Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 898/17

AWARENESS CUM REGISTRATION CAMP FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS HELD

Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Labour, PWD (B) etc. today attended as Chief Guest at the one day Awareness cum Registration Camp for the Muster- Rolls of the Works Department organized by the Meghalaya Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board in collaboration with the District Labour Office, East Khasi Hills, Shillong and the Department of Public Works Department at Bharat Scouts and Guides headquarters, Shillong. The programme was also attended by Shri B. Kharbuli, Secretary PWD, Shri B. Mawlong, Labour Commissioner, Shri L.D. Suchiang, Chief Engineer, PWD, Buildings, Shri R. W. Wahlang, Joint Labour Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, senior officials from Labour and PWD departments, registered contractors of PWD and Muster Rolls. In her inaugural address, Dr. Lyngdoh said the Labour Department has introduced the Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Scheme for the benefit of registered construction workers to provide for health and other welfare measures. Dr. Lyngdoh urged the muster rolls of Works Department and other construction workers involved in building and construction works to come forward and register themselves with the Labour Department to avail the various benefits provided under the Scheme. The Minister also enlightened about the benefits of the Welfare Scheme which includes maternity benefit, welfare pension, disability pension, funeral assistance, death benefit, medical assistance to beneficiaries, scholarships for children of beneficiaries, financial assistance for marriage of children of beneficiaries, family pension and skill development. During the programme, the Minister also distributed the scholarships to the children of registered workers. State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda also participated in the camp by setting up a help-desk to facilitate the workers to open a Bank Account.

Press Release No. 899/17

ROAD SAFETY ADVOCACY HELD

The Road Safety Advocacy on the theme “Your Safety, secures your family- Be cautious on Roads” was held at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong on 18th August, 2017 wherein Meghalaya Transport Minister, Shri H. D. R. Lyngdoh graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The programme was organised by the Transport Department in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong. Highlighting about the safe monitoring tips and safety measures which contribute to road safety, Shri H. D. R. Lyngdoh asserted that awareness and self discipline can curtail road accidents to a great extent. Shri Lyngdoh urged the officials of Public Works Department to maintain the roads and take precautionary measures to remove hanging boulders on national highways which pose a threat to commuters. He also called upon the Police to intensify its highway patrolling to prevent accidents due to rash and drunken driving. He also added that a good driving etiquette and awareness on traffic rules and road safety measures can make a big difference in saving many a precious lives. He also appealed the citizens to contribute to the safety and security of the people of the region and to spread the message on road safety to others. During the function, the Chief Guest administered the Road Safety Pledge and flagged off the rally of school students carrying placards on Road Safety. Others who spoke on the occasion include Chief Secretary, Shri Y. Tsering, Director General of Police, Dr. S. B. Singh and Additional Chief Secretary, Dr. Shreeranjan. Commissioner & Secretary, Transport Department, Shri T. Dkhar, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shri P. S. Dkhar, Commissioner of Transport, Shri I. W. Ingty, officials from transport and various departments, teachers and school students also attended the function.

Press Release No. 904/17

FIRST MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS ON U TIROT SING MARKET COMPLEX, MAIRANG HELD

A first meeting with stakeholders on U Tirot Sing Market Complex was held at the Office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (C), Mairang Civil Sub-Division, Mairang on 17thAugust 2017. The meeting was organized by KCRMS – NERCoRMP, Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills District (A Project funded by NEC Shillong). The stakeholders invited were Sordars (Village Administrators) of Mairang Civil Sub-Division, in the presence of Shri M Lyngdoh, Local MLA, Shri Arunkumar Khembavi, DC, West Khasi Hills District, Smt. F M Lakiang, SDO (C), Mairang Civil Sub-Division, Shri Phrestar Syiemlieh, Syiem Hima Nongkhlaw, Shri J Kharkongor, Project Manager, NERCoRMP among others. In the first part of the meeting, Shri J Kharkongor, Project Manager, NERCoRMP gave a presentation of the plan on the construction of U Tirot Sing Market Complex. The presentation showed the scope and capabilities of the model, which showed the salient features of the market complex, that are, the market complex would house 370 shops of different sizes, ramps and elevators esp. for the PWDs, Lighting and CCTVs for security, toilets on all levels, parking space and that the market will be managed by the Office of the Nongkhlaw Syiemship, to name a few. The Project Manager, NERCoRMP also informed that as of now only ¼ of the market will be dismantled and the shopkeepers will be shifted to a nearby space. The expected time for completion of the project is 24 months. The stakeholders were also informed that the total cost for the project is Rs. 12 crores 86 lakhs out of which the cost for civil work is Rs. 9.8 crores. The first instalment received is Rs. 3, 07, 64, 000 crores. The stakeholders were also informed that the tenders will be out in approximately a month’s time. Speaking during the meeting, Shri P Syiemlieh, SyiemHima Nongkhlaw, informed the organizers that a meeting to sensitize the shopkeepers of Mairang market by the Sordars had been conducted and they received a positive response and had the support of the shopkeepers for the project. The discussion, when thrown open for any suggestions or objections, all the stakeholders expressed their unanimous support for the project and had no objection at this point. On a closing note, Smt FM Lakiang, SDO (C), Mairang Civil Sub-Division, expressed her confidence in the support of the stakeholders for the smooth sailing of the project which is for the benefit of the shopkeepers in particular and the people of the Sub-Division as a whole.

