Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 469/12

SPECIAL INTERACTIVE PROGRAMME HELD AT KHONGLAH VILLAGE, AMLAREM

Shillong, 29th October, 2012: The Office of the Sub Divisional Public Relations Officer (SDPRO), Amlarem Sub Division organized a one day Special Interactive Programme (SIP) at Khonglah Village. The SIP was inaugurated by Mr. N.A.K Syiem, SDO (Civil), Amlarem and witnessed the participation of officials from the Health & Family Welfare, Fishery, PHE, Education and Soil & Water Conservation Departments, Government of Meghalaya.

The various government officials gave out information and awareness on the various schemes and Acts under their respective charge to over 500 residents of Khonglah and Mawngap villages. Creative expression competitions like singing, dancing and drawing were also organized for school children.

The various schemes and Acts covered by the respective officials under the SIP were the Meghalaya Right to Free and Compulsory Education, the schemes under the State Aquaculture Mission, the NRHM, JSY and Total Sanitation Campaign.

There was also a special session on Coffee cultivation and marketing by Mr. P. S Lyngdoh, SCD (SR), Soil & Water Conservation Department, Amlarem Sub Division. The other officials who represented their various departments were Mr. N.P. Sohsley, BRP, office of the SDSEO, Mr. S. Challam, Fishery Officer, Mr. M. Talang, SDMHO and Mr. I. Shylla, Volunteer, TSC Cell.

Press Release No. 470/12

AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON SVEEP HELD

Shillong, 29th October, 2012: An awareness programme on Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) was today held for Secondary and Higher secondary students at St Mary’s Higher Secondary School, West Garo Hills, Tura.

The programme was held in order to spread the message on the importance of enrollment of youth who have attained the age of 18 years in the electoral roll and urge them to actively exercise their voting rights.

West Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, Mr. Pravin Bakshi, while addressing the gathering laid emphasis on the importance of enrollment of voters who have attained the qualifying age of 18 years and above to make democracy stronger. Mr. Bakshi informed that that SVEEP targeted youth who had attained the age of 18 years or above and those who are not 18 yet but will be on 1st January 2013. The target of VEEP is two-fold, in that it will ensure systematic enrollment of qualified voters and ensure maximum participation of already enrolled voters said, Mr. Bakshi and added that the Special Summary Revision that started on the 1st October 2012 would conclude on 31st October 2012. The remaining three days will be an opportunity for qualified candidates to get enrolled in the electoral rolls, Mr. Bakshi stated and urged the students to spread the message to others.

Additional Deputy Commissioner and Electoral Registration Officer for 50-North Tura and 51-South Tura, Mr. Ambrose Ch Marak said that it was imperative that the students understand the importance of getting enrolled in the electoral roll and participate in the Nation building process by exercising their voting rights. He at length deliberated on various procedures and steps on the enrollment process.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were Extra Assistant Commissioner (Election), C N Sangma and St Mary’s H S School Principal, Fr B Paul.

Press Release No. 471/12

STATE LEVEL WORKSHOP ON E PROCUREMENT

Shillong, October 29, 2012: A One Day State Level Workshop for Government Officials on Government e-Procurement System of NIC (GePNIC) organized by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) Shillong in collaboration with State Information and Technology, Department, Government of Meghalaya was held today at Information and Technology building, Shillong.

Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. W. M. S. Pariat inaugurated the workshop in the presence of Mr. D. P. Wahlang, Commissioner & Secretary, Information Technology Department, Er. S. Bhardwaj, IIS, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, Mr. T. Dkhar, State Informatics Officer.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pariat said that Government e-Procurement System of NIC aim at transparency and non discrimination amongst bidders by allowing free access to tender documents, secure on -line bid submission and access to bid opening event to all from any place at any time using the system through internet. The Workshop would help expedite the implementation of e- Tendering and e-Procurement system in the different State Government Departments which would save a lot of time and reduce the cost implementation, opined Mr. Pariat.

The Workshop was conducted by NIC, Chennai led by Srinivas Raghavan, Senior Technical Director. The main topics for the workshop include Overview of GePNIC, goals under Mission Mode Project, Security aspects, presentation on Tender Creation and Publishing, Preparation of Price Bid, Standardization of My Space Requirements, Bid submission, Evaluation across all departments.

It may be mentioned that the National Informatics Centre (NIC) Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India has developed its own e-Procurement software solution, GePNIC to cater to the procurement of tendering requirements of Government departments and organizations. The solution is generic in nature and can easily be adopted for all kinds of procurement activities such as goods, services and works by government offices.

The main function of e-Procurement System includes registration of Government Officials and bidders in different roles, tender creation and publishing, publishing of corrigendum and decisions of pre-bid meeting, online bid submission, resubmission, withdrawal as per the needs and online tender opening and decryption of bids.

The National Informatics Centre has standing arrangements through NICSI to facilitate the implementation of the GePNIC solution, including domain specific 3rd agencies, to provide manpower support for handholding, training and helpdesk facilities as per the needs of user department on payment of suitable charges. It may be added that the Department of Commerce, Ministry of commerce and industry, Government of India has mandated early and fast adoption of a standardized e-Procurement System in State Government Departments through the Mission Mode Project on e-Procurement.