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Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 22: After repeated notifications, the Government of Meghalaya has set January 31 as the final deadline for all the 19 persons who were sponsored by the state for further medical studies, to respond to its third and the final notification served to these doctors recently.
Failing which, government will take legal course of action against these students turned doctors.
These doctors are to inform the health department of their whereabouts and provide an explanation for their failure to come back to state and serve here in the rural areas for minimum 5 years after the completion of their course.
The students were sponsored by Meghalaya on state quota.
Out the 19 candidates only six have responded to the notices sent by the state, sources informed. It was learnt that 6 of them are pursuing further studies.
Of the six, five of the students that have responded are Smita Das from Lumsohra, Laitumkhrah, Shillong sponsored in 2002-03, Karan Joshi from Lower Barapathar, Shillong sponsored in 2003-04, Pranjali Gupta from Umiam, R-Bhoi district sponsored in 2000-01, along with Priyanka Dev and Tanmoy W Momin from Tura sponsored in 2004-05.
Sources revealed these five students have communicated of pursuing further studies and assured to come back to state for service after completion of their studies.
The sixth student’s name could not be ascertained as there was a last minute replacement. Government had approved sponsoring Karen Dipsera Momin from Tura in 2001-02 but she had backed out at the last moment. In her place, someone else was sponsored whose name could not be ascertained, though he/she has assured to come back to state after completing studies.
The 13 other students who have not yet responded to the government notices are: Sponsored in 2000-01, Moumita Acharjee from Hawakhana Tura; Manish Kumar Mathur from HQ DGAR, Shillong sponsored in 2000-01; Kalpajyoti Das from Malki, Shillong sponsored in 2000-01; Mitchell B Sangma from Tura, sponsored in 2000-01; John Kennybirth R Sangma from Forest Tila, Tura Sponsored in 2000-01.
Pallavi Borah from Police Reserve Shillong sponsored in 2001-02; Partho Protem Baruah from Laitumkhrah sponsored in 2001 – 02; Madhuri Gupta from Happy Valley, Shillong sponsored in 2001 – 02.
Sponsored in 2002-03, Badamutlang Dympep from Mawlai Mawroh, Shillong; Ema Dkhar from Rymbai, Jaintia Hills District; and Rajesh Kr Mishra from Tura.
Sponsored in 2003-04, Malavika Panda from Malki, Shillong; Bapukan G Momin from Rongjeng (Songma), East Garo Hills District.
The trend of the state sponsored doctors not coming back to serve in the state is seen as the main reason behind the shortage of doctors in rural areas of the state, despite the fact that the state government incurs an expenditure of more than Rs 10 lakh on every student pursuing an MBBS course besides scholarships.
According to the bond agreement, state-sponsored general doctors should serve in rural areas of the state for a minimum period of five years. The bond amount for batches from 1975 was only Rs 5,000, which was subsequently hiked to Rs 2 lakh in 2000. The health department, however, realized rather late that a large number of doctors refunded the bond amount just to escape from rural duty.
Subsequently, the government raised the bond amount to Rs 10 lakh from the 2001 batch.
But despite the hike in bond amount, doctors continued refusing to work in rural areas, forcing the government to affect another hike, making the bond amount Rs 25 lakh in 2010.

