HMSI plans to reduce waiting period to less than a month

B D Narayankar

Press Trust of India

Narsapura (Karnataka), Sep 29 (PTI) Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) today said it plans to cut down the waiting period for its bikes and scooters to less than one month from the present three months.

"We plan to bring down the waiting period for Honda bikes and scooters to less than a month. At present the waiting period for Activa, Shine and Unicorn is at least three months," HMSI Vice President (Sales and Marketing) N K Rattan told reporter.

He was here for the foundation laying ceremony of HMSI''s plant at Narsapura.
"The Manesar plant in Haryana is capable of producing 16 lakh units a year. It is obvious that when the production goes up from 16 lakh units to 22 lakh and then to 28 lakh by March 2012, there would be a drastic reduction in waiting period of all products," he said.

Replying to a question, HMSI President and CEO Keita Muramatsu said the company may have to review product prices to minimise the impact of escalating raw material costs.

"There has been a 15 per cent hike in prices of raw material over a year''s time," he said.

Muramatsu also said HMSI was planning to produce 500cc and 1000cc bikes for the Indian market.

"Since import duty is too high, we are planning 1000cc bikes for Indian two-wheeler market," he said.

The market for 1000cc bikes in India is pretty good and the company is confident of attracting customers, Rattan said.

HMSI, having 43 per cent market share in the domestic scooters segment, plans to enhance its capacity to 4 million in the next two years, Muramatsu said.
"We have 7.3 per cent share in Indian motorcycle segment and we are looking to increase sales in next two years."

Global meltdown has an impact on the sales of HMSI, but all the units are back to normal operations from September onwards, Honda Siel Cars India Private Limited President and CEO Takashi Nagai said.

All the units are back to normal operation either because of revival of problem plants or because of other measures taken by the company, he said.
"HMSI has not reduced production worldwide due to the slowdown," he added. .



Links

http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5476209

http://automotivehorizon.sulekha.com/hmsi-to-reduce-waiting-period-of-two-wheelers_newsitem_3190

K'taka govt ups loan amount to Rs 50 lakh for SSIs

B D Narayankar

Press Trust of India

Bangalore, Oct 1: Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today promised to increase loan amount for setting up small-scale or cottage industries from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

“My government is determined to increase the loan amount to Rs 50 lakh for setting up small-scale or cottage industries,” he said addressing a gathering during Gandhi Jayanti celebrations here. Gowda said the state government has already announced it would give 15 per cent rebate to boost sales and popularise khadi products.

“The state government has directed concerned authorities to release Rs 5 crore to Rs 6 crore to promote khadi products,” he added.

He said the government was committed to completely stop distillation and sale of illicit liquor and added that steps had been initiated to make Karnataka free of illicit liquor.

The Chief Minister said the government was committed to eradicate untouchability within legal framework. Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who was also present, said steps should be taken to include Gandhian philosophy in syllabi of schools and college.

Chhattisgarh has promised Karnataka an extra 100 MW in the next six months in addition to 200 MW being supplied to enable the state tide over acute power crisis, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said today.

“Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has promised to give extra 100 Mw in next six months if we need it. They have made arrangements to supply 200 Mw from Saturday night,” he told reporters at the sidelines of Gandhi Jayanti celebrations.

Gowda said he would make a formal announcement of the list of drought affected districts in tomorrows meeting with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of affected areas.

He said the government would take steps to mitigate the suffering of farmers in Kadur, Chitradurga, Bijapur, Bagalkot and Chindanur areas, which had recorded deficit rainfall.

Gowda said he had a telephonic talk with Housing Minister V Somanna on details of the slipper attack on him by a BJP worker yesterday.

“I have asked police to hold an enquiry into it,” he said. Asked about cabinet expansion, Gowda said: “It will take some time.”

Links

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ktaka-govt-ups-loan-amount-to-rs-50-lakh-for-ssis/451191/

Lokayukta Police Files FIR Against Deve Gowda's Son

B D Narayankar

Press Trust of India

Bangalore, Sep 30: Lokayukta Police on Friday filed an FIR against HD Balakrishna Gowda, eldest son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, in connection with allegations of disproportionate assets against him.

Lokayukta ADGP J V Gaonkar stated this to reporters here.

S N Balakrishna, retired assistant manager of Visveswarayya Iron and Steel in his September 22 complaint, had charged Balakrishna Gowda with possessing wealth worth Rs 70 crore, disproportionate to his known sources of income at the time of his retirement from government service and currently valued at Rs 500 crore.


He had sought a direction to take action against Balakrishna Gowda under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Earlier, Lokayukta Special Court Judge N K Sudhindra Rao had directed Lokayukta police to investigate the complaint and file a report by October 10.

Links

http://zeenews.india.com/news/karnataka/lokayukta-police-files-fir-against-gowda-s-son_734394.html

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?736871

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-30/news/30228959_1_lokayukta-police-fir-eldest-son

http://news.oneindia.in/2011/10/01/lokayukta-police-to-file-fir-against-devegowdas-son.html

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/lokayukta-police-files-fir-against-deve-gowdas-son/842215.html

http://dc.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/1094731/National/1/20/1

Assets Worth over Rs 7 Cr Seized in Lokayukta Raids

B D Narayankar

Press Trust of India

Bangalore, Sep 30: The Lokayukta police today raided the residences of five government officials, unearthing disproportionate assets worth over Rs seven crore, and later arrested them.

