Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 855/06

NATURAL CONSERVATION WEEK 2006 LAUNCHED

With the aim of providing a forum for experts from different government departments as well as implementing officers of various schemes to interact and exchange vital information on the ways and means of improving the delivery of developmental schemes to rural areas, a two day State Level Workshop on Watershed Development Project In Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA) and National Watershed Development Programmes in Rained Areas was today inaugurated by the Meghalaya Minister for Soil and Water Conservation, Mr. M. N. Mukhim at the KJP Assembly Conference Hall, Shillong. At the same time the Minister also launched the Natural Resources Conservation Week 2006 on the theme “Our Land, our future”. Apart from state government officials, officers from the Government of Mizoram and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India are taking part in this workshop.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mukhim pointed out that red-tapism involved with clearance of projects often resulted in delayed implementation of development schemes, which in turn stalls the overall progress of the State. Reiterating the need for transparency, he urged upon the officers of all department to work with greater cooperation. Adding that farmers of the State are not yet ready to change the traditional methods of cultivation, he said that there is an urgent need to develop a scientific approach in all agriculture activities in the State for sustainable management of natural resources and to ensure that this information trickles down to the grassroots level.

It may be mentioned, the WDPSCA was launched in 1994-1995 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India. Implemented by the Soil and Water Conservation Department as a 100 p.c. Special Central Assistance to the State Plan 1994-95, the scheme has progressed well in achieving the objectives of protecting and developing the jhum areas through different Soil and Water Conservation Measures on a watershed basis, encouraging and assisting the jhumia families with improved cultivation practices leading to settled cultivation, improving the socio-economic status of jhumia families through household/land based activities and mitigating the ill effects of shifting cultivation by adoption of improved land and water management technologies.

Earlier a power point presentation was made by the Additional Director of Soil and Water Conservation, Mr. A. Syiem highlighting the ongoing WDPSCA projects in the State. Others who spoke included Mr. S. Chatterjee, Meghalaya Additional Chief Secretary and Mr. Shamsher Singh, Additional Commissioner, NRM Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation. The session was chaired by the Commissioner and Secretary, Soil and Water Conservation, Mr. P. W. Ingty.

Mr. A. D. Diengdoh, a young and talented musician, struck the right note with the participants with a rendition of his original composition while performing the welcome song.

The inaugural session ended with the release of a magazine highlighting the achievement of the State Soil and Water Conservation Department by the Chief Guest, Mr. M. N. Mukhim.

Press Release No. 856/06

53RD ALL INDIA CO-OPERATIVE WEEK HELD

Along with the rest of the country, the 53rd All India Co-operative Week on the theme “Co-operative Autonomy, Good Governance and Right to Information Day” was held at Deba Kumar Das Memorial Hall Bishnupur, Shillong on November 14, 2006. The week is being organized by the Meghalaya Co-operative Apex Bank Ltd (MCAB), Bishnupur Branch along with all MCAB city Branch, MSCU, etc. Meghalaya Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. Paul Lyngdoh grace the occasion as the chief guest in the presence of Mrs. L Diengdoh, Registrar Co-operative Societies and other senior officials of the MCAB.

Speaking at the function, Mr. Lyngdoh lauded the effort of the MCAB for organizing the week for the welfare of the farmers of the State and the region as a whole. He also informed that the celebration has decided to dwell on the Green Revolution and at the same time hoped that the Revolution should signify progress, development at the instance of the people. He further stated that development should not be seen as Government centered activities but people centered activities for the overall development of the society. Mr. Lyngdoh further informed that the bank today has a wide network of 39 branches, spread throughout the State providing effective banking products and other related services to the general public.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Mrs. L Diengdoh, Registrar Co-operative Societies, Mr. D F War, Managing Director, MCAB, Mr. Mukul Das, Vice Chairman, MCAB and Mr. J B Dutta, Director, MDMI.

The function was also attended by members of different Co-operative sectors of the State.

