Govt addressing ambiguity in permanent residency certificates

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 22: Minister-in-charge of Health and Family Welfare Ampareen Lyngdoh on Friday said the department has sought clarity from the home (political) as well as law department on the decision of some districts to issue provisional permanent residency certificates to the open category MBBS students.

Tabling a statement relating to the call attention notice of North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum, Lyngdoh said, “In light of the ambiguity on the part of the district administration on the issue of permanent residency certificate, since some districts is used provisional PRC to the open category students earlier, it was decided to refer the matter to home (political) as well as law department seeking clarity on the matter.”

She said verification of 2 more candidates is awaited.

Meghalaya was initially allotted 92 seats in the current academic year and two additional seats under the central pool.

Of these 52 seats are from the central pool, 13 from RIMS Imphal, 14 from NEIGRIHMS Shillong, 3 from Tripura and 10 from Assam.

Lyngdoh said as per the residency status claimed by the candidates, respective deputy commissioners were asked to ascertain about their permanent residency status.

Reports were received from respective DCs. Based on teh DC’s report and the documents submitted, results of MBBS seat allocation were announced on August 31, 2023 and subsequently upon receipt of two additional seats under the central pool, the seat allocation was revised on September 4, 2023.

She said following representations by some civil societies, the Health & Family Welfare Department issued a notification dated September 6, 2023, staying the seating allocation of the following open category students pending re-verification of their residency status as per home (political) OM Dated June 10, 1983.

The eight open-category students include Mehbub Hassan, Monimul Ekram Mondall, Mahmudul Islam, Atida Zaman, Chiranjit Kumar Paul, Angoor Zaman Hoque, Abul Kala, Golam Mahdi Alom and Ayush Kumar.

As on September 21, the re-verification of permanent residency status for six students has been received. These include Mehbub Hassan, Md Mahmadur Islam, Atifa Zaman, Chiranjit Kumar and Angoor Zaman Hoque have presented PRC for higher education and training issued by SDO Dadenggre sub-division West Garo Hills and Ayush Kumar presented PRC issued by DC of East Jaintia Hills.

Govt charts plan to promote fruit industry

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 14: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said today that the Government has charted a plan to promote the fruit wine industry in the State. He said that a robust policy has been put in place to promote a thriving ecosystem that links tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and job creation by promoting local fruit winemakers.

Speaking at the launch of the North East Wine Incubation Centre at Mawdiangdiang in Shillong, the Chief Minister recalled the moment when he encountered a homemade pineapple wine with a simple, handcrafted label on a beer bottle, which stemmed the idea to devise a strategy to promote professional winemaking and packaging.

“Despite the unimpressive packaging, the wine inside was exceptional. This experience, combined with discussions and observations, led to the realization that there is immense potential in the fruit wine industry in Meghalaya,” the Chief Minister added.

“This entire activity that we are trying to do, it links tourism, agriculture, and job creation. It has the potential to unlock a vast capacity that is lying dormant,” he added.

On a comprehensive framework to promote the industry, the Chief Minister informed on the importance of establishing a proper system, policy, and support structure for local fruit winemakers. This initiative is not only aimed at boosting the wine industry but also at benefiting farmers, tourists, and entrepreneurs in the state.

“I am in public life to make a positive difference in even a single individual’s life. That is my driving force,” he said, while adding, “The activity that we are trying to do here is going to make a huge positive difference in people’s lives.”

He further envisioned Meghalaya as the fruit-wine capital of the country. He expressed confidence in achieving this goal with the collaboration of all stakeholders involved.

He hoped that the wine incubation centre would provide a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to test and utilize machinery, encouraging innovation and economic growth through winemaking.

Addressing concerns about licensing and accessibility for winemakers, he assured the public that the licensing fees would remain nominal. He also informed that the Government is in the process of streamlining the registration process to facilitate ease of access for local winemakers.

The inauguration of the wine incubation centre, which is the first of its kind in the entire North East, was also attended by Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla.

In September 2020, the Government of Meghalaya amended the Meghalaya Excise Rules (Assam Excise Rules 1945) through a notification dated September 29, 2020 (No. ERTS (E)7/2020/52), to legalize the production and sale of Homemade Wines under license to provide a legal avenue for local Winemakers to carry out winemaking as a commercial venture. This amendment was adopted with the intent of not only creating an opportunity for Wine Tourism but also providing an impetus to the horticulture sector to undertake the cultivation and production of indigenous fruits on a commercial scale. This move has created new opportunities for winemakers, entrepreneurs, and farmers in the state.

The First Batch of Wine Appreciation & Wine Making Certification Courses was held from June to July 2023 for 68 trainees and for the Second Batch of 25 trainees in August 2023. A total of 93 winemakers have been trained so far with 16 of them currently undergoing internship in the winery of Hill Zill Wines, Bordi, Maharashtra.

The courses offered guided tastings, educational workshops, and interactive sessions with sommeliers and winemakers making it an immersive and enriching experience for wine enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and industry professionals looking to enhance their knowledge, indulge their senses, and connect with fellow wine enthusiasts.

The Wine Appreciation & Wine Making Certification Courses have been organised by MFEC with the aim of encouraging local winemakers to transition from the traditional art of winemaking to modern winemaking techniques to ensure that the quality of wine produced in the state matches nationally and internationally recognized wine standards.

Having been actively involved in the formulation of the current policy, the Meghalaya Farmers’ (Empowerment) Commission (MFEC) has now taken on the yoke of responsibility to provide an impetus not only for winemakers but also for consumers and businesses to actively undertake the promotion and consumption of local fruit wines and meads in the country to ensure that Meghalaya is at the forefront of fruit wine and mead production and refinement throughout the northeast.

AIM against gambling in melas

The Awakening Indian Movement (AIM) has sought the intervention of the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district to ensure a blanket ban on gambling at melas being organized by different agencies.

Speaking to media persons, chairman of AIM Bansharai Marbaniang said that many people from other part of the country come to Meghalaya to host various kinds of melas, however these melas have games that encourage gambling with money which is detrimental and have a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

Marbaniang alleged that melas throughout the country are being held in order to provide entertainment to all citizens where they can experience happiness especially for children, students, and youth but at present melas in Meghalaya are being held with gambling which have detrimental and a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

“During our visit to the mela held at the Parking Lot outside Polo Ground in Shillong, the mela hosted various gambling activities with money and young people and students in uniform participated in various gambling games” said Marbaniang.

Marbaniang said that AIM is not against organizing melas in the state, however it stands against the act of gambling that is being held at the venues hence the AIM sought the intervention into this matter.