Madras Cement announces Business Developments

Madras Cements Ltd has announced the following information as reported at the Board Meeting held on June 06, 2001. I. Developments in Business: 1. Alathiyur Second Unit: The Company's Second new Unit at Althiyur with a capacity of 15 lac tones per annum was commissioned upto clinkerisation stage in January 2001. The Cement Mill was commissioned in May, 2001. Sales Tax Incentives for Second Unit at Alathiyur: The Company filed the writ Petition No 10780 / 2000 in the High Court of Madras to include its name in the list of pipeline industries as per GO Ms. No.12 Commercial Taxes Dept. dated 23-01-2000 and filed the another Writ Petition No 10781/2000 to quash the Govt. Order G.O Ms No 26 dated 7-2-2000. By Order dated 8-6-2000, the Honble High Court was pleased to allow both the Writ Petitions and directed Government of Tamil Nadu and SIPCOT to extend the Sales Tax incentive to the Companys Seconds new Unit at Alathiyur. Hence the Alathiyur Second Unit will be eligible for sale Tax based incentives. 2. Takes over assets of Mathod Cement Plant: The Company took over the assets of Karnataka Minerals & Manufacturing Co Ltd a Mini Cement Plant situated at Mathod, Hosadurga Taluk, Chitradurga District, Karnataka. The capacity of the Unit was increased from 0.66 lacs tones to 1.5 lac tones per annum and the Unit was commissioned in September, 2000. It is proposed to increase the capacity of the Unit to 3.40 lacs tones per annum at a cost of Rs 400 million. 3. R.R.Nagar Kiln upgraded The second Kiln at R.R Nagar was upgraded in May 2001 with the installation of Fixed Inlet Segment to the Cooler new Calciner and Modifying Preheater Cyclones thereby increasing the capacity of the Unit from 10 lac to 11 lac tonnes per annum of Blended Cement. 4. Venturing into Dry Mortar Products The Company has proposed to venture into Dry Mortar products such as Renders skim coat (Wall plastering products) and Dry Concrete. This plant to be located near Chennai is expected to be commissioned in January 2002.The capacity of the proposed plant is 50TPH and the cost of the project is about Rs 150 million. 5. ISO Certification During the year the Company's Cement Unit at Alathiyur and the Ready Mix Concrete Unit at Vengaivasal have been given ISO 9002 Certification. The Company's R.R Nagar and Jayathipuram Units have already obtained the ISO Certification

Partnerships to fuel growth of Ramco Systems

Ramco Systems Ltd announced today (June 15, 2001) that partnerships signed during the last few months and the ones to be signed in the current year would be the growth engine for the Company in the coming year. The Company has recently signed partnerships with a few major global corporations, as announced earlier. The global revenues of Ramco Systems including revenues from its subsidiaries in USA, Switzerland, Singapore and Malaysia and its branches in U.K. and Germany registered a growth of 15% at USD 45.36 million as against USD 39.43 million in the previous year. "In the fiscal year 2000-01, we have consolidated on our strengths, evolved strategies for the future and provided focus to the organisations' effort in specific directors. We have successfully transformed from a predominantly ERP Company to a complete solutions company with a portfolio of products and services. During this year, we have laid the foundation for strong growth in the years ahead", said Mr. Lakshmi Narasimhan, President of Ramco Systems. The Company has continued to win orders from various industry sectors last year including Aviation, Watches, Electronics, Cement, Finance, Utilities and Non-Profit organisations. Today, Ramco Systems has more than 1000 customers worldwide. "With the company restructured into different SBUs, aggressive investments in people & marketing, and strategic partners in place, the company has successfully transformed into a one-stop solutions provider with a bright future" said Mr. Raja.

Roofit Industries Board to consider rights issue

Roofit Industries Ltd has informed the BSE that a Board Meeting of the Company will be held on June 25, 2001 to consider the following matters 1. To consider and declare Interim Dividend 2. To allot 2,00,000 equity shares on conversion of Zero coupon Fully Convertible Bonds and further 2,00,000 shares as bonus shares entitled thereon 3. To consider issue of equity shars on Rights basis. 4. To convene Extraordinary General Meeting

Sun Earth Ceramics to consider Rights issue, Interim Dividend

Sun Earth Ceramics Ltd hs informed BSE that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company is scheduled to be held on June 25, 2001 interalia to consider the following matters: 1. To consider and declare interim dividend 2. To consider issue of equity shares on Rights basis. 3. To convene Extraordinary Genral Meeting.

