Jowai PHE Scandal

The official enquiry committee assigned to go into the various anomalies in the Jowai Division of the PHE, will submit its report by September 15.

Giving this information, Mr N Rynjah, who is the chairman of the three-man committee, said that the Committee was making steady progress in finalizing its findings and conclusions.

Mr Rynjah said that the Committee had visited Jowai twice in this connections. A number of persons had deposed before the Committee. Besides physical verification of the stock was going on in full swing at the Jowai PHE Stores.

In reply to one question he said that the report is likely to be “voluminous” and would entail the affairs of the Division since 81,-82.

He refused to divulge anything about the nature of finding so far. “I will submit the report to the Govt and it is for them take action,” he added.

Asked if he was pressurized by any quarter Mr Rynjah remarked “Not at all. In fact, nobody contacted me all this time and I thought everyone has forgotten it all.”

Mr Rynjah, who is the Managing Director of the Meghalaya Govt. Construction Corporation, informed that the Accountant General’s office was conducting a “special audit” and his Committee was maintaining close touch with it.

Three assistants, picked from different departments, were assisting the Committee in checking the relevant papers and books of accounts to pin-point the irregularities which resulted in the draining of an astronomical sum of Rs. 13.27 crore.

Over 3000 families have been rendered shelter less and crops worth Rs. 3.63 crore lost following the unprecedented flood now ravaging Garo Hills valley.

Mr G N Bhattacharjee, D C West Garo Hills, attributed its to breach in embankment in Brahmaputra and in Ring Bund in Kolongkini river near Hallidayganj.

He said that 17,253 persons were sheltered in four relief camps opened at Phulbari, Baitbari, Rajabala and Hallidayganj.

Mr Bhattarcharjee told this reporter on telephone that the district administration was fully stretched to meet the calamity.

The State Govt had sanctioned Rs. 75,000.00 for relief materials to the camp-inmates.

He informed that flood water had meanwhile receded almost by a foot. There was no report of any loss of human lives.

The Health Minister, Mr S K Marak, and two Minister of State, Mr Atul C Marak and Mr William Cecil Marak are supervising the relief works.

Reserve Bank has described as “exaggerated” the alleged circulation on large scale forged hundred rupee currency notes bearing certain serials. “Such reports are highly exaggerated and should not be given credence,” an official Press release said. It added: No forgeries have come to notice in which the forgers may have succeeded in reproducing currency notes which cannot be distinguished easily from the notes issued by the Security Presses. The people should not be “carried away” by reports in the press which are misleading and create a wrong impression, it added.

The schemes for inclusion in the Draft 7th Plan of the North Eastern Council for Meghalaya were discussed at a high level meeting held here on July 23 at the NEC Secretariat.

The meeting besides reviewing the performance of the NEC Plan implemented in Megbalaya during 1983-84 also took into consideration the merits of spilling over about a dozen of on-going schemee to the Seventh Plan and made recommendations regarding inclusion of a shelf of new schemes in the Seventh Plan.

Several new schemes under N.E.C. Plan in different sectors including Transport and Communication, Agriculture and Allied Activities, Mineral Development, Sericulture and Manpower Development have been implemented in Meghalaya with an approved outlay of Rs.21.00 crore. The current year’s outlay for Meghalaya is Rs.705 crore (1984-85) while the amount released for 1983-84 was Rs.3.32 crore.

Presiding over meeting the Secretary of the North Eastern Council, Mr P.H. Trivedi explained the necessity of holding such discussion with individual Units of the North Eastern Region in order to reflect correctly the regional character of the NEC schemes besides enlisting the greater involvement of the Constitueut Units in respect of the various schemes implemented all aver the region. Referring to the various schemes which have been already sanctioned, Mr Trivedi stressed the need for completing the old schemes as far as possible during the Sixth Plan itself.

The decision regarding the rope way could be taken after the finalisation of the decision regarding the setting up of the Cement factories. Regarding the schemes for which setails are not yet ready, Mr Trivedi disclosed that such schemes could be included in the Draft Seventh Plan, after the NEC Experts and the State officials of Meghalaya make a joint study and submit the report within the stipulated time. Mr V. Ramakrishnan, Development Commissioner, Meghalaya who led the team of Meghalaya official explained the justification of including of the ongoing schemes as spill over schemes in the Seventh Plan. He also mentioned about the necessity of provision for maintenance of completed NEC schemes left uncovered by 8th Finance Commission. He also pleaded for inclusion of a few new schemes like Science and Technology, Planetorium and Telescope. Referring to the Inadequate postal and telecommunication facilities in Meghalaya, Ramakrishna pleaded for extension of Te1ephone facilities to every Block Headquarters.

