Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 52/11

ECS PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR SALARY AND PENSION

Shillong, February 8, 2011: “Technology advancement has brought about an improvement in many areas of life, including various payment methods in the world today,” said the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma while inaugurating the workshop on Popularization of Electronic Clearance System (ECS) held at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong on February 7, 2011. The workshop was organized by the Directorate of Account & Treasuries, Government of Meghalaya.

In his speech, the Chief Minister expressed optimism that shifting to ECS for payment of salaries, pension and other payments relating to various development flagship programmes of the State would result in better delivery mechanism. He urged upon the Reserve Bank of India and Lead Bank to improve communicating infrastructure and expand their activities to reach out to rural areas through BC for the benefit of the common man.

Mrs. Surekha Marandi, Regional Director RBI, Guwahati, in her speech, informed that despite Electronic Clearing System (ECS) being a safe, secure, efficient and faster settlement system, North East constitute only one percent of the national ECS transaction today. She said that Manipur is much ahead than other North East States in implementing ECS for payment of salaries and pension. To promote ECS in the North East, Marandi informed that RBI is offering financial assistance to banks for expenditure on connectivity.

Mr. B K Dev Varma, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, in his welcome speech, said that the State has adopted account payee system since 2009 and the Directorate of Accounts and Treasuries has initiated ECS payment for pension since 2009 and treasury is now ready for pension payment through ECS whenever the Lead Bank, the Clearing House and its member-banks are ready. He urged upon the Drawing and Disbursing Officers present in the workshop to gear up for payment of salaries through ECS and he also requested RBI to set up Clearing House in other district of the State also.

Participating in the inaugural function, Mr. Shantanu Roy, AGM, SBI, GBU, Local Head Office, Guwahati, said that Bank is geared up to start ECS for pension payment from April and for salary payment on pilot basis from May this year.

Press Release No. 53/11

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION NAME AND LOGO MISUSED

Shillong, February 8, 2011: The Commission, in recent past has come across cases where some individuals/NGOs/Organisations are misusing the name of National Human Rights Commission by illegally using the NHRC logo claiming association with the NHRC. Some of these organisations have also registered themselves having similar acronym or logo with an intention to mislead the public.

Whereas the Commission neither has a provision for registration, affiliation of the Individuals/NGOs/Organisations nor authorize any one to act on its behalf. Therefore, to check misuse of the name and Logo, the Commission has therefore requested the State of Meghalaya to take immediate action against any such individuals/NGOs/Organisation and taken report may be sent to National Human Rights Commission.

Press Release No. 54/11

SECOND PHASE OF CENSUS 2011

Shillong, February 8, 2011: The Deputy Commissioner of Jaintia Hills District, Jowai has informed that along with the rest of the Country, the Second Phase of the Census enumeration in Jaintia Hills District will begin from 9th February, 2011 - 28th February 2011 and revision round from 1st March, 2011 - 5th March, 2011. He therefore appeals to all the people of the District to cooperate with the enumerators for the success of the programme.