Google announced on Monday plans to unveil a version of its own Web browser, challenging Microsoft’s dominance over the Internet.

Today, a beta version of the browser, called “Google Chrome,” will debut in more than 100 countries and offer features that make it easier and faster to browse the Web.

Monday’s move escalates the rivalry between the Mountain View company and Microsoft, which recently released an updated version of Internet Explorer, used by a majority of Web surfers.

Google would not comment Monday on the launch, instead pointing to its blog posting.

“We believe we can add value for users, and, at the same time, help drive innovation on the web…this is just the beginning – Google Chrome is far from done,” wrote Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management and Linus Upson, engineering director.

Microsoft, however, reiterated confidence in its product despite its rival’s attempts to alter the Internet playing field.

“The browser landscape is highly competitive, but people will choose Internet Explorer 8 for the way it puts the services they want right at their fingertips, respects their personal choices about how they want to browse and, more than any other browsing technology, puts them in control of their personal data online,” said Dean Hachamovitch, general manager of Internet Explorer.

Google, meanwhile, touted a “more powerful JavaScript engine, V8, to power the next generation

of Web applications that aren’t even possible in today’s browsers.”

The Internet powerhouse’s free new browser will be open source, allowing others to modify the code, and the company is still working on versions compatible with Apple’s Mac, and the Linux operating system.

News about the browser came after Google prematurely sent a comic book to Google Blogoscoped that illustrated the browser – a gaffe acknowledged in the blog posting by the search company.

The browser could possibly thwart the increasingly popular Mozilla Foundation, the organization that runs Firefox Web browser and which has benefited from engineering help and money from Google. However, Google and Mozilla last week extended their agreement through 2011.

Mercury News wire services contributed to this report.

© 2008, YellowBrix, Inc.

More and more, your manager is being managed closely, and you will be also. How do you like it? Not!

The culture is increasingly directed toward EFFICIENCY, rather than EFFECTIVENESS. Sometimes I believe that managers would be happier if we exceed our Appointment Attempts more than we exceed Appointments Made.

And woe to us if we miss our numbers [and I'm not talking about sales, but cold calls]. Then managers are pushed by top management to implement certain fixes:

MISGUIDED SOLUTION # 1 – Call Management or CRM software.

Managers can forget the call reports. We lie on those. And if you don’t believe me, check our handicap chart at the club against the Gold Mine or ACT! Call Activity Report. Our visits to Mr. Tee, Ms. Sand Trap, and Fairway Inc. are replaced with the information that the manager wants to see. It’s what we do best – give people what they want, and so we give sales managers what they want – Activity on paper.

Call reporting is now being wrapped in a much larger package of management reporting – the Customer Relationship Management, or CRM, software. More control!

MISGUIDED SOLUTION # 2 – Instruct the Sales Managers to stand on our necks.

Sales Managers can’t MAKE it happen. They cajole, goad, and pressure us to make more calls. They say that is a “numbers game.” If you believe that sales is a numbers game, then go ahead and join the Information Overload game – run your email blasts and send out direct mail and advertisements.

When a sales manager is enforcing sales activity, it is not Motivation, it is Movement. They are, in fact, abdicating a leadership role. Leaders get you to perform because you want to, not because you must.

An example of movement is when you ask your dog to get off your imported rug, and the dog refuses, you may nudge the dog with your foot. You moved the dog; you did NOT motivate the dog. That is obvious, because the next day, the dog is back … on the rug.

Sales managers often confuse motivation with movement; leaders do not.

Remember- you were motivated when you first rushed to open those “Confidential” or “Dated Materials” envelopes because you thought that they were from the government. Sucker! And your response was: $%#@$#@, or a reasonable facsimile thereof.

SOLUTION

If your sales manager attempts to move you, be open to him/her. Let your manager know your dreams, goals, and wishes – in other words, let’em know what drives you to improved performance. And if the shortcoming isn’t motivational, explain your skills shortcomings that are preventing you from performing at a higher level.

