MCCL stir for pay today
SHILLONG: The staff of Mawmluh-Cement Corporation Limited (MCCL) will stage a demonstration at Additional Secretariat Parking Lot from 11 am to 4 pm on Thursday. Following a decision in this regard at the general meeting held on Wednesday, the MCCL staff are demanding immediate release of their pending salaries from the state government and the management of MCCL. They decided to go for a hunger strike from 4 pm on Thursday if the state government does not pay heed to their demand.
5-hour load-shedding irks Mawroh residents
SHILLONG: Residents of Mawroh are irked by frequent power cuts in the area for the past several months. A resident of the area said power cuts have become the order of the day in the area and there is no fixed time as to when and why electricity will go off. Other residents said the duration of load-shedding is usually for an hour but in the area power comes back after 4-5 hours and this is more frequent during holidays. Residents also complained that whenever they try to contact MeECL for redressing their grievances, the response is unwelcoming and many times they don’t respond to the calls.
Bimonthly power billing over glitch affects city
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (MePDCL) has informed that due to the temporary disruption caused by a major failure of NERADRP Data Centre in Guwahati since November, the monthly electricity billing of zones 2 to 8 have been affected and bi-monthly bills will be issued for December and January 2019. Affected areas include Motphran, Jaiaw, Mawkhar, Riatsamthiah, Umsohsun, Wahthapbru, Lumdiengjri, Mawlai, Malki, Jingkieng Nongthymmai, Lumsohphoh, Motinagar and Lumpyngad. Slab adjustments and other issues will be addressed later.
Sign language-cum-mock poll training held in Tura
TURA: A one-day training programme on sign language and mock poll demonstration was held at the DRDA Conference Hall in Tura on Wednesday. The programme was organised by the Meghalaya Deaf Association (MDA), in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Government of Meghalaya with an aim to provide accessible election for Persons with Disability in the district. In his address to the gathering, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh said that these exercises are being conducted in connection with the theme of this years’ election – Accessible election – and informed that all possible measures are being taken to ensure that there is no hindrance for them while they come to vote. He also informed that ARO, Polling personnel, BLO and others related to election matters would be given training on sign language. MDA General Secretary Hedingson Syiemlieh said that everyone should learn sign language and understand it for general communication and added that there should not be any discrimination against the hearing impaired. A booklet in Braille was also prepared in Garo language for blind voters by the District Election Office, Tura and Meghalaya Sign Bank.
East Garo Hills gets Rs 22 cr for tourism development
WILLIAMNAGAR: The state government has allocated Rs 22 crore to East Garo Hills for tourism development. The fund is part of the total Rs 100 crore for the state, said Home Minister James Sangma on Wednesday. Sangma, who inaugurated the two-day Simsang Festival at Rongrenggre Higher Secondary School Playground in Williamnagar, sought the support and cooperation of the people in implementing the projects. “With such kind of festivals in the state, the tourism sector is being made to boost up and tourism is one such sector which can solve the problem of unemployment,” Sangma said. Williamnagar MLA Marcuise N Marak who attended the event as the guest of honour sought the cooperation of the people in bringing tourists to the region to witness such kind of festivals. He also informed that the government has sanctioned funds for construction of eco-camps in East Garo Hills to facilitate tourists. This year’s festival will centre on the theme ‘Peace for Prosperity’. During the inauguration, Sangma lauded the organisers for their efforts regarding the preservation of the Simsang river and its catchment areas and in promoting local agri-horti products along with the local talent.
Traditional games and sports, music revived at Nokpante fest
TURA: The demonstration of a variety of long forgotten Garo folk songs and music including traditional games and sports marked the two-day Nokpante festival held recently at Damas (erstwhile Pongsi Pattal) in North Garo Hills District. The festival was inaugurated by GHADC Deputy CEM Dolly K Sangma in the presence of Resubelpara Municipal Board Chairman Sengnab Ch Momin and Chairman of Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) Jim M Sangma along with Kharkutta MLA Rupert M Momin and Bajengdoba MLA Pongseng Marak. During the two day festival, the people were treated to a performance of various Garo folk songs and music. A Dakmanda (wrap around worn by Garo women) and Kotip (turban worn by men) design competition was also conducted. With an aim to revive Garo traditional games and sports, various events like were organised. The dignitaries also handed out blankets donated by the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Depa Sarangma Unit to the poor.
Beti Bachao event held in SWGH
SHILLONG: The Bureau of Outreach and Communication in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Field Outreach Bureau, Tura, organised a programme on ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ (Save Girl Child, Educate Girl Child) at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Mahendraganj, South West Garo Hills on Tuesday. Haihungbe Mpame, field publicity officer, said that coordinated and convergent efforts are needed to ensure survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child and highlighted the objectives of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’. Khrishan Kumar, Department of Social Studies Teacher, JNV also spoke about the importance of the girl child in society. Various activities were held during the programme including a quiz competition. Meanwhile, a programme on ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana’ and other central social welfare schemes was held at Rongsak village in East Garo Hills on Wednesday.