Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 341/12

CM INAUGURATES MULTI FACILITY CENTRE AT ZIKZAK

Shillong, 11 September 2012: Meghalaya Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Program is a one of a kind program in the whole of the country and under the umbrella of this flagship program various livelihood generation activities have been integrated to maximize inclusion of participants. This was informed by Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma today while inaugurating the Multi Facility Centre and Entrepreneurship Information Centre at Zikzak C and RD Block.

Dr Sangma addressing the gathering said that the Multi Facility Centre would act as an information and training centre for schemes under the IBDLP. Stating that the Government has invested a great deal in the IBDLP, Dr Sangma informed that traditional and contemporary techniques have been incorporated in the program to make it inclusive. Dr Sangma informed that through the development of horticulture and agriculture, the economy and livelihood opportunities of the state can be changed and added that 12.5 crores and 50 crores have been allotted as additional funds for weaving and sericulture and aquaculture respectively.

Dr Sangma elaborating on the varied species of flora thriving in the area said that orchids especially Dendrobium did well in the region. He informed that the people would be imparted special training to grow Dendrobium commercially and take it up as a livelihood generation activity. Dr Sangma later launched the Advertisement Booklet on IDBLP.

West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi addressing the gathering said that the inauguration of the multi facility centre heralded the beginning of a new era for Southwest Garo Hills.

Among others who spoke at the occasion was Parliamentary Secretary, Shri. Abdus Saleh.

Press Release No. 342/12

CM INAUGURATES MASS WEAVERS REGISTRATION AT AMPATI.

Shillong 11, 2012: Mass Weavers’ Registration and Mega Health Camp organised by the Directorate of Sericulture and Weaving and ICICI Lombard in collaboration with the office of the District Handloom Officer, West Garo Hills was inaugurated by the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma here at Ampati on 10 September, 2012.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sangma said that this camp aims at helping the weavers to get registration for availing the schemes being implemented by the Govt. through the concerned department. One yarn bank will be established at Ampati to facilitate easy availability of raw material for weavers for which the fund has already been allocated by the Govt., informed the Chief Minister. The registered weavers will also be given health insurance under which the weavers will be provided free health check-up and treatment facilities. The Govt. has already allocated fund for giving assistance to 30,000 shortlisted beneficiaries in the state. Creating opportunities for the weavers is the main aim of organising this camp as there are huge potentials in the weaving sector. The weavers will be given support system by the Govt. through the concerned department for inter-linking with the designers.

On the day the Chief Minister also launched the Mobile Yarn Bank which will be used for carrying and distributing yarn to different weaving units and shortlisted beneficiaries in the rural areas under the supervision of the District Handloom Officer.

The inaugural function was presided over by Mr. Ram Singh, the Deputy Commissioner of South-West Garo Hills and the key-note address was given by Mr. R. Bhang, Director of Sericulture and Weaving.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Mr. Clement Marak, Co-chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board, Abdus Saleh, Parliamentary Secretary and Mr. Adolf Lu Hitler, MLA, Rangsakona. On the day, 5000 weavers had registered for availing of opportunities being provided by the Govt.

Press Release No. 343/12

CONCLAVE ON AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR STAKEHOLDERS OF NORTHEASTERN REGION HELD

Shillong, September 11, 2012: A one day workshop on "Conclave on Aquaculture Development for the stake holders of Northeastern Region" held at Hotel Pinewood, Shillong on September 11, 2012 was inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shri W M S Pariat.

The programme was organized by the State Fisheries in collaboration with Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad and Association of Aquaculturists (AoA), Bhubaneswar. The main objective of the conclave is to identify critical gaps in aquaculture and development of strategic plan to develop aquaculture technology. It is expected that the program will facilitate fish production in the North East Region to a large extend.

Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Shri W M S Pariat said that it is appropriate to have the conclave in Shillong as the Government is aggressively promoting Aquaculture in the State, the project though it seem ambitious, it is also optimistic to achieve the goal in the next five year plan with the continuous support of the technical institutions and the department including the fish farmers.

“The development in fishery sector will generate wealth and employment for the people of the region and it will also prevent crores of rupees from being drained out of the state by importing fish”, said Mr Pariat. Mr Pariat also spoke about the need to developed strategies to preserve conservation of fishes in their natural habitat and advised the stakeholders to upgrade and equipped themselves with skills and also to be educated from the daylong deliberations of the conclave.

Additional Chief Secretary, Shri P B O Warjri in his brief speech spoke about the successful conservation of local Mahseer fish in Simsang river by the community. He said that such a practice will promote local fresh water fish production. He also informed that the Department of fisheries is also making efforts in promoting and creating awareness about such community fish conservation.

