Mr Ratan Tata chairman of TATA Group, with Mr Narendra Modi chief minister of Gujarat by his side announced that the mother plant for Nano would come up at Sanand near Ahmedabad.

A State Support Agreement was signed by government officials and senior Tata Motors executives.

The state government today handed over 1,100 acres of prime land for the project, where Tata Group will invest INR 2,000 crore to manufacture Nano and its variants including an electric car and CNG car.

The plant will have a capacity of manufacturing 250,000 cars per annum in the first phase, which will build up to 500,000 cars per annum. The project complex will also house a vendors' and ancillary park accommodating 60 small and medium units and could be bigger than the project originally envisaged.

Mr Tata said that "We chose Gujarat because of conducive and industry friendly environment as well as infrastructure of the state. It is a special day because we’ve been through a sad experience from a small quarter of West Bengal in spite of the good support from that state government. As a result, time was a major constraint for us. Also, location of the land that was being offered was very attractive. We were impressed by the pace at which Gujarat government facilitated the project shift including the land acquisition. We promise to become a good corporate citizens of Gujarat and stand for all that Gujarat stands for.”

Mumbai

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Indore

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Ahmedabad

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Kanpur

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It is reported that Baldota Group’s Aaress Iron & Steel Ltd plans to setup steel plant worth INR 4700 crore at Koppal in northern Karnataka to cater the needs of the automobile industry and other high value added engineering segments.

The facility, spread across 1,100 acres, will produce special carbon and alloy steel grades. The project will be executed in two phases and the company aims to start production by mid 2010 with an initial capacity of 1.2 million tonnes annually. Furthermore, AISL proposes to increase the annual capacity to 5 million tonnes by 2012, which would be used for producing hot rolled flat products.

According to the company, two third of the investment for the first phase will be raised through debt and the facility would manufacture special carbon and alloy steel grades, billets and wire rods during the first phase.

India Infoline News Service reported that the industry chamber demands removal of export duty on all steel products and a 5% duty on steel imports to ensure fair play for domestic steelmakers

According to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, the global slowdown has started impacting the Indian steel industry disturbing their expansion plans and threatening their viability. The industry chamber has demanded immediate removal of export duty on all categories of steel and imposition of 5% duty on steel imports to ensure fair play for domestic steelmakers.

In addition the ASSOCHAM has also called for re imposition of 14% countervailing duty on all imports of bars and structural and recommended restoration of export incentives under Duty Entitlement Passbook Scheme for domestic steel producers to make their exports viable.

In a representation submitted to secretary to the ministry of steel, Mr Sajan Jindal president of ASSOCHAM said that henceforth policy initiatives taken by the government between March to June 2008 for steel producers have resulted in steel imports increasing sharply by 26% between April to July 2008 and steel exports during the same period witnessing a sharp fall of 32%.

He said that “What is now required is that steel meant for exports should be totally exempted from export levies and imports of steel be subjected to 5% steel import duty. Re imposition of 14% counter veiling duty on bars and structural is called for with steel exports brought under DEPB scheme to make Indian steel exports viable and discourage imports of steel since the domestic industry is facing a slowdown. As a result of which its viability has come into great question.”

Referring to the series of measures taken by the government between March to June 2008 on export and import of various categories of steel products, Mr Jindal said that the government suspended DEPB benefits on steel exports and import duty on various categories of steel products was reduced from 5% to nil.

The government withdrew the counter veiling duty on import of Re bars and structural and export duty of 10% ad valorem on FOB prices was imposed on various categories of steel and was subsequently enhanced to 15% ad valorem vide Notification No. 77/2008 dated 13th June 2008.

Mr Jindal said that the government took these steps to discourage exports so as to increase domestic availability of steel and also contain inflation. He said that “This has resulted in steel import between April to July 2008 increasingly sharply by 26% and steel exports during the same period saw a steep fall by 32%.”

