The Indian Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, Coimbatore
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Chamber Activities




 January 2010 


Coimbatore Vizha

Our Hon. Secretary Shri N. Subramaniam addressed a meeting organized by CODISSIA as a part of Coimbatore Vizha on 4.1.2010. He spoke on ‘Small Industries in the Development of Coimbatore’. He suggested that small scale units will have to go in for automation as they will face labour shortage in future. He also pointed out the cluster approach would help the units to go forward with automation initiatives as there are agencies to support such efforts.

Railways

Shri P.N. Ram, Divisional Railway Manager of Salem Division has announced during his visit to Coimbatore on 19.12.2009 that six new trains will be introduced from Coimbatore. He has also announced the following for the benefit of the people of Coimbatore region.

  1. To extend the Amritha Express up to Coimbatore.
  2. To take speedy steps for completion of face lift programmes for Coimbatore railway junction.
  3. Provision of rest room, roofing for the platform and passengers room etc.
  4. Parking facility at the junction for public.
In a press note issued on 30.12.2009, while welcoming his announcements Chamber also appealed for introduction of the following trains i.e.,
  1. Coimbatore to Bangalore night express train.
  2. Train from Coimbatore to Tirupathi.
  3. Train from Coimbatore to Rameshwaram.
  4. Train from Coimbatore to Chengottai.
  5. Two more passenger trains between Coimbatore and Erode.

MSME Council

The meeting of MSME Facilitation Council was held on 8.1.2010 and 19.1.2010. Shri D. Nandakumar, Hon. Secretary along with Shri K. Ilango, President of CODISSIA and Shri S. Asokan, General Manager, District Industries Centre attended the meeting. The next meeting is posted on 5.2.2010.

Railway Infrastructure Facilities

Our Chamber represented to the Ministry of Railways on the needs of railway infrastructure facilities such as introduction of new trains, gauge conversion, commuter trains etc. In response to our representation, we have received a detailed reply for Shri R. Gnanam, Deputy Chief Operations Manager of Southern Railway, intimating us the alternative railway facilities available for people of Coimbatore.

We have also represented to the General Manager, Southern Railway and Shri R. Gnanam for the following train facilities.

  1. Introduction of commuter trains between Coimbatore and Mettupalayam, Coimbatore and Pollachi.
  2. Formation of third line between Coimbatore and Tirupur and a new line between Tirupur and Karur via Kangeyam.
  3. Train connections between Coimbatore and the East Coast of Tamil Nadu.
  4. Extension of Trains 2083 and 2084 to Cuddalore and Chidambaram.
  5. Introduction of convenient train connections at Trichy for Rameshwaram for those who travel on the Coimbatore to Trichy trains.
We have also circulated this information to all our affiliated associations with a request to make similar representation to railway in order to get more weightage for this matter.

Committee Meeting

Labour Laws and Pollution Control Committee meeting was held on 6.1.2010 under the Convenorship of Shri R. Vellingiri. As decided in the Committee, Chamber has represented to the Government for reduction of licence fee and also to increase the limit of workers from 250 to 500 for installation of sewage water treatment. Chamber is also making arrangements for conduct of a seminar on PF and ESI for SMEs inviting the Reg. PF Commissioner and the Jt. Director of ESI, to be held on 15.2.2010.

Workshop on IFRS and Direct Tax Code

Our President Shri Mahendra Ramdas as Chief Guest inaugurated the workshop on IFRS and Direct Tax Code organized by Rotary Coimbatore Spectrum on 23.1.2010. This programme dealt with the practical approach to international financial reporting standards and the direct tax code.

Minimum Wages

The Government of Tamil Nadu issued G.O. (2D) No.39 dt. 25.5.2009 fixing the minimum wages payable to the employees engaged in shops and establishments category. This subject was discussed at the labour laws committee meeting and as decided by the Committee, the Chamber sent a representation to the Principal Secretary of Labour and Employment Department and also to the Commissioner of Labour Government of Tamil Nadu, pleading for dropping of the decision for confirmation of the said G.O. in the interest of shops and commercial establishments which is already facing financial crisis on account of present economic situation and business scenario.

We have also pointed out that there is already considerable increase in the revised rates of minimum wages and the period of interval is also less than five years. This subject was taken up for the decision at the 61st meeting of Minimum Wages State Advisory Board held at Chennai on 6.1.2010.

AD Shroff Memorial Elocution Contest

The 45th AD Shroff Memorial Inter-Collegiate Elocution Contest for the academic year 2009-10 was organized by our Chamber jointly with Rotary Club of Coimbatore and Forum of Free Enterprise, Mumbai on 28.1.2010. Around 21 students have been registered and 19 students from various colleges affiliated to Bharathiar Unviersity participated in this contest.

On behalf of our Chamber Shri S.B.V. Guptha our Governing Council Member, on behalf of Rotary Club of Coimbatore Shri Joseph M. Paul, Member and Shri Sudharamoorthy, Past President of Rotary Club of Coimbatore participated as judges. The judges selected three students each for English and Tamil languages. The prize money, sponsored by our Chamber, Forum of Free Enterprise, Mumbai and Rotary Club of Coimbatore has been given to the winners by Shri S. Inderchand, our Treasurer.

Electricity

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulation Commission (TNERC) has approved the proposal of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board for power purchase and distribution at a rate of not exceeding Rupees Seven. The order issued by TNERC has been circulated to all the members by email.

Presentation on Goods and Services Tax

Chamber organized a presentation on Goods and Services Tax (GST) - Proposals in the First Draft Paper on 29.1.2010. Shri C. Rajendiran IRS, Commissioner of Customs, Central Excise & Services Tax inaugurated the programme.

In his address he said that though Coimbatore is a small city when compared with Chennai, the trade and industry are doing excellent performance and they strictly follow the procedural formalities of the department and comply with them without any hesitation. He also appreciated the Chamber’s role in supporting and helping the trade and industry. Shri S. Jaikumar, Advocate of Swamy Associates Chennai presented the entire concept of Goods and Services Tax. He also clarified the doubts raised by the members during interactive session.

Nearly 180 members participated. Shri Mahendra Ramdas, President welcomed the gathering and Shri C. Balasubramanian proposed vote of thanks.

Central Excise Regional Advisory Committee

Shri V. Lakshminarayanasamy our Governing Council member who is representing our Chamber in the Central Excise Regional Advisory and Public Grievance / Watch Dog Committee has been appointed as Vice Chairman of these Committees for the year 2010-11.

Meeting with Chairman of Central of Direct Taxes

A delegation comprising of our President Shri Mahendra Ramdas, Vice President Shri R.R. Balasundharam, Hon. Secretaries Shri D. Nandakumar and Shri N. Subramainam met Shri S.S.N. Moorthy IRS, Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 8.1.2010 during his visit to Coimbatore. A memorandum containing the views and suggestions on direct taxation proposals was submitted to him. He was very receptive and assured to recommend our points and suggestions to the Government appropriately.

Energy Conservation Week

Our President inaugurated the National Energy Conservation Week celebrations on 13.12.2009 that was organized by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.