M A I N   N E W S

Bakshi report for doctors rejected
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Jan 12 — The Union Cabinet today rejected the recommendations of the Bakshi Committee report on higher pay scales for senior doctors of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Post Graduate Institute (PGI), Chandigarh, but decided to provide for senior doctors with more promotional avenues.

The Cabinet spokesman, Mr Pramod Mahajan, told newspersons that the government was not in a position to implement the Bakshi Committee report, which had recommended scales higher than those suggested by the Fifth Pay Commission report for five posts, including including Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Additional Professor, Professor and Director.

He said the government would stick to the pay scales recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission. It was felt that giving higher pay scales to doctors of AIIMS and the PGI would trigger off similar demands from other institutions like the Central Government Health Services.

The Cabinet, however, decided that two advance increments to Additional Professors to give them a higher start would be given.

Krishna Murthy is new Election Commissioner
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Jan 12 — Mr T.S. Krishna Murthy, Secretary, Department of Company Affairs, was today appointed Election Commissioner filling the vacancy caused with the retirement of Mr G.V.G. Krishnamurthy last year.

Mr Krishna Murthy, a 1963 batch Indian Revenue Service officer, will have a tenure of over five years in the multi-member Commission.

The Presidential order appointing Mr Murthy as the third member of the commission was issued today. His appointment will come into effect from the day he assumes office.

Maruti vehicles to cost more

NEW DELHI, Jan 12 (PTI) — Auto leader Maruti Udyog (MUL) today effected a steep increase of up to Rs 23,000 in the prices of its various models including Maruti 800 and Zen, for Delhi to offset the impact of upgrading the vehicles to stringent emission norms.

The hike, coming within a week of jacking up prices across the board for equipping the vehicles with multi-point fuel injection system, would make base Maruti 800 model dearer by Rs 14,431, which will now cost Rs 2,06015 in Delhi.

Ex-showroom price of five-seater Omni E2 has been increased by over Rs 22,000 to Rs 2,24,706, according to a company release.

As per the new prices, Zen LXE1 would cost Rs 3,06778 (hike of Rs 9,200), Zen Classic E1 at Rs 3,73,745 (Rs 9740) and Maruti 800 EX E2 at Rs 2,34,314 (Rs 22,024).