The representation further points out that the domestic steel industry is finding themselves to be highly uncompetitive and in a difficult situation. The cost of production remains high especially with high prices on imported coking coal, coke and ferroalloys etc. The falling steel prices have had a double impact and could snowball into a serious crisis, resulting into cutting down of capacity and leading to closing down of smaller plants. The situation has also necessitated the review of capacity expansion and is likely to reduce its momentum.

Impact of prevailing adverse situation has significantly reflected on steel demand, steel being one of the core economic commodities. There is a drastic fall in domestic demand as well as international demand with international price falling by 15% to 40% in various categories of steel.

To further add to the problems, the domestic steel producers are now faced with the onslaught of cheap imports from countries like China, Russia, CIS and Thailand. Some of these countries have the advantage of raw material integration and thus are offering their products at substantially reduced prices.

Reuter reported that Corus demand had slowed and it was taking steps to adjust its steel production accordingly.

The report cited a Corus spokesman as saying that “There is clearly a slowdown in steel demand which we have noticed in the United Kingdom in export markets and in Southern Europe. We are taking steps to adjust our production to tie in with the new demand realities and to maintain a low level of stocks.”

As per report, the company owned by TATA Steel now produces more than 20 million tonnes of crude steel a year. A collapse in steel prices, producers and traders de stocking instead of buying new material and a gloomy demand outlook have helped force steelmakers across Europe to cut production.

Corus spokesman said that the company was not greatly affected by the spot price changes as a significant amount of its contracts were based on a longer term fixed price. He said that “It is important to note that the effect has been most prominent in the spot and short term quarterly contract markets, not in longer term fixed price contracts which make up a sizeable proportion of Corus' sales.”

Corus statement follows an announcement by the world's top steelmaker ArcelorMittal of a 15% cutback in production in an attempt to maintain prices.

But it contrasted with a statement by the World Steel Association that it was confident that both 2008 and 2009 would be years of demand growth in steel. Mr Ku-Taek Lee chairman of the World Steel Association and chairman & CEO of POSCO said that “We are in a period of high economic uncertainty. He said that however we continue to expect growth in steel demand in 2009 and for the medium term, above the world GDP growth rate”.

Melting scrap
80:20
HMS

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Sponge iron

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Pencil ingot

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Mumbai

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Chennai

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Delhi

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Ahmedabad

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Kanpur

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Indore

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Raipur

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We have not provided index owing holidays in Kolkata and other major steel trading centers which are closed on account of Durga Puja and Dusshera.

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It is reported that world's sixth largest steel maker TATA Steel on Tuesday has become the first integrated steel company in the world, outside Japan to be awarded the Deming Application Prize for excellence in total quality management.

TATA Steel in statement said that the award for 2008 was announced by the Deming prize committee instituted by the Japanese union of scientists and engineers, the apex body spearheading quality movement. It added that the formal award ceremony will be held on November 12 this year in Tokyo.

Expressing satisfaction over the accomplishment, Mr B Muthuraman MD of TATA Steel said that “No other activity made us think so deeply about our business and relationships than the process of applying for the Deming Prize.”

He added that "Total quality management is a fundamental way of managing business and every organization can gain from institutionalizing the culture necessary to win this prize.”

He dedicated this recognition to the employees of Tata Steel, its customers and business partners who have consistently embraced the culture of continuous improvement and demonstrated a great teamwork leading to several recognitions in the last 20 years since the TQM journey started at the Steel Company in 1988.

The Deming prize, established in December 1950 in honor of W. Edwards Deming, was originally designed to reward Japan companies for major advances in quality improvement. It has grown, under the guidance of Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers and is now also available to non Japanese companies. The prizes are awarded to an individual or company and other operating organizations, factories located outside Japan. The Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers are the administrators of the process and the examiners are typically university professors with areas of expertise in quality management. Worldwide, 160 companies have won the Deming Application Prize since the time it was instituted. Of these 160, 15 companies are Indian, primarily from the automotive sector.

