Ministry, plan panel differ on coal availability position: The coal ministry and Planning Commission differ vastly on coal demand-supply position during ninth plan period with the former projecting a surplus and the latter a deficit. While coal ministry has projected a surplus coal production of 10 million tonnes in the terminal year of ninth plan period, the planning commission estimates a deficit of 35 mt in 2001-02. In view of the vast differences in projections, the coal ministry has asked planning commission to reassess its projections, minister of state for coal Dilip Ray said.

Inte-state sales tax system seen faulty: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has claimed that the inter-state sales tax system is making the rich states richer and poor states poorer. Upon the basis of a study conducted by it, the chamber has expressed concern over the complex taxation structure of internal trade taxes in India. The study points out that the sales tax system in the country is origin-based which means that the tax is levied at the place of production of goods. This creates distortion and inequity in the state sales tax system.

Clarification sought on Simhadri project: The Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) of Japan has sought clarification from National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) on whether Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) is capable of executing the Rs 3,600 crore Simhadri thermal power project in Andhra Pradesh. NTPC, which is seeking about Rs 1,500 crore loan from OECF for the 1000 mw project, had shortlisted Bhel for the plant package contract.

ICICI may have lost out again in Sri Vishnu: ICICI seems to have repeated its earlier mistake by selling 6.35 per cent stake in Sri Vishnu Cements Ltd to BV Raju, erstwhile promoter of Raasi Cements Ltd (RCL). By selling the shares to Raju without seeking competitive bids, they may have well lost out on a chance to make a hefty profit. In December 1997, ICICI had sold 2.95 lakh shares representing 1.8 per cent of Raasi's equity to Raju at Rs 100 per share.

Eicher in talks with Ramon & Demn: Eicher group company Ramon & Demm is holding talks with American car manufacturers for supplying gears and other components, group Chairman Subodh K Bhargava has said. ``We have already been shortlisted as the original equipment manufacturer of some companies,'' Bhargava said. He said officials of foreign firms had already visited the facilities of Ramon & Demm and that price negotiations were on.

Three Mumbai DJs to participate in national finals: Disco Mixing Club, London and 555 international cigarette brand, which recently launched the India leg of the `World DJ Mixing Championships, 1998', hosted the regional finals of the championships in Mumbai on Friday. The three finalists, out of the 16 contestants, will join finalists from the southern and north-eastern zones at the national final to be held in Mumbai on September 6. The trio are LLoyd Gubizelar, Manoj Pathare and Ritesh D'souza. Former world DMC champion Cutmaster Swift also performed on the occasion.