Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 845/17

WORLD BREASFEEDING WEEK CELEBRATED

The Ministry of Women & Child Development, Community Food & Nutrition Extension Unit, Government of India in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Meghalaya today kickstarted the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week with a one day State Level Symposium at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Social Welfare, Shillong. The theme for this year’s celebration is Sustaining Breastfeeding Together. The inaugural session was graced by the Director of Social Welfare. Shri H M Shangpliang as the Chief Guest and Shri. N Munish Singh, Regional Director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India as the Chairperson. In his inaugural address, Shri Shangpliang said that the objective of this celebration is to allow the health workers, including CDPOs and Lady Supervisors to understand the ground reality of the health and welfare of mothers and infants and provide the support to mothers through several interventions which can benefit them. Stating that breast feeding by mothers for their babies in the first six months is important to get the incredible health benefits, at the same time, he lamented that in recent times, most mothers are not keen to breastfeed their babies due to personal reasons. He reiterated that mothers should understand the health benefits of their children as breastmilk is the most nutritious feed for infants for their healthy growth and development. Therefore, he urged upon the field workers to go to their respective places of work and chalk out programmes and activities which can help mothers understand the significance of breastfeeding for their health as well as for their children. Shri. Shangpliang also emphasised on the health problems of pregnant and lactating mothers and said that it is the duty of the field workers to ensure that proper nutrition and sufficient supplement food is given to mothers so that problems of breastfeeding do not occur. Stating that breastfeeding can reduce Infant Mortality to a great extent, he felt it necessary for mothers to get timely support and healthcare education. This, he said, can bring permanent changes in the social living and ultimately healthy and disease-free living. He called upon the support of the families, community leaders, trained health workers, lactation consultants, friends and partners to collaborate in this mission so that we can guarantee a healthy society. Shri. N Munish Singh, in his message to the people, said that breastfeeding is nature’s gift and it is mandatory for mothers to breastfeed their infants as it can provide the necessary energy and nutrition as complementary foods cannot provide complete nutrition for a child.

Press Release No. 849/17

TRAINING PROGRAMME

The ten days training programme on “Dairy Farming & Vermi Composting” under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme, of the Department of District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Office, East Khasi Hills, has been conducted for 35 beneficiaries from the 18th July to 31st July 2017 in Mawryngkneng C&RD Block in collaboration with Punjab National Bank- Rural Self Employment Training Institute, East Khasi Hills. A valedictory programme on the 31st July 2017 was held in the presence of Shri L. Kynjing, BDO Mawryngkneng C&RD Block, Dr. (Mrs.) A. Pakyntein, District A.H & Veterinary Officer, East Khasi Hills, Smti M. War, Manager, Meghalaya Co-operative Apex Bank, Mawryngkneng Branch, Shri L. Haokip, Director PNB-RSETI, East Khasi Hills and certificates were distributed to all the beneficiaries. Prior to this, 165 beneficiaries from, Mylliem C&RD Block and 18 beneficiaries from Mawphlang C&RD Block were also trained under the SCA Scheme in the previous months.

Press Release No. 850/17

RELEASE OF PMUY AT MAIRANG

Shri M. Lyngdoh, Local MLA released the PMUY scheme on 27th July 2017 in the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Mairang, West Khasi Hills District. With the introduction of PMUY, the dependence on wood for cooking is expected to come down and it will vastly improve the health of women folk. LPG connections under this scheme will be released in the name of women belonging to the BPL family. For new LPG connection, cash assistance to the tune of Rs. 1600/- will be given which will cover the initial cost i.e. security deposit (Rs. 1250/-), regulator (Rs. 150/-), hose pipe (Rs. 150/-), administrative charges (Rs. 50/-), stove with 2 burners costing Rs. 999/- and 1st cylinder refill costing Rs. 591/- (approx) will have to be borne by the beneficiary. EMI facility is also available. In a short time, awareness camps will be organized in all parts of the District. In PMUY camp, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) will organise Mass awareness about PMUY, share list of eligible beneficiaries, awareness on safe usage of LPG like placing the cylinder on a pedestal and having the stove above cylinder and educating the people about the insurance coverage and EMI facility under the PMUY scheme. Women from BPL households, who do not have access to LPG connection, may apply for a new LPG connection (in prescribed format) to the LPG distributor in Mairang i.e. M/S Frontier Indane Gas Agency. While submitting the application form, the beneficiary will have to submit details like address, bank account and Aadhaar number (optional) etc. Only those families whose names feature in the SECC list will be considered. The connection shall be issued by the OMC to the eligible beneficiaries after completion of necessary field verification. It is also informed that the office of the Deputy Commissioner (Supply) will be issuing only the application forms and not the LPG connection. For more details, contact M/S Frontier Indane Gas Agency, Mairang.

Press Release No. 851/17

UJALA SCHEME

The Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District has informed that UJALA Scheme aims at promoting the use of energy efficient lighting solutions in India through sale of LED bulbs to domestic consumers. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) procures high quality 9 watt LED bulbs from leading manufactures and in turn sells them to the consumers at a rate much lower than the market price. LEDs (Light emitting diode) have many advantages over the conventional incandescent bulbs and even the CFL bulbs. 9W EESL LED bulb costs only 70 Rs whereas the market price is 200-300 Rs and 20 W LED tube light costs just Rs. 220 which sells in market at more than Rs. 500. Life Expectancy is 50000 hrs as opposed to just 1200 hrs of incandescent bulbs. They are 10 times energy efficient and are unbreakable, have zero mercury and environmentally safe. The bulbs will carry a technical warranty of 3 years against any manufacturing defect. The consumers will be able to obtain replacement bulbs in exchange of Non – functioning bulbs during the warranty period. Each consumers of MePDCL will be provided with a maximum of 10 bulbs during the distribution period upon production of valid Government ID/electricity bill. Total no. of bulbs distributed all over India tills date is 25, 17,03,757 resulting in presumptive savings of Rs. 13075 crore per year and 6544 MW energy . In Meghalaya LED bulbs penetration is still very low. A Kiosk in DC office Nongstoin has been set up for easy availability of LED bulbs. Many more kiosks are planned in the coming days at block level including one at Nongstoin MePDCL bill collection center. Efforts are on to on board the CSCs also. The District Administration requests all citizen of West Khasi Hill District to avail this facility and help in conserving energy. As much, West Khasi Hills has one of the least penetrations as far as LED is concerned. People, especially in rural areas burn incandescent bulb entire day resulting in huge electricity losses.