But if you are on your own – a manager who isn’t there, or you are a small business owner, start with this. One of the best ways to self motivate a salesperson is to increase his/her enthusiasm. Enthusiasm goes beyond movement; it comes from two things:

1. Knowledge of product,
2. Belief that the product will be of benefit to the prospect.

So, whenever you need a boost, learn more about your product and how it can benefit to others.

And there you are.

You can visit website www.clicknet,com.kh or 015216688

ARTICLES ALLOWED AT CONCESSIONAL RATES OF DUTY

A person transferring his residence to India shall be allowed clearance of items listed in Notification No. 137/90, whether old or new, at a concessional rate of duty of 30% ad voleram subject to the conditions that-

i) Such person affirms by a declaration that the goods have been in his possession abroad or the goods are purchased from the duty-free shop by such person at the time of his arrival but before clearance from Customs.

ii) Unaccompanied goods were shipped or dispatched or arrived within the prescribed time limits.

iii) Only one unit of each item per family is allowed.

iv) The person claiming this benefit affirms by declaration that no other member of the family had availed, or would avail this benefit. The term “family” includes all persons in the same house and forming part of the same establishment.

v) Passenger has not availed this concessions in the preceding three years.

Note: Transfer of residence entitlements are applicable to returning Indians as well as Foreigners transferring their residence to India subject to the fulfillment of prescribed eligibility conditions.

ANNEXURE 1

1. Fire arms

2. Cartridges of fire arms exceeding 50

3. Cigarettes exceeding 200 or cigars exceeding 50 or tobacco exceeding 250 gms.

4. Alcoholic liquor and wines in excess of one litre each.

5. Gold or silver, in any form, other than ornaments.

ANNEXURE II

1. Colour Television/Monochrome Television.

2. Video Cassette Recorder/Video Cassette Player/Video Television Receiver.

3. Washing Machine.

4. Electrical/Liquefied Petroleum Gas Cooking Range (other than Electrical/Liquefied Petroleum Gas Stoves with not more than two Burners and without any extra attachment.

5. Dish Washer.

6. Music System.

7. Personal Computer.

8. Air Conditioner.

9. Refrigerator.

10. Deep Freezer.

11. Microwave Oven.

12. Video camera or the combination of such video camera with one or more of the following goods, namely:
    (a) Television Receiver;
    (b) Sound recording or reproducing apparatus;
    (c)Video reproducing apparatus.

13. Word Processing Machine.

14. Fax Machine.

15. Vessels.

16. Aircraft.

17. Cinematographic films of 35mm and above.

18. Gold or silver, in any form, other than ornaments.

Baggage-basic duty-Effective rate

20-3-1990

Notification No. 137/90-Customs

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), the Central Government, being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby exempts the goods specified in column (2) of the Table annexed hereto, falling under Heading No. 98.03 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975), when imported by -

In case of (a) above, -

(i)	such person has been working abroad and is returning to India on termination of such work after having stayed abroad for at least 365 days during the two years immediately preceding the date of arrival in India;
(ii)	such person affirms by a declaration that the goods have been in his possession abroad or, the goods are purchased by such person at the time of his arrival, but before clearance from customs, from the duty free shop located in the arrival hall of the international airports;
(iii)	Omitted;
(iv)	the goods (other than those purchased from the duty free shops at the time of arrival of such passenger) not accompanying such passenger were shipped or despatched or arrived within the time limits specified in the Baggage Rules, 1998; and
(v)	in respect of such goods not more than one unit shall be permissible to such person and the total aggregate of value of such goods including other goods imported free of duty by him under rule 5 of the Baggage Rules, 1998, shall not exceed rupees seventy five thousand.

