Petroleum dealers' commission hiked
The government on Friday increased dealers commission on petrol, diesel, cooking gas (LPG) and kerosene, meeting the long-pending demand of petroleum product dealers for higher remuneration on account of increase in product prices.

CBI match-fixing report on Monday
The CBI would submit its interim report on match-fixing in cricket, which names five Indian players and a cricket official, to the government on Monday, agency sources said in Delhi on Friday. The final go-ahead to the submission of the report was given by CBI director RK Raghavan before leaving for Athens (Greece) to attend the 69th Interpol Conference, they said.

Accenture plans global IPO next year
Andersen Consulting, which will be rechristened as `Accenture' from January 1, next, is planning to come out with a global IPO next year. Andersen Consulting country managing and partner (India and Middle East) Sid Khanna said on Friday: ``We will be coming out with an IPO in about seven to eight months. It will be the single largest IPO of its type. However, we are not planning to raise a huge amount.''

SWC sets up 100% Scottish arm
Shaw Wallace is all set to take on scotch manufacturers in Scotland with its new plans for the European market. The company has set up a 100 per cent subsidiary -- Shaw Wallace Scotland and is planning to acquire a distillery in the country. As part of this plan, the company is planning to tie up with Morrison Bowmore for using its expertise and facilities in Scotland.

IOC's ventures under probe
The ministry of petroleum and natural gas plans to make a detailed review of the joint ventures of IndianOil following requests to this effect from a section within the organisation. The Fortune 500 company has at least a dozen such joint ventures which are not inclusive of various memoranda of understanding or strategic alliances.

Tata Power plans Rs 5,000cr investments
Tata Power, in a serious bid to consolidate its position as a company involved in utility, broadband and communication infrastructure projects, has firmed up an investment plan of nearly Rs 5,000 crore especially for new projects and mergers and acquisitions in India and abroad. The takeover plans include Gujarat PowerGen Energy Corporation.

Staff resuming work, says Maruti
Amid claims by Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL) that more and more workers were returning to work, Maruti Udyog Employees Union on Friday maintained that the agitating workers were receiving support from various political parties and trade unions. "The Union and the workers are receiving support from various political parties, all the central trade unions, the unions functioning in and around Gurgaon and various cross-sections of the citizens," general secretary of the Union, Mathew Abraham said in a statement.

Weak trade in BSE
Lacklustre trading was witnessed on Friday as most of the operators abstained from the market in the wake of the festival mood that has seemed to grip the market. There were not much activity in the market and most of the top counters moved in a narrow range except for HLL, Gujarat Ambuja, Satyam and Bajaj Auto. Sensex closed 28 points lower at 3757. At the NSE, S&P CNX Nifty ended the day down by 5.85 points at 1180.45.

PSU funds lose ground
Total assets under the management of mutual fund industry in the country are dwindling gradually during the current year and dipped below the Rs 1 lakh crore mark by September-end from its peak of Rs 1,13,005 crore at the end of March, with public sector funds losing their asset levels by 9.08 per cent during the first nine months.

OTCEI board okays activation plan
OTCEI has decided to waive the levy of permit fee charged on its members and to defer the incremental technology fee, brought in recently, up to March 31, 2001.