Appeal to open branches of
MCAB in four locations
MAWKYRWAT, Oct 4: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills District has sought the setting up of branches of Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank (MCAB) in four locations, specifically two each in Mawsynram Block of East Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills. The KSU had met Managing Director of MCAB, Osmond Nongbri, apprising the latter of the need to open the branches. KSU SWKHD president Forwardman Nongrem said that the Union had reminded the Managing Director of MCAB that there was an urgent need to open new branches at Pongkung and Dangar villages under Mawsynram Block and also at Umdohlun or Wahkaji and in Ranikor village under Ranikor Civil Sub-Division. “As of now, Ranikor area has more than 150 villages, but there is only one branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) at Ranikor village thronged by hundreds of people daily. This branch alone cannot provide services to the people of the area anymore,” Nongrem said. He also pointed out that Umdohlun-Wahkaji area is a vast area covering about 44 villages from Phlangdiloin to Warsan Lyngdoh area, but there is no bank in the area. “The people of the area had to walk 3-4 hours to reach Ranikor or travel 2-3 hours with vehicles to reach Mawkyrwat just to deposit or withdraw money from the bank,” Nongrem said. The KSU leader has also urged the MLAs and MDCs of Mawkyrwat, Ranikor and Mawsynram to look into the matter for the benefit of the locals.
JHAD employees agitate over pay
JOWAI, Oct 4: The staff of Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) under the banner of JHADC Staff Association, on Wednesday, took to streets carrying flags and banners in protest of the Council’s decision of salary deferment. The employees, while expressing their grief owing to the delay in approval of their monthly salary of over 10 months, denounced the Council for the ‘tardiness’ in paying their dues. Johnson Pohrmen, president of the association, recalled that in a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar in June, they assured that all pending amounts would be released by September. The association further expressed profound sorrow over the several economic hardships they encountered such as children’s school fees, medication et al.
Saleng airs concern over defunct PHC
SHILLONG, Oct 4: Congress MLA Saleng Sangma has expressed concern over the condition of Darengre PHC which has become non-functional. After receiving complaints from people, Sangma on Wednesday conducted a surprise inspection and found that the PHC was non-functional since a few months as there were no doctors. “The doctor who was there has gone on leave and there is no doctor but only nurses are looking after patients,” the MLA said. He also lamented that there were no labour rooms and emergency patients could not be kept in the centre.
World Animal Day celebration
MAWKYRWAT, Oct 4: As part of the celebration of the World Animal Day and with a view to popularise Science and Technology, the office of the District Planning Officer, Mawkyrwat, on Wednesday, organised a district-level drawing and painting competition on ‘Big or small, love them all’, at the Multipurpose Hall, Laitlawsang, South West Khasi Hills, which witnessed the participation of different schools from the district. The programme was funded by State Council of Science Technology and Environment, Meghalaya, and it was graced by Additional Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills, YR Mawlong, as the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, Mawlong emphasised on educating individuals about their treatment towards animals and awareness against their cruelty and injustice. Prizes were also awarded to winners of the drawing and painting competition. First prize was bagged by Pynbhalang Thongni of Nativity Higher Secondary School, followed by Isakordor Marbaniang, Mawranglang Presbyterian Higher Secondary School, and Phibaaihun Iawphniaw of Hororai Memorial Higher Secondary School, who won the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively.In poster competition, Distaroy Nongsiej of Modern Academy Rangmaw won the first prize, while the second and third prize were bagged by Daiengskhem Lyngdoh of Mawten Secondary School and Pyndapjingkmen Suting of Maharam Government Higher Secondary School.