Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 19/17

POWER MINISTER FLAGS OFF MEGHA POWER VANS

Meghalaya Power Minister, Shri S. Dhar flagged off 10 Meghapower Vans today at MeECL Headquater, Lum Jingshai, Shillong. The vans will be used for emergency duties related to electricity based complaints. During the day the Minister also launched the newly designed MeECL website: www.meecl.nic.in where the consumers can access for information on MeECL, electricity tariff rates, new connections and online payment of electricity bills besides other facilities. The website will also cater to other queries pertaining to any other consumer affairs. Terming Power sector as a vital sector which deals with each and every household in the State, the Meghalaya Power Minister, Shri S. Dhar in his speech as Chief Guest said that the new initiative taken up by the Government will be able to effectively address the complaints related to power and electricity received on a day to day basis. While highlighting the issues relating to the shortage of power supply and the prevalence of electricity theft, Shri Dhar also urged the Deputy Commissioners in the Districts to convene a meeting with the Headmen of respective villages in order to address and find a permanent solution to curb electricity theft. He also said that through awareness programmes this problem can also be addressed effectively. The Minister also said that the website will not only provide information on MeECL and ease the problem of consumers queuing up for hours in order to pay their electricity bills, but will also provide transparency in its dealings with the public. “I hope that with this new initiative, consumer complaints, mostly in rural areas, will be catered and addressed to in a more effective and speedy way”, he added. Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya & CMD, MeECL, Shri P. S. Thangkhiew and Principal Secretary, Power, Shri M. S. Rao also spoke at the function. Director (Distribution), MePDCL, Shri T. Passah delivered the welcome address while Chief Engineer, MeEPDCL, Shri M. Shangpliang proposed the vote of thanks. CMD, NEEPCO, Shri A. G. West Kharkongor, Commissioner & Secretary, Power, Shri E. P. Kharbhih, Director (Finance), MeECL, Shri A. Bhagotia, Director (Transmission), MePTCL, Shri C. Kharkrang and Technical Director, NEEPCO, Shri V. K. Singh was also present at the function.

Press Release No. 20/17

WORKSHOP ON FRONTEND PROCESSES AT THE GSTN PORTAL HELD

The Office of the Commissioner of Taxes, Meghalaya in collaboration with the Goods and Services Tax Network, New Delhi conducted a One Day Workshop on Frontend Processes at the GSTN Portal on 11th January, 2017 at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong for the officials of the Department and the various stakeholders consisting of Taxpayers, Chartered Accountants, Tax Consultants etc. to enlighten them on the online processes for Registration, Return Filing, Tax Payment and Helpdesk in the GST Regime. The Workshop was attended by more than 500 participants. Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, I/c Excise, Registration, Taxation & Stamps Department, Shri P. W. Ingty graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Shri Bhagwan Patil, Vice President GSTN, New Delhi was the Resource Person. The Workshop was extremely beneficial to all participants and more such Workshops will be conducted in Shillong and other District Headquarters in the month of March, 2017.

Press Release No. 21/17

SENSITIZATION ON DIGITAL INDIA CAMPAIGN HELD

Sensitization on Digital India Campaign was organized by Deputy Commissioner’s office and District Planning Office today at DRDA Conference Hall, West Garo Hills, Tura in collaboration with National Informatics Centre (NIC), Shillong. This is first of such programme to be held in the state of Meghalaya. Heads of all departments in the district, officials of different banks and stakeholders were present at the awareness programme. In his opening remark the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Pravin Bakshi informed that the recent demonetization announced by the central government has necessitated sensitizing the people of the region adding that one of the important priorities of the government is to promote opening of new accounts especially for those who do not have accounts in the banks. Moreover, he mentioned that this step towards cashless transaction would reduce the difficulties faced for handling cash transaction of big amounts and which can easily be transferred directly to concerned persons bank account. Urging the people to cooperate in a leap forward towards a cashless economy by the government of India Mr. Bakshi requested all heads of line departments in the district to direct their staff both regular and casual to have bank accounts since digital payment will be the only mode of payment in the near future. Technical Director, National Informatics Centre, Meghalaya Shillong, Benos Lyngskor in his power point presentation, highlighted the background, objectives, digital payment framework and short term and long term benefits of cashless economy while informing the measures taken up by the government of India to promote a cashless economy through digital payments where NIC will act as a change agent. “This sensitization aims to enable citizens to access and use electronic payment system (EPS) including merchants in the rural areas”, he added. He also informed that cashless transactions would include official receipts and payments including purchase of costlier items like vehicles, durables and purchase of daily items like groceries and medicines. Mr. Lyngskor explained about the different modes of digital payments provided by banks of which using debit, credit and pre-paid cards are common among the people and others like Rupay, e-Wallet, Aadhaar enabled payment system, etc. Further, he cautioned the people not to share password or PIN code with others and also not to accept offers for free caller tunes, etc which are different ways to cheat people by hackers.

