Singhanias ends deal with Piaggio
NEW DELHI, Dec 5 — Piaggio and Singhanias, partners of LML, last might completed their closing settlement, terminating the joint venture partnership between the two.

Swiss watch signs up Aishwarya
MUMBAI, Dec 5 — Swiss watchmaker Longines today announced the launching of a new marketing campaign in the country with former Miss World Aishwarya Rai as the brand ambassadress.

Raise boiler efficiency
YAMUNANAGAR, Dec 5 — National Productivity Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and the Inspectorate of Boilers organised one day workshop at Ballarpur Industries Ltd training centre, yesterday.

Punjab supplies power to Haryana & Rajasthan LUDHIANA, Dec 5 — A power-surplus Punjab has come to the aid of Haryana and Rajasthan which are facing a serious power crisis.

A lookback at textile show
CHANDIGARH: Just as the industry has the organised and unorganised sectors, the media too displayed its diverse sectors at Textech/Texcon’ 99 organised by the CII here.

Seattle deadlock blow for India
NEW DELHI, Dec 5 — Associated chambers of commerce and industry (assocham) today said the deadlock at the Seattle round of talks showed the protectionist tendencies of the developed nations.

Pak’s economic policy on December 15
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 — Pakistan’s military leadership has announced plans to unveil a new economic strategy on December 15, aimed at saving the country from “bankruptcy.

GIC to float new jv company soon
NEW DELHI, Dec 5 — General Insurance Company and its four subsidiaries will soon float a new joint venture company to aggressively tap the massive health insurance sector at a time when Parliament is considering opening the vital sector for private and foreign participation.

Singhanias ends deal with Piaggio

NEW DELHI, Dec 5 (PTI) — Piaggio and Singhanias, partners of LML, last might completed their closing settlement, terminating the joint venture partnership between the two.

“Piaggio CSPA, Piaggio Vespa BV, LML Ltd, the Indian promoters of LML IE Suroydaya Investment Trading Co Ltd and Goldrock Investments Ltd and Vespa Car Company Ltd have today amicably completed the closing of their settlement,” a joint statement by all the parties involved said.

According to the agreement Piaggio has agreed to sell its entire stake of 23.6 per cent in LML to Singhanias for about Rs 13.75 crore at Rs 14.06 per share.

Piaggio would in turn pay a sum of $ 5.5 million (about Rs 23.65 crore) to LML for terminating all contracts including cessation of non-competition clause.

LML would also lose the exclusive rights over Piaggio Technology but would retain non-exclusive rights received from the Italian company except for motorcycles.

Piaggio would become free to set up any business in India including competing business except for manufacture of motorised two-wheelers powered with lateral engine.

The Italian company would also transfer its entire 28 per cent shareholding in Vespa Car Company Ltd to LML or its nominees for a consideration of Re 1.

Swiss watch signs up Aishwarya

MUMBAI, Dec 5 (PTI) — Swiss watchmaker Longines today announced the launching of a new marketing campaign in the country with former Miss World Aishwarya Rai as the brand ambassadress.

The company targets to reach out to 23 top cities in India, each with over one million population. It plans to bring to India its entire international range.

The company has introduced in the country its products with price ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

Raise boiler efficiency
From Our Correspondent

YAMUNANAGAR, Dec 5 — National Productivity Council (NPC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and the Inspectorate of Boilers organised one day workshop at Ballarpur Industries Ltd (BILT) training centre, yesterday. Mr V.K. Goyal,Technical Adviser and Secretary, Central boiler Board, and Mr A.K. Asthana, Director, NPC, emphasised the need for such programmes to enhance the boiler efficiency.

They said the recent studies carried out by the NPC with the Ministry of Industry reveal that by adopting simple house-keeping methods, 5 to 10 per cent thermal efficiency of Indian boilers can be increased resulting in annual fuel saving to the tune of 15 to 20 million tonnes of coal equivalent, which amounts approximately to Rs 3,000 crore.

Punjab supplies power to Haryana & Rajasthan
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 5 — A power-surplus Punjab has come to the aid of Haryana and Rajasthan which are facing a serious power crisis.

Punjab has started selling nearly 50 lakh units of electricity every day to the two power-starved States.

