Boost on the cards for auto components?

The Indian automotive industry sector has a positive outlook for the upcoming Budget, with expectations for updates on the FAME 3 scheme, PLI sops, and GST revision.

In the next three to five years, we plan to double our business

Sanjay Prasad, Managing Director, Liebherr India

The Mining Boom

India's increasing coal projects drive a surge in mining equipment demand!

NIP can make CE tick

As per the ICEMA report, the Indian construction equipment (CE) industry has experienced a 23 per cent drop in sales at the end of the third quarter of the current financial year (Q3FY22) compared to Q3FY21.

FM announces ‘PM-DevINE’ for North East

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new scheme to give impetus to the development of the northeastern region.

Budget 2022: Increased capex outlay for infrastructure development to drive demand for CE

The industry also welcomed the government’s efforts to mitigate the financial challenges of the MSME sector.

FM announces ‘PM-DevINE’ for North East

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced a new scheme to give impetus to development of the northeastern region.

We expect heavy truck market in India to grow by 60% in 2021

A healthy mix of construction activities, especially affordable housing and de-regulation of the mining sector with proactive private participation are reviving demand for the tippers segment.

One year of lockdown: Real estate sector beating pandemic blues

For many industries, this was a transformative year and one of them which underwent a turbulent change was the real estate sector.

CW Maharashtra mega virtual conference focuses on opportunities

Platform at unprecedented scale to attract the biggest names

Green tax imposition on commercial vehicles in India

Rather than exempting certain type of vehicles out of green tax, like alternate fuels like CNG, ethanol, LPG and vehicles used in farming such as tractor, harvester, tiller, etc. the policy should be driven for all internal combustion engine-based vehicles checking for the pollution levels, writes Prasad Sreeram.

Focus on infra to revive economic growth

The government’s focus on building infrastructure will create jobs and revive economic growth

Budget spurs order books

The Budget 2021 has won the approval of its utmost critics with most giving it a thumbs up. Infrastructure is the mantra for 2021-22 as the Finance Minister proposed to significantly enhance capital expenditure to Rs 5.54 trillion in the next fiscal, besides creating institutional structures and giving a big thrust to monetising assets to achieve the goals of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), which was launched in December 2019 with around 6,835 projects.

Budget focuses on infra to revive economic growth

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed to significantly enhance capital expenditure to Rs 5.54 lakh crore in the next fiscal, besides creating institutional structures and giving a big thrust to monetising assets to achieve the goals of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP)

Union Cabinet clears new divestment policy

The Union Cabinet cleared the new policy for Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs). A broadsheet for disinvestment is expected to be announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget.

Backhoe Loaders Bouncing Back

In the current market conditions, the customer focus will be on equipment with better productivity and cost saving. Backhoe loader with its multi-utility advantage and competitive price will drive the demand in the current market scenario.

Towards better Mining

The measures announced by the government for mining industry are expected to have a positive impact in the coming years.

SBI sanctions Rs 150 billion loan to MSMEs

State Bank of India has approved Rs 150 billion loan to MSMEs and disbursed Rs 87 billion

Budget 2020

The Budget 2020 presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has given thrust on infrastructure development of the country.

New Opportunities

Upcoming infrastructure projects in metro rail, bridges, railway and irrigation are going to drive the demand for foundation equipment in the coming years, writes Karan Chechi.

Building confidence

The coronavirus pandemic has created an unprecedented situation in the construction sector. Once back on track after the lockdown, government will have to take some concrete steps to support the industry and economy.

We expect more packages from the government

Considering further revenue loss and anticipated reduced demand for the upcoming months, we expect more packages from the government, says VG Sakthikumar, Managing Director, Schwing Stetter India.

ACMA seeks relief measures for component industry to withstand COVID 19 impact

The impact of coronavirus over the industry, people and the economy is a grave concern.

Open Letter to Finance Minister

The construction industry employs 35 million people, which is more than the population of Australia or Malaysia, and contributes 8 per cent of India?s GDP.

An Uphill Task

Lack of availability of certified skilled equipment operators is a major issue faced by construction contractor in India.

We have pioneered the operator training programmes

JCB India through its 15 centres has already trained close to 30,000 operators, thereby creating employment and entrepreneurship amongst the youth.

Port Infra Needs Facelift

Developing new ports and terminals and the revival of old infrastructure at major ports in the country are expected to open up new opportunities for port equipment companies.

National Infrastructure Pipeline Gets Set to Flow

The Union Budget 2020-21 heralds the roadmap for investing Rs 103 trillion in the next five years.

Budget 2020: Key takeaways for infrastructure

Tax concessions extended to sovereign and pension funds will go a long way in attracting long term financing solutions for infrastructure sector, says Sandeep Upadhyay, Managing Director ? Infrastructure, Centrum Capital.

Infrastructure takes pole position

The Central Government's latest announcement on investment in infrastructure has revalidated the mood that was set by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at EXCON this December.

TECH-MOVES

With the government plans to invest Rs 102 trillion in infrastructure development in the next five years, the demand for construction equipment will be immense.

Excon gives us an opportunity to connect to new customers

Simem has been designing and manufacturing machinery and plants for the construction industry for over 50 years. The company now offers a wide range of products specifically designed for the production of concrete.

Govt sets up Rs 250-bn revival fund for realty

The Union Cabinet has approved constituting a Rs 250-billion alternative investment fund (AIF) for the revival of around 1,600 stalled housing projects across major cities in the country.

Srei Equipment, United Bank to jointly offer loans

Srei Equipment Finance (Srei Equipment), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Srei Infrastructure Finance (Srei), partnered United Bank of India to jointly offer loans to MSME sector and retail customers under a co-lending arrangement.

Growth ahead, no skidding!

According to the UN's World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019, India's GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 7.6 per cent in 2019-20 from an estimated 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal ending March 2019.

Infrastructure 2.0

Infrastructure development has always been on top of the agenda for our country. Every government has given due importance for the development of infrastructure facilities such as roads, railways, ports, airports, and industrial infrastructure of the country.

Infrastructure on fast track

The Indian infrastructure sector is not slowing down anytime soon, given the government initiatives and market demand. This makes it a feasible environment for the growth of construction equipment, writes Andy Dhanaraj, Director - Sales, Caterpillar India.

Budget 2018-19: Infrastructure, Rural Development key

Infrastructure development has been one of the top priorities of the Union Budget 2018-19 presented by the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely in Parliament on February 1. Major investments and allocations are in roads, railways and rural development including agriculture and rural economy. Urban infrastructure development has also received a boost with the allocation for Smart Cities mission.

Logistics sector gets infrastructure status

The government has granted infrastructure status to logistics sector. The need forintegrated logistics sector development has been felt for quite some time in view of thefact that the logistics cost in India is very high compared to developed countries.

TMA seeks GST rate cut for all components

The Tractor Manufacturers' Association (TMA) has pointed out that the proposed GST rate of 28 per cent for tractor components would lead to an increase in input cost by Rs 25,000 per tractor. TMA has requested the government to reduce the duty for all tractor components to 18 per cent from 28 per cent.

ICEMA Wins,Ban Dropped

Recently, the Supreme Court heard an application by the Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers' Association (ICEMA) and the Tractor Manufacturers' Association (TMA) as they sought a clarification on the ban on the registration of BS-III vehicles after March 31, 2017.

A Constructive Budget

The construction equipment segment in India has something to cheer about from the Budget measures such as more fund allocation to rural roads and highways construction, and announcement of infrastructure status to affordable housing.

Cashing in Opportunities

Large-scale hybridisation and automatic features have been and are being introduced in power transmission systems and assemblies for construction equipment, trucks and dumpers being manufactured in the country. Interestingly, electronic sensing for ensuring multi-mode power transmission, Telematics tracking and inbuilt diagnostics features are fast becoming standard equipment for OE supplies.

BUDGET 2017 | EXPECTATIONS

February 1, 2017 is the date set for presenting Budget 2017 by the Hon?ble Finance Minister, a significant deviation from the earlier end-February fixture. This budget comes at a time when the country has been reeling under the shock waves of the recent demonetisation of high value currency notes by the government.

Budget Reactions | Volvo CE India

While maintaining fiscal discipline, this year?s Budget announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley demonstrably seeks to stimulate economic growth and job creation. Micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises will enjoy corporate tax reliefs. Indians in the lower- and middle-income groups will receive income tax reliefs, which will increase disposable incomes and encourage consumer spending.

