MUMBAI, MARCH 21: Maharashtra government's decision to implement revised pay-scales for junior college teachers in the state would cost the state exchequer Rs 54 crore, the State Assembly was informed here on Tuesday. Minister for Education Ramkrishna More said in reply to a question by Dagdu Sakpal (Shiv Sena) during question hour that the government would also take a decision soon on three-tier pay scales and salaries during the strike period of junior college teachers.Increase in child mortality rate in Jawahar talukaMaharashtra Public Health Minister Digvijay Khanvilkar on Tuesday said there was an increase in child mortality rate in Jawahar taluka in neighbouring Thane district. In 1998-99, around 408 deaths of children were reported compared to 366 in 1997-98, Khanvilkar said in a written reply to a query by Suresh Bhalerao (Ind) and others.The government was implementing a special scheme for Primary Health Centres there to reduce the mortality rate, he said adding that a coordination officer has been appointed in the taluka to inquire into the deaths. The ruling Democratic Front (DF) in Maharashtra has not taken any decision to hike the electricity tariff in the state, Energy minister Dr Padamsinh Patil informed the Upper House. In a written reply to Krishnarao Bhegde (Cong) and others, the Minister replied in the negative to a query if the state electricity board has proposed an hike in electricity tariff to the state's energy regulatory commission.
