Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 312/14

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED AT SHILLONG

Shillong, August 16, 2014: Along with the rest of the country, Meghalaya too celebrated its 68th Independence Day today. In the State capital, Shillong, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma unfurled the National Flag at 2nd Ground, Polo Ground and took the salute at an impressive march past of 18th contingents led by Major Saurabh Choudhury of 58th GTC, Shillong. The parade contingents includes 58th GTC, BSF, Assam Rifles, CRPF, ITBP, 1st MLP Bn. District Executive Forces, East Khasi Hills, Border Wing Home Guards, NCC boys and girls, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Army Public School, Happy Valley, KJP Higher Secondary School, Little Flower Secondary School, BSF Secondary School boys and girls, St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School and horse riding contingent of the Assam Rifles Public School.

During the celebrations, President’s Police Medal for Gallantry, Police Medal for Meritorious Service and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service were also announced. The awardees for President’s Police Medal for Gallantry includes Shri Ringrang T.G. Momin, Additional Superintendent of Police, Shri Robert A.M. Sangma, Sub-Inspector, Shri Rajendra P. Kahit, Bn. Constable, Shri Probinstar Kharbani, Bn. Constable, Shri Jitden Sangma, Bn.Constable and Shri Rapsalang Wahlang, Bn. Constable. The recipients of Police Medal for Meritorious Service include Shri Kullendra R. Sangma, Sub-Inspector and Shri Bokhraw Songthiang, UB-Constable. The awardees for Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service include Shri Stronger Nongrem, Station Officer and Shri Binoy Kumar Medhi, Leading Fireman.

The Chief Minster also handed over the Village Level Entrepreneurs Award 2014 to Shri Damangshwa Wahlang of Tynring Common Service Centre (CSC) as the best performing CSC for Khasi- Jaintia Hills Division in order to encourage performance and sincerity towards delivering citizen services. Dr. Mukul Sangma also gave away the prizes to the winners of March Past competition for schools to BSF boys Secondary School, Little Flower Secondary School and Army Public School, Happy Valley who bagged the first, second and third position respectively.

Press Release No. 314/14

MASS ENROLMENT DRIVE UNDER CM SOCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME AT SHILLONG

Shillong, August 16, 2014: The Mass Enrolment drive under the Chief Minister’s Social Assistance Scheme for the infirm, widows and persons with disabilities under Shillong Urban Areas was held today at Polo ground, Shillong where the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma was the Chief Guest. The function was also attended by Health Minister, Mr A L Hek, Urban Affairs Minister, Mrs Ampareen Lyngdoh, Principal Secretary, Mr PW Ingty and Commissioner and Secretary, Mr T. Dkhar among other dignitaries.

Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs 500 per month will be given to each beneficiary. There is no age bar for persons with disabilities and for widows, however, to seek benefit for the infirm, a woman has to be 58 years of age, while a man should be 60 years old.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mukul Sangma said that in order to ensure that all deserving beneficiaries are aware of the facilities under the scheme, the Government is making all efforts to re-design and re-structure the approach for creating awareness among the people particularly those in the rural areas. He also said that the implementation of the scheme is being done in a decentralized format so that the beneficiaries can get easy access to the scheme at their doorsteps. He said that all efforts are made to simplify the guidelines of the scheme by removing all hurdles so that it becomes more inclusive.

Dr Sangma also spelt out a series of measures being taken by the Government to transform the socio-economic conditions of the people in the rural areas and announced the cluster development project in the C and RD Blocks under the Livestock Mission and also other initiatives undertaken by the State Government particularly those pertaining to the economic empowerment of women through financial inclusion.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were Health Minister, Mr A L Hek, Urban Affairs Minister, Mrs Ampareen Lyngdoh and Commissioner and Secretary, Mr T. Dkhar.