Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 125/11

WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY OBSERVED

Shillong, March 15, 2011: World Consumer Rights Day was observed at the District Auditorium, West Garo Hills District, Tura on March 15, 2011. Organized by the District Administration, the day was attended by government officials, NGOs, teachers and students. The day, which was observed worldwide on March 15th, is an annual occasion for celebration and solidarity within the international consumer movement. It was in the year 1962 when the first definition of Consumer Rights was outlined. World Consumer Rights Day is an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers, for demanding that those rights are respected and protected and for protesting the market abuses and social injustices which undermine them. World Consumer Rights Day was first observed on March 15, 1983 and has since become an important occasion for mobilizing citizen action.

Mr. Sanjay Goyal, Deputy Commissioner of the District and President, District Consumers Forum, West Garo Hills, in his introductory speech said that in this economy nobody is self sufficient as some of us are producers but all are consumers. He informed that the District Consumers Forum which comprises of the President and two members is functional and has sorted disputes due to overpricing. He stressed on the need to be aware of our rights as consumers and protect ourselves from being cheated.

The day was also observed by the office of the SDO (C) at Ampati Civil Sub-Division, Ampati wherein Mr. Gopal Koch, a prominent citizen of the Sub-Division stressed on the importance of participation of the people for the rectification of their consumer related grievances. SDO (C), Ampati, Mr. Abhishek Bogotia while speaking on the occasion, urged the consumers to be alert of any malpractices by traders. He also elaborated on the finer details of procedures to avail assistance when the consumer is wronged or cheated.

Press Release No. 126/11

MEGHALAYA STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD TO ORGANIZE WORKSHOP

Shillong, March 15, 2011: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Shillong will be organizing a one-day workshop on ‘Solid Waste Management Including Plastic Waste’ at the Shillong Club Residential Quarters on March 18, 2011 from 9:00 AM onwards. The Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (C), Ministry of Environment & Forests, North Eastern Regional Office, Shillong will grace the inaugural function as the Chief Guest.

The Board invites the officials of Municipal/Cantonment Board, Town Committees, Urban Affairs Department, Meghalaya Urban Development Authority, Rangbah Shnongs, Nokmas, major industrial units of the State, NGOs and Self Help Groups involved with solid waste and plastic waste management to attend the workshop.

Press Release No. 127/11

PUBLIC NOTICE

Shillong, 15, 2011: The Urban Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya has in the Public Notice issued informed that, a number of reports have been appearing in the local newspapers of Shillong with regard to the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India and Asian Development Bank funded program called the North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment program (NERCCDIP) under implementation in Shillong.

From the reports etc. it appears that there is lack of clarity in the minds of some people and organizations with regard to the program. The program basically aims at improving environment and well being of the urban residents of Shillong city and increasing access to better urban services for the people living in the city. The program also aims to strengthen urban institutional, management and financing capacity of the urban institutions, including urban local bodies. The investment program will ensure that the benefit from investment is enjoyed by the poor, Women and all other vulnerable groups and that any negative environmental and social impacts are alleviated.

A process of stakeholders consultants have already been initiated by the state Investment Program Management and Implementation Unit(SIPMIU), a project implementation and monitoring unit constituted under the Urban Affairs Department to apprise the citizen, local durbars, social organizations and others about the details of the projects as well as the institutional framework required for Shillong. It is clarified through this notice that any member of public, social organization, Dorbars Shnongs or NGO’s who may need any clarification or details of the projects or lodge any grievances, may contact the Project Director, State Investment Program Management and Implementation Unit at his office in the Urban Affairs Complex at Dhankheti, Shillong. Phone No -2505463 E-mail projectdir-sipmiu.in