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85 consumer items go off
small scale industry list

What is India News Service, Monday, September 20, 2004, 1700 hrs IST

The government has decided to remove several consumer items from the list of products reserved for the small-scale industry (SSI). The list includes sweetened cashew nut products, shoe polish, wheel chairs, sandalwood oil, hair pins, mechanical razors, gas lighters, adhesive insulating tapes and coffee percolators.

The government will notify the 85 items shortly. Currently, there are 675 items under 22 categories, reserved exclusively for manufacture in the SSI sector.

India lags behind other Asian countries in urbanisation rate: Even before the Congress swept to power with a promised emphasis in rural areas, migration from rural to urban India slowed down. Latest population data from the Union Health Ministry shows a "low level and slow pace of urbanisation in India."

Broadband ushers in online gaming revolution in India:   Indian kids, long used to simple computer and video games, are fast becoming hooked to online game parlours, playing sophisticated online games with multiple partners and at very little cost.

Head-hunters look for creative techies: Today, the job market requires youngsters with good communication skills who have not only done well academically but also in theatre and music.

Banking on change to remain ahead: Wipro Corporation Chairman Azim Premji spoke about the challenges facing the Indian banking industry at a seminar organised by Ficci in Bangalore recently.

BSNL, Reliance bag deal for community phones: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Reliance Infocomm will share the contract for setting up community phones in 50,000 villages with support from the Universal Services Obligation (USO) fund.

Vascular Concepts stents to hit European market: Critical care medical devices made in India are as rare abroad as their good reputation. Indian technology, though, would be a different story, if it were to ride on outsourced, but excellent, manufacturing credentials.

FMCG companies plan capacity expansion to prune costs: Steadily increasing input costs have pushed FMCG companies to rethink their manufacturing strategies. Many of them are moving away from contract manufacturing to capacity expansion.

Foreign air seats for the Indian traveller: The growing number of outbound travellers has prompted foreign airlines to expand their services in India.

The right `FiT' for textiles, post-quota era: Worried about staying afloat in the cut-throat global apparel and textiles business? Just go in for a `FiT-ness' test.

Kinetic to hive off Pune plant: After Mahindra & Mahindra, the Firodia-controlled Kinetic group is the latest auto major to script an ambitious strategy for its auto components business. Kinetic is planning to hive off a part of its manufacturing plant near Pune into a separate company and is scouting around for an international joint venture partner for it.

Squabble over posting SAT orders on SEBI site: Since January 2004, the Security and Exchange Board of India's Web site has stopped carrying the orders passed by the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT). The now expanded, three-member tribunal wanted it this way.
 

Overall:

Government removed items from small scale industry list: It is following the recommendations of a review committee.

BSNL, Reliance bagged big contract: They will service communities in 50,000 villages. 

Kinetic is looking at the auto spares business: It announced it would hive off its Pune plant.