Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 73/24

LAUNCHING AND DISTRIBUTION OF LONG LASTING INSECTICIDAL MOSQUITO NETS AT BABADAM

Member of the Parliament Agatha K Sangma launched the Long Lasting Insecticidal Mosquito Nets (LLINs) and distributed them at Babadam PHC under West Garo Hills on 7th March, 2024. The programme was organised by District Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (DVBDCP), West Garo Hills Tura.

Addressing the gathering, Agatha K Sangma highlighted the prevalence of malaria disease in the region and informed that in earlier days around 2015 about 46,000 malaria patients were there in the State as per statistics, but later due to different interventions of the Government malaria cases have reduced and fewer cases are prevalent now. Expressing her appreciation to all the medical Officers of the region especially, the staff of Babadam PHC, ASHAs and participation from community, she said that their dedication and participation has helped to reduce malaria and other vector borne diseases in the State of Meghalaya in general and Garo Hills region in particular.

Further, she said that the Government under the leadership of Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya has given priority to the health sector and is implementing various schemes for rural areas also.

Meanwhile, in her keynote address, Senior Medical and Health Officer incharge, DVBDCP, Tura Dr. Bichitrani Ch Marak informed that distribution of LLIN mosquito nets is one of the measures to control malaria disease in the region and added that the distribution of the LLIN in the previous years since 2010-11 with gaps in between have found to control the disease in the area. She also mentioned that after the distribution of LLIN nets in the year 2016 malaria cases reduced in 2017-18 and again it was distributed in the year 2020, but after its expiry in 2022 there was a surge of malaria cases in the year 2023 in the region. Stating that the matter was then reported to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has allotted the LLINs for distribution to the community in the State of Meghalaya and about 80 per cent of the community is covered under this scheme.

Further, mentioning that the reports from all over India indicated a considerable decrease in malaria disease and therefore, a project called “National framework for Malaria Elimination from 2016 to 2030 has been started and the project targets to eliminate malaria in the year 2030 in the country. She also mentioned that by 2027 the indigenous malaria pertaining to Garo Hills region should be eliminated from the region. Even though there was a surge of 23 malaria patients in 2022 and 83 malaria patients in 2023, she said that measures to control the disease are in place and added that surveillance workers, ASHAs who are trained to test malaria patients in rural areas. Moreover, she urged the community to facilitate the medical fraternity by testing themselves if they have fever and that malaria positive patients should complete their treatment and keep the surrounding clean to avoid breeding of mosquitoes.

District Consultant, West Garo Hills made a short presentation on Epidemiological and impact of LLIN and also informed on using the LLIN nets.

During the programme, the Chief Guest distributed LLIN to the beneficiaries. Further, the Chief Guest also distributed Food items to the Tuberculosis patients of the area which was sponsored by Jasmine A Sangma, Proprietor, Nokrek Heights School, Tura. Block Development Officer, Rongram C & RD Block, T N Sangma, District Medical and Health Officer, Tura Dr. J A Sangma, Medical and Health Officer, Babadam PHC, Nokma Urenggre Michael A Sangma, Rev Fr Sunny Mavelil were among present during the function.

Press Release No. 74/24

PM VIRTUALLY UNVEILS THREE PROJECTS FOR THE STATE OF MEGHALAYA

Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi today unveils multiple projects worth Rs.6400 crore during his visit to Srinagar - Jammu and Kashmir.

Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism Government of India, the Prime Minister has dedicated three projects for the state of Meghalaya.

Addressing the gathering, Tourism Minister Government of Meghalaya, Shri. Paul Lyngdoh informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtually inaugurated many projects in the country and three projects are for the state of Meghalaya, namely The Krangsuri Falls, The Mawmluh Experiential Centre and the Sohra Waterfalls trails.

He further informed that the Krangsuri project is completed and the Government will shortly work for the rest of the project.

He also said that the Tourism department is looking forward to working hand in hand with all the stakeholders for smooth running of the project.

Press Release No. 75/24

PM VIRTUALLY INAUGURATES KATTA BEEL TOURIST FACILITATION CENTRE IN SW GARO HILLS

In a momentous event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remotely inaugurated the Katta Beel Tourist Facilitation Centre at Nogorpara village, South West Garo Hills, through video conferencing from Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar on Thursday. The inaugural program, organized by the District Administration and the Tourism Department, featured a pre-inaugural ceremony at the DRDA Conference Hall, Ampati.

During the virtual ceremony, the Prime Minister unveiled and dedicated to the nation a total of 53 projects, including 9 projects and 43 launches from the Ministry of Tourism under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes. Notably, 42 destinations were revealed under the Challenged Based Destination Development Scheme, alongside the introduction of the Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Tourists Destination Poll and the Chalo India Diaspora Campaign.

Prior to the virtual inauguration, a pre-inaugural program at the DRDA Conference Hall, Ampati was attended by dignitaries including Rangsakona MLA Subir Marak, MDCs of Nogorpara and Boldamgre Linekar Sangma and Stevie Marak, Soradini Sangma (mother of Meghalaya's Chief Minister), Under Secretary to the Union Ministry of Tourism, Manju Mann, Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar, and various Principals and Heads of Institutions, District Heads, and NGO representatives and local residents.

Addressing the gathering, Subir Marak expressed gratitude for the development and urged continued support for sustainable tourism. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for their efforts and appealed to the Ministry of Tourism to focus on Pelga Falls for future projects.

Deputy Commissioner RP Marak emphasized the positive impact of tourism on local communities, job creation, and economic upliftment. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry for selecting South West Garo Hills for the project, foreseeing its contribution to the region's inclusive growth.

During the pre-inaugural program, Tourist Officer Ava Shereen Sangma provided an overview of the project. The digital inauguration aligns with the responsible tourism initiative outlined in the 2014-2015 budget speech, focusing on the development of tourist circuits to promote local arts, culture, handloom, and handicrafts.

The Katta Beel Tourist Facilitation Centre, sanctioned in 2019-2020 for approximately 2.65 Crores, features 5 rooms with attached baths on the first floor and kitchen, cafeteria, and lounge area on the ground floor.