Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 102/10

REVIEW MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES HELD

Shillong, March 20, 2010: The Review Meeting of the National Commission For Scheduled Tribes headed by the Vice Chairperson Mr. Maurice Kajur was held with the State Government represented by the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. W M S Pariat and senior government officials at the conference room of the Main Secretariat building on March 20, 2010. The purpose of the meeting was to review the implementation of schemes funded both by the Central and State governments for the benefit of the Scheduled Tribes in the State. The meeting was convened by the Social Welfare Department.

To give a overall picture of the developmental initiatives undertaken in the State, Mr. P B Warjri, Additional Chief Secretary gave a power point presentation highlighting programmes and schemes implemented under the Education sector, Health, PHE , Forest, Agriculture, NREGA schemes, Agriculture and Horticulture, etc.

Following the presentation and brief interaction between the members of the Commission and the different department heads, the Vice Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Maurice Kajur pointed out that, the literacy rate in the State is promising. He stressed on the need for qualitative education so as to enable the students of the State to compete at the all India level. In order to achieve this end, he highlighted the importance of securing professional level of Adhoc teachers with attractive packages. Furthermore to tackle the problems of growing unemployment, vocational and job oriented courses are vital, he added.

In the health sector, Mr. Kajur lamented the shortage of good doctors and specialists in the State and said that the State Government should take serious note of the matter and find out ways and means to attract quality health care facilities in the State in consultation with the Ministry.

Other issues discussed included systematic distribution of BPL Cards, forest villages and schemes to rehabilitate them and the functioning of district councils in the State.

The members of the Commission also referred to the National goal of drinking water for all by 2011-2012. Lauding the State for its 60 percent coverage in this regard, he urged upon the concerned department to work with greater dedication to achieve the said target.

Press Release No. 103/10

SEALED TENDER INVITED

Shillong 20 March, 2010: The Superintendent of Taxes, Shillong, Meghalaya has informed that Sealed tender are invited from Carriage Contractors for carrying of furniture, files and Office records of the office of the Superintendent of taxes, Shillong, Meghalaya situated at Dhankheti, Kharmalki Road to the new GAD Administrative Building in Lower Lachumiere located at the top floor of the office of the DTO, Shillong. The tenders to be quoted should include the cost of loading and unloading charges and the same will be received in this office on or before the 31st March, 2010 up to 12:30 pm.

Tenders received will be opened on the same date in the presence of the tenderers or their representative.

Press Release No. 104/10

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RECENT TRENDS IN RURAL CO-OPERATIVE CREDIT AND BANKING SYSTEM HELD

Shillong 20 March, 2010: A National Conference on Recent Trends in Rural Cooperative Credit and Banking System was held on 20 March, 2010 at the Pinewood Hotel, Shillong. The event was hosted by the Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd under the National Federation of State Co-operative Bank (NAFSCOB), Mumbai.

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. D. D. Lapang graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Minister of Cooperation, Shri. Paul Lyngdoh as Guest of Honour. Other dignitaries present in the occasion are Shri B. Subrahmanyam, Managing Director, NAFSCOB, Dr. Bijender Singh, Dr. Bijender Singh, MLA and Chairman, NAFSCOB, Smt. Roshan Warjri and Shri Saroop Lall, Vice Chairmen, NAFSCOB, Shri. F. R. Kharkongor, RCS, representatives from various States and Officials from the State Government.

Dr. D. D. Lapang in his inaugural address stated that the Cooperative Movement needs to be sensitive to Concept, Cost Effectiveness, Commercial Orientation and Professionalism and Accountability. He also highlighted the lapses and loopholes in the cooperative sector stating that physical maintenance is important for accountability and progress. He further highlighted the rapid changes in rural areas in relation to occupation and the drastic fall of farm land in which the farm are being utilized by small and medium industrial sectors. “The deviation from farming activities to other development is very high and here is where the cooperative society can play a role by adopting a full-fledged mechanize agriculture practice to boost production and generate employment in the rural areas”, he said. Dr. Lapang also stressed on professional management, quality work force, technological advancement, quality service and trained man power to meet challenges and turn them into opportunities. Concluding his speech he acknowledged the efforts of the Cooperative banks in Meghalaya and the Apex Bank in particular under the leadership of Smt. R. Warjri.

While Shri Paul Lyngdoh, Minister of Cooperation, stated that ideas can enrich deliberation to ensure improvements on the recent trends in Rural Cooperative Credit and Banking System. He also stressed on the need to move back to the rural area and the Plan of action can only come by strengthening Cooperative Movement. More SHGs, Society groups’ formation and identification of common factors should be addressed to control migration of rural people to the urban areas.

Press Release No. 105/10

VICE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF NATIONAL COMMISSION SCHEDULED TRIBES CALL ON THE CHIEF MINISTER

Shillong 20 March, 2010: Shri Maurice Kujur, Vice Chairman, Shri Oris Syiem Myriaw and Tsering Samphel Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes called on the Chief Minister today. The Vice Chairman appreciated the developments which have taken place in the state which has almost 86 percent tribal population. He expressed that there are many aspects/steps taken by the State Government for the upliftment and development of the Tribal people which should be taken as an example by other Tribal areas of the country for implementation. Chief Minister expressed that the literacy rate in Meghalaya is far above than of those in the plains and the people of the state are progressive and involved in various types of entrepreneurship and vocations. He expressed that the knowledge of English language of the people of the state is proving to be an advantage for all round progress.