The five-day TRI CONTINENTAL FILM FESTIVAL, organized by The International Centre, Goa, Moving Images and Breakthrough, began yesterday at The International Centre, Goa.

The chief guest on this occasion, Anuja Ghosalkar, Programme Coordinator, Breakthrough said the main aim of the showcasing such films is to promote film culture on issues such as human rights. She hoped that next year Breakthrough will plan to hold a full festival in Goa which travels to different parts of India. She also mentioned that the internationally acclaimed films screened at this festival are part of the Gold List made up of selected films from last three festivals. The M Rajaretnam, Director/ Chief Executive of The International Centre, Goa expressed that International Centre will continue to be committed to promote such activities. Earlier Anjali D’Souza, Chairperson of Moving Images welcomed the guests and introduced Ms. Ghosalkar to the guests.

The Inauguration was followed by the screening of the film The Rockstar and the Mullahs directed by Ruhi Hamid & Angus Macqueen and Return to Kandhar directed by Nelofer Pazira & Paul Jay.

The discussion began with questioning the objectivity and veracity of the documentary film form in portraying reality. Anuja Ghosalkar felt that, especially in the second film the perspective was much skewed toward a western ethic. Jason Fernandes objected to the demonizing of Islam by the West. Many agreed that we should use these films to look inward at our own society and politics and identify religious intolerance and fundamentalism in India. Sameer Yasir a student of International Relations at the Goa University from Kashmir felt that India is a secular democracy and doesn’t face the problems of Islamic States depicted in these films. In “Return….” the view was also expressed about a certain condescending attitude that many exiles and immigrants from the east returning to their homeland have, that everything is so much better in the west and that the countries they return to are so backward and chaotic. And that the people living in these countries need the help of the west to tell their stories to develop into progressive, tolerant and just societies

For the first time Moving Images and International Centre is organizing a full five days festival in Goa where eighteen films will be showcased to the audiences from the different walks of the life. The films will be followed by the discussions which is an interesting part and motive behind holding the festival.

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The International Centre, Goa
Goa Universtiy Road, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India
Ph: (91)832-2452805, (91)832-2452813
www.goadialogues.com

Confederation of Indian Industry
ANNOUNCING

CII’s 2nd Capital Markets Summit
21st November 2007; The International Convention Hall
The Bombay Stock Exchange, Mumbai, India

Shri Randhir Patel
Under Secretary I/C,
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Panchsheel Bhavan, August Kranti Marg
NEW DELHI – 110049
Telefax: 022-22056206
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C. MATHUR
COMMISSIONER

Dear Entrepreneur,

ATTENTION MEMBERS

Shri Keshav Kamat who represents GSIA on the Goa State Pollution Control Board explained about the discussions and decisions taken by the Board on “Categorization of Industries and Consent to Operate under Water & Air Acts”.

The matter was discussed in the 77th GSPCB Meeting held on 29/01/07 and the Categorization of Industries has been finalized and notification will be issued shortly by the Government.

Shri Keshav Kamat appraised the members that the validity for SSIs;

categorized as orange and specified orange shall be 12 years with two times the present fee for Consent to operate under Water and Air Act and

15 years for SSI which are categorized as green category with two times the present fee.

Besides those units registered permanently with DITC and not obtained the Consent so far shall be charged one time fee for the the past period on prorata basis and no late fees will be charged upto 31/03/07.

However, if the units registered permanently as SSI do not apply by 31st March, 2007 they will have to pay all the past fees as well as the late fee.

A Composite Form will be introduced in March 2007 under which one can apply to obtain Consent under Air ; Water and Hazardous Waste Management Act at a time.

Sub: i) Goa Sales Tax Deferment-cum-Net Present Value Scheme, 2001.

ii) Central Excise Demand Notice to pay the Central Excise duty as the amount retained by the unit under Goa Value Added Tax Deferment-cum-Net Present Value Scheme.

GSIA had taken up above subject matter with Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise vide letter no.GSIA/APK/CE/Feb/2007/856 dated 27th February, 2007 in respect of Central Excise Demand Notices to pay the Central Excise Duty on the amount retained by the unit under Goa Vale Added Tax Deferment-cum-Net Present Value Scheme, not to pursue the matter as the matter is sub-judice before Hon’ble Supreme Court.

Reply has been received from Commissioner of Central and Customs vide letter no. V/30/18(A)/06-C.X.I/943 dated 14.03.2007.

Both the letters mentioned above are reproduced here below for the information and necessary action of members.

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27th February, 2007 Ref.No.:GSIA/APK/CE/Feb/2007/856

To,
Shri Sheo Narayan Singh
Commissioner of Customs,
Central Excise & Service Tax
ICE House, EDC Complex,
Patto Plaza, Panaji,
Goa – 403 001.

