Those eligible for the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, a scheme to provide women in Below Poverty Line (BPL) households with free LPG connections, are facing obstacles from gas agencies, activist Disparsing Rani said today.
Rani said that a Right to Information (RTI) request was directed at Hindustan Petroleum, which replied to him yesterday that beneficiaries under the scheme are entitled to one full gas cylinder, a regulator, stove and gas hose and that no deposit or payment is required for these.
However, Rani alleged that some gas agencies have halted this facility to BPL card holders and he demanded an explanation to know on what grounds this has been done.
134 vacancies in NEHU
RTI activist Disparsing Rani today informed that there are 134 vacant posts in North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), the only central university in Meghalaya.
He said that the Right to Information (RTI) request he submitted revealed that there are 134 vacancies in respect of non-teaching staff (Groups B and C), which is as per the ratio prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
He also claimed that he has received complaints that the Mass Media Department at NEHU does not have adequate equipment. He has filed an RTI request in this regard but has yet to receive a reply.
Meanwhile, Rani also informed that a separate RTI revealed that there are several vacant posts at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), like the post of Principal, assistant administrative officer, office superintendent, lecturer, LDC, foreman, etc.
He also alleged that he has received complaints that payments made to contractual employees at IHM are not as per the sanction issued by Delhi for the respective posts.
Rs 6.66 cr paid by Govt as Covid death relief
The state government has paid out some Rs 6.66 crore in relief to the next of kin of Covid-19 victims, Right to Information (RTI) activist Disparsing Rani said today.
The amount has been paid by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) based on a Supreme Court directive in 2021 that mandated payments of Rs 50,000 to the families of each person who died of Covid-19.
Rani, however, said that he has received complaints from 10 families who did not get this relief. Addressing a press conference today, he said that he has a list of 1,642 Covid deaths in the state. Those next of kin who have not received the compensation can either contact him or the Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
