What people say about us !
I have been viewing your site whispersinthecorridors.com since last three years and found the information interesting and useful.
Prof Anand Khanna

ONLY SOURCE TO REACH THE OPINION MAKERS
Contact-sureshmehrotra@yahoo.com

TOP BRASS

Young Chairman of the Coffee Board G V Krishna Rau has many plans up his sleeve like introducing Bio Technology in coffee cultivation to ensure that the Indian Coffee goes places. "Our focus would be to increase the export of value added coffees to realize enhanced export realization while developing differentiated coffee products to offer a variety of choice to the consumer", he disclosed.
According to Rau "our communication and promotion initiatives in the last few years have helped in positioning the strengths of our coffees appropriately before the international coffee fraternity due to which washed Robusta variety currently fetches a premium of over 350 US dollars per tonne."

In an interview to the "whispersinthecorridors.com" he said that Indian Robusta has also got the recognition as a vital component in a good cup of espresso, the fastest growing segment in key international markets. However, he said "in spite of these positive developments, we cannot afford to be complacent in our endeavor."

G V Krishna Rau foresaw some growth for decaffeinated and organic coffees in the Asian and Indian market adding "but I don't expect it to be a dominant segment." According to him on an average the Board spends about Rs.50 lakhs per annum for labour welfare measures.

1/Since the Coffee Board has slashed its staff, then how do you cope up with the research work?

About five years ago, Indian Arabica used to attract over 10 cents/lb discount at New York futures terminal. Today our Arabica is fetching on par prices. Indian Robustas are presently attracting highest premiums for both washed and unwashed types in the international terminal. This essentially means that our communication and promotion initiatives in the last few years have helped in positioning the strengths of our coffees appropriately before the international coffee fraternity. However, there is still ample scope to improve the quality of our coffees specially by augmenting the production of washed Robustas which currently fetches a premium of over 350 US dollars per tonne. Indian Robusta has also got the recognition as a vital component in a good cup of espresso, the fastest growing segment in key international markets. In spite of these positive developments, we cannot afford to be complacent in our endeavor. We need to make sustained efforts in producing, promoting and marketing good quality coffees to remain competitive vis a vis other producing origins

2/Which is best variety of coffee? Do you think that after a decade or two Decaffeinated coffee and Organic coffees will capture Asian and Indian market?
Arabica and Robusta are the two varieties of coffee commercially cultivated the world over including India. While Arabica is known for its flavour and aroma, the Robusta is known for its body and strength in the cup. In the international arena, While all Robustas are classified as a single category, Arabica is classified as Colombian milds, Brazilian milds and Other milds. Indian Arabica is grouped under Other milds.

With regard to varieties, it is very difficult to pin point a particular variety as the best coffee as the performance of a given variety depend on many parameters like elevation, aspect, soil profile, rain fall pattern, humidity and adoption of cultural practices under Indian conditions. Because of this, the Board recommends different varieties for different locations depending upon the suitability and adoptability of varieties in particular locations.
As far growth for decaffeinated and organic coffees in the Asian and Indian market is concerned, there will be some growth but I don't expect it to be a dominant segment.

3/ Does the Coffee Board carry out welfare activities for workers engaged in coffee plantations?
Coffee Board is implementing a labour welfare plan scheme which provides for (1) Grant of educational stipends to meritorious students i.e. children/ dependents of coffee plantations/processing workers (2) Grant of donations for medical aid and equipments to hospitals /primary health centers in coffee growing regions and (3) Financial assistance to improve infrastructure in educational institutions. On an average the Board spends about Rs.50 lakhs per annum for labour welfare measures.

4/ Coffee consumption is going up in India. In the wake of this how growth can be ensured so that domestic need was met while jacking up exports?
We have flagged the issue of enhancing the domestic coffee market as a priority in our XI Plan. The International Coffee Organization (ICO) has also recognized the fact that, only by increasing domestic coffee market in the producing countries,, the problem of supply demand mismatch can be addressed suitably. In the Indian context, enhanced domestic coffee consumption would not only help in insulating the grower realizations but also would generate employment opportunities. For example, every additional tonne of coffee consumed in the country would provide at least ten new jobs.

