Tag: Rajya Sabha

  • ISRO to launch two private satellites for American company

    ISRO to launch two private satellites for American company

    NEW DELHI: Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has signed Launch Services Agreement with American company PlanetIQ for launching their satellites.

    Two of their satellites will be launched on-board ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). 

    According to agreements signed in October last, these satellites are meant for studying certain weather parameters. 

    This was stated in Rajya Sabha today by Dr Jitendra Singh, who is Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space.

  • ISRO to launch two private satellites for American company

    ISRO to launch two private satellites for American company

    NEW DELHI: Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has signed Launch Services Agreement with American company PlanetIQ for launching their satellites.

    Two of their satellites will be launched on-board ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). 

    According to agreements signed in October last, these satellites are meant for studying certain weather parameters. 

    This was stated in Rajya Sabha today by Dr Jitendra Singh, who is Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space.

  • Indian Railways target four-fold increase in advertising revenue: Railway Budget 16-17

    Indian Railways target four-fold increase in advertising revenue: Railway Budget 16-17

    MUMBAI: Aiming to tap newer areas for generating revenue, Railway minister Suresh Prabhu expressed his intention to heavily explore the potential of Indian Railways in generating more advertising revenue, with a target to multiply earnings by almost four times.

    While presenting the Railway Budget 2016 – 2017, Prabhu said, “We have vast physical infrastructure that facilitates exploitation through advertising. We intend to give special focus to exploring advertising potential on trains, stations and land adjacent to tracks of big stations.”

    “We will use customer interfacing assets to earn advertising revenue. Evolve models for revenue potential in 20 stations over the next three months to target ad revenue and improve earnings from advertising by more than four times than the current ad revenue,” added Prabhu.

    To further optimise the service’s potential for advertising revenues, Prabhu also announced the introduction of display screens. “We are soon introducing 20,000 high tech display screens across 2000 stations as rail display network for real time information to passengers and also unlock advertising potential,” Prabhu asserted.

    “Railway has typically focused on increasing revenues on tariff hikes,” Prabhu had stated at the beginning of his budget address at the Rajya Sabha.

    Stressing the need to increase Indian Railways’ revenue through non-tariff resources and methods at the beginning of his address at the Rajya Sabha, Prabhu also shared his plans to capitalise on the heavy digital traffic on the IRCTC website by engaging in e-commerce activities. “Railway has typically focused on increasing revenues on tariff hikes. IRCTC also has potential to exploit e commerce activities due to the large number of hits,” Prabhu shared.

    The minister also announced a special concession for journalists on ticket tariff. “For our journalist friends we will allow e-booking of tickets on concessional passes,” said Prabhu, later adding in jest, “Hoping that they will cover it better.”

  • Indian Railways target four-fold increase in advertising revenue: Railway Budget 16-17

    Indian Railways target four-fold increase in advertising revenue: Railway Budget 16-17

    MUMBAI: Aiming to tap newer areas for generating revenue, Railway minister Suresh Prabhu expressed his intention to heavily explore the potential of Indian Railways in generating more advertising revenue, with a target to multiply earnings by almost four times.

    While presenting the Railway Budget 2016 – 2017, Prabhu said, “We have vast physical infrastructure that facilitates exploitation through advertising. We intend to give special focus to exploring advertising potential on trains, stations and land adjacent to tracks of big stations.”

    “We will use customer interfacing assets to earn advertising revenue. Evolve models for revenue potential in 20 stations over the next three months to target ad revenue and improve earnings from advertising by more than four times than the current ad revenue,” added Prabhu.

    To further optimise the service’s potential for advertising revenues, Prabhu also announced the introduction of display screens. “We are soon introducing 20,000 high tech display screens across 2000 stations as rail display network for real time information to passengers and also unlock advertising potential,” Prabhu asserted.

    “Railway has typically focused on increasing revenues on tariff hikes,” Prabhu had stated at the beginning of his budget address at the Rajya Sabha.

