Govt to appoint 10,000 new LPG distributors in 2016-17
New Delhi, March 14 (PTI): The Minister said following an appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more than 85 lakh consumers have given up their LPG subsidy and subsequently more than 50 lakh new LPG connections have been given to BPL families. As many as 10,000 new LPG distributors will be appointed across the country in 2016-17 while 2,000 of them will be appointed in the next three months, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Monday. Pradhan said in Lok Sabha that the new LPG distributorship will solve the problems of consumers, including reducing the waiting period. The Minister said following an appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more than 85 lakh consumers have given up their LPG subsidy and subsequently more than 50 lakh new LPG connections have been given to BPL families. Till 2014-15, burden sharing was finalised every quarter taking into consideration the quantum of under recoveries incurred to oil marketing companies, he said.
Revised pensions under OROP disbursed: Government
New Delhi, March 14 (IANS): Revised pensions under the ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) scheme have been given to over two lakh defence pensioners along with the first installment of arrears, the government said on Monday. It said “revised pensionary benefits” were released to 221,224 pensioners drawing service and disability pensions from the Defence Pension Disbursing Offices, functioning under the Controller General of Defence Accounts. “The amount along with the first instalment of arrears had been released and credited by the defence ministry to the accounts of these pensioners on March 1,” the statement said. In the case of the remaining 146,335 family pensioners drawing pension from the Defence Pension Drawing Officers, payment along with arrears was expected to be released by March-end. The ministry said the additional annual financial increase in grants for OROP came to Rs.7,488.70 crore. The total arrears to be paid from July 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015 was Rs.10,925.11 crore. The increase in pensions will cost the defence ministry an additional Rs.4,721.34 crore, with the defence pension liability coming to Rs.64,959.34 crore for 2015-16.
Harley-Davidson hikes prices of select models by Rs 30,000
New Delhi, March 14 (PTI): Cult-bike maker Harley-Davidson today announced the increase in prices on select models sold in India by Rs 30,000 to offset the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuation. The price increase will be applicable on Street 750, Sportster family and Softail range of bikes in India, Harley- Davidson India said in a statement. The new prices will come into effect from April 1.
