Orient Paper to demerge consumer electric biz

C K Birla Group firm Orient Paper and Industries Limited (OPIL) today said it will demerge its consumer electric division.
The board of the company, in a meeting held today, gave "its in-principle approval for the vertical demerger of its consumer electric division", OPIL said in a statement.
It further said this will "facilitate both paper and consumer electric businesses to focus on their core competencies and to pursue their independent strategies".
The company would also issue fresh equity in the form of a rights issue worth Rs 50 crore to reduce debt and for general corporate purposes.
"Proceeds from the rights issue shall be used to reduce debt of OPIL and for general corporate purposes," said OPIL.

The company has appointed a committee of directors to finalise the process of the rights issue.
OPIL, which has manufacturing capacity of about 85,000 tonnes of paper, also produces fans, lightings, appliances and switch gears in the consumer electric segment.