Hundreds of farmers gathered on Tuesday by an agricultural collection depot run by a top national retailer to call for India's most populous state to reopen Western-style supermarkets closed last week.
Citing law and order problems, Uttar Pradesh state closed 10 new Reliance supermarkets last week after protests from small traders who say efforts to modernize a $350 billion fragmented retail sector would hurt millions working in "mom and pop" shops.
That closure snowballed, with Reliance Industries Ltd, India's biggest private company, putting on hold the opening of hundreds of air-conditioned supermarkets across northern and eastern India.
In a rare demonstration in favour of the new supermarkets, the farmers shouted "Reopen Reliance"' and "Long live farmers unity". They also chanted "Down with Mayawati", the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
The protests highlighted the fault lines in rapidly globalising India, where millions feel they are being left out of a booming economy that is perceived as only benefiting wealthy consumers.
Others say India's modernization is being put on hold by interest groups and politicians wary of losing jobs and votes.
"It seems there is some other politics behind this abrupt decision which is certainly not in the interest of farmers," said farm leader Ram Chandra Verma.
The Reliance centre buys up farm produce from local farmers. For many farmers it saves them money because they no longer have to go through traditional middlemen to sell their goods.
Farmers' organizations say they will hold a bigger demonstration in the state capital in the next few days.
Large retail companies account for only three percent of India's $350 billion retail market, which analysts estimate could double by 2015.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. , the world's biggest retailer, also faced protests when officials came to India for a deal with Bharti Enterprises.
India farmers protest for Western-style supermarkets
August 29, 2007, 5:17 pmEssar to build 1,200-mw power plant in Jamnagar
August 29, 2007, 10:59 am
Essar Power (Gujarat) Limited (EPGL), a subsidiary of Essar Power Holdings Limited, is planning to invest Rs 4,800 crore to set up a 1,200-MW power plant in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
EPGL has bagged this project through a competitive bidding process of the Gujarat government, which also saw participation from other major players like Adani Energy and Jindal Power.
According to Essar sources, EPHL has chalked out plans to increase its overall generation capacity to 6,500 mw from the current 1,200 mw by 2012, which will entail an investment of Rs 20, 000 crore. According to AK Srivastava, MD, Essar Power, “The Gujarat plant will use high quality imported coal from Indonesia and South Africa as fuel.” The company expects the financing of the project to be in the debt/equity ratio of 3:1. The financial closureis expected to be achieved before the end of the year.”
Sources said that EPGL has identified around 700 acres of land near Khambalia in Jamnagar district for executing the project. The company is in discussions with major Chinese companies like Sanghai Electric and others for equipment supply, which are expected to be finalised within one month.
EPGL has entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Gujarat government for supplying 1,000 MW of power at a levelised tariff of Rs.2.40 per unit. The company is free to sell the balance power. As per the agreement, the project should be completed within four years from the date of awarding, which was February 2007.
The company will create its own captive infrastructure to receive imported coal by setting up a port and other related facilities. The Kutch area in Gujarat is known for its natural deep-water draft and its ability to handle vessels around the year in all seasons. Essar’s port will be built with a capability to handle large vessels.
Courtesy : Expressindia.com
EPGL has bagged this project through a competitive bidding process of the Gujarat government, which also saw participation from other major players like Adani Energy and Jindal Power.
According to Essar sources, EPHL has chalked out plans to increase its overall generation capacity to 6,500 mw from the current 1,200 mw by 2012, which will entail an investment of Rs 20, 000 crore. According to AK Srivastava, MD, Essar Power, “The Gujarat plant will use high quality imported coal from Indonesia and South Africa as fuel.” The company expects the financing of the project to be in the debt/equity ratio of 3:1. The financial closureis expected to be achieved before the end of the year.”
Sources said that EPGL has identified around 700 acres of land near Khambalia in Jamnagar district for executing the project. The company is in discussions with major Chinese companies like Sanghai Electric and others for equipment supply, which are expected to be finalised within one month.
EPGL has entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Gujarat government for supplying 1,000 MW of power at a levelised tariff of Rs.2.40 per unit. The company is free to sell the balance power. As per the agreement, the project should be completed within four years from the date of awarding, which was February 2007.
The company will create its own captive infrastructure to receive imported coal by setting up a port and other related facilities. The Kutch area in Gujarat is known for its natural deep-water draft and its ability to handle vessels around the year in all seasons. Essar’s port will be built with a capability to handle large vessels.
Courtesy : Expressindia.com
Rakshabandhan brings back cheer to homeless kids
August 29, 2007, 10:56 am
For Prem Singh, 13, it was yet another Rakshabandhan away from his two sisters at his village in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Only this time, he found a new sister in Benazir and had a rakhi on his hand after four years. For him and 12 similar homeless children, who stay in a drop-in-shelter run by the Ahmedabad Social Action Group (ASAG) in Saraspur, this Rakshabandhan did not mean empty hands.
Their ‘sisters’ from ASAG’s slum children programme in Juhapura had come to tie rakhi on their hands. Manoj, who had run away from his home in Bihar two years ago said, “I have an elder sister and I was thinking about her today. Luckily, this time I have someone to tie a rakhi.”
It was a joyous monent for the 40-odd children who had gathered together to celebrate the occasion. Narmada Vaghela, program director of ASAG said, “These children had left their homes due to various reasons, but they really miss their siblings. In fact, some of them broke down while talking about their sisters.”
It was a festive atmosphere with the children singing songs and playing games with each other. Farhana, one of the girls from Juhapura said, “I already have one brother but today I got two more.” The children departed with the promise to stay in touch with their brothers and sisters.
Courtesy : ExpressIndia.com
Their ‘sisters’ from ASAG’s slum children programme in Juhapura had come to tie rakhi on their hands. Manoj, who had run away from his home in Bihar two years ago said, “I have an elder sister and I was thinking about her today. Luckily, this time I have someone to tie a rakhi.”
It was a joyous monent for the 40-odd children who had gathered together to celebrate the occasion. Narmada Vaghela, program director of ASAG said, “These children had left their homes due to various reasons, but they really miss their siblings. In fact, some of them broke down while talking about their sisters.”
It was a festive atmosphere with the children singing songs and playing games with each other. Farhana, one of the girls from Juhapura said, “I already have one brother but today I got two more.” The children departed with the promise to stay in touch with their brothers and sisters.
Courtesy : ExpressIndia.com
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