DIPR foundation stone

SHILLONG,JUNE 22: Meghalaya Information and Public Relations department minister AL Hek on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the construction of the office building of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) at Lower Lachaumiere.

Also present on the momentous occasion were the Chairman, Meghalaya Government Construction Corporation Ltd (MGCC), RV Lyngdoh, Commissioner & Secretary, IP, MHK Marak, Director of IPR HM Shangpliang, Deputy Regional Passport Officer, Passport Seva Kendra, MS Sangma, Managing Director, MGCC, S Nongkynrih, officers and staff of IPR and media persons.

The construction work for the DIPR office has been entrusted to the MGCC at the total cost of Rs. 9,41,78,000/-. The building is expected to be completed by March 2018. Besides the office of DIPR, the building will also accommodate the Meghalaya Integrated Information System (MiiS), office of the Commandant Civil Task Force, Passport Seva Kendra, Shillong Press Club and Meghalaya Editors and Publishers Association (MEPA).

In his inaugural speech, Hek said that the long cherished dream of having IPR’s own building has come into reality due to the vision and leadership of the present and past directors, officers and the department as a whole. As a mouthpiece of the government, he urged the officers and staff of the department to render their services to the maximum to ensure people’s participation in the successful implementation of different developmental programmes and schemes.

Hek also expressed hope that the office will open up a space for commitment and dedication and for providing quality service to the people of the state.

Hek  called upon the MGCC and the contractor to speed up the construction work to ensure that the building completes within the stipulated time to avoid time and cost overrun.

RV Lyngdoh, in his speech, said that the IPR is the most important organisation in the state which serves as a link between people and the government. Dissemination of information about important scheme and policies of the government need to reach out to every nook and corner of the state and it is the responsibility of the department to ensure that not one individual is left uninformed, he said.

Lyngdoh felt that I&PRdDepartment should be considered as a major department and called upon the officers and staff to work with vigour and determination for the benefit of the people of the state.

Others who spoke on the occasion were the Commissioner & Secretary. MHK Marak, Managing Director, MGCC S Nongkynrih, MEPA general secretaryP Marwein and Shillong Press Club president David Laitphlang. IPR director HM Shangpliang delivered the welcome address.-By Our Reporter