X-Ray Luggage Search Machine installed at Entry Gate

Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dikshit today opened another branch of Kendriya Bhandar at Delhi Secretariat. Speaking on this occasion, Smt. Dikshit said that new branch would make available quality goods at reasonable price for the employees as well as visitors, who comes to Delhi Secretariat. The Chief Minister also said that Delhi Government would provide all possible assistance to open more branches in government colonies. Delhi Chief Secretary Shri Rakesh Mehta, Chairperson Kendriya Bhandar Smt. Poonam Rawat and MD Shri Jagdeesh Bhatia were also present on this occasion. Smt. Dikshit further said that Delhi Government's aim is to provide better facilities to its employees. In this regard, well-equipped Gym, modern dispensary, library, Khadi Gramodyog Shop has already been functioning in Delhi Secretariat. First Kendriya Bhandar was opened in 1963 under administrative control of Union Ministry of Personnel. 82 Kendriya Bhandars are running in various parts of the Capital, which is catering the needs of the citizens. Later, Smt. Dikshit took an inspection of an X-Ray Luggage Search Machine installed at Main Entry Gate of Delhi Secretariat. More such machines would be installed at other entry gates of Delhi Secretariat. This would help in strengthening the security of Delhi Secretariat. Smt. Dikshit also opened new stall of Amul products in the building.

NATIONAL CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRDESSAL COMMISSION STAYS THE ORDER OF STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION IMPOSING A FINE OF RS.25 LACS ON MCD

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission today stayed the operation of impugned Orders of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission wherein it directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to deposit or pay a sum of Rs.25 lacs as punitive damages. The State Commission in its order dated 27th May, 2008 had imposed a fine of Rs.25 lacs on MCD for deficiency in services and failure to discharge its functions under Section 42 of the DMC Act, 1957. The fine was imposed for deficiency in services in delivery of various civic services in the city. The order of the National Commission is returnable on 28th July, 2008. Arguing the case on behalf of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, its Standing Counsel, Mr. Amit K. Paul contended before the National Commission that the petition entertained by the State Commission itself was completely misconceived and that the mere payment of the property tax by a citizen did not make him a " Consumer " who have availed or hired any service from MCD. It was argued that such a person or organization does not lie within the ambit of the Consumer's Protection Act. It was also urged by the Standing Counsel of MCD that the Section 42 of the DMC Act, 1957 listed the statutory obligation functions of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the State Consumer's Commission did not have any justification to entertain a petition of perceived non-performance of service.

RAJASTHAN HANDLOOM APPAREL TO BE SHOWCASED IN DELHI

Delhites will get to see and buy the exclusive summer collection of handloom apparel from 6 June to 8 June. The Rajasthan State Handloom Development Corporation (RHDC) will showcase and sell its wide range of garments at the Chanakyapuri-based Rajasthan State Guest House from 11 am to 8 pm. This is for the first time that such a promotional event for the ethnic Rajasthani handloom garments has been organized in the national capital.
 
The Chairman and Managing Director of RHDC, Ms. Usha Sharma said that the special attraction of the collection will be the high value Kota Doriya Zari, block printed saries, dupattas, skirts, cotton block printed dress material, designer bed cover and ladies and gents western outfits. The items on display have been exclusively designed by high class fashion designers and will be available for sale in the market for the first time.
 
The prices of the items range from Rs. 100 per meter (hand woven block printed dress material) to designer zari kota doriya sari (Rs. 3000 to Rs. 25000 per sari). The mughal block printed kota doriya saries will range from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2000 while the vegetable colour bagru block printed saries will range from Rs. 900 to Rs. 3000. Expected to be in demand will be dupattas both kota doriya block printed (Rs. 350 to Rs. 550) as well as achrak printed cotton (Rs. 300 to Rs. 450). Yet another special attraction will be kota doriya block printed skirt (Rs. 800 to Rs. 1200), cotton block print skirt and top (Rs. 450 to Rs. 550). The Barmeri and mughal print cotton designer bed covers (Rs. 500 to Rs. 1250) are likely to be sell out items.  
 
Ms. Sharma said that the exposition of the handloom apparels in Delhi will give a further boost to the artisans and weavers of the State, whom the Corporation has been proactively promoting. She further added that depending on the success of the exhibition and sale, such promotional events will also be planned in other cities.

