Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 1093/17

WORKSHOP ON 1917-ITEAMS

A One Day ‘Focus Group Workshop’ on 1917-iTEAMS (Integrated Technology Enabled Agri-Management System) was organized by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Meghalaya at the Integrated Agriculture Training Centre(IATC), Upper Shillong on Tuesday where Chief Minister, Dr.Mukul Sangma attended as Chief Guest. Also present on the occasion were Commissioner& Secretary, Agriculture Department, Shri. P. Sampath Kumar,Joint Secretary, Agriculture Department, Shri. B.Mawlong, officials of various line Departments, farmers, entrepreneurs and others. Addressing the officials and participants at the inaugural session of the workshop, Chief Minister, Dr.Mukul Sangma stated that iLEADS is an important intervention of the government further adding that the workshop provides an ideal forum for integration of ideas amongst stakeholders. Dr. Sangma also stated that in a technology driven era, there is a need to ensure that available technology is leveraged upon for ensuring that farmers get access to necessary information so that farming becomes more remunerative. Highlighting on the fact how food security and nutrition security revolve around farming and farmers, the Chief Minister said that there is a need to empower and skill farmers, and to create a comprehensive support system to them, while also stating that there is also, a need to design farming in such a manner as to attract the young generation towards farming activities. Dr. Sangma also said that the government is creating an enabling environment to boost the sector and called upon the people to participate with the government in order to make agriculture more attractive, productive and remunerative. It may be mentioned that iTEAMS (Integrated Technology Enabled Agri-Management System) is a new initiative of the government to enable and facilitate access to remunerative and sustainable markets for farmers’ produce through the implementation and operation of a logistics and extension facilitation service which would help provide remunerative returns to farmers.

Press Release No. 1096/17

PUBLICATION OF PHOTO ELECTORAL ROLL

The Electoral Registration Officer of 5- Sutnga Saipung (ST) and 6-Khliehriat (ST) Assembly Constituencies has prepared the Photo Electoral Roll in accordance with the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 and a copy is available for inspection at the office of the Electoral Registration Officer and at all concerned polling stations during office hours. The qualifying date for the preparation of the electoral roll is on 1st January, 2018. If with reference to the above said qualifying date, there be any claim for the inclusion of a name in the roll or any objection to the inclusion of name or any objection to particulars in any entry, it should be lodged on or before 31st October, 2017 in Form 6, 6A, 7, 8 or 8A as may be appropriate. Every such claim or objection should either be presented in the office of the Electoral Registration Officer or to the Booth Level Officers at the Designated Polling Stations or can be sent by post to Electoral Registration Officer of 5-Sutnga Saipung (ST) and 6-Khliehriat (ST) Assembly Constituencies, so as to reach the Officer not later than the aforesaid date.

Press Release No. 1098/17

ADVISORY ON THE USE OF FIRE CRACKERS

The District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong has informed that in connection with the upcoming Kali Puja and Deepawali festivities, the following conditions are hereby provided for strict compliance by all concerned in and around Shillong City: 1. Adherence to the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Apex Court of India dated 18.7.2005 vide CA No. 3735 Forum, Prevention of Environment and Sound Pollution Vrs Union of India and others. 2. Adherence to Government Notification dated 25th October, 2005 on the sale/purchase and bursting of:- (i) Fireworks/crackers having noise level exceeding 125 dB (A1) or 145 dB (C) pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting is prohibited expect other types of tarabati and tubri without sound. (ii) Joined firecrackers, the limit of sound be reduced by 5 log 10(N) dB, from 125 dB(Al) or 145 dB(C) where N is number of crackers joined together. (iii) Avoidance of bursting of crackers in public places, silence zones and other Sensitive Areas like Educational Institutions, Hospitals, Courts, Religious places, Government Offices etc. (iv) Bursting of firecrackers between 10:00 P.M – 6:00 a.M is prohibited and punishable by law. 3. Adherence to Management, Segregation, Disposal and Collection of waste as per the Solid and Plastic Waste Management and other Rules & regulations governing Environmental Protection. This is issued in public interest by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills, Shillong, Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, Shillong and General Secretary, Central Puja Committee (CPC), Shillong.

Press Release No. 1099/17

CHERRA TEACHERS TRAINING CENTRE CELEBRATES SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

The closing ceremony of Sesquicentennial Celebrations of Cherra Teachers’ Training Centre (CTTC) was held today at Sohra which was attended by Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma as the Chief Guest while Principal Secretary of Education, D P Wahlang was the Guest of Honour. Speaking to the gathering, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma congratulating the management for its long innings of service in the Education scenario in the region and in the state said that it would be difficult to evaluate the quantum of services rendered by the institution in the long period of 150 years. “Given the History of the state the seed of Education has been planted in Cherrapunjee and it has borne fruits across the state”, said Dr Mukul M Sangma. Dr Sangma also informed that the government has tried to align different programmes and interventions to live up to the name and fame of the state as the centre of Education. “The state has for long missed upon leveraging upon the legacy of being the hub of Education and the opportunities that could have been generated out of it,” he added. He further said that the government has to facilitate and create an enabling environment for Education to promote quality and higher education to equip our children to ultimately become a member of the global community capable of competing at the global scale.

The Chief Minister also placed on record a deep sense of gratitude to the missionaries who had been instrumental in setting a high benchmark in imparting quality Education in the state. He further stated that though there is a need of setting more teachers’ training institution in the state the government has embarked upon a number of initiatives to encourage genuinely aspiring youths who want to become teachers by choice and not teachers by default. “There is a need to motivate the youth to look at teaching and the Education sector as a viable sustainable space not only for imparting quality Education but also for creating entrepreneurship and job opportunities”, said Dr Sangma. He also said that the approach to Education needs to be revisited and Education centers need to look at other associated courses and go beyond the normal courses of Educational courses so that the children are groomed and molded into productive citizens while infusing in them moral values which is missing in the courses of studies. Further, he urged centers of learning to be capable of identifying the capabilities and capacities of every student and providing them the guidance to pursue their career based on their potentialities. Go beyond the normal courses of Education by inspiring the students added Dr Sangma.

The Chief Minister also released the celebration Souvenir during the occasion. CTCC established at Nongsawlia, Sohra is one of the oldest teachers’ training institutes in the state. Its origin can be traced back to the days when the present North Eastern states was a part of the then East Bengal Province. The CTTC is the project of the Khasi-Jaintia Presbyterian Assembly. As the sponsoring body, the Assembly constitutes the Managing Committee through the Human Resource Department and approved by the Directorate of Education Research and Training (DERT), Government of Meghalaya. Among others who spoke during the function were Guest of Honour, D P Wahlang, Rev N S Phawa, Senior Administrative Secretary K.J.P. Assembly and Mrs M B Nongbri, Principal, CTTC, Sohra who delivered the Welcome Address. Also present was MDC, Sohra, Donevan Kharwanlang and other officials of Sohra Civil Sub Division.