Withdraw cash from any ATM for free!

No, it's not an April Fool's joke. Beginning April 1, you can withdraw cash from any ATM, irrespective of who you bank with, free of cost. Considering that, these days, every rupee counts, this is definitely something to cheer about.

The banks, however, will have the freedom to fix charges for withdrawal of cash from ATMs through credit cards and from ATMs abroad.

The guidelines on free ATM use, which were released by the Reserve Bank of India in March last year, were issued in pursuance of the approach paper on ATM charges brought out by RBI in December 2007. It also included abolishing the fee on cash withdrawal from ATMs from April 1, 2009.

During the intervening period, the banks have been allowed to charge a maximum ATM cash withdrawal fee of Rs 20, irrespective of the amount withdrawn.

'The charge of Rs 20... will be all inclusive and no other charges will be levied to the customers under any other head irrespective of the amount of withdrawal,' the apex bank said in a communication to all banks.

The People's Car from TATA Motors

We all know this fact that Tata Nano has become a big brand in car market across the world even before its launch. We can easily find millions of people eagerly waiting to buy this car. Tata is also expecting same initial booking for Tata Nano because this booking can provide financial boast to financially troubled Tata Motors.

Presently, Tata Nano will be available for booking through selective chain of Tata Nano Dealers (which are different from existing dealers of other Tata brands) who will start booking Tata Nano from first or second week of April. People can easily learn about all these Tata Nano dealers by visiting nearest Tata dealers in Markets because large numbers of these dealers have also got dealership licences for Tata Nano.

Second, Tata is also actively considering booking Tata Nano through the retail branches of State bank of India (SBI), as SBI has branches even in deep interiors of India and Tata Nano is likely to sell more in interiors. Within next two or three months, we can see launch of this service by SBI and Tata Motors. SBI is also providing loans for Tata Nano customers. Third option available with Tata Motors is to book Tata Nano online because of high demand of Tata Nano online.

In this regards, Tata has said in its blog that they are actively considering this option and people can find one such option by the end of this year. The major problem with Tata Motors is that they do not enough numbers of Tata Nano to sell because of non completion of their Tata Nano plant in Gujarat; therefore, Tata can only book limited numbers of Nanos. Despite this we can hope that Tata will soon come up with new ways of Tata Nano booking like online booking for the help of all Tata Nano lovers.

Latest updates- Tata has announced today that Tata Nano will also be available for online booking through Tatanao.com. People can find this option of online booking soon.
People will also be able to download form for buying Tata Nano through the
http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com/tatamotors


People will also be able to book this car through Nano 1300 retail centres available across 850 cities.
Tata Nano booking forms will also be available at selective State Bank of India branches.

Nominees & Winners for the 81st Academy Awards

Performance by an actor in a leading role

• Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
• Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
• Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
• Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
• Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

• Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
• Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
• Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
• Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

Performance by an actress in a leading role

• Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
• Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

• Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
• Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
• Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Best animated feature film of the year

• “Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
• “Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

Achievement in art direction

• “Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt

Achievement in cinematography

• “Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle

Achievement in costume design

• “Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky

Achievement in directing

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle

Best documentary feature

• “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
• “Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
• “The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
• “Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall in association with Red Box Films Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
• “Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal

Best documentary short subject

• “The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
• “The Final Inch” Vermilion Films in association with Google.org, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
• “Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
• “The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde

Achievement in film editing

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens

Best foreign language film of the year

• “The Baader Meinhof Complex” A Constantin Film Production, Germany
• “The Class” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haut et Court Production, France
• “Departures” (Regent Releasing), A Departures Film Partners Production, Japan
• “Revanche” (Janus Films), A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production, Austria
• “Waltz with Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production, Israel

Achievement in makeup

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
• “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Alexandre Desplat
• “Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

• “Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
• “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
• “O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam
  

Best motion picture of the year

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), A Kennedy/Marshall Production, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
• “Milk” (Focus Features), A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production, Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti and Redmond Morris, Producers
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A Celador Films Production, Christian Colson, Producer

Best animated short film

• “La Maison en Petits Cubes” A Robot Communications Production, Kunio Kato
• “Lavatory - Lovestory” A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production, Konstantin Bronzit
• “Oktapodi” (Talantis Films), A Gobelins, L’école de l’image Production, Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand
• “Presto” (Walt Disney), A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Doug Sweetland
• “This Way Up” A Nexus Production, Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes

