Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 479/18

TRAINING ON HOME STAY TOURISM

Tourism in Meghalaya is a blooming industry which can generate revenue and employment to the people of the State particularly in the rural areas. Seeing the potential growth of this sector and the need to promote women entrepreneurship in the region, the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) today organised Training on Home Stay Tourism at North Eastern Council Secretariat, Shillong, wherein women entrepreneurs from across the State participated. In her brief introductory address, Chairperson MSCW, Smti. Theilin Phanbuh stated that Home Stay Tourism is a National Commission for Women (NCW) and Airbnb initiative to promote women entrepreneurship in North East States. Smti. Phanbuh informed that post-research made by the Commission on the socio-economic conditions of women in the region, particularly in the rural areas, and how to encourage entrepreneurship amongst women, she said that the Commission felt that the tourism and hospitality sector is one such area that women could be empowered. Shri Gautam Chintey, Adviser (Banking, Industries & Tourism)/ I/c Director (Evaluation & Monitoring), said that the special interest shown by the Womens’ Commission to empower women through Home Stays along with the support of Airbnb, women of the region will go a long way in securing a place in the socio-economic front. He assured extension of help from the North Eastern Council in such programmes. It may be mentioned that Airbnb is a company which operates an online market-place and hospitality service for people to lease or rent short-term lodging including holiday cottages, apartments, homestays, hostel beds or hotel rooms, to participate in or facilitate experiences related to tourism. Airbnb registration of homestays and account creation is free and can be accessed through its websites or mobile apps.

Press Release No. 480/18

COMMUNITY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER REVIEWS FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES IN RI BHOI

As a part of the innovative programme of the Government through which the Cabinet Ministers are to visit each District quarterly, Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, C&RD Minister, today attended a review meeting on Flagship Programmes at DRDA hall, Nongpoh to study the actual situation on how the schemes are being implemented and to ascertain the constraints faced by different departments in discharging their duties for the overall development of the District. The Minister was accompanied by Shri G.B Lyngdoh, MLA, Umroi, Shri M.B. Syiem, MLA, Nongpoh, Shri S. Sohtun, MLA, Jirang, Shri J.S Mawlong, MLA, Umsning. The meeting was also attended by Smti R.M Kurbah, Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Shri D.P. Kharsati ADM & Project Director, DRDA, Nongpoh, BDOs of Umsning, Umling, Jirang & Bhoirymbong C&RD Blocks, officials from DRDA, DMHO, DAO, CDPOs, E.E, PHE, Umsning, Nongpoh, E.Es PWD(R) Nongpoh, Umsning, DVO, DSEO, DMC (SSA), Supplies, E.E. Water Resources, DSWC, Cooperation, Fisheries, Industries etc. During the meeting, Shri Dhar suggested the MLAs of the District to hold regular meetings with Government Departments to ensure that Schemes & Projects are implemented in a proper and timely manner.

Press Release No. 482/18

POWER MINISTER REVIEWS THE STATUS OF POWER SCENARIO IN GARO HILLS REGION

Meghalaya Minister for Power, James K Sangma today reviewed the status of Power scenario in Garo Hills region at Circuit House, Tura and also visited the site for Ganol Small Hydro Project near Chibragre and released the Day Lighting for 2 KM long Head Race Tunnel (HRT) of the said project. During the review meeting, Superintendent Engineer, T and T Division, Tura presented the Power Map of 132 KV Lines of the Garo Hills Region which comprises of three Grid Substations at Nongalbibra, Rongkhon and Mendipathar. Schemes under Special Plan Assistance, NEC, 132 KV Transmission Line from Ganol Hydro Electric Project, Power System Development Fund which are being implemented for construction of various Sub-stations, re-engineering and strengthening works, etc was also highlighted. Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited also presented the distribution network with regard to power supply in the Garo Hills region during the review meeting. The Superintendent Engineer appraised the Minister about the causes for frequent power cuts in the region which is due to thick vegetation along the route of HT and LT Lines, objections from owners in clearing the trees along HT and LT lines, shortage of manpower and long lengths of 33 KV and 11 KV lines, urban and rural feeders needs to be separated. While mentioning about the measures to reduce the interruption of power supply, he informed that the 40 MVA bus at 132 KV Rongkhon sub-station was separated which has reduced the power interruption on Tura-1 and Dakopgre feeders due to line faults occurring in the Garobhada-I and II feeders and construction of 33/11 KV 2.5 MVA Sub-station at Praharinagar will further reduce power supply interruption at Dakopgre and Dobasipara areas. Director, Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA), Shillong U N Madan also presented the activities and achievements undertaken by MNREDA in the region.

Meanwhile, taking into considerations the challenges faced by the power sector in the region, the Power Minister said that the government is prioritising the issues of the power sector since power is the one of the most essential need of all the citizens amongst other things in their daily life. Further, while acknowledging the workload and tremendous pressure in which the officials are working, he urged them to continue to provide good service to the people of the region. Further, he informed that for understanding the ground realities and in order to improve and upgrade the working condition and delivery of good service to the people, review meetings should be conducted at least twice a year. He also suggested the officials to look into other means of generating energy like solar power, etc. for substitution of energy when necessity arises. Chairman MNREDA and MLA Kharkutta Constituency, Rupert Momin, Additional Chief Secretary, Meghalaya Shillong, incharge Power, P W Ingty, Joint Secretary, incharge Power, R R Marak, Director Generation and incharge Director Distribution, E W Nongrum, Chief Engineer (C) and incharge Ganol Small Hydro Electric Project, K Tiesew, Chief Engineer (Distribution), K N War, Chief Engineer (Commercial), E Kharmujai, Chief Engineer, (Rural Electrification), S Diengdoh, Chief Engineer (Generation), M Shangpliang, Superintendent Engineers, Director MNREDA, Shillong, U N Madan, other officials and technical Engineers of MePDCL were among others present at the meeting. After the review meeting, the Power Minister visited the site for Ganol Small Hydro Project near Chibragre and released the Day Lighting for Head Race Tunnel for the said project. It may be mentioned that the Ganol Small Hydro Project with its installed capacity of 3x7.5 Mega watt is being constructed at the estimated cost of 356.43 crores and is expected to complete in September 2020. The project has been funded by DONER, MNRE and State Government.