Deputy CM Dr Mukul Sangma speaks on
the last day of the budget session of the Assembly on Friday. (ST)
50 stations to become world-class
lLadies’
only trains lLow-fare
AC trains for youth, low-income groups New Delhi: Leaving passenger fares and freight tariffs
unchanged, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday unveiled a slew of sops
for unorganised sector, women and youth and announced launch of 12 non-stop
point-to-point long-distance trains and air-conditioned double-decker coaches
for inter-city travel.
In a budget for 2009-10, she announced schemes for developing
50 stations as world class stations, upgrading 375 as 'model' stations and
construction of multi-functional complexes at 50 stations serving centres of
pilgrimage, tourist interest and industry.Called 'Izzat' (dignity), the scheme for unorganised sector
will entitle people with monthly income of upto Rs 1500 to a monthly season
ticket at a paltry Rs 25 for travel upto 100 kms. She also announced sops for
students of Madrassas and Kolkata by extending concessional travel to them.For women, Banerjee proposed to run 'Only Ladies' EMU trains
in Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata on the lines of those in Mumbai during office
hours in suburban services. Women RPF personnel would be deplo-yed for security
of women passengers in trains. 'Yuva' trains -- low-cost air-conditioned seated
accommodation trains -- will be run for the benefit of youth and low-income
groups from rural hinterland to metros and cities at a [Detail]
Sops for women, youth; fares unchanged
Meningitis
claims 257 lives
IN ASSEMBLY
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: As many as 257 people, 14 of them confirmed, have died of suspected meningococcal meningitis in the State since last year amid government efforts to contain the killer disease. "In 2008, 130 people (ten confirmed) died of the disease. A total of 127 people (four confirmed) died of the disease till June this year. However, over 2000 meningitis cases have been reported in the State so far," Deputy Chief Minister (Health) Dr Mukul Sangma said in reply to a question raised by NCP legislator James K Sangma in the Assembly on Friday.Dr Sangma told the House that the Health Department had carried out free mass vaccination against meningitis in East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and some parts of West Khasi Hills. "Free mass vaccination is going on in other parts of West Khasi Hills district. Vaccination of people against the disease in others areas of the State would be conducted only when cases of meningitis are reported," he said.Dr Sangma, however, said the government had not fixed any target date for completion of the mass vaccination programme.The Health Minister said curative measures, including detection and treatment of patients, were being taken in all government-run hospitals in the State.
[Detail]
‘Anti-defection law will not apply to me’
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: BJP legislator AL Hek has dismissed the speculation that his decision to join Congress would amount to violation of the provisions of the anti-defection law. Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Mr Hek categorically said if he joined Congress, the anti-defection law would not apply to him. "Though BJP is a national party, I'm the lone BJP member of the State Assembly. So there is no harm in my joining Congress," he said. Mr Hek pointed out that the anti-defection law had not applied to the BJP MLAs who recently joined NPF in Nagaland and also the BJP legislators who switched allegiance to Congress in Arunachal Pradesh in 2004.Mr Hek, who has won the Assembly election on BJP ticket for three consecutive terms from Pynthorumkhrah constituency since 1998, made it clear that people of his constituency in a meeting on June 30 had strongly suppored his decision to join the MUA Government and Congress. Interestingly, contradicting his recent statement that BJP was communal, [Detail]
nSwine flu: Screening post set up along B’desh border
Shillong: Alerted by the spread of swine flu in the country, Meghalaya government has set up a screening post at the international land crossing along the Bangladesh border at Dawki to check travellers. "A screening post has been set up at the international land crossing at Dawki in Jaintia Hills district where international travellers were being screened," Health Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said here on Friday. All the district medical and health officers and superintendents of government and private hospitals have been alerted, he said. "All concerned have been asked to maintain close vigil and take appropriate action in the event of any case of influenza like illness is reported. A control room has been set up to receive and disseminate relevant information and monitor the situation," Dr Sangma said. There has been no suspected case of swine flu in the State so far. (PTI)
nAppointment
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: B Giri, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Shillong, has been appointed member of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Shillong for areas under East Khasi Hills district.
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