Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 715/06

LOK ADALAT HELD

Hundreds of long pending and compounded cases from all over West Garo Hills district were given speedy disposal during the Lok Adalat organized at Don Bosco Secondary School Tura on September 21, 2006. Over 1050 cases were registered in Lok Adalat organized by the Deputy Consumer, West Garo Hills under the aegis of Meghalaya State Legal Service Authority, Shillong.

Inaugurating the Lok Adalat as the Chief Guest MLA of Tura, Mr. Billykid A.Sangma expressed his concern over the way people have to spend whatever they earn going to the court over petty cases and appealed to the District Magistrate and Additional District Magistrates to speedily dispose of the cases even in the regular courts as Lok Adalat is held only once a year. He also urged the lawyers and conciliators to make the litigants understand each others negotiate and settle their cases amicably.

The Joint Secretary, Law Department, Mr. L. M. Sangma briefly highlighted on the SLSA, which was constituted under Meghalaya Legal Services Act 1987 and informed that up till now 37 Lok Adalats have been organized. He also informed that 3, 736 cases have been settled this year through Lok Adalats and stressed the need to hold more and more lok adalats and legal literacy campaigns to settle long pending cases and create more awareness to the people on legal matters.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. P. Sampath Kumar in his welcome address said that this Lok Adalat is meant to facilitate speedy disposal of cases that are compoundable in nature and to bring in a process of reconciliation between the parties in amicable way and to reduce the hardship that litigants face. The DIG, Western Range, Mr. F.D. Sangma, President of Tura Bar Association, Mr. J.R. Marak, Addl. District Magistrate, Mr. A. Ch Marah and Mr. C.N. Sangma also spoke briefly during the inaugural programme.

In Jaintia Hills District, out of 370 cases, 80 cases were settled and disposed off in the Lok Adalat held at Marian Hills Secondary School, Jowai on September 21, 2006. Mr. S. Mulieh, MLS graced the function as the chief guest. The programme organized by the Meghalaya State Legal Service Authority in collaboration with the District Authority, was Chaired over by Mr. F.R.Kharkongor, Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills District.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mulieh lauded the joint efforts of M.S.L.S.A and the District Authority for taking the initiative to organize the Lok Adalat for the benefit of the people. Adding that the main objective of the organizing the Lok Adalat is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society as well as to dispose off huge backlog of pending cases, he urged upon all the conciliators to discharge off their duties with a spirit of responsibility.

Earlier, Mr. F. R. Kharkongor, Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills District gave an introductory speech and welcome address while Mr. F. M. Dpoth, A.D.M proposed the vote of thanks.

Press Release No. 716/06

APL, AAY AND BPL RICE DISTRIBUTED

The Deputy Commissioner (Supply), East Garo Hills District has informed that rice for the month of August 2006 is being distributed to all AAY and BPL card holders for both urban and rural areas at the scale of 35kgs per card holder and at the rate of Rs. 8.81 per kg for AAY and Rs. 6.20 per Kg for BPL rice and Rs. 3.00 per Kg for AAY rice.

S.K. Oil is also being issued for both urban and rural areas at the scale of 5 litres per household and at the rate of Rs. 10.40.

Press Release No. 717/06

EMERGENCY NUMBER INSTALLED

The Deputy Commissioner (Supply), East Garo Hills District has informed that a special four digit number 1077 has been installed in the Control Room of his office. In case of any disasters or emergencies, people may call this number during working hours.

Press Release No. 718/06

BLOOD DONATION

As past of the preparedness programme for major disasters, specially Earthquakes, the Civil Defence Volunteers Blood Donor Group (CDBDG), Tura was been set up in 2005 to provide free blood donation service during such calamities. Headed by the Deputy Commissioner/Controller of Civil Defence, Tura as President and Deputy Controller of Civil Defence as Member Secretary, within a span of one year the organisation has more than 200 registered members and has donated 78 units of blood, not only to the people of Tura but also to the people from different parts of Garo Hills who come for treatment to Tura.

As reported by the Medical and Health Officer i/c Civil Hospital Blood Bank, Tura and Chief Executive Officer, Civil Defence Volunteers Blood Donor Group, Tura, the blood group with R.H. positive is very common, blood group with R.H. negative is very rare. Taking into consideration the difficulties that both patients and physians face when such a blood group is required, an appeal was made to all citizens of Tura with RH negative blood group to enroll themselves to donate blood.

