Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 786/04

ANTI DOWRY DAY OBSERVED

Together with the rest of the country and for the first time in the State of Meghalaya, Women’s College, Shillong, in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Women’s Commission today observed an Anti-Dowry Awareness Day at the College Hall. The resource persons present in the meeting were Dr. Biloris Lyndem, Chairperson, Meghalaya State Commission for Women, Professor Karna, Mrs. C.D. Shira, Superintendent of Police, CID Branch and Mrs. Minoti Sharma, senior Advocate. The meeting was chaired by Professor (Mrs). Sujata Miri.

Mrs. Lyndem, in her speech, said that the main objective of this meeting is to extend help to those women who are suffering silently due to the dowry practice, to create awareness about the Dowry Protection Act and the rights of women provided in the Constitution of India

Citing examples over dowry deaths, the resource persons felt the need of providing free and compulsory education to girls to make them aware of their rights and for the Government and Non-Government agencies to identify and detect dowry cases seriously. Furthermore, the resource persons said that there should be a strong bond between husbands and wives and above all respect for each other in order to combat domestic violence due to dowry. Therefore, they urged upon the public present in the meeting to take this message and preach womenfolk about the evils of dowry.

Press Release No. 787/04

FIRST EVER GOODS ROPEWAY IN GARO HILLS INAUGURATED

The first ever ropeways in Garo Hills, constructed at Timbogre and Chinabat to Chiwategre under Rongram C & RD Block was inaugurated on November 25, 2004. The ropeway from Chinabat to Chiwategre was inaugurated by Meghalaya Minister for C & RD, Mr. Brening A. Sangma, while the local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary, Agriculture and Irrigation, Mr. Sengman R. Marak, inaugurated the ropeway at Timbogre.

These ropeways, with an official capacity of 50 kg per trolley were constructed in February this year with a total cost of about 7.5 lakhs each, to help the villagers transport their products and goods to and fro Chinabat, which is the main local market in the area.

Speaking as the Chief Guest at the inaugural function at Chinabat, Mr. B.A. Sangma informed the gathering that the Government will construct more of such ropeways in the areas where construction of roads and bridges were not viable and was also taking up with the Tourism Department to construct ropeways for transportation of people.

The local MLA, Mr. S.R. Marak, in his address as the Guest of Honour, urged the people who would be using the services of these ropeways to pay the nominal fees which would go for their maintenance and to make proper use of these assets. He said that if villagers show more interest and determination to develop themselves, the Government would also be eager to provide them with more facilities in future. He informed the villagers that construction of a jeepable road to Thimbogre was also under way and also promised that he would take urgent steps to construct a waiting shed and a latrine at Chinabat market for the benefit of the local people.

Among others who spoke on the occasion included the Commissioner & Secretary, C & RD, Mr. P.W. Ingty, Commissioner of Divisions, Garo Hills, Mr. S.N. Samant, Director C & RD, Mr. H.D. Khongwir, Engineer from U & V Enterprise (India), Noida, UP, Mr. U.K. Bharti, Laskar of Chiwategre, Mr. B. Sangma, Nokma of Timbogre, Mr. J. Sangma, Project Director, DRDA, Mrs. I.R. Sangma and BDO, Rongram C & RD Block, Mrs. M.T. Sangma

Press Release No. 788/04

REVISED RATES OF PETROL AND DIESEL

The Deputy Commissioner (Supply), East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, has informed that the retail selling price of Motor Spirit, High Speed Diesel, Extra Premium (MS) and Extra Mile (Diesel) has been revised with effect from midnight of 16-11-2004 at different Petrol Pumps under Shillong Sadar Division

The revised rate per litre of MS Petrol and Extra Premium at Ashok Auto Service, Shillong, is Rs. 37.43 and Rs. 38.93 respectively. At United Hills Super SS, Shillong, the rate of MS Petrol is Rs. 37.43, HSD is Rs. 26.01 and Extra Premium is Rs. 38.93. At Mahari & Sons, Shillong, the rate of MS Petrol is Rs. 37.41 and HSD is Rs. 26.00. At Bawri Service Station, Shillong, the rate of MS Petrol is Rs. 37.43 and HSD is Rs. 26.01. At Bawri Hills Service Station, Mawlai, the rate of MS Petrol is Rs. 37.41 and HSD is Rs. 26.00. At Abigail Service Station, Nongthymmai, the rate of MS Petrol is Rs. 37.42 and HSD is Rs. 26.01. At Shillong Highway, Mawlyndep, the rate of MS Petrol is Rs. 37.36 and HSD is Rs. 25.98. At Kurbah Service Station, Mawngap, the price of MS Petrol is Rs. 37.43 and HSD is Rs. 26.03 and at Moorland Sooting, Sohra, the rate of MS Petrol per litre is Rs. 37.41 and HSD per litre is Rs. 26.00

Any overcharging of the above mentioned rates by the Agents of the Company should be brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, giving full details and particulars

Press Release No. 789/04

TWO-DAY ASSESSMENT CAMPS FOR DISABLED HELD

As a part to assist the disabled and identify their exact need for medical aid including appliances, the Officers’ Club, Ri Bhoi District, in collaboration with the District Administration and the Composite Regional Centre (CRC), Guwahati, a Department under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of Disabled, organised a two-day assessment camp for disabled persons on November 24, 2004, at Bhoirymbong and Ampher, Byrnihat, on November 25, 2004. The programmes was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Mr. W.L. Lyngdoh

Mr. Lyngdoh, in his speech, said that in the past, disabled were looked upon merely as liabilities of the family and the society as a whole, but with the coming up of the Persons With Disability (PWD) Act, 1996, the Government of India has launched numerous programmes to uplift and benefit the different abled people to find them a place in the society so as to bring them into the mainstream of life equally with others. He expressed hope that through this humble effort, the disabled persons will now be engaged in different activities to support themselves.

The assessment of disabled in the two day camp, conducted by a team of doctors from CRC led by Dr. N. Akhiba, found that 259 disabled persons are in need of material aids including appliances

Press Release No. 790/04

P T SAWKMIE INAUGURATES FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

The Meghalaya Co-Chairman, State Planning Board, Mr. P T Sawkmie today inaugurated the first Late Brancis Nongrum and Torial Rani Memorial Football Tournament at Khadsawphra Sports Association ground, Mairang, West Khasi Hills, today. The tournament is being organized by Rani Motors, a local authorized dealer of Maruti Udyog Limited.

Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Mr. Sawkmie congratulated Rani Motors for its initiative for organizing such a tournament for uplifting sports in the area and the state as a whole. He further added that over 300 youths are employed in Rani Motors and added that it is a good gesture shown by Rani Motors towards providing employment avenues.

Mr. Sawkmie also urged upon the businessmen of the State to open up employment avenues to unemployed youth of the state and the region as a whole.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Dr. S. Rani, Mr. A K Mawlong and O Lyngkhoi Altogether, twenty teams from different parts of West Khasi Hills took part in the tournament. In today’s match, Manai Sports Club took on Pyndemumiong Sports Club.