Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 596/15

COOPERATIVE SUMMIT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NER HELD

Shillong, August 21, 2015: The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma today chaired the inaugural function of the Cooperative Summit for the Development of Cooperatives in North Eastern Region, organised by the National Cooperative Development Cooperation (NCDC) today at the State Convention Centre, Shillong. The function was attended by the Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Cooperation, Shri Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundariya as the Chief Guest and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju as Guest of Honour.

Others who were present at the inaugural session were Shri H D R Lyngdoh, Shri L Ralte and Shri K Jamatia, Ministers of Cooperation of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura respectively, Adviser, Cooperation, Nagaland, Shri I Sangtan, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser to Ministry of Agriculture, Shri Raghav Chandra.

In his address, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma expressed gratitude to NCDC for organizing the summit in Shillong that is befitting to the expectations and aspirations involving the majority of the people. He said that the momentum of cooperative movement in the state has died down over the years therefore having such summits will enable to have an in depth understanding of complexities faced by the cooperative societies that is also related to the unique challenges that the North East Region face. “The idea of strengthening the cooperative movement is to empower the majority of the people who constitute the farming community’, he said. He informed that in Meghalaya there is a need to infuse new enthusiasm amongst people that cooperatives can be another instrument to create sustainable livelihood and Meghalaya Livelihood and Access to Market Projects (LAMP) is designed to create a cluster of cooperative societies by integrating a number of villages to ensure that cooperatives become agencies to create the market linkages for farmers who are being supported with various livelihood options which are on a sustainable basis. The Chief Minister also highlighted a problem of cooperatives not being able to integrate themselves because of lack of support resulting in dislocation of marketing strategy of their cooperative products. “Connectivity through all weather roads, infrastructure and collection centres in a hub and spoke model for ensuring market access is a challenge,” he added. He stressed on the need to further restructure the approaches to see that the cooperative movement becomes an effective instrument to build up successful entrepreneurship model for the people.

Earlier, Shri Kundariya, in his speech, said that the NCDC has an in-depth understanding on the responsibilities of cooperatives in ensuring inclusive growth and socio-economic development in the lives of small and marginal farmers, rural artisans, rural women and weaker sections of society. Towards achieving this end, the NCDC has been providing services to cooperative section in the form of planning, promotion and financing of programmes for infrastructure in rural areas and improving investment in agriculture sector leading to improvement in agricultural production and productivity, remunerative price for the farmers, value addition and promotion of agro based industries, he said. Shri Kundariya also said that the NCDC has included programmes such as Tourism, Hospitality, Transportation, Electricity and Energy, Rural Housing, Hospital, Health Care and Education within its fold so that all round development of the country could be ensured.

Shri Kundariya said that the NCDC has taken several initiatives to remove imbalances by providing liberal assistance and attaching priority to the cooperatives working in cooperatively least and under developed States. One such important initiative is Integrated Cooperative Development Project (ICDP) under which entire district is adopted for the integrated development of cooperatives by using effective contacts and local resources. NCDC has so far implemented this scheme in 300 districts of the country and is looking at possibility of implementing the same in the region. He said that the Government of India, particularly the Agriculture Ministry is giving special attention for agriculture development in North Eastern States as there is a huge potential for development of cooperatives in the region. He hoped that the summit will come out with a concrete and implementable action plan for development of cooperatives in the North East and assured continuous and committed support of the Government of India, particularly the Agriculture Ministry in all such endeavours.

Shri Kiren Rijiju, in his speech, said that Cooperative Movement is a sector which can empower society especially in the context of the NE Region which is geographically bounded by other countries. He said that natural resources and raw materials are found in abundance in the region and we need to develop these resources through cooperatives with financial assistance and support of the Central and State Governments. He also said that the region needs to expand trade relations with neighbouring countries and not confined to our own geographical boundaries so as to raise the standard of living of the rural populace. He expressed confidence that with the NCDC support, the North Eastern Region can be transformed into an economic hub where people can derive direct benefits from trade relations with the neighbours as well as with the rest of the country. He expressed hoped that the NCDC will understanding the ground position of the region in forging ahead with the cooperative movement and to chalk out plans for the welfare of cooperatives.

Shri H. D. R. Lyngdoh, Meghalaya Cooperation Minister in his speech stressed the importance of setting up a Centre of Cooperative Excellence and Skill at Shillong with Central Government assistance in fulfilling the potential of the State and the North Eastern Region in the Cooperative Sector. Shri Lyngdoh elaborated that the Centre will promote and strengthen the cooperative movement, offer intensive capacity building, provide market linkage for cooperative societies including value and chain development and improvement of practical skill of members of different cooperative societies of the State in particular and North Eastern Region in general. Others who spoke on the occasion were Ministers of Cooperation of Mizoram and Tripura, Adviser of Cooperation, Nagaland. Managing Director, NCDC, Smti. Vasudha Mishra delivered the welcome address and while Dy. MD, NCDC offered the vote of thanks.

Press Release No. 598/15

CHIEF MINISTER HOLDS MEETING TO DISCUSS MEGHALAYA BUILDING BYE LAWS

Shillong, 21st Aug 15: Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma today met the delegation led by Ardent Basaiwmoit as a follow up to the meeting held on 6thAugust 2015 with Home Minister, Roshan Warjri who is also the Minister of Urban Affairs on certain issues raised by Ardent Basaiawmoit on the application of Building Bye Laws Regulation to the Greater Shillong master plan area. The delegation consisted of MDCs, Rangbah Shnongs, Headmen and representatives of various NGOs.

Later briefing media persons, Additional Chief Secretary, K S Kropha, informed that the operation of Building Bye Laws will be restricted to areas which are recognized as urban centers as per the 2011 census. He said that the areas which are classified as rural areas as per the 2011 census, Building Bye Laws will not be applicable to those areas as of now. A clarification to this effect by the government will be issued by Tuesday he added. It was also informed that for the areas beyond the urban classification a new and separate legislation will be attempted.

The Additional Chief Secretary also informed that the delegation led by Ardent Basaiawmoit were very receptive to having building regulatory laws that extended to the entire state in the greater safety and interest of the people given the fact that the state lies in earthquake prone zone but the concern was only the Building Bye Laws does not extend to the rural areas which would cause difficulties in terms of getting access to basic amenities like water and electricity. He also said that the existing bye laws require many improvements which will be examined and the government would like to have Building Bye Laws extending to the entire state and the draft legislation will be put up in public domain for suggestions and consultations before it is adopted. He added that the benchmarks and standards for urban and rural areas are different which necessitates the need for having separate bye laws for different areas.