GHADC depts asked to submit status report on central fund
TURA: Boston Ch Marak, the newly elected CEM of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), said there were complaints about misuse of the central Special Assistance that the council received recently.The issue was raised during a meeting held between MDCs and all the departments of the GHADC in which heads of concerned departments were directed to present the status report of utilisation of the fund within seven days.It was also decided that after a report is placed before the office of the CEM, a committee will be constituted to study and submit the action plan report.
Coal labourers arrested, explosives seized
SHILLONG: Seven labourers were arrested and explosives were seized from their possession in East Jaintia Hills on Thursday. The labourers have been identified as Hame Manner (19), Robert Dhar (24), Pdianglang Suiam (23), Md. Joynal Abedin (42), Md. Motiar Rahman (40), Md. Sahidur Islam (32) and Md. Jakir Hussain (35). The magistrate and a team of district police arrested the men for illegally extracting coal from a quarry belonging to a local lady, who has been identified as ‘Hun of Mookhain village’. The police recovered 307 gelatin sticks and 290 electronic detonators.
BSF seizes cattle worth Rs 9 lakh
Shillong: The BSF troops deployed at Nayabazar, Patharghat and Tuka (East Khasi Hills district) Meghalaya foiled the forced attempt of smugglers and prevented 51 cattle worth more than Rs 9 lakhs while being smuggled to Bangladesh. Similarly in other incidents, the BSF troops deployed at Gopinathkilla & Gujangpara in South West Garo Hills and Ganganagar district in West Khasi Hills seized 16 cattle while being smuggled to Bangladesh. The BSF has issued operational guidelines to strengthen border domination so as to put check on the menace of smuggling and activities of anti-national elements. On the other hand, P K Dubey, Inspector General has asked troops and field commanders to maintain extra vigil on the border. All the seized items were handed over to the concerned department for further legal action.
One-day strike by BSNL employees held
SHILLONG: The officers and workers of BSNL on Thursday held a one-day strike, demanding wage revision. The convener P Abhimanyu said that the next round of wage revision has become due for the entire public sector employees from January 1, 2017 and the government formed the 3rd Pay Revision Committee (3Td PRC), headed by justice Satish Handra (retired) for this purpose. The Committee has already submitted it’s report and it was approved by the Union Cabinet on July 19 and as per the “Affordability Clause” of the recommendations, only such of those Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) which have earned profit during the last 3 financial years are eligible to give wage revision to their employees. “Since the employees of BSNL are not eligible for wage revision as per the recommendations of the 3rd PRC, the unions and associations of BSNL have demanded exemption from the “Affordability Clause” of BSNL. They have made it clear to the government that, BSNL became a loss making entity not because of the employees but because of the anti-BSNL policies and measures adopted by the government. BSNL was not allowed to procure equipments for it’s mobile network expansion from 2006 to 2012. The tenders floated by BSNL to procure mobile equipments, were cancelled one after another by the government, to benefit the private telecom companies,” he said.
CRPF celebrates 78th Raising Day
Shillong: The Central Reserve Police Force celebrated its 78th Raising Day on Thursday at the North-Eastern Sector Headquarter, CRPF, Shillong in the presence of all officers and men. Madan Kumar, DIGP addressed the ceremony and conveyed his heartiest congratulations to all officers, men and their families and wished for their bright and successful future. Appreciating the 78 years achievements of the force, Madan Kumar said that because of its dedication and exceptional work CRPF has become the best force of Union of India today to maintain internal security. The unconditional loyalty of the force is also being appreciated by the country and there is no doubt that CRPF will continue to tackle the challenges courageously with same dedication and devotion. DIGP, CRPF also exhorted the officers and men to rededicate themselves in the nation building exercise.
Consumer awareness programme held
Mawkyrwat: The office of the Deputy Commissioner (Supply) of South West Khasi Hills organised a consumer awareness programme in the community hall here to mark World Consumer Rights Day on Thursday. Deputy Commissioner R. Lyngdoh said the programme was organised to sensitise consumers through folk songs and skit. While stressing on the need for keeping themselves alert, especially at this point where Goods and Services Tax have been implemented, Lyngdoh said it is their duty to insist on bills whenever they buy things so as to prevent traders from charging beyond the manufactured rate.
USTM remembers Kalam on second death anniversary
Shillong: On the occasion of the second death anniversary of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the University of Science & Technology (USTM), Meghalaya and Regional Institute of Science & Technology (RIST) remembered him in an assembly organised under the roof of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Block, an academic building of USTM dedicated in the memory of Kalam. Hundreds of students, faculty members and high officials of both RIST and USTM paid homage to the Missile Man of India on this occasion. To commemorate the great contribution of the missile man of India and to carry forward the legacy of Dr Kalam, USTM had decided to host Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture every year and accordingly the first memorial lecture was hosted on September 17, 2016 at USTM Campus. The speaker on the first memorial lecture was no other than a man from the heart of scientific research and innovation ISRO Chairman, A S Kiran Kumar who is keen to continue with the legacy of Dr. Kalam’s Vision 2020. The second Memorial lecture will be delivered by Prof. Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas, Director, Babha Atomic Research Centre Mumbai (BARC) to be held in the month of September 2017 at USTM on the topic Nuclear Power and Society at Techno city campus.