Best live action short film

• “Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” (Hamburg Shortfilmagency), An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production, Reto Caffi
• “Manon on the Asphalt” (La Luna Productions), A La Luna Production, Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont
• “New Boy” (Network Ireland Television), A Zanzibar Films Production, Steph Green and Tamara Anghie
• “The Pig” An M & M Production, Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh
• “Spielzeugland (Toyland)” A Mephisto Film Production, Jochen Alexander Freydank

Achievement in sound editing

• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
• “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Glenn Freemantle and Tom Sayers
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
• “Wanted” (Universal), Wylie Stateman

Achievement in sound mixing

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
• “Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt

Achievement in visual effects

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
• “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan

Adapted screenplay

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
• “Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

Original screenplay

• “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
• “Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
• “In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter

Satyam: Full text of Raju's letter to the Board

Satyam Computers Services Ltd.

From B. Ramalinga Raju
Chairman, Satyam Computer Servcies Ltd

Dear Board Members,

It is with deep regret, and tremendous burden that I am carrying on my conscience, that I would like to bring the following facts to your notice:

1. The balance sheet carries as of September 30, 2008

a) Inflated (non-existent) cash and bank balance of Rs 5,040 crore (as against Rs 5361 crore refglected in the books)

b) An accured interest of Rs 376 crore which is non-existent

c) An understated liability of Rs 1,230 crore on account of funds arranged by me

d) An over stated debtor position of Rs 490 crore (as against Rs 2651 reflected in the books)

2. For the September quarter (Q2) we reported a revenue of Rs 2,700 crore and an operating margin of Rs 649 crore (24 per cent of revenues) as against the actual revenues of Rs 2,112 crore and an actual operating margin of Rs 61 crore (3 per cent of revenue). This has resulted in artificial cash and bank balances going up by Rs 588 crore in Q2 alone.


The gap in the balance sheet has arisen purely on account of inflated profits over a period of last several years (limited only to Satyam standalone, books of subsidiaries reflecting true performance). What started as a marginal gap between actual operating profit and the one reflected in the books of accounts continued to grow over the years. It has attained unmanageable proportions as the size of the company operations grew significantly (annualized revenue run rate of Rs 11,276 crore in the September quarter, 2008 and official reserves of Rs 8.392 crore). The differential in the real profits and the one reflected in the books was further accentuated by the fact that the company had to carry additional resources and assets to justify higher level of operations – thereby significantly increasing the costs.

Every attempt made to eliminate the gap failed. As the promoters held a small percentage of equity, the concern was the poor performance would result in a takeover, thereby exposing the gap. It was like riding a tiger, not knowing how to get off without being eaten.

The aborted Maytas acquisition deal was the last attempt to fill the fictitious assets with real ones. Maytas’ investors were convinced that this is a good divestment opportunity and a strategic fit. Once Satyam’s problem was solved, it was hoped that Maytas payments can be delayed. But that was not to be. What followed in the last several days is common knowledge.

I would like the board to know:


1. That neither myself, not the Managing Director(including our spouses) sold any shares in the last eight years-excepting for a small proportion declared and sold for philanthropic purposes.

2. That in the last two years a net amount of Rs 1,230 crore was arranged to Satyam (not reflected in the books of Satyam) to keep the operations going by resorting to pledging all the promoter shares and raising funds from know sources by giving all kinds of assurances (Statement enclosed, only to the members of the board). Significant dividend payments, acquisitions, capital expenditure to provide for growth did not help matters. Every attempt was made to keep the wheel moving and to ensure prompt payment of salaries to the associates. The last straw was the selling of most of the pledged share by the lenders on account of margin triggers.

3. That neither me, nor the Managing Director took even one rupee/dollar from the company and have not benefitted in financial terms on account of the inflated results.

4. None of the board members, past or present, had any knowledge of the situation in which the company is placed. Even business leaders and senior executives in the company, such as Ram Mynampati, Subu D T R Anand, Kesab Panda, Virender Agarwal, A S Murthy, Hari T, S V Krishnan, Vijay Prasad, Manish Mehta, Murali V, Sriram Papani, Kiran Kavale, Joe Lagioia. Ravindra Penu Metsa, Jayaraman and Prabhakar Gupta are unaware of the real situation as against the books of accounts. None of my or managing directors immediate or extended family members has any ideas about these issues.

