Shangpliang addressed MHIS meet, claims Lawbah body
SHILLONG: With criticism continuing over Government official H M Shangpliang attending the Congress meeting on July 8 in at Lawbah in Mawsyrnam, the office of All Mawsynram Development Council (AMDC), Lawbah Unit claimed that Shangpliang, Secretary Health and CEO of MHIS-III was addressing the gathering on MHIS-III to allay the confusion associated with the scheme. In a statement, the AMDC stated that Shangpliang had encouraged the volunteers of AMDC, who are working to create awareness of Government schemes, as people are apprehensive of getting themselves photographed for the MHIS-III enrolment. The AMDC said that it was to clear the apprehension of the public regarding the scheme that it roped in Shangpliang.The organization said that the allegation against the bureaucrat is baseless.
Cong welcomes SC decision on cow slaughter
SHILLONG: The state Congress has hailed the Supreme Court decision to put a three-month stay order on the Union Government’s May 23 notification banning the sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter.Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma said that the Congress welcomes the SC decision and the party will fight the “communal agenda” of the BJP.
Jugalis stage protest
SHILLONG: The qualified jugalis (helpers) staged a demonstration at the Additional Secretariat parking lot on Thursday in protest against the State Government’s delay in issuing appointment letters to them. Over 466 qualified jugalis are yet to get appointment letters from the MeECL despite an assurance in this regard. The jugalis, supported by the KHNAM youth wing, launched a two-day agitation on Thursday and have decided to adopt a resolution on the matter on Friday. Speaking to reporters KHNAM youth wing president Thomas Passah said, “The resolution will be taken tomorrow when all candidates from across Meghalaya will arrive at the venue at Additional parking lot.”He added that last month (June) when they held a rally, the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) secretary, Debojit Warjri, assured them that the appointment letters would be issued to them but till date nothing has been done. “We did not get the opportunity to meet the Power Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar or Chief Minister Mukul Sangma,” he said.Passah expressed concern that the merit list of the selected candidates will lapse on August 2. The appointments were supoosed to be done in phases- 336 appointments under phase-I and 233 each for phases II and III.Passah said that appointment of jugalis under Phase II and Phase III is still pending.
People’s forum appeals CM to handover hydro project to NEEPCO
SHILLONG: The Mawthadraishan People Development Forum (MPDF) has petitioned the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Power Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar to handover the Khri Synia Hydro Electric Project to NEEPCO to expedite the implementation of the project. In a press statement, MPDF said that it has also petitioned the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Piyush Goyal. President, of MPDF, PS Marshilong asserted that the projects carried out by the state government and the private company does not see the light of day and hence the organisation has urged the state government to handover the Hydro project to NEEPCO. He went on saying that the people of the region will welcome NEEPCO and oppose private companies who desire to implement the project.
Three coal trucks seized in JH
JOWAI: Three trucks carrying coal illegally were detained in West Jaintia Hills late on Wednesday night. All the three vehicles had registration numbers of Assam. The drivers — Prem Mizar, Biru Mizar and Hari Subba — in their statement said the coal belonged to Sunshine Lamare of Sutnga village in East Jaintia Hills, which he had extracted illegally from mines against the prevailing NGT ban.
Rally against drug abuse
SHILLONG: The office of the District Social Welfare Officer, East Khasi Hills, will observe the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on July 14 at Madanrting Community Hall from 11 am. School students will take out a rally at 9 am from Madanrting Police Station to the Community Hall. Meena Kharkongor, chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights will be the chief guest.
BSNL staff hunger strike over wage and pension revision
SHILLONG: BSNL employees staged a one-day hunger strike on Thursday demanding wage and pension revision with effect from January 1, 2017, for both executives and non-executives.The protesters — all members of the forum of BSNL associations of non-executive and executive staff, North East-I circle here and BSNL Employees Union (BSNLEU) will go on a strike on July 27 to press for their demand. The forum also demanded that pension contribution be calculated on actual pay and 30 per cent superannuation benefits to the Directly Recruited Employees of BSNL be implemented. There was also a demand to withdraw the Corporate Office letter dated May 8 banning all trade union activities in BSNL.The BSNL employees are irked at the policies of the NDA government which, according to them, is resorting to large-scale demolition of public sector undertakings. The BSNL Employees Union has asserted that it is the government’s anti-BSNL policies which are leading to the downfall of the loss-making BSNL.Calling upon a united stand of all the executives and non-executives, the BSNL employees said that the Narendra Modi government has resolved to destroy PSUs and cannot be expected to grant wage revision.The Union asserted that BSNL is running on loss from 2009-10 making the employees not eligible for wage revision, as per the recommendations of the 3rd Pay Revision Committee.
