Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 299/13

MUKUL LAID FOUNDATION STONE

Shillong, June 10, 2013 : Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul M Sangma laid the foundation stone for Integrated Farmers Market Complex here at Ampati, the district headquarters of South-West Garo Hills, on 10 June, 2013.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sangma informed that the market is of the first of its kind in the entire North-Eastern region which is being constructed at the cost of Rs. 17 crores being funded under the Horticulture Department. The Govt. is going ahead with the intention of bringing development to the state as a whole and the market complex, which has to be completed within 24 months, besides having hi-tech facilities will have green recreation park between the two buildings, he informed.

Dr. Sangma also said that Integrated Farmers’ Training Centre will very soon be set-up at Sangsanggre in Tura. Visibly pleased Dr. Sangma also informed that the market will have 546 rooms with provisions for multi-facilities like cold storage, etc. which will be maintained by the Horticulture department in collaboration with the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

Earlier on the day, Dr. Sangma also laid the foundation stone for the Centre of Excellence under the Horticulture department at Malchapara under Betasing Block. He informed that the centre will be constructed in 25 hectares of land which has been given free of cost by Mr. Binjeng B Marak, Nokma of the Malchapara A’king land.

Others who spoke on the occasion included the Meghalaya Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Mr. Zenith Sangma, Power Minister, Mr. Clement R Marak, Chairman of the Resource Mobilisation and Employment Generation Council, Smt. Dikkanchi D Shira and CEM of the GHADC, Mr. Alphonse A Sangma.

The key-note address was given by Mr. A B Savio Chisim, District Horticulture Officer, West Garo Hills, Tura and Mr. B Neog, Project Engineer of the MGCC, offered the welcome address.

South-West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Ram Singh presided over the function and Smt. Purnima K Sangma, Assistant Director of Horticulture, proposed the vote of thanks.

Press Release No. 300/13

CHILD TRACKING PORTAL LAUNCHED WORKSHOP ON E-GOVERNANCE HELD

Shillong, June 10, 2013: Meghalaya is one of the first few states in the country to initiate e-Governance and the intent is to draw satisfaction by serving the people effectively in a transparent and accountable manner. This was informed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma during the inauguration of the Sensitization Programme cum Workshop on e-Governance for Garo Hills Districts at DRDA Conference Hall on 10th June 2013. The workshop was organised by the West Garo Hills District Administration in collaboration with National Informatics Centre (NIC), Meghalaya State Unit.

Emphasizing on the importance of bringing governance to the people Dr Sangma said that the government has cleared the draft agreement to wire all villages with internet connectivity and ensure that the state is not left behind in information technology. Dr Sangma further impressed upon the different line departments to ensure that the ultimate beneficiaries are acclimatized to use the services provided by e-Governance and the assets and resources of NIC are leveraged. He later launched the Child Tracking Portal of Meghalaya and released DVDs of Rising Star Inter School Singing, Dancing and Instrumental Competition 2012 and Ahaia Tura Winter Festival 2012 during the inauguration of the workshop.

Earlier giving a Key note address on the workshop, State Informatics Officer, Timothy Dkhar said that the main objective of e-Governance is to enhance public delivery system by reducing workload. He also said that e-Governance is important for the Direct Benefit Scheme of the Government of India.

Among others who attended the function were Parliamentary Secretary, PHE Mr. Noverfield Marak, Parliamentary Secretary, Water Resources, Mr. Ashahel D Shira, former Chairman, Tura Municipal Board Mr. K C Momin, former CEM, GHADC, P K Sangma, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi, senior citizens, heads of different line departments and members of NGOs.

Press Release No. 301/13

N-E JOURNALISTS SEMINAR BEGINS IN SHILLONG

Shillong, June 10, 2013: Journalists from the Northeastern states and other parts of the country converged in Shillong on Sunday to take part in a two-day regional seminar-cum-workshop organized by the South Asia Media Solidarity Network, a division of the International Federation of Journalist.

Meghalaya labour minister Smti Ampareen Lyngdoh, who inaugurated the seminar at the Shillong Club, assured the gathering that the state government would endeavour to look into enhancing measures for the welfare, including housing facilities and health insurance besides safety of working journalists not only in the state but in the region as a whole.

“Though the profession of journalism is somehow very attractive, they lead a very difficult life,” the minister, who herself was basically a journalist, observed.

Padmashree recipient journalist Patricia Mukhim emphasized on the responsibilities of journalists towards the society as a whole even as she called upon the scribes to “take to books” in order to remain well informed.

Secretary of the Indian Journalists Union, Geetartha Pathak, in his concept note, addressed various issues confronting journalists including economic exploitation and the challenges of working in a conflict zone besides media ethics and the importance of people’s right to information for strengthening democracy.

