Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 200/12

UNION FINANCE MINISTER CONVENES MEETING OF NE CHIEF MINISTERS

Shillong, June 5, 2012: Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Hon’ble Union Finance Minister convened the meeting of the Chief Ministers of North Eastern States on June 5th, 2012 at New Delhi to discuss issues pertaining to the financial situation of the North Eastern States. The meeting was attended by Dr. Mukul Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya. Besides, Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram and Finance Minister of Tripura were present. The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and members of Planning Commission and senior officials of Government of India and State Governments were also present.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya impressed upon the Central Government for generous consideration for augmenting the Central releases so that the State could meet the revenue expenditure gap and invest more funds towards infrastructure development, social sector and governance reforms. This investment strategy would enable the State in additional employment generation and improving the service delivery system. Presently, there is a conducive atmosphere prevailing for rapid development as people of the State are keen to maintain peace. Hence, there is an urgent need for aggressive investments for promoting private investments, trade & commerce, infrastructure development etc. The Government of India should therefore, enhance allocation of funds for infrastructure development commensurate to the need of the State.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister also stressed the need for review of interest rates on RIDF loans which has recently been increased from 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent w.e.f 1st April, 2012. He urged the Central Government to consider resetting of interest rates on NSSF loans from the commencement date of 13th Finance Commission recommendations instead of the date of notification of the Meghalaya FRBM (Amendment) Act 2011. He mentioned that the State has been able to bring down the debt GSDP ratio as well as the fiscal deficit by adopting prudent fiscal measures. However, the percentage ratio of salaries against the net revenue expenditure could not be maintained to the level of 35 percent considering the fact that the various posts have to be created and filled up with a view to improving the overall governance in the State and avoid stagnation of employment avenues.

The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission observed that the North Eastern States have not be able to maintain normative standards in view of various constraints. He advised the States to take full advantage of Centrally Sponsored Schemes. He also said that the Central Government is considering to give due emphasis on infrastructure building during the 12th Five Year Plan and also making the guidelines for various CSS Schemes more flexible for the States of North Eastern Region.

Concluding the discussion, the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister urged for addrssing the issues collectively. He mentioned that the issues of RIDF interest rates, tax concessions for North Eastern States, refund of excise duty, expeditious clearances of SARDP-NE projects, continuation of transport subsidy, Non-Plan Revenue Gap Grant and States Specific Grants would be considered favourably by the Central Government. He however, advised the States to continue their efforts for ensuring prudent fiscal management.

Press Release No. 201/12

LAUNCHING OF PRE SERVICE DIPLOMA IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Shillong, June 6, 2012: Dr. R.C Laloo, Meghalaya Minister of Education, launched the Pre-Service Diploma course in Elementary Education of the District at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Thadlaskein, Jowai on June 4, 2012.

The Pre-Service Diploma course is a two year professional course for teachers of elementary level and is meant for preparing young aspiring teachers for Elementary Education.

Addressing the teachers, Dr. R.C Laloo said that this Pre-service diploma course in Elementary Education will help the youth opting to be teachers to impart quality education and also upgrading the standard of education in the District. “Teacher plays an important role in moulding and shaping the attitude, character and personality of the student” said Dr. Laloo. Therefore, he urged the teachers to be more dedicated and sincere in their profession.

Dr. Laloo also informed that the teachers who are unable to attend the diploma training, will be given a chance to get trained through distance education.

Mr. P.S Thangkhiew, Principal Secretary of Education Department, Government of Meghalaya said that this training will upgrade the skill of the teachers and is also a centre youth who have an aspiration of becoming a teacher and awarding them with a diploma certificate. He informed that the diploma holders will have to sit for entrance test to be eligible to be appointed as teachers depending on the vacancy of the post.

The launching programme was also attended by K.R Marak, Joint Director, DERT, Shillong who delivered the welcome address, Mr. W. Khyllep, Director, Higher and Technical Education, M.Rymbai local MDC, Village headmens, students and staffs of DIET.

Press Release No. 202/12

RICE, LEVY SUGAR AND S.K OIL DISTRIBUTED.

Shillong, June 6, 2012: The Deputy Commissioner (Supply) Jaintia Hills District, Jowai has informed that the monthly quota of APL, BPL, AAY and Additional quota of APL Rice, Levy Sugar and S.K Oil for the month of May, 2012 is being distributed to the consumer as per scale and rate through their respective fair price shops.

APL Quota of rice will be distributed at the scale of 15.130Kgs per F.I card for both rural and urban areas at the rate of Rs. 9.70 per kg for urban area and for rural area, the selling rate is fixed for their respective centre. Additional APL quota of rice will be distributed at the scale of 8.995 kgs per APL family at the rate of 9.70 per Kg in urban areas while for the rural areas the rate is fixed at their respective centre. BPL Quota will be distributed at the scale of 35 Kgs per card at the rate of 6.15 per Kg for both rural and town areas, AAY quota at the scale of 35 Kgs per card and at the rate of Rs. 3.00 per Kg for both rural and town areas.

Levy Sugar will be distributed at the scale of 600grams per head at the rate of Rs. 14.21 per Kg for urban areas while in rural areas the rate is fixed for their respective centre.

S.K Oil will be distributed at the scale of 6.5 litres per card in town area at the rate of Rs. 16.41 per litre and in rural areas at the scale of 3.5 litres per family per month at the rate fixed for their respective centres/villages.

Press Release No. 203/12

JAINTIA HILLS OBSERVED WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

Shillong, June 6, 2012: The Social Forestry Division, Jaintia Hills District in collaboration with the Synjuk ki Dorbar Shnong, Shangpung joined hands with the rest of the country in observing World Environment Day at Shangpung Presbyterian Higher Secondary School, Shangpung. World Environment Day is observed every year on 5th June to promote awareness on the importance of preserving our biodiversity. This year's theme was “Green economy. Does it include me?”

Parliamentary Secretary and local MLA, Mr. C. Ymbon, in his speech as the Chief Guest, called for the residents to join hands in saving the environment by getting rid of bad habits. The local MLA also requested each and every resident of the village to lend a hand in protecting and saving the nature gifted river Umiurem from being polluted.

The Synjuk Dorbar Shnong Shangpung on this day has taken a resolution to do away with plastic bags to keep environment green and plastic free.

The District Forestry Officer, Mr. W. Manners, H. Lato, District Forestry Officer (Wildlife) Jaintia Hills, P.K Agrahari, DFO (Territorial), Jaintia Hills, Headmaster Presbyterian Higher Secondary School and Rangbah Shnong Shanpung Mission were others who spoke on the occasion.

To mark the occasion, tree samplings were planted at the Shangpung College campus and Essay and Drawing competition were also conducted for the students. Certificate and cash prize was awarded to winners.