Sub: i) Goa Sales Tax Deferment-cum-Net Present Value Scheme, 2001.

ii) Central Excise Demand Notice to pay the Central Excise duty as the amount retained by the unit under Goa Value Added Tax Deferment- cum-Net Present Value Scheme.

Dear Sir,

Please refer to our joint representation alongwith GCCI and CII on above subject. Some of our members have again approached us that they are still receiving notices to pay the Central Excise Duty on the amount retained by the unit with the interest immediately or else furnish the details within seven days.

In this connection we would like to invite your attention to the point no. 8 of the Minutes of the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) held on 15/12/2006 wherein the Chairman of RAC mentioned that the matter is sub-judice and the same is pending before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for decision.

As the case is sub-judice before the Hon’ble Apex Court, GSIA, would like to request you to issue necessary instruction to the concerned authorities not to issue Demand Notices to the unit pending the verdict of Apex Court.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,

For GOA SMALL INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION

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ATUL D. PAI KANE
PRESIDENT

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OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND CENTRAL EXCISE PLOT NO.6, EDC COMPLEX, PATTO, PANAJI-GOA.

F.No. :- V/30/18(A)/06-CX.I /943
Date : 14.03.2007

To,
Goa Small Industries Association,
4th Floor, Goa IDC Bldg.,
Patto Plaza,
Panaji – Goa.

Gentlemen,

Sub :- i) Goa Sales Tax Deferment-Cum-Net-Present Value Scheme, 2001;

ii) Central Excise Demand Notice to pay the Central Excise Duty as the amount retained by the unit under Goa Value Added Tax Deferment – Cum – Net Present Value Scheme.

Please refer to your letter No. GSIA/APK/CE/Feb/2007/856 dated 27.02.2007 on the above subject.

2. In this regard, it is to inform that since these matters are time bound, Show Cause Notices have to be issued; however, the Show Cause Notices will be kept in abeyance till the Apex Court decides the matter.

3. You are, therefore, requested to kindly co-operate with the Department by furnishing whatever data is required in this regard for issue of Show Cause Notice.
This issues with approval of Commissioner.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(S.S.R. LOBO)
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER (TECH)
CUSTOMS AND CENTRAL EXCISE,
PANAJI-GOA.

FOR THE KIND ATTENTION OF MEMBERS
GOA STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
Circular No.4/77/06-PCB/

Sub: Combined Form for Consent to Operate under the Water and Air Act and Authorization under Hazardous Waste.

The Board in its 77th Meeting approved issue of combined form for Consent to Operate under the Water and Air Act and Authorization under the Hazardous Waste (M&H) Rules, as amended in 2004. With this approval, all industries will have to obtain Consent to Operate under the Water and Air Act and Authorization under the HW Rules. The Draft Notification has been forwarded to the Govt. for approval and Notification in the Gazette.

Orange Category Industries –
On the issue of the Notification for the combined form, the industries categorized as Orange category will be issued Consent with a validity period of 12 years and will pay two times the present prescribed fee.
The industries which apply for Consent prior to issue of Notification, with present fee will be issued a Consent with a validity period of five years for SSI industries. After the publication of the Notification in the Gazette, the industries will have to pay one more fee as per the present fee structure, and the validity of the Consent will be extended for a further period of seven years (effective 12 years) for SSI industries.
With regards to the industries which are already in operation and have obtained permanent SSI registration, will have to pay one fee for the operation in the previous period on pro-rata basis (if the industry has obtained a permanent SSI in the previous two years, the industry will have to pay fees for two years (2 years)(2/5). Industries which are not permanently registered as SSI units with DITC will have to pay all the past fees and the late fees as applicable.

Green Category Industries –
On the issue of the Notification for the combined form, the industries categorized as Green category will be issued Consent with a validity period of 15 years and will pay two times the present prescribed fee.
The industries which are in operation and apply for Consent prior to issue of Notification with the present fees, will be issued a Consent with a validity period of five years for SSI industries. After the publication of the Notification in the Gazette, the industries will have to pay one more fee as per the present fee structure, and the validity of the Consent will be extended for a further period of ten years (effective 15 years) for SSI industries.
With regards to the industries which are already in operation and have obtained permanent SSI registration, will have to pay one fee for the operation in the previous period on pro-rata basis(if the industry has obtained a permanent SSI in the previous two years, the industry will have to pay fees for two year (2 years) (2/5). Industries which are not permanently registered as SSI units with DITC will have to pay all the past fees and the late fees as applicable.

sd/-

A.G. DAIWAJNA
MEMBER SECRETARY