Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 405/07

REVIEW MEETING OF PLAN SCHEMES FOR THE YEAR 2007-08 HELD AT BAGHMARA

Meghalaya Minister for Health, Transport etc., Mrs. D. C. Marak, accompanied by two other MLAs of South Garo Hills District namely, Mr. S. M. Sangma, MLA of Baghmara and Mr. M. M. Sangma, MLA of Chokpot respectively, reviewed the implementation of Plan Schemes for the year 2007-08 of South Garo Hills District at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall on June 12, 2007.

Among other things, Mrs. Marak, addressing the district heads, emphasized the need for a proper implementation of ongoing schemes in the district adding that, the general election to the State being round the corner, it was imperative on the part of the government to ensure that all the welfare schemes initiated by it really reach the people before its term come to an end. Explaining the governments sincere effort to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the people particularly the rural areas, she exhorted the officers to pull-up their socks and go all out in implementing the given schemes for the well being of the people, pointing out that they (officers) represents the eyes, limbs and ears of the government and therefore, their action or inaction would greatly reflect on the performance of the government.

Participating in the deliberation, the Minister and her two colleagues reviewed the schemes of different departments in detail and they took keen interest in the development of rural connectivity.

Earlier in the morning, Mrs. D. C. Marak and two MLA accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner visited the construction site of new Baghmara Civil Hospital and assessed the progress of the construction. The under construction hospital was started in the year 2003 and at present is nearing its completion. They also visited the patients of the existing hospital and enquired about the availability of medicines and other facilities of the hospital.

Press Release No. 406/07

5-DAY TRAINING ON PARTICIPATORY PLAN BEGINS IN GARO HILLS

A five-day training programme on Participatory Learning and Action Plan (PLA) for preparation of Participatory Plan under Backward Region Grant Plan (BRGF) organized by the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad in association with the District Administration, Tura, got underway at Tura Circuit House from June 11, 2007.

BRGF is a Centrally-sponsored scheme, which would fill those critical gaps of development not addressed by the other schemes, under which Rs. 1 Crore will be released every year for training of the stakeholders. This new scheme will soon be launched in the four districts of Meghalaya.

Officers of the line departments, BDOs and NGOs from different parts of the State are participating in the training programme.

The Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Mr. P. Sampath Kumar, while explaining to the participants about the programmes and its objectives, said that the programme would sensitize the people to participate in the development process. He felt that when the people are involved in the entire planning process, they would have a sense of ownership. He said that stress is being laid on the need for convergence at various levels, but convergence will come only when stakeholders are sensitized to be partners and participants in the implementation rather than just being recipients.

Participatory learning and Action (PLA) is defined as set of methods that enable and empower community for participatory planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, with and by the community leading towards the process of sustainable development.

Mr. Sampath Kumar said that the idea of PLA is to encourage community action, to help them understand where they stand and find out what are the critical gaps that can be filled by BRGF.

The resource persons for this training are Mr. Bernard. J. P and Ms. Renuka, visiting faculties in NIRD, Hyderabad. During the weeklong programme, the participants will be given training on PLA/PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal), how to build capacity and how to involve the community in planning process. The programme would conclude on June 16, 2007.

Press Release No. 407/07

MUKUL INAUGURATES NEW UP SCHOOL AT BELBARI

A newly constructed Upper Primary School building, at Belbari under Ampati Civil Sub-Division was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul. M. Sangma amidst the gathering of local leaders, government officials, teachers, parents and the public of the area on June 08, 2007.

The school was constructed by Betasing C&RD Block under SGRY scheme, 2005-06 at a total cost of Rs. 3.0 lakh. Earlier, before the school was established, the children of this village had to go to faraway schools at Monabari and Joyfar for their primary education. The school has been officially being named as Kama Belbari UP School.

Speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion, Dr. Sangma said that schools were like temple of learning where children receive all round development. He said that under SSA programme all parents and members of the society have the responsibility to see that all children in the age group of 6 to 14 go to school and when the government is providing free of cost, there can be no excuse to keep any child away from school, he added.

On the need to have well trained teachers in schools to improve the quality of education, Dr. Sangma informed that the government has now decided on criteria for selection of teachers and also urged those teachers who are untrained, to get their training soon as the future of the children lay in their hands.

Assistant Inspector of Schools and Joint DMC, Tura, Mrs. S. Ch. Marak reminded the teachers of their duty as role model for students and also stressed the need to have parent-teacher coordination in every school.

The inaugural function was chaired by the BDO, Betasing Block, Mr. S. N. Sangma, who welcomed the gathering, while CRC Coordinator of Monabari, Mr. A. R. Marak and the local elders also spoke on the occasion.

Press Release No. 408/07

NEW MOBILE HEALTH CARE VEHICLE FOR TURA CIVIL HOSPITAL

Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma formally handed over a new Mobile Health Care Vehicle to the Hospital Management Society of Tura Civil Hospital, in the presence of the local MLA, Mr. Billykid Sangma, district administration and health officials on June 07, 2007.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Mr. P. Sampath Kumar, this ambulance has been made available through RSVY scheme for providing referral medical care to patients with serious cases, which the public can make use of by paying nominal user charges.

In his address to the gathering, Dr. Sangma said that the funds available under RSVY were being channelised through the department with the intention of providing quality health care. It is unfortunate that due to unavailability of fund, ambulances could not be provided in time and many precious lives have been lost for want of an ambulance, he said. It is therefore, money available from other sources have to be made use for the purpose.

Reminding the medical officers of their duty towards the people, Dr. Sangma said the love and respect accorded to them by the people itself should be enough motivation for the doctors to serve the people on a sacrificial mode. He also informed that the Mother & Child Care Hospital in Tura would be made functional from this year itself.

Local MLA, Mr. Billykid Sangma in his brief speech expressed his gratitude to the government for providing the much needed ambulance and called upon the people not to misuse the vehicle except for the purpose it was intended for.

DC, Tura, Mr. P. Sampath Kumar highlighted on National Rural Health Mission, the government was making efforts to improve health delivery system through participatory approach and informed that Rs. 1. Crore has been released to the Tura Civil Hospital for upgrading various departments of the hospital.

Superintendent of the Hospital & Member-Secretary Hospital Management Society, Dr. A. K. Roy and President of Tura Civil Hospital Staff Welfare Association, Dr (Mrs.) A. K. Marak also spoke on the occasion.

Press Release No. 409/07

SALE OF CHICKEN AND POULTRY PRODUCTS BANNED IN SOUTH GARO HILLS

The Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills District, in an order has banned the sale of all kinds of chickens and poultry products in the Bond Bazar (Baghmara Bazar) and in all rural markets of South Garo Hills District with immediate effect in view of the reported recurrence of Avian Flu (Bird Flu) in the neighbouring Bangladesh.

The note also warned of stern action will be taken against anyone found violating the order.