Meghalaya

The Meghalaya BJP has called for an urgent all-party meeting involving coalition partners and stakeholders sounding an alarm over the State’s rock-bottom national ranking in the education sector. The latest Performance Grading Index (PGI) released by the Union Ministry of Education has placed Meghalaya in the 401-460 score bracket—the lowest tier in the country. The report card identifies systemic failures across learning outcomes, infrastructure, governance, and teacher training. State BJP general secretary Wankitbok Pohshna stated that the ranking was a clear signal to overhaul the system and address academic gaps and the development of “model schools” that provide basic necessities like sanitation and stable infrastructure, particularly in remote regions. The party also called f...

Researchers at St. Edmund’s College, Shillong, have developed a biodegradable plastic film using banana peels that naturally decomposes in soil within weeks. The study explored how discarded banana peels can be converted into starch-based bioplastic as a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics, which continue to threaten both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Plastic pollution has emerged as a major environmental challenge, affecting soil health, biodiversity, aquatic organisms and ecological balance. The researchers noted that conventional plastics are neither easily degradable nor reusable and continue to accumulate in rivers, oceans and landfills, posing long-term environmental risks. The study highlighted the urgent need for biodegradable, eco-...

The maiden edition of Exercise PRAGATI 2026, a multinational joint military exercise underway at Umroi in Meghalaya since May 20, has entered an intensive operational phase with the participation of more than 400 military personnel from 12 friendly nations. The exercise is being conducted with the objective of enhancing regional peace, security cooperation and interoperability among participating armed forces through joint training and professional exchanges. Organized in the spirit of equality, friendship and mutual respect, the multinational engagement has brought together troops from participating countries to train collectively in a challenging operational environment. A major highlight of the exercise has been the formation of integrated mixed teams comprising personnel from a...

The education sector in Meghalaya has plunged into a deep crisis after the Union Ministry of Education’s latest Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 ranked the state as the worst-performing in the country. Despite having more than 55,000 teachers on government payrolls and over 14,500 schools across the state, Meghalaya has been pushed into the lowest Grade 10 category with a score of just 417.9 out of 1,000 points. The PGI 2.0 assessment evaluated 36 states and union territories on six major parameters including learning outcomes, quality of education, access, infrastructure, equity, governance, and teacher training. Meghalaya remained at the bottom of the national rankings, even behind states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Bihar. Although the state marginally im...

Conrad K. Sangma on May 23 participated in the “MLA Connect” programme held at Matchikolgre area in Tura, where he directly interacted with residents and community representatives to address civic issues and strengthen grassroots governance. The programme is part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to improve public outreach and ensure quicker resolution of local concerns. During the interaction, residents, youth organisations, local leaders and stakeholders raised issues related to roads, drainage, sanitation, public facilities, electricity supply, drinking water and urban infrastructure. Residents highlighted that slippery roads during the monsoon season often prevent garbage collection vehicles from reaching certain areas, leading to sanitation and waste management problems...

The president of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) James PK Sangma on Saturday, May 23, condemned the deliberate cover-up of sexual harassment complaints filed by members of the state's Under-23 Women's Cricket Team, naming the association's current Secretary Rayonald Kharkamni — who also served as Secretary when the complaints were first filed last year — along with other officials, as ones who attempted to bury the matter for nearly six months. In a strongly-worded public statement, Sangma said it was deeply concerning that even while Kharkamni had knowledge of the matter when the complaints were filed in December last year, there was no action taken, inquiry initiated, or response given to the complainants, and neither was there any communication made to the President after th...

East Khasi Hills emerged overall champion at the State Level Inter-School Athletics Meet 2026, which concluded at the SAI STC Shillong, NEHU Campus, on Friday. Addressing the closing ceremony, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla lauded the athletes for their spirit and stressed that values matter more than medals. “While winning medals may be temporary, discipline, character and sportsmanship will remain with you throughout your lives,” he told participants. Shylla said he was encouraged by stronger performances from districts beyond East Khasi Hills. He noted that under Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the government has “significantly expanded sports facilities across Meghalaya” despite past infrastructural gaps. “Artificial athletic tracks have already been ...

The United Democratic Party (UDP) President, who is also a State Cabinet Minister, has stated that the party has no official information regarding the reports suggesting prominent advocate VG Kynta will contest the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election on a UDP ticket. Addressing the speculation, the party chief clarified that while the process to select a candidate for the MP by-poll is already underway, the party needs to engage in thorough consultations before making a final decision. ​According to the UDP leader, two to three individuals have expressed interest in contesting the election on the party’s ticket. He reiterated that the party is currently deliberating on these proposals and has not rushed into a conclusion. Regarding the regional coalition, the Regional Demo...

A public hearing on a proposed Rs 1,800 crore integrated cement plant and limestone mining project in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district was called off on Friday following protests by a section of local residents. During the unrest, unidentified miscreants set a stationary truck on fire at some distance from the hearing venue. Police said the truck was empty and had no occupants at the time of the incident. A brief standoff also took place at the public hearing site between one group supporting the project and another opposing it. The tension came a day after clashes between the two sides near the office of the district magistrate left two people injured. Superintendent of Police Pankaj Kumar Rasgania said the hearing had to be cancelled because one group prevented the proce...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday attended “MLA Connect” at Matchikolgre in Tura town as part of continued efforts to strengthen grassroots engagement. During the programme, the Chief Minister interacted extensively with residents, local leaders, youth bodies, community representatives and stakeholders from the locality. Residents raised several concerns relating to roads, drainage, sanitation, public amenities, electricity, water supply, and urban infrastructure. Community members highlighted that garbage collection trucks are unable to reach certain parts of the locality during the monsoon season because of slippery road conditions, leading to difficulties in waste management and sanitation. In response, the Chief Minister directed the Tura Municipal Board ...