Amazon-HYC row resolved
SHILLONG: Police, on Monday, called the HYC members and officials of the two courier companies involved with Amazon, which was closed down by the group on Saturday. Police said that there were some misunderstandings which were resolved and the courier offices would now function normally. They also clarified that the offices which were closed down were not the offices of Amazon, but courier companies which deal with the Amazon consignments. It may be mentioned that the HYC Shillong City and Mawlai Circle had closed down the branches of Amazon at Pynthorumkhrah and Nongrim Hills alleging that the manager did not allow a local youth to carry on with his job.
Govt hikes labour wages
SHILLONG: The state government has raised the minimum wages payable to the employees by 12.6 per cent of variable dearness allowance (VDA). An official notification, issued here on Monday, said the revised rates will have retrospective effect of April 1. The rates are — for unskilled category, the minimum wage along with revised VDA is Rs 338 (Rs 300 + 38), for semi-skilled category, it is Rs 383 (Rs 340 + 43), for skilled category, the wage is Rs 428 (Rs 380 + 48) and for highly-skilled worker, the minimum wages stand at Rs 473 (Rs 420 + 53).
Over 10 lakh affected by disasters
SHILLONG: A total population of 10,50,902 people in the state have been affected in different natural calamities in last two months. Informing this, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla said that a total number of 538 villages have been affected, and six people have lost their lives.A total 1,812 houses (302 fully and 1485 partially) were damaged including in these calamities. As far as damage to the agriculture land is concerned, around 25 hectares of land were damaged and the government has also set up 5 relief camps. Talking about the latest flood situation in Garo Hills, the minister said that nine villages in Gasaupara C&RD Block and 20 under Tura Urban, Demdemaa and Selsella C&RD Block were affected. As many as11,353 people along with 274 houses were damaged in the floods. He said that the DCs are assessing the flood-induced damages.
BJP forms Kissan Morcha Cell
SHILLONG: The BJP Meghalaya Pradesh has constituted the Kissan Morcha Cell on May 30, the party said in a statement issued here. The cell comprises Promod Koch as president, Phralad Toor and Millon Momin as vice presidents, Ralden B Shabong as general secretary, and Justice Syiem and Moneswar Rabha as secretaries, besides 16 executive members.
Appeal for distribution of gadgets
SHILLONG: The Achik Students’ Welfare Association (ASWA), central administrative board, Tura, has urged the government to develop a programme for distribution of gadgets such as laptops, tablets or smartphones for students in the higher education level. In a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the ASWA lamented that most of the students from Garo Hills have no access to laptops, tablets or even a smartphone, while also pointing out at the lack of uninterrupted and high-speed network connectivity.
Night curfew extension
NONGPOH/KHLIEHRIAT: The Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi, in an order issued, extended the night curfew in the entire district till June 15 between 9 pm and 5 am. Also, the District Magistrate of East Jaintia Hills extended night curfew in the district between 9 pm and 5 am until further orders. The district administration of Ri Bhoi has also prohibited the interstate movement of people.
Guv inaugurates RKM portal
SHILLONG: Governor Tathagata Roy, on Monday, inaugurated the integrated online portal — learn.rkmshillong.org — of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre. With the use of the portal, computer training and language courses have been restarted starting Monday. Meanwhile, an online counselling initiative called ‘Manodarshaniahm’ was also launched.
Helping hand for state artists
SHILLONG: The Northeast India AV Archive, Department of Mass Media, St. Anthony’s College with support from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, will start a collaborative venture, called ‘The Northeast India AV Archive Collaboration with the Artist Community of Meghalaya’, that will provide selected artists or groups with Rs 14,000 for two months. Artists eligible for this collaboration are those with work experience of at least a year and who make a living mainly by engaging in arts and cultural activities. They should be residents of, or based in, Meghalaya for their main artistic activity. Also, more than half of their performances and exhibitions have to be performed, screened or exhibited in the state. Interested candidates can also contact 97456 14145/93669 53494. Only 28 applications will be selected. Under this venture selected artists are to create content which revolve around the experiences of COVID-19 pandemic.