Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 1005/17

RESTRICTION ON MOVEMENT OF TRUCKS

In order to ease traffic congestion in Shillong city during the Durga Puja celebrations, where movement of vehicles and people in large number is expected, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (ER), Meghalaya, Shillong has imposed restrictions on the movement of Trucks from 27th September, 2017 to 1st October, 2017. No Trucks will be allowed to enter Shillong city from 10:00 AM to 12:00 midnight and trucks coming from Jaintia Hills and intending to proceed to Shillong via Sohryngkham will be stopped at Mawryngkneng. However, there will be no restriction on the movement of Trucks towards Ri-Bhoi District via Shillong By-Pass. No Trucks will be allowed to proceed to Shillong via Umiam during the hours of restriction and Trucks coming from West Khasi Hills District towards Shillong will be stopped at Mairang. Trucks coming from Mawsynram, Sohra and Pynursla towards Shillong will be stopped at 7th Mile, Upper Shillong and all Trucks proceeding towards Jaintia Hills should ply through the Shillong By-Pass only.

Press Release No. 1006/17

NOTIFICATION

For public convenience and better administration, the Government of Meghalaya has notified for the creation of a new Police Station at Umsohlait in Ri-Bhoi District to be known as the Umsohlait Police Station. On creation of the Umsohlait Police Station, the areas coming under its jurisdiction shall cease to be under the Umsning Police Station. The villages falling under Umsohlait Police Station are Raitong, Mawtari, Pamlaban, Umsohlait, Lawpyrdah, Pamringet, Umjarain, Mawkhla, Umsynrem, Ingsaw, Jair, Sunidan, Umjapung, Pdeng nongrim, Pamphlang, Mawshunam, Mawpat, Langkhot, Umtyrkhang, Lumniwar, Jokiang, Umjartiang, Mawhati, Sohphoh, Umkra, Umlaiteng, Syntiewmaw, Kremawdar, Iamkhon, Shatklu, Pamrinai, Ksehkynjoin, Umsangu, Kdohhati, Mawdiengngan, Umlatara, Lamalong, Jatah, Shiliang umdoh, Umsohmatan, Umwiehsnier, Mawlaho, Umshiaw, Laitsyiar, Pamlatar and Laiphew Diengngan. Description of boundaries of the Umsohlait Police Station: North: From Korhadem village bordering the Karbi Anglong District of Assam in the east, the boundary runs southward till it reach Lamalong village bordering Assam. From Lamalong village, the boundary runs towards the east of Karbi Anglong District of Assam and turn towards the South West on the Assam border till it reach Mawlasdiang village in the South. East: From Mawlasdiang village on the south, the boundary runs towards the south west following the Umiam river stream till it reach Umshaw and Raitong village in the south. South: From Raitong village on the south, the boundary runs towards the north direction through Umkra village till it reach Umkei village in the north. West: From Umkei village, the boundary runs to the north east direction till it reach Mawtari Thaiang village on the north. From Umtari village, the boundary runs towards the north east direction till it reaches Umtyrkhang village. From Umtyrkhang village, the boundary runs towards the north east direction till it reach Korhadem village.

Press Release No. 1008/17

RENEWAL OF FACTORY LICENCES

The Chief Inspector of Boilers and Factories, Meghalaya, Shillong has informed all factory occupiers that annual renewal of licences is mandatory under the Factories Acts & Rules. Hence, it is requested that renewal of factory licence for the year 2018 be made on or before the 31st October, 2017 for the current year, failing which a 25 percent late fee would be imposed. Further, occupier of an unregistered factory running a unit that falls under the definition of ‘Factory’ under the Factories Act, are hereby directed to apply for registration and licensing to run the unit without fail by the 15th December, 2017, failing which legal action as prescribed by the Act will be initiated. Any further clarification/forms on the matter may be obtained from the Office of the Chief Inspector of Boilers and Factories, Meghalaya, Shillong.