Principal Secretary, Fisheries, Shri K N Kumar said that seed, feed, disease management, human resource development and post harvest management are important factors influencing the production of fish. He said that there is tremendous potential for cold water fishery in the state and by having community fish sanctuaries, it will also promote tourism in the State as the fish sanctuaries are quite unique. It will also preserve the bio-diversity of the State, he added.

Others who spoke on the occasion are Dr M Sinha, Advisor Fishery, Agartala and Chairman RAC, CIFA, Dr J K Jena, Director, NBFJR, Lucknow, Director ICAR. Earlier in the function, Dr P Jayasankar, Director, CIFA delivered the welcome address while General Secretary, AoA, Dr. B K Das proposed the vote of thanks. The chief guest also released a number of publications of the Fisheries department and handed over mementoes and certificate of appreciation to all the Director of Fisheries Departments of the North eastern States who attended conclave.

Press Release No. 344/12

NATIONAL FOLK DANCE- YATRA HELD AT JOWAI

Shillong, September 11, 2012: National Folk Dance-Yatra festival was held at District Library Auditorium, Jowai on September 10, 2012 which was graced by Regional Director, ICCR, Mr Manish Singh. The programme was organized by North East Zone Cultural Centre, (NEZCC), Dimapur in collaboration with Meghalaya Arts & Culture Department.

It was held as a mark of yearlong celebration of the existence of the NEZCC, under the agencies of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India which has completed 25 years and the yearlong celebration of the Silver Jubilee was earlier inaugurated by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India at Panchukula on 13th April, 2012.

The NEZCC will be conducting a series of programmes in all its member States as a part of its outreach programme –Yatra. It will be celebrated in Tura, Nalbari, Tezpur and in other member states. The Cultural troupes from Punjab representing the North Zone Cultural Centre and Cultural troupes from Orissa representing the Eastern Zone Cultural Centre and the states of Manipur Nagaland and Jowai performed to mark this day.

Others present on the occasion are D Syiem, Director, Meghalaya Art and Culture, District Librarian, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai, O.R Challam, President Sein Raij, Jowai, students and scholars from Austria and Indonesia.

Press Release No. 345/12

PYKKA AWARD

Shillong, September 11, 2012: The Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Sports, Mission Directorate Panchayat Youth Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) has informed that the village and block panchayat which filed the highest number of participants in the block and district level competitions will be awarded with Best Sports Village Panchayat trophy for Block level and Best Sports Panchayat trophy for District level competitions respectively.

Press Release No. 346/12

WHOLE MEAL ATTA DISTRIBUTED

Shillong, September 11, 2012: The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District has informed that the Whole Meal Atta for the month of July 2012 is being distributed through the Fair Price shops as per fixed scale and prices.

The scale of issue of Whole Meal Atta is 1217 grams per head and price is Rs. 7.80p per Kg. Any non supply or overcharging of the rate by the suppliers may be brought to the notice of the concerned authority with details.

Press Release No. 347/12

S K OIL DISTRIBUTED FOR SEPTEMBER

Shillong, September 11, 2012: The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District has informed that the S K Oil for the month of September 2012 is being distributed through the S K Oil Retailers to all Family Identity APL, BPL and AAY Card holders in urban areas and households under rural areas.

The scale of issue of S K Oil in urban area is fixed at 7 litres per card and the scale of issue of S K Oil in rural areas may be determined by the local durbar or vigilance committee in consultation with respective S K Oil retailers.

The price of S K Oil is Rs 16.00 per litre in Shillong urban area, Rs 16.50p per litre in Mylliem, Laitlyngkot and Mawkynrew rural areas, Rs 16.70p per litre in Pynursla rural area, Rs 16.80p per litre in Mawsynram and Balat rural areas, Rs. 16.90p per litre in Mawryngkneng rural area and Rs 17.00 in Mawplang rural area.

Any non supply of S K Oil by the retailers as instructed may be brought to the notice of the concerned authority with details.

Press Release No. 348/12

DR AMBEDKAR FOUNDATION NATIONAL ESSAY COMPETITION

Shillong, September 11, 2012: Dr. Ambedkar foundation, an autonomous body of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India invites Essay entries for Dr Ambedkar foundation National Essay Competition 2012 from students of recognized schools and colleges, universities and institutions.

For school the topic is “Life and Mission of Dr B R Ambedkar” (2000 words) and students from class 9 to class 12 can participate while for college, institutions and universities, the topic is “Contribution of Dr B R Ambedkar in making of the Constitution of India” (3500 words).

The terms and conditions and entry form and format for bonafide certificate are available at www.ambedkarfoundation.nic.in and the last date of submission for the entries is 15th September, 2012.

Press Release No. 349/12

LOCAL HOLIDAY IN WEST JAINTIA HILLS DISTRICT

Shillong, September 11, 2012: The Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai has informed that all State Government office and Educational Institutions under the Government of Meghalaya located in West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai shall remained closed on September 18, 2012 on account of Unitarian Anniversary Day.