In case of (b) above, -

(i)	such person has been residing abroad for a minimum period of two years immediately preceding the transfer of residence and has not availed this concession in the preceding three years;
(ii)	such person affirms by a declaration that the goods have been in his possession abroad or, the goods are purchased by such person at the time of his arrival, but before clearance from customs, from the duty free shop located in the arrival hall of the international airports;
(iii)	Omitted;
(iv)	the goods (other than those purchased from the duty free shops at the time of arrival of such passenger) not accompanying such passenger were shipbed or despatched or arrived within the time limits specified in the Baggage Rules, 1998;
(v)	not more than one unit of each item of such goods shall be permissible per family an\d the person claiming the benefit of this notification affirms by a declaration that no other member of the family had availed of, or would avail of, the benefit of this notification in respect of that item; and
(vi)	the total aggregate value of such goods shall not exceed rupees five lakhs.

Table

Explanation : For the purpose of this notification, -

(i)	Omitted
(ii)	short visits, if any, made by the person referred to in clause (b), during the aforesaid period of 2 years shall be ignored if the total duration of stay on such short visit does not exceed six months and shortfall up to a period of two months in a person’s stay abroad may be condoned by the Assistant Commissioner of Customs or Deputy Commissioner of Customs if he is satisfied that the person’s early return to India has been caused by his availing of the terminal leave or a vacation or by any other special circumstances, provided that on sufficient cause being shown by the person concerned, the Commissioner of Customs may condone the period of stay in India in excess of six months.
(iii)	“family” includes all persons who are residing in the same house and form part of the same domestic establishment.
	Provided that on sufficient cause being shown by the person concerned, the Commissioner of Customs may condone the period of stay in India in excess of six months.

2. This notification shall come into force on the 1st day of April, 1990.

Notification No. 137/90-Cus., dated 20-3-1990 as amended by Notifications No. 156/90-Cus., dated 27-3-1990; No. 164/90-Cns., dated 30-3-1990; No. 39/91-Cus. (N.T.), dated 31-05-1991; No. 106/91 – Cus., dated 25-07-1991; No. 46/92 – Cus. (N.T.), dated 19-06-1992; No.3/93-Cus. (N.T.), dated 15-1-1993; No. 8/93-Cus., dated 17-2-1993; No. 92/94-Cus., dated 1-3-1994; No. 101/95-Cus., dated 26-5-1995 , No. 49/98-Cus., dated 18-7-1998; No. 20/2001-Cus, dated 01-03-2001and 24/2002 dt.01-03-2002

• Passenger cars / jeeps / multiutility vehicles are restricted for import and can be imported against an import license. However individuals coming to India for permanent settlement after two years continuous stay abroad and other importers as specified in Public Notice No. 3(PN/97-02), dated 31-03-1997 of Directorate General of Foreign Trade, New Delhi, may import these vehicles without a license but on payment of customs duty. Total customs duty leviable on these vehicles is 170.91% ad valorem. However in case of new vehicles the duty is 78.3% ad valorem.

• Value of these vehicles for the purpose of levy of customs duty is CIF value, where C stands for the cost of the goods, I is the insurance and F is the freight cost in the case of new vehicle is the transaction value between the seller and the buyer, however in the case of old and used vehicles cost is arrived at by taking value of the vehicle in year manufacture and after allowing depreciation at following rates.
  

  (i) For every quarter during 1st year – 4%

  (ii) For every quarter during 2nd year – 3%

  (iii) For every quarter during 3rd year – 2.5%

  (iv) For every quarter during 4th year – and thereafter 2% subject to a maximum depreciation of 70% .

There is no value limit on the export of Gold jewelry by a passenger through the medium of baggage so long as it constitutes the bonafide baggage of the passenger. A passenger may request the Customs for issue of an export certificate at the time of his/her departure from India, in respect of jewelry carried by him / her, to facilitate its reimport subsequently.

Commercial export of gold jewelry through the courier mode is permitted subject to observance of prescribed procedures.

(a) Where the value of foreign currency notes exceeds US$ 5000/- or equivalent

(b) Where the aggregate value of foreign exchange (in the form of currency notes, bank notes, traveler cheques etc.) exceeds US$ 10,000/- or its equivalent

EXPORT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY

Indians going abroad are permitted to take with them foreign currency without any limit so long as the same has been purchased from an authorised dealer in foreign exchange and endorsement to that effect has been made in the passport of the passenger by the concerned dealer.

