Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 472/20

CURFEW PROMULGATED IN SHILLONG AGGLOMERATION

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 pandemic in the state, country and globally and to put in place preventive and mitigation measures, to identify and take more stringent steps including rigorous contact tracing, testing, quarantine and isolation and any other forms of containment in the interest of health of general public against any possible spread of COVID-19 in Shillong and East Khasi Hills District, by way of ensuring due compliance and observance of strict norms and protocols of the advisories and standard operation procedures issued by the Government, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 11th July, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC promulgated total curfew in Shillong agglomeration and its adjoining areas with effect from 6:00 A.M. of 13th July, 2020 to 6:00 A.M. of 15th July, 2020. The areas to be under curfew are whole of Municipal area, whole of Cantonment area, all areas under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks and their census towns, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge upto 7 mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun and Mawdiangdiang.

The order will not apply to police, armed and security forces, medical teams on duty and hospital, wholesale and retail pharmacies, Fire and Emergency Service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supplies, PWD and PHE Departments, FCI, Shillong Municipal Board, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media, Petrol Pumps, Indian Oil Corporation and LPG delivery. All exemption granted to official and non official emergency and essential services, establishment and agencies shall not extend to Frontier Headquarters BSF Campus, Umpling which is a declared a containment area with its own separate measures as issued earlier. According to the order, movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities, security forces, medical equipments and good vehicles are also exempted but drivers and attendants of the vehicles will be subjected to medical screening as per laid down protocols. Curfew passes can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Press Release No. 473/20

PROHIBITORY ORDER

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state, country and globally and to put in place preventive measures and awareness, to identify and take more stringent steps to ensure social distancing so that the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya by way of ensuring observance of strict protocols of the advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 11th July, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 prohibited inter-state movement, any assembly whatsoever and while enforcing this every individual to mandatorily maintain social distancing of at least six feet, wearing of masks, respiratory etiquette and to strictly follow the various protocols and advisories of the Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department at all times in all rural areas of East Khasi Hills District with effect from 13th July, 2020 upto 20th July, 2020 only for timings falling between 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM each day. The order also prohibits operation of unregulated major markets and unregulated shopping complexes, border haats and markets located the inter-state borders, operation of all cinema halls, gymnasium, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditorium, assembly halls and similar recreational places, all forms of contact sports and spectators in sport grounds and stadia, operation of educational institutions, training centres and coaching classes (tuitions) barring online and distance learning, opening of religious places and places of worship of all faiths to the public including religious gatherings and congregation. However, marriage rituals in places of worship is permitted only after due permission is obtained from the District Magistrate.

The order also prohibited all forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious function etc, moving in public, work places and during transport without a mask, spitting in public places and consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco etc in public places, operation of cyber cafe, gaming parlours, jackpot parlours, lottery counter. Further, the order prohibits incoming additional workforce from outside the District except for highly skilled, skilled, specialized professionals and technicians regulated by standard operating procedures and orders of the Labour and Health and Family Welfare Departments, Meghalaya as notified and issued earlier but due permission with undertaking needs to be taken from the District Magistrate’s office. This order will not apply to Shillong Urban Agglomeration, all census towns under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge upto 7 mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun and Mawdiangdiang. In the order, general instruction also states that individual must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet or 2 metres in public places, number of guests in marriage related gatherings not to exceed 50 persons, weddings and or receptions in hotel halls within the overall maximum ceiling of 50 persons as per the guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and subject to observance of social distancing norms will be allowed on a case to case basis. However, due permission needs to be obtained from the District Magistrate via applications to be submitted well in advance. For funeral and last rites related gatherings, the number of guests must not exceed 20 persons. Persons above 65 years of age, person with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

Operation of supply chains, wholesalers, retail outlets, shops, services and other establishments in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District will be regulated as per scheduled timings and dates which will be released in advance from time to time by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District. Also, the operation of permitted shops, services, establishment, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities must strictly adhere to the prescribed standard operating procedures and national directives of Government for COVID-19 Management in Public Places and Work Places including mandatory compliance the advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail and also to the standard operating procedures pertaining to offices, both public and private, as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Employers of all forms of activities including shops, services, establishments, agricultural, industrial, etc, must ensure that Aarogya Setu Application is installed by all their employees having compatible mobile phones, without fail. All residents of the District are to install Aarogya Setu Application on compatible mobile phones and to regularly update their health status on the app for containment of COVID-19 pandemic.

The designated Joint Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Sub-Divisional Officer (C) Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions, Block Development Officers and District Heads of Office in East Khasi Hills will issue vehicle passes only to their respective officers and staff specifically for official purposes and they should ensure that these passes are utilized strictly for official purpose only and any deviation will render the Issuing Authority and the employee, staff, pass holder liable to legal action. The order also stated that the name, address, contact details, timings and purpose of the pass are to be clearly reflected. However, passes for all forms of outward inter-state movement from East Khasi Hills District will only be issued by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District.