Having put the facts before you, I leave it to the wisdom of the board to take the matters forward. However, I am also taking the liberty to
recommend the following steps:

1) A task force has been formed in the last few days to address the situation arising out of the failed Maytas acquisition attempt. This consists of some of the most accomplished leaders of Satyam: Subu D, T R Anand, Keshab Panda and Virender Aggarwal, representing business functions, and A.S.Murthy, Hari T and Murali V representing support functions. I suggest that Ram Mynampati be made the Chairman of this task force to immediately address some of the operational matters on hand. Ram can also act as an interim CEO reporting to the board.

2) Merrill Lynch can be entrusted with the task of quickly exploring some merger opportunities.

3) You may have a ‘restatement of accounts’ prepared by auditors in light of the facts that I have placed before you.

I have promoted and have been associated with Satyam for well over twenty years now. I have seen it grow from few people to 53,000 people, with 185 Fortune 500 companies as customers and operations in 66 countries. Satyam has an excellent leadership and competency base at all levels. I sincerely apologize to all Satyamites and stakeholders who have made Satyam a special organization, for the current situation. I am confident they will stand by the company in this hour of crisis.
in light of the above, I fervently appeal to the board to hold together to take some important steps. Mt T R Prasad is well placed to mobalize support from the government at this crucial time. With the hope that members of the Task Force and the financila advisor, Merrill Lynch (now Bank of America) will stand by the company at this crucial hour, I am marking copies of this statement to them as well.

Under the circumustances, I am tendering my resignation as the chairman of Satyam and shall continue in this position only till such time the current board is expanded. My contribution is just to ensure enhancement of the board over the next several days or as early as possible.

I am now prepared to subject myself to the laws of the land and fact the consequences thereof.

(B. Ramalinga Raju)

Copied marked to:
1) SEBI Chairman
2) Stock Exchanges

Satyam Chairman Resigns After Falsifying Accounts

Satyam Computer Services Ltd. Chairman Ramalinga Raju resigned after saying he falsified accounts and assets, sending shares of the Indian software services provider to a record decline.

Raju, 53, unsuccessfully tried to sell two companies to Satyam last month in a final attempt to plug 50.4 billion rupees ($1.04 billion) of “fictitious assets” on the company’s balance sheet, Hyderabad-based Satyam said in a statement today. Profits from the main business have been inflated “over a period of last several years,” Raju said in a letter to the board.

The transactions started to unravel after shareholders vetoed the sale of two construction companies, four directors quit the company and the World Bank barred Satyam from bidding for contracts. India’s markets regulator C.B. Bhave said the event is of “horrifying magnitude” as Satyam dragged down the benchmark stock index already hit by a record slump last year.

“This is a black day for India, the software sector and corporate governance claims,” Arun Kejriwal, founder of Kejriwal Research & Investment Services, said in Mumbai. “If at all there’s an event that could be the biggest setback for corporate India, it is this.”

Shares of Satyam, which means “truth” in Sanskrit, plunged 69 percent to 55 rupees in Mumbai trading. The Sensitive Index tumbled 4.3 percent.

‘Non-Existent’

Of the reported cash and bank balances of 53.61 billion rupees on Sept. 30, 50.4 billion rupees was non-existent, Raju said in the letter sent to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Operating margin at Satyam, India’s fourth-largest software exporter, in the quarter ended Sept. 30 was 3 percent of revenue, instead of the reported 24 percent, Raju said in the letter. The company’s revenue was 21 billion rupees, 22 percent less than the inflated figure of 27 billion rupees that had been reported.

Raju arranged 12.3 billion rupees “to keep operations going” at Satyam over the last two years by pledging the founders’ shares and raising funds from other sources, he said.

“What started as a marginal gap between actual operating profit and the one reflected in the books of accounts continued to grow over the years,” Raju said. “It was like riding a tiger, not knowing how to get off without being eaten.”

‘Easy Target’

The founders’ concern was that a poor performance, combined with the fact they held a small stake in the company, would make Satyam an easy target for a takeover, exposing the inflated figures, he said.

Satyam yesterday denied a report that the company received a merger offer from Tech Mahindra Ltd., an Indian software-services provider controlled by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and partly owned by BT Group Plc.

