Overtakes HP to top in the guide for 2012

Wipro, the Bangalore-based company with interests in consumer goods, electronics hardware and IT services among others, has topped the 'Guide to Greener Electronics’ list for 2012 released by global non-governmental environmental organisation Greenpeace. The company, which previously participated in the Indian edition of the Guide, had made its debut in the international version of Greenpeace’s Guide this year.

Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

Approval for Rs. 3,150-crore package for backward regions in Bihar, Odisha, U.P. and M.P.

The Cabinet on Thursday cleared the National Policy on Electronics 2012, which aims to make the domestic electronic hardware manufacturing segment a $400-billion industry by 2020. “The Union Cabinet today [Thursday] approved the National Policy on Electronics 2012. The draft National Policy on Electronics was released for public consultation and it has now been finalised based on comments from various stakeholders,” an official statement said.

Bangalore The Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT) has urged the Union ministry of environment & forests to address the hindrances faced in the successful implementation of e-waste management rules calling for simplification of the existing regulations.

Some of the issues which have been raised by MAIT relate to multiple reporting authorities. The rules mention obtaining an authorisation from the concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or PCC (Pollution Control Committee), however, the producers are now forced to take authorisation from multiple states, thus, adding to duplicity in data compilation, MAIT said on Monday. For the companies and SPCBs, this only adds to the administrative burden without adding any value addition.

To protect the Periyar, the lifeline of the state, and maintain its strength and beauty, a river authority should be formed, said E P Yasodharan, chairman, Environment Cell, constituted by the Stan

To give a boost to electronic hardware production, the state government will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Taiwan based Hsinchu Science Park, one of the world’s renowned hubs for semiconductor manufacturing, for exchange of information and technology.

“We may sign a MoU with Hsinchu Science Park within next one month for free flow of information and technology to facilitate establishment of semiconductor units in the upcoming Info Valley complex in Bhubaneswar,” said BK Patnaik, Chief Secretary.

Toshiba Air Conditioning has been officially recognised as a carbon neutral business after it carried out an intensive carbon reduction programme, said the company.

Apple has been forced into an embarrassing volte-face, announcing that it would rejoin the American EPEAT environmental ratings system for electronic products just days after leaving it.

Pune The Bureau of Energy Efficiency ( BEE) has decided to upgrade the requirements for star ratings of split type room air conditioners.

Less than five per cent of India's total electronic waste (e-waste) gets recycled due to absence of proper infrastructure, legislation and framework, industry body Assocham said today.

In its analysis on the World Environment Day, it said that India, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of about 20 per cent, annually generates over 4.4 lakh tonnes of e-waste.