Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 191/22

EAST KHASI HILLS CELEBRATES WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON 06.06.2022

The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, District Project Management Unit (DPMU), East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) today organised a programme in observation of Environment Day 2022 at Don Bosco Hall, Laitumkhrah, Shillong. Smti Isawanda Laloo, Deputy Commisiioner, East Khasi Hills District graced the programme as Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Smti I Laloo lauded the efforts of all stakeholders who had taken part in a series of environmental activities throughout the week to commemorate the Meghalaya Environment Week launched by the government for the year 2022. Appreciating the active participation of school students in the various competitions organised by the office, she emphasised that the knowledge and awareness expressed by the school students through various mediums is vital as they are the future. Stating that Environment Day is not to be celebrated only one day in a year rather we should make a commitment in celebrating Environment Day every day, hence the district administration have come up with policies and ideas to involve the communities, schools, colleges, religious leaders in creating awareness and carry out activities which will benefit the environment. She also expressed hope that the participants in the programme will sensitize and pass on the message to others about the active participation of each of us in keeping the environment clean and safe. She exhorted that only the government initiatives are not enough to protect the environment but a collective effort by each individual is the need of the hour.

Smti Laloo also stated that development comes at the cost of the environment and the theme for this year’s Environment Day Only One Earth “Living Sustainably in Harmony with nature”, aims to ensure that development goes hand in hand with a sustainable and healthy environment. She also informed that the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board will be implementing the Say No to single use plastic and strongly urged the students to inculcate the habit of saying no to single use plastic, which is detrimental to the environment. She also stressed on the need for scientific waste disposal management, which would reduce the impact on the environment.

During the day the Chief Guest also handed awards and certificates to the winners of the Drawing Competition, Essay Writing Competition and Debate Competition organised by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner also awarded the Top 3 Best Performing Villages from Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP) and

Others who were present during the programme include Shri D B Gunanka, Additional Project Director, CLLMP and Shri D Hynniewta, Project Director, DRDA, East Khasi Hills District among others.

Press Release No. 192/22

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY OBSERVED AT SELSELLA AND VEC FELICITATED ON 06.06.2022

The World Environment Day was observed at Narangbari Playground, Selsella where Ferlin C A Sangma, MLA, Selsella Constituency and Chairperson Meghalaya State Council for Climate Change and Sustainable Development graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The Nokmas, President and Secretary of VEC, Village elders, Students, NGOs were among others present on the occasion. The function was organised by the Block Development Office, Selsella C & RD Block.

Acknowledging the outstanding achievement of winning the 3rd prize in the category of Best Village Panchayat- North East Zone at the 3rd National Water Awards held in New Delhi which was awarded by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India on 29th March, 2022, F C A Sangma said that the achievement is indeed an exemplary accomplishment in leadership and championing the cause of water conservation for his village Chambagre in particular under Selsella C & RD Block. Further, she expressed hope that his exemplary work would serve as an inspiration to many VECs to replicate and emulate thereby bringing laurels to the region.

Earlier, the Block Development Officer, Selsella C & RD Block Emmanuel M Sangma kicked off the observation of World Environment Week with the launch of Mission Amrit Sarovar at Balagre VEC on 2nd June, 2022 where varieties of trees were planted near the water reservoir.

On the occasion, the Chief Guest along with the Block Development Officer felicitated the Secretary, VEC, Chambagre with a Certificate and cash award of Rs. 10,000/- for his outstanding achievement.

Prominent artiste Ronie Sangma in his short speech highlighted the need to preserve trees and water besides entertaining everyone. Another artist Poll Agitok entertained the gathering with his lively songs while the students of St Joseph Secondary School, Selsella presented songs, cultural dance and an awesome marching band.

Plantation of various trees, distribution of saplings, awareness on environmental issues and drawing competition was also conducted for school students.

Press Release No. 193/22

SOUTH WEST GARO HILLS DISTRICT CELEBRATES ENVIRONMENT DAY AND 50 YEARS OF STATEHOOD

South West Garo Hills District celebrated the World Environment Day, 2022 along with the celebration of 50 years of Meghalaya’s Statehood with tree plantations, cultural songs and dances, traditional games & sports, musical event, etc to mark the occasion at Ampati on Monday.

