Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 39/07

REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATION

The Additional Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, has informed that the Republic Day Celebration will be held on January 26, 2007 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Polo Ground, Shillong.

The official function will start at 9 am with the unfurling of the national flag by the VIP followed by march-past, speech and tableau presentation. The celebration will also include flag hoisting on all government and private institutions, offices and private residential buildings from 7 am, free cinema show for children under 14 years of age in the local cinema halls and distribution of gifts and food items by NGOs to hospital patients, disabled persons, orphans at 11:00 am.

In connection with the celebration, the following dignitaries will take the Rashtriya Salute at the Ceremonial Parade on 26th January, 2006 at various places as indicated against their names.

In the District Headquarters, the Meghalaya Governor, Shri. M. M. Jacob, will take the salute in Shillong, Shri J.D.Rymbai, Chief Minister in Nongpoh, Smti. Irene Lyngdoh, Minister in Nongstoin, Shri. Shitlang Pale, Minister in Jowai, Shri.M.M.Danggo, Speaker in Tura, Shri. E. D. Marak, Minister in Williamnagar and Shri. Sengran Sangma, Minister, Minister in Baghmara.

In the Sub-Divisions, Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister in Sohra, Shri R.L. Tariang, Parliamentary Secretary in Mawkyrwat, Shri. Paul Lyngdoh, Minister in Mairang, Shri Nehlang Lyngdoh, Parliamentary Secretary in Khliehriat, Shri. J.A.Lyngdoh, Parliamentary Secretary in Amlarem, Shri. B. A. Sangma, Minister in Dadenggiri, Shri. M. N. Mukhim, Minister in Resubelpara and Shri. M.I. Sarkar, Minister in Ampati.

In the Administrative Units, Shri B.B.Nongsiej, Parliamentary Secretary will take the salute in Mawshynrut and Shri Stanley W. Rymbai, Parliamentary Secretary will take the salute in Patharkhmah.

Press Release No. 40/07

CONSULTATION MEETING ON CDP HELD

A consultation meeting on the Draft City Development Plan (CDP) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for the city of Shillong was held on January 23, 2007 at the Conference Hall of the Raitong Building, Shillong for representatives of Dorbar Shnongs of the localities within and outside the Shillong Municipal Area and prominent NGOs. Present at the meetings were the Meghalaya Minister for Urban Affairs, Mr. Paul Lyngdoh, Mr. W. L. Lyngdoh, Secretary, Urban Affairs and CEO, Shillong Municipal Board and Mr. B. Dutta, Director, Urban Affairs. Power Point Presentation of the CDP was presented by the BCEOM India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, consultants of the JNNURM in Shillong.

Mr. Paul Lyngdoh, in his speech said that Shillong is very fortunate to be among the 63 cities of India to be selected for the JNNURM project which was launched by the Prime Minister in 2005. Lamenting on the fact that Shillong is an unplanned city which is going at a fast pace, Mr. Lyngdoh said that the Rangbah Shnongs, as stakeholders, needs to play a very important role for the smooth execution of the project. He expressed hoped that the threadbare discussions, valuable suggestions and recommendations put forward in the meeting will find a place in the final draft of the CDP.

It may be mentioned that the City Development Plan (CDP) is designed to be responsive to city’s ever-transforming socio-economic and cultural patterns and redefine the image of Greater Shillong Planning Area (GSPA) as a diverse multifaceted society. The GSPA under the project will include areas like Mawtawar, Mawiong, Upper Shillong, Mawlyngngat, Tynring, Mawpat, Laitkor and their adjoining areas besides the Municipal areas of Shillong.

The goals projected to be achieved through the CDP are adequate provision and regular operation and maintenance of urban infrastructure and services like water supply, solid waste management, drainage, roads, traffic and transportation, sanitation and urban renewal to sustain a balanced civic life, with special focus on universal access of basic urban services like housing for the poor, water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, street lighting, roads/streets, community facilities to its citizens and provide a conducive environment for a sustainable growth of economic, commercial and industrial activity in the city, to provide efficient intra-state and inter-state communication linkages to enable the city to play a proactive role in the balanced growth of the state and the region, to ensure optimum utilization of the natural resources with which state and the city is endowed with to attract entrepreneurs from within and outside the country and to enlist the active cooperation of all the stakeholders, civic society and traditional institutions in the urban governance processes to promote a sustainable inclusive society.