Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 351/22

NORTH EAST WATER CONCLAVE HELD

The Indian Chamber of Commerce today held the North East Water Conclave at the State Convention Centre, Shillong wherein Shri Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, PHE Minister attended the inaugural function as Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Tongkhar stated that water is life and without water survival is impossible, we are blessed to receive water free of cost but we tend to abuse water uses by using it excessively, he said. He urged the gathering to save water at every opportunity and to develop a habit of being a water cultivator and to understand the value of water. Stressing that land near the catchment areas needs to be acquired by the government in order to preserve the water sources and to protect it from other forms of human activities which might pose a big threat to the survival of these water sources.

He also stated that despite the abundant rainfall the state received, it is shocking to note that water cannot penetrate into the soil rather it just flows away to the lower altitude area. An in depth study is also needed relating to this matter in order to find ways and means as to how to contain the rain water which the state is blessed with. The Minister also expressed his concern on the rise of water sources drying up, due to this reason the government schemes needs to be shifted from one source to the other and this creates a lot of delay and inconvenience to the public at large, he added.

Raising concerns on the drying up of check dams and rivers, he urged the gathering to seriously delve into this matter through the conclave because it is the need of the hour to find the reasons as to why this is happening and urged all the stakeholders to work together to ensure that the problems can be tackled and solved at the right time.

Other speakers who spoke included Dr S C Sadhu, Secretary Water Resource Department, Meghalaya, Shri Aankur Patni, Executive Director, Ion Exchange India Ltd, Shri Sourav Daspatnaik, Managing Director, Swachh Environment Private Limited among others. The inaugural function was followed by Plenary Sessions where speakers dwelt at length on the topics Upgradation of water & waste water infrastructure and Leakages in water conveyance lines and storage.

Press Release No. 352/22

MAWLYNNONG VILLAGE BAGS SILVER AWARD AS THE BEST ECO TOURISM DESTINATION IN INDIA

Mawlynnong village which is popularly known as the cleanest village in Asia has added another feather in its cap This time this picturesque village has bagged the Silver Award as the Best Eco Tourism Destination in India. The accolade was conferred to the representatives of Meghalaya government at the glittering Outlook Traveller Awards function 2022 organised in New Delhi recently. The Outlook Traveller Awards is considered the ‘end word’ in terms of quality and competence in the travel and tourism industry.

The awardees were chosen by a team of expert jurors from across the industry and government agencies based on stringent global tourism parameters. The recognitions were handed out by the Union Minister of Tourism and Culture and Development of North eastern Region of India Shri G. Kishan Reddy. Besides Mawlynnong village, another destination of Meghalaya i.e., the famous Shillong to Sohra route was also nominated among the Best Scenic roads in India.

Speaking on the achievement, Meghalaya Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma said that Tourism has the potential to usher progress and promote grass root development. Our government has been working tirelessly for the past 4 years to project Meghalaya as a world class destination for eco tourism. This accolade from a reputed platform like Outlook Traveller is a testimony to this relentless commitment. I am sure, going ahead Meghalaya will emerge as the top eco tourism destination not only in India but the world. Developing world class tourism infrastructure has been a major thrust area of the current Meghalaya Government. The Conrad Sangma Government has earmarked INR 16,00 Cr investment to boost tourism as it has a positive ripple effect across the state’s economy.

Situated in the East Khasi Hills, Mawlynnong village has been consistently rated as one of the top eco tourism destinations in the country besides its tag of being the cleanest village in all of Asia. In 2015, the Central Government recognized Mawlynnong as a role model village for the entire country to emulate.

Press Release No. 353/22

REVIEW MEETING HELD

The Minister, Community and Rural Development Department, Shri. Hamletson Dohling, convened a review meeting with the State Rural Employment Society, a Nodal Agency for implementation of MGNREGA, PMAY G, RGSA, CFP, and other centrally funded schemes on the 26th August, 2022, at the Main Secretariat, Shillong. The review was carried out for two programmes i.e. MGNREGA and PMAY G. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary, C and RD, Shri. T. Lyngwa, IAS, the Mission Director, SRES, Shri. Sibhi Chakravarthy Sadhu, IAS along with the Joint Mission Director, SRES, Kum. Iaraphunlin Diengdoh and officials from SRES.

During the review, the Minister was briefed about the physical and financial performance of both the schemes. In respect of MGNREGA scheme, the Minister was informed about the number of incomplete works and the inability of many blocks to achieve the 60 percent mark for works under NRM. Other parameters such as grievances, convergence with other Departments and programmes, Amrit Sarovar were also reviewed. The Minister also emphasized on the importance of the Area Officer App and instructed that the officials at the Districts and Blocks should commit themselves to serious monitoring of all the projects for proper implementation of the scheme. The Minister also enquired about the pending State share which needs to be released for the smooth implementation of the scheme.

As far as PMAY G scheme is concerned, the Minister was apprised about the adoption of the PDIA method since July 2020 which stressed on the active involvement of all the officials from the State, District & Block including the village authorities and other stakeholders with the sole objective to accelerate the performance in terms of completion of all incomplete houses since the Financial Year 2016 to 17 onwards. This will further enhance the smooth flow of fund from the Ministry of Rural Development to the State. The Minister was also briefed on the number of delayed houses, the efforts as well as the issues involved with regard to procurement of land for all landlessbeneficiaries, convergence with other departments and the technical issues faced by many districts and blocks with regard to the key parameters under Awaas+ Inclusion list for FY 2021 to 22. Taking note on the need to build capacities of officials, the Minister advised the SRES to organize a State Level Workshop for all the Block functionaries particularly the new Block Development Officers and Junior Rural Development Officers in order to boost the overall performance of the State. In conclusion, the Minister congratulated the SRES team who in spite of all the issues and problems faced, have succeeded to show significant progress for both the Schemes and urged the team to strive better.

Press Release No. 354/22

JOINT TEAM CONSTITUTED TO CHECK THE RISE IN PRICES

In view of the rise in prices of essential commodities in and around Tura and the inconvenience caused to pedestrians due to occupation of foot-paths and pavements by the hawkers and vendors in urban area, the district administration conducted a joint inspection of several such areas on 26 August.

According to a circular issued by the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe, a joint team comprising of the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, CEO of Tura Municipal Board, the District Urban Planner, Executive Engineer of PWD Roads and others inspected different locations in Tura to freeup the foot-paths and pavements to make pedestrian friendly and as such, alternative locations will be identified later on which will be notified as vending zones and welfare measures will be taken up for the benefits of the vendors and hawkers.

The circular also stated that after the joint inspection, a meeting was convened at the DRDA Conference Hall which was attended by all the stake-holders and the legal provisions concerning the street vendors also were highlighted. During the meeting, Tura Municipal Board set up a special booth to enroll the hawkers and vendors which witnessed a tremendous participation.

The circular further stated that the matter regarding the rise in prices of essential commodities was also taken up with all the stakeholders and one of the major reasons identified was the illegal collection of money from the traders by certain groups and unethical practices certain cartels. The traders have been requested not to entertain such requests and the joint team urged them to report the matter immediately to the police to end the menace and bring down the rise in prices of essential commodities.