Govt. won’t yield to Suzuki pressure on Maruti MD

Even as Mr. O. Suzuki, Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), has questioned the “competence” of Mr. R.S.S.L.N. Bhaskarudu and declared him “unacceptable” as the new Managing Director of Maruti Udyog Ltd, the Government today refused to be pressurised into changing its nominee for the post. Reacting to Mr. Suzuki’s reported press statement from Tokyo yesterday, the Union Industry Minister, Mr. Murasoli Maran, in an informal chat with reporters today, maintained that there was no ground for any conflict as he had a “lot of discussions” with the SMC Chairman way back in July although the candidate for the post of MD was not discussed.

Govt. offers revised pay package to staff

After protracted negotiations with the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM), the Government today offered a revised pay package for Central Government employees, involving a rise in the basic salaries of the two lowest categories and a jump in the increment rates by around two per cent. The revised offer will translate into an extra burden of around Rs. 600 crores on the exchequer, according to one estimate. The total outgo during 1997-98 will touch around Rs. 13,850 crores (as against Rs 13,250 crores under the earlier package).

HC upholds clearances for Mangalore power project

The Karnataka High Court on Friday dismissed petitions filed against the setting up of a thermal power plant at Nandikur near Mangalore. A Division Bench comprising Mr. Justice S. Rajendra Babu and Mr. Justice B.A. Srinivasa Rao, rejected all the objections raised on environmental grounds by the petitioners — Ms. Maneka Gandhi and the Nandikur-based Jana Jagruti Samiti.

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