Our present coffee production is placed about three lakh tonnes (Post Blossom estimate for 2006-07). On account of limitations of further available area in the country suitable for coffee cultivation and also the limitations in increasing the current productivity levels beyond a certain point, our production projection for XI Plan terminal year would be around 3.35 lakh tonnes. Our projection for the domestic coffee consumption is 1.20 lakh tonnes (from the present level of 80,000 tonnes) by the terminal year of the XI Plan. This would mean that only about 2.15 lakh tonnes of Indian coffee is available for exports which is almost on par with the present level of exports. However, our focus on the export front would be to maximize value for coffee exports. In this regard, our focus would be to increase the export of value added coffees to realize enhanced export realization.

5/ In which new areas Indian Coffee Board is going to enter?
As far as new areas are concerned, our focus would be to develop differentiated coffee products to offer a variety of choice to the consumer. This would not only attract a wider section of consumers but also increase the visibility of coffee.

6/ Where do you find the Indian coffee when compared to the global trade from other countries?
About five years ago, Indian Arabica used to attract over 10 cents/lb discount at New York futures terminal. Today our Arabica is fetching on par prices. Indian Robustas are presently attracting highest premiums for both washed and unwashed types in the international terminal. This essentially means that our communication and promotion initiatives in the last few years have helped in positioning the strengths of our coffees appropriately before the international coffee fraternity. However, there is still ample scope to improve the quality of our coffees specially by augmenting the production of washed Robustas which currently fetches a premium of over 350 US dollars per tonne. Indian Robusta has also got the recognition as a vital component in a good cup of espresso, the fastest growing segment in key international markets. In spite of these positive developments, we cannot afford to be complacent in our endeavor. We need to make sustained efforts in producing, promoting and marketing good quality coffees to remain competitive vis a vis other producing origins

7/ What innovative ideas have been adopted to arrest dwindling production of Arabica coffee?
For the past one decade or so, the Arabica production in the country have remained more or less stagnant at around one lakh tonnes. This is in spite of the fact that, total Arabica area in the country moved up from the level of 1.4 lakh hectare to 1.80 lakh hectare during the past 10 years. The reasons for this stagnation are (1) Large presence of senile Arabica blocks (about 60,000 hectares) which are past their economic age limits (2) Death of millions of Arabica plants in the past 4-5 years owing to Stem Borer menace - Roughly over 10,000 hectares of area have been replanted in the past 4 years which are yet to come to bearing (3) Impact of coffee crisis in the last 4 -5 years owing to which growers reduced farm inputs to reduce losses which negatively impacted the farm productivity (4) Very low productivity levels prevailing in the coffee farms in Non traditional areas like Andhra/ Orissa and North East Region and (5) Limitations in increasing productivity levels in Arabica farms under Indian conditions. The Coffee Board has recognized these issues and is proposing the following initiatives.

1. Put in place a suitable Replanting scheme with appropriate financial incentives backed with credit facility to motivate growers to convert senile Arabica blocks into productive blocks
2. Collaborative research efforts in the XI Plan to bring about synergy in the frontier areas like Bio technology to speed up developing superior plant materials with enhanced productivity and quality potential as well as tolerance to pests and diseases specially the stem borer and leaf rust.
3. Intensive drive to combat the Stem Borer with active participation of grower bodies.
Through above initiatives, it would be possible to stabilize Arabica coffee production in the country at around 1.5 lakh tonnes in the next 8-10 years.
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Five top appointments this month end
Appointments of the Intelligence Bureau Chief, RAW Chief, DG CRPF, DG RPF and Special Secretary Home are expected to be made this month end.

Abrol to be DG RPF !
A K Abrol is being tipped to be the new DG of the Railway Protection Force. In all probability 1972 batch West Bengal cadre IPS officer Abrol would succeed A K Suri on February 1.

