COMPANIES

• SRF has novel ESOP for workers
• Tata Industries wants partner to pick up rights
• Mitsubishi's Lancer tops in quality: survey
• Skoda gets approval
• IA's winter schedule
• Coca-Cola merges bottling units
• Coflexip buys Peerless' stake in shipping firm
• Schwing to set up project in Chennai
• IL&FS picks up stake in Auto Ignition
• Eurocopter to set up centre in India
• New tubes unit by Shree Rama Multi-Tech
• Merbanc to change name
• Bacardi introduces new rum
• Moulinex plans JV
• BMW to hike stake in Rolls-Royce
• Columbia says NiSource bid inadequate
• NTT plans job cuts
• Viag Interkom denies takeover bids

GENERAL

• President on economic reforms
• Govt. plans retirement at 58
• Banks asked to form Y2K centres
• ABN-Amro takes over BankAm retail division
• Truckers’ strike losing momentum
• Dishnet cuts rates in Delhi
• IFC to invest in power projects
• M&A advisory services tie-up in Japan likely
• SEB to buy BfG Bank

CAPITAL MARKET

• Markets show divergent trends
• Indian Bank MF in a tight spot
• Sebi move on issue pricing frowned upon
• NSE seeks members suggestions
• ICICI MF schemes cross parity
• Birla Mutual collects Rs.318 crore
• Shree Rama plans issue
• Neuland Labs to issue rights