Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 946/17

SPORTSPERSONS FELICITATED

A felicitation ceremony of outstanding sportsperson from the State who have excelled at the National and Regional level competitions was held today at Indoor Sports Hall, Polo Ground, J. N. Complex, Shillong. The programme was organized by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya. Working President, Meghalaya State Olympics Association, Shri John F. Kharshiing graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. While lauding the achievers, Shri Kharshiing said that it is through their sheer determination that they have come out in flying colours. Their achievements have brought pride to the State. He also informed that out of the 206 Olympic countries, India is ranked in 67th position as on 2016. He encouraged the emerging talents to dedicate themselves and to strive hard to reach the pinnacle of success and urged upon the parents to support and motivate their children in their endeavours. The felicitation programme coincides with the birth anniversary of the legendary hockey player of India, Major Dhyand Chand Singh on whose honor the National Sports Day is celebrated on August 29 every year throughout the country. To mark the occasion, the life and achievements of the greatest hockey player of India, Major Dhyand Chand Singh was also screened during the programme. During the programme, a total of 100 sportspersons from 7 sports disciplines who have excelled in both the national and regional competitions were felicitated with cash awards. Director, Social Welfare, Shri H. M. Shangpliang, Director, Sports and Youth Affairs, Smti M. W. Nongbri, District Sports Officers from various Districts, sportspersons, coaches, President and Secretaries of different sports clubs were also present at the function.

Press Release No. 947/17

DC ISSUES DIRECTIVES AND ADVISORIES TO ALL DEPARTMENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS ON ROAD SAFETY

In compliance with the directives of the Supreme Court of India, the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura had issued directives and advisories to all departments and stakeholders for road safety measures as per the Action Plan prepared by the Transport Department, Government of Meghalaya on Road Safety and Security for the welfare of the pedestrians and commuters as well as general public. In view of the formation of Road Safety Committees at various schools and colleges in the district, the District School Education Officer (DSEO) and District Mission Coordinator in charge SSA and Principals of all schools and colleges are directed to constitute committee members in their respective schools and colleges at the earliest. The DSEO is further directed to collaborate with educational institutions to arrange time slots for organizing awareness programs on road safety during various exhibitions and competitions to be held in the schools. Further, the Deputy Commissioner has also instructed the DSEO and SDSEOs to organize quiz, debates, essay writing, poster/sticker campaigns, singing competition, street plays and flash mobs both at the school and college level in all the districts which can be funded from the Chief Minister’s Youth Development Scheme (CMYDS). A 365 day safety campaign would be launched to generate Road Safety awareness among the people and therefore, the District Transport Officer (DTO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tura Municipal Board has been directed to organize awareness programs in Super Market, Ringrey Marketing Hub, Nazing Bazaar and Nakham Bazaar areas of the town. Since two wheelers are involved in 25 per cent of the accidents, the State will focus on bike riders through a special awareness campaign and hence the Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills and District Transport Officer are directed to continue with their mobile courts and random checking of vehicles besides organizing public awareness campaigns. A special “Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign”, “Hazards of Over- Speeding and Drunken Driving” and workshop for taxi operators and drivers will also be organize in partnership with the Transport, Traffic and Police department. In order to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road traffic Victims, the transport department will organize a Candle Light Vigil along with the families of the deceased. The District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) and Superintendent, Tura Civil Hospital has been instructed to follow the guidelines of Good Samaritan which was issued by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways to provide legal protection to bystanders who come to the aid and rescue victims of road accidents and also strengthen the emergency units and trauma care centers’ at the hospital premises and honour those who selflessly help road accident victims. Moreover, the State Legal Services Authority will also organize Legal awareness seminar on different sections of the Law pertaining to the Motor Vehicle Act. In addition to these, the Meghalaya Integrated Information System have been instructed to flash messages and information on road safety on LED Panels while media team from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong will prepare a 60 minute film clipping on Road Safety.

Press Release No. 950/17

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given for general information that all industries including existing packaged water industries/mineral water industries or any firm extracting ground water without proper valid NOC from Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), are hereby directed to obtain proper NOC from Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and to apply online for NOC at http://www.cgwa-noc.gov.in. All firms extracting ground water are also requested to report to the Executive Engineer (W.R.) cum Member Secretary, District Level Committee on Ground Water Resources, East Khasi Hills District, Fruit Garden, Shillong on the above matter. This was informed by the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong.

Press Release No. 951/17

CM MOBILIZES TEA GROWERS FOR ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul M. Sangma informed a single-window clearance has been given recently through the department of Commerce & Industries for expansion of tea factories in the State in order to address the problems of the tea growers due to surplus in supply of fresh tea leaves. The Chief Minister was addressing an impressive gathering of tea growers under the banner of West Garo Hills Tea Farmers’ Federation and other farmers organized by District Horticulture department as part of Agri-Horti Mission at Rongram Horti-Hub near Tura on Tuesday. The programme was organized under the direction of the Chief Minister who had expressed keen desire to meet all the tea growers in one platform to listen to their problems and give them an in depth understanding of the market trends and the need to balance demand and supply and mobilzed the tea growers for organic certification of their products. It may be mentioned here that with the increase in tea plantations in the region and with supply chain becoming surplus, the tea growers have failed to get good returns for their produce in the recent years. As such, the farmers whose livelihood solely depended on their tea plantations are faced with a lot of hardship in maintenance of their plantations as well as their own families. Mobilizing the tea farmers with words of encouragement and motivation, the Chief Minister stressed on the need to generate demand for their products not only within the region but also outside with multiple and innovative ideas. He said that the state would go for organic certification of tea grown in the region under Mission Organic. Towards this end, the department has formulated a scheme to improve the quality of tea training would be given to tea farmers for making natural fertilizers and natural pesticides by using locally available resources, he informed. He, however, said that the move for organic certification should not be done on individual level and called for all farmers to come together as the agenda of the government is to work in partnership with them. He also advised the farmers that instead of depending on tea plantation alone they should go for multiple plantations and urged them to take up plantation of black pepper of Pennyur variety which does not require thick overgrowth and suitable to be grown in tea gardens. The Chief Minister along with other dignitaries also distributed saplings to the tea farmers on the occasion and asked the farmers to take up bamboo, agar and other plantations which would not only fetch them good income but also take care of their future generations. Announcing a special scheme for Tea Tourism through Horticulture, the Chief Minister called upon the department to have entrepreneurship programmes for training farmers to create tea tourism, adding that the responsibility of the department is not only providing saplings, but should also protect the interests of the farmers and take their potentialities to new heights. Local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Noverfield Marak was also present on the occasion and spoke words of encouragement and motivation to the farmers. West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi in his address said that under Agri-Horti Mission it was Government’s initiative to support all kinds of plantations by the farmers. Stating that tea and cashewnut products from Garo Hills have high demand outside the State, he however said that the mantra being marketing, there was need for proper branding and packaging of our products. District Horticulture Officer, Tura, C. K. Marak and President of the Tea Farmers Federation were among others who also spoke on the occasion.