A conference of the Directors of Employment Exchange of the North-Eastern Region held here recently has recommended a number of practical measures to bring about qualitative and quantitative improvement of the employment services in the North-East.

The Conference held under the Presidentship of the Secretary of the NEC Mr P H Trivedi, suggested the setting up of Coaching-Cum-Guidance Centres for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates to promote self employment and extension of employment information services to the rural areas through mobile as well as extension services.

The other suggestions made by the Conference including improvement of Employment Market Information and Vocational Guidance Programme, establishment of vocational rehabilitation centres for physically handicapped persons and strengthening of the Employment Services at various levels.

Mr Trivedi mentioned about the proposal of the North Eastern Council for placing a couple of officers of the rank of Additional and Jt. Director in order to conduct the programme of collection of information and data on employment in the region and to make necessary analysis of the same for assessing the real nature of employment problem. Stressing the need for arrangement of proper training for the officers in the Employment Exchange Directorates, Mr Trivedi also suggested that certain percentage of posts in the State Sectors should be created as apprentice. He also stressed the need for adequate placement of ITI trained candidates to fill the vacancies.

The Director General of Employment and Training, Govt of India Mr S Venkataramani, while addressing the Conference explained the salient features of the recommendations of the Working Group for Improvement of Employment Services and mentioned that the Government of India as well as the NEC could consider extending financial assistance for improvement and modernization of Employment Exchanges in the region so that the Employment Exchanges could be gradually transformed over the next decade into nuclei of manpower oriented Labour Market Information System

The Assam Rifles Civil Employees’ Association held demonstration in front of the office on June 21, 22% 23 last demanding extension of “Special Duty Allowance” to all the central Govt employees of the North-East.

The employees had earlier submitted memorandum to the Prime Minister requesting her to bring all the central staff in the region under the purview of the Special Duty Allowance.

Mr Hipshon Roy, the General Secretary of the Seng Khasi will repesent the Seng Khasi at the 25th IARF Congress (International Association for Religious Freedom) at Tokyo in July this year. Mr Aibanshanshngain Swer will participate in the IARF Youth programme.

The Seng Khasi joined the IARF in 1980 and two of its delegates Mr. H. Onderson Mawrie and Mr. Hipshon Roy represented the Seng Khasi in the 24th IARF Congress in Holland and Belgium in 1980.

In the forthcoming Congress in Japan several speakers will introduce the Congress theme ‘‘Religious Path to peace’’ from the representatives both of East and West to nearly 400 delegates from Japan, the host country. The working group I to IV will discuss the 12 specific issues of the theme on the levels of theology, and spirituality, emperical fact representation and action guidelines. Several Indian representatives from different organisations will take part as consultants, moderators and panelists.

Dr. Harbans Singh and Dr. Mohinder Singh of the Guru Nanak Found Chakravorti, Director of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Social Education. Dr. Karlekar , Director of the organisation, Dr. Shicashankar Calcutta Soial Service Project and Mr. Hipshon Roy, General Secretary Seng Khasi. Mr. Hipshon Roy is also a member of the IARF Declaration Committee along with Mr. Marcus Braybrook (England). Dr. James Olson (USA) and tthree from Japan Mr.Katsuyama, Mr. Fukushima and Rev. Tazuo Miyake.

A Customs raid in ‘‘Super Bazar’’ departmental store in G.S. Road area of Shillong on June 20 has unearthed contraband goods worth Rs 4.50 lakh.

Acting on a tip off, the officers of the Customs & Central Excise cordoned off the shop and undertook thorough search of the premises. They also searched the residence of the owner and all empoyee and detected electronic goods, including video cassette recorders, television sets, video camera and gold biscuits bearing swiss marks.

A case has been registered against the offenders.

No initiative was more welcome, and more timely as well, than the one which found the Meghalaya Chief Minister. Mr. W. A. Sangma, in a meaningful round-the-table discussion, recently with the Chief Executive Members of the State’s three autonomous District Councils. We cannot recall any such occasion in the past when such a joint discussion was held in Meghalaya and now that such a move has once been initiated it would be the hope of everyone that such conclaves become a regular periodic routine to sort out problems which are apt to create distrust and disharmony between the State government on the one hand and the District Councils on the other. The estrangement which threatened the relations between the government and at least one Council in the recent past would thus hopefully tend to melt away, whatever the motivation or compulsion for the same.

What is strikingly notable is the candour and unanimity which marked the discussion at the CEMs’ conference. This is all the more remarkable because one of the CEMs represented the ruling party in the State, another the recognised opposition and the third an independent. The mutual understanding apparent, and the help promised, at these discussions is what augurs well for the future. Although with the creation of separate tribal States the original purpose of autonomous Councils has considerably been lessened, the mutual Govt.-Council cooperation and Inter-dependence would seem to appear all the greater if the unique experiment of district autonomy is expected to yield yet some worthwhile results.

