Meghalaya

The Meghalaya High Court on Monday said that Aadhaar card cannot be the sole document for identification for accessing government benefits, and issued an interim order directing the administration to accept alternative ID from individuals who are unable or unwilling to produce Aadhaar number. A division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said the government should accept other valid documents like PAN card, voter ID or passport if Aadhaar is unavailable. The court clarified that non-possession of an Aadhaar number would not be a disqualification for availing benefits under schemes such as the Fee Compensation for Post Matric Scholarship for SC/ST students (Free Studentship) and financial assistance for SC/ST students not eligible for other scholarships....

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 20 crore belonging to CMJ University Chancellor Chandra Mohan Jha and his family in connection with the Meghalaya fake degree scam, officials said. The attached assets include four immovable property in New Delhi valued at Rs 19.28 crore and bank balance amounting to Rs 1 crore. The assets have been seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the agency said. With this, the total attachment in the CMJ scam so far has reached over Rs 69 crore, the ED said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has heaped praises on Meghalaya's development model, describing the state as a "blueprint for a resilient and self-reliant India". His remarks came in response to a post by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on X, where she highlighted Meghalaya progress following her four-day visit to the state from July 10 to 13. "Union Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman highlights Meghalaya's remarkable transformation driven by tourism, youth empowerment, women-led SHGs, initiatives like the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the Vibrant Village Programme and more. With strong government support and vibrant community spirit, the state stands as a blueprint for a resilient and self-reliant India," the Prime Minister's Office posted on X on Sunday...

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's visit to Meghalaya was as poetic as it was pragmatic. From echoing Khasi proverbs to unveiling flagship development projects, her journey across the scenic state became a masterclass in how governance can respectfully walk hand in hand with tradition. Addressing a crowd with grace and humility, Sitharaman drew instant connection with the people by speaking in Khasi — her voice carrying both warmth and reverence. Phrases like “Ka Tip Briew Tip Blei” (“If you want to know God, know man first”) and “Kamai Ia Ka Hok” (“Earn righteousness by doing business with integrity”) were not just symbolic gestures — they represented an earnest attempt to understand the moral compass of Meghalaya’s people. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma shared a video of her s...

Laitumkhrah, a strong team in the Shillong Sports Association's U-20 Fourth Division 2025, has been penalized by the SSA for fielding four ineligible players in their second round match against Golflink. The team, which won 4-0, should have progressed to the quarterfinals. However, Golflink registered a protest with the SSA, claiming they failed to obtain a club transfer. The SSA upheld the decision, stating that the four players were registered as players with another club and had not completed the SSA's inter-club transfer. Golflink won the match, but Laitumkhrah needs to win by 3-0 to qualify.

The government of Meghalaya has introduced the Chief Minister's Regional Transport Scheme, 2025, aimed at creating a dependable bus network that connects block and district headquarters. This initiative is designed to ensure at least one round trip per day, serving the needs of office workers, students, and patients. To support this effort, the government will offer significant financial assistance to qualified entrepreneurs running bus services, which will cover up to 50% of the total cost of the vehicles. The implementation of the scheme will occur in two phases over a span of two years, with the state government contributing 35% of the on-road cost as an initial payment, while the remaining 60% will be financed through a loan. Additionally, the government will subsidize 30%...

Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has said the state government will press for the retransfer of block I and II from Assam's Karbi Anglong district, asserting that the long-pending boundary issue remains a top priority. Tynsong, who also chairs the regional committee on the matter, said the government is awaiting a response from his Assam counterpart to schedule a joint inspection of the disputed areas. Before the creation of Meghalaya, both these blocks were part of the United Khasi Jaintia Hills district of Assam. In the 1950s, the then governor transferred the blocks to Karbi Anglong for ease of administration.

Concerns have been raised over the future production of famous Lakadong turmeric, with Laskein in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district identified among the ten most climate-vulnerable blocks in the state, officials said on Sunday. Lakadong turmeric is grown in the area by thousands of farmers and is known globally for its quality. According to the Meghalaya Climate Change Centre (MCCC), Laskein is among 25 of the state's 39 blocks, assessed to be at high or very high risk due to climate-related stresses such as erratic rainfall, extreme weather patterns, declining soil fertility, and pest outbreaks.

Langsning FC unveiled their new jersey for the Shillong Premier League 2025 season, marking a significant move from last season's mini crisis. The club, supported by the Rapsang family, struggled financially and finished sixth out of 10 clubs in SPL 2024. The unveiling of the jersey suggests the club aims to return to the top of the table. Paul Lyngdoh, cabinet minister and local MLA, attended the event, highlighting the importance of community, discipline, and shared purpose in a motivational speech. Other attendees included community leaders, head coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh, and players. The club President, Banteidor Lyngdoh, shared his vision to return to competitive glory and hope to reach the I-League.

Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Krishan Pal Gurjar, visited Meghalaya to discuss better Centre-State coordination, real-time digital monitoring, and transparent fund utilization for timely development projects. He reviewed key centrally-sponsored schemes and met with senior officials to assess progress on infrastructure, social welfare, and livelihood-based programmes. Gurjar praised successful initiatives and emphasized the value of grassroots feedback in refining policy. He also highlighted the inauguration of Tribhuvan Sahkari University, India's first dedicated university for cooperative education. Gurjar commended the state administration's efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.