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Following is an excerpt from a report in New Indian Express.

The city is all set to have one of the biggest aquariums in the country, spread over 332 square metre and housing as many as 140 varieties.

Deputy Director-General (Fisheries) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research Prof. S. Ayyappan would inaugurate iton Friday.

It has been built by Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA).

The research institute is describing it as one of the biggest ecosystem-based aquaria.

It will hold 140 varieties including 20 marine species and as many indigenous species in about 54 aquaria.

Entry fee has been priced at Rs 10 per adult, Rs 5 for child and Rs 3 for students (group of 20 or more).

The primary objective of the aquarium would be to create awareness among the public about aquatic fauna and flora.

It will aim at providing first hand information on ornamental fish and motivate farmers and entrepreneurs in ornamental fish farming and trade.

Some of the important fresh water varieties it would exhibit include Discus, Angel, Barbs, Danios, Tetras, Catfishes, Gouramies, and Cichlids.

Besides, some of the popular marine fishes in collection include Clown Fish,’ ‘Starfish,’ ‘Tang Fish,’ ‘Angel Fish,’ ‘Lion Fish and Anemones.

Importantly, the aquarium also has in possession a few pretty exotic fishes like Ghost Knife Fish of the Amazon, Texas and Flower Horn.

Following is an excerpt from a report in http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/.

Swosti Travels,…, recently introduced jungle safaris at Bhitarkanika and Simlipal sanctuaries in Orissa. According to S Patnaik, General Manager, Swosti Group, the seven-day-package includes stay at diverse locations, interaction with local artisans, forest explorations, animal rides, etc.

"We have roped in private players running eco camps, forest cottages and cruise liners for the project, as we wanted it to be on par with its international counterparts. To begin with, we had to get the requisite clearance from the forest and the tourism departments of the state in terms of the safety and security measures," said Patnaik, as he went on to add that the packages were already being promoted at international fairs and festivals.

Bhitarkanika is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India, whereas the Simlipal National Park boasts of several scenic spots such as Barehipani and Joranda waterfalls.

Following is an excerpt from http://www.indiaprwire.com/.

BIG 92.7 FM, India’s No.1 Radio station today announced the latest edition to its kitty, with the launch of its Station in Rourkella. The launch of BIG 92.7 FM in the City marks the launch of the 43rd Station of the network. …

In Rourkela, BIG RJ’s Rajiv, Priyanka, Sneha and Shaheen will be entertaining the steel city of Orissa.

The joyride will start at 5am with Aradhana followed by Breakfast show BIG Chai 6am -9 am. Other shows include Hello Zindagi, Ring Road 927, Thoda Gyan Thodi Masti, Evening Masala and Direct Dil Se.

To ensure the highest aspirational appeal and connect with its listeners, BIG 92.7 FM has Abhishek Bachchan as the Brand Ambassador.

Commenting on the station’s entry into Rourkela, Mr. Soumen Ghosh Choudhury, Regional Head East, BIG 92.7 FM, said “We are very excited about launching in the city of Rourkela. We are the first private radio station in the region to do so. The programming mix of the Station with programmes like Aradhana, BIG Chai, Hello Zindagi, Ring Road 927, Thoda Gyan Thodi Masti, Evening Masala and Direct Dil Se have been put together after much research and understanding of local requirements. It is our aim to create content that is relevant, credible and has an aspirational value for the listeners. We are completely geared and are eagerly looking forward to entertaining the city of Rourkela. We are sure the city will welcome us with open arms and will enjoy the programmes on our Station.”

Following is an excerpt from a report in New Indian Express.

Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited (FACOR), one of India’s largest producers and exporters of ferro alloys, is going to expand its integrated plant at a cost of Rs 2,700 cr in Orissa.

The company has initiated an ambitious expansion plan of setting up two power plants and a Stainless Steel Plant (SSP) in Orissa for which a consultancy has also been appointed.

The FACOR group is planning to set up the power plant for its own consumption. A 45 MW coal-based captive power plant is to be set up for Bhadrak near Randia of Orissa at a cost of Rs 180 crore.

The power plant work is scheduled to be completed by 2009 for which the FACOR group has inked a financial tie-up with Rural Electrical Corporation, New Delhi.

