COMPANIES

• ITC diversification plans see it in IT and retailing
• Will Maruti go into the get Bajaj fold? Or Mahindra? Or Tata?
• Thomas Cook and Travel Corporation in talks for tie-up
• Shell to begin construction for Hazira port by March 2001
• K K Birla to hive off 50 per cent in Birla Home Finance
• HFCL acquires Motorola paging unit
• Modi Telstra is now Spice Telecom
• Tata International to export Tisco's CR products

GENERAL

• Vizag "fast track" power project faces Rs 1,200 crore cost escalation
• WTO drafts stricter patents law

CAPITAL MARKET

• Sebi’s strong talk leads to sensex losing 83 points

PEOPLE

• Saboo takes over from Agarwala at AV Birla textile operations