Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 603/17

ONE DAY STATE LEVEL PROGRAMME ON NFSA HELD

Prof. R.C. Laloo, Deputy Chief Minister, in-charge Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs department today inaugurated the one day State Level Programme to sensitize on the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong. The programme was organized by the Meghalaya State Food Commission in collaboration with the Directorate of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. The programme was also attended by Shri P.W.Ingty, Additional Chief Secretary in-charge FCS&CA, Shri B.K.Dev Verma, Chairman, State Food Commission, Shri H. M. Shangpliang, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Smti I. R.Sangma, Director, FCS&CA, Shri P. S. Dkhar, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Members of the State Food Commission, officers from Social Welfare and Education department, Rangbah Shnong, Fair Price Shop Dealers, Whole Sellers and NGOs from East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi District. In his inaugural address, Prof. Laloo said that the Government is committed in ensuring food security in the State through the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and functioning of the State Food Commission is to provide food and nutritional security by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices. For efficiency and effective management, the delivery system mechanism in the State has been put in place by digitalization of beneficiaries data and computerized system of supply chain management has been taken up in the implementation of the Public Distribution System (PDS), added the Deputy Chief Minister. District and Sub Divisional Grievances Redressal Officers has been set up in all the Districts and Sub Divisional Headquarters and toll free number 1967 have been put in place for any complaint. The inaugural session was followed by presentation from SFC, FCS&CA, Education and Social Welfare.

Press Release No. 604/17

VILLAGES UNDER RAKSAMGRE CIVIL SUB DIVISION

For public convenience and better administration, the Government of Meghalaya has created a new Civil Sub Division called Raksamgre Civil Sub Division in West Garo Hills District with headquarters at Raksamgre. This was informed by the Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya. The Civil Sub Division will comprise of the villages under Tikrikilla C & RD Block, Dadenggre C & RD Block, Selsella C & RD Block and 8 villages under Resubelpara C & RD Block. The Raksamgre Civil Sub-Division shall function from its headquarters at Raksamgre with effect from the 24th April, 2017. Villages under Nagorgaon GS Circle are Dhapangpara-I, II and III, Nagargaon, L/Sabanggre, L/Sabanggre-A, U/Sabanggre, Bogadola, U/Kharmari (Rava), U/Khamari (Garo), U/Kharmari (Relief), L/Khamari, Nogorpara, Kongkira, Jugirjhar, Bogularbhita-A+B (I), Bogularbhita-A+B (II), Haribhanga. Villages under Raksamgre GS Circle are Napakgre, Apalgre, Laskarpara (Garo), Dabanggre, Dabanggajingpara, Dabakgre, Gondachibolgre, Gonda Apalgre, Gonda Songgitchamgre, Rengigre, Raksamgre, Matchokgre and Jamdamgre. Villages under Jangrapara GS Circle are Jangrapara, Daigre, Doabukgri, J/Songgitcham, Dildigre, Bawagre, Jengritgre, Rongmakgre, Urringgre, Nengbapara, Didapara, Kalwagre, Mengotchigre A.ding, Mengotchigre Songma. Villages under Naguapara GS Circle included Naguapara, Khasiapara, Bolsaldamgre (N), Khokapara, Borogobal, New Dalchengkona, Mothapara, Belguri, Upper Rembigre, Dotronggre, Amphangdamgre, Gana Achugre, Lower Rembigre, Dilsigre. Villages under Pedaldoba GS Circle are Pedaldoba (Garo), Hirapara, Pedaldoba (Rabha), Saltop Kurung, Kurung. Villages under Bondukmali GS Circle included Bondukmali, Lower Darenchigiri, Rongmali, Lower Joirangre, Ganarugre, Upper Joirangre, Chambilgre, New Kalapara, Upper Kalapara, Old Kalapara, Dingbangre, Kangkorpara, Upper Darenchigre, Upper Katongre, Rongalgre, Lower Katongre. Villages under Lower Kongrapara GS Circle included Lower Khongrapara, Bolsaldamgre (K), Upper Khongrapara, Rabukong, Nayapara, Ravagre. Villages under Photamati GS Circle included U/Kharchengdhap, L/Kharchengdhap, Borodubi, Photamati, New Photamati, Dhelapara, Abhirampara, Borobatapara, Laskarpara (Hajong), Boldampitbari, Deosali, Aitibi and Boroduldonga. Villages under Tikrikilla GS Circle are Tikrikilla, Kathalbari-I and II, Berupara, Kodomsali, Ghaguapara, Chamaguri, Baghpara, Balupara, Pamila. Villages under Hatogaon GS Circle are Tilapara, Borobakra, Kolitapara, Dalchengkona, Hatogoan, Jurigoan, Rongsai, Balbalgre. Villages under Bollonggitok GS Circle are Lower and Upper Damachiga, Damachiga Badolgre, Chokdengre, Upper and Lower Chigijangre, Bollongitok, Anggaripara, Mandagre, Jongchipara, Roni A.sim, Ronipara. Villages under Rengsinpara GS Circle are Bolchu-Katongre, Bolchu Adinggre, Upper Rengsinpara, Chinaramgre, Kosidamgre, Jasingre, Lower Rengsinpara, Megonggre, Rangthapgre, Megapara, Rembi Apal, Kakunanggre, Kotchugre. Villages under Dobokjakolgre GS Circle are Bolchu Apalgre, Bahanang (Chibolgre), Bahanang Sugalgre, Lower and Upper Chisikgre, Dandarigiri, Dobokjakolgre, Angkirongdokgre, Andalsikgre, Ajurigre, Tosinpara. Villages under Odalguri GS Circle included Odalguri, Kalajhar, Dakop, Kanchankona, Bakhripara, Jengrip, Wankolagre, Matchok-Songram and Mohalgri. Villages under Upper Watregre GS Circle are Upper and Lower Watregre, Chimagre, Rongbokgre, Dajakagre, Boldamgre and Jelbonggre.