HIKE IN LPG CYLINDER IN DELHI ONLY TO THE TUNE OF RS.10 INSTEAD OF RS.50

Delhi Cabinet has decided to give substantial relief in overall kitchen expenditure, keeping in view its commitment towards Aam Aadmi. It has decided to increase by only Rs.10 per LPG cylinder inclusive of tax in Delhi instead of Rs.50 + tax. The Cabinet has also taken certain decisions with an aim to economise government expenditure. The decisions were taken today in a Cabinet Meeting presided over by the Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dikshit.

While briefing media after the Cabinet Meeting, Smt. Dikshit stated that it has been decided to restrict hike in LPG cylinder upto Rs.10 only to contain rate of inflation in the Capital-city. She further stated that her government has been proactively taking steps to grant all possible relief to general public in the past also. The Cabinet has also decided to effect no increase in bus fares. It has been striving to make public transport in Delhi more comfortable, affordable, fast and modern to provide a reliable public transport system, wherein the people would prefer to travel by DTC buses. It has also provided options to travellers by introducing air-conditioned low floor buses, modern, green low floor buses and the Delhi Metro.

Smt. Dikshit added that economy measures would be taken to curb unnecessary expenditure. As a first step it has been decided that no delegation would be permitted to go abroad. The government would also closely monitor ongoing trend of its expenditure to make it more rational and justified and ensure utilisation of allocated funds for social schemes.

POWER PURCHASE LONG-TERM AGREEMENTS SIGNED TO ENSURE 2471 MW POWER SUPPLY TO DELHI

Signing of Power Purchase Agreements in a single day is a unique opportunity which would ensure regular 2471 MW power supply for Delhi.

A Power Purchase Agreement has been signed between NTPC and BSES Rajdhani Power Limited as well as BSES Yamuna Power Limited for purchase of power from Dadri, Badarpur Power Station and other power stations of NTPC located in the Northern region. By this agreement 1721 MW power would be supplied by the NTPC.

Another Power Purchase Agreement has also been signed with Aravali Power Company. Aravali Power Corporation Limited will supply 750 MW power in Delhi from its power station located in Jhajjar, Haryana. The Agreement envisage the allocation of 327 MW power to BRPL and 204 MW power to BYPL. Agreements are for a period of 25 years.

The Agreements were signed by Shri Ramesh Narayanan from BSES Rajdhani Power Limited and Shri Yash Mehra on behalf of BSES Yamuna Power Limited, Shri S.N. Goyal from NTPC and Shri P.K. Modi from Aravali Power Corporation Limited. Agreements were signed in presence of Shri Rajendra Kumar, Secretary Power, Govt. of Delhi, Shri I.J. Kapoor, Executive Director (Commercial), NCR NTPC and Shri Arun Kanchan, CEO BRPL in Delhi Secretariat.

THE FIRST INDIA SOURCING SUMMIT 2008 BRAIN STORMED THE PARTICIPANTS,MEDIA BUYERS AND SELLERS,IN bANGALORE ON 8/9 fEB 2008.
THE SUMMIT WAS ORGANISED BY THE INDIA,SPRESTIGEOUS  GOVT  management  institute ,IIM  bangalore

supported by indian institute of material management,supply management institute with other host of supporters.

While addressing the elite gathering,from domestic and international.Shri Kamalnath Hon Central.Minister declaraed  that
"india,s strength lies in our capacity to Adopt and adapt and emerge as a leader in the global landscape.A large
young skilled workforce,great innovative prowess,ability to produce as well as "top up"technology,together with
a huge domestic market,make india a global destination and supply source"
   
He was proud to announce the latest decision of allowing 100% FDI in MRO facilities in Indian Aviation.He specially told our spl correspondent who attended the above summit,informed that substantial proposals
have flown into the ministry and hopeful of clearing all.

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Dr Reddy’s Laboratories nets Rs 85-cr loss in Q3

HYDERABAD: New York-listed Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) suffered an unexpected net loss of Rs 85 crore in the third quarter after writing down the intangible value of the products of its German acquisition, Betapharm, and seeing a sharp fall in revenues from generic drugs. Pricing pressures in Germany and the United States also pulled down revenues for the quarter ended December by 20% year-on-year.

The company said on Friday it expected to revert to revenue and profit growth in 2008-09, when India and Russia should fuel demand for its products. The US and Europe will continue to be important markets too, top officials said.

