RBI’s warning for economy

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has warned of dark days in the Seventh Plan period, if adequate steps were not taken to attract more savings from the public and to enhance the country’s exports. The bank’s annual report for the year ended June 1985, submitted to the Centre recently, says that apart from the infrastructural limitation like inadequate availability of power for economic growth, “resource constraints are emerging as a serious factor as is reflected in the increasing fiscal deficits.”

New anti-dowry act

The amended Dowry Prohibition Act, which provides stringent punishment for dowry offences, will come into force from October 2 this year. The Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 1984, provides for a minimum imprisonment of six months which was not included in the earlier act. The penalty for giving or taking dowry too has been increased from six months to two years. The fine has been raised from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. The amended act would enable recognised welfare institutions or organisations to lodge complaints about dowry offences and the court shall be bound to take cognisance of such complaints.

Toxic gas leak

As many as 16 persons fell unconscious in Zakhira when they inhaled chlorine gas leaking out of a 100 kilo cylinder loaded in a truck parked outside the Nitco Roadways Transport Company. The injured were given treatment at the ESI Hospital in Raja Garden and discharged by evening. According to the fire-brigade, the cylinder, which was the source of the leakage, was lifted and thrown out into a nullah. The cylinders had been loaded some time in the day and the truck carrying them was due to leave for Amritsar in the evening. The police have reportedly registered a case of negligence.