The Govt of Meghalaya has announced the setting up of an official committee to work out the details of fencing along the Indo-Bangla border.

The Committee would determine4 the areas for fencing on the border with either solid wall or barbed wire whichever is considered necessary and would suggest other measures for preventing unauthorized entry of people from across the border, an official press release said. The Committee comprises the following members: – Additional Chief Secretary (Chairman) Commissioner of Division for Garo Hills. Special Secretary Political Department, Special Secretary Revenue Department, Special Director, Prevention of Infiltration Cell and ex-official Additional Secretary, Political Department, (Member Secretary.) IGP Meghalaya. I.G. B.S.F., Shillong, Joint Director of Surveys, Meghalaya

The Meghalaya Congress (I) has been quietly preparing itself for the parliamentary polls. Although no formal notice has been served on the partymen, already three4 applications have been received for the party ticket for the prestigious Shillong seat.

Sources close to the party said that the three contenders for the ticket are Mr D D Pugh, former APHLC Chief Minister who joined the party a few months ago, Mr Maham Singh, a die hard Congressman, and Prof. Alexgender Warjri, former Rajya Sabha MP who too resigned from the APHLC to join the national party barely six month ago.

The party bosses, sources said, have been exercising their minds about making the right selection. It is said that the party wants to complete the formalities of nomination well ahead of time for enabling him more time for establishing contacts with wider sections of the electorate.

Sources indicated that from the emerging trends it was probable that the choice may eventually fall on Mr Pugh. However, in that event dissension may develop among section of partymen who feel that a “proven Congressman” should be nominated. Although Mr Maham Singh is also a strong contender, some quarters feel that his religious affiliation may prove to be a big liability.

According to one source there may yet be another contender for the Congress (I) ticket a cabinet Minister from Khasi Hills who is said to be exploring his prospects.

Meanwhile, the Jaintia Hills District Congress (I) Committee is reported to have decided to request the PCC to award the ticket to the Indian envoy in Canada, Mr G. G. Swell.

According to one report, Mr Martin Narayan Majaw has announced his willingness to contest the ensuing poll. It is however not clear whether or not he will be allowed to use PDIC symbol since he has been “ousted” for the party by a section of the party functionaries.

The APHLC-HSPDP combine has not met as yet on the issue. Informed, however, do not rule out the re-nomination of Dr B R Kharlukhi the sitting Member.

As for Tura seat, the Congress(I) is sitting pretty with Mr Purno Sangma as its obvious nominee. Who will be the Opposition candidate is the only matter to be awaited with interest.

The Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi has agreed to formally inaugurate the first two units 25×2 = 50 MW) of the Kpili hydel Project, according to an authoritative source here.

Althoug no firm date has been fixed as yet, indications are there that she may come coinciding with her election tour of the North East. Meanwhile, Governor Bhishma Narayan Singh paid a two day visit to Garampani on August 11 to familiarize himself with the

Rs. 149-02 crore project.

Under the initiative of the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Union Industries Ministry has agreed to set up two Field Testing Stations (FTS), one in Gauhati in Assam and the other at Agartala in Tripura.

The establishment of the FTS with general engineering testing laboratories, has become necessary due to difficulties faced by the Small Scale Industry (SSI) units of the North Eastern Region by obtain Indian Standard Institutions (ISI) certificate in respect of their products. With a view to helping solve these problems and alleviate the difficulties faced by the SSI units of north eastern region, the NEC took up the matter with the Union Industries Ministry to set up a branch office of the ISI in the region. With the setting up of the above FTS offices, facilities would new be provided to SSI units and entrepreneurs of north eastern states and union territories for testing and certification of their products.

The High School Leaving Certificate Supplementary Examination, 1984 of this Board will begin from August, 25 next.

The Examination will be held at Shillong, Jowai and Tura Centres.

Applications forms for the purpose will be available from the Headmasters, Govt. Boys’ High School, Shillong, Jowai and Tura respectively.

Eligible candidates intending to appear in the Examination will have to submit the application forms duly filled in together with the fees and Admit Cards of the HSLC Examination, 1984 to the Headmaster concerned on or before July 16.

The Headmasters will submit the fees and forms along with the statements of the Candidates to the Board Office, Tura latest by July 23.

Two persons died near Happy Valley firing range on the night of July 8-9 last when a stranded lorry was swept away and submerged in a ferocious stream swollen by a flash flood.

According to Police, the lorry had developed some mechanical defects while a top a wooden bridge. The driver and handyman had gone to fetch mechanics leaving two labourers behind When they return there was no trace of lorry. A flash flood had swept away the lorry and the bridge. The victims who were inside the vehicle did not have any semblance of a chance to make attempts for survival.

The bodies have since been recovered and sent for post mortem.