This was disclosed here today by Mr Ramesh Inder Singh, Principal Secretary, Industries to the Government of Punjab, while speaking at a seminar on “Energy efficiency alternatives for industry” organised by the Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said while Rajasthan was being supplied between 30 and 40 lakh units every day at the rate of Rs 2.12 per unit, supply to Haryana varied between 8 and 15 lakh units of electricity daily at the rate of Rs 2.15 per unit.

Besides another 24 lakh units of power was being supplied to Himachal Pradesh and J and K under a unique “banking system” in which Punjab supplied power to the States in winter when the demand for electricity was at its peak in the hill states.

The two States “paid back” the electricity to Punjab during the summer when demand was low in the hills but was at its peak in Punjab.

Punjab, he said, had the highest per capita daily availability of power in the country. It was 177 units in Punjab, 118 in Maharashtra, 108 in Haryana, 119 in Gujarat, 77 in Tamil Nadu, 71 Andhra Pradesh, 70 in Karnataka and 44 in Rajasthan.

It was also among the cheapest in the country. It was Rs. 2.75 per KWH for large industries in Punjab, Rs 2.91 in Gujarat, Rs 3.20 in Rajasthan, Rs 3.39 in Tamil Nadu, Rs 3.41 in Andhra, Rs 3.72 in Maharashtra and Rs 3.92 in Haryana. The per capita consumption of power in Punjab was also the highest in the country.

Mr Ramesh Inder Singh said that the State had chalked out a comprehensive programme to augment its power generating capacity. The much-delayed 500 MW Ranjit Sagar Dam (Thein Dam) would be commissioned by July, 2,000. The fault which was detected in one of the tunnels at the dam shortly before it was to go on stream earlier this year, was expected to be removed within the next few days.

The second phase of 500 MW Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant at Lehra Mohabbat was likely to be commissioned by 2004-2005. The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, was being invited to lay the foundation stone of the first major power plant in the private sector with an installed capacity of 500 MW at Goindwal in January.

A lookback at textile show
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH: Just as the industry has the organised and unorganised sectors, the media too displayed its diverse sectors at Textech/Texcon’ 99 organised by the CII here. The fun began when CII allocation for kit bags was decimated by large volumes of the unorganised sector media which landed up at the registration counter at the main building. Overwhelmed with the response, the CII staff after “careful deliberations” produced more documentation packs.

Cool response: People stayed away not only from the CII “langar”, but also from the Parade Ground, much to the relief of the exhibitors. Crowds missed a chance of their catalogue collection spree. For the public the Woolex displayed the latest woollens and blankets, but was mostly a window shopping experience since everything was not on sale. For that matter textile machines too were no great show as far as the crowds were concerned since they were not processing fabric. Even the buyers who doled out crores for the hi-tech machines went back empty handed since the machines they bought were too heavy to carry back home.

Fashion show: Cats are a regular feature at all CII events. At the Agrotech last year, a lone cat attended all sessions held at Hotel Shivalikview. This year “cats” attended the fashion show at Mountview. Of course the fashion show stole the thunder from Texcon with so many hunting for passes, which, alas, were terribly scarce. Chairs for the mighty and humble ground for many, but it all ended with crowds queuing up to have a good “dekho” at the glamorous “kudis” from Delhi and the dancing babes who have become a regular at most CII shows.

Where were gals?: Eureka Forbes went clean with a vengeance and had a clown roaming around in the grounds trying to make people laugh in what was otherwise a solemn affair. Also missing from the CII fair were pretty gals who normally make their fair grounds a part of the “geri route” of Chandigarh. This time it was only men in grey and navy blue fabric all around.

Punwire MD suspended
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, December 5 — The Board of Director of Punwire has suspended its Managing Director, Mr Gurpal Singh, and insituted a vigilance enquiry into a series of charges levelled against him by the Punwire Employees Union.

According to official sources here today. Mr D.S.Guru, Director of Industries, Punjab, who has taken over in place of Mr Gurpal Singh, will soon be going to New Delhi to seek reconfirmation of a Rs 90 crore defence order for execution. Once that was obtained, the Punwire will tie up with the banks and other financial institutions a loan of Rs 20 crore for executing the order. “The Punwire has the requisite manpower, machinery and skill to execute the order. All that it is lacking is money which should be forthcoming soon”, the sources said.

Seattle deadlock blow for India

NEW DELHI, Dec 5 (PTI) — Associated chambers of commerce and industry (assocham) today said the deadlock at the Seattle round of talks showed the protectionist tendencies of the developed nations.The Indian industry and trade was disappointed at the deadlock in talks especially because there were heightened expectation of market access and review of the Intellectual Property Right (IPR) agreement, Assocham said in a statement.

