Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

5,742 lives lost on NH-37 since 2000

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 24 � As many as 5,742 persons, including 5,044 males and 698 females, lost their lives in more than 11,000 accidents on the National Highway 37 since the year 2000. This was disclosed by Transport Minister Chandan Brahma in a written reply to a question by Pradeep Hazarika (AGP) in the State Assembly today.

Brahma said that drunken driving, road condition, haphazard parking of vehicles on the roads, violation of traffic rules, overloading of vehicles, lack of awareness among pedestrians, lack of zebra crossings and mechanical failure are some of the main reasons for accidents on the highways.

Brahma said that there are laid down rules for issuing driving licences and action is taken against any officer of the Transport Department found to be violating such rules. He said that several allegations of violation of rules in issuing driving licences are now being investigated and strict action would be taken against the persons involved if the allegations are found to be correct.

Meanwhile, in reply to a question by Dr Alaka Sarma (AGP), Brahma, who is also the Minister in charge of

Panchayat and Rural Development, said that the

Government has constituted a committee headed by Additional Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development D Mishra to examine the need for amending the Assam Panchayat Act, 1995. He said that the committee would obtain the views of the members of the Panchayati Raj institutions before finalizing its report. He assured the House that he would ask the committee to also obtain the views of the legislators in this regard.

Earlier, raising the question, Dr Sarma said that provisions should be made to pay remuneration to the elected members of the Panchayati Raj institutions. She said that though there is a provision for payment of remuneration from the own resources of the Panchayati Raj institutions, more than 50 per cent of the elected members are not getting any remuneration.

Seeds: Agriculture Minister Pramila Rani Brahma today said that the hybrid seeds supplied to the farmers were tested and approved by the Assam Agriculture University as well as by the ICAR.

Replying to a question by Ananta Deka (CPM), the Minister said that if any legislator has any specific complaint on the quality of the seeds distributed, the same should be brought to the notice of the Government immediately. She also said that the Government has not supplied any pesticide to farmers but admitted that some farmers might be using the same on their own.

Earlier, raising the question, Deka said that seeds procured from other parts of the country should be tested properly in local conditions before the same are distributed among farmers of the State.

Pranab Kalita (Ind) alleged that use of banned pesticides by farmers may pose health hazard to the people.

Next Story