New Delhi (India), Feb 28 - Bharti Wal-mart, an Indian joint venture of the world's largest retailer Wal-Mart, has said it is optimistic of India allowing Foreign Direct Investment in the retail sector, given the progressive nature of the current government.
We are optimistic that India's progressive government will move ahead with its policies of economic and social reforms, including allowing FDI investment in front-end retail, Bharti Wal-mart MD and CEO Raj Jain said.
The US retail giant Wal-Mart, which has been waiting for a long period for change in regulatory framework to enter India's front-end retail market, currently has a B2B (business-to-business) joint venture with Sunil Mittal-led Bharti group for wholesale cash-and-carry and back-end supply chain management operations.
India currently allows 51 per cent FDI in single-brand retail, but none in multi-brand.
In a statement, Jain attributed his optimism to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's budget speech, saying it Òunderscores the need to reduce the significant wastages in storage and well as in the operations of the existing food supply chains in the country.
This would greatly contribute to Indias growth story by creating employment, strengthening supply chain efficiencies, enhancing earnings of farmers and helping families to save money so they can live better, Jain noted.
While reiterating Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent remarks on the need for taking a firm view for opening up of the retail sector, Mukherjee had said that the difference between wholesale and retail prices need to be reduced.
As the Prime Minister has said recently - We need greater competition and therefore need to take a firm view on opening up of the retail trade. It will help in bringing down the considerable difference between the farm gate prices, wholesale prices and retail prices, Mukherjee said.
Last week, the government's pre-budget statement on the country's financial health, the Economic Survey also showed that the retail prices were rising at about ten times faster than the wholesale prices.
The survey noted the rate of price rise in wholesale market at 1.6 per cent for the current fiscal 2009-10 as measured by wholesale price index (WPI), against the consumer price index (CPI) inflation of 11.4 per cent.
The CPI-based inflation has been higher than that based on WPI for four consecutive years now with the gap widening every passing year. In 2004-05, the CPI inflation was, in fact, lower than the WPI one and the two were equal in 2005-06, the Survey said.
On other hand, the industry has been arguing that greater competition triggered by opening up of the sector would help in bridging the gap between consumer and wholesale prices.
We were expecting FDI rules to be relaxed in retail business. It would have benefited retailers as well as the ultimate consumers, Vishal Retail Chief Managing Director Ram Chandra Agarwal said.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Delta Pilots Continue Opposition to Department of Transportation Decision on Delta-US Airways Slot Swap
ATLANTA, Feb. 27- The Delta pilots continued to demonstrate their opposition to the Department of Transportation's recent decision to place onerous and likely deal-breaking conditions on its tentative approval of a proposal by Delta and US Airways to exchange takeoff and landing "slots" in New York and Washington, DC. Beginning today, a "mobile billboard" will travel through the heart of our nation's capitol sending the message to the DOT and to legislators that the DOT's decision represents a trifecta of failure -- a lose-lose-lose scenario for the consumer, labor, and the airlines.
The move follows a letter to Delta pilots in which, Captain Lee Moak, chairman of the Delta branch of the Air Line Pilots Association, the union that represents over 12,000 Delta pilots, criticized the decision as a failure of government and an aggressive intrusion into an already overregulated industry.
"DOT's claims that their actions are designed to protect the consumer are unsupported by critical analysis," Captain Moak stated. "The DOT's decision is not only anti-consumer; it is also anti-labor and anti-business."
Under the terms of the joint petition Delta would have transferred 42 pairs of slots to US Airways at Ronald Reagan Washington National along with international route authority to Sao Paulo and Tokyo. In exchange, US Airways would have transferred 125 pairs of slots at New York's LaGuardia airport to Delta and leased another 15 pairs with the option to purchase. The proposal would have allowed both carriers to capitalize on their network strengths, maintain existing service and add new nonstop service between two of America's top business markets and small and medium-sized communities across the United States.
