Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 198/15

WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN- MEGNEWS LAUNCHED

Shillong, April 16, 2015: Meghalaya Information and Public Relations Minister, Shri A. L. Hek officially launched the weekly news bulletin, MEGNEWS published by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations Department, Meghalaya here today at Committee Room, Meghalaya Main Secretariat, Shillong.

Speaking at the launch of the weekly news bulletin, Shri Hek said that the main purpose of this initiative is to disseminate information about the policies and programmes of the State Government to the general public.

Shri H. M. Shangpliang, Director, Information and Public Relations, Meghalaya also informed that the weekly news bulletin will be issued every Friday free of cost, however the vendors will charge a nominal rate of Rupees Two (2) per copy for their distribution services.

Press Release No. 199/15

CM INAUGURATES MFC, LAYS BASE FOR SUSPENSION BRIDGES NEAR AMPATI

Shillong, April 16, 2014: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma today inaugurated the newly constructed Multi-Facility Centre (MFC) at Kongpara and also laid the foundation stones for construction of two suspension footbridges near Ampati under Betasing Block.

The Multi-Facility Centre was constructed by Border Areas Development Department under Special Plan Assistance (SPA), while the construction of the two suspension footbridges over River Dilni is being sponsored by DoNER under Social Infrastructural Development Fund (SIDF). One of the suspension footbridges will connect Murikethi and Kumligaon villages and the other will connect Bandoraja village with Betasing block headquarters and the nearby villages.

Speaking as the chief guest at an impressive function to mark the occasion, Dr. Sangma said that the government had sanctioned several multi-facility centres for the area with Kongpara being one of them and expressed hope that the asset would be put into real multiple use for the benefit of the people of the area with focus on development of women and children. “When we create an asset, we must create it in such a way that it is not only durable but also productive and useful”, he added. He said that most womenfolk of the area are skilled weavers and as such they would not only be given trainings but also production centres complete with necessary equipments so that they can come together and form production units.

The Chief Minister also announced that the first use of this MFC would be for giving free coaching to the candidates of the area who pass the physical and medical tests being conducted at the ongoing Army Recruitment Rally at Tura to help them prepare for the written test. This coaching will be given under Chief Minister’s Career Guidance & Counseling programme, he said. He also stressed the need to make use of Voluntary Action Fund more comprehensively.

With regard to the suspension footbridges, the Chief Minister said that these were being constructed with special thought for people who travel by foot, to create easier accessibility particularly for school going children who have to walk long distances to their schools. While referring to the low Human Development Index in the country, Dr. Sangma said most of the problems are linked to road connectivity as villagers do not bother to go for institutionalized delivery due to lack of accessibility thereby leading to high maternity and child mortality rates. He also urged upon the departments like PWD, etc not to think only of vehicles while taking up road constructions, but also make provision for pedestrians and tracks for cyclists. The Chief Minister also announced that the government was coming up with a new programme to provide training for the youths of the State to make high-quality handicraft products for presentation as souvenirs.

South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, in his brief address, said that such multi-facility centres are much needed for the people of the area because with lots of developmental activities being taken up by the government there was a need for lot of space for community and youth training programmes that take place on a regular basis.

Earlier, the Assistant Director, Border Areas Development, E G R Marak in her welcome address informed the gathering about a number of developmental projects being taken up under the department and also expressed her gratitude to the Chief Minister for his initiative in pushing forward these projects.