SHILLONG: The farmers’ union in the state has written to the government against its decision to curb use of pesticides and chemicals.
In a recent memorandum to the commissioner and secretary of the Agriculture Department, P. Sampath, the Joint Action Committee of All Meghalaya Farmers’ Union said, reduction in the use of chemicals has adversely affected production of many vegetables.
“Steps taken by the government to reduce indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides by phasing out all subsidies on inorganic pesticides from the state plan as well as central schemes have completely shaken normal production, especially of potatoes and tomatoes which are normally most producible when urea  is used as fertiliser rather than organic fertiliser,” the memorandum stated.
They asserted that climate change due to global warming, scanty rainfall, scarcity of water and inefficient water management system have further aggravated the existing problems of biotic stresses. The association has urged the State to implement the Crops Insurance Scheme, financial aid to farmers affected by calamities in 2014 and soil testing for scientific advices to farmers.
However, they pointed out that the State Agriculture Mission that was launched on October 16, 2014, at 5th Polo Ground to promote agriculture as an organised industrial enterprise has brought hope to beekeepers in the State.

SHILLONG: Under-privileged children recited prayers asking for God’s blessing and support during a special Diwali programme organised  by SPARK on Sunday. The children also lit lamps with a strong belief that its light will bring brightness in the life of every child.
Shima Modak, Founder & President of SPARK also acquainted the children about the essence of Diwali and the purpose of celebrating the day together without discrimination.
The children also played games and performed dance along with other recreational activities. Colourful rangolis were designed by the children and noiseless crackers were also lighted under the care of teachers. More than 200 children participated in the programme at SPARK’s Anjali and Rangmen centre.

SHILLONG: LPG cylinder users, who have their consumer numbers prefixed with alphabets, can relax for now as they do not need to book refill cylinders via SMS.
If one’s consumer number is C/1234 (or prefixed with any other alphabet), then the person need not opt for SMS booking of cylinder.
Longkmie Gas Agency in Greater Laban has made SMS booking mandatory for only those consumers whose numbers do not have an alphabetic prefix.
Before Longkmie, Riwar Mihngi Indane Gas Agency had made SMS booking mandatory. However, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) authorities in Guwahati had claimed that SMS booking is one of the many options available to customers. But gas agencies in the city are implementing their own rules as they are only insisting on SMS booking and discouraging customers from counter or phone booking.
Consumers of Longkmie said they were informed by the gas agency that for the time being, consumer numbers with alphabets are excluded from SMS refill booking since the designated destination mobile number does not have the option to accept alphabet affixed numbers.
But this is only for a temporary period since the authorities are working on accommodating consumers with varied numbers. Consumers who have to book their refill LPG cylinders via SMS even had a harrowing time since the IVRS number was not working properly.
Meanwhile, consumers of Riwar Mihngi have complained that this gas agency is allegedly flouting delivery of domestic LPG cylinders to customers’ doorsteps with impunity. According to these customers, the agency parks its truck at a particular place and forces consumers to collect their cylinders from there.
The consumers have urged the East Khasi Hills DC to take action against the unfair practice as the district administration has a genuine task in hand. It is learnt that due to this point delivery — which has been done away with by the district administration — consumers are facing many hardships. The district administration was urged to stop this unlawful practice.

NIOS delay

SHILLONG: The two-week deadline served to Minister of School Education and Technical Affair Deborah C. Marak by the agitating trainees of Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) ended on Sunday.
The trainees had sought the Minister’s attention to rectify the discrepancies in the results of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
They had also given an ultimatum to the NIOS officials to reissue the rectified results between October 15 and 17 but till date NIOS has remained silent.
Irked by NIOS’s apathy to their grievances, the trainees will organise a meeting on November 3 at Khasi National Dorbar Hall, Mawkhar, at 11:00 am.
J. Lyngkhoi, convener, said the meeting will discuss the delay by NIOS in declaring the results despite the deadline served to them and the meeting will decide the next course of action.

SHILLONG: The East Khasi Hills district traffic SP has blamed both reckless driving and irresponsible pedestrians for the frequent accidents in the city.
SP (Traffic) Nangkiew K. Syiem said on Sunday, “There are drivers who are reckless. On the other hand, pedestrians cross the road whichever way they feel like. We have been conducting awareness programmes in colleges and driving schools to make people aware of the importance of traffic rules.”
The zebra crossings on city roads are mere white lines as in most cases drivers do not stop their vehicles when pedestrians are crossing. Syiem said drivers should stop at the zebra lines when a person is crossing.
When asked whether the numerous accidents in the city witnesses are due to the defunct  traffic lights, Syiem said it was the result of reckless driving and added that pedestrians too are not careful and hardly use footpaths. “If they have children, they should be more careful.”

