SSA teachers’ salary revised
SHILLONG: All Meghalaya SSA School Teachers’ Association (AMSSASTA) President L Marngar said that SSA should not lose hope regarding the recent announcement by the central government stating that the salaries of SSA teachers in the state would be reduced. Marngar informed that the association had also met the State Project Director (SPD) regarding the matter in which the SPD stated that the reduction in the salaries of all SSA teachers have been implemented in all states and districts in the country. Marngar however said that the AMSSASTA will not allow the government to implement the order unless all arrears have been cleared. Marngar also condemned the Assam government for demolishing the school building constructed at Umwang under the SSA scheme citing that the action was in violation of the Constitution’s Right to Education.
ASHAs begin indefinite strike in protest against pending dues
TURA: The Meghalaya ASHA Workers’ Union on Monday began its indefinite strike in protest against the failure of the concerned authorities to respond to their letter regarding their demands. In its letter to the Director of the Directorate of Health Services, Shillong, the union informed that the indefinite strike would continue until a proposal for ASHA’s State Honorarium is sent from the department to the state government as has been done by other Indian states. Earlier, ASHA workers had written to the Health and Family Welfare Minister informing him that various incentives due to them have been pending. These incentives include the ASHA benefit scheme for 2015-16, Meghalaya Maternity Benefit Scheme for 2012, honorarium for the last one year and both home-based Newborn Care and JSY for the last six months. Back in May this year, the Director of Health Services (MCH & FW) cum Joint Mission Director of NHM, Shillong had directed the DM&HOs of all districts in the state to submit the backlog details due to ASHAs and beneficiaries up to 2017-18 and projections for the FY 2018-19 entitled under two schemes to his office. The official had also directed that immediate steps are to be taken to ensure that all backlogs and incentives due to ASHAs are cleared at the earliest.
Shillong College NSS unit conducts cleaning drive
SHILLONG: The Shillong College unit of the National Service Scheme (NSS) conducted a cleaning drive at Smit market, which is also the adopted village of the unit on August 16. More than 110 volunteers took part in the programme which was jointly supported by the local village authority and members of the Smit Taxi Owners and Driver association. The college will also organise a National Conference on August 23 and 24 at the College Conference Hall under the title ‘NAAC revised accreditation framework: challenges and opportunities with special reference to the North Eastern Region’. The conference is set to provide a forum for intellectuals, academicians, students’ alumni and other stakeholders to deliberate and to discuss about the new methodology of accreditation. The conference also aims to train and prepare the stakeholders to the new system of accreditation. It is expected that this conference would improve higher education in the state.
700 saplings planted at awareness programme
SHILLONG: Around 700 saplings were planted during the programme on planting cherry saplings and awareness on forest conservation was held recently at Ladmawphlang, Sohra, organised by Meehen Infratech, State Forest Department and Lions Club of Shillong. MLA, Gavin Miguel Milliem of Sohra constituency inaugurated the programme. Trees were planted along the stretch of the area. DFO (T), East Khasi Hills, T Wanniang, initiated the programme and also provided saplings. The headman, secretary, principal, staff and students of RKM school and the locals joined hands and volunteered. According to the organisers, during the Cherry Blossom Festival, should be a great attraction for tourists.
Public help sought by police to trace deceased woman’s kin
TURA: North Garo Hills Police are on the lookout for the family of a 25 year old woman from Nongalbibra in South Garo Hills, who died recently at Tura Civil Hospital. According to a release issued by district SP SR Marak, a woman identified as Sapna M Sangma from Patalgittim in Nongalbibra was brought to Mendipathar police station after the sordar of Domeanti village under the same police station informed them that she was wandering aimlessly in their village. The woman was sent for medical examination at Resubelpara CHC where she was briefly admitted and later referred to Tura Civil Hospital. Meanwhile, police were making drastic efforts to track down her relatives but were informed by the police booth at the hospital that the woman had expired on August 17 and that her dead body was being kept at the hospital morgue for identification. Unable to track down her family and relatives, police are urging the public to come forth with any information that might be useful in helping them locate the family of the deceased. Any person who can identify the deceased may contact: 8731960124, 9402396444 and 7005268694.
Famed Garo singer of yesteryear passes away
TURA: One of Garo Hills’ renowned singers of yesteryear whose melodious voice over the All India Radio held many an audience captive passed away in Tura on Sunday. Singer – songwriter Simpu G Momin passed away at 67 after a prolonged illness. She was among the few well known Garo musical pop artists who stormed the musical scene in Garo Hills during the early 1980s and the 90s’. Some of her well known hit singles were Oh ang’ ka’sara na’a, Rebabone Sona, On’kubo Ka’sataikuna, Jarambong wal jatengao, Tangsekgipa samsi and Chanchijachim abachengo.