185 deaths due to acute encephalitis syndrome this year

New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) As many as 185 people died of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in nine States this year up to August 16, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

During the same period, 837 cases of AES were reported in these States, Minister of State for Health Panabaka Lakshmi said in a written reply.

X X X CHHS: A total of 1258 accredited journalists were availing CGHS facilities as on March 31, 2006, the Minister said.

X X X BHARAT NIRMAN: As much as 6,974 Km of roads was constructed in this fiscal up to July under the Bharat Nirman programme, Minister of State for Planning M V Rajasekharan said.

The maximum connectivity was in Rajasthan with 2010 Km of roads constructed, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 1336 Km.

Under the same programme, 637,082 below poverty line households were electrified up to August 10, while 1156 villages were connected by telephones up to May this year, he said.

X X X COAL: The Government is considering a proposal to introduce competitive bidding for allocation of coal and lignite blocks through an amendment in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao said.

X X X RESERVES: A total of 4080 million tonnes of new coal reserves was estimated in the country between January 2006 and March this year, the Minister said.

UNI