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Sunday,
October 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Deadlines
for polluting firms may be extended Standards
for development PNB steps
to help farmers TAFE
launches new tractor |
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Air
hostesses on contract likely
Despite
confusion, BPCL is attractive
Unauthorised
absence
VAT:
land-locked vs coastal states
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Deadlines for polluting firms may be extended Jalandhar, October 12 The Punjab Government is likely to be soft towards the industries and an indication was given by the CM who, during his visit to Jalandhar on Thursday, had announced that the deadlines by the board could be extended for the industry. At the same time, Punjab Industries Minister Avtaar Henry said some sort of relief was likely to be extended to the industries as the state government was of the view that the industry had already suffered a lot during the decade-long militancy. “We will strive to hammer out a solution to the problem during the meeting. I feel the industry should be encouraged to meet the challenges posed by the increasing competition in the world market,” said Mr Henry. The pollution board had warned that any industry failing to comply with the directions would face closure. As the exercise involved a huge expenditure various bodies of industrialists were opposing the directions and demanding some relaxations and more time for implementation. While such organisations had take up the matter at different platforms, including with Mr Henry, they were alleging that the board authorities had already started raiding the units and what was more humiliating was that the raiding parties were accompanied by the police and photographers. The meeting, according to Mr Henry, would also be attended by the Health Minister and Punjab Pollution Control Board Chairman Satish Chandra. According to an estimate, thee are about 5,000 units in Jalandhar which are manufacturing varied products like leather goods, sports good, rubber products, surgical goods, auto parts and a large number of these have been served notices. The board Chairman was not available for comment even as the industrialists felt that in stead of straightway going ahead with such an “anti-industry” step, the board should have first initiated some campaign to create awareness among
industrialists.
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Standards for development
Standardisation is sine-qua-non for development of the national economy all over the world. The goals of quality are set by standards. The standards fixes and states level of quality characteristic acceptable to the consumers. Standards have always been closely connected with exchange of goods and services between supplier and consumers. With increasing globalisation of trade, consumer’s choice of products has been widened to include offerings from around the world. The Indian Standards published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) numbering more than 17,000 provide the requisite information on quality of large variety of products, processes, their testing procedure and criteria of the final conformity. The Indian Standards are the result of concerted efforts of manufacturers, techologists, govt organisations, testing laboratories and the organised consumers. The requirements, thus, are acceptable to the majority of the interests. These standards provide a common technological foundation for producing goods, services and systems anywhere. For a sense of confidence in the products being safe and functional, it is imperative that these products conform to adequate levels of quality, reliability and safety. The quality control measures as adopted by the manufacturers under BIS’s Certification Marks Scheme are based on the principles of continuous checking of products as per the Scheme of Testing and Inspection prepared on the basis of statistical quality control. Over 16,000 licences granted under the scheme has remained by and large voluntary barring exceptions where conformity to standards is mandatory under specific legislation which includes around 131 items like cement, LPG cylinders, clinical thermometers, mineral/drinking water, baby food, food additives and food colours etc. In the current international environment, where the stress, through implementation of ISO: 9000 series of standards, is on consistency of quality, the role of laboratories for providing reliable test data assumes a still greater importance because consistency in quality can only be achieved by controlling variation in the process of manufacturing. For Indian products to keep pace with developments the world over and maintain competitiveness in international markets, independent laboratory evaluation of their quality is essential. The Bureau has taken conscious decision to align national standards with international standards, wherever possible. BIS has so far aligned over 4,000 standards with international standards. India, through BIS has established bilateral cooperation with several countries in the field of standardisation. It has helped in facilitating trade between countries by harmonising procedures, standards and norms. BIS taking cognizance of the international development has initiated action for developing Indian standards in tune with world trade, introduction of certification systems, both for products and quality system on international models and for entering into emerging international scheme for certification being operated by international agencies. The writer is the Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of Indian Standards.
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PNB steps to help farmers
Chandigarh, October 12 |
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TAFE launches new tractor
Ludhiana, October 12 |
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by K.R. Wadhwaney Air hostesses on contract likely The possibility of war with Iraq sends shock waves in the aviation and tourism sectors. It spurs fresh downslide for aviation. The financial condition of a majority of airlines stays perilous. It will not come as a surprise if more carriers file papers for bankruptcy or reduce their operations. Analysts feel mere talks of war with Iraq have dampened the spirits of tourists who prefer to stay indoors instead of venturing to travel. The prices on the several international routes are likely to be reduced to woo passengers. This may mean some gain for fliers but the airlines’ conditions will be further destabilised. Disturbed by this scenario, India is looking towards West Asia. Following a delegation’s visit to West Asia. Shahnawas Hussain is saying Air-India and Indian Airlines will be the gainers. The six-day tour to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Bahrain had led the minister to talk big. But talking big is one thing and achieving is quite another. The direct flight from Calicut to Dubai has been added. Cochin has also been linked. But overall passenger load on these flights is merely satisfactory. Emirates, the UAE’s international airline, has renewed its efforts to acquire stakes in India’s domestic carriers since the government is contemplating opening skies further. If such a thing does happen, Emirates will steal a decisive march over the two national carriers. Emirates is comparatively new airlines and its performance in two decades has been much more rewarding than the two national carriers put together. This is because Emirates is operating professionally on commercial data instead of being governed by politicians.
