Cabinet nod for IT hardware report may be delayed despite PM's assurance
The Union Cabinet's approval to the recommendations made by the national task force on information technology in its second report is unlikely to come before the month end.

Congress members speak in twin voices on insurance bill
Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of the Congress legislative affairs committee here on Monday to chalk out the party's stand on the insurance bill, what with opposition within the fold assuming a strident tone.

Tea exports to CIS countries pick up
In spite of the rouble crisis prevailing in the Russian market, tea exports to that country have picked up in October and November. There has been a gradual increase in exports to the CIS, according to a leading tea broker in Kochi.

  MSEB asks industrial units to call off protest
  RBI takes slew of errant finance firms to task
  Free power to dominate Maharashtra winter session
  Income for R & D is deductible only if diverted at source
  Bihar sugar mills demand exemption from cane cess
  Budget-day stock declaration norm, goods clearance embargo may go
  In Brief
  Ministry to step up Hudco equity contribution
  UP farmers expect bumper potato crop
  Pest management
  Kerala scientists come up with new rice variety
  Centre moots model crop insurance plan
  Coconut oil industry in Kerala in a fix
  Centre to monitor kerosene supply to avert diesel adulteration
  Red sanders face depletion, says expert
  Agriculture sector poised for a leap, says ICAR chief
  Truck rates may firm up
  Russian exports hit domestic scrap brass
  Temperatures near normal
  Consumption of aluminium registers rise
  Kazakh offshore oil drilling delayed until '99
  `Loose food outlets pave way for adulteration'
  Large firms bitten by ERP bug
  Infotech park space for small players
  Chaebol to detail reforms tomorrow
  Maharashtra winter session to be stormy
  `Safety net must precede privatisation'
  Executive Briefing