COMPANIES

• Pvt utilities too take T&D hit
• Indian Hotels embarks on merger of investment cos
• Sartorius India plans foray in Pharma, F&B segments
• UPS Jetair planning to go solo in India
• HMSI to invest Rs 300 cr for expansion, to double sales
• ONGC’s 1.6 million tonne of Sudan crude for MRPL in ’03-04
• Express Trade Show attracts bigwigs of hospitality sector
• Eveready to make steel torches
• Natco Pharma to launch another anti-cancer drug
• Combining cost, tech gains is Exide's new mantra
• Pennar Aluminium awaits IDBI revival package
• Suzlon to set up wind turbine plant in Pondy
• ITC gets Golden Peacock award for cleaner tech
• Petro-product co offers stock option to staff

GENERAL

• Inflation rate falls further to 5.44 per cent
• CII poll favours repositioning of small units
• 8 Asian apex bank governors to discuss monetary issues today

BANKING AND FINANCE

• Insurers may have to meet quotas
• RBI ban on loans to urban co-op directors draws flak
• GIC sees growth abroad
• KFC top priority to cut NPAs to 40 pc
• Netravati bank programme on self-help groups

CAPITAL MARKET

• SBI: On result hopes
• Dr. Reddy's, HDFC Bank at new highs

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

• Tokyo stocks seen slipping from six-month highs
• Jet makers see signs of recovery in airline market
• Bangladesh expects IMF, World Bank aid to fight poverty
• BAE Systems dismisses merger speculation

PEOPLE

• 4th RBI deputy may be Nabard ex-officio chief