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ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY REGIONAL OFFICES / CHAPTER :

Western Region:

• Western Regional Office rendered all possible assistance to the Executive Committee, Awards Selection Committee, Scrutinizing Committee for ICC Aditya Birla Award and Expert Committees / Groups in their deliberations.
  
  
• ICC in cooperation with Forbes Marshall Ltd organized a program on "Carbon Credits from Steam Savings Revisit Energy Conservation Plans" on 24 February 2009 at Kurkumbh, Pune.
  
  
• During the year, Western Regional Office organized 3 awareness programs on "Chemical Weapons Convention". The program at Lote Parshuram was organized on 23 August 2008 in cooperation with Lote Parshuram Industries Association. The program at Kurkumbh (Pune) was organized on 29 November 2008 with the support of Kurkumbh Industries Association. The program at Panaji, Goa was organized on 10 January 2009 along with Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industries.
  
  
• As per the MERC Order, Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra is issuing certificate regarding continuous / non-continuous process industry. Members from Maharashtra were advised to contact the authorities for the necessary certificate.
  
  
• ICC had requested Secretary - Industries, Government of Maharashtra for setting up a Task Force for development of Chemical Industry in the State of Maharashtra and we are happy to inform you that in response to our request, Government of Maharashtra has set up a Task Force under the chairmanship of Secretary - Industries and Mr. D. C. Mehta, Past President and Mr. Ravi Goenka, Chairman, Trade & Business Development Expert Committee have been co-opted as Members of Task Force. The other members of the Task Force are Development Commissioner - Industries; Jt. Chief Executive Officer - Chemical Trade, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC); Dy. Secretary - Environment Dept.; Member Secretary, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB); Jt. Directorate of Industries (Chemicals). First Meeting of the Task Force was held on 15 November 2007. ICC Delegation consisting of Mr. Samir Somaiya, Chairman - Western Region, ICC, Mr. Rakesh Chitkara Director - Corporate Affairs, DOW CHEMICAL INTERNATIONAL PVT LTD and Mr. R. R. Gokhale, Secretary General, ICC met Ms Malini Sankar, Development Commission - Industries, Government of Maharashtra in her office on 4 July 2008.
  
  
• ICC together with Chemical Week - a leading international magazine for chemical industry organized Two-day Conference on "Indian Chemical Industry Outlook" on 15-16 April 2008 at Mumbai. Conference was a grand success. More than 200 delegates including 50 from overseas attended this conference. Mr. U. S. Jha, Chairman & Managing Director, Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. inaugurated the Conference. Mr. K. C. Misra, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemical & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India presented paper during Inaugural Session on "India's Plans for Growth: New Investment Regions". Mr. Kamal Nanavaty, President/Cracker & Polymers Sector, Reliance Industries Ltd. made presentation during Inaugural Session on "The Emerging Role of India in the Global Petrochemical Industry". Presentations on relevant topics such as International Treaties, Safety Health & Environment, Infrastructure, PCPIRs were made and discussed thereafter. This will be regular ICC event which ICC will be organizing with Chemical Week annually. First Annual India Chemical Industry CEO Round Table was organized on 14 April 2008. This event was attended by 22 CEOs who were invited to deliberate on prospects for chemical industry in India, REACh and other international regulations and mergers and acquisitions in India.
  
  
• ICC along with Roha Industries Association organized a Press Conference for briefing Press about problems / difficulties faced by Member-Companies in Roha. In Roha, there are chemical companies both national and international such as Dharamsi Morarji Chemical Co., Clariant Chemical, Sudarshan Chemical, Excel Industries Ltd., Rhodia Chemicals, Deepak Nitrite etc. and there are more than 40 companies in operations. It provides direct employment of 10,000 workers and indirect employment of 15,000 workers. Turnover of this area is about Rs. 2300 crores per annum with export of 1200 crores. Contribution to state exchequers is Rs. 130 crores by way of revenue to State and Central Government. Units operating at Roha are social conscious and very actively involved in developing various facilities for the local people such as hospitals, schools etc. However since last two years, various political parties are pressurizing managements of the industry to employ untrained workers. They are also pressurizing units not to give on contracts to outside agencies. Industry has brought this situation to the notice of Government of Maharashtra.
  
