Grasim Industries group has posted a 131.29 per cent rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 738.26 crore (Rs 7.38 billion) for the fiscal ended March 31, 2004, compared to Rs 319.18 crore (Rs 3.19 billion) in the previous year.

The board of the company has recommended a dividend of Rs 14 per share for 2003-04, a Grasim release said on Wednesday.

Total income on a consolidated basis also increased from Rs 5,028.96 crore (Rs 50.29 billion) in FY03 to Rs 5,707.97 crore (Rs 57.08 billion) in FY04.

On a standalone basis, the Aditya Birla group flagship company has posted a higher net profit at Rs 779.26 crore (Rs 7.79 billion) in FY04 [Rs 367.58 crore (Rs 3.67 billion) in FY03] on a total income of Rs 5,413.61 crore (Rs 54.14 billion) [Rs 4,739.18 crore (Rs 47.39 billion) in FY03].

For the fourth quarter ended March, net profit and total income rose to Rs 282.07 crore (Rs 2.82 billion) and Rs 1,625.27 crore (Rs 16.25 billion), respectively.