of 3 to 3.5% and this was the only industry was growing at the pandemic\r\nand especially food processing sector has done very well. One side India is producing lot foods and\r\nother side lots of food is wasted, so in this area we have the cold storage has a big role where as in\r\nthe past the challenges simply supply addictive food and in the future the challenge will be to\r\nprovide optimal nutrients genetic profile and that&apos;s the challenges will take place. So we need to\r\ntake this challenge and work in this process. The operation links in 2015-16 stood at 146.45 Million\r\nof which 85% are small and marginal farmer and operational size of 1% has reduces to .08 Hector.\r\nThere are good number of people and again the cold storage place a big role here because the\r\nwastage can be stopped here and farmers can get the better price for their produce. The\r\nAgriculture enterprise during covid -19 has recommended that the use of the crises as an impetus to\r\nthe crises to strengthen the institutional capacity of association to enhance the little more to\r\nincome to small farmers. The GOI schemes like PM Schemes has good number of subsidies project\r\nand they have taken up in large scale to name the few Mega food park, Integrated cold chain,\r\nInfrastructure for cluster development for backward linkages, creation for expansion of food\r\nprocessing and preservation capacities and operation Greens. So many schemes has been floated\r\nhere even though it is launched 6 years ago the takeoff id not to that extent. One more change is\r\nthe essential commodities amendment act 2020, which remove a commodity like a serial sponsor\r\nfrom the essential commodities and these are the very big step taken by the govt. legislation will\r\nhelp to drive up in more investment in storage and modernization of the full supply. Now coming to\r\nthe cold chain industry there&apos;s the way the farmer produced then it is stored and transported and\r\nthen it is marketed. We find some issues in this regard produce there is absolutely no problem\r\nwhere we can say we are producing surplus to export. After produce we need to store and has\r\nbecome a problem. To overcome this required to take up just to not to encourage farmers to to\r\nproduce 1 type of crop so that they can crop another type. It can be eliminated to price and it will\r\nbe good for all. There are few challenges in this particular industry. Here you required large amount\r\nof finance, the cost of goods storage is very high it cannot be in a small scale and another thing is\r\nthe main cold storage keeping in the view the climate the Energy business that is very high and that\r\nis the biggest challenge for crop selection for a particular area for particular format. It is policy</p> \r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>should be taken by the state and Central. So that every farmer they produce as per the plan of the\r\ngovt. so that there won&apos;t be any problem and also not excess. Here it is observed who are managing\r\nthe cold storage they do not have proper knowledge at even normal standards and also the hygiene\r\nhas not done which we need to look for. The challenges here is capacity building Institution which\r\ncan forward and look into the different challenges here. Training on operation and skilling is\r\nrequired and NABARD will give necessary support for such trainings and for giving capacity\r\nbuilding. In India we are having maximum of single crop or single commodity cold storages when\r\nthe govt. earlier have floated subsidies and has given good number subsidies around 50laks and so.\r\nAll the entrepreneurs who take up the cold storage is they used construct the multi chamber that\r\nwas the big issue practically look into that multi chambers were used for single commodity so very\r\npurpose of stating that we lost. We need to look into this. It won&apos;t be a revenue relative to the cold\r\nstorage owners though the rent they take which has been fixed as there is a rotation of 2 to 3\r\ntimes. The economic will be better rather than keeping in single commodity for all after the 2,3\r\nmonths it is vacated some cleaning operation are taken up and this is the big challenge here where\r\nwe need look for. The Instance moment of India there is a Geo Tagging for all Agri. Infrastructure\r\nalmost in completion stage. More than 1 lac Agri. Infrastructure are available in India as gathered\r\nthere are 4400 cold storages are available and AP have 240 Cold Storages and operational cost and\r\nawake need look into alternative power like solar for the cold storages. According to NCCD Data we\r\nhave there is the tremendous gap we found in cold storages and we request to bankers to support\r\nthe reformer again and again so the produce can be saved and made more economical. Lastly 1st is\r\nthe different fund from NABARD Rural Infrastructure Development Fund and NABARD\r\nInfrastructure Development Fund and these funds can be given to the Govt. and govt. owned\r\ncorporations so that they can take more structures can be set up in district or villages so farmers\r\nwill be benefited and Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund are conditional funds and also on\r\nFisheries and Aqua Development Funds as we have huge demand in AP as we are developing lot of\r\nFisheries hope govt. will use this particular fund. We also Have Food Processing Fund as this funds\r\nare available at nominal rates and anyone interested in buying Infrastructure will be helpful. These\r\nstructure couldn&apos;t because of high cost. The GOI recently announced 3% intervention for the\r\nborrower who take the Agri. Infrastructure activity for the next 3 to 4 Years. NABARD has 5000\r\ncrores for supporting the Agri. Infrastructure will be given to the primary Agri. Co Operative\r\nSocieties rather directly to the borrowers and under this window we are supporting AP govt. 1500\r\ncrore for this process. In the state of AP we have formed 300 Farmers produce organizations and\r\nthese are the different schemes from NABARD and Thank you.</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. BNS Murthy, CEO & Advisor, NCCD</b></p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Good Morning, the very interesting part was spoken by NABARD about finance, will touch up some\r\npoints of the issues, in this session we will talking on capacity building & Employment Generation\r\nthrough Cold chain it is very important in the production aspect any crop on Horticulture or\r\nAgriculture whatever it is we have to identify the gaps that is one thing to control this aspect these\r\nthe theory put forth by LIVID so we need to identify the gap and plug in that gap the knowledge the\r\nskill that is required in cold storage very much lacking and this is one aspect we need to touch upon.\r\nAs said by the earlier panels which has come up almost 6 months back there was about 27 projects\r\nand they are generating the employment of 16200 in Numbers and that is indirect and there will be\r\nsome direct employment and there are different stake holders are involved which benefit the\r\n260,000 farmers. Touching upon on Horticulture crops produce in 2021 we are touching about\r\n325.95 MT from 27.07MT as we all know India is the second largest producer of Fruits and\r\nVegetables and many of the groups some vegetables are Imported and some of them are importing\r\nmanually. We have a good cold storage facility to restore for distribution and AP state is the first to\r\nexport Banana to different Countries. So we need to go up in demand production in any crop. India\r\nis authentic to most of the grain crops and we need to go for the geometric of the crop so covering\r\nall this we can go for diversification of Fruits and Vegetables enabling the farmers will get the\r\nbetter price and everything for doubling the farmers. So most of the problem is what we are facing\r\npost-harvest losses as per the study by CIPHET, about 7 years back Harvest and post-Harvest losses\r\nincluding during storage of Fruits and vegetables were in the range of 5 to 16% but practically in\r\nthe field it is much more to 25% loss are there as that is the visible loss and invisible loss from the\r\ndining tables it is much more so we can reduce this may be with different intervention. The model\r\nthat we are producing about 30 t0 40% we can export to other markets. Most of this are perishable\r\nmostly because of moisture and also with the field level production. Foods are which are likely to\r\nspoil become unsafe to consumer if not kept them within specific environmental parameter. Fruits\r\nand vegetables have high water content 70-90%which enables bacteria to multiply fast and also\r\nhigher sugar content in fruits. The cold chain as an over view, starting fro Harvest to the plate it has\r\nto be continues and any of this 3 elements if it is lost in the chain we are going to lose the quality of\r\nthe producers and their by the marketability of the produce starting from harm less to segregate</p> \r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>and these are the common operation usually we see. Cold chain in Horticulture is environment\r\ncontrolled logistic chain, ensuring uninterrupted market link from farm to fork. Cold chain includes\r\nnear farm pack-Houses for pre-conditioning reefer vehicles, cold storages, ripening chamber. In\r\nHorticulture strengthens the value chain systems enhancing the marketability of the perishable\r\nproduce and reducing food loss in the supply chain. So each crop has a specific requirement\r\ntemperature humidity and modify that and we can store them and try different. If we see sector\r\nwise use of cold storage 95% are owned and operated by pvt sector 3% cooperative and remaining\r\n2% are under PSUs. 75-80% cold storage are used for potatoes, 7% are used by Pharma&apos;s, 5% is\r\nused for processed foods, 5% is used for Horticulture crops and available 3% is used for Marine and\r\nMeat Products. There are gaps in Infrastructure of cod chain like Pack House, Reefer Vehicle, Cold\r\nStorage (Bulk), Cold Storage ( Hub ) and Ripening Chamber and these are the challenges we need\r\nto look for immediately to make more efficient even structure has required technology and\r\nsubcommittee has sourcing the use of alternate source of energy to make them viable. Ripening\r\nrequire is very much required for Banana and Papaya and it drops a little bit. So for this different\r\nefforts are made from GOI understanding the importance of Cold chain is extending the support in\r\ncreation of infrastructure by means of various agencies like Ministry of Food Processing Industries\r\n(MOFPI), National Horticulture Board, APEDA, and NABARD. GOI recently announced 100% FDI in\r\nthe policy. It&apos;s important to note that cold chain sector and promotion of low cost technology in the\r\nvision 2022 doubling the Farmers Income as it is the one of the bridging Element in mitigating the\r\nlosses at the field level and also at consumer level. One aspect deeper in this is the recently\r\nannounced aspect of investment that is required about a 90,000 crore that is required to fill up the\r\ngaps. GOI has announced in the budget as 1 lakh will be provided by Banks and Financial\r\nInstitutions as loans to Primary Agriculture credit societies, Marketing Cooperative Societies, FPO&apos;s,\r\nAgri Entrepreneurs and Startups with Interest subvention 3% per annum with limit of Rs. 2 crore\r\navailable for max 7 years, Credit Guarantee Fund, FPO Promotion Scheme, Moratorium for\r\nrepayment subject to min of 6 months to the max of 2 years and also have Agri Infra Fund under\r\nsec 6, funding is available for Pack House, Sorting & Grading Fruits, Cold Chains, Logistic Facility,\r\nProjects for Supply Chain, Projects promoted by Central/ State/ Local Govt. under PPP for Community Farming\r\nassets or post-harvest management projects. Financial assistance for cold chain under MIDH. Potential for\r\nEmployment for direct and indirect opportunities are there. Total manpower is 30 lakh as an indicative figure but\r\nthere are so many stakeholders are there and Human capital in post-harvest in cold chain is currently the\r\ndomain of technology makers, No training for Finance bodies, The service trade, the largest disconnect exists in\r\nignoring the awareness and training gap, untrained application of the cold chain creates greater losses, lack of\r\ndomain skills or access to trained knowledge base a biggest issue. Capital in post-harvest care required focused\r\ndevelopment of Technical cadre and Knowledge-cadre. NCCD has been conducting capacity building programs\r\nlike entrepreneurship development in ripening awareness workshop in cold chain schemes of MIDH. NCCD also\r\nsend for training to France with investment of INR 1crore.58Lakhs. At the conclusion to name the few cold chain\r\nsector has tremendous employment generation potential and created employment opportunities at various level,\r\ngovt. has taken various steps to encourage the participants private and Nonprofit agencies in this sector, NGO&apos;s\r\nand skill development agencies are playing significant role. The game changer here has a lot of technologies like\r\nsensors Robots, Block Chain and Energy we need to bring for change the time without breaking the Link Thank\r\nyou.</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri Chiranjiv, Choudhary, IFS, Commissioner of Horticulture, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh</b></p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Good Morning, talking about some of the practical issues and experience we have seen and little initiative what we\r\ntaken in for this, the overall infrastructure availability in the state of AP, the data base in the last 5 years has a substantial\r\nprogress and there has been a lot of awareness amongst various stakeholders and there are positive indication that thy\r\ndemand has increased and we are trying to live up to the demand. There are initiative in tune with the latest trends in cold\r\nchain industry like Modernization/ Retrofitting of existing Infrastructure. No of cold storage has been modernized with the\r\nhigh speed engines and PUF Insulation. Use of sophisticated machinery and equipment. Setting up of multi commodity cold\r\nstorage rather than conventional single commodity storage. Modern Pack Houses with integrated facility. Ripening Facility.\r\nEnergy efficient and new storage technology. Development of integrated Cargo complexes to handle all kinds of good&apos;s ,\r\nincluding perishables. Shift from unorganized to organized Market. Focus on development end to end cold chain and not just\r\nstorage. Recently in coordination with TATA Trust, we have gone ahead with the establishment of this and it is Biomass\r\ntechnology. It is a complete integrated system where starching grading and collection center and it is a multipurpose and\r\ngetting installed and will be operational by end of this month. We are looking cost effective technology where it can reduce\r\nthe cost of the service providers and cost in the producers who use it. No of Grid connected Solar PV Panel Systems to\r\nreduce the power consumption charges. Challenges what we seen is Insufficient market survey. High Initial capital cost with\r\nincreasing cost of land. Land availability at suitable Locations. Cumbersome procedure for accessing Bank Credit. Lack of\r\nadequate and reliable power supply. Outdated technology and conventional single commodity storage. Lack of coordination\r\nbetween monitoring quality and Food Safety Systems. Lack of Skilled Personnel. Lack of Reefer Transport. Looking all these\r\nchallenges we need to focus on technologies which are also cost effective. So the back end produce Fruits and Vegetables\r\nwhere the ingredients are washing and packing everything we done are created by our own. Support of GOI, set of Officers\r\nare authorized as issuing authority and locally the officers are able to identify. The Opportunities are Farm Level/ Village\r\nlevel Small scales units with alternate energy Sources. Reduce Post-Harvest Losses and consequent higher returns. Utilization\r\nof Railway Network. Creation/Strengthen of Cold Chain Infrastructure will not only encourage only Farmers but also promote\r\nentrepreneurship among the youth. Creates direct and in direct Employment for Skilled and Un Skilled Youth and creates\r\nbetter standard of Living. PPP Project. Promotion of R&D. Reduced CO2 emission leading to reduced carbo foot print and\r\ncleaner Environment and these are the game changing thing. The Way Forward are Development of Common Infrastructure\r\nfor Multi Commodity Storage in order to give unrestricted access to small Farmers. Technology Development at low cost\r\ntechnologies to be developed to address the problems of local Supply Chain and low cost small capacity Reefer Trucks to be\r\ndeveloped to connect. Projects are to be considered without Credit Linkage for self-Finances Projects may be considered.</p> \r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Even NBFC should be considered for the new projects. PPP should be promote to undertake the emerging new technologies.\r\nReduction of GST on Processed Foods and Vegetables from 5 to 0&. Strengthening the cold chain Infrastructure at all Airports\r\nand Sea Ports. Gamma Irradiation facilities is very much required to promote Export of Fruits and Vegetables. Incentivizing\r\nthe front end Infrastructure for small players and these are the experience and key area if you really know the farmers to get\r\nknow proportionate returns to their hard work. Thank you we look forward the suggestion from all of you as you all know\r\nthe Horticulture is also of the Hub of AP with the largest producer of Fruits and with 60 to 70 % of Food production from AP\r\nand we require Guidance, Support, Innovative Ideas from all of you. Thank you.</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Gubba Kiran, CEO, Gubba Cold Storage, Hyderabad</b></p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you for the given opportunity to speak, the strategic perspective of a Cold Chain Industry opportunities &\r\nChallenges.</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>We have established in 1987 with a 500 modest capacity in terms of volume we are growing up largest in the\r\ncountry we in the last 20 years we have diversified ourselves from a normal regular cold storage to the state of\r\nthe facilities which is probably less than 5% of Indian Industry size. We have l15 probably less than 1% Indian\r\nCooling Industry is having such facilities supported Euro Pallet track Supported facility set up in 2008 for the\r\nIndustry. The cream, butter, Meats and the Fruits like Apple Orange are stored in these type of storage facility.\r\nThese are little high in Capital because the high value products absorb this checklists. Block Stocking Multi Level\r\nCold Storage - 2 Ton Jumbo Bag those are the block tracking each bag is 2 ton there are baffles and non-baffles\r\ninside the cold storage so we can create and give it back to client supply chain become fast and easy. These\r\nfacility are available in developed countries but in India slowly the culture is staring beginning.</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>When the Industry seed of Volume is growing the optimization was needed and that is how we started\r\noptimization optimizing this facility and operation is faster and easier cost of packing decreases and in total look</p> \r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>at the cost of the packages versus a gunny bag should be less and manpower savings so all put\r\ntogether it make sense to optimize the Cold Storage facilities. We should also have Web enabled\r\nInventory Monitoring System in the cold storage for the client if the client sends 3 trucks of chilies\r\nwith good premium quality with the purchase from various vendors so the client will be knowing\r\nabout his stock monitoring. So the Indian cold chain industry is slowly gearing up and doing such\r\nenabled Inventory system. They are slowly migrating from typical Excel and going beyond. The client sit and\r\nsee by a click of a button anywhere and we are doing since 10 years. By doing Inventory Audit couple of things\r\nthe SOP&apos;s should be right or less it will a great challenge and there is increase in Man Power, increase in system\r\nthere is an impact in the bottom line so when we plant with such Inventory Management system, such things\r\npay back maintain the stock accurately and giving back right feed back to the client. The various reports which\r\nwill inspire the clients like Product Expiry Report, FIFO Report, Automated Previous day Transaction Report,\r\nStock Report (Daily/ Weekly/ Monthly), Space Utilization Report, Transaction Mail/SMS, Monthly Audit Report,\r\nAir Monitoring Report, Temperature Mapping Report. It has to collective effort in bringing out this aspect to the\r\ncold storage owners. There are 95% unorganized sector dose error by keeping vegetables in required\r\ntemperature so they have to face the cost reduction at the end at least by 30% and finally they lose the value on\r\nthe investment. So we need to bring such Management quality systems into the cold storage Industry with real\r\ntime access of temperature & Humidity and we need to adhere to Rodent Management system in the Cold\r\nStorage Industry. It is better to have certification because that will have system and structure in place when\r\nAuditor comes in will question when you don&apos;t have certification especially pharma should have GDP guideline\r\nfor storage facility and safety measures to be adhered strictly. Thank you.</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri Madhusudan Rao, Principal Scientist, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, (ICAR)</b></p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thanks for the opportunity, CFTI has been working in the area of post-harvest in fisheries, we are responsible for\r\nsustainable Fishing resilient Fishing and also to maintain the quality. There are several characters to spoilage\r\nand affecting food perishability. One fourth of the world food supply and 30% of Landed Fish are lost through\r\nmicrobial activity alone like External Condition, Product Conditions, and Biochemical and Microbiological\r\ndistraction, Contamination of Food by Microorganisms pesticides and adulterants. Rancid flavor warmed over\r\nFlavor change of Texture. Food Borne Diseases. There are several process of preservation methods Thermal\r\nprocessing and Non Thermal Processing, in Thermal Processing Baking, Frying, Ohmic Heating, Microwave, Radio\r\nFrequency, Infrared, Drying, Extrusion. In Non-Thermal Processing Chilling, Freezing, Freeze Dying, High\r\nPressure Processing, Pulsed Electric Field, Pulsed Light, Ultrasound, Oscillating Magnetic Field, Ozone ,\r\nEradication, Gas, Cold Plasma. The basic difference as far as Fish is concerned, it is necessary to preserve the\r\nFish 0 degree centigrade after the catch as it&apos;s spoilage is very fast. There are two types of store like chilled\r\nstore and cold store especially for the Fish Industry and the freezing of Fish happens with slow Freezing and\r\nRapid Freezing. At the time of Harvest Capture and preprocessing the temperature should be -4 degree and time\r\nof processing, storage or distribution it should be -18 degree. And these two things should be maintained\r\nweather it is for consumer consumption or for Export Market. AS per the dept. of Fisheries trends in Indian Fish\r\nProduction India is the second Largest Fish producer in the world with 125.9 lakh Tones of production in 2017-\r\n18. In that Marine Fish production was 36.88 Lakh Tons and Inland Fish 89.02 Lakhs Tons with the contribution\r\nof 1,33,492 crores. There are impressive growth in Indian Fisheries Export in 2019-20 the 6679 million US\r\nDollar. The cold chain Fisheries the maximum exports are Frozen Foods is the mainstay of sea food exports from\r\nIndia at the quantity of 10,55,310 tons with the value of 42,600 crore. Fish produced in India is marketed mainly\r\nas Fresh/ Chilled Fish and Frozen Fish. At CFTI we have the system where the consumer can get the information\r\nabout the product depending upon the changing the color of the dot you can have a visual assessment weather\r\nthe fish is being sold or in good condition or they are ready to eat and these dot will help the consumer. In AP\r\nthe most of the production is coming from Inland Aqua culture. ICAR-CIFT has developed a refrigeration enabled\r\nfish vending kiosks to improve the handling and marketing practices of Fisher Folks. This Kiosk is found favorable\r\nand affordable to small scale and retail fish vendors and all the harbors need to have chilling facility. Availability\r\nof good Ice should be there at all Fishing harbors so it is useful for processing the Fish then we need to have\r\nrefrigerator display cabinet for the markets and the shipment of chilled fish will be having a very less shellfire\r\nright from the point of catch through the processing and packing and distribution then the only it is enable us to\r\nget the good quality of fish. I conclude here. Thank you. .</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Giridhar Krishna, Registrar, Acharya N G Ranga Agriculture University, Guntur</b></p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thanks for ASSOCHAM for giving opportunity, I think we play a very important role by educating the students\r\non Agriculture and other in the Industry Sector pertaining to the Farmer. So this is the important subject at the\r\npresent situation especially agriculture commodities. We have seen last year even during post pandemic we\r\nshould all compliment the farmer who was there outside all the time in the fields and produced food for the\r\npopulation which was actually closed doors due to this corvid pandemic. So here our Agriculture University HQ\r\nat Guntur, is serving the research needs and Education needs to the 13 districts of AP and Agriculture Research\r\ncenter nearly 32 no&apos;s in these 13 districts and we have 13 University KVK&apos;s and 8 to 10 NGO&apos;s KVK&apos;s which are\r\nunder technical control of our University working the districts and every districts we have Data Centers so we\r\nare working as liaison as state govt. Initiated 10,000 and odd Raita Barawasa Kendra( RBK) so our 2 scientist are\r\nsituated at 2 districts working as liaison district resource center looking after the needs of these RBK&apos;s. at district\r\nlevel and at education side we have 8 Agriculture collages and 6 private collages established last year. So the\r\ncold chain Management our university have specialized courses especially in Under Graduate courses. So lack of\r\nstorage facility and also long distance travel by keeping temperature control of quality foods. So India is\r\ndependent 70% on Agriculture and so we need to know how best we should understand to reduce the losses\r\nthrough this cold chain and also establishing the facility also bringing a fresh produce from the field from the\r\nfarmer&apos;s production site it to the consumer&apos;s outlet apart from the Meat, Fish and milk. So we have Milk chilling\r\ncenters especially in the production of milk side is very tailor made and farmer produce milk is reaching the\r\nconsumer with all the support from govt. and all the private industries which is reaching to the consumer.\r\nSimilarly all the agriculture producers right from the farmer production site in the field it should reach the\r\nconsumer and the farmer should get benefited because of this cold chain facility established at different centers.\r\nIf the RBK are connected to the cold chain or supply chain facilities by giving time to store his produce at this\r\nplace for longer time so he can sell at a better price later on at a cost effective cold storage facility will benefit\r\nthe farmers. Similarly AP we are seeing farmer will be producing the tomato and onion with limited water</p> \r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>facility and we farmer comes to the market the glut will be there through Imports and finally not able\r\nto sell his produce and transportation cost not able to meet finally will be throwing away his produce\r\nby leaving away his profit. So these kind of things require maximum attention if we can established\r\nthe cold chain facility near to the farmer&apos;s production areas. In Krishi Vignana Kendra we are building\r\nthe capacity of the farmers to adopt the latest technologies by training them we are also evaluating\r\ncertain technologies in farmer fields so that he can transmit the same to other farmer. Around 6 years back\r\nIndian council of Agriculture Research has conducted a program called ARYA. KVK are training the youth farmers\r\nto retain them in Agriculture in villages by making profitable and be a profession and also by using the cold chain\r\ntechnologies by training them for 3 to 6 months and we can generate the skilled employment so that they will\r\nbe given opportunity like alternate employment. Farm Mechanization is doing by Agri. Engg. For ease of doing\r\nAgriculture with the help of this implements. In the seed supply chain it is for Agriculture from the university\r\nside we are producing breeder seed which is a pure seed from that again Foundation seeds and certified seeds\r\nwill be supplied to the farmers the vital seed which is viable to the next season if this cold chain or cold storage\r\nfacility is there they are extended at the villages&apos; level so farmer can definitely can store the seed with a normal\r\ncost and viable and germination is not affected. Thank you.\r\nEND.</p>', '', '', 'press-releases-img-3.jpg', 'Revamping-the-Future-Indian-Cold-Chain-Industry-Innovation', 1, 0, '2021-03-04', '2021-03-04', '11:00 a.m', '1:00 p.m', 0, 23, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08'),
(125, 'A Road Map for Revival of Domestic Tourism for Rural Development in India (Webinar) ', 'ASSOCHAM Eastern region organized a webinar on A Road Map for Revival of Domestic Tourism for Rural\r\n              Development in India on 8th of January, 2021', '<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM Eastern region organized a webinar on A Road Map for Revival of Domestic Tourism for Rural\r\n              Development in India on 8th of January, 2021. Eminent speakers were Shri Nikhil Sahni, Sr. Group\r\n              President, Government & Multinational Banking, YES Bank, Shri Nishat Shah, Shri Nishat Shah,<b>Managing\r\n              Director, SITC Group, Shri G Kamala Vardhana, Rao, IAS, Chairman & Managing Director of</b> Indian\r\n              Tourism Development Corporation, Amaresh Tiwari, Vice Chairman, India Convention Promotion\r\n              Bereau,   Ratan Keswani MD, Lemon Tree Hotels, Sujit Kanoria, Srishti Hotels Kanoria Foundation,\r\n              Subashis Charaborty, COO, Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre Private Ltd.</p> ', '', '', 'roadmapevent.jpg', 'national-education-policy', 1, 0, '2021-01-08', '2021-01-08', '', '', 0, 27, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08'),
(126, 'Changing the Dynamics of Health Insurance', 'ASSOCHAM in partnership with Government of Manipur hosted a session on Business Opportunities at\r\n              ITSEZ, Manipur on 22nd June, 2021', '<center><b>Changing the Dynamics of Health Insurance</b></center>\r\n              <center><b>15th June, 2021</b></center>\r\n              <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM organized a Webinar on Changing Dynamics of Health Insurance on June 15th 2021. The \r\n              welcome address was given by Navneet Doda, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Insurance Sub Council East and \r\n              General Manager & Director, National Insurance Co. Ltd. where he welcomes all the distinguished speaker \r\n              and said the pandemic has left its mark on almost all industries and sectors across the spectrum, including \r\n              health insurance. While the pandemic is still showing no signs of abatement, we are somewhat able to \r\n              forecast its impact in the health insurance industry in the near and mid-term future with enough cues \r\n              from the past quarter&apos;s data. The industry has witnessed a massive shift towards digitalisation. Not only \r\n              has the need for digital distribution strategies become significant, the nature of services has also triggered \r\n              the need for a reliance on digital processes across the spectrum: whether they are underwriting processes \r\n              or processes related to issuing policies or filing claims. Considering the disconcerting uncertainty around \r\n              treatment expenses for Covid-19, the variance in treatment protocols and lack of standardisation of costs \r\n              and expenses, that are witnessed significantly higher claim costs than those generally associated with \r\n              infectious illnesses and epidemics and there is no ready answer. The challenge is accuracy in predicting \r\n              the impact on healthcare expenses and consequently the claims book</p>', '', '', 'healthinsuranceevent.jpg', 'Changing-the-Dynamics-of-Health-Insurance', 1, 0, '2021-06-15', '2021-06-15', '', '', 0, 27, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08'),
(127, 'Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Resilience', 'ASSOCHAM Eastern Region organized a webinar on ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE \r\n  (ESG) - RESILIENCE&quot; on 23rd June, 2021.', '<center><b>Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Resilience\r\n  </b></center>\r\n  <center><b>23rd June, 2021</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:right;\'>Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, Joint Secretary,</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:right;\'>Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:right;\'>Government of India </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>ASSOCHAM Eastern Region organized a webinar on </b> ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE \r\n  (ESG) - RESILIENCE&quot; on 23rd June, 2021. Guest of Honor of the event was Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, \r\n  Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Key \r\n  discussion of the program were a strong ESG proposition help create enormous business value across \r\n  the enterprise, Sustainable practices, Readiness of India Inc: Restructuring and Business Strategies and \r\n  Carbon Negative Roadmap.</p>', '', '', 'eventimage.jpg', 'Environmental-Social-Governance-(ESG)-Resilience', 1, 0, '2021-06-23', '2021-06-23', '', '', 0, 27, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08'),
(128, 'Interactive Session with Bikram Kumar Das, State Engagement Officer-West \r\n  Bengal, Jharkhand and A & N Island, National Skill Development Corporation', 'ASSOCHAM Eastern region has organized a conference on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day \"An \r\n  Interactive Session with Bikram Das, State Engagement Officer, West Bengal and, Jharkhand \r\n  & A & N Island, National Skills Development&quot;\\ ', '<center><b>Interactive Session with Bikram Kumar Das, State Engagement Officer-West \r\n  Bengal,</b></center>\r\n  <center><b> Jharkhand and A & N Island, National Skill Development Corporation</b></center>\r\n  <center>Bikram Das, State Engagement Officer, West Bengal and, Jharkhand & A & N Island, National Skills \r\n  Development</center>\r\n  <center><b>15th July</b></center> \r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM Eastern region has organized a conference on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day <b>\"An \r\n  Interactive Session with Bikram Das, State Engagement Officer, West Bengal and, Jharkhand \r\n  & A & N Island, National Skills Development&quot;\\</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Being that webinar was held across the subject matter of Upskilling Bikram Das commenced via way \r\n  of means of first emphasizing the significance of upskilling the Indian populace at some stage in those \r\n  instances, he cited all of the partnership&apos;s the authorities&apos; been having with agencies which includes \r\n  WhiteHat, Unacademy, Britannica to call a few. This might assist the stakeholder with inside the future, \r\n  Initiatives which includes E-Skill India is encouraging the young people to upskill themselves with the \r\n  converting global with a purpose to preserve competitiveness with different international locations and \r\n  to make certain this initiative reaches some distance nook of India and to make certain most participation \r\n  the authorities has made this software FREE OF COST. He additionally in brief pointed out the District \r\n  Skill Committee in which committees might be installation in each and every district to make \r\n  certain right popularity and nurturing takes place in those parts.</p>', '', '', 'interactivesession.jpg', 'Interactive-Session-with- -Bikram-Kumar-Das-State-Engagement-Officer', 1, 0, '2021-07-15', '2021-07-15', '', '', 0, 27, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08'),
(129, 'Paradigm Shift on Agri Inputs \\\"Challenges & Way Forward&quot;\\ ', 'Kumar, Joint Secretary (Seed), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India\r\n  ASSOCHAM Eastern region has organized a webinar on Agri inputs and its challenges entitled as Paradigm Shift \r\n  on Agri Inputs: Challenges and A Way Forward', '<center><b>Paradigm Shift on Agri Inputs \"Challenges & Way Forward&quot;\\</b></p>\r\n  <center><b>1st July, 2021</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Picture 1: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Hon&apos;ble Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Picture 2:   Aayush Marodia, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM Agriculture Sub Council Eastern Region & Shri \r\n  Ashwini</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Kumar, Joint Secretary (Seed), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India\r\n  ASSOCHAM Eastern region has organized a webinar on Agri inputs and its challenges entitled as &quot;Paradigm Shift \r\n  on Agri Inputs: Challenges and A Way Forward&quot; held on 1st July 2021 at (3: 00 - 05:00) PM on Virtual Mode. The \r\n  virtual event was inaugurated by Shri Parshottambhai Rupala, Hon&apos;ble Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture & \r\n  Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Shri Ashwini Kumar, Joint Secretary (Seed), Ministry of Agriculture & \r\n  Farmers Welfare, Government of India was invited as Special guest. Aayush Marodia, Co-Chairman, \r\n  ASSOCHAM Agriculture Sub Council Eastern Region gave welcome address. During the course of discussions, \r\n  respected Industry members/Panelists highlighted some of the key challenges and also gave a recommendation \r\n  to Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. The Minister ensured that the government \r\n  would try its level best to address all the issues being faced by the industry. Shri Ashwini Kumar informed that \r\n  government is looking to produce newer varieties of seeds in the PPP mode with the association in the pulses and \r\n  oil seeds sectors and develop them to make our country self-reliant</p>', '', '', 'agriinput.jpg', 'Paradigm-Shift-on-Agri-Inputs-Challenges-Way-Forward', 1, 0, '2021-07-01', '2021-07-01', '', '', 0, 27, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08');
INSERT INTO `events` (`id`, `title`, `short_desc`, `long_desc`, `registration`, `reg_link`, `image`, `slug`, `status`, `deleted`, `start_date`, `end_date`, `start_time`, `end_time`, `sector_id`, `region_id`, `priority`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(130, 'Taxation Challenges & Industry Preparedness', 'ASSOCHAM organized a webinar on Taxation Challenges and Industry Preparedness on 18th June, 2021. \r\n  Welcome address was given by Ashis Nundy, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Financial Services Sub Council, \r\n  East', '<center><b>Taxation Challenges & Industry Preparedness</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>18th June, 2021</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>N C Guriya, Asst. Commissioner, State GST</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>J P Lhaitan, Senior Advocate</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM organized a webinar on Taxation Challenges and Industry Preparedness on 18th June, 2021. \r\n  Welcome address was given by Ashis Nundy, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Financial Services Sub Council, \r\n  East. The eminent speakers of the program were Pulak Saha, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Taxation and \r\n  Compliance Sub Council, Ramesh Patodia, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM Taxation and Compliance Sub \r\n  Council, J P Khaitan, Senior Advocate, N C Guriya, Asst. Commissioner, State GST. The discussion \r\n  was on the basis industry preparedness, Exemptions and benefits to employers for creation of benevolent \r\n  funds & extension of time line for unabsorbed business loss, Recent Supreme Court Suo Motu Order on \r\n  limitation and GST Departmental Audit.</p>', '', '', 'taxationevent.jpg', 'Taxation-Challenges-Industry-Preparednes', 1, 0, '2021-06-18', '2021-06-18', '', '', 0, 27, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08'),
(131, 'Connecting the Fragmented Supply Chain', 'Logistics Supply Chain is critical for social and economic reasons and amidst the current situation it&apos;s the \r\n      need of the hour to ensure essentials supplies reach each and every corner of the country.', '<center><b>Connecting the Fragmented Supply Chain </b></center>\r\n      <center><b>Focus : Multimodal Operations, Inter State Transportation ( Rail and Surface) and Last Mile Deliveries</b></center>\r\n      <center><b>Date : 23rd April 2020, 10.30 am</b></center>\r\n      <center><b>Webinar Report</b></center>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Logistics Supply Chain is critical for social and economic reasons and amidst the current situation it&apos;s the \r\n      need of the hour to ensure essentials supplies reach each and every corner of the country. From \r\n      Railways to Air , Surface to Waterways all the agencies are committed to support the end consumers \r\n      however a supply chain crisis is fast emerging and is impacting movement of goods of essentials , related \r\n      industries as well as deliveries to the end users across India. The logistic sector robustness is essential to \r\n      support raw material procurement to delivery of final goods for regional, national and international \r\n      trade. Disruption in the movement of goods weakens the network and disrupts both forward and \r\n      backward integration.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Considering the issues of Indian logistics sector across multimodal transportation and the challenges of \r\n      movement of goods across the states and within the municipalities, ASSOCHAM initiated a national \r\n      meet of senior government officers across eastern, southern, western and northern region with key \r\n      industry stakeholders. ASSOCHAM Senior Vice President <b>   Vineet Agarwal </b> opened the session with \r\n      his welcome remarks and stated that challenging time such as these requires exception solutions. He \r\n      thank government for the supporting the sector while touching upon the demanding ground realities of \r\n      the logistic sectors. Interstate movements and other issues have impacted the sector and several \r\n      carriers are yet to reach the destinations originally planned.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The program was divided in two panels ,<b> Chief Guest of the day   N Sivasailam,</b> IAS, Special Secretary \r\n      Logistics, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India was joined by   M T Krishna Babu, IAS , \r\n      Principal Secretary Transport, Govt of Andhra Pradesh ,   Gitte Kirankumar Dinkarrao, IAS, Secretary \r\n      Industries and Commerce, Government of Tripura,   Vivek Pandey, IAS, Commissioner, Trade and \r\n      Taxes, Government of NCT of Delhi (State nodal officer for E-commerce and Pan Indian Companies) and \r\n      to share industry perspective   R S Sodhi, MD, Amul Federation along with   Harpreet Singh \r\n      Malhotra, CMD, Tiger Logistics Limited joined in.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Panel 1 Cross Border Transportation - Enhancing Smooth Operations</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The session focusing on interstate movement, effective logistic operations began with an address from \r\n        R S Sodhi, Managing Director, Amul Federation and he talked of the challenge of the milk sector \r\n      where logistics begin with the collection of milk from farmers. He stated that initial challenge was how \r\n      to collect the milk from farmers and then to bring it the cooperative plants and then to move it to \r\n      several states of the country through 5000 road milk tankers and amidst lockdown such massive \r\n      operation and transportation was a major challenge. Being a perishable product with shelf life of about \r\n      2 days initial teething problems were of concern however constant reaching out effort to state \r\n      authorities paved way to the problem of transportation.</p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>He also shared how railways service has been extensively used by Amul during this time to handle the \r\n      situation. He expressed desire of clarity in communication at down the line in administrative setups \r\n      across state to help ease the stress of the movement of the essential goods.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>To share perspective of a leading southern region state, <b>M T Krishna Kumar IAS </b>- Principal \r\n      Secretary, Department of Transport, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh spoke at the various efforts taken by his \r\n      government to ease movement within the state as well as support interstate movement.</p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>1. The Government of AP has set-up a call centre (1902) to help the inter district and state \r\n      transport sector, so far the state has addressed more than 55,000 calls. The Government of AP \r\n      has also set-up a command centre in each districts to help the movement of essential supplies \r\n      and goods. The AP transport department has set-up a WhatsApp group to address the inter \r\n      state challenges and issues - southern states have been actively participating to address the \r\n      concerns. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>2. The inter state observed only 25% of essential commodities movement in the state during the \r\n      lockdown. The AP Government has created an online portal to apply for e-passes for the various \r\n      sectors related to essential category. Also, an online grievance system to address issues and \r\n      concerns, so far the state has addressed more than 34,000 requests.</p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>3. The Secretary was happy to share that the State Government was able to approve the SLA&apos;s with \r\n      in two hours. The state and district officials trying best to mobilize labour movement with in the \r\n      state to restart the work in relation to essential supplies and manufactures. The AP government \r\n      is looking forward for a graded relaxation in green zones to restart the economic activity post \r\n      lockdown. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>  Vivek Pandey,</b> IAS, Commissioner, Trade and Taxes, Government of NCT of Delhi (State nodal officer \r\n      for E-commerce and Pan Indian Companies), while sharing the tasks already implemented by Delhi state \r\n      such as epasses, whatsapp group, easy access via phone lines ,   Pandey invited ASSOCHAM members \r\n      for inputs on further efficiency and improvement by the services as may be desired by the industry \r\n      members.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>He further added that Delhi has accepted epasses issues by neighbouring states such as Haryana,\r\n      Rajashtan to ease the movement. Delhi has also started the concept of self e-passes by large responsible \r\n      organizations to help ease the movement of goods and people within the states as well as permit \r\n      movement of goods from neighouring states. Appreciating the fact that supply chain is complex and if \r\n      any bit of it broken it has long lasting impact, he admitted there was initially a gap in communication \r\n      where local authorities at the level of policeman were taking a while to interpret things differently \r\n      hwoever with collective effort of all the matter is resolved is to great extend and not trucks are being \r\n      stopped for interstate movement. He even raised concern on labour issues being faced as labours have \r\n      moved out and the new recruitment and training is a challenge for transportation companies.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>   Harpreet Singh Malhotra,</b> CMD, Tiger Logistics Limited shared his thoughts from the perspective of \r\n      international logistics. He stated initial issues existed as there was no clarity; clearance took longer \r\n      however things have improved. The major issue which is being faced is that there are high charges laid \r\n      in by shipping line. Another problem is with the detention of export containers. He raised other issues \r\n      such as liquidity and expected support from government agencies as well as large logistics companies to \r\n      join hands to support smaller partners to sustain well</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Chief Guest of the day   N Sivasailam,</b> IAS, Special Secretary Logistics, Ministry of Commerce, \r\n      Government of India, echoed the voice of speakers and laid emphasis on the participative culture and \r\n      invited institution such as ASSOCHAM to take up the responsibilities of managing the Covid-19 \r\n      situations. In his words the industry is better understood by institutions such as ASSOCHAM and other \r\n      similar bodies and collectively these institutions should aim at creating a portal for the nation to support \r\n      logistics industry so that any transporter or any service in the remotest of the location can reach the \r\n      portal for help. Specifically with regard to Epasses he appreciated the app based concept by AITWA , but \r\n      encourage ASSOCHAM and other bodies to take up the task of issuing e-passes. He stated the Epasses, \r\n      E-invoicing by shiping industry is the future and is here to stay although it all became a quick reality \r\n      because of Covid 19. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Second Panel titled \\&quot;Learning from states-railways, interstate transportation&quot;\\ had presence of</b> Dr K K \r\n      Dwivedi, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Government of Assam, K R \r\n      Jyothilal, IAS, Principal Secretary Transport, General Administration, Revenue(Devaswom), Government \r\n      of Kerala, Rajan Satardekar, Director Transport, Govt of Goa,   Mahendra Arya, BE, MIE, President, \r\n      All India Transporters\' Welfare Association,   Samir J Shah, Partner JBS Group and inputs were taken \r\n      from   Prashant Sahu, Principal Chief Commissioner of South Eastern Railways</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Initiating the session to share state perspective ,   K R Jyothilal, IAS, Prinicipal Secretary, Transport, \r\n      General Administration, Revenue ( Devaswom), Govt of Kerala, said</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 1. Covid-19 is a great lesson to all of us. The truck movement has reduced from 2500 to 900 and he \r\n      also mentioned first in the country to open Whatsup group between industry members to Govt.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>2. Using Data & Technology for long distance carrying Pulses through Rail and Telangana helped \r\n      Kerala Govt in helping to carry the Pulses to APMC from the Last mile.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 3. GPS is implemented with all trucks to track the movement and also to implement &apos;Vahan \r\n      Sarathi&quot;\\ and also to trust people by issuing passes to their people.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>4. To understand the Milling and warehouse stocks and also to ease the business for loading and \r\n      unloading places in the last mile.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 5. Screening is done at all ports, Airports and Railways for drivers.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Dr K K Dwivedi,</b> IAS , commissioner and Secretary Govt of Assam , while talking with regard to the\r\n      support mechanism set by Government of ASSAM , there is no permission required, once self \r\n      declaration by the organsiaiton to DM that all the necessary guidelines are being followed is good \r\n      enough to start functioning.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>He shared statistics of 300 rakes being brought in to the state and movement of 24 thousand trucks \r\n      being used to move goods with in the state and to neihbouring states. He shared that warehouses and \r\n      other key operations are being permitted that include tea auction. However he stated owing to other \r\n      reasons such as capital, labour shortage it&apos;s only about 2% of industry that has opened up. Responding \r\n      to concern of logistics hub operations requiring transshipment centers be opened up , he stated such \r\n      facility are open. He invited specific matter if pending be brought to the notice of government.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>In response to the query of movement of non essential by train service to Assam he reiterated that the \r\n      service is open by rail for both essential and non essential into the state.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>  Rajan Satardekar, Director of Transport, Government of Goa,</b> talked of several steps taken in the \r\n      state of Goa that included supporting migrant labour with accommodation to stop spreading \r\n      coronavirus as well as use them for services of industry within the state that require functioning as per \r\n      the guidelines of Govt. One of the key features was to extend permission to functional managers in the \r\n      states to issues passes. Proactive steps of ensuring well trained staff, ensuring supply of essentials right \r\n      up to the door steps helped state control the spread and is now working towards revival of the economy</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>   Samir J Shah, Partner JBS Group</b> stated that ground realities are different as there is a wide variety \r\n      of industry community which is into exports. The larger organizations that have access to the police, \r\n      bureaucrats have been able to find the solutions and one can say that they have found a good solution \r\n      to receive goods and get staff daily. Whereas, the major chunk of medium enterprises are finding it very \r\n      difficult to operate. In spite of all the efforts being done by the administration, we are noticing that if we \r\n      look at any of the major facilities, they are outside the metros. They are surrounded by a large number \r\n      of small villages. A lot of Sarpanches declares close down of the village as a virtue of which servicing \r\n      units which were working on import and export have gone isolated. Another concern is Customs have\r\n      made passes that were not validated by local police. Co-ordination between state and local authority is \r\n      missing. A huge gap in communication can be seen between local and state authorities. Urge the \r\n      government to help the medium sector of the import/export industries with more readiness.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>  Prashant Sahu, Principal Chief Commissioner, South Eastern Railways,</b> on behalf of railways \r\n      presented the facilities of express train for moving goods across the country, he shared there are about \r\n      70 trains per day that are moving across various routes and he requested ASSOCHAM to share\r\n      information with members and ecommerce companies to use Railways as alternate mode of \r\n      transportation at this difficult time. Railways have also supported with passes, waiving of charges, etc. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Through ASSOCHAM he wished to communicate to Cement Sector companies to clear off the load so \r\n      that space can be used for movement of Essential goods.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>   Mahendra Arya,</b> President AITWA shared his concern over the communication and suggested there \r\n      clarity of understanding at ground level to be enhanced. He suggested states shall all come forward to \r\n      honour the circular of MHA and should extend easy passage to trucks and cargo. With regard to \r\n      movement of personnel especially drivers who have to reach to offices or hubs to start operations are \r\n      stuck as movement of people is stopped and getting people to reach place of work is becoming a \r\n      challenge. He shared the information of the mobile app being created by his organisation to support \r\n      issuance of e-passes and hoped each state would accept the centrally approved epass mechanism.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Program was closed by Senior Vice President ASSOCHAM   Vineet Agarwal by thanking all the eminent \r\n      guests to have shared their valuable inputs and to have spared time at these demanding times.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Key Takeaways for ASSOCHAM</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>1. ASSOCHAM to consider issuing Epasses as an institution - ASSOCHAM as an institution in partnership take up \r\n      the challenge of management and this can be supported by central authorities.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 2. ASSOCHAM via its network promote usage of Railways as alternative</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>3. Share information with cement industries to clear cargo thus ensuring availability of space for perishables</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 4. Share information with Exim community to clear containers and accept cargo deliveries</p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 5. Proactively support industry and connect with administration</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'connecting-the-fragmented-supply-chain', 1, 0, '2020-04-23', '2020-04-23', '10.30 am', '10.30 am', 0, 28, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08'),
(132, 'National Education Policy 2020 - A New Paradigm - Higher Education: Changes & Impact', 'NEP 2020 leads of growth and drive the education requirements of our young population. It leads better learning and employment outcomes of younger generation.', '<center><b>Webinar on</b></center>\r\n      <center><b>National Education Policy 2020 - A New Paradigm - Higher Education: Changes & Impact</b></center>\r\n      <center><b> 29th August 2020 (11am to 1 Pm)</b></center>\r\n      ____________________________________________________________________________________\r\n      <center><b>Notes</b></center>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Inaugural Chief Guest: Dr. C N Aswathnarayana,</b> Hon&apos;ble Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for High \r\n      Education, Government of Karnataka</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Moderator: Shri. Mohandas Pai,</b> Chairman, Aarin Capital and Manipal Global Education</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Speakers:</b></p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>- Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe,</b> Chairman, AICTE</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>- Shri. B V Naidu,</b> Chairman- ASSOCHAM Karnataka; Managing Partner, StartupXseed & Founder \r\n      and Chairman, THE GAIN </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>- Prof. S Sadagopan,</b> Director - IIITB Bangalore</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>- Dr. Madhu Chitkara,</b> Pro Chancellor, Chitkara University</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> - Dr. N. Jayasankaran,</b> Fmr. Vice Chancellor Kanchi University and Member NAAC Accreditation \r\n      committees</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>- Dr. Suresh Mony,</b> Founder & Director, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies \r\n      (NMIMS) & Key Advisory Member for ASSOCHAM Karnataka CSR Committee.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Uma S Nair </b>- Welcomed the panellists and welcomed the participants and partners to the program.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Inaugural Chief Guest: Dr. C N Aswathnarayana</b> - Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit \r\n      to share the State perspectives about the NEP 2020. The Union Cabinet approved the National Education \r\n      Policy 2020 today, making way for large scale, transformational reforms in both school and higher \r\n      education sectors. This is the first education policy of the 21st century and replaces the thirty-four year \r\n      old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. Built on the foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, \r\n      Affordability and Accountability, this policy is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development \r\n      and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by making \r\n      both school and college education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, suited to 21st century needs \r\n      and aimed at bringing out the unique capabilities of each student.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> NEP 2020 leads of growth and drive the education requirements of our young population. It leads better \r\n      learning and employment outcomes of younger generation.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Karnataka is one of the most progressive among the states as far as education goes. It is among the top 5 \r\n      states in terms of universities per district with an average of nearly 2 universities per district. Bangalore \r\n      has the highest density of colleges-(880 nos.) among the cities in India-51 colleges per lakh population. \r\n      The next highest is Jaipur with 558. Bangalore has four premier institutions of higher learning viz. IISc, IIM, \r\n      National law School, IIIT</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Karnataka government is bringing in administrative reforms and amendments to laws which are essential \r\n      to implement the National Education Policy following which Karnataka would become the first state in \r\n      the country to implement the policy.</p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Karnataka Government has already come out with suggestions to implement the policy in a phased \r\n      manner. The new policy would make high-quality education available to all students. The whole system \r\n      would benefit from quality teaching.</p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The Karnataka government is upbeat about becoming the first state in the country to implement the \r\n      National Education Policy (NEP) and believes it to be the foundation of \'New India\'. The Government is \r\n      very confident that Karnataka will emerge as the first state to successfully implement the policy. NEP \r\n      would not only reform the state but also the education sector across the country. The Policy will bring in \r\n      the drastic positive changes in society. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>In the view of Implementation, the high-level task force was constituted immediately after the draft of \r\n      the policy. The state government is making all preparations to bring in administrative reforms and \r\n      amendments to the laws which are essential to implement the national education policy.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Karnataka is perhaps the only state that has set up a Higher Education Academy (HEA) at Dharwad at an \r\n      investment of Rs. 100 crores. In keeping with the NEP-2020 to set up multi -disciplinary universities \r\n      (MDUs), the government may consider setting up a few MDUs-right now we have only Manipal in the \r\n      private sector which is a MDU.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> In order to ensure meritocracy, we will try to ensure that admissions are merit based while at the same \r\n      time providing opportunities for socially disadvantaged sections of the population.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Today, the inter-university flow of students among the universities in Karnataka is restricted, that is a \r\n      Bangalore university student can apply only for higher studies in Bangalore University. We will encourage \r\n      flow of students from one university to other in keeping with healthy competition and the new policy of \r\n      taking credit courses from different universities.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Our Teacher appointments should be merit based and with the HEA our quality of teachers can be \r\n      significantly enhanced. However, we shall try to further improve with Learning Outcome based teachinglearning process. We will aim that all our universities aim for international accreditation and ranking \r\n      among the top universities of the world.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. BV Naidu </b>- Welcomed the esteemed panellists and shared that these esteemed panel members who \r\n      have been working closely to draft the NEP 2020. Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit \r\n      to share the State perspectives about the NEP 2020. The Union Cabinet approved the National Education \r\n      Policy 2020 today, making way for large scale, transformational reforms in both school and higher \r\n      education sectors. This is the first education policy of the 21st century and replaces the thirty-four year \r\n      old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. Built on the foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, \r\n      Affordability and Accountability, this policy is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development \r\n      and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by making \r\n      both school and college education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, suited to 21st century needs \r\n      and aimed at bringing out the unique capabilities of each student.</p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> He also said that the NEO aligns with 5 trillion dollar economy by our Hon&apos;ble Prime Minister of India. The \r\n      State government recommends the four E mantra&apos;s - Educate, Energise, Employee and Empower if we \r\n      follow this it helps in investing in Human resources, higher education. There is need of focus on higher \r\n      education cognitive skills and increasing employability through linking of education and focus on skills and \r\n      job creation in the education system. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>NEP 2020 leads of growth and drive the education requirements of our young population. It leads better \r\n      learning and employment outcomes of younger generation. NEP 2020 will create new paradigm in \r\n      Education system of India. We have 3.74 Crores Students are enrolled in 51,649 institutions with a GER \r\n      of 26.3. As per the MHRD 2018-29 report 91 lakhs students graduate per year. NEP 2020 aims to increase \r\n      the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education including vocational education from 26.3% (2018) to 50% \r\n      by 2035. 3.5 Crore new seats will be added to Higher education institutions. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe </b>- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the State \r\n      perspectives about the NEP 2020 and roles of AICTE and benefits to the Karnataka State. He stressed that \r\n      implementation of NEP 2020 plays an important role across the States and Districts. This NEP provides \r\n      more opportunities to Industry and Institutions and suggested to explore such opportunities. As the \r\n      Karnataka State is among one of the first state to come forward and implement the NEP and he specified \r\n      that Bengaluru and Karnataka State should be the role model for other States to implement NEP \r\n      effectively. He said that the partnership between Industry - Institute is very much necessary to create \r\n      better for ecosystem in Educations sector which leads to employment generation. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Prof. S Sadagopan </b>- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the perspectives \r\n      about the NEP 2020. He said that this pandemic has opened up new opportunities to connect with various \r\n      universities and professors though Technology. He suggested to think out of the box as the Prof. \r\n      Sahasabudhe said there are many opportunities in the NEP 2020. He stressed to give more importance to \r\n      teachers and address their issues as they play an important role in the Education sector. He suggested to \r\n      identify an implementation agency to execute the NEP 2020 in the state. Also an agency needs to create \r\n      a platform to empower, implement and improve the sub critical institutions to be improved. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Dr. Madhu Chitkara</b> - Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the perspectives \r\n      about the NEP 2020. She pointed out that NEP 2020 provides more opportunities to younger universities \r\n      work on the research or teaching domain as their spatiality also provide the many opportunities in higher \r\n      education sector as collaboration, multi-disciplinary and many more. The NEP also suggests to provide \r\n      help to the local communities and support school education. This NEP recommends for blended type of \r\n      learning such as vocational training, multi-disciplinary and good initiatives. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Dr. N. Jayasankaran </b>- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the perspectives \r\n      about the NEP 2020. As he grew and taught by the &quot;Gurukula&quot; education is one of the oldest teaching \r\n      methodology in education sector. In Gurukul system teaches the students to ability to grasp, knowledge \r\n      and retain. He said that to learn any new things you need to have the burning desire. As per his view on \r\n      the higher education, in India we have many number universities and excellence centers, suggested to \r\n      identify the pockets of excellence and nurture them to crate the better ecosystem in the education sector. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Dr. Suresh Mony </b>- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the perspectives about \r\n      the NEP 2020. He said that Higher education requires to build culture and environment for economic \r\n      development in the Country. The implementation plays an important role in NEP. He said that system \r\n      approach in the NEP such as multi-disciplinary, vocational education and single window regulatory to help \r\n      achieve the NEP goals. He suggested include the regional language teaching and study materials which \r\n      will help the local community students to peruse the education. He also suggested to collaborative \r\n      approach from Industry, Institute and academia with government to create a better ecosystem. </p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'national-education-policy-2020-a-new-paradigm      ', 1, 0, '2020-08-29', '2020-08-29', '11.00 a.m', '1.00 p.m', 0, 28, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08'),
(133, 'Decoding of National Education Policy 2020 - Changes, Impact and Implementation Strategies in \r\n      School Education', 'Technology is one thing that has helped the businesses, organsiations and people at large connect with each other and keep the momentum going. In similar line, technology is an important part be it school curriculum or simply bridging or connecting two levels of government together.', '<center><b>ASSOCHAM Southern region presents </b></center>\r\n      <center><b> Webinar on</b></center>\r\n      <center><b>\\&quot;Decoding of National Education Policy 2020 - Changes, Impact and Implementation Strategies in \r\n      School Education&quot;\\</b></center>\r\n      <center><b> 30th September 2020 | 11:00 AM to 01:00PM</b></center>\r\n      ____________________________________________________________________________________\r\n      <center><b>Notes</b></center>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Moderator: Dr. Suresh Mony, </b>Founder & Director, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies \r\n      (NMIMS) & Key Advisory Member for ASSOCHAM Karnataka CSR Committee.M</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Speakers: </b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>• Dr. Niyati Chitkara,</b> Vice President - Schools, Chitkara Educational Trust</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>• Dr. R. Vijay Kumar,</b> Regional Director - ERC, National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>• Shri. Vinesh Menon,</b> CEO - Education, Skilling and Consulting Services, Ampersand Group</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>• Dr. H. B. Chandrashekar,</b> Senior Assistant Director, Department of State Education Research \r\n      and Training (DSERT), Bengaluru</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>• Smt. B. Seshu Kumari,</b> Director, State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), \r\n      Government of Telangana</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Uma S Nair </b>- Welcomed the panellists and the participants and partners to the program.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Dr. Niyati Chitkara </b>- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the State \r\n      perspectives about the NEP 2020. With the roll out of promising NEP 2020, it is pertinent to understand \r\n      the nuances of the changes in it to give a stimulus to Indian School Education system. In light of the same, \r\n      said has propounded her avant-garde ideas on this much-talked new education policy.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Technology is one thing that has helped the businesses, organsiations and people at large connect with \r\n      each other and keep the momentum going. In similar line, technology is an important part be it school \r\n      curriculum or simply bridging or connecting two levels of government together. Technological platforms \r\n      should be employed to collaborate and communicate. Furthermore, framework of the same should be \r\n      designed keeping in mind the challenges, and hence focus should be on the personalization & research \r\n      part of it divergent from the content part. This shall greatly augment as technology in itself is \r\n      interdisciplinary, integrated, innovative, research-oriented, inquiry-based etc.</p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Another inventive element that could bridge the two levels of government or bring closer the duo of \r\n      private & government is Accreditation. As has been for Chitkara International School, 5 years back (one \r\n      of the only 70 accredited schools of country); the accreditation has helped it communicate in a better \r\n      way. More so, Accreditation is a brilliant support mechanism that validates system and ensures one is \r\n      working at a quality level in multiple operations.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Dr. R. Vijay Kumar</b> - Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the State \r\n      perspectives about the NEP 2020. He said this National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education \r\n      (NCFTE, 2009) elaborates the context, concerns and vision underscoring that teacher education and \r\n      school education have a symbiotic relationship and developments in both these sectors mutually reinforce \r\n      the concerns necessary for qualitative improvements of the entire spectrum of education including \r\n      teacher education as well. The new concerns of school curriculum and the expected transactional \r\n      modalities have been emphasized in designing this Framework for all stages of school education. Issues \r\n      related to inclusive education, perspectives for equitable and sustainable development, gender \r\n      perspectives, role of community knowledge in education and ICT in schooling as well as e-learning become \r\n      the centre-stage in the Framework.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The curriculum of teacher education is broadly dealt with under foundations of education, curriculum and \r\n      pedagogy and school internship. The foundations of education include learner studies, contemporary \r\n      studies, and educational studies. Curriculum and pedagogy deal with curriculum studies, pedagogic \r\n      studies and assessment and evaluation studies. The school internship is visualized by situating the practice \r\n      of teaching in the broader context of vision and the role of teacher and sustained engagement with \r\n      learners and schools. In a departure from the existing approaches, the rationale of each major area \r\n      alongwith curricular provisions, both in theory and practicum, have been indicated, leaving scope for \r\n      individual reflection on the part of the institutions offering teacher education and the academics \r\n      associated with them.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. Vinesh Menon </b>- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the State \r\n      perspectives about the NEP 2020. He stressed to give more importance to teachers and address their \r\n      issues as they play an important role in the Education sector. He suggested to identify an immediate \r\n      implementation agency to execute the NEP 2020 in the State and Schools. Also suggested to setup an \r\n      agency needs to create a platform to empower, implement and improve the sub critical institutions to be \r\n      improved. This NEP provides more opportunities to Industry and Institutions and suggested to explore \r\n      such opportunities. This NEP provides more opportunities to Industry and Institutions and suggested to \r\n      explore such opportunities.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Dr. H. B. Chandrashekar </b>- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the State \r\n      perspectives about the NEP 2020. He said the investment in education is key for getting desired outcomes. \r\n      In this regard, it is important to ensure the Govt expenditure on education is 10% of GDP. The Governance \r\n      of Anganawadis/Pre-Primary Education needs to be transferred to Education Department. The nutrition \r\n      and health part can be with the Women and Child Department and Health department respectively. This \r\n      step will helps to ensure universal access in ECCE.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Said to ensure Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, the Pupil Teacher Ratio in Classes till 5 has to be 1: \r\n      20 at School/Class level. The cadre of Primary school teacher must be suitable revised in such a way that \r\n      the researchers/academicians/experts can also join as teachers after they complete a suitable course. The \r\n      salary of primary/Higher Primary school teachers should be on par with college teachers. This will attract \r\n      talented and interested people to take up teaching profession at Primary level. The service conditions of \r\n      primary school teachers should be improved so that there will be no disturbance (non-teaching activities) \r\n      to teachers. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The shift of mind in teachers (Metanoia) has to happen to make teaching enquiry, discussion, discovery \r\n      based. The transformation in the pedagogical practices of teachers is the key to change the education \r\n      scenario of the country. In this context, the belief system and attitudes of teachers must be changed and \r\n      this is a challenge to make it happen. Different strategies/programmes/activities must be developed after \r\n      the detailed deliberations. Small scale and big scale industries and commerce establishments have to be \r\n      associated with school education to sensitize/orient secondary/higher secondary school students on \r\n      vocations.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Smt. B. Seshu Kumari </b>- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the State \r\n      perspectives about the NEP 2020. She stressed about universalization of Early childhood care and \r\n      education (ECCE) is more than preparation for primary school. It aims at the holistic development of a \r\n      child&apos;s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for \r\n      lifelong learning and wellbeing. ECCE has the possibility to nurture caring, capable and responsible \r\n      future citizens. The implementation plays an important role in NEP. She said that system approach in the \r\n      NEP such as multi-disciplinary, vocational education and single window regulatory to help achieve the \r\n      NEP goals. She suggested to include the regional language teaching and study materials which will help \r\n      the local community students to peruse the education. She also suggested to collaborative approach \r\n      from Industry, Institute and academia with government to create a better ecosystem.</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'Decoding-of-National-Education-Policy-2020', 1, 0, '2020-09-30', '2020-09-30', '11.00 a.m', '1.00 p.m', 0, 28, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08');
INSERT INTO `events` (`id`, `title`, `short_desc`, `long_desc`, `registration`, `reg_link`, `image`, `slug`, `status`, `deleted`, `start_date`, `end_date`, `start_time`, `end_time`, `sector_id`, `region_id`, `priority`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(134, ' Forex and Risk Management report july 2020', 'Non-Conventional Avenues of Fundraising and Forex Risk Management for \r\n      MSME&apos;S and Corporates on 23rd July 2020.', '<center></b>Webinar on </b></center>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Non-Conventional Avenues of Fundraising and Forex Risk Management for \r\n      MSME&apos;S and Corporates on 23rd July 2020.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Welcome Addressby</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Smt Uma S Nair, Regional Director, ASSOCHAM</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Moderated By : Smt Uma S Nair, Regional Head, ASSOCHAM</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Panel Discussion : 1</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> How Company can get benefited in terms of :</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 1. Fund Raising</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 2. Attracting Quality manpower with Employees retention</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 3. Creating credibility with business associates<p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 4. Mitigation Currency fluctuation Risk</p>\r\n       \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri B Gouri Sankar, AVP, Regional Head - BD South, National Stock Exchange of India Ltd</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Uma S Nair </b>: Good evening Everybody, We welcome you all to the webinar on Non-Conventional Avenues of Fundraising and Forex Risk Management for MSME\\&apos;S \r\n      and Corporates. We welcome   B Gouri Sankar and Sajal Gupta who are \r\n      going to the key main speakers Gouri Sankar is AVP, Regional Head- BD \r\n      South from National Stock Exchange India Ltd and Sajal Gupta is from \r\n      Edelweiss we welcome you all for this particular program. Befor we start up this \r\n      program I would like to have brief introduction about this particular program on \r\n      what is this about and what is the objective of this particular program and what \r\n      is going to the take away for the participants from this program. The actual \r\n      systematic mechanism available with SME to recognize their Currency risk \r\n      associated with any particular exposure Data for the reviel said awareness \r\n      about the use of the products deprised and most of the SME&apos;S awailing this \r\n      currencies risk management services. The core relationship exercise indicate the \r\n      risk that there is no single detriment factor that effect&apos;s the most exchange rate.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Factors like Scio political changes was our natural calamities the central Bank \r\n      intervention speculative action are secondary, it means there is an effect on the \r\n      exchange rate cannot measured by statistical tool infliation, Foreign exchange \r\n      reserves our primary responsibilities will factor to better mind the exchange \r\n      rate in our measurable in order to track the movement of the exchange rates \r\n      the data base of the above is primary is necessary and would and go along in \r\n      studying the exchange rates. So keeping all this in mind the importance and the \r\n      challenges of Forex Risk Management for MSME and Corporates. The objective\r\n      of this program is how company can be benefited for fund raising and crating \r\n      credibility&apos;s with cbusiness associates mitigating currency fluctuation risk with \r\n      facts and Forex markets and market outlook in USD and INR. No we will pass on \r\n      the floor to Gouri Sankar AVP Regional Head, NSE of India. With 15 years \r\n      experience in various roles in MSME and got a huge knowledge on various \r\n      products. His specialties includes Business development listed direvitirs, product \r\n      designing, derivative pricing and new products.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>In front roles and he fear heads in all the business development products \r\n      education initiative and SME listing in southern region and spent time \r\n      significantly in emerging corporates awareness and creating capital Markets.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Gouri Sankar :</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you Uma Ji, for the introduction and signing the context for the the \r\n      today&apos;s session. Respected dignitaries of the webinar co presenter co speaker \r\n      and all the members of ASSOCHAM. It&apos;s gives me immense pleasure here on this \r\n      webinar and presenting on alternative revenue for fundraising to SME&apos;S through \r\n      fund platform and also thank team ASSOCHAM for this opportunity.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>It is very essential to all corporates to understand the risk and identify their and \r\n      learns quickly to ways mitigate smoothly through this challenges time and the \r\n      topic chosen is very apt in today&apos;s situation and both the topics we are \r\n      discussing today is very challenging. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>SME\\&apos;S play an important role in developing the Nation&apos;s economy and they are \r\n      considered to be the back bone of delopnig economy. We can see the \r\n      contribution and second largest in terms of providing employment and \r\n      contribute significantly to the GDP. Talking on the risk managment we face \r\n      today in terms of managing finance and need working capital requirement or \r\n      cash flow&apos;s. The trent platform created by RXIL and second one to meet the long \r\n      term funding requiremets for SME. In the year 2015 RBI issue trade receivables \r\n      discounting systems to set up the trade to RXIL. The objective of the SME sellers \r\n      who realise their bills from buyers usually will take 90ays but suing this platform \r\n      will take only 48 Hrs. TREDS is the bill discounting platform in this sellers are \r\n      only MSME&apos;S and can participate in sellers in TREDS factoring process. PSU&apos;s and \r\n      any other entity can participate as buyers in TREDS and win win situation to all \r\n      the participant and stake holders in TREDS system by releasing they cash in \r\n      48hrs after rising the invoice and flexibility to choose financiers bidding at the \r\n      lowest. Funds distributed through RXIL are PSL Accredited, Defaulters are \r\n      minimized as top rates buyers, access to buyer&apos;s ecosystems to minimal cost. \r\n      Benefits to buyers like free their finance team&apos;s bandwidth by facilitating quiver\r\n      payments, improved procurement terms and competitive pricing from suppliers, \r\n      no obligation on seller to pay the financier and streamlined vendors payment.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Moving second platform exclusive broken development of Small and Medium \r\n      enterprises in the intial platform we have notice the SME&apos;S significant role they \r\n      play and how much they contribute the nation economy. In spite we are having \r\n      SME&apos;S role still facing in fundraising and capital. The larger companies shave \r\n      already listed in NSE the set eligibility criteria sat on online board and SSME&apos;S \r\n      not able to tap the public equity route. That needs the efficient funding \r\n      systems. The NSE Emerge platform helped the ecosystems of SME&apos;S. funds from \r\n      public equity exclusively for SME&apos;S. The NSE Emerge is platform for SME&apos;S to \r\n      grow in Inia to list in Equity, Regulated by SEBI, separate segment in NSE, same \r\n      trading terminal as main board, same trading members and merchant bankers \r\n      as main exchange. This platform is created to relax SME&apos;S. from 2012 209 \r\n      companies has been registered and Rs. 3000 has been raised in this platform \r\n      and we saw companies average issueeue size is been above 15 crores and the \r\n      companies list from Emerging platform is 19 companies from different sectors \r\n      who has covered wide range of sectors who have utilized this platform out of \r\n      209 companies registerd 33 companies have migrated to the main board. \r\n      Company can list under NSE Emerge we can classify the companies under this 4 \r\n      buckets based on their stage growth like start up, Early stage, Grown Phase and \r\n      Large company. List on NSE Emerge criteria like 2 years operational history, 2 \r\n      years positive cash accruals, positive Net Worth and under SEBI Eligibility \r\n      criteria Rs. 10-25 crore SME&apos;S main board and upto Rs. 10 crore SME board only. \r\n      The Regulatory frame work the requirement should be at least 50 allotter&apos;s in \r\n      SME IPO, Post Listing Complaisance, Migration and Investors. Process of Listing \r\n      in NSE Emerge is very simple like Interaction between NSE and SME team, \r\n      appointment of Intermediators, preparation of documents, filling of offer \r\n      document with NSE, in- principal approval by NSE and Listing. The advantages to \r\n      the listed firms to the SME platform efficient by raising capital, higher visibility, \r\n      credibility, appropriate valuation, Corporate Governance and Migration to the \r\n      main board. Value proposition for issuers like Liquidity, Borrowing terms, High \r\n      value employers, Share as Collateral and access to wider capital. There are lot \r\n      advantages for the listed firms and create awareness sessions and 80% of the \r\n      companies listed in last 4 years and first 4 years was only 20% listed and \r\n      because of awareness openness of the corporates and tie-up for strategic \r\n      development like Govt. Bodies, State Govt., MIDC,GIDC Etc, MSME Institute, \r\n      Industries Association and Banks. Nifty SME Emerge Launched on 2oth \r\n      November 2017, and a base value of 1000, reconstituted on a monthly basis.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Conclude of 1st Session </b></p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Panel Discussion: 2</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 1. Myths and Facts on Forex Market</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>2. Market Outlook - USD INR</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 3.\r\n      - Shri CA Sajal Gupta, Head Forex and Rates</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Introduction : </b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Sajal Gupta who heads the Forex and Rates from Edelweiss he is also Forex and \r\n      Risk Management Expert having 18 years of experience in this field and associated \r\n      with ICICI Bank, CITI Bank and General Electric and he is the founder Edelweiss forex \r\n      ha also speacilies in developing and customizing for the Forex needs and also CA.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> My first slides says Forex is no my Business it\\&apos;s the biggest myth if you are in \r\n      Exports and Import will explain why Forex is your business and you need to take care \r\n      business Rupees has moved 17 to 25% in just 3 to 4 Months if we are cautious to safe \r\n      guard under using Insurance much more. Between 2009 to 2011 3 years Rupee was \r\n      going down from 45 levels went down to 36 to 35 levels would have not known lost in \r\n      the Export side and Rupee keep on going down after my order you will incur loss and \r\n      that reason why we should focus imports generally will pay the premium and Export \r\n      will less and it is the only Insurance in the market where by edging Exporters 4%. So \r\n      broadly what are the amount it heads you earn 4% per annum over and above we \r\n      have normal businesses so this is the Incentives to the Imports, the problem with the \r\n      Exports are there overheads and over edging is a problem because the peculation is \r\n      a problem. If you are an Exporter or Importer people always says we loose money \r\n      and there were big move in the currencies. If the dollar index become stronger than \r\n      Rupee will become weaker and Vis versa and similarly oil prices as everybody knows\r\n      like India imports oils and the oil is high the dollar prices will go up so Rupee has a \r\n      good relationship with short turn with oils that is one thing which is helping us now \r\n      during Covid times so oil is something which we need to keep in mind. We need to \r\n      insure our business, Health, Vehicle and Life similar Forex insurance is very much \r\n      required for your business and we need proper care to be taken.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Noboby can loose money in hedging, and people will say lost money in it. We need \r\n      look at the bench mark we are talking losses USDINR Current spot is 74.75 and \r\n      outright rate is 74.50 if you are hedging we can guarantee there is no loss and \r\n      opportunity loos is something that nobody can control it but it can only minimize it \r\n      and also should understand the opportunity loss and present loss as an exporter \r\n      you are gaining and too are able to hedge out your budgeted report and we should \r\n      confuse on opportunity loss and actual loss. Structured hedging for Exporters and \r\n      Importers and most of the corporates are using this by keeping 3 to 4% margin and \r\n      morning 9 to evening 5pm you can Hedge and lots of banks says my rates are \r\n      different others are different but we say all the banks rates are same at one part of \r\n      time and we need to having pricing tool to avail live market prices and Edelweiss will \r\n      charge 1.2 Lakhs per annum and you access all live pricing in the market and if you \r\n      do not have good tool you cannot talk the bankers. And you can also be a vigilant to \r\n      your money. If you don&apos;t to the bankers and bargain you will get bad rate. No \r\n      cheating on brokerage everything is digital on hedging and every thing is transparent \r\n      and this SME&apos;s are pioneers in this and that&apos;s why corporate should also hedge on \r\n      the exchange and 100 percent safety is there. And also Reliance and L&T are working \r\n      on this exchange and we are working from 9 to 5 and banks are working for 4hrs. \r\n      INR; Cherry picking on external sector resilience is possible. Rbi is buying lot of \r\n      Dollars in the market and reserves are there. Oil benefit to reflect in CA Surplus : BOP \r\n      Comfortable surplus too and good for our economy and reserves are happening and \r\n      shock could be avoided and that&apos;s the passive for Indian Rupee and outlook is mild \r\n      appreciation in base case scenario and these are estimated as normal conditions \r\n      currency will be stable in doing currency trading and valitevily is safer trading is a \r\n      risky bussines but still we can make 20 to 25% return in this and yield enhansment in \r\n      existing portfolio and only season investers will understand this covered call \r\n      business and Edeleiss is the largest wealth management in the country and one of \r\n      the top 3 managements in the country. We also work as consultant at we charge 3 \r\n      lakh to 6 lakh for period of six months and we provide all the services talked about \r\n      forex space live advisory will suggest when to hedge and not and we will do \r\n      transaction with the bankers on behalf of clients and we cover all end to end and \r\n      entire decision making with the company we assist and advise the company and do \r\n      the transaction after taking decision from the company and we act as an employ and \r\n      work on their side and charge our fees on half yearly basis and maintain almost 600 \r\n      companies as of now and recognized by NSE and facilitated by NSE and also do the \r\n      SME funding through banks and other channels and also advise on the claim \r\n      recovery status and help to claim insurance to the companies nd that is the major \r\n      part of our services.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:center;\'> Conclude</b></p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'forex-and-risk-management-report-july-2020', 1, 0, '2020-07-23', '2020-07-23', '', '', 0, 28, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08');