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BL cited Mr MS Rao deputy chairman of Visakhapatnam port as saying that Visakhapatnam port which became operational on October 7th 1933 turns 75 on Tuesday and the Visakhapatnam Port Trust is planning to hold a series of events on the occasion of Platinum Jubilee.

Mr Rao at a press meet on the eve of the Platinum Jubilee said that the passenger ship SS Jaladurga arrived at the port on the historic date, but the formal inauguration took place on December 19th of that year by the then Viceroy Lord Wellington.

Mr Rao said that the port was built at a cost of INR 3.78 crore with 3 berths initially and since then it had made giant strides. Last year the port handled 64.6 million tonnes of throughput and the target for the current year was fixed at 65 million tonnes. The VPT handled 33.8 million tonnes of cargo during the current financial year as against 31.4 million tonnes during the corresponding period in the previous year.

Mr Rao said that there was no doubt that the VPT would have a very bright future, notwithstanding competition from the Gangavaram port and other ports, and projects worth INR 3,000 crore were under implementation to augment the port capacity to 125 million tonnes by 2012.

He said that “The present capacity of the port is 61 million tonnes but we have already exceeded it. By 2012, the projected cargo is 80 million tonnes and we have taken up projects to augment the capacity to 125 million tonnes at a cost of INR 3,000 crore. Roughly, half of the investment comes from the private sector.”

He added the general cargo berth at the outer harbor was being upgraded to handle 2 million DWT vessels, as against 1.5 million DWT vessels and mechanized handling facilities would be installed for coal. The major project would cost INR 400 crore.

BL reported that hike in freight rate for iron ore cargo the Hubli headquartered South Western Railway zone has been able to manage a growth of 14.21% in originating freight traffic in the H1 of the current financial year.

Mr Praveen Kumar GM of South Western Railway said that that the SWR recorded an originating freight loading of 22.5 million tonnes in the first six months of the current financial year as against 19.7 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal, recording a growth of 14.21%. However he added that the last two months of the current fiscal were not so satisfactory.

Mr Kumar said that “In September we loaded 10% less than last year and he attributed this to the uncertain situation in the iron ore export market.

When asked about the amount of iron ore cargo shifted from railway to road after the increase in the freight rate, Mr Kumar said that around five to six rakes a day which were earlier moving through railways, were shifted to road.

He said that monsoon months are not good for iron ore business, he added that some of the ports in the west coast such as Mormugao, Karwar and Belekeri remain closed during that period. He said that “Normally June to August are the lean period for iron ore business. The good season for the iron ore begins in October.” He said when asked about the domestic loading of iron ore cargo, he added that one of the major domestic steel companies has cut down on the iron ore intake in the last 10 days.

Mr Kumar said that “The finished steel product dispatches have come down in September. That is an indication that major steel producer has slowed down steel dispatches, which is again hit us in terms of carrying more outward traffic.” He further added that Iron ore and steel products are attractive traffic for SWR zone as they are high rated traffic.

According to the Vol III of Plan document, the 11th Plan has targeted to add 14,000 MW capacity of grid interactive power through new and renewable energy sources. In addition 950 MW of off grid wind/hybrid, small hydro and bio mass power and around 50 MW of solar power is also planned to be achieved that would take the total capacity through NRES to around 15,000 MW.

The various program of the ministry of new & renewable energy for the 11th Plan include:
1. Grid Interactive and Distributed Renewable Power.
2. Renewable Energy for Rural, urban, industrial and commercial Applications.
3. Research & Development.
4. Equity support to IREDA

In grid connectivity, wind power would be the major constituent with 10,500 MW capacity followed by small hydro 1,400 MW and biomass 1,200 MW. Cogeneration would add 500 MW and urban and industrial waste to energy sources 200 MW each. Total power capacity targeted for the plan is around 92,577 MW and renewable would account for around 9.7% of total grid connected capacity of 2.25 million MW at the end of the plan period. Public sector outlay for NRES has been fixed at INR 10,460 crore while the total investment requirement for projects would be over INR 60,000 crore.

