Congress in ICU, says NPP’s Sniawbhalang Dhar

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 15: NPP national general secretary and deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has opined that the opposition Congress has been admitted in an intensive care unit (ICU) and that it would be pointless to re-elect its candidate and sitting MP Vincent H Pala from Shillong parliamentary seat.

He said that it would also be pointless for people to vote for the opposition Voice of People Party (VPP) and United Democratic Party (UDP) as they will only end up in Byrnihat and will reach nowhere.

Addressing at a meeting held at Byrnihat, Ri Bhoi on Thursday, to drum up support to the NPP’s candidate for Shillong and cabinet minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Dhar said there are around 4-5 candidates, who will be contesting in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

“However, the candidate of the UDP will not reach anywhere and the VPP candidate also as you all know will only end up in Nongpoh (Byrnihat),” he said. He also alleged that voters, especially Garos and non-tribal, are not inclined towards the two parties.

Also alleging that the Congress is a sinking party, Dhar said, “Congress is a party, which is already in the ICU and we don’t know what will happen to it. The grand old party now has only 5 MLAs (in Meghalaya). The party, which had ruled the Centre once with a majority of 543 now is being reduced to only 40-50 and in this coming election, I don’t think they will even cross 40 seats. So why should we want to send the Congress MP. If we send (the Congress), we are fighting a losing battle already.”

“Therefore, I urge the people that the only option now is for you to vote for NPP’s Ampareen Lyngdoh,” he added.

He also said that the people will be best judge on the performance of Pala during the past 15 years.

Meanwhile, Dhar informed that as transport minister he had taken up with the Centre for sanctioning of eight laning road from Khanapara to Byrnihat and four lane road from Umroi to Jaintia Hills to ease the ever growing traffic jams.

The deputy chief minister also lauded the Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun for working very hard to bring development to the constituency. He said the MLA would even fight with CM every evening for development of his constituency.

“Therefore, it is visible that this constituency is not lacking behind be it roads, water supply, education sector and others,” Dhar said while adding that Jirang and Ranikor were among the constituencies which received the maximum development from the government.

“Sohtun is one of the most dynamic and hardworking MLA I should say. He fights almost every evening with the CM in his office. Today he came and asked for water and another 2-3 days he asked for roads and sometimes when he came and opened the door, CM would say what you want now. That is why he cares for his people.

In his speech, former Sohiong MLA Samlin Malngiang said that the NPP is a party which has principles and has leaders like Conrad K Sangma and two deputy CMs – Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar. “Therefore, people should vote for the NPP in the upcoming polls to ensure all round development of the state,” he said.

The meeting was presided by Jirang MLA and attended by leaders and workers of the party.

State BJP celebrates PM Modi’s 73rd birthday

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sep 17: The State BJP celebrated the 73rd birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

The program started with cutting of a beautiful cake by National Vice President Chuba Ao. The program was attended by State office bearers district office bearers, Mahila Morcha members and Yuva Morcha members at the State BJP office Shillong. Later, Prallad Joshi Union Minister joined the program.

This may mention that the BJP had declared September 17 to October 2 as a fortnight long program to ensure the reach of services to the poorest people.

This may be mentioned that Prime Minister has launched a new scheme for traditional craftsmen and artisans called PM Vishwakarma Scheme on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti. The scheme aims not only to help them financially by providing loans at minimal interest rate but also to keep alive and rich the tradition, culture, and versatile heritage of past centuries through local products, art and sculpture.

The scheme is completely being funded by the Central government with an outlay of Rs 13,000 Crore.

Addressing the function, National Vice President Chuba Ao mentioned that how Modi dedicated his life for the people of the country.

He said Prime Minister’s vision is leading India towards being the number one country in the world. “Today all top country leaders believes in Modi,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s birthday also was celebrated in different districts including Regional office Tura.

PM Modi inaugurates FM Transmitters in Nongstoin, Williamnagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 91 new 100W FM Transmitters today via video conferencing. Community Radio Stations in Meghalaya’s Nongstoin and Williamnagar are among the 91 places wherein these transmitters have been inaugurated.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the day marks a significant step in the expansion of FM services by All India Radio in the direction of becoming All India FM. He underlined that the beginning of 91 FM transmitters by All India Radio is like a present for 85 districts and 2 crore people of the nation.

In a way, the Prime Minister said, it provides a glimpse of the diversity and colours of India. He informed that the districts covered under the new 91 FM transmitters are aspirational districts and blocks, and congratulated All India Radio for the momentous achievement.

He also congratulated the citizens of the Northeast who will greatly benefit from this.

The Prime Minister underscored the emotional connection of his generation with radio. “For me, there is an added happiness that I have a relationship with radio as a host too”, the Prime Minister said referring to the upcoming 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat.

