The steep hike in prices effected by the manufacturers in July helped the company to improve its operating margin by 10 per cent to 39 per cent in the second quarter compared with the first quarter.

For the first half of the current fiscal 1998-99, the company has posted a turnover of Rs 111.82 crore (Rs 121.20 crore). The cement and clinker despatch during the period was lower at 4.57 lakh tonne (4.93 lakh tonne). The operating profit was Rs 37.97 crore (Rs 37.18 crore).

Interest charges amounted to Rs 14.97 crore (Rs 13.63 crore). Gross profit stood at Rs 23.52 crore (Rs 21.17 crore). Depreciation for the first half was Rs 9.51 crore (Rs 9.12 crore). Net profit for the first half of 1998-99 was Rs 14.01 crore, against Rs 12.05 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The company during theperiod has generated wind power to the extent of Rs 4.31 crore. In the previous full year 1997-98 it had generated Rs 6.39 crore from wind mill operations.