February 28, 2011: 

I-T exemption limit raised to Rs 1.80 lakh from Rs 1.60 lakh .

Exemption for senior citizens raised to Rs 2.5 lakh

Tax under women slab unchanged.

Tax exemption raised to Rs 5 lakh for senior citizens of 80 years.

To increase service tax on air travel

Excise and customs duty proposals to result in the net gain of Rs 7,300 crore.

Export duty rates on iron ore unified and kept at 20% ad valorem.

Basic customs duty on agricultural machinery reduced to 4.5% from 5%

Basic customs duty on raw silk reduced from 30 to 5 per cent

Excise and customs duty proposals to result in the net gain of Rs 7,300 crore

Nominal one per cent central excise duty on 130 items entering the tax net. Basic food and fuel and precious stones, gold and silver jewellery will be exempted.

Peak rate of customs duty maintained at 10% in view of the global economic situation.

Customs duty exemptions for hybrid auto parts.

Nominal one per cent central excise duty on 130 items entering the tax net. Basic food and fuel and precious stones, gold and silver jewellery will be exempted.

Standard rate of central exercise duty maintained at 10%.

Central government debt in proportion to GDP will be 44.2% in 2011-12.

20% export duty on all grades of iron ore.

Basic customs duty reduced on certain textile products

No change in service tax rate of 10%.

No change in central excise duty.

Plan to levy 1% on 130 consumer items.

Revenue deficit fixed at 2.3 per cent in revised estimates of 2010—11 and 1.8 per cent in 2011—12,

Total plan expenditure will go up 100 per cent in nominal terms in the next year

15% tax on dividend for Indian cos from foreign unit.

Direct Tax proposals result in expenditure of Rs 11,500 cr.

To reduce surcharge on domestic companies to 5% from 7.5%

MAT rate hiked to 18.5% from 18%.

MAT on developers in SEZs to be levied.

Fiscal deficit revised to 5.1% from 5.5% for FY’11

Total expenditure raised by 13.4% at Rs 12.57 lakh cr over budget estimates

Gross tax receipts estimated at 9.32 lakh cr for FY 2011-12

Bill to amend India Stamp Act soon.

Budget allocation of Rs 100 cr for Ladakh and Rs 150 cr for Jammu for implementation of projects identified by taskforce

Old age pension to persons of over the age of 80 raised from Rs 200 to Rs 500

Health allocation up by 20% to R 27,600 cr.

Rs 9- lakh ex-gratia for defence personnel for 100% disability fighting Left-wing extremism.

To set up 15 more mega food parks.

Remuneration of anganwadi workers raised from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 per month. Helpers to get Rs 1,500 from Rs 750

Tax free bonds of Rs 30,000 cr to be issued for infrastructure development. This will cover Warehousing Corporation, NHAI, IRFC and Hudco.

Allocation under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana to be raised from Rs 6,755 crore in the current year to Rs 7,860 crore.

Rs 50 cr grant to Aligarh Muslim University centres in Murshidabad in West Bengal and Malappuram in Kerala.

Rs 200 cr for environmental remediation programme.

Age for pension eligibility reduced from 65 years to 60 years under Indira Gandhi Yojana scheme

To move insurance, pension and banking bills in Parliament

Rs 500-cr for National Development Fund.

Rs 400-cr as one-time grant for IIT-Kharagpur.

Move to set up State Innovation Councils underway.

Allocation to education sector raised to Rs 52,000 cr

Scholarship scheme for SC/ST students in classes iX, X.

Increase in allocation to higher education

Increase in remuneration for Anganwadi workers from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 per month.

Plan 17% increase in social sector spending.

To introduce Food Security Bill

Tax free bonds of Rs 30,000 cr to be issued for infrastructure development. This will cover Warehousing Corporation, NHAI, IRFC and Hudco.

Fertiliser industry to be included under infrastructure category.

New companies bill to be introduced.

GoM to be set up to deal with corruption

Five-fold strategy to deal with black money.