SHILLONG: Residents of Mawprem have finally got a 1-km metalled road after 35 years. Local MLA Paul Lyngdoh, after inaugurating the road on Saturday, said people in the area will see gradual changes on the development front that he had promised three and a half years ago (before the 2013 Assembly elections) and of which many were doubtful.
Another road from Police Outpost to Mawbah will be constructed in the coming week.
On electoral frauds in the State, Lyngdoh said, “There will be changes but do not allow money power to rule the elections as cash-for-vote will ruin people’s power. There are MLAs in some constituencies who are voted to power because they bought votes.”
C Kharmudai, PWD Executive Engineer, said the road was made at a cost of Rs 1.20 crore and executed through the Special Plan Fund scheme.
On the same day, Paul inaugurated the Bishop Falls, Block I road that was constructed with support from the constituency’s MP and MLA funds

NONGSTOIN: The Village Defend Party (VDP) of Upper New Nongstoin Saturday destroyed more than 400 bottles of seized liquors consignment worth Rs 25,000.
The illicit liquor was seized during a raid conducted by the Village Defence Party in the past couple of month, however, there was no arrest made as no one came forward to claim the seized liquor.
The liquor was brought from  outside the District to be distribu-ted to the peddlers for selling in the village.
Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, President of VDP Presstarwell Nongsiej said, “the illicit liquor was seized recently from various area in Upper New Nongstoin after we received information that liquor was being sold illegally in Nongstoin since all wine shops have been closed in the District.”
Nongsiej also said that the VDP will conti-nue to check and arrest those involved in the illegal supply of liquor.

Shillong: The Annual General Meeting of the St Anthony’s College Shillong Alumni Association (SACSAA) will be held on Saturday at the college campus from 3 PM.
Members of the SACSAA alumni have been requested to confirm their participation by email to: [email protected]/ [email protected], or SMS to: +91 9612164827 /+91 9615125762.

Jowai: The District Disaster Management Authority, West Jaintia Hills in collaboration with the Medical Superintendent, Jowai Civil Hospital, Ialong conducted a mock drill at the hospital complex on Saturday.
The objective of the drill was to determine the level of preparedness and also to sensitize the hospital staffs on the subject. The drill also aims at accelerating the pace of development for the District.
After the drill, a short programme was held in the conference room of the hospital which was attended by D. M Wallang, SC Laloo, Additional Deputy Commissioner’s, West Jaintia Hills.
At the debriefing programme Wallang, expressed overall satis-faction at the drill and praised the hospital authorities for keeping their equipments and vehicles in a good condition.
During the feedback, the hospital was advised to equip themselves with more fire extinguishers and to upgrade its emergency and rescue equipments.
Prior to the drill, a training was conducted by District Disaster Management Authority, Jowai, DHS Shillong, Fire & Emergency Service, Jowai, Meghalaya Police Radio Organization (MPRO), Jowai, and Home Guard, Jowai to all participants on October 24 and 25 on the role and responsibilities of hospital incident response team, fire safety and use of extinguishers, improvised method of search & rescue, use of VHF sets and hands-on training of IRTS and medical help to victims.
Besides other dignitaries,  the hospital doctors and staffs nurses also attended the mock drill.

Nongpoh: The Ri Bhoi Gym on Saturday organized the 4th Strongest Man of Ri Bhoi District at the NSCA Mini Stadium, Nongpoh where legislator from Umsning Constituency, Dr C. Lyngdoh graced the one-day event as chief guest and PS Toor as guest of honour.
As many as four gyms club of Ri Bhoi District participated in this event comprising Ri Bhoi Gym from Nongpoh, Frank Route Gym from Mawdiangum, Power Plus Gym from Umsning and MJ Muscle World from Byrnihat.
The event saw increasing number of participants this year comparing to the previous third edition.
In the light weight category (40-59 kg), Kerdame Lapasam of Power Plus Gym emerged as winner while Prakash Pradhan of MJ Muscle World and Ram Deka of Ri Bhoi Gym bagged the second and third prize respectively.
In the middle weight category (60-69 kg), the first prize was bagged by Anastasius Ryndongsngi of Ri Bhoi Gym whereas Anthony Nongrum of Power Plus Gym bagged the second prize and Deepak Singh of MJ Muscle World bagged the third prize.
In the heavy weight category (70-90 kg) Rajiv Timung of MJ Muuscle World bagged the first prize. Donald Rymbai of Ri Bhoi Gym and Rakesh Lapang of MJ Muscle World were placed in the second and third prize respectively.
Winner of the middle-weight category, Anastasius Ryndongsngi of Ri Bhoi Gym was adjudged as the best player of the event.
Others who were also present on the function include MG Kharshanlor, James Lamo, Rocky Marwein, Rocky Kylla, Lambok Rymbai and Plielad Tiewsoh.