Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 248/07

CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The City Development Plan for Jowai Town was presented in a meeting held on April 16, 2007 at the conference hall of the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills District, Jowai.

Mr. F R Kharkongor, Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills presided over the meeting which was attended by representatives of BCEOM India Pvt. Ltd (Consultants), officials from various Government Department, prominent citizens of Jowai town and members of different developmental oriented local clubs.

The members unanimously approved the City Development Plan which broadly outlines the strategic policy and investment interventions to achieve the vision of Jowai as an economically productive, efficient, equitable and responsive city.

Press Release No. 249/07

PRICE OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

The Director, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Meghalaya, Shillong has informed that the following are the retail price (in kg/litre) of essential commodities as on April 26, 2007.

The retail price of rice per kg will be Rs. 12.30/- (Common) and Rs. 13.00/- (Fine). The retail price of Atta and Maida per kg will be Rs. 12.00/- and 15.00/- respectively. The retail price of Gramdal and Turdal per kg will be Rs. 29.00/- and 35.00/- respectively. The retail price of Sugar per kg will be Rs. 16.00/-. For Groundnut Oil the retail price per litre will be Rs. 42.00/-, Rs.50.00/- for Mustard Oil (packet) and Rs. 60.00/- for Vanaspati Oil (packet). The retail of Tea will be Rs.170.00/- (Loose) and Rs. 196.00/- (packed). The retail price of Potato will be Rs. 10.00/- per kg. Rs. 13.00/- per kg will be the retail price for onion. The retail price of packed salt (Taja/C. Cook/Tata) will be Rs.09.00/- and Rs. 5.00/- per kg for loose. The retail price of Gur will be Rs. 26.00/- per kg. The retail price of tonned milk will be Rs.30.00/- per litre. The retail price of Urad Dal, Moong Dal and Urad Dal (whole) per kg will be Rs. 48.00/-, Rs. 47.00/- and Rs. 40.00/- respectively. The retail price of Palm Oil per litre will be Rs.53.00/-. For Soya Oil the retail price will be Rs. 55.00/-. The retail price of Sunflower will be Rs. 78.00/-. The retail price of Tomato, Brinjal and Cabbage per kg will be Rs. 16.00/- and 14.00/- and 12.00/-respectively.

Press Release No. 250/07

NEW OFFICE BEARERS, EXECUTIVE MEMBERS ELECTED

The Meghalaya Secretariat Services Association in an election held on April 24, 2007 has elected new Office Bearers/Executive Members for the term 2007-2009. Mr. George. K. Sangma of Soil & Water Conservation Department has been elected President. Mr. S. Kharmawphlang from Finance (A.F.) Department has been elected as Vice President of the Association while Mr. S. Syiemlieh of Personnel & A. R. Cell has been elected as General Secretary. Mr. H. N. Arengh of A H & Veterinary Department is the new Assistant Secretary of the Association while Mr. C. M. Syiem of Power Department and Mrs. Ibalumnin Kharlukhi of Finance (Estt.) were elected as Joint Secretaries.

Mr. P. S. Nongkynrih, Finance (Budget), Mr. Chesterfield Dkhar, Political, Mr. Samuel. J. Wahlang, Finance (E. A.), Mrs. Artilum Khongsit, Personnel & A. R. (B), Mrs. Merlinda Rani, GAD (A) and Mrs. Grace Momin of Revenue Department were elected as Executive Members of the Association.

This was informed by the General Secretary of the Association.

Press Release No. 251/07

STATE LEVEL STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR OF THE FARMERS HELD

The State Level Steering Committee (STLSC) for the Year of the Farmer was held at the Conference Hall of the Yojana Bhavan, Shillong on April 26, 2007. The meeting was attended by the Meghalaya Chief Secretary Mr. R. Chatterjee, Additional Chief Secretary, Mr. S. Chatterjee and officials of the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Fisheries, Sericulture & Weaving, Soil & Water Conservation and Community & Rural Development. The Committee was presided over by Mr. A. H. Scott Lyngdoh, Chairman of STLSC.

In his introductory speech, Mr. Scott Lyngdoh informed that the STLSC is a committee which decides all priorities on order of businesses undertaken by it and as such underlined the need for all the members of the committee to work in correlation with each other and with professionalism for the successful implementation of the year long programmes held to observe the Year of the Farmer. Lamenting the negative publicity received in connection with the celebration of the Year of the Farmer, Mr. Scott Lyngdoh called upon all concerned Departments to submit detailed reports of their plans and schemes available during the Year of the Farmer to the Commissioner & Secretary of Agriculture. The Committee will send the same to the Directorate of Information & Public Relations for dissemination of information to the general masses, he added.

Reiterating the fact that 70p.c to 80p.c of the population depends on Agriculture as the main source of livelihood, Mr. Scott Lyngdoh said that it is imperative that all should join hands to ensure that the targeted schemes are successfully implemented so as to benefit the farming community of the State.

Press Release No. 252/07

SPECIAL INTERACTIVE PROGRAMME HELD

A day long Special Interactive Programme on the theme “Rural Infrastructure and Rural Development” was organized at Riangmang village by the office of the Sub Divisional Public Relations Officer, Mairang on April 25, 2007. Hundreds of people and students from the village and its adjoining areas attended the programme which was inaugurated by Mr. K. L. Nongbri, Block Development Officer and Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Mairang Sub Division. Officers from various government departments viz Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer, Sub Divisional Veterinary Officer, Sub Divisional Irrigation Officer, Range Officer, Soil and Water Conservation, Deputy Inspector of Schools and others. The main highlight on the day was the question and answer session in which the people openly aired their grievances and got themselves enlightened about the various schemes and programmes of the government.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Nongbri lauded the organizer of the programme which would benefit the people by way of informing them about the various schemes of the government for the social and economic upliftment of the people. He added that such a programme would bring the government and administration closer to the people. He urged the people to come forward and avail the opportunity provided by the government through various schemes. He also called upon them to take active participation in such a programme which in turn would benefit them.

On the day the officers from various government departments informed to the people about the various schemes available in their respective department.

The function was presided over by Mr. R. Kharbihkhiew, Sub Divisional Public Relations Officer who also proposed the vote of thanks. The welcome address was delivered by Mr. W. Sawkmie, Sordar, Riangmang village.

As part of the programme a drawing competition for students of the area was also organized. Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the competition.

Press Release No. 253/07

AWARENESS CUM TRAINING PROGRAMME HELD

The awareness cum training programme on Watershed was organized by the Thaitsngoi Watershed Committee (IWDO-VIII) 2005-2006 and the Shillong Soil & Water Conservation (Territorial) Division for two Watershed Committee viz. Laitmawsiang and Mawteibah at Laitmawsiang Secondary School premises on April 25, 2006. Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. J A Lyngdoh grace the occasion as the chief guest in the presence of Mr. B B Nongsiej, Parliamentary Secretary.

In his speech, Mr. Lyngdoh lauded the Soil and Water Conservation for their untiring effort in implementing the project for the overall development of the area and the state as a whole.. Stating that Nongspung constituency has been gifted with nine watershed project from the Soil and Conservation Department and two water shed projects from the Agriculture Department, he urged upon the members of the Water shed Committee to work hard in maintaining the watershed project for the benefit of the people of the area.

Later in a training session on Livestock rearing in Water Shed Project Areas and Concept of Self Help Group, Mr. Lyngdoh said that such training programme would benefit the people of the area on various aspects of Watershed Management.

The function was also attended by senior officials from the Soil and Water Conservation, headmen from various localities and school children.

Press Release No. 254/07

ADVISER TO CHIEF MINISTER APPOINTED

The Government of Meghalaya has appointed Dr. Friday Lyngdoh, MLA as Adviser to Chief Minister with effect from the date of assumption of charge and until further orders with Cabinet rank.