COMPANIES

• Nicholas Piramal to exit joint venture with Scholl
• HCI to double turnover through diversification
• Le Meridien takes to marketing alliance route
• Essar gets approval for Ratnagiri oil field equity
• Jet Airways to expand its Boeing fleet
• IPCL sells its stake in GE Plastics
• Max Group sell 21 per cent in MaxGB to DSM

GENERAL

• Inflation rate moves up to 8.57 per cent
• Acrylic fibre industry seeks tariff protection
• Crisil report sees consolidation of aluminium sector
• Food processing policy to be discussed in budget session
• Alcoholic beverage industry sets up task force

PEOPLE

• Mr. JJ Irani seeks 'reasonable' tariff under post-QR regime