Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 340/15

BYE ELECTION TO 59-CHOKPOT ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY

Shillong, May 27, 2015: The Deputy Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya & Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya has informed that as per the directives of the Election Commission of India, the bye-election to 59-Chokpot Assembly Constituency will be held on 27th June, 2015.

The Commission has decided to hold bye-election as per the following schedule, issue of notification will be on the 3rd June, 2015, last date for filing of nominations on the 10th June, 2015. Date of scrutiny on the 11th June, 2015, date of withdrawal of candidature on the 13th June, 2015, polling date on the 27th June, 2015, date of counting on the 30th June, 2015, date of completion of election on the 2nd July, 2015. The polling hours will be from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Press Release No. 341/15

SKILL FEST CUM JOB FAIR HELD

Shillong May 27, 2015: Chief Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya, Dr. D. D. Lapang inaugurated the Skill Fest cum Job Fair in presence of the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Dr. Pooja Pandey at NSCA Mini Stadium, Pahamsyiem, Nongpoh today the 27th May, 2015. The programme was organised by the Directorate of Employment & Craftsmen Training, Department of Labour and Union Ministry of Labour and Employment. Director of Employment, Shri B. Hajong, Shri P. S. Kharkongor, ADC, Shri C. B. Syiem, Ex-MDC were among others present during the function.

Dr. Lapang in his speech as the Chief Guest expressed his deep concern on the unemployment issues faced by the qualified unemployed youths of Ri Bhoi as well as of the State. He also said that the Government has taken steps to ease the problem by setting up the vocational training centres in different locations so as to enable the youths avail the opportunity for self employment. He appreciated and lauded the Department of Employment for their initiative in holding this meaningful programme in the District which is to generate awareness about job oriented skill development among the unemployed youth and also to allow them to understand the possibilities and make selections of training programme and career as per their choice.

He lauded the representatives of various companies, institutions and skill agencies for their good will mission in creating awareness, imparting, motivating and developing the youth through different avenues. He called upon the unemployed youths to come forward and take the opportunity and register themselves with various companies and vocational training providers in order to uplift their socio-economic life.

He also informed that the National Employment Generation Council of Ri Bhoi (NEGCR) will be setting up its office at Super Complex, Nongpoh and he requested the Department of Employment to locate one person as Contact Officer who would be in touch with the office so as to enable the unemployed youths to have information about availability of job vacancies. Dr Lapang also hoped that the Skill Fest would benefit and cater to the needs of the youths in particular and the people in general.

Press Release No. 342/15

NOTICE

Shillong May 27, 2015: The District Election Officer, Ri Bhoi District has informed the general public that for queries relating to the National Electoral Rolls Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP) which is currently being implemented by the Office of the District Election Officer, Ri Bhoi District, the District call centre is operational and calls may be made to the No. 8118969865 on all working days from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Press Release No. 343/15

SCHOOL NURSERY PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN WJH

Shillong, May 27, 2015: The West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, Shri P. S. Dkhar officially launched the School Nursery Plantation Programmes today, the 27th May, 2015 at District Library Auditorium, Mynthong, Jowai which will be carried out in succession in selected schools of the District that will be implemented by Social Forestry Department. Additional Deputy Commissioner, S. C. Laloo, J. U. Kharpuri i/c Sub-Divisional Officer, Amlarem, B. J. Kharshandi, EAC, Line Department officers, bank officials, teachers and students also attended the Programme.

Speaking during launching of the Programme, the Deputy Commissioner said that the objective of the programme is to sensitize and create awareness among the students about the need of having a clean green environment. Having a green environment will not only conserve the ecology but it will also be a benefit to the health of the students, he said. Shri Dkhar also invited the schools to cooperate and to voluntary come forward and extent their hands in spreading the message on the need of a healthy environment in and around the schools, colleges, localities and villages.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, S. C. Laloo said the aim and objective of the programme is to instill upon ourselves to have a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

J.M Pohsngap, Divisional Forest Officer briefed on the importance and requirements for having a nursery in Schools. He also urged the students to bring about a change in their schools and their surroundings. Caring about the environmental issues is not a solution unless everyone stands up for the cause and start having a positive attitude towards our Mother earth, he said. He encouraged the students to actively take part in saving the environment. H. H. Mohrmen, Columnist and Environmentalist spoke on ‘Sustainable Consumption and Conscious use of Products is the Key to Environment Conservation’, while Dr. G. H. Chyrmang, Assistant Conservator of Forest (Protection) Jaintia Hills Territorial Division, Jowai lectured on the Environmental Issues.

Earlier B. J. Kharshandi, EAC and Nodal officer of Basin Development Unit, Jowai in his key note address highlighted on the mission of Meghalaya Green Campaign and informed that as part of the Green Meghalaya Campaign 2015, the Basin Development Unit of Jowai also invites innovative practical ideas from individuals, schools, CBOs and VECs for a greener Meghalaya.

He also informed that Debate, Essay and Painting competitions for school students will be conducted on 28th May, 2015, Tree Plantation on 2nd June, 2015 at Sajar Nangli Lake, Thadlaskein and 5th June, 2015 at Kiang Nangbah College. Tree Plantation will also be held in all three blocks of the District- Thadlaskein, Laskein and Amlarem on the World Environment Day Celebration.

Press Release No. 344/15

CM TO NOTIFY TASK FORCE ON VECTOR BORNE DISEASE CONTROL

Shillong, May 27, 2015: Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma held a meeting with officials of the Health department today evening to implement Action Plan on vector borne diseases and decided to notify a Task Force with the involvement of concerned departments to work on the action plan.

The meeting was attended by Health & Family Welfare Minister A L Hek, Urban Affairs Minister M.Ampareen Lyngdoh, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Y. Tsering, Director of Health Services Dr. A. Dkhar and other officials of the department.

The meeting discussed cases of vector borne diseases like Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue and Chikungunya in the State and steps to be taken in convergence with departments like Veterinary, Urban (Housing), Industries, PHE, Transport, Social Welfare, Education, etc with the active community participation at the village level.

The Chief Minister stressed on creating public awareness and sensitization through FM and television in the form of short skits/drama, need for assessment of people’s involvement and also the need to project the cases in the right earnest. He also suggested random sampling and testing of animals which are meant for human consumption, biological management to keep water storage systems free from mosquitoes, creation of nurseries for breeding Gambusia Affinis – fish that feed on mosquito larvae, and introduction of vector control teaching in education curriculum, among others.

A special focus was given to malaria during the meeting and the Chief Minister said there was a need for the department to be acclimatized to the challenges to have a proper action plan because malaria is a disease that have plagued the State for many years. He also suggested on having a malaria cell in every district and urged upon the department to go the extra mile” rather than sticking to the GOI guidelines.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the management of PHCs and CHCs in the State and asked the department to identify CHCs/PHCs for running on a PPP mode and to enable them to act as referral centres on hub and spoke method.