Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 1223/17

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District in a general notice informed that organizers of social, cultural, recreational, political, religious events and other private or public functions, gatherings, assembly, processions, etc. taking place across the city should coordinate with the Shillong Municipal Board or with the concerned Local Authorities for making necessary arrangements on systematic collection, segregation, disposal and overall management of wastes generated prior, during and after the event. Coordination with Shillong Municipal Board in both Municipal and Non-Municipal areas is subject to payment. In addition, there should be strict adherence to the various Waste Management Rules in all public and private locations hosting marriage functions, picnics, and various other celebrations, events and festivities which are generally organized or observed during the Winter Holiday seasons. Littering and indiscriminate dumping of garbage will attract penalties under section 102 of the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010. Thereafter, a fine of Rs.5,000/- onwards will be imposed upon conviction by a Court Law. Detected cases should be reported immediately to the nearest Police Station or Outpost.

Press Release No. 1224/17

NATIONAL CONVENTION ON SOCIAL AUDIT HELD

National Convention on Social Audit on Meghalaya Community Participation And Public Grievances Social Audit Act, 2017 organized by Programme Implementation & Evaluation Department through Meghalaya Society For Social Audit & Transparency was held here today at Yojana Bhawan Auditorium, Shillong which was attended by Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma welcoming the participants said that the whole exercise on social audit was rolled out in 2007 in respect of the schemes under MGNREGA and looked at how the social audit platform can be taken advantage of to ensure that all the programmes implemented by different line departments can be brought under the social audit exercise. “The government has so many programmes and interventions to take care of the dreams and aspirations of the people, to deal with the disparity in respect of the socio-economic spectrum across the country but things actually don’t happen on the ground as intended, the legislative mandate for social auditing in Meghalaya enables us to have a complete exercise of auditing by involving all the stakeholders, an auditing which enables us to have an immediate course correction,” he said. He also said that the biggest challenge for all politicians is to make a law that makes things transparent and all accountable and added that this exercise will give the policy makers knowledge to make course correction wherever needed and enable to do justice to the intent of the government. The Chief Minister also informed the gathering that a powerful and empowering mandate like the RTI is being misused by some people. “The only way such unpleasant practices can be prevented is when everybody participates, when nothing is hidden and the social audit exercise will do good for all of us” said Dr Sangma.

“Nothing will help us fight against corruption other than this kind of powerful instrument which involves people and communities” further stated the Chief Minister. He urged all to own and carry forward the social auditing programmes in the State which would ultimately set a new benchmark to the whole approach of governance. Wishing the two days’ convention a success he said that this convention will provoke other governments to look at similar approach. It may be mentioned here that the Meghalaya government has become the first state in the country to pass a social audit legislation that will allow citizens’ participation in the planning of development, selection of beneficiaries, concurrent monitoring of programmes, redress of grievances and audit of works, services and programmes on an annual basis. The law has the potential to revamp and restructure the paradigm of democratic governance, by providing institutional platforms and means for direct democracy. In a 6th schedule area like Meghalaya, it potentially provides democratic tribal communities an opportunity to use their traditional strength of community decision making to shape the nature and implementation of developmental programmes. Earlier, the Chief Minister also released the Meghalaya Community Participation & Public Services Social Audit Act, 2017, Draft Social Audit Manual and Draft Rules during the occasion.

Other speakers during the occasion were Toki Blah, Chairman, Meghalaya State Social Audit Council, Nikhil Dey, Founder Member, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) and Co Convenor, National Peoples’ Right to Information, Aruna Roy, Founder Member, (MKSS) and President, National Federation of Indian Women who gave a Key Note address on ‘From Jan Sunwai to Social Audit-institutionalizing participatory governance’, S M Vijayanand, Former Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala and Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj who spoke on ‘Social accountability and the State: Towards a comprehensive national accountability framework’, Sridhar Acharyalu, Central Information Commissioner who an address on ‘From transparency to accountability: Implications of Social Audit, S Parasuraman, Director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences dwelt on ‘Expanding the reach and deepening the understanding of social audits in Meghalaya and India, P Sampat Kumar, Commissioner & Secretary, C & RD, Govt of Meghalaya who gave a Brief Overview on policy implications of key findings and K N Kumar, Principal Secretary, Programme Implementation & Evaluation, Govt of Meghalaya who gave the Welcome Address.

Press Release No. 1227/17

CM INAUGURATES LEAP MEGHALAYA

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul M Sangma officially launched and inaugurated a special programme “LEAP Meghalaya” today at an impressive function held at Tura Government College, Tura with its partner Team Avenues, Shillong. LEAP Meghalaya is an initiative under the aegis of the Chief Minister’s Career Guidance and Counselling Scheme which is initiated by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs and implemented by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner. Speaking to a large gathering of students, Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma expressed his satisfaction with the testimony presented by one of the student and urged them to motivate their friends and reaped maximum benefit from these programmes. He then informed that this programme is being launched here in Tura with a reason to send the message from district headquarter to the state headquarter that something great is happening all across the state.

Emphasizing on the expectations of every parent and dreams associated with their children of bringing joy in their life, Dr. Sangma stated that realising and fulfilling their hope is the biggest challenge in one’s life and it is important to understand the great potential each one are bless with. Adding that each one is equal, capable and competent, Dr Sangma said that what is required is to really nurture and allow these potentialities to show and every parent will be proud parent. After a number of initiatives being implemented for the students in the state, the Chief Minister ask the students to suggest what type of coaching and career counselling will be necessary for them to continue towards achieving their desired goal which would be career specific and called upon the Deputy Commissioner, principals and academicians to help them in their endeavours and do justice to the potentialities of our young students. Dr. Sangma further urged everyone to take advantage of the initiatives being provided to the students by the government and expressed hope that the generation next should be productive and build a society by creating enabling environment where everyone is productive and capable of contributing for the progress and prosperity of the nation. Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura Ram Singh spoke about the need for motivation as well as to build confidence in oneself and become responsible citizens in future.

Managing Director, Avenues Shillong, Mark Laitflang Stone informed that LEAP Meghalaya is a life changing programme for the youth of Meghalaya which aims to build confidence, shape personality, improve communication, discover career choices and engage with science. He further, briefed on the modules being imparted to the students and informed that 10 days workshop will be conducted for the students in January, February and early March next year. He also presented a demo of powerful and impact workshop which was being conducted for the students of Tura Government College. Cheriringe Marak, a student of Tura Government College shared her experiences and change of personality by joining the training provided by Team Avenues and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister and others involved in this training programme. Dr R Kumar, Superintendent of Police, WGH, Donbosh Sangma, Chairman Tura Municipal Board, Skylance g Momin, Retired IGP and President Nokma Council, Tura, Terrence Marak, Principal, Tura Government College, other dignitaries, teaching faculty and students were present at the function.