Demand for release of arrears
TURA: The All Garo Hills Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association (AGHAWHA) has submitted a memorandum to Social Welfare Minister, Kyrmen Shylla urging him to look into their demand for release of pending honorarium. The association demanded the release of the 10-month-long pending honorarium of the workers for the financial year 2019-20 given that the same for two months, from April to May, 2019, has already been released. Further, the association also demanded the enhancement of their honorarium to at least Rs 10,000, upgradation of senior and qualified workers besides special relief for performing their duties during the COVID-19 crisis.
Centre lauded for scheme extension
SHILLONG: The Shillong Rajasthani Brahman Community (SRBC) has lauded the Prime Minister for extending the free distribution of foodgrains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojna (PMGKAY) till November to 80 crore Indians including the poorest facing problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The community also welcomed the idea of ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’.
ABVP tribute to Clifford Nongrum
SHILLONG: The Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Meghalaya Unit, on Wednesday paid tributes to Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum on his 21st death anniversary at Rilbong. Nongrum had attained martyrdom in the Kargil war. Chief guest of the programme was H Thabah, Rilbong Beat House in-charge. “We pay our humble tributes to the great son of the soil who has left an extraordinary example of nationalism for the next generations to come. Our heartfelt respect to him and his family”, the statement said.
2,000 saplings planted
SHILLONG: The Assam government planted a total of 2000 saplings at CISF Unit, IOC Guwahati on the first day of van mahotsav coinciding with the World Environment Day. The event was a part of the drive aiming to plant 50,000 saplings across the districts of Assam, Arunachal, Meghalaya and Nagaland.
Activist for implementation of DBT
SHILLONG: A social activist has advised the state government to implement the direct benefit transfer (DBT), which, according to him, would thwart the pilferages related to as well as misappropriation of MGNREGA funds. In a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the activist, Ishraful Hoque, advised the government to undertake an online survey to ascertain the number of job card holders in favour of implementing the DBT. Earlier, the job card holders of Demdema C&RD Block, in a memorandum submitted to the chief minister, had opposed the move to transfer their wage money directly to the individual bank accounts via DBT.
SBI branches closed in EJH
KHLIEHRIAT: After the recent incident wherein an SBI employee was caught for violating protocols and later tested positive for COVID-19 in Khliehriat, the District Magistrate of East Jaintia Hills has prohibited the opening of some of the bank’s branches including Khliehriat, Ladrymbai and Sutnga besides Wika Hotel until further orders.
EPFO releases Rs 13.38 cr
SHILLONG: The Provident Fund Office, Shillong, which caters to the beneficiaries of Meghalaya and Mizoram, has released Rs 13.38 crore for the 2451 claims during the current COVID-19 crisis. The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, KK Srivastava, said on Tuesday that they have settled 2,451 claims and disbursed Rs 13.38 crore till date. He further said that 1231 claims were settled exclusively for COVID-19 and disbursed Rs 4.31 crore. He further intimated that out of total eligible 10,443 members, 1508 members have availed PMGKY benefits for Rs 27.62 lakh in March and 1925 members for Rs 34.39 lakh and total Rs 99 lakh has been released for PMGKY benefits so far. He further intimated that exempted establishments under EPFO, Shillong such as NEEPCO, Shillong and Meghalaya Apex Bank ltd have also settled 366 COVID-19 claims and disbursed Rs 5.45 crore. He further intimated that out of 658 numbers of PMGKY eligible establishments, 323 establishment have paid ECR and they are eligible for PMGKY benefits from March to May but 3215 employees working with them could not get PMGKY benefits due to non-seeding of their Aadhar. Srivastava urged employers who are eligible for PMGKY benefits and have paid ECR for March to May to update Aadhar of their employees as earliest possible to get PMGKY benefits.