* Top 20 companies pay Rs 18,000 cr dividend
* Auto shares down on fuel cost, interest rate worries
* McLeod Russel sees tea prices up on rising demand, input cost hike
* Market sees rupee touching 43.50/$1 in near-term
* Govt says concerned over fast pace of rupee's fall against dollar
* Minister urges steps to combat crude spike; to meet oil cos Fri