GH activist approaches CIC over RTI reply refusal
TURA, July 22: Social activist Nilbirth Ch Marak filed a complaint with the state’s Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) after the Director of Family Welfare and Health Services (DFWHS) allegedly refused to reply to an RTI application. Seeking the CIC’s intervention into the matter, Marak, in his complaint filed on July 18, said, “I filed the case under Sec 18(b) of the RTI Act, 2005. They were supposed to furnish the details within 30 days of my application but despite 70 days passing, no information has been forthcoming. They have voluntarily withheld information and not even responded to our applications.” Nilbirth had submitted the RTI application on May 24 this year with the PIO of DFWHS and waited for the stipulated 30-day timeline before once again approaching them for the information. However, at the time of filing his complaint with the CIC, more than 70 days have passed with the department still refusing to part with the information sought. Meanwhile, Marak said there has also been no communication made to him by the department, explaining the delay in providing the information. “The PIO is duty-bound to provide information under the Act and his refusal to do so is in contravention of the very Act itself. In this matter, we seek the commissioner’s intervention so that necessary notices be provided to the department and action taken against the PIO for his willful neglect shown,” Marak said when contacted.
Lack of local employees in central depts irks Forum
TURA, July 22: The Tura Garo Senior Citizens Forum on Monday expressed resentment over the alleged deployment of only non-local candidates by various central government departments and public/private sector undertakings in Garo Hills. In its letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the Forum pointed out that there were no local employees appointed in departments like the Department of Posts & Telegraph offices, ICAR, Home Science offices, petrol pumps, etc. “Our fervent request in this regard is to consider employment of the eligible local indigenous candidates in the central government departments and public/private undertakings as per as possible,” the Forum said. According to the Forum, the appointments of non-local candidates in such establishments deprive the local candidates of their employment opportunities and also create inconveniences for the locals in dealing with the employees as they (non-local employees) lack familiarity with the places of their postings and are not conversant with local dialects. Notably, while the unemployment rate is increasing day by day, the employment of only non-locals by those agencies also creates discontent among the unemployed youths of the region, it added. Pointing out that the whole of Garo Hills comes under the Sixth Schedule, the Forum urged the chief minister to take up the matter with the concerned authorities, so that local indigenous candidates also get a chance to be employed in these departments.
Group seeks better medicial facilities in SGH district
TURA, July 22: The ACHIK from Garo Hills has sought the upgrade of the medical scenario in South Garo Hills district. In his letter to the Director of Health Services in Shillong, ACHIK vice president Greneth Sangma, while seeking the upgrade of the CHCs into PHCs in the district, also sought the appointment of specialist doctors. Sangma, in his letter, demanded that specialist doctors like gynaecologists, psychologists, ENT specialists, etc. be posted at Baghmara Civil Hospital on a permanent basis. He also called for the upgrade of medical equipment at the Baghmara Civil Hospital.
Legal awareness held in WGH
TURA, July 22: A one-day Legal Awareness Programme-cum-Campaign on Opening Door for Education to Children and School Dropout was held at Chidekgre village in West Garo Hills district on Monday. Organised by the District Legal Services Authority, West Garo Hills, in collaboration with Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority, the primary objective of the programme was to sensitise the people on the importance of education for children, especially school dropouts and facilitate enrolment of children in the area. During the programme, Legal Aid Counsel, DLSA, Grangchira Ch Marak, spoke about the ‘Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009’. She informed that the Act provides free and compulsory education to children in the age group of 6 to 14 years under Article 21A of the Constitution of India.
Diengpasoh school gets toilet blocks
Shillong, July 22: State Project Director of School Education & Literacy (DSEL) Swapnil Tembe inaugurated two toilet blocks at Diengpasoh Govt. LP School. According to a statement here, the toilet blocks were funded and supported by the CSR wing of Eastern Panorama Offset, and JCI Kamrup Elite. During the inaugural programme, a short quiz was also conducted, and prizes were given away to the participants.