Dr Reddy’s reported a net loss of Rs 85 crore following amortization of the value of Betapharm’s products to the tune of Rs 236.1 crore. But for the write-down, net profit would have been Rs 103.4 crore, still nearly a fifth lower than average estimates of four brokerages reported by ET.

Explaining the changing dynamics in the German market that impacted Dr Reddy’s financials, Satish Reddy, managing director and chief operating officer, said the rebates paid by manufacturers to insurance companies are rising.

“The new price reforms in Germany from April last year have given insurance companies more leverage to negotiate higher rebates from manufacturers as pharmacists are mandated to dispense only products under rebate,” he said. “We will recognise revenues after deducting such rebates.”

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RBI must hold rates, tone may soften - RBS

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should hold off cutting rates until the global environment becomes clearer, but it may soften its hawkish tone at its policy review next Tuesday, Royal Bank of Scotland said in a note.

* After averaging 45 percent growth in the previous three years, growth in consumer debt slowed between May-August to 19 percent year-on-year. Consumer debt as a percentage of GDP is only 12 percent, Sanjay Mathur wrote in a note.

* A slowdown in consumption is not a source of major concern for the central bank as this has mitigated overheating pressures. Rising investment in infrastructure would ensure that India's investment rate would rise to 40 percent from 35 percent and help maintaining India's growth rate at 8 percent in the medium-term.

* A 10 percent increase in fuel prices will likely push up inflation above 4 percent. In short, business cycle dynamics do not make a case for a rate cut.

* Monetary growth has continued to breach the RBI's targets and more recent data also showed no signs of a let-up despite a moderation in credit. Narrowing the interest rate differential gap will, however, help in mitigating the capital inflow problem.

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The Nano phenomenon!

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'Deccan, Kingfisher need better value proposition'

Q: That story of a reverse merger not being on the anvil is not really flying with the markets currently. Give us an idea of why go in for a reverse merger? Is this environment right for the two companies?

A: One thing is that both managements are perhaps looking at various options. Reverse mergers could be one option. But there is enough on the plate for both the carriers, because they are going through a very massive integration process. That process would take another few months.

In the summer of 2008 the integration in a more coordinated structure between these two companies would be ready.

So the priority right now as you rightly said, is not actively considering whether it’s something that could be on their radar. But right now the main objective is to integrate the two companies, make sure the value proposition is integrating two large companies with similar aircraft fleet and other critical structures and create a lower cost structure. Create a better value proposition and then to look at options whether reverse merger is needed. So at this stage, I don’t think they are actively considering reverse merger.

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No consensus between mobile firms, DoT

No consensus emerged between the Department of Telecom (DoT) and the mobile service providers on the spectrum allocation issue at a two-hour long meeting held today. The meeting was held between the telecom Secreatry D S Mathur and the heads of Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance Communications among others.

Senior DoT officials however continued to meet the heads of mobile companies individually to resolve the issue of spectrum allocation to new and existing telecom companies.

Bharti Airtel chairman and managing director Sunil Mittal declined to talk to the media after the meeting saying "the operators have been asked not to make any comment". Vodafone-Essar MD Asim Ghosh was also present in the meeting among others.

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Motorola Launches MOTO Q 8, 9h in India

Motorola has introduced the MOTO Q 8, the GSM version of the original CDMA-based MOTO Q, as well as the flagship, quad-band 3G QWERTY, the MOTO Q 9h, in India.

The MOTO Q 9h, based on the Windows Mobile 6 operating system, features a dual-processor HSDPA/UMTS engine, enabling downloads at up to 3.6Mbps. Moto Q 8 is a quad band GPRS/EDGE1 QWERTY device that is also based on Windows Mobile 6 operating system.

"Motorola is expanding its range in the enterprise segment in India with the launch of  MOTO Q 8 and MOTO Q 9h'" said Lloyd Mathias, Director Marketing, India & South West Asia for Motorola Mobile Devices. "The MOTO Q 9h was developed as a multi-purpose communication device that is easy to use and doesn't compromise on experiences. This smartphone offers state-of-the art voice quality technology, messaging, speed, processing power, keyboard and display packaged within a sleek design for the modern consumer. A complete productivity and entertainment-on-the-go device."

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Microsoft launches pre-paid Office 2007 edition in India

With a view to curb software piracy in India, Microsoft has launched a pre-paid version of its Office Professional 2007 version. Henceforth, users in India can avail pre-paid Office 2007 software facility from Microsoft much on the lines of obtaining the pre-paid mobile telephone card.

