New Delhi: Commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma on Wednesday indicated that the government will further liberalise the FDI policy in the new year.
“The bold decisions of the UPA government for liberalising foreign direct investment policy in key sectors such as civil aviation, retail and telecom have resonated with the global community and we have seen results in the last few months. The government will continue its endeavour for liberalising the FDI policy further in the coming weeks to ensure that India retains its leadership position for attra-cting foreign investments,” said the minister.
The ministry is now working to relax FDI norms in construction activities.
Sharma claimed that in 2013, India was rated as the most favoured investment destination globally.
Last year, the government has relaxed foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in several sectors such as telecom, defence, PSU oil refineries, commodity bourses, power exchanges and stock exchanges.
Sharma noted that coming months will see a greater push for development of industrial corridors across the country and work will commence for establishment of the first few cities along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.The minister said that manufacturing seems to be on the mend and there is visible rebound in industrial activity. “The Indian economy has inherent strengths which give it resilience from external pressures and the series of steps taken by the government both on the fiscal and current acco-unt front have yielded positive results,” Mr Sharma said.
Railways to get FDI shot
New Delhi: The government is likely to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in high speed trains and other projects, including development of rail lines between project sites and existing network.
“The commerce and industry ministry has sent the Cabinet note on the matter and a decision is likely to be taken this this month only,” a government official said.
Besides, proposing 100 per cent FDI through automatic route in the cash-starved railway sector, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has also proposed to de-license and de-reserve few areas of the sector.
However, FDI will not be allowed in train operations and safety.
At present, there is a complete ban on any kind of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the railways sector except mass rapid transport systems.
According to the proposal, foreign investment would also be allowed in “sub-urban corridor, high speed train systems and dedicated freight line projects implemented in PPP mode,” the official said. It has suggested widening the definition of ‘infrastructure’ by including railway line and railway sidings.
The humble but ubiquitous Idli-Sambar, a dish that triggers much mirth, has emerged a clear winner. It has been chosen as the healthiest option among various Indian breakfast menus. 
Also, the breakfast nutrient profile in Chennai is the best among all four metros though it is continues to be deficient in fibre, iron and B group of vitamins.According to research on ‘India Breakfast Habits Study’ conducted by Dr. Malathi Sivaramakrishnan of Nirmala Niketan (with support of Kellogg India), the existence of well-defined breakfast foods like Idli and Dosa with Sambar ensures that Chennaiites have a breakfast adequate in calories compared to Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.“However, there are still glaring gaps in the recommended dietary allowance for Indians with a deficit in iron, fibre and Vitamin B3, Niacin,” Dr. Malathi said. When it came to the day’s nutrient profile with the deficit being met by lunch or dinner options, Delhi emerged the best, she added.Releasing the study findings, she said, though breakfast comprised of Idli or Dosa with some accompaniment for a majority of children, adolescents and working adults in Chennai, nearly per cent of housewives, 30 per cent of the elderly and 20 per cent working adults have only a beverage for breakfast.The contribution of calories from fat at breakfast among Chennaiites is as high as 34-35 per cent compared to 25 per cent of recommended dietary allowance (RDA) among adults (18-40 years).The breakfast fat comes from oil in Dosa, oil in chutney powder and coconut in chutney.The study also revealed a gender bias in breakfast skipping attitudes with about 18 per cent of adolescent girls displaying the tendency while this attitude was prevalent only among 4 per cent of boys.However, breakfast picture is slightly better in children below 12 years with skipping attitude less rampant in the age group.“The prevalence of breakfast skipping among adolescent girls is a major cause of concern as this is an important stage of growing up, especially for girls who need more iron intake,” Dr Malathi said.Supplementing the regular diet with foods that are rich in fibre and vitamins will help prevent breakfast skimping (inadequate nutrient) among people, she added. With reasons ranging from paucity of time to fears of weight gain, the study, Mumbai, found 27 per cent respondents saying they skipped breakfast. Only three per cent respondents said they considered breakfast as essential part of the day, it added. The study conducted over years, starting 2009, covered 3,619 respondents from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. 'Paranthas' emerged as the breakfast item of choice for Delhiites, while Idlis and Dosas found favour with Chennai residents.More respondents in Mumbai and Kolkata opted for bread, milk and eggs in breakfast. Other studies have suggested a link between skipping breakfast to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and other health problems seen as precursors to heart problems.Experts believe that people who don’t eat breakfast are more likely to be hungrier later in the day and eat larger meals. Those meals mean the body must process a larger amount of calories in a shorter amount of time. That can spike sugar levels in the blood and perhaps lead to clogged arteries.Skipping breakfast - the most important meal of the day, not only means that you tuck in more lunch, but also primes your brain to seek out unhealthier and higher-calorie foods.What's your favourite breakfast option? Let us know by leaving a comment below.