At a time when India’s exports are looking up and there were expectations of this trend firming up, improved market access would have given a boost to our exports that would have helped the pace of economic turnaround, Assocham President K.P. Singh said.

The collapse of the efforts to launch a new round of trade negotiations at Seattle was a huge ‘disappointment’, Singh said while expressing satisfaction at the failure of the attempts by developed nations to link trade with labour standards.

“The fact that there was absolutely no progress at the Seattle talks should strengthen the resolve of all nations, rich and poor, to arrive at a consensus on contentious issues at the forthcoming talks in Geneva,” Singh said.

Pak’s economic policy on Dec 15

ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (PTI) — Pakistan’s military leadership has announced plans to unveil a new economic strategy on December 15, aimed at saving the country from “bankruptcy.”Asserting that the system of begging and borrowing has to be shunned by the country, Pakistan’s military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf, who announced plans for a new economic policy here yesterday, said the “economic malaise can be effectively addressed.”

“We have to stand up on our feet, we will not beg or borrow. We should get out of the syndrome of borrowing and take steps that should be in the interests of the common man”, Musharraf said while addressing the Pakistan American Public Affairs Committee, according to official APP agency.

The new economic measures, being put together by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz and his team, would be announced during Musharraf’s address to the nation on December 15, the agency quoting him said.

Reiterating his resolve to “maintain stability, have consistency in policies, work with sincerity and show credibility,” Musharraf said this would help in attracting foreign investment in the country and boost its economy.

GIC to float new jv company soon

NEW DELHI, Dec 5 (PTI) — General Insurance Company (GIC) and its four subsidiaries will soon float a new joint venture company to aggressively tap the massive health insurance sector at a time when Parliament is considering opening the vital sector for private and foreign participation.

Having got the permission from the finance ministry for setting up a “Management Services Company” (MSC), the five entities would take 20 per cent each in the proposed venture with an estimated equity base of Rs 30 crore.

When contacted, gic Chairman d. sengupta said that the five partners, with their nationwide gigantic network, would shortly finalise the draft for the proposed company that would devise new products to effectively meet the competition in the liberalised environment.

The proposed irda Bill stipulates priorities to registration of new companies in the health insurance sector on the ground that existing national insurance companies, though effective, had not been able to cover the vast Indian population.

Sengupta said top officials of gic and its subsidiaries will meet shortly to finalise a draft for the new outfit.

The meeting among other things will finalise the legal aspects and the products to be launched through the new outfit.

gic officials said msc would initially start operating from Mumbai and by April-May it would set up offices in Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.

The officials said that gic has created a separate division within gic for the proposed msc.

Msc would in no way compete with gic’s Mediclaim scheme, they said adding the revenue generated by the new company would be equally shared among the five companies.

Sengupta said the msc would also cater exclusively to product research, risk management and other consultative services for the parent company and its subsidiaries viz., National Insurance Company, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance and United India Insurance.

The new company would absolve specialised personnel from gic and its subsidiaries besides acting as a nodal agency looking after research activities of the general insurance business.

by Ashok Kumar
HDFC prospects encouraging

Q: Please throw some light on the prospects of Housing Development Finance Corporation. Should I stay invested in the shares thereof ?

— Binita Pahwa, Jalandhar

Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) is the market leader in the housing finance industry and commands a share in thevicinity of 45 per cent of the total funds that are disbursed by all majors. The company’s has a huge depositor base, which gives it an edge over its competitors. The company also sources its funds from NHB under the refinance scheme, loans from commercial banks and other international bodies like World Bank and IFC. Yet the company’s spreads are on the lower side and are between 1 and 1.5 per cent. However, thanks to high volumes, the company’s bottomlines have recorded a steady rise. On the financial front, the company has fared consistently over the years and given its sound fundamentals as also the encouraging prospects of the industry, the future prospects of HDFC appear secure and encouraging. Given the said scenario, one could hold on to this scrip.

