Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 441/10

59TH COUNCIL MEETING OF THE NORTH EASTERN COUNCIL HELD

Shillong, September 30, 2010: The 59th North Eastern Council Meeting, which is the 10th Meeting as the statutory Regional Planning Body for the North Eastern Region, was held on September 28, 2010 at the Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi. The Meeting was chaired by the Union Minister of Mines and DoNER and Chairman NEC, Mr. B K Handique.

The meeting was attended by Governors of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, Chief Ministers of Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and senior officials from the North Eastern States.

Mr. Handique in his speech touched upon various issues including the achievements made by NEC since the last meeting in all the sectors of NEC particularly the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the State of Nagaland and NEC for setting up of an Institute for Paramedical. He also said that the overall health infrastructure available in the North Eastern States at tertiary, secondary and primary levels and gaps persisting therein are also being assessed. He reiterated that in tandem with the expectations of the members, NEC would play more proactive role in the development of the region by promoting the capacities in emerging opportunities. Mr. Handique informed that the NEC is in touch with Assam Rifles to facilitate admission in the Assam Rifles Public School for violence-affected poor students of all 8 NE States. To further process the Look East Policy, Mr. Handique informed that the Ministry has arranged the visit of 8 ASEAN Ambassador to Manipur and holding of Youth Exchange Programmes between the North Eastern Youth with the neighbouring countries. It was announced in the meeting that the Ministry of DoNER will be partnering with the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2011.

The youths being the most promising resources, their education and skills is the prime responsibility of the Ministry. To give impetus to the sports talent of the region, it was informed in the meeting that Dr. T. Ao Regional Football Tournament was started by NEC which will be held in all the North Eastern States. The second tournament will be held in Manipur this year.

The NEC has already constituted a working group to identify Transport and Communication Projects for 12th Plan with Member States, line Ministries and Planning Commission.

The Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr. Mukul Sangma brought out the issues of erratic telecommunications. He also assured that land acquisition issues with regard to railway projects will be addressed. Setting up of North East Cultural Form in Dwarka, Delhi is also in the process.

The meeting also discussed at length the process to increase pace of sanctioning projects under NLCPR. Presentations made on Telecommunications, Railway Connectivity, Inland water by Ministries concerned were deliberated upon. Action taken on 58th Council was also presented during the meeting. The Annual plan 2010-11 of the NEC was also passed and new NEC Guidelines approved for implementations.

Press Release No. 444/10

SMIT PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRE INAUGURATED

Shillong, September 30, 2010: Smit Dispensary has been formally upgraded to Primary Health Centre today by Mr. Rowell Lyngdoh, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Incharge Health and Family Welfare amidst the presence of Mr. A. Basaiawmoit local MLA, Mr. D. P. Wahlang, Commissioner and Secretary, Mr. M. R. Synrem and Mr. K.W. Marbaniang, Additional Secretaries Health and Family Welfare, Dr. A. S. Kynjing, Director Health Services MI, Dr. A. K. Das, Director Health Services, MCH &FW and large number of people including the Sordar of the area attended the function held at Smit PHC premises.

Mr. Rowell Lyngdoh while dedicating this Primary Health Centre to the people of the State, said that with the up-gradation of Smit Dispensary to the Public Health Centre would help improve the health care services in the areas. Mr. Lyngdoh informed that under the National Rural Health Mission, the Department has been able to improve health care to the rural areas by strengthening and improving the existing health centre for the benefit of people. He also urged the people of the area to joint hand with the government in implementation of different developmental schemes for the overall development of the State.

Mr. A. Basaiawmoit local MLA in his speech said this Primary Health Centre would fulfill the long-felt need of the people of the area and also urged the medical fraternity and the hospital staff to work with good attitude and dedicate themselves in the service of humanity. He also informed that the PHC is to be run and maintained by the Hospital Management Society and appealed to the people to make best use of it and to contribute towards its maintenance.

Commissioner and Secretary, Health Services Mr. D. P. Wahlang, Director of Health Services MI, Dr. A.S. Kynjing, Sordar, Smit Dorbar Pyllun, Mr. K. M. Syiem also spoke on the occasion.