Clarification of MOEF on Environment Clearance to Power Projects

In the wake of the nationwide power outages over the last two days, a section of the media has reported that one of the main reasons for the failure of the power grades have been power projects, which are said to have been “stalled” due to want of Environmental Clearance (EC). This is factually incorrect. The status is as follows: NTPC Bijapur Karnataka is said to have been stalled due to lack of environmental clearance. The fact is EC was granted on 25 January 2012. Essar Madhya Pradesh is said to have been stalled due to lack of EC, but EC was granted as early as 20 April 2007. The same applies to Reliance Power Chitrangi Madhya Pradesh where EC was granted on 28 May 2010. The Essar plant is already in operation, although final Forest Clearance (FC) for both these projects is pending. NHPC Dibang valley has been violently opposed by the local people, and public hearing has been postponed 5 times due to public unrest, although initial Terms of Reference (TORs) were issued on 17 August 2009. Further Dibang involves diversion of 5056 hectares of forest land-a massive extent of land which has to be carefully studied. With regard to the NHPC Middle Subanshri project, even the application for EC is yet to be received; Jaypee Lower Siang was granted TORs in 1 January 2007. But public unrest has not enabled the State Government to conduct public hearing to proceed further. NPCIL Mithvirdi Gujarat far from being stalled due to lack of EC, even the application for EC has not been received at MoEF. Saurashtra Coal Based is said to be stalled for want of FC but no application for FC has been received in the Ministry. The Cheemei gas based TPP by Kerala State Industrial Corporation was considered for EC but postponed, because the promoters were not even sure about the blend of natural gas and RLG which they proposed to use for the plant. They were told to put their plan together and revert to MoEF. With regard to environment and forest clearances for power plants, the following are the facts, as brought out by an independent study done by the Centre for Science and Environment in 2011. The 11th Five Year Plan has projected a target of 50,000 MW of additional thermal power capacity; the 12th Plan asks for 100,000 MW. Thus the total projection of power requirement for the 12th Five Year Plan is 100,000 MW. In the past 5 years, upto 2011, the MoEF has granted environmental clearance to 210,000 MW of power- that is 60,000MW more power than has been proposed until 2017. In most cases including coal and thermal power projects, clearances given by MoEF far exceed targets, and even capacity projected for the future. Figures and statistics which bear out this statement are available for every sector. Further, MoEF has reviewed existing procedures to ensure that in cases where clearances are granted, there is no undue delay hardship or loss caused to the economy. It has been directed that both forest and environmental clearances should be simultaneously processed, in order to avoid delay. However, the actual EC is only handed over after the final forest clearance and wildlife clearance where necessary are given. With regard to forest clearance, upto 40 ha forest land may be cleared at the regional level itself, and it is only for much larger tracts of forest land that the matter is processed at MoEF. Four new regional offices in addition to the existing offices are being opened to facilitate the working of the Ministry, and also the Ministry has been strengthened by a GIS satellite data base-both to work on improving forest cover, as also to facilitate gathering of information for faster clearance. It is reiterated that the best interests of the country require that utmost importance is given to considerations of protecting, nurturing, preserving and saving the environment.

Delhi HC admits TCI plea against Coal India, Govt.

D

elhi High Court has admitted UK-based The Children's Investment Fund (TCI's) plea against Coal India and the govt of India issuing notices to both Coal India and the coal ministry.

Coal India’s largest minority shareholder TCI had moved court on Monday raising issues like coal pricing and corporate governance at Coal India with the presidential directive to Coal India being the key bone of contention.

Wind Power is Centre Piece of Renewable Energy Thrust Round table held on Wind Power Programme

The Government of India has put together enabling policies and incentives for developing renewable energy sources. In his inaugural address at the Round Table on Wind Power Programme in New Delhi today, Shri Gireesh Pradhan, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said, wind power is the thrust area in renewable energy and such Round Tables give opportunity to hear all sides. He said there are land and environmental issues which are a challenge but an investor friendly policy framework coupled with attractive tariff has provided a strong foundation for the growth of wind sector issues. Shri Pradhan said India stands 5th in the World in terms of total installed wind power capacity of about 17,600 MW. The Government is promoting commercial wind power projects through private sector investments by providing fiscal incentives such as 10 year tax holiday on income generation from renewable projects, excise duty exemption for manufacture of wind electric generators and parts etc. The day-long Round Table on Wind Power Programme held sessions to discuss policy issues, financial and tariff related matters, grid connectivity and power evacuation.