Press Release No. 1009/17

NOTICE

The District Magistrate, West Garo Hills, Tura has prohibited the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to any person who is under eighteen years of age, at the market place and in an area within a radius of one hundred yards of any educational institution and vendors and shopkeepers where tobacco products are sold, shall display a notice containing the warning “Sale of Cigarettes and other tobacco products to a person under the age of eighteen years is strictly prohibited and is a punishable offence”. The order has been issued in view of the violation of section 6 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COPTA), which prohibits the sale of tobacco products to minors, that is below 18 years of age. Any person who contravenes the provisions of section 6 shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall be punishable with fine.

Press Release No. 1010/17

COMPLIANCE OF NORMS AND GUIDELINES FIXED BY PESO

In compliance with the emission norms and guidelines fixed by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) with respect to fireworks imported or manufactured in the country, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills has directed all manufacturers to ensure that the firecrackers are within the limits prescribed with respect to the chemical formulae specifying proportion/composition as well as the maximum permissible weight of every chemical used and other parameters, so as to satisfy the requirement issued by the Ministry of Environment & Forests under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and also comply with the directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. It may be mentioned that the Government of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests in its notification, has prohibited manufacture, sale or use of firecrackers generating noise level exceeding 125 dB (AI) or 145 (C) pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting and for individual firecracker constituting the series (joined firecrackers), the limit mentioned be reduced by 5 log 10(N) dB, where N is equal to the number of crackers joined together. To this effect, the Government has entrusted Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) to prescribe the chemical formulae for 4 types of commonly used sound producing crackers, namely, Atom Bomb, Chinese Crackers, Maroons and Garland Crackers specifying the proportion/composition as well as maximum permissible weight of every chemical used in the manufacture of said firecrackers. The chemical formula along with other parameters in respect of the above mentioned firecrackers is also hosted in PESO’s website http://peso.gov.in for information of all concerned.

Press Release No. 1011/17

103RD AMRIT PHARMACY SET UP IN CIVIL HOSPITAL SHILLONG

Meghalaya got its first Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (Amrit) Pharmacy at Civil Hospital, Shillong. Inaugurated by the Meghalaya Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Smti. Roshan Warjri, this 103rd Amrit Pharmacy in the country will provide life-saving drugs at heavily discounted rates for the benefit of the weaker sections of society. Speaking at the function held at the Civil Hospital premises, Shillong, the Minister lauded the initiative taken by the Government of India to facilitate the setting up of Amrit pharmacy in the State run hospital where patients from the weaker section of society can afford to buy medicines at a highly subsidized rate. Stating that a significant number of patients stop visiting hospitals after two or three cycles of treatment due to unaffordable costs of medicines, the Minister hoped that this pharmacy will serve its purpose for the people of the State. She expressed happiness that besides cancer and cardio-vascular medicines and implants, the pharmacy will also provide medicines for other diseases as well which will be a blessing to the people of the State. She also informed that the Amrit Pharmacy outlets will also be set up at Ganesh Das Maternal and Child Health Hospital and other government hospitals in the State. Mission Director NHM cum Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, Shri. H M Shangpliang, in his speech informed that the Government is committed to provide quality and affordable health care to the people of the State. Therefore, the Government is in the process to link Amrit Pharmacy with the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MIHS) so that people can get maximum benefit from the pharmacy. Additional Chief Secretary Meghalaya incharge Health and Family Welfare Department, Shri P W Ingty expressed happiness that the pharmacy is being set up in the Civil Hospital and hoped that it will serve a very useful purpose in the years to come. It may be mentioned that the Government of India owned HLL Lifecare Ltd (HLL) will establish and run AMRIT pharmacy, which will sell both drugs and implants at significant discount on market rates, based on authentic prescriptions from doctors. “The Government of India is committed to reduce the expensive treatment to people by providing quality and affordable medicines. Besides medicines for cancer and cardio-vascular diseases, the pharmacy will also will dispense medicines for other diseases as well as per requirement of the hospital”, said Regional Manager HLL, East India, Smti. Rupa Chakraborty.