The Shillong Press Club president Mr. David Laitphlang expressed optimism that the seminar would bring to light several issues relating to the working conditions of journalists in the north east and that the state governments in the region would also take note of these and follow-up with requisite action.

The seminar, the first of its kind to be held in Meghalaya is being organized in collaboration with the Shillong Press Club and with active support of the Indian Journalists Union and the Meghalaya Government.

Press Release No. 302/13

10TH DCC MEETING HELD AT RESUBELPARA

Shillong, June 10 2013: The meeting of the North Garo Hills District Coordination Committee (DCC) was held here in the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner on 7th June 2013 wherein developmental strategies, inter-departmental issues and other problems in the district were discussed.

This is the tenth sitting of the DCC since the creation of the North Garo Hills district in July last year.

During the meeting Deputy Commissioner, Mr. W. Khyllep urged the district officers of various line departments to see what changes they can bring for the district in the coming years and set targets to achieve them. He further informed that the newly created North Garo Hills district is the third largest producer of rice in the State and insisted that the Department of Agriculture should work to bring this position to number one.

While stating that the district is the largest producer of Muga and second largest producer of Eri in the State, Mr. Khyllep urged the Sericulture department to retain its position in Muga production and also to strive to be the largest producer of Eri as well. Likewise, he asked others officers to strive for excellence and make the district outshine others.

The Deputy Commissioner felt that the district was lagging behind in the field of sports and games and therefore he resolved to write to the Commissioner of Sports & Youth Affairs for establishment of District Sports Office in Resubelpara.

Among other issues, the meeting also discussed the problem of low voltage in the evenings and irregular power supply in the district and also stressed the need to improve the quality of water supplied by PHE department.

Besides the district officers and EACs of the district, Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Mr. S.K. Marak also attended the meeting and assisted the Deputy Commissioner in reviewing the decisions taken in the last meeting.

Press Release No. 303/13

JOWAI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD OPENS SECOND BRANCH

Shillong, June 10, 2013: The Second branch of Jowai Co-operative Urban Bank Limited was inaugurated on 10th June 2013 by Prof. R.C Laloo, Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya at Phramer Village, West Jaintia Hills District.

In his speech, Prof R.C Laloo lauded the Boards of Directors, Officers and Staff of the Bank for the achievement and the service it caters to the people of the area.

Serving the banking needs of the village and its adjoining villages Prof R.C Laloo emphasize on the need to create awareness among the public to make people aware about the facilities and service offered by the bank and at the same time encouraging the Managing team, Officer and staff to provide quality service.

Highlighting on the performance of the Bank, CEO, B. Tang called upon the people for cooperation.

Others who spoke on the occasion were the Parliamentary Secretary and Local MLA, Mr. C. Ymbon,, Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, Mr. P.S Dkhar, Joint Registrar Of Co-operative Societies, Meghalaya Shillong, Mr. H.Lyngkhoi. The function was presided by Mr. W. Sna, Chairman of Jowai Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd, Jowai while the vote of thanks was offered by T.W Blah, Vice Chairman of the Bank.

Press Release No. 304/13

SMART CARD TO MGNREGA WORKERS

Shillong, June 10, 2013: The Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system by Axis Bank for the disbursement of wages under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for the beneficiaries under Thadlaskein Block was inaugurated by P.S Dkhar, Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai on 7th June 2013 at Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra (BNRGSK) hall at Thadlaskein C & RD Block.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Mr. P.S Dkhar informed that the State Government has introduced the EBT system in order to prevent interference from the third party and also timely payment of wages to the beneficiaries. He appreciated the beneficiaries of Mookynniang AEC (Area Employment Council) for being the first AEC from the block to accept the introduction of EBT and hopes this will set an example to the other beneficiaries of other VEC’s in Jaintia Hills. The Deputy Commissioner, at the same time requested the Bank not to take much time in disbursing the money and to see that the EBT system functions smoothly.

Mr. S.S Syiemlieh, Additional Deputy Commissioner and also the Project Director of DRDA in his brief speech said the newly introduced system will not only help in timely disbursing of wages under MGNREGA but will also help the people to save.

The Axis Bank Branch Manager, Mr. Abhay Kumar and Mr. K. Mawthoh, Area Manager, Manipal Business Solution Representative briefed on the EBT and also disbursed money using the Smart Card during the inauguration to 286 card holders.

The Block Development Officer, Mr. A M Lyngdoh has informed that out of 45,000 job card holders under Thadlaskein Block only 13,000 have enrolled themselves with the Axis Bank for the smart Card. He also informed that an amount of Rs. 17, 28,128/- only was disbursed to 2260 job card holders.

Other who spoke on the occasion were Mr. S. Lyngdoh, Programme Manager, MRDS, Mr. E.B Rymbai , Chairman Mookynniang AEC.