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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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Lalli to be new CEO of Prasar Bharti

Name of Baljit Singh Lalli has been finalized for the prestigious post of the CEO of Prasar Bharti.Name of 1971 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer Lalli was finalized on Thursday at a meeting chaired by Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
( We said this on December 18 )

First case study -Whether AP will follow SC order?
Will Andhra Pradesh follow SC order while appointing the next DGP? While the 1970 batch IPS officer M A Basith, is the natural claimant and choice of the Government for the coveted post, he is not empanelled whereas 1972 batch officer PV Naidu who has been empanelled is not senior most. The SC guidelines say that all appointments on such posts, from January 1, 2007, will be done by the UPSC.

Alok Sinha to be CMD FCI ?
Grapevine has it that Alok Sinha is being appointed CMD of the Food Corporation of India (FCI). He is 1973 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre. Presently Sinha is Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Who will be DG CRPF ?
Who will be new DG of CRPF? Latest information says that the tie is between two 1970 batch IPS officers S I S Ahmad (West Bengal cadre) and R K Das (Uttar Pradesh cadre).

Special Secretary post to be upgraded !
There is a proposal to upgrade the post of Special Secretary (Internal Security) to Secretary. The post is presently held by an IPS officer.

Will post of Secretary Official Languages go to other service ?
Post of Secretary Official Languages in the Government of India is likely to go to some other service. IAS officers are reluctant to join on the post.

Jain is JS (Policy Planning ) in MEA
Sunil Jain (IFS 81) has taken over as Joint Secretary (Policy Planning) in MEA. He succeeds B S Bishnoi who is proceeding to Bangkok on posting.

Matiyani appointed Ombudsman
Baljit Matiyani has been appointed Income-Tax Ombudsman in Delhi. She is 1970 batch IRS officer.

Mallick to join NDC Course
B B Mallick, IAS of 1986 batch, Maharashtra cadre, has been selected for the NDC Course scheduled in January 2007.

Ms Bhargava to take charge later next week
New Chairperson of CBDT Ms Indira Bhargava is expected to take charge in the last week of December.

Selvaraj is Administrator of Lakshdeep
B V Selvaraj is taking over as new Administrator of Lakshdeep today. He is 1981 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.

Saunik to continue as PS to Shinde
Manoj Saunik is going to continue as PS to Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde till May next.1987 batch Maharashtra cadre IAS officer has been promoted to the rank of Joint Secretary in the Government of India.

Dr Azim on extraordinary leave !
Dr Syed Sabahat Azim is reportedly on extraordinary leave. He is 2000 batch IAS officer of Manipur-Tripura cadre

Sudha Pillai is new Secretary Labour
Ms Sudha Pillai will be new Secretary Labour in the Government of India. She is 1972 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre. Ms Pillai would succeed K M Sahni.

Chandra Pal appointed Secretary SSI
Chandra Pal has been appointed Secretary Small Scale Industries in the Government of India.1972 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer, Chandra Pal, would succeed Anupam Dasgupta.

IPS reshuffle in Uttar Pradesh
There is IG level reshuffle in Uttar Pradesh. New postings are :-Mssrs Himmat Singh IG Law and Order,Sulkhan Singh IG PAC HQs,R N Singh IG East Zone,Mahendra P Singh PAC HQs,Girish Chandra Sharma IG West Zone,C B Roy IG Security,K N D Dwivedi IG Technical Services,Daya Shankar Singh IG Railways and U K Tiwari IG Prosecution.

C BDT Meeting remained inconclusive
Placement Committee meeting of the CBDT remained inconclusive on Thursday.

FORUM

ISS Officers to Heaven
An ISS officer died and Yamraj straightaway, without any second thought, took him to Swarg (Heaven). When asked by Brahama as to why the officer has been sent to Swarg, the Yamraj replied that the officer has already spent 34 years in hell (Narak) and he needs a break. After 9/11 incident in USA, the officers have seen 11/2, and held the same post and handled same work at retirement which he held on joining service-of course on a higher scale.

By -a contributor

All services are not equal
The truth is that as clarified in the Fifth Pay Commission Report, all Services are not equal and were never designed to be so, regardless of the oft repeated "same exam". The IAS and the IFS have been designed to be superior services. What then is wrong with the other services reporting to them? Do not the Class II Services report to the Class I Services? Is it their case that Class II officers recruited through the "same exam" be treated like Class I officers? Its like the Olympics, the gold medal is the gold medal and the silver is the silver, even though merely a fraction of a second may separate athletes obtaining them. The other Services should not needlessly (and endlessly) crib about their inferior status, pay, promotions, perks (including housing), empanelment/ deputations, private sector secondments/ Secretary level posts and so on vis a vis the creme de la creme of the country viz the IAS and the IFS officers. If dissatisfied with their lot, the road to relief by resigning is quite open to all.