    Stressing the need to increase Indian Railways’ revenue through non-tariff resources and methods at the beginning of his address at the Rajya Sabha, Prabhu also shared his plans to capitalise on the heavy digital traffic on the IRCTC website by engaging in e-commerce activities. “Railway has typically focused on increasing revenues on tariff hikes. IRCTC also has potential to exploit e commerce activities due to the large number of hits,” Prabhu shared.

    The minister also announced a special concession for journalists on ticket tariff. “For our journalist friends we will allow e-booking of tickets on concessional passes,” said Prabhu, later adding in jest, “Hoping that they will cover it better.”

  • GST Bill crucial for Start-Up India, Digital India success: IAMAI

    GST Bill crucial for Start-Up India, Digital India success: IAMAI

    MUMBAI: Industry body – Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has urged the Parliament to pass the crucial GST (Goods & Services Tax) Bill in the forthcoming budget session. The industry body has said that the smooth passage of GST Bill is crucial for the success of mega economic and social projects, especially Digital India and Start-Up India.

    The GST Bill, which subsumes all indirect taxes to create one rate and integrate the country into a single market, is the biggest tax reform that is being undertaken since Independence, but is pending approval of the Rajya Sabha.

    The Digital India plan is about connecting, empowering and enabling citizens and encouraging local electronic manufacturing. Similarly, Start-Up India is focused on promoting entrepreneurship, and through small entrepreneurs, generating employment.

    Local manufacturing, NoFN, e-Gov, as a part of Digital India, where private sector is involved, crucially rests on the successful passage of GST Bill in Parliament, which seeks to create one market through one tax system. Similarly, start-ups, online market places, and other online service providers, all require a single market plan.

    IAMAI president Subho Ray said, “The extant tax structure of India is heavily fragmented, with multiple indirect taxes levied by different authorities at different stages of a transaction. Fiscal federalism has led to different procedures and rates of VAT and other forms of LBTs across the states. This creates logistical challenges for the industry, besides giving rise to compliance related complications. Conflict of interests between tax authorities in case of inter-state transaction is a major pain point for the industry today. GST will help the digital industry business model flourish by providing uniformity in tax rates and regulations across the country. This will help doing business in India easier, allow free-play to market dynamics and allow deeper penetration of these services.”

    Given that much of the developments in the digital industry are disruptive innovations, business models like online platforms, aggregators, etc are essentially services provided by intermediaries. Such services are revolutionising the existing markets of both goods and services. Thus, online ticketing services or e-tailing are providing newer modes of access for consumers to existing goods and services, said IAMAI.

    The digital industry unequivocally stands for the smooth passage of GST and hopes that the bill will be passed in the upcoming budget session, as any further delay will push back the transformative projects of the government.

  • GST Bill crucial for Start-Up India, Digital India success: IAMAI

    GST Bill crucial for Start-Up India, Digital India success: IAMAI

    MUMBAI: Industry body – Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has urged the Parliament to pass the crucial GST (Goods & Services Tax) Bill in the forthcoming budget session. The industry body has said that the smooth passage of GST Bill is crucial for the success of mega economic and social projects, especially Digital India and Start-Up India.

    The GST Bill, which subsumes all indirect taxes to create one rate and integrate the country into a single market, is the biggest tax reform that is being undertaken since Independence, but is pending approval of the Rajya Sabha.

    The Digital India plan is about connecting, empowering and enabling citizens and encouraging local electronic manufacturing. Similarly, Start-Up India is focused on promoting entrepreneurship, and through small entrepreneurs, generating employment.

    Local manufacturing, NoFN, e-Gov, as a part of Digital India, where private sector is involved, crucially rests on the successful passage of GST Bill in Parliament, which seeks to create one market through one tax system. Similarly, start-ups, online market places, and other online service providers, all require a single market plan.

    IAMAI president Subho Ray said, “The extant tax structure of India is heavily fragmented, with multiple indirect taxes levied by different authorities at different stages of a transaction. Fiscal federalism has led to different procedures and rates of VAT and other forms of LBTs across the states. This creates logistical challenges for the industry, besides giving rise to compliance related complications. Conflict of interests between tax authorities in case of inter-state transaction is a major pain point for the industry today. GST will help the digital industry business model flourish by providing uniformity in tax rates and regulations across the country. This will help doing business in India easier, allow free-play to market dynamics and allow deeper penetration of these services.”