Tech Mahindra termed the report of a proposed all-stock merger as “speculative.”

Earlier in the week, MindTree Ltd. denied a report it was one of two smaller rivals in talks for a merger with Satyam. The Hyderabad-based company is in talks to merge with smaller rivals including HCL Technologies and MindTree, the Business Standard reported on Jan. 5, citing unidentified people at investment banks.

Raju’s attempts to “keep the wheel moving” at Satyam was finally derailed as lenders sold most of the pledged shares because of margin calls, he said.

Reduced Holdings

SRSR Holdings Pvt., which holds the founding family’s stake, reduced their holding to 3.6 percent from 5.13 percent, Satyam told the Bombay Stock Exchange yesterday. Of the 3.6 percent, 1.7 percent is pledged with lenders, it said.

The stake sales by the families of Chairman Raju and his younger brother, manager director Rama Raju, reduced their holdings to below levels held by institutional investors including Aberdeen Asset Management Plc. Funds run by Aberdeen own 6.6 percent of Satyam, according to data compiled by Bloomberg until the end of October.

Raju scrapped the planned acquisition of Maytas Properties Ltd. and Maytas Infra Ltd. last month, less than 12 hours after announcing it, after the company’s ADRs plunged.

Separately, the World Bank Dec. 23 declared India’s fourth- biggest software-services provider ineligible for contracts for eight years, alleging “improper” benefits were given to the bank’s employees.

Satyam was founded in 1987 by Ramalinga Raju and Rama Raju and counts ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaker, and Nissan Motor Co., Japan’s third-biggest carmaker, among its customers.

“This company had a five-star independent board and it had a leading auditor and still it managed the con,” said Tarun Sisodia, a Mumbai-based analyst with Anand Rathi Securities Ltd. “So the question is why only Satyam, why not every other company.”

Nokia's Take Back Program

Nokia has announced ‘Take Back’ program and is encouraging mobile phone users to dispose their used handsets (any brand) and accessories such as charges and handsets, regardless of the brand, at any of the recycling bins set up across Nokia Priority Dealers and Nokia Care Centers.

Image via Wikipedia

Nokia conducted a survey (across 13 countries) on awareness of recycled handsets and found out that only 17% of Indian users are aware of the fact that handsets can be recycled.

As per Nokia, 100% of the materials in the phones can be recovered and used to make new products or generate energy. Since Nokia is the first company to launch a campaign like this, expect some more action from their competitors (especially Samsung) targeted towards the replacement market.

Handset Replacement Market

Currently, the replacement market in India is ~55% (Delhi ~60%) and by 2010, India’s handset replacement market is expected to reach 70%.

So essentially, there is big money in this market and apart from CSR (Corp. Social Responsibility), companies might want to clear off (exchange/discounts) their inventory using such campaigns.

Just because handsets follow Moore’s law, do you really think that consumers will give away their used phones for free?

What’s your opinion?

How many used handsets do you have? Are you comfortable giving it away for nothing in return?

Qn to Nokia: What about Green Phones?

Nokia’s Remade, a flip phone cell uses recycled cans, plastic bottles, and car tires and up to 60 percent of the metal in its available handsets comes from recycled materials. How about launching something similar for the Indian market (in 2009?)

IT Sector May lose 50,000 Jobs

Over 50,000 IT professionals in the country may lose their jobs over the next six months as the situation in the sector is expected to worsen due to the impact of global economic meltdown on the export-driven industry, a forecast by a union of IT Enabled Services warned.

"...there would be 50,000 job losses (IT and BPO put together) over the next six months," Karthik Shekhar, general secretary of UNITES India, a politically neutral union of ITES professionals said.

The job loss in the IT and BPO sector in the country topped 10,000 in the September-December period, Shekar said.

While employees of medium-sized companies bore the brunt of job losses in the September-December period, it's going to be their counterparts in the big and small firms who would increasingly face the axe in the coming six months, he said.

UNITES India, affiliated to the global union United Network International, suggested that the companies in trouble could resort to salary and incentive cuts without trying to "squeeze" the staff, rather than adopting the "layoff path".

Employees are willing to take such cuts for 12-16 months till the demand picks up again, when such benefits should be restored to them.

