Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 700/06

REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION HELD

The Union Minister of State, Housing and Poverty Alleviation, Government of India, Kumari Selja inaugurated a one day Regional Conference of Ministers and Secretaries of North Eastern States on Urban Poverty Alleviation at Hotel Polo Towers, Shillong on September 18, 2006. Also present on the occasion were Meghalaya Minister of Urban Affairs etc, Mr. Paul Lyngdoh, Ministers of Urban Development of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, Mr. Nabam Tuki and Mr. Dinesh Prasad Gaola respectively, besides a host of Central and State officials and representatives from Housing and Urban Development Corporation, Building Material Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) and the National Building Construction Corporation.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Kumari Selja informed that the capitals of all seven northeastern states including Sikkim have been identified as one of the 63 Mission Cities under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which aims at planned development of the cities in terms of key urban infrastructure, social housing and basic civic amenities. Under this scheme, the contribution of the Government is 90 p.c. and that of a State Government is the North East is only 10 p.c. While pointing out that the response from several states to JNNURM is overwhelming, the Ministry of Housing and Poverty Alleviation is yet to receive any proposal from the northeastern states, she added. Reiterating the Center’s commitment towards the development of the North East, Kumari Selja said that there is no dearth of funds and thus urged upon the Ministers present to take advantage of the scheme and at the same time ensure that the detailed project reports are prepared as per guidelines so that the projects are appraised and sanctioned at the earliest.

Drawing attention to other schemes of the UPA Government, Kumari Selja stated that the BMPTC has established 10 Technologies Demonstration Centres and 8 Bamboo Mat Production Centres in the State of Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura and Mizoram. Stressing that the centers will create employment opportunities for thousands of workers specially women, she urged upon the State Governments to take advantage of BMTPCs capacity and capabilities in promoting bamboo cost effective technologies. Further, while stressing upon the speedy execution of the Swarna Jayanti Shahan Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY), Kumari Selja also informed that a Task Force on Micro Credit has bee set up to suggest possible strategies and solutions in working out a viable micro credit mechanism for the urban poor.

Earlier, Meghalaya Minister of Urban Affairs etc., Mr. Paul Lyngdoh said that the Urban Poverty Alleviation Programme, which is based on the price index of Asom, has failed to benefit the poor of the other northeastern states including Meghalaya. Regarding the restriction of education qualification for beneficiaries under Urban Employment Programme Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojaan, which has been kept in order to avoid overlapping with the PMRY scheme, Mr. Lyngdoh said the restriction is adversely affecting the progress of urban self employment programme component and the urban poor beneficiaries are deprived of getting the benefits of the same. “The present restriction of eligibility need up to class XI under the scheme is proving to be deterrent for the educated urban poor”, he said.

Mr. Lyngdoh further informed that the State Government is currently implementing National Slum Development Programme, Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana Schemes under 10 p.c. lump sum provision for the development of North Eastern States including Sikkim, National Building Centre programme, Integrated Low Cost Sanitation, National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers.

He also added that the State Government is in the process of preparing a Vision Document and City Development Plan under JNNURM as well as Integrated Housing for Slum Development. Mr. Lyngdoh pointed out the need for an alternate lending policy for housing projects in the North east owing to the different nature of the land tenure system in the region.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Arunachal Pradesh Minister of Urban Development, Mr. Nabam Tuki, Assam Minister of Urban Development Mr. Dinesh Prasad Gaola, Dr. P.K. Mohanty, Joint Secretary (M) Director, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India and Mr. Ranjit Issar, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India.

Press Release No. 701/06

SPECIAL INTERACTIVE PROGRAMME HELD AT WILLIAMNAGAR

A one day Special Interactive Programme (SIP) organized by the office of the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO), East Garo Hills, Williamnagar on the theme “Sustainable and equitable Development” was held on September 16, 2006 at Don Bosco Lower Primary School, Nongchram under the Rongjeng C & R D Block.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, East Garo Hills, Mr. M K Marak grace the occasion as the chief guest.

In his speech, Mr. Marak lauded the effort of the DPRO, Williamnagar for organizing the innovative programme for the benefit of the people in the rural areas. He also urged upon the people to change their mind set and extend co-operation with the Government in implementing various development schemes for their benefit, adding that the beneficiaries should utilize the schemes for the right purpose for their own betterment.

The programme was participate by different Departments which includes Agriculture, Forest, Soil and Water Conservation, Veterinary, Meghalaya Rural Development Society, Health & Sanitation Department, Fisheries, Industries and District Rural Development Agency, where there was also an interaction between the public and the officers of these Department on the various schemes.

The meeting was presided over by the Block Development Officer, Rongjeng C & R D Block, Ms. S B Marak, whereas the introductory speech was delivered by the Assistant Director of Information & Public Relations, Tura, Mrs. O D Sangma. Others who spoke on the occasion included Fr. A Marak and Mr. G S Sangma, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. S L Mawlong, Journalist, Williamnagar.

Earlier, different competitions was held for school students which included Essay writing on the topic “Education is a path for better life” for Upper Primary students and drawing competition for lower primary students. Quiz and musical competition for High School students.

