1

Internship Project

R&PM: EDELMAN

Crisis Management: Finolex Power

Plant, Ratnagiri

Project by:

Anmol Rohatgi | Heemanish Midde | Priyanka Dhingra

May – June 2008

Xavier Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai

Mumbai University

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this report titled " Crises Management: Finolex Power Plant, Ratnagiri" is a record of

independent work carried out by me as a part of Summer Internship for the MMS course of Mumbai

University for the period starting from May 2, 2008 to June 30, 2008.

The above project was performed for the company R&PM: Edelman, Mumbai under the guidance of Mr.

Roger C B Pereira, CEO & Managing Director

I declare that the information given in the above project is true to my knowledge.

Dr. K. N. Vaidyanathan

Director,

Xavier Institute of Management & Research

Heemanish Midde

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The work on this project has been an inspiring, often exciting, sometimes challenging, but always an

interesting experience.

At the very outset, I wish to thank Mr. Roger Pereira for giving me the opportunity to participate in this

interesting research project, that helped me gain insights into the Power Industry.

I wish to express gratitude to my guide, Mr. Sushil Sharma. He has supported us with his guidance, insights,

encouragement and many a fruitful discussion on the Finolex Power Plant. We are grateful to him to have

spared his time and showing the patience to our answer our queries. The kindness shown by him, in spite

of him being so busy with his work, is highly appreciated.

I would also like to thank Ms. Ophira Samuel, Mr. Rajiv Pereira, Mr. Sachin Talwar, Mr. Arnab Roy, Mr.

Rahul Sawant and all other senior colleagues, who supported me at all times. This ensured the prompt

completion of this project.

This acknowledgment would be incomplete without expressing my sincere appreciation to Ms. Clementine

Henriques and the office staff of R&PM: Edelman for providing the environment, permissions and the

required aids that led to the completion of this Research Project.

- Heemanish Midde

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SUMMARY

Finolex Industries Limited (FIL) is the largest PVC pipe manufacturer in India. Finolex Cables Ltd has

planned to make inroads into power generation through a Captive Power Plant (CPP) to aid margin

expansion of its PVC plant at Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.

The CPP has been planned to be commissioned in two phases with the first phase of 22MW capacity

slated to get on-stream by March 2008 and the second phase of 21MW by March 2009. This CPP would

lower the company's manufacturing cost per tonne of PVC by approximately Rs600.

The current political aspects are that the various political parties have rifts among themselves; some

political parties are opposing the power plant; some NGOs are against the power plant.

The farmers claim SO2 emissions will reduce the quality and quantity of mangoes and cashew, the major

crops of the region. Further contamination or pollution could be added by the pollutants of thermal power

plant as the waste often includes inorganic or organic compounds. This leads to an unfavorable effect on

the marine life. The size of the fish gets reduced. According to the fishermen, the power plant will hit their

only means of survival. The ash disposal in ash ponds leads to hazardous elements percolating to ground

water level.

The wealthy farmers fear to, face loss of cheap labor or hire very expensive labor, once the power plant

comes up. The upper caste farmers fear that once the lower caste farmers get a feel of money (due to the

power plant providing good employment opportunities), the lower caste farmers may question their

authority. The locals are illiterate and passive and hence are easily influenced by others who may have

selfish interests.

However, Finolex has some key drivers in its favor. Finolex is going to import coal from Indonesia. This

imported coal has very little content of fly ash. The youth in the region is active; this means that Finolex

can educate the masses about the benefits of the plant by collaborating with the youth. The government

is facing enormous amount of pressure due to the power shortages. The government supports the power

plant because once power is generated it can be sold commercially and this can help in reduction of the

power shortage. A power plant in the region will ensure overall development of the region by providing

employment opportunities to its people and also developing the overall infrastructure of the region.

5

Our communication objectives are a collaborative means for enhancing individual, organizational,

national, societal well-being rather that primarily for the promotion of the self interest of the most

powerful people inside organization. Our strategy aims at the development of an overarching control

system rather than as a series of uncontrolled, discrete, independent micro activities. We have based our

strategy on the understanding of multi-stakeholder perspectives rather than on the perspectives of merely

the organization and internal stakeholders. Our Strategy is a long-term custodian of the welfare of the

locals rather than only a gratifier of short-term self interests of Finolex. Our strategy is to win trust –

strategy influenced by the economic ethics - to ensure that society does not merely substitute one

extreme managerial approach with another.

We plan to use the following forms of communication as strategies, namely, Educative Strategy,

Negotiative Strategy, and Participative Strategy.

We have a phased roll out. The roll out is a bottom-up movement, i.e. it involves “ecologists” such as

school children and teachers, families and parents, communities, political “champions”, and workers

rather than a “top-down” forceful movement.

The bigger picture to be seen here is that Finolex will gain the trust of the locals and will be able to move

ahead with the power plant. Enthusiastic and supportive locals will also ensure that Finolex has the

required ‘yes’ for further expansion.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

I. DECLARATION 2

II. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3

III. SUMMARY 4

1. BACKGROUND 8

1.1. About Ratnagiri

1.2. About Finolex

2. CURRENT SCENARIO 12

3. SITUATION ANALYSYS 14

3.1. Issues Identification

3.2. PEST Analysis for issue identification

3.3. Key Drivers in favor of Finolex

3.4. Circle of Influence

4. PLANNING 23

4.1. Communications Objectives

4.2. Strategy

4.3. Tactics & Roll Out

5. THE BIGGER PICTURE 28

APPENDIX

BIBLIOGRAPHY & WEBLIOGRAPHY

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Limitations

A complete socio-economic and cultural profile would only have been possible by visiting the place, which

was not possible due to office work. So, following analysis is based on the newspaper clippings available

from the office and also the internet.

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1

BACKGROUND

1.1 About Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri district is located in the southwestern part of Maharashtra State on the Arabian Sea coast. The

surrounding area is bordered by the Sahyadri Hills on the East and Arabian Sea on the West. It forms a

part of the greater tract known as Konkan. This region was under the rule of the Mauryas, the Nalas, the

Silaharas, the Chalukyas, the Kadambas, the Portuguese, the Marathas and subsequently the British. In

1948 the independent princely state of Sawantwadi was merged with the Indian union and in 1956 with

Bombay Province. In 1960 with the creation of Maharashtra, Ratnagiri became a district. In 1981 Ratnagiri

district was bifurcated and the new district of Sindhudurg was created.

Ratnagiri has nine tahsils; Mandangad, Dapoli, Khed, Chiplun, Guhagar, Sangameshwar, Ratnagiri, Lanja

and Rajapur. Chief rivers in Ratnagiri are the Shastri, Bor, Muchkundi, Kajali.

Ratnagiri district offers the most diverse attractions for the tourists. The district is endowed with many

tourist assets. The rising hills of Sahyadri on east and the depths of Arabian sea on the west contribute to

the unparallel beauty of Ratnagiri. Ratnagiri is blessed with hills, sea shores, creeks, beautiful rivers, hot

water springs, forests and water falls among many others.

In 1991, the Maharashtra government declared it a “horticulture preferred” area. Government figures

show that over 450,000 people are employed in the horticulture sector. Since 1991, under partial funding

by the state government about 258,000 hectares (ha) of plantations have come up in Ratnagiri, of which

about 51,000 ha was under Alphonso mango. Ratnagiri is noted for the delicious golden Haapus

[Alphonso] mangoes, which are exported to Japan, Singapore and Europe. The heavy rainfall results into

highly eroded landscape in the coastal region. Fertile alluvial valleys produce rice and coconut as the main

crops; fruits and cashew nut cultivation is being promoted.

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Top Industries in Ratnagiri:

� Finolex

� JSW – Jindal

� Bharati Shipyard

� J. K. Files – Raymonds

� Auchtel Products – earlier known as Henkel

Surrounding villages and their Sarpanchs:

� Village Name - Sarpanch

� Kolembe - Mrs. Gawde

� Golap - Mrs. Savita Ghanekar

� Pawas - Lyke Fondu

Local Polititians:

� Shiv Sena – Anant Geete (Khasdar)

� Rajendra Mahadik – Jilla Pramukh

� B. J. P. – Bal Mane

� Congress – Sujit Jheeman

Social Activists in Ratnagiri:

� Mr. Ganesh Surve – Head, Ranpar Vikas Mandal

� Mr. Vitthal Pawaskar – Member

� Mr. Prashant Archekar – Member

� Mr. Badu Patkar – Member

� Mr. Surendra Bhadekar – Member

Local prominent personalities:

� Deepak Gadre – Gadre Marine Exports (turnover of 200 crores).

� Nazir Naik – Fishing, Ice Factory, Mahindra Vehicle Agency.

� Advocate Sanket Ghag – Lawyer and now an important personality in MNS.

� Dr. Shrirang Kadrekar – Ex-Chancellor, Konkan Krishi Vidyapith.

� Dr. Vivek Bhide – Mango merchant (most staunch opposition).

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Prominent NGOs:

� Matrumandir – Head – Shraddha Deshpande – Plantation issues.

� Parivartan (Chiplun)

� Aushnik Urja Prakalp Virodhi Sangathan – Thermal Power project issues.

Social Service Groups:

� Lions Club of Ratnagiri.

� Rotary Club

� Art Circle

� Aavishkar – Head – A. L. Jade – Development programs for blind and handicapped children.

� Jai Hind Pratishthan – Head – MLA Uday Samant

Famous actors:

� Vijay Bhatkar

� Ramesh Bhatkar

� Sanjay Mane

� Pradeep Patwardhan

� Sachin Pilgaonkar

� Mahesh Kothare

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1.2 About Finolex

Finolex Industries Limited (FIL) was incorporated in 1981 and has been in the "Plastics" business since

then. Beginning as a modest rigid PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) pipe manufacturer, FIL went on for backward

integration and now manufactures PVC too.

FIL is the largest PVC pipe manufacturer in India. The Pipes division of FIL is the first Indian IS/ISO 9002

manufacturer. Production capacity of the Pipes division is 40,000 metric tonnes per annum spread over its

two ultra modern plants at Pune and Ratnagiri. FIL offers a wide range of PVC pipes and fittings, for

diverse applications in agriculture, housing, telecom, industry, etc., ranging between 20 mm diameter to

400 mm diameter. FIL also manufactures specialty pipes and fittings, namely SWR (Soil, Waste and Rain

Water) pipes and fittings for construction industry. The Pipes division of FIL has won the PLEXCONCIL "Top

Exporter Award" on five occasions.

FIL has commissioned its PVC plant near Ratnagiri (350 Kms. South of Mumbai) on the West Coast of

Maharashtra State. FIL is one of the largest PVC manufacturers in India. The 130,000 metric tonnes PVC

plant has been set up in technical collaboration with Uhde GmbH of Germany under technology license

from Hoechst AG. FIL manufactures suspension PVC as well as emulsion/paste PVC.

FIL's PVC plant enjoys many location advantages, the important one being proximity to the market.