Shekhar said senior officials of the industry had concurred with the figure of 10,000 job loses in September-December, stating that it accounted for "bottom five per cent of the performers".

Consultations with the union's counterparts in the US and UK suggested that slowdown would continue to hit the offshore sourcing space, he said.

He said factors like continued slowdown, likely "tax application" to companies outsourcing jobs under the new US regime and tightening in regard to H1B visas were among the key reasons cited for the acceleration in issue of pink slips.


சர்வதேச அளவில் ஏற்பட்டிருக்கும் பொருளாதார மந்த நிலை மேலும் மோசமடையும் பட்சத்தில் இந்தியாவில் 2009 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜீன் மாதத்திற்குள் 50000க்கும் அதிகமான ஐடி, பிபிஓ ஊழியர்கள் வேலையிழக்கும் அபாயம் இருப்பதாக கணிப்பு ஒன்று தெரிவிக்கிறது.

பெரிய ஐடி நிறுவனங்கள் தங்களது பொருளாதார நெருக்கடி காரணமாக செலவினங்களை குறைக்கும் விதமாக ஊழியர்களுக்கு வழங்கி வந்த சலுகைகளை குறைத்து வந்தது. தற்போது ஏற்பட்டிருக்கும் மந்த நிலை நீடித்தால் கட்டாய விடுப்பு எடுக்கும் சொல்லும் நிறுவனங்கள் அடுத்து ஊழியர்களை நிரந்தர பணி நீக்கம் செய்யும் அபாயமும் ஏற்படலாம் என்ற கணிப்பு நிலவுகிறது. பெரிய நிறுவனங்கள் ஊழியர்களை பணிநீக்கம் செய்யாமல் தற்போது பல வழிகளில் செலவினங்களை குறைத்து வருகிறது. சர்வதேச அளவில் ஏற்பட்டிருக்கும் நெருக்கடி காரணமாக புதிய ப்ராஜக்ட் வர தவறினால் நிறுவனங்களுக்கு ஊழியர்களை பணியில் இருந்து நீக்குவதைத்தவிர வேறு முடிவு எடுக்க முடியாத சூழ்நிலை உருவாக வாய்ப்புகள் இருக்கிறது. பெரிய நிறுவனங்கள் ஒருபுறம் இருக்க சிறிய நிறுவனங்களின் நிலை மிகவும் மோசமடையும் நிலை உருவாகலாம். இதன் மூலம் பல்வேறு தொழில் நுட்ப பொறியாளர்கள் வேலையிழக்ககூடும். இதே போல பிபிஓ நிறுவனங்களுக்கும் இந்த ஆபத்து அதிகம் இருக்க வாய்ப்பு உள்ளது.

கடந்த 3 மாதங்களில் மட்டும் நாட்டில் ஐடி துறையில் மறைமுகமாகவும் நேர்முகமாகவும் 10000த்திற்கும் அதிகமானோர் வேலை இழந்துள்ளனர் என்பது தான் உண்மை. பல பெரிய நிறுவனங்களில் கூட ஊழியர்கள் அடுத்த ஒரு வருடத்திற்கு சம்பள உயர்வு மற்றும் போனஸ் இல்லாமலும் வேலை பார்க்க தயாராக இருப்பதாக சில நிறுவனத்தலைவர்களே தெரிவித்துள்ளனர். சம்பள குறைப்பு மற்றும் ஊதிய உயர்வு நிறுத்தம் போன்றவை ஊழியர்களை பெரிய அளவில் பாதிக்காது. ஐடி துறையை பொருத்தமட்டில் ஒரு நிறுவனத்தில் இருந்து மற்றொரு நிறுவனத்திற்கு இடம்பெயர்வது என்பது மிகவும் சாதாரணமான ஒன்று. ஆனால் இந்த பொருளாதார நெருக்கடி தருணத்தில் இது மிகவும் அசாத்தியமாக வாய்ப்புகள் உள்ளன. பல நிறுவனங்கள் தற்போது புதிதாக ஆட்களை எடுக்கும் பணியை அடியோடு நிறுத்தி வைத்துள்ளன. புதிய ஃக்ளைண்டுகள் கிடைக்கும் வரை ஆட்களை பெரிய நிறுவனங்கள் எடுக்க யோசிக்கின்றனர். 2001 ஆம் ஆண்டு இதே போன்ற சூழல் உருவாகி பின்னர் ஒரு ஆண்டுகள் கழித்து நிலை சீரானது. அதைவிட தற்போது நிலை மோசமாக செல்லவும் வாய்ப்புகள் உள்ளது. தன்னை ப்ராஜக்ட் களில் தக்கவைத்துக் கொள்ளாதவர்கள் உடனடியாக அடுத்த நிறுவனத்திற்கு மாறுவது நல்லது என்று உயர் அதிகாரிகள் ஊழியர்களிடம் நேரடியாகவே சொல்லும் கட்டாயத்திற்கு பலரும் தள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளனர். கிடைக்கும் பொழுது நல்ல வாய்ப்பையும் பயன்படுத்தி பாதுக்காப்பான கம்பெனிகளில் அமர்வதே தற்போதுள்ள நிலைமைக்கு முடிவாகும்.

