Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 590/12

DATA DISSEMINATION WORKSHOP HELD

Shillong, December 20, 2012: “Meghalaya in Transition - An Insight from Census 2011 Data” A two day Workshop on Data Dissemination of Census 2011 was held at Hotel Majestic, Polo, Shillong on 20th December 2012. The programme was organized by the Directorate of Census Operations, Meghalaya in order to sensitize the data users and also the use of Census data.

Mr. K L Tariang, former Director of Census Operations was the Chief Guest on this occasion and while addressing the gathering he informed that Census of India 2011 is the fifteenth in this unbroken series since 1872 and seventh after independence. He asserted that census is simply counting of facts about the number of people living in a particular village, town, city, blocks, etc but in broader sense it has many other issues and categories to be taken into consideration while conducting the census of a particular area. Mr. Tariang further stated that the census keep on changing with the change of trend by flexible approach which serves the interest of the people as a whole. Moreover, the data collected is in response to the need of the data users which is analysed systematically to bring out the realistic and essential data for the people in general, he added.

The first day workshop dealt with the analysis of data on housing, Household Amenities and Assets and the second day will be hands on training on Censusinfo software – a tool for data dissemination. During the technical session I Mr. Debesh Roy, Joint Director, Census Operations, Meghalaya presented the Housing Conditions of Meghalaya in general as well as in respect of SC and ST residents of the state and about the improvement in sanitation of the state which was an analysis of 2001 and 2011 data. Dr B Das Gupta, Assistant Director, Census Operations, presented the Availability of Amenities and Assets in Meghalaya and the Improvement in Availability of Assets which is a District level Analysis in the second technical session.

From the presentations, it is learnt that the use of thatch, grass and bamboo roof and walls by the people in the districts of the state has significantly reduced predominantly which is paving way for concrete walls and has comparatively improved the conditions of the house in the state from 41.3 percent in 2001 to 48.1 percent in 2011.

Press Release No. 591/12

DRY DAY DECLARED

Shillong, December 20, 2012: The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong has declared the 24th and 25th December 2012 and 1st January 2013 as Dry Days throughout the entire district of East Khasi Hills on account of Christmas Festival and New Year.

Therefore all IMFL Shops, Bars, Hotels, Clubs, Outstills Shop and Bonded Warehouses shall remain closed on these days.