    Given that much of the developments in the digital industry are disruptive innovations, business models like online platforms, aggregators, etc are essentially services provided by intermediaries. Such services are revolutionising the existing markets of both goods and services. Thus, online ticketing services or e-tailing are providing newer modes of access for consumers to existing goods and services, said IAMAI.

    The digital industry unequivocally stands for the smooth passage of GST and hopes that the bill will be passed in the upcoming budget session, as any further delay will push back the transformative projects of the government.

  • NDTV & L’Oreal partner for Women of Worth 2016 Awards

    NDTV & L’Oreal partner for Women of Worth 2016 Awards

    MUMBAI: NDTV has partnered with L’Oréal Paris for the Women of Worth 2016 awards to recognise and celebrate unsung women from different categories. 

    The awards felicitates the achievements of ordinary women who have achieved extraordinary success in making a difference to the lives of others through their bravery, convictions and drive.

    L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor graced the occasion and unveiled the award trophy. Jury members across the eight different categories as well as the four nominees in each of the categories were unveiled.

    Introduced by L’Oréal Paris India in 2012, the awards also epitomise the brand’s tagline ‘Because You’re Worth It.’

    The jury for this year’s award includes personalities like Rajya Sabha member Anu Aga, Indian Angel Network and NASSCOM co-founder Saurabh Srivastava, Supreme Court senior advocate Dr. Pinky Anand, Wildlife Conservationsit Belinda Wright, Kathak danseuse Shovana Narayan, Centre for Social Research Dr. Ranjana Kumari and L’Oréal India VP marketing Manashi Guha.

    The different categories are from an array of fields like sports, business and enterpreneuralship, literature, artistic, social impact, education, science and inventions.

    L’Oréal Paris India VP marketing Manashi Guha said, “Women of Worth Awards is philanthropically a huge initiative undertaken by the brand to strongly support the extraordinary contribution made by Indian women in their respective fields. These awards are our small way to distinguish the achievements of such women who embody the spirit and values of the L’Oréal Paris brand. It is the ideal platform for us to salute them and a matter of pride for us to associate with NDTV, who also believes in empowering women.”

    The campaign will end in March 2016 through a public voting system in conjunction with jury inputs. A transparent and well-structured voting system for the public will be set up to ensure that the most deserving nominees win. The nominees will be awarded the Women of Worth titles in Mumbai on 28 March, 2016.

    Extending her support to the awards, L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor said, “It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing campaign and the Women of Worth awards that is the brainchild of L’Oréal Paris. The brand has always celebrated the strong spirit of women, and these awards are a perfect way to admire and thank these accomplished women who represent the changing face of modern India. With their unwavering passion, determination, selfless contribution and ability to pursue their dreams, they are a true inspiration and I’m extremely happy to be in the presence of such great Women of Worth.”

    The nominees have been shortlisted after an extensive research process while identifying each one’s key contribution in their respective fields. It took the panelists roughly three hours to decide on the nominees for each category. 

    NDTV CEO Vikram Chandra added, “Women empowerment is a cause NDTV has firmly believed in. NDTV has passionately felt about women and their issues from the time we have started. The number of issues taken up by us has been increasing. I think it’s a part of our DNA. We have a high packed jury consisting of some of the prominent names from the field. The Women of Worth initiative to honor real women from different walks of life is an excellent platform to discuss the issues faced by them and find solutions for the same. Extraordinary women are emerging as the real she-roes with their grit and determination. We really hope that through this association, NDTV & L’Oréal become the voice to encourage more women to make a significant difference in our society.”

    On International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2016, a conclave with opinion leaders, Women of Worth 2016 jury members, spokespersons from L’Oréal Paris and NDTV will be organised to discuss a range of subjects impacting the evolving role of women in India and issues impacting society.