Three separate teams conducted searches at three places in the city and one each in Bagalkot and Bhadravati towns.

"All the five have been arrested and will be produced before a court later," Lokayukta ADGP J V Gaonkar told reporters adding the action came after credible information.

T Sriram, Executive Engineer of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewarage Board has assets worth over Rs 2.17 crore. Among valuables seized were 30 grams of platinum and bank balance of Rs 42 lakh as well as four houses and a flat, he said.

According to Gaonkar, S M Ramakrishna, Additional Chief Engineer BWSSB had assets worth Rs 1.25 crore, including two houses in the city. Ramalingaiah, AEE in PWD owned assets and cash worth Rs 1.17 crore, he said.

Lakshman Shivappa Goundi, head clerk in Food and Civil Supplies Department, Bagalkot, had amassed assets worth Rs 1.19 crore besides owning 10 acres of agricultural land along with two houses and three cars, Gaonkar said.

S Ramakrishnappa, also an AEE in Minor Irrigation Sub Division in Shimoga owns assets worth Rs 1.26 crore including 10 acres of farm land and 2.5 kg gold, Gaonkar added.

Links

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=117634

http://mail.zeenews.com/news/karnataka/assets-worth-over-rs-7-cr-seized-in-lokayukta-raid_734383.html

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/assets-worth-over-rs-7-cr-seized-in-lokayukta-raids/842209.html

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/BAN-lokayukta-raid-houses-of-officials-rs-7-2473481.html

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5478913

Ashish Bagga is new INS president

Bangalore, Sep 30 (PTI): Ashish Bagga of India Today was today elected president of The Indian Newspaper Society for the year 2011-12 at its 72nd annual general meeting here. He succeeds Kundan R Vyas of the Janmabhoomi Group.

K N Tilak Kumar (Prajavani) was elected deputy president, Ravindra Kumar (The Statesman) vice-president and Rakesh Sharma (Aaj Samaj) honorary treasurer. V Shankaran is the secretary general of the Society.

Other INS Executive Committee members are: B S Adityan (Vaarantari Rani), L Adimoolam (Health and The Antiseptic), Girish Agarwal (Dainik Bhaskar, Bhopal), Samahit Bal(Pragativadi), K Balaji (The Hindu Weekly), P V Chandran (Grihalakshmi), V K Chopra (Dainik Asam), Devendra Darda (Lokmat Times), Jagjit Singh Dardi (Charhdikala Daily), Ravind a Dhariwal (Navbharat Times), Mahendra Mohan Gupta
(Dainik Jagran). Pradeep Gupta (Dataquest), Sanjay Gupta (Dainik Jagran, Varanasi), Shailesh Gupta (Mid-Day), Shekhar Gupta (Loksatta, Mumbai), Sanjay Hazari (The Tribune), Mohit Jain (Economic Times), R Lakshmipathy (Dinamalar), Rajul Maheshwari (Amar Ujala), Jayant Mammen Mathew (Malayala Manorama), Vilas A Marathe (Dainik Hindusthan, Amravati), R Naresh Mohan (Sunday Statesman), Abhijit Pratap Pawar (Gomantak, Goa), Maheshwer Peri (Outlook), R M R Ramesh (Dinakaran), K Raja Prasad Reddy (Sakshi, Vishakhapatnam), Somesh Sharma (Rashtradoot Saptahik) are other INS members.

Others are Manoj Kumar Sonthalia (The New Indian Express), Akila Urankar (Business Standard), Kiran B Vadodaria (Sambhaav Metro), M Venkatesh (Hindustan Times), Vijay Darda (Lokmat), Vijay Kumar Chopra (Punjabi Kesari, Jalandhar), Pratap G Pawar (Sakal), Abhay Chhajlani (Nai Dunia), M P Veerendrakumar (Mathrubhumi), Jacob Mathew (Vanitha), Bahubali S Shah (Gujarat Samachar), Hormusji N Cama (Bombay Samachar Weekly), T Venkttaram Reddy (Deccan Chronicle), Kundan R Vyas (Vyapar, Mumbai).

Links

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/194891/ashish-bagga-ins-president.html

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/ashish-bagga-is-new-ins-president/841399.html

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=114856

http://www.adgully.com/media/print/ins-picks-ashish-bagga-as-new-president.html

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ashish-bagga-is-ins-president/189213-60-115.html

http://www.mediamughals.com/News/1/2/Article/8237/Ashish_Bagga_elected_as_INS_President_.htm

http://www.thetop.in/news/ashish-bagga-is-new-ins8200president

http://www.mxmindia.com/2011/09/ashish-bagga-is-ins-president/

http://www.mediasarkar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1196&catid=100&Itemid=221

Boeing P-8I aircraft for Indian Navy completes first flight

B D Narayankar

Press Trust of India

Bangalore, Sep 29: Boeing's first long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft P-8I for the Indian Navy completed its initial flight on Thursday at the Boeing Field in Seattle.