Rajivrattan

Aaj Ki Aawaz

Saved by The Cow,
Now Cow ke saamne karr raha hai bow!!

After the Verdict in DA case Laloo went to thank his Cows….. he bowed in front of the Cows!!! Many consider the judgement as disproportionate …….. anyway hopefully the Judgement will be tested in the Higher Courts!!!! Laloo's case is like the adage ........official kamayee aat aana aur karchaa lakhon mein!!!

Laloo's Officer on Spreading Duty …. spreading jhoot pe jhoot,
Lies karr raha hai toot!!!

Laloo has a OSD…… Officer on Spreading Duty…… his job is to send emails all the World on Laloo's ' jootta mootta' achievements!!!! Now taken in by the jhoota publicity students form Harvard and Wharton are coming to interview Laloo!!! They don't speak Hindi and Laloo's English will be Greek to them!!!! No problem one more OSD….. Officer on Speaking Duty!!!

Amrinder thought that Manmohan would play Santa Claus for him during his visit to Punjab!!!!
But instead Santa said that haalath in Punjab was kharraab!!!

And while Manmohan said this Amrinder's face changed colour!!!! The turnout must have really disappointed Manmohan!!!! Amrinder's sidekick Chahal …. his OSD or Officer on Sinister Duty…… was seen trying to arm twist local Congress Leaders to make crowds appear!!! Manmohan must have gauged Congress's impending debacle at the Polls!!!

Jethmalani what you sow so shall you reap,
Abh on Jethmalani brickbats ho rahe hai heap!!!

News is that Jethmalani has banned viewing of News Channels in his house……he's put a child lock on these Channels on the TVs in his house!!!! Nowadays he views Hindi Soap Operas!!! God Bless us……. now if Jethmalani takes up a case get ready for 'Soap waale' Dialogues and ludicrous theories!!!

Hockey players are demanding KPS Gills sack,
They say Indian Hockey ko kiya Gill ne hack!!!

Indian Hockey has fallen to its lowest!!! And the blame lies at Gill's doorstep!!!! He's changed coaches and dropped players whimsically!! Now its time Gill gets a taste of his won medicine!!! KPS 'Hitler' Gill has literally single handed finished Indian Hockey!!!

One win and see how we celebrate….. happens in a famine situation,
Sign of under performers.....just one win and see the jubilation!!!

The biggest underachiever was the biggest celebrator…. Sehwag went berserk with the bottle of Champagne in the Indian Dressing Room!!! And why is the Indian Team giving Ganguly the cold treatment!!! Its time some sifting was done and non-performers like Sehwag are dropped . If Indian Sport has to come out of the pits it is in these Gills and Pawars need to be removed from the Sports scene. Now there is news that Pawar is trying to become the President of IIC!!! Hope and pray there is a clause in the IIC Rules that the President should be based in London ………good riddance……. let London and International Cricket suffer Pawar!!!

Court should put Sanjay Dutt out of his pain,
This kind of situation can make a man insane!!!

Every second day he has to Court with the 'jail sentence' hanging over his head like a Domiciles Sword!! He's not been convicted for any complicity in the Bomb blasts!!!! He's a first time offender…… and has already spent time in jail!!! He is a deserving case for Pardon!!! Sentence him to Community Service and let the man get on with his life!!!! Of course the Prosecution is going to say that cases being tried by Special Courts like TADA Courts cannot be granted Pardon!!! Judge should grant him Bail and then later grant him Pardon on grounds of Good Behaviour!!

Bharat Kumar
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CORPORATE

Sawhny is head of Bharti Retail
Vinod Sawhny has been appointed as the Head of Bharti Retail (Pvt) Ltd.

Minister's candidate will be next ED in BHEL Bhopal
BHEL Chairman and the Minister Heavy Industries hold a different view over appointing the next ED of BHEL's Bhopal unit. It is however said that the Minister's candidate will get the coveted post.

Kim to move Bangkok
LG Electronics India MD KR Kim is moving Bangkok as head of the Asia-Pacific region . LG India Deputy MD Moon B Shin will succed him from Jan 2007. It shows growing importance of India in the global LG scheme of things.

MD of Mahindra Intertade
Harsh Kumar has been appointed MD of the Mahindra Intertade.

Ashok Paper Mill to be revived
The sick Ashok Paper Mill is being revived in Assam. Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises has submitted a favourable report to the centre.