The Deccan Chronicle board has approved an FII investment of up to about 14% of paid up capital. The company will invest about Rs 20 crore to start off in Mangalore and Dharwad editions.
PK Iyer, Executive Director of Deccan Chronicle Holdings says that the Mangalore and Dharwad editions will start, after Bangalore goes online.
He adds that they are getting Kochi and Coimbatore online first, while Kochi, Coimbatore and Bangalore will go online this fiscal. Mangalore and Dharwad may go online eight months after that.
Excerpts from CNBC-TV18's exclusive interview with PK Iyer:
Q: Could you walk us through the kind of timeline that you have laid for these two edtions to come on board?
A: The timeline for Mangalore and Dharwad would be after Bangalore goes online, but more importantly after we have got our ABC, Audit Bureau Circulation, certificate for Chennai.
We are getting Kochi and Coimbatore online first. Kochi, Coimbatore and Bangalore would go online this fiscal, and Mangalore and Dharwad would then go online after that, maybe eight months after that.
Q: So on the first or second quarter of ’07 or rather ’08 can we can these two editions coming up?
A: Mangalore and Dharwad would become supplementary to Bangalore like Kochi and Coimbatore are now becoming supplementary to Chennai.
Q: What are the capacities of both these Mangalore and Dharwad facilities that you are setting up, in terms of copies per day?
A: The capacity in this business is an aberration because the press prints only for two hours, but it is sufficient to handle the growth in leadership for five years. So there is enough capacity to print, it is not an issue.
Q: On the acquisitions front, has diligence started?
A: Yes, we have appointed KPMG formally to submit us a report. We have been working on this for about eight months. Last year, we did two of them. One was Odyssey and the other was Asian Age.
Asian Age gave us great content and Odyssey is also getting listed probably .
So this time we have put KPMG to look at it. We are looking at the print space. We are also looking at some outdoor solutions because we believe integrated media is now a reality.
With about close to 80% market share in Hyderabad and a growing market in Chennai, we are looking at the hoarding space and we are looking at some print space as well in the south.
Courtesy : Money Control
Friday, August 25, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
More domestic air connectivity from Coimbatore airport
The Coimbatore Airport is all set to witness entry of two more domestic airliners within a month to operate services on the Coimbatore-Pondicherry and Coimbatore-Ahmedabad sectors. In the next phase, one of the airlines is planning to fly to Kochi and Agatti (Lakshadweep). An airline has plans for a connecting flight to Tirupati.
At present, there are five airlines - Go Air, Jet Airways, Indian, Paramount and Air Deccan - operating services to Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Mumbai and New Delhi. There are 17 aircraft movements a day (one movement includes both landing and take-off). Indian is also operating three services a week from Chennai to Sharjah via Coimbatore and Kochi.
Air Sahara has temporarily suspended its service to Hyderabad. In addition, SriLankan Airlines is operating a cargo freighter with 14 movements a week to Colombo.
The entry of low cost-no frill airlines has increased both the number flights and passenger traffic to and from Coimbatore considerably.
Airport Authority of India sources indicated that Jagson Airlines has expressed interest to operate a morning service on the Pondicherry-Coimbatore-Pondicherry sector.
The airliner is planning to deploy an 18-seater Dornier aircraft on this sector. The same airline will offer a connecting service to Tirupati from Pondicherry. Jagson has plans to operate services from Coimbatore to Kochi and Agatti in Lakshadweep in the next phase.
Similarly, Kingfisher Airlines had planned a service from Coimbatore to Ahmedabad from August 15. It is likely to begin some time in September, the sources say.
An international airline has already visited the airport to have a feel of the facilities here for starting operations to South East Asian destinations from Coimbatore.
The Airport Director (in charge), R.S. D'cruz confirmed that the two domestic airliners have given expression of interest. The airlines were complying with the procedural formalities and the services would start after a formal clearance from AAI authorities, he says.