Q. Kindly comment on the prospects of Chemfab Alkalies.

— Suttapa Datta, Faridabad

A comparatively low-profile company, Chemfab Alkalies Ltd is active in the southern regions of the country and is also among the few producers of alkalies who were still exporting it last year. With a capacity to produce 31000 tonnes per annum of caustic Chemfab Alkalies’ case is similar to that of Punjab Alkalies. This is because down south, the average rate of drawing power out of the state board was costing them lesser than the production cost of power out of self owned facilities. While its prospects are unlikely to improve in the immediate future, the company has the leverage of having a very low equity base of Rs 2.94 crore with high reserves, which should stand it in good stead during these troubled times. Overall, the prospects of this company appear to be satisfactory.

Q: How do you rate the investment prospects of Sri Adhikari Brothers?

— Mohanam Gill, Pathankot

Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network (SABTNL) is fast developing into a leading player in the television entertainment business. It is producing programmes for all major television channels like Doordarshan (both National & Metro), Zee TV, Zee India TV, Home TV etc. The company is presently engaged in all the important stages of software production. SABTNL was initially involved in the production of advertisements for small clients. Gradually, the firm moved into the line of producing serials for Doordarshan and later for other satellite channels. In order to set up software production facilities and meet its long-term working capital requirements, the company made an IPO of Rs 2 crore in May ‘95. The company’s success can be attributed to the fact that it has stuck to its core area of television programming.

As a part of its strategy, the company is planning to produce about 500 hours of entertainment software annually. After making a mark in the domestic market, it is planning to tap the overseas market of Sri Lanka, Nepal and America. The company has entered into a joint venture with the Sri Lankan channel - Sirsa, owned by the reputed Maharaja group. The joint venture company “Sirsa Entertainment Software”, will provide technical expertise and help in exploring the local talent. Initially, seven hours of programming will be produced by the joint venture. For this, the company is planning to invest around Rs 10 crore.

A similar joint venture is round the corner with the Chowdhary group of Nepal having interests in steel and food products. Apart from this, it is negotiating with an American Indian TV channel ‘TV Asia’ for selling telecast rights of several hours of programme from their library. A channel of its own is also on the anvil. Overall, the prospects of this company appear to be fairly bright and in view of the same, investment in the scrip could be considered at price declines.

Q: Would it be advisable to hold on to the shares of Bank of Rajasthan?

— Salila Chaudhary, Delhi

One of the leading private sector banks in the country, Bank of Rajasthan (BoR) enjoys an enviable position in terms of deposits and advances. The bank functions via 296 branches, 29 extensional counters and 8 regional offices. The bank boasts of having one of the highest capital adequacy ratios accompanied by low NPAs. The bank’s clientele base includes HDFC, Canfin Homes, Hudco and Rajasthan Housing Board. The future prospects of the banking industry presently appear fairly encouraging and the same could auger well for BoR’s prospects in the future. Although more or less fully priced at the moment, existing shareholders could stay invested.

Q: How do you rate the prospects of Oriental Bank?

— Rohan Agarwal, Nainital,
Salila Chaudhary, Delhi

Incorporated in 1943, Oriental Bank (OBC) is recognised as one of the leading banks in the public sector. The bank which was promoted by the Thapar group, had initially restricted its operations in North India. However, it gradually spread to the other parts of the country. The last bank to be nationalised in 1980, OBC boasts of having achieved the highest profitability ratio among all nationalised banks.

The same can be attributed to its ability to capitalise well on its leaner and effective management. The bank functions in as many as 19 states and has a network of 755 branches. Its recent financial performances, albeit unexceptional have been quite satisfactory. Overall, the future prospects of the bank appear satisfactory.

CTV segment growth up 20 per cent

THE last couple of years have been fairly good overall for the consumer durables segment in general, and the colour TV segment in particular, which witnessed a growth rate of 20 per cent. The noteworthy feature here was the performance of the MNCs which have eaten into the market share of the domestic players. The market share of the domestic players in the colour TV segment has come down to 70 per cent. The same trend is evident in the washing machines segment too. In the refrigeration segment, the 190 to 230 litre segment witnessed a phenomenal growth of 128 per cent, on account of the exchange scheme offers. In the audio equipment segment, the hi-fi sub-segment registered nearly a 50 per cent growth. The same is expected to be the core area for the audio equipment segment. The industry is characterised by the excellent distribution network, which is evident more among the domestic players. The superior distribution network of the Indian players has enabled the companies to compete with the MNCs. However, this trend could change in favour of the MNCs, who are more conducive to expansion. On the technological front, the MNCs score heavily over their Indian counterparts. To conclude, it is just a matter of time before the MNCs start outperforming their Indian counterparts, barring the ones with a strong brand equity.

