GPO functions with minimal staff
SHILLONG: In view of the nationwide lockdown, the General Post Office in Shillong is functioning with minimum staff. It is learnt that 60 per cent customers frequent the post office only in the morning. The staff is functioning as per the roster. However, the problem is getting transportation for them. The post office is extending its usual functions such as pension or money transfer of Aadhaar-enabled accounts. For old age pension, the staff would go to the doorstep of the pensioners. The post office also sends medicines and official letters.
in the city on Thursday. (ST)
DC warns against misuse of passes
Mawkyrwat: The Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills district, Isawanda Laloo has warned that any curfew pass holders who misuse it will be dealt with seriously and may be penalized under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In a communiqué, Laloo said, “It has been observed that some of the curfew passes issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner for medical emergency and essential services including private ambulance have been misused for lifting or ferrying persons from Shillong to Mawkyrwat without the knowledge or permission of the office”.
Bar association to help members in distress
SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association in its emergent executive committee meeting on Thursday resolved to render assistance to its members who are in distress owing to the current lockdown. The secretary general of the association, Kishore Ch Gautam in a statement said that such members who are in need of assistance can contact him through sms/ WhatsApp or any other medium. Applications will be placed before the executive committee of the association which will decide within 48 hours, adding such applications for assistance will be kept confidential. The association also request senior members of the Bar to render financial assistance to young lawyers working in their respective chambers.
Locality petitions DC to check curfew norms
SHILLONG: The Relief and Rehabilitation Colony Welfare Society has petitioned Deputy Commissioner asking her to ensure that curfew and lockdown norms are strictly enforced and flocking of people to any one location in the locality is stopped. The association said that on a daily basis, hundreds of people visit the residence of Cabinet Minister, AL Hek at RR Colony and presence of such huge crowd at a single location with no regard to social distancing or wearing of mask or hygiene protocol is a major cause of concern for the residents of the colony.
Rotary Club Jowai donates to CM’s relief fund
JOWAI: The Rotary Club, Jowai (RID-3240) on Wednesday donated towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for fighting against Covid-19. A cash of Rs Rs. 50, 000 was handed over to West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner by the secretary Jowai Rotary Club, Rtn. Rudolf Eustace Laloo (PHF). The club also donated 234 face masks to the police of West Jaintia Hills district.Meanwhile, the West Jaintia Hills district administration has donated 200 face masks to truckers at the warehouse of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) at Khliehtyrshi in order to protect themselves and others from the spread of the virus.
Markets under Hima Nongstoin to remain closed
NONGSTOIN: The office of Syiem of Hima Nongstoin on Thursday decided that all rural markets within the jurisdiction of Hima Nongstoin will remain closed until further orders. The enforcement inspector of the office of Syiem of Hima Nongstoin, W Iawphniaw said, “We have been informed about the Cabinet decision on April 6 ordering the weekly markets in rural areas to reopen from April 15. Despite, April 15 being Nongstoin market day, we will keep all markets closed and not take any chances with the situation”. Some remote villages in Nongstoin have no idea about the crisis that the world is facing, and they need more awareness, Iawphniaw added. Pointing out at the chaos that resulted out of the relaxation in curfew recently, he said that the district administration and the office of the Syiem of Hima Nongstoin faced a hard time in managing crowds that came in huge numbers. “The people do not understand social distancing as it is something new for them,” he said. In this regard, the office of Syiem of Hima Nongstoin has decided to shut down the markets until further orders and allow only the shops that have been identified by the headmen and the office to open for sale of essential commodities. Iawphniaw said that since Riangdo and Shallang are close to the interstate border, therefore, the office of the Syiem has advised the shops there not to open in order to prevent any possible spread of the virus.
Order on hand sanitisers
Shillong: The Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has informed that an order was made by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India on March 19 to regulate the production, quality, distribution, prices and other aspects of alcohol used in manufacturing hand sanitizers for preventing infections due to virus and bacteria. The order may be called the ingredients and prices of the ingredients as raw materials of Essential Commodities Order, 2020. The prices of the alcohol used in manufacturing hand sanitizers will not exceed from those prevailing on March 5 without concurrence of the Central Government. The order will remain in force up to June 30.
Isolation centre in West Jaintia Hills
JOWAI: The state government has decided to use the newly constructed Maternity and Children Hospital situated at Panaliar, Jowai in West Jaintia Hills as one of the isolation centre in the district. It will be the isolation centre of Jowai Civil Hospital, Ialong whenever needed during the fight against COVID- 19. All necessities will be arranged. Earlier the Dorbar Shnong Panaliar has strongly opposed the government’s decision due to delay in response to the letter by the village authority addressed to the Deputy Commissioner and other concerned departments. However, on Thursday, the Rangbah Shnong and the general secretary, Panaliar Jowai met the DC in his chamber and discussed the matter and withdrew their protest as the DC informed them all the residents will be protected from being in contact with the virus during the isolation process if any.