MeraPahad Community Of Uttarakhand Lovers

Jain Irrigation to invest Rs 5500 crore

MUMBAI: Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd will set up two projects in Jalgaon in Maharashtra with an investment of Rs 5500 crore, Managing Director Anil Jain told reporters at a news conference on Thursday. The company also signed an agreement with the state government for these projects, which include production of micro-irrigation equipment, fruit and vegetable processing, and tissue culture.

"This is basically an expansion-cum-modernisation project," Jain told reporters. "We are getting some tax benefits from the Maharashtra government. It's a customised agreement where we will avail different benefits at different times."

He, however, did not reveal details of the agreement. The project would add around 20 billion rupees annually to the revenues from 2010/11, Jain said. The company has already raised funds for the project through debt and internal accruals in the proportion of 40:70, he added.

"We raised funds overseas when the rates were still reasonable." The company, which is operating in a 200-acre land, is looking to buy 500 acres more in Jalgaon," he added.

Jain is planning to set up a food procesing-cum-irrigation systems plant in Uttarakhand by next year. "We are working out plans for this project. Though nothing has yet been finalised, we plan to start work on it by next year," Jain said. The project would be similar to the Jalgaon project, he added.

"We are aiming to have a pan-India presence. We are also increasing capacities in the south -- Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu -- for irrigation systems and pipes. Jain also plans to invest around $500 million through its wholly owned subsidiary in the US, Cascade Specialities Inc, to expand its irrigation business and $53 million to make dehydrated onions.

"We want to add capacities in the US, now," Jain told Reuters. "We want to expand our presence in agriculture-related sectors in the US" The diversified company had acquired a major stake in an Israeli micro-irrigation company to set up a JV, Naandan Jain, last year. Jain plans to set up new units in Turkey and Peru, through this JV, to manufacture drip-irrigation systems.

Uttarakhand to set up cable car project
It is reported that Uttarakhand tourism department is planning to invite private players to set up a cable car between the hill resort of Mussoorie and Dehradun with an investment of INR 700 crore.

Uttarakhand Infrastructure Projects Company, a JV between the state government and IL&FS, has been asked to prepare the DPR for the cable project.

The proposed cable car will start from Purkul village at the foothills of Mussoorie where a five star hotel and an amusement park are also being proposed.

Good initiative of Uttarakhand Government if properly implemented will be extremely beneficial.

During my recent visit a new project was started by Uttarakhand govt.
In this Agriculturist from Govt are collecting sample of soil from each house in village. These sample will be send to GBPUAT and it is find out that the soil is beneficial for which crop/plant. After that Village people will be told about that crop and fertilizers for that crop will be supplied by govt.

Made in Uttarakhand Rakhis" to Hit The Indian Markets Soon

Mussoorie, 28th June

Forthcoming "Rakhi Festival" will see local "Made in Uttarakhand Rakhis" competing with the Chinese Rakhis that flood the markets.It is  a festival celebrated to mark the bonding between brothers and sisters among the Hindus.

Rakhi is a form of wrist band denoting love and affection tied by the sisters on the right hand of their brothers in return of guarding them from any difficulties.

The brothers return the greetings by giving gifts to their sisters.

The Chinese Rakhis have been popular because of their price tags among the sisters celebrating the festival.

But this year Women of Mussoorie are going to change all that by creating hand made Rakhis.