ஐடி நிறுவனங்களில் கட்டாய விடுப்பு

சர்வதேச மந்தநிலை காரணமாக பல்வேறு ஐடி நிறுவனங்கள் பணி நீக்கம் மற்றும் செலவினங்களை குறைக்கும் முடிவில் இறங்கியுள்ளன. இவற்றில் ஊழியர்களுக்கான போக்குவரத்து வசதிகளை குறைப்பது, கட்டாய விடுப்பு, போனஸ் குறைப்பு, நிறுவனத்தில் பல்வேறு சலுகைகள் நிறுத்தம் என்று பலவிதங்களில் ஊழியர்களுக்கு நெருக்கடி கொடுத்து வருகிறது.

பெரிய ஐடி நிறுவனத்தில் வேலை என்றாலே பல்வேறு சலுகை, 6 மாதத்திற்கு ஒரு முறை ஊதிய உயர்வு, போனஸ், பார்ட்டி, டூர் என்று பல்வேறு  வசதிகளை இளைஞர்கள் அனுபவித்து வந்த நிலை இனி இருக்காது என்று நிலை உருவாகியுள்ளது. தற்போது நிலவி வரும் பொருளாதார மந்த நிலை காரணமாக ஐடி நிறுவனங்கள் கொடுத்த வந்த சலுகைகளை கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சமாக குறைத்து வருகிறது. ஆரம்ப கட்டத்தில் ஊழியர்கள் பயன்படுத்தி வந்த போக்குவரத்து வசதிகளை குறைத்து மிக குறைந்த தூரத்தில் இருப்பவர்கள் தாங்களாகவே நிறுவனம் வர வேண்டும் என்று உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்தது. தொடர்ந்து பல்வேறு வழிகளில் ஊழியர்களுக்கு ஆகும் செலவுகளை குறைத்து வருகின்றன. தற்போது பல்வேறு நிறுவனங்கள் ஊழியர்களை கட்டாய விடுப்பில் செல்லும் படி வற்புத்துக்கின்றன. ஊழியர்களுக்கு கொடுக்கப்படிருக்கும் விடுப்பு நாட்களுக்கு குறைவாக ஊழியர் விடுப்பு எடுத்திருக்கும் பட்சத்தில் அந்த நாட்களுக்கு நிறுவனம் சம்பளம் கொடுக்க வேண்டும். அத்தகைய மீதியுள்ள நாட்களை கட்டாய விடுப்பு எடுக்கும் படி நிறுவனங்கள் தற்போது நிர்பந்தனை செய்கின்றன. 2008 ஆண்டு முடியும் நேரத்தில் பல நிறுவனங்கள் ஊழியர்களை இரண்டு வார விடுப்பில் செல்லும் படி உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது. இந்த விடுப்பு நாட்களுக்கு ஊதியம் கிடையாது. போனஸ், ஊதிய உயர்வு போன்றவற்றை அடுத்த ஆறு மாதங்களுக்கு பல நிறுவனங்கள் நிறுத்தி வைத்துள்ளது.

