Pawar gets the clock
New Delhi: The Election Commission has recognised the faction led by Sharad Pawar as the real Nationalist Congress Party allowing it to retain the `clock' symbol. The Commission said it did not see any merit in the contentions made by the Sangma group. According to the commission's order "The party constitution does not say that the party's very existence is dependent upon upholding the principle of opposing persons of foreign origin from being Prime Minister of the country.''
Back to News Review index page  

TRAI: Too many telecom tariff plans
New Delhi: THE Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is considering a limit on the number of tariff plans being offered by basic and cellular service providers in order to minimise the confusion of the consumers. "As many as 3,925 tariffs were reported to TRAI by the basic and mobile service providers alone in 2003. At the end of September, a total number of 1,421 plans were on offer all over India suggesting that on an average 42 plans per circle were offered. In addition, another 500 plans were offered as promotional schemes.

The figures are likely to go up soon with the entry of additional operators in several circles. These large numbers give rise to issues involving regulatory and consumer concerns," the authority has noted. There is no guarantee that a consumer will continue to get the service at a certain level of tariffs for a minimum period. Changes in tariffs that are disadvantageous to customers could even upset the basic considerations on which they exercised the choice for that particular tariff plan. The service providers also resort to frequent withdrawal of tariff plans forcing the customers to migrate to any other plans on offer. The authority has sought written comments/suggestions from all stakeholders including service providers and consumers on this consultation paper latest by March 27.
Back to News Review index page  

Electronic hardware bodies form council
New Delhi: In a bid to make the Indian electronic/IT hardware sector globally competitive, all the four electronic hardware industry associations - Consumer Electronics & TV Manufacturers' Association (CETMA), Electronic Component Industries' Association (ELCINA), Telecom Equipment Manufacturers' Association of India (TEMA) and Manufacturers' Association of Information Technology (MAIT) - have joined together to form the Council of Electronic Hardware Associations (CEHA).

The presidents of the four associations would head the council by rotation. For the first year, Mr R.P. Khaitan, President, CETMA, would be the convenor. CEHA will work for the growth of industry, by spurring domestic demand and helping the industry realise its full potential in creating national wealth, CETMA said. It would take up with the Government important issues which are adversely affecting industry, such as implementation of VAT, elimination of the inverted duty structure, simplification of procedures to reduce cost, labour law reforms and implementation of the draft hardware policy, prepared by the Department of Information Technology.
Back to News Review index page  

HYSEA mulls corpus fund and incubation centre
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Software Exporters Association (HYSEA) has drawn up plans to create a corpus fund and an incubation facility for start-ups and small and medium companies and is in the process of charting out a model code of conduct for software services firms on the lines of the code already in place for BPO firms. This corpus fund and incubation centre would help small companies find their feet. The focus will be on product-oriented companies and this centre would provide mentoring, guidance and support.
Back to News Review index page