Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 206/17

TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR PARA LEGAL VOLUNTEERS INAUGURATED

A four day Training Programme for Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of East Khasi Hills District from 28th to 31stMarch, 2017 organized by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) was inaugurated today at Shillong Law College, Shillong by the Hon’ble Chief Justice, High Court of Meghalaya, Mr. Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, who is also the Patron-in-Chief, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority. The inaugural programme was also attended by Hon’ble Justice, Mr. Justice Sudip Ranjan Sen, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya & Hon’ble Executive Chairman, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ved Prakash Vaish, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya & Hon’ble Judge-in-Charge, High Court Mediation Committee, Mr. W. Khyllep, Secretary, Law Department, Mr. W. Diengdoh, Member Secretary, MSLSA, Principal, Lecturers and students of Shillong Law College among others. In his inaugural address, the Chief Justice, High Court of Meghalaya, Mr. Justice Dinesh Maheshwari lauded the MSLSA for conducting the training to impart basic knowledge about legal subjects to Para Legal Volunteers. He also stressed on the importance to sensitize the people, especially at the grassroots level not only their rights and duties but also their responsibilities as the citizens of the country. Para-Legal Volunteers being the first point of contact to facilitate for people seeking legal aid plays an important role in educating the people about their various rights, said the Chief Justice adding that they also act as intermediaries between the common people and legal services institutions for removing barriers of access to justice. The Chief Justice also urged the Judges, Lawyers and Government Officials to take part in the training and share their experiences to further enlighten and equip the Para Legal Volunteers to deal with various types of legal advices.

Others who spoke on the occasion includes Hon’ble Justice, Mr. Justice Sudip Ranjan Sen, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya & Hon’ble Executive Chairman, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ved Prakash Vaish, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya & Hon’ble Judge-in-Charge, High Court Mediation Committee. Mr.W. Diengdoh, Member Secretary, MSLSA delivered the welcome address and Mr. E. Kharumnuid, Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, East Khasi Hills District. It may be mentioned that during the four day training, the topics that will be taken up, includes Family Laws, Legal Services to disaster victims through Legal Services Authorities, Property Laws, Criminal Laws, Labour Laws, Legal Services to the Workers in the Un-organized Sector-NALSA Scheme 2010, Gender Centric Law/ Women Laws- Equal Remuneration Act 1976, Maternity Benefit Act 1961, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, Sexual Harassment at Workplace, NALSA Scheme 2015, Juvenile Justice Act 2000, Child Labour Act 1986, Missing children, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, Factories Act 1948, PWDV Act 2005 and PNDT Act 1994, SC&ST Act, 1989 and Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, Meghalaya Victim Compensation Scheme, Government orders and schemes promoting social welfare, including MNREGA, Social Security Schemes, National Population Register, Voter ID Card and Passports. The Resource Persons for the training includes Mr. W. Diengdoh, Member Secretary, MSLSA, Smti D. Jyrwa, Mr. C. Ksoo, Dr. M. Kharshiing and Smti W. Dkhar lecturers, Shillong Law College, Smti M. Kharkongor, Chairperson, Meghalaya State Protection of Child Rights, Mr. Anthony Syiemiong, PLV, Smti Poonam Yadav, Advocate and representatives from State Women’s Commission and Planning Department, Government of Meghalaya.

Press Release No. 208/17

EXHIBITION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY

With a view to popularise non-conventional energy among the citizens of the State, the Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA) today organised an Exhibition on Renewable Energy in its office premises near BSF Camp, Mawpat, Shillong. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Meghalaya Minister for Power, etc, Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar in presence of the Principal Secretary, Power, etc, Shri M S Rao and Director MNREDA, Shri U N Madan. Also present on the occasion were the teachers and students of various schools of the city. In his speech as the Chief Guest, Shri Dhar said that the main concern facing the State today is power deficit which has greatly affected the economy of the State. A lot of thrust has been given towards non-conventional energy which is sustainable as well as eco-friendly. He said no doubt non-renewable energy is needed in our day to day life, but usage of renewable energy side by side can reduce power consumption to a large extent. He also said that the Government is aware about the importance of development of renewable energy sources to provide the State with a sustainable amount of energy and is committed to extend all support to the on-going programs of the MNREDA in the development and promotion of renewable energy. Shri M S Rao, in his speech, said that till date, the State is largely dependent on power from hydel projects and other source of energy like coal, fossil fuel and others. Such power generation has not only taken a toll on the environment but it gets exhaustive at a certain period of time, said Shri M S Rao. Globally, importance has been given to clean and sustainable energy which does not depend on exhaustible resources. This includes drawing power from the sun, wind, bio-gas, bio-mass and others. To make the State power efficient, we need to create awareness among the masses about the advantages of renewable energy, he said, adding that it not only cost effective but also sustainable. He said that such exhibits and demonstration allow students to get first-hand knowledge about the usage of renewable energy and gave them an opportunity to contribute in the development of renewable sources of energy. He called upon the students to carry on the message to the community on the growing need for energy conservation by adopting renewable sources of power.