This facility is available to all new computer customers who can avail the Office 2007 software for a pre-payment for six months and then continue to renew it with extra payments for as long as he wishes.

While the new facility offered by Microsoft will be of immense help to small and medium businesses in India to access the genuine software at lower prices, at the same time, it will help the company to tackle software piracy. It will also be of great help to students and researchers who normally cannot afford to purchase the genuine version owing to its high license value and largely depend on the pirated versions. Before launching the unique facility in India, Microsoft has already it in South Africa and Romania with success.

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Congress opposes hike in oil prices

Notwithstanding the sharp rise in international crude oil prices, Congress on Friday opposed any hike in the prices of petrol and diesel in the country.

"Our stand is clear. We do not want any burden on the common man," Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters here.

He said the government should sustain the impact of the increasing oil prices internationally and spare the common man of any burden.

However, Ahmed said Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Petroleum Minister Murli Deora would take appropriate decision in accordance with the fluctuations in the international oil prices.

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Glamourous Event Marks Launching of Hyundai i10 Car

Hyundai Motor India Limited, India’s fastest growing auto manufacturer and largest passenger car exporter launched i10 in a glittering launching event here on Wednesday, October 31.  The i10 is the first car from Hyundai which makes its world debut here in India which will be the sole production and export hub for the car.

Hyndai Motor India arrived in India during 1996 with the launch of its first car ‘Santro’ which became a runaway success in 1996.  The company today makes a full range of cars starting right from Santro Xing to the top-end premium luxury car Santro Embeca and the Small Utility Vehicle (SUV) Tuscon at the top-end.  Hyundai has been a company which believed in bringing in the latest in technology and design wrapped in a value for money package.

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GAIL to form gas distribution JV

State-run natural gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd said on Wednesday it plans to form a gas distribution joint venture with a local utility in Vadodara.

GAIL will have 25 percent of the proposed joint venture with Vadodara Mahanagar Seva Sadan as its 26 percent partner and the balance would be jointly owned by strategic investors and the public, the company said in a statement.

GAIL also said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with state-run fertiliser maker Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers to jointly explore the possibilities of setting up a coal gasification project in eastern India, at an estimated cost of 24 billion rupees ($607 million).

The project would help produce 7.76 million cubic metres of gas, it said.

Shares in the company fell 3.8 percent to 417.40 rupees while the overall Mumbai market index ended down 1.76 percent.

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Sensex sets new records, achieves 18K milestone

The stock market barometer Sensex on Tuesday surged by a record 789 points to cross the 18,000-point milestone as investors took heart from the improbability of snap polls and bought heavily in frontline stocks led by Reliance Industries.

The market set several new records including the biggest single day gain of 789 points at close, as well as the largest intra-day gains of 993 points in absolute term.

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) benchmark Sensex also recorded the second fastest 1,000-point journey from 17K to 18K in nine trading sessions. The fastest 1,000-point journey was achieved in six sessions between 16K and 17K last month.

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Govt procures over 29 lakh tonnes of paddy

NEW DELHI: The government today said paddy procurement has reached 29.43 lakh tonnes in the current Kharif marketing season.

The different agencies have procured 23.86 lakh tonnes paddy in Punjab, 5.5 lakh tonnes in Haryana and 5,892 in Kerala, an official statement said.

According to the Food Ministry, the total arrival of paddy in various mandis of the country is 33.35 lakh tonnes as of today, it added.

The procurement of paddy has started from September 26 in Punjab and Haryana and from October 1 in other states. FCI will procure paddy by opening 13,000 centres in 15 states in 2007-08 marketing season. The procurement in Uttar Pradesh would start after Dussehera.

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PM dismisses concern on onions

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh termed the rise in onion prices as a "temporary phenomenon" and said the government has no control over production of the commodity.

"This is a large country. These things happen. Centre does not control production. It is a temporary phenomenon," Singh told reporters at an Iftar party.

Meanwhile, the prices of onion, a politically sensitive commodity, have begun to soften as the new crop has started arriving at different mandis in Maharashtra, the largest producing state.

The steps announced by the Centre, such as the hike in Minimum Export Price (MEP), have also helped in increasing the availability of the commodity and curbing the price rise.

Onion prices today fell to Rs 15-18 per kg from Rs 16-19 a kg yesterday in the wholesale market of national capital, traders said. Prices are likely to come down further to Rs 14-15 per kg by Monday, they added.