Further, the Pipes division of FIL and FIL's associated concern consumes captively about 45,000 metric

tonnes of PVC per annum; a distinct advantage available only to FIL

The strength of FIL lies in its quality products and satisfied customers. Over the years, FIL has built a very

large distribution net work which adds to its strength. The name "Finolex" is synonymous with "Quality"

not only in India but also with FIL's international customers.

Finolex is the first to get the prestigious IS/ISO 9002 certification.

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2

CURRENT SCENARIO

Finolex Cables Ltd had planned to make inroads into power generation through a Captive Power Plant

(CPP) to aid Margin expansion of its PVC plant at Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.

The manufacture of PVC is a power intensive process. Finolex is in the process of starting up a 43MW CPP

on the 600 acres of Finolex Industries land. The CPP has been planned to be commissioned in two phases

with the first phase of 22MW capacity slated to get on-stream by March 2008 and the second phase of

21MW by March 2009. Total capital expenditure for the plant is estimated at Rs200cr. This CPP would

lower the company's manufacturing cost per tonne of PVC by approximately Rs600. It would help shore up

the Operating Margins to 15.0% by FY2010 from 12.2% in FY2007. Further, excess power generated at the

CPP is to be sold to the state electricity board, which will generate additional revenues for Finolex.

The group has opted for Finolex Cables to spearhead its power generation foray over Finolex Industries.

Source said, both the companies will work in tandem for the power plant.

While Finolex Cables has been implementing the plant plan, Finolex Industries has made arrangements to

convert its fair-weather port into an all-season port. The company has hired the services of infrastructure

financier IDFC Ltd to do a study on port development.

The plant is based on 100% imported coal sourced from Indonesia, which would be imported all through

the year once the seasonal port at Ratnagiri is converted into a fair weather port.

A company official had told a local newspaper in September 2007 that diversifying into power for

commercial purposes was part of a long-term plan. "We have expertise in building a plant and once the

captive plant is operational, we will have experience of running it too," he had said.

Currently, the company is investing approximately Rs 170 crore in the power plant for Finolex Industries,

in two parts of Rs 100 crore and Rs 70 crore.

The company's captive requirement will be met completely with the first phase, and it plans to sell the

power generated by the second phase of the plant.

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In Maharashtra, opposition has been building up to the:

� 1,200 MW Jindal thermal plant at Jaigad in Ratnagiri

� 4,000 MW Malvan UMPP at Malvan in Sindhudurg and

� 10,000 MW nuclear plant, Jaitapur, Ratnagiri

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3

SITUATION ANALYSIS

3.1 Issues Identification

3.1.1 What is PEST?

A scan of the external macro-environment in which the firm operates can be expressed in terms of the

following factors:

� Political

� Economic

� Social

� Technological

The acronym PEST is used to describe a framework for the analysis of the macro environmental factors. A

PEST analysis fits into an overall environmental scan

Political Factors

Political factors include government regulations and legal issues and define both formal and informal rules

under which the firm must operate. Some examples include:

� Tax policy

� Employment laws

� Environmental regulations

� Trade restrictions and tariffs

� Political stability

Economic Factors

Economic factors affect the purchasing power of potential customers and the firm's cost of capital. The

following are examples of factors in the macroeconomy:

� Economic growth

� Interest rates

� Exchange rates

� Inflation rate

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Social Factors

Social factors include the demographic and cultural aspects of the external macro environment. These

factors affect customer needs and the size of potential markets. Some social factors include:

� Health consciousness

� Population growth rate

� Age distribution

� Career attitudes

� Emphasis on safety

Technological Factors

Technological factors can lower barriers to entry, reduce minimum efficient production levels, and

influence outsourcing decisions. Some technological factors include:

� R&D activity

� Automation

� Technology incentives

� Rate of technological change

3.1.2 Why PEST?

Regarding the subject of analysis, the PEST tool can be used to analyze business segments, industries,

particular markets or whole economies. Thus the PEST provides a summary of the driving forces in the

macro environment. It identifies drivers that were of high importance in the past, indicates to what extend

they might change in future and how this will interfere with the organization or the whole industry.

Depending on the objective of the analysis, a distinction between the current situation and potential

future changes may be helpful.

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3.2 PEST Analysis for issue identification

3.2.1 Political Issues

� Political parties have rifts among themselves. The parties have no consensus amongst themselves.

Some members are in the favor of the power plant but other members, from the same party, are

vociferously opposing the project.

� To add on to the above said situation, the political parties who are not allies of Finolex are adding to

the problems.

� State Electricity Board (SEB) will lose out on a large industrial customer (Finolex) when the power

plant starts taking care of the power needs of Finolex. This means a loss in revenue. It must be noted

that the SEBs sell power to the industrial clients at a higher rate which maybe to the tune of 200% to

300 % more than the normal rates.

� Another point of extreme importance is that this being the election year, every political party aims to

gain some political muscle from this situation. Though the state government is favoring the project

the other parties are lobbying against the ruling party to gain favorable political momentum.

� The Ratnagiri Zilla Jagruk Manch filed a public-interest petition in the Bombay High Court, demanding

a proper hearing as they complained of lack of transparency in public hearings related to the power

plant.

� NGOs: NGOs are not very active in Ratnagiri. Most of the resistance has political backing. Local

people form committees amongst themselves. Following are some examples:

� In Munge, Sushil Kumar Shinde announced some news on the Anu-Urja Prakalp (Nuclear power

project). That was enough to agitate the villagers who formed the Anu-Urja Prakalp Virodh Smiti

(Nuclear Power Opposition Committee) instantly.

3.2.2 Economical Issues:

� The youth have to go out of town due lack of employment opportunities. Thus there is need for more

employment opportunities.

� Agricultural employment is seasonal.

� People in Ratnagiri do not have entrepreneurial aspirations.

� The companies that come in give lower quality employment to the locals. Thus they feel left out and

are insecure of their status.

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3.2.3 Socio-Cultural Issues

� The wealthy farmers fear to, face loss of cheap labor or hire very expensive labor, once the power

plant comes up. As the power plant will give full time employment, many farmers might quit working

for the wealthy farmers and join the plant. The big farmers will lose out on cheap labor as these

farmers decide the wage rate, which is much below the rate specified by the government.

� The upper caste farmers fear that once the lower caste farmers get a feel of money (due to the power

plant providing good employment opportunities), the lower caste farmers may question their

authority.

� The people are illiterate and passive and are very easily influenced by other people who may have

selfish interests.

� The villagers want development, but are not sure of the intentions of the industries.

� They are not sure of how and to what extent industrialization will help them. They do not know what

will be the outcome.

� Their decision is dependent on what and how others think of the same issue.

� They will welcome the industries once their doubts have been collectively clarified.

� Mentality of the people is against industrialization for environmental and political reasons.

3.2.4 Technological Issues

The Thermal Power Station adds to environmental degradation problems through gaseous emissions,

particulate matter, fly ash and bottom ash, deteriorating the ambient air quality. Problem of fly ash and

bottom ash disposal will also increase day by day. The fly ash generated in thermal power station causes

many hazardous diseases like Asthma, Tuberculosis etc. The company has to find ways to dispose the solid

waste without ecologically harming the environment.

Air pollution

Initially, perceptions of objectionable effects of air pollutants were limited to those easily detected like

odour, soiling of surfaces and smoke stacks. Later, it was the concern over long term/chronic effects of

sulphur di-oxide (SO2), Carbon Mono-oxide (CO), Nitrogen oxide (NO2), and suspended particulates that

was brought into light. These pollutants are referred to as volatile organic compounds (VOC). There is

substantial evidence linking them to health effects at high concentrations. Three of them namely O3, SO2

and NO2 are also known as phytotoxicants (toxic to vegetation). The farmers claim SO2 emissions will

reduce the quality and quantity of mangoes and cashew, the major crops of the region.

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Water pollution

Water pollution refers to any change in natural waters that may impair further use of the water, caused by

the introduction of organic or inorganic substances or a change in temperature of the water.

In thermal power stations the source of water is river, lake, pond or sea from where water is usually

drawn. Further contamination or pollution could be added by the pollutants of thermal power plant as

waste often includes inorganic or organic compounds. This leads to an unfavorable effect on the marine

life. The size of the fish gets reduced. According to the fishermen, the power plant will hit their only means

of survival.

Land degradation

The thermal power station is located on the non-forest land and do not involve much Resettlement and

Rehabilitation problems. However, it's effects due to stack emission etc, on flora and fauna, wild life

sanctuaries and human life etc. could be hazardous. One of the serious effects of thermal power stations

is it requires land for ash disposal. This leads to hazardous elements percolating to ground water level

through ash disposal in ash ponds.

Noise pollution

Some areas inside the plant will have noisy equipments such as crushers, belt conveyors, fans, pumps,

milling plant, compressors, boiler, turbine etc. Various measures taken to reduce the noise generation and

exposure of workers to high noise levels in the plant area will generally include:

� Silencers of fans, compressors, steam safety valves etc.

� Using noise absorbent materials

� Providing noise barriers for various areas

� Noise proof control rooms

� Provision of green belt around the plant will further reduce noise levels

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3.3 Key Drivers in favor of Finolex

� Use of 100% imported Coal (from Indonesia) (percentage of fly ash and floor ash is only 9% as

compared Indian coal which leaves around 40%)

� Illiterate population: Most people are not interested in what is happening outside Ratnagiri. People

are economically backward. They do not know what they are missing.

� Active Youth

� Political support: The political scene is driven by those with vested political interests. They are not

interested in the politics.

� Power shortages: the whole of India is facing the acute power shortages

� Development of the area

o Roads

o All season Jetty – could be used for importing/exporting of goods

� Self employment Opportunities for locals

o Fall in rate of migration

� Industrialization provides more sources income for the locals

Mr. G. S. Arora – Director – Operations, is of the opinion that modern technology doesn’t create problems.

People still talk about old issues like the 40 year old MSEB power plant in Nasik which caused a lot of

pollution. They believe that the new plants will also cause similar problems.

Finolex Industries can donate a share of their profits for the development of the society. Work towards

providing water, employment, schools, roads, etc can be undertaken. This will help them gain goodwill.

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Captive Power Plant

Level of Education

Employment

Role in Society

Access to different parts

of Society, Open

Proactive mind set

Reduction in power

shortages

Alternate employment opportunities

Better standards of

living

Reduction in financial &

labor exploitation

Active Youth

Illiterate population

Key Drivers

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3.4 Circle of Influence

� NGO’s: Work with the farming community and with women’s self-help groups

� Government: Will leverage the issue to suit their electoral objectives

� Religious leaders And Panchayat: Take their cues from politicians

� Moneyed Farmers: Politically affiliated, employ over 4.5 lacs in the mango/ cashew/coconut

sector in the district

� Youth: Mechanical and electrical engineers graduating from the collage are absorbed by big

companies like Finolex and J. S. W. The students aspire to go to Mumbai, Pune and even abroad.

� Locals

� Doctors

� Teachers

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FINOLEX

EDUCATION Places of Worship

Community Colleges Universities

Colleges Schools

BUSINESS Government Panchayats

Food Markets Agri-business

Media

HUMAN SERVICE Voluntary Social Service Agencies Child Care Elder Care NGO’s

HEALTH SERVICE Official Health Agencies Voluntary Health Agencies Health Care Facilities

Circle of Influence

Local

State

National

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4

PLANNING

4.1 Communications Objectives

All our communication objectives are based on the challenge to resume work on and complete the 22MW

captive plant within the year.

Communication as a collaborative means for enhancing individual, organizational, national, societal well-

being rather that primarily for the promotion of the self interest of the most powerful people inside

organization.

Strategy as the development of an overarching control system rather than as a series of uncontrolled,

discrete, independent micro activities.

Strategy based on understanding of multi-stakeholder perspectives rather than on the perspectives of

merely the organization and internal stakeholders.

Strategy as long-term custodian of the welfare of the locals rather than as a gratifier of short-term self

interests of Finolex.

Our strategy to win trust – strategy influenced by the economic ethics - to ensure that society does not

merely substitute one extreme managerial approach with another.

24

4.2 Strategy

� Ratnagiri is a very politically sensitive city. Therefore, all communications will be delivered with

taking utmost care.

� Most resistances are backed by political interests.

� People want industries to come in so that they have employment opportunities. But, at the same

time they want these industries to be eco-friendly.

� Employment opportunities in the IT sector will be most welcome in this region.

� People are economically backward. Many students do not have money for their college fees.

There is regional imbalance. In some parts, people have well paying sources of income. At the

same time there are people who do not get even the basic amenities. Arranging for scholarship

can be a good initiative.

� The people should know the outcome of the project. Only after they are confident of the benefits

that they are going to get, will they support the project.

� The city experiences power shortage. Every Monday, there is no electricity from morning till

evening. If the power plant is functional, Finolex will be using 43 M. W. of electricity less. This can

prove beneficial to the locals.

� There are two separate segments that need to be addressed separately. It is more important to

connect with the uneducated locals. A strategy that does not take them into account will not give

the desired outcome.

� There is a tremendous scope for gaining publicity through special issues of newspapers like those

on career. The students have high aspirations. Thus initiatives like contests can work well.

The crisis is non-linear and asymmetric. It is asymmetric since there is variability in the resistance from the

various sections of the society. The variance arises due to various subjective factors. Thereby, our aim is to

cover possibly all these factors.

We label it non-linear because even with a definite input, any outcome cannot be accurately predicted.

This is because any crisis situation will have some sort of probability and chance attached to it. The target

is always valued by the decision-makers. This in this case is general public. So we cannot have a single

strategy to counter the crisis. Our suggestion is to use a multi-dimensional approach to try to cover as

many probabilities we can.

These peculiar properties of this crisis at hand bring out the effects of uncertainty, chance, and friction.

These effects would be driven away from its absolute form by using the following forms of communication

as strategies, namely, Educative Strategy, Negotiative Strategy, and Participative Strategy.

25

Educative Strategy

The rationale behind using an educative strategy is to win hearts and minds of the locals. We know that

the majority population is ignorant about advantages of the plant. They are hostile because they are

anticipating a mega power plant (1000MW) instead of the CPP. Changing perceptions is a complex process

that involves a mixture of activities, such as: persuasion, education and free flow of communication etc.

The advantage of this approach is that people will be positively motivated to the change.

Participative Strategy

Through this strategy, we want to involve the people in the situation. This is likely to increase their

commitment to and enthusiasm for the project. Additionally, there would be an opportunity for

everybody to learn from the experiences of this participation.

Negotiative Strategy

It involves a willingness to negotiate with individuals and groups most affected by the change and to

accept that adjustments and concessions that are required to be made. This strategy will acknowledge

that those affected by the change have been given equal rights to have some input in the project, or that

they have some power to resist it if they are not supportive.

26

4.3 Tactics & Roll Out

As mentioned in the communication objective, we have a phased roll out. The roll out is a bottom-up

movement, i.e. it involves “ecologists” such as school children and teachers, families and parents,

communities, political “champions”, and workers rather than a “top-down” forceful movement.

The tactics and the Roll out has to be drawn keeping in mind the following, the platform being the

uneducated locals and youth.

Phase 1:

� Target: Locals

� Key messages: Addressing the environmental issues and the employment opportunities and other

benefits.

� Medium: Museum, Advertorials, Celebrity Endorsements.

� Spokesperson: CEO, Hr Director, Celebrity, Doctors and Health officials.

Phase 2:

� Target: Youth

� Key messages: Awareness and Education

� Medium: Street Plays, Educative seminars, Plant trips.

� Spokesperson: Celebrity, CEO, Teachers.

The image of Finolex as a good steward to current and potential customers

The image of Finolex as a formulator of logical and consistent decisions to meet the crises. Educating people about the pros and cons of the CPP through the participative strategy.

The image of Finolex as a sincere and accurate interpreter of corporate events. Organizing

The image of Finolex as a controlling force in organizational events Communicating with

The image of Finolex as a “good citizen” in business relationships

Commitment

Resolve

Credibility

Efficacy

Responsibility

27

� Timing: Immediately after the inauguration of museum.

Phase 3:

� Target: Community leaders & Regulatory bodies

� Key messages: Full disclosure of company plans.

� Medium: One on one discussions, Meetings with company officials.

� Spokesperson: Top Officials Of The Company

� Timing: Prior to a press release.

Phase 4:

� Target: Media

� Key messages: Full disclosure of company plans with special attention to community concerns.

� Medium: Questionnaires to the reporters for their feedback, News conference.

Phase 5:

� Target: Media

� Key messages: Changing perception

� Medium: Press conferences.

Phase 6:

� Target: General Public

� Key messages: The advantages of the plant and opportunities it will provide and how it will

promote Ratnagiri.

� Medium: Rally, A Big event

� Spokesperson: CEO and the Top officials, KOLs.

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5

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The bigger picture to be seen here is that Finolex

� Will be able to go ahead with the plant without hassles

� Gain trust

� Motivated people

� Support in further expansion plans

29

APPENDIX

Annexure 1

Macro-environment

With the coming of Electricity Act 2003, the power sector, which was highly regulated with lot of licensing

requirements, is in the throes of a long awaited change. The licensing requirements have been reduced, as

the generation company will be free to enter distribution business and vice-a-versa. Currently private

sector accounts for 14% of the total power generation capacity. The remaining is divided between Center

and the state owned companies in the ratio of 40:60.

� The generating capacity in India stood at 1,34,717 MW (excluding captive capacities of around 30,000

MW). Out of this, the country utilises a poor 65% due to inefficient transmission and distribution

causing a lot of power shortage. As a result, it has become necessary to resort to power cuts and

other regulatory measures to ration power supply.

� Currently central institutions like National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the State Electricity

Boards (SEBs) dominate the power scene in India. India has adopted a blend of thermal, hydel and

nuclear sources with a view to increasing the availability of electricity. Thermal plants at present

account for 65% (86,936 MW) of the total power generation, hydro-electricity plants contribute 25%

(33,486 MW) and the rest comes from nuclear and wind.

� Average transmission and distribution losses (T&D) exceed 25% of total power generation compared

to less than 15% for developing economies. The T&D losses are due to a variety of reasons, viz.,

substantial energy sold at low voltage, sparsely distributed loads over large rural areas, inadequate

investment in distribution system, improper billing, and high pilferage.

� Further, the government plans to add around 80,000 MW of generation capacity over the next five

years (XIth five year plan spanning FY07 to FY12) in order to bridge the current demand-supply gap.

This is almost 60% of the current generation capacity in the country. Also, if India has to achieve a

consistent over 8% GDP growth, then power generation has to grow by around 11% to 12% per

annum.

� The poor performance of India's existing generating units has been a principal cause of power

storages and unreliable quality of power supply. The primary culprits are the coal-fired thermal power

stations, which accounts for over 53% of total installed capacity. The average plant load factor (PLF) of

thermal power stations in India is less than 60%, but varies considerably across regions. However, not

30

all of the thermal generating stations have such dismal records. For instance, the performance of 500

MW and 200 MW units has been satisfactory, and their PLFs have been higher than the national

average. It is, in fact, the thermal units of 120/140 MW and below that are cause for concern.

� The Electricity Act has proposed significant policy decisions that could reform the Indian power sector

over the long term. Licensing norms for entering generation and T&D business of power have been

eased. Under APDRP (Accelerated Power Development & Reform Program), as a one-time measure,

the state electricity boards’ (SEBs) dues to the central utilities are to be converted into state backed

bonds. In exchange, the states have to give an undertaking that SEB losses will not occur and T&D

losses will be checked in a time bound manner.

� Recognising that electricity is one of the key drivers for rapid economic growth and poverty

alleviation, the industry has set itself the target of providing access to all households in next seven

years. As per Census 2001, about 44% of the households do not have access to electricity. Hence,

meeting the target of providing universal access is a daunting task requiring significant addition to

generation capacity and expansion of the transmission and distribution network.

� Restoration of the financial health of SEBs and improvement in their operating performance continue

to remain a critical issue in the power sector. The Electricity Act of 2003 contains provision for

securitisation of accumulated SEB dues. The government of India has signed MOUs with various states

reflecting the joint commitment of center and states to undertake reforms in a time bound manner.

� The guaranteed rate of return has been fixed at 14%. This has been done to encourage investments in

the sector. This is because government does not yet give any incentive returns to companies, which

have efficient performance.

� Inefficiencies in state sector utilities have adversely affected capacity addition and systems

improvement. While the SEBs not having enough resources to finance future capacities, they are also

unable to raise funds for investment from alternative sources due to their poor financial and

commercial performance. Also, the inability of SEBs to pay their dues, in full, to central power utilities

(CPSU) adversely affects the finances and investment plans of these CPSUs.

� On overall basis, power distribution has been loss-making business in India. But with the privatization

coming in, the investment in transmission and distribution networking is expected to improve.

Distribution business has already been privatized in Delhi and a five years target has been set to bring

down its T&D losses from 52% to 31%. Following Delhi's example, many states like Uttar Pradesh,

Gujarat and Maharashtra are looking at corporatising their distribution circles. However, the slow

pace of reforms in this segment is expected to continue going forward.

Trading in electricity has brought a sea change in the structure of the industry because some parts of

country are power surplus and some are deficient. Power trading company buys power from surplus area

and sells it in deficit area using and transfers power through transmission lines. While the potential for

power trading is huge, the regulator has to play a key role in removing all discrepancies that occur in terms

of electricity pricing across trading regions.

31

Annexure 2

Newspaper Clippings

DNA Money

Cables to spearhead Finolex power foray

Promit Mukherjee

Wednesday, 14 May, 2008, 09:25

Pune-based cable manufacturer Finolex Cables Ltd plans to make inroads into commercial power

generation through a mega power plant at Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.