 

பெங்களூருவைச் சேர்ந்த அகிலண்ட் என்ற நிறுவனம் நாடு முழுவதும் 1800 ஊழியர்களை கொண்டுள்ளது. இந்நிறுவனம் தனது அனைத்து ஊழியர்களையும் ஒவ்வொரு மாதமும் 2 நாட்கள் கட்டாய விடுப்பில் செல்லும் படி உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது. சென்னையிலும் பல ஐடி நிறுவனங்களில் பல ஊழியர்கள் வேலை வாய்ப்பை இழந்துள்ளனர். இந்த எண்ணிக்கை 500 தாண்டியுள்ளது. இந்த பணி நீக்கம் கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சமாக நடைபெற்று வருகிறது. புதிதாக ப்ராஜக்ட் கிடைக்காத காரணத்தால் பல நிறுவனங்கள் ஆட்கள் சேர்ப்பதை தற்போது குறைத்துள்ளன. கட்டாய விடுப்பில் ஊழியர்கள் பலருக்கு விருப்பமில்லை என்றாலும், பலர் இதை எதிர்பார்த்து சந்தோசப்படுபவர்களும் உண்டு. குடும்பத்துடன் சில நாட்கள் சந்தோசமாக இருக்க முடியும் என்ற காரணமும் ஒன்றாக இருக்கிறது. இந்த நிலை இன்னும் சில மாதங்களுக்கு நீடிக்கவும் வாய்ப்புகள் இருக்கிறது. பெரிய நிறுவனங்கள் ஊழியர்களை நீக்காமல் கட்டாய விடுப்பு மூலம் சம்பள குறைப்பில் ஈடுபட்டால் ஊழியர்கள் ஏற்படும் பாதிப்பு அதிகபட்சம் குறையும் என்பதில் சந்தேகமில்லை.

Chinese mobiles get new life

OVER 25 million mobile phone users who have Chinese handsets without an international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number won?t have to discard their phones. The industry has jointly developed a software, which when uploaded to these handsets will provide the device with a unique number.

This comes after a government directive asking all telcos to cut off mobile services to handsets that do not have an IMEI number by January 6, 2009. The government is likely to extend the deadline by another three months to March 31 even as some operators have sought that they be given time till July 2009.

IMEI is a unique 15-digit code that comes with every mobile and helps uniquely identify the handset. This number is reflected in the operator?s network whenever a call is made or received from any handset and therefore allows lawful interception of all calls. Mobile operators store these numbers in Equipment Identity Register (EIR) ? so if a handset is stolen, and its owner can provide the IMEI number to his operator to ensure that all calls from this device is barred.

In October the DoT asked telcos to install EIR so that calls without IMEI or with IMEI consisting of all zeroes are not processed. This followed investigations by security agencies looking into the bomb blasts in several Indian cities this year, which revealed that mobile phones used by terrorists did not bear valid IMEI numbers. Industry bodies representing Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and the Association of Unified Service Providers of India (AUSPI) will formally approach the DoT this week seeking an extension, the representatives in these told ET.

The industry will inform the DoT that customers who use these cheap Chinese handsets without IMEI numbers will not be able to afford a new handset. The industry therefore wants time to educate these customers to go in for a software update to get an unique identity number for their handsets. ?We need time to inform and educate the customer to have this software installed. This software is just being perfected and we will submit this solution to the DoT this week,? explained COAI?s director general TV Ramachandran.

These are genuine citizens who were ignorant about the IMEI number when they bought these handsets we have to give them an alternative. Customers will have to pay a small fee, maybe about Rs 100, for the software, but this is better than throwing away the handset,? he added.

Telcos are also set to tell the DoT that since the EIR equipment has to be imported and also tested extensively before it can be installed on the networks, the process cannot be completed by January 6. ?In some cases, the ordered equipment is yet to arrive, while in other cases, the equipment that has been obtained is being tested,? Mr Ramachandran added.