Voltas

Voltas is engaged in the manufacture of airconditioners, air coolers, washing machines, refrigerators, forklift trucks, electric switchgears, machines tools, pollution control equipments and system and textile machinery. The poor performance of this company in the past was primarily on account of the diversified operations. The company has resorted to restructuring its operations and is planning to modernise and upgrade its facilities. The company can boast about the fact that it has bagged the largest single order for an AC project worth Rs 45 crore.

Kalyani Sharp

Promoted by Sharp Corporation and the Kalyani group, Kalyani Sharp Ltd (KSL) is a distinguished player in the electronics industry. The company is involved in the manufacture of colour TVs VCRs/VCPs and audio. The company underwent a rough period in the past on account of difficult conditions in the industry and a court injunction against using the Sharp name. However, the company appears to be back on track, evident from its encouraging financial performance. The revival in fortunes for the company began when Sharp Corporation increased its stake in the company. The company appears to be headed in the right direction and could witness good growth in the coming years.

BPL

A part of the Nambiar group, the Bangalore based BPL Ltd is a leading player in the consumer durables segment. The company is predominantly engaged in the manufacture of home entertainment electronic products. The company has a prominent share in the colour TV segment with a market share of 30.8 per cent. On the financial front, the company has recorded decent results. The colour TV segment is expected to grow by nearly 5 per cent. The prospects of the company appear good. Existing shareholders are advised to hold on.

Videocon Intl

Videocon International is a leading player in the consumer durables industry. The company specialises in colour TVs, for which it enjoys a 32 per cent market share. The company has been performing well and this is evident from its financial results. The company benefits from low raw material costs on account of its backward integration. The company enjoys the benefits of a strong dealership network. The company spends considerable amounts on promotion and expenditure. The company appears to be headed in the right direction.

Punwire

I deposited Rs 10,000 and Rs 6,000 respectively in cumulative deposit scheme of Punjab Wireless Systems Ltd, Mohali vide FDR No. 1026 and 6362, which have already matured on June 29 and September 11’99 respectively, I have already sent the receipts duly signed through my broker Integrated Enterprises India Ltd to the company. Despite many telephones and personal visits they are not refunding my money.

Sunil Kapoor
Chandigarh

Agrodutch

I sent 100 shares of Agrodutch Foods Ltd with Folio No. ADF-0511062 and certificate No. 55195 on 28.7.99 to the company for transfer in my name. But till date I do not know the fate of my shares.

Raj Kumari
Rama (Bathinda)

UTI

I hold 1100 units (US-64) clause II under Unit Certificate No. 401 94 001 0015002. However, on these units I have not received the income distribution for the years ended 30.6.97, 30.6.98 and 30.6.99 from the UTI Ludhiana despite many reminders.

Komal Sharma
Naya Nangal

DCM Fin

I deposited Rs 13,000 with DCM Financial Services Ltd. New Delhi vide FDR No. 72005 dated 11.3.97 was to mature to Rs 15,445 on 11.3.98. The FDR was sent to the company on 2.3.98 but no refund has been received till date despite many written reminders.

Kanchan Dhawan
Panchkula

Torrent Bio

I hold 100 debentures of Torrent Gujarat Biotech with Folio No. TGA 0003061. Its partial redemption was due on Feb 29,’99. I have requested repeatedly for the redemption and interest due on 31.3.99, but the comapny is not paying any heed to my request.

Amit Mahajan
Batala

by K.R. Wadhwaney
AI, IA financial position improves

AIR INDIA and Indian Airlines are now in a better position. The improved financial health is not on account of considerable growth in passenger traffic but because of enormous savings on over-head expenses.

Expenses on cock-pit crew and cabin-crew have been considerably slashed and expenses incurred on staff posted abroad reduced to the barest minimum. Recruitment has been put on hold and posts falling vacant following the retirements are filled from within organisations.

When Brijesh Kumar bacame Managing Director of Air India, he made Delhi independent of Bombay. There is now a proposal to merge Delhi into Bombay. The merger may further improve financial health of the airline, but it will cause a lot of inconvenience to the cabin-crew who are operating from Delhi and functioning smoothly.

