due to the fact that appropriation of unabsorbed balance of investment allowance reserve was made in clear profit computation, whereas it was not required to be made in the profit and loss account this year as the amount had already been fully provided in earlier years. An increase of 2 per cent in equity dividend at 18 per cent has been recommended by the board in the light of higher distributable profits. The distribution is covered 4.75 times by earnings as against 10.07 times last year.