It may be mentioned that the Civil Defence Blood Donation Group, Tura will organize a Free Blood Donation Camp at the Tura Civil Hospital to observe Disaster Reduction Day and Voluntary Blood Donation Day on October 2, 2006. To ensure the success of the camp, the CDBDG has urged upon all government agencies, registered organisation and non-governmental organisation of Tura to participate in the programme.

Press Release No. 719/06

LEGAL LITERACY CAMPAIGN HELD

With the aim of creating awareness among the general public with respect to their rights, a one day Legal Literacy Campaign was held at Maraikaphon Durbar Hall, Sohra on September 22, 2006.

The campaign organized by the Meghalaya State Legal Service Authority (MSLSA) in collaboration with the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (C) was attended by a large crow. The function was presided over the by Mr. B. S. Sohliya, SDO (C).

Members of the MSLSA included Mrs. M. R. Mawlong who presented a lecture on Consumer Protection Act, Mr. W.H.D.Syngkon, and Advocate General on General Awareness, Ms. C.D.Shira on Rights of Women, Mr. B.E.Wahlang on Administration, Mr. K. Basiawmoit on Administration and Mr E.L. Sawian, Vice Principal, St. John Bosco Boys, Sohra on early marriage and other subjects relating to school students.

The function ended with a vote of thanks form the Chair.

Press Release No. 720/06

FIRST RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS INAUGRUATED

The first ever residential school for adolescent girls and school dropouts, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) at Baljek Agal, Jengjal under Rongram Block of West Garo Hills was inaugurated by the Member of Parliament from Tura, Mr. Purno A.Sangma on September 23, 2006.

This residential school is a joint venture of the Government and NGOs under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for girl dropouts with boarding facilities for not only giving elementary education but also to impart training on life skills. It may be mentioned that 120 dropouts girls were identified under SSA Rongram Block Resource Centre for giving bridge courses and out of these 60 bright children were selected for admission to Class V in Jengjal KGBV.

Speaking as the chief guest, Mr. P.Sangma recalled how he too had been a school dropout due to this father’s early demise, adding that there are millions of children in the world who have no access to education. Therefore, he lauded the Government and the Education department for providing this opportunity to educate the underprivileged children of the region.

The State Commissioner and Secretary of Education, Ms. Rebecca Suchiang in her brief address highlighted the various interventions through SSA to universalize elementary education in the Sate. She also said that KGBV is not only meant for adolescent girls but also for older girls who had not been able to complete primary school due to various reasons.

The Bishop of Tura, Rt. Rev G. Mamalaserv, MLA of Dadenggre Mr. E.K.Sangma, local MDC Mr. P.K.Sangma, BDO, Rongram Block, Ms. M.T.Sangma and Secretary KGBV, Baljek Agal were among other who spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, the District SSA, Chairman and Deputy Commissioner Mr. P. Sampath Kumar in his welcome address gave a brief introduction about the KGBV and its objective. Learning materials were also distributed to the newly admitted girls by the chief guest and other dignitaries during the programme.

Press Release No. 721/06

SIP ORGANISED AT BIKKONGGRE

The Department of Information and Public Relations, Tura organized a day long Special Interactive Programme (SIP) in the premises of Bikkonggre Secondary School, under Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division on Thursday, last. The programme was aimed at creating awareness among the villagers about the various developmental schemes of the government and also to bring administration closer to the people.

SDO (Civil), Dadenggre Sub-Division, Mr. W.P. Marak attending the programme as the chief guest, urged upon the villagers to avail the opportunity to learn about the developmental schemes and interact with the officers and Mr. John Lakiang, BDO, Dadenggre Block and Chairperman of the function highlighted the various rural schemes undertaken by the Block.

The Sub-Divisional Medical Officer Dr. A.R.Marak, SI of Schools, Ms. Calvina M. Sangma, block officials, Mr. P. T. Sangma, Ms. S. Sagma were among others who also interacted with the villagers.

Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Tura, Mrs. O.D.Sangma gave a brief introduction on the programme and later during discussions, she also highlighted on the provision of the RTI Act.

The village Nokma, Mr. Nisam Sangma, Headmaster, Bikkingggre Secondary School were among others who spoke on the occasion.