  
• Dr. Peter Pollak, Fine Chemical Consultant was recently in Mumbai and his lecture was organized on 8 May 2008 at Mumbai. The title of his Lecture was "The Woes of the Pharmaceutical Industry--- and its Impact on the Fine Chemicals Industry". He made detailed presentation about status of the fine chemical industry and future outlook.
  
  
• ICC in association with ICIS - a leading information service provider to the global chemicals industry (and is part of Reed Business Information based in the UK) organized Two-day Conference on "WORLD FINE & SPECIALITY CHEMICALS" on 17 - 18 September 2008 at Mumbai. The Conference was inaugurated by Mr. V. S. Sampath, Secretary, DCPC, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India. Mr. R. D. Shroff, Chairman, United Phosphorous Ltd. delivered Key Note Address.
  
  
• ICC along with Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), UK, organized two-day Seminar on "The IChemE International Forms of Contract for Process Plant Projects" on 22 - 23 September 2008 at Mumbai. Mr. A. P. Mull, Executive Director & CEO, TCE Consulting Engineers Ltd. inaugurated the seminar.
  
  
• ICC organized Lecture by Mr. Raj Kaul, Bayer CropScience, Germany on "Mergers & Acquisitions Trends" on 25 November 2008 at Mumbai. Mr. Raj Kaul is an authority in the field of Agrochemicals and Mergers and Acquisitions. He is currently serving as a member of Board of Directors of Gowan, USA & PI Industries, India. He is also an advisor to the Bayer Cropscience Board and SDS Biotech K.K., Japan. He made very detailed presentation and highlighted potential areas for growth for the industry.
  
  
• Mr. R. Gopalakrishnan, Vice Chairman, Tata Chemicals Ltd. invited ICC president and interacted on image of chemical industry. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss possibilities of working jointly with all the stakeholders for improving the image of the chemical industry and for promoting and communicating the positive aspects of the chemical industry to the general public. The matter is under consideration of the Council and we have requested representative of Tata's to participate in ensuing Executive Committee meeting and make presentation for Committee for taking up this subject further.

Gujarat Chapter:

• Awareness Program on CWC was organized on 13 December 2008 at Vapi in cooperation with Vapi Industries Association.
  
  
• Ms Kalimi M. Mworia, Director, International Cooperation & Assistance Division - Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) - The Hague, visited Gujarat on 16 May 2008. Ms Mworia was accompanied by Mr. Kumaresh C. Misra, IAS, Joint Secretary and Mr. Jasbir Singh, Industrial Advisor, DCPC, Ministry of Chemical & Fertilizers, Government of India. Ms Mworia was on a tour of India to explore the possibilities of placing the graduates of chemical industry from South African countries for the training and acclimatization into established chemical organizations, which are already 'declarants' under CWC, especially in Gujarat being the 'Chemical Hub'. She visited United Phosphorus Ltd, Heubach Colour Pvt Ltd and Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers Ltd.
  
  
• Industry Meet on PCPIR and India Chem 2008 was held on 7 August 2008 at Vadodara. Mr. V. S. Sampath, Secretary, DCPC, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India participated in the meeting. Director General, ICC attended the meeting and participated in the discussions. He also conveyed ICC's views regarding current status of Phosphorus using industry, comments on Draft Natural Gas Policy and problems of Sulfur export / availability.
  
  
• Mr. Ravi Kapoor, Chairman - Gujarat Chapter, ICC had a meeting with Mr. V. S. Sampath, Secretary - Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India along with Mr. Y. P. Saxena, Secretary - ICC Gujarat Chapter and Mr. Anand Kane, Special Consultant - CWC on 7 August 2008. During this meeting the Secretary was briefed on the activities of 'CWC Help Desk' in Gujarat. Mr. Kane explained the future strategy that will be adopted to ensure further 'declarations' and compliance of CWC. Mr. Misra highlighted issues regarding the wider spread of the CWC regulations to chemical industry, which could have a serious implication in including a very large number of industries in the net. Mr. Ravi Kapoor made a presentation on the proposed "India Chemical Centre' in Gujarat. Mr. Sampath offered few suggestions and ideas and concurred on the relevance of such a centre in Vadodara, given the large chemical and petrochemical presence and PCPIR in Dahej. Mr. Sampath appreciated the efforts and activities undertaken by ICC.
  
