The Mahindra group, in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University of USA, has decided to set up a software engineering institute in India. The Mahindra Institute of Software Engineering & Management (MISEM) would offer various programs in software engineering and information technology management. The courses, complete with industry orientation, would be conducted in Mumbai and Pune in its initial phase and subsequently in major cities of India, a statement here said.

BEML pays Rs 4.50cr dividend:

Public sector undertaking Bharat Earth Movers Limited has paid Rs 4.50 crore dividend for the financial year 1997-98. Chairman and managing director of BEML K Aprameyan presented the cheque to defence minister George Fernandes on Monday. The PSU, under defence ministry, has been consistently paying dividend since its inception in 1965, an official statement said. The company's product range includes rail coaches, electrical multiple units,inspection cars, track laying equipment, rail bus and heavy duty trucks.

Newport unveils new range of casual shirts:

Newport has launched a new casual wear range of checks `n' stripes shirts in 100 per cent cotton in over 40 designs. The checks shirts are made from two-ply cotton yarn. Newport has also unveiled knitwear in yarn-dyed stripes in both Polos and T-shirts. The new range of products will be marketed through Arvind Garments, a division of Arvind Mills Ltd, retail distribution network in the country.

Equifax credit info demo centre:

Equifax, along with its transaction processing joint venture partner, Bangalore-based Venture Infotek, has set up a functional demo centre as part of the exercise to deliver a working consumer credit information service in India. The centre, set up in New Delhi, will play a key role in resolving technology integration issues, a company release said. It uses an `Indian-specific' version of the Equifax Global Information System that enables potentialclients to understand what information can be provided by whom and when, and also uses an established all-India wide area network.

Iffco presents Rs 46.34 cr dividend cheque to PM:

Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative on Monday presented a Rs 46.34 crore dividend cheque for 1997-98 to the prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee here. Iffco has so far paid Rs 265.85 crore dividend to the government. Besides, it has also contributed Rs 1,431.72 crore to the exchequer since its inception in 1996 by way of sales tax, income tax, excise duty and customs duty, a company release said.Rourkela Steel switches to continuous casting:

The Rourkela Steel Plant has become the first integrated steel mill in the country to have switched its entire production through the continuous casting route while maintaining its thrust on production of value-added items in tune with the market demand, according to a company release. The plant's output of 78,619 tonnes of HR coils during october was higher by 26 percent compared to the output during the previous financial year.

Gail contributes Rs 10 lakh for AP flood victims:

Public sector Gas Authority of India Ltd has contributed Rs 10 lakh to the Andhra Pradesh chief ministers' relief fund in the wake of loss of life and property in the state following devastating floods. A cheque for Rs 10 lakh on behalf of Gail was handed to the Andhra Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu by Gail chairman and managing director CR Prasad on Saturday.

Kwality Dairy proposal:

Kwality Dairy (I) Ltd has informed the BSE that it proposes to make a further issue of 40 lakh equity shares of Rs 10 each at par by way of preferential allotment to the promoters.