Teachers to seek legal recourse if demands not met
TURA: The All Meghalaya SSA School Teachers Association (AMSSASTA) has warned of taking legal recourse against the government if it failed to respond to its demands. The teachers have been demanding among others the regularisation of their services, enhanced salary at par with their counterparts from other states and the immediate release of their long pending arrears. The teachers are also seeking a change in the system of salary payment and suggested that the salaries be transferred directly to each teacher’s personal account through e-transfer or other forms just like it is being done in the case of Cook cum helpers, CRCs, BRCs, Job Card holders of MGNREGS, et al. According to the statement a total of 5,512 untrained and 296 trained SSA LP teachers and 6,039 untrained and 637 trained SSA UP teachers in the state are yet to receive their arrears. Meanwhile, the association also informed that it would be sending a delegation to Delhi to meet with MHRD officials and inquire about various problems plaguing them including the pending arrears.
Confined labourers released
JOWAI: A senior official of Amrit Cement Limited, situated at Umlapaper, near Mynkre in Lumshnong area, under Rymbai Elaka was arrested by East Jaintia Hills Police on Sunday in connection with the case of alleged confinement of eight labourers of the cement plants since July 2 who were released on Monday, police sources said. Based on specific information, they were able to release the labourers and arrested a senior official of the cement plant identified as Pawan Kumar Yadav, sources informed. The rescued labourers were identified as Pintu Kumar Saini (27), Ararlal Saini (43), Jegram Saini (45), Bhagwan Sahay Saini (28), Durgalal Saini (42), Kamlesh Kumar Saini (26), Pawan Kumar Saini (21) and Khemrash Saini (21) all of them from Rajasthan who were working with Amrit Cement as labourer. According to police sources, the labourers had demanded their wages while the official forced them to work but when they refused, he locked them in their room provided by the company.
GSU demands full-time DTO
MAWKYRWAT: The Garo Student’s Union (GSU) Balat-Lakma Circle has demanded that the government should provide a District Transport Officer (DTO) who knows both Khasi and Garo languages and also local dialects including Koch, Hajong, Bengali, Lyngngam and others if it transfers the DTO of Mawkyrwat, T Sangma on grounds that he does not know the local (Khasi) language. The GSU reacted to the statement of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) and Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) South West Khasi Hills District who demanded the transfer of the DTO because of his irregularity in attending office. The two pressure groups demanded that the government should bring in a fulltime DTO who also knows the local language.
Cancer screening camp in city
SHILLONG: Marwari Yuva Manch, Shillong branch will organise a cancer screening camp with the help of a ‘Mobile Cancer Screening Bus’ at the parking lot of State Central Library from July 12 to 13. In an effort to facilitate the welfare of the people, the camp will be conducted free of cost which includes all tests. In a release issued here, Piyush Ajmera, Secretary, Marwari Yuva Manch, Shillong branch said that in 2 days, around 300 people will be tested as part of the campaign. Registration is compulsory and will be done on a first come first serve basis. The first appointment will begin from 10 am to 5 pm. For registration contact: 82570-01827, 70053-34074 & 70058-40850.
Newsprint cost draws flak
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Editors’ and Publishers Association (MEPA) has expressed grief in the increase of newsprint cost, in the form of customs duty of 10 percent, as per the budget speech of the Finance Minister, a week ago, a release issued here informed. In the past two years, the print media have faced lots of problems, due to the implementation of GST, where we have to pay advance taxes of 5 per cent for advertisements and also on purchase of newsprints and the fluctuation in the cost of newsprint which has affected the publishing houses severely. MEPA has urged upon the Finance Minister, Government of India, to reconsider her decision and withdraw the 10 per cent custom duty, as presented in the Parliament. In a statement issued here, President of MEPA RM Shabong informed that the association has also urged upon the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma to initiate the release of pending advertisement bills of several local newspapers, which has been lying unattended in the State government offices for many years. This will provide relief to the present crisis of newspapers houses.
Commuity consultation held
SHILLONG: Manbha Foundation, Shillong organised the ‘Community Consultation’ programme with the District Legal Services Authority, Shillong at the Nongshiliang Community Hall on July 4. The event was held in continuation of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. It was organised in collaboration with Drug Users Union of Meghalaya (DUUM) and Meghalaya Drug Users Network (MEDUNET). The event had the following speakers Neil Khongwir, President of DUUM, Eudora Warjri, Secretary of VHAM, Samanda N Phanwar, Lamjingshai, Poonam Yadav, lawyer and Lac DLSA, Jagpal Singh Dhanua, IPS, head of ANTF, SPDO Sardar, Bari L Kharmalki, Advisor DUUM, and Arbor Thangkhiew from MEDUNET. ANTF Head JS Dhanua described that his motive is to grab the sellers of drugs and not the users.
Entrepreneurs devp programme
SHILLONG: A five-day Entrepreneurs Development Programme (EDP) on Solar Photovoltaic System under the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (GRVP) Technical Assistance (TA) programme by MNRD WB-SBI was held here on Monday. The programme was inaugurated by the Deputy Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Timothy D Shira, at the Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA) Auditorium, Mawpat, Shillong. Shira spoke in detail about the EDP programme and called upon the trainee entrepreneurs to become the leading entrepreneurs in the field of Solar Energy. Rupert Momin, MLA and Chairman MNREDA spoke about the development of Solar Energy and its need for sustainable development. The Director MNREDA, UN Madan welcomed all the 34 participants from across the state including 2 Master Trainers from Skill Council for Green Jobs.
Suspected heroin seized
NONGSTOIN: Nongstoin police on Monday apprehended one Aibanteilang Markhong (25) of Nongsohlait village with 1.61 grams of suspected drugs. Later in the evening, after another raid was carried out at his residence suspected heroin weighing 0.98 gms was recovered.
Four held for robbery
JOWAI: EJH Police on Sunday arrested four persons in connection with a robbery along the National Highway NH-6 in East Jaintia Hills. One of the accused, Shabas Dkhar of Rymbai Pohskur was arrested from Umkiang while the other three were identified as Selbi Rymbai of Rymbai Iawpynsin, Shanroi Rymbai of Moolamanoh and Joseph Charai of Karimganj, Assam. According to the SP, EJH, the accused have been booked under Section 395 IPC.