Government has formalised canalising of onion exports and quantum of the licence would be decided by the Food Ministry.

Onion exports during the first half of this fiscal have fallen by 37 per cent to 3.84 lakh tonne compared to 6.05 lakh tonnes a year ago.

Onion prices this year rose as production was hit last year in Maharashtra due to farmers' diversifying to sugarcane crop.

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BPOs to witness higher attrition rates in 2 yrs

Industry body Assocham has said that the BPO sector in the country is likely to face a manpower shortage of 30-40 per cent over the next two years with an increasing number of youth opting for careers in aviation, retail and hospitality segments.

The BPO sector is facing an attrition rate of 25-30 per cent which is expected to increase to 30-40 per cent by 2009.

Apart from inclination towards aviation, retail and hospitality, insecurity in BPO jobs and stringent working conditions would also contribute to the expected manpower shortage in the near future, Assocham said in a statement.

Assocham in its study on 'urban youth's new emerging choices for career making' said aviation, hospitality and retail sectors are also experiencing a workforce shortage of 25-30 per cent and is attracting a chunk of unemployed youth.

"Factors such as attractive and definite pay package with incentives and working conditions seem to be more moderate and regulated in areas of aviation, hospitality, retail and animation," Assocham president Venugopal Dhoot said.

Due to stiff competition, BPOs have cut their operative costs which has impacted salary packages and facilities offered to the employees.

The aviation sector which is growing at a rate of 30 per cent is expected to lure the maximum students due to the growing domestic and overseas travel opportunities besides an addition of 140 airliners to the current 270 airliners.

The sector is expected to create over two lakh jobs for flight dispatchers, cabin crew, airline managers, airport managers by 2012, Assocham said.

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Sunil Jain: Gas in pricing remains

The government made much of the fact that the Group of Ministers (GoM) had capped the prices of natural gas to be sold by Reliance Industries Limited from its Krishna-Godavari Basin fields at $4.2 per million metric British thermal units (mmbtu) — while this was only marginally lower than the $4.33 price submitted by Reliance, the big achievement touted was the GoM capping the crude oil price at $60 in the Reliance gas pricing formula. In addition, the GoM was supposed to have removed a biddable component (“c”) in the formula, again something that would lower prices.

Later, enterprising journalists of the newly-launched Mint found this wasn’t quite true, “c” had not been removed, but had merely been assigned a value of zero for the current lot of bids Reliance had received — the company would be free to get bids on this for other lots of gas. Mint made much of this, and rightly so, since it showed the government was being economical with the truth. But the truth is that neither the crude price cap nor the biddable component makes much of a difference. 

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TCS, HCL Infosystems, iGate are top three IT best employers:Dataquest-IDC survey

The survey of 2,844 software, hardware and marketing professionals from 33 IT companies employing 304,834 people in the top seven cities threw up the Top 20 Best IT employers based on a combination of Employee Satisfaction and HR scores.

e 7th annual Dataquest-IDC survey throws a lot of surprises where India’s third largest software company Wipro does not feature among the Top 20 IT employers, and the industry bellwether Infosys has slipped four places to #8 rank.

The survey of 2,844 software, hardware and marketing professionals from 33 IT companies employing 304,834 people in the top seven cities threw up the Top 20 Best IT employers based on a combination of Employee Satisfaction and HR scores.

The top five ranks went to TCS, HCL Infosystems, iGate, RMSI and Synechron. The next five positions went to IBM, Capgemini, Infosys, Tavant Technologies and Sun Microsystems.

India’s largest company, TCS, retained its numero uno status in the BES Top 20 survey for the second year running. The challenges of scaling up were countered through innovative HR practices. With almost 15% of its 90,000 employees based in foreign shores, TCS has replicated not just its programs but also its ethos across multiple geographies, to achieve consistency in the workforce. 

HCL Infosystems at No. 2 retained employee satisfaction on all parameters with significant rise in satisfaction on preferred employer. HCL employees are found to be very satisfied with the growth opportunities, job security and relationship with peers.

Commenting on the high points of the 7th Dataquest-IDC survey Pradeep Gupta, Publisher of CyberMedia said, “Multinational IT employers IBM, Capgemini, Sun Microsystems and CSC have mastered the art of managing Indian employees to rank among the Top 20 best IT employers in the country.”