Guard injured in accidental burst
Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 22: One Afling Puin (35) of Nongring Shallang received bullets injuries due to accidental burst as he accidentally fell to the ground with the gun he was holding.
He was admitted at Nazreth hospital for treatment on Sunday afternoon.
The incident happened at Shallang and the weapon he was carrying was an SBBL.
WYWC Central Body new office bearers elected
Staff Reporter
NONGSTOIN, Jan 22: The Western Youth Welfare Council (WYWC) Central Body conducted the election for new officer bearers for the year 2012 at PWD, IB Guest House Nongstoin on January 19 last.
The newly elected office bearers are President, G. Iawphniaw, General Secretary, John K. Wanniang while the other members remain the same as the previous term.
D.D Mus Dkhar was appointed as new advisor of WYWC central body.  The former president L. Marngar administered oath of secrecy to the newly elected officer bearers of the council.
Whole meal Atta fairly distributed
SHILLONG, Jan 22: The District Commissioner of Supply announced to all the Public Consumers that the Whole-meal Atta for the month of September 2011 was being distributed through the Fair Price shops as per scale and prices. Scale- 1306 grams per head; Price- Rs 7.80 per kg.
The DC of supply also mentioned that any non-supply or over charging of the rate by the suppliers may be brought to notice with all the details.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 22: Following the outbreak of H5N1 virus or Bird Flu in Garo Hills, the disinfection and decontamination process which was started on January 13 last by the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) was completed on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioner, East Garo Hills, Pravin Bakshi informed that culling of birds within the 3 km radius from the epicenter - the government run poultry farm at Williamnagar – has been completed on Saturday.
With this culling, the disinfection operations have come to an end but the RRTs will be kept quarantined for some days.
Every 15 days, samples based on poultry population ratio will be sent to Bhopal from 3-10 km surveillance area for the next 2 months.
In all disinfection and decontamination was completed in all the 498 households having poultry within the 3 km radius.
On Saturday, birds in 87 households were disinfected while the disinfection and decontamination of the remaining 411 household had been completed prior to that.
In total, the district administration had deployed 18 RRTs for the culling, disinfection and decontamination of birds within the 3 km radius. In the last one week, 6538 birds were culled, 9157 eggs were destroyed, a road length of 21 km was disinfected, while compensation paid till Saturday was Rs 3,81,648 and 850 kg of poultry feed was destroyed.

