Compensation to Uphaar victims may be doubled

NEW DELHI: Government is considering doubling the compensation amount for next of the kin of the June 13 Uphaar fire tragedy to Rs one lakh, the Minister of State for Home, Maqbool Dar, said in Lok Sabha today. The Centre's proposal to hike the compensation money is presently awaiting approval of the Prime Minister's Office, Dar said, adding that compensation for those who sustained serious injuries in the tragedy would be enhanced to Rs 50,000 and those receiving minor injuries to Rs 25,000. The compensation amount would be paid from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, he said. Dar said strict punishment would be meted out to those found guilty of negligence that led to the cinema hall blaze.

Free bus travel for scribes in Punjab

BATALA: The Punjab Government would extend the free bus travel facility to 1100 more small and medium newspaper journalists in the State as a part of India's golden jubilee Independence celebrations, the State Information and Public Relations Minister, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, said here today. He said 458 journalists had already been enjoying this facility in the state. The State Finance Department had already agreed in principle to release Rs 9 lakh for providing free bus travelling facility to these journalists stationed at different places in the state, Sekhwan told a deputation of journalists union, Batala.

Merchant Shipping Act to be amended

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal for amendment of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 relating to minimum standards of these ships. The amendment paves the way for the government to incorporate a law required for implementation of the ILO Convention no.147 which prescribes safety standards, appropriate social security measures and shipboard living arrangements covering a number of fields.

Gujarat's apology for ignoring HC order

AHMEDABAD: The Additional Chief Secretary, C R Biswas, today tendered an apology before the Gujarat High Court on behalf of the State Government for not complying with the directions of the court relating to grant to law colleges in the state. The Bar Council of Gujarat had filed a writ petition before the High Court against the State Government, seeking grant for the law colleges in the state. The Division Bench of Gujarat High Court had by an order dated January 16 last directed the State Government to provide grant to all law colleges within three months from the day of the order.

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