Mega cluster for leather products to be introduced.

Existing interest subvention scheme on short term farm loans at 7 % interest to continue.

Self-assessment in customs to be introduced.

Credit flows to farmers raised from Rs 3.75 lakh crore to Rs 4.75 lakh crore.

Constitution Amendment Bill for introduction of GST in this session.

Goods and Services Tax Bill this year.

Direct Taxes Code Bill likely to be passed by Parliament next financial year after getting Standing Committee report.

Public Debt Management Agency Bill in the next fiscal.

Indian mutual funds to get direct access to foreign markets; FIIs to be allowed to invest in MFs.

To liberalise FDI policy further.

To extend infra tax breaks to fertiliser sector.

To set up microfinance equity fund.

Government to move towards direct cash transfer of cash subsidy as regards kerosene, LPG and fertilisers from March 2012 for BPL in view of large diversion.

3% interest subvention to farmers who repay in time.

Nabard capital base to be increased by infusing Rs 10,000 cr

Rural housing fund increased to Rs 3,000 cr

Banks asked to step up lending to agriculture.

Allocation under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana to be raised from Rs 6,755 crore in the current year to Rs 7,860 crore.

Budget proposes to raise housing loan limit from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh for priority sector lending.

Allocation for farm development hiked to Rs 7,860 cr.

Rs 300 cr proposed to promote production of cereals.

Indian micro-finance equity with SIDBI to be formed at Rs 100 crore.

Rs 6,000 cr to be given to public sector banks to maintain capital-to-risk assets ratio norms

RBI to bring in new guidelines for banking licences.

Aiming Fiscal deficit of 3% by fiscal 2014

Central electronic registry to reduce fraud cases.

FII investment limit for infra corporate bonds hiked to $40 billion.

Discussions on to further liberalise FDI policy.

Preparation of GST rollout in final stages.

Microfinance equity fund of Rs 100 cr proposed.

Govt committed to hold 51% in PSUs.

Rs 3,000 cr to Nabard for handloom societies.

Women self-help group development fund to be set up.

Direct transfer of subsidy for kerosene.

Goods and Services Tax Bill to be introduced in Parliament this year.

Direct Tax Code Bill likely to be passed by Parliament next financial year after getting Standing Committee report.

Disinvestment target at Rs 40,000 cr.

Direct Tax Code from April 2012.

SEBI-registered MFs to be allowed direct access to foreign funds.

Expect RBI to moderate inflation.

Public Debt Management Agency Bill to be introduced next financial year.

Current account deficit and average inflation in 2011-12 likely to be less than current year.

FDI policy review done in Sept 2010.

Economic growth in 2011-12 likely to be 9 per cent.

Admits large-scale diversion of kerosene.

Introduction of DTC will be a watershed moment.

Debt managment bill to be introduced.

Constitutional Amendment Bill on GST to be introduced.

Expect agri sector to grow at 5.4% in 2011.

Growth in 2010-11 broad-based.

Economy resilient to shocks.

RBI measures will further moderate inflation.

GDP estimated growth at 8.6% in real terms.

New dynamism in rural economy.

Core inflation in check.

Current account deficit is at 2009-10 levels, and is a matter of concern.

Huge difference in wholesale and retail prices not acceptable.

Total food inflation down from 20.2 per cent last year to 9.3 per cent in Jan

Revival in private investment should be sustainable.

Service growing in double digits.

Need to reconcile legitimate environmental concerns with developmental needs.

Food Inflation has declined by half, but still a matter of concern.

Wirefoot Internet retail expo concluded on 29th January 2011. Following presentation delivered by undersigned at the event is an academic exploration on the logistic perspective for Internet Grocery retail. If I were to summarize the presentation it would be.

Internet improves the information flow across the supply chain. But for an enterprise to succeed in Internet Grocery Retail business, SEAMLESS INTEGRATION of internal / external entities through STREAMLINED physical distribution of products and cash management is more important.

