Meet on Barak-Meghna basin begins at NEHU
SHILLONG: The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in collaboration of North East Hill University (NEHU) on Thursday opened three-day advisory group meeting on the Barak-Meghan basin shared by Bangladesh and India. It is estimated that 14 per cent of the total freshwater fish catch in Bangladesh comes from the wetlands located in the Upper Meghna basin. There are also opportunities for development of navigation and ecotourism, for example the Barak and the Umngot Rivers which have been declared as National Waterways by the Government of India. The meeting was organised under the BRIDGE GBM project of IUCN, which aims to enhance cooperation among countries for the sustainable governance of the shared river basin such as theBarak-Meghna basin. It was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor of NEHU S K Srivastava who highlighted the need for sharing of information and dialogue for the cooperative governance of the shared river basin such as the Meghna basin.
MCCL workers demand release of pending salaries
SHILLONG: Former Sohra MLA Titosstarwell Chyne along with a delegation of Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL) workers met chief minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday and demanded for the release of pending salaries. Speaking to reporters, Chyne said that Sangma had assured them that the pending salaries would be released within a week. “He assured to release the salaries, not the total salaries but some amount of pending salaries of the MCCL staff within 1 week,” Chyne said. It may be mentioned that approximately 300 MCCL staff have not received their salaries. On the other hand, the former MLA also suggested ways for the CM to strengthen the MCCL which is currently facing a number of problems. Some of the suggestions include the appointment of a process engineer, three assistant process engineers, one mechanical expert engineer, three foremen, one quality control engineer and one instrument engineer.
Teachers for uniformity without deficit pattern
SHILLONG: The deficit school teachers of the state have welcomed the decision of the Cabinet to upgrade the existing deficit schools to full-fledged deficit system. At the same time, the teachers urged the government to do away with deficit pattern not only at the secondary level but also at the upper primary level as well to bring uniformity. The teachers hoped that by doing away with the deficit system, the number of categories of schools will be reduced. As decided by the Cabinet, all facilities and allowances of teaching and non-teaching staff of deficit schools will be extended on a par with the deficit school teachers of the state. It is to be noted that the difference between teachers under deficit pattern and deficit system is that teachers under deficit pattern enjoy only the basic pay and DA without any allowances whereas teachers under deficit system enjoy all facilities on a par with government employees.
Training on ‘e-classroom management at NEIGRIHMS
SHILLONG: The Regional Resource Centre, NEIGRIHMS is organising a two-day training programme on ‘e-classroom management’ for nodal officers and technical staff of the medical colleges of the North East in collaboration with ERNET India, New Delhi, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. NEIGRIHMS is the nodal headquarters for telemedicine services for the whole of the North East comprising Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram and Tripura. The training aims at ensuring seamless interlinking of all teaching and training programmes in the North East along with those from other premier medical institutions all over India.
Tura Winter Festival to kick off on January 21
SHILLONG: The West Garo Hills District Administration is gearing up to host the ‘Tura Winter Festival’ which will coincide with the Meghalaya Day celebrations on January 21. The festival will be held at DC Park and will include various cultural activities including a musical evening. The district administration has lined up series of activities for the festival including games and sports, talent hunt, music shows, beauty pageant and live concerts. The much awaited festival will be attended by chief minister Conrad Sangma along with other dignitaries. The inaugural programme will be held on January 24 at Dikki Bandi Stadium followed by the Miss Garo Hills beauty pageant. It may be mentioned that the 9th National Voters’ Day celebration has been included as part of the festival as well.
Don’t renew pattas without Nokma doc: Ex-militant chief
TURA: Former Chairman of the ANVC (B) Bernard N Marak has urged GHADC authorities against renewing any pattas without proper Nokma documents. “Kindly do not sell out people’s property for political and personal benefit. Work for the interests of the people as Council means people,” Marak said in his letter to the EM of Land and Revenue and the Chief Executive Member (CEM). Marak added that failure to check non-tribal population will lead to the abolition of the GHADC in the near future which will be a loss to the Garo people as well as betrayal to A’chik forefathers as the Council is the outcome of their efforts to protect the land from outside elements.
ASHA workers to boycott polio duties if pending dues not cleared
TURA: ASHA workers from Garo Hills have threatened to boycott the upcoming polio duty as well as to stop the submission of reports if their pending dues are not cleared within the month of January. The workers under the banner of the All Garo Hills ASHA Workers’ Union on Thursday issued the threat in a statement. “Our back log amount of 50% promised recently by the Chief Minister as well as the increment of Rs 1000/- from the month of October must be released this month. If not, we will be forced to go ahead with our decision,” said the statement.