Capital subsidies that encourage investment without ensuring outcomes would be phased out. Incentives provided for grid connected power from renewable sources would be linked to generation and not to power capacities created. Thus power regulators will be asked to create alternative incentive structures such as mandated feed in laws or differential tariffs for grid interactive power. Grid interactive renewable power may also be promoted by mandating a renewable portfolio standard for all power distribution companies and providing a subsidy for each unit of renewable electricity purchased. The utilities would be free to meet their requirement by purchasing certificates from other utilities that may have a surplus of renewable electricity in their portfolios.

To increase availability of finance for new and renewable energy, IREDA is to be restructured by broad basing its equity structure. IREDA should be permitted to issue Capital Gains Bonds similar to those issued by REC and NHAI to the tune of INR 300 crore per year to 400 crore per year during the Plan. A national policy has to be finalized to create a competitive bio fuels industry.

The performance of grid interactive NRES over the 10th Plan had exceeded targets with commissioning of 6,711 MW more than twice of 3,075 MW envisaged for the plan. By the end of the Plan, the contribution of power generation from NRES had reached 10,161 MW. Of this wind power accounted for 7,082 MW, small hydro 1958 MW, biomass 1118 MW and solar 3 MW.

Project Monitor reported that Bihar State Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited might implement the 126 MW Dagmara hydropower project on its own instead of the public private partnership route.

Government consultancy Water & Power Consultants Limited is currently preparing the detailed project report for the 3x42 MW Dagmara projects that will take shape in Piprahi village of Supaul district. The DPR is expected to be ready by November end and a final decision on the implementation mode will be taken thereafter.

Bihar State Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited officials said that the Kosi River basin had an untapped hydropower potential of 223 MW spread over 18 sites of which the Dagmara project is the largest. In early 2007 the ministry of new and renewable energy provided a subsidy to BSHPCL to undertake feasibility studies on 10 of these 18 projects spread over the Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura and Arariya districts. While consultancy work on these 10 projects out of which the 12 MW Arar Ghat is the largest is under way, some smaller projects might be commissioned within the 11th Plan period.

Official said that the state government agency has also initiated steps to develop the 450 MW Indrapuri hydropower project on build own operate transfer basis. RfQ documents are being issued up to October 25 with a pre bid conference scheduled for November 10th 2008.

As per report, the Indrapuri project will spread over Rohtas district of Bihar and Garhwa district of Jharkhand. Harnessing the Sone River, the multipurpose project aims at hydropower generation, irrigation and flood control. Estimated to generate over 750 GWH of power annually the project will be developed on BOOT basis under a 30 year concession period.

It is reported that Enercon Limited plans to venture in Haryana. The company signed MoUs over a year ago for installation of 140 MW wind power plants in the state.

The wind velocity and the state is low at present the company is assessing the suitability of various sites for wind power projects. Mr Dipankar Das Sharma Head of Business Development & Operations, Madhya Pradesh, Enercon Limited said that “If at a particular location wind resource is found to be good, the company will start development of a wind power project at that site.”

At the same time, other factors will also be considered. Mr Sharma is also responsible for development of projects and their operations in Haryana region aid Mr Sharma. In the financial year 2009-10 the company plans to install further 60 MW to 80 MW wind power plants in Madhya Pradesh at various locations.

Mr Sharma said that “Depending on the circumstances, the plans and policies of the company need to be re framed. The company is monitoring wind speeds at various locations in Madhya Pradesh like Dewas Mansaur and Shahjanpur. The company also plans to take up the study of wind speeds at Bhopal and its surrounding places like Sehore and Hoshangabad.

Seven more Students from the TATA Steel rehabilitated families at Kalinga Nagar have received the TATA Steel Parivar Scholarship this year. The scholarship program was introduced since last year for the rehabilitated families of Kalinga Nagar termed as TATA Steel Parivar.