INSERT INTO `events` (`id`, `title`, `short_desc`, `long_desc`, `registration`, `reg_link`, `image`, `slug`, `status`, `deleted`, `start_date`, `end_date`, `start_time`, `end_time`, `sector_id`, `region_id`, `priority`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(135, 'ASSOCHAM Southern Presents Webinar on MSMEs Conclave 2021', 'Welcomed all speakers from govt. and Industries, MSME is the back bone of our country contributing by 35% of GDP.', '<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>ASSOCHAM Southern Presents Webinar on MSMEs Conclave 2021, Reigniting Growth Engine \r\n      for MSME in Karnataka, on 23rd March 2021, at 3pm to 5.30pm.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Panels</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. G Kumar Naik, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of MSME, Mining & Textile, \r\n      GOK.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. G R Akadas, Director, MSME Development, Institute, GOI, Bengaluru</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Dr. Charan Singh, Chairman ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking and Chief Executive \r\n      Egrow Foundation</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>. RK Singh, General Manager, MSME Division, Canara Bank</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Sagar Agarwal, Co-Chairman, Karnataka State Development Council & Sr. VP, Transystem \r\n      Logistics International Pvt Ltd.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Ullas Kamath, Joint Managing Director, Jyothy Laboratories</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. Jacob Crasta, Chairman, CM Envirosystems Pvt. Ltd & Lsquare Eco-Products Pvt. Ltd</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. Krishna, General Manager, Marketing, HAL</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Moderaor Shri. S N Ranga Prasad, Consultant & Former\r\n     Director, MSME Development Institute</b></p>\r\n     <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Welcome By Shri. Suvin Narayan ASSOCHAM, Bengaluru</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Setting of Context by</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri . Sagar Agarwal, Co-Chairman, Karnataka State Development Council & Sr. VP, Transystem \r\n      Logistics International Pvt. Ltd.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Welcomed all speakers from govt. and Industries, MSME is the back bone of our country \r\n      contributing by 35% of GDP. And Govt. initiate supporting the MSME and Funds and through \r\n      awareness program which can be govt initiative or through industry initiate and todays if the one \r\n      of the ASSOCHAM initiate to the MSME benefits for their growth. Having Agency assisted the \r\n      govt. or from Industry Association which can support all the MSME starting from documentation \r\n      to the end of benefit and should get technical support to get those benefits to their growth. \r\n      Technology upgradation and adapting digital development is most in today&apos;s business \r\n      environment particularly in post pandemic.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> In the development aspect of MSME or the Industry in the business environment we need to \r\n      upgrade our technology and transform into digital system. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Panel</b></p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Inaugural Address by Shri. G Kumar Naik, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of \r\n      MSME, Mining & Textile, Department of Commerce & Industry, GOK</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you ASSOCHAM, MSME Conclave hence important in the context of a New challenges and \r\n      imposed by Covid-19 both health and economy distraction by pandemic. MSME sector in \r\n      Karnataka and in India a second largest employment after agriculture sector and acts as breeding \r\n      ground for entrepreneurs and its continuous support in strengthening business ecosystem. \r\n      Survey report shows disruption caused by Covid-19 have impacted MSME earnings between 20 \r\n      to 50%. Micro and Small entrepreneurs faced the maximum heat mainly due to Liquidity crunch.\r\n      Non-essential Commodities towards the essential commodities in the production of Hand \r\n      Sanitizer toiletries, PPE Kits and Masks were able to survive at tough times. In fact our ability to \r\n      ramp up of all these needed essential commodities during the pandemic has earned lot of \r\n      appreciation across the world. MSMEs present in remote areas facing lot of difficulties due to \r\n      interrupted supply chain systems interstate lock down. We have dedicated officers during these \r\n      covid times to ensure as much as possible supply chain is not disturbed. Innovation and change \r\n      in strategies MSMEs have been able to demonstrating the strength and raising to the occasion \r\n      for the kind of response we have in the pandemic. MSME is growing sector in the Karnataka \r\n      industry and occupy a prominence space in the economy. Karnataka Manufacturing and vibrant \r\n      Exports have earned worldwide price and Karnataka manufacturing sector contribution during \r\n      2018-19 was 14.46 while national average is 14%. In 19-20 the state govt. has approved even \r\n      during 1081 MSME projects with 14.90 crore investments which should generate nearly 50,000 \r\n      employment. Credit flow and availability is major issue which need to create awareness among \r\n      the MSMEs. The state govt. has come to the rescue of MSMEs during pandemic year with the \r\n      new Industrial Policy 2020-25, with special incentives to the MSMEs for new investment in the \r\n      form of Investment promotion on term loans subsidy interest subsidy to the Lands, Stamp duty \r\n      and registration concessions etc. It provides the 15% price difference to local MSMEs in public \r\n      procurement. Reservation of 20% local MSME. During pandemic state govt. has waived of fixed \r\n      deposit of electricity demand charges during lock down period and postponed KIADB and KSSIDC \r\n      3 months and introduces the flexible labor loss. Covid in fact pushed certain innovation into \r\n      technology and much needed reforms and state govt released 140 crores to the 500 MSMEs \r\n      pending from 3, 4 years and land subsidy of 120 crores to SC/ST Entrepreneurs. State govt. \r\n      Infrastructure development 43.7 Crores released for the development of critical Infrastructure \r\n      works through KSIIDC in 25 industrial estates. Also State Govt. released 75.84 crores pending \r\n      market development assistance payed incentives to Khadi Societies, pending from last 5,6 years. \r\n      17527 has been benefited for Khadi and Weavers and these is the concerned shown to MSMEs \r\n      sectors from State Govt. The State govt. constituted the State Level Task force and the \r\n      chairmanship of Director and to monitor the effective implementation emergency credit line to \r\n      the guarantee schemes to provide 20% loan to MSMEs as a result 1 69,280 units have got the \r\n      sanction of Rs. 6,000 Crore in our State. In the review of Banking eternity Karnataka state has \r\n      done well compare to other state must be in top 2 or 3 in the extension of banking support to \r\n      the MSMEs. Karnataka CM has announce in the recent Budget 21-22 govt. is committed to the \r\n      industrial sector particularly Peenya Industrial Area with necessary Infrastructure development \r\n      with an expenditure of 100 Crores. Chief Minister also announce of Mega integrated Town ship \r\n      in Bangalore - Mumbai and Bangalore Industrial Corridors minimum 500 acres of Land at each of \r\n      this places utilizing the available opportunities will be developed with PPP model with the \r\n      expected investment of Rs. 10,000 Crore in the next 3 Years with expectations of employment of \r\n      5 lakh.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Panel</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Dr. Charan Singh, Chairman ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking and Chief Executive \r\n      Egrow Foundation</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you ASSOCHAM, at the ouset impressed addressed by Shri. Kumar Naik, regarding the \r\n      Karnataka State govt. taking initiative and supporting MSME Sector. With 8 lakh MSME Sectors \r\n      in Karnataka in India out of this 3 Lakh are in Bangalore. In the polices announced by govt. was \r\n      very good 12500 acres of land identified in National Investment and Manufacturing Zone project \r\n      needs to be revived it generates lots of employment. Understanding the estimates are to \r\n      generate 2.6 lakhs jobs. Under the Karnataka Industrial Policy 2025 the stress of special \r\n      investment of region act which support industrial town ship and corridor needs to be developed \r\n      fast and in peenya Industrial area has 8500 units with a large industry in the cluster in the lock \r\n      down 80% of MSMEs were shut down even MSME has mortality rate but 10% may not open and \r\n      that is the real concern and how do they survive. Happy to see the passing 25 Policy in that easing \r\n      regulatory and process of land acquisition. The concerns all over India and Karnataka too GST \r\n      Compliance and stress on weak payments and the key industrial that is operational Automobile, \r\n      Power, Machine Tools Aerospace, Defense, we need to be strengthen them. Why can&apos;t Karnataka \r\n      have cluster approach with that MSMEs will be covering their cost in a way efficiently by using \r\n      the resources given the cost the cluster takes care of the Infrastructure. Single window approach \r\n      at the district level the eject model is good everything in one single roof and one application and \r\n      in day with in 6 to 8 hours the approval has to be given. Karnataka also support Micro Enterprises \r\n      in a very big way. India Landscape is concerned the use of Fintech will be very important and \r\n      Karnataka is the IT Hub can serve great purpose in incentivizing attracting and promoting Fintech \r\n      companies which would engage Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning integrating all these with \r\n      the Banking sector that is one area ASSOCHAM can play a role attracting and identifying and \r\n      seeking Karnataka govt. support. The revival growth has taking place and normalcy has to take \r\n      place and MSME sector has hit badly because of the employment generation sector immediately \r\n      after Agriculture needs to be supported at every level. The Non-Banking Finance Companies has \r\n      to play a big role have set back in our country during this time the finance companies in Karnataka \r\n      has carefully reviewed to find out the bottle necks in financing the MSMEs. NBFC do the last mile \r\n      go where the Banks don&apos;t reach and banks may have various schemes but through the NBFC the \r\n      banking industry has to reduce the rate of interest at least for certain type of loans for MSMEs \r\n      and extend the credit. Banks are extending credit through MUDRA Loans and still have scope to \r\n      NBFC to play a role. Peenya industry faces a financial literacy according to survey a way years \r\n      back is still a challenge. So along with SIDBI and Commercial banks ASSOCHAM can play a role \r\n      banking penetration into the MSME sector need to be strengthen. While govt. taking various \r\n      initiatives to ensure the revival of the sector MSME sector has to play a role. Financial literacy \r\n      from the banking industry has to work far more extensive so MSME are able to rights of books of \r\n      accounts properly. So the relationship of banks and MSME has to be strengthen the balance \r\n      sheet and accounting practices at the MSME level also to be strengthen. ASSOCHAM can come \r\n      with modules for the MSME segment educating them in the local languages about the challenges \r\n      and to address the challenges. The startup standup initiative support from GOI SIDBI supports so \r\n      may be Govt. can use the Chinese modules can give holidays in terms of infrastructure and in \r\n      terms just in time technology. Thank you.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Q: Moderator Shri S N Ranga Prasad, Consultant & Former Director, MSME Development \r\n      Institute on Making MSME Self-Reliant in Karnataka</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Panel: Shri. Ullas Kamath, Joint Managing Director, Jyothy Laboratories</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Thank you ASSOCHAM, all MSMEs are not doing well, but 30% are doing extremely well as they \r\n      need no help and they are earning very well and for also their employees and even won&apos;t attend \r\n      any conclaves as they are busy in producing their goods and services and they are busy in \r\n      growing. We need to focus more on who started their company with lot of hopes, they have \r\n      created some facility to produce certain goods and services by taking some loans with maximum \r\n      of 100 jobs. In this new schemes we have in that we see most of the MSMEs especially Small and \r\n      Micro entrepreneurs work for hand to mouth business they buy on credit and sell on credit and \r\n      in between bridge the gap by borrowing the money from the known and un known sources on \r\n      their personnel capacity in this the balance sheet will not be sound it should have been otherwise. \r\n      Today&apos;s MSMEs are in need every kind of teaching in skill, Technology, without to raise the Capital \r\n      or how to raise the Loan or to get the Market access and the latest technology available product \r\n      they should in. The present and Future could be different and we are going to be the past and \r\n      lot of things are happening on consolidation basis we need to adopt quickly to the new normal. \r\n      So these small and Micro entrepreneurs should understand the market need and learn to adopt \r\n      to change and must factor is they have to learn to access technology to grow further and should \r\n      be able to negotiate the need of the market to get orders. Some of the big buyers are govt. \r\n      agencies while govt. releases the money not in time (Few Day&apos;s) that affects the working of the \r\n      company. Primarily MSME In the next 5 to 20 years has to look into the Business model, the \r\n      measures, Quality Control they have and the way they have procured the material they have \r\n      supply and terms and condition they are suppling the materials about margin and tax compliance \r\n      they are. How strong the balance sheet is and today at 8% are able to raise capital and make \r\n      money. Every Industry associations have to come forward together to ensure to make \r\n      understand the MSMEs the schemes of the State govt. and at the end of the day its important \r\n      how the growth of the business. We need to talk to categories the industry wise we need to hold \r\n      the hand in such that they are back into the business so more meaningfully with all employees \r\n      and profitability also and all the govt. policies are good and meant for industrialist to start the \r\n      unit and get the best of it. So request to educate all MSME members of the schemes available in \r\n      the govt. and also request the govt. to release the fund with in 15days or else it is difficult to run \r\n      the business. Banks are concerned they need educate the MSMEs on all aspects from borrowing \r\n      to maintaining the balance sheets strong and ensure the take benefits are available from the \r\n      govt. and ensure to use the latest technology with a Fntech and innovation is the future because \r\n      the bottom line and top line will grow. Request to work together to give a meaningful direction \r\n      for MSMEs putting our thoughts together we can guide them to ignite to the next growth level \r\n      in Karnataka. Thank you.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Q : Moderator, on MSME Public Procurement Policy by PSUs</b><p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Panel: Shri. Krishna, General Manager, Marketing, HAL</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you ASSOCHAM, presently HAL is 23,000 Crore annual Turnover and we are first group at \r\n      the reasonable rate thanks to the development of indigenous platform and thanks to policy of \r\n      GOI, like Athma Nirbar Bharat like indigenous or in house products are been supported the recent \r\n      order 83ca the light combat Aircraft and also many more to come like combat Helicopter and \r\n      basic trainer 30 40 which all developed indigenously they are going to support our vision for the \r\n      growth. The suppliers and partners of HAL vendor base like MSMEs to facilitate from the core \r\n      competency who can do the job in efficient, productive and cheaper way. It&apos;s our duty to hand \r\n      whole encourage and get the things done for the platform we are working for and ultimately \r\n      being a designer and integrator so what all we see from outside of Tejas Aircraft it&apos;s all been out \r\n      sourced from different companies and they supply and we integrate to admit the numbers we \r\n      will be getting the more number out sourced companies, Nearly 40% of our turnover is value of \r\n      procurement and presently we are importing the raw materials. Regarding The procurement \r\n      policy, we are guided by the govt. policy to mention some of the guidelines for MSMEs are the \r\n      25% of the domestic procurement from Micro and Small Industries enterprises we are supposed \r\n      to procure it and presently we are operating at 28%. Purchase preference are given of 15% and \r\n      provision of Waiver of EMD, Tender fee and criteria of prior experience and credit turn over with \r\n      the expected technical specification will be waived off. We need to be supported financially to \r\n      make. This since we are able to ensure payments are in time efforts. There are procedures and \r\n      all in the way, but there is continuous efforts in improving the situation. 15% of industry advance \r\n      payment can give to micro and small enterprises with 30 days of receive and acceptance \r\n      comparison to earlier days the things are improving there are certain internal mechanism vendor \r\n      cell and there are trade receivable discounting system platform facilities where the supplier can \r\n      intense this receivables through this system. Any payment related enquiry or grievances there is \r\n      SAMADHAN portal available to address the question can be posted and the action are taken on \r\n      that these are the some of the guideline to support the small and micro entrepreneurs and some \r\n      are applicable to the major MSMEs rather. To highlight the policy of outsourcing and getting the \r\n      things outside the supply chain this is the major boost for the growth of the vendors or small \r\n      industries and the orders increasing on public sector and the policy of out sourcing it definitely \r\n      going to help the industry and they are becoming the partners in the business industry of the \r\n      nation. There are many more schemes supporting the MSMEs and Startups continuously rolled \r\n      out like solo moto proposal which was not there in earlier days and then make to perfect offer \r\n      to the supplier and will be evaluated only after technically proven all though there are 5000 Crore \r\n      MSMEs in India is catered to different sectors. With the challenges in this field the technical \r\n      complexity very tough material to machine low volumes because the platforms are done in few \r\n      numbers and there are also success stories of small firm grown to big firms ultimately \r\n      transforming business into exporter because having a successful order from any PSUs that give a \r\n      readymade qualification for being a supply chain partner to the global customers. There are \r\n      various packages In the State Govt. and also Aerospace policy announced by Karnataka Govt. in \r\n      February 21 and more than 65% of Defense Exports are coming from Karnataka 67% of aircraft \r\n      related production also from Karnataka and it is a huge vendor based aviation State the very fact \r\n      that the Aero India is held in Bangalore speaks about the opportunity and Eco System where it \r\n      attracts all the major global players so all this in place awareness to the MSMEs and availability \r\n      of the opportunity and support from the govt. will make the difference for their growth and our \r\n      effort is that we are all ready to join hands with the agencies which are supporting the vendor \r\n      base or supply base as it is a Win Win situation while we are helped by implementing our \r\n      productivity it is we are helping the nation by developing the eco system as a go for the Defense \r\n      Industry. Thank you</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Q: Moderator, on Growth & prospects of MSMEs after Post Budget</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Jacob Crasta, Chairman, CM Envirosystems Pvt. Ltd & Lsquare Eco-Products Pvt. Ltd</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Thank You ASSOCHAM, let take the scenario after demonetization we have got many budget on \r\n      30th May by PM and after I year of announcing the 3 lakh crore from Current Finance Minister \r\n      and have released only i.8 lakh crores and these is the apathy MSMEs are facing. Has given 20% \r\n      of this on the outstanding of 29th February 2020. If at all any unit have some payment on they \r\n      are not eligible. On the 29th Outstanding only those 20% have been paid Unit is suffering on the \r\n      record we say 8,500 crores of units but it is actually 11,500 units are there in our country. What \r\n      are the money they are trying to get from the bankers or for different issues because they want \r\n      to survive and that is the real factor and budget at this time should be more and we can have a \r\n      helping hand. Today bankers are harassing the MSMEs for the loan they have borrowed for the \r\n      delay in EMI payment and the GOI has announce that if there is any due in payment it gas to be \r\n      converted into working capital and it has to be rescheduled and all the facilities are available for \r\n      the bankers to do it and now lot of pvt. Banks are helping hands for MSMEs by giving loans. And \r\n      they don&apos;t follow the credit rating and they know that MSMEs are back bone for our economy \r\n      and slowly this Pvt. Banks took over from public sector banks on funding for the MSMEs. If we \r\n      talk on Ease of doing business Karnataka was in the 2 or 3 spot during 2001-2 and today we are \r\n      in 17th position who is responsible for this and what is given to the MSMEs from state govt. for \r\n      the MSMEs growth. To grow prospectively they required money and banks are not coming \r\n      money at this time govt. should support and start releasing money from the agencies. The \r\n      allotted money for peenya industrial area are spent only 3o% and rest used elsewhere. And there \r\n      is no proper infrastructure and waste management and if they treat the MSMEs is like this and \r\n      they think somehow they move and it will be very disaster stage. So when there is stream line \r\n      for the growth and we are filling GST and govt. are getting crores of money and so they have to \r\n      flow some amount of money for the infrastructure and should appoint an undersecretary IAS \r\n      officer to look into this issues for the Industry growth. In Karnataka 93 to 95% MSMEs are outside \r\n      the industrial area and only 6 to 7% are in industrial area MSMEs are somehow are the other they \r\n      are running the business at today&apos;s situation as we all say it is the survival is the fittest. So request \r\n      govt. to take this issues seriously at least now and to act fast for the growth of MSMEs, Thank\r\n      you.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Q: Moderator on Central Govt. Policy for MSME and Schemes.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Shri. G R Akadas, Director, MSME Development, Institute, Bengaluru, Ministry of MSME</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you ASSOCHAM, we are seeing lot of change in MSME the way they are operating and \r\n      there was portal at the pandemic time last year to hear the grievances operating from 8am to \r\n      10pm even on holidays and portal works live and monitored by secretary in New Delhi and even \r\n      this portal is been continued and almost 1000 cases were handled and at the lock down it was \r\n      mostly on logistics and passes and now mainly on rejection of loan application and emergency \r\n      credit. So we are happy to say that we are able to settling this issues and by reaching the \r\n      concerned departments and trying to sort there problems and try to find solutions. The financial \r\n      literacy is the most needed at this hour or this time and many of the entrepreneurs we are \r\n      interrogating we understand the financial literacy in results in bankers rejects the loan \r\n      applications. Most of the genuine enterprises need the guidance so we stared organizing a Loan \r\n      Mela and also we are continuing now and bankers are teaching the prospective entrepreneurs \r\n      how to take the loan what are the requirements and we also help bankers by identifying genuine \r\n      entrepreneurs who really need loans. Most of the times the banking clause doesn&apos;t allow to fund \r\n      Startups. So we need to focus of Financial Literacy. So govt. needs to focus on tier 2 and 3 Cities \r\n      on priority on the infrastructure development and other facilities. Because the working \r\n      atmosphere is better there and also availability of man power. MSME Industry we are carrying \r\n      with our existing schemes and skiil development and management development has started and \r\n      Flagship pilot schemes and North Karnataka is leading in cluster development schemes and south \r\n      Karnataka is lacking nearly 4 to 5 times in cluster performs. The cluster are the future economies \r\n      because China economy has developed in this concept. Govt. is also implementing One district \r\n      one product and govt. also have identified some districts and one has come near Chitradurga and \r\n      almost it is ready and Millet cluster in Davanagere which is going to come up and in future these \r\n      clusters will play a major role. Digital MSME is yet to be launched in which we are creating Cloud \r\n      Infrastructure for the use of MSMEs at the very nominal cost hoping to launch soon. Digital \r\n      Manufacturing is already started the innovation is going on rapid level as we need to protect the \r\n      intellectual property so department has come with lot of schemes and subsidies for registering \r\n      the Trade Marks patents National and International. So entrepreneurs required to know the \r\n      schemes allotted by GOI and so many people are not aware of it and we are doing promotion of \r\n      this schemes regularly. Earlier we need to reimburse the cost of ISO and now it has discontinued \r\n      from last 2 or 3 years and govt. has come up with certification called ZED Scheme and now the \r\n      scheme has been simplified has already launched and it&apos;s the need of the hour the quality has to \r\n      improve and design expertise for manufacturing sector it is out of reach for MSMEs because the \r\n      cost is involved in this so under this we provide subsidies for the design expertise on the central \r\n      of excellence has been set up in IISc Bangalore so MSME can apply online so their ideas will be \r\n      assisted financially and technologically the inputs will be given by faculty of IISc. Last year 25 \r\n      projects are finalized so depending on the projects available Ministry is doing lot of Financial \r\n      Support for the design expertise. Marketing on PMS where associations can apply for financial \r\n      assistance for organizing the State or National Level exhibitions. Finally Technology System \r\n      Program earlier we had 18 centers and now upgraded to world class another 15 new centers with \r\n      the help of investment 150 to 200 Crores in each technology centers on and one which is already \r\n      in Bangalore. So hope entrepreneurs will take the advantage of this specialized centers. MSME \r\n      testing center has been set up providing testing facilities at a nominal cost, Bangalore has a \r\n      testing station and these are the brief schemes which are been going on an better going of Central \r\n      and State govt. so that the schemes will be implemented properly. Thank you.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Panel Topic on Financial Resilience</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. RK Singh, General Manager, MSME Division, Canara Bank</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Thank you ASSOCHAM, hoe to build a financial resilience for MSMEs even before pandemic and \r\n      after the pandemic it has become very important area just to ensure and one of the critical aspect \r\n      of Indian economy that is MSMEs sector. Hence they are supported the resilience is there in \r\n      system for MSMEs to sustain and continue to play a role not only in employment but also play \r\n      vital link between in one sector of big business supply to big industries working as small traders \r\n      or manufacturers or semi sector this has become very fiscal part not only to the govt. to the entire \r\n      society to ensure that MSMEs functioning that provided every support they require and financial \r\n      support is a major challenge the MSMEs are facing now. The support given by GOI and the \r\n      support given by banking sector also but somehow the support may not be adequate to provide \r\n      the assistance to all the requirements or particular to all the sector who are badly affected by \r\n      this pandemic. Before to covid or post covid some the recommendation are valid moving into \r\n      infrastructure bottle necks with the help of the State govt. or the Trade Associations so MSMEs \r\n      are provided by good support and Technology hub based support and R&D may require in the \r\n      cluster in the cost effective manner to get the benefit of finance and that is one part of cluster \r\n      approach and helping in resilience of MSME sector. If the MSMEs are finding the supply for their \r\n      product with buyers in the market and not having an individual MSME units in that way also \r\n      helping them in difficulties times. Certainly resilience will be available to those MSME units to \r\n      the greater extent. MSMEs are getting into B2B segments in most of the times like direct \r\n      approach to the end use customs are limited so for MSME units are concerned the dependent on \r\n      other business for selling their products the problem of getting timely payment is always there.\r\n      Whenever the problem comes we all know in any business they will try to block the payment \r\n      from their suppliers and it hits hard on MSME sector. The platform which remains help online \r\n      credit platform for like reverse factoring and all the association should encourage MSME units \r\n      and MSME suppliers should register more on platforms and they are not exactly not depending \r\n      the money from buyers and will be very cost effective at the bidding platforms. So technology \r\n      based platforms are there for the MSME units that may help the cash flow and not affected to \r\n      the extent by blocking the payment by their buyers. Certain decisions has been taken by the govt. \r\n      on GST the big change in MSME the way they used to do business and in the bankers point of \r\n      view or Finance point of view how MSME is playing a big role in GST there is always challenge to \r\n      fund MSME on cash flow or the banking was the content on balancing approach and we also \r\n      know the balance sheet is not a strong aspect in MSMEs. As a banker we know that there is harine \r\n      verity in the unit they have good product and their products in demand at same time balance \r\n      sheet weakness is there and there was not a much validated source where we can understand \r\n      what exactly would be the sales history at the particular unit. So to the large extent the problem \r\n      is solved and bankers are in better position to understand and relay upon cash flow from MSME \r\n      unit and small and micro units as we are in present guideline from GST requirement but given \r\n      the opportunity should also try to come on GST board they can have a sort of very authentic data \r\n      available so they can approach for their Finance for the business. Other initiative taken from GOI, \r\n      PSU 59though in a development stage the way it is happening the type of solutions providing to \r\n      MSMEs. And also providing platform to lot many banks and financiers are available so they can \r\n      approach without moving from there office they can get approvals and Interest is up to for \r\n      financial is very high PSU 59 concerned there are other various platforms for doing the same \r\n      services and today there are many banks with very competitive rate of interest and this will help \r\n      MSMEs and this one of the way of getting the finance to this sector. The GOI schemes will help \r\n      MSMEs like targeted Schemes Standup India and banks also runs various schemes from Canara \r\n      Bank side regarding the GST part we are having good scheme called Canara GST up to 25% once \r\n      they file GST we will straight away will provide working Capital Finance and cluster based \r\n      approach we are offering the competitive interest to the MSME units and they should have \r\n      disciplined approach by keeping books and documents in a tidy manner it gives lot of confidence \r\n      to any financer and MSME will become strength while approaching for finance. Adoption to \r\n      technology is very important because while making or accepting payments need more towards \r\n      digital platform that will help mot only cutting the cost but also digital foot prints and can access \r\n      all digital payment transaction history by any financer when they are in need credit facility. \r\n      Particularly we are helping MSME in whatever the manner and we are in good presence what are \r\n      the units they have in any parts of Karnataka we are committed to help MSME in Karnataka as \r\n      well in Pan India Level. Thank you.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:center;\'><b> Conclude......</b></p>', '', '', 'MSMEconclave2021.jpg', 'ASSOCHAM-Southern-Presents-Webinar-on-MSME', 1, 0, '2021-03-23', '2021-03-23', '3.00 p.m', '5.30 p.m', 0, 28, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08');
INSERT INTO `events` (`id`, `title`, `short_desc`, `long_desc`, `registration`, `reg_link`, `image`, `slug`, `status`, `deleted`, `start_date`, `end_date`, `start_time`, `end_time`, `sector_id`, `region_id`, `priority`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(136, 'Report Of FUTURE OF AUTOMOBILE', 'It&apos;\\s been a different year 2020, has actually press the rest button for many sector not only for Automobile. So 2020 is reset year to all the industry as well Electric Industry.', '<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>FUTURE OF AUTOMOBILE - Post Pandemic - An Road Map to develop EV Market to \r\n      Boost Economy&quot;\\ 9th January 2021, (11.00am onwards)</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Eminent Speakers:</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>1. Shri. Aditya Nagarajan</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> VP, Guidance & Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency, Tamil Nadu</p>\r\n       <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>2. Shri. Sujai Karampuri</b></p>\r\n       <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Director of Eva and Energy Storage\r\n      Dept. of Commerce & Industries, Govt. of Telangana</p>\r\n     <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> 3. Dr. Vinod Surana, ( Knowledge Partner & Moderator)</b></p>\r\n     <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Co- Chairman, ASSOCHAM southern Region & Managing Partner & CEO Surana \r\n      & Surana International Attorneys.</p?\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>4. Sri. B C Datta</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> VP, Corporate Affairs</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>OLA Electric.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>5. Shri. K Venkatraj,</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Deputy Director General, SAEIndia.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> 6. Shri. Dattatreya Gaur,</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> VP, Robert Bosch Engineering & Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> 7. Shri. R K Mishra</b></p>\r\n      Founder Director,</p>\r\n      Center for Smart Cities</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>  8. Shri. Varun Chaturvedi,</b></p>\r\n      Founder/ CEO</p>\r\n      Volttic EV Charging</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> 9. Smt. Uma S Nair</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Regional Director, ASSOCHAM Southern Region</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Welcome Address by Smt. UM S Nair, Regional Director, ASSOCHAM Southern \r\n      Region.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Theme Address by Shri. K Venkatraj </b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Deputy Director General, SAEIndia</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Started by Thanking all the panels and ASSOCHAM Members, </b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>It\\&apos;s been a different year 2020, has actually press the rest button for many sector not \r\n      only for Automobile. So 2020 is reset year to all the industry as well Electric Industry.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Is India is ready electrifying the Electrc Vehicle, Where are we going as electric vehicle \r\n      is concerned. Electric Vehicle is contrary to the perception is not new. Knew in 18 \r\n      hundreds a series is breakthrough from battery to Electric motor and to the 1st electric \r\n      vehicle. It all started from the start is inventor. Robert Anderson who invented the \r\n      first electric parots. You may not accept that as electric vehicle by today&apos;s standards. \r\n      Very true it was bulky and it was moving at a very low speed and 1835 the invention \r\n      moved to America, Thomas Devarport was created the building and 1st practice\r\n      electric vehicle a very small locomotive which has moved certain a small load to a \r\n      certain distance.and then the whole thing came to Toyota prior to price which sole \r\n      18,000 No&apos;s in the very first Introduction. Coming to India, electric vehicle came from \r\n      a very modest and announced manner 1996, by scooter is there yes. With himself with \r\n      a name to remember the 1st electric 3 Wheeler launched in India and 1st electric Bus \r\n      from Chennai by name Ashok Leyland and very 1st electric Bus. India has over 15 \r\n      EVM&apos;S 15 in passenger vehicle 13 in 2 wheeler and 7 in 3 Wheeler. 12 Commercial \r\n      companies and 17 Truck Companies&apos; the companies&apos; not in electric vehicle, but \r\n      generally in automotive Industry. Indian Automotive is presently 5th Largest in the \r\n      world and said to take over as 3rd by 2030. So when we talk about Electric Vehicle \r\n      Market joggling with a lot of terms that can be prototype, Charging Infrastructure \r\n      challenges batteries Fuel cells, Startups and new word is Recession. The electric \r\n      Vehicle component Industry is about 36,000 crore or 4.8 Billion Dollars and this is by \r\n      Sullivan 2025 and there are so many ASSOCHAM members in MSME Category and tier \r\n      1,2,and 3 category and so you are all looking for what will happen to the traditional. \r\n      So 1st thing AV Market Industry is classified into 4 major components sectors ectric \r\n      motors which is about 1,3 billion Dollar and batteries is about 1,8 billion Dollars power \r\n      electronics is about 1.47 billion Dollars and charging stations is much lesser 0.23 billion \r\n      Dollar. We have got enough expertise from the electric motor perspective and then \r\n      the batteries world over research phases is on we are no different and there is a lot of \r\n      papers written and technical information is being shared. As per world we are in \r\n      growing growth area. Power Electronics we have in south enough expertise in India \r\n      33,000 Engineering Institution out of which almost 35% in 4 states put togethere. \r\n      Charging station is an emerging area and a technological marvel but it is actually green \r\n      field. we have got network dotted across state Highways National Highways and \r\n      Interior India. There are 2 type of composition which includes scooter and bikes and \r\n      3 wheeler which includes golf carts, passenger Auto, cargo vehicle and we have 4 \r\n      wheeler passenger vehicle and light commercial and Trucks and Buses, The pother \r\n      category is Technology category battery plays complete integral part of EV and lot of \r\n      charging stations. The predictions for the Big 4&apos;s about Roadmap delight and trust the \r\n      3 wheeler category both passenger and truck will take the line shade in 2025 or 2030. \r\n      The near future possibilities are faster introduction in EV or electrification in3 wheeler \r\n      segment then followed by 2 wheeler then Buses, Trucks and Cars. On Technology the \r\n      product life science of any product not new to the ASSOCHAM Members weather you \r\n      are in power train breaks or engine of motorsor any component of Automobile \r\n      Industry. Under research the Govt. and Regulatory Agencies and work with India \r\n      premier Agencies for certification and glonal automotive research center. And \r\n      Institution has taken big lead on research in EV Vehicles and happening many of \r\n      southern states. Charging Infrastructure has its own chqallenges like logistics as well \r\n      and land availability. The value chain of of auto components is divided into 7 pillars. \r\n      Skilling is very much needed for SME and MSME&apos;S goes in 70 20 10 formula 70% is \r\n      Electric Motor Batteries, 20% Vehicle Integration and 10% Management Institution, \r\n      SME Agencies. The take away from this webinar is EV is coming and going to stay. The \r\n      cost issue and the range barrier and charging time barrier you need to break this \r\n      barrier to be successful In EV area. Recommendation like Bank or Finance companies \r\n      to fund EV&apos;S, Universities to bring PG Courses, EV knowledge Parks, Component \r\n      Corriders. Technology Consortiums. Over all 4 Takeaways, are Focus on EV Scooters, 3 \r\n      wheelers, focus on EV Sales, Focus on developing top 10 cities in southern states \r\n      changing infrastructure in top 10 cities. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Key Note Address by Shri Sujai Karampuri, Director of EV & Energy Storage, Govt. of \r\n      Telangana.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Talking from the state angle, we know the EV is a great opportunity for the country as \r\n      an Economy and this respect we have created our policy and recently we have \r\n      released it as an Govt. Order by the cabinet approval. What we have done is that we \r\n      have looked this step by step rather than come up with vision for the next 10years and \r\n      we have created a working document like 1 set giving incentives to a few members to \r\n      get udopted into the state will see the change in the attitude of the people and Govt. \r\n      might in the position to extend further. And the tab limits at the later point of time. \r\n      Right noe we are giving incentives as a Tax exemption on registration exemption to\r\n      first 1200 2vehicles and first 20,000 for 3 Wheelers and buses but with a different \r\n      amount and 15% reimbursement on retro equipment for the Auto and 15,000 for the \r\n      first 5,000 and four wheeler we have started with 500 on 5000 cards and then light 2 \r\n      areas also. Private cars has been divide into private cars and cab operators and private \r\n      cars also 1st 5000 and buses also. We have set of Incentives to the tractors also we \r\n      were told 1st of this practice. So this is for the people who buy or purchase and this \r\n      additional the fame 2 incentives receive from Central Govt. we have used this \r\n      opportunity to supply side also. So certain incentives have taken the current electronic \r\n      policy of the state and extended to EV. We are giving capital subsidy, Incentive for \r\n      setup of EV and even related manufacturing. In this 20% of capital Investment and \r\n      subsidy upto 30 crores and 100% GST reimbursement for First 7 years and power tariff \r\n      discount also.and different for manufacturing and charging infrastructure and \r\n      electricity duty exemption and interest intervention and transport subsidy and so on. \r\n      The two major bus plant setting up in Telangana investment of 1000crore each and \r\n      also 1st Lithium Ion cell manufacturing coming up starting from 1 mega watts upto 5 \r\n      mega watts capacity and also similar two more companies is also interested in \r\n      investing. In additional to this they have created steering committee to take care of \r\n      the policy implementation for the next 10 years. IT Dept heads the steering committee \r\n      with various Directors and Secretaries. Steering committee is rnforcing some the \r\n      departments to work in co position. Drafted necessary guidelines for the appartments \r\n      Govt. offices and Authorities too. For installation of charging infrastructure withb the \r\n      lower tariffs and also planning to covert electric pools into easy charging stations and \r\n      also parking spaces to charging spaces for EV&apos;S. state is already operating 50 Electric \r\n      buses from city to Airport and right now up for business and about a weeks time from \r\n      now issuinf guidelines for Registration fee and Road Tax and other life term access \r\n      waived off. Regarding parks Telangana has dedicated 1500 parks for EV and associated \r\n      Technologies and craeated 500 acre park only to Lithium Ion and Charging \r\n      Infrastructure and also have the mobility cluster with the companies like Hyundai and \r\n      Chrysler for R&D and associated development and key words which is India&apos;s largest \r\n      prototype in the city. According to our vision we want to become the most Electrfird \r\n      state in the country through various policy measures and also stated that state is with \r\n      Energy Surplus.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank You.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. RK Mishra, Founder Director for center for Smart Cites.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Suggestion for Telangana State from RK Mishra.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Started with appreciation about the pretty quick in decision making and also white \r\n      compact state with a large metropolitan state with leading potentially from south \r\n      India. Purchase of Individual Vehicle is it a Organic thing. The Govt. priority are \r\n      creating a huge number of charging stationsin the city and where somebody will put \r\n      their car for 2hr charging is actually impracticle. And I have target target decision in \r\n      my office complex. I belive you do in the as well. There you can immediately bring \r\n      that and they will need your public infrastructure because they won&apos;t have this space \r\n      in their house or capacity to charge. ( First request).</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 2\r\n      nd one will please encourage public by sharing essential 1st. and now the new Metro \r\n      and last mile connectivity The lowest side swappable battery, public by sharing \r\n      manual has around 10,000 bikes has alreaaaady running in, but still dosen&apos;t promote \r\n      that. Very easy to make by that. India makes every thing comes from China. So this \r\n      thing has to be involved.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>3\r\n      rd one SME\\&apos;S are very scared they think they will go out of Business espetially \r\n      automotive SME\\&apos;S. Creat a Training Institute and work with NITI Ayog for this SME&apos;S to \r\n      how to go about it and Happy to work.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri Sujai, Ans:</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thanks a Lot and these inputs have noted. So definetly we have the option to change \r\n      the course and improve on our policy and that&apos;s what we have done. We have created \r\n      a living document, we have empowered the steering committee to add on. We invite \r\n      members to be part of it as a Invite Members. He also said will work ASSOCHAM team \r\n      how it can be part of it. So that you can direct us. Also will take the proposal of \r\n      Training Institute and want to see how it can forward and helping us through NITI \r\n      Ayog. Coming to next one we have fleet operators and trying to see how we can help \r\n      them. Current policy would help them and also need additional support from the \r\n      Govt. we are trying to see HRML to run some pilot program. </p>\r\n      We look forward ASSOCHAM further and bigger support on the above suggestion.\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Thank You.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Panel Discussion on Road Map to develop EV Market and Boost Economy by Dr. Vinod \r\n      Surana. ( Moderator)</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> A warm welcome to all the panels to creating a Road Map to develop the EV market \r\n      to boost the Economy. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>I loo forward to hearing their views and perspectives on how they see the Electric \r\n      Segment deloped and more importantly and to have their advice or tips to our MSME \r\n      members who have suppling high quality products internal combustion of Engine \r\n      Market. What should be the smooth transition as possible into the segment where \r\n      should Invest. What oppurtunities exists in spaces manufacturing service and \r\n      maintainance infrastructure development shared mobility spaces and last mile \r\n      connectivity.</p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Panelist;</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>1. Shri. Aditya Nagarajan, VP, Guidance Investment Promotion & Facilitation \r\n      Agency, Tamil Nadu.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> From the state of Tamil Nadu, what the stae has been doing from past 2020 and also \r\n      state roadmap to boost the economy.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  Tamil Nadu has rated one of the top 10 Auto motive hub in the World.