Latest news with #GSC
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
VIA Objects to MERC's New Tariff Order, Considers Legal Options
Nagpur: The Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) has expressed serious concern over the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission's ( MERC ) latest Multi-Year Tariff Policy Review Order. VIA has described it as a regressive move which threatens industrial viability and green energy investments across the state. The association claimed that the new tariff regime is expected to significantly raise electricity costs for industries, particularly those operating on three-shift, 24x7 models. According to VIA's preliminary analysis, the revised structure could increase electricity bills by 8% to 10% compared to the current rate. "This sharp hike stems from a combination of increased demand charges, steeper energy costs during peak hours, and curtailed off-peak incentives under the revised Time-of-Day (TOD) tariffs," VIA said. VIA president Vishal Agrawal stated that such abrupt changes undermine the govt's stated goals under initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. He noted that industrial growth depends on stable and predictable energy pricing, which the new policy disrupts by effectively reversing earlier tariff reductions through a mid-cycle review. Agrawal warned that the impact will be particularly harsh on energy-intensive sectors such as textiles, engineering, and foundries, which are already under pressure from global competition, volatile raw material prices, and high logistics costs. He said many units, especially small and medium enterprises in regions like Vidarbha, may be forced to scale down operations or shut shop entirely due to the sudden rise in power costs. Adding to industry's woes, the revised order also deals a heavy blow to the state's green energy movement. VIA has raised alarm over two specific provisions which it believes will discourage solar adoption. The first is the prohibition of night-time banking of solar power — a system that allowed industries to store excess day-time generation and draw it at night, ensuring round-the-clock usage of clean energy. "The new policy scraps this mechanism, forcing industries to either waste their surplus generation or invest in expensive battery storage systems, which most consider financially unfeasible," VIA said. Equally damaging is MERC's introduction of Grid Support Charges (GSC) on solar power, especially targeting installations above 10 MW capacity. According to the new rules, even when industries use their own solar power or previously banked energy, they must pay a fee for utilising the grid infrastructure. VIA argues that this completely erodes the economic viability of solar investments and penalises companies that are actively contributing to grid stability during peak sunlight hours. Agrawal emphasised the need for MERC to engage directly with stakeholders, particularly MSMEs and round-the-clock manufacturing units, before pushing through structural changes of this magnitude. He asserted that industries in Maharashtra — and particularly in power-surplus regions like Vidarbha — deserve a forward-looking and participatory electricity policy, not one that discourages efficiency and clean energy. VIA, he said, will continue to advocate for industrial interests through formal representation and, if necessary, legal intervention. Box: VIA's demands Roll back the punitive demand and TOD tariffs, and ensure no more than CPI-based escalation in effective cost Reinstate night-time banking of solar energy to preserve the commercial viability of green power Scrap the Grid Support Charges or at least cap them till an independent impact assessment is conducted Hold stakeholder consultations, especially with MSMEs and large 3-shift units, before implementing such structural changes
Hype Malaysia
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Actress Sofia Jane Questions GSC's Inconvenient Screening Time For 'Mencari Ramlee'
Director and author of 'Gantung: Musketeer Code', Nadia Khan, recently criticised Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and TGV Cinemas after learning that the former would be pulling the film from cinemas, reportedly due to low audience turnout. She argued that the premiere date and screening times were poorly scheduled, making it difficult for Malaysian audiences to attend. GSC has yet to provide an explanation, and it appears they may need to offer another soon. An actress recently took to social media to question the company after learning that a film she starred in would also be pulled from cinemas. Here's what happened: Earlier this week, actress Sofia Jane took to both Instagram and Twitter to speak about 'Mencari Ramlee', the film in which she stars alongside Tony Eusoff and Mimi Lana, and GSC's screening schedule. She revealed that she and the rest of the team involved in the project had been informed that the film would be withdrawn from GSC outlets due to low audience turnout. However, she questioned the reasoning behind the chosen screening times and called for an explanation. 'My question is, why are the time selections that make it impossible for some to catch it? If you decide to just have one time slot, why can't you dedicate a decent time that you know can be accessible? Till today, after years in this industry, I still can't get a decent answer,' she wrote in her posts. She added that, while she understands how business works, she struggled to make sense of the decision, particularly if GSC genuinely wants local cinema to thrive. 'I'm not asking for 'Mencari Ramlee' alone, but for all the others that are coming your way. We both know why the industry is slow in filling bums in seats. But it doesn't help having a time slot that makes it hard for the few who want to watch it,' the 53-year-old elaborated. Shortly after her post went viral, filmmaker Nadia Khan responded, stating that she is still awaiting a reply from GSC regarding her own enquiries about the screening of her film 'Gantung: Musketeer Code'. Both public figures concluded that cinemas, particularly when it comes to local films, may no longer be what they once were. Netizens remain divided, with some criticising GSC for failing to prioritise local productions, while others argue that the cinema chain should not bear all the blame, pointing instead to the film's lack of promotion. What are your thoughts on this issue? Is GSC truly to be blamed for the lack of views, or is this a case of a lack of promotion from the film's marketing team? Read Sofia Jane's full IG post below: Sources: Instagram, Twitter What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Sinar Daily
