Meghalaya BJP clarifies on invitations to Ram Temple

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 21: The state BJP has stated today that the invitation to visit Ram Temple was as per convenience and not for inauguration. 

In a statement, the BJP said a recent news article seems to suggest that some political and religious leaders of Meghalaya have “skipped” the Shree Ram Temple invitation which was extended by the state BJP (not the PM as wrongly reported).

“State BJP makes it clear that the invitation was for visiting the newly constructed Shree Ram Temple, as per the invitees’ convenience, and not for the inauguration per se as no date was mentioned. It is important to note that the invites were readily accepted whole heartedly. Moreover the inauguration event has been advance blessed by every prominent citizen of the state,” it said. 

The statement said all BJP Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, State Ministers and all leaders of the party and karyakartas have been directed to witness the historic and Revered event LIVE from places of worship in their respective areas on the 22nd of January 2024. 

Everyone will visit the Shree Ram Temple at a later date of their own choice, the same holds true for Meghalaya as well.

“BJP Meghalaya is of the opinion that such reporting, as has been carried out by one newspaper, is an attempt to vitiate the atmosphere during a momentous occasion and an effort to distort facts. The newly constructed Shree Ram Temple at Ayodhya has an ancient significance and holds a special place in the consciousness of a vast majority of Indians. Such an article is an attempt to paint a picture that Meghalaya doesn’t subscribe to the sentiments of a certain community and is separate from rest of the country. This is particularly sad considering people of various faiths and myriad cultures have always resided in the state in harmony, enjoying each other’s company. BJP Meghalaya fervently appeals that such biased reporting be stopped immediately,” it said.

Meghalaya Midday Meal Workers threaten to cease work

Staff Reporter

Shillong, 16: Midday Meal Workers have threatened to stop performing their school duties from November 2023 if the state government fails to release their three-month pending honorarium.

Speaking to media persons, president of the Cook cum Helper under the PM Poshan scheme Banalis Syiem said that recently the state government has promised to release the pending honorarium of six months but has only released three months.

Syiem said that till date the cook cum helper has not received the honorarium for the month of July, August and September 2023 and this has forced some of the helpers in different parts of the state to refrain from attending their school duties.

“We provide time to the state government till October 2023, to release the pending three months honorarium failing which we will call for a mass agitation by refraining ourselves to performing our duties in our respective assigned school” said Syiem.

Syiem said that this mass agitation will be in the entire state and this will have a great impact on the school children who are benefited from the midday meal scheme.

She added that from time to time Cook cum Helper of the Midday Meal Workers have impressed upon the state government to increase the honorarium but till date, their demands have not been met.

“We urged upon chief minister Conrad K Sangma to take up our issues with prime minister Narendra Modi so that Cook cum Helper of the Midday Meal Workers in the state are benefited from various schemes of the central government” she added.