PAC sub-panels formed for better monitoring of schemes
SHILLONG: Speaker Donkupar Roy on Monday constituted two sub-panels of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to ensure proper monitoring of utilisation of government funds while implementing various schemes.
One sub-committee will be for Khasi, Jaintia and Ri Bhoi region and the other for Garo Hills. The first panel has HM Shangpliang as convener and Renikton L Tongkhar, Thomas A Sangma and Nujorki Sungoh as members.
The second panel for Garo Hills as Zenith M Sangma as convener and George B Lyngdoh, Lambor Malngiang, Rakkam A Sangma and Lazarus Sangma as members.
Social body files complaint against local cabs
SHILLONG: An organization called the Global Indian Social Welfare Forum has approached the Commissioner of Transport with a complaint stating that many local taxis in Kench’s Trace office resort to illegal income by charging high fares from the passengers instead of the rates which have been fixed by the government. The forum also said that on many ocassions, passengers would have no choice but to reserve the entire taxi as drivers would not accept passengers and would provide excuses such as traffic jam and school duty. The association also said that the government has turned a blind eye to the problems faced by commuters in the area.
Agricultural education day observed in GH
Tura: The College of Community Science in collaboration with the Central Agricultural University, Tura, observed ‘Agricultural Education Day’ on Monday. Agricultural Education Day is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Indian President and first agriculture minister Dr. Rajendra Prasad. A total of 30 students participated in the essay and art competition. Lakshmi Dhar Hatai, Asstt. Prof. (Agril. Economics) delivered a lecture on ‘Motivating Students towards Agricultural Education’. Puspita Das, College Dean, emphasized on role of community science in value addition and nutritional security aspects for the Northeastern region. The programme concluded with a prize distribution ceremony.
Tyisam festival to be held in Baghmara on Dec 13
TURA: As part of the winter festival which is held every year in Baghmara, the District Administration of South Garo Hills will organise a two-day Tyisam Festival on December 13 and 14. Tyisam, which means ‘A river side’ in Attong dialect, will be held as usual at Simsang Beach Baghmara and the two day programme will include a rock concert, water sports, traditional games and other activities including a baby show. Unlike previous years, new and exciting events such as a talent hunt and a fashion show will be the added to the festival. As part of the Pre-Tyisam festival events like kite flying competitions are also being held and organised jointly by the Baghmara Officer’s Club and Akim Saldora Society, Baghmara.
Burglary attempt at Ampati SBI
TURA: Unidentified persons reportedly broke into the State Bank of India branch in Ampati but failed to take away anything. Bank officials filed a police FIR on Monday morning at Ampati police station stating that when they opened the branch they found that there had been a break in. It was not known when the attempt was made, since the bank had been closed since Saturday evening. The burglars reportedly tried to break open the main door but failed. They then scaled the wall and managed to get inside but could not enter the strong room. A security review of the bank’s strong room revealed that everything was in order. Police have launched an inquiry to identify those behind the failed burglary attempt.
FKJGP meets DC over non-tribal vendors, beggars
SHILLONG: The FKJGP met the East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner on Monday and raised the issue of the increasing number of non-tribal vendors and beggars at Khyndailad. The pressure group demanded that only those vendors and hawkers who have registered with the Shillong Municipal Board will be allowed. It urged the deputy commissioner to take up the matter. According to them, tribal vendors are seasonal prompting them to take up business in the streets due to unemployment. The FKJGP in a press statement alleged that most of the illegal migrants have the habit to harass local pedestrians at Khyndailad and the local vendors.
Govt to organise East Himalayan Expo in city
SHILLONG: The 10th edition of East Himalayan Expo will be organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) with support of the Commerce & Industries Department at SRGT 2nd Ground in Polo, Shillong from December 10 to 17. The expo aims to widen trade horizons and enhance business links in the eastern Himalayan region especially when there is focus of the Government on ‘Act East Policy’. This year, the event is significant as Shillong has been selected as the 100th city under the Centre’s flagship ‘Smart Cities Mission’ and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMURT). The 10th East Himalayan Expo will be one of the largest exhibitions in this region. The exhibition will open from 10 am to 6 pm. There will be no entry fee.