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 50% of auto mobile exports are coming from Tamil Nadu. The state has strong \r\n      backward linkages with Metal Industries, Capital Equipment, Warehousing and \r\n      service parts and also home for major companies like Mitsubushi, Ford, Yamaha and \r\n      also homegrown companies like TVS and Ashok Leyland. State is also home to 1383 \r\n      companies of auto components. Motor vehicles trailer. During post Covid times Tamil \r\n      Nadu has done favorably well in terms of economy. Interms of attracting various \r\n      investment and today rank No. 1 in post Covid Investment much of them are in from \r\n      automotive and mobility space. Sighned MOUs with various companies. They have\r\n      specific Auto Guidance, the team reached out to who are in traditional IC Engine to \r\n      request them to know about power trains and electric mobility plans in the future. \r\n      Reached about 80% of this companies. ( Auto Components) to moving through ward \r\n      Electric mobility. The auto components companies have already made shift to Electric \r\n      Mobility. Tamil Nadu is an ideal Destination for EV like Eshtablished Automobile Hub, \r\n      Emerging Electronic Hub, Leader in Renewable Energy and High Human \r\n      Development/Urbanization. All the Auto and Auto components Manufactures have \r\n      approached us for shifting electric mobility and approaching Govt to assistance with \r\n      respect to. Target Vision on EV policy. By attracting 7 billion dollar of investment in \r\n      electric mobility. Create an comprehensive eco system and creating 1.5 Lakh Jobs. \r\n      Guidence said, will have multiple workshops in different levels of mobility preparing \r\n      road map to the state. Inviting ASSOCHAM and other stake holders to be part of those \r\n      workshops and they could suggest advice and reccomandation. They have also have \r\n      supply side incentives also frim the Govt. by giving 15% subsidy on capital & 100% \r\n      Electric Subsidy for Ev Manufacturing parks and Vendor Eco System and additional \r\n      Incentives to the MSME Sector. The Chief Secretary of the State to decide on the \r\n      enabling infrastructure for EV and promoting it. So we will definitely love to invite \r\n      each and invite more Pvt. Sector participation in that particular panel. To gine little \r\n      background, Guidence is an Nodal Agency of the State of Tamil Nadu and we also a \r\n      single window system and also have Land information portal to assist Electric Mobility</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Q. Moderator</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> What are the two threats Tamil Nadu see in leadership space about competition on & \r\n      Land cost in your opinion.</p>  \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  Ans : Genuinely see to a larger extent not more about competition from splits in India. \r\n      Ex. We would have wish in Tamil Nadu about set up on Innovations in Singapore that \r\n      would have probably would have given terminology for assistance. And we lacked in \r\n      investment in Battery Technology. We should have EV cluster at the earliest. \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> <b> Panel R K Mishra, Founder Director, Center for Smart Cities.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you and appreciate to be in this forum, </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>India has an opportunity to be the world leader both from demand and supply point \r\n      of view without global alliance. Energy Suffiency in fact surplus and this is the way to \r\n      go. In EV there are very few players in the world who have the 11 technology and \r\n      there are few things required in EV where technology and expertise is required these \r\n      are 3,4 power trade battery, motor controller essentialy those are the kind. We are \r\n      working close with both state and center as well, and planning to bring urban planning \r\n      and policies in EV angle from the Dept. of Heavy Industries and NITI Ayog equally \r\n      important but the real role has to be played by State Govt. to attract these \r\n      investments and they have to be facilitator when the invest comes in. Tamil Nadu has \r\n      an huge advantage of restart capacity and even Telangana have a huge opportunity \r\n      and Karnataka also have strengths and Weakness and all the state come together this \r\n      will be more generic from my view. China became the powerhouse noy just because \r\n      of manufacturing supplier, they are also the biggest demand generators. That&apos;s the \r\n      side our efforts are not there entirely in the Govt. domain Talil Nadu should be \r\n      thinking to be all school buses should be Electric buses as they run hardly 30 to 40 Kms \r\n      a day where charging stations can be provide as they will be having sufficient time to \r\n      charge, by giving potential incentives and finance mechanism, essentially the leasing \r\n      mechanism. EV fund and Venture funds is an great idea for the Startups but how \r\n      about any fund help the finance the EV Buses those can be done by the state Govt. as \r\n      an funding agencies and this can happen through convincing the players and through \r\n      regulation. About the smart city concept, the GOI putting policy together metro in 25 \r\n      cities, how metro will give mile connectivity. Demand creation will happen through \r\n      for 2,3 wheeler by share Mobility. Buses will happen through by 10% of the car sleep. \r\n      Regulation as a leader to create demand and facilitation to create supply. So my \r\n      request for the both states will be use demand generation and supply facilitation \r\n      through regulation and supply facilitation. </p>\r\n      Thank You.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Q. Moderator</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> View on Last mile connectivity and pain points.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  Ans. Last Mile Connectity comes from the urban context but most of the cities in India \r\n      don&apos;t have any public transport. So every metro station are providing their space to \r\n      share Mobility. As mentioned earlier, Daily metro is the best use metro. There per \r\n      hour is only 9000 passengers portably ever breakeven. Now Central Govt. is noe very \r\n      hesitant in sanctioning any metro unless city estates can justify and that will make \r\n      way to Pvt. Sector. There should be make for the shared mobility system for the public \r\n      in parking space and they are low cost vehicle, no need for Helmet , Registration and \r\n      no Driving License and approved by GOI.</p> \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Panel Sri. Varun Chaturvedi, Founser/CEO, Volttic EV Charging.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thanks for giving opportunity, there are two points to be discussed and the first on \r\n      depending on demand and the business is going to be sustainable where there is \r\n      demand and economic viability. And the second most discussed on charging time. \r\n      Demand is coming from fleet segment and they see economic viability 10 to 50 Kms. \r\n      Since we come from charging side everywhere discussed it is a challenging lot&apos;s of \r\n      people are complaining about charging infrastructure is not available buy same time \r\n      practically it is very high in India in terms of getting Infrastrutyre. So we require 8200 \r\n      kilowatt in cities to make fast charging stations at the same time we required same \r\n      kind of Infrastructure. Volttic come up with a different approach we start putting our \r\n      charging stations by lying with fleet operators so that we can ensure demand. This \r\n      should be Business sustainable viable for a longer term rather than putting too many \r\n      machines and nobody utilizing. So we are developing this in very strategic location are \r\n      going to play a vital role. So now we are devlopin charging stations to the corporate \r\n      companies and this about demand either through Govt. Subsidies and the fleet \r\n      operators under govt. can be facilitated. Today lots of business are available for \r\n      MSME&apos;S so they can easily switch towards the skill side and lots of training is going on \r\n      Charging Infrastructure and from some pvt startups on skill education. This might take \r\n      time because every transition take time so with in 2,3, years we don&apos;t expect good \r\n      number of transition so this the thought process on this.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Panel Shri BC Datta, VP, Corporate Affairs, OLA Electric.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Good after Noon, First and foremost we lack on facilities in manufacturing and we \r\n      need to think on manufacturing capacities and definitely it is the need of the hour \r\n      post that the govt. support is required. Even though the states are initiating on \r\n      charging infrastructure it is not taking it should that 1 required initiating requirement \r\n      definitely need to look at. The other thing we need look in trading and creating man \r\n      power in addressing in manufacturing. There is also MSME about the fear on old \r\n      business will go off but in the view it will take 8 to 10 years in automobiles on 2,3, 4, \r\n      and commercial vehicles. The govt. should make sure that the customers come by way \r\n      of compulsion. We should also insist the delivery apps to use the EV&apos;s. so that will \r\n      bring the boost to EV consumption. The people are getting dowm from Metro should \r\n      use the Ev to reach their destination and this should be encouraged by the govt. to \r\n      make sure the consumption going up. Environmentalists says should be done but \r\n      definitely from the industry view will take 10 years. And more than 50% will definitely \r\n      will be things are going. From The manufacturing side request to govt. to encourage is \r\n      the battery and major component of all EV and it has to be manufactured here so that \r\n      the cost comes down and becomes more affordable to the customers. The GOI has \r\n      been talking about replacing the older vehicle with new vehicle that is environment \r\n      friendly. So the govt should ask the customers switching from old to new vehicle \r\n      should insist to EV which will increase the number what we are talking about. As a \r\n      manufacture this kind of encouragement from govt. in all the areas the number the \r\n      purchase number will start increase. So we believe in the coming years from the govt. \r\n      the public who is shifting from old to new vehicle will ensure the EV. So we all \r\n      together will ensure that will worst cities in India will make Environment in India.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank You.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Panel Dattatreya Gaur, VP, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thanks ASSOCHAM and panels, our focus will be on technology so Bosch deliver a lot \r\n      of heightened parts to automotive world we are largest automotive parts supplier to \r\n      all global in different segments. So when it comes to eletrictification, not only in \r\n      technology but we cover vide spectrum in bicycles and 3 & 4 wheeler to commercial \r\n      way in terms of technology in terms of light vehicle to 800 volts systems. To high light \r\n      2019/20 EV Coomparing to normal vehicle weight as 30 to 35% of the cost. The electric \r\n      motors the electronics circuit and including transmission roughly 7% of the total car bu \r\n      looking this the battery research should go on and we have to bring the cost \r\n      significantly so the vehicle can actually fly off. And the vision of this business is \r\n      something equal to know your existing gallery. About safety in the EV vehicle should \r\n      be there as they can catch fire as it is ranging from 350 to 600 volts. At this time I take \r\n      this opportunity to invite all the Technocrats and especially research academia in the \r\n      country to grab it and really want to excel.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Thank you. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Q. Moderator</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>What is the educational Institute should do and govt. should do.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Ans: Excellent question, so urgently what we have to do actually get our top \r\n      institution and kick start focus activities. We have some car program and specific \r\n      programs and the govt. industries and academia should take up this in urgent ways. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>END...</b></p>', '', '', 'automiblesevent.jpg', 'report-of-future-of-automobile', 1, 0, '2021-01-09', '2021-01-09', '11.00 a.m', '11.00 a.m', 0, 28, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08'),
(137, 'Skilling and employment Opportunities in the ESDM sector under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat', 'Inaugural Chief Guest: Dr. C N Aswathnarayana, Hon\\&apos;ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and Hon\\&apos;ble Minister of IT, BT and S & T, Government of Karnataka', '<center><b>Post Event on Webinar</b></center>\r\n      <center><b>Skilling and employment Opportunities in the ESDM sector under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat</b></center>\r\n      <center><b>23rd September 2020 | 10:00AM to 12:30 PM</b></center>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Speaker Details:</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Inaugural Chief Guest: Dr. C N Aswathnarayana,</b> Hon\\&apos;ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and \r\n        Hon\\&apos;ble Minister of IT, BT and S & T, Government of Karnataka</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Moderator:</b> Shri. Arvind Bali, CEO, Telecom Skill Sector Council</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Speakers: </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Shri. B V Naidu, Chairman- ASSOCHAM Karnataka; Managing Partner, StartupXseed & Founder \r\n        and Chairman, THE GAIN</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Shri. Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA & Hon&apos;ble Secretary TSSC</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>•  s. Meena Nagaraj C. N. IAS, Managing Director, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society \r\n        (KITS), Government of Karnataka<p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Shri. Sujai Karampuri, Director - Electronics, ITE&C Department and MD - Telangana Fiber Grid \r\n        Corporation and CEO - T-Works, Government of Telangana </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Shri. Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA & Hon&apos;ble Secretary TSSC</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Shri. Pradip Punwatkar, Assistant Vice President, Learning Platforms & Operations, Reliance Jio \r\n        Infocomm Ltd </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Shri. Sandeep Bhargava, Managing Partner - Alliances, Karo Sambhav Private Limited</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Shri. Gururaj A, Chair - Manufacturing Committee, ASSOCHAM Karnataka</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Uma S Nair </b>- Welcomed the panellists and welcomed the participants and partners to the program.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. BV Naidu</b> - Welcomed the esteemed panellists and shared that these esteemed panel members. \r\n        Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this online summit to share the perspective about the Skilling \r\n        Employment is the need of the hour in the State. He urged the Industry members and supporting bodies \r\n        to come forward to tackle the challenges in the Skilling sector. He was happy to share that Karnataka \r\n        become the 2nd largest hub Electronic manufacturer in the World. Suggested to focus more producing \r\n        quality from the manufacturing the sector and increase in volumes of production. It is estimated to \r\n        produce 200 million mobile phones in the country, he stressed the telecom sector to be prepared to \r\n        produce and create the employment and platform ready. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>He said, Karnataka is the first State to formulate the ESDM Policy with attractive benefits to create the \r\n        State as the ESDM hub in the Country. In the State there is an excellent set of leadership drive the Industry \r\n        needs and huge potential to invest and make use of this excellent opportunity. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Arvind Bali </b>- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this important online summit and welcomed the \r\n        fellow panelists, representatives from the government and participants. He said the current focus in the \r\n        country is on Electronics, the provided the how India came a long way in creating the manufacturing hug \r\n        to manufacture locally and Ministry of Electronics has supported them accordingly. He highlighted that \r\n        huge increase in the parts imports from Defense and Electronics sectors.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> He said that compared to any other industry, telecom sector requires a very highly skilled manpower to \r\n        fill the requirement. As the telecom sector is a very versatile sector comes with new technology very now \r\n        and then, so the skilling requires a regular upgradation and trainings to adopt with new technologies, TSSC \r\n        plays a very important role in technology upgradation and training them for newer technology. He said \r\n        the southern States in India are contributing more in creating more manufacturing hubs for telecom \r\n        sector. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. Pankaj Mohindroo</b> - Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this important online summit and \r\n        welcomed the fellow panelists. He said India was ahead of China in early 90&apos;s in per capita income, \r\n        currently we are one fifth of China&apos;s per capita income. He said currently India contributes 3.2% of world \r\n        GDP with about 18% population which is very alarming position, suggested to come of this situation and \r\n        industry policy to come out of the economic situation. He urged the manufactures to focus more \r\n        importing goods to manufacture mobile phones locally. Suggested that ICEA targets to increase the export \r\n        revenue to 0.5 trillion to the Country in the Electronic sector. The ICEA targets to increase the mobile \r\n        exports to the domestic market target to reach by 80 billion dollar by 2025. ICEA created the plan to export \r\n        IT hardware from India to Global markets. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> He suggested to change the complete thought process in skilling as the domestic markets are saturated. \r\n        The entire labour force to be extremely competitive to the global markets in terms of quality and output. \r\n        There a great lesson to be learnt from the competitive markets such as China and Vietnam, the Country \r\n        needs to make friendly environment to increase the export in electronics sector as one of the focus. He \r\n        said India has major opportunity as people strength and geographical dividend, should make use of such \r\n        opportunity to compete with Global markets.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Pradip Punwatkar</b> - Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this important online summit and welcomed \r\n        the fellow panelists. He said Reliance JIO&apos;s 5G announcement and benefits are vast such as 10x faster \r\n        network compared to the current network and JIO is currently working on building the 5G network in the \r\n        country. The ground force who monitors the optical fiber networks to maintain the bandwidth. Optical \r\n        fiber are the backbone of 5G network. It is very critical to upgrade the ground force to up skill from 4G to \r\n        5G network. To seek the availability of the skilled force very important in telecom sector. JIO had planned \r\n        reach out ITI colleges across the country to train them with latest technology and skilling and create the \r\n        employability locally. JIO has partnered with TSSC and NSDC to create a pool of skilled work force and \r\n        employed locally as per the requirement. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>  s. Meena Nagaraj C. N. IAS </b.- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this important online summit and \r\n        welcomed the fellow panelists. She was happy note that Karnataka state can contribute about 7.5% of the \r\n        country&apos;s GDP in the Manufacturing sector. The Karnataka is already working with Ministry of Skills from \r\n        past 3 years in Skilling in the ESDM sector. She also highlighted there is huge gap in skilling work force, \r\n        assured that Government of Karnataka will support all the required areas. The state announced in the \r\n        current year budget that the program on Talent Acceleration which is a high end skilling for the industry. \r\n        Also the Government will look at providing the upskill to the students of ITI&apos;s and Polytechnics basis the \r\n        industry requirement with the minimal guarantee on employment in the sector. \r\n        Also mentioned that the State Government has formed various committee and under Chief Secretary and \r\n        ACS to streamline the telecom and Fiber sector, there is has been lot of consultation has been done to \r\n        improvise the in the areas to create the employment and assured full support from the Government the \r\n        industry members. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Sujai Karampuri </b>- Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this important online summit and welcomed \r\n        the fellow panelists. He said the Telangana state is working towards to create the hub Electronic \r\n        manufactures in the Country. The state had focused on various recent trends of the industry and have \r\n        attracted various electronic manufactures, consumer electronics in recent years. The state had worked \r\n        key elements such as promises and subsidies to the manufacturers. The Department have worked closely \r\n        with local ITI&apos;s to create employment where they nearer to manufacturing zones. The State&apos;s frame is \r\n        more friendly and flexible for industry in constructing their own way of facility and the utilization.</p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> The Telangana created a TASK (Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge) was established by the \r\n        Government of Telangana for enhancing skilling synergy among institutions of Government, Industry & \r\n        Academia. TASK Grants access to modules for enhancing their technology, personal and organisation skills \r\n        at highly subsidized rates. Our programmes help corporates gain access to a pool of trained graduates for \r\n        suitable roles. Our students are trained extensively in latest technology to help companies find the right \r\n        candidate.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. Sandeep Bhargava </b> - Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this important online summit and \r\n        welcomed the fellow panelists. He said the industry has gone much ahead and have to be prepared for \r\n        Automation, Embedded systems and so on. He stressed to create a pool of skilling for repairing and recycle \r\n        of electronic goods in the country. Also suggested to make use of the current covid situation to train the \r\n        work force remotely and upgadation, these times thought us to adopt to newer way to learn things. He \r\n        suggested to make availability of place to reside for the work force near the plants which helps in reducing \r\n        the pollution and travel time. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Gururaj A</b> - Thanked the ASSOCHAM for hosting this important online summit and welcomed the \r\n        fellow panelists. He said that challenges of MSME&apos;s and Medium scale industries, the is situation post \r\n        covid there where movement of work force to their native and lack of man power the factory, this covid \r\n        created a challenge for the workforce due the non-geopolitical presence anybody can work from \r\n        anywhere, this cause the movement of work force to bigger companies. Also it is an opportunity to the \r\n        MSME&apos;s and Medium scale industry are in urgent need to create a pool of local skilled work force for \r\n        employment in the State. He suggested to TSSC to create a short time course to and partner with State \r\n        Government formulate a joint collaboration to skill the work force. He suggested to focus more on \r\n        creating the local skilled work force availability in the State.</p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Dr. C N Ashwathnarayan</b> - Shared the message to the participants -</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Karnataka is known to be a Centre of hi-tech industry, contributing significantly to the country&apos;s revenues \r\n        from information technology, biotechnology, ESDM, aerospace and other technology sectors. The best \r\n        and the largest global companies across sectors have their R&D and innovation centres here. Karnataka is \r\n        the fourth largest contributor to electronic industrial output in the country and contributes to 10% of the \r\n        country&apos;s electronic industrial output with a recorded growth rate of 18% CAGR during 2008-2013. It has \r\n        the second fastest growing start-up ecosystem in the world and is home to billion-dollar Indian start-ups.</p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Karnataka is on the move of making Karnataka into a global ESDM hub and a hotbed of innovation through \r\n        focused interventions and encouragement to local companies in the sector with creation of 20 Lacs new \r\n        jobs in the ESDM industry by 2025; both direct and indirect, thereby increasing the total workforce in the \r\n        sector to ten times the present number.</p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Karnataka\\&apos;s economy is centered on its IT ecosystem that is one of the biggest contributors to the central \r\n        coffers. But the covid-19 induced lockdown has further exacerbated Karnataka&apos;s fledgling finances and \r\n        acute fund crunch. The reduction in cash inflows from the centre has forced the state into more debt and \r\n        also amending laws on industries, labour and land to attract more investments into the state.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The cabinet also cleared special incentives for the newly proposed Electronics System Design and \r\n        Manufacturing or ESDM cluster. The cabinet approved capital investment subsidy of 25% on land, \r\n        complete reimbursement on costs like stamp duty and registration, land conversion rate. It also proposed \r\n        ₹1 per unit for five years from the month of commercial production, 100% exemption from duty on \r\n        electricity. The cabinet also approved 1% of annual turn. An investment of over ₹5,000 crore is expected \r\n        by the state through this scheme, with a potential to generate 43,000 direct employment over next 5 \r\n        years,the government said in a statement.\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> In view of <b> Nava Karnataka Vision 2025 and Karnataka Electronics System Design & Manufacturing \r\n        (KESDM) - 2017-22,</b> the State Government promises to roll out the red carpet for investment in the ESDM \r\n        Sector, promising EoDB through investor friendly policies and programmes. The State aims to create 2 lac \r\n        jobs by 2025.</p>', '', '', 'esdmwebinaeevent.jpg', 'Skilling-and-employment-Opportunities-in-the-ESDM', 1, 0, '2020-09-23', '2020-09-23', '10.00 a.m', '12.30 p.m', 0, 28, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08');
INSERT INTO `events` (`id`, `title`, `short_desc`, `long_desc`, `registration`, `reg_link`, `image`, `slug`, `status`, `deleted`, `start_date`, `end_date`, `start_time`, `end_time`, `sector_id`, `region_id`, `priority`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(138, 'IBC Post Event Report', 'Try to separate revenues in this Insolvency & Bankruptcy code and also especially with respect to the MSME pre - packaged resolution process so that this will be disseminated across. As we are aware that the economic system has under gone a big change and the question is no longer is defaulter paradise defeated or not default as practice', '<center><b>Southern Region Office Presents)</b></center>\r\n      <center><b> Twin Subject Webinar on )</b></center>\r\n      <center><b> Recent Decisions of the Supreme Court/Tribunals and Appellate Tribunal and Pre-packaged Insolvency Resolution Process under IBC for MSMEs!)</b></center>\r\n      <center><b> 29th May 2021 (11.00 Am to 1.30 Pm)</b></center>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Eminent Speakers</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>1. Chief Justice Shri. MM Kumar - Founder President NCLT.</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>2. Shri. Ritesh Kavdia, Executive Director, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Board of \r\n      India ( IBBI )</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>3. Shri. Ramji Srinivasan, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>4. Shri. CS Nagendra D Rao, President, Institute of Company Secretaries of \r\n      India ( ICSI )</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>5. DR K S Ravichandran, Managing Partner, KSR & CO Company Secretaries \r\n      LLP ( Panel Moderator )</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> 6. Shri. N K Dilip, Partner, TATVA Legal</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>7. Shri. Anil Goel, Chairman/Founder, AAA Insolvency Professionals LLP</b></p>\r\n       <center><b> Welcome Address & Opening Remarks </b></p>\r\n       <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Uma S Nair,</b> Regional Director - Southern Region, ASSOCHAM</p>\r\n       <p><center><b>Theme Address</b></center></p>\r\n       <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> DR K S Ravichandran ASSOCHAM Chairperson </b> for Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code \r\n      Southern Region and Managing Partner KSR & Co LLP</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Try to separate revenues in this Insolvency & Bankruptcy code and also especially with respect to \r\n      the MSME pre - packaged resolution process so that this will be disseminated across. As we are \r\n      aware that the economic system has under gone a big change and the question is no longer is \r\n      defaulter paradise defeated or not default as practice. At the opinion the defaulter paradise has \r\n      got defeated. The Cedit culture has bought a change, the institution has come on change, everyone\r\n      has contributed to the Judiciary be the duplicating Authority, Regulatory and the professionals. \r\n      Every agency, every entity in the whole architecture has performed very well and they are bought \r\n      the dynamic change and dynamism is required in Insolvency resolution because ultimately we are \r\n      talking about the potential of Economic value and before that the resolution must happen and if \r\n      it doesn\\&apos;t happen of Couse the viable and non-viable can always go for Liquidation. We need to \r\n      look at this entire code and activities from an economic perspective from judiciary perspective the \r\n      Corporate Law perspective, Creditors perspective, Professional perspective. The IBC has seen \r\n      several dynamic disruptive things ever since the comment on 1st December 2016 where IBC came \r\n      into force and then we saw the first disruptive change on 23rd November 2017, then section 29A \r\n      was introduced. Thereafter with in another 8 months we saw in 2238 6/6/2018 another very \r\n      important we saw 2238 limitation provision were introduced 29a is on 23rd November 2017, but \r\n    \r\n      238A or 240 A MSME there is an exemption. 66% rule was introduced on 6/6/2018. Thereafter \r\n      in 2019 330 day rule was introduced trial. Then in 2020 was washed out of Covid 19 has gone ever \r\n      since the IBC 23rd March was under suspension though 10 year was introduced in 2020. \r\n      Thereafter very recently in 4/4/2021 we saw a very big change with respect to MSME introducing \r\n      pre - packaged Insolvency resolution process. There are several decision and regulations \r\n      everybody has worked wonders in the short period of time to make this Law dynamic, it is \r\n      definitely disruptive but there is a IBC itself disruptive due to pandemic that is the actual fact of \r\n      it that itself has to be suspended is the truth. Thank you.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:center;\'><b>  Inaugural Address</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Chief Justice Shri MM Kumar, Founder President NCLT</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The Pandemic has made very difficult to spoke face to face however the VC has made it possible \r\n      even though distant, appreciating the team ASSOCHAM for organizing this Webinar, June 2016 \r\n      when the NCLT established I took over as first President didn&apos;t have any idea that the Insolvency \r\n      & Bankruptcy will be un the domain of NCLT Applicate Tribunal. Thinking was that in 2016, the \r\n      deciding Company cases pending before the High Court got transferred to the NCLT. In the \r\n      beginning there was hardly seriousness wound by the corporate debtors to the enactment of the \r\n      court. It was not that the Insolvency Law introduced IBC first in the country, there was 2 \r\n      important neatening Residency Town Insolvency Act 19 under 9 and the provincial Insolvency \r\n      cases were decided under these acts but no reappearing has been issued and it will be matter of \r\n      discussion and said to the Supreme Court there are reasons for not notifying the repeal of the old \r\n      statue and the proceedings under are still to continue even after they are appealed the pending \r\n      cases. On Raipur Power, we appointed an IPR and due to some of lack of knowledge to the people \r\n      and should appreciate Supreme Court reason for occasion and members of the Bar who have \r\n      brilliantly, efficiently have helped the benches and it has reached the Supreme Court with in no \r\n      time. These principals which has not been let down had stayed very long time. The study of IBC \r\n      Code cannot be complete without study of subjection, any leader or practitioner of IBC Code must \r\n      have knowledge of many other subjects because the right of audience has been given to CA, CS, \r\n      and Cost of Audits beside the Members of the Bar. By virtue of their long practice they are familiar \r\n      to the constitution, we cannot help law of Contract excessive delegation conditional legislation to \r\n      the judgement of Supreme Court. IBC Knowledge will be incomplete if we read in isolation we \r\n      should have knowledge rudimentary principals of constitutional law of article 14. So if you want \r\n      to practice IBC timely master the rudimentary principals of constitutional law contract law \r\n      company law Banking Law Negotiable Instrument Act and so on. The first issue with regard to \r\n      limitation act the journey is devious as for as law of limitation and IBC is concern. The judgement \r\n      of the IBC was overturned by the appellate tribunal on the grounds anything which has come from \r\n      2016, book will be the limitation. That was the thinking of the appellate tribunal. The Law of \r\n      interpretation is also essentials for those who are to practice IBC and it must be known to many \r\n      practitioners of IBC. Supreme Court also observed any RP issue a certificate under section 30 \r\n      subscription 4 of the IBC that the resolution can&apos;t is a complaint with all the existing Law So kindly \r\n      consider in the panel discussion weather the reasoning adopted by 80 the appellate tribunal and \r\n      the reasoning from NCLT and Supreme Court are better than each other because the rational and \r\n      reasoning the constitutional back bone of the Judgement. The practitioner of IBC should also be \r\n      known about the Judiciary discipline or the appellate tribunal will bind the NCLT and how the \r\n      Supreme Court will bind everybody and all these things to be known to the practitioners. During \r\n      the last judgement in April, the appellate tribunal has laid doe the statement of account abide \r\n     \r\n      before ROC or any other authorities would not give fresh lease of life because they are actualized \r\n      by completion of Law. Therefore we should not come to conclusion under section 18 and have an \r\n      acknowledgement within three years of the limitation period from the date of default has \r\n      occurred. The Supreme Court also discussed by filling the return, dose not intent the judgement \r\n      of section 18. So kindly discuss it can be overcome and the view taken by the Supreme Court and \r\n      the three so many sections says the company should file company returns. Kindly go through the \r\n      reasoning and the rational why it happened like this. The conditional judgement on April 21, \r\n      notifying a particular clause is permissible constitutional judgement article 14 as a notification to \r\n      one clause earlier or later are notifying at the instance at the deceptive govt. would result into any \r\n      unconstitutional valued or it is justified and the Supreme Court has taken the view and it is \r\n      perfectly permissible and the old judgement has been dismissed. The jurisdictional accept the \r\n      personnel guarantor would be DRP or would be NCL. What would the resolution plan? What is \r\n      they liability of guarantor under section 128 and all these area matter of discussions. Try to search \r\n      any rule of Law which says that the resolution plan must be or must be in less than liquidation \r\n      and Supreme Court says there is no provision and in another April 21 judgement has wide \r\n      consequences. MSME is very important sector and special provision under IBC has made from \r\n      section 59A a AAA has added in IBC. When the 10 member team travelled to London, the pre \r\n      packed resolution was there and Singapore recently 2 years has passed. Any protection given to \r\n      the Entrepreneurs who has suffered the corporate insolvency resolution process, the entrepreneur \r\n      who has gone under hammer in big 11 cases how to rehabilitees them to end the formula and any \r\n      period can be fixed from the initiation of CRP they will be not tighten so we need to look into these \r\n      thin to reduce the fallen of entrepreneurs Thank You.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Eminent Panel</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. Ritesh Kavdia, Executive Director, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Good noon to everybody, we passed a mile stone, on May 2016 was enacted. Since than it has \r\n      rolled out unprecedented dispute within 180 days of the enactment of the act all the preparation \r\n      were done by the govt. establishment of NCLT after that the regulator registration of Insolvency \r\n      professional agency being out of regulations and all these done in 180 days and by 1st December \r\n      everything was ready. Since than all the stake holders of this eco system has contributed a truly a \r\n      reform by the stake holders we can all share out whatever the credit we can draw out from it. In \r\n      fact NCL Constituted in hearing the company act matters and IBC was an addition load, under \r\n      the chairmanship of Justice MM Kumar NCLT has settled many issues and they guided IBBI by \r\n      framing the legislative work right now NCLT has past more than 12 to 13 thousand orders that are \r\n      available on our website this eco system has moves to quite matured level we have 3500 IPs govt. \r\n      has been committed that this reform will need adaptation and growing need of the business the \r\n      merging challenges and now 6 amendments has been made to the Court and all these objectives \r\n      has made further to the court to some extent we can say the Law reforms has done in a satisfactory \r\n      manner this reform redefine that relationship between debtors and Creditors. Even IBBI \r\n      regulation has been has confirmed on multiple occasions. So latest of the amendment from the \r\n      court on pre-packed insolvency resolution process when these code was considered it was well \r\n      thought of once for the initial these we are starting normal CRP but soon we will have matured \r\n      products in pre packed resolution under the Insolvency frame work so every time this change of \r\n      Management is a cost on the efficiency of the corporate Debtors and that cost can be avoided if \r\n \r\n      the business are kept to the Minimum. At the initial time rights of Creditors were very week \r\n      Creditors in delaying the proceedings now this code has put in right place think this is an \r\n      appropriate time to pre pack amendment on everything so Insolvency Law Committee started \r\n      deliberation on a prepack system in India. Due to pandemic the IBBI has share of Misfortune and \r\n      this has most challenging for us. Due to severe impact on business the govt. has recognized that \r\n      all the economy under stress we won\\&apos;t resolution applicants and the most Vulnerable sector is \r\n      MSMEs because they all run on informal systems and normally they don\\&apos;t see resolution \r\n      applicants. Recognizing that the govt. has the limit of CRP crush hold from 1 lakh to 1 crore to \r\n      the MSMEs to provide some breathing time suspension of resolution Insolvency has done but \r\n      real lies on resolving the Balance sheet and having the suspension dose not to resolve the balance \r\n      sheet and we have to be alive to the fact that to relive the corporate debtors from its stress and a \r\n      scheme was very much required and in Atma Nirbhar Bharath scheme will rolled out special \r\n      schemes for MSMEs and even in the last budget and soon special schemes frame work will \r\n      launched for MSMEs. Govt. has a ready frame work for pre packed it was thought that better we \r\n      try this pre pack for MSMEs as a special Insolvency resolution frame work which is cost effective \r\n      and a quick mechanism for MSMEs and initial part has been made only for MSMEs. Even though \r\n      the code has kept intact its Creditors who has absolutely control and corporate debtors get benefit \r\n      of moratorium calm period has been provided and completive recovery proceeding put on hold \r\n      and reasonable chance are given for the corporate debtors, resolution plan is binding on all and \r\n      that is the most important aspect of this code so section 29 A is applicable The pre pack \r\n      mechanism frame work is efficient and we hope that it will be adopted by this industry in a big \r\n      way and Law is good as its implementation and frame work is an experiment and it has reached \r\n      extreme trust on management corporate debtors. If the management is clean and well-intended \r\n      and enjoys the trust of the creditors and pre pack will be very useful for them under the discipline\r\n      of the court and the success of this frame work will be friendly and the resolution frame work from \r\n      the govt.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Eminent Panel</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Ramji Srinivasan, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Happy Birth day to IBBI. Highlighting the recent developments in IBC, and incredible five years \r\n      for IBBI. No economic legislation has meet with such a tremendous success which is measurer \r\n      quantifiable and visible in real terms as the IBC. Had a privilege to argue the very first appeal in\r\n      almost every commercial Appellate Tribunal and Regulatory Tribunal in Electricity, \r\n      Telecommunication, Gas, and Pipeline with the privilege of first appeal before the NCLAT in the \r\n      inventive leading Judgement in the IBC was the first one. Purposive intervention has to be given \r\n      thereafter move to the new management with maximize of the assets so these experiments has \r\n      been succeeded. There after we had many other judgements. Supreme Court noticed that even in \r\n      180 days it doesn&apos;t happen it will be called corporate debt, so you need to avoid that issues. The \r\n      embassy which talk about the jurisdiction the NCLT do decide matters in right directions to take \r\n      the constitutional role of the High Court late se boundaries to NCLT also. NCLT all order are \r\n      subject to Law and consent of stakeholder&apos;s would have been required if there is no petitioner and \r\n      the entity become same. We there is a preexisting disputes can we pursue the IBC proceedings \r\n      and therefore Supreme Court clarified that it should be not be pursued and if any disputes that is \r\n      evidence that is IBC can be permitted to be pursued. The recent decisions was a tortures root to \r\n      up to the supreme court this was the case the CD has acknowledge the dept. in its balance sheet \r\n      and therefore hit by limitation beyond three years of default therefore you cannot go ahead with \r\n     \r\n      the IBC proceedings so the NCLT rejected the claim and said you can proceed against which case \r\n      was filed in NCAT. Thank you.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. CS Nagendra D Rao, President, Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> It is greater insights to the audience with this timely organized IBC Webinar, and the outset will \r\n      appreciate the IBC on the stride gain in 5 years and its enactment in 2016, this progress is \r\n      culmination as a part of the govt. entities and stakeholders. IBC change the Insolvency resolution \r\n      in India being a debtor in position regime to creditor in control affairs of the company. IBC \r\n      Introduced in India to fair initiation between parties and encouraging the revival of the companies \r\n      by formulation of resolution process. The judicial pronouncements have played a crucial role in \r\n      development of Law. Various legal pronouncements acts and judgements have unpresidental \r\n      impact on the frame work. IBC in a short span has raised India in a World Bank and doing \r\n      business ranking 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2020. According to IBBI the resolution plan yielded about \r\n      191%of the realizable value for the financial creditor at a average of 380 days tremendous \r\n      improvement from the previous regime which took about 1200 days average to resolve. The ICSI \r\n      has also contributed in the endives and form its insolvency professional&apos;s agency ICSI IIP enroll \r\n      to educate train and also monitored the performance the registered members as Insolvency \r\n      professionals. Today we all stand un precedent in this difficult time in this century the whip of \r\n      wave of pandemic has stuck each and every person and business of this country. As the Indian \r\n      economy was building to show the sign of recovery from the pandemic disasters the second wave \r\n      has shattered the business. Govt. Since last year has taken measures to the ease the economy to \r\n      address these adverse the govt. has been preparing the strategies and actions not only for business \r\n      continuity but also for reviving the economy regulators have been working all through the difficult \r\n      times to facilitate the stakeholders. It is appreciate the court Tribunal have adopted this facility to \r\n      cater the demand of the stakeholders. Since beginning the IBC has involving and revolving \r\n      legislation and there has been amendments to the IBC to out the practical difficulties the \r\n      interpretation Issues faced by the practitioners and other stakeholders. Hon&apos;ble Supreme Court \r\n      and NCLT and NCLAT have pronounced various landmark judgements and sure many \r\n      deliverables will take place. Thank you.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Panel Discussion:</b></p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Mod : Ref to the 243 section IBC the reason why age old Insolvency resolution for Individuals and \r\n      non-corporate the presidency insolvency and the provincial Insolvency act. Why it is notified even \r\n      the repeal of them.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Srinivasan Ramji </b>: This is legislative in Nature. Mau not have fall exactly with in jurisdiction of \r\n      IBC they may have been certain proceedings which may have commenced or continue. Supreme \r\n      Court should have examined also innovative. We need see IBBI has made any recommendation. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Ritesh Kavdia :</b> it\\&apos;s a pre mature for whole of Insolvency and as a calibrated manner it was only \r\n      ruled to the personnel Corporate debtors. Because they are covered both the legislations as in CRP \r\n      has multiple remedies they can refer IBC same way for personnel guarantors have multiple \r\n      options. The Process has initiated if 243 has to be repealed it has to be repealed for all of them. \r\n      We have not attended yet. Rolling out a individual Insolvency country like India once dealing with \r\n      such cases we need to be aligned to their sentiments culture emotional issues and the social Issues. \r\n      \r\n      So Individual Insolvency might be distance away from IBBI. Anticipating the partnership firm\\&apos;s\r\n      proprietorship firms to come into and remaining individuals will come last. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Mod : 60 (2) and (3) will be completely taken care of the requirements related to the personnel \r\n      guarantors to the corporate debtors. Because if there is a proceedings in front of Supreme Court\r\n      or an insolvency Court may not be over as an Insolvent sort of a Grey area we see?</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> N K Dilip</b> : The Intent of this legislation is commercial in nature and intent to be given current \r\n      meaning and intent of the commercial legislative has bought forward. Commenting on the \r\n      personnel Guarantor it is these are very welcome move the estate is resolved as quickly as possible \r\n      if the personnel guarantor of the CRP has the both go along with CRP happening to be certainty \r\n      and closure of matter as early as possible. One of the area is still lacking is group Insolvency in \r\n      days to come most of the Indian Business are in Culamarated structure. So we are seeing the \r\n      experiment has happening between PG and CRP hopefully MSME and PRPF also will have an \r\n      experiment and also based on the success will move forward. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Mod : MSME sector plays a very important role and the contribution to the GDP by MSME is one \r\n      reason why the entire country is focused giving opportunity for a large number of Employment a \r\n      generation in this country and considering the 28% of unemployment in recent days report. So is \r\n      IBC is Boon or Bane for MSME?</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Anil Goel</b> : As the country is dependent on MSME, in the last four and a half years actually done \r\n      well with MSMEs, outlet it has gained little in their capacity they have taken the advantage of IBC \r\n      to great extent. Merely the fear of IBC lot of large Corporates has struck in making the payment \r\n      to their suppliers in capacity of Operational Creditors. The CIRP has taking away their control and \r\n      custody of assets and Business which is disruptive of the running Business. In 1st June the limit \r\n      was increased to MSMEs and it is now pre comfortable with 50 thousand crore and 250 crore of \r\n      Domestic Turnover in Exports and process of registration is very simple. The PIRP has introduces \r\n      in a lightening manner rules and regulation was notified and it is live and any one can approach \r\n      the financial Creditor to opt for PIRP. The Courts will take not much time and will not be contested \r\n      and cons usual by the corporate debtor. Benefit is MSME business model is viable and feasible\r\n      but somehow landed into non compliances or not able to service the debt so all these things are \r\n      debtor to come and invest in MSME or anyone to become Partner or to acquire a running Business \r\n      just because of the fear pf uncertainties. So PIRM is a definitely a Boon for MSME. Interns of \r\n      Investment, adding Partners, Shareholders.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Mad :</b> Why we are not thought about prepackaged Insolvency process for all the Corporates \r\n      particularly large corporates and was the logic introduced only for MSMEs and leave out the large \r\n      once and probably more important in the Economic Systems.</p>              \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Ritesh Kavdia :</b> When the prepacked was recommended by the committee, it was recommended \r\n      to all the corporate debtors in a phased manner and before it could be implemented the resolution \r\n      frame work for MSMEs were very much required. This MSMEs are somewhat in between \r\n      corporate individuals sort of structures. Many of them rely on informal structure and there is no \r\n      fine line between the corporates and individuals so correct resolutions are required for MSMEs \r\n      because only the corporates debtors are more interested in taking their assets. So considering all \r\n      this the MSMEs are under great distress and on urgent basis this s the first phase implementation \r\n      we have prepacked for MSMEs. If this experiment success we hope that various Schemes to other \r\n      corporates as well.</p>\r\n     \r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> NK Dilip:</b> Anything is possible we hopefully we will get Judicial discipline. We are seeing the \r\n      situation CRIP fails Liquidation started and then we see back door 230 section. In that \r\n      compromise coming under the Companies Act. So we see everything happen as a possibility recent \r\n      withdrawal and one time settlement been offered so we need to look at the 80 20 rule the main \r\n      provision for success and not get distracted.</p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Mod :</b> Commercial wisdom and COC role of adjudicating authority is very Minimum in CARP and \r\n      there petition stage and even after the creditors the objection tight by a way of Creditor or a \r\n      shareholder by directly approaching NCLT and doing objection sake and File \r\n      Srinivas Ramji : Transparency is very important and the sailing future has to published otherwise \r\n      people don\\&apos;t have an option to know what is examined in the matter. The salient feature of the \r\n      resolution plan proved can be published it should not lead to open the doors to large number of \r\n      litigation. \r\n      NK Dilip : The minority shareholders in this transaction but never in management he is left high \r\n      in this resolution to exercise unless as a bidder investing more. It is good order get published prior \r\n      to public announcement made. \r\n      Mod : Concluding remark, in order to work efficiently we have to have other regulators also \r\n      supporting with the same manner with same efficiency. Weather it is Central or State govt. \r\n      departments weather it is regulators there is lot of difference everything will fall in line in IBC but \r\n      the same reach is not there for ancillary units. So in order to build an Eco System which function \r\n      and delivers its objective and faster than ever before. </p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> END....... </b></p>', '', '', 'IBCpostevent.jpg', 'IBC-post-event-report', 1, 0, '2021-05-29', '2021-05-29', '11.00 a.m', '1.30 p.m', 0, 28, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08'),
