Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 210/22

CM CONRAD SANGMA INAUGURATED THE RENOVATED AND UPGRADED AUDITORIUM IN TURA

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the recently Renovated and Upgraded District Auditorium, Tura today in the presence of Member of Parliament, Tura Parliamentary Constituency, Agatha K Sangma, Adviser to the Chief Minister and MLA North Tura, Thomas A Sangma, Chief Executive Member, GHADC, Tura Albinush R Marak and host of distinguished dignitaries. The Chief Minister along with other dignitaries also unveiled the plaque for Laying of Foundation Stone for Construction including Improvement of Tura Town Internal Roads funded by New Development Bank on the occasion.

Inaugurating the Renovated and Upgraded District Auditorium in Tura, the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma expressed his gratitude to the organisers and the contractors for completing the work as scheduled. Reminding that the said Auditorium was constructed by his father Late P A Sangma and that it has not been repaired for more than 30 years, he said that when their Government came to power in 2018, he had sanctioned 3 Crores in the beginning and additional 2 crores later for completing the renovating works. Mentioning that this Auditorium host many fond memories, he said that his former band also performed here in his prime days.

In addition to this, he informed that other Externally Aided Projects under New Development Bank such as Tura Smart Town Project where about 277 internal road projects has been started with an amount of 55 crores including 40-50 crores which would be sanctioned from the state funds. He then announced that 50 crores worth of State of Art Convention Centre will be built very soon in the district and Youth Centre Building has also been sanctioned which would be a Centre for skill development for youth, he said. He also mentioned that one of the best dedicated Football stadium is being constructed at P A Sangma Stadium and is also contemplating to open a Football Academy for youth of the state and added that he had requested the North East United Football Academy to organise the Pre-Season Training camp in Tura and train the youths of the region. The Chief Minister also introduced Chusrang Sangma who had been recently selected for training by the North East United Football Academy. Further, the stadium for Track and Field events was also sanctioned for an amount of 15 Crores, the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, with regard to the Tura town Beautification project, he said that inspite of various challenges the project was implemented with an amount of 15 crores and that street lighting projects will commence from September or October, 2022 he informed. Moreover, the Tura town Cleaning and Beautification Project organised earlier had gained immense cooperation and support from the Development Committee Members and said that this project will continue in the years to come. Referring to the Japanese culture, he suggested that everyone should take responsibility by maintaining the assets of the state and create a sense of ownership of the public property in our district in particular and state in general.

The Member of the Parliament, Agatha K Sangma while speaking on the occasion said that it was a pleasure to see the beautiful renovation which would host many wonderful programmes in future. Meanwhile, the Adviser to the Chief Minister and MLA, North Tura Thomas A Sangma mentioned the various initiatives of the Chief Minister stating that the town is also getting a new facelift and request all the citizens to treat all public property as their own. On the improvement of internal roads in and around the town, he requested the concerned officials of PWDs to maintain drainage system in order to prevent the damage of roads in future.

The Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura Swapnil Tembe expressed his gratitude for the renovation and upgradation of the District Auditorium and highlighted the components of the Auditorium comprising of Stage extension, new Sound system, control room, generator, fully air conditioned, new dressing room, toilet, etc. He expressed hope that the district level programmes can be held here and thereby save lot of recurring expenditures on temporary pandals and tents, etc.

The Additional Chief Engineer, Western Zone, Tura, Er K K Mawa, District Librarian, Arts and Culture Department, Tura Lifther Marak were among others who spoke on the occasion. Additional Deputy Commissioners, Heads of Departments of West Garo Hills District, Members of Locality Development Committees, Senior Citizens attended the function.

Press Release No. 211/22

CELEBRATION OF WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 2022

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year throughout the world on 14th of June. The day marks an opportunity to thank blood donors for their act of saving lives through voluntary blood donation. The day is celebrated to increase awareness about need of regular non remunerated voluntary blood donations.

To ensure that everyone who needs transfusion has access to safe blood, country needs voluntary, unpaid blood donors who donate blood regularly. An effective blood donor program requires wide and active participation of the population.

World Blood Donor Day is going to be observed this year in the country on 14th June 2022. The campaign slogan for this year’s World Blood Donor Day is Donating Blood is an act of solidarity. Join the efforts and save lives.

Press Release No. 212/22

ONE TIME EX-GRATIA PAYMENT

The Deputy Commissioner Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh has informed that gratuitous relief in the form of one time ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of deceased persons in applicable for a persons who lost their lives due to COVID-19, w.e.f. 1st April 2020. One time ex-gratia payment is Rs.50,000/- per deceased will be paid to the next of kin. The concerned families who wish to claim the benefit are to submit their claims through the office of the Block Development Officers within their respective jurisdictions along with other relevant documents i.e Death Certificate and Summary from competent authority with supporting authenticated signature & seal of the Medical Officer certifying the cause of death to be COVID-19, bank details of the next of kin, EPIC/PAN Card/Adhaar Card of the next of kin and Headman certificate to verify the residential proof of the next of kin within a duration of 90 (Ninety) days from the date of demise.