Mrs Kamala Menon, wife of Lt. Gen. P.E. Menon, Director General, Assam Rifles, inaugurated Assam Rifles Girls Hostel at Happy Valley on 22 June.

While addressing a large gathering Lt. Gen. Menon said that the opening of Girls Hostel would meet the long felt need of providing broarding and lodging facilities to Senior School and College going daughters of Assam Rifles personnel who are scattered almost everywhere in the North Eastern Region. The hostel has got facilities to accomodate 15 girls.

The Finance Minister, Mr D D Lapang, while winding up the general discussion on the budget, referred to the PHE affairs and said “we are equally concerned.” He made it clear that the culprits would be dealt with strongly. Mr Lapang also assured that the State Govt was going to take such steps so that similar lapses did not recur.

In his 45-minute reply to the depleted discussion on the budget speech, Mr Lapang referred to the boycott by the Opposition and remarked that it was very unfortunate the that House was deprived of suggestions and views of the members belonging to opposition. He hoped that their participation during the next session would be forthcoming. He sought the cooperation of the Members in this regard.

He described the Meghalaya Assembly as a “model legislature” in the country. As responsible leaders of the State, the ruling side was making every effort to attain full-fledged development of the State.

Mr Lapang referred to the current year’s central allocation for the state and said that there was an increase of 15% over the previous year. He hoped that the Eighth Finance Commission which had lately submitted its report to the Union Govt. would take into account the special needs of Meghalaya.

The Finance Minister replied to some of the specific points raised by the Members during the discussion. Touching on a point raised by Mr Nit Shabong (MDF) he said that the State Govt was planning to take some long term and short-term measures for easing the traffic congestion at Mawlong area near Bara Bazar. The Town and Country Planning Department had worked out a Rs. 20.54 lakh project for creating a double-storied parking facility at a one acre land presently under the occupation of the Defence authorities. The States Govt was making efforts to resume the land, he said. Mr Lapang also added that as a part of Govt efforts to decentralize the commercial activities in and around Bara Bazar area, The Govt was planning to create bigger markets at Mawlai Nonglum and Malki. Besides, the existing market at Laitumkhrah would be developed so that the rush to Bara Bazar could be lessened.

Regarding lack of public conveniences at Mawlonghat area, Mr Lapang said that although the Govt had sanctioned money for constructing four public conveniences – at Motphran, Mawlonghat, Umsohshun and Police Bazar – unfortunately the scheme had suffered set back because of objections from the members of public. He appealed to the people to cooperate with the Govt in this regard.

The General Manager, N.F. Railway, Mr B.K. Palit has agreed to initiate necessary steps for preventing malpractices at Gauhati Railway Station particularly, involving booking and reservation on the Tinsukia Mail. The question was raised with the General Manager by a delegation of four, representing the Meghalaya Small Industries Association who met him on June 11, last in his office. Mr Nayyar, C.O.P./C.C.S. of the Railway was also present during the discussion and assisted the General Manager. Questions about increase in the quota for passengers originating in Shillong and Meghalaya were put forth by the team. The General Manager agreed to increase the same. It was also disclosed at the meeting that the new Vivekananda Express is expected to be commissioned to run from Gauhati BC terminal from July next. It was also disclosed efforts were being made to make the Kamrup Express to terminate and originate at Gauhati. It is expected that the introduction may materialised by the end of July. It was agreed that such meetings at personal levels are of greater benefit and that such meetings may be held in future also.

The Meghalaya Small Industries Association team comprised Messers. B. P. Bajoria, General Secretary, H. P. Maheshwari, J. M. Mantri and K. P. Agarwala.

The small business enterprises of Keatinge Road area of Shillong are in a state of distress. On one hand the licencing authorities are dilly dallying to issue them trading licence, on the other hand they are being chased by the Police for their alleged unauthorised business.

It is estimated that some 50 petty business organisations are operating along the Keatinge Road. Some of the m have been there from the early fifties. These are mostly located in private premises. But the Shillong Municipality has not been granting licence to all of them, particularly the motor garages. While, it is being felt that the Government should do something to restore some semblence of orderliness in the area, it is pointed out that those trading concerns which have been in existence for a considerable period should be granted registration under the Municipality. The chaos in the Keating Road area is all too well known to all. In the recent years the locality has undergone total metamorphosis–from a quiet semi residential locality to problematic commercial area. Acting on the basis of basis of complaints from certain sections of the residents, police have been periodically making surprise visits to the area. If any vehicle is found being repaired on the road, the workshop owner is immediately rounded up. This is purely on valid grounds, since parking of vehicles on the road makes vehicular traffic difficult. But it is alleged that a section of policemen, mostly underlings, have been harassing these workshop owners by collecting gratifications.