(139, 'GST e-Invoicing Post Event Report', 'When we look 4 years back, we are inching towards 4 years completion of GST is quite satisfactory. The Consolidation of taxes into single tax which was may be too late so the center and State govt. as more or less settle down in last 4 years', '<center><b>GST e-Invoicing Process & Guidance towards Constructive Strategy and the Way Forward</b></center>\r\n      <center><b> 29th June 2021 (11.30am to 1.00 Pm)</b></center>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Eminent Panelists:</b><p>\r\n      <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>• Shri. D P Nagendra Kumar, IRS, Principal \r\n        Chief Commissioner of Central Tax, \r\n        Karnataka Zone </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>• Shri. B V Murali Krishna, Additional \r\n        Commissioner, Commercial Tax \r\n        Department, (e-Governance), GOK </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> • Shri. Ravi Raghavan, Senior Partner \r\n        (Moderator), assisted by Shri. Brijesh \r\n        Kothary, Joint Partner, Lakshmikumaran & \r\n        Sridharan Attorneys </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>• Shri. Bhojaraj T Shetty, Chairman, \r\n        Bengaluru Branch, SIRC of ICAI \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>• Shri. Manjesh Gargi, DGM SME, State Bank \r\n        of India </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>• Shri. Aravind, Associate Vice President, \r\n        Tally Solutions </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> • Shri. Sagar Agarwal, Co-Chairman, \r\n        Karnataka State Development Council \r\n        ASSOCHAM and SVP, Transystem Logistics \r\n        International Pvt. Ltd. (JV of Mitsui & Co., \r\n        Japan & TCI, India) </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>  Opening Remarks: </b><p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Uma S Nair, Regional Director - Southern \r\n        Region, ASSOCHAM </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Welcome remarks to Dignitaries, Panelists & \r\n        Partners</b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Inaugural Address</b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. D P Nagendra Kumar, IRS, Principal Chief Commissioner of Central Tax, Karnataka Zone</b></p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> When we look 4 years back, we are inching towards 4 years completion of GST is quite satisfactory. The \r\n        Consolidation of taxes into single tax which was may be too late so the center and State govt. as more or \r\n        less settle down in last 4 years. Towards improving GST Compliance which is quite essential for improving \r\n        revenue which is the major concerned, which we introduced 4 years back \r\n        States had lot of appreciations regard to revenue protection about the predicted revenue assurance is \r\n        from the central govt. Fortunately notwithstanding the pandemic the revenue has showing vibrancy from \r\n        last October 2021 and what we have logging successfully.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 1 Lakh crore plus in last 8 months successfully. We are under continues stress an account of Pandemic \r\n        and lockdown across country. In GST Compliance stake holder consultation is one of the key factor in \r\n        driving this reform into the user friendly mode. GST is an electronically admistared Tax and every process \r\n        is automated to portal. The GST had faced initial glitches at the time of roll out, has more or less stabilized \r\n        in terms of ensuring that all the process are automated. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Lot of changes has bought in 43 GST Council meetings which have positive changes to the basics control \r\n        of the process which they have also control successfully by adopting all those changes. <.p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>A dual Objective is improving the Compliance and Ease of Doing Business. With introduction of their e \r\n        Invoicing. 35th GST Council Meeting has introduced e invoicing in India as a Way Forward to improve the \r\n        Compliance to facilitate the automated process.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>E Governance of Karnataka Govt. should be complimented for providing some touchstones for them have \r\n        validated many of the processes to circulating and roll out of e invoicing in the country. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Effective from April 2021, slashed 50 crore and above as we are seeing substantially the Tax Payer are \r\n        falling to the e Invoicing regime. E Invoicing has a great relief in terms of reducing the cost of the \r\n        Compliance to the Tax Payers.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> E Invoicing provides seamless interaction business ERP Solutions visibly the portal to either direct API or it \r\n        could be to the app name mode. E Invoicing benefits are already started flowing and the e invoicing will \r\n        basically provide data entry errors and it also minimize the mismatch errors and provide auto population \r\n        of the outward supply details into the GST TR 1.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> A caution in the auto populated attend will have to be verified with regards correctness of the Credit \r\n        away with regards to the various restrictions provide under the Act of GST. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> The auto population comes quite handy in terms of ensuring that the Tax Payer is aware about its \r\n        vendors behavior in terms of Compliance and also calibrate the requirements entitles allowed in GST Act.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Moving forward the we are looking at the GST e Invoicing to be taken to the universal population that \r\n        would be the ultimate goal but to cover the B2B transaction itself when we are touching that MSME \r\n        sector effective from 1st April 21 carefully watch the adoption is happening in the larger Tax payer \r\n        population. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The experience what we are gaining here will go long way to ensure the 2 phase of the e invoicing \r\n        whether we introduce to the B2C transaction as well and B2C transaction exclusion is very minimalistic \r\n        and QR Code the dynamic report which is made mandatory in the B2C transaction which ia already \r\n        embedded into e Invoicing and B2B is also a solution in terms of ensuring the process integrity. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> The Business will find the benefit of e invoicing meeting the compliance and also payments and inventory \r\n        managements. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Govt. angle we look support from the active Tax payers encouraging the e invoicing systems which would \r\n        be win - win solutions for all of us.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> <b>Theme Address</b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. B V Murali Krishna, Additional Commissioner, Commercial Tax Department, (e-Governance), GOK </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>E invoice is a game changer, form the e invoice implementation in 1st October 2020, but in Karnataka we \r\n        actually started introducing the digitization information from 2010 onwards itself but the kind of aspect \r\n        of uploading a purchase and Sale statements which we were able to achieve the compliance which led \r\n        modeling the GST 1 and GST 2 outwards and for reasons it took the back seat.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Whereas it take care of the e invoicing concept even for the B2C transaction it is not a 36o degree profile \r\n        as it will take time\r\n        Already captured 55 crore invoice and 1/3 of the tax payers are receiving the Invoices. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Once the invoice generated electronically for the common portal is authenticated with the QR Code and \r\n        the item number which is already embedded indicated the document of the statement to the Govt. and \r\n        the compliant will be reduced.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>We have travelled from uploading the GST 1 from 2017 and 2018 we migrated to e way bill data and \r\n        digitization started for the particular consignment shipments and as of now 180 crore e way bill has \r\n        generated in e way portal.</p>   \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>32 % of the population are generating the e way bill though it is not mandatory, Once make the \r\n        mandatory invoicing to all Tax Payers are immediate obligated, to make the portal enable for the tax \r\n        payers to come and generate and most of the tax payers well come it.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Web based login should be implemented so the tax payers directly login the data and generate e invoice.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>If we look at the past and todays regime the compliance has reduced day by day in e way bill or e \r\n        invoicing portals.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> E Invoicing has bought the compliance, if we look at in April we could reach on lakh fourty five thousand \r\n        collections there is leap jump before or after of e way bill or e invoicing.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>E way bill have integrated the app RFID a week back on the Fat Track Toll plazas. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Technology is helping to pinned down the Fraudsters and Fraudsters Measures.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> E governance is stabilized so much by bringing transparency and need of the hour is to adopt technology \r\n        which will the Audit trial where everyone can be tracked seamlessly.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> E Invoice is ultimate once it comes in place for all transaction as right now it is only B2B and B2G with \r\n        some exemptions has to be taken off by giving a easy mode of uploading and for B2C transactions the \r\n        web based process which will help ease of doing business and this is how the e invoicing is a Game \r\n        changer.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Thank you.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Panel Speaker</b><p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri. Ravi Raghavan, Senior Partner (Moderator), assisted by Shri. Brijesh Kothary, Joint Partner, \r\n        Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorneys </b></b>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Q: Shri. Sagar Agarwal </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>What is the facility to choose the route by the e way bill generator on depending upon the vehicle using \r\n        and lead time fixed for the e way bill?</b\\p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>A: Shri Nagendra Kumar, IRS </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>A; NIC over a period of time, the distance travelled measures for e way bill alive and also facility for \r\n        extension for primarily keeping in mind about the deviation and malpractices that is the approach we are \r\n        looking at. The over time keeping these issue we cannot customize the individual because of the large \r\n        population but certainly we have recommendation to this.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> A: Shri. Murali Krishna, Additional Commissioner </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Certainly they can raise submit their grievance we can see to that and set it right. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Q: Will RIFD solve this issue considering with the responsibility of the Logistics to give the route if the \r\n        options are given to select and takes the longer route because of various conveniences? </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> A: RIFD is already integrated and hope it will take over pin to pin </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Objective is to ensure that movement of goods under e way bill is to ensure that there is movement \r\n        tracking available and RIFS provides the technology with the visibility of the Vehicle and that option could \r\n        be thought off and policy makers will take up and option should be available for you enable in the portal \r\n        in a generic manner and suggested to raise this issue and recommendation to NIC.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Q : On penalty and Tax on the E way bill is 68% at the time no production still tax has to paid and no \r\n        solution to go for appeal and no Tribunal Appellate is constituted in Karnataka and request to give some \r\n        token penalty but not to the extent of 68% so? </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>A: We are al aware that we are in system driven mode and to take the decision making. The reason why \r\n        the officer dose the assessment is with regard to correctness of the document and advised to have in GPS \r\n        tracking manner or computer online or Mobile app.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>As we move forward we need to work towards the system where it non discretion. So request to raise the \r\n        recommendation and submit certainly we will take it forward.</p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>To train the Tax payers at large by generating the e way bill properly and any minor omission such as \r\n        truck drivers to educate the person carrying the documents in any such errors instead of convey to you \r\n        after 2 or 3 days instead that to flag immediately.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Panel </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Shri. Ravi Raghavan, Senior Partner (Moderator), assisted by Shri. Brijesh Kothary, Joint Partner, \r\n        Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorneys </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>e Invoicing is a system wherein the tax payer uploads his invoice details and registers his transaction on \r\n        Invoice registration portal ( IRP). </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>IRP helps tax payer to get the Invoice reference number (IRN) generated by IRP this will prevent the evading \r\n        happening on large scale. </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Advantages of e Invoice. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Creation of Standard </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Ability to prepopulate returns</p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Better tax payer services. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Reduction of Tax evasion </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Efficiency in tax administration.</p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Categories excluded below are added in future?</b></p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• B2C Supplies SEZ Developers included</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Banking and other Financial Companies</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Agents</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Admission of exhibition pf Cinematograph films in multiplex screens</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• GTA service providers</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>A: Addition Commissioner ,/b></p>\r\n        The policy has to take a call on particular and it&apos;s a high time all these categories should fall under e \r\n        Invoice.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Consequences for Non-Compliance are </p>  \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Penalty as per section 122(1) of the CGST Act Rs. 10,000 where he Inter alia\r\n        Eligibility of ITC Non position of the Tax Invoice is one of the condition for denial of ITC.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  If e invoice is not issued that the recipient may not eligible for ITC</p>\r\n        New features in the newly introduced manner for e way bill and vehicle tracking whereas gives \r\n        transparency which prevent fraudsters in feature.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Recommendation related Annual Returns FY 2022-21 </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>A: Shri. Bhojaraj T Shetty, Chairman, Bengaluru Branch, SIRC of ICAI </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Over the years professional were struck in this issues and never added value to the business \r\n        people. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Things are happening automation in India </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Govt. makes system not system driven Tax collection and intention is for Ease of Doing Business \r\n        and add value across chain.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Dealers and Tax payers enjoy by making honest business and professionals are trained to do \r\n        beyond compliance. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• In the current years turnover is to certified, and 2022-23 total expenditure needs to be certified \r\n        and whole reconsolation has to be come out from the Charted Accountants.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Professional need to focus to value addition to a business people by helping their business grow. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Going forward visiless growth definitely help across the Board with many other Audit will remain \r\n        same along with System Audit. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • RBI and SEBI made it mandatory.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• ICAI a decade back started training on Certification course Diploma in Information Audit.</p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Q: What do mean by Audit Trial </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>A: Shri. Aravind, Associate Vice President, Tally Solutions </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>At this part of time it is not anybody&apos;s Importance but it will create lot of confusion in business sectors. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Challenges are: </b></p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Extremely short notice to implement Audit Trial. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Although audit trial has been there since decades sudden enforcement will trigger panic, \r\n        Mistrust, and resistance from the business and community. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • While audit trials aims to track, penalize and discourage fraudulent changes in accounting entries \r\n        one should remember that there is an aspect of &quot;Human Error&quot; also involved in this subject. </p>\r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Within the interest of Stakeholders Business men, Accountants, auditors, govt., etc. which \r\n        definitely not possible in 6 days.</p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>• Even if the Software claims it is audit compliant, and even assuming that it is there is no way to \r\n        completely ensure that the business will remain complaint since the application can be tampered \r\n        by Internal/External persons.</p> \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> • Certainly needs detailed deliberation if it is not dwelt properly certainly will hit SME very badly. </p>\r\n       \r\n        <p style=\'text-align:center;\'><b> END......   </b></p>', '', '', 'GSTevent.jpg', 'GST-e-invoicing-post-event-report', 1, 0, '2021-06-29', '2021-06-29', '11.30 a.m', '1.00 p.m', 0, 28, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:08', '2021-10-27 04:21:08');
INSERT INTO `events` (`id`, `title`, `short_desc`, `long_desc`, `registration`, `reg_link`, `image`, `slug`, `status`, `deleted`, `start_date`, `end_date`, `start_time`, `end_time`, `sector_id`, `region_id`, `priority`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(140, 'INDIA SMART DATACENTRES & CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT 2020', '\r\n            India holds a great potential to become a vibrant data economy and a good center of data\r\n            center in the world. Our government is working towards bringing more investments in data\r\n            centers. - Union Minister for Communications, Electronics and IT', '<center>\r\n            INDIA SMART DATACENTRES & CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT 2020 \r\n            <p>\"The next billion Dollar opportunity and investments in India&apos;s Digital Infrastructure\"<br>\r\n            Friday 31st July, 2020 10:30 am - 01:45 pm</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-decoration:underline;text-align:justify;\'>\r\n            India holds a great potential to become a vibrant data economy and a good center of data\r\n            enter in the world. Our government is working towards bringing more investments in data\r\n            centers. - Union Minister for Communications, Electronics and IT\r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>- Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon\'ble Minister Law & Justice, Communications and\r\n           Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India</p>\r\n            </center>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The growth of digital business in India is expected to rise substantially in the coming\r\n            years, thus fueling consumption market with digital data consumption expected to\r\n            increase. The demand for hyper-scale data centers is on the rise. The market is expected\r\n            to see a strong resurgence of growth-related projects across verticals viz., banking,\r\n            insurance, telecom, and government segment. While data center investments, private\r\n            and public, in India is growing rapidly, cloud is certainly the next big focus. With the new\r\n            normal established due to COVID, reliance on technology from enterprises and\r\n            consumers has increased. All these factors together make for a tremendous growth\r\n            possibility for data centers in India in coming years. However, industry needs to also focus\r\n            on legal, policy and regulatory enablers that are essential to promote future investments\r\n            in datacenter industry and strengthen Datacenter business in India. </p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n            ASSOCHAM being one of the oldest and apex chamber in India, organised \"INDIA\r\n            SMART DATACENTRES & CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT 2020\" on 31st July\r\n            2020 from 10:30 am\r\n            </p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n            ASSOCHAM brought bring industry Top leaders, stakeholders and policy makers to\r\n            discuss the next billion Dollar opportunity in datacenter & cloud business and future\r\n            investments in India&apos;s Digital Infrastructure including top level discussion around Smart\r\n            Datacenters, Opportunities and challenges in managing datacenter business, new hybrid\r\n            models of datacenter and cloud, Latest trends in technologies, Future developments in\r\n            data center and strategies that will shape the datacenter and cloud industry in India and\r\n            thus strengthening India&apos;s positioning in the global datacenter market.\r\n            </p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Key Speakers</b></p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Som Parkash, Hon\'ble Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of\r\n            India Smt. Jyoti Arora, Special Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of Electronics & IT,\r\n            Government of India</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Som Parkash, Hon\'ble Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of\r\n            India Smt. Jyoti Arora, Special Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of Electronics & IT,\r\n            Government of India</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Anurag Dua, Partner, PwC</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Sunil Gupta, Managing Partner & CEO, Yotta Infrastructure</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Samuel J. Varghese, Vice President, Global Marketing, CtrlS</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\' &#9679;Shri Manu Sharma, Chief Financial Officer, Pi</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Kundan Ghodke, General Manager, Sales & Marketing , GPX</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Manish Israni, Executive VP & CIO, Yotta Infrastructure\r\n            </p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Jatinder Singh Pabla, VP Sales & Marketing, STT GDC India</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Jitesh Nair, Country Manager, Hybrid IT Services, HPE</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Sachin Waingankar AVP, Cloud, Web Werks</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Vimal Kaw, AVP, Netmagic Solutions</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679;Shri Xavier Kurian, Director, Solution & Alliances, Dell Technologies</p>\r\n            ', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'india-smart-datacentres-cloud-infrastructure-summit-2020', 1, 0, '2020-07-31', '2020-07-31', '10:30 AM', '01:45 PM', 1, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(141, 'India-Asia&apos;s next Digital Frontier', '', '<center>\r\n            <p>ASSOCHAM Live Panel Discussion</p>\r\n            <p><b>INDIA DATACENTRE INDUSTRY<b><br>\r\n            <b>India: Asia\'s next Digital Frontier<b><br>\r\n            Wednesday 7th October 2020 07:00 - 08:00 pm<br>\r\n            Live on Newsx\r\n            </p>\r\n            </center>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n            <b>Session Moderator:</b>\r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Shri Rishabh Gulati, Managing Editor, NewsX</p>\r\n            \r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Panelists:</b></p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>1)Shri Darshan Hiranandani, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Data\r\n            Centers & Group CEO, Hiranandani Group\r\n            </p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>2)Shri Sharad Sanghi, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Data\r\n            Centers & CEO, Global Data Centers and Cloud Infrastructure (India), NTT Ltd</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>3)Shri Sumit Mukhija, Chief Executive Officer, ST Telemedia Global Data Centers\r\n            India</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>4)Shri Suhaan Mukerji Founding Partner, PLR Chambers</p>\r\n            ', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'india-datacentre-industry', 1, 1, '2020-10-07', '2020-10-07', '07:00 PM', '08:00 PM', 1, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(142, 'First Virtual Meeting of National Council on Auto & Auto Ancillaries', 'The First Meeting of the National Council on Auto & Auto Ancillaries of ASSOCHAM was held through\r\n            video conferencing at 11:30 AM on 30th June 2021.', '<center style=\'bottom-border:1px solid black;\'>\r\n            <p><b>ASSOCHAM<b></br>\r\n            <b>Summary Record of<b><br>\r\n            <b>First Virtual Meeting of National Council on Auto & Auto Ancillaries<b><br>\r\n            Held at 11:30 AM on 30th June 2021<br>\r\n            </p>\r\n            </center>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n            The First Meeting of the National Council on Auto & Auto Ancillaries of ASSOCHAM was held through\r\n            video conferencing at 11:30 AM on 30th June 2021.\r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n           <b>  R S Kalsi</b> , Chairman, National Council on Auto & Auto Ancillaries, ASSOCHAM & Senior Executive\r\n           Director - Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., welcomed all the participants and mentioned\r\n           that it is an exciting time when ASSOCHAM has introduced a new structure, which will enable the\r\n           Council to work more efficiently and effectively. It will help members to share their thoughts and put\r\n           forward their issues & concerns in front of concerned authorities through ASSOCHAM.</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n            Auto & Auto Ancillaries is one of the focus areas of ASSOCHAM through which different policy\r\n            interventions and Government representations can be taken up. Auto ecosystems like component\r\n            manufacturers, OEMs, etc. are important areas. Multiple stakeholders are part of the discussion and\r\n            that will make a holistic effort to drive the council towards its successful implementation.</p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>1)Shri Darshan Hiranandani, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Data\r\n            Centers & Group CEO, Hiranandani Group\r\n            </p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n            Auto is one of the important sectors of the Indian economy and the manufacture of transport\r\n            equipment accounts for almost 10 per cent to 12 per cent of the gross value added within India\'s\r\n            manufacturing sector, and any decline in that area significantly hurts India\'s economic outcomes.\r\n            </p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n            <b>Pooja Ahluwalia</b> from Primus Partners gave a presentation highlighting ASSOCHAM\'s functional\r\n            priority on identified 4 pillars and emphasised on deciding 3-4 themes by the council on key areas\r\n            which would be focused on during the Year. It was decided that a sample Template for the same would\r\n            be sent to members for their views, which will help them in identifying priority themes and setting the\r\n            agenda of the council for the Year.</p> \r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n            <b>  Satyakam Arya</b> Co-Chairman, National Council on Auto & Auto Ancillaries, ASSOCHAM &\r\n            Managing Director & CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. Said that \"the auto industry, in\r\n            fact, was struggling even before the COVID-19. and what has happened with the COVID-19 is many of\r\n            those effects have been amplified. In fact, if you take a look back at the automotive industry, globally,\r\n            and also in the context of India, I think we are facing three storms together\".\r\n            </p>\r\n            <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n              Arya added, \"The first one is the cyclic storm. We\'ve seen that reflected in the volumes or the\r\n           market size. The second one is the structural reforms and the third one is the transformational stock\".</p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n           He further said that \"when we look at the commercial vehicle industry, two years ago, we had sold\r\n            400,000 trucks. Last year, this number came down to 100 per cent. Now, this was the segment, which\r\n            was the most effective, but if you look across past reverse the effect of slowing down of the economy\r\n            and pandemic has been in double-digit growth. And in most of these sectors, we have gone back 10\r\n            years in terms of the size of the market and that\'s a matter of deep concern. This is something which\r\n            we must also think about it, later how can we push the growth agenda for the customers\".\r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>While talking about the structural reforms he said that \"it is getting impacted by the regulations or by\r\n           shifting consumer behaviours. COVID-19 has actually amplified the effect of the structures reforms.\r\n           We all have to think about, how do we reimagine. There are businesses that we can convert this crisis \r\n           but this will require large investments and this will also require advocacy with the government and\r\n           other stakeholders of our industry to get the right solution for our industry\".</p>\r\n           <p>He added, \"The third topic is more long-term in nature and what is getting accelerated day by day.\r\n           And that is the transformational stuff, we all are talking about or community views, which will be\r\n           carbon neutral, we\'re talking about electrification, we\'re talking about fuel cell. And this will lead to a\r\n           dramatic change in the way the industry is organized or structured\". </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  Arya while discussing about GST issues, said that \"It\'s certainly not just asking for a reduction in\r\n           tax, but put it in a different way and we should bring three things together; One comparing the tax\r\n           structure of other countries, Second we should bring out the aspect of how the technology gap is\r\n           closing now looking at India as compared to Europe or America now, for example, Titanium\r\n           DSX, Earlier we had PS4 so vehicles were cheaper and this shows that vehicles have added a huge\r\n           amount of average cost so they become expensive and third is per capita income in India compared\r\n           to those economies. If we bring these three together then it will show how economical vehicle India\r\n           have become.</p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Following other major suggestions were made during the discussion:</b></p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; The automotive sector provides 37 billion direct and indirect jobs while stimulating job\r\n           creation in the other industries as we</p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; The sector is expected to account for 65 billion jobs in India by year 2026 as companies\r\n           increase production. </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; The sector is expected to account for 65 billion jobs in India by year 2026 as companies\r\n           increase production. </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; The industry has faced many challenges including devastating costs.</p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679; Going to the lockdown challenges, leading the demand-supply equation MSMEs are facing\r\n           serious cashflow issues.\r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; The rise in input costs increased the price of vehicles and a huge spike in fuel prices is a double\r\n           whammy for the consumers.               \r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; An incentive-based policy is needed for scrap over 15-year-old commercial vehicles and\r\n           revised axle norms.              \r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n           &#9679; There is a need to promote localisation. Priorities or Support needed in the sourcing of\r\n            automotive components under the Make in India initiative.               \r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n           &#9679; There are issues related to GST in the EV sector. There is 5 per cent GST on batteries which\r\n           come with the vehicle but GST at the rate of 28 per cent will be applicable when it is sold\r\n           separately. There should be parity and GST applicability should be 5 per cent for all cases            \r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n           &#9679; People are skeptical about their jobs, future, their health; the pandemic is not only impacting\r\n           the health, but also the very core of human psychology. Many consumers have started \r\n           questioning their consumption patterns; people are shifting their expenses more towards\r\n           health care and insurance.          \r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  \r\n           &#9679; There is rising awareness and inclination for savings, more for future protection rather than\r\n           gratifying and impulsive needs.        \r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>   \r\n           &#9679; The industry currently is facing multiple challenges like how to manage their various supply\r\n            chain issues i.e. shortage of semiconductors, as well costs typically steel import restrictions\r\n            through different quality control orders are some of the areas of concern as of now.       \r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> \r\n           &#9679; Most of the dealers were unable to open their showrooms in May. Even in June, some\r\n            dealerships remain closed because of lockdown in those states or towns, this is a time to\r\n            closely monitor the local situation and OEMs should continue to support their suppliers and\r\n            dealer.\r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> \r\n           &#9679; The increase in the cost of raw materials is a major point of concern.         \r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>   \r\n           &#9679; The industry has always stood by the country at times of need and supported the government.\r\n            Just like during the first wave, in the second wave also many companies came forward to\r\n            support healthcare infrastructure, augments the supply of medical oxygen, and support local\r\n            communities.       \r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  \r\n           &#9679; It was informed that the Maruti Suzuki has undertaken a mega initiative of scaling up the\r\n            production of PSA oxygen generator plants by over 10 times utilizing its expertise. Under CSR,\r\n            along with some of its supplier partners, Maruti Suzuki has donated 25 such plants to\r\n            government hospitals in various states.\r\n           </p>\r\n           <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  \r\n           The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair\r\n           </p>\r\n           <p>******</p>\r\n            ', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'first-virtual-meeting-of-national-council-on-auto-auto-ancillaries', 1, 1, '2021-06-30', '2021-06-30', '11:30 AM', '11:30 AM', 2, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(143, 'First Virtual Meeting of National Council on Logistics', 'The First Meeting of the National Council on Logistics of ASSOCHAM was held through video\r\n    conferencing at 4:00 PM on 16th July 2021.', '<center style=\'bttom-border:1px solid black;\'>\r\n    <p>\r\n    <b>ASSOCHAM<br>\r\n    Summary Record of<br>\r\n    First Virtual Meeting of National Council on Logistics<br>\r\n    Held at 4:00 PM on 16th July 2021</b>\r\n    </p>\r\n    </center>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    The First Meeting of the National Council on Logistics of ASSOCHAM was held through video\r\n    conferencing at 4:00 PM on 16th July 2021.\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    The meeting was Chaired by   Paul V. Johnson, Chairman of National Council on Logistics,\r\n    with   Jasjit Sethi and   Davinder Sandhu, Co-Chairs of the Council. \r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Following major issues and suggestions emerged during the discussions:</b></p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; The key objective of this council is to spread awareness about this industry and to ensure that logistics becomes a boardroom subject.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Logistics is not just a supplementary function of the economy, it can be a driver of the\r\neconomy. Hence, it requires due attention and recognition by the Government.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; There is a need to create more awareness about logistics and about the importance\r\nof logistics as an industry that drives benefits to users. If logistics infrastructure cannot\r\nenable efficient, reliable, strategic, price-sensitive, cost of value for money supply\r\nchains, then it is not serving the purpose.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Currently, as various initiatives are being taken by the Government, it is the right time\r\nto raise industry issues before the relevant Government departments and look for\r\nsuitable changes through Government engagements.\r\n</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; As the logistics sector is very vast, there is a need to create synergy amongst different\r\nsegments of the industry. There is a need to pick up themes, which are long-term in\r\nnature, and not just transactional. Some of such themes could be supply chain and\r\nproductivity, which needs attention continuously and goes beyond the year after and\r\na lot of things can fall under the productivity. It could be related to any infrastructure\r\nincluding ports, terminals, and trucks. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Logistics policy is required to be formulated after taking into account multi-modal\r\nspace, and overall infra and asset utilisation space. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; There is a need to identify and highlight bottlenecks and ASSOCHAM could be the\r\n    window to represent such things to the government to ensure that these bottlenecks\r\n    are removed \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; It is a happy development that logistics is being seen by the government as a great\r\n    lever for pushing the economy forward. Now logistics is backed by a lot of digitization\r\n    and it will bring transparency and efficiency in operations.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; There is a need to advocate with the public policy authorities to set standards in place\r\n    for creating an efficient logistic environment in the country.\r\n\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The Government has one district one product program. Now, no product can succeed\r\n    if its supply chain is not efficient. Any product being made in any district will need raw\r\n    material to be moved, and it will also need finished products to be put out in the\r\n    market. Logistics and supply chain management can improve the overall program of\r\n    the Government.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Skill-building in the logistic sector is a point of concern, particularly, given the fact that\r\n    speciality chemical sector is taking rebirth in India, movement of chemicals might see\r\n    a big challenge in this country due to lack of skill in this sector.\r\n\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Logistics sector needs uniformity and seamless connectivity across all the sectors\r\n    across transportation; road or sea transportation. The whole data architecture,\r\n    movement of goods and services should be seamless. There is a need to see the\r\n    business from a customer\'s perspective. The different interpretation of rules by\r\n    different agencies is another challenge for the industry.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p>The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair<br>\r\n  ******\r\n  </p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'first-virtual-meeting-of-national-council-on-logistics', 1, 1, '2021-07-16', '2021-07-16', ' 4:00 PM', ' 4:00 PM', 3, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(144, 'Strengthening Logistics & Warehousing for Sustainable Growth', 'ASSOCHAM organized an online Panel discussion & Ideation Session on Strengthening\r\n    Logistics and Warehousing for Sustainable Growth on October 27, 2020. The Chief Guest\r\n    at the session was   Pawan Kumar Agarwal, Special Secretary, Logistics, Ministry of\r\n    Commerce and Industry, Government of India.', '<center style=\'bttom-border:1px solid black;\'>\r\n    <p>\r\n    Panel Discussion & Ideation Session on<br>\r\n    Strengthening Logistics & Warehousing for Sustainable Growth<br>\r\n    Held on October 27, 2020, from 2:00 P.M. to 3:15 P.M.<br>\r\n    Held at 4:00 PM on 16th July 2021\r\n    </p>\r\n    </center>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    ASSOCHAM organized an online Panel discussion & Ideation Session on Strengthening\r\n    Logistics and Warehousing for Sustainable Growth on October 27, 2020. The Chief Guest\r\n    at the session was   Pawan Kumar Agarwal, Special Secretary, Logistics, Ministry of\r\n    Commerce and Industry, Government of India.   Deepak Sood, Secretary-General,\r\n    ASSOCHAM presented the opening remarks and also moderated the session.   