  
• ICC - Gujarat organized a seminar with the support of CII at Vadodara on 27th June - 2008. Speakers on the occasion were from CMERI, GSFC, SKF India, PCI Ltd., Trobotech, Aimil Ltd. GE Enterprise and FAG Ltd. The topics discussed were Perspective on Maintenance Practices, Helping companies in Gujarat adopting Condition Monitoring practices and latest developments in the field of Condition Monitoring.
  
  
• Mr. Y. P. Saxena, Secretary, Gujarat Chapter addressed the chemical fraternity of Nandesari Industrial estate, guiding them regarding filing of 'CWC Declarations', which is mandatory after ratification of CWC Act - 2000. He informed the audience that CWC Help Desk established under 'ICC - Gujarat' can be contacted for the support and guidance on the subject. Mr. Anand Kane, who recently retired from OPCW -Hague also addressed the gathering with an appeal to file the declarations.
  
  
• Urea is consumed as a raw material by the chemical industry for manufacturing of various products. ICC - Gujarat Chapter had made a representation to Govt. of India to grant permission to EOU units which are using the Urea as a raw material. The issue was taken-up at highest level at the office of Director General of Foreign Trade. As a result of intensive follow-up ICC received the letter from the Jt. DGFT allowing EOU units to import the Urea directly.
  
  
• INFORMEX INDIA 2009 was held on 12 - 14 March 2009 at Ahmedabad. This was part of series of Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2009. ICC - Gujarat Chapter organized seminar on 13 March 2009 for chemical industry and also actively promoted "Chemical Weapons Convention".
  
  
• Members will be happy to note that ICC - Gujarat Chapter will have its own office (admeasuring 1250 sq. fts. + 250 sq. fts. open balcony) at 1st floor, Cidatel Complex, Kunj Society, Above Riya Travel, Vadodara. The location is very ideal and it is hoped that it will be possible to serve members of Gujarat more effectively. Members in Gujarat are requested to continue its support to Gujarat Chapter for its various activities and make best use of premises.

Northern Region:

• Workshop on "Responsible Care" was organized on 5 September 2008 at New Delhi.
  
  
• ICC along with Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), UK, organized Two-day Seminar on "The IChemE International Forms of Contract for Process Plant Projects" on 29-30 September 2008 at New Delhi. Mr. Mukesh Rohtagi, CMD, Engineers India Ltd. inaugurated the Seminar.
  
  
• During the year Northern Regional Office organized 3 awareness programs on "Chemical Weapons Convention" on 18 October 2008 (Kota), 20 December 2008 (Baddi, H.P.) and 5 March 2009 (Delhi).
  
  
• Meeting was convened on 13 June 2008 at MoEF under the chairmanship of Dr. R. K. Garg, retired Head of Chemicals Division of BARC. MoEF Additional Director Ms. Sanchita Jindal conducted a meeting on the impending implementation of GHS in India. Other participants include Mr. Nyati of CII, Dr. G. K. Pandey, Adviser, MoEF and stakeholders from various parts of the country. Mr. Reynold D'Souza, Chairman, REACh & Global Harmonized System and Mr. R. Balasubramaniyan, Regional Seretary, Northern Region attended the meeting. Mr. Jasbir Singh of DCPC, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers also attended the meeting.
  
  
• Northern Regional Meeting of OSH Stake Holders organized by Central Labour Institute was held on 21 June 2008 at Noida. Northern Region members attended the meeting.
  
  
• Mr. D. Dutta Gupta, President, Mr. S. N. Singh, Past President and Mr. D. P. Misra, Director General discussed various issues of the chemical industry at the meeting with Mr. V. S. Sampath, Secretary, DCPC on 16 June 2008.
  