The airport is fully equipped in terms of infrastructure and logistics to handle the growth in traffic.
Courtesy : The Hindu
At present, there are five airlines - Go Air, Jet Airways, Indian, Paramount and Air Deccan - operating services to Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Mumbai and New Delhi. There are 17 aircraft movements a day (one movement includes both landing and take-off). Indian is also operating three services a week from Chennai to Sharjah via Coimbatore and Kochi.
Air Sahara has temporarily suspended its service to Hyderabad. In addition, SriLankan Airlines is operating a cargo freighter with 14 movements a week to Colombo.
The entry of low cost-no frill airlines has increased both the number flights and passenger traffic to and from Coimbatore considerably.
Airport Authority of India sources indicated that Jagson Airlines has expressed interest to operate a morning service on the Pondicherry-Coimbatore-Pondicherry sector.
The airliner is planning to deploy an 18-seater Dornier aircraft on this sector. The same airline will offer a connecting service to Tirupati from Pondicherry. Jagson has plans to operate services from Coimbatore to Kochi and Agatti in Lakshadweep in the next phase.
Similarly, Kingfisher Airlines had planned a service from Coimbatore to Ahmedabad from August 15. It is likely to begin some time in September, the sources say.
An international airline has already visited the airport to have a feel of the facilities here for starting operations to South East Asian destinations from Coimbatore.
The Airport Director (in charge), R.S. D'cruz confirmed that the two domestic airliners have given expression of interest. The airlines were complying with the procedural formalities and the services would start after a formal clearance from AAI authorities, he says.
The airport is fully equipped in terms of infrastructure and logistics to handle the growth in traffic.
Courtesy : The Hindu
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
TCS to set up software facility in Coimbatore
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is planning to set up its software development facility in Coimbatore by the end of the current fiscal. This is likely to be a financial services vertical.
The company is planning to accomodate around 1,000 employees in its new facility and is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government for allocation of space in the proposed information technology park here.
“The talks are still on. Initially, we are on the lookout for a leased property of around 100,000 sq ft. We expect the works to begin in six months," N Chandrasekharan, global head, (sales and operations), TCS, said.
Addressing a press conference, S Ramadorai, chief executive officer and managing director, TCS, said the move came in the wake of larger employee base in Coimbatore thanks to the presence of many reputed engineering and technical educational institutions in and around the city.
“For the current fiscal, the number of offers made stands at 1,215, an increase of 67 per cent compared with last year’s 727,” he added.
S Padmanabhan, executive vice-president and head, (global human resources), TCS, said that Coimbatore was emerging as a promising IT hub and TCS was planning to play an integral role in the further development of the local economy by working with academic institutions by helping them train and develop talents in the region.
The company already has a 100-seat Engineering Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Coimbatore which caters to the needs of small and mid-sized engineering units in the region.
It has also established a physical facilitation centre here when it kickstarted the MCA 21 programme, an online filing facility of statutory documents with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), earlier this year.
Courtesy : Business Standard
The company is planning to accomodate around 1,000 employees in its new facility and is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government for allocation of space in the proposed information technology park here.
“The talks are still on. Initially, we are on the lookout for a leased property of around 100,000 sq ft. We expect the works to begin in six months," N Chandrasekharan, global head, (sales and operations), TCS, said.
Addressing a press conference, S Ramadorai, chief executive officer and managing director, TCS, said the move came in the wake of larger employee base in Coimbatore thanks to the presence of many reputed engineering and technical educational institutions in and around the city.
“For the current fiscal, the number of offers made stands at 1,215, an increase of 67 per cent compared with last year’s 727,” he added.
S Padmanabhan, executive vice-president and head, (global human resources), TCS, said that Coimbatore was emerging as a promising IT hub and TCS was planning to play an integral role in the further development of the local economy by working with academic institutions by helping them train and develop talents in the region.
The company already has a 100-seat Engineering Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Coimbatore which caters to the needs of small and mid-sized engineering units in the region.
