Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 183/23

LAUNCH OF THE MEGHALAYA WATER SMART KID CAMPAIGN

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today said that the State receives 63 billion cubic litres of water annually through rainfall, which is very high, however, the State is able to retain only 1 billion cubic litre of water.

Meghalaya is one of the wettest place on earth. We receive about 63 billion cubic litres of water annually, of which 31 billion cubic litres flow to Bangladesh and 31 billion cubic litres flows to Assam, he said, while launching the Meghalaya Water Smart Kid campaign, an initiative under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to create awareness about water conservation amongst the children.

He said that to address the issue of water conservation and sustainability, the State Government has taken various interventions, which are supported by externally aided projects (EAPs) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.

He informed that 1000 water reservoirs are being constructed across the State, so as to harness the water and increase the ground water table through different soil rejuvenation projects. We are making concerted efforts to harness water as it is imperative to ensure sustainability and rejuvenation of our water sources, he added. He informed that the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has received huge funding under JJM and EAPs, which is close to around 8000 cr. We have a challenge ahead of us but our officials have been working tirelessly to achieve the targets in ensuring that water is made available to every household in the State, he said.

He informed that under JJM, the State has been awarded as best performer by the Ministry of Jal Shakti with additional incentives sanctioned. He said that the State has completed over 4 lakh household fixed water connections and by March 2024, the target of 6 lakh will be completed.

In 2019, media and other stakeholder ridiculed the Government for poor coverage under JJM, however, we took it as a challenge and ensured that from 45,000 household connection, we managed to increase it to 4 lakh plus household, he said, while informing on challenges associated with terrain for laying of pipe connection, to identifying water sources and creation of reservoirs.

Chief Minister and PHE Minister Marcuise Marak handed over the award to Water Guardians for inspiring efforts in conservation of water bodies. The awards were given to Lumshyiap Village and Water Sanitation Community of Ri Bhoi District, Darechikgre Village and Water Sanitation Community of West Garo Hills District and Dura Kantragre Village and Water Sanitation Community of West Garo Hills District.

Press Release No. 184/23

GOVERNOR MEETS STATE TB CELL

Shri. D. Dharma Rao, National Consultant - PMTBMBA, Central TB Division (CTD), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI met Hon’ble Governor, Shri Phagu Chauhan at the Raj Bhavan, Shillong today.

In this meeting, Shri. D. Dharma Rao and officials from the State TB Cell, Meghalaya (Dr Moami Marak, SM and HO, Dr Amica Rynjah, APO, and Smt Barnali) apprised the Governor of the progress of Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) in the state of Meghalaya.

Hon’ble Governor Shri Phagu Chauhan, is a donor/Nikshay Mitra providing Nutritional Support to TB Patients of Meghalaya. He appreciated the efforts of 132 generous Nikshay Mitras (Individuals, elected representatives, NGOs, Corporations, Cooperatives, Faith-based organisations, officials from various departments etc) who have come forward to support a total of 1177 TB patients in Meghalaya.

He was informed that currently, 2937 TB patients are undergoing treatment across the state. He pointed out that Meghalaya has a relatively low population infected with TB and if we try harder, he felt that a hundred per cent coverage of nutritional support for the TB patients in the state is quite achievable. Through this meeting, he appealed for more donors to come forward and participate in this noble cause- Ni-kshay Mitra.

It was informed that Ni-kshay Mitra initiative will increase the active involvement of society in the fight against tuberculosis. It was briefed that improving the nutritional status of TB patients shall result in better treatment outcomes and also reduce discrimination and stigma associated with TB.

Nikshay Mitra is an online platform where any individual (donor) can register themselves and pledge nutritional support for TB patients.