Army Chief Visits South west Command

The Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh accompanied by the Army Commander called on Mr Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister Rajasthan, today at Jaipur. They exchanged views on various issues pertaining to civil military relations and also discussed mutual assistance programmes towards development projects and human resources progression in the region. The civil and military dignitaries also had wholesome interaction during the session on enhanced incentives for awardees, establishment of Rajasthan Ex-serviceman Corporation and provision of land and monetary grant for welfare schemes of the Army, which highlighted the concerns of Rajasthan Government towards service veterans. Army Chief thanked the Chief Minister for the positive initiatives in addressing the aspirations of Ex-Servicemen and Veer Naris by the Rajasthan Government. Gen Singh thereafter departed for Bathinda to visit the Chetak Corps, prior to their return to Delhi.

Review of the Foreign Direct Investment policy - permitting investments from Pakistan.

1.0  Present Position: 1.1 As per paragraph 3.1.1 of Circular 1 of 2012- Consolidated FDI Policy`, effective from 10.04.2012, investment from a citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan is not permitted. 2.0  Revised Position: 2.1  The Government of India has reviewed the policy, as contained in paragraph 3.1.1 of the circular ibid and decided to permit a citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan to make investments in India, under the Government route, in sectors/activities other than defence, space and atomic energy. 3.0  Amendment to paragraph 3.1.1: 3.1  Accordingly, Paragraph 3.1.1 of Circular 1 of 2012- Consolidated FDI Policy`, effective from 10.4.2012, is amended to read as below: "3.1.1 A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FOI Policy. A citizen of Bangladesh or an entity incorporated in Bangladesh can invest only under the Government route. A citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan can invest, only under the Government route, in sectors/activities other than defence, space and atomic energy." 4.0 The above decision will take immediate effect. Dept. of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Downstream investment by a banking company incorporated in India, which is owned and/or controlled by non-residents/ a non-resident entity/non-resident entities - Insertion of a Note below paragraph 3.10.4.1 of 'Circular 1 of 2012-Consolidated FDI Policy'

1.0  Present Position: 1.1  Paragraph 3.10.4.1 of `Circular 1of 2012- Consolidated FDI Policy` dated 10.04.2012, relating to downstream investment by an Indian company, which is owned and/or controlled by non -resident entity/ies, states as under: Downstream investment by an Indian company, which is owned and/ or controlled by non-resident entity/ies, into another Indian company, would be in accordance/compliance with the relevant sectoral conditions on entry route, conditionalities and caps, with regard to the sectors in which the latter Indian company is operating. 1.2  Paragraph 4.1.3(ii) of the abovementioned Circular interalia states as under: Counting of indirect foreign Investment: (a)   The foreign investment through the investing Indian company would not be considered for calculation of the indirect foreign investment in case of Indian companies which are `owned and controlled` by resident Indian citizens and/or Indian Companies which are owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens. (b)For cases where condition (a) above is not satisfied or if the investing company is owned or controlled by `non resident entities`, the entire investment by the investing company into the subject Indian Company would be considered as indirect foreign investment, provided that, as an exception, the indirect foreign investment in only the 100% owned subsidiaries of operating-cum-investing/investing companies, will be limited to the foreign investment in the operating-cum-investing/ investing company. 2.0  Revised Position: The Government of India has reviewed the policy relating to calculation of downstream investments by a banking company incorporated in India, which is owned and/or controlled by non-residents/ a non-resident entity/non-resident entities. 3.0  Accordingly, the following amendment is made in `Circular 1 of 2012- Consolidated FDI Policy`, dated 10.04.2012, issued by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion: Insertion of a Note below paragraph 3.10.4.1: A new Note below paragraph 3.10.4.1 is inserted as below: Note: Downstream investment/s made by a banking company, as defined in clause (c) of Section 5 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, incorporated in India, which is owned and/or controlled by non-residents/ a non-resident entity/non-resident entities, under Corporate Debt Restructuring (CDR), or other loan restructuring mechanism, or in trading books, or for acquisition of shares due to defaults in loans, shall not count towards indirect foreign investment. However, their `strategic downstream investment` shall count towards indirect foreign investment. For this purpose, `strategic downstream investments` would mean investment by these banking companies in their subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. 4.0 The above decision will take immediate effect. Dept. of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Hidesign's AD campaign AW '12-13

Autumn-Winter 2012 Advertising Campaign

Introducing Lady Godiva

Mumbai, Aug 2012: Capturing the bare and sensuous beauty of handcrafted leather, Hidesign launches its A/W 2012-13 AD campaign, Lady Godiva.

