Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 401/13

AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON ICPS HELD

Shillong, July 31, 2013: The District Child Protection Unit, West Khasi Hills District has organized a one day long Awareness Programme on Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) on 29th July 2013 at Maharam Government Secondary School Auditorium, Mawkyrwat where a large number of Myntris, headmen, Secretaries, Women group, Anganwadi Workers etc participated. The Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) Mawkyrwat, Ms. D. Kharshiing attended as the chief guest.

While speaking on the occasion, Ms. Kharshiing laid stress on the need of close co-ordination among the public, the District Administration and the Police department so that the child could be protected in a possible manner. She therefore, urged upon the participants to exude fully whatever vital information received during the Awareness Programme so as to enable each stakeholder to strive and share it in their respective villages.

During the long day Awareness Programme, various related topics such as Child Adoption, Integrated Child Protection Scheme, the role and function of the Child Welfare Committee, Child Marriage Protection Act, Child Labour and Domestic violence were highlighted by the resource persons.

Press Release No. 402/13

TRAVELERS NEST INAUGURATED

Shillong, July 31, 2013: Meghalaya Cooperation Minister, Mr. H D R Lyngdoh inaugurated the first Travellers Nest at Umiaphati, Umden, Ri Bhoi District on 30th July 2013 in the presence of the Chief Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya, Dr. D D Lapang, Chief Secretary, Mr. W M S Pariat, Commissioner & Secretary, Mrs. R V Suchiang, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Mr. V Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Mr. A Deep beside others.

It may be mentioned here that the Travellers Nest is being owned and managed by the Diwon Khadi & Handloom Cooperative Society Ltd and sponsored by the Department of Cooperation. In his speech as the Chief Guest, Mr. Lyngdoh lauded the untiring efforts of the Department and the Cooperative Society for their endeavour in building the Travellers Nest for the benefit of the people especially tourist. He also said that the Diwon Society should also create job avenues to the people of the area, adding that the Nest will help them to be financially stable. He also urged upon the other Societies in various parts of the State to promote themselves through various schemes of the Government.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Chief Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya, Dr. D D Lapang, Chief Secretary, Mr. W M S Pariat, Commissioner & Secretary, Mrs. R V Suchiang, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Mr. V Kumar and Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Mr. A Deep.

Press Release No. 404/13

DISTRICT CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER, WKH CONDUCTS RAID ON CHILD LABOUR

Shillong, July 31, 2013:, The Deputy Labour Commissioner along with the District Child Protection Officer, West Khasi Hills District conducted a raid on Child Labour on 30th July 2013 and during the raid a child was detected working in one restaurant located in New Nongstoin. A complaint against the offending employer was lodged in the court of the District Magistrate and the child was rescued and produced before the Child Welfare Committee, Nongstoin for restoration and rehabilitation.

As per section of the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, no child shall be employed or permitted to work in any occupation such as transport of passengers and goods, automobile workshops and garages, mines, restaurants, hotels, teashops, roadside eateries, abattoirs or slaughter houses and such as fabrication workshops, saw mills, stone breaking and stone crushing, extraction of slate from mines, rag picking and scavenging, timber handling and loading, slate stone mining and stone quarries, therefore, as per Section 14 of the Act, anyone found employing a child below the age of 14 shall be punished with imprisonment which shall not be less than 3 months but which may extend to one year or with fine which shall be not less than Rs. 10,000.00 but which may be extended to Rs. 20,000.00 or with both.