Competent AgriSolutions Pvt Ltd, my company, is pleased to inform that our business Omnivent Techniek of The Netherlands, the World leaders in agri-produce storage solutions, shall be participating in our forthcoming 3rd International Horti Expo 2011, scheduled to be held from 7th to 9th January 2011 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India.

Those seeking ‘state of the art’ storage solutions for farm produce like Onion, Potato etc, whether as green field projects or modernization of existing ones, are cordially invited to join us for discussions.

The Omnivent advantage……

Active all over the world, Omnivent is specialist in development, manufacturing and installation of modern ventilation and climate technology for storage of agricultural produce like Onion, Potatoes, Carrots etc.

The power of Omnivent lies in the well-thought storage concepts. Whether green field projects or renovation of existing cold stores, Omnivent’s approach is to work out a design as per client’s specific product and climatic specific needs. Omnivent offers a complete package of services, right from first draft to final implementation – from design to ROI.

With a large network of dealers and qualified business associates around the World, Omnivent operates from its main establishments in the Netherlands and Poland. Omnivent is present practically all over the World where agricultural produce has to be stored. Because of its deep and wide experience, Omnivent has amassed extensive specialist knowledge, particularly in arable farming, bulb growing and horticultural sector in addition to mastering climate control technologies.

To schedule one on one discussion with experts please call me at +91-98118-14559 or drop a line at anil.chopra@agrisolutions.in

I want to take a moment and extend my warmest wishes to all for 2011.

New Year’s Day! It is on this day that we put up a new calendar and celebrate the change from one year to the next. It is a day that definitively marks change, and that’s what life is all about.

Change is a funny thing. We often think of change in terms of positive or negative, good or bad, for the better or for the worse, but those are really just a matter of perspective. Sometimes we change the world around us and sometimes the environment changes us. The reality is that change is inevitable and we need to embrace it.

In the past year we have all seen change. We’ve seen change in our personal lives and in the world around us. We have seen births, deaths, friends lost and friends gained. We have persevered through hardship and basked in the glory of personal accomplishments. There are thousands of stories that we could all share.

But since change is inevitable what we need to focus on is being an agent for positive change. This means recognizing that even when the things around us are changing for the worse that we don’t have to let that affect us negatively. It also means that we all have the power to be a force of positive change on the things around us. Even when the odds seem insurmountable we all of the power to make a small change, even it’s in ourselves. It’s that power to make change happen that gives us all control over our own destinies and the power to make everything around us a little bit better.

So as we enter this new decade together let’s ask ourselves, "What kind of change agent I want to be?" Tell yourself, "I have the power to make change happen." Then go forth and use that power to create the life you seek and make the world a better place.

To begin with let 2011 be the Green Year.

YES YOU CAN! 

The Top 10 absolutely greenest, doable New Year Resolutions….

• I resolve to reduce the amount of waste that I generate in my household.
• I resolve to use my car less.
• I resolve to switch over to green versions of my most frequently used household staples.
• I resolve to reduce the amount of meat that I consume each week.
• I resolve to expand my recycling repertoire.
• I resolve to adopt 1 new green habit each month.
• I resolve to think like a greenie.
• I resolve to ask a trusted friend or family member to hold me accountable to my new green goals.
• I resolve to become an active member of a green-themed community.
• I resolve to consider my role as voluntary greenie a privilege rather than a chore.

Onion prices have hit around Rs 70-80 a kg in retail during Dec 2010 which is equal to the average wage of $2 for 80% of the India. This is a cold fact. Part of the blame lie in our ancient onion storage systems and inability of all stakeholders in onion industry to establish modern onion storage systems in India.

Onion, being high in water content, is a delicate commodity to store and requires special procedure and parameters, giving rise to the concept of Onion cold storage. Onion is an important vegetable crop grown in India and forms a part of daily diet in almost all households throughout the year. But due to non-availability of appropriate post-harvest storage facilities, 25-30% of the total produced onions are wasted, which in terms of value amounts to Crores of rupees. Building up of the cold storage unit would minimize the waste up to the level of 3 to 4% that would in turn help the onion growers, and stabilize onion prices in market for all types of consumers.

