Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 500/19

CHIEF MINISTER HOLDS REVIEW MEETING

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma today held a video conference with the Deputy Commissioners of all Districts to review the Public Distribution System in the presence of Secretary and officials of State Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department.

During the review meeting the Chief Minister emphasised on the importance of Social sector schemes and stressed on the need to streamline its implementation. The Chief Minister instructed all concerned to take the initiative towards fulfilling the mandate of the programmes. Taking keen note of the various issues such as manpower shortage, storage facilities and transportation under PDS, the Chief Minister said that necessary measures will be initiated to address these shortcomings.

Expressing his satisfaction on the overall implementation in the State the Chief Minister said that technological intervention will facilitate easier monitoring and timely redressal of issues and problems. The concerned department is in the process of installing e-POS machines in all the 4785 Fair Price shops in the State which will greatly enhance the monitoring of the distribution.

Press Release No. 501/19

LAUNCHING OF STATE WIDE DIRECT BENEFIT TRANSFER OF NATIONAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Shri Conrad Sangma today launched the State wide Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for pension under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) of National Social Assistance Programme.

The DBT will ensure that all beneficiaries receive pension benefits directly into their bank accounts. Terming the initiative as a positive step for timely delivery of pensions to the beneficiaries the Chief Minister said that Meghalaya currently has 46,816 beneficiaries under the scheme which will be increased to cover 86,000 beneficiaries in the near future further adding that the pension money will be transferred to the beneficiaries on the first day of the every month. DBT will also be extended to include beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Social Assistance programme to ensure efficient and speedy delivery of benefits under the scheme.