Meghalaya

Two persons who were earlier arrested on suspicion of tampering with evidence in the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi in Meghalaya have been dropped from the latest chargesheet after police found no proof against them during a detailed investigation. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said that Balbir Ahirbar and Lokendra Singh Tomar were initially taken into custody based on suspicion that they had tried to destroy evidence linked to the murder. However, the investigation later revealed that there was no material to support the allegations against them. “The arrests were made on suspicion, but the investigation did not support the allegations. The final report found that they had no role whatsoever, which led to their dismissal from the case, and ...

The Department of Commerce and Industries, Government of Meghalaya, in association with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), organised the Reverse Buyer–Seller Meet (RBSM) 2026 today at the State Convention Centre, Shillong, under the Raising & Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), Government of India. The initiative aims to strengthen export opportunities and improve global market access for MSMEs from Meghalaya. The inaugural session was attended by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma; Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-Charge, Commerce & Industries Department, Sniawbhalang Dhar; Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed; senior government officials; representatives from FIEO; fo...

In view of intense construction work along a 250-metre stretch, the East Khasi Hills district administration has announced traffic diversions on the Shillong-Dawki Road near Mahadev Khola Dham in the 101 Area, Upper Shillong, from February 3 to 18. Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said that trucks, including 407 and 409 models, and commercial buses are restricted on the affected stretch. These vehicles will be diverted at 5th Mile towards Shillong Peak Road via Pomlakrai. Vehicles approaching from the MES (Rilbong) side will be rerouted through Anjalee, Barik, Dhankheti, Fire Brigade, Madanrting, Laitkor and Pomlakrai. Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) coming from the Nongstoin and Mawngap side will be diverted at Mawmaram Junction towards the Lawmei-Umsaw road. Similarly, HMVs from S...

The Meghalaya Co-operative Apex Bank Ltd. has been adjudged among the best-performing state cooperative banks in the country and awarded the third prize by the National Federation of State Cooperative Banks for the financial year 2024-25, officials said on Monday. The award, which carries a trophy, a shawl and a plaque of appreciation, will be presented at an award function scheduled to be held in Gangtok, Sikkim, they said. "This recognition by the federation is a reflection of the bank's sustained performance, financial discipline and commitment to strengthening the cooperative banking system in Meghalaya," a senior MCAB official told media persons.

The Department of Commerce and Industries of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), hosted a Reverse Buyer–Seller Meet (RBSM) on Tuesday at the State Convention Centre in Shillong. This event was part of the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) of India, aimed at enhancing export prospects and global market access for MSMEs in Meghalaya. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who described it as a proud moment not just for Meghalaya but for the entire North Eastern region. He shared insights on how opportunities can emerge from perceived limitations, stressing that initiatives like the RBSM should yield tangible results and that persi...

The Meghalaya government is fully alert and prepared to deal with any potential threat of the Nipah virus, even as no cases have been reported in the state so far, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said in an interview. Responding to concerns following reports of Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, Shylla said the Health Department has already been asked to remain vigilant. “As of now, we don’t have any concrete evidence or report of Nipah virus in Meghalaya. I also don’t want to create panic among the public,” he said, adding, “But as a Health Department, we are fully aware and fully prepared.” On the upcoming National Games, which Meghalaya is set to host, the minister said the state has sought financial assistance from the Centre while also acknowledging its own resp...

Meghalaya will receive Rs 9,637 crore as tax devolution from the Centre in the financial year 2026–27, a move expected to strengthen the state’s capacity to accelerate capital expenditure and infrastructure creation, officials said on February 2. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha on February 1. Officials said the higher devolution would provide Meghalaya with greater untied resources, enabling the state to better support its developmental priorities. Central transfers to Meghalaya have witnessed a steady rise over the past decade. According to an official statement, between 2014 and 2024, the Centre released Rs 69,335 crore to the state as tax devolution and Rs 40,452 crore as grants-in-aid, reflecting sustained expansion in fiscal ...

Cabinet Minister and Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun has said that the worsening pollution levels in Byrnihat are a shared responsibility of industries operating in both Meghalaya and Assam, and that the Meghalaya side alone cannot be held accountable. Speaking on the issue, Sohtun pointed out that industrial units on both sides of the inter-state border contribute to the high pollution levels in the area. While acknowledging that steps are being taken to reduce pollution, he admitted that certain units continue to violate environmental norms. The minister asserted that the Meghalaya government is making all possible efforts to control pollution and strengthen monitoring mechanisms. He urged the state authorities to push the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Assam Pollution Contr...

Meghalaya has been allocated ₹9,631 crore under tax devolution in the Union Budget Estimates for 2026–27, significantly boosting the state’s pool of untied funds to support its developmental priorities. The increase reflects the Centre’s continued fiscal support to Meghalaya through higher tax transfers and enhanced assistance for capital investment. In addition to tax devolution, central support under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) has been expanded, enabling faster infrastructure development and higher capital expenditure. Between 2014 and 2024, Meghalaya received ₹69,339 crore as tax devolution and ₹40,452 crore in grants-in-aid from the Centre, underscoring sustained financial backing. Under the SASCI scheme, the state has received ₹6,523 crore between...

Amid rising concerns over drying springs and declining water discharge, Meghalaya's community-driven climate adaptation and water security initiatives have found mention in the Economic Survey 2025-26, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has said. The chief minister said the survey, tabled in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted Meghalaya's ecosystem-based and community-centric approach to addressing water security challenges. "With initiatives like MegARISE, spring mapping, and community-based water harvesting, the state is protecting critical catchments, restoring forests, and empowering local communities to adapt to climate change, strengthening water security for generations to come," Sangma posted on X on Friday.