Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 343/21

BIO-FERTILIZER PRODUCTION UNIT INAUGURATED

Meghalaya Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Shri Banteidor Lyngdoh inaugurated the ‘Bio-fertilizer Production Unit’ at a function held today at the State Biological Control Laboratory, Upper Shillong.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Lyngdoh congratulated the officers and staff of the agriculture department for their efforts in making this dream a reality for the farmers of the state. He also stated that it is a milestone for the state of Meghalaya and the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and it is also a step ahead in making Meghalaya an organic state.

Stating that as of now it is a big challenge to meet the demands of the farmers of the state, the Bio-fertilizer production unit is the beginning of a small step to bridge the gap between supply and demand. He also encouraged the qualified youth and entrepreneurs to avail the opportunity and work hand in hand with the government in expanding such units across the state.

Meghalaya Farmers’ Empowerment Commission Chairman Shri K N Kumar, informed that the Bio-fertilizer production unit is the first of its kind unit to be set up in the entire North-Eastern Region by a public sector. In Meghalaya the requirement of fertilizers per year is 22,000 metric tons whereas the current production in the state is a mere 150 metric tons per year, he stated. He expressed hope that in the coming years and with the involvement of private sectors (entrepreneurs), more production units can be set up to boost the production in order to meet the ever increasing demand in the state.

Others who spoke include Shri CVD Diengdoh, Secretary Planning Department, Shri SC Sadhu, Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Smti R Majaw, Director of Agriculture and Dr. D Thakuria, Professor, CAU, Umiam, among others.

Press Release No. 349/21

HELPLINE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS LAUNCHED

Elder Line, a National Helpline for Senior Citizens was today inaugurated by Shri. Kyrmen Shylla, Social Welfare Minister in a program held at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Social Welfare, Shillong.

By dialing a toll free number - 14567, senior citizens across the State can now access information on health care, elder friendly products, old age and shelter homes. Through the Helpline guidance on pension related issues, Maintenance Act and legal issues will also be provided.

The Helpline has been initiated and funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Senior Citizens Division.

Addressing the gathering, Shri. Kyrmen Shylla informed that the process of setting up the Helpline was initiated and the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and the Government of Meghalaya, Social Welfare Department and PACE computers was signed on January 15, 2021. In view of the transformation of the societal structure which has resulted in the breaking away of the joint family structure to the nuclear family structure, a large population of elderly population has been left with no or little support, care and treatment they deserve, he added. To come to the aid of the senior citizens, the Government has come up with numerous welfare schemes/programmes implemented through the Social Welfare Department, Health Department, Community and Rural Development Department, Food and Civil Supplies Department etc. Shri. Shylla also informed that the Government is planning to establish old age homes in every District of the State in the next five years and the Department will provide adequate budget provision in the next financial year for construction of a permanent Old Age Home at Mawkasiang to cater to the need for shelter, food, medical requirement of the elderly having no family support.

Others who spoke were Shri. Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department and Smti. C. C Sohliya , Programme Manager, Elder Helpline Meghalaya.

Press Release No. 351/21

CM LAYS BASE FOR INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION CENTRE AT SHILLONG

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma today laid the foundation stone for Inspection & Certification Centre at Sawlad, Shillong in the presence of Minister, Transport, Dasakhiat Lamare, Chief Secretary, Rebecca Suchiang and Commissioner & Secretary, Transport, M R Synrem.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that the State will see an increase in the number of vehicles in the coming years and having an Inspection and Certification Centre in Shillong is very important. He further added that the automated inspection and certification center will reduce the fitness testing time of the vehicle and also improve the quality of the testing and inspection. He said that assessing the vehicles is very important to determine not only the road worthiness of a vehicle thus preventing accidents due to faulty vehicles but to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles. He added that the government will endeavor to open more testing centers across the State. The Chief Minister also thanked the Government of India, Ministry of Road & Highways for fully funding the center. He also urged the Transport department to complete the project at the earliest.

Earlier, Commissioner & Secretary, Transport, M R Synrem informed that the project entirely funded by the Ministry of Road & Highways, Government of India, is expected to be completed in ten months. He also highlighted the importance of assessing vehicles and the benefits that one could derive from the center.

Press Release No. 352/21

FINANCIAL SUPPORT GIVEN TO LAKADONG FARMER GROUPS

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma today distributed cheques to Lakadong turmeric farmers in a programme to extend Financial Support to the Collective Marketing Centres (CMCs) and the Processing Units under Mission Lakadong at Meghalaya Agriculture & Management Extension Training Institute (MAMETI) Upper Shillong which was also attended by Minister, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Banteidor Lyngdoh.

Speaking to a gathering of Lakadong turmeric farmers from Jaintia Hills, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that until a few years back the main source of income for the people of Jaintia Hills was through coal mining and added that an alternative sustainable source of livelihood needs to be created for the people as coal is a non-renewable resource. “We need to create an alternative source of livelihood and parallel industries out of the natural resources that we have that is renewable, sustainable and environment friendly,” he said. He also informed that the government has been trying to promote grass root level organizations in different sectors and direct benefit has been given to the farmers through different interventions. He informed that five crores will be distributed to sixteen different CMCs and two Processing Units out of which 20 lakhs will be given as grant for infrastructure and ten lakhs as working capital support.

The Chief Minister said that not mere transition but a Just Transition is important for the society. He also informed that two curcumin extraction units of ten crores each will be established in the region at the earliest. “The closest extraction unit is in Bangalore and it is an absolute necessity that we have curcumin extraction unit in the State,” he said. He also urged the entrepreneurs to come forward and take the lead to run the business and be a part of the Lakadong Mission.

He also informed that Organic Certification Centre and Testing laboratories to confidently export the Lakadong produce to different parts of the world will also be soon set up in the State. The Chief Minister also announced that in February 2022 when all the CMCs will be inaugurated the Lakadong Festival will also be held to promote and celebrate the Lakadong turmeric that is unique to the State. He also stated that Logistic Centres at Umroi and Jengjal airports are at the final stage of funding and these Logistic Centres would also help the farmers of the State to market their products.

Earlier, in his Key Note Address, Commissioner & Secretary, Agriculture, Dr Vijay Kumar said that through the CMCs the farmers will be provided facilities of infrastructure, storage facilities, machinery to process the turmeric and working capital in an integrated manner.

Among others who spoke during the occasion were K N Kumar, Chairman, Meghalaya Farmers Empowerment Commission, A Suting, Chief Operating Officer, Livelihood Improvement Finance Company of Meghalaya (LIFCOM) and local Lakadong farmers who shared their experiences.