  • NDTV & L’Oreal partner for Women of Worth 2016 Awards

    NDTV & L’Oreal partner for Women of Worth 2016 Awards

    MUMBAI: NDTV has partnered with L’Oréal Paris for the Women of Worth 2016 awards to recognise and celebrate unsung women from different categories. 

    The awards felicitates the achievements of ordinary women who have achieved extraordinary success in making a difference to the lives of others through their bravery, convictions and drive.

    L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor graced the occasion and unveiled the award trophy. Jury members across the eight different categories as well as the four nominees in each of the categories were unveiled.

    Introduced by L’Oréal Paris India in 2012, the awards also epitomise the brand’s tagline ‘Because You’re Worth It.’

    The jury for this year’s award includes personalities like Rajya Sabha member Anu Aga, Indian Angel Network and NASSCOM co-founder Saurabh Srivastava, Supreme Court senior advocate Dr. Pinky Anand, Wildlife Conservationsit Belinda Wright, Kathak danseuse Shovana Narayan, Centre for Social Research Dr. Ranjana Kumari and L’Oréal India VP marketing Manashi Guha.

    The different categories are from an array of fields like sports, business and enterpreneuralship, literature, artistic, social impact, education, science and inventions.

    L’Oréal Paris India VP marketing Manashi Guha said, “Women of Worth Awards is philanthropically a huge initiative undertaken by the brand to strongly support the extraordinary contribution made by Indian women in their respective fields. These awards are our small way to distinguish the achievements of such women who embody the spirit and values of the L’Oréal Paris brand. It is the ideal platform for us to salute them and a matter of pride for us to associate with NDTV, who also believes in empowering women.”

    The campaign will end in March 2016 through a public voting system in conjunction with jury inputs. A transparent and well-structured voting system for the public will be set up to ensure that the most deserving nominees win. The nominees will be awarded the Women of Worth titles in Mumbai on 28 March, 2016.

    Extending her support to the awards, L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor said, “It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing campaign and the Women of Worth awards that is the brainchild of L’Oréal Paris. The brand has always celebrated the strong spirit of women, and these awards are a perfect way to admire and thank these accomplished women who represent the changing face of modern India. With their unwavering passion, determination, selfless contribution and ability to pursue their dreams, they are a true inspiration and I’m extremely happy to be in the presence of such great Women of Worth.”

    The nominees have been shortlisted after an extensive research process while identifying each one’s key contribution in their respective fields. It took the panelists roughly three hours to decide on the nominees for each category. 

    NDTV CEO Vikram Chandra added, “Women empowerment is a cause NDTV has firmly believed in. NDTV has passionately felt about women and their issues from the time we have started. The number of issues taken up by us has been increasing. I think it’s a part of our DNA. We have a high packed jury consisting of some of the prominent names from the field. The Women of Worth initiative to honor real women from different walks of life is an excellent platform to discuss the issues faced by them and find solutions for the same. Extraordinary women are emerging as the real she-roes with their grit and determination. We really hope that through this association, NDTV & L’Oréal become the voice to encourage more women to make a significant difference in our society.”

    On International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2016, a conclave with opinion leaders, Women of Worth 2016 jury members, spokespersons from L’Oréal Paris and NDTV will be organised to discuss a range of subjects impacting the evolving role of women in India and issues impacting society.

  • DD Free Dish woos regional channels with special reserve price of Rs 2 crore in 26th e-auction

    DD Free Dish woos regional channels with special reserve price of Rs 2 crore in 26th e-auction

    MUMBAI: With Doordarshan’s free to air (FTA) direct to home (DTH) service DD Free Dish expected to acquire the capacity to carry more channels, the pubcaster has made a conscious effort to attract regional television channels.

    For the very first time, DD has reserved regional language DTH slot to attract regional channels to its bouquet and has fixed a lower reserve of Rs 2 crore even as the price for the other channels remains Rs 4.3 crore in its 26th e-auction, which is scheduled to take place on 15 February.

    The Online e-auction will be held for filling up of slot reserved for regional language channels and the general slots for DD Free Dish. This has been done considering the tremendous reach of DD Free Dish in semi-urban and rural areas all over the country.