DOT granted the carriers' joint petition but conditioned the approval on the divestiture of 14 pairs of slots at Reagan National (33 percent of the total) and 20 pairs of slots at LaGuardia (16 percent of the total). The DOT also dictated the timing of the sale and a short list of government selected beneficiaries of the divestiture. These conditions "substantially weaken the value of the deal and will likely render it unacceptable to both airlines," Captain Moak wrote.
"For both the consumer and labor, the reality is that the long-term interests of both are best served by a vigorously healthy, profitable, flourishing airline industry, and when the government interferes in the free-market process . . . that simply cannot happen. In fact, what the traveling public often takes for granted when they travel -- highly skilled professional employees earning competitive wages, an exemplary safety record, broad consumer choice and even inexpensive fares -- can only exist long term against the backdrop of a profitable and successful airline industry," Captain Moak continued. "Viewed from this perspective, there is no rational way to justify the DOT's recent ruling."
Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 54,000 pilots at 36 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. ALPA represents over 12,000 Delta pilots.
The move follows a letter to Delta pilots in which, Captain Lee Moak, chairman of the Delta branch of the Air Line Pilots Association, the union that represents over 12,000 Delta pilots, criticized the decision as a failure of government and an aggressive intrusion into an already overregulated industry.
"DOT's claims that their actions are designed to protect the consumer are unsupported by critical analysis," Captain Moak stated. "The DOT's decision is not only anti-consumer; it is also anti-labor and anti-business."
Under the terms of the joint petition Delta would have transferred 42 pairs of slots to US Airways at Ronald Reagan Washington National along with international route authority to Sao Paulo and Tokyo. In exchange, US Airways would have transferred 125 pairs of slots at New York's LaGuardia airport to Delta and leased another 15 pairs with the option to purchase. The proposal would have allowed both carriers to capitalize on their network strengths, maintain existing service and add new nonstop service between two of America's top business markets and small and medium-sized communities across the United States.
DOT granted the carriers' joint petition but conditioned the approval on the divestiture of 14 pairs of slots at Reagan National (33 percent of the total) and 20 pairs of slots at LaGuardia (16 percent of the total). The DOT also dictated the timing of the sale and a short list of government selected beneficiaries of the divestiture. These conditions "substantially weaken the value of the deal and will likely render it unacceptable to both airlines," Captain Moak wrote.
"For both the consumer and labor, the reality is that the long-term interests of both are best served by a vigorously healthy, profitable, flourishing airline industry, and when the government interferes in the free-market process . . . that simply cannot happen. In fact, what the traveling public often takes for granted when they travel -- highly skilled professional employees earning competitive wages, an exemplary safety record, broad consumer choice and even inexpensive fares -- can only exist long term against the backdrop of a profitable and successful airline industry," Captain Moak continued. "Viewed from this perspective, there is no rational way to justify the DOT's recent ruling."
Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 54,000 pilots at 36 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. ALPA represents over 12,000 Delta pilots.
Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against San Diego Union-Tribune Owner
Newspaper Pressmen Working without Contract for Nine Months
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27- The Teamsters' Graphic Communications Conference (GCC) filed an unfair labor practice charge against the owner of the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper this week, detailing how Teamster members were threatened and photographed while handing out leaflets in front of the Beverly Hills headquarters of the firm, Platinum Equity.
The paper's management, including Tom Gores, Platinum Equity's chief executive, have refused to bargain fairly with the workers and their union to achieve a collective bargaining agreement. Workers have already been forced to take a 12 percent pay cut and an additional 4 percent in other monetary items.
"Management at the Union-Tribune wants to have the right to outsource good, middle-class jobs," said George Tedeschi, GCC President and a Teamsters Vice President. "We don't think that's fair. Our members want to earn the good wages and benefits they need to provide for their families. Mr. Gores and his team at Platinum Equity need to understand that workers matter too."
The Teamsters filed the unfair labor practice charge on February 23 against Platinum Equity with the National Labor Relations Board.