Another 250 MW coal-based power plant and a five lakh tpa SSP are also being planned to be set up to the tune of Rs 2,500 crore at Orissa. The expansion works will be completed by 2011.

… According to Ashim, for the Rs 2,500 crore 250 MW power plant and SSP, Rs 1,700 crore would be the debt component while Rs 400 crore would come from internal sources and another Rs 400 crore raised from a partner.

“We are looking for a strategic business partner either in the form of investment or through technological support,” he said.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Livemint about the per capita income of various states in India and their growth.

According to an Assocham Eco Pulse (AEP) study on ‘States performance in per capita income’ has highlighted that Jharkhand, with per capita income of Rs14,990, has registered 16.6% growth. With an abundant resource of mineral and other natural resources, the state has been receiving investment proposals in steel, cement and power sectors, giving necessary push to its economy, providing sufficient employment opportunities.

With influx of huge capex by the large industrial houses in the core infrastructure sector, Orissa is witnessing a rapid rise of 11.5% in income distribution (Rs14,795).

…  southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and industrialized Gujarat rank among the top states with per capita income more than the all-India average of Rs20,734 (in FY06).

Karnataka tops the chart of well-to-do states with fastest growing income per person by 9.28% at Rs21829 for the FY 2006. Gujarat’s average income per person rose to Rs26,543 with growth of 8.92%. Per capita income in Tamil Nadu was recorded at Rs24,308 with rise of 8.46%. …However, Delhi and Goa, relatively smaller states, have highest per capita income at Rs49172 and Rs47507 but the rate of growth is relatively lower at 6.9% and 6%.

The state of Chhattisgarh struggling at political, social and economic front, witnessed 8.8% growth, though average income base remains very low at Rs16,365.

Development plans in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are yet to take off as they remain at the bottom of the pyramid with lowest per capita incomes of Rs12566, Rs10637 and Rs6610 growing at the slowest rates of 2.9%, 3.1% and 3.7% respectively.

Per capita income in 17 states was growing below the national average of 8.4% while per capita income for the Indian economy grew to Rs22,483 in FY07 from Rs20,734 in FY06.

Maharashtra, with the largest state domestic product and major recipient of foreign as well as domestic investment, has witnessed a healthy growth rate of 7.3% in its per capita income (29,085). Another state to record above 7% growth was Uttaranchal, though the income base was low at Rs20, 328 per person in fiscal 06.

Haryana, with prosperous farm sector and booming IT, real estates, engineering and construction activities, has the third largest per capita income of Rs 29,887 growing at 6.5%.

West Bengal, despite having the fourth largest population, has managed to raise its per capita income at a rate of 6%, owing to massive investment plans in sectors like steel, real estate, power, retail and IT. The average income per person was recorded at Rs 20,485 in the fiscal 2005-2006.

There were states where the effect of overall economic boom was not reflected in their per capita income. While the state domestic product of Kerela and Andhra Pradesh grew by 8.8% and 7% respectively, average income available to each person grew by 5.9% each.

Per capita income in scarcely populated Himachal Pradesh rose at a moderate growth rate of 5.34%. As the state remains predominantly dependent on tourism sector, the level of industrial investment remains low. Per capita income was recorded at Rs27,162 in fiscal 06.

Growth in the prosperous state of Punjab seems to have stalled as rise in per capita was estimated to be mere 2.9%, even though it has the fifth largest per capita income of Rs28,605.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Pioneer on this.

The Puri railway station would be expanded and the platforms would be laid afresh to facilitate easy access to passengers to board the train. This apart the Puri Railway Station washing lines would also be developed and the station would be given a new look with an estimated cost of over Rs 100 15 crore and the station would be designed in the lines of the Jagannath Temple, he said.

The incomplete Puri-Khurdha road double tracking would be completed soon, he said. The Ministry was ready to allocate 50 per cent of the total cost of the new tracks to Konark if the State agrees to bear the rest, the Minister informed.

Following is an excerpt from Livemint on this.

India’s largest manufacturer of power generation equipment Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) has begun negotiations to set up joint ventures with state government institutions in Maharashtra, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh, which will not only generate steady orders for the firm but potentially block out emerging rivals.
The so-called ‘supercritical’ thermal power projects, with a capacity of 4,800MW, are expected to need Rs20,000 crore in investments.