The program aims at encouraging the members of TATA Steel Parivar who are keen to pursue higher education to receive professional and technical qualifications. Mr B K Singh vice president of Orissa Project gave away the scholarship to the students at a functions held at Kalinga Nagar.

As part of its corporate social commitments towards rehabilitated families in Kalinga Nagar, TATA Steel announced this scholarship program for the members of the Tata Steel Parivar. In the current year, out of seven students selected, TATA Steel is sponsoring one member of TATA Steel Parivar to pursue B-Tech, while the other six members have opted for diploma in engineering in different disciplines. Last year, under this scholarship program the company had sponsored a medical student and five diploma engineering students.

BL reported that Kandla Port Trust is planning massive capacity expansion and has invited bids for several projects, including 4 multi purpose berths, cargo handling facilities at Tuna Tekra where a special economic zone is to come up and additional facilities at Vadinar.

Mr MA Bhasakarachar deputy chairman of Kandla Port Trust said that “At Vadinar which is about 260 kilometer by road from Kandla, we’ve three single point moorings two by Indian Oil and one by Essar Oil. But we would like to explore opportunities for new facilities for handling any kind of traffic not only liquid bulk by way of the SPMs but also dry bulk and containerized traffic as also other facilities such as bunkering, shipbuilding and ship repair.”

Mr Bhasakarachar said that “Vadinar offering an average draught of 34 meters should be an ideal choice for any private entrepreneur keen to invest in port projects.”

The port authorities as the deputy chairman said that it have made some progress with regard to constructing four berths in BOT basis.

The deputy chairman of the largest cargo handling port said that 11th firms have been short listed. He said that “We’ve also made upfront proposal to the Tariff Authority for Major Ports for probable tariff structures in respect to the proposed berths and we understand TAMP is about to firm up its view on this and we’ll go for the next step once the notification has been issued by TAMP.”

He said that as for the plan to have 4 berths constructed at Tuna Tekra about 10 kilometer from the Kandla port, nearly 40 firms had obtained the papers and preliminary discussion had been initiated with 10 of them. Mr Bhasakarachar said that “Since the last date is to be extended, we hope to get more responses.”

The port has 12 berths and the proposed berths will be numbered 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Project Monitor reported that Punjab that has taken rapid strides in the development of biomass based power project is also seen pursuing small hydropower projects in a significant way.

Senior officials of nodal agency Punjab Energy Development Agency said that during the ongoing 11th Plan period ending March 2012, the state expects to add 34.5 MW new capacity through small hydropower projects.

PEDA officials said that Punjab has a total potential of 140 MW through small hydropower projects against which 29.55 MW capacity is under operation. Punjab does not have a separate state government agency for implementing small hydropower projects. Punjab State Electricity Board implements small projects downstream of large hydropower schemes. To boost the sector, private participation is being elicited for micro and mini hydropower schemes. The entire 34.5 MW that is currently under construction and targeted to commission before March 2012 is through private entrepreneurship with projects being offered on BOOT basis under a 30 year concession period.

In a significant development, the foundation stone for 5 canal based power projects aggregating around 8 MW was laid last month in Ludhiana district. These projects coming up on the Abohar Branch Canal will be developed by Gurgaon headquartered Polyplex Corporation Limited.

A senior official said that a special purpose Abohar Power Generation Private Limited has been formed to implement the 5 projects namely Khanpur, Sidhar, Akhara, Gholian and Channowal.

He said that “Digging work has started on all sites and the projects will be commissioned during 2009-10. For polyester film maker Polyplex which is now aggressively growing in the renewable energy space these projects will further the company's presence in Punjab. The group already has 6 operational small hydropower projects aggregating 8 MW in Punjab, besides some other construction. The official added that while 3 operational projects Salar, Dolowal and Bhanbhura are being managed by Punjab Hydro Power Private Limited another special purpose vehicle Kotla Hydro Power Private Limited is implementing three schemes Babbanpur, Killa and Sahoke.

