India as observer at Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline meet
New Delhi: India will be attending as an observer at the ninth steering committee meeting of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) gas pipeline project. At the meeting, India will be weighing the technical, commercial, financial and legal options of the project, according to senior petroleum ministry officials.

The minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, Dinsha Patel, is leading the delegation, along with representatives from the ministry, as well as the IndianOil Corporation and GAIL (India) Ltd. Based on the report of the delegation the Government would firm up its view on future prospects, officials told presspersons here on Monday. Officials, however, said that the TAP project should not be seen as an alternative to the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project.

The three-day meeting commenced on Monday.

The US$4bn project is expected to be 1,680-km long. TAP is expected to transport 100 mmscmd (million standard cubic metre per day) of gas, of which India's share at best is likely to be 60 mmscmd. India's requirement by 2020 would be close to 200 mmscmd. The feasibility report has been prepared by ADB, which is the lead development partner.

Further, the Turkemenistan Government has brushed aside any doubt raised on its gas reserves and its supply commitments to TAP, by saying that its commitment to Russia did not pertain to new finds.

There are some concerns on issues relating to the pipeline's security and routing. There are two routes - the northern route where the passage through Afghanistan is short and pipeline enters Indian borders in Punjab, and the southern route, which passes through heavily mined territories held by Taliban in Afghanistan, Baluchistan in Pakistan and ending in Punjab, India. The northern route appears to be more attractive, officials said.
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FDI in single brand retailing: Govt. notifies guidelines
New Delhi: The Government on Monday notified the guidelines for foreign direct investment (FDI) in single brand retail trading. The notification comes in the face of stiff opposition from the Left parties.

As per the notification, FDI up to 51 per cent in retail trade of single brand products would cover only those products that are branded during manufacturing and are sold under the same brand internationally. According to the government these stipulations should prevent third party sourcing and encourage multinationals to set up a manufacturing base in India.

The notification also makes it clear that FDI would be allowed only with a prior three-tier approval of the Government, for which an application seeking permission would have to be made to the Secretariat of Industrial Assistance under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), before being considered by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board.

The applicants will have to specifically indicate the product/product categories proposed to be sold under the single brand, with additional products or product categories requiring fresh approval.
The notification reiterates that the move is "aimed at attracting investments in production and marketing, improving the availability of such goods for the consumer, encouraging increased sourcing of goods from India, and enhancing competitiveness of Indian enterprises through access to global designs, technologies and management practices."

The DIPP, through Press Note 3 of 2006, states that these guidelines come into force with immediate effect.
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Centre to set up eight terminal markets
New Delhi: The Centre plans to set up eight terminal market complexes in five States, and in a Union Territory, at a cost of Rs550 crore intending to integrate domestic produce with retail chains, a senior Government official said.

The terminal markets will be set up in Mumbai, Nashik, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Rai (Haryana), Patna, Bhopal and Kolkata.

The markets would be set up in alliance with private players, with a 51 per cent holding by the Government and 49 per cent stake by private enterprises, the official said.

The details of the initiative would be worked out on February 20 during a meeting of State agriculture ministers and the union agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar. After consultation with State agriculture ministers, the proposal would be sent to the Cabinet.

The respective State governments will amend the Agriculture Produce Marketing Act to pave the way for terminal markets. To begin with, the terminal markets will be set up for fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, meat and poultry.
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Govt. mulling issuance of e-passports
Thiruvananthapuram: The Union minister of state for external affairs, E. Ahamed, has said the Centre was actively considering the introduction of e-passports in the country.

But no decision has been taken on whether tamper-proof passports should be implemented in phases, he told newspersons here after launching new facilities at the Regional Passport Office here on Friday.

E-passports will carry all information about the traveler, including an electronic image of his face, and will feature a smart computer chip. Tentatively planned for a launch in 2013, e-passports will rule out the possibility for tampering with passports.
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Survey: Temp jobs up 20 pc, salaries rise 15 pc
Bangalore: The number of 'temp' jobs in the country has jumped by 20 per cent in verticals like BFSI, manufacturing and consumer durables, according to the annual temp salary report compiled by Team Lease Services, the country's largest staffing company.

The report says that salaries have improved by 15 per cent compared to last year, though Bangalore and Delhi continue to top in temp salaries across industries and job profiles.

According to the report, HR and administration temps in IT and ITeS sectors take home the highest pay packets (about Rs16,000 per month for 3-5 years experience) followed closely by manufacturing and BFSI (about Rs12,000 for the same level).

In cities like Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune, HR and admin temps at the same level would earn anywhere between Rs10,000 and Rs12,000 per month. The Temp Salary Primer 2006 has studied salaries across nine locations and 23 profiles for earnings between December 2004 and December 2005.
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