The campaign conveys the power and elegance of a woman as she carries her Hidesign bag. This new series of ads feature models Kanishtha Dhankhar – Ex-Miss India-World, Ivana and Nitin Gupta. This season’s campaign brings together writer and conceptualizer Beverley Bhatija, and art director Vrushali Gurjar. The duo is part of the same team that worked on Hidesign’s award winning campaign in 2001, which brought to the fore the story of Hidesign’s excellence in the hand-crafting of leather. Through irreverence in copy and captivating imagery, the models posed skin-to-skin with leather bags. The duo created an iconic campaign that won Hidesign much acclaim worldwide and a loyal following. For the current campaign, Hidesign has once again collaborated with ace French photographer Dinh Thi Tien, who has redefined the brand’s imagery over the last seven years. “Lady Godiva is a legend and the photography must be surrealistic to push the concept. The lighting was inspired from «claire-obscure» painting to give a sensuous atmosphere. My vision was to inspire a real artistic and aesthetic way to rise up the brand image as the art of handcrafting,” says Dinh. 

Beverley shares, “The concept has evolved from the brand’s original campaign on the making of a bag, now to the emotional high that is unique to owning a handcrafted Hidesign bag.” The campaign strongly evokes the values that Hidesign is recognized for - a strong connect to nature, the romance of adventure, exquisite craftsmanship and an interest in all things off-beat. “The result,” says Vrushali, “a lush, surrealistic and sensorial spread.” Hidesign does not follow trends, but staying true to its ethos, reinvents itself season after season. Dilip Kapur, President of Hidesign says, “Hidesign connects to the young and self-confident, internationally, through the raw sensuousness and beauty of natural leather and great craftsmanship. Dinh’s powerful photography reignites the sense of adventure and wonder that our first ad campaign had experienced!”

The surreal background depicts Lady Godiva’s larger-than-life character. Kanishtha brings to life the passion of Godiva’s character, reiterating the spirit of her rebellion in the old fable. Dinh has beautifully captured the strength and individualism of the models through his photography. “She has a powerful and radiant charm and reflects a natural and sensuous beauty,” he says while describing his Godiva.

The modern styling and slick construction of these vegetable tanned leather bags give them a contemporary appeal that Hidesign has become well known for. Available in the colours of fall, such as nude, midnight blue, forest green, tan and aubergine, the collection includes an array of elegant totes, clutches, grabs, wallets, travel bags and belts.

The campaign will be introduced on Hidesign’s website www.hidesign.com, at all exclusive Hidesign stores, and will appear in leading fashion & lifestyle magazines, online portals and outdoor hoardings. Hidesign has recently launched exclusive stores in emerging metros such as Mysore, Aurangabad, Kanpur, Nagpur and Dimapur, and the campaign will be showcased in these cities through hoardings and print ads to boost awareness.

The concept evolves

The brief from Dilip Kapur was to ‘nudge’ the brand from the original campaign to make it more relevant to the brand's position today that now reflected the aspirations of modern Indian woman, while staying true to its natural, hand crafted, eco-friendly heritage.

On one hand, the idea for the campaign came from the brand itself - its glorious attention to detail, the hand-crafted heritage, use of vegetable tanned and hand polished leather, its people and its international design sensibility. On the other hand, it came from the consumer's experience with the brand. The making of the campaign was a collaborative interpretation of the concept behind the campaign - Lady Godiva - her passion, spirit and individualism that reflects the connection the brand has with its consumers across the world.  With president and founder of Hidesign, Dilip Kapur and the Brand Manager, Dipen, in Pondicherry, Art Director, Vrushali, in Delhi, writer/conceptualizer, Beverley, in London and photographer, Dinh, in Paris - the final campaign emerged seamlessly, as each individual creatively and strategically contributed to the original Godiva idea.

– Beverley Bhatija and Vrushali Gurjar

Credits:

Photographed by: Dinh Thi Tien, Paris

Concept: Beverley Bhatija, writer/conceptualizer, London

Art Direction: Vrushali Gurjar, founder and creative, Zebra Design

Female models: Kanishtha Dhankhar and Ivana

Male model: Nitin Gupta