Press Release No. 722/06

DISABILITY MEDICAL CAMP HELD AT BHOILYMBONG

A one day long awareness on Composite Disability Medical Camp was inaugurated by the Meghalaya Governor, Mr. M M Jacob at the Community Health Centre (CHC), Bhoilymbong, Umroi, Ri Bhoi District on September 25, 2006. Mr. Jacob was accompanied by Minister for Health, Mr. E D Marak, Minister for Social Welfare, Mr. M N Mukhim, former Chief Minister, Mr. E K Mawlong, local MDC, Mr. F M Mawphniang, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor, Mr. H Marwein, Director, Health Services, Dr. K H Lakiang and other senior government officials. It may be mentioned that the medical camp is being organized by the Lynti Jam Welfare and Development Association (LJWDA), Nongpoh and SRC and DDRC, Shillong in collaboration with the North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong, District Social Welfare Office, Nongpoh and Khasi Student’s Union (KSU) NKHD, Ri Bhoi District.

In his speech, Mr. Jacob lauded the humanitarian service rendered by the LJWDA for the welfare and the benefit of the disabled people of the area and the District as a whole. He further stated that the existence and coming up of such welfare organisation is the need of the hour in modern India, adding that the noble endeavor rendered by the Association aims at creating an awareness among the people and the public at large. He also hoped that many more voluntary organizations will come forward in helping the suffering people and bringing solace to them, it is through such positive thinking and action that the emotional bonds of the people will get strengthened and in the process this will promote the spirit of national integration, added Mr. Jacob.

Others who spoke on the occasion includes, Minister for Health, Mr. E D Marak, Minister for Social Welfare, Mr. M N Mukhim, former Chief Minister, Mr. E K Mawlong, local MDC, Mr. F M Mawphniang, Dr. E K Singh and Mr. S Swer, president of the LJWDA, while the vote of thanks was proposed by the District Social Welfare Officer, Ro Bhoi District, Nongpoh.

Later, Mr. Jacob distributed the rehabilitation aids and appliance to the disabled persons of Ri Bhoi District.

Press Release No. 723/06

WARNING AGAINST CROSS BORDER TERRORISM

The Deputy Commissioner, East Garo Hills, Williamnagar has informed that the Home Secretary, Government of India, Mr. V K Duggal in his DO letter to the Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya informed that cross border sponsored terrorist outfits, particularly LeT, JeT etc. continue to pursue their agenda of disruptive and destabilizing activities.

The Home Secretary also underlined that their modus operandi is to attack soft targets and the places of National importance, worship centres and our economic and vital infrastructure and also to create a communal divide in the country.

He also informed that these externally sponsored terrorist elements cannot operate without local logistic support. There have also been cases where some of these elements have been able to merge with the local population, stay like ordinary people and provide critical back up to the terrorist elements in carrying their nefarious activities. In this background the general public, the land lord and those wanting to sell their second hand vehicles to adequately sensitize and to thoroughly pre-verify antecedents of the tenants and the buyers of such vehicles respectively before finalizing such transaction.

Press Release No. 724/06

RICE UNDER ANNAPURNA SCHEME

The Deputy Commissioner (Supply), East Khasi Hills, has informed all entitlement card holders under Annapurna Schme that rice will be distributed free of cost at the scale of 10 kgs per card per month through Fair Price Shops.

In Urban Area, rice will be distributed through M/s P. Kharbuli, Mawlai Mawdatbaki for the entire locality of Mawlai, M/s E. Passah, Sunny Hill for Mawprem, Jaiaw and Qualapatty localities, M/s Bela Store, Laban for Laban, Lawsohtun and Lumparing localities, M/s B. Kharsyntiew, Pohkseh for residents of Rynjah, Pohkseh and Umpling, M/s G. Store, Polo for Pynthor, Nongmynsong and Mawpat and M/s Pandit Store, Laitumkhrah for residents of Malki, Nongthymmai and Madanrting.

In Rural Area, rice will be distributed through M/s Sandriana Shangpliang, Mawsynram Pdengshnong for villages under the Mawsynram C & RD Block, M/s Jien Pyngrope, Mawkynrew for villages under the Mawkynrew C & RD Block, M/s Rik Khongthaw, Pynursla for villages under the Pynursla C & RD Block, M/s K. Nongkhlaw, Mylliem Nongbet and M/s S.Nongbsap, Nongsawiing Pdeng for villages under the Mylliem C & RD Block and tagged to the respective F. P. Shop Center, M/s Khring Lamare, Main Road Mawryngkneng for villages under the Mawryngkneng C & RD Block and M/s Lamphrang Lyngdoh, Laitkroh for villages under the Laitkroh C & RD Block.