Meghalaya

With the aim of ensuring transparency and accountability in implementation of welfare schemes in Meghalaya, the annual Social Audit exercise for FY 2026-27 will kick off on Wednesday. Informing about the exercise to be conducted by Meghalaya Society for Social Audit and Transparency (MSSAT), the Society’s director J Pyngrope said the audit process is designed to ensure that government programmes actually reach the people they are meant for and that public funds are utilised efficiently. “The Social Audit process plays a crucial role in ensuring that the Government schemes reach their intended beneficiaries effectively and that the allocated funds for these programmes are used efficiently,” he stated. The exercise will begin with a departmental meeting and the drawing up of the au...

A sharp decline in monsoon rainfall has raised concerns across Meghalaya's tourism industry, with many of the state's iconic waterfalls flowing at much lower levels than usual during the peak tourist season. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Meghalaya has recorded a 74 per cent rainfall deficit so far this monsoon. Officials attributed the shortfall to the absence of favourable weather systems over the Bay of Bengal, which normally trigger widespread heavy rainfall across the region. IMD Shillong Director Thangjalal Lhouvum said the rainfall deficit is being closely monitored and that updated rainfall figures for both the state and individual districts are regularly published by the department. Although tourist footfall has remained largely stable, those vis...

The state government will float the tender for leasing space at the Municipal Complex at Polo, following no takers for the previous offers made by the government due to high rates for bidding. The previous three tenders floated for the complex, which was inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in July last year, had yielded no response. The rates will be revised in the new tender to make the building operational at the earliest, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar told reporters on Monday. He admitted that the rates quoted earlier were likely too high. “We are yet to finalize because we have floated the tender three times, and no one responded. So it seems the rate is very high,” he said. “Last Friday I had a meeting with offi...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma called on the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, in New Delhi today and urged the Government of India to delegate to the State, under Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, the powers to grant previous approval and to approve mining plans for coal. The step, the Chief Minister said, would allow thousands of small tribal coal-holders to obtain lawful mineral concessions and the necessary approvals within the State itself. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Santa Mary Shylla, MLA of Sutnga Saipung in East Jaintia Hills. Explaining Meghalaya's distinct position, the Chief Minister pointed out that Meghalaya is a Sixth Schedule State where the land, and the minerals beneath it, belong t...

The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has constituted a committee to address growing pollution concerns in Byrnihat’s Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP). The decision was taken during a special meeting convened by Community and Rural Development Minister and Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun with officials, industry representatives and village leaders to discuss measures for improving environmental conditions in the area. The meeting was attended by MSPCB Chairman R Nainamalai, Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Saini, senior officials, scientists, representatives of the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation Limited (MIDC), the Byrnihat Industries Association (BIA) and village leaders under the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Byrnihat Area. During the discussion, vill...

The Meghalaya government is likely to take a final decision on the proposed relocation of residents of Punjabi Lane, also known as Them Metor, in Shillong by the end of July, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Monday, July 6. Speaking to reporters, Dhar said the government has one more meeting to hold before receiving the final report on the issue and intends to take a decision before the end of the month. He said one of the options under consideration is to seek land from the defence authorities for relocating the residents. The government is awaiting the outcome of its discussions with the Army before making a final decision. Dhar said two to three alternative locations have already been identified, but no response has yet been received from the Army regarding the ...

The 11th Meghalaya State Shooting Championship 2026 concluded after a six-day run at the Assam Regimental Centre in Shillong. The championship brought together shooters from across the state to compete in a wide range of events, reaffirming Meghalaya's growing sporting culture in the shooting discipline. The championship also served as an important milestone in the state's preparations for the 39th National Games 2027, which Meghalaya is slated to host. As one of the key events on the state's sporting calendar this year, the championship provided shooters a competitive platform to sharpen their skills and gain valuable exposure ahead of the National Games. This edition of the championship saw strong participation and represented one of the largest gatherings of shooters in the...

The Jaintia National Council, Khliehriat Circle, led by working President Diamon Bareh today submitted formal complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaiñtia Hills District on the serious failure of the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) in the district. The organization stated that "As per government guidelines, children below six years and pregnant and lactating women are entitled to receive supplementary nutrition for 25 days in a month, including daily hot cooked meals and morning snacks for the 3–6 years age group at Anganwadi centres. In reality, across many villages in the Khliehriat area, food is being distributed only once in one, two or even three months, and there is no regular hot cooked meal or morning snack for our children. This is not an administrative “minor ...

The Dorbar Shnong of Nongrim Hills has defended the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued for a proposed Blinkit outlet, clarifying that the approval was granted collectively by its Executive Committee after extensive deliberations and not by the Rangbah Shnong alone. The clarification came in response to recent remarks by KHADC Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh. Headman Bantylli Nari said the NOC was issued in the name of V Kurbah, a resident of Rynjah, who has an agreement with Blinkit, and not directly to the quick-commerce company. He maintained that the Executive Committee weighed the advantages and disadvantages before passing a resolution in favour of the proposal. Addressing concerns that Blinkit's entry could affect around 4,000 retail shops in Shillong, Nari argu...

The 19th Meghalaya State Swimming Championship 2026 concluded successfully, with more than 100 swimmers from across the state competing in a display of talent, determination and sportsmanship. Organised by the Meghalaya Swimming Association (MSA), the championship once again provided a competitive platform for swimmers across various age groups while highlighting the steady growth of aquatic sports in Meghalaya. The championship witnessed closely contested races across multiple categories, with several swimmers delivering impressive performances and achieving personal milestones. The event concluded with a medal distribution ceremony, where winners were honoured with gold, silver and bronze medals in their respective events. Officials also commended the efforts of coaches, volunteer...