Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 298/22

STATE CONTROL ROOM SET UP TO MONITOR ENFORCEMENT OF SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAN

The Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat in a press release issued here informs the general public that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Shillong has set up the State Control Room to monitor the enforcement of Single Use Plastic Ban. The operating hours are 10 AM to 5 PM.

Furthermore, the State Control Room is set up to felicitate activities for effective implementation of SUP ban, and to provide assistance, guidance, clarification, and information as may be sought by various stakeholders regarding the ban of SUP items, which includes specified items covered or excluded from SUP ban, alternatives to banned SUP items and their availability in Meghalaya, guidance for filing of complaint on SUP Grievance APP and guidance for the operation of SUP compliance monitoring portal, etc. The Control Room shall monitor the enforcement of Single Use Plastic ban by various concerned agencies and report compliance status through SUP Compliance Monitoring Portal.

Press Release No. 299/22

CELEBRATION OF UJJWAL BHARAT, UJJWAL BHAVISHYA POWER AT 2047 EVENT AT NONGPOH

Together with the rest of the country and as part of the 75th years anniversary of India Independence known as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy in collaboration with the Meghalaya State power sector such as NEEPCO, MePDCL in association with the District Administration Ri Bhoi District organized the celebration of Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya Power at 2047 at District Library Auditorium Hall, Nongpoh in the midst presence of Shri M.B Syiem local MLA, Shri M.B Tongper,MCS Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Smt. V.A Hynniewta, MCS Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Shri Abhishek Kumar, DGM,NEEPCO, Smti A.Majaw, SE,MePDCL and others. The event were also participated by government officials from different line departments, headmen, village elders, school children and teachers.

The celebration were also entertained with the short play performed by one of Youtubers Jlaw Dohtir, a cultural dance presented by a cultural troupe of Phambir village and also includes with displayed of five short video films on the achievements of power in India namely, Universal Household Electrification, Village Electrification, Strengthening of Distribution System, Renewable Energy and film on Consumer Rights.

Shri Abhishek Kumar, DGM,NEEPCO in his keynote address highlighted on the key achievements of power sector under Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya Power at 2047. He informed that as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav, the 75th years of India Independence, the Ministry of power and renewable energy government of India celebrated a one week long of Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya Power at 2047 in all the districts of the country with effect from 25th up to 30th July 2022 with an aim to showcase power sector achieved in the last 8 years to the people of the country. He informed that power sector in the country is remarkably progress, it has increased its power generation capacity from 2,48,554 MW in the year 2014 to 4lakhs MW till date which is 1,85 lakh MW more than peak demand. he also informed that the government of India has planned to provide electricity connection to all villages and households in the country through new schemes which under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana scheme, the power sector has achieved 100 percent of power connection to villages and also 100 percent electricity connection to households in the country till 2018 within 18months under Saubhagya scheme. Moreover, informed that India power Grid is the Largest Integrated Grid System of the world and this has happened when India abled to integrate the entire country into a single grid by constructing 1,63 lakhs circuit kilometers of transmission lines from 2014 till date from Leh Ladakh to Kenyakumari and from Kutch to the Myanmar border.

Shri M.B Syiem, MLA while speaking at the gathering as the chief guest lauded the initiatives taken by the central government for initiating different schemes and projects through different ministry of the government like BRGF schemes, Swachh Bharat Mission, NHM, JJM and others with an aim to promote and uplift the livelihood of people particularly for rural poor and these effort has tremendously changed the life style of living of people not only in Ri Bhoi but in the state and the country as well. Moreover, said that power sector is one of necessity in our daily life, he also lauded and congratulated the hard work of power sector such as NEEPCO, MePDCL, Power Grid etc to fulfill the aim of the Ministry of power to electrify all villages and households in the country though many difficulties have been met by them like shortage of manpower but their hardwork and selflessness has able to curb up the situation. Hence he appeals to the people to give their support and cooperation with the power sector in time of load shedding or any emergency shut down of current so that to enable the department concern to complete their work.

Press Release No. 300/22

CELEBRATION OF UJJWAL BHARAT, UJJWAL BHAVISHYA, POWER AT 2047 IN WILLIAMNAGAR

As part of of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav 75 years of India Independence celebration Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya, Power at 2047 is celebrated at Ronggongre Lower Primary School, Ronggon, Williamnagar on 27 July 2022 organized by the MePDCL in collaboration with NEEPCO and East Garo Hills district Administration.

While delivering the keynote address Mr. R Mallik, General Manager, NEEPCO and District Nodal Officer informed that Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya is celebrating all over the country from 25th July to 30th July 2022 to facilitate the collaboration between the state and central government achievements in power sector. Highlighting on the progress in power sector is remarkable in the country Mr. Mallik said that the installation capacity have increased from 2,48,554 MW in 2014 to 4,00,000 MW today which is 1,85,000 more than our peak demand.

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest Mr. Marcuise N Marak, local MLA and Government Chief Whip said that government is doing remarkable work in the field of power sector by implementing various schemes with the help of central government. Terming the power sector as vital sector the chief guest exhorted the concerned department to strengthening and streamlining their public service delivery mechanism. Mr. Marak also urged the gathering to use electricity judiciously and to pay electricity bills so that the government will get revenue on time.