Staff Reporter
SHILONG, Jan 22: The construction of the five star hotel, Mariott hotel, in the old office complex of Shillong Municipal Board has run into an legal tangle.
It is learnt that some land owners in the area, where the hotel is coming up, have moved the court.
Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh minister said the project had started but run into rough waters after court intervened.
The land owners have the shops there which are needed to be demolished to make way for the hotel.
She assured that the genuine land owners be provided with a compensatory land.
She apprised that there aren’t many having legal owner over the land and with those, the government was in negotiating.  
It may be mentioned that HM Cements is implementing the project and has tied up with Mariott group of hotels, USA top construct, for construction of the hotel.
The hotel will have two buildings, one of which will be used as the office of the Municipality.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 22: One person was on Sunday night looted by unknown miscreants near the St Edmund’s College, Shillong.
The victim, while walking along was stopped by an unknown person who pretended to be relieving himself by the corner. As soon as the victim crossed him, miscreant stopped him. Immediately, putting the victim at gunpoint, he took away everything he could from him and fled the scene.
This is not the first time that people being looted at the particular point has been reported. The particular stretch has become quite known for people being looted.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 22: In recognition of their stupendous services to the government of Meghalaya, 15 government employees were awarded with “Meghalaya Day Excellence Award” by the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma on Saturday evening.
The awardees include - Addl Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), office of DC, East Garo Hills, Bhupesh Hajong; Director, Urban Affairs, BK Panda; asst Accounts officer, office of the Director of Community and Rural development, Fairlando Lyngdoh; Head assistant, office of DC, West Khasi Hills, Spellinda Dkhar; Head Assistant, Office of DC, South Garo Hills, Shuktara R Marak; Assistant Superintendent, Political department, Phidalyne Jyrwa; Upper Division Assistant, Information and Public Relations department, Jacinta M Umdor; Upper Division Assistant, Personnel & AR (B) Department, Myransomda Lamare; Stenographer Grade – II, Office of Chief Secretary of Government of Meghalaya, Maryline Jyrwa; LD Assistant – cum – Receptionist, Office of Resident Commissioner, Meghalaya House, New Delhi, Laxman Singh; Head Assistant, Office of DC, West Garo Hills, Kritilla M Sangma; Driver, Office of Director of Social Welfare, Phrangsngi Mawthoh; Peon, Office of the Resident Commissioner, Meghalaya House, New Delhi, Saira Banu Lyngdoh Mawlong; Khalasi, office of the Divisional Soil & Water conservation, Jaintia Hills (T) Division, Jowai, Nehdei Khongbuhphang; and Room bearer – cum – messenger, office of the officer on Special Duty, Meghalaya House, Vellore, Ruby N Arengh.
Other awards which marked the day include the first " Cleanest Locality" in Shillong Municipal area which is bagged by Law Mawrie in Laitumkhrah and Mission Compound.
The names for ‘Meghalaya Day Award’ were also announced, which will be given to the recipients on the Republic Day. This year, all the three Meghalaya Day Awardees are females. Sweety Diengdoh has baged the "Tirot Sing Award" for art and literature; the "Pa Togan Sangma Award" for Social Services was given to Rose Kayathinkara; and the "U Kiang Nongbah Award" for sports was awarded to Roshni Bhusal.
On the occasion, the name of police personnel for the “Meghalaya Day Police Award” was also announced. 10 police personnels will be conferred the award which include - Assistant Commandant 2nd MLP, Santosh R. Marak; Assistant Commandant 2nd MLP, Bandon Lyngdoh; UBSI, Galbraith K. Sangma; UBSI, Robert Andrine M. Sangma; UBSI, Robert Anthony Dkhar; SI, Nongalbibra, Ahmed Sheik Ali; 5th MLP, Rajendra P. Kahit; Armed Branch Constable E K Hills DEF, Hubert S. Marak; BNC 5th MLP, Riewsngewthuh Umlong; and BNC 5th MLP from Strowell Syngkli. In recognition of their stupendous services to the government of Meghalaya, 15 government employees were awarded with “Meghalaya Day Excellence Award” by the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma on Saturday evening.
The awardees include - Addl Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), office of DC, East Garo Hills, Bhupesh Hajong; Director, Urban Affairs, BK Panda; asst Accounts officer, office of the Director of Community and Rural development, Fairlando Lyngdoh; Head assistant, office of DC, West Khasi Hills, Spellinda Dkhar; Head Assistant, Office of DC, South Garo Hills, Shuktara R Marak; Assistant Superintendent, Political department, Phidalyne Jyrwa; Upper Division Assistant, Information and Public Relations department, Jacinta M Umdor; Upper Division Assistant, Personnel & AR (B) Department, Myransomda Lamare; Stenographer Grade – II, Office of Chief Secretary of Government of Meghalaya, Maryline Jyrwa; LD Assistant – cum – Receptionist, Office of Resident Commissioner, Meghalaya House, New Delhi, Laxman Singh; Head Assistant, Office of DC, West Garo Hills, Kritilla M Sangma; Driver, Office of Director of Social Welfare, Phrangsngi Mawthoh; Peon, Office of the Resident Commissioner, Meghalaya House, New Delhi, Saira Banu Lyngdoh Mawlong; Khalasi, office of the Divisional Soil & Water conservation, Jaintia Hills (T) Division, Jowai, Nehdei Khongbuhphang; and Room bearer – cum – messenger, office of the officer on Special Duty, Meghalaya House, Vellore, Ruby N Arengh.
Other awards which marked the day include the first " Cleanest Locality" in Shillong Municipal area which is bagged by Law Mawrie in Laitumkhrah and Mission Compound.
The names for ‘Meghalaya Day Award’ were also announced, which will be given to the recipients on the Republic Day. This year, all the three Meghalaya Day Awardees are females. Sweety Diengdoh has baged the "Tirot Sing Award" for art and literature; the "Pa Togan Sangma Award" for Social Services was given to Rose Kayathinkara; and the "U Kiang Nongbah Award" for sports was awarded to Roshni Bhusal.
On the occasion, the name of police personnel for the “Meghalaya Day Police Award” was also announced. 10 police personnels will be conferred the award which include - Assistant Commandant 2nd MLP, Santosh R. Marak; Assistant Commandant 2nd MLP, Bandon Lyngdoh; UBSI, Galbraith K. Sangma; UBSI, Robert Andrine M. Sangma; UBSI, Robert Anthony Dkhar; SI, Nongalbibra, Ahmed Sheik Ali; 5th MLP, Rajendra P. Kahit; Armed Branch Constable E K Hills DEF, Hubert S. Marak; BNC 5th MLP, Riewsngewthuh Umlong; and BNC 5th MLP from Strowell Syngkli.

