March 29, 2004

Shillong, March 29, 2004: The Deputy Commissioner (Election), East Khasi Hills District has informed that the 3 Election Observers in connection with the ensuing Parliamentary Elections have arrived at Shillong and are camping at the Circuit House, Kench’s Trace, Shillong, Any comments/ complaints with the ensuing election may be brought to their notice personally or over phone at 2226834 and 250539 or fax at (0364) 2226834.

Shillong, March 29, 2004: The Customary Laws of the Garos of Meghalaya with special reference to their land holding system was discuss and deliberated upon intensively at a day long seminar held organised by the Law Research Institute, Guwahati High Court, Guwahati at the Tura Circuit house on March 25, 2004. The Seminar was sponsored by the North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong.

The Chief Executive Member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Mr. R A Sangma in his brief address as the Chief Guest at the inaugural session informed that similar approaches in the Garo Customary laws are also being taken up through the District Council and are taking steps to put up law committees in this regard.

Speaking as the Guest of Honour, the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Mr S Jagannathan said that Garo Hills has a unique land holding system, which is not found elsewhere in the country. Expressing concern over the invisible alienation of lands taking place around Garo Hills and gross mis-utilisation of resources such as forest etc, he stressed the need to have proper land resource management in the region.

Also speaking on the occasion were, Dr Milton Sangma, Chairman of the Codification Committee for Codification of Garo Customary Laws and Mr. D K Arengh, General Manager, District Industries Centre, Tura.

During the day long seminar, papers on "Land Holding System and Administration and Justice Among the Garos’ and "Customary Laws in the Social Institutions of the Garos" were presented by Mr Phabok Diengdoh, Research Officer, LRI and Ms. Adela Lyngdoh, Asst. Research Officer LRI respectively.

Shillong, March 29, 2004: AAY quota of rice at the rate of 35kgs per AAY F.I. Card has been released at Rs.3/- per kg and BPL quota of rice at the scale of 35 kgs per BPL F.I. Card at Rs. 6. 15 per Kg. Also S.K Oil has been released at the scale of 9.7 litres per F.I. Card in urban areas and 4.7 litres per household in the rural areas, through Fair price shops/ SK Oil retailer. This was informed by the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), East Khasi Hills District Shillong.

Any overcharging or non-issue of the above commodities should be brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner supply, East Khasi Hills District Shillong.

Shillong, March 29, 2004: The District Health & Medical Officer, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, will conduct the 3^rd Phase of National Pulse Polio Immunization Programme on April 5, 2004 from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M in the nearest booth/post in the respective locality of the whole of East Khasi Hills District. All parents are requested to bring their children below five years of age for the administration of the polio drops. NGO’s, local headmen and Church leaders are requested to extend their cooperation so as to ensure the success of the programme.

Shillong, March 29, 2004: Upon receiving information that some persons have rampantly killed fishes at the river Wah Umsong (Umngot) from Shka Nongrim (Area synshar Pynter & Khonglah) upto Kliar Share (Area synshar Burma & Umkoi) by using chemicals and explosives substances, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong has promulgated Section 144 CrPC prohibiting the illegal killing of fishes at the above rivers by using chemicals and explosive substances by any persons.

This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force until further notice.