Brijeshwar Singh is also in run
Brijeshwar Singh is also a contender for the post of CEO Prasar Bharti. 1975 batch Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officer Singh is presently acting CEO. Selection Committee is meeting on Thursday.

Ravi Saxena to be Development Commissioner Kandla SEZ
Gujarat cadre IAS officer Ravi Saxena is being appointed Development Commissioner of the Kandla SEZ.

Jharkhand bracing up for mid-term polls
Jharkhand is said to be bracing up for mid-term polls next year. Intelligence reports, at least, point towards the fact.

Raul empanelled
C Raul is reported to have been empanelled to the rank of Joint Secretary in the Government of India during the last review meeting.1985 batch Haryana cadre IAS officer, Raul, is presently Director in the Ministry of Textiles.

Jain to join Prasar Bharti
A K Jain is all set to join the Prasar Bharti as Member (Finance). He is 1977 batch IAS officer of Nagaland cadre.

Who will be Customs Chief in JNPT ?
Who will be Customs Chief in the Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust ? Tie is said to be between two IRS officers K K Sharma and R K Mahajan.

Two dozen IAS quit in Maharashtra
About two dozen IAS officers have so far quit the IAS in Maharashtra. This exodus of IAS officers is a cause of concern.

Mend your ways, Lalooji tells GMs
Railway Minister Laloo Yadav has written a letter to all the General Managers asking them to mend their ways. Is he going to be more tough in the months to come ?.

IAS changes in Bihar
Shubh Kirti Majumdar will be new Transport Commissioner.Sandeep Paundrik has been appointed IG Prisons. Ramesh Lal Karn has been made Director Child Development Project. On return from central deputation Indrasen has been appointed Director Sericulture.

Bureaucratic reshuffle in J & K
As predicted yesterday there has been bureaucratc reshuffle in J & K. New postings are :-Mssrs Rajinder Tickoo DG Prisons,M K Mohanty Commissioner Civil-Military Liaison,Atal Dullo Secretary Forests,Dilip Singh Transport Commissioner, Secretary to CM Shailendra Kumar Secretary PWD,A K Raina Member Special Tribunal, Syed Fazlullah Director Technical Education ,Vinod Balla Director Agriculture.

FORUM
Why CSS officers are treated differently ?

Why are Central Services officers on CSS deputation treated differently from All India Services officers in allotment of Housing in Delhi? Why are Central Services officers not considered in Tenure Pool? Is this not discrimination of the worst kind? How long this will go on?

Rajiv Singh

bIAS, IPS, IRS officers do not require house [i.e.govt. accommodation] is an interesting comment to seek CVC report to authenticate this point is further interesting. I presume that this gentleman officer belongs to IAS. Without joining him in mudslinging which he is going to enjoy, let me only say that public opinion across the board of whole civil services is that what is being imputed to police, customs, income tax and IAS is included in that. Government accommodation is right of any employee of the government. Equally well agreed some like my friend are more equal due to being in IAS official.
Ashutosh

Corruption is only person oriented

Yes indeed, Rajeev Rattans write up was not only in poor taste but unfortunately not addressing the issue at all, rather than rebutting the arguements , he seems to have started an arguement as to which service is more corrupt !! It only highlights the unfortunate times we are living in where rather than arguing which service is cleaner, we tend to argue which service is more corrupt and that too with a sense of deprivation !!!!.The need for decent housing for all services remain the same and a uniform policy needs to be adopted. The question as to which service is more corrupt has nothing to do with the issue. Corruption is not service oriented but person oriented. The discussion on the corruption levels in different services can go on endlessly without any conclusion. There can be 1000 ways of rebutting what Rajeev Rattan had said but lets keep this forum for decent and meaningful discussions only.
Chander Shekhar

Why this hullabulla ?

Central service officers are not getting the departmental pool houses of their department if they are posted on CSS deputation. That is the problem & therefore the hullabulla.
Raaja

Aaj Ki Aawaz

Laloo has been acquitted ….. says that he's got justice,
If this acquittal is not tested in Higher Court it will be an injustice!!

