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Politics Business Expressions General Sports Leisure States 07 January 1998   Natural gas prices hiked Natural gas prices have been raised by roughly 12.4% for the January to March quarter, in deference to the slight movement in fuel oil prices worldwide. Gas-based power and fertiliser plants fed by the Hazira-Bijaipur-Jagdishpur pipeline will now pay Rs 2411 per 1000 SCM compared to Rs 2150 per 1000 SCM during the last quarter.   RBI curbs to arrest Re slide In yet another measure aimed at stabilising the rupee, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed all banks to square up their inter-bank position at the end of the day's trading. This measure effectively means that the RBI is imposing a overnight limit on banks and preventing them from going either long or short in dollars. Ludhiana, Delhi SEs may merge The Ludhiana Stock Exchange is likely to be merged with the Delhi Stock Exchange. This is the first merger move in the history of Indian stock exchanges. DSE is also exploring the possibility of bringing within its fold the Jaipur and Kanpur exchanges. NBFCs want RBI to amend norms Non-banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) -- severely crippled by the RBI's new guidelines -- have decided to take up certain issues affecting the industry with the apex bank. The Association of Leasing & Financial Services, Equipment Leasing Association & Federation of Hire Purchases, the representative body of leading NBFCs are scheduled to meet RBI officials on Thursday.   CSIL renews offer to buy CSB stake Thrissur-based Chartered Securities India (CSIL) yesterday renewed its offer to purchase 19.59 lakh shares of the controversial Catholic Syrian Bank (CSB) at Rs 105 each. The renewed offer comes in the wake of RBI's reported rejection of the bank's request to transfer the shares in the name of Bangkok-based NRI, Surachan Chansri Chawla, chairman of the Siam Vidya Group (SVG). World gold falls to 18 year low London gold fixed at an 18-1/2-year low yesterday on the back of overnight losses after selling by funds betting on lower prices and by gold miners hedging future production. Where as central bank sales drove funds' short strategies during most of 1997, concerns about US deflation, underscored at the weekend by US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, prompted the latest sales of gold, a traditional hedge against inflation.     Asian currencies, markets reel   AMC to come out with Rs 100 cr bonds issue   ICICI sanctions rise 112 per cent   Sensex sheds 20 points   Jewellery expo   Infosys profits zoom by 105 percent   J&N okayed to up capital