(pic: Meghalaya governor, Ganga Prasad)
Shillong, Jan 26: With only a month left for the state to go to Assembly elections, Meghalaya governor, Ganga Prasad urged the people of the state, to exercise their right of franchise freely and maintain the best traditions of peace and harmony in the run up and during the polls.
“The general election to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is scheduled to be conducted very soon. I call upon the people of the State, particularly the youth who are eligible voters, to exercise their rights of franchise freely and to maintain the best traditions of peace and harmony during the run up to the election in general, and during the conduct of poll in particular,†the Governor said, while addressing the people of the state on the occasion of 69th Republic Day at Polo Ground here on Friday.
The upcoming Assembly elections will be held on February 27 and counting of votes on March 3.
The Governor said that the State Election Department has undertaken comprehensive activities pertaining to conduct of elections, registration of voters, preparation of electoral rolls and the other related programmes as mandated, under the direct supervision of the Election Commission of India.
“There has been an upswing in the number of voters registered due to intensive campaigns being undertaken through various innovative exercises. Eligible voters are encouraged to enroll themselves in the electoral rolls and to whole heartedly participate in the elections by casting their votes,†he said.
“It is a matter of pride to find ourselves belonging to a country that has matured as the largest democracy in the world and is now being counted as an emerging economic powerhouse. Equally, with all humility, we must acknowledge that the dream of Mahatma Gandhi to wipe every tear from every eye still remains distant. Let us, therefore, resolve today to do all we can, to contribute towards building a just, harmonious and equitable society in our country,†the governor said.
The highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the state government to improve healthcare services, quality education and talked about the potential that Meghalaya has in tourism sector, and steps taken by the state to provide skill trainings to the youth.
Continuing with the progress towards “Skill India Mission”, the Governor said that the State government has taken up modernization, up-gradation and expansion of Craftsmen Training Scheme through setting up of new ITIs, restructuring and transformation of existing Government ITIs in the State under the ADB Project “Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya” and the scheme “Enhancing Skill Development Initiatives”.
He said that she state under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna scheme is targeted to train 33,642 youth in different trades in the next three years.
“Under State funding, a special module has been carved out for imparting recruitment related training, in collaboration with the Border Security Force to prepare the youths of Meghalaya to pass the requisite physical test, written exam and personal interview for joining the Central Armed Police Force, Paramilitary and Armed forces,†the Governor said, while informing that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Tata Trusts, Mumbai to implement short term training programmes with the aim of livelihood enhancement through skill development and entrepreneurship for unemployed youth across the state.