During the opening programme at MFC, Ampati, the Deputy Commissioner, S.K. Marak led the gathering in taking the Green Pledge and also gave a short exhortation based the theme “Only One Earth”. He also recalled the sacrifices and struggles made the visionary leaders of the state leading to the attainment of Statehood for the people of Meghalaya. On the occasion, Chengkurigre village was felicitated for being selected for District NRM Award, 2022 for their best practices on natural resource management, which will be awarded during the state-level celebration in Shillong on June 7, 2022. The Deputy Commissioner along with the ADC, P.K. Sangma also gave away the prizes for the winners of debate, essay-writing and drawing competitions conducted for the school children of the district as part of the observation of Environment Week, 2022. The Deputy Commissioner also felicitated three Meghalaya games 2022 medalists from the district with cash prizes and certificates during the celebration.

The day-long celebration was organized by the District Administration in collaboration with MBMA-CLLMP and participated by the district officials, heads of schools, teachers, students and community leaders among others. Tree plantation was also done by the Deputy Commissioner and other officials of the district administration around MFC premises and elsewhere to mark the World Environment Day. In the afternoon, popular singers of Garo Hills enthralled the audience with their latest hits.

Press Release No. 194/22

SOCIAL FORESTRY OBSERVES WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AT CHIBRAGRE

As part of Meghalaya Environment Week, the Social Forestry Division, West Garo Hills, observed the World Environment Day with this year’s theme, “Only One Earth” at St. John’s Secondary School, Chibragre, near Tura, with North Tura MLA and Advisor to the Chief Minister, Thomas A Sangma as the chief guest on 6 June.

Speaking at length on the occasion, Thomas said that World Environment Day is being celebrated all over the world to save the Mother Earth where human beings live in harmony with other living things. Stressing on the need to conserve and preserve the natural environment, he sought the cooperation of all the stake-holders to not only celebrate the day but also act accordingly to save the nature for the generations to come.

Chief Conservator of Forest, Social Forestry, Garo Hills region, SN Sangma, while speaking at length dwelling on the theme, highlighted the effects of coal mining, industrialization, cruelty to nature, etc. which produce excess carbon-dioxide and urged the people to plant more trees which will absorb excess carbon-dioxide. He also said that doing more harm to nature will bring more sufferings to human beings. Others who spoke on the occasion included the Manager of St. John’s Secondary School.

On the day, prizes also were distributed by the chief guest to the winners of painting, slogan writing and essay writing competitions held on 3 June. Later, the chief guest and other dignitaries planted saplings in the school compound. The Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, Tura, Rimse K Sangma, delivered the welcome and introductory speech and Salrimchi K Marak, Range Forest Officer, Dadenggre Range, proposed the vote of thanks.

Press Release No. 195/22

FRUIT PLANTATION PROGRAM ORGANIZED AT JUVENILE HOMES, MAWKASIANG ON 06.06.2022

As part of the Meghalaya Environment Week Celebration which is the Restoration Day, a Fruit Plantation program was organized on the 6 th of June, 2022 at the Juvenile Homes, Mawkasiang under the theme “Only One Earth”, where Shri. S.C Sadhu I.A.S secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ welfare was the chief guest along with Shri.S.Rani, Deputy Director of Agriculture (Agro), Shri. L. Lyngdoh Assistant Director, Social Welfare Department, Smti. M. Warjri, District Child Protection Officer, Social welfare department and Smti. R.M. Majaw, Director of Agriculture along with the children from the Juvenile Homes.

The program was organized by the Department of Agriculture in Collaboration with ISBD Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Shri. S.C Sadhu encouraged the children and all attendees to take initiative in preserving the environment also taking in consideration the venue that the program was organized the Chief guest said that “it is very important to seed or to inculcate thoughts about the environment in young minds so that when they grow up they grow with the understanding with the surroundings”, one hundred number of trees was planted after the program at the Juvenile homes Mawkasiang, which includes types of trees like plums, peaches and pears.