The GCC represents more than 70,000 press operators and pre-press and bindery workers at printing facilities throughout the United States. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27- The Teamsters' Graphic Communications Conference (GCC) filed an unfair labor practice charge against the owner of the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper this week, detailing how Teamster members were threatened and photographed while handing out leaflets in front of the Beverly Hills headquarters of the firm, Platinum Equity.
The paper's management, including Tom Gores, Platinum Equity's chief executive, have refused to bargain fairly with the workers and their union to achieve a collective bargaining agreement. Workers have already been forced to take a 12 percent pay cut and an additional 4 percent in other monetary items.
"Management at the Union-Tribune wants to have the right to outsource good, middle-class jobs," said George Tedeschi, GCC President and a Teamsters Vice President. "We don't think that's fair. Our members want to earn the good wages and benefits they need to provide for their families. Mr. Gores and his team at Platinum Equity need to understand that workers matter too."
The Teamsters filed the unfair labor practice charge on February 23 against Platinum Equity with the National Labor Relations Board.
The GCC represents more than 70,000 press operators and pre-press and bindery workers at printing facilities throughout the United States. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Home Health Care Fraud Scheme Owner Pleads Guilty
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 - Detroit-area resident Muhammad Shahab pleaded guilty today for his role in organizing a Detroit-area home health care fraud scheme, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara L. McQuade; Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena of the FBI's Detroit Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General's (HHS-OIG), Chicago Regional Office.
Shahab, 50, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud before U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood of the Eastern District of Michigan. At sentencing, scheduled for June 17, 2010, Shahab faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to information contained in plea documents, Shahab helped finance and establish two Detroit-area home health agencies, Patient Choice Home Healthcare Inc. (Patient Choice), and All American Home Care Inc. (All American). Shahab admitted that while operating or being associated with both home health agencies, he and his co-conspirators billed Medicare for home health visits that never occurred.
Shahab admitted that he and his co-conspirators recruited and paid cash kickbacks and other inducements to Medicare beneficiaries, in exchange for the beneficiaries' Medicare numbers and signatures on documents falsely indicating that they had visited Patient Choice and All American for the purpose of receiving physical or occupational therapy. Shahab admitted that a large number of the beneficiaries were not homebound nor did they need any physical therapy services.
Shahab also admitted to securing physician referrals for medically unnecessary home health services through the payment of kickbacks to physicians or individuals associated with physicians. Shahab employed several physical therapists and physical therapy assistants to sign medical documentation necessary to begin billing for home health care services, including initial payments and payments for each visit to a Medicare beneficiary. Shahab admitted that he knew the physical therapists and physical therapy assistants were not actually conducting a large majority of the visits or treating a large majority of the patients. Shahab admitted to billing and receiving payment from Medicare for the services not rendered or medically unnecessary services.
Between approximately August 2007 and October 2009, Shahab and his co-conspirators at Patient Choice and All American submitted approximately $10,856,130 in claims to the Medicare program for physical and occupational therapy services that were never rendered or were medically unnecessary.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney John K. Neal and Trial Attorney Gejaa T. Gobena of the Criminal Division's Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG. The case was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division's Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Since their inception in March 2007, Strike Force operations in seven districts have obtained indictments of more than 500 individuals who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $1 billion. In addition, HHS's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Shahab, 50, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud before U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood of the Eastern District of Michigan. At sentencing, scheduled for June 17, 2010, Shahab faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to information contained in plea documents, Shahab helped finance and establish two Detroit-area home health agencies, Patient Choice Home Healthcare Inc. (Patient Choice), and All American Home Care Inc. (All American). Shahab admitted that while operating or being associated with both home health agencies, he and his co-conspirators billed Medicare for home health visits that never occurred.
Shahab admitted that he and his co-conspirators recruited and paid cash kickbacks and other inducements to Medicare beneficiaries, in exchange for the beneficiaries' Medicare numbers and signatures on documents falsely indicating that they had visited Patient Choice and All American for the purpose of receiving physical or occupational therapy. Shahab admitted that a large number of the beneficiaries were not homebound nor did they need any physical therapy services.