Press Release No. 474/20

NIGHT CURFEW PROMULGATED IN RURAL AREAS OF EAST KHASI HILLS

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state, country and globally and to put in place preventive and mitigation measures, to identify and take more stringent steps so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya by way of ensuring observance of strict protocols of the advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 11th July, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has promulgated night curfew in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District with effect from 13th July, 2020 upto 20th July, 2020 only for timings falling between 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM each day. This order will not apply to Shillong Urban Agglomeration, all census towns under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge upto 7 mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun and Mawdiangdiang. The District Magistrate said that the order will also not apply to police, armed and security forces, Medical Teams on duty, Wholesale and Retail Pharmacies, Fire and Emergency Service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supplies Department, FCI, PWD, PHE, Shillong Municipal Board, Postal Services, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media, Petrol Pumps including Indian Oil Corporation, essential services including Health Services, hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, veterinary clinics, labs, authorized workshops and designated spare parts dealerships of Health & Family Welfare Department and Government officials on duty.

These services shall strictly comply with all protocols and procedures including social distancing, limiting of field staff to the barest minimum and other advisories of Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. Movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipments and shops for repair of trucks on highways are also exempted but drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols. Curfew passes for timings falling between 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM with effect from 13th July, 2020 upto 20th July, 2020 can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Press Release No. 475/20

ORDER

The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 11th July, 2020 has informed that all shops operating from fixed premises will open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District. However, cyber cafe, gaming parlours, jackpot parlours and lottery counters shall remain closed till further orders. This order will not apply to Shillong Urban Agglomeration, all census towns under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge upto 7 mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun and Mawdiangdiang. According to the order, alternate shops on rotation basis will open in shopping malls and complexes and they have to strictly follow the standard operating procedures on preventive measures in shopping malls to contain the spread of COVID-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of India without fail. The order added that gaming arcades, children play area and cinema hall inside shopping complexes and malls will remain close. The owners of the shopping malls and complexes and the respective shopkeepers shall strictly adhere to the alternative opening of shops on rotation basis and they shall also compulsorily comply to standard operating procedures of Government and instructions from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District failing which the concerned shop or the shopping mall and complex will be closed down to be followed by legal action. No loitering is allowed in the shopping mall, complex and only customers shall enter to make purchase and exit immediately thereafter without fail and the SDO (Civil) of Pynursla and Sohra Civil Sub Divisions, Block Development Officers, police, headman, owner of shopping mall or complex and respective shopkeepers will decide on the alternate opening of shops on rotation basis.

Restaurant, cafe and food outlets excluding those that are located along national highway will open daily in Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub Divisions and in all the C & RD Blocks and they must operate in strict compliance to the standard operating procedures issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Tourism Department and also to the standard operating procedures on preventive measures in restaurant to contain spread of COVID-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. However, operation of restaurants, cafés, food outlets and tea stalls along national highway is strictly for home delivery and take away service. Home delivery and takeaway service is allowed till 10:00 PM. Operation of barber shops, beauty parlours and saloons must be in strict compliance to the standard operating procedures of health protocol for saloons and beauty parlours as issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Health and Family Welfare Department. Identified weekly markets except border haats and markets located in the inter-state border are permitted to open in East Khasi Hills District subject to strict compliance with the standard operating procedures issued recently by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department.

Hotels are permitted to resume operation with effect from 1st July, 2020 subject to strict compliance to the standard operating procedures issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Tourism Department and standard operating procedures on preventive measures in hotels and other hospitality units to contain spread of COVID-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Due permission is to be strictly obtained, without fail from the office of the Deputy Commissioner for resumption of these operation. Pharmacies, clinics, labs, veterinary clinics, dispensary, petrol pumps, home delivery and takeaway of food, mobile car repairing service consisting of two technicians and mechanics, courier services and e-commerce operation for all goods and Common Service Centres, services provided by self-employed persons, eg., electrician, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters are allowed to open and operate. All construction works in rural areas are allowed but permission is to be obtained and an undertaking needs to be submitted to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. For incoming skilled workforce, highly skilled and professionals, the order stated that employer should follow standard operating procedures and orders of Labour and Health and Family Welfare Departments, Government of Meghalaya and due permission with undertaking needs to be taken from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills. Private offices establishments with 33 percent employee-strength are allowed to open. They must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District and to mandatorily comply to the national directives and standard operating procedures of Government of India for COVID-19 Management and to all advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department. In addition, they must strictly follow the standard operating procedures on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in office and work place as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, without fail. The operation of notified weighbridges to facilitate checking of loaded vehicles are allowed. However, they must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.

