Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 383/07

MUKTIEH INAUGURATE FOOTBALL PLAYGROUND

Meghalaya Deputy Speaker and Local MLA, Mr. P. W. Muktieh has inaugurated a football playground at Raitong village, Ri Bhoi District on June 2, 2007 in the presence of the BDO, Umsning C&RD Block Mr. F. M. Kharsyntiew, headmen and local leader of the area.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Muktieh informed that the playground was constructed at the total cost of Rs.1 lakh under SGRY Scheme of 2006-2007 of Umsning C&RD Block. He also urged the local people to work hand in hand with the line departments for the over all development of the area.

The Inter Club football tournament organized by the Raitong Sports Club was also held on the day.

Press Release No. 384/07

SOCIAL AUDIT ON NREGS AT GASUAPARA

With a view to ensure accountability and transparency in the implementation of National Employment Guarantee Scheme – Meghalaya, a general social audit for the members of the Area Employment Council and Village Employment Council was held at the premises of new Gasuapara C. D. Block complex on June 01, 2007. The social audit aided and spearheaded by the Meghalaya Rural Development Society (IFAD), Baghmara and a South Garo Hills based NGO-“Bakdil” was sponsored by the Gasuapara C. D. Block.

The Chief Guest on the occasion, Mr. E. P. Karbih, Project Director MRDS (IFAD), in his address made a clarion call for maintenance of optimum transparency and accountability in the implementation of the scheme, adding that one would only betray himself if he was not honest towards the scheme. Mr. Karbih also described the whole exercise of implementing the scheme as ‘landmark’ and hoped that it would not only bring development but also would raise the socio-economic status of the rural people.

Mr. I. D. Shira, Project Director, DRDA, Baghmara, participating in the deliberations said that the scheme is unique in the sense that through this programme, the real power has been entrusted to the people at the grassroot level and therefore, it was not only a village employment chairman or a nokma but the whole community has an equal share in the implementation of the scheme. Mr. U. S. Bhandari, Sr. Account Officer of Planning Commission, Government of India and a member of Central Monitoring Committee, informed that the Government has decided to include another 100 backward districts of the country under its ambit and the scheme continues for another five years. He also informed that under the scheme, there is a provision for leadership capacity building training programmes and the same would be extended to all the scheme beneficiary districts of the country.

Among others who were present and spoke on the occasion included Mr. A. M. Sangma, BDO, Gasuapara C. D. Block and Mr. Suman Marak, Faculty Member of SIRD. Under the Gasuapara C. D. Block, altogether there are 129 Village Employment Councils and 29 Area Employment Councils who would be directly benefiting through the scheme in one way or the other.

Press Release No. 385/07

WORLD ENVIRONMENT OBSERVED

The Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, Baghmara has observed the World Environment Day at Capt. Williamson Sangma College, Baghmara in a befitting manner on June 5, 2007. The theme for the celebration was ‘Melting ice – a hot topic’. The Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills, Mr. R. D. Marak graced the occasion as the chief guest.

Mrs. Marak in her brief speech has called for a formulation of sustained, viable and aggressive forest policy to counter the depleting forest cover which according to her was greatly contributing to the present day global warming and drastic climatic changes around the world.

To mark the occasion, the chief guest and other dignitaries also performed a ceremonial tree plantation in and around the college campus.

Press Release No. 386/07

PRICES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

The Director, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Meghalaya, Shillong has informed that the following are the whole sale and retail price (in kg/litre) of essential commodities as on June 04, 2007.

