NEW DELHI, JAN 30: While Maruti Udyog Limited chairman R S S L N Bhaskarudu has listed 27 items for discussion at tomorrow's board meeting, no major decisions are expected on any of the items. Suzuki chief O Suzuki is believed to have conveyed to Bhaskarudu that since they did not agree with the composition of the board and the fact that government nominees are both the chairman and managing director of the company, it was futile to have a board meeting.In the event, two Suzuki directors - Y Saito and J Sugimori - are not expected to attend the meeting. In which case, Suzuki will have two representatives at tomorrow's meeting as compared to the Government's five.In any case, the Delhi High Court had ruled that all decisions taken would be subject to the arbitration award. Suzuki has pointed out that, under the circumstances, it would be best to wait till the arbitration award was given, or till the two sides reached some agreement on how the company was to be run. The items listed include contentiousissues which have remained unresolved for the last two years such as the new models to be introduced and the final approval for the new engine for the Maruti 800. The meeting is also supposed to discuss the issue of royalty payments to Suzuki. The board is also expected to ratify some recommendations of the Tender Evaluation Committee so that fresh orders can be placed for the company's modernisation. Orders have been placed for just around 45 per cent of the total plant, though the committee has approved tenders for around 60 per cent of the cost of the plant.With the new heavy industry secretary indicating that the government wishes to resolve the stalemate at the earliest, it is expected that some decisions will be taken on the issue of royalty and on the proposed engine.No decisions are expected to be taken on the introduction of new models as this would entail significant investments. Since the two sides have not yet come to an agreement, it is unlikely that they would like to make any freshcommitments other than the ongoing or absolutely critical ones.
