Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 598/06

MREG SCHEME 20006

The Officer on Special Duty to the Government of Meghalaya, Community and Rural Development Department has informed that the Government of Meghalaya has notified the Meghalaya Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MREGS) 2006 and the same was published in the Gazette of Meghalaya, Extraordinary on July 28, 2006.

It maybe mentioned here that the MREGS is to provide livelihood security to the households in rural areas of the notified districts/areas by providing to less than 100days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do skilled and manual work and also create durable assets and strengthen the livelihood resource base of the rural poor. The Scheme is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored schemes on cost sharing basis between the Centre and the State.

Press Release No. 599/06

PRICES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

The Additional Director, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Meghalaya, Shillong has informed that the following are the retail price of essential commodities as on August 07, 2006.

The price per kg of Rice is Rs. 12.00 (Common), Rs. 11.00/Rs.12.00 (Fine) and Rs. 13.00/Rs. 18.00 (Packet Parimal), the price of Atta is Rs. 12.00/Rs 13.00 and Maida is Rs. 14.50/Rs. 15.00 per kg, for Gramdal the price is Rs. 31.00/34.00 per kg, for Tur Dal, the price of Ahar is Rs. 32.00/Rs. 34.00, Rs. 26.00/Rs. 32.00 for Masur and Rs. 44.00/Rs. 54.00 per kg for Moong, for Sugar, the price is Rs. 22.00/Rs. 23.00 per kg, for Mustard Oil, the price is Rs. 58.00/Rs 72.00 per kg, for Vanaspati Oil, the price is Rs. 54.00/Rs. 60.00 per kg, for Tea, the price is Rs. 120.00/170.00 (loose) and Rs. 160.00/Rs. 196.00 (packet) per kg, for Potato, the price is Rs. 07.00/Rs. 11.00 per kg, for Onion, the price is Rs. 08.00/Rs. 13.00 per kg, for Salt, the price is Rs. 07.00/Rs. 09.00 (packet) and Rs. 04.00/Rs. 05.00 per kg (loose), for Gur, the price is Rs. 18.00/Rs 26.00 per kg and for Milk (Toned milk), the price is Rs. 28.00 per litre.

Press Release No. 600/06

DISTRICT VIDEO CONFERENCING CENTRES LAUNCHED

The District Video Conferencing Centres (VCC) in North Eastern States was launched here today, the 7th August, 2006 at NEC Auditorium, Nongrim Hills, by Meghalaya Minister for Information Technology, Mr. R.G. Lyngdoh. There are 450 VCC across the country out of which 92 VCC have been launched today in the North Eastern States. The programme has been implemented by National Informatics Centre (NIC), Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Government of India.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Lyngdoh said that the entire region will be greatly benefited with the launching of Video Conferencing system. He stated that the technology would cut down cost and time, and besides promoting the free flow of information, the service delivery to the common people would be simplified as decision making process through video conferencing system would be made easier. He expressed hope that the NIC would continue to promote the region in the IT sector by providing infrastructural and training support and thus while creating an IT friendly environment, would also generate employment to the youths of the region who are potentially gifted for IT based jobs as BPOs and Call Centres. Mr. Lyngdoh hopes that the IT facility would be fully exploited for the all round development of the state and the entire region as a whole.

The Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, Mr. S.K. Tiwari, speaking on the occasion said that the North East region suffers from locational disadvantages and therefore Information and Communication Technology can play a vital role in the region. He expressed his hope that with the launching of the VCC in the region, the region is one step ahead in a long journey towards digitalization.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Mr. H.V. Lalringa, Secretary, North Eastern Council, Mr. A. Vidya, Joint Secretary & Financial Advisor, Department of Information Technology, Government of India and Dr. B.K. Gairola, Deputy Director General, NIC Headquarters.

The welcome address was offered by Mr. P. Jain, Commissioner & Secretary, Information Technology, Government of Meghalaya. The function was presided over by Dr. Mrs. I.K. Borthakur, Member, NEC.