Reuters cited Mr P Chidambaram finance minister of India as saying that India's economy will up by 8% this fiscal year and rebound to 9% next despite the rout in global markets which has triggered recession fears in industrialized nations.

Mr Chidambaram said that “There is a storm blowing across the world. India will be affected to some extent, although indirectly, but Indian business and industry have placed India in a situation where we can weather the storm.”

Mr Chidambaram cited robust revenues, exports and investment planned by Indian corporate as major positive factors which would help India through the global crisis. He said that “Huge capacities are being added in power, steel, commercial vehicles, passenger cars and two wheelers. What is there to fear? There is nothing to fear but fear itself.”

Mr Chidambaram said that “We will remain vigilant. Our regulators have shown great agility. Going forward, we can still end this year with a growth rate of 8.0%. I am confident that in 2009/10, the growth rate will bounce back to 9.0%.”

The remarks made at an award ceremony for top businessmen late on Monday were released by the finance ministry on Tuesday. Indian stocks have taken a battering in recent weeks and the rupee on Tuesday weakened beyond 48 to the dollar to its lowest since December 2002 as investors cut their exposure to riskier assets amid the financial turmoil.

Growth in the June quarter eased to an annual 7.9% the slowest pace in 3 ½ years losing momentum as services slowed sharply and higher oil prices and interest rates weighed.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation announced that it is exploring the options to pick up blocks in Angola and Brazil.

ONGC Videsh, ONGC’s overseas arm, has set a target of crossing 10 million tonnes of equity oil production abroad. For this ONGC is projected to pick up oil blocks in African and Latin American sub continent, to ramp up its production capacity.

In a JV ONGC has already tied up for two oil blocks in Venezuela.

Project monitor reported that the Premier of North-West Provincial government of South Africa, Ms Edna Molewa with a high powered official delegation visited Delhi, Orissa and Mumbai scouting for Indian business partners for developing four key sectors mining, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing in her province.

Ms Molewa at a recent meet in Mumbai said that “We invite Indian entrepreneurs to come to the North-West Province and explore lucrative investment possibilities.”

Project monitor reported that INR 9,300 crore, Dharavi Redevelopment Project is finally back on course with the Maharashtra government finalizing a revised schedule for the much delayed bidding process. Work on the project will start 2009.

According to Mr Gautam Chatterjee VP of Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority, also officer on special duty for the project, the tentative timeline has been approved in principle by Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh CM of Maharashtra.

The 19 short listed consortia of global realty majors will be issued amended bid documents by September end. They will present their master plans by mid October following a deliberative process regarding each bid's technical merits. Financial bids will be opened by November end.
If adhered to the timeline, the winning bids will be announced year end and work would then begin by early 2009. It is mandatory for bidders to demarcate spaces for economic activities in their master plan since Dharavi is a hub for manufacture of leather goods, food products, clothing and artificial jewellery besides a large recycling industry. A conceptual master plan, technical specifications of amenities and mandatory infrastructural development should be submitted by the bidders.

As per report, the project aims at re housing 57,000 slum families in free homes, to be built by investing real estate developers who then exploit the FSI of 4 for commercial realty development. The minimum size of all flats for slum dwellers is 300 square feet those who currently own more than 300 square feet will be eligible for 400 square feet homes, if they pay construction cost for the excess 100 square feet.

The project management consultant is architect Mr Mukesh Mehta.

It is reported that Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings has reportedly bolstered its stake in South Asia Gateway Terminals to 37.97% following its acquisition of a 4.22% tranche from the Asian Development Bank.

As per report John Keells Holdings is said to have paid USD 4.41 million for the shares when ADB exercised a put option to sell a 7.5% equity interest in SAGT.

The balance was snapped up by APM Terminals which increased the size of parent, the Maersk group’s stake to 29.5%. JKH had acquired a 7.5% stake in SAGT in October 2006.