The appointment of Paswan as the judge in this case has been contested and there is a feeling that his appointment was not correct! By the looks of its this Laloo gwaala has really done well!! He drove to Court in a Honda CRX ( latest one)…….. see the money spent on the marriages of his daughters…… the lifestyles his kids live!!! Public knows that Laloo lives way x 100 times beyond his known sources of income!!!! Justice will ultimately prevail!!! Laloo says it's a Clean Chit for him but many would say its a Clean Cheat….. and its not contempt of Court to feel that justice has not been done or feeling cheated that Justice has not been done!!

'Englishman' Aiyer says that Manmohan needs a new speechwriter,
Seems after his boot from MPONG in the upper storey he's got lighter!!!

Should a Minister make such a comment!!! You can put a man into a Mental Asylum but you can't take the madness out of him and for Aiyer's madness there is no cure…….. the madness causes 'foot in mouth' and the minute his foot gets the opportunity is lands up in his gob!!!! Aiyer should meet Swami Ramdev and try to find some way to either keep his mouth shut of keep his foot from flying into his mouth.... the madness has no cure but he can lessen the collateral damage!!!

Kewal Dhillon is Amrinder's Amar Singh,
Sukhbir has hit at the right spot…… Amrinder ko karre ga sting!!!

Kewal ' Dalal' Dhillon is known to conduct the same service as Amar does for Mulayam!!! Like Amar , Dhillon too is an avid Party thrower and is known for his glamour connections!!!! And as is known Dalals do not work for free!! Sukhbir Badal has given an insight to the favours this Dalal has got!!! One thing Kewal needs to be told…… in such kind of Dalali haath nahi parr mooh hotha hai kaala!! And see the irony ….. on the entrance wall of Kewal Dhillon's house there is a huge decorative 'D'…….. he says it stands for Dhillon …… many feel it stands for Dalal!!!

Why should IIM students study Communism???
Communism is nothing but Politburo Opportunism!!!

Communism is like a bee hive……. the Queen Bee is the Politburo and the worker bees just work from birth to death!!! The Politburo Members lord it out and the workers slave it out!!! Communism was made so that a select few can Lord it out….. no questions dare be asked!!!

Jethmalani eats crow,
His reputation has hit an all time low!!!

Despite the attempts of Jethmalani to bamboozle the Court , Justice has prevailed in the Jessica case!!! Now what will the new Notice outside Jethmalani's house announce....... 'Retired' would indeed be apt!!! Of course the HC's decision too has to be tested by a Superior Court, but today the general feeling is that Justice has been delivered!! Sabrina can go to Jessica's grave and place some flowers with tears of satisfaction in her eyes!!!! Sentencing is on Wednesday and in worst scenario Manu's going to get death and in best scenario Life!!! As it was not premiditated murder in all probability he's going to get life!!!
Bharat Kumar

CORPORATE

Who will be Chairman of CERC ?
Who will succeed Ashok Basu as Chairman of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission in March? The Search Committee is meeting next week to select new Chairman.

India INC floats own education system
Acute talent crunch forces E&Y, Infosys, TCS,ICICI Bank to set up academies and tie up with colleges. Simultaneously, newly constituted IT vision group headed by Narayan Murthy is planning to send IT captains as visiting faculty members to engineering colleges to upgrade standard.

300 NFBC s operating without RBI permission
As per CAG report over 300 Non Banking Financial Companies, receiving public deposits worth crores of rupees, have been found operating without the mandatory RBI permission.

Mohan is Chief Scientist of IBM
Dr C. Mohan has been appointed as Chief Scientist for IBM India.

The TIME Magazine's person of the year is you
Congratulations. You are the Time magazine 'Person of the Year'. The annual honour for 2006 went to each and every one of us, as Time citied the shift from institutions to individuals-citizens of the new digital democracy, as the magazine put it.