Villages under Matramchigre GS Circle of Dadenggre C & RD Block, West Garo Hills are Matramchigre, Bandanggre, Bolbokgre, Renchigre, Donapara, Chanupara, Hollaidangga. Villages under Cheran Songmagre GS Circle are Cheran Songmagre, Doldenggre, Dodanggre, Tesanggre, Bolmagre, Cheran Songgitcham, Chambalgre. Villages under Debragre GS Circle are Debragre, Domesalgre, Dinganpara, Koraibari, Rangsagre, Tepatanggre, Tongapara, Kentapara. Villages under Rongbok Kosakgre GS Circle are Dolwakgre, Amonggre, Balsatgre, Dabonggre, Dalbenggre, Rengbonggre, Rongbok Kosakgre, Rongjigre, Egopara, Gangalagre. Villages under Paham GS Circle of Selsella C & RD Block, West Garo Hills are Paham, Paham (Tillapara), Bhangarpar, Patharkata East and West, Moulakandi, Goladigli, Gandhimari. Lower Nolbari I & II, Upper Nolbari, Bamondangga, Gofuapara, Kokaimari, Burirjher, Nama Birirjhar, Pabomari, Nidanpur, Williampur, Alokdia, Sorokpara. Villages under Bolsong B Mohol GS Circle of Resubelpara C & RD Block are Daporbita, Sarapara, Thakurbilla Garo, Darugre, Thakurbilla Rabha, Fakirmara, Amtuli, Borjhora.

Press Release No. 609/17

CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON COAL MINING IN THE STATE HELD

The Consultative Meeting on Coal Mining in the State organized by Mining and Geology Department, Government of Meghalaya was held today at State Convention Centre, Shillong which was attended by Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma and Minister, Home, Police etc H D R Lyngdoh. Speaking to the gathering of coal miners and representatives of coal associations from across the state, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma who is also the Minister in Charge Mining and Geology said that many have been affected by the dislocation of the most dependable economy in the state and the meeting is an engagement to look at the possibilities to overcome the challenges and the interim approaches of the state government to coal mining. He also said that since mining has gone beyond small scale activities there is a need to have appropriate policy to regulate and ensure conformity with the various statutory laws of the land so as not to violate the statutory laws as miners. The Chief Minister also informed that in order to restore mining rights of the people the State Government has also moved for exemption of Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act 1973 and certain provision of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act 1975 under Para 12(A) (b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. He further informed that as per the provisions of Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act 1973 local coal mine operators are not eligible to undertake mining activities except subleasing from the Govt company or corporation however under Section 11 A(3) (a) of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act 1975 the allocation of the coal block to the State Govt company or corporation can be done without going through the auction process and this is an opening which can be worked he added. “In view of advice of Govt of India, Meghalaya Govt has identified and proposing MMDC Ltd as the State corporation for carrying out mining in the state as per the amended MMDR Act , 2015”, he said.

Dr Sangma said that the Department of Mining & Geology is pursuing the matter for preparation of the mine specific mining plans as required by NGT with the CMPDIL and said that while the State Government would continue to pursue the exemption proposal but in the meantime would like to try the existing possibility without the need to lift the NGT ban and exemption proposal to get through for actually going into coal mining activity. He added that the way forward depends on the will and cooperation of the mine owners and appealed to the mining community and coal bearing land owners to earnestly examine the intention of the Government and come forward with an open mind to enable coal mining activity to resume in the State which will benefit all with due care for future generations. MMDC Ltd also presented a power point presentation on Approaches to Coal Mining where the roles, responsibilities of MMDC Ltd and models of operation were highlighted. An Interactive Session also followed where stakeholders sought clarifications and gave suggestions. Similar consultative meetings would also be held in Jowai and South Garo Hills. Among others who were present during the meeting were MLA, Khliehriat, Justine Dkhar, Additional Chief Secretary, Mining & Geology, Y Tsering who chaired the meeting, W Khyllep, Secretary, Law, Secretary, Mining & Geology, M N Nampui, Director, Mineral Resources, R P Marak, senior officers from Forest, Pollution and Labour Department.