The company is planning to set up a 1000 mw thermal power plant on land held by its sister company,

Finolex Industries Ltd.

A source close to the development said: "Though Finolex Group had been contemplating diversifying into

commercial power generation for a long time; it was earlier being planed under Finolex Industries. But

now, the deck has been cleared and it will be Finolex Cables that will take the plans ahead."

The venture is still in the planning stage, but a move into commercial power generation has been decided.

It is currently building a 43 mw power plant at Ratnagiri near its PVC manufacturing plant. The first phase,

under which the company would generate close to 22 mw of power, is expected to be complete by June

this year. The second phase of 21 mw will take another six months. The plant is based on imported coal

sourced from Indonesia.

It is not known why the group opted for Finolex Cables to spearhead its commercial power generation

foray over Finolex Industries. Source said, both the companies will work in tandem for the 1000 mw power

plant.

"While Finolex Cables would be implementing the plant plan, Finolex Industries would convert its fair-

weather port into an all-season port," the source said. The company has hired the services of

infrastructure financier IDFC Ltd to do a study on port development.

"Once the port is converted into a fair weather port, raw material for the plant could be imported all

through the year," the source said.

32

The new plant too will be based on 100% imported coal likely to be sourced from Indonesia and will come

up on the 600 acres of Finolex Industries land.

A company official had told DNA Money in September 2007 that diversifying into power for commercial

purposes was part of a long-term plan. "We have expertise in building a plant and once the captive plant is

operational, we will have experience of running it too," he had said.

Currently, the company is investing approximately Rs 170 crore in the power plant for Finolex Industries,

in two parts of Rs 100 crore and Rs 70 crore.

The company's captive requirement will be met completely with the first phase, and it plans to sell the

power generated by the second phase of the plant.

Down to Earth

Thermal Power projects threaten Ratnagiri's Alphonso mangoes

It could be a bitter end to a sweet, juicy story. Maharashtra is planning mega power plants in Ratnagiri

district, a horticulture zone known for its finest Alphonso mangoes, which are exported to Japan and

Singapore. This year, farmers in the region exported the famous fruit to Europe for the first time. But they

are not sure of the future of the business; they fear emissions from the plants could harm mango

plantation.

What is at stake is more than the mango plantations.Two thermal power plants of a combined capacity of

about 2,800 mw coming up in Ratnagiri have also raised the hackles of fisherfolk—hot effluents

discharged into the sea could hamper fish breeding. While one plant by jsw Energy Ltd at Nandivade is

under construction, the other in Dhopave by Dhopave Coastal Power Ltd is awaiting the green light from

the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (moef).

Besides, a nuclear power plant of 6,000 mw is in the pipeline.

This, when the state government has declared Ratnagiri an export zone for mangoes. A representative

from FoodCert, which issues certificates under the European Retail Parties Good Agricultural Practices, has

said that in case of pollution from the thermal power plants, the certificate cannot be granted. This

certification is a must for entry into European markets. The people in the region allege that the jsw Energy

plant violates the environmental clearance process and the Coastal Regulatory Zone (crz) notification,

1991.

33

They do not understand why the government wants power plants in an ecologically sensitive area. The

Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Regional Plan for 1981-2001 cautions that authorities must develop a suitable

strategy for all the developmental projects in the region since it is ecologically very sensitive. In 1991, the

Maharashtra government declared it a “horticulture preferred” area. Government figures show that over

450,000 people are employed in the horticulture sector. Since 1991, under partial funding by the state

government about 258,000 hectares (ha) of plantations have come up in Ratnagiri, of which about 51,000

ha was under Alphonso mango. The other plantations are of coconut and cashew.

“But once the plants come up, Alphonso mangoes will be the worst affected,” says Vivek Y Bhide, the

president of the Ratnagiri Zilla Jagruk Manch, an organization leading the campaign against the power

projects. His concerns may be valid. Studies have established that sulphur dioxide (SO2), produced on

burning coal, harms the vegetation. According to a study by scientists from the Lucknow-based Industrial

Toxicology Research Centre, published in the Journal of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology in

December 1999, SO2 reduces the quality and quantity of mangoes. Madhav Kelkar of Pawas village, who

started organic farming a year ago, fears his efforts will go waste because of the flyash and SO2 pollution.

Officials at jsw Energy, however, say that the upcoming power plant will use imported low-sulphur coal.

The residents are not convinced. Bhide sites an example from Dahanu in Thane district where the

production of Manilkara zapota, commonly known as chikoo, declined heavily after a thermal power plant

started functioning there in early 1990s. A 2004 study by the Coimbatore-based Salim Ali Centre for

Ornithology and Natural History also found pollution form the plant responsible for the decline in chikoo

production.

Coal and hot

There is another threat. “Flyash and hot, oxygen-poor effluents are going to be released into the sea. This

will spell doom for fisheries, affecting thousands of fishermen,” says P R Arun of the Mumbai-based ngo

Green Alternatives. A report prepared by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (mpcb) and the

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (neeri), Nagpur, on the jsw Energy plant on

directions from the Bombay High Court, pointed out in July 2007 that “hot water discharge locations are

near or on the shore. The near-shore areas are potential fish-breeding zones and hot water discharge may

have adverse impact on breeding areas.”

Fisherfolk experienced exactly this kind of a situation in Jaigad creek in Ratnagiri after the power plant in

Dabhol was started. “For three years we did not have enough fish stock. We could start fishing again after

it was closed,” says Jainuddin, 75, of Jaigad.

34

The upcoming jsw power plant also proposes a port to unload coal near the creek. Preparing the port will

require dredging; another reason for the fisherfolk to be wary. The proposed port site also harbours

corals, though the rapid environment impact assessment (eia) done by jsw Energy denied their presence.

When Nandivade resident S N Jog sent a specimen to the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, its

scientist A R Gujar confirmed it was a coral of genus Porites found in calm water of lagoons.

Another problem is of coal storage. The proposed storage site is in the open on a hilltop. Farmers in

Nandivade fear that in case of rain the washed chemicals will affect their crops down hill and contaminate

groundwater. The mpcb - neeri report draws the attention towards the high wind speed at the project

site. It says that such conditions should be considered in planning the handling of coal and flyash, and are

particularly relevant in view of mango and cashew plantation in the surroundings. The report also said that

the rapid eia did not address this vital issue adequately.

Unheard

The farmers also complain of lack of transparency in public hearings for the project. The first public

hearing was organized by mpcb in August 2006. It was conducted in English while villagers wanted it in

Marathi and at the plant site. “The company did not even provide the eia report before the hearing,” says

Bhide. The second hearing was held in September 2006 at Nandivade. “This time local politicians, who

were with the villagers during the first hearing, supported company officials. Villagers’ objections were not

recorded,” he added. The Ratnagiri Zilla Jagruk Manch also dismissed as bogus the rapid eia for both the

proposed port and power plant. “The eia report is a baseline document for decision-making and the rapid

eia is far from adequate for evaluating a highly polluting industry like coal-fired power plant,” says Arun.

The group filed a public-interest petition in the Bombay High Court, demanding a proper hearing. In May

2007, moef gave clearance to the plant for five years subject to certain conditions. The ministry said no

activities should be taken up in crz, that is, within 500 m from the sea. It recommended a detailed study of

the plant’s impact on the Alphonso mango plantation and fishery. Later, the mpcb-neeri report

recommended redrawing the environment management plan for the port and the plant. mpcb is yet to

respond to the redrawn plan the company submitted. Environmental activists have now filed an appeal

before the National Environment Appellate Authority against the clearance given by moef.

People say Ratnagiri has become an unofficial special economic zone for power plants when the need is

for special ecological zone.

Link: http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20080131&filename=news&sec_id=4&sid=16

The Indian Express

35

Govt stalls power project, perks up mango growers

SHWETA DESAI

Friday, May 09, 2008

Ratnagiri, May 8: The mango growers of Ratnagiri have reasons to cheer. Their persistent protests against

thermal power plants in the region finally paid off last month. After a year’s battle in the Bombay High

Court and several morchas and dharnas later, the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ decision to stall

the expansion of the JSW Energy plant at Jaigad, Ratnagiri, has come as a relief. The court has also ordered

a study of the impact of power plant on mango and cashew plantation.

“The decision by the MoEF is a small victory for us and will strengthen our stand in the High Court,” said Dr

Vivek Bhide, president of the Ratnagiri Zilla Jagruk Manch, who with the help of other mango cultivators

and villagers filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court.

“We have been saying from the very beginning that Ratnagiri is an ecologically fragile district and

therefore no thermal project using coal should be allowed here. The area is not at all suitable for coal

burning. We are happy that the MoEF has given a thought to our demands. The order is very clear that it

will be premature to give permission for expansion of the existing plan until its impact is studied on the

alphonso mango and cashew cultivation,” he said. The MOEF’s expert appraisal committee on thermal

power and coal mine projects met between April 8-10 to determine the Terms of Reference (TOR) for

undertaking a detailed environment and impact assessment study to grant environmental clearance for

the expansion of 3,200 MW in addition to the existing 1,200 MW.

However, it refused to grant environmental clearance unless a study on the impact of power plant on

Alphonso mangoes and cashew plantation in the district is complete. The committee said Konkan Krishi

Vidyapeeth in Dapoli has been commissioned to study the impact.

“Since the study will take at least four years, it would be premature to take any decision regarding the

further expansion of the just sanctioned power project. The Committee has, therefore, declined to

prescribe TOR,” it said.

“We wish that the MoEF had intervened while the plant was being set up. But the decision is a small relief

as it will be official on what impact the power plants have on mango and cashew plantation. It will prove if

or not we were right in opposing the power plants,” said Amar Desai of Desai Bandu Ambewale of Pawas.

Surendra Dewlekar, a mango grower, said it was a positive sign that the MOEF has finally paid heed to the

problems of mango cultivators.

36

“We have already seen the affects of power plants on fruits in Dahanu region of Thane. By expanding the

power plants, the ecology of Konkan region will be completely damaged. The fly ash will not only have an

impact on fruits —Alphonso and cashew — but also on the marine life and fishes,” he said.

The 1,200 MW sanctioned project at Jaigarh (Nandivde) has already attracted opposition from locals who

have moved the Bombay High Court against the construction as fly ash from thermal power plants can

affect mango and cashew flowering.

The expansion of the plant has been approved by the state Government and accordingly for

environmental clearance the proposal was discussed by MoEF.

“From the beginning we feel that power projects should be set up in drought struck areas where the land

is not irrigated or barren as there will be no impact of fly ash. We are hopeful that the MoEF will realise

this soon,” Dewlekar added.