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Gantung screening cut short: Filmmaker cites missed opportunities, cinema says guidelines were followed
LOCAL film Gantung: The Musketeer Code, directed by Nadia Mohammad Hatta, better known as Neddo Khan, was reportedly screened for seven days at GSC Cinemas, prompting discussion from both the filmmaker and moviegoers regarding its limited run. The issue gained traction after Nadia voiced her concern on social media, following a reply from GSC confirming that the screening ended on June 11. 'Hi, today is the last day of screening, yea,' the official account wrote. The response drew feedback from fans who had not managed to catch the film during its brief run. The film had been registered under the Mandatory Screening Scheme (Wajib Tayang) by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), which allows local films an initial screening period of 14 consecutive days. However, under the scheme's guidelines, cinemas may shorten the screening period if certain attendance thresholds are not met. The Mandatory Screening Scheme includes the 30 and 15 per cent rules, where lower turnout in the first 30 per cent of screenings may lead to films being moved to smaller halls, and if below 15 per cent, screenings can be reduced to three days. Nadia said there was still audience interest for the film, and noted that TGV Cinemas extended its run by an additional week, until June 18. Neddo Khan with Ikmal Amry, who plays Ray — one of the four elite high school boys at the centre of the story. She took to Instagram to thank supporters, noting that TGV Wangsa Walk continued to film the screening due to steady audience interest. In response, GSC clarified through a statement shared with Sinar Daily that although local films are given a 14-day period under the Mandatory Screening Scheme, exhibitors have discretion to withdraw films if consecutive occupancy rates fall below 15 per cent in the first three days. 'Upon release of five shows per day for the first three days of screening across 18 GSC locations, there were low single digit occupancy rates. 'GSC continued to screen for an additional four days until June 11 and after seven consecutive days of low occupancy rates remaining in the single digits, GSC had to remove showtimes to open up halls to accommodate new films with greater audience interest at our cinemas,' the statement said. GSC added that screening decisions are guided by audience engagement and performance metrics to ensure a balanced and sustainable cinema ecosystem. 'As a homegrown brand, GSC actively screens Malaysian films and continues to support local filmmakers and the industry through regular programming across our cinemas, with adherence to the 'Wajib Tayang' (Mandatory Screening) scheme by wishes to reiterate its continued adherence to the Wajib Tayang scheme," read the statement. Meanwhile, Nadia said: "Our intention is not to point fingers but to find out why this is happening. "We also do not want other independent films to suffer like we did, as we were not given the chance to properly live out our two weeks in the cinemas,' said Nadia. "The feedback we often get is that people mainly did not have the chance to go and see it before it was abruptly pulled out of cinemas,' said Nadia. Nadia also shared that financing for Gantung was made possible through crowdfunding, loans, and personal funds from the filmmakers, making large-scale advertising challenging. "Marketing requires money, and for truly independent films like Gantung, where the financial source was partially crowdfunding, partially loans and largely from our own pockets, we cannot afford massive billboards, constant advertisements, and talent appearances at multiple events," she said. She said the two-week period was important for the film's potential success. The film's first week of release also coincided with the Aidiladha festive period, which may have contributed to lower turnout during that time. She also noted that the film started with 56 cinemas and limited showtimes, alongside the timing of the Aidiladha weekend. "That, coupled with the Raya Haji weekend, made ticket sales even slower." "Still, we powered through and all we asked for was the full two weeks." "Sadly, even after one weekend, some cinemas already started pulling out our film, and by the time it was one week, it ended unceremoniously," she added. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude to supporters. "So many of them wrote love letters for the film. Their love and support have always carried us through and they'll continue to do so. "We're also grateful to cinemas like Paragon, LFS and 10 Star who remain steadfast in supporting local films," she said. Adapted from Nadia Khan's 2013 bestselling novel published by Fixi, Gantung: The Musketeer Code is a continuation of the Gantung series. The first novel was previously adapted into a TV series from 2016 to 2018 before being made into this feature film. Screenings for the film continue at selected locations, with audiences encouraged to check listings for availability.