Our Bureau
SHILLONG, Jan 22: The AJYWO, as a sign of its sympathy to the needy, donated blankets to all the households in Sakhri, a place in the Elaka of Narpuh, on Sunday.
This charity work of the organization was carried out under the leadership of Working President of East-Jaintia Zone, Marshall Biam and the General Secretary, Diblin Sutong. “All the families of the village have been given blankets to ward off the biting cold of the season”, said Marshall Biam adding “the village is the most backward area of the Khliehriat region”.
Further noting the obstacles faced by the village, which is about seven kilometers from NH44, and situated along the cement factory-belt of Jaintia Hills, Biam said, “The members of AJYWO had to walk through the forests to reach the village. The condition of the people is pathetic; there are no roads and no medical houses”.
The condition is worse, especially if some of them happen to be ill; people have to carry the ailing person on their backs and walk the whole seven kilometers of distance to reach the highway.
“The act of the Government in turning a deaf ear to this village is beyond all measures” said the President of the AJYWO-EJZ.
Prior to the distribution of the blankets, a small gathering was held by the Rangbah Shnong of Sakhri where members of the organization and the other village dignitaries presented their speech.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 22: It was a cold Sunday afternoon, but as one entered JN Sports complex, Polo the warmth of the people who had come to cheer the home team could be felt. People thronged the entry lanes, the ticket counters while the tea and jadoh stalls were having the best sales for the season so far.
Parents brought children to give them what could be their first experience of seeing a live football match of such ambience and vibrance. The family, relatives, friends all had come to witness their son, brother, cousin, friend, create magic with feet on the astro turf in the I-league match.
But the supporters were at it once again, creating a messy scene in the stadium where their home side lost. In an entertainer of a match, Shillong Lajong lost to Dempo 2-1 at home; which did not go down too well with the home crowd.
Certainly the better playing side in the match and playing as a side who have gone way past heeling their wounds from the last game, Lajong displayed good skills in the game against Dempo. The midfield especially John D. Menyongar gave Dempo the back seat in most part of the game creating a number of chances to Matthew Osvaldo Mayora who was playing his first game for the club.
The packed house at JN sports complex almost when to frenzy when Renedy Singh, also the crowd’s upcoming favorite earned a goal by deflection from his first touch of the game. Lajong being up in the game 1-0.
But the cheers of the audience and the echoes of the drums in the stadium was short lived as Dempo’s Koko Sakiba scored a powerful goal, from well behind the box.
As the crowd was growing anxious by the minute, Lajong were finding it hard to convert multiple chances created by its midfield. The coach’s, anxious fans, all having a busy day; as was the young kwai seller in the stalls.
Just as the heat was building up for a contesting match, Wailadmi Passah was caught handling the ball. S.S Panda not hesitating to award the Goan side with a penalty kick. Ralte who was keeping the Lajong side safe since the match begun could not save Ranti’s ball to land behind the net. The score was Lajong 1 and Dempo 2.
As soon as the ball hit the net, crowd began leaving the stands, disappointed to see their home team loose consecutively at home. As the match entered into the 90th min, the violent side of the disappointed crowd came forth. Angry mob began throwing glass bottles, plastic bottles filled with water at Dempo’s bench, some of which were successful in hitting the Dempo Staff.
The match had to be abandoned thereafter as the bottles now reached inside the ground, putting the safety of the players in Jeopardy too. As the match got over, one could see two sides of football, though with a small misinterpretation.
One was sportsmanship as displayed by Lajong’s coach John. D. Menyongar as he escorted the Dempo players from the stadium to the dressing room while bottles kept flying in the air. The state police too was quick enough to come to the rescue to secure the players from this scenario.
The other one, with a twist, was loyalty and in other words, support which was displayed by the angry mobs who were throwing the bottles, pebbles to the players in the stadium.
It is understood that everyone loves their home team and want them to win all matches no matter what; but it doesn’t mean that due to this live, one should resort to violence when there is a controversial penalty as in the case of the match where the penalty conceded was a very quick one, no one having the time to see it clearly.
If the violence and the treatment of players and tournaments go on then the All India Football Federation (AIFF) will have to stop all the matches in Shillong as they cannot risk the safety of the players touring Shillong for the matches.
In order to avoid this every match affair that Lajong loses, it is advised to the authorities of JN Sports complex to install CCTVs cameras which can help identify and catch the persons darting items at the players. It may be noted that the CCTVs can be useful for any other anti-social element which may take place during the matches. Be it state security, the security of players, fans, property.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 21: With January 21, 2012 marking the 40th anniversary of Meghalaya’s statehood, the whole State was seen to commemorate the occasion in different styles and flavor at different places.
Various programmes to commemorate the day were organized in Garo Hills, Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills simultaniously.
In the State capital, Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) organized a grand programme to commemorate the day which saw a conclave of all the cultures.
In the jam – packed U Soso Tham Auditorium, people from all spheres of life were present.
As the drum beats grew louder, melody of flute got better, the concerted feeling of unitedly taking the state forward with peace and harmony grew larger in every heart.
Most dignitaries speaking on the occasion took pride in the fact that Meghalaya had achieved statehood without shedding a drop of blood. Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh said the statehood was achieved by following the path of Mahatama Gandhi’s “Satyagraha”. Adding to it, Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Lanong said Statehood was achieved by the ‘wisdom of our ‘leaders’.
Four decades have passed since Meghalaya attained its Statehood on January 21, 1972. The State has lost none of its vigour to meet the challenges of development and create a strong, diversified, resilient and competitive economy to adapt to the changing market and technological conditions in the regional and global economy.
Meghalaya is poised for a faster pace of growth and development owing to the new emphasis given to infrastructure, institution development and a new approach in implementing schemes while also creating new opportunities and hope for the youth and the next generation, asserted Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary WMS Pariat said Meghalaya has grown in leaps and bound in the past four decades. He proudly announced that Meghalaya is currently having the highest per capita income in the entire north east. 

Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 21: Speaking on the occasion of 40th Meghalaya Day here on Saturday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma exhorted political parties in state should refrain from indulging in “petty and divisive politics”.
Speaking to a varied gathering which included his deputies, cabinet members, senior bureaucrats and general public, he admitted that many a times political parties are responsible for creating divide among people for personal gain.
He urged all legislators, cutting across the party lines, that they have to serve people with a spirit of ‘inclusive growth’.
He stressed that petty and divisive politics has to move away if the progammes devised by government for the benefit of the common people had to reach its target.
He called upon all to work unitedly for progress.
He further stated that everybody in state had to be treated as ‘equal’ and the functioning of the government should be such that a feeling of discrimination does not arise.
Calling upon government officials not to discriminate between people, Sangma promised that schemes would be extended to all beneficiaries irrespective of their political affiliation, caste or creed.
He also informed that the state rural population was about 5 lakh. “All the mission mode programme of Government are aimed at creating opportunities for all the people irrespective of party allegiance, caste and creed”, he added. 
He asserted that government’s dream would be realized only when every family in Meghalaya is able to stand on their own feet, sustain itself and also be productive to state.

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 17: In order to find an immediate remedy to the humongous traffic jams in Shillong City along the National Highway 40 and 44, Government of Meghalaya has decided to construct lay – bys along the Barapani – Shillong stretch of the NH-40.

Meghalaya government will be making three lay – bys on the stretch while expanding the existing lay-by at Mawiong.

It is learnt that the length of lay-bys would be 0.5 km, 1.3 km and 2 km. the longest lay – by, at 2 km of length, will be near the Umiam Lake Viewpoint at Ryndang Briew, G.S. Road. The four lay – bys are expected to accommodate about 900-1000 trucks in all.

Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, accompanies by Urban Affairs and Municipality Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Mawlai MLA FS Cajee, on Tuesday made an inspection of the proposed sites along the NH-40.

After the inspection, Dr Sangma told reporters that the urgent need to construct lay-bys has arisen in view of the massive traffic jams in Shillong City caused by the increased number of trucks after Supreme Court ruling restricting trucks’ carry load capacity to 9 Metric Tonnes.

He informed that the District Administration will be directed to depute one designated Magistrate along with police to these sites to ensure that traffic rules are being followed.

The proposal for the lay – bys will be prepared by the State PWD and cleared through the single – window agency.

It is learnt that such lay – bys will also be constructed near Mawblei, Madanrting.

Also, CM has asked the PWD engineers involved in repairing the road to leave extra space on the G.S. Road stretch adjacent to the Umiam Lake Viewpoint at Ryndang Briew to develop it into a pathway for the tourists to view the lake. The lane is proposed to also have small stalls where handloom and handicraft products can be sold while other stalls may refreshment facilities.

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 17: A team of Garo national Liberation Army (GNLA) militants led by Area commander, Northern range, Rimpu gunned down two Garo youth in Village Konchikol, under Mendipathar Monday night.

The deceased have been identified as Pak Momin (26) and Engti Marak (27). They are suspected to be involved in kidnapping of a Bamboo merchant from Krishnai in the name of GNLA. However no such kidnapping case was reported to police from Krishnai, Goalpara or in Mendipathar.

