Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 705/17

PROHIBITORY ORDER

The District Magistrate, Ri Bhoi District has issued a Prohibitory Order under Section 144 CrPC in the whole of Ri Bhoi District prohibiting any industries or any person etc. indulging in or resorting to the act of poisoning of rivers, streams or any other water bodies with the explicit or implicit intention to cause widespread destruction of aquatic life within the District. This order has been issued in view that large scale poisoning of rivers, streams and other water bodies is taking place in the District due to dumping of earth and solid wastes on the river and discharge of trade/domestic waste into the drain/streams by the industries and individuals which may resulted in large scale extermination of fishes and other living organisms and also may pose serious health hazard to human life and native fauna as well.

Press Release No. 706/17

ONE DAY STATE LEVEL AWARENESS ON FOOD SECURITY ACT 2013 HELD

A State Level Awareness Programme on National Food Security Act, 2013 was organised by the Meghalaya State Food Commission in coordination with the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), West Garo Hills,Tura for the entire Districts of Garo Hills on 8th June, 2017 at District Auditorium, Tura. Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya, in-charge Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Prof. R C Laloo graced the occasion as Chief Guest. While addressing the gathering Prof. R C Laloo spoke about the initiatives of the government to ensure food security in the state through the implementing of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and functioning of the State Food Commission to provide food and nutritional security by accessing to adequate quantity and quality of food at affordable prices. The delivery system mechanism in the State has been put in place by digitization of beneficiaries data and computerized system of supply chain management has been taken up in the implementation of the Public Distribution System (PDS), he added. Moreover, he informed that the District and Sub Divisional Grievances Redressal Officers has also been set up in all the Districts and Sub Divisional Headquarters and toll free number 1967 have been put in place for any complaint. Further, he hoped that NFSA is implemented successfully in the state of Meghalaya and justice is delivered to all the citizens of the state. Chairman, State Food Commission and Retired IAS, Shri B K Dev Verma dwelt at length on the background and objectives of the NFSA 2013 which ensures availability of sufficient food grains to meet the demand as well as access to adequate quantity of nutritional food at affordable prices. He also informed the people about various provisions of the Act including access to safe drinking water and sanitation, health care, nutritional health and educational support to children and women, penalties if found guilty or failing to comply with the implementation of the act besides others. Director, School Education and Literacy, Shri Ambrose Marak highlighted the implementation of Mid-Day Meal Scheme in the State of Meghalaya and underlined the importance of Mid Day Meal Rules 2015 which was notified by Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of School Education and Literacy) New Delhi through a power point presentation. Assistant Director, Department of Social Welfare, Meghalaya Shillong, Shri L M Momin also made a presentation on the implementation of Nutrition programme under Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in the state of Meghalaya. Legal Member, State Food Commission, Shri R Gurung enlightened the gathering with his presentation on Legal Matters in relation to State Food Commission while Member State Food Commission and Retired IAS Smti R D Marak presented the concluding remarks.

Additional Deputy Commissioner and incharge Supply, Smti A V D Shira explained in detail the objectives, eligibility criteria and other important parameters of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. She said that the NFSA, 2013 which was signed on 12 September, 2013 aims to provide subsidized foodgrains to approximately two-thirds of the population in which eligible beneficiaries are entitled to 5 KG per month at the rate of Rs. 3 per Kg for rice and the total population coverage is 50.87 per cent for Urban and 77.79 per cent for Rural area. She also informed about Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Househols (PHH) schemes under NFSA where AAY is the poorest of poor scheme and each household receives 35 kg of foodgrain per month at Rs 3 per kg while PHH beneficiary receives 5 Kg of foodgrain per month at Rs. 3 per Kg. While mentioning about the eligibility criteria for these beneficiaries whereby there is slight difference between the parameters for rural and urban areas, she stated that any household having three or more rooms with pucca walls and roof, any member of the family is a government employee or earning more than Rs. 10,000 per month, possessing two or four wheeler, refrigerator, etc would be excluded from availing these schemes. Additional Chief Secretary, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Shri P W Ingty, Director, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Smti I R Sangma, Deputy Commissioner West Garo Hills, Shri Pravin Bakshi, Members of Meghalaya State Food Commission and Retired IAS, Smti L Kharkongor and Smti R D Marak, Member, State Food Commission, Dr. C B Sangma, Chairman Tura Municipal Board, D N Sangma, Chief Executive Officer, Tura Municipal Board, Smti S B Marak, host of high ranking officers, former officials, Senior citizens, officials of Integrated Child Development Scheme, Education department, officials and staff of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department and Fair Price Shop Dealers from South West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills and Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division including Tura Sardar were among others present at the function.