Web Release
17-06-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Gulf Scientific Corporation announces strategic partnership with GeneMind Biosciences to advance molecular diagnostics and pioneer non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
Gulf Scientific Corporation (GSC), a leading provider of scientific and laboratory solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with GeneMind Biosciences, a pioneering developer of DNA sequencing systems. This alliance marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to delivering innovative healthcare solutions and advancing molecular diagnostics. Founded with a focus on research and development, GeneMind Biosciences is a key player in the development of high-performance DNA sequencers – core instruments of modern molecular diagnostics. The company is committed to building a comprehensive precision medical ecosystem by collaborating with genetic testing service providers and medical institutions worldwide. This partnership with GSC represents a shared vision to enhance diagnostic capabilities, support cutting-edge scientific research, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. By combining GSC's extensive network and expertise with GeneMind's innovative sequencing technology, we aim to drive forward the future of healthcare through advanced molecular diagnostics, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). GSC is proud to represent GeneMind Biosciences in the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, bringing their groundbreaking NIPT technology to healthcare providers and patients across these markets. GeneMind's cutting-edge NIPT technology allows for early and accurate detection of fetal chromosomal abnormalities, reducing the risk of miscarriage and improving pregnancy outcomes. This technology has the potential to revolutionize prenatal care and improve the lives of expectant mothers. 'We are excited to collaborate with GeneMind Biosciences, whose innovative DNA sequencing solutions align perfectly with our mission to empower healthcare providers to achieve their scientific objectives by providing innovative and reliable solutions, application support, and comprehensive after-sales services,' stated Manaf Afyouni, Managing Director of Gulf Scientific Corporation. 'Our partnership will enable us to bring cutting-edge NIPT technology to the region, enhancing prenatal care and improving patient outcomes.' As part of this strategic partnership, GSC will be providing comprehensive support and services to healthcare professionals within the region. This collaboration will also facilitate the development of new research initiatives and projects focused on advancing molecular diagnostics and NIPT. We look forward to sharing updates on the groundbreaking initiatives and projects that will result from this strategic partnership. For more information about Gulf Scientific Corporation and our solutions, including GeneMind's NIPT technology, please visit Source: AETOSWire
Hype Malaysia
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Only One Week Of Screening? Fans Demand Extended Cinema Run For 'Gantung: Musketeer Code'
When a new film is released in cinemas, moviegoers typically have a few weeks, sometimes up to a month, to catch it on the big screen. This window not only gives fans time to watch, but also allows the production company a chance to turn a profit. But what happens when a film's cinema run is cut short? What if it doesn't make enough money? And what about fans who were eager to watch, only to find it's no longer showing at their nearest cinema? Malaysian fans have expressed disappointment after discovering that the latest local film, 'Gantung: Musketeer Code', is no longer available in cinemas. Here's the story: Earlier this week, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) announced that Wednesday (11th June) would be the final day to catch 'Gantung: Musketeer Code' on the big screen, after just seven days in cinemas. This prompted netizens to plead with the company to extend the film's run, as many were occupied with Hari Raya Haji celebrations when the film first premiered. The film's director, Nadia Mohammad Hatta, also known as Nadia Khan, even took to Twitter to appeal to GSC and TGV Cinemas not to halt the screening. She argued that the film should remain in cinemas for at least two weeks, as it is protected under the 'Skim Wajib Tayang' policy. Much to her disappointment, GSC simply replied: 'Hi, this is the last day, okay?'. For those unfamiliar, 'Skim Wajib Tayang' requires that a film be screened in cinemas for a minimum of two weeks. However, screenings may be moved from a larger hall to a smaller one for various reasons, such as low audience turnout or viewership. Cinema operators are also permitted to withdraw an approved film entirely if the number of viewers falls below 15%. But even if GSC was legally within its rights to stop screening the film, many fans remain upset with the decision. Some criticised the cinema company's dismissive response to the director, while others pointed out that the film's inconvenient release date, coinciding with Hari Raya Haji, was not taken into account. Fans also accused GSC of hypocrisy, pointing out that while the company has often encouraged Malaysians to support local films, it refused to extend the cinema run of 'Gantung: Musketeer Code.' At the time of writing, GSC has yet to respond to demands. Meanwhile, TGV is still screening the film in two outlets, which are at Strand Kota Damansara and Wangsa Walk. Although very limited, at least fans will still have this chance to watch it in cinemas before it's too late! Here's the trailer for the film: Sources: Twitter (1)(2), Finas What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