It has also established a physical facilitation centre here when it kickstarted the MCA 21 programme, an online filing facility of statutory documents with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), earlier this year.
Courtesy : Business Standard
Monday, August 21, 2006
Language lab helps in better communication
Students at the Avinashilingam Deemed University have begun developing their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, using the facilities available at the full-fledged language laboratory established in the Department of English. Practical knowledge of English is aimed at helping the learners communicate effectively with people around the world in areas such as technology, travel, business and entertainment. Teachers can monitor the learning activities of students and offer advice individually or in groups.
Learners occupy 20 listening stations connected to the main computer. Individual interaction between teacher and student facilitates faster grasp of the fundamentals, besides making practice and feedback easy.
Gaining mastery over a variety of listening and speaking skills is possible by using graded lessons and practical work recorded every week.
The lab has software for students at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
While students deficient in English will be able to improve their skills, those who already have good command of the language will be able to build confidence to face interviews and competitive examinations. Language laboratory sessions include word games, puzzles, debates and skits
Courtesy : The Hindu
Learners occupy 20 listening stations connected to the main computer. Individual interaction between teacher and student facilitates faster grasp of the fundamentals, besides making practice and feedback easy.
Gaining mastery over a variety of listening and speaking skills is possible by using graded lessons and practical work recorded every week.
The lab has software for students at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
While students deficient in English will be able to improve their skills, those who already have good command of the language will be able to build confidence to face interviews and competitive examinations. Language laboratory sessions include word games, puzzles, debates and skits
Courtesy : The Hindu
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Coimbatore needs more industrial estates
Apart from the five industrial estates already developed by the Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) here and some sectors planning private ones, Coimbatore small-scale units need more such projects that will support their growth.
With more opportunities, the units are badly in need of expansion or setting up new units. When they go in for individual projects, these units have to wait for about three months to get electricity connection. Then they have to spend on infrastructure such as water connection and roads.
Instead, if these units have the option of shifting to an industrial estate, all these facilities will be readily available, points out K. Ilango, vice-president of the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association. Further, the units will be able to get all clearances under a single window system. "Hence, the units will gain productive time."
Arterial roads
In a reaction to the SSI policy of the State Government, which was announced recently, he says, "We have sought more SIDCO developed estates, especially on the arterial roads, to enhance employment opportunities for rural youth."
The existing eight estates house over 700 small-scale industries. The units in the city face several constraints and may have to move out. In such a scenario, they can relocate to the estates. "Occupancy will not be a problem mainly due to infrastructure."
The President of Southern India Engineering Manufacturers Association, C.R. Shanmugasundaram, says that a lot of small-scale engineering units in the city have come up in the residential areas mainly because of lack of separate industrial estates for these units.
The one in Kurichi was developed about 25 years ago, he points out. Formation of more industrial estates in Coimbatore will benefit the small and tiny engineering units to a great extent, he is confident.
According to a SIDCO official here, the Corporation has written to the local industry associations seeking identification of land for more estates in the district.
These can be sector-specific (such as garments) or general. The SIDCO is also pursuing the proposal of setting up a park for women entrepreneurs.
Courtesy ; The Hindu
With more opportunities, the units are badly in need of expansion or setting up new units. When they go in for individual projects, these units have to wait for about three months to get electricity connection. Then they have to spend on infrastructure such as water connection and roads.
Instead, if these units have the option of shifting to an industrial estate, all these facilities will be readily available, points out K. Ilango, vice-president of the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association. Further, the units will be able to get all clearances under a single window system. "Hence, the units will gain productive time."
Arterial roads
In a reaction to the SSI policy of the State Government, which was announced recently, he says, "We have sought more SIDCO developed estates, especially on the arterial roads, to enhance employment opportunities for rural youth."
The existing eight estates house over 700 small-scale industries. The units in the city face several constraints and may have to move out. In such a scenario, they can relocate to the estates. "Occupancy will not be a problem mainly due to infrastructure."
