Negligence led to baby’s death: Nongrum
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sept 19: Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator from North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum today sought to know on the action taken against the Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills for granting permission for a fishing competition, which caused a traffic snarl that led to the death of a newborn baby at Pamphyrnai in Ksehkohlong village.
Moving a zero-hour notice in the Assembly, Nongrum said, “What action is being taken against the DC of West Khasi Hills for granting permission to the Fishing Competition without carrying out responsibility to ensure law and order, and against the SP of West Khasi Hills for allowing police personnel to be engaged by the organizers in prize distribution while being absent from traffic management and crowd control.”
He said on September 16, the baby had to be delivered without medical assistance inside a passenger vehicle by the pregnant mother, as their vehicle was unfortunately stuck in a 3-hour long traffic jam caused by double-side parking along the road and the unruly crowd not giving way to traffic during an unregulated fishing competition organised at Pamphyrnai lake, West Khasi Hills.
Nongrum said that the district administration was found guilty of negligence in issuing permission without taking responsibility in maintaining law and order, and District Police personnel seen being engaged in prize distribution while noticeably absent in controlling crowds and vehicles from obstructing the traffic flow on the busy Shillong-Nongstoin highway alongside the fishing competition venue.
The legislator further asked the government whether future events of fishing competitions, not just in West Khasi Hills but in other districts as well, can be put on hold till such time that a proper regulation can be made by legislation, so that no more untoward incidents should occur that put a danger to the health and safety of general public.
“Is the Government apprised of the adverse impact of the Fishing Competition, held almost every Saturday, on the weekly earnings of rural households, who are being addictively attracted to prize money of around 50 lakhs in total for each event, while having to shell out 2000 to 3000 rupees as entry fees … and of which perhaps zero amount goes towards Government revenue,” he said.
Govt to compensate cattle farmers for LSD losses
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sept 19: The state government has assured to pay compensation to cattle farmers after over 9,000 cattle have been affected by the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in the State.
Replying in the Assembly today, Minister in-charge Animal Husbandry & Veterinary AL Hek said no compensation has been provided to cattle farmers in the wake of LSD.
However, when opposition VPP legislator from Nongkrem Ardent M Basaiawmoit sought to know if the government is contemplating providing compensation to cattle farmers, who were compelled to close down their farms due to LSD, Hek said, “Government is going to pay compensation (to cattle farmers).”
He said that over 9,000 cattle were affected by LSD in the State.
Hek also informed that four veterinary hospitals and 125 dispensaries are providing medicines and vaccination to cattle against the disease.
On the other hand, the minister informed that Rs 16,20,000 compensation was provided to farmers during 2020-21 for the deaths of 540 pigs due to African Swine Fever disease.
When Basaiawmoit alleged the swine fever disease happened ever since the government started distributing piglets, which are from outside the state, Hek said, “We are not a self-sufficient State that is why we have to depend from outside the State.”
Vet hospital to come up in Shillong
Minister in charge of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Alexander Laloo Hek today said the government will soon set up the first-ever full-fledged veterinary hospital in Shillong.
“A detailed project report is being prepared for the setting up of the veterinary hospital at an estimated cost of Rs 94 crore,” Hek told reporters.
He said the site for the project will be at Upper Shillong and the proposal will be submitted to the Centre for sanctioning of funds.
Meghalaya is yet to have its own full-fledged veterinary hospital despite completing 50 years of statehood.
Hek said that the state is presently equipped with only veterinary dispensaries under the Directorate of Veterinary in East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills.
“Therefore, it is high time that we get a full-fledged veterinary hospital which will be a great blessing for the people of the state,” he added.
When asked, Hek said that the DPR will be completed by next month while adding that “we will immediately seek financial support from the Centre in order to speed up the setting up of this very important hospital in the state.”
Further, the minister informed that at present the state has over 17 veterinary mobile units which are functioning on a trial basis.
Stating that the state has over 264 veterinary doctors, Hek said, “Once the state has its own dedicated veterinary hospital, the department will find out ways and means to accommodate new doctors, veterinary assistants and other staff.”
Ex-Servicemen to join protest over OROP
Staff Reporter
Shillong, April 4: The General Secretary of the Meghalaya Ex-servicemen League Buam Myrthong today said that they will be forced to take part in the protest against the disparity when it comes to One Rank One Pension (OROP).
Speaking to media persons, Myrthong said that all ex-servicemen from the state have decided to lend support to the fellow ex-servicemen who will be protesting in Delhi against the alleged disparity in the OROP.
Myrthong said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken the decision to implement OROP I in 2014 but there are still many issues which the ex-servicemen faced since 2014 which compel the ex-servicemen to come and protest in Delhi to demand for review of the OROP II.
He added that there is a disparity in the OROP as there is a difference of Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000 between one rank within the army and since the cost of essential commodities is increasing day by day, it is injustice for ex-servicemen who have served the country.
“This protest against the alleged disparity in OROP is not only happening in Delhi but it is witnessed in different parts of the country and those who can travel to Delhi are already in the national capital to take part in the protest for the common interest of all ex-servicemen,” said Myrthong.
Myrthong said that it has been 42 days since the ex-servicemen are protesting in Jantar Mantar in Delhi but till date there has been no response from the central government to address this issue of all ex-servicemen.
He added that in the OROP II, the central government plans to implement equal pay for all who are in the same rank and who have the same amount of years in their respective services.