Clipping wings Dissatisfied with the air hostesses performance, there is a possibility of the Civil Aviation Ministry introducing a “contract employment” ranging from one year to three years. If the “hire and fire” rule comes in operation, Air-India may employ hostesses on contract. Air-India and cabin crew have had several legal battles in the past two decades. Recently cabin crew won a legal verdict, which ensured hostesses of uninterrupted flying duties until they attained retirement.
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Despite confusion, BPCL is attractive Q. I have bought BPCL. What should my strategy be now? — Meena Arora, Gurdaspur BPCL looks well-poised to seize the opportunities that are emerging in the liberated environment. BPCL has the best infrastructure in terms of refining capacity and pipelines & marketing facilities. BPCL has 4510 retail outlets. This translates into both a high entry-barrier as well as a huge cost advantage over new entrants. BPCL has tremendous high net cash flows from operations. The company has enormous growth potential due to its ready chain of potential retailing
outlets. In the long term, revenues of marketing companies from non-fuel sales, such as sales in super markets are expected to increase. Marketing companies are refurbishing their retail outlets and are setting up super market, ATMs, Internet kiosks within the premises of the outlets to attract customers and increase revenues. For the fiscal ended March, 2002, sales were Rs 35,270.4 crore, PBIDT was 6 per cent net profit was Rs 853.1 crore and the EPS was Rs 28.4. For the quarter ended June, 2002, sales were Rs 11,079.8 crore, PBIDT was 5 per cent and the net profit was Rs 245 crore. While confusion prevails on the disinvestment front, valuations appear attractive.
Q. Is it worth buying Karur Vysya Bank? — K.V. Singh, Ambala Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) is a great value play for long term investors. However, no one seems to bother about this valued jewel of the South. Moreover, in view of the expected benefits of the consolidation trend in the banking industry, the CMP leaves scope for decent appreciation. The bonus-cum-rights shares at a premium of Rs 50 in the ratio of 1:1 will strengthen its capital base and offer attractive returns to shareholders. Going ahead, we expect the bank to grow at 20 per cent plus and profit at 25 per cent for the next few years. For the fiscal ended March, 2002, sales were Rs 587 crore, PBIDT was 72.6 per cent net profit was Rs 108.5 crore and the EPS was Rs 180.8. For the quarter ended June, 2002, sales were Rs 147.4 crore, PBIDT was 78.7 per cent and net profit was Rs 22.3 crore. A long term investor can buy while the stock corrects itself. |
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by Praful R. Desai Unauthorised absence Q:
Whether unauthorised absence from duty for continuous period of one year would be considered as a deemed resignation, especially when that employee was not participating in enquiry? Whether in such a case, a termination order would be considered proper? Ans: In Korada Bhaskara Rao v Supdt Engineer, APSER, Srikakulam (2002-II-LLJ. 186) the A.P. High Court expressed the view thus: The contention of the appellant that the Board ahs no power to invoke the provisions of Regulation 28 (3) is far fetched. It is a case where the record clearly shows that the appellant was directed to explain vide Memo dated 20-8-86 for his unauthorised absence from duty w.e.f. 31-8-86, which attracted the provisions of Regulation 28(3) of the Board’s Service Regulations. Opportunity was given to him to explain whether there was any justifiable ground for his absence. The enquiry officer was appointed on 16-10-87. The charge-sheet was also issued to the appellant on 5-12-87, which was served on him on 9-12-87. The appellant did not submit any explanation though time sought for by him was granted which was also expired on 31-12-87. The enquiry officer again issued a memo dated 3-1-88 but no explanation was submitted. Thus, it is seen that the appellant has not availed of the opportunity made available to him on several occasions. The enquiry report was submitted on 31-1-88 and based on the report a show cause notice was issued to the appellant on 15-2-88 which was acknowledged by him and to which he gave explanation on 28-2-88 stating that the writ petition is pending before the court. The said contention was not accepted for the simple reason that though the writ was admitted, no stay was granted. And in such circumstances, the appellant ought to have joined the duty. Since the appellant did not join duty, final order invoking Reg 28(3) has been passed. In the considered opinion of the H.C., no illegality or irregularity has been committed by the management in coming to the conclusion that the appellant ceased to be in Board’s employment. The H.C. thus held that the order passed by the learned Single Judge is perfectly in order and warrants no interference. The writ appeal in that way failed. |
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