The President of Southern India Engineering Manufacturers Association, C.R. Shanmugasundaram, says that a lot of small-scale engineering units in the city have come up in the residential areas mainly because of lack of separate industrial estates for these units.
The one in Kurichi was developed about 25 years ago, he points out. Formation of more industrial estates in Coimbatore will benefit the small and tiny engineering units to a great extent, he is confident.
According to a SIDCO official here, the Corporation has written to the local industry associations seeking identification of land for more estates in the district.
These can be sector-specific (such as garments) or general. The SIDCO is also pursuing the proposal of setting up a park for women entrepreneurs.
Courtesy ; The Hindu
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Paramount Airways to increase flights
With the arrival of its third Embraer jet, Paramount Airways will increase its daily flights from 24 to 34 from here. It would be effected shortly after complying with the formalities of the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Managing Director M. Thiagarajan told The Hindu on Sunday. Mr. Thiagarajan said the airline would operate three services daily to Madurai and Coimbatore and also introduce early morning flights to Hyderabad and Kochi.
He said with the arrival of the third jet the airline would offer dual class seating.
Mr. Thiagarajan said a special fare would be offered from August 15 starting at Rs. 1,999. Bookings will open from August 14.
Courtesy : The Hindu
Friday, August 11, 2006
Plan ready to rid Coimbatore of slums
The city's image of an emerging information technology hub and a medical tourism centre seems to be having a cascading effect, and a much-desired one at that.
The city planners are not stopping with just key infrastructure such as roads. They also plan to prevent mushrooming of slums so that the city does not go the Chennai or Mumbai way. The immediate task on hand involves relocation of the existing slums before they become too unwieldy.
The Coimbatore Corporation has chalked out a Rs. 281-crore plan to rid the city of slums. If the plan is implemented, visitors to the city may not get to see these people living in huts. Instead, there will be multi-storeyed dwellings with elevators, recreation space and shops.
"The aim is to remove the slums now located along canals and tanks and also in other areas that impede development and re-locate them," says Corporation Commissioner P. Muthuveeran. "A clean image of the city and decent living standards for these people are the twin objectives," says Mr Muthuveeran.
A 110-acre site at Ukkadam on the southern border of the city and the erstwhile compost yard at Kavundampalayam on the north have been tentatively identified for the purpose.
Both areas will be developed into residential localities where these people can lead a healthy life, and also not feel that they have been removed from the city.
"We will interact with the slum dwellers and involve the councillors in the process as they are very vital in convincing these people on the project," says the Commissioner.
Courtesy : The Hindu
The city planners are not stopping with just key infrastructure such as roads. They also plan to prevent mushrooming of slums so that the city does not go the Chennai or Mumbai way. The immediate task on hand involves relocation of the existing slums before they become too unwieldy.
The Coimbatore Corporation has chalked out a Rs. 281-crore plan to rid the city of slums. If the plan is implemented, visitors to the city may not get to see these people living in huts. Instead, there will be multi-storeyed dwellings with elevators, recreation space and shops.
"The aim is to remove the slums now located along canals and tanks and also in other areas that impede development and re-locate them," says Corporation Commissioner P. Muthuveeran. "A clean image of the city and decent living standards for these people are the twin objectives," says Mr Muthuveeran.
A 110-acre site at Ukkadam on the southern border of the city and the erstwhile compost yard at Kavundampalayam on the north have been tentatively identified for the purpose.
Both areas will be developed into residential localities where these people can lead a healthy life, and also not feel that they have been removed from the city.
"We will interact with the slum dwellers and involve the councillors in the process as they are very vital in convincing these people on the project," says the Commissioner.
Courtesy : The Hindu
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Sri Lanka invites Coimbatore SSIs
Coimbatore small-scale industries now have another opportunity to expand their business beyond the national boundaries.