Let’s be honest and state the facts. For many people involved in the onion industry the complexity associated with properly storing onions is often overlooked.

The fact that we Indians can store onions from one harvest to the next in bamboo challis and tatties and maintain outstanding quality, albeit rising prices during non-harvesting season, is taken for granted. The reality is that 30% of onion is wasted during storage. Please download document penned by Director, National Research Centre for Onion and Garlic, Pune at following link http://is.gd/jCWE2 and read page no 1.

The reality is that ability to hold onions in long-term storage and deliver quality product months after harvest is directly related to advances in ventilation system design and management. The ventilation system is really the key to maximizing profits from storage. Once the onions are harvested and placed in storage, the ventilation system is the only tool one has to interact with the crop. Anything that we do to the onions will occur using the ventilation system. For example, the processes of curing, cooling to holding temperature and dehumidification are all driven by the ventilation system and its components. In short, the ventilation system is our life-line to the onions.

Ventilation System Design

The ventilation system can be thought of like a car, in that it is composed of many components and control systems, each one with a specific job. Also like a car, each component must be the right size and the right part, or the car will not function properly. Modern onion ventilation systems are complex and composed of a variety of different components. These commonly include fans, fresh air doors, refrigeration equipment, burner systems, de-humidification equipment and control systems. In order for the ventilation system to operate effectively and promote onion quality, it must be properly deigned, properly installed, and properly controlled considering the product and environmental variables.

Proper ventilation system design is the foundation for the success of all onion storage efforts. In order for a ventilation system to function as desired, it must be properly designed and each component must be correctly specified and sized – in short customized as per the prevailing situation.

This is concept is the driving force behind the modern onion storage systems which are engineered and designed to conform to specific standards for airflow rate, fan selection, fresh air door sizing, plenum sizing, duct sizing and configuration, exhaust sizing, refrigeration system capacity, burner system capacity, and controls. The fact is that each component within the system will impact all of the others, and must be selected correctly. For example, undersized fresh air door area will increase inlet air velocity, increase total system static pressure, and reduce overall system airflow and performance. By specifying and sizing each component based upon a wealth of practical experience, as well as the most advanced engineering techniques, the grower and storage manager can be assured of optimized system performance, maximized energy efficiency, and the best onion quality possible from a modern onion storage system.

Ventilation System Operation

Having said above, onion quality and storage profitability are maximized when the ventilation system is not only properly deigned, but also properly managed. Specific storage management practices vary with geographic location, status of the onion at harvest, ambient weather conditions, and intended end-use of the crop, but several fundamental concepts apply to every situation. First, it is critical that storage management decisions are based on the actual condition of the crop at harvest. Second, you must have the ability to control and modify the storage environment to precisely meet the needs of the onions. This means you must be able to accurately control airflow, plenum temperature, plenum humidity, and return air temperature and humidity. To ensure accurate control of all system parameters you must have a control panel that continually monitors these key factors and maintains the desired environmental conditions using an advanced, integrated control strategy. The control panel provides the most advanced control capability, coupled with the most user-friendly programming found anywhere. This panel continually monitors all environmental parameters and automatically controls all system functions, including refrigeration, burner systems, de- humidification equipment and airflow, to provide you with the ideal storage environment. Using advanced control logic is as easy to use.

Summary

Storage is the culmination of the enormous amounts of time, effort, and money required to produce the crop. Although it is tempting to view storage as simply piling onions in the bamboo challies, it is really much more complex and important. The design, installation, and management of the ventilation system are the most critical components to successful storage. Remember, once the onions are in the building the ventilation system is our only line of contact and defense. Growers and storage managers who take the time to analyze their storages and implement the changes required to maximize onion quality and ventilation system performance will reap the rewards of improved profitability.

For more information on onion storage solutions contact us at http://is.gd/jCWkc