Ratnagiri district which has been declared a horticultural zone by the state has 2.75 lakh hectares of land

available under cultivation. Out of this, over 63,000 hectare is under mango cultivation. Apart from the

JSW Energy limited, the state Government has proposed 43 MW captive power project of Finolex

Industries Limited at Pawas (Rantal) and 1,600 MW Dhopave Coastal Power Limited next to Dabhol’s

Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private limited. This has irked both the mango cultivators as well the fishing

community as apart from affecting the pollination of mangoes and cashew, release of the emission of

effluents will also affect the marine life.

However, Joint Managing Director and CEO of JSW Energy S S Rao said the company is confident of getting

approval from MoEF and does not consider the committee views as a setback for the expansion plan.

“The committee’s response is in a preliminary stage. It is only an observation by the committee and it is a

part of process. We will communicate with the MOEF and give presentation. We are positive about the

expansion plans and will pursue its sanction,” he said.

Business Standard

Ratnagiri Gas plans Rs 1,000 cr initial offer for Dabhol plant

New Delhi March 12, 2008

Ratnagiri Gas and Power Pvt Ltd (RGPPL), which operates the 2,140 mw power plant at Dabhol,

Maharashtra, plans to raise over Rs 1,000 crore through an initial share sale.

37

The company, jointly owned by power utility National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), gas utility GAIL

India and the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB), also plans to trim its debt of almost Rs 7,000

crore by converting Rs 500 crore worth of such loans to equity, after the public offer.

“The plan is to raise the money to pay off our loans,” said RGPPL Chairman R K Goel. The public offer is

likely in October-December this year.

RGPPL is taking the IPO route after lenders declined additional funding to cover the increase costs to

complete the project, a GAIL official said.

The cost to complete the project, which was estimated at Rs 870 crore when NTPC and GAIL took over the

power plant from US-based Enron, more than doubled to Rs 1,960 crore by September 2006 and now

stands at about Rs 2,300 crore, the official said.

The company intends to initiate the public offer process by seeking the approval of the board, at its

meeting on March 20, to change the company from a closely held entity into a public limited body.

Once the company’s board approves the public offer, it will increase its share capital to Rs 4,000 crore

from the current Rs 2,000 crore. Of the Rs Rs 4,000 crore capital, promoters GAIL, NTPC, MSEB and

financial institutions have contributed Rs 2,985 crore. A part of the public offer proceeds will make up the

balance, Goel said.

He said that a part of the Rs 7,000 crore loans from lenders (IDBI, ICICI Bank, SBI, Canara Bank and IFCI) for

the project will be converted into equity through a private placement. The funds mobilised will also be

used to pay off the Rs 350 crore loan taken from Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and another Rs 500

crore loan given by NTPC.

RGPPL meets most of the norms for a public company and would only have to obtain a certificate for

commencement of business from the registrar of companies.

The Dabhol plant will be fully operational by the first week of April when the third power generating unit is

commissioned, Goel said.

Seventy per cent of the work on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal has also been undertaken and it

will be commissioned in November.

38

The breakwater, which will enable the five million tonnes a year LNG terminal operate to full capacity,

would be ready by the end of 2011.

The cost of the breakwater is around Rs 600 crore and that for the LNG terminal is Rs 4,400 crore.

Goel added that the power plant is expected to function at a plant load factor of around 80 per cent when

it is completed.

DNA

Finolex may align with foreign allies for SEZ

Promit Mukherjee

Saturday, December 01, 2007

MUMBAI: PVC pipe maker Finolex Industries is in talks with major developers in the US and the Middle

East to jointly develop the 78-acre Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Chinchwad near Pune.

The company, which for long was toying with the idea of selling the SEZ to a developer, is reportedly in

parleys with some overseas fund managers, too.

Pune-based Finolex Industries was earlier in talks with a US-based company to dispose of the land

completely. “The modalities were decided and the company was sure to sell it off to the US party, but the

company from US took a very long time to come up with a firm commitment and eventually the deal was

called off,” sources said.

Finolex has decided not to sell the land as there has been a tremendous rise in valuations in the past six

months. “There has been a rise in valuations of almost 20% in the past couple of months of the IT SEZ,” he

said.

The cost of the land is currently around Rs 500 crore, he said.

“Developing the SEZ would help the company in unlocking the value of the property,” he said. However,

the names of the overseas developers with whom the company was negotiating are not disclosed.

Meanwhile, Finolex Industries has also decided to go ahead as an independent power producer (IPP) and

is now in talks with the government to seek approvals before the company can bid for a project. DNA

39

Money had reported on September 11, 2007 that Finolex Industries was planning to get into commercial

power generation.

“The company has decided to get into power generation business and will start taking up projects once its

captive power plant at Ratnagiri is completely operational,” the source said.

Finolex is setting up a 43 MW power plant at Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, where the group has a PVC pipe

manufacturing plant.

The first phase of the plant will be completed between January and March 2008 and will generate 22 MW

of power. The second phase of an additional 21 MW will take another six months to be operational. The

captive power plant would be based on imported coal.

The Hindu Business Line

Finolex Ind to invest in captive power plant

Pune, June 29, 2006

Board recommends 30 pc dividend for 2005-06

Construction of breakwater at Ratnagiri and investment in captive power plant are the projects that the

Pune-based Finolex Industries has earmarked for the current financial year.

Speaking on the sidelines of the company's annual general meeting, Mr P.P. Chhabria, Chairman, said the

43-MW, coal-based captive power plant at Ratnagiri would be completed by end-2007.

He said the company plans to construct breakwater near the existing jetty at Ratnagiri.

He said the company wants to make the jetty an all-weather port, resulting in savings in inventory cost of

the raw material stock incurred during the monsoon season.

He said the investment for these projects would be about Rs 300 crore.

Mr Chhabria said the company is exploring possibilities of using the vacant land in its pipes facility as a

special economic zone.

40

He, however, said that about eight acres of land has been given to the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal

Corporation for road-widening purposes.

Resin sector

He added that the expansion of the PVC resin capacity has been completed during the last fiscal. He said

that the demand for PVC resin in the domestic market was more than the supply by almost three lakh

tonnes per annum.

Mr Chhabria said the company has signed a letter of intent with I.M. Skaugen ASA (IMS), Norway, for

undertaking a study for viability and cost-effectiveness of the LNG supply chain intended to be set up in

India.

Addressing the shareholders, he said the board of directors have recommended a 15 per cent dividend

and an additional silver jubilee dividend at 15 per cent aggregating to a 30 per cent dividend for the

financial year ended March 31, 2006.

The total amount of dividend outgo would be Rs 42.43 crore, he added.

The Hindu Business Line

Finolex to set up captive power plant at PVC unit

Pune, April 29

To ensure continuous and steady supply of power at lesser cost for the PVC plant at Ratnagiri, Finolex

Industries Ltd is setting up a coal-based 43 MW captive power plant. The work has been started and the

power plant would be operational by September 2007.

Mr S.S. Dhanorkar, Assistant Managing Director, Finolex Industries Ltd, noted that it was also thinking of

setting up a special economic zone (SEZ) at its 70-acre prime land vacant at its pipes plant.

The necessary approval for this project was granted by the board of directors at its meeting held on

Friday.

He noted that approval has recently been received from the Ministry of Environment and Forests for its

proposed project to set up a breakwater facility at Ratnagiri. The construction of breakwater would make

41

the company's port operational round the year resulting into saving in inventory cost of raw material, he

said.

The impact of the increased capacity on the company's topline is expected to be seen in the current fiscal.

Commenting on the financial performance of the company, he said that it has registered a dip in turnover

and net profit for the year ended March 2006.

Turnover, net down

It has clocked an annual turnover of Rs 907 crore and reported a net profit of Rs 42 crore for the year

ended March 2006, as compared with Rs 1,001 crore and Rs 96 crore, respectively, in the previous year,

according to an official release from the company.

He said the board of directors has recommended dividend of 15 per cent (Rs 1.50 per share) for the year

ended March 31, 2006 and an additional silver jubilee dividend of 15 per cent (Rs 1.50 per share)

aggregating to 30 per cent (Rs 3 per share). The company's EPS stood at Rs 3.41. Profit before tax for the

fourth quarter was higher at Rs 31 crore against Rs 28 crore in the corresponding quarter.

However, the net profit for the quarter was lower at Rs 16 crore as compared with Rs 27 crore during the

same period mainly on account of a higher tax provision.

Ratnagiri power plant to be re-commissioned

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

New Delhi - Ratnagiri Power and Gas, formerly known as Dhabol Power Project, is all set to re-commission

its power plant in Maharashtra by April 25, company officials said Tuesday.

'The first phase of Ratnagiri Power is set to be re-commissioned by April 25 using naphtha as fuel for

generation of 750 MW,' Power Secretary R.V. Shahi told reporters on the sidelines of a conference here.

'The cost of power will be less than Rs.5.70 to Rs.6 per unit that the Maharashtra State Electricity Board

(MSEB) is currently paying for power.'

Shahi said the price of power might be around Rs.4.50 a unit, which though higher than the cost MSEB was

willing to pay is an improvement on its payment to source electricity from other power plants.

42

Faced with a growing shortfall of power, the Maharashtra government is keenly awaiting the revival of the

Ratnagiri project after four years by using its stocks of naphtha fuel, while state-owned energy companies

strive to clinch supplies of liquefied natural gas for generation of cheaper power.

The Hindu Business Line

Nuclear power plant to come up in Ratnagiri district

Thursday, Sep 29, 2005

MUMBAI: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd will set up its second nuclear power plant in

Maharashtra over the next five years.

Located at Jaitapur, Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, the plant will generate 6,000-8,000 MW of

electricity.

The decision to step up the plant was taken on Tuesday at a meeting held by the Chief Secretary,

Maharashtra, Mr R.M. Premkumar, and the Managing Director, Nuclear Power Corp, Mr S.K. Agarwal.

Briefing media-persons here on Wednesday, Mr Premkumar said the project was still in its preliminary

stages.

"It will take six months to complete the initial survey and about five years for setting up the project," Mr

Premkumar said.

The project will set up over 1,000 hectares of land while its residential quarters will require another 250

hectares, he said.

The State Energy Secretary will be the nodal officer for implementing the project.

The Tarapur plant in Thane, set up in 1969, is the only nuclear power plant in the State now, generating

320 MW from two of its units.

Jaigad, Dinghi, Revas Port works to be expedited

Development work of ports to be expedited :CM

43

Mumbai, May 21, 2007

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today assured that the development works of Revas, Dighi

and Jaigad ports in Konkan region would be expedited.

He was speaking after a presentation of the development works of these three ports at Mantralaya here.

Revas port development is being handled by Revas Port Ltd. The port is situated in the middle of the deep

sea and hence state of the art facilities would be made available at this multi purpose port. Apart from

handling cargo, there would be facility for handling liquid gas,coal and car. In the first phase, the port will

have handling capacity of 48 million tonne and by 2040, there will be capacity of handling 130 million

tonne of cargo.

The project costs Rs 5114 crore out of which Rs 1534 crore will be financed by private parties and rest

raised through loan.

Dighi port is being developed by DPL group. The first project is worth Rs 600 crore. The construction is

expected to begin this month itself. Cargo handling will begin from this port by March 2009.