Small and medium enterprise developers and the Ministry of Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion of Sri Lanka have invited member units of Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) to participate in the `International Machinery Exhibition and Trade Fair' to be organised in Colombo from September 8 to 10.
Advantages
Besides concession in stall rates, the organisers have offered packages for air travel too. "They want industries from Coimbatore to exhibit their products at the fair for the benefit of their small-scale industries," says K. Balachandran, the CODISSIA president.
Sri Lanka is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and hence industries here will be able to export without any tariff barrier. Proximity is another advantage.
They need components for machines and the small-scale units here will be able to double their business in two years with these advantages, he adds.
Some members of the association are exporting to Sri Lanka and they go to international trade fairs related to their field. This time the CODISSIA plans a delegation of about 25 members and another team of 25 participants.
"This will give a boost to Coimbatore industries."
For the SSIs here, Mr. Balachandran notes: They have to look at more markets, increasing production and scaling up their capacities.
Initially, the small units should tap the potential in countries such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh (the SAARC countries). Some textile units are exporting to Bangladesh and the engineering units have opportunities in Sri Lanka. The small-scale units here that manufacture small components can export to Sri Lanka.
Exhibits
Exhibits at the fair will include machinery for food processing, metal working, welding equipment, coir processing, gem and jewellery making and electrical goods.
Ancillary equipment, processes, methods and new technology for preservation of rice products, metal finishing, moulds and tools and chemical supplies will also be displayed. The list of participants will be finalised before August 12.
Courtesy: The Hindu
Small and medium enterprise developers and the Ministry of Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion of Sri Lanka have invited member units of Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) to participate in the `International Machinery Exhibition and Trade Fair' to be organised in Colombo from September 8 to 10.
Advantages
Besides concession in stall rates, the organisers have offered packages for air travel too. "They want industries from Coimbatore to exhibit their products at the fair for the benefit of their small-scale industries," says K. Balachandran, the CODISSIA president.
Sri Lanka is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and hence industries here will be able to export without any tariff barrier. Proximity is another advantage.
They need components for machines and the small-scale units here will be able to double their business in two years with these advantages, he adds.
Some members of the association are exporting to Sri Lanka and they go to international trade fairs related to their field. This time the CODISSIA plans a delegation of about 25 members and another team of 25 participants.
"This will give a boost to Coimbatore industries."
For the SSIs here, Mr. Balachandran notes: They have to look at more markets, increasing production and scaling up their capacities.
Initially, the small units should tap the potential in countries such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh (the SAARC countries). Some textile units are exporting to Bangladesh and the engineering units have opportunities in Sri Lanka. The small-scale units here that manufacture small components can export to Sri Lanka.
Exhibits
Exhibits at the fair will include machinery for food processing, metal working, welding equipment, coir processing, gem and jewellery making and electrical goods.
Ancillary equipment, processes, methods and new technology for preservation of rice products, metal finishing, moulds and tools and chemical supplies will also be displayed. The list of participants will be finalised before August 12.
Courtesy: The Hindu
Friday, July 28, 2006
PMK demands more districts in Tamil Nadu
The PMK Thursday called for the creation of eight new districts in Tamil Nadu for smooth administration.
Legislators of the party, which is an ally of the United Progressive Alliance as well as the DMK government in the state, raised the issue in the assembly.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss later said that Villupuram, Coimbatore, Salem and Vellore districts should be divided. 'Each of these districts have more than 10 assembly constituencies and are too big to administer,' he told reporters.
There are 30 districts in Tamil Nadu, with Krishnagiri being the last one to be created in 2004 by bifurcating the Dharmapuri district.
Last week, the DMK government had announced that the central Perambalur district would be divided to form another district with headquarters at Ariyalur.
Courtesy : Daily India
Legislators of the party, which is an ally of the United Progressive Alliance as well as the DMK government in the state, raised the issue in the assembly.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss later said that Villupuram, Coimbatore, Salem and Vellore districts should be divided. 'Each of these districts have more than 10 assembly constituencies and are too big to administer,' he told reporters.