  
• Meeting with Mr. Ashok Kumar, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers was held on 15 July 2008. Mr. Neeraj Aggarwal - Member NR discussed issues related to Pharmaceutical Industry.
  
  
• Meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Deepak Gupta, Secretary, MNRE on 1 September, 2008. Mr. R. C. Sharma and Mr. Vimal Kulshrestha - Members of ICC-NR attended the meeting.
  
  
• Mr. R. C. Sharma and Mr. Vimal Kulshrestha, Members of ICC-NR met Mr. V. S. Sampath, Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and Mr. B. P. Pandey, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals on 15 July 2008 and discussed present scenario of 5% Ethanol blending and availability of alcohol to chemical industry.
  
  
• Meeting of stakeholders was held on the issues relating to implementation of 10% Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme under the chairmanship Mr. R. S. Pandey, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas which was held on 4 September 2008. Mr. S. N. Singh, Past President and Mr. Vimal Kulshrestha Member of ICC-NR attended the meeting.
  
  
• The meetings of the Technology & Finance Standing Committee (TFSC) and Empowered Steering Committee on Montreal Protocol of MoEF have been attended regularly by the Regional Secretary - Northern Region and other Office Bearers.

Southern Region:

• During the year, Southern Regional Office organized 5 Awareness Programs on "Chemical Weapons Convention" on 9 August 2008 (Mangalore), 27 September 2008 (Bengaluru), 11 October 2008 (Kochi), 27 December 2008 (Chennai) and 28 March 2009 (Hyderabad).
  
  
• Three Seminars on "Carbon Credits from Steam Savings - Revisit Energy Conservation Plants" were organized on 20 June 2008 at Chennai, 6 August 2008 at Hyderabad and 5 December 2008 at Bengaluru in cooperation with Forbes Marshall Ltd.
  
  
• ICC - Southern Region organized two-day Seminar on "Process Safety in Chemical Industry" on 1 - 2 August 2008 at Chennai. Mr. L. K. Tripathy, IAS, Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu inaugurated the program. Mr. K. Raghavendra Rao, Managing Director, Orchid Chemicals and Drugs Ltd delivered the Key-Note Address.
  
  
• Presentation by Dr. Sharad Tripathi was organized on 19 December 2008 evening at CIPET, Chennai.
  
  
• Mr. R. P. Sethi, Chairman - Southern Region and Mr. D. P. Misra, Director General met the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and discussed the issues requiring immediate attention of the State Government for development of chemical industry.
  
  
• Two-day Seminar on "Safety Legislations - Role and Functions of Safety Committee in Chemical Industry" was organized at Chennai on 30-31 March 2009 in association with Regional Labour Institute, Chennai.

Eastern Region:

• Acharya P. C. Ray Memorial Lecture was organized on 22 September 2008 at Kolkata.
  
  
• Awareness Program on CWC was organized on 27 February 2009 at Kolkata.
  
  
• Organized one-day seminar on "Industrial Opportunities in Chemical Sector in Eastern Region" on 31 July 2008 at Kolkata. Mr. Jitendra Chaudhury, Hon'ble Minister, Rural Development, Industries & Commerce and Forests, Government of Tripura was the Chief Guest for the seminar. Presentations were made by Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd, Government of Tripura and IDCO, Bhubaneswar about PCPIR at Paradeep.
  
  
• ER in collaboration with the Patent Office, Kolkata organized a Seminar on the "Role of IPR in Pharmaceutical Industry" on 1 December 2008 at Kolkata. Dr. S. K. Roy Chowdhury, Director of Drugs Control, Government of West Bengal inaugurated the Seminar.

Way Ahead :

Due to the cooperation of members, it was possible for the Council to increase its visibility at Central Government and State Governments levels and also within the industry - national and international. In the coming years, industry will be facing new challenges in the form of REACh Policy of European Union, SAICHEM (Strategic Approach to International Management of Chemical Substances), new International Treaties, GHS (Global Harmonized System), Global warming, Image of the industry, availability of feedstock at international prices, competent man power to the industry etc. and the Council, with the support from members, will focus attention on these issues.

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