Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 390/13

INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME RELEASE

Shillong, July 26, 2013: The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong has informed that the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under East Khasi Hills District has been release at Rs.250/- only per month to the BPL beneficiaries who have attained the age of 60 to 79 years and at Rs. 500 only per month to the BPL beneficiaries who have attained the age of 80 years and above w.e.f. September 2012 to March 2013 (seven month) and is being distributed / credited through the Account No. duly opened by the beneficiaries in their respective Banks/post Office.

Any case of non transfer may be brought immediately to the notice of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong.

Press Release No. 393/13

HEALTH MINISTER INTERACTS WITH MEDICOS OF NORTH GARO HILLS

Shillong, July 26, 2013: Meghalaya Health Minister A.L Hek, visited Resubelpara Community Health Centre on July 25th, 2013 and had a brief meeting with the medical officers of North Garo Hills district. Earlier in the day, he also visited Dobu PHC and interacted with the ASHAs and Anganwadi workers of the area.

During the meeting, Mr. Hek has given a memorandum stating the areas of concern, like the deplorable condition of SDMHO office building, absence of mortuary for conducting post mortem, need for upgradation of the office from sub-divisional level to district office and various requirements for Resubelpara CHC.

The Health Minister expressed his appreciation to the doctors for their dedicated services despite the lack of infrastructural facilities and encouraged them to continue with their work saying that they should consider their service to the people as service to self. He also assured them that he would look into their problems and address them gradually. On the need for upgradation of the office building, Mr. Hek has asked the Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills to identify an alternative place for the CRPF personnel who are presently accommodating in the old SDHMO office building and quarters so that it can be renovated and extended for office use.

Later, the Health Minister also met the members of District Core Committee for Development of North Garo Hills at Resubelpara Circuit House. Director of Health Services (MI) Dr. Malti K Marak and Joint DHS for Garo Hills Dr. C J M. Sangma also accompanied Mr. Hek during his visit to Resubelpara.

Press Release No. 394/13

STONE QUARRY OPERATION BANNED

Shillong, July 26, 2013: The District Magistrate, West Jaintia Hills, has promulgated an Order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting the illegal stone quarrying operation at Demtring Village and surroundings within the radius of 0.5Kms shall forthwith be stopped.

The Prohibition has been imposed upon the complaints received from the NGOs and also a report received from the Executive Engineer (PHE) Electrical Division, Jowai that the stone quarry and mining activities have caused destruction to the water Supply for Jowai Town.

And whereas, the Magistrate, West Jaintia Hills has also submitted the enquiry report that reveals the fact that stone quarry and mining operation with heavy machines have caused destruction to the NH 40 (E) and also to the Myntdu river due to silting from the washed away soil from such illegal activities.

Press Release No. 396/13

CITIZENS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE HELD

Shillong, July 26, 2013: The Citizens Conference on Environmental Governance was held on 25th July, 2013 at Hotel Pine Wood, Shillong. The Conference was organized by the Society for Informed Conscious & Responsible Existence (ICARE) and supported by the District Administration, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong.

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma graced the valedictory function as the chief guest in the presence of Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. R M Mishra, President, ICARE, Mr. Toki Blah, Vice President of ICARE, Padmashree, Smti. Patricia Mukhim, and Mr Phrang Roy besides others.

The main objectives of the Conference is to engage Government, stakeholders and civil society in constructive debate over the impact of poor environment governance on holistic and sustainable development for Meghalaya and to bring to the fore, policy loopholes that encourage the exploitation of Land, Labour and Natural Resources, to enlist support from Government, NGOs, Social Organization, student community and the public on a range of issues that affect and impact our Environment and Water Resources and also to develop action plans to tackle issues flagged and agree on a minimum list of achievement to be met within agreed time frames.

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Dr. Sangma said that now it is the era of innovation and creativity which it is a good approach to governance. He further said that environmental governance as it currently stands is far from meeting one or more of these imperatives, adding that the need to deal with the complex character of environmental issues calls for the adoption of coherent multilateral management by a great variety of stakeholders.

Dr. Sangma further said that despite a great awareness of environmental questions from developed and developing countries, there is environmental degradation and the appearance of new environmental problems. Dr. Sangma also said that as policy makers it time to take ideas from the civil societies to blend with new innovations and ideas which will help in bringing positive approach to good governance. Later, Dr. Mukul Sangma signed the Citizen Declaration on the Environment adopted by the Conference and also led the Signature Campaign.