Air hostesses, have odd duty hours. The Delhi-based air-hostesses have secured accommodation in the vicinity of the Indira Gandhi International Airport ((IGIA). If Delhi is merged with Bombay, they would have to struggle to get accommodation which is more difficult than Delhi.

The Commercial Director Shanu Mukerjee will lay down his office before the year is out. The replacement, expectedly, will come from the organisation. There are two strong candidates. Both have right credentials. Who will be “lucky” one? No one knows yet.

Fallen on bad days: From a humble beginning, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) rose to the stature of one of the best in the world both in service-on-board the flights and on ground. It is now neck deep in financial crises. Like Air India and Indian Airlines, it is grossly over-staffed and it has not been able to cut down its over-head expenses.

As a result of several internal problems within the airlines, efficiency has been at a discount. Frequent changes at top have also been instrumental for uncertainty prevailing in the airline.

FAA’s observations: US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised several objections against Boeing manufacturers for not adhering to recognised production practices. In view of certain important deficiencies noticed by the FAA officials, Boeing has been subjected to special evaluation.

There was a mounting tension between Boeing and FAA. The situation had reached such a pass that FAA was planning to prevent Boeing from delivering aircraft, which had non-confirmed parts. But the manufacturers acted quickly and replaced the parts on planes. on the assembly line.

Samsung to unveil more white goods

Samsung Electronics is planning a slew of new launches by enhancing its existing white goods range to achieve its targeted Rs 1500 crore sales turnover next year, up 66 per cent from the current Rs 900 crore.

White goods including washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners should contribute 40 per cent to this turnover next year, up from 30 per cent in 1999 after a new lineup is introduced, a senior company official said at New Delhi today.

“We are strengthening our presence in the volume segment of white goods sector by introducing new products in each category while maintaining premium positioning,” Samsung India Electronics Limited (SIEL) Vice-President Ravinder Zutshi told PTI.

In line with these plans, the company is planning new models and capacity variants in washing machines, refrigerators as well as air conditioners, he said.

Godfrey Phillips: Cigarette-maker Godfrey Phillips India Ltd (GPI) is planning to launch new brands in the premium kingsize segment.

The company plans to invest 25 per cent of its net profits into new brand launches in the next two years, General Manager (Marketing) Ranjyoti Barooah told PTI at Mumbai today.

In the regular segments, the company is planning brand extensions. On Friday, the company launched Four Square Gold in the 74 mm mini Kings category, in the city.

The avowed intention is to take on Wills from the Indian Tobacco Company (itc) stable which is the only player in this segment. In Mumbai, Wills sales are around 50 to 52 million sticks and nationwide its sales are in the region of 100 to 130 million.

Lacoste: French garment manufacturer Lacoste Sports and Leisure Apparel Ltd (lslal) will double its manufacturing facilities within two years as part of its strategy to make India the export base for the South Asian market, a top company official said here today.

“We are definitely looking to double the number of our facilities or come out with a bigger facility to export Lacoste garments in the South Asian markets,” Jayant Raj Kochar, Managing Director of lslal, told PTI.

The company will finalise all the details regarding the facilities within six months and will then start working on the project, Kochar said.

Zoom Tech: Zoom Technologies (India) Private Limited, a subsidiary of Zoom Technologies Inc (usa), has entered into a joint venture with lightning instrumentation of Switzerland to promote the multicom 128 bit encryption Routers for isdn and leased lines in the country.

Addressing newspersons after the launch of the multicom product at Hyderabad today, the official of the Lightning Instrumentation official, Jean Marc Vandel said the technology would secure transactions safer on the web and was very useful in banking, corporate and defence sectors.

Integrated “Secure Wall” protects your computer against interent hackers, while it would also provide links through isdn and Internet secure virtual private network. — PTI

Baleno
LUDHIANA, Dec 5 (TNS) — Stan Autos, Ludhiana, has become the first Maruti dealer in the region to be supplied with the new car, Baleno, by Maruti Udyog Ltd. for display in its show room. Stan Autos has already won the “best dealer” award in the northen region from Maruti. The new 1600cc car will soon go display here.

Bajaj Auto
CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 (TNS) — Bajaj Auto has launched the Bajaj “Crorepati Hungama” which offers a prize of Rs 1 crore, a hundred prizes of Rs 1 lakh besides many other prizes.To win the prize people have to buy any Bajaj scooter. There will be a scratch card in the luggage box of the scooter. This card, when scratched, reveals the prize.