It may be mentioned that the MCAB was established in 1971, with the formation of Meghalaya State after bifurcation of the erstwhile Assam State. Since then the Bank has developed and expanded its activities and has grown in manifolds.

Press Release No. 857/06

RATION CARDS 1997 FOR BPL, AAY, ANNAPURNA IN RI BHOI

It has come to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh that the BPL/AAY/Annapurna ration cards which has been collected by the Fair Prices Shop Dealers of Ri Bhoi District during 1997 have not been distributed to the concerned beneficiaries.

The Deputy Commissioner (Supply) has therefore directed all Fair Price Shop Dealers to distribute the cards to the concerned beneficiaries within 30th November, 2006 failing which necessary action will be taken against them as per law.

Press Release No. 858/06

WHOLE MEAL ATTA DISTRIBUTED

The Deputy Commissioner (Supply), East Khasi Hills District, Shillong has informed that whole meal atta for the month of July, August and September 2006 will be distributed through Fair Price Shops at the scale of 1,300 kgs per head and at the rate of Rs. 7.00 per kg.

Any non-supply or overcharging of the rate by the Suppliers may be brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), East Khasi Hills District, Shillong.

Press Release No. 859/06

MEGHALAYA'S PARTICIPATION AT THE IITF 2006 INAUGURATED

The Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. D. Roy today inaugurated the participation of Meghalaya at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2006, at the State Pavilion at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, in the presence of the State Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. F. R. Sangma, Resident Commissioner, Meghalaya House, New Delhi, Mr. S. S. Gupta, Director of Information and Public Relations, Meghalaya, Mr. P. S. Dkhar and others.

The Deputy Chief Minister while inspecting the various exhibits in the display section appreciated the efforts made by the government which is at par with other states of the country. Dr. Roy also interacted with the entrepreneurs, artisans and officials participating in the Fair. It may be mentioned that the departments participating in the IITF 2006 with effect from November 14 to 27, 2006 are DIPR, Tourism, Agriculture, Horticulture, Forest, Sericulture and Weaving, Meghalaya Handloom Industries Board, Meghalaya Apex Handloom Weaving and Handicraft Cooperative Limited and 12 entrepreneurs and artisans from different parts of the State.

The theme for IITF 2006 is “Tourism and Small Medium Enterprise”.

Press Release No. 860/06

STATE LEVEL PAINTING EXHIBITION

The State Level Painting Exhibition organized as a part of the National Campaign on Energy Conservation under the aegis of the Bureau Of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India, in association with State Council of Science, Technology and Environment, Meghalaya was held at NEEPCO Auditorium Brookland Colony, Lower New Colony, Shillong on November 14, 2006. The basic aim of organizing this competition is to make conservation of energy reach to the level of children. Altogether 50 students from different schools of the State participated in the competition. Meghalaya Minister for Home, Mr. R. G. Lyngdoh graced the prize distribution function as the Chief Guest.

Congratulating the two winners who will be representing the State at the National Level competition, Mr. Lyngdoh urged upon the people of the State to take responsibility of conserving energy for the future generations. He then lauded the efforts of the NEEPCO and expressed hope that such kind of endeavour targeting conservation of energy to children will be taken up in future.

Miss Rupashree Chaudhury, Class V Student of All Saints Diocesan School and Master Badamut Riahtam, Class IV student of Lummawbah Government L.P. School will be representing the State in the National Level Competition to be held on December 14, 2006. A cash Prize of Rs. 10, 000/-, 8,000/- and Rs. 5000/- were awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners. Consolation prizes were awarded to five winners and certificate of participation and gifts were also presented to all the participants.

Mr. B. K. Dev Burma, Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Power Department, Mr. A. G. West, GM (Finance), NEEPCO, Mr. B. K. Bhattacharjee, Director NEEPCO, Mrs. Loreta Kharmaphlang, Deputy Manager, Public Relations, NEEPCO were others who spoke on the occasion.