Press Release No. 23/17

NATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2017 OBSERVED IN THE STATE

Along with the rest of the country, Meghalaya today observed the “National Youth Day”, to commemorate the 154th birth of Swami Vivekananda. The annual celebration was marked with various programmes across the state including a grand function held at Raj Bhavan, Shillong. Meghalaya Governor, Mr. V. Shanmuganathan graced the occasion as the Chief Guest in the presence of Mr.P.B.O. Warjri, State Chief Information Commissioner, Mr. D.P. Wahlang, Commissioner and Secretary, Education department, Mr. F.R. Kharkongor, Commissioner and Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. H. M. Shangpliang, Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Sylvanus Lamare, Principal St. Edmund’s College, Shillong, Smti M.W. Nongbri, Director Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. John F. Kharshiing, President MSOA, Swami Achyuteshananda Maharaj, Secretary Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong among others. Speaking on the occasion, Meghalaya Governor, Mr. V. Shanmuganathan made an ardent appeal to the youth of the state to be part of the solution to some of the problems faced by the State of Meghalaya. The Governor said some of the acute problems faced by the state are unemployment and marketing. In this regard, he urged the educated youths to come forward to help the young school dropouts in imparting skill training like driving where they could fully engage themselves in the driving profession and earn for their livelihood. The farmers of the state are hard workers and can produce huge quantity of agricultural products but they cannot fetch good prices from their produces due to lack of marketing. “The youths can also come forward in this regard to help the farmers”, the Governor suggested. The Governor also said India is witnessing a great economic growth and the youth should grab this opportunity and they should also fully utilize the technology available at their disposal, when they can fully utilize their time in reading books by downloading from the available technology and resources. During the occasion, A Dance Drama on Swami Vivekananda, “A Journey to Divinity” was presented by the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya and I.C.C.R. performance by Gitanjali Dance Academy and Short Skit on Vivekananda was also performed by the students of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Shillong. Fashion Show depicting the indigenous dresses of the different tribes of Meghalaya were also performed on the occasion. The Governor also felicitates Youth Icons of the State which includes Andrea Tariang, R.Passah, Wansuk Myrthong, Marlangki Suting, Empower Warbah, Bonifast Khymdeit and Kitboklang Nongphlang.

Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the National Youth Day Run organized by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs for various categories by the Governor. The winners under 18 boys category were Marso Kyndait 1st prize, Synsharlang Wahlang 2nd Prize and Batsingstar Kharjarin 3rd prize. In the under 18 girls category first prize goes to Pynhun Shulet, second prize bagged by Aidaris Lyngkhoi and third prize bagged by Evamerry Ramsiej. In the above 18 category for boys, first prize bagged by Chitra Bahadur Gaha, second prize bagged by Sunil Gurung and third prize goes to Jomsingstar Ramsiej. In the girls category first prize bagged by Dateibankynmaw Marwein, second prize bagged by Analiza L. Nonglait and third prize by Jenita Kharbteng. The winners of the Essay competition organized by the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education for Under Graduate category, Amit Dutta of St. Edmund’s College, Laxmi Prabha Das, NIT, Meghalaya and Amethea Kellee Lyngdoh of All Saint Diocesan Hr. Secondary School who bagged the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize respectively. The winners of Post Graduate category include Patricia Thangkhiew of St. Mary’s College B.Ed, Kiran Singh Rana of NEHU and Archana Thakur, IGNOU who bagged the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize respectively. Earlier on the day, a similar programme was also held at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Shillong organized by the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society in collaboration with SHAMAKAMI, Lamjingshai Project, Shillong. Dr Jemino Mawthoh, MLA, Nongthymmai Constituency graced the occasion as the Chief Guest in the presence of Dr. (Mrs) B. Mawthoh, Project Director, MACS and representatives from various NGOs and educational institutions.