Yet Another Blast in India

Yet another blast in Indian commercial city

Today, in a very shocking incident terrorist attacked Indian commercial capital Mumbai. This terrorist attack totally took Mumbai hostage as terrorists attacked multiple places including Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel, Metro theatre, Central Railway station, Bombay Hospital etc. These attacks started around 10:05 PM. So far there are reports of nine terrorist attacks where terrorists opened fire on people and also reports of 8 blasts. There are also reports of death of 80 people in these attacks and more than 250 are injured. There is also report of death of 9 police men including one ACP and ATS chief Hemant Karkare. Police encounters are currently continuing at multiple places. There are total five explosions of hand grenades in Taj Hotel. There are also estimates that total numbers of terrorists were 10-12. Terrorists used hand grenades and AK47 for carrying out these attacks. Police has killed two terrorists and captured 7 terrorists alive. Terrorists were wearing army/police like uniform. Terrorists also have control of police jeeps. Police has also defused three bombs from three different places. There are also unconfirmed reports that terrorists have made hostage few US and UK citizens. Terrorists look to be in total control of two major hotels of Mumbai Taj and Oberoi. New terrorist organisation Deccan Mujahidin has taken responsibility of this attack. Central government has rushed 200 NSG commandos, Navy commandos and one army battalion to Mumbai. These are worst kind of attacks in Indian history which were earlier unknown to India. These attacks put question mark on the preparedness of Indian security forces and failure of our governments. Government has asked people to stay inside their homes because there could be some terrorists free on road.


Today, it looks that terrorists have took control of Indian commercial capital Mumbai. Terrorists have control of major hotels like Taj and Oberoi and moving here and there in police jeeps firing on people. So far there are reports of 80 people killed in these attacks and 250 people being injured. There are estimates that numbers of these terrorists could be more than 10. 7 police men including one ASP has also died in these blasts. There is no news about these terrorists and their group so far.

Side Effects for West Bengal Bcoz of Nano's Exit

Finally, Tata’s small car Nano will not be manufactured at West Bengal’s Singur Plant because Tata has decided to pull out from Singur and will manufacture Nano at some other location. Names of states like Gujarat and Maharashtra are emerging as front runners in begging Tata Nano project, though, we will able to see clear picture in coming days.

Tata has already started manufacturing small car Tata Nano from Tata’s Panthnagar plant in Uttarakhand and 50 Nano cars are getting manufactured on the daily basis from this plant. However, this exit of Tata Nano from West Bengal looks to have affected future industrialisation plans of state very badly. Second, people of Singur are biggest sufferers because they have only lost and lost heavily in this whole struggle, as they lost good compensation, job opportunities, growth opportunity and many other opportunities.

In future, any big industry will think twice before entering into West Bengal. Tata Nano has become a big success even before its official launch, because of worldwide publicity got by this world’s cheapest car. Therefore exit of such big project of worldwide value can put west Bengal many years back on the industrial growth map.

In the present time, Industrialisation provides a great option in front of state governments to provide rapid growth for their states and provide employment opportunities to people of state. Overall, Tata Nano Singur project is a failure for state government, central government and opposition and main losers are people of Singur and West Bengal, who have lost a good opportunity from their hands.

Another Bomb Blast in Delhi

September 27th, Indian capital Delhi saw another blast in Mehrauli area of Delhi. This blast has taken place at 2:15 PM near flower mandi in Mehrauli. Blast was so powerful that people heard its voice 1 KM away from this place. So far, 2 people have died in this blast and more than dozen people injured in this incidence. Few children have also got injured in this blast. This blast was of same power as earlier bomb blasts in Delhi few days back.

Bomb Blast was also powerful enough to break glasses of nearby shops and houses. This bomb was planted by two young men on black pulsar motorbike who through a plastic pack on the spot and ran away. Bomb was placed inside a Tiffin box. People in the area are very angry over this incidence and lack of after support to them. This blast has again put question mark over Delhi police’s claim of catching all terrorists.

As per media reports, Terrorists have already given warning of conducting this blast yesterday. Delhi police has issued warning to people to remain alert and not touch any suspicious item.

Indian Mujahideen as serious threat

Many people in India didn’t think Indian Mujahideen as serious threat when they first took the responsibility of serial bomb blasts in Jaipur and UP. However, by taking responsibility of recent bomb blasts in Ahmedabad and New Delhi, Indian mujahideen has shown to India that it is a real new threat for its security.

Indian security agencies believe that Indian Mujahideen is not a new terrorist outfit but combination of old terrorist outfits with new names. It is also believed that terrorists of Bangladeshi origin have great role in this outfit. The major worrying sign about this outfit is that they look to be very strong in IT and planning skills.

So far Indian security agencies have remained total failure in getting any know about of these terrorists. Though, Gujarat police is claiming some breakthrough in Ahmedabad blast case but recent attacks in Delhi say something else. In recent times, terrorism has again emerged as big threat for India and India needs to face with threat with lot of preparation.