Press Release No. 397/13

CM MET GERMAN DELEGATION

Shillong, July 26, 2013: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma met the delegation from the Federal Republic of Germany on the 25th July, 2013. The delegation comprised of Dr. Uta Bollhoff, Director General, Europe, Middle East & Asian Policy, Development Policy with Multilateral Agencies, Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ) who is also the leader of the group, Dr. Thomas Helfen, Head of South Asia Division, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ), Dr. Andree Buhl, South & South East Asia Policy, Federal Ministry of Economic & Development (BMZ), Mr. Bernd Dunnzlaff, Head of Economic Cooperation & Development, German Embassy, India, Mr. Stefan Helming, Country Director, GIZ, India, Ms. Sandra Schenke, Country Director, India, South Asian Department, GIZ, Dr. Helga Fink, Programme Coordinator, CCA-NER, Farhad Vania, Management Adviser, GIZ, Kenneth. M. Pala, Technical Expert, Mr. Nicolai Tust, Project Country Manager, KfW Development Bank, Germany and Ms. Sangeeta Agarwal, Programme Officer, KfW, India.

While thanking the Federal Republic of Germany for having sent such a high level delegation to visit the State of Meghalaya, The Hon’ble Chief Minister lauded the commendable progress made by GIZ and State Government Agencies in the preparation of the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC), Missions on Climate & Value Change, effective water management, Draft Report on State Water Policy, Greening of the Silk Value Chain, and Knowledge centre for Natural Resource Management and Climate Change. The Hon’ble Chief Minister also highlighted the need for convergence with the State Flagship Programme – Integrated Basin Development & Livelihood Programme (IBDLP), which aims at promoting livelihoods for the rural people by using the available renewable natural resources. The Hon’ble Chief Minister indicated that the experiences attained by the German Development Agencies on Global Environment issues would be very useful and also that the State Government looks forward to this cooperation, which is insync with the development goals of the State

Dr. Uta Bollhoff, the leader of the delegation stated that there are emerging opportunities under the Climate Change Adaptation Programme in NER as they had a good dialogue with the Government of India, the Ministry of DONER and other Central Ministries in India. She also expressed her happiness over the work under the GIZ project in the State of Meghalaya.

During the course of the discussion several issues such as Water Policy, Integrated Knowledge Management, Capacity Building, Vulnerable Areas affecting Climate Change, Eco – tourism, degradation of land through quarrying and renewable energy which can drive the socio - economic needs of the people was highlighted.

The meeting had a positive response from the visiting delegation to having development cooperation in the field of adaptation to Climate Change and other related sectors.

The delegation also met several Senior Officers of the State Government in a meeting chaired by Shri. Barkos Warjri IAS, Additional Chief Secretary i/c. Forest & Environment on the same day. During the meeting several issues were discussed to find out key areas where the State Government can work together with the German Government. The topics discussed were related to scientific management of forest, REDD+ programme, forest management and value addition, knowledge network system, efficient utilization of water, green energy, etc. The need is for an integrated approach to cover the various issues and developing links with the Integrated Basin Development & Livelihood Programme of the State Government was highlighted.

Press Release No. 398/13

AWARENESS PROGRAM ON GREEN MOVEMENT ORGANIZED AT RESUBELPARA

Shillong, July 26, 2013: A one-day awareness programme on Green Environment was organized by the Peace Club of Resubelpara in collaboration with the district administration at Dekachang Baptist Church on 25th July 2013 to herald the launch of Chief Minister’s Youth for Green Campaign Movement in North Garo Hills district.

Over 150 youths of Resubelpara and surrounding areas participated in the programme.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Resubelpara L.C. Marak, while addressing the youth as the chief guest, said that in this age of science and technology there should be a balance in the use of technology and natural resources. “As human beings we are responsible for the changes in our planet”, he said, adding that, the youths being the leaders of tomorrow, should take the lead in spreading the message of clean and green environment to the people.

Also participating in the program, Superintendent of Police, Ricky Dkhar suggested that the youths follow 12 small but effective ways to protect the environment, which include planting more trees, minimizing use of vehicles, proper and economic use of water and other resources, recycling of materials for use, change of habits, proper waste management and protection of animals among others.

Geologist, M M Marak deliberated at length about global warming, green house effects, ozone layer, etc through pictorial demonstrations. In his interaction with the students, he also gave a geological explanation as to why the Hot Springs of Resubelpara was getting cooler and cooler.

District Agriculture Officer C.K. Marak stressed the need to plant more agricultural and horticultural crops to keep the earth green and also to preserve the catchment areas at any cost.

The day-long program was brought to a close by the Chairman of the Club with a famous quote of Red Cross founder Henry Jean and a word of encouragement to the youth to take forward the good work of green movement.