GVK Power & Infrastructure Limited has announced that the Company has divested the entire equity holding in its wholly owned subsidiary that is GVK Aviation Private Limited. Hence effective September 30th 2008 the said Company is no longer a wholly owned subsidiary of GVKPIL.

It is reported that the ministry of power has requested the centre to raise natural gas supply to the power sector alongside the anticipated increase in availability of natural gas in the country in the coming years. The ministry said that the power sector had been given high priority in natural gas and its supply should therefore improve substantially.

Currently the power industry consumes about 42% of natural gas. Out of 38.14 million standard cubic meters per day of gas, reported to be used by power plants, about 25.12 million standard cubic meters per day is APM gas. The sector also consumes about 13 million standard cubic meter per day of market price gas including re gasified liquefied natural gas. Out of the total 53 million standard cubic meters per day of APM gas available, about 25 million standard cubic meters per day is supplied to the power sector. There is however a shortage of 27.53 million standard cubic meters per day of gas in the sector.

The empowered group of ministers at a meeting held in May 2008 decided that out of the 40 million standard cubic meters per day of natural gas expected to be produced from Reliance Industries' KG D6 field during 2008-09 up to 18 million standard cubic meters per day would be supplied to gas based power plants lying idle or underutilized and which were likely to be commissioned during the current year. The liquid fuel plants which are now running on liquid fuel and could switch over to natural gas would also be given priority. Further any gas available after supplies to existing fertilizer plants, LPG plants and city gas projects would also be supplied to the power plants.

The power ministry has asked the Centre to further augment the projected supply as the production of natural gas from KG D6 field was likely to increase up to 80 million standard cubic meters per day by 2011-12.

As per report, most of the gas based power plants which have been completed but are lying idle due to the unavailability of fuel are connected by pipeline.

Financial Express reported that GAIL India proposes to explore investment opportunities in China in the areas of Coal Gasification, City Gas Distribution and Liquefaction businesses. GAIL India’s move comes close on the heels of the joint venture formed between GAIL India and China Gas.

As per report, the JV company GAIL China Gas Global Energy Holdings Limited aims at identifying the projects in China. The first board meeting of the JV is expected to hold in November.

Informed sources said that GAIL India during the recent visit by its officials was informed that coal price is market determined which is monitored by the Chinese Government. Natural gas price is fixed by central government Coal gas price is also market determined and ensured by local government before project is started.

Further all ceramic companies use two section gas producing technology and government regulate the coal gas price using cost pass through mechanism. Further two section gas producing technology uses anthracite as feedstock, its price is double than long flame coal and bituminous coal which are proposed to be used in our project.

ET reported that Gujarat is emerging as the favorite location to replace Singur for the setting up of the mother plant for TATA Motors’ Nano. The state faces tough competition from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, but sources in the state government indicate that industry friendly Gujarat is likely to bag the coveted project.

Sources in Gandhinagar said that TATA Motors’ MD Ravi Kant is very likely to meet chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to discuss the location.

As reported by ET, Gujarat has readied at least four sites for the Tatas to choose from. While Sanand and Mundra are the favorites, Khambat and Dahej too are being showcased for the project, which would act as a major booster for any state that bags it. There are also strong rumors, which ET was not able to confirm, that Mr Tata too would fly down for a meeting with Mr Modi on Tuesday.

When contacted by ET, chief secretary D Rajagopalan said that things were yet to be finalized and that the company officials are still going around the country reviewing offers by various states.

However, by Monday evening, speculation was rife that the Nano would eventually be rolled out from Sanand, 30 km away from Ahmedabad. The state has already allocated 2,200 acres to the company which requires 1,000 acres to set up the mother plant, targeting to churn out 400,000 cars per annum.

It is reported that APL, Hamburg Süd, Hapag-Lloyd and Hyundai Merchant Marine have teamed up with Evergreen to provide a new North-East Asia to Australia service later this month. The new alliance added that the move was brought about by significant cost increases and very poor freight rates both southbound and northbound.

A joint statement said that