BPL Q4 net down by 34.74%, FY-01 net down by 24.25%

BPL Ltd has posted a net profit of Rs 194.80 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 as compared to Rs 298.50 million for the corresponding period last fiscal. Total Income for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 is at Rs 4213.40 million as compared to Rs 4796.50 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. Net Profit for the year ended March 31, 2001 is at Rs 811.50 million as compared to Rs 1071.30 million for posted last fiscal. Total Income for the year ended March 31, 2001 is at Rs 17048.80 million as compared to Rs 20149.70 million for the year ended March 31, 2000. The Board of Directors has recommended a dividend of 25% for the financial year 2000-01 (Rs 2.50 per share of Rs 10 each fully paid). Turnover of the previous financial year included turnover from the sale of Audios and Dry Cell Batteries which are now being sold by the associate companies and turnover from export of Colour Monitors, which has been discontinued by the company. During the current year, the company has issued and allotted Additional Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares aggregating Rs 400 million and Redeemed Preference Share Capital aggregating Rs 83.30 million.

Unionised workers at Nestle's Ponda factory on illegal strike

Nestle India Ltd has informed BSE that the unionised workers of the Company at the Ponda factory have gone on an illegal and unjustified strike. However, the operations continue at the Ponda factory but at reduced levels. The Management is hopeful that the strike would be resolved in a short time an does not expect the strike to have a material impact on the performance of the Company.

Chrysalis invests in Mphasis BFL

The Directors of Mphasis BFL Ltd have announced today (June 15, 2001), following the Board meeting, recommended to the shareholders the acceptance of Chrysalis' offer to invest Rs 450 million at Rs 350 per share. This represents a dilution of approximately 7%. The offer price represents a premium of approximately 75% over the currently levels and of approximately 12% over the prescribed SEBI minimum formulae for a dilution of approximately 7%. Commenting on the decision, Mr. Jaithirth "Jerry" Rao, chairman of Mphasis BFL said " We are delighted to have an investor of the caliber of Chrysalis with us. We take it as a major vote of confidence in our business model and future prospects. We will be using the funds not only to strengthen our cash and working capital position but also for capital expenditure in MsourcE - our subsidiary that is focussed on Help Desks and Call Centers." "We are particularly happy that Chrysallis has placed this confidence in us at a time when the external economic environment is tough. We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding association with them" he added. Mr.Rao also informed that the Company had invited Mr.Ashish Dhawan of Chrysallis to join the Mphasis BFL Board and where we are sure that he will make a valuable contribution."

Elogex Partners with Silverline Tech and KPMG to provide B2B Integration Experience to clients

Elogex Inc a leading provider of collaborative commerce solutions for logistics today (June 15, 2001) announced that they have engaged KPMG LLP's information Risk Management Practice and Silverline Technologies Ltd to assist Elogex client trading partners with connectivity to the net native Elogex Network. KPMG will provide project risk management resources and methodologies as well as assistance with defining and implementing security and controls for Elogex integration initiatives. Using its extensive process and technology experience Silverline Technologies will provide detailed technical analysis, design, data mapping, data transformation and associated development services between the clients business systems and Elogex Network webMethods integration processes. "Elogex provides a compelling business proposition to transportation executives," said Aravind Ramchandran, Vice President of Silverline's Business Solutions Group. "Silverline's expertise in webMethods based eMarkets and supply chain integration will help ensure efficient, bullet-proof integration between Elogex and the clients' internal transportation systems, allowing clients to realize the full value of the the Elogex solution." Elogex's association with KPMG and Silverline Technologies will provide extensive B2B integration experience to an already talented Elogex integration team, yielding the following benefits for Elogex trading partners: Fast, secure, and high-quality deployment of client-side B2B integration processes A team of experienced client-side integration experts Ability to rapidly integrate large volumes of client trading partners

Silverline Tech Board considers acquisition of CTC Corporation

Silverline Technologies Ltd announced today (June 15, 2001) that it has received an approval from its Board of Directors to proceeds with the acquisition of CTC Corporation (CTC), a New Jersey, USA based IT solutions company, subject to customary operational and legal due diligence and regulatory approvals. The Board has also authorized issuance of up to 4.5 million ADSs or 9 million common shares (1 ADS=2 common shares) as consideration for the planned acquisition of CTC and its subsidiaries. Founded in 1996, CTC and its subsidiaries is a rapidly growing IT solution provider based in New Jersey, offering services in the areas of technical resourcing, offsite and offshore software development, eBusiness solutions and training.

TV 18 MD purchases 10,000 of the Company

Television Eighteen India Ltd has informed BSE that Mr. Raghav Bahl, Managing Director of the Company has purchased 10,000 equity shares of the Company through the market.