During the flight lasting two hours and 31 minutes, Boeing test pilots performed airborne systems checks and took the P-8I to a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet prior to landing, Boeing said in a statement here.

In the coming weeks, Boeing will begin mission systems installation and checkout work on the aircraft at a company facility near Boeing Field.

"The P-8I programme is progressing well and we are looking forward to this potent platform joining the Indian Navy as part of its fleet," Rear Admiral D M Sudan, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), Indian Navy, was quoted as saying.

"The P-8I will provide India with the necessary speed and reliability to satisfy the Indian Navy's maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare requirements," Boeing India President Dinesh Keskar said.

Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737 commercial airplane, the P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the US Navy, he added.

Leland Wight, Boeing P-8I programme manager, said, "We have transitioned to P-8I production, and remain on track to deliver the first aircraft to the Indian Navy in 2013."

The P-8I is the first of eight long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft Boeing is building for India as part of a contract awarded in January 2009.

An option for four additional P-8I aircraft was included in the original contract, Boeing said.

Links

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-29/news/30218415_1_p-8a-poseidon-reconnaissance-and-anti-submarine-warfare-maritime-reconnaissance

http://news.oneindia.in/2011/09/29/boeing-p-8i-for-indian-navy-completes-first-flight.html

http://www.indiandefencereview.com/military-/Boeing-P-8I-Aircraft-Completes-1st-Flight-for-Indian-Navy.html

http://www.timesnow.tv/Boeing-P-8I-aircraft-for-Navy-completes-first-flight/articleshow/4385264.cms

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/boeing-p8i-aircraft-for-indian-navy-completes-first-flight/839983.html

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19601&catid=35&Itemid=107

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India lays foundation stone for third plant

B D Narayankar

Press Trust of India

Narasapura (Karnataka), Sep 29: Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), Honda's wholly-owned two-wheeler production and sales subsidiary in India, today laid the foundation stone for its third two-wheeler production plant in the country at Narsapur, in Karnataka.

Spread across 3,50,000 square metres, the plant at Narsapur Industrial Area, 52 km away from Bangalore, will be operational by the first half of 2013, with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million units in the first phase through an investment of Rs 1,350 crore, HMSI President and CEO Keita Muramatsu told reporters here.

"Subsequently, the capacity will be enhanced to 1.80 million vehicles per annum and will provide employment opportunities to 3,000 people," he said.

Utilising production technologies refined at the Manesar and Tapukara plants as a starting point, HMSI will strive to improve process ergonomics and employ more advanced automation and other measures to reduce the burden on associates at the Narsapur plant, Muramatsu said.

The plant would increase HMSI's total annual production capacity to 4 million units, including 1.6 million units at the first plant at Manesar (Haryana), 1.2 million units at the second plant at Tapukara (Rajasthan) and 1.2 million units at the third plant planned at Narsapur, HMSI Vice-President (Sales and Marketing) N K Rattan said.

India is the world's second-largest motorcycle market after China. Industry-wide two-wheeler sales in India reached 11.32 million units in 2010 (up 30 per cent compared to 2009), he said.

HMSI's sales have registered steady growth, with 2010 sales approximating 1.526 million units (up 40 per cent from 2009), a record high for the tenth consecutive year, he said.

HMSI has a current product line-up of three automatic scooters (Activa, Dio & Aviator) and six motorcycles ( CB Twister, CBF Stunner, CB Shine, CB Unicorn, CB Unicorn Dazzler and CBR 250R).

Links

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-29/news/30218139_1_ceo-keita-muramatsu-hmsi-president-third-plant

http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/honda-lays-foundation-stone-for-third-plant-in-karnataka-95593.html

http://news24online.com/Honda-lays-foundation-stone-for-third-plant_News24_34372.aspx

http://www.mydigitalfc.com/companies/honda-lays-foundation-stone-third-plant-893

http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/honda-lays-foundation-stone-for-third-plant-180646

http://gearheads.in/showthread.php?7108-Honda-Motorcycle-and-Scooter-India-lays-foundation-stone-for-third-plant

http://www.wheelomania.com/2011/09/honda-motorcycle-and-scooter-india-lays.html

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/two-wheels/4983-honda-motorcycle-scooter-india-lays-foundation-stone-third-plant-banglore.html

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110930/biz.htm#4

http://mangalam.com/index.php/imagemanagement/pdf/11/06/29/index.php?page=detail&nid=484289&lang=english

http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/Honda-lays-foundation-stone-for-third-production-unit/3/23364/

http://www.siamindia.com/Media/Coverage/ViewMediaCoverage.aspx?id=3921

http://www.indianewsz.com/business-news/latest-business-news/38776-Honda-lays-foundation-stone-for-third-plant

http://thatstelugu.oneindia.in/lifestyle/automobiles/2011/honda-lays-foundation-stone-third-plant-300911-aid0148.html