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.

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.

Contraction in user-sectors like construction, power and industrial machinery will hurt

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.

New Delhi The Union Cabinet on Thursday cleared a Rs.648-crore project for two-laning of a national highway in Rae Bareli, falling under the constituency of Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Of the R648 crore, R78.62 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition, resettlement, rehabilitation and pre-construction, while R569.36 crore will be for construction.

The Cabinet also approved the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme under which the government will provide up to R10,000 crore in benefits to the industry over the next five years for promoting production of electronic products and components in India.

"The policy is expected to create an indigenous manufacturing eco-system for electronics in the country. It will foster the manufacturing of indigenously designed and manufactured chips creating a more cyber secure ecosystem in the country," said an official statement. Under the scheme, government will provide incentives up to Rs 10,000 crores during the 12th Five Year Plan period (2012-17).

"The projects with incentives of Rs 10,000 crore have potential to create employment for nearly 0.5 million persons," the statement said.

The recent hike in power tariffs announced by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has hit the average consumer the hardest.

To understand the impact that the tariff hike will have on the aam aadmi , here is an illustration.A consumer who uses a modest 250 units of power, which means a cooler for six hours, apart from a few light bulbs, fans, electric iron, television, motor pump and a refrigerator every day will see a whopping 53 per cent jump in the monthly power bill from July 1.

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