Ampareen inspects AYUSH hospital construction

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 11: Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh today conducted an inspection of the under-construction 50-bedded AYUSH hospital at Sohra.

The project was funded under the National AYUSH Mission by the Ministry of AYUSH at the cost of Rs 10.55 Cr.

The project was initiated in the year 2016-17 and now 90% of work is in progress after monsoon Civil works will be completed. Well within the stipulated project duration since 2019, despite delays due to COVID-19.

The 50-bed hospital is likely to be completed by the end of October 2023. The hospital will be a big boost to the Health sector in the state and will be a great boon for the Sohra region. Once operationalised the hospital will provide OPD, IPD, Antenatal care, etc.

The hospital has space for starting Operation theatre, Optometry, Labour room, Panchakarma, etc. Besides, the centre also has spacious accommodations for AYUSH physicians and class IV employees.

During the inspection, the health minister reviewed the operationalisation timeline for the centre with officials of the department.

She informed that the recruitment for AYUSH physicians will be taken up by the District AYUSH Society by the end of this month. The process for procurement of equipment is also in the offing.

The minister also expressed optimism to start health care services in the centre at the earliest.

Lyngdoh will shortly have a meeting with Dy CM I/c Roads Prestone Tyngsong for the re-development and construction of approximately 2km of roads leading to this facility.

Roster system: Ampareen assures justice to every community

Spokesperson of Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government Ampareen Lyngdoh has assured that the government will come up with the best solution to ensure there is no ‘injustice’ done to any community while implementing the roster system in the state.

“We will come out with the best solution and we will ensure that solution is manifested in credible information,” Lyngdoh told reporters today.

“I appeal to the people of Meghalaya and political parties across the board to kindly allow us to collect data, to ensure data collected is credible and to ensure that in applying this roster there shall be no injustice done to any one community. We are Meghalayans and we must understand that the government is for the people of Meghalaya,” she added.

Also referring to the ongoing debates on the issue, the cabinet minister said, “I appeal to political parties to be confident that the government is taking all advisories, suggestions, being debated and we will evaluate those suggestions and we will incorporate and come out with a roster which is going to be acceptable, which is going to be justified and which is going to have credible source of data.”

Stating it is a very difficult situation, she said, “We are trying our best now to ensure that while debating and discussing this matter, we should not be seen as taking anyone’s side, we will try our best to present to the people the best solution.”

On the other hand, Lyngdoh also asserted the need for citizens of the state to ensure that a practice that was propagated since the inception of the state with its positives and negatives should not be discussed beyond logical debate while citing that reservation policy is a very unique application.

According to her, the government is also aware that the roster does in all likelihood create some sort of a sense of insecurity amongst communities that are enjoying this reservation in the state of Meghalaya.

Urging the people of the state not to underestimate the capacity of the government to evaluate what practice will benefit the state in the long run, the spokesperson said, “We have been actively engaging on understanding the roster as it was and how best can we take that forward protecting the interest of all communities who will gradually and definitely be affected by it.”

“I want to give an assurance to the people of the state that the government is engaging actively. We have been advised by various court orders to ensure that we have a systematic application of the reservation policy that will seem like a policy that is sensitive to citizens across the board. We will try our best to understand this system and to ensure that while applying it we should not seem as a government that is unjustly applying a system,” she said while adding “This order of the High Court is going to have positive application in the future. We must as a state adhere to justice for all. We must provide a fair playing ground for all communities and we will try our best to ensure that in its future application we apply the system in the best and most justified manner. We are procuring all datas from all line departments to understand how the roster has been applied in the state thus far and we will adhere to advisories that are going to be productive in the long run for the state and the citizens of Meghalaya.”

On the demand of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) to review the state reservation policy, Lyngdoh said, “Again, I want to reiterate that toying with discussion and debate about the roster on public domain coming out with statements which can seem as bias is the incorrect practice forward.”

“It is not fair to give suggestions that may not be workable or doable. So we will not talk about any one political party but we appeal to all political parties that this is a very sensitive issue, we do not want to see it go out of hand,” she said while requesting all civil societies and NGO members to have faith in the government which will come out with the best solution.

Govt worried about heat wave

Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Thursday said the heat wave is a concern for the state government.

“Right now we are worried about the heat wave. We are now trying to focus on what the government should do to address this heat wave that is enveloping several parts of our state,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

She informed that the health department has sent advisories to the deputy commissioners (DCs) to send to the schools and institutions to ensure children do not expose themselves unduly to sunshine and outdoor activities.

Stating that the situation so far is under control, Lyngdoh said, “We have not got any report that is alarming in any kind so we would like to make sure that the state of Meghalaya has the heat wave effects under control.”

“We have done well by advising schools in certain parts of the state to shut down for the next two-three days as precautionary measures,” she added.

LIVE UPDATES: Meghalaya Assembly Election Results 2023

Shillong | March 2, 2023

The assembly elections in Meghalaya for 59 seats took place on February 28, 2023, while polling in one constituency was adjourned due to the death of a candidate. The counting of votes has commenced on March 2 from 8 am onwards. The Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, F R Kharkongor had earlier stated that over 85% of the state’s 21.6 lakh voters exercised their franchise during this year’s elections.