Shahab also admitted to securing physician referrals for medically unnecessary home health services through the payment of kickbacks to physicians or individuals associated with physicians. Shahab employed several physical therapists and physical therapy assistants to sign medical documentation necessary to begin billing for home health care services, including initial payments and payments for each visit to a Medicare beneficiary. Shahab admitted that he knew the physical therapists and physical therapy assistants were not actually conducting a large majority of the visits or treating a large majority of the patients. Shahab admitted to billing and receiving payment from Medicare for the services not rendered or medically unnecessary services.
Between approximately August 2007 and October 2009, Shahab and his co-conspirators at Patient Choice and All American submitted approximately $10,856,130 in claims to the Medicare program for physical and occupational therapy services that were never rendered or were medically unnecessary.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney John K. Neal and Trial Attorney Gejaa T. Gobena of the Criminal Division's Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG. The case was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division's Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Since their inception in March 2007, Strike Force operations in seven districts have obtained indictments of more than 500 individuals who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $1 billion. In addition, HHS's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Black History Month Essay Contest for College Scholarships
High School Seniors to Address How Wireless Technology Has Changed the World We Live In for a Chance to Win Scholarships Up To $5,000
LAUREL, Md., Feb. 11 - Verizon Wireless partners with UNCF to offer 25 college scholarships
-- Awards include scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 and Verizon
Wireless products
-- High School seniors will write essay on how wireless technology has
changed the world
-- Partnership is another in list of Verizon's award-winning educational
and diversity programs
In honor of Black History Month, Verizon Wireless and UNCF -- the United Negro College Fund -- are offering high school seniors the chance to win one of 25 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, plus Verizon Wireless devices. To qualify for the contest, students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0, plan to attend a four-year accredited college or university in the Fall of 2010, and reside in: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Washington, DC.
"It is imperative students interested in challenging and improving themselves through higher education get the support they deserve," said Mike Maiorana, president of Verizon Wireless' Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia Region. "Diversity and ongoing education have always been pillars of the Verizon Wireless culture, so we're very proud to partner with the UNCF to create these scholarships and help highly-motivated students prepare for the road ahead."
The Verizon Wireless/UNCF Black History Month Essay Contest asks eligible high school seniors to write an essay of no more than 500 words that addresses how the evolution of wireless technology has changed the world in which we live. UNCF will review all the applications and score the essays, and the top 5 applicants per region will be awarded the following scholarships:
-- First Place: $5,000 scholarship, netbook, Motorola Droid and $2,250 in
Verizon Wireless gift cards;
-- Second Place: $4,000 scholarship, netbook, Motorola Droid and $2,250
in Verizon Wireless gift cards;
-- Third Place: $3,000 scholarship, netbook, Motorola Droid and $2,250 in
Verizon Wireless gift cards;
-- Fourth Place: $2,500 scholarship, Motorola Droid and $1,550 in Verizon
Wireless gift cards;
-- Fifth Place: $2,500 scholarship, Motorola Droid and $1,450 in Verizon
Wireless gift cards.
"The 21st century economy runs on technology," said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF President and CEO. "This contest is a great incentive for students to think about how that affects all our lives and to compete for help in paying for their college education. We thank Verizon Wireless for their ongoing support of UNCF and the aspiring young leaders who depend on UNCF for help in getting the education they need and our nation needs them to have."
This Black History Month Essay Contest is one of a variety of educational and diversity programs supported by Verizon Wireless. With a diverse workforce of 87,000, Verizon Wireless drives workplace diversity by establishing programs to encourage the hiring and advancement of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
Students are encouraged to visit http://www.uncf.org/ for complete details of the essay contest and to apply online. The application deadline is April 15, 2010. For more information, contact UNCF Program Services at (703) 205-3400 or scholarships@uncf.org.