Budget Reactions | Siemens

The industry was keen to see the representation the rail sector would get in this combined budget, the first in independent India. The Finance Minister did a good job focusing on key and strategic measures for the railway sector.

Budget Reactions | SG Estates

This is a good budget from real estate perspective because of complete clarity on affordable housing. The criteria for low cost/affordable housing has been changed from built-up area of 30/60 sq m to carpet area of 30/60 sq m, thus making the low cost/affordable housing segment more lucrative and also making the segment more attractive for the buyers.

Budget Reactions | Dalmia Bharat

It is a positive and decisive budget coming especially against the backdrop of the government?s boldest measure of demonetisation. The Finance Minister has spelled out a forward-looking regimen for the infrastructure sector with a total allocation of up to Rs 3.96 trillion.

Budget Reactions| Elan Group

By granting infrastructure status to affordable housing, which was a long-time demand from the industry, the Budget 2017 has given a relief to both developers and investors. The cost of the developers will go down and attract the investors.

Budget Reactions | Puravankara Ltd

True to its expectations, Budget 2017 has spelt out road maps and allocations across various initiatives of the Central Government and the Finance Minister has done an excellent job of managing the expectations. Initiatives to real estate industry has been spoken at length where the sentiments have been largely positive.

Budget Reactions | Solar Thermal Federation of India

It is heartening to note the announcement of ambitious target of 20,000 MW of solar power during 2017-18. If we look back seven years before when the National Solar Mission was announced the target until year 2022 was kept as 20,000 MW.

New norms to boost construction sector

In order to boost the construction sector, the government approved new norms that will help in quicker resolution of disputes to kick-start stalled projects

Rajya Sabha passes GST Bill

Stepping closer to the concept of ?one nation, one tax?, Rajya Sabha passed the Goods & Services Tax (GST) Bill. The constitutional amendment will enable both the Centre and the states to simultaneously levy the GST, which will include all indirect taxes currently levied, including excise duties and service tax.

INDIA INSULATED FROM BREXIT FALLOUT

On the 23rd of June, UK public voted to leave the European Union. The news not just sent the UK markets and currency into turmoil but sent shockwaves that were felt all the way in India as well. The historic vote marks the rise of a new phase of uncertainty for the international markets.

Palletisation can bring in higher throughput and desired efficiency

The estimated market size of the total Indian logistics market is to the tune of $200 billion and it generates employment for close to 50 million people in our country.

We expect a CAGR of 10 per cent during 2016-2020 in material handling sector

With the Prime Minister?s ambitious plan of ?Make In India? taking root, we expect to see good growth in manufacturing and consequently in logistics and distribution activities for the next few years,? says Cavas Dumasia, Vice President - Sales & Marketing, Godrej Material Handling Division.

Material Handling: Meteoric Rise

Modern warehousing and inter modal logistics industry initiatives in India, have redefined how business is conducted in the country in most industry sectors as well as its geographic regions.

Container Handling: Future?s Bright

Differential rates of RTO tax and entry tax a challenge

Large number of heavy cranes has entered the market. Companies like Reliance have purchased their own cranes. As such rental would be very difficult when infrastructure development commences within next six to nine months.

Mining Equipment Sector Ablaze

India's national Budget 2016 is scheduled on February 29, 2016. Industry is rife with guesstimates, speculations, recommendations to the Finance Ministry and positive expectations which will help fuel their growth.

Differential rates of RTO tax and entry tax is a major challenge

There are no trained or licensed operators. It is a lacuna and we have approached the MOT Nitin Gadkari?s office but they do understand our requirement of Operator License.

Kerala aims at huge infra investment

Kerala government has announced a series of steps to help channelise investment in infrastructure

Highest capital funding for roads

The highways sector received the highest support in this Budget. While the budgetary support for 2014-15 was Rs 28,881 crore, it has jumped by 50 per cent in 2015-16 to Rs 42,912 crore

Kerala aims at huge infra investment

Kerala government has announced a series of steps to help channelise investment in infrastructure to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore in the next three years.

Budget bites

The Union Government recognising the need for revival of investment cycle had already extended the excise duty cut on capital goods for another six months in June 2014 itself.

Budget boost for SMEs may not be enough

The Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a slew of measures to boost the morale of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Budget, including a Rs 10,000 crore start-up fund for new businesses and an investment allowance of Rs 25 crore.

