GHADC’s enhanced rates for traders not approved by Guv: MDC
SHILLONG/TURA, July 12: Tura BJP MDC Bernard Marak on Monday said that the recent announcement made by the GHADC authorities to enhance the rates for obtaining professional certificates for contract works and Trading for Non Tribals (TNT) license by non-tribal traders has not been approved by Governor Satya Pal Malik. Seeking a clarification in this regard from the Executive Member of Taxation, GHADC, and MDC Grahambell A Sangma, Bernard reiterated that the unapproved rates have been imposed on the business community without any constitutional sanction. “The previous EC had passed the new rates but it was not approved by the Governor. It was in a state of ordinance which was valid for only 6 months. However, the rates of business license and contract’s professional certificate were hiked twofold, in some cases almost three times higher than the old rate,” he said. The MDC also appealed to all traders to wait for the clarification from the concerned EM before paying the taxes in the new rates which, he has alleged, has been imposed illegally. Earlier, Bernard had also said that the “unapproved” rates were being imposed on the business community without any constitutional sanction.
DC warns against artificial scarcity
JOWAI, July 12: West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner has directed all open market wholesalers and retail traders of essential commodities in the district to abstain from engaging and creating artificial scarcity by way of hoarding or black marketing. According to a statement, the DC has also directed them to maintain sufficient buffer stock of essential commodities and refrain from selling commodities beyond MRP and also from selling expired products. “Adulteration of food products especially rice (plastic rice), as appeared in the media, is strictly prohibited,’ the statement said. The wholesalers have also been directed to report to the office of the DC immediately if they notice any inferiority in the quality of rice.
Aadhaar enrolment extended
TURA, July 12: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, on Monday extended the date for Aadhaar enrolment in the district till September 30. It may be mentioned that the Centre had issued an order extending the date for Aadhaar enrolment in order to ensure that all beneficiaries under NFSA are fully authenticated through ePOS. In this regard, the nodal officer UIDAI, West Garo Hills, has been directed to intensify enrolment of NFSA beneficiaries by according special attention to physically handicapped, old-age beneficiaries so that the needy not be deprived of their entitlement in view of the absence of an Aadhaar card.
Midday meal rice released
TURA, July 12: The Sub Divisional School Education Officer (SDSEO), Tura Sadar, has informed that midday meal rice has been released for the months of January 2020 and April 2020 to December 2020 — 159 days at 104.211 grams per child per day for students of LP schools and at 160.276 grams for 179 days for those of UP schools. In this regard, respective wholesalers, government nominees have been directed to deliver the rice to the schools as per the allotted quota within ten days from the date of issue of the delivery order.
Rice released
SHILLONG, July 12: East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner (Supply) has informed that rice under NFSA (AAY and PHH) and non-NFSA for July has been released through respective fair price shops. According to a statement, the fair price shops have been directed to distribute the quota immediately after the arrival of the stock. “AAY quota of rice will be distributed at the scale of 35 kgs per card at the rate of Rs 3 per kg, PHH quota at the scale of 5 kgs per head at the rate of Rs 3 per kg and non-NFSA at the scale of 7.215 kgs per household at the rate of Rs 12.70 to Rs 13 per kg,” the statement said.
Pala mourns demise of Fr Stan
NEW DELHI, July 12: Shillong MP Vincent H Pala, who had earlier written to the Union Government seeking release of Father Stan Swamy, has lamented the loss of the 84-year-old Jesuit priest stating that his demise has created a void for the whole humanity, particularly the tribal community. “Father Stan Swamy was a human rights defender, a man of God, a Jesuit priest for 51 years, but was booked under UAPA and was detained for months in custody for false charges of terrorism by NIA,” Pala said at a condolence meeting here organised by the United Christians Forum and All India Catholic Union.