Mercedes leads study drive on biodiesel
Pune: Daimler Chrysler India Ltd has launched the Tour of India, the first phase of a cross-country drive with the Mercedes Benz C Class running on biodiesel generated from Jatropha plants. The 5,000-km drive will cover the Western Ghats, the coasts of South India and the dry arid deserts of Rajasthan and the flats of Gujarat. Daimler Chrysler says that the idea behind the test drive is to demonstrate the viability of biodiesel as a suitable alternative to conventional fuels, especially in the Indian context. Emission tests had already been conducted for biodiesel and it could meet Euro II norms as it had very little particulate emission.

The project focuses on trial operation with biodiesel generated from the Jatropha plants cultivated on eroded soil as well as on preparations for its subsequent usage in internal combustion engines. The project is partnered by DCIL, the Institute of Hohenheim University - Animal Production in the Tropics and Sub Tropics, Germany, and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research through its affiliate research laboratory, the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
DCIL has assumed the responsibility of project organisation, funding as well as vehicle fleet testing. The total investment for the project is around Rs 3.25 crore.
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Dharwad-Shimoga basin can have open pit gold mines
Bangalore: Deccan Gold Mines Ltd has said that it has found "feasible" gold-bearing ore deposits at the Dharwad-Shimoga basin. The "intersections" were found at depths of 42-45 m and were estimated to produce gold grades of two to 13.94 grams a tonne and averaging 3.9 g per tonne. The Dharwad-Shimoga block, has the potential for an open pittable mine, as such a mine can become feasible with gold grades of around 2.9 g/t.
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NTPC records 100 per cent billing collection
New Delhi: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) has recorded a net profit of Rs 4,905 crore on a gross revenue of Rs 25,184 crore during fiscal 2003-04, registering a 36 per cent rise over the previous year's figures. According to officials, this is attributable to the one-time settlement package of State electricity board dues.

As part of the settlement, NTPC has access to the State's RBI account to make good any default by the State. The threat of implementation of this instrument has ensured compliance by the SEBs. As part of the Tenth Plan target of adding 9,370 MW by way of capacity addition, NTPC haS already commissioned 1,500 MW, while projects for 6,210 MW capacity are currently under implementation and bids have been invited for an additional 1160 MW.
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Essar Steel posts 11 per cent growth in sales
Mumbai: Essar Steel Ltd has posted an 11 per cent growth in sales volume to 1.91 million tonnes for the year ended March 31, as against the previous corresponding 1.72 million tonnes.

According to an official statement here on Monday, HR coil production increased by 10 per cent to 1.93 million tonnes (1.75 million tonnes for the year ago period) while that of HBI, a raw material for steel-making, grew by 13 per cent to 2.23 million tonnes (1.75 million tonnes).
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Avaya to make open offer for Tata Tele stake at Rs 220 per share
Mumbai: The Avaya group's open offer for 20 per cent of the voting share capital of Tata Telecom Ltd (TTL) will open on May 13 this year and will be priced at Rs 220 per share, the same price at which the group is acquiring the Tata group's stake of 25.1 per cent in TTL. The Avaya group companies will make a public offer to acquire up to 28,46,647 shares. The specified date is April 30, 2004. The offer will close on June 11.
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Reliance offers global roaming on GSM networks
Mumbai: Reliance Infocomm has launched international roaming services that will allow Reliance IndiaMobile customers to roam internationally on GSM networks. This will require the RIM customer to use a SIM card in a GSM handset. Calls and SMSes to the customer's RIM number will be forwarded to his SIM card and a consolidated bill for both home and international usage will be presented. Reliance Infocomm has tied up with 300 mobile networks, to provide the service. It will charge a monthly rental of Rs 99 as well as an additional deposit.
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Pureview to launch with cutting edge technologies
Bangalore: Pureview Technologies, an electronics hardware firm, has announced the launch of its Indian operations. The company, a joint venture between Pureview of India and Funet of Taiwan, will initially invest $3.3 million. Pureview offers cutting edge viewing technology solutions such as LCD-TFT monitors and plans to introduce products such as notebooks, LCD monitor-cum-TV, plasma televisions within the next six months, said a company release. It has set up a manufacturing facility for these products in collaboration with Funet. This facility would be the point of feed for the company for its entire SAARC operations.
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Bharti to buy Shyam stake in Hexacom
New Delhi: Bharti Tele-Ventures has reached an agreement with the Shyam Group to acquire their 67.5 per cent equity stake in Hexacom India Ltd for a consideration of Rs 430 crore. According to an official statement from the company, the transaction is principally a share swap deal, wherein shares/optionally convertible redeemable debentures (OCRD) of Bharti Tele-Ventures are proposed to be issued to the Shyam Group as a swap for their holdings in Hexacom.

This acquisition would give Bharti a presence in Rajasthan, thereby expanding its footprint all over India. Hexacom operates GSM mobile network in Rajasthan and has over 2.5 lakh subscribers as on March 31, 2004, with over 44 per cent market share of GSM market of Rajasthan. Hexacom also has a licence to offer GSM mobile services in North-East.
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Lintas IMAG to revitalise Dalda brand
Mumbai: Bunge, the world's largest oilseed processor, has appointed Lintas India's Integrated Marketing Action Group (IMAG) to re-launch the Dalda vanaspati brand in the country.
Bunge, the $22-billion-plus New York-based agri-business major, acquired the brand from Hindustan Lever Ltd in 2003 along with the latter's edible oil and fats business in India and Nepal.

Spearheaded by Linterland, IMAG's rural communication division, Dalda will also use the services of LinOpinion for public relations, Advent for conferences and launch, and Lowe Personal for direct marketing and customer relationship management. All IMAG units will be available to Dalda and will work in close co-ordination with the client's marketing department.
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Big B to promote Eveready
Bangkok: Amitabh Bacchan will promote Eveready batteries and torch lights. The deal with Eveready Industries India Ltd, will be for a two-year period. As a brand Eveready will be turning hundred years in 2005. It is the largest brand in the lead acid batteries segment in India. The company has sold more than one billion batteries in 2003-04.
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