Press Release No. 1012/17

DIGITAL FINANCIAL LITERACY CAMP AT KYNROH COMMUNITY HALL, MAWTHUNGKPER VILLAGE

Financial Literacy Centre, Nongstoin conducted today a Digital Financial Literacy Camp at Kynroh Community Hall, Kynroh, Mawthungper Village in West Khasi Hill District. The purpose of the camp was for imparting knowledge to enable financial planning, inculcate saving habits and improve the understanding of financial products leading to effective use of financial services by the common man. The Camp was attended by Shri Rajiv Sharma, Chief Manager (CSCM), RBO, Shillong Rural and 30 Villages Headmen and Secretary of the adjoining villages. Chief Manager & LDM, SBI Lead Bank Office and his FLC Team led the presentation in the Literacy Camp. It was conducted as per RBI guidelines using standardized financial literacy material of RBI, covering the topics on KYC, Exercise Credit Discipline, Go digital using *99#,Go digital on the UPI platform and Grievances redressers system. The counselors also covered PMJDY Schemes and Prime Minister Social Security Schemes in details to enlighten the general public. More emphasis was made by the team on PMSBY, PMJJBY & APY. The facilitator of the Camp, Sunjuk Nongsynshar Shnong Lai Lyngdoh Area (SNSLLA) appealed to the State Bank of India Officials for setting up of bank branch at Kynroh , for the benefits of 30 villages adjoining to Mawthungkper village.

Press Release No. 1013/17

MARKETING CONCLAVE FOR GH FARMERS, ENTREPRENEURS HELD AT AMPATI

Multitudes of farmers and entrepreneurs from all over Garo Hills on 21st last gathered at the Marketing Conclave held at Ampati Multi Facility Centre near here. The Conclave, an initiative of the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) and organized by the Basin Development Unit (BDU), Ampati, aimed at creating awareness on marketing of agricultural products and value addition. The objective of the conclave was to help farmers including entrepreneurs understand the concept of commodity market dynamics and thereby enable them to significantly enhance the value of their produces through branding and other creditable practices. Resource persons for the conclave included Rajesh Patidar, Vice President, Agriwatch, New Delhi, Biplab Sarma, Commodity Analyst, Agriwatch, New Delhi and Dr Abhigyan Bhattacharjee, Associate Professor, NEHU amongst others. During the conclave a panel discussions on market infrastructure besides marketing of agri products and value addition was held followed by a presentation on agriculture markets in Garo Hills. Commodity trading on spices was also addressed during the gathering. Other than farmers participants during the conclave included representatives from the GHADC, DCIC, Horticulture department, North East Green Tech Private Limited, APEDA, Organic Majuli, Mission Organic and the Forestry departments.

Addressing the gathering during the inaugural session, South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner and Chairman, IBDLP, Cyril Darlong Diengdoh said that the district administration was always looking out for opportunities for farmers in terms of creating more profitable markets. He said that the state being primarily an agrarian society it was imperative to understand our natural capital and resources. He opined that as the indigenous farmers of the region only practiced organic farming they could brand their products as organic and increase their value significantly. Speaking further on value addition the Deputy Commissioner said that the products of the region like cashew, black pepper, pineapples etc were already on high demand and therefore it was only up to the farmers to realize the best value of their produces. Stating that the region had huge potential for agro based tourism Diengdoh urged Self Help Groups to engage in small but high value based products. Also speaking on the occasion, Director MBDA & MBMA, Daniel Ingty urged the farmers to come together and join hands in promoting their produces to secure more profitable marketing prospects. We need to recognize our strengths in organic agriculture and market it, Ingty said and added that farmers needed to target identified products such as black pepper, arecanut etc and brand it for significant returns in the market.