User Rating:  / 0

Committee on Environment pushes for strong environment laws

The Committee on Environment of the Legislative Assembly today conducts a surprise checking of the Greater Shillong Water Supply water treatment plant and JNV School Sewage Treatment Plant. The committee was headed by Chairman H.M Shangpliang, Renington Tongkhar, Miani D Shira and S. K Sun.

The Committee on Environment is constituted to check on factors leading to Environmental hazard in the State.  Speaking during the meeting H.M Shangpliang said that it is learnt that since the Wastages Treatment does not function hence wastages from JNV School directly flow downstream to the main reservoir. The committee will again sit for the meeting of all Government Department to discuss and frame guidelines for all industrial sectors in the State. The committee will also conduct surprise checking to rivers across the state.

Meanwhile S.K Sun said that the Government through the PHE will push the Government of Meghalaya to declare Umiew River as ‘National Wetland’ in order to protect the area. The Shillong water supply phase III aims to provide water to every citizen by the year 2030.  S. K Sun added that strong laws will be push to implement in order to save other drinking water reservoir in the State. He added that due to excessive mining of lime stone, sand and quarry many rivers are in bad conditions which are unfit for drinking.

User Rating:  / 0

3 Days Training programme on ‘Incident Response System'

The District Disaster Management Authority, East Khasi Hills today organized a three day Training Programme on ‘Incident Response System” from 24^th to 26^th June, 2019 at the Training Hall, Meghalaya Bharat Scouts and Guides, Shillong. The inaugural program was attended by Commissioner East Khasi Hills Smti Matsiewdor War Nongbri. The programme was also attended by Smti I. Majaw, ADC and CEO, DDMA, East Khasi Hills District, Smti P. Lyngba, DDMO, East Khasi Hills District, Smti Maitreyee Mukherjee, City Project Coordinator, UNDP, Shillong among others.

Speaking during the program Matsiewdor War Nongbri said that the training has been designed to provide management skills to the different stakeholders who are working in disaster management and incident response planning. The training will provide quick and detailed planning on how to response effectively during disasters. She reminds that since Shillong city is becoming congested day by day it is necessary for every department to get prepared for any disaster. Such training will also help to deal with both pressure and trauma during any calamities.

Meghalaya is prone to various natural disasters such as landslides, thunder squalls, flash floods, lightning and earthquakes hence such training is necessary in order to prepare every individual from any disaster. The emphasis in Disaster Management training program has shifted from relief centric approach to proactive regime and as such a well coordinated response with clockwork precision becomes one of the most important goals. This training has been designed to provide management skills to the different stakeholders who are working in disaster management and incident response planning. The training will provide detailed quick planning on how to handle disasters effectively.

The Multi-Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) of the Shillong Municipal Area (East Khasi Hills) have been completed under the ‘USAID-MHA-UNDP Partnership Project on Developing Resilient Cities through Risk Reduction in the context of Disaster and Climate Change’. This time bound project (2016 -2020) is being implemented by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), East Khasi Hills, Shillong and monitored by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Meghalaya. The overall goal of this project is to reduce the natural disaster vulnerability of urban population, infrastructure, lifeline and shelter facilities through risk sensitive planning.         

User Rating:  / 0

Blind Lead Trust members face discrimination by house owner and family

Director of Blind Lead Thrust (BLT) who is visually impaired Jitendra Dkhar alleged that house owner Vennetta Kharsyntiew discriminate the members of the thrust who are also visually impaired in their rented Office located in Lower Lachumiere Shillong.

Jitendra Dkhar alleged that the House owner scolded and shouted at them whenever they would complain about water scarcity. He added that they would not receive water for two consecutive days which made thing difficult for them. On 20^th June their sponsor Theodore Moallem who is an American citizen and Director of ‘Makerwala Education Trust’ based in Chandigarh went to complain about their grievances but was assaulted by her, her husband and other family members. Jitendra alleged that during the alteration between Ted and Kharsyntiew families, the family members used foul and politically incorrect word to the visually impaired Thrust members and also threw the food which they were eating at them. After the intervention of NGO Impulse lead by Hasina Kharbih the situation was under control. Later police were called and both parties were taken to Laitumkhrah Police Station. On 21^st June Rani Kharsyntiew who is also a Magistrate filed FIR against Theodore Moallem for molestation case and till filing the report Theodore Moallem is still lodged in Laitumkhrah Police Station.

The thrust condemned the uncivilized act of Rani Kharsyntiew and families in treating the disable people.

User Rating:  / 0

Punjab delegation have faith in Meghalaya Government

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh sends five-member delegation to discussed with Meghalaya Home Minister, James K. Sangma to discussed the issues relating the security of settlers at Them ïew Mawlong. The delegation comprised of Cooperation and Jails Minister, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Member of Parliamnet Jasbir Singh Gill Dimpa, and Ravneer Singh Bittu, and MLAs Kuldeep Singh Vaid, and Kulbir Singh Zira.

