100 volunteers in Ri-Bhoi get emergency responder kits
NONGPOH, April 25: The office of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in Ri-Bhoi district on Tuesday distributed emergency responder kits among 100 community volunteers who had completed a 12-day training programme under a centrally sponsored scheme ‘Up-scaling of Aapda Mitra Scheme’. The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi Arpit Upadhayay as the chief guest, and other officials of the district administration. In his address, the DC emphasised the importance of Aapda Mitra volunteers as first responders in their communities during any disaster. He commended the volunteers for their successful completion of the training and urged them to put their skills to good use. The emergency responder kits provided to the volunteers include a life jacket, torch light, raincoat, boots, First Aid Kits, helmet, whistle, mosquito net, Aapda Mitra volunteer’s Uniform, safety gloves, water bottle, multi-function knives, among others.
Food processing centre officials accused of misusing funds
TURA, April 25: Various groups from North Garo Hills on Tuesday levelled allegations against the officers of the Dainadubi Food Processing Centre of misusing funds and engaging in irregularities, leading to lack of progress in the development of the area. They have also sought action against those responsible and demanded that transparency be maintained in the management of funds. The groups comprising the GSU, AYWO, AHAM, FAF and others that the anomalies were revealed in an RTI application filed recently, the reply to which failed to provide the total expenditure incurred by the officers. In a joint complaint to the deputy commissioner, the groups said, “The recent RTI report has failed to provide the necessary details which are a clear violation of the RTI Act. This lack of transparency has left us unsatisfied.” In the complaint, the groups also strongly condemned the alleged attempt to divert the centre into PPP mode. “We strongly condemn the decision of the officers to divert the Food Processing Centre into PPP mode. This decision is a clear violation of public accountability and transparency. The funds meant for the development of the district should not be diverted to PPP,” the groups demanded.