Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 326/21

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL KICKSTARTS IN SHILLONG

The Ambassador of Japan to India, Mr. Satoshi Suzuki today inaugurated the Cherry Blossom Festival at 5th Ground, Polo, Shillong in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister, Shri P. Tynsong, Jowai MLA, Shri W. Shylla, Chief Secretary, Smti R. V. Suchiang, Secretary I&PR, Smti M. War Nongbri, Director Tourism, Shri C. V. D. Diengdoh and East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Kum. I. Laloo.

Addressing the inaugural function, Mr. S. Suzuki said that he was impressed by the different façade of the State portrait through the festival and also informed that the cherry blossom or the ‘Sakura’ is the National flower of Japan and it is also a source of inspiration to the people of Japan. Meghalaya has a potential to attract more tourists especially from different parts of the world due to its unique landscape and environment, he said.

Mr. Suzuki also informed that Japan is again starting the TITP (Technical Intern Training Program) to facilitate international workers to work for up to 5 years in Japan and learn Japanese way of working. He further informed that India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on a basic partnership framework for operation of the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) system under which the Japanese government accepts foreign nationals who have a certain level of expertise and skill. It may be mentioned that the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) is a new status of residence created by Japan in 2019 under which skilled Indian nationals can obtain jobs and stay in Japan. The MoC covers 14 categories of specified skills under which skilled workers from India would be eligible for employment in Japan.

Shri P. Tynsong in his brief address said that the festival is a run-up to the State 50th Statehood celebration and specially dedicated to the people of the State and he also informed that there will be many more events to mark the Statehood celebration. Shri Tynsong said that festivals promote peace and harmony and bring in the feeling of oneness among the residents of the State. He also said that the festival is meant for the youth and he hoped that in the future, the festival will attract more tourists from other parts of the country and the world.

During the programme, the website and merchandise for the Meghalaya Golden Jubilee celebration was officially released.

Press Release No. 327/21

E-STAMP FOR NON-JUDICIAL STAMP PAPER LAUNCHED IN MEGHALAYA

Shri. James P K Sangma, Meghalaya Minister for Stamps and Registration today launched e-stamping for purchase of non-judicial stamp paper in a programme organized by the office of the Inspector General of Registration, Government of Meghalaya at Main Secretariat, Shillong

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. James P. K. Sangma said that the e-stamping system will bring about greater transparency and the services offered will greatly benefit the beneficiaries of Meghalaya in terms of easy of doing business. He also added that the e-stamping will also benefit the Government through elimination of fraudulent transactions, availability of various MIS reports, digital storage of data and bring about considerable reduction in the expenditure on purchase and transaction of physical stamp paper by the Government.

The e-governance initiative of the Government will pave the way for ease of purchase of stamp paper by the public through the Approved Collection Centre or Approved Intermediaries, appointed by the Central Record Keeping Agency, i.e Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited. In addition to the ease of purchase through all round availability, e-stamping will eliminate artificial scarcity of the stamp paper and the public will be able to make purchase of a single non-judicial stamp paper for any required denomination. Payment of the e-stamping can be done through various modes like cash pay order, bank draft, Electronic Clearing System, Real Time Gross Settlement or by any other mode of transferring funds as authorized by the Government. The purchaser would also be able to verify the transaction and genuineness of the stamp paper. The cost of implementing e-stamping will be done by the Government and for the first phase it will be implemented in East Khasi Hills District and will be extended to other districts subsequently.