“Others, especially many India-based IT employers, will need to balance aggressive recruitment with the warmth and personal touch they used so effectively thus far, to retain people as they ramp up headcount,” Gupta added.

Average attrition rate down to 14%:

The Dataquest-IDC survey points out that the average attrition rate is down marginally from 14% from 15% last year. The Top 5 reasons why IT professionals changed their jobs were compensation, job posting abroad, growth opportunities, job location and technology area of work.

When asked what gave them satisfaction on the job, the employees voted career development opportunities, work life balance, organizational culture, job security and technology as the five top areas. Even though compensation was the top reason for job change, it ranked at No. 7 when asked what satisfied them the most.

Industry wide, Infosys remains the dream company with one tenth of the respondents choosing it as the dream company to work for. TCS came second with one in 14 respondents and IBM was at No. 3 with one in 20 respondents voting for it as their dream company.

Among the existing employees of Infosys, only 28.2% voted for it as “my dream company” in the 2007 Dataquest-IDC survey, compared to 36.6% last year.
 
The employees of Infosys ranked their company very low on several parameters like growth opportunities, compensation and relevance of perks and benefits. Ironically, among the rest of the 2,844 employees of this industry-wide survey—those not working in Infosys—Infosys topped the votes as their dream company to work for!

Company Image and Organisation Culture:

The respondents gave top rankings in terms of ‘Company Image’ and ‘Organisation Culture’ composite score to HCL Infosystems, RMSI, iGate and Tavant Technologies. The lowest scores in terms of ‘Company Image’ and ‘Organisation Culture’ derived from a set of parameters went to Infosys, Aricent, Geometric software, Ness Technologies and Cybage. Clearly firms with smaller employee base seemed to enjoy a better organization culture.

Referring to the drop in ranks by Infosys and Wipro, the Dataquest-IDC survey points out that as both companies ramp up rapidly, there seems to be tradeoff. Employees joining the organisation now might be expecting the same informal atmosphere which these companies have been known for. But the personal touch appears to have been lost in the number game. Whatever might be the case, one thing is certain, the Bangalore tigers need to get their act together, the Survey adds.

IBM achieve the 6th best IT employer status beating all large firms who compete directly with it, barring TCS, thanks to its belief that HR has to be a competitive strategy. This is despite the fact that IBM ranks at the bottom of the table when it comes to compensation. It earned its No. 6 position largely due to its strong brand image, and high standards of corporate values and governance. IBM also scores high in training and development.

Sun Microsystems with an employee base of about 1,000 made its entry into the Dataquest-IDC Best Employers listing at No, 10 largely driven by a high employee satisfaction score. It scores high on compensation and topped the rank on the new age priority, work-life balance.

At No.. 11, Cognizant is the only large company in the list where employees see a lot of opportunity for their individual growth while believing that the company’s leadership is doing what is needed for the growth. Cognizant’s major HR focus revolves around helping employees acquire, improve, and harness industry skills for faster professional growth.

At No. 12, CSC recorded the second highest jump in the Dataquest-IDC best employers Top 20 list, India is CSC’s second largest operation outside the US. Knowing that India’s fiercely competitive labour market requires some special initiatives, CSC launched two Indian specific employee communication programs.

This is the first time that Cadence, a regular in the Top 5 list, slipped, also from the Top 10. At #14, Cadence’s fall reiterates what industry captains are now beginning to realize—you cannot buy employee satisfaction only with a big pay package and by caring for them.

Women make 1/4th of the Indian IT work force:

Women constituted 23.7% of the total staff employed by the surveyed IT companies. In the 2004 survey only 14.5% of the total IT professionals were women. This percentage improved to 19.7% in 2005 and 23.6% in 2006.

Methodology:

The survey was designed and carried out in two phases. In the first phase, HR questionnaire sought information from 300 IT companies on employee strength, training days, tenure of the top managers, salary increases, revenue growth over the years and employee attrition levels.

In the second phase, a large scale survey was conducted by IDC India among employees of 33 companies, across the country. The employee survey comprised a self administered questionnaire as the instrument with employees at different levels. This questionnaire included 53 statements to capture their views on broad parameters like composite satisfaction, company culture, job content/growth, training, salary & compensation, appraisal system and people. The employees were also asked about their salary structure, preferred company in the industry etc. Scores from the HR survey and the Employee Satisfaction survey, calculated separately, were combined to arrive at a composite score.

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