List of PMAY-G beneficiaries out in Ri Bhoi
Nongpoh: The Project Director of the Rural Development Agency in Ri Bhoi said the priority list under PMAY-G has been completed and put on display at Umsning, Jirang, Umling and Bhoirymbong C&RD Block. The beneficiaries of the scheme may check the list from their respective block and those whose names were deleted may submit their comments to the office of the Project Director on or before August 4.
24th District Level Exhibition held at Nongpoh
NONGPOH: The two-day 24th District Level Industrial Exhibition here kicked off at the office compound of the District Commerce & Industries Centre on Thursday.
The exhibition, organised by the office of the Ri Bhoi District Commerce and Industries Centre General Manager, has 32 stalls where various government departments, NGOs and self-help groups are showcasing products like handicrafts, musical instruments, processed food, agriculture machineries and handloom products.
Director of Commerce and Industries Meghalaya N. Suting said, “The exhibition is part of the yearly Action Plan of the Centre and its motive is to enable participants to meet and interact with each other and also take efforts to learn from other entrepreneurs. It is also an opportunity for local artisans, craftsmen and entrepreneurs to showcase their skills.”He urged the participants to disseminate the information and also encourage others to start self-employment. The exhibition was inaugurated by Suting.
Three-day Sci-Connect programme
Shillong: A three-day Sci-Connect (Level-II) programme was organised by the State Council of Science, Technology & Environment, Meghalaya in collaboration with Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi at State Central Library from July 25-27. The main objective of the programme was to sensitise young children in upper primary to secondary levels about science in daily life. The programme concluded with 7 schools from different parts of the State were selected for Level 1. The quiz was conducted in the areas of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, General Knowledge, Environment etc. Prizes was awarded to the first three winners in which, the first prize was awarded to JNV, South-West Garo Hills, Second prize was awarded to a group combination of students from KV Tura, JNV Mawphlang and Anderson Nongstoin and the third prize was awarded to KV NEHU Shillong.
Seminar on Tagore organised
SHILLONG: The Philosophy Department of St Anthony’s College on Tuesday organised a seminar on the philosophical work of Rabindranath Tagore at College Conference Hall. Addressing a gathering at the function, Ananya Guha, regional director of IGNOU Shillong, said, “Tagore did believe in various levels of consciousness of a human being — man as a biological entity, man as a rational spirit and man as a creative energy.” Malavika Bisharad spoke about Tagore’s three visits to Shillong and present situation of the houses he stayed and called for the need to preserve the Bard’s heritage. The programme was organised with an aim to make students aware of Tagore and his works.
Woman abducted
SHILLONG: On July 15, one Thilda Dkhar from Khliehriat East lodged a complaint that her daughter Bimla Dkhar (30) left her residence along with her son to visit her younger sister at Kalain. However on July 25, she received a phone call from her daughter informing that one unidentified person had abducted her and took her towards Bangladesh. Attempts were made to contact East Jaintia Hills but they did not respond.
Five injured in separate accidents
SHILLONG: Several cases of vehicles knocking down people has been reported in the city. On July 26, one unknown local taxi knocked down one pedestrian Tiplon Kurbah (38) at Upper Shillong. The victim sustained injuries and was admitted to Civil Hospital Shillong. On the same day, one Honda car (ML-05L-1718) driven by Sudip Biswa (35), knocked down one pedestrian Kloris Mukhim (30) at Umling (Ri Bhoi). The victim sustained injuries and was admitted to Civil Hospital Shillong. In another incident on July 24, one Maruti van (ML-05P-3547) driven by Pinku Paul (32), knocked down one pedestrian viz., Jung Bh. Sunar (56 yrs) at Luckier Road. The victim sustained injuries and was admitted in the hospital. On Thursday, two persons were injured when their two-wheeler collided with a hatchback near the taxi stand at Pohkseh. The bike (ML05 E 9778) was coming from Rynjah and collided with the WagonR (ML05 L 1325) that came from the side of Children’s Hospital. The two victims have been identified as Wanskhem Myrboh (17) and Jakson Myrboh (16), both from Mawlynrei. The 108 Ambulance from Laitumkhrah helped in transferring the victims to Bethany Hospital.
Anti-Human Trafficking Day
Shillong: ‘Free Trade’ a play on Human Trafficking and Rescue by Dr Naomi Bhuyan is going to be held on July 29 at 2.30.p.m. in M.U.D.A. Shopping Complex and on July 31 at 2 p.m.in Youth Hostel. This is in collaboration with Impulse N.G.O. Network. Students from nine colleges will perform for World Anti Human Trafficking Day to spread awareness about this serious issue.
Attempt to take away file foiled
SHILLONG: On July 24, T.N Sangma, Superintendent of Taxes, Tura Circle lodged a complaint that one unidentified person attempted to forcibly take away the office record of one Prem Ranjan Gupta, proprietor of M/s Kailashram Kedarnath, Tura Bazar (WGH), while the chowkidar of the office was cleaning the office. The file was recovered, however, the unidentified person managed to flee.