LAUREL, Md., Feb. 11 - Verizon Wireless partners with UNCF to offer 25 college scholarships
-- Awards include scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 and Verizon
Wireless products
-- High School seniors will write essay on how wireless technology has
changed the world
-- Partnership is another in list of Verizon's award-winning educational
and diversity programs
In honor of Black History Month, Verizon Wireless and UNCF -- the United Negro College Fund -- are offering high school seniors the chance to win one of 25 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, plus Verizon Wireless devices. To qualify for the contest, students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0, plan to attend a four-year accredited college or university in the Fall of 2010, and reside in: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Washington, DC.
"It is imperative students interested in challenging and improving themselves through higher education get the support they deserve," said Mike Maiorana, president of Verizon Wireless' Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia Region. "Diversity and ongoing education have always been pillars of the Verizon Wireless culture, so we're very proud to partner with the UNCF to create these scholarships and help highly-motivated students prepare for the road ahead."
The Verizon Wireless/UNCF Black History Month Essay Contest asks eligible high school seniors to write an essay of no more than 500 words that addresses how the evolution of wireless technology has changed the world in which we live. UNCF will review all the applications and score the essays, and the top 5 applicants per region will be awarded the following scholarships:
-- First Place: $5,000 scholarship, netbook, Motorola Droid and $2,250 in
Verizon Wireless gift cards;
-- Second Place: $4,000 scholarship, netbook, Motorola Droid and $2,250
in Verizon Wireless gift cards;
-- Third Place: $3,000 scholarship, netbook, Motorola Droid and $2,250 in
Verizon Wireless gift cards;
-- Fourth Place: $2,500 scholarship, Motorola Droid and $1,550 in Verizon
Wireless gift cards;
-- Fifth Place: $2,500 scholarship, Motorola Droid and $1,450 in Verizon
Wireless gift cards.
"The 21st century economy runs on technology," said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF President and CEO. "This contest is a great incentive for students to think about how that affects all our lives and to compete for help in paying for their college education. We thank Verizon Wireless for their ongoing support of UNCF and the aspiring young leaders who depend on UNCF for help in getting the education they need and our nation needs them to have."
This Black History Month Essay Contest is one of a variety of educational and diversity programs supported by Verizon Wireless. With a diverse workforce of 87,000, Verizon Wireless drives workplace diversity by establishing programs to encourage the hiring and advancement of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
Students are encouraged to visit http://www.uncf.org/ for complete details of the essay contest and to apply online. The application deadline is April 15, 2010. For more information, contact UNCF Program Services at (703) 205-3400 or scholarships@uncf.org.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Walmart Selects Johnson Controls as Sole Source Provider for Automotive Batteries
MILWAUKEE, Feb. 3 - Johnson Controls, Inc., announced today it has been selected by Walmart to be the sole source provider of its Automotive, Marine, Powersport and Lawn and Garden battery requirements for its stores in the United States and Puerto Rico.
"Johnson Controls' superior quality, consistent service, partnership in reducing consumer returns, and category leadership were key factors for selecting Johnson Controls as our sole source provider," said a Walmart representative.
Johnson Controls has been a Walmart supplier for more than 25 years. The company received Walmart's Supplier of the Year for Automotive this past year.
"We are honored to receive this expanded business from Walmart," said Allen Martin, vice president and general manager Americas for the Power Solutions business of Johnson Controls. "We are committed to providing Walmart the highest level of quality and service, demonstrating the value we bring to all our customers in the United States and globally."
About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 130,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers.
"Johnson Controls' superior quality, consistent service, partnership in reducing consumer returns, and category leadership were key factors for selecting Johnson Controls as our sole source provider," said a Walmart representative.
Johnson Controls has been a Walmart supplier for more than 25 years. The company received Walmart's Supplier of the Year for Automotive this past year.
"We are honored to receive this expanded business from Walmart," said Allen Martin, vice president and general manager Americas for the Power Solutions business of Johnson Controls. "We are committed to providing Walmart the highest level of quality and service, demonstrating the value we bring to all our customers in the United States and globally."
About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 130,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers.
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