State Bank terms centre's autonomy plan inadequate
The recent autonomy package for profit-making public sector banks has not helped in improving the State Bank of India's existing system, the bank apprised the finance ministry. The bank has asked the centre to permit it to create posts up to Scale VI at its branches.

New Delhi, Namibia sign strategic trade pacts
India and Namibia on Monday signed four "umbrella" agreements to give bilateral trade cooperation a significant boost. The agreements were signed during the second leg of prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's four-nation trip that will take him to the NAM summit later in Durban and Mauritius.

Bihar power board, Coal India strike rapproachement
The impasse between the Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) and the Coal India Ltd (CIL) has been broken with both sides agreeing to settle outstanding issues bilaterally.

CORPORATE
India Foils seeks help to tackle interest burden
Godrej Soaps set to review arm, ropes in consultants for help

ECONOMY
Just-born Samadhan scheme targets Rs 30,000 crore recovery
RBI bars broken-period interest capitalisation on gilts

EXPRESSIONS
Wheat imports harm national interest
The Index

MARKETS
Asia Crude Outlook-Dubai pressures MidEast further
Australia wool stockpile sales set to resume

LEISURE
Singapore launches electronic traffic toll system
Microsoft seeks Netscape `flame mail'