Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 345/06

TRAINING ON E-GOVERNANCE INAUGURATED

A five day training on “e-Governance: Trends and Practices” for government officers was inaugurated today by the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. S.K. Tiwari at the Conference Hall of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Shillong. Organized by the NIC, Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communication, the programme is sponsored by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. S.K. Tiwari stated that saving cost, efficiency, transparency and accountability are the key features of e-governance and of these, transparency and accountability to the people are most essential for effective governance. In an era where the lines between state and business are slowly becoming indistinguishable and where the powerless are being sidelined, he added that the scope and uses of technology can only be realized when it is made accessible to all the powerless of the world. In this way, if people are made aware of all the entitlements due to them, then only can they make governments, businesses, NGOs accountable thereby bringing about changes in the way these institutions function.

While delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Aruna Chaba, Senior Technical Director, NIC, New Delhi and resource person of the workshop, informed that the endeavour of the training is to delve on the significance of e-governance, the issues and challenges associated with it, improving functioning of government department through use of technology and so on. Hoping that the training will aid the participants to further improve in their respective fields, Mrs. Chaba added that the participants should also share their knowledge with others so as to bring about desirable changes in the way the government functions.

Earlier, Mr. T. Dkhar, State Informatics Officer, NIC Meghalaya delivered the welcome address while the vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. B. Lyngskor, PSA, NIC Meghalaya.

Press Release No. 346/06

FACILITIES TO EX-SERVICEMEN, WIDOWS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS

The Director, Sainik Welfare Board has informed that the Ambulance of the Director Sainik Welfare will be available for Ex-Servicemen, Widows and their Dependents between 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To avail this facility, all beneficiaries may contact the Directorate of Sainik Welfare at 2225613 (O), 2536574 (R) 9436101551(M) or Zilla Sainik Welfare Office, Shillong at 2500459(O) or 9863066357(M).

Meanwhile, under a trust with a corpus of Rs. 2 crores established by Marshal of the Air Force and Mrs. Arjan Singh, 85p.c. of the Trust will be utilized for extending financial assistance to ex-Air Force personnel/widows to meet urgent requirements. The Trust expects to distribute upto Rs.13 lakhs annually. Requests for grants will be accepted by the Head Office or branch offices of Air Force Association. To available assistance, needy ex-air force personnel and widows may contact the Director of Sainik Welfare Meghalaya, Zilla Sainik Welfare Office, Shillong or Welfare Organizer, Tura for application forms.