In Jammu and Kashmir, the Cabinet on Friday approved an 18 percent increase in fares for all passenger vehicles. Akashvani Jammu correspondent reports that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a Cabinet meeting in Jammu yesterday, during which several important decisions were made. The proposals cleared by the Cabinet will be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor for approval. The Cabinet approved the proposal for an 18 percent increase in fares for all passenger vehicles and set the fare for e-rickshaws at Rs. 15 per kilometer, Rs. 25 for the first kilometer for e-autos, and Rs. 20 thereafter. The Cabinet also approved an increase in allowances for Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and the Leader of the Opposition. The Cabinet approved a proposal to amend the rules to enhance their allowances for travel, medical care, and housing, as well as car loan facilities. It is also understood that the Cabinet gave its approval to the creation of 136 faculty positions (27 professors and 109 associate professors) at the Government Medical College in Jammu and the Government Medical College in Srinagar.