Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 187/10

YOUTH THE FUTURE OF TOMORROW

AMPATI, May 3: Citizens of Ampati, today blissfully welcomed the son of the soil, Dr. Mukul M Sangma the new Chief Minister of Meghalaya with a grand felicitation function which witnessed a record gathering at the Ampati mini Stadium. The people of Ampati overjoyed at the fact that one of their sons overcoming all odds after a colorful career in politics has become the Chief Minister of Meghalaya welcomed Dr. Mukul M Sangma with utmost admiration and respect.

The Chief Minister of Meghalaya was accompanied to the felicitation function by his wife Mrs. Dikanchi D. Shira and his entourage, comprising of Mr. Abdus Saleh, Parliamentary Secretary i/c Home etc, Mr. Zenith M. Sangma, President, District Congress Committee, Mr. Dhabal Barman, former Minister, Mahendraganj, Mr. L. D. Shira, MDC, Mr. Premanda Koch, MDC, Mr. Nripendra Koch, MDC, Mr. Boston Marak, MDC, etc amongst others. The function was chaired by Mr. Binvichand D. Sangma, former MDC.

Dr. Mukul Sangma while addressing the gathering expressed his delight and happiness at being received at his birth place and later his constituency with such adoration and admiration that only a down to earth person like Dr. Mukul Sangma could perceive said “I accept all these felicitation and honor that you have given me with a humble and grateful heart. I am so happy that you all have supported for all these four years to look after your welfare and address the grievances of our people”. Dr. Mukul Sangma stressing on the need to look at things in new light said that the Government is initiating new ideas, initiatives to improve the implementation of government schemes/projects in the state. He said that for the past four years he had been able to grasp opportunities enabling him to address and formulate strategies to tackle the grievances of the people of the state in general and Ampati in particular.

Stressing on the need to harness the energy and vibrancy of the youth of today He said “I have thought of new initiatives for all our potential youth”. He said that since independence the Government had introduced many schemes and projects to uplift the lifestyle of the general populace and that the region had witnessed many such schemes but due to inefficient administration the schemes did no bear fruit. Dr. Mukul Sangma called upon all the officers of the state to work in tandem so as to enable uniform growth in the spheres of development in the State. He further stressed on popular inclusion and said that all decisions regarding implementation of schemes/projects etc would include that of the people of the region.

Prominent citizens of Ampati delivered speeches of felicitation at the function which included Mr. Gospel G. Sangma, Mr. Gopal Kishore Koch, Mrs. Rana B. Sangma, Mr. Debendro Hajong and Mr. Leonard M. Sangma besides others.

Other invitees and guests present at the function Mr. Abhisek Bogotia, SDO (Civil), Ampati, Mr. W. G Sangma, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Ampati, Mr. Alphonse A Sangma, former CEM, GHADC, Dr. Dazy K Sangma, Medical and Health Officer, Ampati, Mrs. B R Marak, DAO among others.(mipr)

Press Release No. 188/10

CM DISTRIBUTES AGRO SERVICE MACHINERIES AT AMPATI

Tura, May 3, 2010: Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma handed over the Agro-service machineries to 28 beneficiaries of Betasing and Zikzak blocks under BRGF scheme in an impressive distribution function organized by the Agriculture department at Ampati Mini Stadium on May 3, 2010.

The machineries, including a power-tiller, water pump, SRI marker, weeder, etc are given to joint liability groups at a cost of Rs. 1,85,951 for each set, out of which Rs. 1,30,951 is borne by the government, Rs. 40,000 is bank loan component, while Rs.15,000 is benficiaries’ contribution.

Addressing the gathering, particularly the farmers, on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the government is working on a top priority to improve the Agri-Horti sectors with new technologies, adding that these schemes were meant uplift standard of farmers. He urged the farmers to take up cultivation of high-value, attractive crops by using these new technologies in farming. “There cannot be a better, more lucrative profession than farming, if technology is well utilized”, he added.

Speaking about the financial facilities being given to the farmers, he observed that some banks had a laid back attitude towards the customers and called upon the the banks to change their attitude and have a competition amongst themselves.

Parliament Secretary Mr. Abdus Saleh also assisted the Chief Minister in handing over the manuals and the machineries on the occasion.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Sanjay Goyal, while highlighting the purpose of the scheme, urged the joint liability groups to run the machines in a profitable manner and also maintain daily accounts of hire and receipts. He also felt that the mechanization of farming is very low in the state and asked the farmers to take up SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method which can increase production by 60 percent.