Vineet\r\n    Agarwal, Senior Vice President, ASSOCHAM and Chairman of the Logistics Council of\r\n    ASSOCHAM delivered the industry perspective.   Sanjay Rath, Vice President,\r\n    Logistics Centre of Excellence, JSW, and   Anshuman Sinha, Partner, AT Kearney also\r\n    addressed the participants. The session was attended by about 250 members of the\r\n    Industry. \r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    Following are highlights of the discussions: \r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n      Deepak Sood: \r\n    </p>\r\n  \r\n\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; As India focuses on becoming Atmanirbhar, we would see a revamp of domestic\r\n    ecosystem and better alignment with the global supply chains - both of which\r\n    will be significantly dependent on the robustness of logistics and warehousing.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The industry would soon move from just a service provider to an end-to-end\r\n  solution provider to their customer. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The implementation of GST, the continued focus on building industrial corridors,\r\n  according infrastructure status to logistics industry including warehousing, thrust\r\n  on manufacturing and the promise of the Indian consumption market, all these\r\n  factors together have enhanced the investment prospects of the country\'s\r\n  warehouse sector.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Despite having low cost drivers, highest truck efficiency, and fairly good roads,\r\nthe cost of logistics is very high as 13 to 18 per cent of our GDP is spent on\r\nlogistics. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; There is a need of an efficient multimodal transport system and a collaboration\r\n  among state governments, central Government, and the industry for developing\r\n  infrastructure. Technology-driven changes are needed in this sector. \r\n</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    Vineet Agarwal added:\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Our objective through the National Council on Logistics is how we bring out\r\n  certain changes that are practical in nature. There is a need to look at more\r\n  incremental changes rather than very large interventions for the sector. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The first one is to improve in terms of policy and regulatory issues and the second\r\n  is that how to make the sector more attractive.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Besides, standardization and design innovation based on India-centric needs\r\n  together with streamlining of processes would reduce time and logistics costs.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; To move on, a body on the lines of RDSO could be set up to ensure that trucks\r\n  and wagons, etc are of the same size. The policies of the Centre and States for\r\n  things like warehousing should be similar in nature.\r\n  \r\n\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; There should be a national policy as going to different states for different\r\n  approvals, regulations and permits not only create inefficiencies but also extra\r\n  cost in the system. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Yet another major area of improvement is the standardization of\r\ncontainerization of Cargo, which is very poor in our country and needs to be\r\nlooked into for bringing cost of containerization.\r\n\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    Pawan Kumar Agarwal said:\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The national logistics policy will soon be in place and provide a very robust\r\n  framework for action to work on improvements in the logistics and supply chain\r\n  management for the nation.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; We had to devise our own formulations for the national logistics policy and\r\n  therefore it has taken a little longer than what it should have taken, but we have\r\n  reached the finality on this and you will soon see the final logistics policy in\r\n  place. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The logistics sector appears to be very complex and it is loosely defined and what\r\n  logistics encompasses will differ from person to person. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; For commodities like Non- Basmati rice exports, the cost in India is about 14 per\r\ncent whereas the same in other countries like Vietnam is just 5-7 per cent. This\r\nshows a big gap in cost competitiveness. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The issue here is that in many sectors we can find a reference point but in the\r\nlogistics sector there is no such information, neither can we emulate examples of other counties. Therefore, unless we get down to details and go down to\r\nspecific commodities, geographies, modes of transport, concerns, we may just\r\nkeep wandering without achieving much. So unless we define it and identify key\r\nareas we cannot go ahead with implementation. This is precisely what the Govt\r\nis doing for over the past 5-6 months.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; There have been seven rounds of discussions on making attempts to zero down\r\nto specific areas of intervention rather than making some very general\r\nstatements. There is a focus to create a plan that is implementable.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Under the plan, the Govt has identified 12 areas that are levers of change that\r\nwould focus on - policy coherence, regulatory coherence, and simplification of\r\nprocesses, use of automation and mechanisation of warehousing, standardization\r\nand unitization of cargo, digital transformation, multi-modality, logistics\r\ninfrastructure, professionalization of human resources, green & clean logistics\r\nand others.\r\n\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Standardisation of Containerisation of cargo holds a lot of potential for bringing\r\nefficiency. This is not very well understood by the people in the logistics\r\nindustry. These aspects would be covered in the national logistics policy which\r\nwill be announced soon. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; There may not be any further action, in many areas, where action has already\r\nbeen initiated and which are in different stages of implementation.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The focus is on ensuring that all this happens in a coordinated manner. There\r\nare issues in logistics at the state level and at the local level, which needs due\r\nattention. States will have to understand and bring focus on logistics of which\r\nwarehousing is going to be an important issue. This coordination arrangement\r\nneeds to be institutionalised to bring in a more robust structure of coordination\r\nat the national level, state level, and between states and the centre.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are a very important sector for the\r\n  economy and streamlining of processes will help MSMEs reduce logistics costs to\r\n  a great extent.</p>\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; ASSOCHAM may hold master classes for stakeholders and professionals in the\r\n  industry at different levels with a focus on creating efficiencies at large</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  Sanjay Rath added the following:</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; From a consumer perspective, it was mentioned that the ongoing pandemic has\r\n  changed their whole business environment. The pandemic suddenly stopped the\r\n  complete business operations so much so that there was no manpower available\r\n  to load and unload the Railways containers. </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The whole supply chain was disrupted, leading to the closing down of the\r\nproduction units. Since the industry is manpower intensive, there is a need to\r\nhave a mechanised kind of system. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; To re-start the production, certain innovations were done for transportation\r\nincluding designing of coastal wagons.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Multimodal transportation and the use of coastal line can reduce the cost. One\r\nof the major reasons of the high logistics cost in India is due to non - use of\r\ncoastal lines.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Further, a very old documentation process is being followed in India which needs\r\nreview along with necessary modifications in regulations for enabling coastal\r\ncargo. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The Steel industry is highly logistics-intensive and logistics cost for the metal\r\nindustry in India is as high as 20-25 per cent of the total cost of production.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; To reduce such a high cost, innovations in logistics cargo, digital transformation,\r\nand scaling up the whole ecosystem of the supply chain like China is needed. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    Anshuman Sinha said the following:\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; India ranked 44thon World Bank\'s Logistics Performance Index in 2018 and India\'s\r\nlogistics cost ranges in 13-14% of GDP as compared to 8-9% in developed\r\neconomies, which is Indicating inherent inefficiency in the way freight moves in\r\nour county. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; There is potential to unlock USD 250 billion capital from supply chains by 5 per\r\ncent reduction in logistics cost. This would require an integrated development\r\nof the logistics sector leveraging the best in class technology, integrated\r\nprocesses, and skilled manpower.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The proposed National Logistics Policy lays down well-defined objectives to\r\nachieve the vision of transforming the Indian logistics sector. The strategic\r\ninitiatives of the policy include integrated logistics services, multi-modal\r\nlogistics infrastructure, logistics needs of the core sectors and logistics for\r\ninternational competitiveness and logistics for emergencies. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; It is expected that these initiatives will achieve improved cost and time\r\nefficiency of specific commodity supply chains, synergetic growth and\r\ntransformation of all transport and allied sectors and optimized multi modal mix,\r\nincrease predictability of delivery and reduced well time, reduced losses on\r\naccount of transport and storage, enhanced business competitiveness of the\r\nmanufacturing sector, and Improve logistics employment opportunities in\r\nquantity and quality.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; There are identified additional ideas to strengthen the proposed National\r\nLogistics Policy. These include integrated logistics services, Multi-modal logistics\r\ninfrastructure, Meeting logistics needs efficiently, and Financing, Monitoring,\r\nand Evaluation.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679;   Sinha, also mentioned key areas of intervention and suggested imperatives,\r\nwhich he elaborated through the presentation and suggested that the\r\nGovernment can also focus its efforts along 3 dimensions i.e. complete ownership\r\ninitiatives, guidelines defining initiatives and program management initiatives. </p>\r\n<p>**************</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'strengthening-logistics-warehousing-for-sustainable-growth', 1, 0, '2020-10-27', '2020-10-27', '2:00 PM', '3:15 PM', 3, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(145, 'DIGITAL: THE NEXT REVOLUTION', 'ASSOCHAM organized an Industry Discussion in a Webinar Mode with Hon\'ble Chairman, TRAI\r\n    to bring all stakeholders in the digital eco-system on a common platform to discuss the\r\n    opportunities in the sector and the support and interventions required to take the sector to the next\r\n    level of growth and transformation', '<center style=\'bottom-border:1px solid black;\'>\r\n    <p>ASSOCHAM Interactive Discussion</br>\r\n    <b>DIGITAL: THE NEXT REVOLUTION<b><br>\r\n    10thJune 2020<br>\r\n    </p>\r\n    </center>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    ASSOCHAM organized an Industry Discussion in a Webinar Mode with Hon\\\'ble Chairman, TRAI\r\n    to bring all stakeholders in the digital eco-system on a common platform to discuss the\r\n    opportunities in the sector and the support and interventions required to take the sector to the next\r\n    level of growth and transformation\r\n   </p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Key Speakers:</b> </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; Shri R. S. Sharma, IAS, Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; Shri Deepak Sood, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; Shri P Balaji, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Digital Communications\r\n   </p> \r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; Shri R. S. Sarda , Wireless CTO , Huawei India \r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; Shri Randeep Raina, CTO, Nokia India</p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n   &#9679; Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, CTO & CRO, Indus Towers\r\n   </p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri EitanKoter, CEO, Vimmi, Israel</p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Jared Dougherty, AVP, External & Regulatory Affairs, AT&T Asia Pacific\r\n   (Singapore) </p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'digital-the-next-revolution', 1, 0, '2021-06-10', '2021-06-10', '', '', 4, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(146, 'Outcome ReportWebinar on PLI Scheme - Pharmaceuticals & White Goods - ACs', 'Production linked incentive is a very wide base scheme. It is launched with the objective to encourage domestic manufacturing and to make India - a manufacturing hub of the world', '<center style=\'bottom-border:1px solid black;\'>\r\n    <p><b>Outcome ReportWebinar on PLI Scheme - Pharmaceuticals & White Goods - ACs </b></br>\r\n    <b>and LED lights<b><br>\r\n    2nd July 2021, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm<br>\r\n    </p>\r\n    </center>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    Special Address:   Rakesh Nangia, Founder & Chairman, Nangia Andersen India Pvt Ltd.\r\n   </p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  Rakesh Nangia gave a special address and instated a brief overview of the overall PLI Scheme.\r\n   Below are some highlights given by him:</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; Production linked incentive is a very wide base scheme. It is launched with the objective to\r\n    encourage domestic manufacturing and to make India - a manufacturing hub of the world.\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; This manufacturing sector has placed such a vital role in terms of job creation, substituting\r\n    import, acting as a GDP multiplier. \r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; The total amount committed by the government is close to 1.65 lakh crore in the shape of a\r\n    subsidy. This subsidy is available and available for 5 years to 6 years, depending on the sector\r\n   </p> \r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; The government is giving a fixed outlay - timely movement timing making an obligation is\r\n    prerequisite and important.\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  <b>  Nischal S Arora, Partner, Nangia Andersen LLP:</b></p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n   He presented PLI Scheme overview for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers including, Sectoral Overview,\r\n    Scheme Eligibility, Eligible Investments, and Selection criteria to the participants. Below are some\r\n    highlights of the presentation made him:\r\n   </p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n   <b>  Mayank Arora, Director, Nangia Andersen LLP</b>\r\n   </p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n   He presented PLI Scheme overview for White Goods Manufacturers including, Sectoral Overview,\r\n   Scheme Eligibility, Eligible Investments, and Selection criteria to the participants. Below are some\r\n   highlights of the presentation made him:\r\n   </p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'Outcome-ReportWebinar-on-PLI-Scheme', 1, 0, '2021-07-02', '2021-07-02', '3:00 pm', '4:00 pm', 5, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(147, 'Webinar on Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry', 'Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes are a cornerstone of the Government\'s &apos;Atmanirbhar Bharat\' mission. Announced with a total outlay of INR 1.97 lakh crores for 13 sectors, PLI Schemes aims to create domestic manufacturing champions and generate employment opportunities.', '<center style=\'bottom-border:1px solid black;\'>\r\n    <p><b>Webinar on Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry </b></br>\r\n    <br> 3rd June 2021; 3:00pm to 4:30pm<br>\r\n    </p>\r\n    </center>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n   <b>Webinar Brief:</b>\r\n   </p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n   Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes are a cornerstone of the Government\\\'s &apos;Atmanirbhar\r\n   Bharat\' mission. Announced with a total outlay of INR 1.97 lakh crores for 13 sectors, PLI Schemes\r\n   aims to create domestic manufacturing champions and generate employment opportunities.</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    One of the PLI Schemes, recently introduced, is for the Food Processing Industry (the FPI Scheme). The\r\n    FPI Scheme has an implementation window of 6 years, starting from Financial Year 2021-22 and offers\r\n    an aggregate incentive of INR 10,900 crores. The FPI Scheme seeks to support food manufacturing\r\n    entities towards significant expansion in their capacities. It also provides support for the branding and\r\n    marketing of Indian brands in overseas markets.\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    ASSOCHAM organized a webinar on 3rd June 2021 from 03:00 pm to 04:30 pm jointly with Dhruva\r\n    Advisors. The webinar entailed: \r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    I. A comprehensive analysis of the FPI Scheme\r\n   </p> \r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    II. Coverage, eligibility and exclusions under the FPI Scheme\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    III. Process and time period for making application for approval under the FPI Scheme and grant\r\n    of incentive therein.\r\n    </p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n   IV. The FPI scheme operative period.\r\n   </p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n   V. Areas to look out by the applicants and so on.\r\n   </p>\r\n   <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n   VI. Lastly, the Question and Answer session.\r\n   </p>\r\n   \r\n    ', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'webinar-on-production-linked-incentive-scheme-for-food-processing-industry', 1, 0, '2021-06-03', '2021-06-03', '3:00 PM', '4:30 PM', 5, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(148, 'Banking & Financial Lending Companies E-Summit & Awards', 'The ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking successfully conducted National E-Summit & Awards \\\"Digital\r\n  Financial Services: Response to Atmanirbhar Bharat\\\" for giving awards to Banking & Financial Lending\r\n  Companies on Thursday, 29th April 2021 (11:00 AM- 03:00 PM).', '\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  The ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking successfully conducted National E-Summit & Awards \"Digital\r\n  Financial Services: Response to Atmanirbhar Bharat\" for giving awards to Banking & Financial Lending\r\n  Companies on Thursday, 29th April 2021 (11:00 AM- 03:00 PM).\r\n </p>\r\n <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n <b>Eminent panel members were:</b>\r\n </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, Former Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance, GoI; Shri Sunil Mehta, Chief\r\n  Executive, Indian Banks\' Association; Shri Ajit Pai, Distinguished Expert and Consultant, Vice Chairman, Niti\r\n  Aayog; Shri Ashvin Parekh, Managing Partner, Ashvin Parekh Advisory Services LLP; Shri George Alexander\r\n  Muthoot, MD, Muthoot Finance Limited; Shri Vishal Motwani, Head of Customer Solutions, India and South\r\n  Asia, SWIFT; Shri Rishi Gupta, MD & CEO, Fino Payment Bank Ltd.; Shri Lalit Mehta, CEO, Decimal Technologies\r\n  Pvt. Ltd.; Shri S. Ramann, MD & CEO, National E-Governance Services Ltd.; CA Anil Goel, Founder & Chairman,\r\n  AAA Insolvency Professionals LLP; Shri Nirmal Gangwal, Founder & Chairman, Brescon & Allied Partners LLP,\r\n  and many more.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  ASSOCHAM National E-Summit & Awards on Banking & Financial Lending Companies was divided into\r\n  following sessions: \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Inaugural Session \"Digital Financial Services: Response to Atmanirbhar Bharat\".\r\n </p> \r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Panel Discussion-1: MD & CEO Virtual Round Table \"Robustness of Banking System & Role Of Financial\r\n  Lending To Achieve The Vision Of $ 5 Trillion Economy By 2024\".\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Panel Discussion-2: Bad Bank, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) & Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)\r\n  \"Is It A Remedy or Malady For New Economy\".\r\n  </p> \r\n  ', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'Banking-Financial-Lending-Companies', 1, 0, '2021-04-29', '2021-04-29', '11:00 AM', '03:00 PM', 6, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(149, 'Shadow Monetary Policy Committee', 'The ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking successfully conducted Shadow Monetary Policy Committee', '<center>\r\n  <p>\r\n  Shadow Monetary Policy Committee<br>\r\n  \"Discussion on Monetary Policy\"<br>\r\n  Saturday, 03rd April 2021 (03:30 PM- 04:30 PM)\r\n  </p>\r\n  </center>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  The ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking successfully conducted Shadow Monetary Policy\r\n  Committee \\\"Discussion on Monetary Policy\" on Saturday, 03rd April 2021 from 03:30 PM- 04:30\r\n  PM\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  <b>Some of the eminent panelists were:</b>\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  Shri S. C. Aggarwal, Senior Member, ASSOCHAM &amp; CMD, SMC Group; Dr. Arvind Virmani,<br />Former Chief Economic Advisor, Government of India; Shri Rishi Gupta, Co-Chairman,<br />ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking and MD &amp; CEO, Fino Payment Bank Ltd.; Shri Indranil<br />Sen Gupta, Chief Economist, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Shri Abheek Barua, Chief<br />Economist &amp; Executive VP, HDFC Bank; Shri. Sibasish Mishra, Director, Acceptance Re<br />Innovation Technology, and Dr. Charan Singh, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council forBanking.</p>\r\n', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'shadow-monetary-policy-committee', 1, 1, '2021-04-03', '2021-04-03', '03:30 PM', '04:30 PM', 6, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09');
INSERT INTO `events` (`id`, `title`, `short_desc`, `long_desc`, `registration`, `reg_link`, `image`, `slug`, `status`, `deleted`, `start_date`, `end_date`, `start_time`, `end_time`, `sector_id`, `region_id`, `priority`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(150, 'Shadow Monetary Policy Committee', 'The ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking successfully conducted Shadow Monetary Policy Committee', '<center>\r\n  <p>\r\n  Shadow Monetary Policy Committee<br>\r\n  \"Discussion on Monetary Policy\"<br>\r\n  Tuesday, 01st June April 2021 (03:00 PM- 04:30 PM)\r\n  </p>\r\n  </center>\r\n\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  The ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking successfully conducted Shadow Monetary Policy\r\n  Committee \\\"Discussion on Monetary Policy\" on Tuesday, 01st June April 2021 from 03:00 PM\r\n  to 04:30 PM. The total number of participants were more than 40.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  <b>Some of the eminent panelists were:</b>\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  Shri S. C. Aggarwal, Senior Member, ASSOCHAM & CMD, SMC Group; Dr. Arvind Virmani,\r\n  Former Chief Economic Advisor, Government of India & Chairman, EGROW Foundation; Shri\r\n  Rishi Gupta, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking and MD & CEO, Fino\r\n  Payment Bank Ltd.; Upasna Bhardwaj, Sr. Economist & Sr. VP, Kotak Mahindra Bank; Shri\r\n  Siddhartha Sanyal, Chief Economist & Head- Research, Bandhan Bank, and Dr. Charan Singh,\r\n  Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking.</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'shadow-monetary-policy-committee', 1, 1, '2021-06-01', '2021-06-01', '03:00 PM', '04:30 PM', 6, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(151, 'Economic & Financial Covid Task Force', 'The ASSOCHAM successfully conducted the Economic & Financial Covid Task Force ', '<center>\r\n  <p>\r\n  Economic & Financial Covid Task Force<br>\r\n  Thursday, 13th May 2021 (11:30 AM- 12:30 PM)\r\n  </p>\r\n  </center>\r\n\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  The ASSOCHAM successfully conducted the Economic & Financial Covid Task Force on Thursday, 13th May\r\n  2021 from 11:30 AM- 12:30 PM.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  <b>Some of the eminent panelists were:</b>\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  Shri S. C. Aggarwal, Senior Member, ASSOCHAM & CMD, SMC Group; Dr. Arvind Virmani,\r\n  Former Chief Economic Advisor, Government of India & Chairman, EGROW Foundation; Shri\r\n  Rishi Gupta, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking and MD & CEO, Fino\r\n  Payment Bank Ltd.; Upasna Bhardwaj, Sr. Economist & Sr. VP, Kotak Mahindra Bank; Shri\r\n  Siddhartha Sanyal, Chief Economist & Head- Research, Bandhan Bank, and Dr. Charan Singh,\r\n  Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council for Banking.</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'economic-&-financial-covid-task-force', 1, 1, '2021-05-13', '2021-05-13', '11:30 AM', '12:30 PM', 6, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(152, 'National Council on Railways', 'Railway development has laggedbehind and have hasnot seen any significant development for the past 15 to 20 years. Currently, the Indian railway is handling 30 per centof the overall freight business in India as comapred to 40-50 per cent in 1950', '<center>\r\n  <p><strong>Virtual Meeting</strong></p>\r\n  </center><center>\r\n  <p><strong>National Council on Railways</strong></p>\r\n  </center><center>\r\n  <p><strong>04:00 P.M. April 10, 2021</strong></p>\r\n  </center>\r\n \r\n  <center>\r\n  <p><strong><u>Summary Record of discussions</u></strong></p>\r\n  </center>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">A meeting of the National Council on Railways was held through virtual mode on 10th April 2021.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">  Vivek Lohia, Chairman of the Councilwelcomed the members. He was joined by   Sanjeev Kumar, Co-Chairman, and   K N Ramesh, Co-Chairman of the Council.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">Following is the gist of the discussions:</p>\r\n  \r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  Railway development has laggedand hasnot seen any significant development for the past 15 to 20 years. Currently, the Indian railway is handling 30 per centof the overall freight business in India as comapred to 40-50 per cent in 1950. Thedeveloped world like USA &amp; China railway is handling 50 per cent of the freight&nbsp;business.</p>\r\n  \r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  \r\n  The augmentation of track capacity is far behind as compared to major global players in the railway sector becauseglobal players augmented track capacity substantially. In the passenger segment, in the first 20 to 30 years of independence, we were the leaders as compared to Asian neighbours. Thenour Asian neighbours lead efforts for modernization and resulted to provide far better amenities as compared to Indian Railways. Our Government has now realized that the corrective steps should be takenmuch faster. The initiatives should be in terms of privatization of rail cars and in freight sector allowing private sector participation for making freight business more inclusive.</p>\r\n  \r\n \r\n \r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">Track infrastructure is critical for the growth of Railways. It is the backbone for Railways to develop, but there is a huge challenge from the EPC side. To expedite the projects, it must be done at a comprehensive level as has been done in the road projects.</p>\r\n\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  National Rail Plan is key to progress and preparing a National Rail Plan is a humongous task. There have been ideas for creating innovation fundsas there is no right method to buy digital solutions of the innovation of digitization space. A separate innovation fund in Railways will bring key innovation which will help Railways in long term rather than procuring on L1 basis because that never brings innovation in the product.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">Railways is now embarking on major developments like rolling stock, electrification of tracks, and modernization of stations. The work has been done with large developments. It is a huge opportunity for the Indian industry. There is a need to engage with Railways on a constant and regular basis and bring a major change with how the businesses are done.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n  The National Rail Plan is a vision document and for any organization to grow manifold, hence Railwaysmust work as per its vision document. The NRP is quite comprehensive and modern data built needs to be linked with National Infrastructure Pipeline.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">The underline issue is the ease of doing business that the industry wants from the Government. The other concerning area is vendor management and there is a need to reassess the vendor management at the micro-level,the regional level, and central levelas it is a large gamut. There are too many vendors and confusingclassification which put many MSMEs out of business due tothe L1 concept.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">The availability of funds and payment systems needs to be streamlined as many payments are still pending with authorities. It needs to be reassessed with Railway Board for concrete policies on the fast release of payments.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">The Bank Guarantee management is a major issue&nbsp;for many members like EPC or Rolling Stock Suppliers as bank guarantee lying with Railways has no benefit to them. There must be understanding with Banks that bank guarantee should be automatically lapsed with the document returned or not.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">The Procurement portal of Indian Railways i.e.,Indian Railway E-Procurement System (IREPS)has done a wonderful job with digitization instead of paperwork.The Government of India announced another platform for procurement through mega procurement portal i.e., Government E-Marketplace (GEM) but it has its limitations that commodities price is getting higher as there is no price variation clause in the Government E-Marketplace portal. If Railways want to migrate from Indian Railway E-Procurement System to Government E-Marketplace,this pricing clausemust be looked into.</p>\r\n  \r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">RDSO functioning needs much more ease of doing business and requires a re-look into micro-level as it involves vendor approval system and other systems. On one hand, Indian Railways wants to modernizewith new technologies, and on the other hand, where there are less than 3 vendors, the approval fee is US$ 12000. On one hand,they are willing to provide green carpet for new technology and on another hand,they have put a restrictive fee for approval in the digital platform. So, there are dichotomies thatthe railwayhas to look into and remove anomalies. There must be a system where these things are looked into threadbare.&nbsp;</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">The Atma Nirbhar Bharat&nbsp;is an excellent initiative thatneeds to be implemented in letter and spirit by giving MSMEs a share like Japan and Korea developed Railways and other sectors. If such initiatives are taken up by Indian Railways, MSME will play an important role.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">There is a disadvantage for manufacturers as the standards in India by Railways are not comparable with what is being used in the rest of the world.&nbsp; To develop a specific product only for India which cannot be used in other&nbsp;surrounding countries will not be viable from economies of scale point of view. So,to encourage Make in India, Railways should have the same standards as other manufacturers have for exporting to other countries. The Make in India policy is complex and in fact, Railways are not attempting 100 per cent procurement policy the way it should be. we are importing from China and other countries. There is a need to increase standards in the welding department and automatically increase in quality of products with safety.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">Bid or contract documents are one-sided in some clauses, for example in DMRC it is based on FIDIC, but conditions are changed. There is a need to look into the document for fairness and equityfor both parties. As the steel prices are going up,there is a need for escalation formula for compensation of cost increased and client can have an actual change in prices and accordingly change the formula percentage to the extent contractors are compensated. It is a situation where the steel is increased by 23 per cent but the overall impact is 60 per cent.&nbsp; There is a need to draw a parallel between Road and Railway work.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">The new product introduction is extremely difficult for MNCs in India.&nbsp; When the introduction of new technology comes in and is involved in the model of procurement with competition, the lower bidder is given preference, instead, there should be some recognition to new technology with the efficiency. Indian Railways do not provide life cycle cost as it is decided on tender based onthe lower bidder. RDSO and Indian Railways shouldrecognise the contributionofthe industry as it is bringing the latest technologies at the best price which involves engineering investments.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">There is a need to encourage Indian industry and promote homegrown technology. RDSO should consider giving project-based development orders that are to be completed in a time-bound manner rather than supply-based development orders. Once a development order is given on a particular specification, Railway should be accepting it even if they have changed or revised the specification or the procurement criteria (e.g., bundling of various products under one specification by doing revision).</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">Railways should consider amending relevant ISO (International Organization for Standardization) document forthe CCA (Controller of Certifying Authorities) assessment. It should be done based onthe existing capability of the firm in terms of existing P&amp;M (Plant &amp; Machinery), existing Testing facilities, and existing required skill in the company and not to ask the company to invest beforehand for setting up of relevant Plant&amp; Machinery and Testing facility for doing CCA. These things are to be checked after the development of the product and not before. Because many a times development takes time and assets sit idle without any return which discourages for making a huge investment into the business.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">Innovation fundsshould be made available for promoting indigenous technology that will be utilized as per ease of doing business. Railways are in a big way going for green technology by 2030. This will also help Make in India initiatives.</p>\r\n  <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">The council should identify themes to create linkage with defined priority areas of ASSOCHAM so that the Chamber&rsquo;s larger agenda is pushed forward throughout the year.</p>\r\n  <p>The meeting ended with a Vote of Thanks to the Chair.</p>', '', '', 'event_img-1.jpg', 'national-council-on-railways', 1, 1, '2021-04-10', '2021-04-10', '04:00', '04:00', 7, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(153, 'National Rail Plan-Fast Track India towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat', 'ASSOCHAM organized a Webinar on &apos;National Rail Plan-Fast Track India towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat&apos; on March 10, 2021. Welcome Address The welcome address was given by   Vivek Lohia, Chairman,', '<center>\r\n    <p><strong>Webinar on </strong></p>\r\n    </center><center>\r\n    <p><strong>National Rail Plan-Fast Track India towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat</strong></p>\r\n    </center><center>\r\n    <p><strong><u>DATE: 10th March 2021</u></strong></p>\r\n    </center>\r\n   \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">ASSOCHAM organized a Webinar on &lsquo;</strong><strong>National Rail Plan-Fast Track India towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat</strong><strong>&rsquo; on March 10, 2021. The welcome address was given by </strong><strong>  Vivek Lohia, Chairman, National Council on Railways, ASSOCHAM</strong><strong>. Other Key Panellists included </strong><strong>  Anshul Gupta, General Manager, North East Frontier Railway</strong><strong>; </strong><strong>  V Shanker, Executive Director - Planning, Ministry of Railways;   Sushil Nowal, Senior Vice President &ndash; Logistics &amp; Planning, JSW Steel Limited; Dr. Manoj Singh, Executive Director- Traffic Transportation (Freight), Ministry of Railways;   Manish Puri, MD, RailRunner Innovations Private Limited; Surendra Khare, Sr. GM, Jindal Rail Infra Ltd;   Nanduri Srinivas, Director &ndash; Operations &amp; Business Development, DFCCIL;   Saurabh Sood, Managing Director, GATX India;   Lalit Tejwani, CMO, Hind Rectifiers Limited;   Amit Agarwal, Vice President &ndash; Sales Marketing &amp; Service, Amber Enterprises Pvt Ltd.;   Subodh Kumar, Sr. GM, Welspun Enterprises Limited;   C L Sah, General Manager, RITES Ltd., and   Mangal Dev, Director, Hitachi India Pvt Ltd.</strong></p>\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>  K N Ramesh, Co-Chairman, National Council on Railways, ASSOCHAM &amp; Executive Director, BEML Limited gave the concluding address.. </strong><strong>The session was moderated by   Sanjeev Kumar, Co-Chairman, National Council on Railways, ASSOCHAM &amp; COO, Progress Rail Innovations Private Limited</strong><strong>.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>\r\n     Vivek Lohia </strong><strong>said that &ldquo;the </strong><strong>Rail sector has vast scope for growth. Railways has come out with the National Railway Plan, which lays emphasis to increase the market share of Indian Railways from the present 28 per cent to 42 per cent by FY 2031. It seeks to serve passengers and attract them from alternative modes of transportation. The overall long-term rail development plan has been stated and efficiencies in the railway infrastructure have been identified under this plan. The plan prioritizes the projects and evaluates the funding requirement and the financial strategies for Indian Railways. Steps like DFCs enabling private participation in railways, the introduction of high-speed rails, new and improved technologies, and forward-looking policies will not only help Indian Railways increase its market share compared to alternative modes of mobility like road and water transport but also completely transform Indian Railways to a true world-class transportation system counted amongst best in the world. The freight cost in India is significantly higher around 7 per cent and the global average is 3%, so there is a significant scope of reduction of this cost for the Indian economy to move towards 5 trillion benchmarks. The national rail plan is in the right direction towards achieving this road map. </strong></p>\r\n    \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>  V Shanker said that &ldquo;as other sectors like aviation have become competitive, there was a need to create a plan to make railways also competitive. The huge unmet demand gradually led to roads, which led to a fall in the share of railways. There is a need to increase railway share from 28 % to 45% and also to reduce theoverall cost of logistics. The objective of the plan is to create demand to bring in a surge in capacity, infrastructure and also enhance rail freight share ahead of its demand. Also to develop capacity by 2030 that will cater to growing demand up to 2050.</strong></p>\r\n    <p ><strong>The objective is to provide an overall long term rail development plan in passenger and freight areas, to assess present and future modal share of railways; to study the rail infrastructure deficiencies and future Infrastructure requirements, demand forecast and its implication on the congested network; identifications of options, evaluation, and prioritization of projects and finally to the assessment of funding requirements and financing strategies. The plan will help in reducing the cost of rail transport by 30 per cent - across the cost spectrum, bringing the infrastructure and business planning on the same platform and lastly the target under the national rail plan will focus on data points &ndash; a commodity to customer migration.</strong></p>\r\n \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>  Anshul Gupta, General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway said that &ldquo;the focus is on how demands are changing by increasing supply through infrastructure development with a special focus on the northeast frontier region. To ready with forthcoming demand by 2030, we should be able to create infrastructure not only to meet the existing and forthcoming demand but also demand which will be arising in 2050. The Railways can become a growth driver for the Indian economy if we follow these guidelines. On North-East Frontier Railway, speeds are very low and model shares are about 26 per cent because of a lot of infrastructure bottlenecks in this railway zone. Under this plan in the next 10 to 15 years, the northeast region will be a super-hub of economic activities.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>  Sanjeev Kumar said that &ldquo;the kind of exercise that the Government has done with National Rail Plan has probably done for the first time in the history of Indian Railways. It is very futuristic as industry members appreciate the vision and intent of the Government. We are talking about developing capacity infrastructure in such a manner that we build the capacity by 2030 and that will cater to growing demand by 2050. It is a great initiative because most of the time we see any infrastructure sector as we start building the capacity once the demand has come up as in case of roads, real estate, office infrastructure, or any other infrastructure sector has seen demand driving the capacity. Looking at the various funding options and work done by Indian Railways if we achieve 60 per cent, it is a great achievement. It is actually transit capacity enhancement and service provision. It will increase the predictability of customers whether it is freight customers or passengers for an increase of speed.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n  \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>Following major issues and suggestions emerged during the discussions:</strong></p>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>If Railways can help in developing tourism circuits with the help of the private sector, a lot of economic activity can be generated in the northeast area. A lot of economic and industrial activities have started with Sikkim as it is now a hub of pharmaceuticals and heavy engineering industry are being set up. The demand will increase in the next few years and how northeast region and other areas/ sections of railways meet this demand should be the focus areas of the National Rail Plan.&nbsp;</strong></p>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>Safety is important for Indian Railway as Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) will come in a big way for North East Frontier Railway and similarly, TCAS will be implemented on the entire railway network by 2024. It is indigenous technology and already RDSO has come with a plan for more vendors. It is a joint venture of Railway, RDSO, and private industry, and even foreign technology providers from Russia, Japan, and Europe have shown interest to tie up with RDSO to manufacture technology in India</strong></p>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>There is a need to achieve a target of doubling model share and there is a need to focus on additional commodities and increasing share of containers in domestic space as there are multiple ways of doing with pricing. Pricing is one way that railways can look and the sector is constantly engaged with railways on trying to achieve the right price to attract more traffic on to the rail.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>There is a need to use new technology and wagons which are bimodule in nature like the wagons which work as road vehicles as well as rail vehicles. This is a trial which has been done on Indian Railway system and some Companies are looking to bring this technology to India for future. These ideas are important to increase containerization.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>The National Rail Plan is an extremely ambitious plan which looks at a lot of investments in infrastructure whether it is in the form of new freight corridors and new terminals. This will provide ample opportunities to the private sector.</strong></p>\r\n    <p><strong>Railways need to look forward to different and new modern models for private partnership and evolve models for different types of projects whether the project is for the development of terminals, or it is for rolling stock. There is an appetite for taking up terminals and rolling stock and should be looked for the encouragement of private participation.</strong></p>\r\n   \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>It is recommended to modify policies for providing opportunities to firms by placing developmental orders to help in establishing and developing the technological capabilities of firms. The Government of India&rsquo;s initiative to increase local content for developing local suppliers for technological development is essential.</strong></p>\r\n   \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>There should be a system under which nodal agencies resolve all queries. To do away with procedural delay in an efficient and transparent manner, a single-window channel is needed which may be done through a digital platform.</strong></p>\r\n   \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>A centralized agency should be created to efficiently address and evaluate new ideas for implementation and arrange requisite reports on such ventures.</strong></p>\r\n   \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>Dedicated Freight Corridor is looking forward to the facilities which will be developed by the partners. In this regard, DFC has already identified terminals as key points and in the first phase of development, there is an opportunity for private freight terminals. There are a lot of responses that are coming for the development of freight terminals on DFC land. DFC will be coming up with multi-modal logistics parks in Rewari and Kanpur and also in other places where land is in possession of DFC. It will be establishing benchmarks logistic parks which are multi-modal logistic parks and terminals which will serve as benchmarks for the industry to start.</strong></p>\r\n    \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>The Railway sector is required to increase cost competitiveness with the freight policies and by bringing additional commodities or by bringing a specialized vehicle for wagons in the system. If the challenges of cost and competence of the rail sector are resolved, it will enable people to move a larger proportion of goods on this network.</strong></p>\r\n   \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>The Webinar was attended by 150 representatives of the industry.</strong></p>', '', '', 'event_img-1.jpg', 'national-rail-plan-fast-track-india-towards-atma-nirbhar-bharat', 1, 0, '2021-03-10', '2021-03-10', '', '', 7, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(154, 'COVID19 - Impact & Changing Role of Railways', 'ASSOCHAM organized a Webinar on COVID19 - Impact & Changing Role of Railways on May 9, 2020. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. A K Agarwal, Chairman, River Engineering Pvt.', '<center>\r\n      <p><strong>W E B I N A R</strong></p>\r\n      <p><strong>&nbsp;COVID19 - Impact &amp; Changing Role of Railways</strong></p>\r\n      <p>May 9, 2020</p>\r\n      <p ><strong><u>Brief Report</u></strong></p>\r\n      <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">ASSOCHAM organized a Webinar on COVID19 - Impact &amp; Changing Role of Railways on May 9, 2020.</strong><strong> The welcome address was delivered by Dr. A K Agarwal, Chairman, River Engineering Pvt. Ltd. Shri Manoj Kumar, VP &amp; Director &ndash; Sales &amp; Projects, Hitachi Rail STS shared the Industry perspective and Key Address was delivered by Shri Arunendra Kumar, Former Chairman, Railway Board. Other key Panelists included &nbsp;</strong><strong>Shri S P Vavre, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, Central Railway, and Shri Ghanshyam Singh, Former Member &ndash; Traction, Railway Board.