Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 120/09

SANCTION ACCORDED FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF TECHNO GLOBAL UNIVERSITY

The Officer on Special Duty to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department has informed that the Governor of Meghalaya has accorded sanction for the establishment of the Techno Global University.

Press Release No. 121/09

NOTIFICATION

As per the notification issued, Members of the Council of Ministers and all Parliamentary Secretaries will cease to hold office with effect from March 19, 2009. This is consequent to the imposition of President's Rule in the State of Meghalaya.

Press Release No. 122/09

UNIFORM FARE FOR MTC BUSES

As per notification issued, maximum uniform fare for Meghalaya Transport Corporation Buses has been fixed with immediate effect. This was informed by the Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Transport Department.

The rate for State Carriage & Contract Carriage has been fixed at Rs. 3.50p per passenger upto 5 Km for Ordinary Buses or part thereof with a uniform rate of Re. 0.70 per passenger per Km or part thereof for every subsequent Km. For Deluxe, the rate is Rs. 4.15p per passenger upto 5 Km or part thereof with a uniform rate of Re. 0.83 per passenger per Km or part thereof for every subsequent Km.

For Freight Charges, personal effect of passengers upto 14 Kgs shall be free of charge and personal effects over 14 Kgs shall be carried on payment of Re. 0.40p per quintal per Km or part thereof. The amount of freight may be rounded off to the nearest Re. 0.50. Children over 3 years and below 12 years of age shall be charged at half the rate and those below 3 years of age shall be carried free of charge.

While calculating the distance fraction of Km shall be taken as one Km.

With regard to Carriage of Goods, Re. 1.10 per quintal per Km shall be charged for goods in bulk (non-perishable) including food stuff and forest products, while Rs. 1.32 p per quintal per Km shall be charged for other goods including furniture etc.

No maximum rates are fixed for carriage of livestock of live animals except that of birds or animals packed on boxes or baskets shall be charged on the basis of weight.

Press Release No. 123/09

HALF RATE TO BE CHARGED FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

As per notification issued recently, persons with disability shall be charge at half the rate with immediate effect. This was informed by the Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Transport Department.

Press Release No. 124/09

GOVERNOR BRIEFS OFFICIALS

The Proclamation under article 356 of the Constitution, imposing President’s Rule in Meghalaya, was received in the State in the afternoon of March 19, 2009. Immediately, thereafter, the Governor of Meghalaya convened a meeting in the Conference of the Main Secretariat where the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary and DGP and all Senior State Officials were present.

At the outset the Governor informed all present of the Proclamation which came into effect from March 19, 2009 placing the State under President’s Rule. He impressed upon all the Officials the need to take with all seriousness the challenge and responsibility thrust upon them. The Officials were instructed to take all measures to speed up all developmental works before the end of the financial year. He highlighted the need for Speed, Service and Sincerity in the discharge of their Official duties and cautioned Officials about discharging their duties with integrity, accountability and transparency to ensure people’s confidence in the administration.

The Governor stated that the maintenance of law and order was critical for any development and wanted that this be given priority by the concerned Officials. The Governor desired that the traffic jam in the city of Shillong and on the National Highway be given special attention by the Police Department so as to avoid inconveniences to the public at large. The Governor informed that he had received several complaints about the check gates on the various National Highways in the State. He directed that all the illegal and unauthorized check gates be immediately dismantled and Police should take cognizance of any extortion by any persons and book them under the relevant sections of the law.

The Governor was of the opinion that the State Government should move the Election Commission on the Model Code of Conduct so that once the voting process in the State was completed, the Code could be withdrawn from the State without having to wait for completion of the election process in other States so that any developmental or other action in one State is unlikely to influence voters in other States.

The Health Department was instructed to see that the vaccines for prevention of Meningitis Menococolis were immediately procured by the State to prevent future fatalities of this disease which has claimed a number of lives in the State. The Governor wanted that special inspections be conducted by the Weight and Measures Department to ensure that the manual tampering and manipulation of weigh bridges, petrol pumps etc are checked immediately and action taken against defaulters under the law.

The Governor also impressed upon all the Officials on the need to ensure that all schemes and projects are completed on time and that schemes meant for the people do not lapse during this financial year. All steps required for extra funds, supplementary demands and approval of the vote of account etc must be handled expeditiously by the finance department as per law under President’s Rule. The Governor felt the Health Insurance scheme for BPL families should be expanded to the entire State to benefit all the needy and poorer sections. The Governor also stressed on the AH & Vety department to check the health and hygiene of animals that are meant for slaughter.

All the Officials then briefed the Governor on the various works under their charge and on the ongoing schemes and projects which they are dealing with. The Governor hoped that they would expend extra effort and energy especially during the period of the President’s Rule so that the proactive actions of the Officers benefit the people and the administration is perceived as one that delivers.