Letter to MSPCB over limestone mining in EJH
SHILLONG: The Jaintia Environment Preservation Organization wrote a letter to the member secretary of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) to register their protest against the proposed limestone mining by the Star Cement at Brichyrnot, East Jaintia Hills.
The organisation pointed out that pollution from the cement plant will cause health hazards to the people, and that the waste from the cement plant has already polluted streams and rivers, especially the large-scale poisoning of fishes in Lukha River. The habitation of birds and animals has been greatly disturbed, the organisation said. The organisation maintained that the presence of the mining project has caused immense degradation of the ecology and natural environment of the area.
It has asked the member secretary to take necessary action in this regard.
Church distributes blankets
TURA: Coming to the aid of the less fortunate, Believers Eastern Church Tura Mission Diocese, Bridge of Hope, a child-care project, on Monday, distributed blankets to underprivileged children in a programme organised at Rongjeng in East Garo Hills. Local MLA from Rongjeng, Jim M Sangma, who was the chief guest on the occasion, encouraged both the children and their parents to focus on education to achieve their goals in life. Sangma also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the founding president of the project, Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan 1 Metropolitan, for coming to the aid of the children. A total of 82 children benefitted from the blanket distribution.
Onion at Rs 30 per kg in PDS shops
TURA: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh has informed that the Centre has imported onions to mitigate the recent crisis and unusual price hike and the same is available in the open market of Tura. In a notification issued here, the DC informed that the commodity is available at different government Public Distribution System (PDS) wholesalers at the rate of Rs 30 per kg.
Cleaning drive at Kenbha River
NONGSTOIN: The Nongstoin Regional Local Taxi Owner & Driver Association (NRLTODA) Tiehsaw–Mawrusyiar Area unit conducted a cleaning drive at Kenbha River, a tourist destination located at NH-44 E, Shillong-Tura bypass. The cleaning drive was led by NRLTODA president Tailandar Lyngkhoi and its secretary Lumbor Dkhar, along with all the drivers and owners, who are the members of the association. Kenbha River is a lifeline for many villages as the river water flows to the PHED dam, which supplies water to the locals of Nongstoin. Meanwhile, NRLTODA president has expressed discontentment over the river being polluted.
“Kenbha River can have serious health consequences because it was witnessed that plastic bottles and dead animals were thrown by some uncivilised people. After witnessing every day about the condition of the river, we finally took the decision to clean the river and warn those people, who visit the place and pollute it,” Tailanstar said, after the cleaning drive.
Training for SHG members in WKH
NONGSTOIN: NABARD, in collaboration with NEICORD, organised a Micro Enterprise Development Program (MEDP) on Bakery at Kynrud village in West Khasi Hills District for the Self-Help Group (SHG) members from Kynrud area. The training, which was organised by NEICORD and funded by NABARD, was held from January 9 to 23, and was attended by 30 persons. The principal goal of the training programme is to better livelihood and income generation of the women SHG members. The MEDP was conducted at Tribal Development Fund project area. Two hundred beneficiaries were selected from five villages. Certificates to the trainees were also distributed during the programme in the presence of Assistant General Manager E Tariang; Assistant Manager I Imchen from Regional Office, Shillong; District Development Manager, WKH and SWKH; U Bezbaruah and NEICORD staffs. Theory and practical classes, and discussions on marketing and credit linkages with bank were also held during the programme.