Maharshtra Scooters net rises: Maharashtra Scooters has reported a net profit of Rs 3.68 crore for thefirst quarter of the current financial - up from Rs 1.37 crore in the corresponding period last year. A press release issued by the company states that gross profit after interest but before depreciation and taxation went up to Rs 5.44 crore as against Rs 2.25 crore. Sales and other income during the quarter was Rs 93.92 crore as compared to Rs 62.93 crore. Sale of scooters was higher at 47,581 units as against 32,802 while production went up to 37,634 scooters from 34,931 units.

Maruti bottom line may tighten: Maruti Udyog Ltd is likely to register lower profits this year on account of shooting costs, a senior company official said in Delhi on Friday. "The top line (turnover) will increase this year as well, on account of increased sales but the bottom line (net profit) will take a hit. The profitability ratio will not be maintained this year," he said. Maruti is expecting a 5 per cent increase in sales this year as a result of which the top line will also grow by 5 per cent, he added.

JLMorison posts flat net: JL Morison (India) Ltd has posted a flat growth in net profit which stood at Rs 14.9 lakh during the quarter ended June, 1998, over the corresponding period last year. Net sales dropped to Rs 5.4 crore during the period from Rs 7.73 crore in the same period last year.

CMC turnover up 35%: The government-owned Computer Maitenance Company has recorded a turnover of Rs 51.44 crore during the first quarter of the financial year with an increase of 35 per cent compared to previous year. CMC has recorded a net profit of Rs 88 lakh with a phenomenal 300 per cent growth over the same period last year, chairman and managing director SS Ghosh said in Delhi on Friday.

Gulf Air plans: Gulf Air is making efforts to expand its destination network, improve customer services and add value to the frequent travellers of the airlines. According to Gulf Air manager (India) Abdul Hussain Haider, the airline is acquiring six Airbus-330 aircraft by the end of the year in order toposition itself for future expansion. This month, it started direct twice-a-week flight service to Kathmandu.

Normalcy returns at Bata factory: Workers lifted their one-day wildcat strike on Friday morning with production resuming in full swing at the Batanagar factory of Bata India in West Bengal. The plant personnel officer says workers returned to duty and the police picket posted outside the factory was withdrawn.

Micom, Digital India enter pact: Micom, a Nortel (Northern Telecom) company and part of Nortel's newly formed Enterprise Data Networks business unit, has entered into a strategic alliance with Digital India, a Compaq company. Digital India will offer Micom's voice/data integration units along with its WAN (Wide Area Network) solutions. Digital India will provide a total solution including installation planning, setup, commissioning and post sales support.

Oil and gas review symposium: The fifth International India Oil & Gas Review Symposium has been scheduled to beheld in Mumbai on September 28 and 29. Delegates and speakers from Italy, Dubai, the US, France, Australia and Singapore will participate in the meet. Over 100 organisations involved in upstream and downstream petroleum sectors will also be present. The meet is being organised by Oil Asia Journal with the technical support of the ONGC.