Press Release No. 196/22

UPSCALING AAPPDA MITRA SCHEME IN RI BHOI DISTRICT

A twelve days trainings of community volunteers for the First Batch on Disaster Response under the scheme Upscaling Aapda Mitra has been launched in Ri Bhoi District today the 6th June at State Institute of Rural Development,, Nongsder by Shri M.B Tongper MCS, ADC cum Chief Executive Officer DDMA, Ri Bhoi District in the midst presence of Smt. K.Wanniang DDMO, Smt. M.Kharkongor, Consultant DDMA and Shri S.Syiemiong Sub-Inspector Civil Defence & and Homeguards Dept. The Twelve days Trainings programme with effect from 6th to 18th June 2022 has been organized by the District Disaster Management Authority, Ri Bhoi District and about 33 community volunteers from different locality have registered in the training.

Smt. K.Wanniang, DDMO in her keynote address informed that the aims of the training is to provide the community volunteers with the basic skills that they would need to respond to their community in time of emergency incident occurred. She also informed that only Five Districts of the State have been selected for launching this Upscaling Aapda Mitra scheme, in which Ri Bhoi District with 100 community volunteers have been drawn from different villages including from NYK, Homeguards, Civil Defence will be trained under the scheme for disaster response.

Shri M.B Tongper, ADC cum CEO in his speech as the chief guest said that Upscaling Aapda Mitra is the Central Sponsored Scheme implemented and funded by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Government of India and as part of the scheme, the DDMA Ri Bhoi District has conducted this training for community volunteers, hence, it is an opportunity for the youths of the district to be part of it. He also highlighted on the importance of community volunteers, said that community volunteers are the first responders in time of any disaster, he advised trainees to take this training as important part of their life and also to fully utilize the technicalities of training to make themselves capable of handling the community’s immediate need. Moreover, advised them to always be trustworthy and accountability to the society so that they could be able to respond to their locality’s emergency needs in the aftermath of the disaster and also to undertake basic relief and rescue tasks during emergency situation.

Furthermore, informed that after the completion of training, personal kits, protective equipment, emergency responder kits such as life jackets, first aid kits etc, and insurance along with certificate will be handed over to all trainees.

Press Release No. 197/22

RELEASE OF MATERIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE COST UNDER MGNREGA

The State Rural Employment Society (SRES), a Society for the implementation of MGNREGA, PMAY-G, RGSA, CFP, Community and Rural Development Department, Government of Meghalaya is happy to inform that the Government of India, Ministry of Rural Development, has released the Material and Administrative component towards MGNREGA for an amount of Rs. 391 crores. This amount has been released to meet the pending liabilities of FY 2021-22 under the programme which earlier could not be released due to various reasons viz., merging of all subsidiary accounts in only ONE State Nodal Accounts (SNA), a major revamp in the NREGASoft module capturing all details of staff, vendors (both administrative and material), skilled workers, etc. among others which are aimed at bringing about transparency and accountability in fund transfer. The last fund received by the State was in March 2022 for an amount of Rs. 49 crores.

The Chief Minister personally took up the matter with the Union Minister, Rural Development and was subsequently followed up by the Hon’ble Minister, C and RD and Principal Secretary, Community and Rural Development Department for early release of the funds by the Govt of India. Once these funds released by the Govt of India are credited to the State Exchequer, these will immediately be disbursed to the respective VECs within this month.

While there are no such issues with regards to wages component, which are normally paid within 15 days after submission of muster rolls, the above mentioned technical aspects have caused an inadvertent delay on the material components. Meghalaya has a unique requirement where MGNREGA is implemented not only for wage employment but for creation of durable assets in the rural areas which are the way forward for other developmental activities to find a way to penetrate the rural areas. We greatly appreciate the exemplary work of VECs for implementing the MGNREGA scheme for not only creation of wage employment but for taking up various innovative development works to benefit the rural people at large. The State continues to stand as one of the Top performers in implementation of the scheme.

MGNREGA has a mandate to utilise at least 60 percent of the funds received Natural Resource Management (NRM) annually. With the initiation of the new Financial Year, the targets under the programme are focussed on Natural Resource Management, Water conservation and Water harvesting, Climate Change reversal to bring about a paradigm shift in the implementation processes through constant dialogue and awareness about the immediate needs of intervention.