The team visited the state to know the situation after banned outfit Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) issued a warning to the Harijan Panchayat Committee for asking the Shillong Municipal Board to withdraw the public notices which were served to the residents of Them ïew Mawlong asking them to submit documents to the Board to prove that they are genuine settlers.

Jasbir Singh Gill Dimpa told reporters “we had a very good meeting and satisfied by its outcome.” He added that “the Meghalaya government is sincere to restore normalcy and to come out with a long lasting solution, we have faith in the government and the people of Meghalaya who are very warm and gave us all the love and affection,” The Punjab MP said that the issue should be settled once and for all and hoped that the high level committee of the state government would come up with a feasible solution.

User Rating:  / 0

MSOA to conduct Sport Quiz competition

To celebrate the ‘Olympic Day’ the Meghalaya State Olympic Association will organize the ‘Inter College Sport Quiz Competition’ on 18^th June 2019 in the U Soso Tham Auditorium. This was announced by Working President John F. Kharshing during the press conference in the office of the Meghalaya of the State Olympic Association. Speaking during the meeting Vice President of MSOA Ion Lyngdoh said that this is the first time that such quiz on ‘Sports’ is being organize in the State to test the youth on their knowledge on sports around the world. For this competition Smt. War Nongbri the Deputy Commissioner East Khasi hills Meghalaya will grace the occasion.

The MSOA will also organize ‘The Shillong 10 km City Run’ on the 22^nd of June to celebrate the occasion. People from all walks of life can participate in the run. Winners will be awarded with 10,000, 7,000 5000 respectively. Minister of Sport Banteidor Lyngdoh will flag off the run.

User Rating:  / 0

Meghalaya Drug Users Coalition condemned inhumane treatment of suspects

The The Meghalaya Drug Uses Coalition of Meghalaya condemned the action of Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on drugs users in Polo which happened on the 7^th June 2019. condemned the action of Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on drugs users in polo which happened on the 7^th June 2019.  The incident happened in polo where 25 Youth suspecting of using drugs were assaulted by the ANTF and paraded to Polo Beat House for interrogation.

General Secretary A. Thangkhiew said that the organization does not condemn the action of ANTF but condemned the public shaming and assaults. He reminded that on 7^th June 2019 several videos went viral on social media where suspected drugs users were assaulted by the ANTF in Polo.

Jason Marbaniang who is the Additional Secretary said that Police and Society as a whole should treat drug users with dignity and help them fight drug abused in humane manner. Jasonwho is himself a former drug user said that “Assaults and Public Shaming will not stop drugs abused but love and cancelling will”.

The Union called out to Police Department especially the ANTF to arrest the drugs suppliers who are the main culprit in bringing drugs to the State. A. Thangkhiew said that the Police Department should provide the statistics regarding the number arrested drugs supplier. Instead of harassing petty drugs users the Police should go out and catch the supplier in order to stop drugs menace in the State. According to the Union there are Over 300 registered drugs users in Meghalaya Shillong in which 30 to 40 are injecting drug user who are minor below 18 years.

User Rating:  / 0

Meghalaya Government committed for the welfare of farmers: Banteidor Lyngdoh

The Directorate of Agriculture Government of Meghalaya led by Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh along with other Agriculture Minister of India took part in the video conference to address the grievances of the farmers in the country. The Video Conference was chaired by Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar.

The main objective of this conference was on the management and strategies to tackle the issues of ‘Army Worm’ which has been affecting many crops especially in North East India. Agriculture Minister Banteidor said that in Meghalaya only three Districts were affected which include East Garo Hills, East Jiantia Hills and West Khasi Hills. He added that the Department has committed to protect crops from being destroyed by ‘Army Worm’, “everything now is under control and there is nothing to be worried about, the department have came up with bioi-pesticides to deal with such crisis” the Minister concluded.

In the video conference with the Union Minister the Minister was appraised with the overall performances of the farmers in Meghalaya. The Minister acknowledged the Union Minister that there are more than 6 to 6 lakhs farmers in Meghalaya and there are 51,999 farmers who are benefited from the Kissan Credit Cards (KCC)   which is a smart cards for farmers to get loan from the Banks for their agriculture loan. The video conference also acknowledged about the PM Kissan scheme which provided financial assistance to the farmers across the country.

User Rating:  / 0

Meghalaya Government will study HLC report before taking further steps

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the state government will decide on the issue related to shifting of settlers from Them Ïew Mawlong or Punjabi lane based on a report of the High Level Committee (HLC). When the report is out, we will take a call said the Chief Minister. When asked on the demand of the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) for permanent land papers, the Chief Minister said they (HPC) are welcomed to give their letters and it is duty of the HLC to listen to all stakeholders.

On providing security to the settlers, the Chief Minister assured the delegation that even when the incident happened last year and things were very complicated, the Government did everything possible to ensure every citizen is protected. “Protecting the citizens is the primary responsibility of the Government and it is the duty of the Government to protect every one irrespective of who they are or which community they belong to.