Powergrid Corporation has extended its deadline by two weeks to disconnect power to three states following a positive response to clear the Rs 711 crore odd dues. "We have extended the time by two weeks to Bihar, Sikkim and West Bengal, while the time for states like Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are yet to be decided," director, technical of PowerGrid R K Madan told PTI on Sunday. "Things are moving and five states, including Delhi, have indicated their willingness to negotiate with powerGrid on the issue of clearing the outstandings," Madan said.

No hike in petro-products prices, says Ramamurthy

Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Vazhapadi K Ramamurthy on Sunday asserted that there would be no hike in the prices of petroleum products including diesel, petrol, kerosene, LPG and high grade petrol meant for aircraft. Talking to newspersons in Madurai, he said the government has taken the decision to this effect, in spite of theincrease in the price of crude oil in the international market.

Mathura refinery to be eco-friendly

A diesel hydro-desulphurisation unit and hydro-cracker units will be soon commissioned at the Mathura refinery to further the goal of making it an eco-friendly unit. Completion of the on-going projects will ensure a majorimprovemnt in the ambient air quality in the region and an extra low sulphgur content in the total diesel production of the refinery. According to a refinery spokesman, the supply of extra low sulphur diesel from Mathura refinery to the Taj Trapezium began in March, 1996, followed by its supply to the NCR in March, 1998.

Indo-German working group on coal to meet in Bonn

New techniques relating to underground and open cast mining and problems in the industry would figure during a meeting of Indo-German working group on coal at Bonn in Germany to be held from Monday. According to Neyveli Liginite Corporation (NLC) sources, during the four-day meeting, being attended amongothers by the NLC chairman-cum-managing director P K Banerjee, mines experts will detail technological advances and discuss various problems facing the industry. The meeting would be helpful for the development of mining activities of the NLC, they said.