Movers & shakers

Execution is the Driving Mantra

The Union Budget 2014-15 is probably one of those Budgets post-independence, which has been analysed in an environment of high expectation, sub five per cent growth, double digit inflation and extensive knowledge communication through media

8,500 km by March 2015: How Realistic is the Target?

The Union Finance Minister has set a target of 8,500 km of roads to be completed during the current fiscal year, which simply means construction of about 35.5 km of road per day! In the last couple of years,

Implementation, The Key

The intent of the Modi Government is crystal clear. A plethora of proposed projects in every vertical, to say the least, has rekindled great expectations. Thanks to the government?s focus on ?connectivity?

More Needs To Be Done

The interim Budget presented recently has some positive measures for the construction equipment sector, with the highlight being the two per cent excise duty reduction on capital goods. Industry captains react.We as part of the construction equipment industry, are happy with the cuts announced by the Finance Minister. This will certainly help this important industry to build infrastructure, which has been down by over 30 per cent over the last couple of years. However, I feel that, given the

Manufacturing will be the Key

The worst may not be over yet for the Indian manufacturing sector. Lack of growth in the manufacturing sector continues to be the Achilles? heel of the Indian economy, according to Finance Minister P Chidambaram. Emphasising the need to focus on manufacturing and exports, Chidambaram announced a goal to increase the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25 per cent and to create a hundred million jobs over a decade, in his interim budget speech.

Saving the industry boat

A group of people were travelling in a boat. One of them took a drill and began to drill a hole beneath him. His companions asked him, "Why are you doing this?" The man replied, "What concern is it of yours? Am I not drilling under my own place?" Then they cautioned him: "But you will flood the boat and drown us all!"

Road 2 recovery

Despite the present day gloom in the market, the future for the construction equipment sector, especially for the road equipment segment in India, still holds much potential as this sector has a profound and immediate impact on the country?s economic growth. Off-Highway Research is optimistic about the growth in demand for road equipment and forecasts growth at a CAGR of 12.67 per cent over the next five years. Agith G Antony finds out more about the positive vibes in the industry.

CE industry hails duty cut

The construction equipment (CE) industry hailed the two per cent cut in excise duty announced by Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the interim budget. However, the industry said a 4 per cent reduction in the duty would have been more apt given the size and importance of the segment. The Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (iCEMA) said the move would certainly help this important industry that helps build infrastructure and is down by over 30 per cent in the last couple of y

What's up doc?

At the 3rd Equipment India conference in September 2012 when I was sharing my views with the equipment captains over coffee, they were apprehensive and I was optimistic.

Centre wants to revive iron ore mining

The Union government is very keen to restart iron ore mining in the country and export more quantity of ore, said Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on August 22. He added that the government need to find a way to export iron ore. Production of steel is vital for the country's manufacturing sector, he said.

FM asked to facilitate mining in Goa

Sesa Goa, in a letter to Finance Minister P Chidambaram, requested the latter to facilitate early resumption of iron ore mining in Goa. PK Mukherjee, Managing Director of Sesa Goa said in the letter that that one-third of Goa's population is dependent on mining. He further said the state government and the industry have already initiated several steps to stre

Balco may supply bauxite to Vedanta's refinery

Vedanta Aluminium (VAL) is in the process of increasing capacity utilisation at its 1-million tonne alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Odisha by securing bauxite from its group firm Bharat Aluminium Company's (Balco). It is learnt that Balco would supply the raw material from its Kawardah mines in Chhattisgarh. The mines promise 120,000 tonne of bauxite supplies every

Getting back on track

Growth prospects in the current fiscal, 2013-1314, were expected to be sluggish, with no clear indicators towards a surge in demand for construction equipment. However, the recent developments in otherwise depressed business sentiments are something to cheer about.

CCEA may clear fuel pass through mechanism

In order to enable power plants to pass on the rise in the cost of imported fuel to end consumers, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) may clear the fuel pass through mechanism. Such a move may encourage power producers to use the full capacity of their power plants by importing fuel instead of running the plant at suboptimal capacity beca

Panel gives its nod for setting up of coal regulator

An approval for setting up a regulatory authority for the coal sector has been given by a ministerial panel headed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram on May 29. Such authority is expected to bring greater transparency and efficiency in coal mining operations. The panel?s decision comes at a time when the government is parallelly looking at ways to open up coal mining for the private sector.

