Petronet LNG is said to be holding early stage discussion with the Andaman and Nicobar administration for setting up its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal outside mainland India. The proposed mini-LNG terminal, which may cost about Rs 600 crore, may have an initial capacity of slightly over 0.5 million tonnes (mn t) and this would prim
Category: ECONOMY & POLICY
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Delhi govt to allot all EWS flats by Sept
By the end of June 2013, the Delhi government hopes to allocate at least 7,000 houses meant for economically weaker sections (EWS) out of the around 14,000 flats built over five years ago. These flats were built over five years ago and still remain unused because of non-allocation. However, with the assembly election round the corner, the state government has expedited the allocation
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Ahluwalia bats for govt penalty if approval delayed
Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia proposed that the government must pay penalty in case of delay in granting statutory clearances to infrastructure projects. This will create an incentive not to delay clearance, he said while addressing a Ficci conference. Several infrastructure projects in the country are delayed because of lack of statutory clearances like envir
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Govt suspends gold imports, exports from SEZs
The Union government has partially suspended pure gold imports and exports from special economic zones (SEZs), alarmed at the rampant diversion of the duty-free yellow metal to domestic markets. SEZs are allowed duty-free imports as opposed to a maximum of 6 per cent charged on imports by other entities.
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Govt to build houses for urban poor in 12th Plan
The Union Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) Ajay Maken has said that the ongoing housing scheme in urban slums, Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) was implemented under pilot phase during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period. With the experience gained during the pilot phase, revised scheme of RAY is being worked out for implementation during Twelfth Five Year Plan period.
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Centre pulls up JK for slow progress in PMGSY
The Jammu and Kashmir government has been pulled up by the Union Ministry for Rural Development for its dismal performance in execution of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY). The Centre has threatened the State to stop funding to the State under the premier road development programme in rural India.
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Govt to allow SEZs to operate in smaller areas
Now the Government has tried to revive investor interest in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) after slapping minimum alternate tax on them three years ago, which drove SEZ investors away. Now the government is striving to revive investors' interest by halving the minimum area requirement for multi-product and sector-specific zones and doing away with the condition totally for IT zones.
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Govt eases norms for SEZs to rekindle investors interest
The Union government on April 18 announced a 'package of reforms', including easing of land requirement norms and an exit policy, to rekindle investor interest in Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said the SEZ scheme has not been able to realise its full potential so far.
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Panel to submit report on Sterlite plant by April end
The four-member committee, appointed by the National Green Tribunal to study the functioning of the copper smelting plant of Sterlite Industries at Tuticorin, would submit its report on April 29. The panel will consist of two members from the Tribunal and one each from Sterlite Industries and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB
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Experts suggest policy steps to boost affordable housing in urban areas
Experts suggest the government to liberalise obsolete development norms, rationalise floor area ratio and density in order to address shortage of housing in urban areas. According to experts, the process of urbanisation may grow at a compounded annual growth rate of more than two per cent over the next two decades and this c