Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma welcomes Farmers’ Bill

"The Farmers Bill is positive and should have been passed a long time ago. He, however, said that it is a move in a positive direction and will benefit the farmers economically," Sangma said.

He pointed out that contract farming was done earlier also, but, there was no formal structure or policy in place.

“With the passing of the bill this aspect has come in and this will in itself open huge opportunities for the farmers,” he said.

On the other hand, he made it clear that the State government is not for lockdown as it is not a solution to COVID-19 pandemic.

Sangma said this after a review meeting held at the State Secretariat on Monday.

Pointing out that lockdown is not a solution but delaying tactics, he said the State Government is working at specific and micro containment and said the economy could not simply be closed down.

Talking about the review meeting he said that they discussed the overall situation, the rise in COVID-19 cases and death toll.

“Everybody needs to understand that the only way ahead is to be cautious and adaptive,” he stressed, even as he informed that 11 Industrial Training Institutes will be opened in the State from Sept 24.

Meanwhile, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Meghalaya has filed a First Information Report with the Cyber Crime Police Station, Shillong for taking necessary action against person(s) for propagating fake news through WhatsApp on Sept 20, claiming that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has announced a complete lockdown on Monday and Tuesday in Shillong agglomeration to trace contacts of the cases reported in Shillong.

The Assistant Director (News) Doordarshan Kendra, Shillong also informed that an FIR has been filed with the Station Head Officer, Madanrting Police Station, Shillong against the circulation of fake news on social media using the logo of DD News Shillong.