Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 269/19

NOTICE

In pursuance of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in W.P. (Civil) No. 583 of 2003 & in accordance with “The Provision of Employment as Manual Scavenger and their Rehabilitation Acts, 2013”, the practice of Manual Scavenging have been abolished. Therefore no person, local authority or any agency shall construct an insanitary latrine or engage or employ, either directly or indirectly, a manual scavenger, and every person so engaged or employed shall stand discharged immediately from any obligation, express or implied, to do manual scavenging. Also, no person, local authority or any agency shall engage or employ, either directly or indirectly, any person for hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank.

Contravention of the Act is punishable with imprisonment up to two years or with a fine up to two lakh rupees or with both for the first contravention. Any subsequent contravention is punishable with imprisonment up to five years or with a fine up to five lakh rupees or with both. All citizens are also requested to report cases of employment of person/s as manual scavengers to the nearest Police Station for registration of the case. This was informed by the Chief Executive Officer, Shillong Municipal Board.

Press Release No. 270/19

USTM FELICITATES MEGHALAYA SSLC AND HSSLC 2019 TOPPERS

Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma today felicitated the SSLC and HSSLC toppers 2019 at State Convention Centre, Shillong in a felicitation programme that was organized by the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya in association with ERD Foundation, Guwahati. Also present was Minister, Education, Shri Lahkmen Rymbui, Minister, Revenue & Disaster Management etc , Shri Kyrmen Shylla and Adviser to the Government, Dr D D Lapang. Delivering his speech, Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma congratulating all the rank holders and commending their hard work said that it was a happy and proud moment for all. He added that it was great to see that the toppers are from all parts of the State. “While we are celebrating the success it is also important to see the other side which is not so pleasant,” said the Chief Minister ruing the large number of students who did not get through the SSLC and HSSLC examinations. He added that average pass percentage that leaves about twenty five thousand students unsuccessful every year is one of the biggest challenges for the government. He said that this trend which has been going on for the last couple of years is something that calls for concern and focused attention. “The youth is the largest human resource that will run the State and the country and having educated and qualified workforce will ensure having a society that is productive and efficient,” he said. He urged the toppers to follow their passion but at the same time to be good and humble human beings.

The Chief Minister also commended the gesture of recognition shown by USTM. Thanking USTM for honouring the rank holders, he said that institutions like USTM have a big role to play in research and development which will further contribute to policy making.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister, Education, Shri Lahkmen Rymbui said that the hard work, perseverance and dedication of the students along with the support of the parents and teachers have helped the students to achieve success. He urged the toppers to continue their hard work and aim for those spaces in which the State is lacking as in Indian competitive examinations to bring glory and honor to the State. He also appreciated the initiative of USTM to recognize the hard work of the students. The Chief Minister and other dignitaries presented the toppers with laptops, digital tablets, mementos and citations.

Earlier, welcoming the gathering, Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor, USTM, said that the university is committed to the development of Science and Technology education and research in the region and announced that USTM is offering free education to all the toppers of MBOSE after they pass higher education. The programme was attended by school principals, parents and guardians. 74 rank holders of SSLC and HSSLC 2019 were felicitated during the occasion.