Workshop-cum-exhibition on International Year of Millets
Shillong, Sep 27: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare on Wednesday organised a workshop-cum-exhibition on the International Year of Millets with the theme ‘Millets for Nutritional Security’ at All Saints Hall here. Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Isawanda Laloo, who was the chief guest, said that after the green revolution, the farmers focused diligently on rice and wheat, whereas millets, being the most efficient crop and a ‘super-food’ which requires minimum efforts, was neglected. She urged the farmers to learn and explore its nutritional values and to popularise millet cultivation. She further added that the government is making an effort to categorise millets as a ‘mission crop’, even as she encouraged the entrepreneurs and farmers to increase the millets cultivation, which would eventually improve their livelihood and income flow. Progressive millets farmers from across the state were felicitated by the chief guest during the programme. Later, Laloo along with other dignitaries visited the various stalls showcasing millet produce.
Non-functional Rambrai C&RD Block draws concern from FKJGP
NONGSTOIN, Sep 27: The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) Rambrai Circle has expressed concern over Rambrai C&RD Block, which has remained non-functional for almost a year after it was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on November 9 last year. According to FKJGP Rambrai Circle president, Jistarland Lyngkhoi, the federation has sought a RTI reply on the process and functioning of the C&RD Block. The RTI reply showed that the Block is yet to be fully functional. The post of junior engineer, LDA, driver, peon, and chowkidar were advertised on a contractual basis, but so far, there has been no written test or personal interview conducted for the said posts, Lyngkhoi said. Regarding the DPR seeking construction of the building, the reply was not available, and the name of the in-charge BDO was not shown in the RTI, he pointed out. As per the RTI, Rambrai Block has so far been functioning only for MGNREGA and PMAYG, but these were operated by the staff from Nongstoin C&RD Block. The FKJGP Rambrai Circle has urged the state government to take necessary steps to fill the vacant posts and provide the necessary infrastructure to make the Rambrai C&RD Block fully functional.
Cleaning drive at Jowai Polytechnic
JOWAI, Sep 27: The NSS unit of Jowai Polytechnic on Tuesday conducted a cleaning drive under the theme Swachhta Hi seva on the institute campus. Another cleaning drive was held on Wednesday on the roadside of market (Iew Shyiap) till Sieñ Raij Jowai parking lot with enthusiastic participation from all the students of the Institute under the leadership of its Programme Officer, Nesserdemy Sangma, Co-in-charge Emdormi Shullai and Cubert Neil Kitbok Myrthong. The NSS Jowai Polytechnic also appealed to all the citizens, the shopkeepers, vendors of Jowai and its neighboring villages to keep their surroundings clean while being responsible citizens for a clean and green environment.