</p>\r\n     \r\n      <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">Discussions were focused on the post COVID-19 opportunities in Railways. Dr. A K Agarwal mentioned that &ldquo;the railway is generally earns its revenue from Passenger and Freight but this crisis has brought another opportunity and learning through Healthcare,&nbsp;Indian railways can think of well-equipped medical coaches in every passenger train&rdquo;. </strong></p>\r\n      <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>Shri S P Vavre mentioned that &ldquo;the Indian economy is three trillion dollars and continuing for the achievement of newer heights. Railways is moving fast, going ahead with challenges, resilient organization, and lifeline of the country. It is flexible and challenging the train transportation of grains, fertilizers, medical requirements to all parts of the Country&rdquo;. </p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">Shri Ghanshyam Singh highlighted that &ldquo;now considering the size of India we must appreciate that our government authority, our colleagues in the government have managed the Corona pandemic very effectively and in a very well manner. At least I could not believe that our policemen will stand in the grassroots to guard us round the clock, but they have stood even at the cost of their lives. Railways have played a very vital role in dealing with the corona pandemic under the great visionary leadership of Hon&rsquo;ble Minister of Railways and it came to the forefront to convert the coaches as mobile quarantine centres and mobile hospital units and as I know as of now they have converted approx 5000 coaches into a quarantine centre medical hospital&rdquo;. He said that &ldquo;due to this pandemic </strong><strong>time tables for goods and passenger trains may change&rdquo;.</p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>He also added, &ldquo;In the new Covid 19 scenario, there is a need for passenger coaches design for social distancing, thermal screening of passengers for monitoring the temperature of person. There will be a requirement of oxygen cylinders and guard for cleaning and onboard maintenance. Catering is the important segment for serving food to passengers with care of hygiene and safety. The material is required for sanitization and cleaning the coaches. For the electrical department, there is a need for loco cab improvement for Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots as there is less space for sanitizing the facility. The industry should come with a technology for providing more space in the cabin. The crew transportation is very important as the requirement to run the train safely and provide confidence to other loco pilots. For maintenance of the locomotives, the manpower is to be reduced by having a modular maintenance system that is self-diagnostic. For traction converters, there can be remote operations to be provided by OEM.&rdquo;</strong></p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>The product supplier should provide after-sales service to the Railways other than AMCs, warranty and liability services. In the future, there is a need for mechanizing the systems. O</strong><strong>ur stations have to be reoriented in the lines of airport security checks and the word security checks have to be replaced by the word medical check-ups. On the railway platforms, only those will be allowed to enter who have valid tickets and found medically fit.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>Post COVID-19 Railway stations should be modified, workplaces should be modified, &nbsp;all persons entering workplaces&nbsp;will be screened, that will scan the temperature of all the persons entering their workplaces. We should connect this temperature scanning machine or equipment with Artificial intelligence and provide such kind of equipment at our every place where there is a possibility of a large number of people coming. With this system of scanning the face of the person and the use of IT tools and Artificial Intelligence, we can filter out those persons who are likely to get infected by COVID-19 or any other infection. This type of innovative approach may be perhaps required in the train.</strong></p>\r\n     \r\n      <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>During the interactive session, the distinguished panel of speakers also took questions from the participants. </strong></p>\r\n     \r\n      <p style=\"text-align:justify;\"><strong>The Webinar was attended by 300 representatives of the industry.</strong></p>\r\n    \r\n     \r\n      </center>', '', '', 'event_img-1.jpg', 'covid19-impact-changing-role-of-railways', 1, 0, '2021-05-09', '2021-05-09', '', '', 7, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(155, '13th Global Insurance E-Summit & Awards', '', '\r\n   \r\n  \r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n    The ASSOCHAM National Council for Insurance successfully conducted the 13th Global Insurance E-Summit &\r\n    Awards \\\"Role of Insurance Sector in Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan\\\" on Thursday, 24th June 2021 from 11:00\r\n    AM to 02:30 PM.\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n    Eminent panel members were:\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n      T. L. Alamelu, Member (Non-Life), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India; Shri\r\n    Saurabh Mishra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance, GoI; Shri Radhakrishnan Nair, Former Member, IRDAI &\r\n    Director, ICICI Bank Limited; Shri G Srinivasan, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council for Insurance &\r\n    Director, National Insurance Academy; Shri Sandeep Ghosh, Leader- Financial Services, EY India Consulting;\r\n    Dr. Sandeep Dadia, CEO & Principal Officer, Aditya Birla Insurance Brokers Limited; Shri Vipin Anand, CoChairman, ASSOCHAM National Council for Insurance & MD, Life Insurance Corporation of India; Shri Anuj\r\n    Mathur, Co-Chairman ASSOCHAM National Council for Insurance and MD & CEO, Canara HSBC OBC Life\r\n    Insurance Company Limited; Shri Mahesh Balasubramanian, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Co.\r\n    Ltd.; Ms. G. Bharthi, CEO, Family Health Plan Insurance TPA Limited; Ms. Vibha Padalkar, MD & CEO, HDFC Life\r\n    Insurance Company Ltd. & Shri Shankar Garigiparthy, Country Manager & CEO, Lloyd&apos;s India Reinsurance\r\n    Branch; Shri Yashish Dahiya, Co-Chairman ASSOCHAM National Council for Insurance and Co-Founder & CEO,\r\n    Policy Bazaar; Shri Ashvin Parekh, Managing Partner, Ashvin Parekh Advisory Services LLP; Shri Ramanan S V,\r\n    CEO- India & South Asia, Intellect Design Arena; Shri Anurag Prasad, Co-Founder, Visit Health Private Limited\r\n    & Dr. P. Nandgopal, Founder & Mentor, Insurance Inbox and many more .\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n    ASSOCHAM National E-Summit & Awards on Banking & Financial Lending Companies was divided into\r\n    following sessions:\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\r\n    &#9679; Inaugural Session: \"Role of Insurance Sector in Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan\".<br>\r\n    &#9679; Panel Discussion-1: \"MD & CEO Virtual Round Table: Insurance Sector Call for Paradigm Shift\".<br>\r\n    &#9679; Panel Discussion-2: \"Role of Technology in Insurance - InsureTech\".\r\n    </p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', '13th-Global-Insurance-E-Summit-Awards', 1, 0, '2021-06-24', '2021-06-24', '11:00 AM', '02:30 PM', 10, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(156, 'First Virtual Meeting of National Council on Roads and Highways', 'The First Meeting of the National Council on Roads and Highways of ASSOCHAM was held through\r\n  video conferencing at 4:30 PM on 20th March 2021.', '<center><b>ASSOCHAM</b><br>\r\n  <b>Summary Record of</b><br>\r\n  \r\n  <b>First Virtual Meeting of National Council on Roads and Highways</b><br>\r\n  <center><b>Held at 4.30 PM on 20th March 2021\r\n  </b>\r\n  </center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  The First Meeting of the National Council on Roads and Highways of ASSOCHAM was held through\r\n  video conferencing at 4:30 PM on 20th March 2021.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  <b>  D.K. Sain,</b> Chairman of the Council welcomed all the participants and felt privileged to chair the\r\n  council at a time when India has embarked on the journey to become a US $ 5 trillion economy. He\r\n  assured his commitment to driving the council and requested all the members for their support and\r\n  valuable suggestions on different aspects of the roads and highways industry. The journey to begin\r\n  from US$ 2.3 trillion economy to achieve US$ 5 trillion economy is a long journey, but it is noticeable\r\n  that 50 per cent of GDP growth will be coming from the infrastructure sector, for which about INR 111\r\n  lakh crore will be spent in next four years and roads will play a major role in this journey.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  In his presentation, he mentioned that in the national infrastructure pipeline, road sector is the second\r\nbiggest beneficiary after power with INR 20 lakh crore spending plan by FY 2025, which is about INR 5\r\nLac crore per annum. Roads are the second-largest network globally with 59 lakh km, of which\r\nNational Highways account for 2 per cent of the total road network and carry 40 per cent of total\r\ntraffic and 65 per cent of commercial traffic. As road traffic is heavily loaded, there is a need to improve\r\nroad infrastructure for faster economic growth.\r\n</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\nHe mentioned, \"The sector has a CAPEX budget of INR 1.73 Lakh crore this year of which INR 1.22 Lac\r\ncr will come from NHAI and INR 0.51 lac cr will come from other sources. This is 40 per cent of INR 5\r\nLac cr, which is centrally driven, another 40 per cent will come from states and the remaining 20 per\r\ncent from the private sector. NHAI will award 8500 kms this year which is double of last year. The road\r\ncompletion target is of 11000 kms. This year which is about 32Kms per day. The major outlay is for\r\nstates like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Assam. InVit of INR 5000 crores for 5 operational\r\nroads have been announced and another 12 highways have been planned to be monetised. There is\r\nan emphasis on ATMS implementation and for new 4 & 6 lanes. The Government has announced a\r\nlabour portal on construction workers and NHAI is strengthening the dispute resolution mechanism.\r\nExport of iron ore has been stopped and import duty on steel has been reduced, which will bring down\r\nthe cost\".\r\n</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\nInitiatives for Growth drivers like digital advancement have already begun with Fastag made\r\nmandatory, which will increase freight traffic. Now 100 per cent FDI in the road sector is allowed which\r\nwill bring a lot of money in this sector. Govt has also come up with policy reforms in BOT and HAM\r\nprojects. The Government has made about 30 changes as a part of the reforms agenda. NHAI is\r\nseriously working on addressing key industry issues and there is now an emphasis on the adoption of\r\ninnovative technologies, design, and material.\r\n</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\nHowever, there are some focus areas and challenges like INR 97000 cr debt service liability for NHAI\r\nwhich will burden future project funding. Therefore, there is a need for faster asset monetisation and\r\nbring private investment. Further, there are about 888 projects which are delayed. This will require a\r\nbetter project monitoring mechanism. There is a need for single-window clearances, QCBS\r\nimplementation, and policy revision in BOT and HAM projects. All such timely initiatives and proactive\r\naction will bring positive effect in the sector. \r\n</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Vinod Kumar Agarwal, Co-Chairman of the Council appreciated the efforts and action taken by\r\nthe Government in the recent past. However, he said that there are some issues that are arising due\r\nto a lack of clarity in some of the GST provisions. As a result, contractors and concessioners&apos; are\r\nreceiving notices and the industry is not able to understand as to how to go about it\". The second\r\nissue which is hampering the growth of the industry is related to the high rise of prices of raw materials\r\nlike steel and cement. There should be some mechanism by which prices do not escalate too high. The\r\nGovernment should allow new plants and encourage new entrepreneurs in this segment so as to\r\nensure sufficient availability of these raw materials. Govt schemes like InVit need inventors&apos;\r\nconfidence. This would require clear, simple, and transparent rules so as to decide risk factors in a\r\nproject.   Agawal was requested to send a draft letter on these suggestions to ASSOCHAM for taking\r\nup with the Government.\r\n</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n<b>  Sandeep Reddy</b> Co-Chairman of the Council suggested having a strong single-window clearance\r\nsystem for speedy implementation of projects. Further, the coordination between Centre and states\r\nshould improve because the centre has embarked on a huge infrastructure plan but the\r\nimplementation part is not vibrant as the same remains with states. Hence, the centre should make a\r\nmechanism where states move implementation faster.\r\n</p>\r\n<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n<b>During the floor participation, the following major suggestions were made:</b>\r\n</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The current procurement system is highly leaned towards least priced quotations or bids.\r\n  INFRACON portal is not effective as many CVs of experts and individuals are fabricated as no\r\n  one can find out which one is right or wrong. Even one individual can have multiple CVs. As a\r\n  result, unrealistic lower prices are quoted to grab the Job. Despite the fact that a particular\r\n  work can not be done below a certain cost, prices as low as 40% are quoted. Under such\r\n  mechanism, the quality of work is compromised. Hence, there should be some minimum cutoff price below which no one can bid for a job. Since the Ministry is a single point authority,\r\n  QCBS should also be uniform.\r\n  </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Currently, many agencies are engaged in carrying out the investigation and checking the\r\n    roughness of pavement and road surface. But it is a matter of concern to note that different\r\n    agencies are giving different results for the same project. Therefore, there should be some\r\n    regulatory authority to monitor the authenticity of investigating agencies. Alternatively, only\r\n    those agencies should be assigned the investigation job who can give reliable data, else the\r\n    whole exercise of the investigation will be misleading for road users.\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679;   Balkrishan Goenka, Past-President, ASSOCHAM stated that the\r\n    government has given relief to PPP- Toll projects by giving extra time for Toll\r\n    collection due to pandemic. \"However, for HAM projects the only way to\r\n    compensate for the losses due to the pandemic is to compensate for the cost\r\n    incurred for interest during construction. A request is that interest on debt\r\n    amounts outstanding at the beginning of March 2020 be compensated at the\r\n    MCLR plus 1.25 for a period of 6 months,\" said   Goenka, Chairman,\r\n    Welspun Group.</p>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; During the Covid, Govt had announced some measures for a performance guarantee. But now\r\nthe performance guarantee and security which is about 22 per cent is substantially high.\r\nOverall Bank Guarantee exposure should be 10 per cent. As contractors are already providing\r\nperformance security, the provision of advance retention money should be done away with.</p>\r\n\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; There has been a good number of initiatives and circulars about the adoption of new\r\n    technologies but practically nothing has happened at the ground level. There is resistance at\r\n    the bottom line of implementing authorities. ASSOCHAM should keep one focus area on the \r\n    use of new technologies. The Government should make it compulsory to apply new\r\n    technology, design, and material in certain projects. It was decided that a small group of 4-5\r\n    members could discuss and present its findings and suggestions at the next webinar for wider\r\n    discussion on the subject.   Manpreet Sethi was requested to lead the group along with\r\n    prof. Dharamvir and a few more members who could give their valuable suggestions on the\r\n    subject.</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Keeping in view climate change and its impact, guidelines for extreme environmental impact\r\n    areas should be revised.   Shushil Gupta was requested to give more details about the\r\n    issues involved and suggestions in this specific segment, so that views of other members could\r\n    also be taken up on this specific subject.</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; It is always good practice to adopt the best international tools. For example, Japan is using\r\n    RAP-Recycle Asphalt Payment up to 70 per cent. Though many people in our Govt and private\r\n    sector are aware of new technologies but there is a huge problem with their applications.\r\n    There is a need to train and encourage all people who are engaged in this area.</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; The reliability of quality control data is a question mark. Hence, there should be some\r\n    mechanisms under which payment of bills is clubbed with quality of work.</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; There seems to be misuse of overlays as, despite the good condition of some of the roads,\r\n    overlays are being done without milling on it. Some old mindsets people prefer overlaying\r\n    instead of recycling. </p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    &#9679; In the Post covid scenario raw material has become costly and also there is uncertainly of its\r\n    uninterrupted supply. The Government should consider giving some relief to the contractors.\r\n    Inverted GST structure is an important issue and there is a need for rationalising GST on input\r\n    and output. GST paid on advances against work contract is not justified and it should be\r\n    abolished. Tax at source should be removed as it blocks cash flows.</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n      D K Sen informed the Sad demise of   Patankar, a former member, technical, NHAI and\r\n    a members of this Council who contributed immensely. Members of the council conveyed\r\n    condolences and kept one minute silence as a mark of gratitude and prayed the almighty to\r\n    rest the departed soul in peace.<br>\r\n    The Meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.\r\n    </p>\r\n    <p>******</p>\r\n    ', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'first-virtual-meeting-of-national-council-on-roads-and-highways', 1, 1, '2021-03-20', '2021-03-20', '', '', 25, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09');
INSERT INTO `events` (`id`, `title`, `short_desc`, `long_desc`, `registration`, `reg_link`, `image`, `slug`, `status`, `deleted`, `start_date`, `end_date`, `start_time`, `end_time`, `sector_id`, `region_id`, `priority`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(157, 'National Council on Roads and Highways', '<p style=\"text-align:justify;\">The First Meeting of the National Council on Roads and Highways of ASSOCHAM was held through\r\n  video conferencing at 4:30 PM on 20th March 2021.</p>', '<center><b>ASSOCHAM</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Summary Record of</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>First Virtual Meeting of National Council on Roads and Highways</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Held at 4.30 PM on 20th March 2021</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The First Meeting of the National Council on Roads and Highways of ASSOCHAM was held through\r\n  video conferencing at 4:30 PM on 20th March 2021.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>  D.K. Sain,</b> Chairman of the Council welcomed all the participants and felt privileged to chair the\r\n  council at a time when India has embarked on the journey to become a US $ 5 trillion economy. He\r\n  assured his commitment to driving the council and requested all the members for their support and\r\n  valuable suggestions on different aspects of the roads and highways industry. The journey to begin\r\n  from US$ 2.3 trillion economy to achieve US$ 5 trillion economy is a long journey, but it is noticeable\r\n  that 50 per cent of GDP growth will be coming from the infrastructure sector, for which about INR 111\r\n  lakh crore will be spent in next four years and roads will play a major role in this journey.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>In his presentation, he mentioned that in the national infrastructure pipeline, road sector is the second\r\n  biggest beneficiary after \r\n  with INR 20 lakh crore spending plan by FY 2025, which is about INR 5\r\n  Lac crore per annum. Roads are the second-largest network globally with 59 lakh km, of which\r\n  National Highways account for 2 per cent of the total road network and carry 40 per cent of total\r\n  traffic and 65 per cent of commercial traffic. As road traffic is heavily loaded, there is a need to improve\r\n  road infrastructure for faster economic growth.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> He mentioned, \"The sector has a CAPEX budget of INR 1.73 Lakh crore this year of which INR 1.22 Lac\r\n  cr will come from NHAI and INR 0.51 lac cr will come from other sources. This is 40 per cent of INR 5\r\n  Lac cr, which is centrally driven, another 40 per cent will come from states and the remaining 20 per\r\n  cent from the private sector. NHAI will award 8500 kms this year which is double of last year. The road\r\n  completion target is of 11000 kms. This year which is about 32Kms per day. The major outlay is for\r\n  states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Assam. InVit of INR 5000 crores for 5 operational\r\n  roads have been announced and another 12 highways have been planned to be monetised. There is\r\n  an emphasis on ATMS implementation and for new 4 & 6 lanes. The Government has announced a\r\n  labour portal on construction workers and NHAI is strengthening the dispute resolution mechanism.\r\n  Export of iron ore has been stopped and import duty on steel has been reduced, which will bring down\r\n  the cost\".</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Initiatives for Growth drivers like digital advancement have already begun with Fastag made\r\n  mandatory, which will increase freight traffic. Now 100 per cent FDI in the road sector is allowed which\r\n  will bring a lot of money in this sector. Govt has also come up with policy reforms in BOT and HAM\r\n  projects. The Government has made about 30 changes as a part of the reforms agenda. NHAI is\r\n  seriously working on addressing key industry issues and there is now an emphasis on the adoption of\r\n  innovative technologies, design, and material.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>However, there are some focus areas and challenges like INR 97000 cr debt service liability for NHAI\r\n  which will burden future project funding. Therefore, there is a need for faster asset monetisation and\r\n  bring private investment. Further, there are about 888 projects which are delayed. This will require a\r\n  better project monitoring mechanism. There is a need for single-window clearances, QCBS\r\n  implementation, and policy revision in BOT and HAM projects. All such timely initiatives and proactive\r\n  action will bring positive effect in the sector. </p>\r\n  \r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>  Vinod Kumar Agarwal,</b> Co-Chairman of the Council appreciated the efforts and action taken by\r\n  the Government in the recent past. However, he said that there are some issues that are arising due\r\n  to a lack of clarity in some of the GST provisions. As a result, contractors and concessioners\' are\r\n  receiving notices and the industry is not able to understand as to how to go about it\". The second\r\n  issue which is hampering the growth of the industry is related to the high rise of prices of raw materials\r\n  like steel and cement. There should be some mechanism by which prices do not escalate too high. The\r\n  Government should allow new plants and encourage new entrepreneurs in this segment so as to\r\n  ensure sufficient availability of these raw materials. Govt schemes like InVit need inventors\'\r\n  confidence. This would require clear, simple, and transparent rules so as to decide risk factors in a\r\n  project.   Agawal was requested to send a draft letter on these suggestions to ASSOCHAM for taking\r\n  up with the Government.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><>  Sandeep Reddy,</b> Co-Chairman of the Council suggested having a strong single-window clearance\r\n  system for speedy implementation of projects. Further, the coordination between Centre and states\r\n  should improve because the centre has embarked on a huge infrastructure plan but the\r\n  implementation part is not vibrant as the same remains with states. Hence, the centre should make a\r\n  mechanism where states move implementation faster.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b> Pooja Ahluwalia </b>from Primus Partners gave a presentation highlighting ASSOCHAM\\\'s functional\r\n  priority on identified 4 pillars and emphasised on deciding 3-4 themes by the council on key areas\r\n  which would be focused on during the Year. It was decided that a sample Template for the same would\r\n  be sent to members for their views, which will help them in identifying priority themes and setting the\r\n  agenda of the council for the Year.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>During the floor participation, the following major suggestions were made:</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; The current procurement system is highly leaned towards least priced quotations or bids.\r\n  INFRACON portal is not effective as many CVs of experts and individuals are fabricated as no\r\n  one can find out which one is right or wrong. Even one individual can have multiple CVs. As a\r\n  result, unrealistic lower prices are quoted to grab the Job. Despite the fact that a particular\r\n  work can not be done below a certain cost, prices as low as 40% are quoted. Under such\r\n  mechanism, the quality of work is compromised. Hence, there should be some minimum cutoff price below which no one can bid for a job. Since the Ministry is a single point authority,\r\n  QCBS should also be uniform.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679; Currently, many agencies are engaged in carrying out the investigation and checking the\r\n  roughness of pavement and road surface. But it is a matter of concern to note that different\r\n  agencies are giving different results for the same project. Therefore, there should be some\r\n  regulatory authority to monitor the authenticity of investigating agencies. Alternatively, only\r\n  those agencies should be assigned the investigation job who can give reliable data, else the\r\n  whole exercise of the investigation will be misleading for road users.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; During the Covid, Govt had announced some measures for a performance guarantee. But now\r\n  the performance guarantee and security which is about 22 per cent is substantially high.\r\n  Overall Bank Guarantee exposure should be 10 per cent. As contractors are already providing\r\n  performance security, the provision of advance retention money should be done away with.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; There has been a good number of initiatives and circulars about the adoption of new\r\n  technologies but practically nothing has happened at the ground level. There is resistance at\r\n  the bottom line of implementing authorities. ASSOCHAM should keep one focus area on the \r\n  \r\n  use of new technologies. The Government should make it compulsory to apply new\r\n  technology, design, and material in certain projects. It was decided that a small group of 4-5\r\n  members could discuss and present its findings and suggestions at the next webinar for wider\r\n  discussion on the subject.   Manpreet Sethi was requested to lead the group along with\r\n  prof. Dharamvir and a few more members who could give their valuable suggestions on the\r\n  subject.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Keeping in view climate change and its impact, guidelines for extreme environmental impact\r\n  areas should be revised.   Shushil Gupta was requested to give more details about the\r\n  issues involved and suggestions in this specific segment, so that views of other members could\r\n  also be taken up on this specific subject.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> &#9679; It is always good practice to adopt the best international tools. For example, Japan is using\r\n  RAP-Recycle Asphalt Payment up to 70 per cent. Though many people in our Govt and private\r\n  sector are aware of new technologies but there is a huge problem with their applications.\r\n  There is a need to train and encourage all people who are engaged in this area.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; The reliability of quality control data is a question mark. Hence, there should be some\r\n  mechanisms under which payment of bills is clubbed with quality of work.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; There seems to be misuse of overlays as, despite the good condition of some of the roads,\r\n  overlays are being done without milling on it. Some old mindsets people prefer overlaying\r\n  instead of recycling.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; In the Post covid scenario raw material has become costly and also there is uncertainly of its\r\n  uninterrupted supply. The Government should consider giving some relief to the contractors.\r\n  Inverted GST structure is an important issue and there is a need for rationalising GST on input\r\n  and output. GST paid on advances against work contract is not justified and it should be\r\n  abolished. Tax at source should be removed as it blocks cash flows.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>   D K Sen informed the Sad demise of   Patankar, a former member, technical, NHAI and\r\n  a members of this Council who contributed immensely. Members of the council conveyed\r\n  condolences and kept one minute silence as a mark of gratitude and prayed the almighty to\r\n  rest the departed soul in peace.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The Meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'national-council-on-roads-and-highways', 1, 0, '2021-03-20', '2021-03-20', '4.30 p.m', '4.30 p.m', 25, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(158, 'COVID19 - Impact and Investment Opportunities in Roads & Highways\r\n  ', 'ASSOCHAM organized a Webinar on COVID 19- Impact and Opportunities in Roads & Highways on June 16,\r\n  2020. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, President, ASSOCHAM, Shri B K\r\n  Goenka, Immediate Past President, ASSOCHAM Addressed the participants and shared the Industry\r\n  Perspective.', '<center><b>Webinar</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>COVID19 - Impact and Investment Opportunities in Roads & Highways\r\n  </b></center>\r\n  <center><b>June 16, 2020</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Brief Report</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  ASSOCHAM organized a Webinar on COVID 19- Impact and Opportunities in Roads & Highways on June 16,\r\n  2020. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, President, ASSOCHAM, Shri B K\r\n  Goenka, Immediate Past President, ASSOCHAM Addressed the participants and shared the Industry\r\n  Perspective. Key Addresses was delivered by the Chief Guest Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon&apos;ble Minister for Road\r\n  Transport & Highways and MSME, Govt. of India. Concluding remarks & a vote of thanks were given by Shri\r\n  Vinod Kumar Agarwal, Co-Chairman, Roads & Highways Council, ASSOCHAM and CMD, G R Infraprojects\r\n  Ltd.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Discussions were focused on the likely impact of COVID-19 on the overall economy and the post COVID-19\r\n  opportunities in Roads & Highways. Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani said \'\'the Ministry of Road Transport and\r\n  Highways, has rolled out many schemes and projects for better road connectivity. The ongoing pandemic\r\n  has created many challenges in this sector, but we understand that the government, through a series of\r\n  initiatives, is working on policies to attract significant investor interest\'\'.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani mentioned that the Government of India has given a massive push to infrastructure\r\n  development and the highways sector in India has been at the forefront of performance and innovation and\r\n  the government has successfully rolled out several projects on the Hybrid Annuity Model.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Shri B.K. Goenka, Immediate Past President, ASSOCHAM, and Chairman, Welspun Group said that \"under\r\n  the current economic circumstances, the government has to play an important role. The industry needs a\r\n  strong handholding from Government so that we can really become aatmnirbhar in the near future and we all\r\n  know that Infrastructure will play an important role in this journey\". He also put forth few important industry\r\n  issues for consideration of the Hon\'ble Minister.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Shri Nitin Gadkari said that \"major reforms in the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are being\r\n  undertaken in terms of de-centralisation of work and division of power\". He further mentioned that he was of\r\n  the opinion that \"we should issue an order whereby without Ministry\'s permission, NHAI should not\r\n  constitute any committee. They have become so dependent that every person tries to avert decision-making\r\n  at his end. There is also negativity and those who have a positive mindset are afraid to take decisions and\r\n  forward it to committees that consume a lot of time\".</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Hon\'ble Union Minister also mentioned that \"while in terms of ease of doing business the PM has taken\r\n  many decisions and India\'s ranking has also improved in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Rankings,\r\n\r\n  still certain steps need to be taken and bring in transparency to improve the working in the system. To\r\n  further improve, we will sit together and work on reforms for NHAI. For ease of doing business, we need\r\n  positivity, transparency, and a corruption-free system. Performance audits should be conducted and \r\n  decision-making should be fast-tracked. He also said that \"MoRTH will fix the responsibility in case when the\r\n  court gives a decision against the Ministry and on the basis of that it should be seen who is accountable for\r\n  such a decision\".</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Hon\'ble Minister also informed about a project management consultancy scheme which has probably been\r\n  finalised and it will prove to be very fruitful, be it in terms of technology and other related aspects of the road\r\n  infrastructure sector. He further suggested that the cost of construction can be reduced by using different\r\n  types of materials. The industry may propose new technology which will be considered by the Government.\r\n  Hon\'ble Minister also mentioned that low-hanging fruits like reducing construction costs, revamp of NHAI,\r\n  and digital transfer of money by incorporating latest information technology would give relief to the industry.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Shri Deepak Sood mentioned that \"there is a credit guarantee issued by the central government simply to\r\n  take care of the MSMEs. So I think we need to flag those issues in terms of how the MSMEs are really going\r\n  to get the money, especially if the banks are not really proactive. Shri Sood said construction and real estate\r\n  that employs 15 per cent of the total employment of India and after agriculture, of course, being second into\r\n  that segment becomes an important segment in terms of being able to proactively push it, so we are looking\r\n  for a demand push factor, and of course, we have to thank the honourable minister for is proactiveness in\r\n  the road safety\".</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Shri Vinod Kumar Agarwal proposed the vote of thanks and said Road transport is the arterial network of our\r\n  economy. Having a robust and efficient road system is the backbone essential to the sustainable economic\r\n  and inclusive growth of our country. He further mentioned that with the growth of cities and vehicular traffic,\r\n  the role of national highways will be critical towards not only decongesting the increasing traffic but also\r\n  creating multiple economic hubs through increased mobility. He also said that while the road sector has\r\n  seen significant growth, several challenges still persist, area like road maintenance assume much higher\r\n  significance given the fact that bad roads not only mean a huge cost impact but also negatively affect the\r\n  safety of users. Repair of existing roads is a key challenge both from a time and cost perspective. The\r\n  prolonged lane closure for repairs causes a significant hindrance to move traffic. Prefabrication of concrete\r\n  slabs offsite and assembling at the project site leads to major time-saving in comparison to repairs carried\r\n  out directly on working roads.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Shri Vinod Kumar Agarwal mentioned that in a country like India where the state of roads is a key concern\r\n  both in urban areas as well as highways, this technology offers immense advantages to both users as well\r\n  as the government agencies responsible for road maintenance. These technologies while providing benefit<p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  over traditional bitumen roads in terms of cost, durability as well as sustainability are also easier to\r\n  implement due to extensive implementation experience across the world and some limited implementation in\r\n  India as well. Similarly, the plastic road is another area where the world is learning from experiments being\r\n  carried out in India.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>During the interactive session, the distinguished panel of speakers also took questions from the\r\n  participants.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The Webinar was attended by 330 representatives of the industry.</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'covid19-impact-and-investment-opportunities-in-roads-highways', 1, 0, '2020-06-16', '2020-06-16', '', '', 25, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(159, 'Challenges and Opportunities in HAM & BOT Projects', 'ASSOCHAM organized a Webinar on Challenges and Opportunities in HAM & BOT\r\n  Projects on April 23, 2021.', '<center><b>Webinar on</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Challenges and Opportunities in HAM & BOT Projects\r\n  </b></center>\r\n  <center><b>April 23, 2021</b></center>\r\n  \r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  ASSOCHAM organized a Webinar on Challenges and Opportunities in HAM & BOT\r\nProjects on April 23, 2021. The Webinar was inaugurated by Shri Nitin Gadkari,\r\nHon&apos;ble Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Govt of India. Industry\r\nSpeakers included;   Vineet Agarwal, President, ASSOCHAM,   B K Goenka, Past\r\nPresident, ASSOCHAM,   D K Sen, Chairman, National Council, Roads and\r\nHighways, ASSOCHAM,   Vinod Agarwal, Co-Chairman, National Council on Roads\r\nand Highways, ASSOCHAM,   TVS Reddy, Co-Chairman, Roads and Highways,\r\nASSOCHAM, Shri Ashutosh Chandwar, Chairman, National Council on Underground\r\nConstruction and Tunneling, ASSOCHAM, and   Deepak Sood, Secretary-General,\r\nASSOCHAM.\r\n</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Following major issues and suggestions emerged from the discussions:\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679;   Nitin Gadkari, Hon\'ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways and MSME\r\n  during an interactive meeting with ASSOCHAM members said that \'\'a welldeveloped infrastructure enhances the level of economic activity, creates additional\r\n  fiscal space by improving revenue base of the Government, and ensures the quality\r\n  of expenditure focused on productive areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused\r\n  a slowdown in India, but its inherent resilience and capabilities will help it transform\r\n  into a new India with an accelerated growth path fueled by infrastructure. The\r\n  Government has given a massive push to the economy by allocating about $1.4\r\n  trillion for infrastructure to be invested until 2025. The highways sector in India has\r\n  been at the forefront of performance and innovation and the government has\r\n  successfully rolled out several projects on the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) for\r\n  building National Highways to speed up the construction of roads in the country by\r\n  renewing interest of private developers\'\'.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; The Minister informed that the Ministry is setting up a committee under the\r\nchairmanship of   K. Venkataramanan to reduce the dependency on steel\r\nand cement to reduce the cost of construction and look for alternatives.\r\n</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679;   Gadkari stated that all steel - whether produced from ore, billets, pellets, or\r\nmelting of scrap - would be allowed to be used for National Highway\r\nconstruction, as long as it meets the standards required for specific grades of\r\nsteel. The steel proposed to be used would be tested in NABL-accredited\r\nlaboratories as a third-party check before approval. He informed that his\r\nministry has managed to achieve three world records recently. \'\'Firstly, we\r\nhave managed to achieve a record by constructing 37 km of road per day\r\nduring 2020-21. Secondly, the construction of a 2.5 km four-lane concrete road\r\nwas achieved in a matter of 24 hours. Our ministry also achieved a record by\r\nconstructing a 26 km one-lane road in 24 hours flat. This is due to the efforts\r\nput by our engineers, contractors, and workers\'\'\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679;   Gadkari added that the Ministry has constructed 13,327 KM of National\r\nHighways up to March 2021 as compared to 10,237 Km in March 2020. \"The\r\naward figure is 10,965 km during this period as compared to 8,948 km in the\r\nprevious year. This kind of performance was never done earlier,\" He also\r\nmentioned that the Ministry has decided that all lanes in the fee plazas on\r\nNational Highways shall be declared as \'\'FASTag lane of the fee plaza\'\' with\r\neffect from midnight of 15th February 2021. \"As per NH Fee Rules 2008, any\r\nvehicle not fitted with FASTag or vehicle without valid, functional FASTag\r\nentering into the FASTag lane of the fee plaza, shall pay a fee equivalent to\r\ntwo times of the fee applicable to that category. This has been done to further\r\npromote fee payment through digital mode, reduce waiting time and fuel\r\nconsumption and provide for a seamless passage through the fee plazas,\" He\r\ninformed.\r\n\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> \r\n  &#9679;   Vineet Agarwal, President, ASSOCHAM stated that the Complexities of\r\ninfrastructure development need to be understood to ensure that the\r\nsupporting frameworks are effective. \"Lack of infrastructure is the primary\r\ngrowth constraint and government looks to the private sector to partner in\r\ndeveloping the same. Designing effective co-working models between the\r\npublic and private sectors would be a step towards efficient delivery,\" he said.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Sharing his perspective,   Deepak Sood, Secretary-General, ASSOCHAM\r\nexplained that the highways sector in India has been at the forefront of\r\nperformance and innovation and the government has successfully rolled out\r\nseveral projects on the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) for building National\r\nHighways to speed up the construction of roads in the country by renewing\r\ninterest of private developers. \"Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) and Build\r\nOperate and Transfer (BOT) model is attracting the interest of growing thrust\r\ntowards privatization and private sector participation in the development of\r\npublic infrastructure projects in India,\" he said.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679;   Balkrishan Goenka, Past-President, ASSOCHAM stated that the\r\n  government has given relief to PPP- Toll projects by giving extra time for Toll\r\n  collection due to pandemic. \"However, for HAM projects the only way to\r\n  compensate for the losses due to the pandemic is to compensate for the cost\r\n  incurred for interest during construction. A request is that interest on debt\r\n  amounts outstanding at the beginning of March 2020 be compensated at the\r\n  MCLR plus 1.25 for a period of 6 months,\" said   Goenka, Chairman,\r\n  Welspun Group.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679;   D K Sen, Chairman, Roads and Highways Council, ASSOCHAM\r\nmentioned that \"keeping the momentum in infrastructure is important as it\r\ncontributes heavily to the economic growth along with creating a large\r\nworkforce. Under the present Government, the sector has seen a great\r\ntransformation as INR 20 lac crore will be spent in the next 5 years. He\r\nsuggested that some parts of road projects should be constructed through\r\nconcrete so as to fully utilize the large number of equipments for making\r\nconcrete roads\".\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  &#9679; Shri Vinod Agarwal, Co-Chairman, Roads & Highways Council, ASSOCHAM\r\n  stated that \"Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) is an interesting model since it can be\r\n  widely applied to many diverse sectors and blends some financing with\r\n  performance risk transfer. HAM project by its very nature requires long-term\r\n  funding i.e. more than 15 years and hence linking the short-term interest rates\r\n  for a long-term tenure project is a structural issue that needs a relook as the\r\n  Concessionaires also suffered losses on account of lockdown. Shri Agarwal\r\n  also added that \"presently there are not many financial structures available to\r\n  the road projects; the primary form of finance is the bank finance in the form of\r\n  a Rupee Term loan\".\r\n  </p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'challenges-and-opportunities-in-ham-bot-projects', 1, 0, '2020-08-23', '2020-08-23', '', '', 25, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(160, 'POST COVID19 - Opportunities in Indian SEZs', 'ASSOCHAM in association with EPCES organized a Webinar on POST COVID-19 - Opportunities in Indian SEZs\r\n  at 2.30 p.m. on April 22, 2020.', '<center><b>Webinar</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>POST COVID19 - Opportunities in Indian SEZs</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Day & Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2020</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Time: 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Brief Report</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM in association with EPCES organized a Webinar on POST COVID-19 - Opportunities in Indian SEZs\r\n  at 2.30 p.m. on April 22, 2020. Dr. L B Singhal, Zonal Development Commissioner, Noida SEZ & other SEZs of\r\n  North India was the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address. Other key panelists included Shri R\r\n  Muthuraj, Development Commissioner, Sri City SEZ, Shri Bhuvnesh Seth, Vice Chairman, EPCES, and  \r\n  Hiternder Mehta, Co-chair, SEZ council ASSOCHAM.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Discussions were focused on the likely impact on the overall economy and the post COVID-19 opportunities\r\n  in SEZs. Dr. Singhal mentioned that in a new world order which will emerge post COVID-19, India will offer\r\n  tremendous opportunities for investment into new projects in SEZs, as there are easy and fast approvals with\r\n  ready infrastructure for both small and large businesses. In the time to come, opportunities in the services\r\n  sector like health, aviation, education, and tourism will also increase apart from the manufacturing.. There will\r\n  be good opportunities for EOUs as they are capable of creating hubs in different economic activities. EOU\r\n  scheme provides an additional advantage of geographical location as these could be set up anywhere in the\r\n  country.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Presently, in India, 240 SEZs are operational with infrastructure development of 40,000 hectare land and\r\n  availability of 22,000 hectare land for the establishment of new units into SEZs. All the key approvals relating\r\n  to land titles, environment, and infrastructure development of these SEZs are in place. In addition, there exists\r\n  an effective single window approval mechanism.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Indian SEZs provide direct employment to 2.2 million people and 3 times more is the indirect employment due\r\n  to backward and forward integration. Investment of approx. USD 77 billion US Dollars has been made so far.\r\n  The exports from the operational SEZs for the year ended 31st March 2019 stood over USD 100 Bn.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  Hitender Mehta, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM\'s National Council on SEZs mentioned that cost of setting-up\r\n  a unit is very competitive (approx. 20% lesser). All imports into, and exports from, SEZs are duty-free. There\r\n  is no implication of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the lease rentals paid by the SEZ Units. Moreover, the\r\n  SEZ units may sell their goods to the Indian marketplace as well by paying applicable customs duties on such\r\n  goods (as if such goods are being imported into India). In addition, a friendly foreign investment regulatory\r\n  framework, availability of low-cost labour and raw materials, make the SEZs a best case. These benefits are\r\n  attractive enough for the investors seeking to move their manufacturing base/ services operations into India.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>During the interactive session, Dr. Singhal also took questions from the participants. The major clarification\r\n  provided by Dr. Singhal included queries related to the MHA order on opening the SEZ activities from 20th April\r\n  2020, approval processes for exporters and investors in SEZs, various benefits being offered by SEZ in India,\r\n  and current operational issues and future scenarios.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The Webinar was attended by 180 representatives of industry, which included participation from Japanese,\r\n  Korean, and UK companies. Some participants from UAE and USA also joined the session\r\n  It was also highlighted that the Government has done commendable job in managing the lives and livelihoods\r\n  by taking timely initiatives. Ministry of Commerce has responded positively by extending foreign trade policy\r\n  provisions for one more year. It was expected that in long run India will bounce back and would take a lead in\r\n  economic activities.</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'post-covid19-opportunities', 1, 0, '2020-04-22', '2020-04-22', '2.30 p.m', '4.00 p.m', 27, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09');