Permissions have been received to construct four lane road to the highway from the port and also linkage

to the railway route.

JSW Infrastructure and Logistics Ltd is handling the development of Jaigad fort. The tenders will be issued

in August 2007 and construction work will begin from September. The first phase construction will be

completed by March 2009. Bharti Shipyard ltd is constructing a modern shipyard at Usgaon near the

Dabhol port in Ratnagiri district. A presentation about the shipyard was also made to the Chief Minister.

Thermal Power Project of 1215 MW proposed at Yavatmal, Maharashtra

April 26, 2007

Darda & Abhijeet Group to set up power project

The Darda Group and the Abhijeet Group of Nagpur have joined hands to set up a 1,215 MW “Jawaharlal

Darda Mega Power Project” in the Yavatmal District of Maharashtra. This project would entail an

investment of approximately Rs. 5,000 crore and generate indirect and direct employment for at least

2,000 people.

44

Earlier, the State Government had issued a Letter of Support to JLD Yavatmal Energy Limited for this

project. The Letter of Support substitutes the MoU, which the Government used to sign earlier. IDFC has

signed a MoU with the Company to pick up equity stake in the project. The coal-based thermal power

project is expected to be operational by 2010.

A formal announcement was made by senior State Government officials at a press conference held in the

presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Shri Dilip Walse Patil (Energy Minister),

Shri Vijay Darda (M.P. & Chairman, Lokmat Group & JLD Yavatmal Energy Limited), Shri Deepak Parekh

(Chairman, IDFC), Shri Basant Lall Shaw (Group Chairman, Abhijeet Group), Shri Rajendra Darda (MLA &

former State Minister), Shri D. K. Sankaran (Chief Secretary), Shri Rahul Asthana (Principal Secretary-

Energy), Shri V. K. Jayarath (Principal Secretary-Industries), Shri Rajiv Lall (MD, IDFC), Shri Abhishek

Jayaswal (Director, Abhijeet Group), Shri Devendra Darda (Director of JLD Yavatmal Energy Limited).

Shri Vijay Darda, M.P. & Chairman, Lokmat Group, said, “Yavatmal, apart from offering natural advantages

for the project, also happens to be my freedom fighter father, late Jawaharlal Darda’s hometown. He

dedicated his life for the development of this State. We conceived this project in the background of acute

power shortage in the State and the farmers’ suicide in this district. If he would have been alive, he would

have definitely done something to curb it. This project will be dedicated to his memory. We are planning

to provide free power to the marginal farmers in the district for five years.”

Mr. Abhishek Jayaswal, Director-Abhijeet Group, added, “By partnering with the Lokmat Group and IDFC

in this prestigious project, we have reinforced our commitment to achieve our goal to be in the forefront

of the energy, power and infrastructure sector. This power project has the makings of addressing the

socio-economic objectives of the Maharashtra Government. We are committed to bring the state-of-the-

art technology and adopt the best suited financing options to supply power at competitive rates to the

power starved State of Maharashtra.”

'Assess power plant’s impact on mango belt' Mumbai HC

Mumbai, April 28, 2007

As the first batch of Konkan’s famed Alphonso mangoes takes off for export to the United States amidst

dissolving trade barriers, farmers from the region have got the Bombay High Court to address their fears

on the impact of a proposed power plant in coastal Ratnagiri on their orchards.

Chief Justice Swatantra Kumar and Judge S Dharmadhikari on Thursday have ordered the Maharashtra

Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the region’s leading agricultural university Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth and

National Environmental Engineering Reasearch Institute, to assess the ecological impact of the 1200

45

megawatt plant by JSW Energy Ltd, formerly Jindal Thermal Power Company). The judges have asked the

bodies to report the results to the court in two months.

The plant, along with five other proposed power projects along the Konkan, is expected to plug the state’s

shortfall of 5500 MW. In mid-April, HT had first reported on how Konkan struggles to reconcile the need to

address the state’s power shortages with the growing aspirations of its mango farmers and a viable

agriculture.

The plant, which will burn 4.1 million tones of coal each year, is located in the heart of the state’s famed

mango land, spread over 1,025 acres in Ratnagiri's Nandivde and Jaigad villages, 390 km south of Mumbai.

A committee under the central Ministry of Environment and Forests is currently considering its

environmental clearance.

But in the meantime, farmers and fishing settlements in the surrounding villages worrying about the

impact of the fly ash emission and the potential climate change, galvanised into the Ratnagiri Zilla Jagruk

Manch (Ratnagiri district awarness forum) and moved court.

The forum’s lawyer Advocate V Gangal said, “The judges accepted our argument that no proper

assessment of the plant’s polluting impact had been done. The Environmental Impact Assessment report

and public hearing process was faulty and local gram panchayats had not been provided with copies

contrary to law.” But MPCB Director D Boralkar rejected the contention that his body had not carried out

the process properly.

HT had also reported how the university in collaboration with JSEW would carry out a survey spread over

three years to assess the impact of the plant on the area’s agriculture and fisheries. But Boralkar said that

two months was adequate to carry out the study of this kind. “You leave it to us experts to implement the

court’s order. The basic data of the power plant is already there in the existing EIA report.”

HC Intervene in Jindal's Jaigad TPP

MPCB report sought in HC on Jindal`s power project in Ratnagiri

Mumbai, April 29, 2007

The Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to file an environmental

impact assessment report with regard to the Jindal Group's proposed coal-based thermal power plant in

Ratnagiri district.

46

While preparing the report, to be filed in two months, MPCB is to rope in the national environment

engineering research institute (Neeri), the division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice S C

Dharmadhikari directed last week.

The court's order came on a PIL filed by members of Ratnagiri Zilla Jagaruk Manch who are opposing the

project fearing environmental pollution, as the proposed plant, aimed at generating 1200 mw of power,

would use coal as fuel.

It would give rise to a lot of flying ash which could destroy the horticulture in the area, the petitioners

contended.

The plant, to be set up by JSW infrastructure and logistics, is coming up in 878 acres of land at Nandiwade

village near Jaigad. The area has an extensive cultivation of mango, cashew and other fruits, which would

be hit because of ash thrown into air by the project, the PIL said.

The petitioners argued that a similar project at Dahanu in Thane district spelled disaster for the Chikoo

orchards, which experienced a sudden dip in productivity.

Their lawyer V A Gangal had earlier alleged in the court that the district administration and local politicians

were hands-in-glove with the company, ignoring the local people's apprehensions.

Power plants spoil coastal paradise

Nashik, Maharashtra: One thermal power plant choking Nashik with fly ash has not taught the

Government any lesson, so it is planning three plants along Maharashtra’s ecologically fragile Konkan

coast.

The clouds of fly ash residue from the coal-based Nasik thermal power plant are killing the famous

vineyards of Nasik. “Nashik is famous for its wine grapes but these days because of the ash our gardens

are getting affected,” says farmer Anantrao Jagtap of Saamangaon village.

"This thermal power plant is releasing its liquid fly ash into a dam. The fly ash percolates down to the basin

of River Daarna," says Jagtap.

Saamangaon residents claim drinking water has been contaminated in their village and six other villages.

“We are facing diseases and our cattle are ill,” says a Saamangaon resident.

47

The villages have more bad news coming. The Maharashtra Government plans three 4,000-MW thermal

power plants, which may harm the Konkan coast.

The first plant will come up at Jaigadh, which is home to a historical fort and is a habitat for dolphins.

The second will be at Vijaydurg, famous for its mango orchards and the third at Shahpur, near the

weekend resort of Alibaug.

Farmers in the three villages are worried, because they know what has happened to the farms around

Nashik. " Jaigadh is world famous for the Devgadh Alphanso mango. The power plant can be built

anywhere but the mangoes grow only here," say a farmer.

But Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde says villagers need not worry. "When Enron (power plant)

was coming up then it was said that the mangoes would be affected but it didn’t. We will convince people

about the new power plants," he says.

But the Minister forgets that the Enron plant runs on Naphtha which is less polluting than coal.

Power to destroy

Fri, Feb 15 02:56 AM

In Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, nature has been kind: a virgin coastline, cushy climate and a lush land

spouting the sweetest of mangoes. Till recently, farmers in the heartland of Alphonso mangoes had little

to complain as the fruit was lapped up in loads by domestic and foreign consumers. Now, things have

begun to sour. In a bid to combat the rising power shortage, the state is gearing to set up three thermal

power plants in the district. The result? The air is thick with talk of the imminent pollution and its

disastrous effect on mangoes.

"The pollination of mango takes place once a year. If sulphur and nitrogen compounds get saturated, the

dew will turn acidic and affect the pollination," says 49-year-old Anant Gopal Biwalkar, a mango cultivator

from Nandivde in Ratnagiri, Konkan.

Simply put, the chemicals (suphur dioxide and fly ash) likely to be emitted from the coal-fired power

plants could drastically cut down on the quality and quantity of mangoes. Little wonder then that Amar

Desai is wracked by similar concerns-only bigger in magnitude. Says the mango exporter from Pawas who

has sold the fruit to Germany and the Gulf and is ready to send it to Japan and USA this year: "This might

48

be the last time I export the fruit. The buyers from Japan who visited a few weeks ago have warned that if

the fruit has any trace of pollution, the consignment will be cancelled," he says.

It's a fear that has been stalking the mango belt even as the state-faced with 7,000 MW of power shortage

in the coming summer-readies to set up the three power plants in a 110 km radius: the 1,200 MW JSW

Energy Limited at Jaigarh (Nandivde), the 43 MW captive power project of Finolex Industries Limited at

Pawas (Rantal) and the proposed 1,600 MW Dhopave Coastal Power Limited next to Dabhol's Ratnagiri

Gas and Power Private limited. Besides, the country's first site for the 6,000 MW nuclear project is also

being proposed at Jaitapur.

While the strident opposition from farmers has resulted in a stay on the construction of the Finolex plant,

it hasn't stopped the JSW project despite a case in the Bombay High Court, and the land acquisition at

Dhopave is likely to begin soon.

"Ratnagiri has been declared a horticultural zone by the state, resulting in large-scale production of

mango, cashew and coconut. Importantly, the state government is also promoting Konkan as the next

tourist destination. Is it then right to have three thermal power projects in Ratnagiri alone?" asks Dr Vivek

Bhide, president of the Ratnagiri Zilla Jagruk Manch, who filed the PIL in the high court stating that the

Environmental Impact Assessment report submitted by the JSW Energy Ltd was faulty.

According to the Ratangiri district administration-the district was declared a horticulture zone in 1991

owing to the humid climate fit for fruit plantation-of the 2.75 lakh hectare land available for cultivation,

over 63,000 hectares is under mango cultivation. Unfortunately, Guhaghar (4,954 ha), Ratnagiri (15,233

ha) and Rajapur (7,966 ha)-where the thermal power projects are planned-account for one-third of the

total area under mangoes. The district did a business of an estimated Rs 2,200 crore through the trade of

Alphonso mangoes.

