Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 489/07

MEETING ON NATIONAL TASK FORCE ON REHABILITATION OF SHIFTING CULTIVATION

The inauguration of the 1st Meeting of the Sub-groups of the National Task Force on Rehabilitation of Shifting Cultivation in Shillong was held today at Shillong Club, Shillong. The programme is being organized by the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India and Forest & Environment Department, Government of Meghalaya.

Meghalaya minister for Forest & Environment, Mr M.N. Mukhim grace the occasion as the Chief Guest in the presence of Mr. V.K Oberoi, Principal Secretary Forest & Environment Department, Dr. S. Kumar deputy Inspector general of Forest (NAEB) Ministry of Forest & Environment, Government of India and Mr V.K. Nautiyal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest.

In his speech, Mr. Mukhim lauded the initiatives of the Forest Department for organizing the 1st Meeting of the Sub-groups of the National Task Force on Rehabilitation of Shifting Cultivation in Shillong. He also said that Shifting Cultivation co-exists with settled agriculture in hill areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland & Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkand, Madhya Pradesh and Chatisgarh. He further added that Shifting Cultivation as practiced today is characterized by short cycle, low productivity, loss of biodiversity rendering it uneconomic besides causing environmental damage. Shifting Cultivation has evoked serious concerned both at Central & State Government level which has led to formation of the National Task Force on Rehabilitation of Shifting Cultivation under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment & Forest of the Government.

Other who spoke on the occasion were Dr. S. Kumar deputy Inspector general of Forest (NAEB) Ministry of Forest & Environment, Government of India and Mr V.K. Nautiyal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and the meeting was chaired by Mr. V.K Oberoi, Principal Secretary Forest & Environment Department and the vote of thanks from Mr. C.P Marak, Conservator of Forest Social Forestry & Environment.

Press Release No. 490/07

WORKSKHOP ON NATIONAL PORTAL OF INDIA

A day long Workshop on National Portal of India ‘www.india.gov.in’ organized by the National Informatics Center, Meghalaya in collaboration with the Information Technology, Government of Meghalaya was held on July 18, 2007 at the conference room of the NIC, Shillong. Meghalaya Chief Secretary Mr. R. Chatterjee graced the function as the chief guest. Also present on the occasion was the Meghalaya Additional Chief Secretary Mr. W.M.S. Pariat and other high officials from different government departments.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Chatterjee lauded the efforts of the National Informatics Center and the Information Technology Department for holding the Workshop to popularize the National Portal for the benefit of the people. For the successful implementation of this portal, Mr. Chatterjee called upon different government departments to contribute up to date materials extensively and provide timely information. The Chief Secretary also stressed on the need to give accurate and authentic information through this medium for the effectiveness of the Portal.

Earlier, Ms. Neeta Verma, Senior Technical Director and National Portal Project Coordinator NIC Headquarter presented the power point presentation on the overview of the National Portal of India. Ms. Verma informed that the National Portal of India has been developed as a Mission Mode Project under the National E Governance Plan (NeGP) of the Department of Information and Technology with an objective to provide a single window access to the information and services of the Indian government at all level from Central government to State government to District Administration and Panchayats for the citizens, business, and overseas Indians. An attempt has also been made through this Portal to provide comprehensive, accurate, reliable and one stop source of information about India and its various facets both in English and Hindi.

Additional Chief Secretary, Mr. W. M.S. Pariat while delivering his speech, said that the National Portal has enthuse the government officials to try to come out with more content relating to the State and to provide better services to the citizens.

The workshop included the lecture on the Portal Management System by Member of National Portal Team, Headquarter followed by the interactive session on the Prospective Content contribution by the State, hands on Session with Portal CMS and recommendations of the workshop by Secretary IT cum NPC.

The function was presided over by Dr. Shreeranjan, Commissioner and Secretary Information Technology while Mr. D. P. Wahlang, Secretary Information Technology delivered the vote of thanks.