Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 156/11

MCSOA ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD

Shillong, April 2, 2011: The Annual Conference of the Meghalaya Civil Service Officers Association (MCSOA) on the theme “Changing Trends in Administration” was on April 2, 2011 at Shillong Club, Shillong, where the Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. W.M.S. Pariat grace the occasion as the Chief Guest in the presence of the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. P.B. O. Warjri, Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. C.D. Kynjing, Commissioner of Division, Khasi Hills, Mrs. R.V. Suchiang, former Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. P. J. Bazeley, Mr. Toki Blah, Retd IAS, eminent journalist and Editor of the Shillong Times, Mrs. P. Mukhim besides others. The conference was attended by the MCS officers.

Delivering his speech, Mr. Pariat said that the MCS officers have a very important role to play in implementing various schemes and programmes of the State Government. While congratulating the MCS officers for their untiring effort in bringing the administration closer to the people especially the common man, he urged upon the officers to be more of a quality administrator. He further stated that the performance of the MCS officers compared to others civil services of the country is laudable as the MCS officers is one of the best who have excelled in their field work as foot soldiers. He also said that the MCS officers should discharge their duties effectively and efficiently for the upliftment of the society.

Earlier, the president of the MCSOA, Mr. H. M. Shangpliang delivered the welcome address, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. P Sangma, member MCSOA.

Later, a threadbare discussion on the theme was held. The former Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. P. J. Bazeley was the moderator and the Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. C.D. Kynjing, Mr. Toki Blah, Retd IAS, eminent journalist and Editor of the Shillong Times, Mrs. P. Mukhim were panelists.

Press Release No. 158/11

NATIONAL SAVINGS INSTITUTE

Shillong, April 4, 2011: National Savings Institute, Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India organized a National Level Conference at the Conference Hall of the Main Secretariat, Shillong in collaboration with Government of Meghalaya on 4th April 2011. The objective of the meeting is to review the performance of National Savings Institute, Headquarters and all its Regional Centre’s during 2010-11 and also to draw future strategies for achieving different target during 2011-12

Additional Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Finance Mr. S K Das in his inaugural speech highlighted the need to look at individual complaint in banking sector and felt that customer complaint cells should be activated in every bank. He also urged upon all the officials and staffs of NSI to work hard in promoting the financial inclusion especially in the rural areas. He also encourage investors to focus more on long term investment like recurring deposits etc. instead of doing small savings.

Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Meghalaya, Finance, etc., Mr. B K Dev Verman while speaking as the Guest of Honour said that NSI play a very important role in providing savings facilities to the general public in a private sector and also economically developing the State as well. He further said that agents of NSI from rural section are also helping in mobilizing of small savings.

Also present in the Conference are Regional Directors from all over the country.

Press Release No. 159/11

CONSULTATION MEET ON MARRIAGEABLE AGE HELD

Shillong, April 4, 2011: A Consultation Meet on Marriageable Age for Chairperson of State Commission for Women North Eastern States was held today, the 4th April, 2011 at the Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam, Ri Bhoi District. Sponsored by the National Commission for Women, New Delhi and supported by the Department of Social Welfare, Meghalaya, Shillong, the Meet aimed at addressing the issues relating to early marriage and the impact it has on society.

Present at the inaugural session were the Meghalaya Minister of Social Welfare, Mr. J A Lyngdoh as the Chief Guest, Mrs. W Syiem, Member National Commission for Women, New Delhi and Mrs. Z Chatterjee, Member Secretary, National Commission for Women, New Delhi as Guests of Honour, Chairpersons of State Commission for Women from Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Sikkim, officials of the Social Department and Meghalaya State Social Welfare Board and NGOs.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Lyngdoh said that several laws have been put in place for elimination of child marriages, of which one is the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 which deal effectively with the problem of child marriages in the country and to put in place a comprehensive mechanism. This plan is proving to be successful, he said, because in the recent past, statistics clearly shows a decreasing trend in child marriages, though it is still difficult to monitor every child due to the sheer population of India. This he felt shows the positive trends for all round development of a girl child.

