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.

CM held review meeting with MEECL

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma chaired a review meeting of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and discussed how to find out ways and means to improve the power scenario in the state.

“We had a fruitful discussion on measures short and long term to improve the power scenario. Several challenges have to be tackled and we are committed to overcome them with active cooperation and support from different stakeholders,” Sangma said.

The meeting was attended by power minister James K Sangma, officials of the Power Department and engineers of the MeECL.

Issues related to the Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, current financial position of MeECL, status of different schemes, loadshedding were discussed during the review meeting.

“We are looking at ways to improve the overall efficiency of the MeECL as a corporation and all the three wings distribution, transmission and generation,” Sangma told reporters.

He said the meeting also discussed about different projects which are coming up and those that will come up in future which include small and mini hydro power projects to improve the power scenario in the state.

Stating that meeting was just the beginning, the chief minister informed that he would also hold a review meeting to discuss specifically on the A&TC losses next month.

“Hopefully every month I will try to hold review meetings with different departments to figure out how we can improve productivity of the MeECL and ensure it becomes financially stable and how we can provide stable power supply to all citizens in the state,” the Chief Minister added.

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.

INC to re-structure in Meghalaya

All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary for the North East Region Luizinho Faleiro and Secretary Victor Keishing visited Shillong to take stock on the report of the party in the State. Talking to press during the meeting said that the party is in difficult times in both Meghalaya and Country as a whole but when it comes to vote share the Congress party have done consistently in the entire North East States. He also thank the people of Meghalaya for the continue support to the party. He expressed his gratitude for the people, party leaders and all who have contributed to the victor of Congress MP (Vincent Pala).

The party will also look to re-structure and arrange the party in the State. Luizinho Faleiro said that the party will come up with action plan, road map where party workers will travel to different parts of the states to tackle the problems face by the people in the State. He also added that even the country is in difficult times especially the entire Northeast after several scheme that benefit the entire North East.  Luizinho Faleiro also said Congress party is firm on protecting the rights, the unique culture and tradition of North East India.

The conference was attended by MLA George Lyngdoh, HM Shangpliang and Celestine Lyngdoh