Press Release No. 905/17

CM LEADS SOCIAL MOBILIZATION ON HORTICULTURE MISSION

Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma spearheaded the social mobilization campaign on Horticulture Mission and also distributed agar, coconut and drumstick (moringa) saplings to the partners from Betasing and Zikzak C&RD blocks at Ampati and Zikzak in South West Garo Hills on Friday. The social mobilization and sapling distribution programme was also attended by Salmanpara MLA & Government Chief Whip W.D. Sangma, Mahendraganj MLA & Chairperson Meghalaya Resources & Employment Generation Council Dikkanchi D. Shira, Deputy Commissioner C.V.D. Diengdoh, Superintendent of Police Bobby W. Momin, Joint Director of Agriculture, Garo Hills, B. N. War, district officials and officials of Agriculture and Horticulture departments among others. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister said it was necessary to have such social mobilization in order to create awareness and generate support from the masses so that the mission will be successful and the farmers can reap full benefits from the programme. He also said that officials of the programme should have such mobilization and sensitization to the farmers before going ahead with the distribution of saplings in their respective districts and blocks. Highlighting the values and numerous uses of agar and coconut plants, the Chief Minister also said that the programme was aimed at fulfilling the shared objective of creating livelihood opportunities through plantation of high value crops like agar, coconut, bamboo along with black pepper and other plants which would not only give remunerative returns to the farmers that will benefit their future generations but also take care of the adverse effects of environmental degradation. He urged the farmers to take up the plantation of these crops in large numbers because only then would the government be able to tie up with investors to open up factories to create value chain of their products. Regarding the menace of elephants causing destruction to crops and plantations in certain areas of the district, the Chief Minister announced that the government was coming up with a scheme for distribution of citrus plantation which the farmers can plant as a natural fencing to protect their plantations. He also informed about the scheme for plantation of fruit bearing trees, among others, adding that sanction has been given for planting material component to the farmers. He called upon the gathering to propagate the message to the people to promote large scale plantation of aforementioned plants so the state can be known for its greenery and abundance. While the Agar and Coconut saplings were distributed through Agriculture-Horticulture schemes under Horticulture Mission, the distribution of drumstick saplings was part of the Chief Minister’s own initiative to promote plantation of high-value nutritive crops. Government Chief Whip W.D. Sangma, Meghalaya Resources & Employment Generation Council Chairperson Dikkanchi D. Sangma, Deputy Commissioner C.V.D. Diengdoh, District Horticulture Officer, Ampati N. Ch. Sangma and Asstt.Director, Horticulture (Marketing), Purnima K. Sangma were among others who also spoke on the occasion.

Press Release No. 906/17

CM ADMINISTERS SADBHAVANA PLEDGE AT AMPATI

Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma on Friday led the gathering at Ampati in taking the pledge to promote emotional oneness and harmony among all citizens on the occasion of Sadbhavana Divas, 2017 which marks the 73th birth anniversary of Late Rajiv Gandhi the former Prime Minister of India. It may be mentioned that Sadbhavana Divas is observed every year on 20th August to promote national integrity, love, affection and communal harmony among the citizens of India, but since it falls on Sunday this year the day is being observed on August 18 across the country. Addressing the gathering before administering the pledge, the Chief Minister fondly recalled the Late Rajiv Gandhi’s visions of making India a developed country while at the same time promoting goodwill and harmony among the people. In a country like India where we have different social spectrum, there is bound to be conflict if one community have self-centric aspirations without regarding the aspirations of other communities, he said, adding that the scars and pain of a conflict take a long time to heal. Stating that the beauty of diverse country like India lies in its spirit of inclusiveness, the Chief Minister said as global citizens living in a global community we should follow acceptable global norms while pursuing collective or individual aspirations and stressed the need to overcome the barriers of religion, caste, language and belief in the South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner CVD Diengdoh, officials of the district administration and other district officials and citizens from the district joined in taking the Sadbhavana pledge.