NEW DELHI: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has increased the prices of two bulk drugs -- dexamethasone pure and dexamethasone di sodium phosphate, according to a news release by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers here on Thursday. The price of dexamethasone pure has been revised from Rs 103 per gm to Rs 118 per gm. Dexamethasone di sodium phosphate price has been revised from Rs 112 per gm to Rs 139 per gm.

Avik Pharmaceuticals and Merind Ltd of Mumbai, as well as Cadila Health Care, Ahmedabad, are the three known manufacturers of these bulk drugs. The penultimate intermediate for these drugs are imported by these companies. The upward price revision has been effected after taking into account the change in rupee-dollar exchange rate, customs duty, and Modvat benefit, the release added. The new prices will be effective after the statutory fortnight period since gazette notification.

Paharpur Business Centre's STP

MUMBAI: PaharpurBusiness Centre, the leader in providing "non-mission critical services" to corporates has been granted permission to launch India's first privately held Software Technology Park. The focus is to provided mission critical services to software development companies wishing to start operations. It will offer the advantages of technology park, along with a fully operational office setup, for companies to start business, thus providing for the first time in India "plug and play" solutions to companies engaged in the software development arena.

Syndicate Bank scheme for farmers

MUMBAI: Akshaya Krishi Dhana Yojana introduced by Syndicate Bank two years back has been steadily gaining acceptance of farmers. The scheme has several special features of credit cards whose introduction was announced by the Union Finance Minister in his last budget speech. The scheme has evolved out of the flexible cash credit facility for farmers called crop overdraft scheme being implemented by the bank for the past 18 years.Credit to the tune of Rs 200 crore has been availed under the scheme by 1.5 lakh farmers.

HOCL status

MUMBAI: Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd (HOCL) has received the status of an "Export House". This status has been conferred on the company by the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce in accordance with Exim Policy of the Government of India. During 1997-98, HOCL exported chemicals worth Rs 20.22 crore, a growth of 187 per cent over the previous year's export figure of Rs 7.04 crore. HOCL has now further expanded its horizon by increasing its presence in the international market. During the seventh plan period (1987-1992), the export figure was Rs 37 crore which went up to Rs 40 crore during the eighth plan period (1992-97).