Shullai inaugurates motorable link road in Lumparing
SHILLONG: South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai recently inaugurated the newly constructed link road from Lumsohphoh connecting the turning point of feeder road from the existing PWD Road up to Buddhist Temple at Upper Lumparing sanctioned under the PWD SPA Scheme 2017 at an amount of Rs 13 lakh. H B Wahlang, Rangbah Shnong of Upper Lumparing, and other local leaders lauded the initiative of the MLA for bringing various kinds of development schemes to the locality. Shullai thanked the Dorbar Shnong of Upper Lumparing and the PWD for their help and support in completing the motorable link road, which, he said will be beneficial to the residents of the various localities in Greater Lumparing.The function was attended by the members of the Dorbar Shnong, members of Seng Kynthei, PWD officials and prominent residents of the locality.
Valedictory ceremony on Green Skill Development Prog held
SHILLONG: A valedictory ceremony for students who had completed the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) on ‘environmental laws’ was held at NEHU on Saturday. The GSDP, which kicked off on October 8, was organised by the ENVIS RP Centre, NEHU and is an initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Govt. of India which aims at combating environmental challenges through green skilling the country’s youth. The started off with a welcome speech delivered by D Paul, co-coordinator of ENVIS RP Centre, NEHU who thanked the dignitaries for their support and co-operation. He also emphasised on the importance of the programme and highlighted the initiatives taken up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Editor of The Shillong Times Patricia Mukhim attended the programme as the chief guest and shared her experiences and knowledge on various environmental laws with the participants. Others who spoke on the ocassion were Anuj Kumar Vaksha, Associate Professor, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi and Gautam Saha, Dean, School of Technology, NEHU. Certificates were distributed to ten participants who had successfully completed the course.
UDP selects candidate for Pariong-Mawthadraishan
SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP) Mawthadraishan Circle has proposed the name of Jambor War to contest the 2019 Council elections from Pariong-Mawthadraishan. The decision was taken following a meeting of the general council of the UDP Mawthadraishan Circle on Monday at Kynshi.The name of War will be forwarded to the UDP district and the state levels to get the necessary approval. In his address during the meeting, local MLA and president of UDP Mawthadraishan Circle H Brolding Nongsiej sought the cooperation of the party functionaries and supporters to ensure victory for War. Speaking to reporters, War said he had contested the council by-polls in 2016 securing more than 9000 votes and expressed hope in winning the 2019 Council polls.
Lapang inaugurates Megha-LAMP road in Ri Bhoi
NONGPOH: Chief adviser to the government, DD Lapang, recently inaugurated a motorable road constructed under the Meghalaya Livelihood and Access to Market Project (Megha-LAMP) at Pahamardoloi village in Ri Bhoi District. The 1-km road, constructed at a cost of Rs 32 lakh, will play a vital role in promoting the economy of the area where most of the local populace is engaged in agriculture and farming.Megha-LAMP is one of the projects initiated by the state government to improve the household incomes and quality of life in rural areas. Addressing the function as chief guest, Lapang expressed hope that the road will cater to the needs of the local populace. The inaugural function was attended by former KHADC CEM, CB Syiem, former working president of Ri Bhoi District Congress Committee, Minsing Makri, local headman Vincent Makri and local residents.
Entrepreneurship programme on tuber crops held in WGH
TURA: A Stakeholder Meet and Entrepreneurship Development programme on Tuber Crop Technologies was organised by ICAR-CTCRI in collaboration with NEHU and KVK, West Garo Hills at SMELC Building, Dakopgre in Tura recently. During the programme, a Tuber Crop Exhibition cum ethnic food festival was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the Meghalaya Basin Development Agency (MBDA) Ram Singh where various food products developed by ICAR-CTCRI were also demonstrated to the participants.The stakeholder meeting was inaugurated by NEHU Pro Vice Chancellor G Singaiah. During the meeting ICAR-CTCRI scientists presented various tuber crop technologies with high industrial potential which were later deliberated at the stakeholders’ meeting. The programme was attended by around 100 farmers from various parts of the district.
Celebration day of Civil Defence and Home Guards to be held
TURA: The Deputy Controller, Civil Defence, Tura has informed that the annual day celebration of Civil Defence and Home Guards will be held at Aglanggre Playground in Tura on Thursday. During the celebration, contingents from Border Wing Home Guards Bn, Shillong will display the unison march drill followed by band performances and a civil defence mock drill on disaster management.