Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 336/22

MEGHALAYA INTRODUCES BOILED EGGS AS PART OF SUPPLEMENTARY NUTRITION PROGRAMME

The Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission, in collaboration with Department of Social Welfare and Meghalaya State Rural Livelihood Society introduced boiled eggs to the existing Supplementary Nutrition Programme on 15th August, 2022 in 250 Model Anganwadi Centers , which is targeted to benefit 13,000 beneficiaries in the first phase. This is an addition to the hot cooked meals provided by ICDS centers to children between the age group of 3 to 6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers across 46 blocks within the state. The introduction of egg distribution is facilitated because eggs are known to be a good source of protein, iron, vitamin A, D, E and K, choline and Omega 3 fatty acids which boosts brain development and overall well being amongst children.

It is noteworthy to mention that this is the first time that distribution of boiled eggs is being initiated under the Meghalaya ECD Mission in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Meghalaya. Commenting on the initiative, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, This is our endeavour to ensure children, pregnant and lactating mothers receive adequate nutrition in their hot cooked meals at the Anganwadi Centers. This initiative also involves our Self Help Groups promoted by NRLM who supply eggs to the AWCs.

The ECD Mission has rolled out the provision of eggs on a pilot basis for an interim period of 3 months, i.e., 15th August 2022 to 15th November 2022. The supply of eggs will eventually be rolled out across all AWC and uncovered villages in a phase manner through a decentralized procurement process in line with Asian Development Bank Procurement Guidelines under Meghalaya ECD Mission. The egg distribution has been rolled out across all districts in 250 anganwadi centers with 150 SHGs and 26 VOs promoted under NRLM engaged in the implementation, 10,732 children and 2,924 pregnant and nursing mothers benefitted from this roll out.

The Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission is a mission focused on providing motor and cognitive development, socio emotional development, health and nutrition and early education development as key areas for the holistic development of children in Meghalaya. It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission is catering to 1,554 villages, which are not being covered under the ICDS programme. The Meghalaya ECD mission follows a collaborative approach from Health, Social Welfare, Education, Community & Rural Development departments of the State.

Press Release No. 337/22

CM LAYS BASE FOR UMSNING JAGI ROAD

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today laid the Foundation Stone for the Umsning Jagi Road at a function held at Mawhati. Speaking to the gathering, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma expressing happiness in laying the Foundation Stone for the Umsning Jagi Road said that this is very important for connectivity for the people of Mawhati. This road has been neglected for years and the last time this road was repaired during late P A Sangma time and to be able to continue the work started by Late P A Sangma gives me joy and makes this occasion more special, he said.

He also added that the road is of great importance not only for the people of the constituency but is a strategic road for the entire state of Meghalaya. This road we can connect faster to Jagi Road and then to Upper Assam making this road a very strategic road economically as the entire area in this region or the district has a lot of trade with Jagi Road and the rest of Assam, he added. The Chief Minister also said that in future the road will be even more critical for the connectivity between the state of Assam and the state of Meghalaya. Hence realizing all these facts we have done our best to help and support the people of this area so that this project is initiated for not only Mawhati but the entire State, he said. He also informed that the Bhoirymbong Mawlasnai Sabuda Road of 10 kilometers amounting to 18.5 crores has also been sanctioned and allotted. He further said that many PMGSY roads and other developmental projects like Block Office and school buildings are in the pipeline for the area.

The Umsning Jagi Road is a Major District Road starting from the 51st Km of NH 6 at Umsning and ends at Umsiang village at the Assam Meghalaya border having a total length of 80.00Km. Upgradation and Improvement of Umsning Jagi Road under Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project funded by World Bank has a length of 40.13 km in the district Ri Bhoi of Meghalaya state.

The project road starts from the junction with National Highway 6 Asian Highway and ends at Km 40.13 of SH 8 near Sonidan village. There are about 17 Numbers of villages that are directly connected by this road viz., Umsohlang, Nongjri, Nongkya, Sohpdok, Tdohumsiang, Raitong, Tdohumshiaw, Laiphew Diengngan, Mawdiengngan, Umlatar, Umwiehsnieh, Shilliang Umdoh, Mawhati, Pdeng, Jatah, Umsohlait and Sonidan, and the other 25 Numbers of villages viz: Umranong, Thad, Tiehwieh, Khliehumtrew, Mawkynrong, Umshiaw, Kseh Kynjoin, Umlaiteng, Kdohhati, Prangdngiem, Umjapung, Lummihwar, Laitsyiar, Sohphoh, Moorathud, Ingsaw, Pamlaban, Pamrinai, Iamkhon, Pdengnongrim, Pamphlang, Jair, Lamalong, Mawtari and syntumaw. This road plays the main important role in the socio economic development of people living in these rural areas besides connecting many far flung villages.

This road serves as the main life line to the people living in this region in transportation of essential commodities and commercial products to the villages and others agricultural, forest products. The scope of work under this project includes widening of existing carriageway width to 5.5m Intermediate standard within the available Right of Way. The Umsning Jagi Road project amounts to Rs 83, 38, 49, 016.00 and the stipulated time for completion is 36 months.