Meghalaya

The Meghalaya government has assured citizens that it will thoroughly examine the growing objections against a proposed limestone mining project at Daistong village in the Jaintia Hills. Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar confirmed that the state will review grievances raised by local residents and pressure groups before taking a final stance on the project. The announcement followed a crucial meeting between the Deputy Chief Minister and representatives from the Jaintia National Council, the Jaintia Students’ Union, and local villagers. The delegation submitted a formal petition alleging significant irregularities in both the public hearing framework and the environmental clearance process. The tension surrounding the project escalated earlier in the day when youth organisatio...

Meghalaya has launched an ambitious initiative to secure Geographical Indication (GI) tags for 32 indigenous products, ranging from traditional foods and spices to tribal musical instruments, handicrafts, and cultural artefacts. This major effort aims to protect and promote the state’s rich bio-cultural heritage globally. The new applications include iconic products such as Sohra Honey, Meghalaya Hills Coffee, Meghalaya Pineapple, Meghalaya Black Pepper, Meghalaya Ginger, and Meghalaya Areca Nut, alongside traditional ethnic foods like Tungrymbai and Garo Sticky Rice (Minal). The applications have been filed by various organizations. A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products originating from a specific geographical region and possessing qualities, reputation, or cha...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated the new office complex of the 41 NCC Battalion at Cherangre in Tura, calling the National Cadet Corps (NCC) a vital platform for shaping disciplined, responsible and patriotic youth in the state. The newly inaugurated complex will house key administrative and operational offices of the battalion and is expected to strengthen NCC activities across the region. The Chief Minister also unveiled a commemorative plaque and took part in a sapling plantation drive at the campus. More than 500 NCC cadets, Associate NCC Officers (ANOs), officials and guests attended the programme. Addressing the gathering, Sangma described the inauguration as a “momentous occasion” and said the establishment of the battalion office aligns wi...

Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Tuesday said the Meghalaya government would examine objections raised by pressure groups and local villagers over the proposed limestone mining project in remote Daistong village of Jaintia Hills before taking any decision on the matter. Dhar made the statement after meeting a delegation comprising members of the Jaintia National Council, Jaintia Students' Union and villagers, who submitted a petition alleging irregularities in the public hearing and environmental clearance process related to the proposed mining activities. The meeting came hours after youth organizations from Jaintia Hills staged a protest rally in Shillong against the proposed project. Demonstrators marching towards the state secretariat were stopped by police amid heavy...

In a bid to streamline crisis response during emergencies, the state government is creating a database of Meghalaya’s students and professionals residing abroad. They have been asked to voluntarily register their details on the state portal meghalayaone.gov.in. The government stated that the database is needed to enable swift evacuation and assistance during emergencies. “The Government has observed that a large number of professionals and students from Meghalaya are temporarily working or pursuing studies in various foreign countries across different fields,” a notification issued by the Department of Home (Political) stated. Pointing out the lack of such a centralized database at present, it said, “It has been difficult for the Government to obtain accurate information regarding ...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday announced the postponement of the Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET), which was scheduled to be held on May 29, following appeals from teachers engaged in Census and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duties. Speaking at a public programme in Damas in North Garo Hills district, the chief minister said teachers had expressed concern over the difficulty of preparing for the examination while simultaneously managing classroom teaching and government assignments related to the Census and SIR exercise. “The teachers are worried and, in a dilemma, given their multiple concurrent assignments,” Sangma said while announcing the postponement of the examination. He assured teachers that the government would review the overall situation a...

In a remarkable achievement for the academic and research community of Northeast India, Dr Yugal Kishore Mohanta, Assistant Professor at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), has contributed to a major international research study published in the prestigious journal, The Lancet Neurology. The study, titled “Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis, its risk factors and aetiologias, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023,” presents one of the most comprehensive assessments of meningitis trends worldwide over the last three decades. The research analyses the global, regional, and national burden of meningitis from 1990 to 2023, examining its risk factors, mortality trends, and various disease-causing aetiologias. ...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a mini stadium in Damas, marking an important step towards strengthening sports infrastructure and creating better opportunities for youths in the district.The programme, organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, was held at Sacred Heart Secondary School, Damas, North Garo Hills.Also present at the programme were Timothy D. Shira, Minister of Tourism, Fisheries and Agriculture; Marthon D. Sangma, Chairman, Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation and MLA of 38-Mendipathar Constituency (ST); Rupert M. Momin, MLA of 37-Kharkutta Constituency (ST); officials from the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Agriculture Department, district administration, local leaders, students and members of the ...

Meghalaya is gearing up to host the prestigious North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA) in Shillong on June 11 and 12. This high-profile event is set to bring together top policymakers, global investors, financial institutions, and industry leaders to map out the future of infrastructure expansion, regional connectivity, and investment opportunities across the northeastern states. Announcing the summit, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma highlighted the state’s remarkable economic trajectory, noting that Meghalaya’s economy has doubled over the past five years. Furthermore, capital investment has increased fourfold since 2018. Sangma emphasized that this sustained growth has drastically strengthened investor confidence, positioning Meghalaya as one of the f...

Opposition against the proposed Shree Cement plant intensified as members of the Jaintia National Council (JNC) and Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) staged a protest during the public hearing, alleging that the process was not being conducted in a fair and transparent manner. The organizations also raised serious concerns over the land acquisition linked to the proposed project, claiming that the land was allegedly purchased by a non-tribal individual, which they said violates the rules and provisions of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC). Protesters argued that such transactions go against the protections meant for tribal land in the region. The demonstrators further warned that the cement plant could lead to several long-term environmental and social problems, inc...