He said “This kind of emotional connect with the countrymen was possible only through the radio. Through this, I remained linked to the strength of the country and the collective power of the duty among the countrymen.” He elaborated on this point by giving examples of the role of the programme in initiatives like Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Har Ghar Tiranga which became a people’s movement through Mann Ki Baat. “Therefore, in a way, I am part of your All India Radio Team”, the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister underlined that the inauguration of 91 FM transmitters forwards the policies of the government that gives preference to the underprivileged who have been deprived of this facility so far. “Those who were considered to be distant will now get a chance to connect at a greater level”, the Prime Minister said.

Listing out the benefits of FM transmitters, the Prime Minister mentioned relaying important information on time, community building efforts, weather updates related to agricultural practices, information on food and vegetable prices for the farmers, discussions about the loss incurred by the use of chemicals in agriculture, pooling of advanced machinery for agriculture, informing women self-help groups about new market practices and assisting the entire community during times of a natural calamity. He also mentioned the infotainment value of the FM.

The Prime Minister said that the government is continuously working for the democratization of technology. “It is important that no Indian should feel scarcity of opportunity if India has to rise up to its full potential”, the Prime Minister said.

Making modern technology accessible and affordable is key to this. He explained this by mentioning optical fiber to all the villages and the cheapest data cost that has eased access to information. He said that this has given a new push to digital entrepreneurship in villages.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the tech revolution taking place in the country in the past few years has fabricated radio and especially FM in a new form. Noting the rise of the internet, the Prime Minister pointed out that radio has come to the fore in innovative ways through podcasts and online FM.

The Prime Minister touched upon the dimension of linguistic diversity and informed that FM transmission will take place in all the languages and especially in the regions with 27 dialects.

“This connectivity does not link just the tools of communications but it connects the people too. This is reflective of the work culture of this government”, said the Prime Minister highlighting the emphasis on social connectivity along with the promotion of physical connectivity.

“Our government is strengthening cultural connectivity and intellectual connectivity also”, the Prime Minister said.

Noting that tourism has got a boost after the rejuvenation of pilgrimages and religious places in different parts of the country, the Prime Minister said that the increasing number of people visiting tourist places is proof of increasing cultural connectivity in the country. He gave examples of museums related to tribal freedom fighters, Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Panchteerth, PM Museum and the National War Memorial and said that such initiatives have given a new dimension to intellectual and emotional connectivity in the country.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister underlined the vision and mission of all communication channels like All India Radio and said that connectivity be it in any form, its purpose is to connect the country and its 140 crore citizens. He expressed confidence that all stakeholders will continue to move forward with this vision resulting in the strengthening of the country through continuous dialogue.

Nongstoin, Williamnagar to get new FM transmitters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 91 FM transmitters of 100 W today at 10:30 AM via video conferencing. The inauguration will give a further boost to radio connectivity in the country.

In Meghalaya, new FM transmitters will be inaugurated at Nongstoin and Williamnagar. FM Transmitter at Community Radio Station (CRS), Nongstoin would be operating on 100.1 MHz FM Band while the one at Williamnagar would be operating on 100.9 MHz FM Band. The 100W Transmitter is expected to be heard in around 400 Sq. km area delivering a bouquet of various programmes of entertainment and education to the listeners in the town and nearby villages.

An event to celebrate these occasions is being organised in the premises of CRS Nongstoin and Williamnagar. Shri Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya will be joining these events virtually. Prominent persons of Nongstoin and Williamnagar including senior Government officers & dignitaries are likely to be physically present at Nongstoin and Williamnagar sites during the inauguration.

The government has been committed to enhance FM connectivity in the country. The 91 new 100 W FM transmitters have been installed in 84 districts across 18 States and 2 Union Territories. A special focus of this expansion has been on enhancing coverage in Aspirational Districts and in border areas. The States and UTs which are covered include Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Ladakh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

With this expansion of AIR’s FM service, an additional 2 crore people across the country, who did-not have access to the medium, will now be covered. It will result in expansion of coverage in about 35,000 sq km area.

The Prime Minister has been a firm believer in the important role which radio plays in reaching out to the masses. To harness the unique strength of the medium to reach out to the widest possible audience, Prime Minister started Mann Ki Baat programme, which is now nearing its landmark 100th episode.

Teachers unhappy with non-release of dues

The All Meghalaya Fourth Teachers Association Garo Hills Unit (AM4thTA GHU) has expressed unhappiness due to the non-release of their three–month salary.

The association said that the 4th teachers are yet to receive their salary for January to March 2023 and are facing lots of problems with their daily wages even going to school.

The association in its memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Education Minister Rakkam Sangma and also to the DSEL officers too on March 17 had demanded regularization of 1521 fourth teachers services, equal salary at par with Adhoc Upper Primary School teachers and to ensure regular disbursement of salary to teachers respective accounts and 5 per cent annual increment for Meghalaya 4th Teachers.

“If the MDA 2.0 government neglects the teachers’ salary then how will the teachers go to school with an empty stomach and empty pockets as they are without salary for three months? Therefore, the association requested the chief minister and education minister to look into the matter and ensure speedy release of our 3-month salary,” the president of the association Tengrang K Sangma said.

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.