Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 259/22

MEGHALAYA AMONGST THE EMERGING BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM STATES UNDER EODB 2020 ASSESSMENT

Meghalaya has been ranked as Emerging Business Ecosystem’ in the Ease of Doing Business 2020 Assessment released by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The government of Meghalaya has been consistently working for the past few years towards creating a conducive business environment and citizen centric services through which it aims to boost investor confidence, foster a business friendly climate, and augment the ease of living for citizens of the State through timely and digitalized services.

The assessment was released by Smti Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister, Government of India under the august presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Commerce and Industry Minister at an eventorganized at Delhi. DPIIT assessed 38 States and UTs on the Business Reforms Action Plan 2020 which consisted of 301 reforms around regulatory processes, policies, practices and procedures classified into 15 Reform Areas. The assessment was based on the survey to take feedback from actual users of the services.

Planning Department, Government of Meghalaya is the Nodal Agency to improve the regulatory environment in State and further ease of doing business. 48 departments worked together to implement majority of reforms under BRAP 2020 in areas related to mandatory online single window system for regulatory clearances, central inspection system, auto renewals, online query handling and notified timelines under the State Public Service Guarantee Act etc. Despite facing challenges due to COVID pandemic, multiple online workshops were conducted with the industries to strengthen the relationship and to create awareness about reforms undertaken by the State Departments to ease the burden on businesses.

Earlier, for simple licenses and approvals such as Business license for small shops, applicant had to visit the government offices from far flung areas of different districts to physically submit the application and receive the certificate. The e-Governance initiatives, taken by Government of Meghalaya simplified the overall approval processes, time-bound approvals, and grievance redressal mechanism with no physical touchpoints for the business houses or MSMEs to setup their business or expand in the state with reduced cost and time.

Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma congratulated all the concerned departments, industries, and citizens of Meghalaya for the accomplishment and their commitment in achieving this.

Press Release No. 260/22

ALL INDIA RADIO SHILLONG CELEBRATED ITS 75TH FOUNDATION DAY

All India Radio, Shillong celebrated its 75th foundation day in a function held today at Shillong with its former staff and officers of the station. All India Radio Shillong was inaugurated on 1st July 1948 by the then Governor of Assam, Shri Akbar Hydari in the presence of the then Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Gopinath Bordoloi. Shri Laxmanan Narayan was the Director-General of All India Radio.

Director and Head of Office, AIR Shillong, Shri T Hynniewta shared the roles played by AIR Shillong over the years in spreading information to the public and entertainment at the same time. He stated that AIR Shillong has established itself as a reputed organisation providing factual information to its listeners due to the hard work put in by many people including retired officials and staff. He lauded the efforts put in by all existing staff and retired personnel who have contributed to the cause of All India Radio as the Public Service Broadcaster. He also mentioned various initiatives taken up by AIR Shillong to cater to the needs of its young listeners like streaming its programmes and news online through various social media platforms and different apps.

Former Chief Producer of Doordarshan Smt Sweety S Diengdoh expressed happiness over the fact that AIR Shillong has contributed immensely in bringing entertainment and information to the public of Meghalaya. She urged the station to continue with the good work of being the Public Service Broadcaster. Meanwhile, former Deputy Director General Program of AIR Shillong, Smt Narimon Shadap mentioned that due to the rise in different forms of media, All India Radio should be a class of its own by providing factual information. All India Radio, Shillong will be conducting various year long programmes till 1st July 2023 as part of the 75th year of its service as Public Service Broadcaster where the public and school children will be part of the said programmes.