Programme on manufacturing of herbal cosmetics held
AMPATI: Hundreds of trained entrepreneurs gathered on Thursday at the facilitation programme for manufacturing of herbal cosmetics products at Ampati Multi Facility Centre. Initiated by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma the programme is being implemented through the department of commerce and industries under the Integrated Basin Development & Livelihood Promotion programme.It aims at upgrading the skills of trained entrepreneurs through advanced training besides providing production and quality management. Sangma who attended the programme informed that 480 entrepreneurs will be sent for advanced training and production management wherein half will be trained solely in quality soap production while the other half in other herbal cosmetics produces. Emphasising on quality management Sangma said that the government had tied up with agencies for quality control and post production value addition. He added that the Rural Entrepreneurship Centres fitted with production equipments would be set up at different locations to facilitate cottage industries engaged in making herbal produces like soaps, handwash etc.“Proper quality management and adequate advertisement through digital media these produces could become very much sought after in the near future,” the CM said.
Suspension foot bridges inaugurated
AMPATI: Two suspension foot bridges over river Daru at Ampati and Rajarongchu were on Thursday inaugurated by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma. The bridge at Rajarongchu spanning 120 meters and at Ampati spanning 60 meters were sponsored by SIDF under Border Areas Development. Commending the department of Border Areas Development Sangma said that the bridges would benefit the people of the areas. He further added that the completion of the bridges within a given time frame was itself a challenge and reflected the dedication of the concerned officers towards the people of the region. Speaking on the need to uphold traditional customary laws pertaining to A·king land Sangma urged everyone gathered to look back and learn from our ancestors. Land laws given down from generation to generation dictates that a certain portion of the land is kept aside for right of way for the community said Sangma who lamented that the government was facing hurdles implementing schemes due to want of land.
Workshop on gender training held
SHILLONG: Martin Luther Christian University in collaboration with North East Network (NEN), Meghalaya organised a four-day workshop on Gender Training, for the teaching faculty of MLCU at the University’s premises from July 10-13. The resource persons for the workshop were representatives of the “Kriti team” New, a development support and capacity building organisation based in New Delhi that has been working with gender and intersectional ties on social, environment and human rights issues since 1999. The workshop has been organised with the objective to create awareness about gender sensitisation and also for the faculty of the University to realise their role as educationists in bringing in gender parity not just in the University but also in the society. It was designed to include discussions and activities to bring about the various issues concerning gender biasness in our society. The topics included were Demystifying Gender (from Self to Society); Power and relations; Gender division of Labour and Social Worth; Unpacking Masculinity; Gender based Discrimination and Violence; and Engendering Education-Mapping the University. The workshop was inaugurated on July 10 by the Chancellor of the University Dr. Glenn C Kharkongor.
World Population day observed
SHILLONG: The Department of Economics and Department of Zoology of Don Bosco College, Tura, organised a day long program recently on the occasion of World Population day. The program was divided into two parts: an Intra college Poster Competition and an Inter college Quiz Competition on the Theme of World population Day, 2017 – Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations. Students from all streams took part in the poster competition. 3 (Three) best posters were awarded certificate of merit. The inaugural function started with presentation of bouquet to the Quiz Master Viswas Viswam K.C., Principal, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Tura. Dr. Ajanta Deb, Convener of the program, also from department of Economics, delivered her speech on the theme of World Population Day. Rev. Fr. George Plattotham, Rector and Director, also spoke on the occasion followed by the speech of Rev. Father Bivan R. Mukhim, Principal, Don Bosco College, Tura.
School celebrates 55th foundation day
SHILLONG: The Bhanu Bhakta Nepali Secondary School, Nongmensong on Thursday celebrated the 203rd Bhanu Jayanti and the 55th school foundation Day . Speaking on the occasion, local MLA AL Hek said, “Education does not only mean academics but it is to become good citizens of the country”. He urged the students to be god fearing and to believe in doing good to the society. Praising Bhanu Bhakta for his poetry, Hek sad that Bhanu Bhakta gave recognition to Nepali language. He even translated the great epic Ramayana from Sanskrit to Nepali. He further added that students should focus on discipline, behavior and extra co-curricular activities besides making this world a better place for everyone to live. The MLA donated a computer set to the school besides Rs 1lakh for the renovation of the school’s classrooms under SRWP 2016-17.
Dance competition on July 16
SHILLONG: Rabindranath Tagore Club Laban will organise a dance competition on Hindi songs as part of its 10th Inter- Shillong Cultural Meet which will be held on July 16 from 10 am at Bangiya Sahitya Parishad, Jail Road. The club has asked participants to follow strict rules and prohibited slogan or whistling during performance. Music and attire of the participants should be presentable. Derogatory music or attire can lead to disqualification. Contestants have been asked to maintain decorum and not to interact with the judges in any manner, as long as the competition is on. The judges’ decision will be final decision.