Analysis of Power Sector in India: A Structural Perspective

The inhibitors to growth in power sector were many—small and big but the main roadblock in the growth path was Government Policy, which made it difficult or rather impossible for a private player to enter. This further aggravated the problem that Indian entrepreneurs didn’t have enough knowledge and experience in developing power projects. To worsen the scenario, the SEBs and other Government Agencies became financially weak to propel any future expansion or growth in the sector. Electricity Act, 2003 was a major step in solving the above underlying problems of the power sector. A whole new system was evolved where private players were invited to be an active participant. The system demanded financial, political and other infrastructural growth—with major requirement in roads and communication. Some of the bold steps taken in the Act were moving generation and distribution out of ‘License Raj’ regime, opening access to national grid and demolishing the ‘Single Buyer’ model. The failure of the huge federal structure and the changing global scenario have forced Government to think of ways to revive this fundamental infrastructure sector. Two of the avenues that government can count on for future growth of this sector is “Midgets or Small Power Plants” and “CDM—Clean Development Mechanism” .Power Sector , India

Corporate Social responsibility: Competitive Advantage or Social Concern

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which was seen as corporate “Philanthropy till 1990s is considered as a buzzword today. Business bodies are seeing it as a strategy for coping up with uncertain, turbulent environment. Tata and Birla group of industries are considered pioneers in this field. Business bodies have realized that they may gain competitive advantage when society supports them strongly. Business firms have to make arduous effort to align CSR with competitive advantage, thus balancing the interests of all stakeholders. There is a need for balance companies must address the long term equitable growth issues on which prosperity and human progress depend. Today private capital accounts for 50 percent of all net long term capital flow to developing states. Along with this, pressure has been increasing on business towards social responsibility previously handled by government. Companies have to pay attention to all stakeholders if they have to achieve their business goals. In this paper, the pillars and model of Corporate Social Responsibility has been proposed. Also a survey is conducted to know employee's perception towards CSR whether CSR is for competitive advantage or social concern or both. The responses obtained from the respondent would help to gain more insight into this topic. Keywords: Philanthropy, Strategies, Governance, Competency, Code of conduct, Ethic

Corporate Social responsibility – Competitive Advantage or Social Concern

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which was seen as corporate “Philanthropy†till 1990s is considered as a buzzword today. Business bodies are seeing it as a strategy for coping up with uncertain, turbulent environment. Tata and Birla group of industries are considered pioneers in this field. Business bodies have realized that they may gain competitive advantage when society supports them strongly. Business firms have to make arduous effort to align CSR with competitive advantage, thus balancing the interests of all stakeholders. There is a “need for balance†– companies must address the long term equitable growth issues on which prosperity and human progress depend. Today private capital accounts for 50 percent of all net long term capital flow to developing states. Along with this, pressure has been increasing on business towards social responsibility previously handled by government. Companies have to pay attention to all stakeholders if they have to achieve their business goals. In this paper, the pillars and model of Corporate Social Responsibility has been proposed. Also a survey is conducted to know employee’s perception towards CSR whether CSR is for competitive advantage or social concern or both. The responses obtained from the respondent would help to gain more insight into this topic. Keywords: Philanthropy, Strategies, Governance, Competency, Code of conduct, Ethic

Effect of rejuvenation pruning on the growth, productivity and disease incidence in declining trees of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Kandhari Kabuli

Pruning of fruit trees is an important aspect for the improvement of fruit quality and to minimize the pests and disease attack. Pruning was performed in the month of December in seven year old unpruned trees of Punica granatum cv. Knadhdri Kabuli having many interfering branching and a heavy infestation of bacterial blight orchard. The pruning treatments viz., T1: Retention of 15cm fruiting shoot length, T2: Retention of 30cm fruiting shoot length, T3: Retention of 45cm fruiting shoot length, T4: Retention of 60cm fruiting shoot length and T5: control (No heading back and no thinning) plant. The results of the present investigation revealed that among different pruning treatment, the best results in terms of shoot extension (56.34 cm), fruit size (Diameter 9.66 cm and Length 9.65 cm, fruit weight (278.50 g), marketable yield (10.25 kg) and fruit qualities were in fruits from T1 and T2 where retention of 15cm fruiting shoot length respectively and retention of 30cm fruiting shoot length were maintained. However, maximum fruit set (54.73%) was recorded in control, and it decreased with increasing pruning intensity. The pruning treatments also proved beneficial in controlling bacterial blight on fruit (12.86%) and leaf surface (26.60%) to some extent

Application of Taguchi method for optimization of resistance spot welding of austenitic stainless steel AISI 301L

This study presents a systematic approach to determine effect of process parameters on indentation as a primary & initial measure of weld quality and subsequently tensile strength, nugget diameter and penetration. To achieve the objective an attempt has been made to select important welding parameters like welding current, weld cycle, hold time  & cool cycle using quality tools, available literature and on scientific reasons. On the selected parameters, Experiment have been conducted as per Taguchi method and fixed the levels for the parameters. The experiment has four factors and all factors are at two levels. To have wide spectrum of analysis and variability with time, L32 Orthogonal Array (OA) experiments are conducted. Optimum welding parameters determined by Taguchi method improved indentation which in turn confirms the value of nugget size, tensile strength and penetration. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and F-test has been used for determining most significant parameters affecting the spot weld parameters. Keywords: Welding parameters; Taguchi Method; Resistance spot welding (RSW); Orthogonal array; ANOV

A study of maternal risk factors and the perinatal outcome in meconium stained amniotic fluid in central referral hospital

Background: Meconium staining of amniotic fluid (MSAF) is a significant risk factor for the subsequent development of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), respiratory distress and eventual respiratory failure in neonates. To learn more about the risk factors and outcomes associated with MSAF, a prospective case control study was conducted. The objective of the study was to study various maternal risk factors associated with MSAF and to study the outcome of neonates born through MASF and to compare the perinatal outcome in patients with thick and thin meconium stained amniotic fluid.Methods: A hospital based prospective case control study was conducted comparing pregnant women with meconium stained (cases) amniotic fluid with pregnant women having clear liquor (control), 200 in each arm. Singleton pregnancies complicated with MASF were included in the cases group on the basis of predefined inclusion criteria. Various risk factors, mode of delivery, outcome of neonates and perinatal outcome in babies born through thick and thin meconium stained amniotic fluid was studied.Results: Out of 200 patients who had MSAF 114 patients (57%) had thick meconium stained liquor while remaining 86 patients (43.00%) had thin meconium stained amniotic fluid. Post-maturity, pregnancy induced hypertension; oligohydramnios and prolonged labor were found to be statistically significant risk factors for MSAF. Nonreactive non-stress test and Need for cesarean section was more common in women with MSAF as compared to women with clear liquor (p <0.05). Common morbidities in neonates were Birth asphyxia (15%) followed by meconium aspiration syndrome (10%) and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (15%).Conclusions: Meconium stained amniotic fluid is more commonly associated with post-maturity, pregnancy induced hypertension, oligohydramnios and prolonged labor low APGAR score and higher incidence of birth asphyxia and NICU admissions. Appropriate management of neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome is crucial to prevent neonatal mortality