Tourists while leaving India are allowed to take with them foreign currency not exceeding an amount brought in by them at the time of their arrival in India. As no declaration is required to be made for bringing in foreign exchange, currency not exceeding equivalent of U.S. $ 10000, generally tourists can taken out of India with them at the time of their departure foreign exchange/currency not exceeding the above amount. The export of foreign currency is otherwise prohibited

EXPORT OF INDIAN CURRENCY

Export of Indian Currency is strictly prohibited. However Indian residents when they go abroad are allowed to take with them Indian currency not exceeding Rs. 1000 in terms of RBI Notification No. 153/93 RBI, dated 12-07-93.

IMPORT OF INDIAN CURRENCY AS BAGGAGE

Import of Indian Currency is prohibited, however, in the case of passengers normally resident in India who are returning from a visit abroad, import of Indian Currency not exceeding Rs. 1000 is allowed.

1. The general rate of duty for items imported in excess of the permissible free allowance is 66.4%

2. The rate of duty applicable to items in Annexure II imported by passengers transferring their residence or returning to India after a stay of 365 days abroad in the preceding two years is 40.7%

3. Alcoholic drinks and Tobacco products imported in excess of the free allowance are charged to duty at the rates applicable to their commercial imports. These rates for some of the items are as follows:

(i) Cigarettes – 175.6%
(ii) Whisky – 222.4%
(iii) Wines – 110% plus Rs. 9 per litre (Say it works out to Rs. D)
plus a Special additional duty of 4% of the sum of the value of the goods and Rs. D

4. Gold is charged to a duty of Rs. 250 per 10 gms. for passengers importing gold under the prescribed scheme

5. Silver is charged to a duty of Rs. 500 per Kg. for passengers importing silver under the prescribed scheme

Note: In Case the value of one item exceeds the duty free allowance, the duty shall be calculated only on the excess of such amount.

A bench comprising Justice HK Sema and Justice Markandey Katju said, �in our opinion, every entry in the ACR of a public servant must be communicated to him within a reasonable period, whether it is a poor, fair, average, good or very good entry.This is because non-communication of such an entry may adversely affect the employee in two ways :

1. Had the entry been communicated to him he would know about the assessment of his work and conduct by his superiors, which would enable him to improve his work in future;
2. He would have an opportunity of making a representation against the entry if he feels it is unjustified, and pray for its upgradation. Hence non-communication of an entry is arbitrary�.

The court said that it makes no difference whether there is a bench mark (essential requirement) or not. Even if there is no bench mark, non-communication of an entry may adversely affect the employee�s chances of promotion (or getting some other benefit), because when comparative merit is being considered for promotion (or some other benefit) a person having a `good� or `average� or `fair� entry certainly has less chances of being selected than a person having a `very good� or `outstanding� entry.

Every entry (and not merely a poor or adverse entry) relating to an employee under the State or an instrumentality of the State, whether in civil, judicial, police or other service (except the military) must be communicated to him� court said.

Justice Katju said, �we further hold that when the entry is communicated to him the public servant should have a right to make a representation against the entry, and the concerned authority must decide the representation in a fair manner and within a reasonable period. We also hold that the representation must be decided by an authority higher than the one who gave the entry; otherwise the likelihood is that the representation will be summarily rejected without adequate consideration as it would be an appeal from Caesar to Caesar. All this would be conducive to fairness and transparency in public administration, and would result in fairness to public servants. The state must be a model employer, and must act fairly towards its employees. Only then would good governance be possible�.

The appellant, Dev Dutt was working in the Border Roads Engineering Service. The authorities had not communicated about the grade awarded to him in his ACR during departmental promotions.

Courtesy by: INDIA BUSINESS WORLD – May 11^th – MAY 31^st – 2008