The whole sale price of rice (Common) will be Rs.1,250/ and the retail price will be Rs.13.00, the whole sale price of Rice (Lahi) will be Rs.1,270/ Rs.1,320/ and the retail price will be Rs.14.00/, the whole sale price of Rice packet (Parimal) will be Rs.1,370/ Rs.1,390/ and the retail price will be Rs.15.00/ the whole sale price of Rice (Old Quality) will be Rs.1,450/ and the retail price will be Rs.15.00/ The Whole sale price of Atta (45 kgs) will be Rs.560/ and the retail price will be Rs.14.00/ The whole sale price of Maida (45 kgs) Rs.655/ and the retail price will be Rs.16.00/. The whole sale price of Suji (45 kgs) will be Rs.655/ and the retail price will be Rs.16.00/.The whole sale price of Shira per Quintal will be Rs.1800/ and the retail price will be Rs.19.00/ The whole sale price of Gram Dal will be Rs.3,050/ and the retail price will be Rs.31.00/ The whole sale price of Tur Dal Ahar will be Rs.3,400/ and the retail price will be Rs.35.00/ The whole sale price of Tur Dal Masur will be Rs.3,300/ and the retail price will be Rs.34.00/ The whole sale price of Tur Dal Moong will be Rs.4,700/ and the retail price will be Rs.48.00/ The whole sale price of Urad (Whole) per quintal will be Rs.3,900/ and the retail price will be Rs.40.00/ The whole sale price of Bengal Gram will be Rs.2700/ to 2900/ and the retail price will be Rs.30.00/ The whole sale price of Sugar will be Rs.1,625/ and the retail price will be Rs.18.00/ The whole sale price of Mustard Oil (15 ltr) in tin, Double Sher brand will be Rs.755/ and the retail price will be Rs.52.00/. The whole sale price of Neraj brand will be Rs.750/ and the retail price will be Rs.50.00/. The whole sale price of Scooter brand will be Rs.780/ and the retail price will be Rs.53.00/. The whole sale price of Vanaspati Oil (15 ltr) Continental brand will be Rs.800/ Rs.810/ and the retail price will be Rs.55.00/. The whole price of Groundnut oil will be Rs.4200/ to Rs.4300/ and the retail price will be 42.00/ to 43.00/ the whole sale price of Rasoi brand (15 ltr) will be Rs.870/ and the retail price will be Rs.56.00/. The whole sale price of Onion per quintal will be Rs.900/ to 1100/ and the retail price will be Rs.12/. The whole sale price of Salt (Packet) Tata Iodised will be Rs.800/ and the retail price will be Rs.8.00/. The whole sale price of Salt (Packet) Tazaa will be Rs.400/ and the retail price will be Rs.4.00/. The whole sale price of Salt (Loose) will be Rs.400/ and the retail price will be Rs.4.00/. The whole sale price of Tomato will be Rs.1600/ and the retail price will be Rs.18.00/. The whole sale price of Brinjal will be Rs.1400/ and the retail price will be Rs.16.00/. The whole sale price of dry Peas imported (Qtl) will be Rs.1,950/ and the retail price will be Rs.20.00/. The whole sale price of dry Peas Indian (Qtl) will be Rs.2,100/ and the retail price will be Rs.22.00/. The whole sale price of green Peas (Qtl) will be Rs.2,500/ and the retail price will be Rs.26.00/. The whole sale price of Soyabean will be Rs.1,050/ and the retail price will be Rs.11.00/ The whole sale price of Potato will be Rs.950/ and the retail price will be Rs.10.00/.

Press Release No. 387/07

MUKHIM INAUGURATES NEW IB AT RONGRAM

Meghalaya Minister for PWD (Buildings), Mr. Martle. N. Mukhim inaugurated the newly constructed Inspection Bungalow (IB) at Rongram in the presence of the local MLA and Co-Chairman, State-level Public Grievances Committee, Mr. Sengman. R. Marak, senior PWD officials, local leaders, self-help groups and the public of the area at an impressive function in the IB premises on June 05, 2007.

Realizing the necessity of having a proper accommodation for the visiting VIPs and officials in the area, the local MLA had taken up the proposal for construction of the new IB on a priority basis in the same compound of the existing old, dilapidated PWD IB at Rongram and got the sanction within less than two months. According to him, the two-storeyed RCC bungalow could be completed at a low cost of less than Rs.15 lakh through the sheer hard work of PWD officials.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest on the occasion, Mr. Mukhim spoke of his experiences regarding the inspection bungalows and said that most IBs have generally been misused for negative purposes, which are destructive and deterrent to social development. He urged the people not to tarnish the image of the government and the department concerned by carrying out anti-social activities in this building and called upon the officials and the local people to put in joint efforts to maintain this IB.

He also appealed to the people against taking communal approach on different issues, which, he said, would crash the very foundation of the State and warned the people against those politicians who use communalism to divide the people for their own interest. He called for honesty and accountability, particularly among the government officials and expressed hope that the new IB would open up avenue of hope for the future of the people of the area.

Local MLA, Mr. Sengman Marak informed the gathering that a proposal for another IB at Jengjal has already been given as the area was soon going to be a national destination and appealed the PWD (B) Minister to make use of his office to see that this project comes through in the best interest of the people of the region. Mr. Marak also highlighted on various projects being proposed for the Rongram area.

The programme was chaired by ADC & Project director, DRDA, Mr. R. P. Marak, while the GHADC Chairman & Local MDC, Mr. J. R. Marak, Superintending Engineer, PWD (B), Mr. Tariang, Addl. Chief Engineer, Mr. A. K. Singh and E.E, PWD (B), Tura, Mr. Aisen. B. Sangma were among others who spoke on the occasion.