"No one is opposing the power projects and denying the fact that state requires electricity to cover the

deficit. But why plan all the projects in Ratnagiri?" asks Jayant Bhargav Biwalkar, whose 35 Alphonso

plants are outside the compound wall of JSW project.

Rahul Asthana, Principal Secretary of the state Energy Department, says that the plants' location was

decided because it's a coastal area which would make it easy to ferry coal. He added, "It's not as if the

state is not concerned about Alphonso mangoes and the trade prospects. We will follow all the

procedures and clearances from the Ministry of Environment will be received. If the plants affect the fruit

and cultivation, then perhaps the project will be stopped. Only after following due procedures and getting

clearances from the Ministry of Environment will the project be given a go ahead."

49

The farmers' fears are justified, considering that the thermal power project at Dahanu destroyed the

chikoo plantation. "The fly-ash-JSW plant will burn 4.1 million tonnes of coal each year-will result in acidic

dew or settle on mango flowers, both of which will destroy the harvest," says Nilesh Tirekar, who worked

at a fly-ash company in Dahanu.

Importantly, it's not just mangoes which will be affected. Given the location of power plants, the fishing

community is also fearing the loss of business.

Says Madan Jadhav, chairman of Laxmisagar Sahakari Sanstha of Dhopave's fishing community: "The

pollution of the creek from the neighbouring RGPGL plant has reduced the size of the fish. Our business

has suffered and now these projects we will wipe us out completely."

According to local Congress activist Suamti Jadhav, people in five villages likely to be affected due to the

Dhopave plant are divided over the issue. "The fishing community wants a job for each family member as

well as compensation. If it's not provided, the plant will not be allowed to be set up at Dhopave," she said.

Given the stridency of protest, the state Government has appointed Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi

Vidyapeeth to conduct a three-year study to assess the environmental impact of the power plant on

mango and fishing. Dr Shekhar Kowale, handling the fishing survey, says it will take five years.

"The power projects will be set up by then and Alphonso cultivation will have stopped. We might then

have to migrate or commit suicide like the farmers in Vidarbha," says Anant Biwalkar.

The Hindu

Plan to set up thermal power plant in Konkan generates heat

Meena Menon

Farmers and fisherfolk are convinced it will pollute the air and affect horticulture in the region

Low sulphur coal will be used we will adhere to all environment norms: company

Main crop to be hit will be Alphonso mangoes, fear farmers

JAIGAD (Ratnagiri district): Angry mango farmers and fisherfolk in Ratnagiri district are questioning the

decision to locate a 1200 MW coal-based power plant at the stunning Jaigad creek on the Konkan coast.

They are convinced it will pollute the air and adversely affect the extensive horticulture in the region. They

50

say that their land was acquired for a steel plant but is now going to be used for a thermal power plant.

Many gram panchayats in the region have passed unanimous resolutions opposing the project.

JSW Energy limited, part of the O.P. Jindal group, the company setting up the plant, says that its annual

coal requirement of 4.14 million tonnes will consist of imported low sulphur coal and that it will adhere to

all environment norms. But the farmers are not convinced. The fisherfolk who depend on Jaigad creek for

their livelihood are also worried that the proposed port and the power plant will end their business.

The Ratnagiri Zilla Jagruk Manch, which was formed soon after the two public hearings held about the

plant, is questioning the absence of transparency in the process of establishing the plant. The Manch also

describes as bogus the Rapid Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out by the company for both

the proposed port to unload the coal and the power plant. It has filed a public interest litigation petition in

the Bombay High Court, demanding a proper hearing of their grievances. The court has served notices on

the Collector, the company, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) and others.

The project awaits clearance from the MOEF. About 784 acres is already with the company and it is buying

up 200 acres more. JSW is one of the eight companies that signed MOUs with the Maharashtra

Government in 2005 to set up power plants. The State is facing a massive power shortage and load

shedding this year touched 5700 MW. Yet, although farmers acknowledge the need for power, they feel

that locating such a plant in a fragile ecosystem would destroy it completely.

Dr. Vivek Bhide, president of the Manch and a successful mango grower from Malgund, is proud that this

year, along with 13 other farmers, he has exported Alphonso mangoes to Europe for the first time. He

heads the Shree Mango Shetkari Mandal and, like many farmers, is apprehensive that once the power

plant comes up, Alphonso mangoes will be the worst affected.

Farmers are particularly upset about the way the first public hearing, organised by the Maharashtra

Pollution Control Board, was held in August 2006. ``The company did not even provide the EIA report

before the hearing. There was chaos at the first hearing as the company could not give information in

Marathi and it was postponed to next month,'' says Dr. Bhide. A month later, the next hearing was held at

Nandivde where the plant will be located. ``This time there was a dramatic change and all the politicians

were on one side with the company officials and the Collector. Our objections were not recorded and

neither were our concerns addressed,'' he added.

According to government records submitted to the court, Ratnagiri has 61,000 hectares under mango,

4,930 under coconut and 83,262 of cashew. Over 4.5 lakh people are employed in this sector in the

district. The farmers export to countries that have stringent norms and have obtained certification after

sustained efforts.

51

Digambar Kamlakar Kane, a mango exporter from Reel near the proposed plant, points out that the

company acquired land in 1993 for a steel plant.

In Kunbiwadi in Nandivde, which is about 200 metres from the proposed coal-stocking yard, there is much

anger. A half finished white cement fence marks the boundary.

Last December, Madhukar Damle went on a hunger strike to oppose the plant. ``The situation is suicidal

and the common farmer will be affected,'' he said. His brother Vasant Damle, who sold the land to the

company, has demanded that it be returned since the company was not setting up the plant they acquired

it for. Land was acquired in the name of Jindal Iron and Steel, says the 70--year-old Damle who managed

to get hold of the original agreement of sale. ``We have been deceived by the company,'' he says. Also, at

that time, the company registered an agreement with the villagers saying that in case a steel factory did

not come up in five years, the people had the option of buying back their land at Rs. 17,000 per acre. ``I

want my land back now," says Damle, a former schoolteacher and journalist.

Raaj Kumar, joint managing director and CEO, JSW Energy Limited said land was partly acquired for an

integrated steel plant in 1993 but there were objections then and the industry was shifted to Karnataka.

The plant and port is expected to cost around Rs. 4,800 crores. He said the company was prepared to

adhere to all pollution control norms and even help in local development.

Finolex Industries

Gains in the ‘Pipe’line

Finolex Industries (Finolex) is the largest manufacturer of PolyVinyl Carbonate (PVC) pipes and the second

largest PVC resin manufacturer in India. We expect the usage of PVC pipes to increase going ahead on the

back of theheightened construction activity and increase in land irrigation in the country on account of the

various government initiatives, which are targeted at improving land productivity. The construction-

related investments in the country are expected to gather pace hereon wherein it is poised to increase

from Rs2,150bn in the last two years (2005 to 2007) to over Rs3,000bn over the ensuing two years. Finolex

is also in the process of setting up a captive power plant (CPP) to reduce its operating costs.

CPP to aid Margin expansion: The manufacture of PVC is a power intensive process. Finolex is in the

process of setting up a 43MW CPP in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. The CPP would be commissioned in two

phases with the first phase of 22MW capacity getting on-stream by March 2008 and the second phase of

21MW getting commissioned by March 2009. Total capital expenditure for the plant is estimated at

52

Rs200cr. This CPP would lower the company's manufacturing cost per tonne of PVC by approximately

Rs600. It would help shore up the Operating Margins to 15.0% by FY2010 from 12.2% in FY2007. Further,

excess power generated at the CPP would be sold to the state electricity board which will generate

additional revenues for Finolex.

Capacity expansion to support Topline: Finolex currently has a capacity to manufacture 2,60,000 metric

tonnes (MT) of PVC and 69,600MT of PVC pipes p.a. It is in the process of expanding its production

capacity of PVC pipes to 1,00,000 p.a., which is expected to be commissioned by March 2008. Global

demand for PVC-based products continues to be robust and domestic demand is in excess of the

production capacity. The demand for PVC pipes and fittings has also registered substantial growth backed

by a good monsoon and booming construction industry. Various initiatives by the government to increase

the reach of irrigation and drinking water supplies are providing further boost to the demand for PVC

pipes and fittings.

Windfall from sale of land at Pune: Finolex has about 80 acres of land at Pune, which has the potential for

residential and commercial development. We estimate that Finolex would be able to realise Rs550-600cr

from the sale of this land. These proceeds could be used to support the a company's capacity expansion

plans. We have factored in the sale of land in our estimates at a conservative value of Rs500cr. Our Target

Price includes Rs40/share from the sale of land.

Port could unlock value in the future: We believe that Finolex is also looking at Port development as a

future business opportunity. Finolex currently has a captive jetty, which would be extended to outside

players. Potential revenues could be up to Rs400cr per year. We have currently not factored in the

business from the port in our estimates.

Outlook and Valuation

Finolex has excellent market potential in the PVC pipes space, which it is capitalising on by expanding its

production capacity at an appropriate time. Finolex is also venturing into Power generation (with a CPP)

along with the Port business, which would enhance its OPM’s substantially. The 14.5% holding in Finolex

Cables is another embedded value in the company. This translates into approximately Rs250cr of

investments, which translates into approximately Rs20 per share for Finolex Industries. We expect

Finolex's Net Profit to grow at a CAGR of 26% on the back of a 20% CAGR growth in Net Sales over FY2007-

10E coupled with Operating Profit Margins expansion from 12.2% in FY2007 to 15.0% in FY2010. We

Initiate Coverage on the stock, with a Target Price of Rs158.

53

6.3 Captive Power Plant

Captive Power refers to generation from a unit set up by industry for its exclusive consumption. The

estimates on captive power capacity in the country vary with the Central Electricity Authority putting the

figure at about 11600 MW while industry experts feel that it is much higher, close to 20000 MW Industrial

sector is one of the largest consumers of electrical energy in India. However, a number of industries are

now increasingly relying on their own generation (captive and cogeneration) rather than on grid supply,

primarily for the following reasons:

� Non-availability of adequate grid supply

� Poor quality and reliability of grid supply

� High tariff as a result of heavy cross subsidization

The State Governments and SEBs have been concerned about the growing importance of Captive Power

Plants on account of the following reasons:

� Captive plants may have adverse impacts on the finances of the utility, such as:

� Industrial load is the main source for cross-subsidising revenue flows

� Billing and collection is much more efficient for HT consumers

� SEBs ability to service escrow accounts for security packages is also reduced

� Non-optimal growth of the sector.

� Problems in grid management especially in case of states with surplus power

� Adverse environmental impacts arising from types of fuels used and from higher emissions per

unit of production, as compared to large power plants

� Reliability of power supply from captive and cogen plants as a source of firm power While on the

other hand the concern of the owners of captive and cogen plants stems from:

� Non-remunerative tariff structure for surplus power produced by them

� No risk sharing in case of non availability of fuel, change in variable cost due to switching of fuel

after entering into power purchase agreement (PPA), etc

� Inadequacies in wheeling and banking facilities

� High contract demand charges.

