Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 802/17

OPENING OF NEW POPSK

The Under Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Home (Passport) Department has informed that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Department of Posts (DOP) will open another 149 Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), including at Baghmara and Tura in Meghalaya. It may be mentioned that the MEA and the DOP have decided to utilize the Head Post Offices/Post Offices in the country as Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) for delivery of passport related services to the citizens of the country. The objective of this partnership is to extend passport related services on a larger scale and to ensure wider area coverage.

Press Release No. 803/17

PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR VECTOR BORNE DISEASES

In view of the reported rise of vector borne diseases like malaria and dengue in the town, the Chief Executive Officer of Tura Municipal Board, West Garo Hills District, has directed all garage and motor workshop owners to remove all unused tyres immediately from the vicinity of their workplaces, which provides ready nests for breeding of mosquito larvae. Stern action will be taken for non-compliance of the direction.

Press Release No. 804/17

INTENSIFIED DIARRHOEA CONTROL FORTNIGHT

As a measure of creating awareness on prevention and management of diarrhoea related problems for infants and children below the age of five, the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, along with the National Health Mission and the Office of the District Medical and Health Officer, East Khasi Hills District, launched the observance of the “Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight” at Ganesh Das Maternal and Child Health Hospital in the city on Tuesday. The programme was attended by Shri. P.W Ingty, Additional Chief Secretary in-charge, Health and Family Welfare Department, Meghalaya as Chief Guest, in the presence of Shri.H.M Shangpliang, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department cum Mission Director, National Health Mission, Dr. D. Lyngdoh, DHS (MCH&FW) cum Joint Mission Director, National Health Mission, Dr. (Mrs.) E.A Paswet, Joint Director (MCH&FW), Dr. (Mrs.) J.B Ranee, District MCH Officer, East Khasi Hills, health officials and others. Addressing parents, children and school students gathered at the programme, Meghalaya Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Shri. P.W Ingty informed that the “Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight” (IDCF), an initiative of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of India is being observed with an aim to reduce child mortality caused due to diarrhoea while also stating that the fortnight, which is being observed in the State of Meghalaya from 18th -31st July 2017 also seeks to help improve the health condition of infants and children, apart from controlling diarrhoea. Meanwhile, Shri.H.M Shangpliang, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department cum Mission Director, National Health Mission said that similar awareness programmes would be organized at hospitals and health centres across the state, further informing that ORS and Zinc tablets would be distributed free of cost by ASHA workers to households during the fortnight. He also urged the people to co-operate with the Government in its endeavour of reducing diarrhoea deaths especially among children below five years of age.

Press Release No. 805/17

MAWPAT COMMUNITY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BLOCK INAUGURATED

Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma today inaugurated Mawpat C & RD Block at Mawpat in the presence of Minister, C & RD, Sniawbhalang Dhar, MLA, Pynthorumkhrah, MLA, Nongthymmai, Dr Jemino Mawthoh and MLA, Mawryngkhneng, David Nongrum. In his address during the Inaugural Function, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma expressing his happiness over the creation of Mawpat C & RD said that the government is committed in addressing appropriately the prevailing disparities in development in all sectors. “The government is committed in taking care of the most vulnerable sections of the society who require special attention,” he said. He also informed that the government has rolled out a number of initiatives to bridge the gaps in development but they have not been fully materialized to achieve the desired outcomes. He further added that the government has re strategized its approach to strengthen the various arms of the government to reach the targeted groups. Dr Sangma also said that Community and Rural Development Blocks are the epicenters through which all schemes and programmes of the government are initiated. He said that the creation of the block is a humble beginning for the future prosperity of the area and added that the creation of the block will also address the congestion issue which the city of Shillong is subjected to. The Chief Minister also stated that contentious issues of the state will be dealt with in the right perspective and that the government has come up with measures to insulate the people so that they are not deprived of their rights and not alienated from their rightful land. He said that growth and development are linked to a peaceful and conducive environment, therefore he urged the people to partner with the government in all its developmental initiatives. He also said that there is a need to take care of the interests of the youth and create opportunities for Education and livelihood opportunities so that the youth is not compelled to migrate to other cities in search of job and better Education.

Mawpat C & RD Block is the 45th block of the state. It is carved out of Mylliem C & RD Block. The newly created block will cover three assembly constituencies and it will be easier for the Block officials to function as well as for the people to have more access to the developmental programmes in a more systematic manner. Mawpat Dorbar has donated land free of cost at Mawpat Pyllun for establishment of permanent Block campus. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for the permanent office campus and also inaugurated the temporary office building of the block. He also handed over the first work order of the block to Mawpat Dorbar. Earlier, Director, Department of Community & Rural Development, I R Sangma read the government notification.