“We are in talks with the SEBs (state electricity boards) and are exploring opportunities on the lines of our joint venture with Tamil Nadu Electricity Board in a 50:50 ratio. We are looking at setting up 1,600MW projects with each SEB,” said a senior Bhel executive who did not want to be named.

Each venture will require two units with a capacity of 800MW. Bhel is the only company in India that has the capability of manufacturing boilers and turbines of 800MW size and above. But, several companies, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, Toshiba Corp., Hitachi Ltd, Dosan, Dongfang Electric Corp., Siemens AG, Alstom SA, Russia’s LMZ and Technoprom have said they would be interested in setting up manufacturing facilities in India.

Government officials of Maharashtra, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh confirmed the conversations with Bhel.

One state government official, who did not wish to be identified, noted that “supercritical power projects burn less coal and their large economies of scale help in delivering cheaper power.”
Each of the 1,600MW will require an investment of Rs6,400 crore, with a maximum debt to equity ratio of 70:30. This would entail an equity of Rs1,920 crore with Bhel and the state board chipping in Rs960 crore each.

…
A government working group report, submitted as an input into the preparation of the 11th Plan for the power sector, noted that about 3,960MW could not be commissioned in the current plan period due to delays by Bhel. India currently has a power generation capacity of 135,000MW and aims to add 78,577MW of capacity by 2012.

The Bhel executive said that with capacity being raised by 10,000MW per year, the company will be able to manufacture equipment totalling 56,000MW by 2012. It has an order book position of 31,923MW and 9,775MW of extra equipment from unused stock.

“This leaves us with a lot of capacity to manufacture,” the executive added.
Bhel has technical collaboration with Alstom and Siemens, who are both pioneers in the field of supercritical technology for manufacturing boilers and turbines, respectively. The company posted a net profit of Rs2,385 crore on revenue of Rs18,702 crore in 2006-07 and ended the year with an order book position of Rs35,633 crore.

Bhel aims to become a $10 billion-plus (Rs39,500 crore) company by 2011-12 with a 15,000MW power equipment manufacturing capacity by the end of next year. The company has a current manufacturing capacity of 10,000MW.

Following are some excerpts.

Business Standard:

Non-ferrous metals giant Vedanta Resources is planning to enter the Indian steel sector with a 5 million tonne plant at an investment of about Rs 24,000 crore in Keonjhar district of Orissa and envisaging its commissioning by 2012-13.

"We are impressed at the growing consumption of steel in India and are keen to enter its steel sector. We are planning to build a 5 million tonne steel plant at Keonjhar district of Orissa. If we find a suitable partner, we should be able to commission it by 2012-13 at an investment of about Rs 24,000 crore," company sources said.

Sify.com:

Vedanta Resources is planning to make an initial public offer (IPO) to raise $1 billion for Sterlite Energy, a subsidiary of its group company and Indian non-ferrous metals producer Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd.

"We are planning for a $1-billion IPO for Sterlite Energy in the next few months," Vedanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal told reporters here Wednesday.

… Agarwal said the London Stock Exchange-listed Vedanta Resources is also considering options to sell shares via a pre-IPO placement.

He added that the company plans to participate in coal-based power generation projects through the subsidiary, Sterlite Energy Ltd.

"We are looking at 10,000 MW commercial power generation by 2012," he said. The power plants are likely to be set up in Orissa and Jharkhand, he said.

Following is an excerpt from a report in itvarnews.net.

Acer, one of the world’s top 3 branded PC vendors, has opened its exclusive brand store, the Acer Mall, in Bhubaneswar. Targous Technology, Acer’s retail partner, showcases the entire range of Acer Desktops, Notebooks and Display products, which would include the Aspire series of consumer PCs, the Travel Mate and Aspire notebook series and also the Acer range of Monitors and Projectors.

… The Acer Mall is located before Ravi Talkies Square near Indian Oil petrol pump has a catchment area of 450 sq feet. The mall has an “Acer Lifestyle Products Experience Zone”, which helps customers in choosing the right product for their requirements by having a hands-on experience with the product.