Border trade with Bangladesh through Land Customs Stations is permitted subject to strict compliance of the standard operating procedures being issued by the State Government in the Commerce and Industry Department. However, trade through border haat is not permitted. Non-contact sports excluding gymnasium in strict compliance to standard operating procedures for non-contact and indirect-contact sporting activities issued by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya are allowed. However, they must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. 50 percent of private and public transport will operate only in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District as per orders notified earlier and inter-district movement of persons is permitted in rural areas. However, inter-state movement of persons will continue to be restricted. In addition, the order states that food processing units including rice mills and mustard oil processing in rural areas outside municipalities, brick kilns in rural areas outside municipalities, industrial units, cement plants will operate at 100 percent capacity, mining of limestone and boulder by lease-holder for domestic sale in the state or country and export outside the country is permitted only through automated, elevated conveyor belt with no human intervention, quarrying of chips and aggregates including their transportation, all agriculture and allied sectors activities like farming operations including livestock farming, poultry, fishery and hatcheries, collection, processing and distribution of milk and milk products, mandis by AMPC, procurement and marketing of agricultural produce, Custom Hiring Centres, cold storage and warehouses, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of agriculture inputs, seed, animal feed and fodder, movement of harvesting and sowing related machines and implements, operation of tea industry including plantation for production, processing, packaging and marketing, transportation of all agricultural products, MGNREGA works with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask are allowed to open and operate daily after they have submitted undertakings to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.

Operation of permitted establishments, services, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities in both urban and rural areas must strictly adhere to the prescribed standard operation procedures of the Government and mandatory compliance to the Advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department without fail. The local Headmen (Rangbah Shnong) in coordination with Incident Commander and Police will regulate the operation of the shops, services and commercial establishments in their respective localities and villages and also to ensure due compliance to the advisories of Government in the Health & Family Welfare Department with special and strict reference to social distancing concerning the COVID-19 situation. The Deputy Commissioner also requested the public to strictly maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet, not to overcrowd in one area or shop, shopkeepers and costumers shall mandatorily wear masks and non compliance will entail action of closure of the shops concerned, not to spit in public places and to cooperate with the management made by the District Administration, District Police and Headman.

Press Release No. 476/20

AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTOR VISION 2040 OF MEGHALAYA

The Government of Meghalaya in collaboration with various national institutes, product development institutes, academic institutes, export associations, traders based in Shillong and other states of the country and innovators in the agriculture and allied sector organised a two day webinar in an effort to prepare a roadmap for agriculture and allied sectors in Meghalaya for a 5 year, 10 year and 20 year roadmap. The webinar entitled Meghalaya’s Agri Vision 2040 was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K. Sangma on 10th July, 2020 in the presence of the Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Shri M. S. Rao. Attended by various products specific institutions, academia and practitioners, such as National Institute of Immunology, CGSIR, ICAR, CAU, NEHU (Tura campus), NRC Banana Kochi, Jackfruit processing Centre, National Institute for Mushroom Solan, Himachal Pradesh, Sadhana Forest, CPRS, CIMAP, CIH, NCCD and local entrepreneurs, logistic managers like Rapsang group, Weilabha Meat Processing discussed and deliberated the way forward for the agricultural and allied sector in Meghalaya. The sessions included product specific issues for rice, maize, lakadong turmeric, local fruits and vegetables, dairy sector, poultry sector, piggery sector, fishery and new technology in agriculture and horticulture like hydroponics. The United Nations’ first ten innovators winner and Managing Director of Future Farms, Shri Gopal while addressing the webinar offered to establish a centre in Shillong to help promote and support young entrepreneurs to take up hydroponics in Meghalaya. Dr. S. Uma, Director of NRC, offered assistants in setting up a banana processing centre in Garo Hills.

One of the largest exporters of honey to Europe and USA, Shri S. Joseph of Malabar Honey, offered free training to the apiary farmers of the State and the training session has been scheduled on 16th July, 2020. In the session conducted by the Director of the National Institute of Immonology, Dr. Amalya Panda, agreed to take up a project for nutraceuticals and medicinal value analysis of products such as Lakadong turmeric and mushrooms grown in the state. Professor Sahoo of Delhi University spoke on the various entrepreneurial avenues available on nutracueticals in the State of Meghalaya and Director of ICAR Dr. Pattanayak spoke on improving rice innovation with a time bound plan and stated that certain tools and machineries suitable for hilly states has arrived at ICAR, Barapani and will be distributed to rice farmers of the state soon. Speaking on the bamboo sector, experts from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Prof. Solanki and Shri Shivraj of the renowned NGO, Uravu, commented on the various potentialities that this sector possesses in the state of Meghalaya. Speaking during the webinar, Dr. Mohanty, Asia’s Regional Head of the International Potato Centre, showed interest in collaborating with the State in research and development in the potato sector, while the IFAD Country head Ms Rasha Omar, highlighted the possible interface for collaborations with the development aspiration of the state.

The highlight of the event was the interaction of the progressive farmers of the state who attended the webinar from their respective districts, and had their queries addressed by the subject matter specialists. Subsequent to this, it was decided that the State will bring up a compendium which is sector specific with detailed interactions with all stakeholders, practitioners, experts and farmers. The wrap up session was held on 11th July, 2020 and was attended by the farmer’s commission, Hills Farmers Union, and various stakeholders and was addressed by the Principal Secretary of Agriculture Shri P. Shakil Ahammed. Overall, the webinar was highly interactive and interesting which facilitated a forum for the farmers, practitioners, innovators and academia and policy makers to openly probe ideas, discuss issues and come to a conclusion in preparing a time-bound, specific and measurable roadmap for the State of Meghalaya, which will include a short term, medium term and long term strategy for the State.