Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 308/21

NATIONAL PRESS DAY CELEBRATED

The Shillong Press Club in collaboration with the Directorate of Information & Public Relations today celebrated the National Press Day on the theme “Who’s not afraid of the Media” at a programme held at the Shillong Club. Shri James P K Sangma, Minister of Information & Public Relations attended the programme as Chief Guest and Shri Titosstar W. Chyne, Chief Executive Member, KHADC as Guest of Honour and Smti M. War Nongbri, Secretary, IPR Department as the Special Guest.

I started my career as a journalist, hence I feel a strong connection and find it very meaningful to be a part of the National Press Day celebration, stated Shri Sangma while delivering his inaugural address as the Chief Guest. He said that journalism is an art of story-telling and in the post truth era all of us are trying to grapple with this new concept. The responsibility of the press is to give factual reports and this 4th Pillar of Democracy must uphold this responsibility and abstain from Yellow Journalism, he said.

Shri Sangma informed that the Advertisement Policy of the state is in the final stage of completion and it will be rolled out soon and with regards to various demands from the press fraternity of the state which includes Journalists Pension Plan and Journalists Welfare Fund, Shri Sangma said that the Government is committed to fulfil all the needs.

During the day a Panel Discussion was participated by Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh, MLA, Shri Paul Lyngdoh, MDC, Shri W R Marbaniang, Former DGP, Meghalaya, Shri V G K Kynta, Senior Advocate, Meghalaya High Court, Shri Larsing M Sawyan, MD, Centre Point Group of Enterprises and Ms Joy Syiem, Policy Lead, North Eastern Network.

Press Release No. 311/21

CHIEF MINISTERS OF ASSAM AND MEGHALAYA JOINTLY INSPECTS LANGPIH

Chief Minister, Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma and Chief Minister, Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma along with their Cabinet Ministers today jointly visited Langpih, one of the areas of differences in the Assam-Meghalaya Border issue.

Talking to the press after the joint visit, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that it was a historic moment for both the States. “It is a historic moment as for the first time the two Chief Ministers have jointly visited different locations at Langpih and interacted with the people,” he told the Press. He added that this was in itself a very positive step forward and sends forth a message of positivity, friendship, goodwill and the commitment of the government to the people of both the States that the governments of Assam and Meghalaya are serious about the issue.

The Chief Minister also informed that it was also decided that the time for the regional committees to submit their reports to the Chief Ministers is 30th November 2021 post which the Chief Ministers would then hold consultations with other stakeholders within their respective States after which the governments will issue a final statement on the six areas of difference

It is expected that the exercise of consultation with different stakeholders will be completed by 31st December 2021.

Also present during the meeting were members of the regional committees of both Assam and Meghalaya.