Press Release No. 301/22

CHIEF MINISTER CONRAD SANGMA LAUNCHES EXTRAORDINARY CASH AWARD SCHEME TO INSPIRE SPORTSPERSONS

With India shining scorecard at Olympics 2021 and overall achievements of the discipline improving, national enthusiasm around sports of different kinds have gone up. The sports discipline has been witnessing and gaining befitting attention which was long overdue. To further contribute to this growing interest, The Department of Sports and Youth Affairs of the Government of Meghalaya, held the Felicitation of Sports Achievers at Regional, Zonal, National and International Level Competitions 2017 to 2018 and launched a Cash Award Scheme today at the U Soso Tham Auditorium. The occasion was graced by the august presence of Chief Guest, Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma and Guest of Honour, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Government of Meghalaya Shri Banteidor Lyngdoh. Dr Vijay Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, Smti W.A.M. Booth, Director of Sports & Youth Affairs, Shri Shivansh Avasthi, Under Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs, Members of MSOA and various sporting associations were also present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad Sangma, emphasized, Indian sportspersons have been excelling at international arenas. As we engaged with the youth through the Sports program, we found about 7 to 8 youths among 300 to 500 participants who met international standards and were in the Super Elite category, despite no professional training, diet, even to the extent of some not even having shoes, running bare feet but proving to be just as efficient. This only shows their immense talent that needs to be recognized, acknowledged, and supported. This program is part of a bigger goal, and so are the many other programs that will focus on different talents from academics to music and many more. By mid August we would like to distribute the first set of cheques and will continue to be distributed, to provide funds for the youth to allow them to follow their passion and prosper. With a youth led population in Meghalaya, the State Government is aligned to build a strong foundation of guidance, support, and resources which will help bring out more hidden stars who can further contribute to this discipline.

A total of 231 sportspersons from various Olympic and Non Olympic disciplines were felicitated at the event. Along with the felicitation, a unique Cash Reward Scheme was also launched to recognize the achievements of sportspersons at the Regional, National and International Championships and support sportspersons financially so that requirements for better preparations are met. The Scheme will encourage sportspersons to work harder for greater achievements in the higher-level competitions like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Olympics and many others. It will motivate the players to prepare themselves better for selection into national teams to represent the country and prepare them for higher awards meant for international competitions like Asian Games, Commonwealth games, World Championship, etc.

Once the sportspersons get into the National team, more cash awards other than the award being given by the State Government will also be available to sportspersons Northeastern Council Chairman Award for Excellence and the amount earmarked are Olympic Games 100 lakhs for Gold medal, 50 lakhs for Silver medal and 30 lakhs for Bronze medal. Cash awards for National Games winners are 30 lakhs for Gold medal, 10 lakhs for Silver medal and 5 lakhs for Bronze medal. Sportspersons of the State can also hope to reap the Cash Awards from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India for achieving excellence at the National Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World championships and the Olympic Games. Coaches of the medal winning athletes in various competitions shall also be eligible for cash awards.

Press Release No. 302/22

UJJWAL BHARAT UJJWAL BHAVISHYA AT 2047 CELEBRATED IN SOUTH WEST KHASI HILLS DISTRICT

The office of the Deputy Commissioner South West Khasi HillsDistrict, Mawkyrwat in collaboration with the office of the Executuve Engineer South West Khasi Hills Distribution Division MePDCL Mawkyrwat today celebrated Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya at 2047 in the Hall of Nativity Higher Secondary School ,Mawkyrwat wherein Shri Carnes Sohshang Local MDC was the Chief Guest. Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya is being celebrated across the country as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Screening of short films on the power sector was done on the same day The events also witnessed one of the beneficiaries Mr B.Kharlyngdoh who shared his experiences and acknowledged that about 600 households were provided with connection in the First phase where about 2000 plus were benefitted.

In an introductory speech Mr K,K Raswai ,Executive Engineer MePDCL, Mawkyrwat highlighted on the key achievements in the power sector and the benefits of electricity and the unprecedented growth achieved by the power sector over the past few years. He said that the programme is being celebrated all over the country for more public participation and getting across the developments in the power sector to the citizens at large. He highlighted upon the various schemes implemented by the government such as the DDUGJU which is one of the world biggest Universal electrification initiative with collaborative and concerted efforts of Centre and States. It is a concurrent program to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana. He also informed that under the Saubhagya Scheme a scheme which provides connectivity and electricity connections to all the unelectrified households in the country , out of 2211 villages they were able to provide connection to around 1512 villages and the remaining villages will be done through Revamp Distribution Sector Scheme. .He stated that in 1996 our state consumed only 185 Mega Watt but with the rising population it has gone up to 600 Mega Watt and only 356.2 Mega Watt is being generated by the state whereas the rest has to be procured from outside the state.He also informed that Mawkyrwat consumed electricity about 18 lakhs unit in a month at a total cost of Rs 72 lakhs a month at a cost of Rs 4 per Unit whereas the monthly dues collected through consumers comes only to Rs 43,97,907 a month at a huge loss of Rs 28 lakhs to the MePDCL.He therefore urged upon the public to pay their dues regularly and on time so that it will not create a burden on the MePDCl in bearing the cost of maintenance and other purposes.

Mrs Caramai Kharkongngor ,Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills District stated that since 1960 the policy of every successful Government is to provide electricity to every households in the state.While inching towards achieving 100 percent village electrification, the government also focused in achieving electrification of all un-electrified households taking into consideration the difficulty faced by the people in obtaining connections the government recently launched a scheme Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana Saubhagya to provide every village and household with electricity.While stressing upon the need and importance of Electricity she therefore urged upon one and all to fulfil the requirements it needed as citizens so that the iproject will flow and continues.