Meghalaya

The Congress has criticized the Union Government for failing to allocate funds to mitigate the Sikkim landslide and allowing unplanned hydro-projects in the region, which is prone to disasters. Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary and Congress leader, has accused the government of vendetta politics, claiming they failed to allocate sufficient funds for irrigation and flood mitigation in West Bengal. The Union Budget of July 2024 promised assistance without specific funds for Sikkim, a region in West Bengal, according to Ramesh. The budget was seen as confrontational federalism, indifferent to the equally affected areas. A massive landslide disaster in Sikkim damaged the Teesta V, a 510 MW hydroelectric power station on the Teesta river. The disaster follows the October 2023 Glacial L...

The Ri Bhoi District administration has issued a warning to residents as water levels at the Umiam Dam near capacity, raising concerns about potential releases. As of August 13, the water level stood at 3,209.68 feet, prompting officials to advise caution, especially with the forecast of further heavy rainfall. In an official statement, the Deputy Commissioner urged people living downstream of the Umiam Dam to exercise extra vigilance. "Residents are advised to stay clear of rivers and streams to prevent accidents," the press release stated. The administration also highlighted the risks beyond rising water levels. In the event of flooding, residents are cautioned against approaching electric poles or power lines due to the danger of electrocution. This alert coincides with the monso...

Andrew Shullai, the former Chief Executive Member of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) and current Member of the District Council (MDC) for Jowai Central Constituency, has resigned from the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). Shullai announced his resignation on August 19, submitting his formal letter to Meghalaya AITC President Charles Pyngrope. In his letter, Shullai expressed his gratitude to the party but did not elaborate on the reasons for his departure. “I hereby tender my resignation from the membership of the AITC with immediate effect. I thank you for providing me the opportunity to be part of the party, especially the support I received in the last Assembly Elections,” Shullai stated. The resignation follows Shullai’s unsuccessful attempt to secure th...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has dismissed rumors of an imminent cabinet reshuffle following the recent political shifts in the state. The speculation arose after three Congress MLAs joined the ruling National People's Party (NPP) on August 19. Sangma addressed the rumors, clarifying that there are no immediate plans for a cabinet reshuffle and affirming that the government will continue its current operations. The NPP’s strength in the Assembly has increased from 28 to 31 seats due to the merger, giving the party an absolute majority. Despite suggestions that the defecting MLAs were promised cabinet positions, Sangma emphasized that their move to join the NPP was motivated solely by developmental priorities for their constituencies and was made without any conditions. ...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has announced that nearly 9% of the state’s budget is now allocated to the medical and health sector, marking a significant commitment to healthcare. Speaking at the inauguration of the Babies’ Critical Care Unit at Ganesh Das Government Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Shillong, Sangma noted that this allocation might be among the highest in the country, reflecting the state’s prioritization of health services. The newly inaugurated unit, operational since May 1, 2024, is the first government facility in Meghalaya offering specialized care for newborns and mothers. It features a 30-bed complex equipped with a Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Mother-Newborn Care Unit (MNCU). Funded through the Pradh...

Salseng C Marak, the former Chief Minister of Meghalaya and a prominent Congress party leader, passed away on Friday at the age of 82. Marak died at Tura Civil Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment since August 12, following initial care at Holy Cross Hospital starting August 8. Serving as Meghalaya’s Chief Minister from 1993 to 1998, Marak was the sixth individual to hold the office. A respected politician, he represented the Resubelpara constituency in North Garo Hills in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Known for his integrity and termed the ‘Mr. Clean’ of Meghalaya politics, Marak was admired for his steadfast principles and leadership. Marak was notably vocal about the dangers of connections between militants and politicians, warning that such links could undermine Co...

The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has called on the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government to urgently resume the second phase of border negotiations with Assam. The party emphasized the need to address six remaining disputed areas between the two states, urging immediate action to resolve the century-old boundary issues. HSPDP President KP Pangniang voiced his concerns in a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, expressing disappointment over the slow progress of the negotiations. While acknowledging the MDA government's efforts in resolving six sectors of the interstate boundary dispute in 2022, Pangniang stressed that addressing the remaining sectors must be a top priority. The appeal comes at a crucial time as tensions over unresolved border areas have pe...

Miscreants have reportedly broken into the Mawjymbuin Cave in Meghalaya to perform religious rituals, just days before the Meghalaya High Court is set to hear a case concerning a ban on Hindu worship at the site. A video circulating on social media shows the rituals being conducted and the lock securing the cave's entrance being forcibly removed. The High Court had imposed a temporary restriction on access to the cave following a ban that has sparked significant controversy. The court is scheduled to hold further hearings on August 14 to address the issue, focusing on a dispute between the Hindu organization 'Yatra' and the Dorbar Shnong of Mawsynram. The controversy began after the Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong prohibited Hindu devotees from offering prayers at the cave, which is revered...