Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 373/12

COMPONENTS OF THE 20 POINTS PROGRAMME OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

Shillong, September 25, 2012: To deliver a package of basic services for children in the age group of 0-6 years, the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme has been launched by the Government of India in 1975. In Meghalaya, the first project was implemented on experimental basis at Songsak Block in East Garo Hills District. Since then, the Department has come a long way expanding the ICDS in all the 39 C & RD Blocks and 2 Urban ICDS Projects in the State. The packages of services delivered in ICDS in coordination with other departments include Supplementary Nutrition, Immunization, Health Check Up, Referral Services, Nutrition and Health Education and Non-formal pre-school education.

The objectives of the ICDS are to cater to the needs of children between the age group of 0-6 years, like improving their nutritional and health status, laying the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development, reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school drop out, to achieve effective co-ordinated policy and its implementation amongst various departments to promote child development and to enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.

In Meghalaya, all 41 ICDS projects sanctioned by the Government of India are being implemented and out of 3881 anganwadi centres, 3880 are being operationalized including all 1234 mini anganwadi sanctioned by the Centre.

With regard to non-formal Pre-school education conducted in all the Anganwadi Centres, which is one of the important components of the ICDS Scheme, the Department is making effort to strengthen the linkages with primary school at the village level to coordinate the implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme under the Education Department to prepare the children for entrance to class one level. At present, 168917 pre-school children have been enrolled out of which 147908 attended which accounts to 88 percent.

Under ICDS, Supplementary Nutrition Programme is provided to children in the age group of 6 month to 6 years, pregnant and nursing mothers and adolescent girls for 300 days in a year. The foodstuff distributed to the beneficiaries is conventional foodstuff like Bengal gram, groundnut, fortified suji, soyabean, fortified cheera, dried peas, fortified atta and milk. Out of the target of 684433, 504620 have benefitted from the programme.

For monitoring of nutritional status of children between 0-6 years, the Government of India has instructed to adopt WHO Growth Charts and the same is being followed in the State. Out of 151714 children weighed, 115226 have normal weight, 35440 are moderately weight and 1048 severely underweight.

Further, 3648 Anganwadi Centres conducted Nutritional and Health Education wherein 105412 women participated. Till date, health check-up has been done for 81863 (0-3 years), 53821 (3-6 years), 22725 pregnant mothers and 18366 nursing mothers.4395 children have been referred to PHC, 1726 to CHC and 2617 to Sub Centre. 2717 mothers have been referred to PHC, 1067 to CHC and 1790 to Sub-Centre. As part of the Innovative Strategy, motivational and awareness campaigns are being organized in all the ICDS projects with the objective to sensitize grass root level functionaries, community leaders, line department for better convergence.

Press Release No. 374/12

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VAS NGOS SHGS

Shillong, September 25, 2012: Proposal is invited from Voluntary Agencies (VAs)/ Non–Government Organization (NGOs) granted Self Help Groups (SHGs) for consideration of providing financial assistance from the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) of Planning Department, Government of Meghalaya during 2011- 2012, according with the approved guidelines.

Assistance under this scheme for the year 2011-2012 shall include activities like short trainings, short term seminar/workshops.

Interested VAs/ NGOs are to submit their proposals with the details of the schemes and relevant documents to the District Planning Officer, Office of the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District, Nongstoin on or before 18th October 2012.

The application forms will be available in the District Planning Office Nongstoin till 10th October 2012 during office hours.

Press Release No. 375/12

LOK ADALAT TO BE HELD

Shillong, September 25, 2012: The Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority in collaboration with the District Administration West Khasi Hills, District Nongstoin will organize the Lok Adalat at Nongstoin Public School on 13th October, 2012 from 10.00 Am onward.

The purpose of the Lok Adalat is to settle the long pending compoundable cases by way of amicable compromise through appointed conciliators. Notice/ Summons have already been served. All concerned litigants are requested to attend the Lok Adalat.

Press Release No. 376/12

LOOK OUT NOTICE

Shillong, September 25, 2012: The Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills has informed that one Amit Ghosh (42), son of Anil Chandra Ghosh of Madan Laban, Shillong is wanted by the police in connection with Laban PS Case No. 84(09)2012U/S341/326 IPC. The accused is swarthy in complexion, medium built, 5”5’ in height. He speaks Hindi, Assamese, Bengalee.

Any person having knowledge of the whereabouts of the accused is to inform the Officer-in-Charge, Laban PS at 0364-2223168 or i/c Shillong Police Control Room at 0364-2222277.

Press Release No. 377/12

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR CHIEF MINISTER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SCHEME 2011-2012

Shillong, September 25, 2012: The Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai invites application from Registered Organization/Clubs/Educational Institution and Self Help Groups of East and West Jaintia Hills District under the age group of 14-25 years for undertaking activities and programmes like Tourism Festival, Youth Festival, Awareness Programmes, Youth Counseling and career Guidance, Sport Activities, Workshop and Seminars and Exposure Tour within the State under the Chief Minister Youth Development Scheme (2011-2012).

Duly filled applications to be submitted in the office of the Deputy Commissioner (Planning) Jowai on or before 10th October, 2012

Press Release No. 378/12

GRATUITOUS RELIEF RELEASED

Shillong, September 25, 2012: The Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai has informed that an amount of Rs. 9,600 (Rupees Nine thousand six hundred) only has been released to the families affected by cyclone during the year 2012, in different villages under Laskein Development Block, West Jaintia Hills District.