Rs 500 per month under PMJDY
SHILLONG: The Commissioner and Secretary, Finance department, has informed that the Government of India, under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan package, will credit Rs 500 per month for women holding the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) account for the next three months. It can be drawn from the bank where they have their PMJDY account. Women account holders having account number with last digit as 0 or 1 can go withdraw on April 3, account number with last digit as 2 or 3 on April 4, account number ending with 4 or 5 on April 7, account number ending with 6 or 7 on April 8 and those ending with 8 or 9 on April 9. After April 9, the beneficiaries can go to the branch on any date as per normal banking hours.
BJP lauds govt stand on MLA scheme
SHILLONG: The state BJP president Ernest Mawrie has appreciated the government’s stand on allowing all MLAs to contribute Rs 25 lakh from the MLA scheme in order to support the needy in their constituencies during the lockdown. In a statement, the party urged upon all MLAs to utilise the fund generously for the people of the respective areas. The BJP also acknowledge both its MLAs for generously helping the people of their constituencies and nearby areas in this hour of crisis. The party further thanked the Central government for providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline health workers in the state.
Jirang MLA forms relief committee
NONGPOH: Concerned over the plight of poor families of the constituency due to the current situation, local legislator of Jirang Constituency Sosthenes Sohtun, on Thursday, formed a relief committee after a meeting with the village and religious leaders to find out ways and means to help the underprivileged families in these trying times. The relief committee, which will help in providing essential commodities to the needy families in the constituency, will be headed by the MLA. “A team of the committee will soon visit the villages and make a list of the families who need immediate help,” Sohtun said, while adding that “though this is a very difficult task, yet the people should not go hungry”. After recent reports of a spike in the number of cases in Assam, that shares a significant border with the constituency, the MLA has asked the village authorities to restrict movement along the border and maintain vigil with regard to the entry of outsiders via Jirang into the state.
POWERGRID contributes funds
SHILLONG: The POWERGRID, Ministry of Power, Government of India, has extended its support in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) with a contribution of Rs 200 crore towards the Prime Minister’s relief fund. Moreover, all the staff of POWERGRID have also contributed their one-day salary to the relief fund. Through its Regional Headquarters in Shillong, the public sector enterprise has also decided to provide masks, sanitisers and other medical equipment to the hospitals for setting up of quarantine and isolation centres at different locations across the seven Northeastern states.
Dorbar Saiden shuts road for visitors
NONGPOH: The village Dorbar of Saiden led by assistant Headman MG Kharshanlor, on Thursday, decided to temporarily close the road leading to Iewsier for people from outside the village to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Speaking to The Shillong Times, the assistant headman stated that despite curfew being imposed by the Ri Bhoi District Magistrate and the ongoing lockdown in the country, many people have been going in and out of Iewsier either for picnic, fishing or leisure.
Sale of essentials on streets
NONGSTOIN: In order to maintain social distancing in Nongstoin town, the Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills has urged the general public not to enter Nongstoin market where essential commodities will be sold only in the streets. On Thursday, the volunteers along with Nongstoin Police requested all the shops selling essential commodities to operate in the parking area at the Nongstoin market taxi stand. A “No Entry” sign put up to block all vehicles passing through the market was also monitored by Nongstoin Police.
BSF distributes ration in SGH
SHILLONG: The 43 Bn Border Security Force (BSF) team comprising Commandant Ratikant Thakur and other personnel distributed free ration to around 250 villagers of the border belt in South Garo Hills through village heads at different Coy localities in Unit AOR while taking all precautions regarding COVID-19.