Press Release No. 702/06

SPECIAL INTERACTIVE PROGRAMME HELD AT BAGHMARA

A one day Special Interactive Programme (SIP) organized by the office of the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO), South Garo Hills, Baghmara was held at Dumnikura at Ascention Parish on September 15, 2006 on the theme “Manderangni Namgnina Sorkarini Kamrang” (Activities of the Government for the welfare of the people).

The chief guest on the occasion, Mr. I D Shira, i/c Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills in his speech encouraged the people to come forward and seek the help the Government and also cooperate with the Government in implementing various developmental schemes in the District.

Mrs. B R Marak, District Agriculture Officer, spoke at length on the agriculture and its allied activities and assured the people of necessary help in terms of subsidies and supply of food crops and machineries.

Mr. A M Sangma, BDO, Gasuapara in his speech said the implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI) will help in maintaining transparency and accountability and urged upon the people to derive a maximum benefit through this Act in terms of social and economic development.

Earlier, Mr. F K Marak, DPRO, South Garo Hills, Baghmara in his welcome address informed about the purpose of the programme and its benefits to the rural people.

During the interaction session, the villagers had an opportunity to discuss their problems and grievances with the District officials, who assured them necessary help in the implementation of the various developmental schemes of the Government.

The programme was presided over by Rev. Fr. Jose Evandakandaw, Parish Priest of Ascention Parish, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. W G Momin, Journalist, Baghmara.

Press Release No. 703/06

SPECIAL INTERACTIVE PROGRAMME HELD AT KESAPARA

A one day Special Interactive Programme (SIP) organized by the Department of Information & Public Relations was held at Kesapara Secondary School under the Dalu C & R D Block, West Garo Hills on September 14, 2006.

The programme is aimed at creating awareness to the rural masses on various schemes and projects of the Government and also to bring administration closer to the people. The programme also laid special emphasized on the Right to Information Act, 2005 and Disaster Management.

Executive Member in-charge Taxation, GHADC, Mr. K R Sangma who grace the programme as the chief guest said that the main cause of discontent among villagers was the lack of knowledge about the schemes being taken up by various Departments. He also urged the people of the village to work in close coordination with the Government for the overall development of the area and the district as a whole.

Officers from various Departments which includes the Divisional Officer, Soil & Water Conservation (Cash-Crops), Mr. B M Sangma, Soil and Water Conservation Officer (Territorial), Mr. W A Sangma, Medical & Health Officer, Dr. (Mrs.) M A Sangma, Range Officer, Mr. B A Sangma, Asstt. Plant Protection Officer (Agri), Mrs. V Marak and District Piggery Officer, Dr. A Sangma were among others who spoke on the projects on schemes undertaken by their respective Department.

Block Development Officer, Dalu C & R D Block, Mr. I Ch. Marak chaired the inaugural session and later highlighted on the schemes like the SGSY, IAY, SFMF and the most recent project the Meghalaya Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme under the NREG Act.

Earlier, the Assistant Director, Information & Public Relations, Tura, Mrs. O D Sangma gave a brief introductory speech about the programme and also gave a short talk on the provision of RTI Act and Disaster Management.

Station Director, AIR, Mr. A R Marak and Headmaster, Kesapara School, Mr K Sangma and the village Nokma were among others who also spoke on the occasion.

Press Release No. 704/06

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF MALARIA HELD AT BYRNIHAT

A one-day awareness campaign on prevention and control of malaria and other vector borne diseases was held at Byrnihat PHC, Ri Bhoi District on September 15, 2006. The campaign was organized by the State Programme Officer under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Meghalaya, Shillong.

The Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh, Mr. B Dhar who presided over the function appreciated the organizers for holding the programme in the malaria prone area in which he hoped that the same would benefit the people of the area. He further said that malaria till today is a dreaded disease and urged upon the people to co-operate with the Health Department and follow the guidelines necessitate in combating the disease.

Dr. (Mrs.) N Nongrum, Special Programme Officer and Deputy Director, DHS, Meghalaya in her speech urged upon the people to extend their co-operation and to adopt all measures to prevent and control malaria, adding that the Government spared no pain to protect the people against the disease. She also informed that brain malaria is a dangerous one if not immediately taken care and the government is setting up a project to help those affected person free of cost.

A demonstration in impregnation of bednets and larvivorous fish was also conducted by Dr. H P Gupta, Assistant Research Officer, National Institute of Malaria Research, Sonapur.

Other who spoke on the occasion includes Dr. F Ahmed, Additional DM&HO, Ri Bhoi District, Dr. M F Wahlang, SDMO, local headmen and Dr. M Pdah, Senior Medical and Health Officer, Byrnihat.

Press Release No. 705/06

ANNUAL SOHIONG FRUIT FESTIVAL

The Office of the District Horticulture Officer, Easy Khasi Hills in collaboration with the Directorate of Horticulture will be holding the Annual Sohiong Fruit Festival 2006 on the 21st-22nd September 2006 at the All Saint’s Cathedral Hall. Receipts for exhibits will be on the 21st September 2006 and the show will be open to the public on the 22nd September 2006.

Md. M I Sarkar, Minister of Horticulture, Meghalaya will inaugurate the festival on the 22nd September 2006 at 11.00 AM in the presence of Mr. S Chatterjee IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Meghalaya as the guest of honour.