Press Release No. 210/17

CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON SETTING UP OF TURA MEDICAL COLLEGE HELD

Amidst claims and counter claims from both the contending parties-that of government on one side and Smti Enilla Ch. Marak, A•king land of Danakgre and so-called illegal settlers of Rongkha Chiring, peripheral areas of Tura Civil Hospital, on the other side, an urgent consultative meeting was called to resolve the contentious issue of evicting the residents of Rongkha Chiring on which to construct Teaching College of proposed Tura Medical College, ends inconclusive. The meeting was held today in the Conference Hall of DRDA, Tura. Pravin Bakshi, Deputy Commissioner, Tura, who chaired the meeting, said that that this particular meeting was crucial in view of the urgent need for documentation of process in terms of steps taken in this direction so that process for immediate construction of this important institution could be initiated without further delay. It may be mentioned as per earlier plan, the Tura Medical College was supposed to have been established at Jewilgre Balalgre near Damalgre under South West Garo Hills District located at some 17 kms away from Tura, but the site was abandoned as it was rejected by the Medical Council of India on the ground that as per norm, any Medical College is required to be located within the reach of 10 kms away from existing Civil Hospital with at least 300 beds. Therefore, another land at Doldegre near Tura was acquired which fulfils the criteria stipulated by the Medical Council of India (MCI). However, again as per MCI rules, the actual Teaching College is required to be attached or at least to be located within the walking distance of existing Civil Hospital with above capacity of beds and only the administrative blocks, hostels, staff quarters and other facilities will be placed at a larger campus at Doldegre. A total of Rs.189 crore has been sanctioned for Tura Medical College out of which Rs. 30 crore has been set aside for Teaching College at Tura Civil Hospital. However, the process for construction of this unit could not be initiated as out of total area of 150 bighas of Tura Civil Hospital some 92 bighas have been encroached by people over the last 30 years and have constructed both pucca and semi-pucca structures on areas which they called Rongkha Chiring. Some of these encroachers include government employees, it is learnt. Adding to the problem, the A•king Nokma of Danakgre, Smti Enilla Ch. Marak, also filed a case claiming that the land in question belongs to her and due process of law was not followed when it was acquired from her ancestors way back in early 70’s. As such, the matter is still sub-judice for now. As a conciliatory and compensatory move, the government has offered to accommodate and re-rehabilitate at least some 100 odd families at Low Cost Urban Housing complex at Dakopgre, Tura, if they immediately vacate their present dwellings to pave way for the construction of Teaching College which is to be contiguous in shape but not scattered. Though, in the midst of conflicting interests, nothing conclusive was achieved, the meeting ended in somewhat positive and encouraging note as the opposite side had agreed to at least allow the Conciliatory & Settlement Committee consisting of all the stakeholders, to do the survey work for parting the land required for construction of the college in the coming days.

Press Release No. 211/17

STATE LEVEL WORKSHOP ON BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN FOOD PROCESSING, PACKAGING AND TOURISM HELD

The Department of Commerce & Industries organized a two days State Level Workshop on Business Opportunities in Food Processing, Packaging & Tourism (Under National Mission on Food Processing) on 27th and 28th March 2017 at Hotel Pinewood, Shillong. Attending the Valedictory Function on the second day as the Chief Guest, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma, said that the workshop is very important and relevant for the state and for the youth who look at the spaces available in entrepreneurship. He stated that government has embarked upon a number of initiatives to prevail upon the youth to become entrepreneurs by providing subject specific and opportunity specific support to enable the potential youth to become successful entrepreneurs. The Chief Minister also said that in Food Industry, Food Safety is the most important component to brand build the products. “Processing and packaging should conform to stringent food safety requirements and brand building products should revolve around high end products which should be exclusive and unique to the state,” he said. He urged the entrepreneurs to look at the options available in Agriculture, Horticulture, Tourism and Industries and become successful entrepreneurs with dedication, hard work, sincerity and innovation. Also present as the Guest of Honour was Chairman, MIDC, A L Hek who during his address said that Meghalaya is home to a number of temperate and sub tropical fruits and vegetables that have a potential in Food Processing which would also generate employment in rural areas. He urged the Department of Commerce & Industry to provide the necessary handholding to the unemployed youth of the state to explore the potentials in Food Industry and Tourism. Promotional Schemes & Policies for Horticultural Products, Management of Food Processing Enterprises, Bamboo as source of Health Food & Nutrition, Food Safety Standards Authority of Indian Act, Exploring the Nature & Traditional Knowledge for Business with focus on Meghalaya, Flexible Packaging Materials, Promotional Schemes and Policies for Development of Tourism in the state and Convergence of Schemes by various resource persons were the subject matter that were discussed during the two days workshop that was attended by entrepreneurs from all over the state. Among others who spoke at the Valedictory Function were M B Roy Director, Department of Commerce & Industries, Government of Meghalaya, Dr B Das, Deputy Director, Indian Institute of Packaging, Kolkata and Dr Basanti Baroova, Professor, Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology, Guwahati. The function was also attended by P W Ingty, Additional Chief Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and other senior officers of the Commerce and Industries department.

Press Release No. 212/17

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF CHALLAN

The Director of Local Fund Audit, Meghalaya, Shillong has informed that in view of the fag end of Financial Year 2016-17, signing and passing of Challan in the office of Director of Local Fund Audit, Shillong and in the Shillong South Treasury in respect of candidates applying for the posts of Peons advertised vide letter No DLA/E/22/90/55 Dated 24.2.2017 is temporarily suspended with effect from 29th March 2017 till 31st March 2017. Challan will be entertained by the Office from 3rd April 2017 and the last date for submission of application forms has been extended till 5th April 2017.