Ministry may hike floor on private insurance companies' capital base
The ministry of finance, which is engaged in preparing the draft Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) bill for parliament's winter session, is in favour of keeping the minimum capital requirement for private insurance companies well above Rs 100 crore.

Amended coal bill to be tabled with rider
The much-talked-of amendment to the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Bill, which will pave the way for almost unrestricted private sector investment in coal exploration and mining, will finally be placed in parliament in the winter session, accompanied by a rider.

Commerce ministry mulls Rs 1,000cr package for leather-industry update
The Union ministry of commerce has plans to set up a Rs 1,000-crore modernisation fund for the leather industry to equip it with green technology and better infrastructure so that it can earn more foreign exchange.

  Surat readies Rs 190-crore flood contingency plan
  Inflation down but foodstuff prices surge
  Mauritius seeks strategic alliances in textiles
  "Global mobile systems are a threat to nation's sovereignty"
  Government may step up age limit for state-run companies board members
  Schemes to encourage small export units
  UP invites IT entrepreneurs for `smart' business
  Handmade paper manufacturers seek govt help to tap the growi
  Transmission Act
  Hegde returns from abroad with good news for exporters
  Food-processing summit in Nov
  Diversification by setting up division is better tax planning
  Fed cut trims non-dollar denominated imports cost
  Insurance firms draw up Y2K exclusion clause
  Sinha to unveil CII exposition on infrastructure
  Interest-rate cuts fuel cautious optimism in Hong Kong economy
  Kyrgyzstan voters back constitutional change
  Indo-Italian trade snapshot
  Malaysia's Anwar renews call for change
  India to go ahead with cotton grey fabric case against EC
  Heavy rains hit AP shrimp farms; losses at Rs 100 crore
  Icar earmarks Rs 2,500 cr for R&D on cereals
  "High Indian tariffs on wool must go" -- Hon Lockwood Smith
  Himachal Pradesh apples hit by pests
  Finished steel consumption up 5.7% in H1
  Gujarat groundnut crop may fall; cotton seen up
  Industry irked over glut in Pak sugar
  Cotton export prospects look bright
  Handicraft exports to touch Rs 4,950 crin 1998-1999
  Cotton yarn production declines on weak overseas, domestic demand
  Oilseed exports in Apr-Aug fall by 30%
  Agro-forestry versus teak bonds--the reality
  Domestic viscose staple fibre faces tough competition from Russia
  Crystal salt still popular in Tamil Nadu
  Fertiliser subsidy must be pruned in phases
  Centre permits 20% rebate on khadi silk
  Shortage of DAP fertiliser likely to affect rabi crop output in Rajasthan
  Southern states still under monsoon spell
  Inter-state rivalry for better realty services to multiply
  Freight rates to remain stable
  Kelkar to meet LIC, GIC chiefs ahead of winter session
  Executive Briefing