Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd has posted a 47.24 per cent rise in consolidated net profits at Rs 247.5 crore (Rs 2.47 billion) in the financial year ended March 31, 2003, compared to Rs 168.09 crore (Rs 1.68 billion) recorded during the previous fiscal.

The company's board has recommended a 100 per cent dividend for the year, Sun Pharmaceuticals informed the Bombay Stock Exchange on Saturday.

The pharma major's total income for the year under review rose to Rs 995.99 crore (Rs 9.96 billion), as against Rs 750.66 crore (Rs 7.51 billion) posted during the same period a year ago, it informed the BSE.

The company's total income during the year under review increased to Rs 866.56 crore (Rs 8.67 billion), compared to Rs 754.7 crore (Rs 7.55 billion) posted during the same period a year ago, it added.

The pharma major has posted a net profit of Rs 74.17 crore (Rs 741.7 million) in the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2003, compared to Rs 40.37 crore (Rs 403.7 million) posted during the same period of last year.

Sun Pharma's total income during the reporting quarter increase to Rs 182.58 crore (Rs 1.83 billuion), as against Rs 239.08 crore (Rs 2.39 billion) posted during the same period last year.