Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 516/16

GRAND FINALE OF THE MEGHALAYA ICON VI

The Grand Finale of the Stand Alone Event of the Red Ribbon Super Star Campaign-Meghalaya Icon VI will be held on the 8th October, 2016 at Malki Ground, Shillong from 12:00 noon onwards. It may be mentioned that the aim of the Meghalaya Icon VI is to create awareness on HIV and AIDS and to motivate the talented youth of the state to not only come out and showcase their talents but also to enhance, increase and share their understanding towards the subject. The winner of the Meghalaya Icon VI will be the Brand Ambassador and Spokesperson of all HIV and AIDS activities of Meghalaya AIDS Control Society for a period of one year or till the next icon is crowned.

Press Release No. 517/16

NOTICE

It has come to the notice of the Government that electrical accidents have taken place in recent past on account of works taken up by the Departments under the existing electrical lines in contravention of the Electricity Act, 2003. This was informed by the Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Power Department. To avoid electrical accidents, any department which intend to erect a new building or structure or flood bank or to raise any road level or to carry out any other type of work whether permanent or temporary, addition or alteration under an overhead electric line, shall do so in accordance with CEA Electric Supply and Safety Regulation 63 which requires that such department shall give intimation and furnish therewith a scale drawing of the proposed work including scaffolding to the supplier (MeECL) or owner of the electrical lines and to the Electrical Inspector. On receipt of such intimation, the supplier or owner of the electrical line shall examine the compliance of the referred line to the provisions of the Regulations, its technical feasibility, the requirement of Right of Way and liability on the Department to pay the cost of alteration of the overhead lines. Such Department shall deposit the cost for alteration of the line within 30 days of receipt of the notice and estimate from the supplier or owner of electrical line. The supplier shall alter the lines in compliance with Regulation 58, 60, 61 within two months from the date of such deposit or within such longer period as the Electrical Inspector may allow. If such department disputes the cost of alteration of the overhead line estimated by the supplier or owner or even the responsibility to pay such cost, the dispute may be referred to the Electrical Inspector who shall estimate the cost of alteration on the basis of cost of materials after crediting the depreciated cost of materials from the existing line, wages of labour, supervision charge and charges incurred by the supplier or owner in complying with the section 67 (Work of Licensees) of the Electricity Act, 2003. The decision of the Electrical Inspector shall be final. All Departments are directed to ensure strict compliance with the above mentioned provisions of the Electrical Act, 2003 while undertaking works under the existing electrical lines. Any addition or alteration to the building or structure shall be allowed only after the deposit of such estimated cost to the supplier or owner of electrical line. No work upon such building, structure, flood bank, road and addition or alteration thereto shall be commenced or continued until the Electrical Inspector has certified that the provisions of Regulation 58 (clearances above the ground of the lowest conductor of the overhead line), 60 (clearances from buildings on the lines of voltages and service lines not exceeding 650 volts) and 61 (clearances from building of lines those exceeding 650 volts) should not be contravened either during or after the aforesaid construction. Contravention of the above regulations may invite action as per law established under the Electricity Act, 2003.

Press Release No. 518/16

AIDS AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES DISTRIBUTED TO PWDS IN CITY

Up to 1000 Aids and Assistive devices costing about Rs. 15 lakh were distributed to the assessed Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), free of cost, at the Samajik Adhikarita Shivir and distribution programme under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organized by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) in collaboration with Health Department, Meghalaya and office of the MP, Rajya Sabha, Shillong at Shillong Club here on Thursday. Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma attended the programme and distributed the aids to PWDs as the chief guest, in the presence of MP, Rajya Sabha Wansuk Syiem as guest of honour, Secretary, Health H.M. Shangpliang, P&O Officer, ALIMCO, Guwahati, Rajesh Das and team, Liaison Officer to MP, Rajya Sabha, L.oma N. Jyrwa, several other officials, leaders of NGOs, agencies and institutions working for the welfare of the PWDs and family members of the PWDs, among others. In his address on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the approach of the State Government has always been inclusive and its intention is to empower all sections of the citizens in the truest sense of the term and give the sense of general well-being. It has embarked upon new legislative measures, in sync with the nation and come up with support system in the form of social assistance, not confining only to PWDs but also the infirm, single mothers and widows, he added. He expressed a sense of gratitude to those who work tirelessly to improve the aids and assistive devices for the PWDs with new and innovative designs, adding that only those families having members with disabilities would understand the value of these updated aids and equipments. On the complaints and hassles of issuing medical certificates for these vulnerable group of people, the Chief Minister stressed on the need to have a mechanism in place for the PWDs to avail such certificates without hindrance. He suggested that the Social Welfare department come up with a single window system and make the system simple in such a way that the certificates can be delivered to the PWDs directly to their homes. Rajya Sabha MP Wansuk Syiem, in her brief address, said that the Government has been implementing several schemes for the welfare of PWDs by using aids and appliances manufactured by ALIMCO, which is operating across the country and the North East as well in collaboration with various and NGOs and agencies. She informed that very soon similar camp would also be organized in Garo Hills for distribution of such aids to PWDs. Earlier, P&O Officer ALIMCO, Rajesh Das, in his welcome address, informed that the whole State of Meghalaya would be covered by them in assessment of PWDs and distribution of assistive devices for them and if some of them have been left out, they would come back again and hold similar camp for them. He also said that updated aids like smart canes and smart phones were being distributed for the first time in Meghalaya. Later, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries personally handed over the aids and assistive devices to the beneficiaries.