Shillong, Jul 03: The Working Group-IX of the Meghalaya State Planning Board (MSPB) on Monday asked the Information Technology & Communication to introduce Electronic Waste (E-waste) Management programme to prevent haphazard dumping of obsolete electronic devices.
The Working Group-IX under the chairmanship of former Deputy Chief Minister, Rowell Lyngdoh gave this suggestion to the Information Technology & Communication department while reviewing state plan schemes implemented through the Information Technology & Communication, Science & Technology, and other departments.
The Working Group-IX also reviewed the physical achievements of various departments during the year 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.
MSPB co-chairman, John F. Kharshiing told reporters that E-Waste management programme should be introduced in the state so that obsolete electronics are not disposed off in a haphazard manner and help preserve the environment.
During the meeting, the IT&C department informed that it over 1000 schools have benefitted from the IT Education Scheme funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC) in which computers were distributed.
“If electronics devices are no longer fit for usage, people might dump it anywhere since we are not having a proper E-Waste management,” Kharshiing said.
Kharshiing said that he had also written to an IT manufacturer on how to go about implementing E-Waste in the state.
The IT& C dept has also informed that it would introduce e-Learning Center for providing coaching to 25 students who prepare to sit for JEE and NEET entrance examination online.
The Working Group-IX also reviewed the implementation of the International Internet Gateway (IIG) in Agartala through Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh that would improve internet connectivity in Meghalaya.
Laying of optical fibre cable is going on in the state.
The Working Group-IX has also asked the Science and Technology department to document indigenous system of medicines in the state which has over 2000 traditional healers who have already registered.
The Science and Technology department has set up 11 Community Orchid parks during 2015-16, besides mapping of historical monuments in Jaiñtia Hills for preserving and promoting eco tourism.
Construction of Digital Planetarium-cum-Innovation Hub at Tura has started, and the project at Shillong waiting for signing of MoU.