Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 1073/17

NORTH EASTERN REGIONAL POWER COMMITTEE HELD

The 18th North Eastern Regional Power Committee (NERPC) Meeting was held today at the State Convention Centre, Shillong under the aegis of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL). The meeting, being hosted by Power Department, Government of Meghalaya and Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited was attended by Shri Comingone Ymbon, Meghalaya Power Minister and Chairman NERPC, Shri Manik Dey, Tripura Power Minister, Shri K. Sangtam, Nagaland Power Minister, Shri T. Taga, Arunachal Pradesh Power Minister, Shri Pallab Lochan Das, Assam Minister of State for Power, Shri M.S. Rao, Principal Secretary Power Department, Government of Meghalaya, Shri E. W. Nongrum, Technical Coordination Committee (TCC), Chairman and Director (Generation) MePGCL, Shri P. K. Mishra, Member Secretary, NERPC officials from the State Power Departments and utilities, central power utilities, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and other stake holders in the power sector.

Shri Comingone Ymbon in his address said that the North East region is endowed with abundant resources for development of power especially hydro potential but most of these remain untapped. Adding that NER is facing some low voltages in several pockets, Shri Ymbon said that in order to address the problems capacitor bank installation has to be put in place. The Power Minister also informed that in the State of Meghalaya, power is primarily met from the State owned generating company, MePGCL and the present generation capacity is 354.7 MW, with an addition of 40 MW after the recent commissioning and declaration of commercial operation on 1st July, 2017 of the New Umtru Hydro Electric Project. There are two ongoing small hydro projects, namely Ganol HEP and Lakroh HEP. Survey and investigation is currently underway for 22 Hydro Electric Projects including 16 small hydro projects. The State Government has envisaged development of Solar Power Park in the State and has taken up development of two solar parks of 10 MW each and the transmission sector in the State is being strengthened and expanded through various schemes, including North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP), he added.

Shri Ymbon expressed hope that the Meeting will address many issues affecting the power sector of the NER and the outcome of the meeting will significantly contribute towards efficient and reliable grid operation of the region and achieve the common objective of providing 24x7 Power for all at an affordable price. Others who spoke on the occasion include Shri Manik Dey, Tripura Power Minister, Shri K. Sangtam, Nagaland Power Minister, Shri T. Taga, Arunachal Pradesh Power Minister, Shri Pallab Lochan Das, Assam Minister of State for Power and Shri M.S. Rao, Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Power Department.

Press Release No. 1075/17

ORDER UNDER SECTION 144 CRPC

The Sub Divisional Magistrate, Sohra Civil Sub Division, Sohra has promulgated an Order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting illegal/rampant killing of fishes/other aquatic life forms by using explosives and poisons in all rivers/streams within Sohra Civil Sub-Division. The order has been passed in view of the information received that there is ongoing practice of rampant killing of fishes along the Umsohryngkew River by using explosives and poisons by unknown individuals and groups resulting in indiscriminate killing of fishes which may in likelihood lead to total eradication of aquatic life and may cause different health hazards to all who depend on the river for their livelihood (either humans or other aquatic life) etc. This order shall come into force with immediate effect up to a period of 6 months or until further orders.

Press Release No. 1077/17

FOUNDATION STONE FOR 50 BEDDED MATERNITY AND CHILD HOSPITAL LAID AT UMSNING

Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma today laid the Foundation Stone for 50 Bedded Maternity & Child Hospital at Umniangbyrnai Parila, Umsning in the presence of Minister, Health, Roshan Warjri, Minister, PHE, Dr Celestine Lyngdoh and Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism etc Kennedy C Khyriem. Speaking to the gathering, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma expressing happiness at being able to respond to the need of the area said that an important milestone has been achieved in the crucial Health sector. He said that though the state still faces challenges as all developing states the government is focused in taking care of all sections of the society specially the vulnerable group, the under privileged, the women and the children. “The government has initiated a number of programmes to address the issues of development disparities,” he said while highlighting the flagships programmes of the state. Dr Sangma also said that though many precious lives have been lost in the past due to bad roads, all weather roads have been developed in the state though convergence and aggregating resources for better access to livelihood opportunities and Health facilities. “The hospital will reduce Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality rate in the area which is quiet high in the district,” he added. The Chief Minister further said that mothers still continue to suffer by neglecting her health and added that the whole approach to health care needs to be changed. He said that the practice of visiting a doctor or a hospital only when one is ill has to be done away with and urged all especially women and mothers to have a regular health monitoring and check up. He also urged the Health department to work upon very comprehensive and practical measures so that preventive medicine and care can be given in new and innovative ways.

The Maternity and Child Hospital is a project of total Rs 14 crores and Rs 4.5 crores has been sanctioned. The hospital in Umniangbrynai, Parila will spread over an area of four acres. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Multi Facility Centre and urged the residents of the area to use the building for various skill building, entrepreneurial, coaching and training activities. An amount of Rs 40 lakhs was sanctioned for the Multi Facility hall by the Department of Arts and Culture. PWD village road of 2 kms for Umniangbrynai which had been completed was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister during the occasion and Dr Sangma announced that funds for another 10 kms village road has been sanctioned taking up the total to 12 kms village road. Among others who spoke during the occasion were Roshan Warjri, Minister, Health etc, Dr Celestine Lyngdoh, Minister, PHE who delivered the Welcome Address, Parliamentary Secretary, Kennedy Khyriem, DHS (MI), Dr D Lyngdoh and the Rangbah Shnong, Umniangbrynai, Parila, A Kharbani. Deputy Commissoner, Ri Bhoi, C P Gotmare and other district officials were also present for the Fundation Stone Laying Ceremony.