Govt okays 4-laning of Dimapur-Kohima h'way in Nagaland

The Union government on May 23 approved the 4-laning of Dimapur-Kohima National Highway in Nagaland at a total cost of Rs 1,089.87 crore. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the implementation of the project of 4-laning of the Dimapur-Kohima section from 124.1 km to 172.9 km of NH-39, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said in Delhi. This project is under the special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP-NE) in North Eastern Region, he said.

Proposed regulator to fix price of surplus coal from captive mines

A ministerial committee headed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram decided to give the power to fix price for the surplus coal produced by captive mines to the proposed coal regulatory authority. Accordingly, the coal ministry would include a separate clause in the draft Coal Regulatory Authority Bill covering

Proposed coal regulator may have only adjudicating power

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on setting up of the proposed coal regulator decided that the regulatory body would be empowered to resolve disputes including disputes arising out of fuel supply agreements (FSAs). However, the group decided not to give the power of fixing coal price to the proposed regulator. This was decided at a recent meeting of

Rs 7 tn worth infra projects stranded

According to data given by the state-run banks to the Union Finance Minister, 215 projects worth over Rs 7 lakh crore are stuck because of various reasons including lack of coal or fuel linkages, statutory approval etc.

Bankers' initiative

Following the Finance Minister P Chidambaram's meeting with the public sector banks and state-owned financial institutions chiefs on March 18,

The Budget's impact

Industry captains analyse the Budget's implications on the CE sector. According to Vipin Sondhi, Managing Director & CEO, JCB India, the Finance Minister has rolled out a well-balanced and realistic Budget.

CE Industry to benefit from Budget's focus on infrastructure

The initiatives announced in the Budget and the measures taken outside it together will impact the demand for construction equipment. DK Vyas trains his thoughts on the likely impact of the recent Budget on the CE sector.

Govt may set up coal regulatory authority in 4 months

In the next two to four months, Indian government plans to set up an independent regulatory authority for coal sector, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said at the Canada India Business Council meeting. The proposed regulatory authority would become effective mechanisms to address problems being faced in the implementation of coal projects

Experts want govt to allow pvt participation in coal sector

In order to increase coal production in the country, experts suggest government to end the monopoly of Coal India (CIL) and its subsidiaries in the sector. They suggest the government to amend laws to allow more private participation in the space. They want the government to allow foreign and local mining comp

Centre to set up road regulatory authority

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on March 28 announced the proposal to set up a road regulatory authority to address issues such as financial stress, construction risk and contract management in the sector.The Minister said the independent regulatory authority will be set up in 2014 to address all issues faced by the road sector.

Coal importers evade duty via false classification

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Gujarat detected around Rs 600 crore of import duty evasion by coal importers by falsely classifying coal in 2012-13. These coal importers have allegedly evaded duty by reporting bituminous coal imports as steam coal. Earlier, the government waived customs duty on steam coal and imposed only a concessional countervailing duty (CVD

Budget plans 4 flyovers for Chennai, Rs 750 cr for Metro

Tamil Nadu's Budget tabled in the State Assembly on March 21 featured a number of schemes and allocation on both the plan and non-plan expenditure fronts. The widest ramification seems to be the announcement of a Multi Modal Transport Integration Study to be carried out over the financial year. Other major announcements included identification of four sites based on traffic flow patterns for flyover projects, and the allocation of Rs 1,250 crore towards plan expenditure on urban development sche

TN gets World Bank's aid for road project

For the second phase of Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project, the State government has obtained approval of the World Bank and the Central government, said Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, while presenting the State budget for 2013-14 in Chennai on March 21. Under this project, a total of 1,678 km of roads will be strengthened and widened.

Budged-IT!

A company investing Rs 100 crore or more in plant and machinery during the period April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2015 will be entitled to deduct an investment allowance of 15 per cent of the investment.

Equipment financing: An evolving scenario

While the government is expected to roll out more reforms soon, the key issue is implementation on the ground. If policy issues are addressed and initiatives are implemented, it will give a boost to the equipment financing in India, Infrastructure segment has been witnessing a major slowdown due to various issues around land acquisition and environmental clearances

Budget Quotes

The Budget 2012-13 aims at sprucing up the country?s infrastructure and readying it for higher growth. Stalwarts from the construction equipment industry respond to the budget.