� High level of duties and taxes on sale of power

� High wheeling losses assumed for power to be sold to grid by captive or cogen plant

� Need to devote time and energy to an activity, which is not their core business

� Restrictions on the minimum amount of power to be wheeled

� If the captive power plant (CPP) fails, charges for back-up or standby power from the grid are

twice the normal rate for captive plants

� No formal policy for purchase of co generated power (in most of the states)

54

The feature of the policy of Maharashtra with respect to promotion of captive power plants and

cogeneration is as follows:

� The permission for installation and running the captive power plant will be granted by the

government and the capacity of the CPP will be limited to cover the existing demand (MW) plus

1/3 of existing demand in MW or demand in MW for future expansion

� Third party sale is allowed and in this case a tripartite agreement will have to be signed between

the Board, CPP owner and the third party receiving power from CPP

� CPP can sell surplus power to maximum two industrial units and is also restricted up to 25

percent of the generated units (kWh)

� Captive generating company or any other company intending to sell surplus electricity to third

parties would require a prior permission from the Energy Department of the State Government

under section 28 of the Indian Electricity Act 1910

� The wheeling charges and transmission losses are determined in terms of distance transmitted.

The wheeling charges and transmission losses are determined as 2% and 5% respectively for a

distance of 050 km; 4% and 8% respectively for a distance of 50200 km; and 6% and 10%

respectively for a distance above 200 km

� Rate at which surplus power would be purchased would be decided by MSEB and it will not

purchase any power during night hours, that is 2200 hrs to 0600 hrs

� In case of planned shut down of the CPP, the excess demand recorded over and above the

revised contract demand will be charged at double the normal demand charge rate of the

respective tariff in force from time to time

55

Annexure 3

Indian Power Sector

The Indian power sector, long considered a symbol of the nation’s state led economic development, has

been plagued by bureaucratic inefficiency and political interference for decades. Vertically integrated

state utilities (State Electricity Boards (SEB)) are practically insolvent with commercial losses estimated at

INR 225 bn (US$ 5 bn) for FY 2004 alone2. The tariff structure is differentiated by consumer category with

a cross subsidy charge that penalises commercial and industrial users at the expense of the more

politically influential agricultural sector. Transmission and distribution losses remain high – almost 40% –

and power theft is endemic and tolerated.

The Electricity Act 2003 struck at the core of these issues. Replacing the disparate reforms of the 1990s,

the Electricity Act 2003 brought together structural and regulatory reforms designed to foster competitive

markets, encourage private participation and transform the state’s role from service provider to regulator.

The Act directs the unbundling of vertically integrated utilities and creates autonomous state electricity

regulatory commissions. Electricity trading has been recognised as a separate line of business and

regulatory commissions have been directed to develop rules on open access, rationalise tariffs to

progressively reflect cost of supply, reduce cross subsidies, institute strong anti-theft provisions and

protect consumer interest.

In India’s constitution, electricity is a shared responsibility between the centre and states. Though overall

progress at the state level is mixed, almost all the states have initiated some structural and regulatory

reforms. About 22 of the 29 states have established electricity regulatory commissions empowered to

regulate tariffs and establish performance codes. About half the states have unbundled the vertically

integrated state electricity boards. Some form of unbundling across all the states is expected by the target

date of June 2005. Despite the variation on progress, it is clear that the basic thrust of the Electricity Act

has percolated down to the states. A critical mass of reform initiatives has developed and implementation

hurdles now relate mainly to difficulties of the restructuring process.

While the centre-led Electricity Act laid out the vision for a deregulated power sector, states have the

charge of implementing the restructuring process. There is as yet no clear road map for the restructuring

process and the Electricity Act leaves it to the states to decide. Delhi and Orissa, the states at the most

advanced stages of restructuring, pursued two different models and provide the only real life experiences.

The road to competitive power markets in India, particularly one with active private participation, will

depend on how the restructuring process deals with three key issues:

56

1) Payment risk from sale of electricity

2) Tariff rationalisation

3) Open access

Payment Risk

One of the biggest worries for private generators is that they may never get paid for the electricity they

produce. Most distribution companies are still under state control, either directly through the SEB or their

unbundled successors, and are financially distressed. Commercial losses at SEB in 2004-05 alone are

estimated to be INR 225 bn (US$ 5 bn). Average sales revenue to cost ratio remains well under 70%. Much

of these losses result from the underlying tariff structure and low revenue collection rates. The tariff

structure is defined by consumer class and a cross subsidy structure is used to subsidise domestic and

agricultural users. The higher rates paid by industrial consumers are insufficient to cover the subsidies

provided. In addition, revenue arrears, or collection inefficiencies, on average are about 25 – 30%. In some

states like Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir, revenue arrears are astoundingly high – as much as 155% and

227% respectively. In a recent rating of SEBs conducted by the Ministry of Power, the median score for

financing risk was well short of 10 against a maximum of 23. Only ten states achieved a score greater than

10. While investors may be lured into power projects with promises of long-term agreements, the ability

of SEBs to pay for the purchase of electricity still remains questionable. Simple unbundling followed by

privatisation or corporatisation may notbe sufficient. The restructuring process must determine who

absorbs the existing liabilities and re-establish the financial credibility of electricity purchasing entities.

Tariff Rationalisation

Subsidies to agricultural and household consumers coupled with very high levels of T&D losses have long

kept tariffs out of sync with costs. Seeking to bring revenues in line with the cost of supply, the Electricity

Act required the independent regulatory commissions to rationalize tariffs. Most states have followed the

guideline with vigour. Through the tariff orders, a number of commissions have instituted measures to

allocate revenue requirement in an economically efficient manner by reducing the extent of cross

subsidies. Though these new tariff orders are steps in the right direction, bringing them in line with supply

costs will ultimately involve raising prices for the vast majority of consumers, particularly in the

agricultural sector, that have been used to decades of subsidised power. The planning commission

estimated that for SEBs to post a rate of return of 3% in FY 2001, average tariffs would have to be

increased by approximately 50% (or INR 1.17 /kWh)6 that year. Such increases challenge the fundamental

nexus between politicians and consumers. Tariff rationalisation will be more than an exercise in bringing

revenues at par with cost and will require significant political capital to be spent in convincing agricultural

users to accept higher prices. Thus far, the politicians have yet to wager their bets.

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Open Access

The Electricity Act recognised open access as one of the most important instruments for transforming the

power sector. The Act afforded consumers the ability to directly source their electricity from suppliers

using existing networks and recognised trading as a separate line of business. A number of central and

state level regulatory initiatives have sought to develop and strengthen open access rules. These rules

could well be the panacea for much of India’s electricity woes. By challenging the sole-purchasing power

of the state electricity board (or their successors), generators have an opportunity to reduce the payment

risk, avoid the hazards of commercial losses from theft and provide industrial users the incentive to seek

out more cost-efficient supply sources. Despite the obvious progress on open access rules, the benefits of

it are yet to be realised. The effectiveness of open access has been stymied by provision of a ‘surcharge’

that is currently levied on open-access customers belonging to any category contributing towards the

cross subsidy. Though the Electricity Act may have given SERCs the authority to levy a surcharge to

support subsidy financing, its implementation has merely helped protect incumbency rights and reduce

the pace of restructuring. The vision of competitive markets with open access is unlikely to be fully

realised without further clarity on ‘surcharge’. Though India’s power sector reforms are not yet free of

difficulty, the ongoing restructuring efforts illustrates that a critical mass of reforms have been achieved.

The process now appears irreversible. The pace and eventual outcome of reforms, however, will be

dictated by the willingness of politicians and policymakers to sever the remaining political ties with the

sector.

Coal Markets

India’s coal demand is expected to grow 7% annually over the next decade11. Much of this increased

demand will come from power generation, which currently accounts for about

80% of total coal consumption. For a country that has relied heavily on domestic coal, the stresses of such

a demand growth are already apparent. Over the last decade, coal imports have steadily risen at an annual

rate of 12%12. Coal consumers, both in the power and industrial sectors; have increasingly begun to look

for sourcing options from abroad. Jindal Stainless and Tata Steel were reported to be looking to acquire

coal mines in Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand to support the expansion of their power and steel

ventures in India13.

Proven coal reserves in India are estimated to be 94 billion tonnes and at current production levels,

enough for the next 230 years. But current production levels are simply not enough to meet the growing

demand. Imported coal, though an option, does not provide the same cost benefits of domestic coal

(especially for pit-head plants where most new coal plants are likely to be located) but could

fundamentally alter the imported coal-gas choice dynamics for new plants. Against this backdrop, some

reforms have been initiated in the coal industry but hardly with the zeal of a sector so urgently in need of

change.

58

Between 1996 and 2000, after several decades of control, coal prices were deregulated along with the

distribution to industries other than power and steel. Captive mining by private sector engaged in iron and

steel and power generation have also been allowed. Although FDI limits for captive mining for power

plants have been removed and those for iron and steel have been increased to 74%, private companies

are still restricted only to captive coal mining. It is unlikely that the state-owned coal companies that have

long held a monopoly over coal markets in India can alone bring the investment and efficiency

improvements in the sector14. Without some major reforms or restructuring that unlocks the constraints

in coal supply, India’s vast potential for growth in coal capacity additions may remain just that – a great

potential.

Conclusions

Despite the potential offered by the India’s power sector, investors have long been weary of the sector’s

bureaucracy and regulatory complexity. Now with a critical mass of progress in reforms, private investors

have been quick to pick on the opportunities. Just last month Brakel Corporation of Holland expressed

interest in investing US$ 1 bn on hydel projects in Himalchal Praadesh. More recently, Alstom picked up a

25% stake in Torrent Power; AES has expressed interest

in re-acquiring the distribution company in Orissa and expanding capacity at its plant in the state; Reliance

Energy announced plans for additions of 3,000 MW of gas-fired capacity in UP. The US$ 200 billion

investment bill may not be the primary constraint in transforming the Indian power sector. Instead the

emerging challenges to growth relate to the remaining issues of regulatory reform and fuel supplies. While

progress on reforms now appear irreversible, political will on resolving the remaining regulatory issues still

remain unclear. Furthermore, fuel shortage resulting from limited supply options and transportation

infrastructure threaten to derail power capacity expansion plans. How India tackles these obstacles

remains to be seen. But if the aggressive vision of Indian planners is to be believed, it may not be long

before the courtship of foreign investors and India Inc. does indeed blossom into a full fledged wedding

proposal.

59

BIBLIOGRAPHY & WEBLIOGRAPHY

� Crisis Management: Master the skills to prevent Disasters – Harvard business school press

� Effective Executive

� Press Clips

� www.managementparadise.com

� www.google.com

� www.ratnagiri.nic.in

� www.wikipedia.com

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