Bizbits

The company, however, earned a higher gross profit of Rs 31.51 crore against Rs 30.09 crore. The depreciation absorbed higher amount of Rs 25.72 crore against Rs 15.53 crore. No amount has been transferred to general reserve Rs 10.25 crore.

Knoll Pharma

MUMBAI 8212; The directors of Knoll Pharmaceuticals have stepped up the dividend to 80 per cent for the year ended December 1997 from 65 per cent paid last year, absorbing Rs 6.48 crore Rs 5.27 crore. The profit after tax amounted to Rs 49.96 crore Rs 20.47 crore. The gross profit before interest of Rs 0.47 crore Rs 3.49 crore, however, dropped to Rs 38.73 crore from Rs 44.56 crore. The profitbefore taxation and extraordinary item amounted to Rs 44.42 crore compared to Rs 37.28 crore last year.