State scores 100 pc in prison monitoring
Meghalaya is the only state that has shown 100 percent compliance to the standards laid down for appointment of non-official visitors, constitution of board of visitors and their meetings in regard to prison monitoring, shows a report released by an NGO on Tuesday. The report, ‘Looking into Haze’, shows “dismal” condition of prison monitoring and undertrial review committees in the country. “The overall picture of the prison visiting system in the country is dismal, bleak and in need of immediate attention,” stated the report by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, a non-governmental organization. (PTI)
By-poll notice
The district magistrate of West Jaintia Hills has directed all arms holders in Amlarem sub-division to deposit their weapons along with photocopies of licences to respective police stations and outposts. The arms and the licences will be released after the by-poll on December 13.
Summary revision of electoral rolls
The Election Commission of India has notified the dates for summary revision of the final part of electoral rolls relating to service voters with reference to November 1, 2017 as the qualifying date. The Record Offices/Authorities are required to forward duly verified Form 2, 2A, 3 in duplicate along with declarations to the DEOs/CEOs by November 16, preparation of Additional supplement by ERO concerned on the basis of forms received till November 26, from Record Offices/Authorities by November 28, preparation of the drafts of the last parts (mother roll + supplement) of the electoral roll and sending extracts therefrom (in duplicate by the concerned Electoral Registration Officers) to the Record Offices/Authorities for verification by December 5. The final publication of last parts of the electoral rolls on January 10, 2017.
UDP unhappy with traffic restrictions
The UDP is unhappy with the traffic restrictions for Meghalaya Golf 2016 at Golf Link. UDP General Secretary Allantry Franklin Dkhar said the party is surprised to know that the traffic flow from Mawroh to Polo has been closed as it would affect commuters, especially students whose final examinations will start shortly. “We urge the government to ease the situation by finding ways to lift ‘no entry’ during such timings,” he said.
Aadhaar enrolment starts in West GH
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has started enrolling names for issuing unique biometric-enabled numbers, Aadhaar, in three blocks of West Garo Hills on a pilot mode. West Garo Hills DC Pravin Bakshi said on Tuesday the enrolment has started in Tikrikilla, Rongram and Selsella block. While Bakshi said there was no opposition to Aadhaar enrolment in the district the process is slow owing to shortage of manpower. Though the district administration has not set a timeline for the completion of the enrolment it is planning to enlist as many people at the earliest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently sought to know the status of Aadhaar implementation in Meghalaya during a video-conference with Chief Secretary K.S Kropha and the Centre has set December 2017 deadline for 100 percent enrolment in the country.
Separate Garo statehood demand revived
The demand for the creation of a separate Garo state was resumed at a recent gathering organised by the Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC) at Dadenggre here. Appreciating the people of Garo Hills “for keeping the movement alive despite many obstacles”, GHSMC Chairman Nikman Ch Marak said the movement was drawing more support by the day. Reminding the people gathered at the meeting of the achievements of Captain W.A Sangma, whose efforts led to carving out of Meghalaya from Assam, Marak said a Garoland state can also be possible “if people do not let go of their dreams”. Western zone GSU President Rupa M Marak highlighted the need for the creation of a separate state for Garos and recounted several instances of the “State government’s step-motherly treatment meted out to Garo Hills”.
Edu officer in WGH ‘taking bribe’
The sub-division school education officer in Dadenggre, West Garo Hills, is allegedly taking bribe from applicants for the post of contract teachers in primary schools. The Garo Students’ Union (GSU) Western Zone said on Tuesday they got information from aggrieved applicants that the officer was charging up to Rs 30,000 for forwarding applications to the office of the Director of School Education and Literacy in Shillong. The GSU also alleged that if an applicant refused to pay, the application is delayed. This way, many eligible candidates are losing the opportunity to get the 59-day job offer.