GNLA is alleged of killing innocent civilians by branding them as police informers. “Perhaps this is a tactic used by GNLA to ensure that its cadres are forced to kill people so that these cadres would never be able to run away from the organization” said a senior police officer.

“The GNLA perhaps suspected them to be police informers, like they did in killing of 55 yrs old in Chokpot area on Aug 16, 2010 during the GNLA bandh and shooting at Robila Marak who was a mother of three kids, from Kusimkolgre of Willimnagar,” he added.

“GNLA Commander- in- Chief, Sohan D shira, is averse to GNLA cadre surrendering to the government. He devised a clever plan to ensure that these cadres are forced to indulge in killing innocent civilians and would become most wanted criminals by police thus pre empting their surrender”, he opined.

He went on to state that Sohan traps youth in to committing heinous crimes and pre-empt these youth from surrendering.

“This clever ploy used by Sohan to lure the Garo youth in to crime and make them criminals for life is for his own selfish game,” asserted the officer.

Over 1000 participate in Army Recruitment Rally

JOWAI, Jan 17: Over 1000 young male aspirants from East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi District and Jaintia Hills gathered at the Jaintia District Association Stadium, Jowai on Tuesday to participate in the Army Recruitment Rally for the category of Soldier General Duty and Tradesmen.

For the district of East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills the rally will be held on the January 18, Nagaon on the January 19, Sonitpur and Marigaon District on January 20 and for the Category of soldier Technical, Clerk, store Keeper Technical (SKT), Nursing Assistant (NA) on the January 21.

Director Recruiting, RO (HQ), Shillong, Colonel Ravinder Singh, praised the participants of the sequence of the test. He also informed that recruitment rallies are free of cost, fair and transparent and only the best and fittest youth are selected.

He advised the participants not to fall prey to touts and get cheated, because they can in no way influence the selection process.

The recruitment was flagged off by the Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills, Jowai, T Dkhar.

At the inaugural function, he reflected on the valor of the North Eastern States in the Armed Forces and asserted he was proud that they were second to none.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Army, HQ 101 Area and the Recruiting Team from Shillong for organizing such a Rally in Jowai for the benefit of the rural youth in the remote districts of all North Eastern States.

Two injured in road mishap

Our Bureau

Shillong, Jan 17: A scooter , MLO7 – 9938 and a motorbike, MLO7 – 3743 were involved in a head on collision on a crossing point near Police Reserve, Williamnagar, East Garo Hills on Monday evening.

The 108 Emergency Service Ambulance based at WilliamNagar helped in shifting both the motorist of the two wheelers, Martina Marak (38) and another victim who was unconscious to Williamnagar Civil Hospital.

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 17: Urban Affairs and Municipality Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday asserted that she will take a decision on the illegal settlement along the bank of Wah Umkhrah at Polo only when the revenue department provides her with all the details.

Lyngdoh said the Urban Affairs department got to the task of finding out all the required informed after the court’s verdict last year.

However, she maintained that Meghalaya Urban Development Agency (MUDA) is only an implementation agency; hence the work should actually have been taken up by Revenue department.

She said “I will not be able to take any decision without exact information like the actual owner of the land, how long the families have resided there and so on.”

The detailed reports are awaited from the Revenue Department, she added.

Due to the problems of taking over the government land along the bank of Wah Umkhrah, which is flooded by illegal settlement and encroachment, the expansion of road project from Polo to NEIGRIHMS has been hitched.

The Urban Affairs Minister highlighted that the livelihood developed along Wah Umkhrah over the past four and a half decade cannot be removed so easily.

Further, she opined that removing the settlement forcefully was not a solution. According to her, there was an urgent need to look at an amicable solution to this issue.

If the issue is dealt with aggression, it will only lead to developing a sad manifestation which can have rippling effect, she feared.

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 17: Meghalaya Government has decided to have one more bye – pass in East Khasi Hills. The new proposed bye – pass is from Shillong to Mawkynroh.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma informed that the length of the bye – pass is about 8 km.

For the project land has to be acquired from 10 – 12 land owners, which Mawlai MLA FS Cajee said will be getting free of cost. He said the land owners have agreed to part away with their land free of cost.

However, he mentioned that Chief Minister has decided to give the land owners minimal compensation.

Cajee is expected to meet the land owners soon in this regard.

Though the proposal is yet to be prepared, the estimated cost of the project is estimated at approximately Rs 10 crore.