Ramco Systems FY-01 net profit up by 11.95%

Ramco Systems has posted a net profit of Rs 10.43 million for the year ended March 31, 2001 as compared to Rs 9.31 million in the previous year. Net Sales has increased from 1161.04 million in FY-00 to Rs 1202.34 million in FY-01.Other income stood at Rs 67.42 million for FY -01 as compared to Rs 11.09 million in FY -00. Other Income comprises mainly of Interest received to the extent of Rs 50.73 million (Previous year Rs 17.39) and foreign exchange gain to the extent of Rs 16.62 million. The Board of Directors of the Company has not recommended any dividend for the year 2000-01.

E.Merck fixes record Date for Interim Dividend

E.Merck (India) Ltd has informed BSE that the Company has fixed July 16, 2001 as the Record Date for the determination of entitlement of the members of the Company for the payment of Interim Dividend for the year 2001, as may be declared at the Board Meeting to be held on June 27, 2001.

Advani Oerlikon FY-01 net up by 8.95%

Advani Oerlikon Ltd has posted a net profit of Rs 54.80 million for the year ended March 31, 2001 as against Rs 50.30 million for the year ended March 31, 2000. Total Income is at Rs 1410 million in FY-01 as compared to Rs 1545.40 million in FY-00. Interest Expenditure is down from Rs 60 million in FY-00 to Rs 33.30 million in FY-01. The Board of Directors of the Company has recommended a Dividend of 20% for the year 2000-01 on the paid up equity share capital of the Company.

BSE imposes Special Margin on 2 scrips

BSE has informed members of the exchange that Special Margin of 25% has been imposed on the undermentioned scrips with effect from today (15th June, 2001) Code Scrip Name Group 23411 KRONE COMMUNICATIONS LTD B1 8976 SPANCO TELESYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LTD B2

Rhone-Poulenc shareholders approve scheme of arrangement

Rhone-Poulenc (India) Ltd has informed BSE that the Court Convened Meeting for approval of the Scheme of Arrangement between Rhone-Poulenc (India) Ltd, NPIL Fininvest Ltd, Super Pharma Ltd and Nicholas Piramal India Ltd was duly held on June 14, 2001 and the shareholders have approved the said Scheme.

Telco FY-01 loss before tax at Rs 4304.40 million

Tata Engineering & Locomotive Company Ltd has posted a net loss before tax (and extra-ordinary items) of Rs 4304.40 million for the year ended March 31, 2001 as against a net loss before tax (and extra-ordinary items) of Rs 591.40 million for the previous year. Total Income for the year ended March 31, 2001 is at Rs 68719.80 million as against Rs 74733.20 million for the year ended March 31, 2000. With a higher amortisation charge of Rs 547.40 million and extra-ordinary items of Rs 699 million, as against a extra-ordinary gain of Rs 1343.40 million in the previous year, the Company has reported a net loss of Rs 5003.40 million against a profit after tax of Rs 712 million for the previous year. The Company has reported that the figures for the year ended March 31, 2000 which have been regrouped wherever necessary, are not strictly comparable to the current year figures on account of the fact that : (i) the figures for the previous year include the financial results of the Companys Machine Tool and Growth Division at Pune as also its Gear Box and Axle Divisions at Jamshedpur, which were transferred to its three subsidiary companies on March 30, 2000. (ii) In respect of the Indica Project, pre-production interest and expenses and lower charge of deprecation on account of full commissioning of the plant on September 26, 1999, aggregating Rs 1355.30 million were capitalised in the year ended March 31, 2000. Other Income includes Profit on Sale of Investments Rs 420 million (Previous year Rs 1271.90 million). The market for commercial Vehicles was adversely affected by the economic slow down coupled with the effects of increase in sales tax for vehicles under the sales tax rationalization as also the substantial increase in diesel prices. The growth in Passenger Car market was also adversely affected. During the year the Company intensified its efforts in the areas of cost reduction quality enhancement and manpower rationalization achieving a total cost saving of Rs 2550 million and an additional Rs 411 million in gross interest outflow through tighter control on inventories and receivables. The Indica V2 launched in January 2001 has been highly successful and the Company believes that this would have a positive impact in the years ahead. The Tata Sumo regained its position as the largest selling multi utility brand in the country. In the commercial Vehicle market, the Company launched a 25 tonne truck, which is now the largest selling in its category. The Company's exports showed a growth of 19% over the previous year and accounted for 9% of the total sales turnover. While economic situation in the future cannot be predicted, the Company is continuing its aggressive cost reduction programmes and new product offerings in the Passenger and Commercial Vehicle Markets. In view of the losses incurred by the Company, the Board of Directors has not recommended Dividend for the year.

Sesa Goa AGM on September 27, 2001

Sesa Goa Ltd has informed the BSE that the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on September 27,2001.

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