COMPANIES

• SkodaAuto Shifts Ops To CKD Form
• O&M is India's most admired
• Rasna to buyRex, Brown&Polson
• Independent status for Greenfield airports
• Sykes to treble staff in India
• Grasim FY '03 net up 21.32 per cent
• Some reel life is welcome in diplomacy: Prasad
• Good governance missing, feel most corporate leaders
• Wockhardt institute emerging learning hub for cardiologists
• Essar Oil to get Rs 36-cr excise refund
• Cos Bill cleared
• Fapcci invites entries for annual awards
• Cummins declares Rs 4 interim
• Bank guarantees: HC restrains UB Engineering
• NetApp to set up tech centre
• NTC arm in TN revises bids for surplus land
• Skoda India lowers sales target
• Focus brands drive up GSK net 52 pc
• Whirlpool to seek nod for waiver of royalty payment
• Xerox Modicorp probe report likely by June
• Tata Chem: Starting with a clean slate

GENERAL

• Cabinet accords ‘independent status’ to new airports with pvt participation
• EU eases entry norms for IT, engg personnel
• Cong, BJP Unanimous On Electricity Bill
• Mahanadi coalfields prepares for cut-throat competition

BANKING AND FINANCE

• RBI to permit banks to issue long-term bonds
• Forwards fall; bond prices crash
• RBI drops Bank Rate — Jalan prescription looks at growth
• Lead banks may lower rates
• Govt drops plan to convert IFCI into commercial bank
• RBI sees benign inflation ahead
• Debt-GDP ratio of centre to rise to 64.9 per cent in ’03-04
• World Bank warns of fraud schemes
• Forex norms eased to spur investment
• AIBOC to hold rally in Mangalore
• IBA's stiff stand to blame for strike move'

CAPITAL MARKET

• Auto, housing finance ride on bank rate cut
• Today's Writing up on partner hopes
• Bank stocks lose steam on profit booking
• Improved Q1 perks up Ranbaxy Labs
• SBI remains active

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

• Euro Disney H1 loss up at $91m
• EU concedes ground on services sector

PEOPLE

• Not exiting, says Britannia's Alagh