The Ministry of Railways has planned to computerise all complaints and their monitoring at stations, Divisional and Zonal headquarters levels. In this connection, the Railway Board has issued instructions to the Zonal Railways asking them to provide copmputer, fax and E-Mail in all the monitoring cells and complaints organisation of the Railways. To begin with, about 160 major railway stations have been earmarked all over the country for computerisation of complaints organisation so that grievances of passengers and other rail users are attended to expeditiously. All these stations will be computerised during 1998-99. The provision of adequate facilities at these stations and in the moniroting cells at Divisional and Zonal headquarters will enable the rail users to register their complaints conveniently. The staff at the complaint counter would transmit such complaints to Divisional and Zonal headquarters for prompt disposal.

    The computerised system to be provided at these stations would be ultimately networked with Divisional and Zonal headquarters and the Railway Board for ensuring prompt redressal of public grievances and evolving a proper monitoring system. This is intended to make the Railways more and more user friendly and responsive to the customers.
 
 

    Dr. Shashi Kant, Department of Biosciences, University of Jammu has been conferred the B.P.Pal National Environment Fellowship for the year 1998. The Selection Committee for the 1998 Award was headed by the noted agricultural scientist, Dr. M.S.Swaminathan. Dr. Shashi Kant's scientific contributions are mainly in the area of Plant Biodiversity of North-West Himalayas. As a B.P.Pal Fellow, Dr. Kant will pursue a study on Biodiversity and eco-conservation of Ladakh(J&K).

    The Award currently carries a monthly fellowship of Rs. 4,000/- (income-tax free) for 2 years (in addition to his usual salary), an yearly contingency grant of Rs. 18,000 and technical assistance.

    The Award was instituted by the Ministry of Environment & Forests in 1995 in honour of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Chairman of National Committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination. VBA
 
 

    The Pitambar Pant Award for the year 1998 has been awarded to Dr. U.C.Mishra, Director, Health, Safety and Environment Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. The Selection Committee for the 1998 Award was headed by noted scientist, Dr. S.Vardarajan.Dr. Mishra's scientific contributions are in the field of environmental sciences, radiation protection and nuclear safety. He has published over 300 scientific papers.

    During the tenure of the Fellowship, Dr. Mishra will prepare a book on Environmental Impact Assessment Methodologies for Developing Countries. The award currently carries a monthly fellowship of Rs. 4,000/-p.m. (tax-free) and secretarial facilities.

    This fellowship was instituted by the Ministry of Environment & Forests in 1978 in honour of the late Shri Pitambar Pant, a former member of the Planning Commission and Chairman of the National Committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination.