Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 178/13

REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON RESTRUCTURED ICDS HELD

Shillong, April 4, 2013: The Social Welfare Department, Meghalaya in collaboration with Ministry of Women and Child Development (MCWD), Government of India organized a two day Regional Orientation and Information Dissemination Conference on Restructured ICDS on 4th April, 2013 at Shillong Club Conference Hall, Shillong. Social Welfare Minister Smti Deborah Marak was the chief Guest.

Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest Smti Deborah Marak ensures that the department would prioritize especially women and children of the state and the service also percolates to the grassroot level. She called upon the participants to interact, discuss and give suggestions and complaints to the officials from the government of India and urge to improve the system of mechanism best suited to the North Eastern Region.

Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya Social Welfare department, Mr. P W Ingty wishes that the ICDS programme implemented being restructured by the Government of India to bridge the gaps may be successful and cater to the needs of the people of the region in particular.

Mr. Gulshan Lal, Deputy Secretary, Govt of India, MCWD, in his speech said that the department has adopted various measures to restructure and strengthen the ICDS programme and has tried to rectify most of the problems faced while implementing these schemes. He also informed that the programme would be based on the historical part of ICDS and overview of restructuring and focus on new issues which would visualize the actions to be implemented by the concerned state departments.

Representatives from Nagaland and Tripura also participated in the programme. Earlier Commissioner& Secretary to the Govt. of Meghalaya, Social Welfare department Mr. T Dkhar welcomed the gathering and Director, Meghalaya Social Welfare Mr. H M Shangpliang propose the vote of thanks.

Press Release No. 179/13

NOTIFICATION

Shillong, April 4, 2013: The Government of Meghalaya has informed that Mr. D P Kharsati, Additional Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai shall also function as District Planning Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai with effect from the date of taking over charge and until further orders.

Press Release No. 180/13

CAVES EXPLORED AND EXTENDED IN JAINTIA HILLS

Shillong, April 4, 2013: 18 days Expedition was undertaken by the International Cavers in collaboration with the Meghalaya Adventurers Association (MAA) from 4th to 21st February 2013 in Jaintia Hills District with focus on the caving areas of Khahnar and Larket. This is the 21st edition of the International Cave Expedition under the project “Caving in the abode of the clouds”.

18 cavers from UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Romania, Germany and members of the MAA including two Romanian biologists and a researcher from Lady Keane College took part in the expedition.

During the expedition, period a total of 4 existing and partially explored caves were further explored and extended and 19 new caves were explored. In addition a total of 9.03 Kms of new cave passage was explored and mapped. This takes the total number of known caves in Meghalaya to 1350 with 850 caves explored or partially explored to yield a total length of mapped cave passage of 387 Kms in Meghalaya.

In the Larket area Krem Khung cave was extended from 5065 m in length to 7349 m making it India’s 8th longest cave. Krem Labit Kseh in the Kopili Valley was extended from 5910 m to 6802 m in length and it represents India’s 10th longest cave. Further, Krem Khung Back Door Not, a new cave in the Larket area was surveyed to 662 m and Krem Diengjem has been extended from 21,250 m long system to 21, 359 m almost touching krem Kotsati-Umlawan system which is India’s 2nd longest cave at 21,450 m.

Press Release No. 181/13

LOK ADALAT

Shillong, April 4, 2013: The Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority in collaboration with the District Administration of West Khasi Hills District will organize the Lok Adalat in Nongstoin Public School on April 27, 2013 from 9:00 AM. The purpose is to settle the long pending compoundable cases by way of amicable compromise through appointed conciliators. All concerned litigants are requested to attend the Lok Adalat.