INSERT INTO `events` (`id`, `title`, `short_desc`, `long_desc`, `registration`, `reg_link`, `image`, `slug`, `status`, `deleted`, `start_date`, `end_date`, `start_time`, `end_time`, `sector_id`, `region_id`, `priority`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(161, 'Special Economic Zone Investment Summit - Online', 'ASSOCHAM organized 14th International Special Economic Zone Investment Summit - The Reset of\r\n  Globalization and Rising India Opportunity on August 28, 2020.', '<center><b>14th International</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Special Economic Zone Investment Summit - Online</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>- The Reset of Globalization and Rising India Opportunity -</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>August 28, 2020</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Brief Report</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  ASSOCHAM organized 14th International Special Economic Zone Investment Summit - The Reset of\r\n  Globalization and Rising India Opportunity on August 28, 2020. The discussions were moderated by Shri\r\n  Hitender Mehta, Co-Chairman, National SEZs Council, ASSOCHAM. Theme address was given by Shri\r\n  Ravindra Sannareddy, Chairman, National SEZs Council, ASSOCHAM. Other key Panelists included Shri\r\n  Alok Vardhan Chaturvedi, Director General, Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs; Shri Srikanth\r\n  Badiga, Member, Central Governing Council, Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs; Dr. L B Singhal,\r\n  Former Development Commissioner, SEZs;   Rama Mohan Reddy, Development Commissioner,\r\n  Visakhapatanam SEZ;   Huw LLewllyn, Head of Property, Admiral Group Plc, UK; Shri Jasveer Singh,\r\n  Chief Business Officer, ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, Shri R Muthuraj, Development\r\n  Commissioner, Sricity SEZ; Shri Indranil Dasgupta, CEO, Attivo Economic Zones Pvt. Ltd.; Shri Loknath\r\n  Nadar, Business Head - ORIGINS by Mahindra World City, Ahmedabad.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Shri Sannareddy mentioned that there are nearly 5,400 SEZs today, more than 1,000 of which were\r\nestablished in the last five years. Globally, SEZs are equipped with efficient infrastructure, quality services,\r\na favorable business environment, few regulatory restrictions, and a minimum of red tape. They are set up\r\nto generate a circular and cumulative growth process that requires two-way linkages between SEZs and\r\nthe wider economy. India, as a country is endowed with rich and varied resources coupled with a strategic\r\nlocation in the South Asian region and has a vast coastal boundary enabling it to achieve a pivotal role in\r\nserving the global economy. The SEZs aim to create more public-private partnerships and thereby resulting\r\nin the development of world-class infrastructure, augmenting economic activity, enhancing exports and\r\ncreating employment opportunities. In essence, these zones are self-contained and self-integrated zones\r\nhaving their own infrastructure and support services. Now, in the post COVID19 scenario, India is picking\r\nup pace to re-start the economic activities and welcome global investors to set up their business in Indian\r\nSEZs, as there is a ready infrastructure and single Window mechanism for all business operations.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    Srikant Badiga, informed that in the global perspective there should be one country one policy for\r\n  exports in India and we should have one particular SEZ act like one country one tax. He added,\'\'We should\r\n  not confuse the investors with various export schemes. We should bring exports under one authority for\r\n  smooth implementation and faster decision-making. The main intention to develop SEZ is the\r\n  manufacturing industry as we can learn from Sri City and we should develop similar more SEZs in the \r\n  country. A smaller country like Poland has come up with export policy and incentives. India is a wonderful\r\n  country with natural resources, human talent, and infrastructure development\'\'. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  India has a large population and a manufacturer has a dual advantage as they will have an option for sale\r\n  from India and sale in India because of geographical positioning of Far East, Middle East and Europe also.\r\n  Some of the US Companies which are based in China are moving out, they should be attracted to\r\n  investments in India as nearby countries Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines are giving\r\n  competitions for attracting investments.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  India has a large population and a manufacturer has a dual advantage as they will have an option for sale\r\n  from India and sale in India because of geographical positioning of Far East, Middle East and Europe also.\r\n  Some of the US Companies which are based in China are moving out, they should be attracted to\r\n  investments in India as nearby countries Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines are giving\r\n  competitions for attracting investments.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n    Alok Vardhan Chaturvedi mentioned that \'\'it is true that the Globalization has been reset and the wave\r\n  of trade liberalization has slowed down. Every economy is trying to protect its market for its own producers\r\n  and trying that they should export to other economies. Fear of job losses or actual job losses, especially in\r\n  manufacturing, has taken over the advantages accrued to consumers and people because of liberalisation.\r\n  From the end of the Second World War, tariffs followed a downward trend that leveled off in both advanced\r\n  and emerging market economies during the first part of the 21st century, before starting on an upward\r\n  trajectory again in the recent years\'\'.\r\n  \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  The use of regulatory measures and non-tariff barriers such as export subsidies, restrictions on licensing or\r\n  foreign direct investment, and domestic clauses in public procurement, has increased, leading to an overall\r\n  surge in trade distortions. According to data from the Global Trade Alert database encompassing traditional\r\n  and non-traditional trade measures, the number of new discriminatory actions announced by G20\r\n  economies has risen steadily since 2012 and surged further in 2018 onwards. Anti-dumping measures and\r\n  import tariffs were the two most widely used instruments, together accounting for around 30 per cent of all\r\n  of the measures imposed. The use of indirect measures, such as state loans to exporting companies, has\r\n  also increased gradually. The rise in protectionism implies that a progressively larger share of global trade\r\n  has been affected by trade distortions. Data from the Global Trade Alert database show that by 2017 more\r\n  than 50 per cent of exports from G20 countries were subject to harmful trade measures, up from 20 per\r\n  cent in 2009. Accordingly, trade growth has decelerated more sharply in those sectors in which extensive\r\n  discriminatory measures have been adopted than in sectors that have benefited from trade liberalisation.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Along with these developments, an important thing to note is that public support for trade openness has\r\n  declined, while protectionism has increased globally. Perceptions of the risks associated with open trade\r\n  have added to the broader list of concerns related to globalisation. For example, free trade is sometimes\r\n  believed to have made countries more vulnerable to international crises and spillovers from abroad. Given\r\n  its distributional consequences, free trade is also considered to be a factor behind the rising inequality both\r\n  within and across countries. However, the merits of free trade are also widely recognised. International\r\n  trade allows countries to specialise in the production of goods in which they have a comparative advantage,\r\n  while at the same time enabling consumers to enjoy a greater variety of consumer goods. Empirical studies\r\n  have found that trade openness has led to higher income per capita across countries, spurring productivity\r\n  growth and helping to reduce poverty globally. Nevertheless, the benefits of trade openness and their\r\n  distribution across social groups vary between countries. Factors such as the nature of export\r\n  specialisation, the degree of product diversification, and the quality of a country&apos;s institutions are found to\r\n  be important pre-conditions for the benefits of trade openness to be fully realised. Some have also \r\n  challenged the benefits of free trade by claiming that \"unfair practices\" have damaged domestic growth and\r\n  job creation. Free Trade has also been criticized because some of the countries are putting non-tariff trade\r\n  barriers, unfair trade practices and thereby protecting their markets at the same time their companies\r\n  reaping the advantages of free trade and fair practices in other countries. Non-tariff barriers and unfair\r\n  trade practices of some of the countries have distorted free trade and have led to increasing public support\r\n  for protectionism.\r\n  \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  He further added, \"Thus it is true, Globalisation has been reset. Has it provided opportunities to India? For\r\n  what? Exports from India or Investment in India. There are two aspects to it. In the backdrop of US-China\r\n  trade tensions, it was thought that it will provide opportunities to India for exports in both directions -\r\n  exports to China in respect of those products where tariffs were hiked by China on imports from US and\r\n  similarly for exports to US in respect of those products where tariffs were hiked by US on imports from\r\n  China. Products were identified for exports where India has a production capacity and was already\r\n  exporting to other countries. But India had competition from other countries neighboring China for exports\r\n  to US as some of the products of China could be routed through these countries easily by passing the\r\n  higher tariff by US for imports from China. Similarly, in case of exports to China for the products being\r\n  imported from US, there was a competition from rest of the world including Latin America, Europe and other\r\n  countries. It is very difficult to start exporting a new product to China. There is a huge regulatory wall. So\r\n  whether India is able to take advantage of these opportunities - the jury is still out on this.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  He further added, \"Thus it is true, Globalisation has been reset. Has it provided opportunities to India? For\r\n  what? Exports from India or Investment in India. There are two aspects to it. In the backdrop of US-China\r\n  trade tensions, it was thought that it will provide opportunities to India for exports in both directions -\r\n  exports to China in respect of those products where tariffs were hiked by China on imports from US and\r\n  similarly for exports to US in respect of those products where tariffs were hiked by US on imports from\r\n  China. Products were identified for exports where India has a production capacity and was already\r\n  exporting to other countries. But India had competition from other countries neighboring China for exports\r\n  to US as some of the products of China could be routed through these countries easily by passing the\r\n  higher tariff by US for imports from China. Similarly, in case of exports to China for the products being\r\n  imported from US, there was a competition from rest of the world including Latin America, Europe and other\r\n  countries. It is very difficult to start exporting a new product to China. There is a huge regulatory wall. So\r\n  whether India is able to take advantage of these opportunities - the jury is still out on this.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Second part is the opportunities created because of the rest of the world&apos;s concerns against China in the\r\n  backdrop of COVID-19. As has been pointed at many places, the multinational companies are acting on\r\n  China plus strategy. They want to have production centres located just in China. Even Chinese companies\r\n  may also like to have their bases outside China for the resilience of their businesses. Whether India fits in\r\n  their plans? Again we have competition from neighboring countries of China. They have those\r\n  characteristics which may be of advantages to these MNCs vis-à-vis India. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Thus for both our own companies exporting to US or China, or foreign companies setting up their bases in\r\n  India, we have competition from China neighboring countries. Our environment for our own companies and\r\n  also for foreign companies has to be better than those China-neighboring countries in every respect. All\r\n  factors of production - labour, cost of credit, cost of energy, logistics, regulatory costs, etc. have to be\r\n  better than those countries. \r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  It is heartening to note that Government is trying in all these directions. India&apos;s WB Ease of Doing business\r\n  rank has improved to 63 in 2019 among 190 nations from 142 in 2014. India&apos;s impressive progression in\r\n  the Doing Business rankings over the past few years is a tremendous achievement, especially for an\r\n  economy that is as large and complex as India&apos;s. Special focus given by the top leadership of the country,\r\n  and the persistent efforts made to drive the business reforms agenda, not only at the central level but also\r\n  at the state level, helped India make significant improvements. India&apos;s rank in World Bank&apos;s Logistics\r\n  Performance Index improved from 54 in 2014 to 44 in 2018.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Recently in July 2020, Government launched the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the promotion of\r\ndomestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs)/ Drug Intermediates(DIs) and Active \r\nPharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). Under the Scheme, financial incentives shall be given based on sales\r\nmade by selected manufacturers for 41 products covering all the identified 53 APIs. The outlay of the\r\nscheme is Rs. 6,940 crores over the next 6 years. Eligibility shall be subject to threshold investment in\r\ngreenfield projects. Similarly, the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Large Scale Electronics\r\nManufacturing notified on April 01, 2020, offers a production linked incentive to boost domestic\r\nmanufacturing and attract large investments in mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronic\r\ncomponents, including Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) units. The Scheme would\r\ntremendously boost the electronics manufacturing landscape and establish India at the global level in the\r\nelectronics sector. The scheme shall extend an incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental sales (over base\r\nyear) of goods manufactured in India and covered under target segments, to eligible companies, for a\r\nperiod of five (5) years subsequent to the base year.\r\n\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Here, SEZs can play an important role. The most important aspect of SEZs is that the country can do all\r\nexperimentation in terms of providing world-class infrastructure, best regulatory processes such as flexible\r\nlabour policies, environment law, etc which sometimes due to different socio-political reasons and fiscal\r\nconstraints, it may not be possible to provide in the entire country. In fact, Special Economic Zones have\r\nbeen playing the roles of engines of the economic growth of the country and contributing approximately\r\n1/3rd to the national export basket. Exports from SEZs during 2019-20 were to the extent of Rs. 8 lakh\r\ncrore - USD 112 Billion, providing direct employment to more than 2.2 million people and attracted\r\ninvestment of Rs. 5,71,735 crore (USD 70 billion). Exports from SEZs in the first quarter of 2020-21 (AprilJune 2020) were Rs. 1,57,325 crore which is down by 28 per cent as compared to the exports of Rs.\r\n1,81,075 crore during the corresponding period of 2019-20. In the first quarter of 2020-21 Software &\r\nServices exports registered a positive growth of 5 per cent by contributing Rs. 1,11,245 crore. However,\r\nmerchandize exports shows negative growth of 45 per cent as compared to the corresponding period of\r\n2019-20\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  Though Government of India provided certain relaxations and exemptions to SEZs during the lockdown\r\nperiod and further proposals are under consideration, EPCES has taken up a number of requests of its\r\nmembers with the government for consideration. After taking over as DG, EPCES, what I have started is\r\nthe creation of a google spreadsheet of pending issues of SEZ sector pending with different authorities\r\nwhich we have shared with the Department of Commerce as a ready-made To Do list for them to follow up\r\nand the status of different pending issues is updated regularly. Some of the major issues are - permission\r\nto sale in DTA on payment of duty waived off during import of raw materials, permission to do job work for\r\nDTA, continuation of MEIS Scheme, MEIS benefits to apparel & garment sector units, exemption from\r\nhealth cess of 5 per cent on sale of medical product in DTA, Exemption of GST on services rendered and\r\nconsumed within the FTWZ, etc. We are regularly following up with the Government authorities. We have to\r\ndiscuss Baba Kalyani report on SEZs as well with SEZ developers and SEZ units too.\'\'\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  He added, \'\'I would also to share with the participants here that EPCES has also launched an online\r\nContact EPCES services (https://www.epces.in/enquiry-form.php) whereby any unit or developer facing any\r\ndifficulty or has any suggestions, he can at any time submit his query/suggestion and he will be given a \r\nreference number using which he can find out the status of the action taken on his query /suggestions. This\r\nhas been done because tracking of emails is rather difficult\'\'.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  <b>Dr. L B Singhal</b> said that \'\'he would like to address 3 questions in the context to The Reset of Globalization\r\nand Rising India Opportunity i.e. Why should an investor whether Indian or foreigner invest in Indian SEZ?\r\nIf In SEZ why in India? In post Covid situation what kind of opportunity do we have for encashing? Last\r\nyear world investment report was released by UNCTAD, that SEZ as a concept is in 147 countries. There\r\nare 5400 SEZs in operation around the world\". He further added, \"GST has been implemented in the\r\ncountry which is the only scheme in the country wherein ab initio exemption from IGST has been provided\r\nwhether it\'s import or domestic procurement. 100 per cent FDI is allowed to the automatic route. Single\r\nwindow mechanism approval will be given by the board at the Ministry of Commerce\'\'.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  <b>  Hitender Mehta</b> moderated the session and also informed that presently, 240 SEZs are operational in\r\nIndia with an infrastructure development of 40,000 hectare land and availability of 22,000 hectare land for\r\nestablishment of new units into SEZs. Indian SEZs provide direct employment to 2.2 million people and 3\r\ntimes more is the indirect employment due to backward and forward integration. Most of the States in India\r\nhave &apos;SEZs&apos; for setting up units in the manufacturing and service sector. The cost of manpower is relatively\r\nlow as compared to other countries. Apart from various central incentives, Indian States also offer\r\nincentives for industrial projects. India&apos;s friendly foreign investment regulatory framework, availability of lowcost labour and raw materials, make the SEZs a best case for global investors.\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  During the interactive session, the distinguished panel of speakers also took questions from the\r\nparticipants\r\n  </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>\r\n  The Webinar was attended by 340 representatives of the industry.\r\n  </p>\r\n  ', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'special-economic-zone-investment-summit-online', 1, 0, '2020-08-20', '2020-08-20', '', '', 27, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:09', '2021-10-27 04:21:09'),
(162, 'Progressive and Futuristic Skill Development: Need of the Hour', 'ASSOCHAM Startup Launchpad organized a Roundtable discussion on the topic\r\n  Startup Market & Marketing Excellence', '<center><b>ASSOCHAM Webinar on</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Progressive and Futuristic Skill Development: Need of the Hour</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Friday, 21st May 2021, 11:30 AM</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>India with one of the largest youth population in the world needs to create millions of jobs\r\n  every year to reap the advantage of this demographic dividend. Skill Development is the only\r\n  solution to sustain this demographic dividend and to prepare the workforce for Industry 4.0\r\n  fuelled by increasing urbanization, ubiquitous internet connectivity, and the proliferation of\r\n  high-tech technology.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>To understand the immediate issues faced by the Industry due to labour and workforce\r\n  migration and understating the Government\'s readiness to support the skill training sector to\r\n  recover after the COVID lockdown, India\'s Apex Chamber, ASSOCHAM, organized a Webinar\r\n  on \"Progressive and Futuristic Skill Development: Need of the Hour\" on 21st May 2021 from\r\n  11:30- 1:00 PM.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Key Speakers:</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679;Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon\'ble Minister, Ministry of Skill Development &\r\n  Entrepreneurship</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Dr. Niraj Kumar Pawan, IAS, Chairman, Rajasthan Skill & Livelihoods Development\r\n  Corporation</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>  Girish Kundan Jha, Founder CEO, Skills Asstra Techcon LLP</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679;   Deepak Pareek, Managing Partner, HnyB Tech Incubations Pvt. Ltd</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>   Maninder Singh, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Skill Development &\r\n  Secretary, Bal Bharti</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679;   Deepak Sood, Secretary-General, ASSOCHAM</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Around 1000 delegates registered from across the country and more than 500 attendees\r\n  participated online.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Key issues discussed:</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Future of Skilling</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679;  Role of the stakeholders</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; A new perspective of Skilling</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; New platforms for Skilling</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Role of the Government in Skilling</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Issues and challenges in Skilling Post COVID-19</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'progressive-and-futuristic-skill-development', 1, 0, '2021-05-21', '2021-05-21', '11.30 AM', '1.00 PM', 28, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:10', '2021-10-27 04:21:10'),
(163, 'Start-up Investors/Funding Opportunities', '<p style=\"text-align:justify;\">India\'s textiles sector is one of the oldest industries in the Indian economy, dating back to several\r\n  centuries</p>', '<center><b>Roundtable Discussion</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>\"Start-up Investors/Funding Opportunities\"</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>2nd July 2021 02:00 pm - 04:00 pm</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM Startup Launchpad organized a Roundtable Discussion on the topic <b>Startup\r\n  Investors/Funding Opportunities on 2nd July, 2021 from 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The prime objective is to educate, encourage and connect the various Startups with the\r\n  Government, Private Equity & Venture Capital Funds, Angel Investors or any other Funding\r\n  Opportunities available for them and encourage the Startups.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Topic for Discussion:-</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Government Funding Schemes for Startups: Background</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Startups Funding: Issues, Challenges & Opportunities</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; How to get investment for Startup in early days?</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; To understand the different types of funding opportunities available for startups.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Managing Investment in resources, Team-Building and R&D</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; To understand how a startup can approach the various funding companies and\r\n  investors.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Key Speaker :</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Rohit Bhayana, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM Startup Council</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Neelam Dhawan, Co-Chairperson,ASSOCHAM Startup Council</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Jeet Vijayvargiya, CEO, Meity Startup Hub, Ministry of Electronics & IT,\r\n  Government of India</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Sudheer Kumar N, Director, Capacity Building Programme Office, ISRO (HQs)</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Bijith Bhaskar, National Head, Digital Banking, Partnerships & eCommerce, ICICI\r\n  Bank</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Vikram Gupta, Founding Partner, IVY Cap</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Lloyd Mathias, Angel Investor</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Sandeep Goel, SVP, Moglix</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Devroop Dhar, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Primus Partners</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'start-up-investors-funding-opportunities', 1, 0, '2021-07-02', '2021-07-02', '2.00 p.m', '4.00 p.m', 29, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:10', '2021-10-27 04:21:10'),
(164, 'Start-up Incubation & Mentors Meet', '<p style=\"text-align:justify;\">ASSOCHAM Startup Launchpad organized a Roundtable discussion on the topic\r\n  Startup Incubation & Mentors Meet inviting various representatives from Incubation </p>', '<center><b>Roundtable Discussion</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>\"Start-up Incubation & Mentors Meet\"</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Saturday, 17th July 2021 02:00 pm - 04:00 pm</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM Startup Launchpad organized a Roundtable discussion on the topic\r\n  Startup Incubation & Mentors Meet inviting various representatives from Incubation\r\n  Centers, Industry, Mentors, Industry leaders and Startups for a meaningful discussion\r\n  on supporting the Incubation and Industry Linkage and importance of Mentorship for\r\n  the growth of a Startup.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Topic for Discussion:-</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; How to build successful innovation/incubation ecosystems </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; How to create value for incubation center, mentorship for startups.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679;How to activate, connect & transform between Incubators, Mentors and Startups.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; What kinds of assumptions and expectations do the Startups have from\r\n  their Mentors</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; What are the critically important success factors for Mentorship, so that they\r\n  contribute to valuable outcomes.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Key Speaker :</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Rohit Bhayana, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM Startup Council</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Neelam Dhawan, Co-Chairperson,ASSOCHAM Startup Council</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Sanjeev Chopra, CEO, Electropreneur Park</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Ravi Gururaj, Founder/CEO, QikPod</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Chintan Bakshi, Partner - Incubation, Centre for Innovation Incubation and\r\n  Entrepreneurship (CIIE.CO) & Chief Executive Officer at Start-up Oasis</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Vijay K. Srivastava, Chairman, Indian Academy of Entrepreneurship</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Varad Rajan Krishna , CEO, The GAIN Accelerator</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679;Shri Anupam Jalote , CEO, International Centre of Entrepreneurship and Technology\r\n  (iCreate)</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'start-up-incubation-mentors-meet', 1, 0, '2021-07-17', '2021-07-17', '2.00 p.m', '4.00 p.m', 29, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:10', '2021-10-27 04:21:10'),
(165, 'Start-up MARKET & MARKETING EXCELLENCE', '<p style=\"text-align:justify;\">ASSOCHAM Startup Launchpad organized a Roundtable discussion on the topic\r\n  Startup Market & Marketing Excellence</p>', '<center><b>Roundtable Discussion</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>\"Start-up MARKET & MARKETING EXCELLENCE\"</b></center>\r\n  <center><b>Friday, 30th July 2021 02:00 pm - 03:30 pm</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM Startup Launchpad organized a Roundtable discussion on the topic\r\n  <b>Startup Market & Marketing Excellence</b> inviting various representatives from\r\n  Marketing professionals, Mentors, Industry leaders and Startups for a meaningful\r\n  discussion on importance of Marketing for the growth of a Startup.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Topic for Discussion:-</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Startup Market & Marketing Excellence: Issues & Challenges</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Digital Marketing Strategies for Startups</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Nееd of Digitаl Marketing Strategies</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; How to Build a Perfect Digital Marketing Strategy?</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Social Mеdiа Marketing Strategy</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Key Speaker :</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Srikant Sastri, Chairman, I3G Advisory Network and President, TiE Delhi-NCR</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Sudiip K Goswami, Director & GM - South India & Start-Ups, Dell Technologies</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Satyarth Priyedarshi, Head of Digital, Tata AIA Life Insurance</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Vedanarayanan Vedantham, SME Business Head, Razorpay</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Atit Mehta , Marketing Head, Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd. (BYJU\'S)</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Deepali Naair, Director, Marketing, IBM India & South Asia</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Rohit Bhayana, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM Startup Council</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Thomas Varghese, Chairman, National Council on Branding & Marketing\r\n  ASSOCHAM</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Neelam Dhawan, Co-Chairperson, ASSOCHAM Startup Council</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Shri Madhuranath R, Head, Sales and Marketing, Slang Labs</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'start-up-market-marketing-excellence', 1, 0, '2021-07-30', '2021-07-30', '2.00 p.m', '3.30 p.m', 29, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:10', '2021-10-27 04:21:10'),
(166, 'National Council on Textiles and Technical Textiles', '<p style=\"text-align:justify;\">India\'s textiles sector is one of the oldest industries in the Indian economy, dating back to several\r\n  centuries</p>', '<center><b>National Council on Textiles &Technical Textiles</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Council Co - Chairman :</b>   Ramesh Agarwal, Whole Time Director- Rupa & Company ltd.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Council Brief: </b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>India\\\'s textiles sector is one of the oldest industries in the Indian economy, dating back to several\r\n  centuries.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The industry is extremely varied, with hand-spun and hand-woven textiles sectors at one end of the\r\n  spectrum, while the capital-intensive sophisticated mills sector on the other end. The decentralised\r\n  power looms/ hosiery and knitting sector forms the largest component in the textiles sector. The close\r\n  linkage of textiles industry to agriculture (for raw materials such as cotton) and the ancient culture and\r\n  traditions of the country in terms of textiles makes it unique in comparison to other industries in the\r\n  country. India\'s textiles industry has a capacity to produce wide variety of products suitable for different\r\n  market segments, both within India and across the world.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>ASSOCHAM National Council on Textiles & Technical Textiles</b> works towards the holistic development\r\n  of textiles industry in India. The objective of the council is to work along with various stakeholders\r\n  representing wide variety of sub-sectors of textiles industry like cotton, man-made, wool, silk,\r\n  handlooms, Juteand technical textiles etc. Apart from major policy issues such as high cost of power and\r\n  logistics, ground water extraction and availability of raw materials, ASSOCHAM has been actively\r\n  involved with Government regarding various issues related to GST and Foreign Trade Policy for the\r\n  sector. </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM has been at the forefront of facilitating knowledge sharing in various segments of textiles\r\n  industry. The council has been at the forefront of Policy advocacy for the sector and has given detailed\r\n  inputs for the National Textiles Policy.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Event Held :</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Webinar on \"Impact and Role of Textiles Industry during COVID-19\" with Shri Nihar Ranjan Das,\r\n  Joint secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India - 21st April, 2020</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; ASSOCHAM celebrated the National Handloom Day.\"Vocal4Handmade\" social media campaign\r\n  with the Ministry of Textiles - 7th August, 2020</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; SAMARTH Project, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Training program under SAMARTH\r\n  Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector - October, 2020</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; Event on \"Future Lies in the past : Leveraging India embedded Knowledge to pivot the country\'s\r\n  growth story - 18th December, 2020</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Policy Note :</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>&#9679; ASSOCHAM Recommendations on the <b>New National Textiles Policy 2020</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> - No refund of ITC of capital goods and services in case of inverted rate structure</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>- Subsidies by competing counties like China</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>- Logistics issues faced by the exporters</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>- Change in Labour laws</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>- Removal of CAP on TUFS</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>- No FTA with Bangladesh</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>- Expedite India EU FTA</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Event Wright up :</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Event on \"Future Lies in the past : Leveraging India embedded Knowledge to pivot the\r\n  country\'s growth story - 18th December, 2020</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The event was organized during the ASSOCHAM Foundation week with the <b>Hon\\\'ble Minister for\r\n  Textiles, Women & Child Development Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani</b> was the Chief Guest along with industry\r\n  representatives including Smt. Dipali Goenka, CEO and Joint Managing Director, Welspun India, Shri T.\r\n  Rajkumar, Chairman CITI and Chairman, Sri Mahasakthi Mills Ltd. Shri Anjani Prasad, Managing Director,\r\n  Archroma India Pvt. Ltd and they discussed about the role of textiles sector for India\'s roadmap towards\r\n  a US$5 trillion economy\'</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; SAMARTH Project, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Training program under\r\n  SAMARTH Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector - October, 2020</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has approved ASSOCHAM to execute training program\r\n  under <b>SAMARTH Scheme</b> for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector (SCBTS) with a target to train 1000\r\n  trainees with the Total Project Cost of Rs.1,38,89,250/- under five sectors.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The training program has started on October, 2020 and successfully completed training of around\r\n  200 candidates as on date.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>List of Industry members :-</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 1. Shri Balkrishan Goenka, Chairman, Welspun Group</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 2. Shri Mohit Jain, Executive Vice Chairman, Indo Count</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 3. Shri Kulin Lalbhai, Executive Director, Arvind Mills</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>4. Shri Harish Ahuja, Managing Director, Shahi Exports Pvt. Ltd.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>5. Shri Dilip Gaur Managing Director Grasim Industries Ltd.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>6. Shri G.S. Singhvi ,Chairman & Managing Director, Hindustan Fibers Ltd.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>7. Shri Anjani Prasad, Managing Director, Archroma India Pvt. Ltd.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 8. Shri O.P. Lohia CMD, Indo Rama Synthetics (I) Ltd</p>', '', '', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'national-council-on-textiles-technical-textiles', 1, 1, '0000-00-00', '0000-00-00', '', '', 32, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:10', '2021-10-27 04:21:10'),
(167, 'National Council on Underground Construction and Tunnelling', '<p style=\"text-align:justify;\">India is one of the fastest growing markets for Tunnel construction. The council played pivotal role in\r\n  policy making and shaping Government\'s thought process towards creating these national assets</p>', '<center><b>National Council on Underground Construction and Tunnelling</b></center>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Council Chairman :</b>   Ashutosh Chandwar, Chief operating Officer, DRAIPL</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Council Co-Chairman :</b>   Vinod Shukla, MD, FGS Engineers and Innovators</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Special Task Force on Digitalization</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Chairman :</b>   Sudip Mazumder, Chief Digital & Information Officer, PGP Glass</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Council Brief :</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>India is one of the fastest growing markets for Tunnel construction. The council played pivotal role in\r\n  policy making and shaping Government\'s thought process towards creating these national assets.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM provided conducive platform for stakeholder interactions. Facilitated interactions\r\n  between MoRTH, NHA, NHIDCL, key industry stakeholders including developers, consultants,\r\n  contractors and technology and solution providers.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The Council has been instrumental in bringing changes that will ensure rapid and seamless\r\n  development of the National tunnels economically and in time bound manner through enforcement\r\n  of EPC Contracts especially for Underground Construction and Tunneling.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>The council comprises up of a group of eminent industry leaders who have vast experience and\r\n  domain knowledge.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Achievements of the Council</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>ASSOCHAM\'s recommendations for Enforcement of EPC Contracts for Underground Construction and\r\n  Tunneling, have been accepted by Hon\\\'ble Union Minister. Accordingly MoRTH has :</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> 1. Established a separate tunnel zone within the Ministry</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>2. Set up a Panel of Technical experts including exclusively ASSOCHAM nominated industry experts\r\n  along with other Academicians and Government organisations. The EXPERT Committee will:</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>i) Formulate guidelines for design and construction of tunnels,</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ii) Draft SoPs for Geological and Geotechnical investigations, construction, operation and\r\n  maintenance of tunnels,</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>iii) Develop Contract Document (PMC, O&M and Civil Works)\r\n  These Guidelines, SoPs and Contract Document will be exclusively for tunneling and\r\n  underground projects (would be different from regular on-surface road and Highway contracts) </p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>3. Setting up Digitalisation Center under the Tunnel Zone in the Ministry.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>Shri Nitin Gadkari Hon\\\'ble Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Govt of India\r\n  acknowledged contribution towards Rs. 5000 Crores savings in the Zojila Tunnel Project at\r\n  various forums.</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> Shri Gadkari congratulated ASSOCHAM for series of discussions and submission of its recommendations\r\n  that led to the modification of MORTH EPC contract document for Tunnel construction in India. He\r\n  credited ASSOCHAM for its contribution that helped the Nation save Rs. 5000 crores. Zojila Tunnel\r\n  construction is underway, after previously four failed tenders, was bid out and awarded @ INR 6,000 cr.\r\n  instead of the initial proposal of INR 11,000 cr.</p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Events Held :</b></p>\r\n  <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>✓ Round Table Discussion with Shri Nitin Gadkari Hon\\\'ble Union Minister For Road, Transport And\r\n    Highways &apos;Enforcement Of EPC Contracts for Underground Construction And Tunneling\' -\r\n    February 12, 2020.</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>✓ Meetings with Shri. I.K Pandey, DG (RD) & SS, MoRTH and other officials from MoRTH - April 16,\r\n    2020</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>✓ Technologies and Policy for Digitalisation of Infrastructure - Interaction with Shri Nitin Gadkari,\r\n    Hon\\\'ble Union Minister for Roads, Transport and Highways - October 31, 2020</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Sector Policy Notes</b></p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>✓ Enforcement Of EPC Contracts for Underground Construction and Tunneling</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>✓ Technologies and Policy for Digitalisation of Infrastructure</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Event Write up :</b></p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Round Table Discussion &apos;Enforcement of Contracts for Underground Construction and Tunneling\'\r\n    With Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Hon\\\'ble Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways On\r\n    February 12, 2020.</b></p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'> India has shown substantial improvement in its Ease of Doing Business (scaled up to 63rd\r\n    \r\n    position) However, in enforcement of the contract which is an element of these ranking there\r\n    has been hardly any significant improvement - India moved to a ranking of 163 in 2019 from\r\n    172 in 2017. The element of balancing the risk between the Employer and the Contractor has \r\n    to be worked well in Indian Contracts. The subject matter becomes worse when it comes to\r\n    underground works as contracts enforced for over-ground projects are applied for all\r\n    underground works as well. In international contracts like FIDIC and NEC these risks are based\r\n    on the idea of fairness. A balanced risk allocation to the Contractor and to the Employer is\r\n    utmost important.</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM had conducted numerous stakeholder consultations. Based on deliberations, a <b>strategy\r\n    paper </b> had been compiled which highlights Tunneling industry\'s concerns and recommendations.<b> It\r\n    suggests amendments in Principles of Enforcement of Contracts and certain Clauses of the MORTH\r\n    standard contract document.</b> This had been projected at the Round Table Discussion in presence of\r\n    Hon\\\'ble Minister, followed by interactive session with Hon\\\'ble Minister and Government and PSU\r\n    officials.</p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'><b>&#9679; Technologies & Policy for Digitalisation of Infrastructure Focus on Tunneling\r\n    Chief Guest - Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon\\\'ble Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Govt. of\r\n    India, October 31, 2020,</b></p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>ASSOCHAM with its clear vision of Nation Building has always ventured into issues that need\r\n    Government\'s immediate attention. Early this year, we had successfully conducted an exhaustive\r\n    Round Table session dedicated to EPC Contract and Tunnel Engineering in India, under the\r\n    patronage of the Hon\\\'ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways - Shri Nitin Gadkari.\r\n    He had emphasised on the need for advanced technology that could expedite construction works\r\n    at reduced costs and monitor structural health. <b>Hon\\\'ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari has been\r\n    kind to accept our recommendations as also acknowledge ASSOCHAM\'s contribution during\r\n    his address at the initiation of first blast of Zojila Tunnel.</b></p>\r\n    <p style=\'text-align:justify;\'>To take step forward, in line with Hon\\\'ble Minister advice, ASSOCHAM had organised captioned webinar\r\n    to highlight technologies and policy for digitalisation of infrastructure - Role of BIM in design and\r\n    monitoring, AI/ ML in construction, Structural health monitoring, safety through advanced structural\r\n    systems and engineering material, Digital Twins etc. The infrastructure fraternity in India will get a firsthand information on the digital Infrastructure, being created all over the Country as part of the CyberPhysical virtual platforms.<b> Hon\\\'ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari had Chaired this Session.</b></p>', 'registration', 'https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VxvTPEVuSqucmgPUrCSm58sHnuXLa2W0/view?usp=sharing ', 'event-cat-2.jpg', 'national-council-on-underground-construction-and-tunnelling', 1, 1, '2020-02-12', '2020-02-12', '', '', 33, 0, 0, '2021-10-27 04:21:10', '2021-10-27 04:21:10');