The Congress and BJP contested in 59 seats, while the NPP put up nominees in 56 constituencies, the TMC in 57, and the United Democratic Party (UDP) in 46.The high turnout during the elections reflects the people’s interest and enthusiasm in the democratic process. The CEO’s office had previously reported that over 75% of the voting took place till 5 PM, with voting continuing for several more hours after it was supposed to conclude at 4 pm. Counting for the 59 constituencies will be held at 13 centers across the state.

Follow LIVE UPDATES here

04:13 pm:

The overall vote count as follows

NPP leads with 25 seats followed by UDP with 11 seats, INC and AITC with 5 seats, VPP with 4, BJP 3 and HSPDP, PDF and Independent with 2 each.

02:49 pm:

Lahkmen Rymbui retains Amlarem by a margin of 57 votes.

02.32 pm:

People accord warm welcome to NPP Chief Conrad K Sangma after NPP’s victorious innings in 25 seats.

 

02.28 pm:

BJP’s Sanbor Shullai reacts after winning South Shillong for the 4th term.

NPP Chief Conrad K Sangma’s 1st reaction after poll results.

2.00 pm:

Mukul Sangma loses Tikrikilla

01.39 pm:

Results for 59/59 seats known for Meghalaya. NPP leads in 26 seats followed by UDP and VPP among others.

01.13 pm:

NPP’s Conrad K Sangma continues to lead in South Tura Constituency with 49% votes as per latest ECI updates.

12.59 pm:

BJP’s AL Hek and Sanbor Shullai retain Pynthorumkhrah and South Shillong Constituencies.

NPP’s Snaiwbhalang Dhar wins Nartiang constituency.

NPP continues to maintain overall lead in Meghalaya.

12.50 pm:

NPP’s Marthon J Sangma wins Mendipathar constituency.

NPP’s James Sangma loses to Rupa M Marak of AITC by a very close margin.

12.13 pm:

NPP’s Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh emerge victorious

11.55 am:

Conrad Sangma’s NPP seen to be emerging as single largest party in Meghalaya as per Election Result Trends.

11:27 am:

BJP candidate AL Hek leading in Pynthorumkhrah Constituency followed by INC candidate PN Syiem, VPP, NPP and other.

11.15 am:

VPP candidate from Mawlai, Brightstarwell Marbaniang exudes confidence after Round 2 election verdict.

11.04 am:

JUST IN– NPP leads in 20 seats, followed by UDP in 7, INC in 6, BJP in 6, AITC in 5 and VPP in 4.

10.50 am:

Voice of the People Party (VPP) supporters rejoice as the party leads in various constituencies for Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Elections. VPP is currently seen to be leading in Mawlai, Nongkrem, Mylliem and Mawphlang.

10.33 am:

NPP’s Conrad Sangma, the current Chief Minister of Meghalaya and BJP’s Bernard N Marak neck to neck with 2672 and 2628 respectively.

 

10.28 am:

Round 1 poll results: (major constituencies)

South Tura: NPP’s Conrad Sangma and BJP’s Bernard N Marak neck to neck with 2672 and 2628 respectively
Amlarem: Lahkmen Rymbui (UDP)
Dadenggre: Rupa M Marak (AITC) surpasses James Sangma (NPP)
Jowai: Wailadmiki Shylla (NPP)
Khliehriat: Kyrmen Shylla (UDP)
Mawhati: Shemphang Lyngdoh (NPP)
Mawlai: Brightstarwell Marbaniang (VPP)
Nongthymmai: Charles Pyngrope (AITC)
Ranikor: Pius Marwein (UDP)
Resubelpara: Timothy D Shira (NPP)

more updates incoming…

10.10 am:

Latest trends as per ECI website

09.30 am:

Just In– Latest trends:
VPP leading in Mawphlang
INC leading in Mairang,
HSPDP leading in Mawthadraishan
AITC leading in Kharkutta, Rongara Siju
NPP leading in Resubelpara and Bajengdoba
GNC leading in Chokpot

more updates incoming…

09.00 am– Just in: scenes from the counting locations in Meghalaya outside the strong rooms.

08.20 am– Counting of votes began at 13 centres across Meghalaya today. The district magistrate of Eastern West Khasi Hills district has imposed Section 144  on Thursday. At 8 AM, under heavy security, the counting of votes for 59 of the 60 members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly began across various districts.

As per reports, Conrad Sangma, the current chief minister of Meghalaya and the leader of the NPP, visited Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, on Tuesday night in Guwahati ahead of the couting day. NPP sources informed that bot the Chief Ministers participated in a key meeting that lasted 30 minutes in a hotel in Guwahati.

08:10 am– All eyes on counting of votes. 24 CAPF companies have been retained for ensuring 24*7 safe counting of votes at the strongrooms, containing polled EVMs of 3419 polling stations across the State of Meghalaya, as informed by Meghalaya CEO F.R Kharkongor. The CAPF personnel will be stationed till March 4, 2023, for keeping a check on post poll occurrences. Post counting, 5 polling stations will be selected at random and manual counting of 5 randomly selected EVMs will take place as per ECI rules. On the other hand, massive traffic arrangements have also been made for the day across various districts of Meghalaya.