There are 30 districts in Tamil Nadu, with Krishnagiri being the last one to be created in 2004 by bifurcating the Dharmapuri district.
Last week, the DMK government had announced that the central Perambalur district would be divided to form another district with headquarters at Ariyalur.
Courtesy : Daily India
Is Coimbatore set for an expansion?
After the previous expansion in 1981, the Coimbatore Corporation seems to be thinking of stretching its boundaries further to bring the peripheral areas under its control.
The aim is to provide these areas with better services in view of the projected growth, to be spurred by an information technology park. The present increase of housing colonies in the suburbs has also set the Corporation mulling an expansion.
"Maybe, such an expansion will help in the creation of the much-demanded Coimbatore Metropolitan Development Authority," says the Corporation Commissioner, P. Muthuveeran. "An authority of such stature will require a large city area." It is now 105.6 sq.km. with a population of 13 lakhs.
But the plan is at a very preliminary stage, Mr Muthuveeran says. Views of stakeholders ( people in the peripheral areas), experts in town planning and also the industrial associations will have to be obtained before venturing into it.
Planners in the Corporation appear to be contemplating an expansion because residents in the suburbs such as Kurichi, Kuniamuthur, Kavundampalayam, Vadavalli, Chinniampalayam and Kalapatti identify themselves more with the city.
Given the hectic growth in these areas, the Corporation feels it may be able to serve them better with its greater financial strength. With huge funds coming from the Union Urban Development Ministry for infrastructure schemes in big cities, Coimbatore city and its outlying areas will only benefit from an expansion. Property tax, water charges and other non-tax revenue contribute revenue to local bodies that in turn can be used for development activities. But such resources are not enough to meet big infrastructure needs of these areas that almost match the city in the pace of growth. The Coimbatore Airport is located on the city border but under the control of a panchayat. Even garbage clearance is poor on the approach road to the airport. "If it is under the Corporation, there can be greater focus on maintenance," says Mr. Muthuveeran.
The fresh plan seems to have arisen out of a need for the maintenance of every infrastructure by one agency, even in the fringes whose boundaries with the city are becoming blurred.
Courtesy: The Hindu
The aim is to provide these areas with better services in view of the projected growth, to be spurred by an information technology park. The present increase of housing colonies in the suburbs has also set the Corporation mulling an expansion.
"Maybe, such an expansion will help in the creation of the much-demanded Coimbatore Metropolitan Development Authority," says the Corporation Commissioner, P. Muthuveeran. "An authority of such stature will require a large city area." It is now 105.6 sq.km. with a population of 13 lakhs.
But the plan is at a very preliminary stage, Mr Muthuveeran says. Views of stakeholders ( people in the peripheral areas), experts in town planning and also the industrial associations will have to be obtained before venturing into it.
Planners in the Corporation appear to be contemplating an expansion because residents in the suburbs such as Kurichi, Kuniamuthur, Kavundampalayam, Vadavalli, Chinniampalayam and Kalapatti identify themselves more with the city.
Given the hectic growth in these areas, the Corporation feels it may be able to serve them better with its greater financial strength. With huge funds coming from the Union Urban Development Ministry for infrastructure schemes in big cities, Coimbatore city and its outlying areas will only benefit from an expansion. Property tax, water charges and other non-tax revenue contribute revenue to local bodies that in turn can be used for development activities. But such resources are not enough to meet big infrastructure needs of these areas that almost match the city in the pace of growth. The Coimbatore Airport is located on the city border but under the control of a panchayat. Even garbage clearance is poor on the approach road to the airport. "If it is under the Corporation, there can be greater focus on maintenance," says Mr. Muthuveeran.
The fresh plan seems to have arisen out of a need for the maintenance of every infrastructure by one agency, even in the fringes whose boundaries with the city are becoming blurred.
Courtesy: The Hindu
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