    The reserved slot for regional language channel includes only non-Hindi channels (news or non-news). Bhojpuri channels and Hindi regional channels have been kept as part of the general slots.

    The participation amount (EMD) of reserved slot for regional language channel is Rs 50 lakh. Incremental amount will be Rs 5 lakh for reserved slot and every e-auction will be of 15 minutes duration as in previous auctions.

    The participation amount (EMD) of general DTH slot is Rs 1.5 crore and incremental amount of general DTH slot will be Rs 10 lakh.

    The non-refundable processing fee will be Rs 10,000 for reserved regional language DTH slot and general DTH slot.

    Currently, DD Free Dish has 64 channels including its own channels, and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV. But with acquisition of its new technology by the end of next month, it hopes to have a capacity of carrying 112 TV channels.

    The successful regional language channels are required to deposit Rs 50 lakh (first instalment) of reserve price within one month from the placement of the TV channel on DD Free Dish along with service tax at 14.5 per cent on the total bid amount. The second instalment amounting to Rs 50 lakh has to be deposited by the successful channel in the second month from the placement of the channel. 

    The successful general DTH channel is required to deposit Rs 1.10 crore within one month from the placement of the channel on DD Free Dish along with service tax at 14.5 per cent on the total bid amount. The second instalment of Rs. 1.10 crore has to be deposited by the successful channel in the second month from the placement of the channel.

    The balance bid amount for both the regional language and general DTH channels should be deposited on or before six months from the placement of the channel on Free Dish platform failing which the deposited amount will be forfeited and channel will be discontinued from the platform after serving 21 days discontinuation notice.

  • DD Free Dish woos regional channels with special reserve price of Rs 2 crore in 26th e-auction

    DD Free Dish woos regional channels with special reserve price of Rs 2 crore in 26th e-auction

    MUMBAI: With Doordarshan’s free to air (FTA) direct to home (DTH) service DD Free Dish expected to acquire the capacity to carry more channels, the pubcaster has made a conscious effort to attract regional television channels.

    For the very first time, DD has reserved regional language DTH slot to attract regional channels to its bouquet and has fixed a lower reserve of Rs 2 crore even as the price for the other channels remains Rs 4.3 crore in its 26th e-auction, which is scheduled to take place on 15 February.

    The Online e-auction will be held for filling up of slot reserved for regional language channels and the general slots for DD Free Dish. This has been done considering the tremendous reach of DD Free Dish in semi-urban and rural areas all over the country.

    The reserved slot for regional language channel includes only non-Hindi channels (news or non-news). Bhojpuri channels and Hindi regional channels have been kept as part of the general slots.

    The participation amount (EMD) of reserved slot for regional language channel is Rs 50 lakh. Incremental amount will be Rs 5 lakh for reserved slot and every e-auction will be of 15 minutes duration as in previous auctions.

    The participation amount (EMD) of general DTH slot is Rs 1.5 crore and incremental amount of general DTH slot will be Rs 10 lakh.

    The non-refundable processing fee will be Rs 10,000 for reserved regional language DTH slot and general DTH slot.

    Currently, DD Free Dish has 64 channels including its own channels, and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV. But with acquisition of its new technology by the end of next month, it hopes to have a capacity of carrying 112 TV channels.

    The successful regional language channels are required to deposit Rs 50 lakh (first instalment) of reserve price within one month from the placement of the TV channel on DD Free Dish along with service tax at 14.5 per cent on the total bid amount. The second instalment amounting to Rs 50 lakh has to be deposited by the successful channel in the second month from the placement of the channel. 

    The successful general DTH channel is required to deposit Rs 1.10 crore within one month from the placement of the channel on DD Free Dish along with service tax at 14.5 per cent on the total bid amount. The second instalment of Rs. 1.10 crore has to be deposited by the successful channel in the second month from the placement of the channel.

    The balance bid amount for both the regional language and general DTH channels should be deposited on or before six months from the placement of the channel on Free Dish platform failing which the deposited amount will be forfeited and channel will be discontinued from the platform after serving 21 days discontinuation notice.