Shillong, Jan 17: Meghalaya administration Tuesday said culling of bird-flu infected fowls would be completed by Wednesday.
"There are four villages within three km from the epicentre for which culling of all fowls is mandatory as per Government of India guidelines," state Veterinary director L Lyngwa said.
Until Monday evening, more than 3444 fowls and more than 1200 eggs were subjected to hygienic culling in East Garo Hills district including those from the government-run farm where the flu broke out a week ago.
He said, nearly Rs 3.6 lakh has been given to affected poultry farmers as per government's instruction hiking compensation from Rs 50 (Government of India rate) upto Rs 250 per adult fowl.
District administrator Pravin Bakshi said, Rapid Response Teams (RRT) are quarantined and kept together in one place.
Fifteen temporary toilets, blankets, mattresses, pick-up trucks, food, vehicles, earth movers have been arranged for the culling and mopping operations.
Bakshi said, RRT officials would be left in quarantined confinements for another ten days after the last bird is culled.
The district, with a population density of 122 inhabitants per square km, has a population of about 3.17 lakh persons as per 2011 census.
Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory has confirmed that blood samples sent was detected with bird-flu on Jan 11.

Shillong, Jan 17: The Directorate of Information and Public Relations has informed that the list of draft photo electoral rolls for 44- Raksamge (ST), 45- Tikrikilla (ST), 49- Dadenggre (ST) assembly constituencies prepared with reference to the January 1 as the qualifying date has been published and are available for inspection at the office of the Electoral Registration Officer, Dadenggre Civil Sub- Division, West Garo Hills during Hours.

Jowai, Jan 17: With an aim to better the knowledge of the citizens in understanding of Online Services (e-Services), the department of Meghalaya Taxation in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) on Saturday last organised a one day workshop on the implementation of Online Services (e-Services), at Chutwakhu Indoor Sport Hall Cum Auditorium, in which the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills, Jowai, B Mawlong was the Chief Guest.
Speaking at the inauguration of the workshop, Mawlong said the implementation of e-Services will provide a better service to the citizen, wherein a person can finish work even at home or wherever may be. It also saves energy and time.
He also desired for the department to set up booth like centres for the benefit of the public especially for those without computers.
Deputy Commissioner of Taxes, Meghalaya, Shillong, B. Khongsit, briefed on the service to be provided by the department.
“The online service such as e- Registration, online request for Waybills and Road Permits (e-Waybill), Online Filling of Returns (e-Returns), Online Payment of Taxes (e-Payment) will eliminate the need of the dealers to come to the Taxation Circle office many times and avoid unnecessary hassles and delays”, he added.
Downloading of forms and submission can be done through online by logging onto https://meghalayaonline.gov.in portal.
He also informed that through this web portal the dealers will be able to pay the tax online without going to the Taxation Office, Treasury or Bank.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 17: The turmoil over the four laning project through Umsning does not seem to die down easily even after the government has decided to have the proposed four laning from the Umsning Bye Pass.
As group of residents from Umsning, who are in favour of having the four – laning from the existing road at Umsning have felt betrayed by the government’s decision. 
Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, the group said majority of residents were in favour of having the four laning from the existing road at Umsning and that the decision is “mockery” of their opinion.
Ri Bhoi Students Union (RBSU) President Tyngshain Lapang claimed that in the voting conducted by the Committee to ascertain the majority’s opinion on Umsning bye – pass, 129 votes were cast in favour of four – laning from the existing road while 124 votes were cast in favor of four – laning from the bye – pass.
In view of their claim, RBSU has questioned government’s sincerity over the report submitted. 
It may be mentioned that in view of the controversy over people for and against the four laning from the existing raod at Umsning, Ri Bhoi district, government had constituted a committee on October 14 last to ascertain the actual desires of the people and find an amicable solution to solve the problem.
The student Union also alleged that the decision of the government was biased and based on the influence of certain legislators whose land(s) covered maximum area on the Umsning Bye-Pass stretch.
The Union has decided to hold a public meeting at Umsning in this regard.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 17: Taking cognizance of the problem of lack of public toilets in Shillong City, a toilet block has been sanction at Keating road at ‘No man’s land’.
Citing the need for public toilets as critical, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed that the project, which will have 6 units of toilet, has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 6.4 lakh.
Toilet and drinking water facilities will be developed at designated parking lots and areas, she added.