The distribution function was attended by the officers of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments, other government officials, public leaders and farmers.

Press Release No. 189/10

MEGHALAYA CM HOLDS REVIEW MEETING WITH OFFICERS

Tura, May 3, 2010: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma accompanied by Power Minister, Mr A T Mondal and Food and Civil supplies Minister, Mr A D Marak today evening took a review meeting with the Officers of various Departments in Garo Hills District to review the implementation of the schemes and programmes of the Government The review meeting was held at the Tura Circuit House in the presence of the Commissioner of Divisions, Garo Hills, Mr P W Ingty, the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District, Mr Sanjay Goyal and the Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills District, Mrs H K Marak.

Initiating the discussion, Dr Mukul Sangma said that the intention of the review meeting is to refresh themselves of the focus of the Government on development. He said that they can share their thoughts and ideas on new initiatives and also give feedback to the government on the status of the schemes and programmes being implemented.

Dr Sangma said that the Officers in the field should work with sincerity and should always keep in mind the main concern of the government which is poverty. “We should synchronise our efforts to achieve our goals”, he added.

“The need of the day is convergence approach, we should integrate our ideas and adopt a goal oriented approach for good end results for the best interest of the State as a whole”, said Dr Sangma.

Dr Sangma also said that the government is making a development calendar for each District and Sub-Division of the State down to the Block level for effective and result oriented approach.

Press Release No. 190/10

NEW MEGHALAYA CHIEF MINISTER FELICITATED

Tura, May 3, 2010: The people of Garo Hills in general and Tura in particular today welcomed Dr. Mukul Sangma, the new Chief Minister of Meghalaya into their midst with a grand felicitation programme organized by the District Congress Committee at the Tura District Auditorium, Tura, West Garo Hills District on May 1, 2010.

Dr. Mukul Sangma is the second youngest and the fourth among the Garos to have attained the coveted seat of the State’s highest office, the Chief Minister’s office and that too within a short span of his political career. Dr. Mukul Sangma was accompanied to the felicitation programme by his wife Mrs. Dikkanchi D Shira as well as his entourage of Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries. Among them were Mr. Augustine D Marak, Minister i/c Food and Supply, Mr. A. T. Mondal, Minister i/c Power etc, Mr. Abdus Saleh, Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Limison Sangma, Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Samuel Sangma, Parliamentary Secretary and Mr. Saleng A Sangma, Parliamentary Secretary. The felicitation programme was presided over by Mr Zenith Sangma.

Dr. Mukul Sangma in his address to the gathering stressed that it was imperative to bring change into the state and create avenues for the younger generation enabling them to achieve their cherished dreams. He said that on the first day of the formation of his Government the first thing he did was address the affairs of the State with his ministers and said “I have spelt out the commitments of the Government…and it will be carried out with utmost sincerity”. He informed that the Government would stress on certain pertinent issues like women’s empowerment, education, socio–cultural issues, infrastructure, etc by practising inclusive politics. Inclusive politics, Dr. Sangma said, implied that the government would include popular poll and not only politicians in the Government’s day to day affairs so as to bridge the gap between the people and their government. “I think if we cannot bring happiness to the different sections of the society we are not adequately responding to them” said the Chief Minister and added that it was where inclusive politics would come into play in understanding the grievances and needs of the people of the State.

On the issue of proposed Uranium mining in Garo Hills, he said that he would see that popular poll is taken into consideration without which he assured no concrete steps would be taken. Lastly he urged the people of Meghalaya to maintain a conducive atmosphere for uninterrupted development and sought ceaseless and humble cooperation from all sections of the society. He also remarked that there was certain skepticism among the people that the government would not last but assured the people that he had ample trust in his ministers and with the people’s cooperation would bring in the much wanted change in the State.

Others who briefly spoke words of felicitation at the programme were Mrs. Arlene M. N. Sangma, President, DCC, West Garo Hills Tura, Mr. Semford B. Sangma, Secretary, MPCC, Mr. U R Dutta, retired Lecturer, Tura Government College, Mrs. Lepmoni C. Sangma, Former President, Mother’s Union, Mr. Skylance G Momin, President, Nokma Council, Mr. I K Sangma, Former Secretary, MBOSE and Mrs Miriam D Shira, former Minister.