Stating that the National Commission for Women (NCW) was set up to oversee the implementation of constitutional and legal safeguards of women’s rights and privileges and to review legislations and recommending improvements to ensure that women’s rights are protected and enhanced, Mr. Lyngdoh said that the State Commission for Women in Meghalaya was also set up in the same line in 2004 to facilitate women in the State a forum to air their grievances and to cater to meaningful redressal of issues concerning girls and women in the State. Keeping in view that early marriages create a negative impact to the welfare of society, he expressed hoped that the Meet will facilitate effective strategy mechanism for elimination of early marriage.

Mr. Lyngdoh also informed that the Social Welfare Department plays a vital role for overall social sector development for women, adolescent girls and children and it has undertaken large number of major initiatives schemes and programme for the target group and more emphasis on preventive and rehabilitation measures if being focus. He also informed that the Department has also notified the District Social Welfare Officers as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers for effective implementation of the Child Marriage Act 2007 and also to create awareness amongst the public.

Guests of Honour, Mrs. W Syiem and Mrs. Z Chatterjee who highlighted on the objectives of the Meet, said that opinions during the discussion will enable the National Commission for Women to present the views and suggestions on the lacunae of existing laws. They also felt that the State must take measures to educate the youth on the negative impact that early marriage has on their economic well being and physical and psychological health.

Mrs. S K Marak, Chairperson, Meghalaya State Commission for Women, delivered a welcome address while Mrs. L N Jyrwa, Additional Director, Social Welfare Department, offered the vote of thanks.

Press Release No. 160/11

GRADE IV RESULTS DECLARED

Shillong, April 4, 2011: The Secretary District Selection Committee, East Khasi Hills District has informed that the result of the Written Test Examination for the post of Grade IV has been published on April 1, 2011 and the result has been pasted in the Notice Board of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong. Candidates can also view the result in the District Website at http://eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Further, the Personal Interview for the post of Lady Supervisor will be held on April 13-14, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the Office Chamber of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong.

Press Release No. 161/11

MEGHALAYA LEGAL METROLOGY (ENFORCEMENT) RULES 2011 IMPLEMENTED

Shillong, April 4, 2011: The Government of Meghalaya has implemented the Meghalaya Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2011 with effect from the 1st April, 2011. The said Rules have been published in the Gazette of Meghalaya Extraordinary No. 45 dated 1st April, 2011. This was informed by the Controller of Legal Metrology, Meghalaya, Shillong.

Press Release No. 163/11

NOTIFICATION

Shillong, April 5, 2011: The Government of Meghalaya has proposed to revise the Rates of Motor Vehicle Tax and the rates of Composite Tax on Tourist vehicles as per recommendation of the Task Force for Resource Mobilization by substituting the existing schedule to the Meghalaya Motor Vehicle Taxation Act (Assam Act IX of 1936 – as adapted and amended by Meghalaya).

Press Release No. 167/11

NOMINATION FOR JINDAL PRIZE 2011

Shillong, April 6, 2011: Applications are invited from individuals/organizations for nomination for the Jindal Prize 2011. The prize is a token of recognition, appreciation and encouragement of those individuals/organizations who have rendered commendable service of the highest order in the field of Rural Development & Poverty Alleviation, Health-including drugless healing, Education-with emphasis on moral upliftment, Science, Technology & Environment and Peace, Social Harmony & Development. The five prizes carry a cash award of Rs. One Crore for each category, a memento and a citation.

Nomination forms and other relevant information can be downloaded from the website www.jindalprize.org. The last date of receipt of nominations is April 30, 2011. Nominations can be sent to the Secretary General, Jindal Prize Secretariat, ‘Naturelle’, 11 Green Avenue, Bhatta Road, behind Sector D-3, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110 070 or e-mail to info@jindalprize.org.

Press Release No. 168/11

PLYING OF COAL LADEN TRUCKS OVER KYNSHI BRIDGE PROHIBITED

Shillong, April 6, 2011: The Executive Magistrate, Mairang Civil Sub-Division has promulgated an Order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting plying of coal laden trucks via Kynshi-Lawbyrtun road and through the Kynshi Bridge.

This order has been enforced in view of the fact that continuous plying of such coal laden trucks poses threat to the Kynshi Bridge which is structurally weak and old and may not be able to withstand the stress overcome from the constant plying of such trucks.

This Order comes into immediate effect and shall remain in force until further orders.